Blog Archives
Born in Space: Unlocking Destiny
Born in Space: Unlocking Destiny, by Jeremy Clift, transports readers to Tucson, Arizona, in 2063, introducing the Ward family amid a society where artificial intelligence seamlessly integrates into daily life. This relatable yet futuristic setting immediately captivates, highlighting the pervasive role of AI in human existence. We learn that the children’s mother, Clara, is stationed on the Moon as a botanist, working to establish a sustainable food supply. As Earth’s conditions deteriorate, humanity seeks refuge on other planets, though these colonies also face growing unrest.
The narrative intensifies as the Ward family relocates to an orbiting space habitat, delving into profound ethical and moral dilemmas that resonate deeply. Despite its futuristic backdrop, the story remains relatable, reflecting issues not far removed from our current reality. Clift skillfully evokes emotions of remorse, pity, and sadness early in the tale, crafting a narrative that explores the essence of humanity and the potential alienation brought by technological and societal advancements. As a mother, I found myself moved to tears on multiple occasions.
The plot follows both Teagan and Hunter Ward, though Teagan’s journey particularly stands out. While Hunter’s storyline contributes to the overarching message, Teagan emerges as the central figure, her experiences deeply engaging. The antagonists in the novel are portrayed with striking malevolence, and certain scenes are intense, featuring violence and gore that may be challenging for some readers.
Born in Space: Unlocking Destiny serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of overstepping natural boundaries, especially concerning the future of AI and technology. It’s a compelling read that I highly recommend, and I look forward to adding a physical copy to my collection.
Pages: 443 | ASIN : B0D1PWPRBJ
Dissolution of the Status Quo
Cargo Hold 4 follows eight scientists exploring a dwarf planet and collecting samples who accidentally bring aboard an unseen entity that is now trying to escape the cargo hold it is trapped in. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The idea came to me one day while I was walking. In my mind’s eye, I saw, and heard, something pounding on this huge yellow metal door, making these enormous welts. Cargo Hold 4, those were the words in my head. I let it simmer, the concept refusing to leave. Eventually, I just gave in, needing to find out about this hell-raiser in Cargo Hold 4.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Not any character in particular, really, but more the entire crew. It was challenging from the standpoint of imagining scientists committing their lives to a mission that most of them would not return from. That set up a dynamic that wouldn’t be present in most situations, especially given that they could be in space for fifty years, and only ever encounter one another for the rest of their lives. I know most writers like to go to cryogenic stasis for space travel, but there was no story in that. I wanted to imagine what the crew interaction might be like if they remained awake, and the potential for conflict, intimacy, disagreements, and so on. Then, of course, the slow dissolution of the status quo they had established over the first five years when this entity makes itself known. It really was terrific fun playing with this scenario.
You flawlessly blend Science Fiction and horror in this book. How did you go about blending the two genres without disrupting the story?
Thank you! For me, I guess, the fusion was organic, inevitable. The nexus of the genres met in the same place; with the entity in Cargo Hold 4. Through the unknown idiosyncrasies of outer space, I found the potential for this life form, which leads to quite horrific events. Yet I didn’t want the usual “monster” with the unquenchable lust to kill humans for no reason. The life form had to be something incredible, unimaginable, with a complex intelligence beyond human comprehension.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it?
I actually have several books in the works. Some are finished and in the editing stage, with others I’m still working on; a dystopian SF trilogy with a fair amount of horror, and a couple of magical realism love stories I’m also very excited about, though not sure how my SF Horror “fans” will react. That’s always a risk, I guess, changing things up when the “story” takes you in different directions.
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Love and Forgiveness
Lightning in the Collied Night follows a group of scientists who embark on a bold mission to harness the power of a newly discovered wormhole in a desperate bid to secure the survival of the human race. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The original story idea came to me several years ago. Back then, it was a simple story about a young physicist who overcomes personal and external challenges to travel to the future through a wormhole and discovers… well, I can’t get into that as it’s the crux of the story! I can say that there were multiple inspirations for the story, from literary and sci-fi sources; those are brought out in the novel. Over time, I added twists, layers, and characters to my story until I thought it might be suitable for a novel. When I retired in 2023 and had time to learn how to write fiction, I decided to share my story.
