Interview With Author Ryan LeKodak

 

PAPER WAR series:

#1 - Dawn of AI ➡️ https://a.co/d/5BUI5MO
#2 - Picospores ➡️ https://a.co/d/fNgeqPH
#3 - Virtual War ➡️ https://a.co/d/c4G5wjH
#4 - Symbiosis ➡️ https://a.co/d/0jZVZ2R
#5 - Evolution ➡️ https://a.co/d/b2HcKzy

1. What inspired you to write this book?

The inspiration for Paper War is rooted in love, family, and real-world challenges—not just speculation about futuristic tech. When my twin sons, CJ and DJ, came into my world, they changed it. Watching them grow—and seeing one of them navigate life with autism—taught me lessons about resilience, love, and courage that I couldn’t shake. Those lessons naturally flowed into a story about ordinary people confronting extraordinary circumstances.

The series became my way of honoring them—by placing heroes inspired by them at the heart of a world facing existential threat from AI. That journey from heartfelt family experience to speculative storytelling took nearly a decade, and honestly, it shows in the emotional depth readers keep mentioning.

 

2. What exactly is it about—and who is it written for?

Paper War is a near-future science fiction saga that blends high-stakes AI conflict with deeply human stories. It kicks off with a catastrophic AI failure—called Mayday—that collapses the infrastructure of the world, from planes to hospitals. You then follow a diverse cast—from skilled operatives to brilliant researchers—wrestling with whether technology is a blessing or a threat.

 

This series is written for readers who love layered world-building, smart sci-fi ideas, and emotional character arcs. Whether you’re a die-hard sci-fi fan or someone who usually gravitates toward adrenaline-charged, character-driven narratives, there’s something here for you. Reviewers have compared the experience to cinematic sci-fi like The Matrix or Tron, while also praising the emotional storytelling woven through the chaos. 

 

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?

I want readers to walk away with more than just a thrilling story—although that’s part of it! I hope they think about the balance between innovation and humanity. What’s at stake when we build technologies that surpass us? And what happens when we forget the human beings behind the machines? Many readers have told me the books made them feel, not just speculate—that they care about these characters on a deeply personal level.

 

Plus, if the story gets people talking about resilience, identity, or how we might grapple with our own future world, that’s the real win for me.

 

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?

The title Paper War actually comes from the in-world codename P.A.P.E.R. War—Programmable Antagonistic Picospores to Enhance Reality. I loved the contrast immediately. On the surface, “paper” feels fragile, disposable, almost harmless. But underneath, it represents something incredibly powerful—ideas, code, intent, and the quiet mechanisms that can reshape reality itself. That contrast mirrors the core conflict of the series: small, seemingly insignificant technologies escalating into world-altering consequences, and ordinary people caught in the middle of that fight.

 

As for the cover design, I wanted it to visually echo that same tension. The covers needed to feel urgent and intelligent, but also deeply human. They hint at advanced technology and large-scale conflict without losing the emotional core of the story. Reviewers have picked up on that balance—the science fiction elements are bold and immersive, but the real weight of the story comes from the personal stakes and the people standing on the front lines of this “paper war.”

 

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers—other than run!?

Keep going—especially when you don’t feel like it. Discipline matters. Something I’ve learned, especially from feedback on these books, is that complex science fiction doesn’t have to be cold or inaccessible. You can dig into big ideas and still keep the heart of your story beating strong.

 

Listen to your readers—not just praise, but critiques—and don’t shy away from rewriting. That’s where your work becomes sharper and more resonant. The best sci-fi isn’t just about future tech—it’s about universal truths.

 

6. What trends in the book world do you see—and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?

 

We’re in an era where readers want intelligence and emotion in equal measure. They want speculative ideas that feel real and relevant, not distance them. AI is in the zeitgeist right now in the real world—and that means stories like Paper War feel timely and urgent. 

I think publishing is moving toward genre-blending: sci-fi with heart, thrillers with moral questions, narratives that reward both thinking and feeling. And with the rise of independent publishing and digital platforms, voices that might’ve been overlooked before are finally getting heard.

 

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?

Absolutely. My background in high-tech engineering, IT, cybersecurity, and operations gave me a practical lens into the promise and peril of advanced systems—which translates directly into how the AI in Paper War behaves. And more than that, raising twins—particularly one navigating an autism diagnosis—taught me empathy and patience that ultimately shaped how I develop characters and relationships.

That blend of real-world tech experience and personal emotional insight is something readers have connected with deeply.

 

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?

I’d describe my writing as fast-paced, idea-driven science fiction with emotional weight and real-world consequences. I focus on momentum and tension, but never at the expense of character or theme. I want readers to feel like they’re racing through a global mystery while also grappling with deeper questions about technology, responsibility, and what it means to be human in an AI-dependent world. It’s immersive and cinematic, but grounded—smart without being inaccessible, intense without losing heart.

 

Reviewers have compared Paper War to the work of Arthur C. Clarke, Philip K. Dick, and Michael Crichton, which is incredibly humbling. Those are writers who explored big ideas, ethical dilemmas, and technological “what-ifs” while keeping the story relentlessly engaging—and that’s very much the lane I aim to be in. Others have likened the series to Tad Williams’ Otherland, especially in how it blends speculative futures, virtual realities, and conspiracy-driven storytelling into a sweeping, globe-spanning narrative.

If you enjoy science fiction that combines nonstop action, deep themes, and cautionary relevance—stories that feel thrilling today and slightly prophetic tomorrow—then my writing will probably resonate with you.

 

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?

The biggest challenge was weaving big technological concepts with deeply human stories without letting one overpower the other. I wanted to make sure that when readers were hurtling through AI battles, they also felt the emotional reality of the characters—their triumphs, struggles, and relationships. That’s tricky in sci-fi, but based on reader reviews, that balance has become one of the series’ biggest strengths.

 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

Because Paper War isn’t just another sci-fi thriller—it’s a multi-layered experience. It’s a story that hits the accelerator on technological danger, but never forgets the people at the center of the fight. If you’re looking for action, emotional depth, and questions that stay with you, this series is tailor-made for that.

 

From critics praising its smart plotting and character development to readers calling it unputdownable and cerebral, this is sci-fi with heart and soul. If there’s one book to pick up this month—especially with the way AI conversations are unfolding in the real world—this should be it. 

 

About The Author: Ryan LeKodak is a science fiction author who lives in San Diego, California with his family. After emigrating from Vietnam in 1980 by boat, Ryan dreamed of becoming a doctor and nothing more. But upon learning the sight of blood made him squeamish, he pivoted from premed to begin a thirty-plus-year career in high-tech engineering, IT, quality assurance, and operations. Now a cybersecurity program manager based in San Diego, Ryan juggles a hectic career, raising his twin sons, and appeasing a needy Poochon puppy. At home, his lively boys take center stage, and their colorful comic doodles, adolescent puns, and wildly exaggerated stories from school inspired him to craft fast-paced science-fiction thrillers that explore the ominous potential of a future where AI surpasses human control. Through his writing, Ryan champions the extraordinary strengths that reside within each of us and celebrates the individual quirks that lighten fantastic worlds on the brink of disaster. For more information, please see: https://ryanlekodak.com/.

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About Brian Feinblum

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For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum