Interview with R.G. Roberts, Author of War of the Submarine: The Rebel Collection

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write War of the Submarine: the Rebel Collection?

The original idea for the series, “War of the Submarine,” hit me while I was a student at the Naval War College. A friend and I started spit balling about how World War III would start and what kind of war it would be, and my immediate response was: “World War I was the war of the battleship and World War II was the war of the aircraft carrier, but World War III will be the war of the submarine.” I wanted to explore both a non-nuclear modern world war plus what happens when true stealth is difficult due to the proliferation of satellites and radar detection. As a navy veteran, the answer came easily to me: submarines. This boxed set is the combination of books 1-4 (plus a prequel and a novella, book 2.5), so it covers both the beginning of an increasingly likely World War III and the “becoming a hero” journey for Commander Alex Coleman. Both the premise of another world war—one more akin to WWI where kris-crossing alliances are a significant root cause rather than a singular evil—and the opportunity to explore what kind of leaders a long peace develops called to me like a siren song. “War of the Submarine” explores both a multi-faceted war and what said war does to leaders, both good and bad, as they struggle to find their footing in a world no one expected to fight for.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of War of the Submarine: the Rebel Collection, what would they be?

“This is Me,” from “The Greatest Showman” fits Alex Coleman to a T.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Tossup between military thrillers and epic fantasy, and yes, I write both.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

David Weber, “Toll of Honor;” C.S. Forester “The Happy Return” (rereading); Deborah Harkness, “A Discovery of Witches;” James D. Hornfischer, “Who Can Hold The Sea;” Dr. Robert Ballard, “Into the Deep;” and Brook Allen, “Antonius: Son of Rome.”

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Picking one favorite across six books is hard, but it would probably have to be something with STS1 Wilson. Maybe the one with the barstool fort when he’s drunk and wrecking havoc.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Sometimes I need to change my writing location to get myself going, so my local Panera Bread is a favorite place to go. I also have a writing mug that has joking titles for every one of fifteen drafts a writer goes through.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“I will try.” It’s the motto of my alma mater (which I share with several characters), and it fits far too well.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The best leaders aren’t afraid to give a damn.

R.G. Roberts is the author of the new book War of the Submarine: the Rebel Collection

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