Frequently Asked Questions

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Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions section


This FAQ section is divided into general topics, questions about the author and the book, and issues about this website.
The Content FAQ section contains spoilers and may reveal plot secrets and conclusions. Please click on the Future button on the
left hand navigation bar to gain access.



General FAQ

Where can I buy your book? You can order the book from a number of online bookstores such as Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, or Borders.
How much does it cost? It's a 732 pages book and the suggested retail price is $29.95 or £19.99 or €24.99
I don't want to order it online. Can I get your book in a bookstore? Yes, some bookstores might have it in stock. If not, they can order it for you (by author, title, or ISBN). The ISBN is 978-1844018307
Can I get a signed copy? Please send me an email (see Contact section)
When will the sequels be available? They are still work in progress (about 25% completed). Probably in 2013 or 2014.



FAQ about the website

What browsers does your website support? IE, Firefox, Safari, and Opera.
I prefer nonframe-based viewing. Is this available? Yes, please use this URL: www.meet-matt-browne.com/noframes.html
Can the images and photos on your website be reused? Most pictures are taken from Wikipedia (with the reference to Wikipedia as the source). In the space images and space art section, the image credit to the source is stated explicitly. All other photos are from my personal collection. Feel free to copy and reuse them.



FAQ about the author

Are you a full-time writer? No. I work for a multinational company headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, as a computer scientist and IT manager.
How long did it take you to write the book? In 1998 I began writing the first book of The Future Happens Twice. Early 2001 it was more or less completed. Then I took a break and resumed working on it in the summer of 2002. By mid 2004 the book was revised and significantly improved. I published it three years later in June 2007.
Where did you go to college? I got my first academic degree from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany. Then I went to Graduate School at the University of Kansas were I got my M.S. degree in computer science and computational linguistics.
Do you have a family? My wife Sigrid is a teacher at a high school in a small town near our home. My twin children Benjamin and Caroline were born in Kansas in the United States and are now in college in Germany. We're all bilingual. Our cat named Siri is also part of our family and she holds a record in catching mice in our neighborhood.
What about your name? Matt Browne is my pen name.
What are your hobbies? Fluther, traveling, photography, watching movies, listening to music, playing the piano.
Who is your favorite science fiction author? American writer Sylvia Engdahl. Her books are inspiring and uplifting and her characters have an amazing amount of depth. She maintains a very encouraging and positive outlook on humankind's future.
What other authors do you like? Carl Sagan, Ray Kurzweil, Nigel Calder, Dan Brown, David Brin, Dean Koontz, Greg Baer, Ken Follett, Marcus Chown, Michael Crichton, Nick Hornby, Noah Gordon, Shannon Vyff, Robert Heinlein, Stephen Baxter
What is your favorite non-fiction book? Magic Universe: A Grand Tour of Modern Science by Nigel Calder
What inspired you to write a book? Everyday I have the fortune of experiencing the immense complexity of humankind, ranging from the love and support that my family gives me to the sheer ugliness of the many natural, political and economic tragedies in the world. These contrasting human and natural activities drove me to question what it really means to be a "human being" in this universe of ours, how we plan to spend our future and what the future holds for us. There are great opportunities as well as dangers that everyone should be aware of. We need a discussion of the ethical issues related to new technologies, especially in genetics and bioengineering, but also in artificial intelligence and nanotechnology. The plot itself grew out of my strong interest in space and my desire to make space-related topics known to a broader audience.
Space exploration is a very expensive business. Why do you promote those efforts? Understanding space offers a much better understanding of the Earth and our Sun. To protect our precious planet and all life on it we need to reach into space. I encourage everyone to learn more about the Lifeboat Foundation (see Space Advocacy in my Link Section). The goal is to promote scientific advancements and to accelerate the development of technologies to defend humanity, while at the same time helping humanity survive existential risks and possible misuse of increasingly powerful technologies.
Do you have a recent photograph? Sure. If you'd like to see it, click on this thumbnail:



FAQ about the book

What genre
is The Future Happens Twice?
It's actually a mixture of science fiction and medical thriller. Although science and technology play a crucial role, a science background is not required to follow the story. The main focus is on the development of the characters and the plot, in particular the conflicts of interests and ethical concerns surrounding technological progress.
I like the original front cover designs better. Why did you decide to use a new one? My publisher convinced me that the original front cover designs will appeal less to a science fiction oriented audience. Personally, I like the original covers very much.



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