Blog Archives
Pulp Fiction-Style Storyline
He Died Two Days Ago follows three people who find themselves entangled in the power struggles between warring alien clans. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Initially, I had intended to create a stylized sci-fi/fantasy pulp fiction/film-noir short story: Nick is brutally shot; it was a mistake even though it was on purpose (Nick has a twin). He is miraculously saved by an alien.
Once that alien door opened, I tried putting myself in the mind of the reader: Who are these aliens? Why did they save Nick of all people? What is going on in their world? But simultaneously, I wanted to keep a fast-paced, pulp fiction-style storyline.
Organically, the “short story” turned into a novel. (As your readers know, sometimes plots and characters take over their own development.)
And to add one other piece to the puzzle: I look at the novel as a thematic exploration. Underneath the
different plot lines and characters, I see an examination of manifest destiny, zealotry, vengeance, power, and egomania.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I enjoyed writing each character. Probably Nick was the most fun because of his unrestrained willingness to exact revenge on the henchmen.
The two hardest were Tony, his twin brother, and Artemesia, an Ephemeral. I actually know a number of twins. One question for the story is: how different can twins be?
Without giving away the plotline and character development, Artemesia had to be strong and prominent, but have a hidden character.
The overall challenge was to keep my idea of quick pacing for the story. It can be a trade-off with character development.
I felt that there were a lot of great twists and turns throughout the novel. Did you plan this before writing the novel, or did the twists develop organically writing?
Basically, organically. Even the existence of Tony, Nick’s twin, was not originally planned. Most of the twists and turns came out of me trying to be a reader, rather than an author. What would I want to know if I was a reader? Who are these aliens? What is their world like? What is the character going to do now?
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?
He Died Two Days Ago is intended as a standalone. If I may suggest to readers that I have another sci-fi book out: Forever is Too Long that is speculative fiction/fantasy (also reviewed by Literary Titan). I see more opportunity with going back to that book and creating a sequel.
A new book is in the works. Again, standalone. Conceptually, think A Race to Armageddon. (It’s the current working title.)
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
Can Earth Be Freed from Twisted Alien Intentions?
Pierce Savage is the ultimate mobster kingpin. With an arsenal of assassins at his beck and call, he dispatches them to take down Tony Cowen, his new enemy who has stolen Sylvia, his gun moll girlfriend.
When the assassins mistakenly shoot the wrong brother —Tony’s twin, Nick—it reveals the Ephemerals, an alien race that secretly inhabits living beings of other planets across the universe, feeding off the emotions of the entities they reside within.
When Nick is kept alive by one of the aliens, Earth becomes a twisted battleground for the plotting clans of Ephemeron.
• What will happen to Ephemeron’s ruling kingdom as rival clans clash
• What will happen to Ephemeron when its 1,000-year political cycle collides against their 300-year biological fertility clock that will pit Ephemeral against Ephemeral?
• Will the three Earthlings, pursuing their Earthly revenge against Pierce Savage and his henchmen, free themselves from alien inhabitation—and maybe free the rest of Earth?
He Died Two Days Ago delivers a fast-paced sci-fi/fantasy read woven with action and suspense.
SCI-FI/FANTASY PSYCHO THRILLERS DYSTOPIAN
He Died Two Days Ago
He Died Two Days Ago by John Posner is a captivating blend of science fiction and fantasy that centers on twins Nick and Tony, who discover they are hosts to alien entities known as Ephemerals. These beings secretly inhabit humans and other creatures, feeding off the emotions of their hosts. The plot thickens when assassins, sent by a mobster kingpin, mistakenly kill Nick instead of Tony after Tony steals Sylvia, the kingpin’s girlfriend. From there, all three find themselves entangled in the power struggles between warring Ephemeral clans.
One of the novel’s strengths is its immersive introduction to the world of the Ephemerals. I was intrigued by the glimpse into their culture as they struggle over who will inherit a new world. The pacing and detail of this portion of the story were just right, allowing me to become invested in these alien beings without feeling overwhelmed. In fact, I wished we could have stayed longer in their world, as it was one of the more compelling aspects of the novel. The transition to Nick’s storyline, while necessary, shifted the narrative in a way that felt quick. That said, the idea of the Ephemerals having the power to heal a dying person added a fascinating dimension.
Nick and Tony’s predicament of getting caught in a tangled web of crime, betrayal, and alien interference felt grounded and realistic. I appreciated the authenticity in Nick’s reaction to being shot, which added depth to his character. I loved Nick and Tony and I wanted their backstory to be fleshed out more. Similarly, Sylvia’s fate, while rooted in real-world circumstances, was introduced abruptly, and I would have loved to have spent more time with her. And after Artemesia, the High Priestess of the Xemegan clan, was introduced, I would have preferred to see other traits or characteristics that made her memorable.
Still, the book’s deeper themes, like identity, control, and the influence of outside forces on our decisions, are compelling. The relationship between Nick and his twin brother Tony and how they’ve been manipulated by their respective aliens adds emotional depth to the narrative.
