What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
Teaching over the years, I have found it increasingly difficult to communicate the science of environmental problems, particularly climate change, both to the lay public and to students. Even students who understood the concept intellectually often failed to appreciate the risk. Many of them suffered from what is called techno-optimism, i.e., that technology will get us out of this mess. So, I set out to write a compelling story about climate change's "evil twin" and the unintended consequences of geoengineering. My goal was to inform my readers about the process of science, as well as the dangers we face.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
"Southern Cross" – Crosby, Stills & Nash
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
My favorites run from sci-fi to post-apocalyptic to spy fiction, but they must have a strong, likable protagonist and be thought-provoking.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Blackout: A Techno-Thriller, Bleeding Sea, and Termination Shock.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The scene when the main character is on a train in Berlin on his way to a scientific conference, and there is a fire on the train, and everyone is told to evacuate the train, but the main character doesn't speak German and so isn't sure what's going on. This actually happened to me.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I do most of my writing in the loft of my cabin in Maine.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
YOLO - You only live once.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
The environment is under siege --now is the moment to take a stand, no matter what it costs you personally.
Darren Rumbold is the author of the new book Mystery in the Southern Ocean (Sea Treks Book 1)
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