Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: The Fanbase Press Staff and I are very excited about the recent release of your book, False Vacuum.  What inspired you to write this novel?

V.K. Pen: The concept had been percolating in my mind for a while, but I never thought I was going to write a book about it. One random day I began writing, and then I just kept on going. Five years later, unbelievably, I had a finished product. Looking back I feel a bit like Forest Gump who just kept on running for years because he felt like running. I suppose that’s why I kept on writing because I felt like writing.

BD: False Vacuum pairs hard science fiction with Indian mythology for a unique and fascinating perspective.  What do you hope that readers will take away from the story and the varied genres in which it is based?

VKP: I think every reader is different, so they each would probably have a different take away. The book, I suppose, has a bit for everyone and that makes it open to several different interpretations. My hope is that False Vacuum stays with my readers for a long time.

BD: Has science fiction always been a genre of particular interest for you, and are there any creators whom you have been inspired by or look to as leaders in the industry?

VKP: I like a wide variety of genres, so it is hard to pick one particular creator. I also find visual content (videos, movies, paintings.) quite inspiring.  I suppose False Vacuum is a product of everything I’ve read and experienced.

BD: Given that False Vacuum is Book 1 of the Tristan Janssen Series, how many books do you have planned for the future?

VKP: At the end of book 1, the background plot is going to jump out to the readers. At the moment, I think it will take me two more books to finish Tristan’s particular journey. But who knows what the future holds.

BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you are able to share with our readers?

VKP: I write part-time. I work full-time as a software engineer. All my spare time is focused on the writing Book 2 of the Tristan Janssen Series.

BD: What is the best way for our readers to learn more about False Vacuum?

VKP: I would say by giving the book a read. I love to interact with my readers via my Facebook page. It feels great when a reader asks questions or even challenges the concepts in the book. If you’re someone who is interested in the physics of it, I recommend going to my website.

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