ZONT-2 and Beyond follows a Russian man who is trying to save the earth by building a solar shield but he needs help, and not everyone wants the project to succeed. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?

It’s probably clear to most informed people that governments have not done enough, and are not doing enough, to combat climate change. Many of these folks also see the growing number of obscenely wealthy oligarchs as being pure exploiters. The book is plea for some of these wealthy, non-government leaders to step forward and use their own initiative and creativity to attempt something really good to help save humanity and our fragile planet.

I found the science in the novel to be well developed. What kind of research did you do to make sure you got it all right?

I leaned heavily on my professional experiences as a 35 year oil and gas engineer and manager, and a space exploration buff. The internet helped fill in the rest. I may not have got it right. I hope technically savvy and informed readers will point out its faults… together with suggested fixes. Because… we may indeed need to build a space-based solar umbrella to get out of the dire fix we are in!

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

I wanted to give people some hope that all is not lost. We are ingenious creatures, and often all that is lacking is a passionate, capable leader to invigorate the right team and solve the most daunting of problems. I suggest that the social and geopolitical problems twenty years from now will be at least as worrisome as they are now. And… that there will be as many political problems as technical when embarking on a globe spanning and space-based mega project like this one. Toughness, broad-spectrum intelligence and perseverance will be essential for success.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

Undecided, unfortunately. Another sci-fi adventure novel to go with my eight published books.

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/10/23/space-based-mega-project/