Guest Post: 5 Person Apolalypse Survial Team by Shawn Kupfer + giveaway

Today we have Sci-fi author Shawn Kupfer returning to I Smell Sheep. We interviewed him in 2011 about his first book 47 Echo as well as reviewed it! He just released book #3 in his series, Fear and Anger and stopped by to talk about his ultimate apocalyptic survival team.

The End of the World as We Know It 

by Shawn Kupfer

I probably spend waaaaay too much time thinking about who I would put on my five-person apocalypse survival team. This is, of course, the team I want to roll with when the world goes all pear-shaped, be it a zombie apocalypse, a Mad-Max-style dystopia, or just the induction of One Direction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At some point, I assume, the world as we know it will end... and who do I want in my corner when that happens?

Of course, since this is purely a mental exercise, I usually allow myself to pick fictional characters as well as real people. So, obviously, I would want to start with Nick Morrow, the protagonist of my 47 Echo series of novels (hey, as a completely unrelated aside, did you know Book 3, Fear and Anger, released this week?). Nick's smart, tough, and most of all, resourceful. There are many other people in the world who can probably do what Nick does, but I have the inside edge -- I created him, so I'm the one who gets to say what he's capable of. That'll be a huge plus at the end of the world.

Second, I'd try to get Ronda Rousey to join our team... because, come on, have you seen her throw down? She's probably worth three whole people just by herself. I'd hate to be the zombie or the freakish biker type who gets in her way. Better to have her on my team than out there working against me.

My wife is the brains of the operation (both at home and on the fictional apocalypse team), so right to the front seat of the AMRAP she goes.

And, as I'm allowing myself fictional characters, Spiderman. Because you never know when or even if you'll need Spiderman, but it's better to have him and not need him than need him and not have him.

What about you, folks? What's your five-person apocalypse team (including you)? 

The best overall team (judged, of course, by the infinite wisdom of Katie Dalton) gets a free copy of my newest book, Fear and Anger, for the ereader of your choice!

China, 2021

The global war between east and west intensifies. Nick Morrow, commander of the convict unit 47 Echo, has been abandoned by his government and left for dead deep inside enemy territory. Using only his wits and instinct, he must somehow escape a hostile country where his face is plastered over every screen and his wanted poster is projected on the side of every building.

Christoper Lee, Nick’s second in command, is tasked with taking over the unit and tracking a group of traitors who have stolen an advanced prototype weapon and fled into North Korea. Unsteady and terrified by his first command, Christopher is sure his mission is going to fail — and that failure, he fears, will turn the tide of the war and crush the already overextended Allied forces.

About the Author:

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Shawn Kupfer was born on Ellsworth Air Force Base in the Rapid City, South Dakota area in July 1978. Most of his childhood was spent bouncing from one military town to another, travelling across the United States and the world on the dime of the U.S. Air Force. In his younger days, he had stints working as a semi-professional kickboxer, a defense contractor, a magazine editor, and a general "pick this up and put it over there" laborer.

In February 2009, Shawn anonymously started the Twitter Novel Project, where he posted novel-length works in 140-character chunks. In July of that year, he abandoned the anonymity factor. The second Twitter Novel Project book, 47 Echo, was picked up for publication by Carina Press soon after. He continues to update the Twitter Novel Project several nights a week, as well as working on other novel projects (both in and out of the 47 Echo universe). He currently lives in the Dallas Fort-Worth Metroplex with his wife, Lisa, and their two dogs, Sadie and Edie. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling to Las Vegas and New Orleans.

GIVEAWAY
Answer Shawn's question and we will pick a random commenter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with author Shawn Kupfer + giveaway

Today we meet with Shawn Kupfer, author of 47 Echo. Shawn was gracious enough to answer a few questions for us about his book and his inspiration to be an author. For all two of the people that read my posts I'm sure you'll be happy to hear from someone else today. Also there's a chance for prizes, so a bonus. Anyway, onward to the interview.

2019. Middle of nowhere Russia. 2 Sheep and 1 Commando meet.

Ben: So welcome, Mr. Kupfer, to begin the interview how about you tell us how you came up with the idea for 47 Echo?

Shawn: About a year or two ago, I read that China had a standing army of nearly 4 million soldiers. I’d also heard the statistic (on British TV, from Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson) that America had the largest number of its own citizens in prison, more than 2 million people. Then, much later, I saw an infographic on the Web that showed what each country led the world in. For America, it was number of people in prison. For North Korea, it was soldiers — there are more than 13 million of them there. Those numbers kind of started it all off for me.

Ben: Wow, 13 million? North Korea's such a tiny nation too, some truly sobering numbers.

