Red Dirt Part I: The Star Bearer follows a half-synthetic woman and one of the last organic humans who get caught in the crossfire of an old war, leaving them in a battle for survival. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I grew up shaped by a lot of science fiction, both by means of video games and cinema, and I have always been drawn towards anything that is related to our relationship with technology. I wanted to create a universe where these artificial beings, created in the image of mankind, are portrayed in a very human way; we witness them struggle with emotion, we witness them trying to survive, we witness them grow, learn, go through grief, etc. So, as you go on this adventure, it puts the reader in a position where they have to question what it means to be human. With the advent of A.I., which is still in its infancy, I felt that the timing was right for me to put this book out there and also pay homage to the likes of Asimov, Mad Max, and Blade Runner.

What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?

What fascinates me about the human condition, and what I think makes for powerful fiction, is this constant tension between our aspirations and our limitations. We are creatures of immense potential, driven by curiosity, emotion, and the desire to shape the world around us, yet we are also bound by our fear, ego, and this struggle to understand ourselves. This tension creates very fertile ground for storytelling.

As someone fascinated by AI and technology, I am especially intrigued by how we project our hopes, fears, and ethical dilemmas onto the things we create. The rise of artificial intelligence, for example, forces us to confront questions about consciousness, identity, and what it truly means to be human. I often think of Asimov’s work and how he used robots not just as speculative technology, but as mirrors to reflect our own moral and societal frameworks. That approach continues to inspire me: using futuristic elements to explore timeless human truths and obstacles.

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

Legacy is a big one. How we are remembered and honored is a theme not just in Part I, but also in Parts II and III. Without giving away anything, it comes full circle, but what is interesting is, again, this idea that humanity lives on through means of their creations; that in a way, the idea of what it means to be human isn’t physical but rather tied to how something thinks and feels. There is also the theme of Identity. The synthetics are carving out an identity in this new world, while humanity is struggling with their inevitable obsolescence. Maternal mentorship is also something you will notice in the book; I had several mentors growing up, incredibly smart, wonderful women, so the idea of maternal guidance is explored throughout the series.

Can you tell us what the second book will be about and when it will be available for fans to purchase?

Yes! The trilogy is complete and available, both via Kindle and paperback. Part II is a sequel that picks up where Part I left off, and Part III, the longest of the three books, picks up a couple of years later. All I will say is that Part I sets the table for a very emotional and thought-provoking journey. Part II is darker and isn’t afraid to pull punches, and Part III wraps it all up in a way I don’t think anyone will see coming. I am working on other projects at the moment, but I will undoubtedly revisit the Red Dirt universe.

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