Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.

Sabitha: AJ Pagan IV joins us to talk about his thought-provoking science fiction novel, Brian, Created Intelligence. AJ, can you start by telling us a bit about the book?

AJ: This story revolves around the world’s first bodiless human brain, created to study and produce real artificial intelligence. Brian the brain does not know he’s a human—he’s been told and believes himself to be an artificially intelligent system.

Sabitha: What inspired you to write this book?

AJ:  As I earned my Master’s in organic chemistry and wrote my thesis, I was searching the job market and came across the still burgeoning technology of 3D organ printing. Well my brain had a thought, what if someone created a brain? 

Sabitha: It’s always fun when a scientist writes science fiction. What’s your writing process?

AJ: My writing process: brain brew for months or years and research the hell out of what I want to write so I’m not ignorant of what’s real. Once it feels right, wake up at 4AM and write ~2k words a day or more every day until the story is out of me. There are minor exceptions.

Sabitha: What book do you tell all your friends to read? Besides yours of course!

AJ: Hyperion (and The Fall of Hyperion) is the best book in existence. 

Sabitha: What do you most want your readers to take away from reading your book?

AJ: I want people to realize this sort of horrible technology is getting close and we need to ensure it never comes about. I don’t want to be a slave nor create one nor have ANY in existence. Everyone deserves all human rights. Body or not. 

Sabitha: Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?
AJ: You can find my book on Barnes and Noble, all independent book stores can order it, and Apple/Google/Kobo ebook as well. You can find me on Twitter, on my website, and in Southern California most days.