Interview Michael Camarillo

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For this holiday weekend we are joined by Michael Camarillo here to tell us about Keeper 829 the first book in the The Keeper Program series.

What was the most surprising thing you found out while researching/writing your latest book?

I learned a great deal about nanotechnology and the use of synthetic materials for organ replacements. I was baffled when I learned that 3D printing is being used to create artificial organs.

Why did you choose this setting?

I went with what I knew. I have traveled to 27 countries, and my wife has been to 4 additional countries that I have not. I leaned on personal experience to add dynamism and realism with my scene-setting. I wanted to start the journey on Earth to draw in readers to the familiar before we embark into the unknown.

What’s unique about your world?

My world goes beyond the stereotypical oppressive society in the post-apocalyptic era due to the infusion of biomimetic extra-terrestrials. My Keepers and Warders predate humans, and have been on our planet for millennia, tweaking our existence. Everything goes according to plan in the shadows until 2098. This is when the veil is lifted, and the reality sets in.

How real do you think the science is in your book?

In terms of the extra-terrestrial component, I suppose it is theoretically possible. When it comes to the makeup of these beings and the technology used to control this dystopian society, I based my concepts heavily on current technology and projected trends. While much of what I created may not be available in 2098, we are certainly heading that direction, and I fully intended to create an environment with realistic AI.

What was the most mundane item that you used that really has cool tech behind it? What is the tech?

In an airport scene, Nesha (Keeper 829) advances through a series of decontamination and disease prevention measures. At one point she goes through a chamber that supposedly decontaminates her entire body (she compares it to a gas chamber). Without background, a reader may just jump over it as a standard TSA-type procedure. I was implementing an advanced method of aerosolized administration of vaccinations. This is something that has been used for measles and is hotly debated as a possible mass solution to prevent disease. As far as I’m aware, it has not been implemented like this yet.

What did you include that you wish was real today?

You will see a proliferation of AI called IDA units interwoven with society. These bionic beings have assumed all low-skilled jobs. I think it would be cool to have AI units living among us.

What technology or science do you think will most affect the world of tomorrow?

Aerosolized vaccinations and artificial modification of the human body

Anything else you would like to share?

Keeper 829 is Book 1 in a planned 4-book series, called The Keeper Program. I use my characters and storyline to critique and raise awareness to many hot-button topics of today. I think it is important to use art as a medium for social evaluation and development. I didn’t intend to write science fiction when I first started, my characters wrote themselves. As I ventured through the depths of my own philosophical and existential questions, I realized that my questions are not mine alone. Instead, I found myself grappling with some rather universal issues, and decided to put my entire self on the page.