A Q&A with Valley Stream sci-fi author James Allocca

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Growing up in the 1950s and 60s at the height of the space race between the United States and Soviet Union, and raised on the pulp science-fiction movies, television and classic sci-fi novels of the era, Valley Streamer James Allocca says he has long been fascinated with space, spaceships and exploring the great unknown.

So after a career in the publishing and design industry, he tried his hand at writing his own novel. In 2018 he released his first book, “Black Saucer: A Story of Determination,” which chronicles a science vessel crew’s desperate escape from a dying earth, overcoming steep odds while making startling discoveries along the way, but always with an eye toward the home they left behind.

This summer, Allocca released a follow-up: “The Descendants of Krag” after  encouragement from readers. Now, he is working on another novel, with connections to the first two. The Herald caught up with the local sci-fi author for a Q&A on his life, inspirations and what’s next.

Herald: Tell us briefly about yourself.

James Allocca: I grew up in Brooklyn, which was a great place for a kid to grow up, with lots of comic book stores and hobby shops. My wife and I have lived in Valley Stream since 1988. I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been an art director in the publishing industry for the last 35 years.

Herald: Why did you decide to get into science-fiction writing?

Allocca: I’ve always wanted to write a science-fiction book, but whenever I had an idea for one, it really wasn’t that good. The idea for “Black Saucer” came to me in the middle of the night, and I started typing the story the next day.

Both science and science-fiction have always fascinated me. I grew up during NASA’s heyday, and followed every moment of every launch. And between launches, there was always a classic sci-fi movie on TV, or a comic to read.

Herald: What are your chief creative inspirations?

Allocca: Great authors such as Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov and the other pioneers of sci-fi literature. special effects geniuses like Ray Harryhausen and George Pal were also great influences on me. And I certainly can’t leave out Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, who is maybe my biggest influence.

Herald: “Black Saucer” was your first book, with “The Descendants of Krag” as its followup. What were some of the challenges of becoming a first-time author?

Allocca: I had to learn about writing on the fly. I thought it would be easy, but man, was I wrong! “Black Saucer” took years to write, just because I had to learn a lot about being an author. Also, because parts of my books are based on factual science, there was a lot of research and fact-checking!

Herald: Your stories involve positive themes of overcoming great odds in the face of near certain catastrophe. What is it about those themes that strike you?

Allocca: There is so much negativity in this world right now, with many challenges. I refuse to be negative. I truly believe that the human spirit cannot be stopped, and that the future is still bright for all of us.

Herald: What’s next?

Allocca: The third book has ties to the first two, but with some new characters and it has a different twist to it. I just started writing it, and it should be another fun ride!