L. E. Thomas

L.E. Thomas is the creator of the Star Runners Universe. From a young age, he was captivated by tales of brave warriors, futuristic technology, and alien planets. Now, he brings those childhood dreams to life, crafting the kind of books he has always wanted to read. What began as scribbles in a notebook has grown into a vast and immersive universe filled with endless adventures. Readers are invited to embark on thrilling journeys among the stars.

You can find his work here.

The Interview

Your Star Runners series has a high school senior called Austin Stone as one of the main characters. I’m interested if this character is based on anyone you know or your former self?

I originally wrote the book for a young man I was mentoring to encourage him to read more for fun, so he was the original inspiration. However, friends told me Austin Stone is me – especially in the first book. I vividly remember feeling as a high school senior the same way he did about the next step in life, which I am sure we all feel the same when we are about to leave home for the first time. There is uncertainty about that next phase, which is terrifying and only magnified when your friends appear to have it all figured out. I felt the same as Austin.

Why did you choose Tom Edwards Design to create your cover?

I had long admired Tom’s work and visited his excellent website often before I reached out to see if we could work together. I always thought he had a way of creating these imagination-boosting images that made me want to enter them and find out more, which is what great art can accomplish seemingly without effort. Tom does that with every piece of art he produces.

How do you approach designing and portraying your detailed game worlds in your novels?

Great question! In many ways, I have been creating these worlds for nearly thirty years since middle school with my friend C.G. Adams. We created a game called Star Runners, and we spent countless hours dreaming and creating. We never really stopped.

What set Tom apart from other book cover designers you’ve seen or worked with?

I have never had an artist so quickly transform my initial ideas and take them to the next level. I always see what he produced from minimal input from me to create something beyond what I even thought possible. Tom is a gift.

Can you share a bit about your writing process? Do you outline meticulously or let the story unfold as you write? And how does this alter if you’re writing short fiction or series?

I have been a writer my entire life, but my process has evolved. I now write every morning at 4 a.m. It is the best time of the day and my favorite time to create. I do not outline every story beat or character moment, but I like to have a general idea of the story and an overall objective of each chapter. I do that whether writing short fiction or an entire novel or series.

What makes you come back to Tom to design your covers?

Tom’s work has become synonymous with my Star Runners Universe series. From the moment his first cover for my work dropped, and I saw it online, I knew I would keep coming back to him forever. There is something special about his art. It has an X factor that is difficult to describe but comes alive.

Historically, sci-fi is a genre often associated with power and masculinity but it’s great to see other genders in your stories! Was this an intentional choice or something that came about organically through writing?

Thank you so much! It wasn't so much of a choice as I wanted the story to be real for young people reading, who were the target audience. Women have always been an essential part of my life, so I wanted them to be a part of Austin's experience. Doing anything less felt unreal, and I wanted this story to entertain and feel authentic to young readers. As it turned out, many of my favorite characters in the story are women, and many readers worldwide who have been kind enough to write me are women.

What was the best part of working with Tom to design your cover?

The communication and ease with which Tom creates original art are impressive and intoxicating—that is not hyperbole. I also enjoy approving original art and never worrying about Tom using clipart or other images appearing elsewhere. Collaborating on covers can be stressful, but that is never the case with Tom.

How do you keep track of all the details in your world-building to ensure consistency throughout your series?

Another excellent question! I created a series, "wiki," a long time ago and have added to it as time has gone on. It was really important—especially at the beginning—to weave together so many books into the final two of the series.

What was the process of working with Tom on your cover; did you find anything helpful that other illustrators haven’t offered you previously?

I love seeing the first draft and watching the art progress with each round. I enjoy that aspect more than just seeing a final copy to approve.

Have there been any unexpected developments in your stories or characters that surprised even you as the author?

Of course! There have been characters who came out of nowhere and others who played a more significant role than I ever expected. For example, people who have read the first book may be surprised that Bear just appeared at the stairs in my mind the night they all left for their trip. I hadn't planned on him being there, but he appeared as I wrote the scene. He ended up being one of my favorite characters. There have been other scenes I never intended to have or that expanded beyond what I had expected. That's one of many reasons I love writing and never want to outline things too strictly. It destroys the discovery of writing.

What initially sparked your interest in writing, and how did you discover your passion for storytelling?

I don't remember a time I wasn't interested in storytelling. My earliest memories are of my mother taking me to the library and reading books. I was hooked the first time someone liked a short creative essay in school.

Can you describe your typical writing routine? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the creative zone?

I struggle to write anytime other than early morning or late at night when the rest of the world is quiet. I also listen to instrumental music while writing and love to daydream on long walks. I cannot write without these ingredients.

What obstacles have you encountered in your writing journey, and how have you overcome them?

Time is always an obstacle. That's why I write early in the morning or late at night. Over the years, I have found that if you really want to be a writer, you will find the time to do it somehow—no matter how many jobs you have! And long walks are key. For some reason, they energize my writing and help me stay motivated.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are just starting their journey or facing challenges in their creative pursuits?

Stick with it. If this is what you want, don't listen to anyone else. Write. Write every chance you get. Write. People will love your honesty. People will also hate your writing. Keep pushing. Keep writing. Know that it isn't easy, but nothing worth doing ever is.

Is there anything you would’ve done differently when starting out?

I would have written more sooner rather than waste so much time when I was younger. I also would not have listened to people who told me to focus on "my career" when I hated my day job. I have always loved writing. I haven't always loved my day job.

Can you provide any insights into your upcoming projects? Are there specific themes or ideas that you're excited to explore in your future works?

I will be finishing the Star Runners Universe series and cannot wait to finish the book with another incredible Tom Edwards cover! I hope the book will be released later this year. It's been a long journey, and I cannot wait to conclude the entire series for those who have stayed with me during this journey.