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Love and Tolerance
In The Artifact, a young man acquires a technologically advanced artifact that allows him to glimpse the future and finds himself fighting to keep it out of the hands of forces seeking to control the world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story was born when it occurred to me how two ideas I’ve long been fascinated with–the artifact that foretells the future, and the disrespect shown to the dead and Egyptian heritage by Westerners raiding the Pyramids–could be related. What if an artifact that had never been publicized offered its possessor powers of prophecy? I knew the main character should be a young adult because people in that age range are interested in the future in such a unique way–first realizing how so many possibilities exist, and how choices affect their futures, but in ways that can be difficult to predict.
What was your favorite character to write for and why?
The main character, Linc, was the most fun to write–and the most challenging because he is not like me–my mother was not an attorney, my father was not killed in Afghanistan (and was not a soldier), and I never wanted to be an architect. So I had to let Linc teach me what it was like to live that life–and I had to remember what, in general, it was like to be 17 years old. But the adventure Linc lives–and the challenges he survives–these were the thrill of a lifetime, for him and for me and, I hope, for the reader.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In addition to themes of wondering about the future and having respect for other cultures, the need to respect other people and the differences we encounter every day was paramount. So as a young person with friends who are just figuring out who they are and coming to terms with questions of gender roles and orientation, Linc knows an attitude of tolerance is essential. When he asks his mother why she married a soldier even though she hates war, she tells him things are not always simple: “You love who you love.” Love and tolerance are easy virtues to lose, but we must have them to survive.
Another theme was how history creates the present. From the turbulence of the Watergate years in the US and the realities of Project MKUltra Delta to the terror of September 11, 2001, Linc learns the history that made the world he has to live in. Everything in the present has roots in the past.
Can readers look forward to seeing more work from you soon?
Yes! My new novel, The Delphi, has just hit the shelves (both real and virtual ones). It’s about politics, money, mythology, the need for safe elections, and–you guessed it–history! How did we get to wherever this strange place called the present is? Who is this Cleo person who has so much mystery and power surrounding her? It all started a long time ago . . .
Author Links: Bluesky | Facebook | The Artifact | Website | Amazon
fiction story set in the mostly real world of Louisville, Kentucky, and
surrounding areas. Seventeen-year-old Linc is a fan of old movies,
Egyptology, and pyramids. Raised by a single mom who works as an
environmental lawyer, he spends a lot of time watching old movies with
his very close friends Lonnie and Julie. Linc is unwittingly drafted to take
possession of a mysterious artifact, a high-tech electronic device
with connections to ancient Egypt. The artifact allows the possessor
to have visions of the future, but, Linc and his friends soon discover, at a
high cost.
The main character, Linc, and his friends are young people dealing with
issues that speak to readers of diverse ages and backgrounds. Books
with similarities include Jennifer Egan’s The Keep, Jodi Picoult’s
Where There’s Smoke, Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone, Mindwalker
by A. J. Steiger, and Stephen King’s Later.
David Rogers was a reader before he became a writer, so he
learned to appreciate Elmore Leonard’s rule to leave out the parts
readers skip anyway. The Artifact is all story, all the time, and is
intended to accomplish two tasks above all else–allow the reader to
identify with the characters, and keep the reader curious about what
happens next.
The Artifact
David Rogers’ The Artifact is a captivating young adult novel brimming with unexpected twists and turns. This fast-paced, mysterious thriller offers ominous settings and intricate plots, all while weaving an inclusive love story between teenagers discovering themselves amidst life’s challenges. The writing is enigmatic and enchanting, drawing readers into the rapidly unfolding events. The protagonist’s direct engagement with the reader makes readers feel like a part of the story, experiencing his ordeals firsthand. This book is not just a thrilling read but also a catalyst for important discussions about identity, acceptance, and the power of love.
The story centers on Linc, a seventeen-year-old with a passion for Egyptology and classic movies. Through a mysterious series of events, he acquires an unknown artifact that grants him the ability to see the future—but at a significant cost. Linc soon realizes he is entangled in a much larger conflict, with powerful individuals and agencies vying for control of the artifact. As the plot thickens, Linc is kidnapped and subjected to experiments designed to exploit his newfound abilities. These powerful forces aim to control not only him but the future of the world.
The Artifact stands out for its exceptional inclusivity and LGBTQ+ friendliness, sparking meaningful discussions about sexuality and acceptance among young people and their families. Rogers skillfully initiates deep, thought-provoking conversations about the philosophy of life through his young characters. The author balances the mystery and thrill with a generous dose of humor, often eliciting laughter through Linc’s witty puns.
The Artifact‘s tone perfectly suits its teenage audience, blending humor, mystery, and engagement. Whether you’re fascinated by Egyptology or simply looking for a gripping narrative, David Rogers’ novel offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Pages: 193 | ASIN : B0C7DR1WQX
The Difficulty of Escaping the Rat Race
The Lay-Off House follows a group of people who wind up living together due to circumstances beyond their control and create a supportive community. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The very first inkling was an article I read on the BBC News website about a genre of Japanese novels, heroic tales of career triumphs and adversity. Office lit, I guess you can call it. And I thought, Americans are workaholics, this country is organized around business and work life, why don’t we have this genre over here?
Then I realized, oh yeah, it’s because Americans hate their jobs. So, I decided to write an anti-work book, about the difficulty of escaping the rat race.
It’s also a bit of a kitchen sink book, a conglomeration of lots of thoughts and experiences I’ve had the past decade or so. Many of the details are based on real people and stories. Just a bit here and there; only they would recognize themselves.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
Individualism. Take people as they are, as they actually act. Don’t just look at their social identity or position, whatever that may be.
Another moral would be, not self-reliance as such, though that is a virtue, but its related virtue of surviving together. Build a community and give help and be open to accepting help. The people at the top of this heap we call society don’t care about us, so it’s up to us to care for one another.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The one-word key to the book is “dignity.” I wanted to show the difficulty of living with a sense of dignity in our society, which has become so stratified. Dignity is reserved for a few at the top. So, we have to provide it to ourselves, and gift it to others.
“Adulthood” is another theme. When does someone become an adult? If you define adulthood as having the knowledge and power to sustain oneself and have full agency, are you really an adult if you can be laid off from your job any time for reasons beyond your control? How about if an HOA can seize your property that you paid for and have equity in, if your fence is ¼” too tall? Where’s the control over your own life? And there are many powers that are trying to keep their control over you, because that’s how they define themselves—how many peoples’ lives they can command. That means a perpetual childhood for most of us.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The theme of the next book will be “communication.” It’s still percolating in my subconscious, and I’ve only written a few pages, just to try and feel things out. As far as I know it will be a combination of The Razor’s Edge by Maugham, Hesse’s Siddhartha and the old TV show Convoy. This will be interesting. It’s going to take a couple years to write and perfect, I think.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Doug knew this from three previous lay-offs and now he had to deal with the familiar disaster for the fourth time. He did what he always did when the pink slip was handed to him; he went home, he drank, and he brooded alone. But this time, acquaintances and strangers come to Doug’s door, seeking shelter from the same economic calamity. Together they make a community, a home, and a way out of the rat-race. But there are those in the wider world, some close and some far, who don’t think there should be an escape and that the rat-race is all there is and ever will be.
A story about the challenge of making one’s own life in a society that tries to say ‘no’, The Lay-off House by David Rogers portrays how many of us live now, in the real economy, and suggests a way to try and live a little better.
LITERARY TITAN 