Ben: What motivated you to become an author?

Shawn: Most likely the fact that I'm always making up stories in my head. That, combined with a lack of any other marketable skill...

Ben: In your “About the Author” it mentions that you grew up on military bases during your childhood. Did your experience growing up influence the subject matter you decided to write about?

Shawn: Yeah, to a large extent, growing up in the military kind of wired the way I think. We military brats never leave the service behind, whether we go into one of the Armed Forces or not (I ended up working for the Department of Defense, so there you go).

Katie: {hears talk of men in uniform and comes running to hunt down the man candy!}

Ben: No, no man candy. {pushes Katie outside and locks the door} This is my interview, now stay out. {grumble grumble, something about Vietnam}

Ben: 47 Echo is set in 2019, so as I like to say, ten minutes into the future. The main differences we see are hybrid cars and a whole bundle of shiny new military technology. Did you do a lot of research into developing technologies for your novel?

Shawn: A bit of research combined with some educated guesses and extrapolation. I figured that the hybrid power thing would be a must with the dwindling oil reserves, and the new technologies (the TotalVis goggles, UAVs, and omnipresent computing) are the way things are heading, in my opinion.

Ben: As we know from the beginning, Nick Morrow and his compatriots are all convicts pressed into service. Where did you get the idea for the convict battalions and do you think that's something that is likely to happen in the future?

Shawn: Really, it just came down to numbers. When facing such superior adversaries – 4 million in China (in wartime, probably three times that), 13 million in North Korea, and about half of the Russian Federation's god-awful huge amount of soldiers – we'd need to pull bodies quickly, and without worrying about tracking down draft-dodgers. To fill the ranks that fast, we'd grab the people who couldn't run first – the convicts. Then it would be a matter of tougher sentences for minor crimes until we had everyone we needed. And I sure hope that doesn't happen, but I don't think we're likely to pick a fight with China anytime soon... so we're probably safe there.

Ben: Agreed, I'd hate to see the fallout from such a war in real life.

Ben: 47 Echo specifically becomes an elite special operations unit, the first entirely made of convicts. Did any inspiration for their unit specifically come from The Dirty Dozen?

Shawn: You know, people keep mentioning that movie to me. I've never actually seen it. I suppose I have to one day.

Ben: It's a good film. I'd definitely recommend you check it out.

Ben: At one point in the novel we meet a character reading a copy of Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers. Were you too a fan of Heinlein when you were younger? (It's okay to admit it, I was too.)

Shawn: Totally. The book's in there for a reason, though – it's been added to the curriculum at the Federal level.

Ben: Awesome, definitely an interesting book.

Ben: At the end of 47 Echo we get a few hints of future adventures for the 47 Echo team. Are we going to read more about our rag-tag team in the future, and if so when can we expect it to be out?

Shawn: One hopes. I'm doing edits on the sequel right now, with the hope that it'll be out the beginning of next year or thereabouts.

Ben: Do you have a favorite science fiction author?

Shawn: I have a bunch. William Gibson, Douglas Adams, and Frank Herbert probably round out the top three. Of course, that'll change given the day, but...

Ben: If you could meet anyone from history, who would you pick?

Shawn: The tough part is narrowing it down to just one. It's one of those answers that would change depending on when you asked me, but right now... I'm thinking Hannibal. Either the guy with the elephants or the guy with the sweet black van and the cigar.

Ben: Well, if it's the guy with the elephants I'm obliged to say, “SPQR all the way, baby!” If it's the man with the awesome van, *high five as A-Team theme plays*.

Ben: Do you have anything else to add before we leave?

Shawn: Thanks for having me! And folks, do feel free to shout at me anytime on Twitter (@Tweet_Book, where I write chunks of novels every night), and come say hi on the 47 Echo blog (http://47echo.wordpress.com).

Ben: And finally our much-expected rapid fire round. Just say the first thing when you're presented with the options.

Ben: Let's get the obligatory one out of the way: Coke or Pepsi?

Shawn: Pepsi. Specifically, Mexican Pepsi.

Ben: Olé. Take the vote down, Katie.

Ben: Battlestar Galactica or Stargate Atlantis?

Shawn: Oh, damn. That's a hard one. I think BSG edges Atlantis out just slightly. Both such great shows.

Ben: Agreed.

Ben: Chinese food or Tex-mex?

Shawn: We'll go Tex-Mex. I ate way too much Chinese food in college. One roommate I had was unable to cook anything but.

Ben: Strawberries or Bananas?

Shawn: Strawberries.

Ben: Gobstoppers or Hershey Kisses?

Shawn: Hershey Kisses, all the way. It's rare that I crave sweet stuff, but Hershey is always clutch.

