Today’s special guest is Anand Purohit to chat about his new historical sci-fi fantasy, XNOR.
During his virtual book tour, Anand will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too.
Bio:
Anand Purohit was born and raised in a Caucasian, Christian family. After several years of inexplicable experiences, he travelled as young man to India for insight. The shocking immersion, alone in a chaotic and foreign culture, forever changed him. Wandering among the slums, always on the edge of death and disease, his perception was shattered. He returned to Canada with a new name and legalized it to cement his commitment to a life of mindfulness.
While enlightenment proved elusive, the quest for greater understanding remained strong. Forty years of software design and business ownership did not quell the thirst. Constant study of history, logistics, physics and metaphysics watered the desire to weld a nexus between analyst and mystic.
The days of designing complex software systems have passed. A new door has opened.
Welcome, Anand. Please tell us about your current release.
XNOR is a different approach to a frequently used storyline of time travel and the adventure encountered by the participants. Instead of a magical stone or event somehow transporting a person or a few people to another time, I imagined a scientifically plausible (barely) set of events that could send a whole community of teachers, engineers and scientists and enough supplies to begin a new life in 1759 Atlantic Canada.
The objective was not to create a drama for one or more specific characters but to highlight the differences between the knowledge and moral viewpoint of the travelers as a community vs the communities and empires they had to deal with as neighbors.
We still find some of the same eighteenth-century viewpoints and moral stances in our society today. I was careful to do a lot of in-depth research on the British empire characters to enhance the entertainment of the reader.
This book is the first of a trilogy. It sets the stage.
XNOR: Air, Blood, and Fire follows with greater emphasis on the personal challenges of community members.
Excerpt from XNOR:
Chan considers his options. I need to give something to the media. At least the teleport didn’t end in an explosion, a sinking Ark, or mutilated animals. This could actually be an opportunity. The successful teleport could propel Wei Corp. into the stratosphere of the financial world.
He brings his speedboat alongside the news boat and attempts to hold a short interview at an appropriate distance. “My name is Chan Wei. I’m the president and major shareholder of Wei Corp. This area must maintain a strict quarantine. You have witnessed the first test of a new technology Wei Corp. developed. There are many details I cannot share at this time. Please be assured that we will hold a full and transparent interview after we have all the facts assembled. A navy ship will be escorting you from this area shortly.”
Chan is inundated with the usual blast of questions and demands from an excited news scrum. He gives only a single reply before rushing his boat back to the Ark. “Yes, the technology you witnessed is similar to the teleport technology from Star Trek. As this test has confirmed, it will revolutionize transportation. However, I plead for a reserved display and description of today’s test in your presentation to the public. There is still much that needs to be analysed before we can comment further.”
As he speeds away from the media boat, he smiles. There’s no way the media will be “reserved” in its presentation. This will be a truly global event with twenty-four–hour speculation for months. I should start a private consultation with JPM and other major brokers. An IPO at this time will be worth many billions!
When did you first consider yourself to be a writer?
I am careful to keep between the lines as I draw. This is not just a letter. It’s a word, my first word.Is the crayon doing it justice? Am I achieving the perfectly rounded top as the color smudging on the cheap yellow paper reaches a peak just below the top line, now gently touching it? Perfect!
The downstroke is swift and sure, plunging confidently to its end at, and only at, the bottom line. I did it. The cross stroke finishes my masterpiece. It will stand as a testament through the ages.
Glancing sideways, I see Susie busy making letter after letter. She always gets a gold star from Miss Snider. My submission will be the first to get five stars! Yes, five, at least. It’s not just a letter, it’s a word, my first word.
I sit back to enjoy the moment before triumphantly marching to Miss Snider’s desk. Not only is my paper the best, I finished well before every other student. I watch closely as her face screws into its frequent pose, her nose turned up, her lower lip pursed tightly against the other. I know this face. It’s the face of a critic, a know-it-all, unable to appreciate subtle genius.
I turn quickly before she can render her verdict. I can feel the cold air behind me as I walk back to my desk. No sooner have I arrived and taken my seat when I see her standing, waving my precious paper. Please don’t crinkle or crease it. Tonight, it will be proudly displayed on my mother’s fridge and someday carefully place in our family album.
My fear rises as she stomps to my desk and throws my paper down with a thud from her hand.
“What’s this?” she demands. “The assignment is to draw as many of the letters of the alphabet as you can. I see only one. Surely you can do better”, she snarls.
I straightened my back and locked my eyes to hers. “Don’t you see, Miss Snider. It’s not just a letter, it’s a word, my first word. The first word of a writer! Anyone can print letters. Only a writer can write words.”
A pause. Maybe she has glimpsed the wonder of this moment. Maybe the gold stars will be mine.
Instead, she scrawls a single letter in big bold marker, despoiling my creation. She doesn’t even stay within the lines! Her letter isn’t even a word, just a big ‘F’.
Critics, who needs them?
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I live in a different world until I bump into something and hurt myself.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I never imagined myself growing up. Still waiting for it to happen.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Gosh, if you let me ramble on the words will never stop. I’d like to hear your thoughts.
Links:
Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Kindle | Bookshop | Indigo | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | Kobo | Smashwords | Apple
Thanks for hosting!
XNOR by Anand Purohit sounds like a unique and engaging science fiction book to read.
Hi Nancy, XNOR may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you like it or have criticism, I will definitely consider your thoughts while writing the next book in the series.
Hello Lisa, thanks for inviting me to your blog. I’ve registered to receive notifications and look forward to participating with your other guests.
Sounds like a great book.
Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a great book.
I enjoyed the interview, Anand, and your book sounds like an exciting read for me and my dad! Thanks for sharing it with me and have a wonderful holiday season!