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The Essence of a Being
The Gemini Project follows a seventeen-year-old boy who discovers his entire life has been a lie and now must find a way to escape the school he lives in in order to survive. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration is a bit of a spoiler alert. I had a thought what if this certain event happened, and that became a brain-worm. Each day I would expand on the story and new characters would enter my head, and I knew it wouldn’t go away until I wrote something down!
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
As I wrote the story, it hit me that I was naturally writing about the future in past tense. At one point in the text, when something happens to the protagonist, I suddenly found myself writing in the present tense. Although this change in style just seemed natural to the flow, I hope that it also helps draw the reader into the experiences of the protagonist.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The story covers parental relationships, especially those where a parent is detached from their child, as in the case of a parent who outsources the upbringing of their child. The story also explores neurological development and tries to answer the question of what the soul consists of, or more accurately the essence of a being. Finally, the story takes place in a dystopian world, however, not a fantasy world. The overarching theme is a warning as the world that is developed is in the realm of the possible.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This is a stand-alone story, however my next novel Nothing but the Truth takes a very similar path in its style of story-telling.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Dr. William Osler works at the Academy and considers himself an amateur philosopher and would-be comedian. He befriends Jan and sees the boy’s keen desire to learn. Quietly in the background, the doctor teaches his student to read. Dr. Osler knows that the 17-year-old boy will die, the same way his older brother died, in less than two weeks. However, addicted to a designer drug, the doctor is constantly high as he tries to fight his own demons.
Tre Ericson is Jan’s father. He sees his son four times a year but feels no love for him. While desperately trying to please his father, Jan discovers a tunnel that runs under the school. The tunnel contains a dark secret, which initiates a chain of events that might save Jan’s life!
The Gemini Project is must-read coming-of-age novel that deals with a dystopian future and the world of neurology. The story of Jan Ericson will take you to unpredictable places in a battle of life and death.
Emotional Trauma & Healing
Of Ashes and Dust follows a Vietnam Veteran, now a professor, who is haunted by his past only to discover as the world is headed to Armageddon that the conspiracy theories he questioned are, in fact, truth and nothing is as it seemed. What was the inspiration for the setup of your novel?
There’s an obvious long-term cover-up by the US Government regarding the existence of ETs & UFOs, dating back to 1947. This, in part, served as an impetus for my “inspiration” to weave this narrative thread into the story arc. Also, I work with US military retirees, combat vets, many suffering from PTSD, as well as having served in the Army myself. This also added impetus to incorporate these elements into the plot.
The relationships that the characters form and, ultimately, the betrayals hook readers into watching everything unfold. What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
It came naturally. I’ve lived the majority of my life overseas having worked with the US military during almost all this time. Dealing with stress-related combat vets almost daily has led me to come face-to-face with their problems, often getting personally involved with their emotional trauma & healing.
What was the chosen theme of the novel, or did it develop organically as you were writing?
It pretty much “develop[ed] organically.” The story, except for one or two events toward the end, naturally unfolded for me. Wish all story arcs would do that!
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Working on publishing a chapbook (small poetry book), then a children’s book, and then the sequel to Of Ashes and Dust (OAAD). The OAAD sequel will most likely be more psychologically-driven & deeply delving into the troubled mindset of the protagonist & first-person narrator, Prof. Will Watson, rather than mostly event-driven as in the original.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Their tale traces back to two covert operations from the Vietnam War era–a revelation about UFOs from the U.S. Air Force and the clandestine Project Sixty-Seven.
At the heart of the story is Professor Will Watson–a war-ravaged Vietnam veteran, a fervent activist of the New Hampshire Liberty Militia, and a man haunted by specters of his past. As the world edges toward Armageddon, he seeks solace in the arms of his Japanese graduate student assistant, Kimiko Tanimoto. Amidst escalating pursuit by the State Police and FBI, Watson is confronted with the harsh realities of his traumatic past and the imminent downfall of a world crumbling around him.
However, the truth about his “friendship” with Mark Mercotti, a fellow militia member with a hidden sexuality, proves to be more sinister. During their service in VIetnam, Mercotti had Watson enlisted in the enigmatic Project Sixty-Seven and arranged for a covert implant to be placed in Watson’s head. This unsettling revelation forces Watson to question his sanity, but he soon learns that Mercotti’s web of deceit runs deeper.
As Watson navigates the aftermath of his military service, he stumbles upon a reality beyond his wildest dreams: the implant was a government ploy to monitor him. Meanwhile, Mercotti is far from the friend he claims to be. His conspiracies are more than mere theories; they’re cold, hard facts.
