This is Philip Wyeth here to announce the
publication of my new novel, “Reparations
Core.”
This is my fourth book, and the third installment
in the “Reparations” series.
So today, I thought I would discuss the scope
of these books, since they tap into a pretty
heavy concept.
Discussion about Reparations for slavery seems
to be more and more in the news lately, to
the point that it might actually be one of
the Democrat Party's major issues in 2020.
My series takes place in the year 2028, with
the premise being that in 2024 a Chinese-American
woman is elected president on a Reparations
ticket.
In order to determine who owes or gets paid
what, a centralized supercomputer is set up
to scan and aggregate all of humanity's collected
documents.
Here is one of the main thrusts established
in the first book of this series, “Reparations
USA.”
That a surveillance state will spring out
of the Left's restitution-for-colonialism
crusade.
And how can anyone control where that kind
of scrutiny will stop?
So that first book is very much a frantic
world-building exercise, but at the same time
is more than just some reactionary white apology.
How so?
First, some of the real-world complexities
and nuances are explored through the arc of
two of my minority characters.
And then—as good sci-fi often strives for—I
offer a broader, more forward-thinking vision
through a new religion called Modestianity.
This group is not quite Luddite or Amish,
but they do see the pitfalls of embracing
all forms of new technology, without at least
assessing the pros and cons along the way.
In the second book, “Reparations Mind,”
I really dig into the searching, philosophical
side of this religion, as a means to ask deep
questions that apply to us all today.
For example, how do we retain our human dignity
when the camera's amoral eye watches us with
far less compassion than any God might?
This book also dives deeper into what exactly
causes us to believe what we do.
For how many years has the education system
been more about indoctrinating an army of
sleeper-cell change agents, than simply helping
children develop independent, critical thinking
skills?
The broader series plot centers around the
2028 election.
Everything seemed to have been going well
for the president, but in early October a
hacker group takes over the Reparations supercomputer,
and all of a sudden a sense of doubt sweeps
across the country.
People start to ask, is this Reparations program
really working?
Have we opened a Pandora's Box of retribution
that will paralyze society, and risk stopping
all progress as mankind obsessively looks
over its shoulder?
Book two ends on this cliffhanger of uncertainty,
for the cast as well as the country.
And without revealing the election results,
I'll say that the new release, “Reparations
Core,” picks right back up again in the
lame-duck months of November and December.
And if book two was a heavy, deep dive of
self-discovery for the characters, then this
one reads more like a slow burn, political
thriller.
I kept the chapters shorter and moving along
quickly, building readers up to major events
both in the middle and at the end.
We see the cast come face to face with previously
unknown—and sometimes unpleasant—aspects
of themselves when forced to make difficult
choices under pressure.
And I think that's why this trilogy might
appeal to people who at first bristle at the
thought of reading books about Reparations
for slavery.
Because the series is character driven, and
they're all treated fairly as we dig deep
into questions of identity when living under
the shadow of major ideological movements.
These novels are very much a mirror of life
today, as well as satirically imagining what
might happen over the next decade.
Is accounting for the sins of the past worth
the risk of unleashing a tornado of vengeance
that might never stop?
Is there a specific amount of concession or
capitulation that would satisfy old grievances?
And if not, are you prepared for the consequences
of the revolt if white guilt gave way to...
white survivalism or white existentialism?
Because at the end of the day, these books
are an act of faith on my part.
I'm a white guy whose ancestors fought in
the American Revolution, and on both sides
of the Civil War.
But I moved from my home state of Virginia
out to Los Angeles—I'm a creator and a business
starter.
The thousand or more hours I spent writing
these books during the past two years could
have been spent just making money, instead
of racking my brain about how to dramatize
the major issues facing us all.
I could have written young adult fiction,
urban fantasy, or the latest and most preposterous
write-to-market trend, reverse harem.
But I sensed a spiritual sickness and a political
rift that could very well usher in Balkanization
here in America—if not a second civil war.
I've said it before and I'll say it again
now—despite the twitching urges of our dormant
bloodlust, we do not actually want something
like that to happen.
I don't know if the momentum toward conflict
can be stopped, and here's another question:
would it really be called a “civil war”
when nearly a quarter of the population is
either foreign-born or a first-generation
immigrant?
But maybe that's a can of worms for another
day, or another book.
For now, I offer up “Reparations USA,”
“Reparations Mind,” and “Reparations
Core.”
A series that's full of heart, humor, insights,
unexpected twists, and enough futuristic flavors
to satisfy fans of science fiction and political
thrillers alike.
You can find these books on Amazon, Barnes
and Noble, Kobo, iTunes, and Smashwords.
Signed paperbacks are also available for purchase
on my website, philipwyeth.com.
And just a heads-up: I've got a brand new
sci-fi series in the works that I'm very excited
about.
I hope to release the first installment of
that in a few months.
Subscribe to this channel, or follow me on
Twitter or Instagram for updates.
Thanks very much for listening.
