It’s not every day you see characters of color front and center in a sci-fi political thriller, but author P.B. Obeng offers just that in his book, Vigil.
Tell me about your book.
Thanks so much for asking, Chandra. In my novel, Vigil, America debuts its premiere super team (after which the book is titled), [which] is tasked with protecting the country from emerging superhuman threats. During their first assignment they stumble upon a vast conspiracy that could lead to global catastrophe. On its surface, Vigil is a sci-fi political thriller starring characters of color. But ultimately, Vigil is about three things: family, power and responsibility.
Why did you decide to write it?
I decided to write this storyline because I yearned to see sci-fi stories with characters that reflected me as an African American man. I also wanted to write a story with depth and real-world politics involving people of color in prominent roles. I am also a big fan of comics and thrillers, and I wanted to write a story that included the superhuman and fantastical elements into a real-world thriller.
What’s one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you?
One thing that readers will be surprised to learn is that I am a physician and not a full-time writer.
To what do you attribute your success?
I attribute my success to my faith, the grace of God, and persistence.
What do you hope your legacy will be?
I hope that my legacy will be one of peace and also of providing thought-provoking stories that last the test of time.
What’s the most difficult part of being an author?
To me, the most difficult part of being a writer is finding the time to write when you have a full-time job and a family.
What was your most memorable experience writing this book?
My most memorable experience in writing the book was discovering new aspects of my characters as I wrote them.
What’s next for you?
Up next is Sovereign, the sequel to Vigil. It builds upon the story from the first book but expands the universe. It touches on topics such as artificial intelligence’s impact on our lives and the exchange of our personal data in exchange for a little bit of convenience and how that could go horribly wrong. It is planned for an end-of-year release.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I would like to say thank you so much for interviewing me, and I want to encourage other writers out there not to give up on their writing dream. You have a story that you have to tell, so tell it. There is an audience out there for what you write.
To learn more about P.B. Obeng, visit his website or connect with him on social media.
Website: www.pbobeng.com
Social Media:
Instagram.com/author_pbobeng
Facebook.com/authorpbobeng
Use Black Fiction Addiction’s affiliate link to purchase your copy of Vigil.