Q&A with Marc J. Gregson

  

 

 

Marc J. Gregson is the author of the new novel Behind the Glass. His other books include the young adult Above the Black trilogy. He is a former middle school English teacher. 

 

Q: What inspired you to write Behind the Glass, and how did you create your character Malcolm?

 

A: Well, I wanted to explore a universe where the earth is dying because people are living in very powerful simulations—as real as life—and so people escape the real world to live in a false one. But the earth’s only dying because of the reactors that power these simulations. It’s a horrible cycle.

 

When writing Malcolm, I wanted to challenge myself by writing a character that needs redemption even if he doesn’t recognize it or feel worthy of it.

 

When he is conscripted by the corporation that’s killing the planet, he’s forced into addiction to SICO (Synthetic Incentive for Combat Operatives). This gives him a little jolt of joy from his brainchip whenever he kills an enemy soldier.

 

At the beginning of the book, he’s an addict, and more beast than man, and I wanted to explore his journey back to his human side.

Q: This is your adult science fiction debut—why did you decide to write for a new audience?

 

A: Interestingly enough, my agent and I initially submitted this to publishers as a young adult title. It wasn’t until we started getting some feedback that we realized this needed to be shifted to the adult audience. So, I had to do some revisions and smooth over a few details.

 

That being said, I do believe older teen fans of my Above the Black series will still find lots to enjoy here. It feels like a crossover title to me.

 

Q: Can you say more about the inspiration for the world in which the novel is set?

 

A: Some of it came from my fears of how people are living their lives digitally through social media and online and maybe not always living in the real world anymore. I also had some concerns about the power that some major corporations we have now.

 

I wrote this before data centers and AI were a fear (I signed with my agent for this book back in 2020) but I think the book’s timely on those subjects now, too.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from the novel?

 

A: I hope readers enjoy the plot, characters, and worldbuilding, but I also hope they realize the dangers of false realities. Some of us are addicted to social media, living out our lives on screens.

 

Beyond that, I hope they recognize the dangers of automation, corporate rule, greed, and data centers and what they will do not just to humanity, but the planet itself.

 

Ultimately, Malcolm’s story is one of redemption in the face of overwhelming obstacles, so I hope readers find hope in that message.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I am working on Bright Sky and its sequel. These are the first two books in a prequel trilogy set hundreds of years before the events of my Above the Black series. I went back in the timeline a bit because I didn’t want to run into the prequel trap where readers can predict what will happen at the end.

 

It’s been a lot of fun expanding the Skylands universe, and while the Below the Black series doesn’t launch until fall 2027, I can tease readers about the main character in this new series has creature companions and they’re awesome.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Readers can follow me on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, or Twitter with my handle @mjg_write or on my YouTube channel MarcJGregson. They can also find me at my website at www.marcjgregson.com.

 

Beyond that, I’m also open to events and you can reach out on my contact page. I’m a former teacher, so I have lots of experience in schools if you’d like me to come speak.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Marc J. Gregson.