Chace Randolph

As an indie sci-fi author, my inspiration comes from the classic sci-fi vibes of the 1960s. Let me take you on a journey through the influences that shaped my writing.

My Love for Classic Sci-Fi

My goal is to capture a more classic, 1960s sci-fi vibe in my writing. There used to be a little bookshop down in Benson called “Mary Ann’s Mostly Books.” It was literally a couple of sheds next to the old single-wide trailer that served as the cave radio station. This now-defunct bookstore often had plastic milk crates filled with old paperback fiction novels, typically ranging in publication date from the 1950s-1980s. The pages were yellowed, and the covers were often damaged or water-stained. She charged $1 per book from those bins.

As a high school kid with too much time and no money, I wandered in there with a $20 bill two or three times and came out with a stack of grungy old books. I got all kinds, from westerns and sci-fi to nautical classics. I still have some of these books. My favorite part about these old books was the cover art. They had a certain flavor of cheese to them that really hit home for me. It was actual hand-drawn art, created before digital assistance or AI generation, and some of the wild imagery was hilariously delightful. One of my favorite covers features a six-armed giant sloth, orange with black tiger stripes, fighting a flock of small pterodactyls. No, I am not making this up. The book is titled “Outreach” by Jacqueline Lichtenberg, written in 1986. Look it up; it’s hilarious.

The Influence of Vintage Bookstores

My point is, I love this era of fiction and cover art. It feels much more organic and less formulaic. Like those music enthusiasts who only play vintage vinyl records because they sound better, I appreciate the authenticity of these old books. For example, Frank Frazetta was one of these artists and is perhaps my favorite artist of all time. His imagery, whether sci-fi or fantasy, is always fantastic and instantly recognizable.

The Impact of Cover Art

The cover art of my books is painted by my grandfather. This art, featured in earlier posts with the antagonist Tarko and the main character ZostaMax, has the same organic feel as this era of cover art. It has a kind of realness I feel is missing in this age of CGI and AI-generated ‘art.’

My Grandfather’s Artwork

I am beyond pleased to have my grandfather’s art on my books. Not only because his art is fantastic, but it has the same organic feel as this era of cover art. It provides a realness I feel is missing now in this age of CGI and AI-generated ‘art.’

Goals for My Sci-Fi Stories

I hope that my stories can offer the same level of authentic, organic cheese that has made me laugh and contemplate so deeply on the human condition. Those $1 used books were the best entertainment value per hour I have ever found and played a significant role in shaping me into who I am now. Not only that, but the books themselves told stories with stickers from libraries or schools that no longer existed, names and dates of previous owners penciled in the margins, tears, stains, and the musty smell of old yellowed paper.

My ultimate goal is not just to get rich off cheesy sci-fi books (now that Disney has ruined Star Wars and we need a new franchise to satisfy the fan base), but to write those kinds of books. Books with gripping art, stories that make you think, punchy one-liners that are memorable but not overly cheesy, providing the best possible entertainment value per hour, and stories to be enjoyed for generations.