“Of Ashes and Dust” is a relentlessly intense tale of alternate history set against the backdrop of global Armageddon. It’s a thrilling exploration of conspiracy, survival, and unforgiving intrigue, culminating in a finale as explosive as it is unexpected.
Deep-Seated Memories
In The Logoharp, a human-cyborg hybrid, dissatisfied with her life and the abuse of political power, works as a journalist tasked with foreseeing and reporting on future events. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was a science journalist and later, a multimedia and journalism studies professor in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and most recently Nairobi on a Fulbright Scholarship (2018-2019). With the emergence of the Internet and the rise of disinformation, deepfakes and AI-authored news stories, much of journalism has morphed from a fact-based practice into a mishmash of opinion, partisan backtalk and skewed predictions about election outcomes, candidates, policies and ideas. Too many media organizations jump to “report the future” by cherry picking present-day events and personalities. Meanwhile, important information and context are being ignored.
Our collective media obsession with ‘eyeball’ count and celebrity allowed me to imagine a world in which there is little security and no objective reality, only the reality of trumped up journalism in “reverse.” As communication and security expert Hamilton Bean described it, “The Logoharp creates a troublesome vision of media that borders on propaganda in an AI-filled future.”
There is a lot of time and care spent with descriptions and building the setting and tone of the story. Was this out of necessity to develop the depth of the story, or was it something that happened naturally as you were writing?
The descriptions from China, Hong Kong and “Ameriguo” in The Logoharp come from deep-seated memories of these countries. I’ve lived and worked in all of them. To me, developing authentic physical landscapes in the novel was a necessity to convince readers that my heroine Naomi’s story was both believable and important.
I think it’s important for writers to pay attention to the concrete, sensory world. I started early, right after college, studying both classical and modern Chinese language and culture in Taiwan. From there, I had an extraordinary opportunity to travel and work throughout Asia, then Europe, then Africa, taking notes and photographs, producing a surround-sound mental canvas on which I populated my characters. Establishing the novel’s setting and tone was entirely organic (lots of drafts), though the descriptions of sky tunnels and ocean luges came right out of my imagination. Of course, I was inspired by the likes of Jules Verne, Ray Bradbury, Adam Johnson (The Orphan Master’s Son), Ursula LeGuin, Liu Cixin, Doris Lessing, Harper Lee, Manuel Puig and so many others. All these writers display both an acute visual and kinetic sense in their work.
Is there any moral or idea that you hope readers take away from the story?
I hope readers will think about our world’s future, our climate crisis (no, it’s not a hoax) and whether we, as denizens, should do a better job educating ourselves, researching and vetting multiple sources of information and news rather than relying on this or that media channel to do our thinking for us. When government, political parties and corporate media bosses collude, the results can be illusory and very dangerous.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m working on a sequel text about a pilot, Naomi’s son, taking a “dystopian path to utopian justice.” A meeting with a lost sister. Unexpected revolution. Change in China’s destiny.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Arielle Emmett | Website | Leaping Tiger Press | Amazon
Naomi, half-human, half cyborg, is beyond prescient. She’s a Reverse Journalist, working for China in the 22nd century. Naomi’s job is to foresee and report the events and personalities of the future. Unlike conventional journalists who frame contemporary events, Naomi extrudes the “truth of probable outcomes” to ensure the smooth progression of history.
Driven by voices she hears in her Logoharp, a universal translator of instructions and signals from sources she can’t identify, Naomi listens, speaks and broadcasts in all world languages, ensuring citizen compliance. But an encounter with a leading architect, Naomi’s former lover who abandoned her in youth, forces recollections of her human inheritance and the role that chance, culture and racism played in her early life.
Naomi is tasked with finding a flaw in the architect’s system that “balances” births and deaths on behalf of the State. But she grows uncomfortable, then furious. Guided by the dissonant Logoharp, Naomi experiences “unintentional contradiction.” The rest isn’t silence. She acts.
An Unexpected Nemesis
In The Consortium – Genesis, a secret society of scientists and science enthusiasts sacrifices the lives of abandoned and lonely individuals as they attempt to evolve the human race. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Actually, it came to me in a dream. Literally. Normally my dreams are a confusing, clouded mess, but in this instance, the story was clear and very memorable. In fact, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It grew so much in my head, it filled my thoughts and I had a hard time being able to think about anything else. So, I decided to write it down to try and get it out of my head (and get a little peace up in there). The next thing I know, I’ve got a novel.
How long did it take you to imagine, draft, and write the world your characters live in?