A lot of time was spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
Probably the most important factor was that I wanted the characters to be relatable to readers. The story is set (mostly) about 30 years from now. I wanted readers to be able to understand and feel what these characters were going through as they overcame many challenges, both from within themselves and the outside world. One of the ways I did that was to try to make the dialogue seem “natural,” like people actually talk, and liberally use interior monologue to let readers get “into the heads” of the main characters.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Probably the most important theme was the power of love and forgiveness to transform a person… or perhaps a world. Another theme is that AI can be an extremely powerful and useful tool when used appropriately, but it’s not the best solution for every problem. There’s a difference I think between what AI could do for humankind, and what we should allow it to do. Finally, I wanted my novel to reflect our wonderfully diverse world, and thus I strove to have the characters be representative of that diversity.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
I hadn’t planned on a sequel. But I’ve fallen in love with the characters (most of them, anyway!) and believe there’s much more of their story to tell. Thus I’ve started outlining a sequel, with a planned release of Summer 2025. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I will share that the draft tagline is, “How far would you go for love?” The sequel will be more of a traditional sci-fi story than Lightning, but still approachable by people who aren’t quantum physicists. Like Lightning, it will be focused on the characters, their relationships, and their struggles. I think it will be entirely based on Earth of the future–no trips to wormholes, this time. And, like Lightning, the title will be from Shakespeare. 😉
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In the mid-21st century, a brilliant American physicist joins a secret mission to travel through the galaxy’s lone stable wormhole. When a series of challenges threaten the project, she must find another way to accomplish its objective: save the human race. With help from an unexpected ally, the young scientist races to harness the universe’s mightiest force and preserve humanity’s future.
Paranormal Gifts
Utcan’s Talisman follows a woman helping her friend escape a manipulative ruler trying to exploit his healing abilities who winds up in a small fishing village where they rekindle past connections and make new allies. What was your inspiration for the wild journey you take readers on in this novel?
I’m glad that you see Bybiis the scholar as the protagonist. She’s the narrator of two sections of the book (with five sections). Bybiis had no tutor or role model for how to develop her paranormal gifts. Trial and error can be painful and doesn’t expand her potential, plus she’s resentful that others are indifferent to her need to serve her growing powers.
This theme resonates with isolated gifted persons — like artists or athletes — who are not in step with siblings or school friends, and who must leave the family situation to explore a higher calling. The struggle is extra difficult for a woman with no family and discounted by the powers that be.
One inspiration was from Gene Wolfe’s Executioner series where the protagonist was an executioner! The reader saw him as a whole person with flaws and hopes and setbacks and betraying his friends even.
The twist I added is that Bybiis is female and not able to trade on her looks. Male readers often read past the story action for the women, waiting for a hero to make his entrance. Only Bybiis can save Bybiis.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think makes for great fiction?
Wow, the human condition. A broad question. I can give a broad answer, I suppose. Science fiction stories are often about a hero who solves a problem that sets a specific situation right and protects the innocent. He wins the day!
My worldview was more about a community of people who need the skills of the group to succeed. People of the same tradition may not like each other, but over the decades, they discover the rewards of working together into progress for the nation or city-state, or duchy. Leaders are often just men or women who are thrust into positions that demand character and integrity – like Zelensky in Ukraine. Those who lack the needed moral fiber find other routes to political rewards.
What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
Count the cost. It’s about the story, not about being famous. I teach young writers in online courses. I’m always amazed when they talk about a publishing career and what celebrity will play the book’s hero in the movie.
Writing has many stages, and the first few can seem overwhelming for how time-consuming and reiterative is the process. Can you devote the hours to developing a distinctive writer’s style and a plot that’s fresh and compelling?
