Interview with Max Sor, Author of No CTRL
03 Dec 2025
What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write No CTRL?
The deepest inspiration for No CTRL came from a sense of unease I started feeling about our increasingly digitized world. Everywhere we look, we’re handing over control—to algorithms, to corporations, to systems we don’t fully understand. I kept asking myself: What happens when the technology designed to help us starts to govern us? I wanted to explore that unsettling gap between convenience and freedom. The story of No CTRL is a cautionary tale about what happens when one powerful individual discovers the ultimate digital backdoor and decides to seize command of society. It’s a reflection on the seductive nature of absolute power and the desperate measures people will take to reclaim their own minds and choices. It was inspired by real-world headlines, but pushed to a terrifying, near-future extreme.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of No CTRL, what would they be?
For Stanislav Lyubimov (The Creator): Sia – Unstoppable. This song captures the essence of Stan’s struggle. He is physically confined, yet mentally, he is driven by an unshakeable need to transcend those limits. Unstoppable reflects his resilience and the sheer force of will it takes to fight back when the whole world is trying to tell you you’re broken. For Victor Rudin (The Antagonist): Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This). Victor is the ambitious son of a billionaire, obsessed with absolute control. The song perfectly encapsulates his manipulative, cold ambition and the realization that everyone is seeking control or being controlled. For Victor, the world is made of controlling people, and he intends to be the one on top.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
My favorite genre to write, without a doubt, is the Cyberpunk/Techno-Thriller. That niche allows me to explore high-stakes ethical dilemmas and blend my personal interests in neuroscience and digital culture. As for reading, I primarily consume Science Fiction and Thrillers—I’m looking for high concept, intense pacing, and deep philosophical questions, much like the readers I hope to attract. But I also have a strong interest in Literary Non-Fiction; I seek out books that analyze human psychology, power structures, and the nature of ambition. Those real-world analyses often provide the gritty, plausible foundation for the digital dystopias I create in my fiction.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
My reading habits are intentionally eclectic because my writing requires a dual perspective—blending the technical with the deeply human. I always keep 1984 by George Orwell close, as it provides the foundational understanding of absolute control and how systems distort reality—the core philosophical fear I explore in NO CTRL. To balance that dark philosophy, I consume Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series; his work is essential for studying the mechanics of high-stakes pacing and structuring a compelling global conspiracy that keeps the reader turning the page. Finally, The Kite Runner is crucial for grounding my story. It serves as a constant reminder that for all the technological chaos, the highest stake in any thriller remains the raw, devastating cost of human betrayal and injustice. These three genres together provide the complete blueprint for the suspense, philosophy, and emotion woven into my novel.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
One of the very last chapters. It is the scene where Stan talks to his virtual self. That chapter always brings tears to my eyes, and that is all I can say about it now without giving away the plot details.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I don’t have any strange habits like lucky mugs or special rituals. My focus is entirely on the future, and my process is defined by dualism. When imagining the future for NO CTRL, I force myself to see it first in the worst possible light (the ultimate dystopia) and then immediately in the best possible light (the flawless utopia). Comparing these two extremes is what inspires me. It’s vital for me to always see two sides, two opinions, and two perspectives on the same concept. This dual vision helps me understand the motives of both the controlling forces and those fighting for freedom.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
My philosophy is built entirely around rejecting perceived limitations. The core struggle in life is proving the negative voices wrong. In my own journey, I always carry a quote I once heard: “He who is born to crawl can never fly.” I use that phrase not as a warning, but as a challenge. My personal philosophy is to relentlessly fight for the truth of my vision, especially when everyone says it’s impossible. This belief in fighting for your own narrative is what powers the resilient spirit of Stanislav in NO CTRL.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Dream and never give up on your dream! I want readers to remember that the main prison is internal, and it is the surrender of one’s own will. Your dream is the one thing the system cannot control. That is your last, true freedom.
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