What would you say is the fundamental message of The Long Way Round?
Peter Apps: When you look down on other people’s squabbles they can seem so pointless and petty. What do they see when aliens look down on this world?

Why did you choose the science fiction genre for your first novel?
Peter Apps: I enjoy the genre but it can be so dreary. The future could be bleak and dismal like so many stories depict but it it could also be wonderful beyond belief.

I also get fed up with the same old clichés. For example, if I was an alien and wanted to destroy Earth, I wouldn’t use the War of the Worlds/Independence Day method. Maybe I would use a Solar flare to incinerate the surface or a truly virulent virus to wipe you out. It would be over before you knew what hit you. That’s the problem, no story.

With the whole of time and space to play with, there must be something different.

You seem to have a basic belief in the goodness of humans (indeed, of aliens too). How does this square with all the atrocities we see in the world?
Peter Apps: I don’t believe that Hitler was basically good and I can think of plenty of people alive now who would destroy everything and everyone around them for the sake of their own egos.

In my story, David Bradley, the elders on Baard&rsuo;Atcha and the leaders of the world that destroyed itself were all convinced that they, and only they, were right. Were they bad or stupid?

On the other hand, how about Mother Teresa, Gandhi or Martin Luther King?

Do you have any basis for suggesting that a portal such as the Endeavour could be created?
Peter Apps: Endeavour was the space station not the portal.

Multi-dimensional space is a mathematical concept. It’s used by astronomers to explain big bang theory.

You can extend the maths to think about folding space but I don’t know of any research into practical applications.

All I can say is that I can’t prove that it’s impossible.

We hear a lot about virulent homophobia in society, but you suggest that, in the end most people are accepting. Do you think that this is the case?
Peter Apps: I’m not sure that I could move the story to the bible belt of America, an English parish that did not want female clergy or disapproved of gay bishops or anywhere else where there was a focal point for prejudice.

Most people mistrust anything new or different. It’s easy for a bigot to feed on that mistrust and generate real hatred, Hitler and the Jews for example.

In my story, Brian had settled into the village and had become part of the community. He would also be horrified at any public display of his feelings so I don’t think that they would be seen as a threat to the community. Because of his reputation, Richard would be expected to lead any opposition but instead he works with them.

Maybe the homophobia exists but in this case the villagers could accept a friendly truce if not full acceptance.

Have you have any initial reactions to The Long Way Round? What have people said?
Peter Apps: Terrific interest from family and friends. They don’t all know that it contains a gay element but the ones that do don’t care. The real reaction will come when I get copies for them to read.

My local is offering me part of the bar for a launch party and the regulars are keen to hear the latest news.

Can you give us at least a hint of what your next book will be about?
Peter Apps: Stuart’s ambition to meet Captain Cook. Of course it all goes wrong and he finds himself in a parallel universe with a terrible sense of deja-vu as he finds himself rescuing the same world in both universes.