Machine Man question

Max, come on. A Jennifer Government sequel, surely?

hi Max! a question about the way you first publicized/promoted/sold Machine Man in daily posts/emails on your blog--it was an interesting experiment. what did you learn from it? was it useful for a) getting the word out about the book; b) making some money on it in advance of publication; c) getting feedback from your readers on the draft? i'm really curious what you learned in that process.

thanks!

I and everyone to whom I have recommended your book Company thinks it is the (darkly) funniest thing ever written about working in corporate America. What horrible experience inspired your writing? Was it based on your own personal experience, or that of a spouse, or a sibling?

I found Jennifer Government to be in league of Books like 1984. Orwell saw a danger in the future that may not have fully come to fruition. I was wondering if you see our society being more at risk of ending up like the world of Jennifer Government?

When you write, how do you get into your 'zone'? Do you have a favorite drink? Music? Snack? What gets your creative juices flowing?

Max,

Many of your novels seem to take place in the United States rather than your home country of Australia. Is there some sort of marketing reason for this or do you perhaps think that America is more prone to the kind of situations you present in your novels?

Also, how much (if at all) does a publisher interfere with the actual content of one of your novels?

Max, I still rank Jennifer Government as one of my favorites of all time.

Given your comments on your blog about Reddit readers, which body part would you remove if it could be replaced with reliable WiFi?

This sounds like the reverse of "Millennium Man". Was Asimov's book an inspiration for this work, and what can you tell me that will make me head off to Amazon to order a copy?

Do you take inspiration at all from Joseph Heller and Kurt Vonnegut? I've noticed some similarities - particularly in Jennifer Government. That said, I do think you've managed to create a distinct voice.

p.s. Nation States got me into your writing!

Max,
I must say that you are a gorgeous man and even though science fiction isn't my most desired genre, I will your book just to get into your sexy bald head!

I can't wait to see Syrup on the big screen. Are there any other film adaptations in the works?

Hey Max. Loved Jennifer and Company. I just bought Machine Man, ebook of course, from booki.sh. At page 2 at the moment... So what's your experience with ebooks - financially and otherwise? I don't buy DRM books (unless I really have to have it), so more specifically - do you see huge difference between DRM and non-DRM sales of your books?
Cheers,
Bane

Max, I love your work to the point that I can't bear the thought there's a whole unpublished novel I don't get to read. What's the chance that manuscript ever sees the light of day?

Been loving you a long time sir.
Have all your books (including "Machine Man" though I have not read it yet) and a couple signed,...supposedly by you ;)
A few questions off the top of my head because I want to get in on actually, possibly getting a question answered by you!:

1. Most everyone I read states that "Jennifer Government" is their favorite novel by you. Mine is "Syrup" (Can't wait to see you in that even if just a cameo as a waiter). Hard question I am sure, but which of your books is your favorite?

2. Who are your favorite novelists? I always imagined you to be a Coupland fan among others.

3. Have you ever seen the movie "War, Inc" and did you find it derivative of your material? (I did on both counts).

4. Though I know you have spoken to it before, why did you decide to write "Machine Man" in the way that you did, publishing to the net one page at a time?

5. Digital, paperback and no hardcover? Chuck Palahniuk did this with "Invisible Monsters." I would like to hear why you chose to do it. I LOVE my first edition, hardcovers...a fool for them actually. I love the written word even more (this is why I own a kindle for much of my literary devouring), but I want your book in a hardcover edition. How come there is no such option?

6. Segue from 5-As noted, I love the written word and will often buy more than one copy of a book just to have the one I read and the one I keep pristine (such is the case with my paperback copy of "Syrup" and my Hardcover, signed edition). What are your thoughts about a bundle whereby the reader can opt to buy the hardcover, first edition and a digital copy for a few more dollars? Part II: Would this move be antithetical to your message?

7. Wanna come over for Dinner? ;)

Cheers sir!

What witty and meaningful insights have you learned about the essence of humanity through your Skype book tour?

Max, do you see societies of major Western countries evolving on a similar path?

Do you feel at all, that by writing an online serial, you may have sacrificed your artistic integrity by writing directly to, and creating in reaction to your audience, rather than focusing on your own vision, first and foremost?

I'm sorry I missed this opportunity but I guess I don't really have a question anyway. Rather I would have commented on the fact that I read the entirety of 'Syrup' as an Adam Sandler movie. I suppose I could have asked if Gwyneth Paltrow will appear in the upcoming film adaptation (sadly sans Sandler).

The technology covered in Machine Man is all too possible. We first had prosthetics, now we have fully-functioning electronic limbs, and soon, completely artificial, implantable organs. What is your stance on the real-world potential of 'improving' humanity and/or individuals either by replacing real parts with the artificial, or perhaps other digital enhancements? (E.g. Human-computer integration.)

I was enchanted with the Jennifer government interactive website thing. I ordered my copy from that and got way too involved micromanaging despotic governments and outlawing country music. Kudos.

Hi Max? What's your nation name? Is it Testlandia? Or Violet?

Max,

Who/what do you read for pleasure?

What is your favorite corporate movie?

Max,

I have to say that Jennifer Government was one of my favorite books. Thank you for that. Here's my question(s). I am an indie author and was curious:

1) What is your take on the rise of the independent author?
2) How do you best use social network to promote your works?

Thank you again for the outstanding work. Can wait to read Machine Man.

Jack Wallen

Is the making of the 'Syrup' film reminding you of the the scenes you wrote for that book?

Do you like Coke Zero?
Do you drink energy drinks?
How much soda did you drink while writing that book?
Does writing about soda make you thirsty for soda the way reading 'Syrup' made me want to drink soda while reading it?
Is marketing a necessary evil?
How much percentage of a company's finances should go into marketing?

The blurb about Machine Man seems to strongly parallel themes of the upcoming game, Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Coincidence or carefully crafted marketing synergy juice?

I noticed that Syrup was released at around the same time as Toy Story 2, and I have to ask:
"Sneaky Pete": Serendipity or secret cross-marketing arrangement?

I re-read Jennifer Government shortly after having a meal with my uncle who is a die-hard libertarian. In light of our conversation, some of the themes of the book struck me as reactions to libertarian ideas in the same way that 1984 was a direct reaction to Nationalism and Stalinism. I even went so far as to suggest it as a good read for his libertarian book club- a suggestion that was roundly rejected.
What was the core idea that lead to the world of Jennifer Government? Was it a reaction to a particular political ideology?

Hi Max,
Another Jennifer Government question, and full disclosure; I'm a marketer.

Is the hyper-capitalist dystopia of that world /that/ bad? Sure, you focussed on the corruption of ethics in a world run by viral marketing, but were there positives that you didn't write about, but could of?

I know that someone else has probably said the same thing but Syrup ranks among my favorite books of all time. I am eagerly waiting for Machine Man and wondering, at the same time, if the current events have driven you to your computer to write something else new. Do you plan how long it will be between books or does life dictate the spacing?

As an aside my profile picture is of my very very bright and quirky Border Collie who just happens to be named Scat after my favorite character. Every time someone asks me about her name, they hear about Syrup.

Your books are really great "thinking" tools, leaving more questions than answers. How do balance the issues in your books so they read as speculative rather than polemic?

I read and loved Syrup many years ago - how can you convince me you've "still got it?"

Also, what kind of research did you do for Machine Man? Did you visit/speak with prosthetics wearers/makers?

Max,

I am friends with multiple high school English teachers in the United States, and in the process of becoming one myself. If any, which of your books would you prefer to see thrown into the classroom setting?

Also, I love you. Platonically, but fervently. :)