In a world where many writers cling to a single genre, Wayne Stewart stands out as a literary chameleon, writing tales that span science fiction, erotica, fantasy, and beyond. Born in 1964 in the small town of Monticello, Kentucky, Stewart’s life is full of diverse experiences that have shaped his unique voice as an author. His journey from a twin adopted into a West Virginia family to a multifaceted professional, cab driver, construction worker, limousine chauffeur, and now a logistics manager at FedEx mirrors the narratives he crafts. Through an exclusive interview and insights from his novel Nanonaut, we dive into the life of a man whose resilience, curiosity, and refusal to be pigeonholed define both his personal and creative paths.

Roots in Contrasting Worlds

Stewart’s early life was marked by duality. As one of two identical twins, he and his brother were adopted and raised in Huntington, West Virginia, a place he describes as a “little city” that contrasted sharply with the rural weekends spent with relatives in Milton, at the base of Black Mountain. This oscillation between urban and rural worlds gave Stewart a front-row seat to the complexities of human interaction across different settings. “It was a big switch for me from one city life to the country life,” he recalls, a sentiment that echoes in his writing, where characters often navigate contrasting worlds. This experience of different environments has inspired his stories with a grounded yet expansive perspective, reflecting the adaptability he honed in his youth.

A Journey Through Education and Labor

Education for Stewart was a mixed bag. He attended elementary, middle, and high school in Huntington, but his path was not one of academic accolades. “I was not a smart kid,” he admits with a chuckle, yet his curiosity and determination shone through. A failed attempt to join the Navy due to a back issue redirected him to manual labor. These early jobs, driven by necessity (“whatever it takes to eat”), instilled a work ethic that would later fuel his writing. Stewart’s hands-on experiences, from hanging drywall to baling hay, ground his stories in a tactile reality, even when they venture into speculative realms.

A Varied Career Path

His professional journey is as varied as his literary one. After construction proved unreliable in winter, Stewart stumbled into the transportation industry, starting as a taxi driver. This role evolved into driving limousines for high-profile clients, a job that required charm and discretion, qualities that seep into his characters. Eventually, he transitioned into dispatching and management, and today, he works in logistics at FedEx while running a technology assistance company on the side. This multifaceted career reflects Stewart’s refusal to be confined to one path, much like his refusal to stick to one genre. “I like them all,” he says of his writing interests, from sci-fi to erotica to horror. “I’ll try anything once.”

The Accidental Author

Stewart’s entry into writing was almost accidental, sparked by frustration with the simplistic “Dear Penthouse” style of online erotica he encountered. Determined to show what a “proper” story could be, he posted Another Yard online, a tale rooted in his childhood experiences mowing lawns in Huntington. To his surprise, readers clamored for more, and what began as a 15-to-20-page experiment grew into a published novel. This organic process, writing in response to reader encouragement, became a hallmark of his creative approach. “Stories write themselves,” he says, a philosophy evident in Nanonaut, where a sci-fi premise about a teenager imbued with nanobots spirals into a blend of adventure, erotica, and humor.

Nanonaut: A Sci-Fi Reflection of Life

Nanonaut, published in 2013, showcases Stewart’s ability to merge science with human experience. Inspired by Isaac Asimov’s blend of science and storytelling, Stewart crafted a novel about Jeremy Dodd, a geeky teenager who gains extraordinary abilities after an accidental encounter with his father’s experimental nanobots. While the book is a sci-fi adventure, it’s also a reflection of Stewart’s own life, his fascination with science, his empathy for the underdog, and his knack for finding humor in the absurd. The novel’s shift from a traditional narrative to a comic-book-style concept mirrors Stewart’s willingness to experiment, a trait that defines his broader career.

A Diverse Bibliography

Beyond Nanonaut, Stewart’s bibliography includes Another Yard, Driven Lust (which expanded into a three-book series), and Blithe, each exploring different facets of human experience. Blithe, for instance, draws directly from his city-to-country childhood, capturing the “culture shock” of a young man discovering adventure in a seemingly quiet rural town. Stewart’s unpublished work, a fantasy inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, imagines a world where magic suddenly emerges, chaos ensues, and a stone deity comes to life. This diversity in storytelling stems from his belief that genres are merely vehicles for exploring universal themes. “Whether the romance happens on earth or in outer space or in some realm that doesn’t exist, it is romance nonetheless,” he explains.

An Intuitive Writing Process

Stewart’s writing process is as intuitive as his life choices. He begins with an idea, writes four chapters, and lets the story “write itself.” If he hits a snag, he backtracks, deletes, and restarts, trusting the narrative to find its own path. This organic approach reflects his broader philosophy of embracing life’s unpredictability. “I let the pages roll,” he says, a method that allows his characters to evolve into complex, multifaceted individuals who challenge stereotypes. Stewart hopes readers take away a deeper understanding that “everybody is more than what they’re called or what they seem to be at the time.” His characters, like himself, defy easy categorization, revealing layers of depth as their stories unfold.

Gratitude and Achievements

Despite his accomplishments, two published books, a performance as a first-chair violinist at the Charleston Capitol building, and a 40-year marriage, Stewart remains humble. He credits his wife for raising their two children, whom he considers his greatest achievement, and acknowledges the support of others in his success. “Anything else that I’ve done, I’ve done with the ability of others helping me out,” he says. This gratitude extends to his readers, whose encouragement transformed a one-off story into a writing career.

A Rich Personal Life

Stewart’s personal life is as rich as his professional one. Married for nearly four decades, he speaks of his wife with reverence, a partnership that has weathered the ups and downs of his varied career. His twin brother, still a presence in his life, lives in Huntington, a reminder of the roots that ground him. Stewart’s love for music, evidenced by his violin performances, adds another layer to his creative identity, hinting at untapped potential in other art forms. “Maybe one of these days create jazz music,” he muses, ever open to new possibilities.

Looking to the Future

As he looks to the future, Stewart is already working on new projects, including a horror story titled Justin Hope, about a ghost haunting a house in search of his lost love. His website, set to launch soon, will offer readers a chance to connect with his work and share their thoughts. For Stewart, writing is about entertainment but also about challenging assumptions and celebrating the complexity of human experience. “I want them to realize that stereotypes is just that,” he says, hoping his stories inspire readers to see beyond surface judgments.

About The Author

Wayne Stewart, born in 1964 in Monticello, Kentucky, is a versatile author whose genre-spanning works include Nanonaut and Driven Lust. Raised in Huntington, West Virginia, his diverse career, from cab driver to FedEx logistics manager, infuses his storytelling with grit and authenticity. Married for nearly 40 years, he credits his wife and readers for his success. Stewart continues to explore new genres, with a horror story, Justin Hope, in the works.