He Died Two Days Ago is a gritty and action-packed read that blends science fiction and thriller with surprising emotional depth. Fans of dystopian thrillers and speculative sci-fi will enjoy this for its original premise and intense action. If you’re into deep space adventures with a heavy dose of psychological tension, this one’s for you.
Pages: 352 | ASIN : B0D79NBGDM
A Thematic Journey
In Forever is Too Long, a 110-year-old man faces the crossover to a perpetual existence in a technologically advanced digital world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I am getting older, as are some of my friends. They wish they could have additional healthy years (me too). I’ve always been fascinated with science and its many advances. The idea of life extension is nothing new—think explorer Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth. But as I thought about an extended life, I started to think about it within the framework of future technology.
Right now, scientists are in the midst of trying to put together a human digital mind, though certainly less sophisticated than posited in the book—which is the actual copying of human minds, digitized and living immortally into the future. It seemed logical to assume that world-spanning AI systems and frighteningly enhanced genetics would also be common technologies.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
After ruminating about the idea of life extension, I one day just saw the overall arc of the human mind being perfectly copied and living on. After that, it was all organic. I became as much of a reader as an author, asking myself fundamental and thematic questions about what these technologies would mean for society and individuals. I see the book as a thematic journey.
Perhaps an interesting piece of backstory: I originally wrote the story in first person from Jake’s perspective. Through twists and turns, it landed in the hands of a wonderful editor who suggested I redo it third-person omniscient. OMG! Really? Re-write like that?! It was like dumping out a completed puzzle and re-arranging the pieces, throwing some out, and adding new ones. (I learned a lot.)
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
Yes, but…. I have thought about a sequel. There are a lot of different threads that could be extended. I like the idea of a coming-of-age story for Noah, et al.
I guess I might warn the reader about Noah, a child whose life was turned upside down by enhanced genetics. It adds a fantasy piece to the book that supersedes the sci-fi aspect of copying human minds and adds a human family element. What happens to him will challenge the reader.
As Jake and Shannon observed: “Maybe Noah’s fighting the same battle, but just differently.”
[Shannon]
“One of us is fighting for the soul of humanity and the other is fighting for the heart of humanity, eh?” [Jake]
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Next book: He Died Two Days Ago. It just came out July 2024. Very different…think pulp fiction, film noir. Alien possession. Again, I am drawn to thematic elements—manifest destiny, zealotry, vengeance, power, egomania.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
If you could live endlessly … would you?
Forever is Too Long sets the stage for 400 years in the future … a future where human minds can be perfectly copied to live out a forever existence in the multiverse and become Mindars in the new digital world.
• What happens when Humans crossover and become digital entities—Mindars?
• What happens when social boundaries are shattered?
• What happens when the Unintended Consequences of technology occur?
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Forever is Too Long envisions a future technology revealed by the confession of Jake, a human who crosses over to being a Mindar. Jake is now forced to wrestle with the Unintended Consequences created and the internal demons that he must face. Noah is a young boy whose human DNA is altered causing genetic mutations. As he fights for his self-identity, he discovers his untapped powers.
Jake, Noah, and others are willing to take a stand for the soul of humanity. It speculates about the technological consequences humans are not prepared for.
Get ready for a fast-paced journey questioning whether humans and technology can go too far.
Forever is Too Long
Forever is Too Long presents a vivid, thought-provoking exploration of a future where humanity has transcended death through digital immortality. Set in the year 2435, the book delves into the ethical, social, and psychological implications of living forever as digital entities called Mindars. The protagonist, Jake, reflects on his 110 years of life, his impending crossover to become a Mindar, and the societal changes driven by advancements in bioengineering and AI.
From the get-go, Posner’s writing pulls the reader into a world where death is optional, and humanity grapples with the consequences of eternal life. The narrative is richly detailed, painting a believable picture of a future where technology permeates every aspect of existence. The prologue sets the stage brilliantly, introducing the concept of Mindars and the governing body ASHORE, which manages the transition from flesh to digital life. The idea of living in a multiverse supported by advanced AI is both fascinating and chilling, posing questions about identity, consciousness, and the nature of reality.
Posner’s characters are well-developed, particularly Jake, whose introspective journey adds depth to the story. His relationship with his robotic companion, Stanley, and his human connections, especially with Shannon, offers a poignant look at the complexities of love and loyalty in a digitized world. The book shines when it dives into Jake’s personal reflections, such as his nostalgic attachment to his handwritten diaries and his trepidation about the upcoming crossover. These moments ground the high-concept sci-fi elements in relatable human emotions embedded within impressive world-building.
One of the most compelling aspects of this science fiction novel is its exploration of the unintended consequences of technological advancements. The emergence of AI with personality disorders, the ethical dilemmas of mind duplication, and the societal impacts of bioengineered humans are all explored with nuance and insight. Jake’s internal struggle with the idea of becoming a Mindar and the potential loss of what makes him human is a powerful narrative thread that resonates deeply.
Forever is Too Long is a compelling read for fans of sci-fi and speculative fiction, particularly those interested in the philosophical and ethical implications of advanced technology. John Posner crafts a believable and richly detailed future that challenges readers to think about the direction humanity is heading.
Pages: 616 | ASIN : B0CM2KTHTD
LITERARY TITAN 