I’ve seen many writers with talent drop out. Even though they may have control of language and a strong narrative voice, they may not have found a life-long theme to pursue. What do you want the world to know? Not about you the writer, but about the human condition, that’s so compelling that you devote your life to exploring the dynamics of the struggle?
For me, it was presenting multi-dimensional female characters. What is your essential need to write?
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
You ask good questions. Book 6 is titled THE MATRIX OPAL and may come out in 2025. The writer’s style takes a turn in that narrators are multiple and not restricted to one section. I figure that if the reader has made it to Book 6, then she knows the characters. So we can mix it up for character voices and POV.
Bybiis is joined by more young gifted characters. A powerful enemy emerges with child kidnappings and assassinations. The demands to grow paranormal powers are more than how to live well. The gifted group must put their skills into service for strengthening group defenses.
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Bybiis el Putuki and her friend Opin the healer must navigate the demands of the khalif in Utica who would turn Opin’s gift to serve him. Jesse Hartley and Hershel Henry find each other, but each is very changed from recent events. Can they reawaken the currents of feeling between them?
When Bybiis is able to force a release from the khalif’s control, she and Opin land at a small fishing village from where Mrs. Shaw is exploring the ruins of a lost city. Jesse Hartley joins them, but the conflicts that grew in Utica get more intense. Jesse is distracted when Hershel Henry invites her to rejoin her father the Consortium General at the rainbow bridge construction site.
Blue Anomaly
In Blue Anomaly by J.K. Bunta, astrophysicist Dr. Tristan Smolensky embarks on a mission as Earth’s primary representative to investigate signals from a distant star that potentially indicates intelligent life. As he approaches the star, Tristan’s reality begins to fragment, raising questions about whether the star or its signals harbor a more sinister nature or if the journey through space is inducing a hallucinogenic breakdown. The forthcoming answers defy both Tristan’s and the reader’s expectations.
Bunta’s novel falls under the category of hard science fiction, grounded in established scientific theory and existing technology. This genre strives for hyper-realism, with events that can be explained through biophysics, human biochemistry, and similar scientific disciplines. Bunta’s scientific background lends credibility to his storytelling, creating a narrative that is as plausible as it is captivating.
Fans of space madness films like “Moon” or Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” may find familiar themes in “Blue Anomaly.” Despite its scientific foundation, Bunta skillfully weaves in literary elements that are both eerie and emotionally resonant. Tristan’s quest to uncover the source of the star’s signals leads to revelations, but it also opens doors to deeper mysteries. This interplay between scientific plausibility and imaginative storytelling is what defines exceptional science fiction. At its core, this book explores the pressing questions of human nature and existence while venturing into the unknown. The book masterfully balances scientific rigor with imaginative exploration, creating a journey that is intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking. The ending may leave some questions unanswered, but it solidifies the bond between protagonist and reader, ensuring that the journey is memorable.
Blue Anomaly is a compelling blend of scientific authenticity and literary creativity. Bunta’s expertise in science enriches the narrative, while his storytelling transports readers on an unforgettable journey through the cosmos.
Pages: 193 | ASIN : B0D5TM2VHD
Political Turmoil
Tribal Logic follows a group of people who find themselves struggling to survive in a world plagued by political turmoil and shifting loyalties. Could you please share what inspired the initial idea for this series and how it evolved as you were writing it?
Well, um…that’s a big question. I’ve been writing the series for over three decades. And maybe I learned how to write! The situations and characters get better with each book.
Political turmoil is a big theme in the series. In the previous book HOME RULE, the tribes gain a new leader and feel that they are united. With TRIBAL LOGIC, we expand the worldview to include a military coup at Stargate Junction and a rescue mission into the asteroid field.
I like to think that the action reflects moments in our own world, like when the cosmonauts were in space for over a year and returned to find a dismantled Soviet Union.
