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Ep. 117: James S.A. Corey talk The Mercy of Gods, The Expanse, Science & More

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Aug 13, 2024

Ty Franck, novelist, game designer and co-creator of The Expanse. Daniel Abraham, novelist and TV-adapter who co-writes as James S.A. Corey. They explore the origins of The Mercy of Gods, blending genres and building far-future cultures. They discuss co-writing a seamless voice, posthumanism vs cultural change, and pitching large-scale space opera ideas.

01:06:10

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ANECDOTE

How The Expanse Collaboration Started

Ty's original pitch was to split money with an established author by saying "I have a good idea" and they'd write it together.
That plan lasted about a minute; Daniel began writing chapters then they evolved into true co-writing rather than a simple handoff.

insights

INSIGHT

Genre Folding Keeps The Expanse Fresh

The Expanse deliberately folds multiple genres into a single SF mode so each book can explore different story traditions.
Daniel and Ty used noir, western, thriller and romance tropes to keep the series fresh and engage Ty's taste for novelty.

insights

INSIGHT

History Repeats In Future Politics

Historical patterns of human behavior inform believable political dynamics in future settings.
Ty pulls examples from ancient empires (e.g., Babylon) to show humans repeat the same political vices across millennia.

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Nerdy Origins: Early Sci‑Fi Influences

06:13 • 2min

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Collaboration Origins and Process

07:56 • 6min

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Finding a Seamless Joint Voice

14:09 • 2min

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Genre Blending in The Expanse

16:08 • 4min

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Quintessential Traits of James S.A. Corey

20:10 • 4min

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Political Dynamics and Historical Roots

24:18 • 3min

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Posthumanism and What Truly Changes Us

27:20 • 3min

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Balancing Realism and Entertainment

29:58 • 2min

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Perceptions of Humanity's Space Future

32:04 • 11min

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Pitching The Mercy of Gods

43:21 • 2min

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Why Daphid and His Team Matter

44:55 • 6min

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Designing a Far‑Future Culture

50:56 • 4min

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Maintaining Reader Immersion with Details

55:13 • 40sec

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Proudest Moments from The Expanse and TV

55:53 • 3min

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Practical Writing & Publishing Advice

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• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Leviathan Wakes

Daniel Abraham

Ty Franck

In this novel, humanity has colonized much of the solar system, with Earth and Mars acting as competing superpowers. The story begins with the destruction of the ice freighter Canterbury and the subsequent investigation by Captain James Holden and Detective Joe Miller. They uncover a complex plot involving a mysterious protomolecule and a conspiracy that threatens to plunge the solar system into war. The novel explores themes of class conflict, political intrigue, and the consequences of advanced technology.

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Islands in the Sky

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Islands in the Sky is a collection of short fiction by Arthur C. Clarke, featuring stories that explore space exploration, speculative technology, and human responses to cosmic challenges. Daniel Abraham cites this collection—particularly the story 'The Nine Billion Names of God'—as a formative reading experience that profoundly affected him as a child. Clarke's work is known for its clear prose, sense of wonder, and rigorous attention to scientific plausibility, characteristics that influenced many later science fiction writers. The collection showcases Clarke's range from intimate human drama to grand cosmic ideas, making it a durable entry point into classic science fiction. Its stories continue to be read for their thoughtful engagement with technology and the unknown.

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In this groundbreaking novel, Ursula K. Le Guin delves into the society of Gethen, a planet where the inhabitants are androgynous and only enter a state of sexual arousal once a month. The story follows Genly Ai, an envoy from the Ekumen, as he navigates the complexities of Gethenian culture and politics. The novel is a profound exploration of gender, identity, and the human condition, challenging traditional notions of masculinity and femininity.

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The Stars Are My Destination

Alfred Bester

Alfred Bester's 'The Stars My Destination' is a science fiction novel about Gully Foyle, a man transformed by a burning desire for revenge. In a future where teleportation is common, Foyle is left for dead in space but survives and gains extraordinary abilities. Driven by vengeance against those who abandoned him, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and destruction. The novel explores themes of identity, redemption, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Bester's inventive prose and fast-paced storytelling make it a classic of the genre.

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Dune

Frank Herbert

Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs. The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities. The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people.

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Thick As Thieves

M.J. Kuhn

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The Naturalist Society

Carrie Vaughn

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Neuromancer

William Gibson

Published in 1984, 'Neuromancer' is a seminal work in the cyberpunk genre. The novel revolves around Case, a skilled hacker who was once the best in his field but was crippled by his former employer after he tried to steal from them. Case is recruited by a mysterious employer named Armitage for a high-stakes mission that involves hacking into the highly secure systems of the Tessier-Ashpool family. Joined by a diverse group of allies, including the cyborg Molly and the performance artist Peter Riviera, Case must navigate the complexities of cyberspace and the real world to merge two powerful artificial intelligences, Wintermute and Neuromancer. The book explores themes of technology, identity, and the blurring of lines between the physical and virtual worlds.

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The nine billion names of God

Arthur C. Clarke

This book features a collection of thought-provoking science fiction stories by Arthur C. Clarke, including the title story 'The Nine Billion Names of God', which explores the intersection of technology and spirituality through a tale of Tibetan monks using a computer to list all the names of God. The collection delves into themes of faith, reason, and the human condition, prompting readers to reflect on the role of technology in spiritual quests and the existential implications of human achievements.

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• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with bestselling co-authors Daniel Abraham & Ty Franck (AKA James S.A. Corey) about their new novel The Mercy of Gods, The Expanse series, blending genres and authorial voice, history and posthumanism, technology and humanity’s future, Babylon and intelligence, space opera and cultural reference, co-writing, success and much more.

NOTE: This is part one of a two-part chat with Daniel and Ty. Stayed tuned next week for their mini-masterclass on Writing as Collaboration.

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ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Daniel Abraham & Ty Franck are the bestselling co-authors of The Expanse series. Their newest release is The Mercy of Gods, which you can purchase ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. You can also follow Daniel and Ty on Patreon.

Find Daniel on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠his personal website⁠.

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ABOUT OUR HOSTS:

Adrian M. Gibson is a podcaster, writer and illustrator. His debut novel, Mushroom Blues, is available now to purchase on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in paperback, eBook and hardcover.

Find Adrian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠his personal website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

M.J. Kuhn is the author of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Among Thieves⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, her debut novel, and its sequel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thick as Thieves⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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