A Few Questions. A Few Answers.
A quick chat about Finitude and Beyond
Literary Titan recently reviewed Finitude and Beyond, and I was thrilled when they followed up with an interview request. Below, you'll find a short Q&A covering the book's central philosophy to the personal experiences that shaped its pages. Enjoy!
“What was the inspiration for this collection of short stories?”
Growing up, I was always drawn to humanity’s greatest achievements. Space exploration represented one of our highest aspirations—our desire to reach beyond ourselves and touch the untouchable. Yet, in those same dreams of the stars, I found our darkest reflections: isolation, fear, and the weight of choices made in desperate moments. This collection sort of grew from that dichotomy.
“What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?”
We're this remarkable species that can conceive of infinity, create art that moves us to tears, and love so fiercely we'd sacrifice everything for another person. Yet we're also capable of breathtaking cruelty, willful ignorance, and destroying the very things we claim to cherish. What fascinates me is that these aren't contradictions—they're features of the same complex system. There is a line from this brilliant show Pantheon where this program sums it up best. “Humans are a low-entropy self-replicating phenomenon that generates a binding force called compassion.”
“Do you have a favorite story in the collection, and if so, why does it hold special meaning for you?”
That’s tough, I really enjoyed writing The Captain and The Sower. I was in such a good mental place when I was working on it but if I had to choose a favorite it would be A Mere State. It was the first one I started writing back in 2020. It’s different in two ways. It’s the only epistolary work I’ve ever written and it is the only sci-fi story set in the past.
“What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?”
My debut novel Local Gods is currently in its last few rounds of copy edits. The expected release date is sometime in the middle of November. Without going too deep, Local Gods is a science fiction drama that explores the sinister threads of capitalism, faith, and power, asking what price we're willing to pay for comfort—and whether anyone can truly escape Earth's oldest sins, even among the stars.
You can start reading Finitude and Beyond early!
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've shared a few stories from the collection here on Substack for free. You can find them in the short fiction section of Recursive Ink. I want to briefly shoutout the beta readers and reviewers for such positive and insightful feedback over the past few months. Thank you for helping take these stories to the next level!
Regarding pre-orders
If you’ve already pre-ordered the Finitude and Beyond ebook, thank you so much for your support. It means the world to me as an indie author that people care enough to give these stories a chance.
Prefer physical copies? I totally understand. If you’re waiting for the paperback, you can add it to your Wish List on Amazon, and you’ll get notified when the book is available to purchase. In the meantime you can also add it to your Want To Read list on Goodreads.
C.K. Adams
While you wait…have you read Empire In Entropy yet?
To those of you who enjoy non-fiction, Empire In Entropy & Other Essays examines the forces shaping American society and offers solutions for building a more democratic and healthier future.
If you’ve already read it and enjoyed it, consider leaving a review on Goodreads and/or Amazon.
If you haven’t had a chance to pick up a copy, it’s available on Amazon in eBook and paperback format.