Book Title: 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
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?
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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
Tom Hogan came up with the idea for The Forever Factor, his fourth novel, with the idea of 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 Tom knows very little about biology or biotech. Tom and I had worked together on Silicon Valley tech startup marketing before he retired, and I had been a ‘reader’ for his previous novels. Lucky for Tom, I also have a background in biology and biotech, among other things. So he brought me on as a co-author for this novel.
Are the characters in your novel based on real people?
No, they’re all fictional, though some are composites of people one or both of us have actually known. But I’m not naming names.
Many of the characters in your book are women. Was this intentional?
No, but it makes sense. Tom is surrounded by strong women in his life, and I’m a woman.
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 this book?
Thoughtful suspense. Which is consistent with Tom’s other books, too.
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.
Sounds like a great read.
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