Interview with Justin Wilson, Author of The Exodus Rush

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Exodus Rush (The Vethrak Requiem Book 1)?

The Exodus Rush was born out of a question that wouldn’t leave me alone: what happens after survival stops being enough? A lot of science fiction focuses on the moment of collapse or invasion. I wanted to explore what comes next, when humanity is scattered, wounded, and forced to decide who it will become under pressure. The story was inspired by watching how people respond to long seasons of crisis, both personally and globally, and asking how those same dynamics would play out on an interstellar scale. At its core, this book is about endurance, loyalty, and the cost of choosing hope when the universe gives you every reason not to.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Exodus Rush (The Vethrak Requiem Book 1), what would they be?

I tend to write cinematically, so music is always playing in the background while I work. For the core cast, I’d say a mix of atmospheric and driving tracks, things like “Time” by Hans Zimmer for the weight of impossible decisions, “Mylo Xyloto” era Coldplay for momentum and scale, and “Knights of Cydonia” by Muse for the moments when survival turns into defiance.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Science fiction has always been my favorite genre to read, especially long-form series that blend high-stakes survival with character-driven storytelling. One of my favorite series is the Expeditionary Force books by Craig Alanson. I love how they balance tension, humor, and massive sci-fi concepts without losing sight of the people at the center of the story. Writing science fiction lets me explore similar themes, big ideas grounded by human decisions, so it’s absolutely my favorite genre to write as well.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My TBR pile is a mix of classic and modern science fiction. I’m always circling back to authors like Asimov and Herbert while keeping up with newer voices that blend character-driven storytelling with large-scale worldbuilding. I also read a lot outside the genre, especially books on leadership, philosophy, and history, because those ideas inevitably find their way into my fiction.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scenes to write are the quiet ones between moments of chaos. There’s a particular stretch in The Exodus Rush where the characters are forced to pause and reckon with what they’ve lost, not just materially, but morally. Those scenes tend to carry the most emotional weight and often end up defining the characters more than the battles do.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I tend to word-vomit the first draft and worry about refinement later. I usually know the general story I want to tell, but the initial version is absolutely terrible, and sometimes the third or fourth draft isn’t much better. For me, writing is about getting the ideas out of my head as fast as possible, then slowly shaping them into something coherent through revision.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Make the hard decision early. Most problems don’t come from bad intentions; they come from delayed courage.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That survival alone isn’t victory. What truly matters is who you choose to be when everything familiar has been stripped away.

Justin Wilson is the author of the new book The Exodus Rush (The Vethrak Requiem Book 1)

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