The Transhuman Project
By: Erin Rhew
Publication date: January 15th 2019
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
When a video of Molly Richards is taken out of context and goes viral, she’s thrust into the upper echelons of social media stardom and becomes an overnight success in a country where Life Channel ratings reign supreme. As Kadar’s fastest rising celebrity, her life becomes a media circus, a show put on for the shallow national audience salivating for the next new thing.
But in a world where image is king, danger and death hide among the shadows. In the nearby country of Pacifica, the brutal Caezar turns his citizens into robotic weapons who infiltrate Kadar as sleeper transhumans. They walk among the populace, unaware they are pawns in the madman’s personal arsenal.
Only Molly, her friends, and an elite group of Kadarian fighters known as the Cyber Knights fully understand the transhuman threat, and only they can break the Caezar’s terrorist grip on both Pacifica and Kadar. Battling Fire Bots and humanoid agents, they seek to put a stop to the Caezar’s tyranny by unraveling the secrets buried between layers of deception.And they have to do it all while smiling and waving for the cameras.
As Molly and her friends peer behind the glitz and glamour, they discover something more frightening and more sinister than anything they’ve encountered yet…the truth.
Let’s start with, how are you this fine day?
Hello! I’m doing well and am happy to be on your blog. <waves at readers>
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
I get ideas from everywhere. The world is full of so many fascinating people and things. But I’d say the
vast majority of my ideas come from conversations with my husband. We’ll be like “have you ever
thought of this” or “what would happen if X,” and suddenly, we have story ideas!
vast majority of my ideas come from conversations with my husband. We’ll be like “have you ever
thought of this” or “what would happen if X,” and suddenly, we have story ideas!
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I wrote my first poem at four, and when my family made a huge deal about it, I was hooked. I’ve been
writing in some fashion since that moment.
writing in some fashion since that moment.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I enjoy reading. They say every great writer is a heavy reader. I also love spending time with my family
and friends, working out, and going on long walks with my husband.
and friends, working out, and going on long walks with my husband.
What does your family think of your writing?
My family is very supportive. My husband is also a writer, so obviously, he loves the fact that I
write (it’s actually how we met). I’m part of a big ole Southern family, and I’m pretty sure they
promote my books even more than I do.
write (it’s actually how we met). I’m part of a big ole Southern family, and I’m pretty sure they
promote my books even more than I do.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I think it’s a bit of a shocker when you write a book, think it’s great, and then discover it’s not a
bestseller. LOL! We all dream of having *the* book that everyone wants to read, but those stories turn
out to be few and far between.
bestseller. LOL! We all dream of having *the* book that everyone wants to read, but those stories turn
out to be few and far between.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written a lot of books, but I have four published. I can’t really say which one is my favorite
because that would be like asking a parent to pick a favorite child. But The Prophecy holds a special
place in my heart because it’s the first. It also makes me cringe the most because I’ve learned so much
since it was published back in 2013.
because that would be like asking a parent to pick a favorite child. But The Prophecy holds a special
place in my heart because it’s the first. It also makes me cringe the most because I’ve learned so much
since it was published back in 2013.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Since I am very active on social media and attend a lot of comic cons, I am fortunate to speak to my
readers quite often. They are super supportive, and I’m always honored and flattered when they pay for
comic con tickets just to see me.
readers quite often. They are super supportive, and I’m always honored and flattered when they pay for
comic con tickets just to see me.
Have you ever been sent fan art?
I have, and I’m in awe that someone enjoyed my work so much that they’d create art for it.
What do you think makes a good story?
Characters. I have a friend who thinks that story lies in good words, but I disagree. I think stories live
and die by good characters. We want to invest in these fictional people, their lives, and their worlds.
We want to laugh, cry, and fight right alongside them.
and die by good characters. We want to invest in these fictional people, their lives, and their worlds.
We want to laugh, cry, and fight right alongside them.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
My Mema (grandma) says I’d always answer that question, “Mommy/teacher/nurse” like it was one
thing when I was little. I actually started out in college with the intention of becoming a teacher, but I
changed my major in the second semester of my sophomore year.
thing when I was little. I actually started out in college with the intention of becoming a teacher, but I
changed my major in the second semester of my sophomore year.
What is that one weird quirk about yourself, that no one else knows?
Well, I can’t say that there is anything about me that no one knows because my husband pretty much
knows it all. But here’s something weird that not many people know...I sort my Sprees candy by color.
I *have* to eat them in pairs of the same color, and if the same color is not available, I have to eat them
in a pair with next closest color. I cannot eat Sprees as singles. Just can’t do it.
knows it all. But here’s something weird that not many people know...I sort my Sprees candy by color.
I *have* to eat them in pairs of the same color, and if the same color is not available, I have to eat them
in a pair with next closest color. I cannot eat Sprees as singles. Just can’t do it.
If you had your time back what would you tell yourself about writing?
Write because it makes you happy. Don’t get caught up in sales and rankings. Just write and love every
minute of it.
minute of it.
Last but not least,
What advice would you give aspiring writers?
Two things:
- Never give up. This business is hard and requires a thick skin. But believe in yourself and believe in your work. Learn as much as you can about the craft, and keep on writing.
- Edit, edit, edit. Edit your work multiple times, until you can’t stand the sight of the words any longer, and then edit again. Never, never let someone see your first draft.
Thank you for answers my questions
Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog! I appreciate it more than I can ever express!
Erin Rhew is an editor, the operations manager for a small press, and a YA fantasy and sci-fi author. Since she picked up Morris the Moose Goes to School at age four, she has been infatuated with the written word. She went on to work as a grammar and writing tutor in college and is still teased by her family and friends for being a member of the "Grammar Police."A Southern girl by blood and birth, Erin spent years in a rainy pocket of the Pacific Northwest before returning to her roots in the land of hushpuppies, sweet tea, and pig pickin’. She’s married to fellow author, the amazingly talented (and totally handsome) Deek Rhew, and spends her time writing side-by-side with him under the watchful eye of their patient-as-a-saint writing assistant, a tabby cat named Trinity. Erin and Deek enjoy taking long walks, drinking coffee, lifting, boxing, eating pizza, staying up late into the night talking, and adventuring together.
Great post and I appreciate getting to find out about another great book. Thanks for all you do and for the hard work you put into this. Greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on the tour! :)
ReplyDelete