The original idea just came from imagining a space station built in the shape of a Möbius strip – and wondering why on Earth anyone would do such a thing. For reference, they probably shouldn’t.
Simon Kewin – 27 June 2026
The Back Flap
A MURDER ON TWISTED MÖBIUS STATION…
After nearly dying on Earth, ex-cop Mab Winter is hiding out on Möbius Station, a battered and anarchic platform in orbit around Mars. No one is supposed to know who she is. But then someone comes knocking on her door in the middle of the night, and it becomes clear that a lot of people know precisely who and what she is. She also learns there is much more taking place on the station than she first thought…
A murder mystery
A political thriller
A story about losing and regaining identity
About the book
What is the book about?
It’s a science fiction murder mystery and thriller, that also touches on wider questions of identity and cultural optimism.
When did you start writing the book?
I started the book itself in late 2023, although the short story it is based upon was written and published well before that, in 2010.
How long did it take you to write it?
It took about a year, which is generally about what I aim for.
Where did you get the idea from?
The short story I mentioned, Remembrance Day, was published by Electric Spec magazine in 2010, and that contained the kernel of the wider story contained in The Twisted Road. The short story gave me the setting, one or two characters and certain key background events. The original idea just came from imagining a space station built in the shape of a Möbius strip – and wondering why on Earth anyone would do such a thing. For reference, they probably shouldn’t.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
As the book grew, it became clear that there was an even wider story arc. In fact, there’s a book that comes before it chronologically, then one that comes after it. The first of these is written and I’m working on the second now! Working out all those plot lines took some work. I’m not, by nature, a heavy plotter, but I needed to make sure everything meshed together.
What came easily?
The main characters came easily to me – including, specifically, the controlling Intelligence of the space station, who is an ever-present if very quiet presence.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
They’re entirely fictitious as far as I know. But there has to be a chance my subconscious has borrowed from real world people.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I try to read very widely, and have for many years. If I had to pick one author who has influenced me, it would probably be Ursula K. Le Guin for her intelligence, humanity and the breadth of her work. As she did, I write fantasy and science fiction and I see no reason or need to pick one over the other.
Do you have a target reader?
Not really. Adults with some sense of wonder I suppose.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I try to write some every day, but I don’t beat myself up if I don’t get to it. I like to spend time when I’m not writing thinking about what I’m going to write, how I’m going to develop the plot and so forth. Then, when I sit down at the keyboard, I already have a good idea what I want to do. Then I go back and edit yesterday’s work, and that makes jumping into new words less intimidating.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
It depends a little on the novel. For some, I just have the beginning and the end in mind, and then I write until the two dots are joined up. For The Twisted Road, I did find it useful to outline more. I wrote chapter headings and a few plot beats. For me, planning in extensive detail sucks the fun out of the writing process. It becomes just typing.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit as I go, and my first drafts end up being pretty polished. Partly this comes back to how I write: as I say, each day I like to start by going back over what I wrote yesterday, polishing and editing, before ploughing on. I find this makes it a lot easier to jump back in to the flow.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
If I’m in a good flow, I will sometimes listen to music that I know well. If I’m working my way through complex plotting or whatever, I tend to work in silence. I like all sorts of music, and I do have a penchant for very fast, very loud music – but that generally isn’t conducive to writing!
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I did. It was a familiar story of either being ignored or receiving a few very positive but “not quite right for us at this time” responses.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I already have a series of urban fantasy books (The Office of the Witchfinder General) published with Elsewhen Press, and they’ve been fantastic to work with. They put a lot of love into each book they produce, so sending The Twisted Road to them rather than publishing it myself was an easy decision.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Elsewhen Press employed Alex Storer to create the artwork for the cover. It was great to work with him, batting ideas backwards and forwards, and I think he did a brilliant job.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Winging. I’ll try anything and everything that it seems sensible to try!
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
If you love writing and creating worlds – do it. Don’t let anyone stop you. Only you can create the books you write.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up on the Isle of Man, a smallish island in the middle of the Irish Sea.
Where do you live now?
I live in a very rural part of the UK, near the English/Welsh border.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I’ve had over 100 short stories published and around 15 novels – and I’m still very much learning how to be a writer. The fun is in the process. I suspect if you ever think you know exactly what you’re doing, then it might be time to stop.
What are you working on now?
The third book in the Möbius Sequence trilogy: The Road to the Stars.
End of Interview:
For more from Simon Kewin visit his website, check out his page on Link Tree, and follow him on BlueSky.
Get your copy of The Twisted Road from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
