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World-Ending Scenario
The Silver Sphere follows a writer who finds a derelict AI which is the beginning of a wild intergalactic adventure. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The novella began with a wisp of an idea for a short story on my blog. I’ve done this before. In every case, the story stayed short. I presented it as a single blog post. For some reason, The Silver Sphere refused to be relegated to a single post. It grew into a seven-part novella.
This is a riveting novella that is just under 50 pages. What inspired you to break this story up into seven parts?
The story grew to five continuing blog posts. After the fifth post, I said to myself, “Wait a minute. Only your wife and daughter plus a few friends are going to keep up with the story. Why not make it into a book?” So, I did.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I’d say friendships and emotional connections. I believe the world-ending scenario had to come, at least in part, from the threats of COVID and extremism prevalent and lurking in today’s world.
What can readers expect in the next story in the series?
The next book contains fourteen episodes. It’s twice as long as the first. I’m introducing a third main character. I have a bigger canvas that allows for more character development. It seems many of the reviews I read asked for these enhancements. The new book is titled, “Cataclysm–End of Worlds.” I expect to release it in early October 2021. I’m being deliberately coy about including more details.
PS–The Silver Sphere episodes are no longer available for free on my blog (www.davidgittlin.com).
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The Silver Sphere is a seven part story illustrated with colorful photos.
The Silver Sphere
![The Silver Sphere: It's Coming--No Time to Waste by [David Gittlin]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MhnHGw69S.jpg)
A short story centered around a writer contemplating the ending to his novel and an alien mirroring artificial intelligence that is shaped like a silver sphere both work together to stop the destruction of Earth. Given its length, the story jumps straight in without providing extensive world-building but still delivers the details needed for a reader to be engrossed with this spellbinding science fiction story. It is a perfect mixture to provide a potent sci-fi novella, which can be difficult to do successfully. In a short span, we are given insight into a world where a multidimensional Earth has a “superhuman” race after it. Arcon, the silver sphere that Jacob encounters on the beach begins as this AI with a mission but as the story goes on it gains more emotion and even picks up on the slang. The banter between Arcon and Jacob is enjoyable to read but the plot of whether or not they will make it to the World Trade Center takes the spotlight.
Given that this is a short story, I’m left with a desire for more detail and explanation but only in the best way. David Gittlin is able to present a provocative science fiction version of our world that gives us a glimpse of what an interesting story this could truly be if only the story was longer. That being said, the story being short and ending on a cliffhanger works in Gittlin’s favor as I can’t help but want to know more about Arcon, its mothership, and the superhuman race still after Earth’s destruction. This short story is also accompanied by photos that go along with where the story is set. We see a glimpse of what Arcon looks like, its mothership, and the second Earth within Earth. They really tie the story together well.
The Silver Sphere is a captivating science fiction novella that does a lot in only a few pages.
Pages: 48 | ASIN: B098BK3ZW6
LITERARY TITAN 