The Gift From Aelius follows a sentient machine who begins remembering a human soul, and sets out across a ruined world to discover whether love is a glitch or the original design. Were there particular sci-fi influences behind the book?

I’ve always enjoyed science fiction that mixes technology with human emotion. I’m drawn to stories that ask what makes someone truly human, especially when artificial intelligence or machines start showing signs of consciousness.

How did you develop A191’s narrative voice, and what challenges came with writing a narrator discovering emotion?

A191’s voice started out very observant and logical. Since the character is a machine, I wanted the narration to feel calm and analytical at first, almost like it was studying the world rather than feeling it.

As the story progresses and A191 begins remembering pieces of a human soul, the voice slowly becomes more reflective. The challenge was making that transition believable—showing the character gradually discovering emotion instead of suddenly sounding completely human.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

A big theme in the book is identity—trying to understand who we are and what really defines us. I was also interested in the idea of memory and whether something essential about a person can survive even when everything else changes.

Another theme is love and whether it’s something accidental or something fundamental to our existence. Through A191’s journey, the story looks at whether emotions are just a glitch in a machine—or something deeper that might be part of the original design.

What’s next for this world or your writing journey?

Right now, I’m continuing to write stories that explore identity, imagination, and the line between reality and something more mysterious. I enjoy blending emotional storytelling with speculative ideas, whether that’s science fiction or more surreal narratives.

I’m also continuing to expand my work as an author with new stories and projects. Each book gives me a chance to explore different ideas while still focusing on the same thing I care about most in storytelling—characters searching for meaning and connection.

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