Book Details:
THE FOREVER FACTOR: A SILICON VALLEY novel by Tom Hogan and Amanda Iles
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 410 pages
Genre: genetic engineering science fiction, medial thrillers, hard science fiction
Publisher: Laughing Dog Publishing LLC
Release date: March 5, 2025
Content Rating: R for language
Book Description:
Silicon Valley’s relentless pursuit of innovation collides with the profound quest for longevity in this thrilling new novel.
When visionary inventor Petra Alexander stumbles upon a groundbreaking discovery that could radically extend the human lifespan, she’s catapulted into the high-stakes world of Silicon Valley startups. Armed with ambition and a deeply personal drive, Petra must navigate the cutthroat corridors of tech giants, venture capitalists, and biohackers—as well as threats from powerful forces dead set against the transformative technology she’s developing.
Funded by “The Hydras,” an elite group of tech moguls dedicated to biohacking and longevity, Petra pushes the boundaries of science, spurred by her quest to find a cure for the rapid-aging disease that killed her sister and now threatens her mother. Reluctantly assuming the mantle of biotech CEO, she faces impossible choices: Who will control access to a life-saving breakthrough? What sacrifices will she make in the name of progress? And how far is she willing to go when her own life is at risk?
Packed with gripping suspense and nuanced ethical dilemmas, The Forever Factor offers a rare glimpse into the startup culture that shapes our world. From clandestine yacht gatherings to high-stakes negotiations in Silicon Valley boardrooms, the novel intertwines scientific breakthroughs, corporate intrigue, and human drama in a narrative that will leave you questioning the very nature of life, mortality, and innovation.
Fans of Michael Crichton’s techno-thrillers and Blake Crouch’s speculative fiction will find themselves captivated by this smart, fast-paced tale that dares to ask: Should anyone be allowed to master immortality—or does the pursuit threaten the very future of humanity?
[interview with Tom]
Why does this novel have two authors?
I came up with the idea for The Forever Factor, my fourth novel, delving into the intrigue of Silicon Valley startups combined with a longevity and biohacking theme. That meant the startup needed to be a biotech company, not a tech company — and I know very little about biology or biotech. Amanda Iles and I had worked together on Silicon Valley tech startup marketing before I retired, and she had been a ‘reader’ for my previous novels. Lucky for me, she also has a background in biology and biotech, among other things. So I brought her on as a co-author for this novel.
Are your characters based on real people?
No, they’re all fictional, though some are composites of people I’ve actually known. But I’m not naming names.
Many of the characters in your book are women. Was this intentional?
Maybe subconsciously. I’m surrounded by strong women in my life, so that might have something to do with it.
How important is a book’s cover?
It’s crucial, because it sets the tone for what readers should expect. We knew we wanted some form of a double helix (the signature shape of DNA molecules) on the cover. We looked at dozens of book covers in the suspense genre to get a feel for what those look like, then we worked with a graphic designer to put it all in place. It took a few revisions until we came up with the final cover, which we’re very happy with.
How would you describe the types of books you write?
Thoughtful suspense.
Do you have any advice for aspiring novelists?
Read as voraciously as you can. Spend time understanding the tried-and-true story arcs for fictional stories, but don’t be a slave to particular plot points and beats. Before you start writing, establish your overall plot and main characters: who they are, what they look like, their habits and backstories. Then, most importantly, get input along the way and be willing to “kill your darlings” — meaning, remove or change any scene, plot point, or character that doesn’t work. Then, at the end, hire a really good editor to polish your final product.
Tom Hogan: Tom Hogan is an author and screenwriter based in Austin, TX. Left for Alive is his first novel. He is also the screenwriter for The Devil’s Breath, a noir thriller set in Auschwitz. It was a finalist at the Napa Valley Film Festival and semi-finalist at the Austin Film Festival.
Tom’s past writing experience has been on the non-fiction side. He is the co-author (with Carol Broadbent) of The Ultimate Startup Guide: Marketing Lessons, War Stories, and Hard-Won Advice from Leading Venture Capitalists and Angel Investors. The book highlights the lessons Tom and Carol learned as principals at Crowded Ocean, a marketing firm that has launched over 50 Silicon Valley startups. He has also written extensively for travel books, political journals, and Newsweek.
Professionally, Tom has split his career between academia and technology marketing. He was a lecturer in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Santa Clara University and UC Santa Cruz. He joined Silicon Valley in its infancy, where he was the original creative director at Oracle. Moving into the VC (Venture Capital) world, he was a co-founder of Crowded Ocean and now advises startups in Silicon Valley and Austin.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
THE FOREVER FACTOR by Tom Hogan and Amanda Iles Book Tour Giveaway
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Sounds like my kind of book! Very interesting.
Captivating, intriguing and unique novel.
Sounds like a great book.
This l9oks like a book I will thoroughly enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a great book. Can’t wait to read.
Question for author-What message or theme do you want readers to take away from this book?
Great interview.
Sounds like a great read.
Sounds like a great book.
I don’t know why I bother to write comments with some depth to them, when all these 4 word comments win all the book giveaways. I guess no one reads these. Some people just copy and paste the same comment…’Sounds like a great read’…and they win!
My kind of book, a techno-thriller with (near future?) real world issues at it’s core!