Basically, the story was there. I just had to write it down. It took about 2 months of steady writing to get the first part of it down, about 350 pages worth. It left off with something of a cliffhanger and I thought I was done. I gave it to a good friend to read, and she was like, “Where’s the rest of it?” I told her that was it, and she said, “No no no, you can’t leave my girl [Amelia] hanging like that. Where’s the rest of it?” So I sat down, re-read it, then thought, “Well, s**t, she’s right.” I didn’t have the ability to write full time so it took me about 2 years to get the rest of the trilogy written, but I was finally able to finish it, lol!
What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?
Oh, wow … that’s a tough one. I love all the main characters – Amelia, Spike, Hao, Drake, and Shane. They complement each other so well. I guess my favorite scene is the one where they all meet at The Black Door bar for the first time, when Amelia shows them her powers. That initial part where they realize they can hear Spike’s thoughts and their reactions, were laugh-out-loud funny to me. Makes me smile every time I think about it.
Can you give readers a peek inside the next installment of this series? When can we expect to see it released?
Absolutely! In fact, I made sure all of it was completed before I even attempted to publish so people wouldn’t have to wait and wonder if I was going to continue it. That’s something I hate myself, so I didn’t want to leave my readers like that. Amelia’s story doesn’t end with Genesis. She and the gang face even greater obstacles in Rising as they continue their efforts to dismantle The Consortium from the inside. More characters are introduced, culminating in the final showdown and battle with an unexpected nemesis in Apex. The digital version of Genesis, along with the paperback and digital versions of Rising and Apex, will be available on August 1, 2024. I am also working on the audiobook for Genesis and hope to have it completed and available within the next one to two months. The paperback and digital versions are available on Amazon, and while I hope to get the audiobook accepted by Audible, that will take a while. In the meantime, once it’s ready, the audiobook version will be available for purchase on my website (https://www.bachapman.com). For those who are interested, be sure to use the sign-up form on my website to be notified of upcoming release dates.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Amelia is a young woman trapped within the diabolical web of The Consortium – a powerful, secret organization run by scientists who have turned science fiction into science fact.
Over the decades, The Consortium has grown in numbers and power. There are only two classes of people that are important to them: their scientists, and those that help fund their work. No one else matters.
Amelia is one of The Consortium’s many victims, known as inductees. The scientists use them in their cruel experiments to further their goals of evolving the human race.
When an experiment unexpectedly turns her into a player instead of a pawn – one with abilities only previously imagined as possible – she realizes she might just get the chance to end the living nightmare she has fallen victim to …
… even though it may cost her her humanity – and her soul – in the process.
The Consortium – Genesis
The Consortium Genesis, by B. A. Chapman, is a compelling sci-fi novel that delves into the dark world of a secret society known as the Consortium. This group, composed of brilliant scientists and science enthusiasts, is willing to sacrifice human lives in the pursuit of scientific advancement for the supposed greater good of humanity. As human experimentation became illegal, these individuals formed a clandestine organization, abducting abandoned or lonely individuals and conditioning them into submission. The story follows Amelia, one of the Consortium’s inductees, who endures extreme experiments conducted by her Examiner. A group of law enforcement officials, including two detectives, an FBI agent, Amelia, and her keeper Spike, uncover this hidden world and begin to challenge the Consortium, aiming to liberate those trapped in its sinister system.
Chapman’s writing style is both engaging and impactful. The author skillfully introduces the background stories and the abuses faced by the inductees, capturing the absolute terror experienced by the victims with striking realism. The portrayal of the sickening practices within the Consortium is so vivid and believable that it almost feels like it transcends fiction. The storyline is well-crafted, with believable characters who possess their own faults and quirks. The novel’s pacing is another strength. From the tense moments of Amelia’s rescue to the intricate explanations of The Consortium’s operations, Chapman maintains a steady rhythm that keeps readers on edge. The scenes of interrogation and the detectives’ growing realization of the horrifying truth are particularly well-crafted, blending suspense with a creeping sense of dread.
The inclusion of detailed processes, like the induction of new subjects and the creation of a controlled working class, adds layers of authenticity and horror to the story, making it not just a thriller but a deep dive into a meticulously constructed nightmare. It is important to note that the book contains graphic depictions of violence, abuse, torture, and trauma, and readers should be aware of these potential triggers.
I recommend The Consortium Genesis to those who enjoy medical sci-fi novels involving extreme human experimentation. The book lives up to its subtitle, “A Psychological Horror Thriller and Dystopian Science Fiction Novel,” and offers a gripping and thought-provoking read.
