☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼ with M.C.V. EGAN: The Uncontrolled: Hiding Can't Save You From Robotic Smiles by Zachary Astrowsky Genre: YA Cyberpunk SciFi

Where were you born/grew up at?

Born and raised in Scottsdale, AZ

What are you passionate about these days?

I am passionate about many things such as lacrosse and writing, but lately, I am most passionate about finishing my sequel which is due out this fall!

What do you do to unwind and relax? Hang out with friends, watch tv, play lacrosse, and listen to music.

Do you have a favorite movie?

I definitely have a favorite movie but my top three movies based on their creativity are: #1 Deadpool 2, #2 Inception, and #3 Interstellar

What can we expect from you in the future?

Writing over the last few years and thinking about my books, I have gathered several book ideas. When I have the time in the future, I hope to have another book or series again, within the science fiction genre.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

The main character, John, the protagonist, is a difficult casting call. I definitely have ideas for the remaining cast, however. Chase, John’s sidekick, could be played by Jack Dozer or Asher Angel. Hazel can be played by Millie Bobby Brown. Crofar, the antagonist, could be played by Alex Pettyfer.

What did you edit out of this book?

The final chapter, hence the sequel! The edited out chapter which has never been seen by anyone will be available for free by those that read The Uncontrolled and tag me on their social media account.

Pen or type writer or computer?

I use my laptop with an accompanying monitor which allows me to view several documents at once. This is useful if I need to research a topic for my book.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

Yes, most writers experience writer’s block where they feel unmotivated to write. When this happens to me, I look to other creative projects such as film or tv. This also lends itself to the necessity to read other genres as it will help you with your own.

The Uncontrolled:

Hiding Can't Save You From Robotic Smiles

by Zachary Astrowsky

Genre: YA Cyberpunk SciFi

Tracking Devices, Mind Control, and Visions of the Future

An action-packed adventure set against the loss of free will that comes from a mind control serum.

The robotic way people smile is John's first inclination that things are not quite as they seem in Amber City.

At the age of fourteen, everyone is "vaccinated" with a biological implant that makes people controllable. John is supposed to get his shot the very next day, until he and his parents find out about the mind-controlling chip requiring his family to devise a plan to put a stop to this once and for all, but things don't go exactly as planned.

Along with his friend Chase, and an irrepressible girl named Hazel, the three of them find themselves in the world of the controlled, where they must try to escape the notice of this powerful society and its leader, Crofar. As the trio of teenagers attempt to defeat Crofar on their own, they stumble upon the Renegades, a formidable group of "the uncontrolled," led by Maximus.

Warily forming an alliance with the teenagers, the numbers are not in their favor, and the uncontrolled are barely holding their own. Until that is, they realize they have a secret weapon. John starts to have regular visions of the future, which can change in interesting ways when certain variables are adjusted.

While John has visions they can use to win the war against Crofar, things become complicated because Crofar has visions too. With two adversaries who can see the future, only one can outsmart the other.

The Uncontrolled is an adventurous, sci-fi book written by award-winning teen author Zachary Astrowsky.

● TCK Publishing Readers Choice Awards Winner 2018, MG/YA Category

● Purple Dragonfly Book Award Winner, Honorable Mention, June 2018

● Royal Dragonfly Book Award 2nd Place Winner, November 2018

● Story Monsters Approved

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