For evolving themes, we added more magic into TRIBAL LOGIC. Characters begin to meet others from an elusive tribe with skills in making wards, charms, scripts, and hexes – mostly to defend themselves. One new character is a young healer named Opin who can lay-on-hands for relief from a bleeding wound. I researched Indian and Middle Eastern traditions of healing and learned a great deal about our larger world too.
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
I see TRIBAL LOGIC as a pair to the next book UTCAN’S TALISMAN that will be released in August 2024. The story arch is satisfied over the two books. There are many characters, but we mostly follow the urge to connect between Jesse Hartley and Hershel Henry. Jesse is a flawed character – high-handed and a poor negotiator. We love to hate her and wonder how she will make a place for herself.
Dr. Greensboro is a primary character still, married to General Shaw. Her research has led her to a remote fishing village called Sergiio, but events bring the world to her door.
My principle is to show women in more roles than newlyweds or evil queens. I keep exploring how relations operate over time and how women make choices to keep the marriage fresh and manage the decades for child raising. The stories tend to stretch out rather than being satisfied with winning the day.
What was one of the hardest parts of Tribal Logic for you to write?
Each book section has its own narrator, so we see the world through the eyes of Jesse Hartley, then Dr. Greensboro, then Hershel Henry, then Bybiis el Putuki. Developing the individual voices so each section is personal and conversational with a specific point-of-view can be a challenge – and a reward.
After spending a hundred pages with Henry’s voice, we are jolted to encounter Bybiis’s view of him as a feckless philanderer, for example.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
UTCAN’S TALISMAN is Book Five in the series and slated for release in August 2024. Utcan is from the tribe with magic. His talisman is modeled after a found-in-nature “mermaid’s purse” that’s actually a folded seaweed frond where a shark has inserted a fetus for extra incubation. For sci-fi, I was able to embellish that idea to a talisman where the holder can peer through a hole in the head of a dead serpent and talk with another holder. Ha, ha…I love magic.
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A change in leadership on Stargate Junction makes all characters question how the future will shape. How to survive the shifting loyalties among the city-states? Will my home even be there when I return?
While on a deep space rescue mission, Hershel Henry misses karsci on Dolvia the Abydian khalif steps down. Within the turmoil, will Henry connect with Jesse Hartley, or is that romance lost forever?
Our Place In The Universe
Intergalactica follows a neuropsychiatric after waking from a coma who joins an organization that is trying to find Earth 2 to save humanity, or so they say. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I needed to find the most credible way in which a situation as heightened as this could happen in reality. As we know, her coma is related to the twist at the end of the book – so it all connects in a way that is hopefully rewarding to the reader.
Was the character’s backstory something you always had, or did it develop as you were writing?
Amanda is greatly inspired by another Amanda – from the TV series Nikita. Although Amanda from Nikita, played by Melinda Clarke, is a psychopath and the main villain behind the show. I wanted to create a new character – this time a heroine, that still had her commanding presence and icy one-liners.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted the reader to reflect on our place in the universe, and to also be able to explore new worlds with actual new species and ecosystems. I feel the sci-fi genre can get too desolate and hopeless at times, and I am especially sick of barren planets.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
There are three other novels in the series, already published in Portuguese. I believe if the next three get translated, I might re-edit the entire product, revisit them, and adapt them to fit one full book. It would still be just slightly bigger than Intergalactica, so this idea has been on my mind for a while. We shall see.
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It’s launch day for NASA’s long-awaited manned expedition to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa!
Neuropsychiatrist Amanda awakens after months in a coma caused by acute meningitis…
Along with two patients, they discover themselves to be key pieces in an ever-growing puzzle involving an underground geopolitical corporation called The Firm, which plans to sabotage the mission, taking advantage of a new technology to hijack the ship and set a course for a habitable planet located seventeen light-years away from Earth.
Originally released in Brazil in 2016, the Intergalactica book series moved thousands of physical and digital copies in Portuguese. Discover a new Earth as you journey to the stars in the first volume of F. P. Trotta‘s saga.