Pages: 300 | ASIN : B0D77DDHNK
Symbiotic Relationship Between Man and Machine
Menticide [The Awakening] follows a programmer who discovers a plot against the oppressed population of her city and sets out to stop the perpetrators with the help of a covert group of digital warriors. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I drew inspiration from classic cyberpunk themes and contemporary societal issues, and wanted to create a richly layered world filled with morally ambiguous characters, pulse-pounding action, and thought-provoking commentary on the perils of unchecked technological and corporate advancement. The story is one of good (ish!) against evil or David versus Goliath, charting the journey of a reluctant hero into a world that she had faithfully promised to keep away from.
Do you have a favorite scene in Menticide? One that was especially enjoyable to envision and bring to life?
I have several, but I’ve selected Cassandra’s pursuit through the Lower District. Having a plot that I had meticulously prepared and crafted was enjoyable to bring to life, however I kept a few scenes less planned, so I could write in more of a pantser style. I found this style of writing suited this scene well and as an author, I could really get under the skin of the protagonist and prise out the tension and adrenaline by writing in this way. It allowed me to almost embody the character and make the horror and chilling narrative feel more believable.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the main themes of the story is about control and subsequent oppression. This has arisen from both poorly checked and monitored corporate and technological advancement, where the latter has permitted a symbiotic relationship between man and machine. Imagine where AI was five years ago to where it is today – then imagine where it will be over 130 years into the future! Technology is progressing at a lightning quick rate and I wanted to write speculative dystopian fiction surrounding the consequential erosion of humanity and quality of life. I enjoyed also exploring the symbiotic tie between the corporation and the cybergangs; a sort of upstairs downstairs relationship that had evolved in this new era. The food chain is such that whilst the corporation sits firmly at the top, it needs prey in order to survive and thrive. Despite being in a high technology era, nature finds its way and consequently, history has a tendency to repeat itself through resistance and the battle to level inequality.
Can you give readers a glimpse inside book 2 of the BINARY series?
Book 2 is entitled Neon Rush and takes place less than 24 hours after the final page of Menticide. The story takes us to a manmade island located just offshore from New Babylon, which is the home of the Neon Rush, a publically broadcasted weaponised and violent race through terrifying stages designed to push drivers to their limits. The story is non-stop, pulse pounding action where the inference of inter-gang conflict and corporate control becomes even more evident. Whereas Menticide (book 1) focuses on Cassandra’s journey, Neon Rush will continue this arc, but also draw in more characters from rival gangs. I wanted to continue to embelish New Babylon’s underworld and enrich the story outside of Paradise and the Neon Reapers, but also to show the extent to which humanity has gone in order to survive. The characters we meet along the way will develop the premise of book 3, which will return to the metropolis. Expect thrills, chills, and a few shed tears.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon
…where a corporation controls every aspect of civilised life
….but cybergangs rule the underworld
….and their dominion is challenged through weaponised street races
…whilst a digital apocalypse looms.
Cassandra, a young corpo programmer, uncovers a plot of technological menticide targeted at the city’s oppressed population. Armed only with a stolen data drive containing plans and schematics to this nefarious conspiracy, she must escape the clutches of her corrupt and malevolent employer, ZenithCorp.
Run!
If she is to stop the rollout of this technology, her only option is survival. Cassandra must locate an underground resistance group, known as Paradise, a band of digital warriors who operate from the shadows.
Hunted!
Cassandra has a bounty placed on her head and is forced into making critical, life changing decisions… If she can remain alive long enough.
Fight!
Cassandra must be the fuel that ignites Paradise’s spark to emerge from the shadows and help her confront ZenithCorp and the nefarious cybergangs who control the city’s underworld.
Race!
Public information and broadcasting is controlled and locked down by the corporation. Cassandra must enter a violent race called the Neon Rush, a global live streamed event, if she is to expose the corporation’s scheme to the world. To qualify for this gruelling race, she must push herself to the limits of her own humanity, undergoing radical neural upgrades and mods to forge a binary connection with an AI machine, a weaponised battle car and relic from a bygone era, Fury.
Menticide [The Awakening] is the first book in the BINARY dystopian cyberpunk series.
Drawing inspiration from classic cyberpunk themes and contemporary societal issues, Richard M. Evans creates a richly layered world filled with morally ambiguous characters, pulse-pounding action, and thought-provoking commentary on the perils of unchecked technological and corporate advancement.Driven by a passion for storytelling and a fascination with the intersection of humanity and technology, he invites readers on a thrilling journey through the shadows of a dystopian metropolis, where every corner holds secrets waiting to be uncovered and every decision carries weighty consequences.
Whether you’re a seasoned cyberpunk enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, BINARY will captivate, challenge, and leave you questioning the very nature of existence in a world where the line between humanity and machine grows ever thinner. In this electrifying tale of action, intrigue, elaborate plot twists and rebellion, the shadows come to life, and the race for survival takes an adrenaline fuelled kick.
