Book | Utopia Engine Trilogy | Writing Climate Fiction: A Conversation with Author Lee Schneider | Audio Signals Podcast With Marco Ciappelli

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Guest: Lee Schneider, Artistic Director, FutureX Studio

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Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli
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Episode Introduction

Welcome to another episode of the Audio Signals Podcast, where we dive into the world of stories, the people behind them, and the impact they leave on us. Today, I’m excited to introduce Lee Schneider, a storyteller who’s journeyed through television and is now making waves in the world of climate fiction. His work reminds us of how stories shape our understanding of the pressing issues of our time, especially when it comes to the environment.

The Journey of Lee Schneider Marco Ciappelli: "Hey everyone, you know my favorite line by now—'we are all made of stories.' Today’s guest fits right into that idea. Lee, welcome! Let’s jump right in—how did your storytelling path begin?" Lee Schneider: "Hi everyone. For me, it all started around the age of 18 or 19 when I first dreamed of writing novels. But like many of us, life had other plans—I ventured into television writing to make a living. Now, I’ve come full circle and am back to writing novels, specifically three interconnected ones." Lee’s journey from writing novels to television and back again is a testament to his passion for storytelling. From producing content for shows like Good Morning America and Dateline NBC to documentaries, he’s seen the power of stories in various formats. Now, he’s channeling that experience into his true calling: writing novels.

Exploring Climate Fiction Marco Ciappelli: "You mentioned climate change in your bio, and staying optimistic—something I’m definitely curious about. But first, let’s talk about the title of one of your books, Resist. How did that come about?" Lee Schneider: "Great question. A lot of science fiction gets technical, but I wanted to focus on how people deal with these changes. That’s what drew me to climate fiction. It’s a growing genre, and I’m raising my hand to say, I’m in." Lee’s approach to climate fiction zeroes in on the human side of things. By steering clear of the heavy technical details, he crafts stories that focus on people and how they navigate the challenges brought on by a changing environment. It’s this focus on humanity that makes his work stand out.

The Trilogy: Surrender, Resist, Liberation Marco Ciappelli: "So, we have Surrender and Resist—are these titles setting up a bigger question about how society reacts to control?" Lee Schneider: "Surrender is a bit of an inside joke for me because I hate surrendering. In the story, it’s a command from a global corporation, and naturally, some people refuse. Resist dives into what it means to push back. And the third book, which I’m writing now, is called Liberation." Schneider’s trilogy takes readers through different stages of resistance and rebellion against control. The titles alone invite readers to think about their own responses to authority and change, mirroring the journeys of his characters.

Storytelling vs. Preaching Marco Ciappelli: "When you’re writing, do you find yourself driven more by the story itself or the message you want to convey?" Lee Schneider: "You have to avoid getting too preachy. It’s all about the story—people are naturally drawn to narratives. I’ve worked on screenplays and scripts, but there’s always that urge to write stories. Suppressing that doesn’t lead to happiness." For Lee, it’s clear that story comes first. His work is about connecting with readers through characters and situations, rather than pushing a specific message. This focus ensures that his stories resonate on a personal level.

The Future Lab Podcast and Lee’s Outlook Marco Ciappelli: "I’m curious about your podcast, Future Lab. Is it focused on climate change as well?" Lee Schneider: "Yes, Future Lab is launching soon, and it will dive into climate fiction. My goal is to build a community around this genre and explore its potential to inspire change." Lee’s new podcast aims to explore the intersections of fiction and reality, particularly how stories can influence our approach to climate issues.

Conclusion As our conversation with Lee Schneider wraps up, one thing is clear: storytelling is a powerful tool. Through his novels and upcoming podcast, Lee is not just telling stories—he’s sparking conversations about the future of our planet. Be sure to stay tuned for more thought-provoking episodes from the Audio Signals Podcast.

About the Books

Surrender (Book 1 of the Utopia Engine trilogy): The United States has splintered into independent domains. Global heating has plunged coastal cities underwater. Technocrats control the weather and use software to reanimate the dead.

Working in the world-building and mind-bending traditions of Philip K. Dick, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Kurt Vonnegut, Lee Schneider conjures a world in Surrender at once familiar and strange, a future where inner thoughts are broadcast and received, corporations have gained control over nearly every aspect of life, and a band of female rebels fights to restore human values amid a tech-dominated world.

Driven by a dazzling cast of characters, Surrender transports readers to a not-far-off future where networked machine intelligence and human rebels square off, but only one group can win.

Resist (Book 2 of the Utopia Engine trilogy):
It is 2052 and Kat Keeper is fighting to stop an AI corporation from exerting absolute control over everyone on Earth.

The CEO of MIND, the world's most powerful corporation, has been murdered, and Kat Keeper, a resistance fighter, has been accused of the deed. Not only is she on record wishing ill of the corporate titan, but she also used to date him. To evade arrest, Kat has to flee New York. But an extreme weather event has locked down the city, and enforcement bots and trackers are closing in on Kat and her small band of resistance fighters. MIND, their corporate adversary, is on a mission to profit by stealing the inner thoughts and memories of everyone it can, and it won't stop until it captures Kat and destroys the resistance movement she leads.

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Resources

Books: https://www.futurex.studio/books

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