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

Sabitha: Joseph Picard is joining us today, to talk all things science fiction. Joseph, what book are you going to tell us about?

Joseph: Rubberman’s Exodus is the third and final novel of my Rubberman series. Following Tara, the head Engineer, and her love and partner Sasha, the multi-generational bomb shelter is put at risk when fuel for the generator runs out unexpectedly. 2000+ survivors have been hiding from the after effects of war for over a century.

In that time, they’ve regressed into sub-cultures born from necessity, but have stagnated into ignorance and dogma.

In Rubberman’s Exodus, the blackout leads to events that force them out to the surface, and re-examine their way of life. From the Engineers who run the power generator, to the isolated workforce Subjects, to Citizenry, which was created to contain the worst trouble makers.

Everyone in the facility has had a taste of conflict over the years, but the Citizenry section has suffered the bloodiest of internal little wars, and most abusive little tyrants. (The previous book, Rubberman’s Citizens is all about them getting themselves sorted out… mostly.)

As the events of Rubberman’s Exodus unfold, across the facility, (not just Citizenry,) everyone will be facing threats they have no experience with. Threats from outside, where the big war happened, and the Enemy is known to patrol above.

I’m very pleased to have wrapped up the Rubberman series in a way I’m happy with, since the advancement of my multiple sclerosis (on top of my pre-existing paraplegia, whee!) makes writing very difficult these days.

Sabitha: What inspired you to write this book?

Joseph: The whole series was sparked from the notion of being trapped in a routine and job that feels meaningless, in near isolation. The characters took over, and the facility grew a life of its own, which demanded resolution. The Rubberman name comes from the Managers of the workforce, who wear rubber hazard suits, for reasons forgotten and misunderstood.

Sabitha: That is sadly very relatable. We have a lot of writers in our community. What’s your writing process?

Joseph: 1: Cool sounding idea/concept

2: Think of a way to make it plausible

3: Throw in likeable characters who have to deal with it. And not-so-likable characters to make things difficult.

I don’t do ‘proper’ outlines, but will make a point-form list of the big plot points I want to hit. I write through point 1, with the other points being suggestions. They’re all subject to total change if ‘uncovered’ events and actions of the characters take control.

As well, I’ve been sometimes labelled as ‘hard sci fi’, because I don’t use transporters or warp drives, etc., but I like my fictional science to be in the realm of very possible. And maybe soon.

Sabitha: What book do you tell all your friends to read?

Joseph: I’m frequently barking about Michelle Patricia Brown, who gives us characters with depth, and words with detail. She has a plot/character balance that’s similar to my own.

I’m currently in the middle of her After the Garden, set in a ruined future filled with shattered memories, uncanny ‘gifts’, and jerks who are basically a witch-hunting cult.

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?

Joseph: The fastest link to type in is www.ozero.ca. My books in various formats are at my Amazon page.