Menticide [The Awakening] is a must read for fans of Ghost in the Shell, Blade Runner, Altered Carbon, Alita Battle Angel, Cyberpunk 2077, Akira, The Matrix, Death Race 2000, Robocop and Total Recall.
Survival and the Will to Live
The Edge of Life follows two individuals fleeing Seattle who manage to find love once more as they navigate the myriad of dangers accompanying an asteroid that threatens Earth. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The main idea came from reading online about Vivos xPoint in South Dakota. It’s a decommissioned military base with underground bunkers that they sell as “cabins.” During the early days of the pandemic, they sold like hotcakes. I thought they looked interesting and read more on their website about how the location was intentional, too far from an important city to be a target of a nuclear attack, away from the tectonic activity of the Ring of Fire, and beyond the Yellowstone blast zone. It was somewhere safe.
This made me decide that a global catastrophe would send my characters on a cross-country road trip as society crumbled around them.
What was your approach to writing the interactions between your characters?
I wanted it to be believable that in the face of danger, Kat and Ryan could find the good in themselves, each other, and the world, despite the chaos. I wanted to include simple moments that were sweet and intimate, so they could get to know one another and be vulnerable.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Friendship
Acceptance
Survival and the will to live
Beauty
Courage
Love
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am doing the final line edits for the sequel to The Edge of Life: Love and Survival During the Apocalypse, called Aftermath: Into the Unknown. It takes place three years after the first story and is another road trip to Vita xTerra (my fictional bunker based on the real one). The FMC is looking for her uncle who was a minor character in the first book. It will be published December 19th, 2024.
The third book in the series (Love and Survival #3) is in the planning stage and will take place a few years after Aftermath and is set in the bunker city. The characters in the first two books will be featured, though they will not be the main focus.
I have two additional books being published in 2025, the third and final installment in my Train Hoppers series for April and an all-new sports romance, Racing Towards Destiny (series name: Love on Track) about a woman who abandons her old life, moves to Europe, and takes a job working with professional motorcycle racers on the MotoGP circuit.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Warned that a planet-killing asteroid is on a collision course with Earth, acquaintances Kat and Ryan join forces in an effort to survive. Mere hours before impact, they race toward the safety of Ryan’s inherited South Dakota bunker, encountering chaos. A last-ditch effort to nuke the asteroid only manages to fragment it into chunks causing multiple strikes.
Earthquakes, fire, and volcanic ashfall assail Kat and Ryan, who turn to each other for solace. Kat finds someone kind who values her differences and Ryan finds himself falling for Kat’s pluck and quick-thinking. Though jaded, they learn to trust and rely on one another.
Attempting to survive the onslaught of their new world, Kat and Ryan must reach the bunker before imminent food shortages and catastrophic climate change cause society to further unravel.
The Edge of Life shows that survival can include falling in love. With steamy romance and non-stop action, this is one thrilling apocalypse road trip you shouldn’t miss.
The Edge of Life: Love and Survival During the Apocalypse
The Edge of Life, by Lena Gibson, masterfully intertwines romance and survival as it follows Kat and Ryan, two individuals hardened by past relationships, who find love amidst the apocalypse. With a planet-killing asteroid hurtling toward Earth, they flee from Seattle to a bunker in South Dakota, navigating through earthquakes, fire, and volcanic ashfall. As society disintegrates around them, they encounter both allies and adversaries, making their journey as perilous as it is profound.
From the outset, the narrative kept me intrigued, uncertain of its direction, which is a testament to Gibson’s storytelling prowess. Nick, Kat, and Ryan’s mutual friend play an instrumental role in their initial connection. The evolving dynamics between Kat and Ryan captivated me as they transformed into characters driven by a renewed will to live despite the chaos surrounding them.
The sudden emergence of romance and intimacy between Kat and Ryan added an exciting twist to the story, enhancing the overall narrative without overshadowing it. While the story rightly centers on Kat and Ryan, Nick’s fate and his partner’s story sparked my curiosity, adding an extra layer of intrigue. This element did not detract from the core narrative, which remained focused and engaging throughout. The author’s writing style is accessible and immersive, allowing readers to delve deeply into the characters’ thoughts and feelings without ambiguity. Gibson excels in creating obstacles that compel her characters to confront their fears and emotions, ensuring their journey is anything but easy. This depth added a layer of realism and kept me invested in their survival.
The Edge of Life is a compelling read that combines the thrill of apocalyptic survival with a touching romance. Lena Gibson’s ability to balance action with emotional growth makes this novel a must-read for fans of both genres.
Pages: 301 | ASIN : B0BR44SF6G
