Noam Josephides - Mystery, Adventure, and Exploration

Noam Josephides is an award-winning and bestselling author, screenwriter and director. He is also a serial technology entrepreneur with numerous successful companies founded, and a past as an Airforce Captain. Noam's love for speculative writing and Science Fiction began with the genre classics he read in his childhood - from Asimov and Heinlin to Clarke and Douglas Adams. His scientific enthusiasm for space led him to pursue studies in Astrophysics and aviation, and his prose combines deep technological and scientific knowledge with a unique focus on human drama, values and personal journeys. Noam spends his time between leading Artificial Intelligence product development at the world's top technology firms, and writing novels, screenplays and fake Tooth-Fairy letters for his 3 young kids.  As our Author of the Day, he tells us all about his book, Generations. 

Please give us a short introduction to what Generations is about.

The THETIS is humanity’s last hope: a generation-ship carrying the last remnants of Earth to resettle on a new planet. But, under the facade of a tolerant and cooperative society, a vast conspiracy has been brewing – a deeply-buried secret that will determine the fate of humanity’s new beginning. The key to uncovering that conspiracy lies in the hands of SANDRINE LIET, an Archivist introvert who has everything to lose by pitting herself against the most powerful people on the Thetis. The deeper she digs, the clearer it becomes that there is only one way to save both herself and the rest of her fellow Thetans – and it’s the most horrible choice imaginable… GENERATIONS is a heart-pounding space mystery, an instant #1 Amazon Science Fiction New Release of 2024.

What was the main inspiration behind Generations? Were there specific books, movies, or real-life events that sparked the idea?

I've always been a fan of science fiction, reading both classics and modern works. My background is in screenwriting, and I became fascinated by the concept of an enclosed society—one that's been traveling in space for nearly 200 years. I wanted to explore how such a society would sustain itself, from resources and money to morals, language, and family structures. The challenge was to craft a society that could survive the journey and thrive once it reached its destination.

How did you approach the world-building in Generations?

My goal was believability. I spent months researching, drawing from my background in artificial intelligence and astrophysics. I avoided aliens, warp drives, or wormholes, grounding the story in realistic science and technology. I wanted the reader to feel immersed in a world that could genuinely exist.

How did you balance the technical aspects of space travel and societal evolution with the human stories and mysteries that drive the plot?

Story always comes first. Characters need to be relatable, and the plot should be engaging. While there's plenty of world-building and backstory, I tried to weave it in naturally without overwhelming the reader. My screenwriting experience helped me keep the exposition from slowing down the narrative. There’s a balance between providing enough information to follow along and letting the reader discover things as they go.

Can you tell us more about your lead character, Sandrine Liet? What drives her, and how does she evolve throughout the story?

Sandrine is a 28-year-old introverted archivist who loves history and technology. She's content with her quiet life until she stumbles across a conspiracy that propels her into action. She’s motivated by her desire to become a mother, which is quite different from typical sci-fi protagonists. Throughout the story, she’s torn between solving the mystery and protecting her own future. Her vulnerability and moral dilemmas make her a compelling character.

How does Sandrine's background as an archivist help her unravel the mysteries aboard the generation ship?

Sandrine’s skepticism drives her to question everything, especially what the administration tells the population. Her work as an archivist makes her skilled at uncovering hidden truths, but it also puts her at odds with authority. She’s already been burned by previous conflicts with the administration, making her hesitant to dive into the investigation. Despite this, her strong moral values push her forward, even at great personal cost.

What message or themes do you hope readers take away from Generations?

Even though the story has dark revelations, at its core, it’s a story of hope. Our future is in our hands, and we can choose to create a beautiful, egalitarian society or an ugly, utilitarian one. The science fiction setting allows us to reflect on these possibilities from a distance, but it’s a reflection of our own reality. I hope readers see it as both a cautionary and inspirational tale.

Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/scifinoam
Website: https://generationsnovels.com

Newsletter signup: https://bit.ly/author-list

Thank you, Noam, for sharing your insights. To our readers, make sure to pick up a copy of Generations and dive into this thought-provoking story.

Thanks for having me! It's been a fun and insightful interview.