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Interview with S. T. Overcash, author of The Human Algorithm

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The Human Algorithm is the first book in the Algorithm Trilogy.  The future of earth has been shaped predominantly by the lowering cost of electronic devices and the increasing pervasiveness of the internet.  Everyone is connected, all the time, and information is abundant.  So much that even governments have been replaced by a computer program known as AMO (the algorithm of mass opinion).  The system is near perfect, with staggering approval ratings.

The story follows Nic, a bright and talented young law enforcement agent who is assigned a high profile case to track down missing weapons grade plutonium and the terrorists that are fighting against the technological world.

The case is far from open and shut, as Nic finds himself unable to locate the true perpetrators behind the attacks.  And this is just the beginning of Nic’s story.

What genre is it?
The book identifies closest with science fiction, but it is far from the space exploration, theoretical and idealistic tales from most science fiction stories.  Even though the book is set over a hundred years in the future, the landscape of the earth has not progressed too drastically.  In fact every piece of technology referenced in the book is either currently being researched or is theorized to become a reality in the next hundred years.  In this future, the world isn’t going to see an explosion in technology as much as a maturing.

What kind of readers will it appeal to?
Hopefully computer programmers, because that is what I am, and why the topics have interested me.  But I didn’t want to make the book out of touch with any normal technology enthusiast.  I think there is a nice balance of technology and basic crime thriller.

You say this is the start of a trilogy?
This book was always intended to be part of a trilogy.  Each separate book is completely self sufficient and all plot lines should be resolved, but I try to entice the reader into the follow up story.

Can you tell us more?
The second book is titled Above the Firewall, and the third is Rectifier.  Each book stands on its own, but as you read on the overarching plot becomes more apparent.

Complete this sentence for us: if you like _________________, you’ll love The Human Algorithm.
I would say, A Brave New World.  There are obvious inspirations that this book had on The Human Algorithm.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a computer programmer from Charlotte, NC.  I started writing many years ago but couldn’t finish a whole novel.  Then I found National Novel Writing Month, which is a motivational site that encourages people to write a 50,000 word book in the month of November.  I did just that, and have done it 3 years in a row.  Now I find finishing a book is not as daunting a task as it was before.  Of course there is still editing…

Do you have a website where we can keep up with your work?
Yes.  I have an author’s blog with more information on all my books.  http://books.stovercash.com.

How can we follow you on Twitter and/or Facebook?
My twitter is @stovercash, but I am not active as of yet.  The best way to keep in touch on Facebook is to like the page for this book.  Just search Facebook for “The Human Algorithm”.

What’s next?
Only the first book in the trilogy is currently self-published on Kindle.  My goal is to keep editing the second and third (which are completely written, but not ready to release).  I hope to have the second out before the end of the year, and the third at the beginning of next year.  In between editing, I have already started work on the first book after The Algorithm Trilogy.  I am sticking with the sci-fi genre, but I will be exploring a much different topic than the internet this next time.

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  1. Pingback: Top 10 Books: Week ending May 31, 2013 | Indie Author Land

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