Ben: Nerf Guns or Laser Tag?

Shawn: Laser Tag. I could've gone pro at one point. ;)

Ben: Musketeer or Cavalier?

Shawn: Cavalier. As long as we ignore the horrible Chevrolet by the same name.

Ben: I was more thinking the European soldiers so we probably will be.

Ben: Stout or Lager?

Shawn: How about coffee? I don't drink.

Ben: Fair enough

Ben: Cookies and Cream or Mint Chocolate Chip?

Shawn: Another hard one. Cookies and Cream pulls ahead slightly.

Ben: Goblins or Trolls?

Shawn: Can't it be both? Like Troll 2: Hobgoblin?

Ben: “They're eating her. And then they're going to eat me. Oh my goooooooooood.”

Ben: Anyway, a big thank you to Shawn for dropping by, and hopefully we'll see you when your next book comes out next year, hopefully.

Now, on to the contest. Shawn has graciously agreed to donate an ecopy of 47 Echo as a prize for one of our lucky readers. In addition we are throwing in some Sheep swag items! So, in the comments sections below leave a comment that includes:

1. Your e-mail address

2. A piece of future technology you'd love to have

A winner will be chosen on June 12th at midnight.

Followers of our blog will get double entries in this contest.

Another big thank you to Shawn and all our readers.

June Interview & Prize list

The Sheep have LOTS coming up this month, I wanted to take a few moments just to break it down for everyone. Because really, who doesn't like winning? Okay maybe the Grinch but aside from him we LOVE hooking the flock up with all the cool prizes! As always, followers of our blog will get double entries for all contests listed below. :)

June 3rd- Gene Guilmette artist of The Protector Corps comics

One commenter will receive 2 signed comics and sheep swag items: key chain, magnet.

June 6th- Interview with Shawn Kupfer author of 47 Echo

Shawn will be giving away an ebook of 47 Echo to one commenter and we will be throwing in Sheep swag items like: pencils, bookmarks, stickers, magnet.

June 10th- Swagday hosted by the flocks own Sharon!

Signed Books, cover flats, trading cards, bookmarks, stickers, key chains, post cards, magnets and whatever else she may throw in. LOTS of fun items to win.

June 14th- Interview with Crista McHugh PNR author of Alchemy of Desire and Kiss of Temptation

One lucky commenter will win any ebook from her backlist and a $10 eGC to Samhain, Amazon or B&N.

June 20th- Interview with Karina Cooper PNR author of Blood of the Wicked

One lucky winner will get Blood of the Wicked and Lure of the Wicked (out June 28th) both in paperback and a spiffy tote bag.

June 27-28- 2-Day Event with Merrie Destefano PNR author of Afterlife and Feast

One lucky commenter will win BOTH signed books and a tote bag, buttons, bookmarks.

47 Echo, War of the Future

The year is 2019, and the United States is engaged in a losing war. Allied with the remnants of the Russian Federation, the United States is fighting the Chinese, North Koreans, and renegade Russians all across the Siberian wilderness. Unfortunately, the Americans and their Russian allies are out-gunned and outnumbered. In a desperate bid to keep from losing this war, the Americans call up on the one resource they have in abundance: convicts. From arsonists to murderers, these men and women are treated as expendable soldiers, cannon fodder to stem the Chinese onslaught. Life for the convict soldiers is grim and survival is unlikely. For most of them, they can only hope they survive until tomorrow, nevermind the war.

Nick Morrow is one such convict, sent to Russia for his crimes. Nick is assigned to the titular 47 Echo. The Echo units are suicide squads, the most expendable soldiers in the entire army. Nick's odds of survival are slim, but he has a few things that might help him in the war. Nick's mom was a Chinese immigrant and taught him Mandarin as he was growing up. Nick's skill as a translator is what initially gets him positive attention from the military officers that supervise the convict battalions. Nick also proves to be a natural soldier, taking after his Navy SEAL father. With skill, discipline and a little luck, Nick may manage to help not only himself but also his unit survive this devastating war.

47 Echo, by Shawn Kupfer, appears to be the first of a new series of books. It does a good job of establishing the setting, and Kupfer's knowledge of military hardware seems robust. The setting is "ten minutes into the future" so while many things are familiar to us, there are a few things that are changed. Technology is advanced, but at a believable rate. Hybrid vehicles and computers are the backbone of tomorrow's military. Although the future war is grim, the technological gadgets look really cool.

I assume this book is the first in a series because the novel mentions missions of 47 Echo beyond the ones in this novel. As a first book, it's still a little rough around the edges. The writing needs a little work and the characters could be fleshed out a little. HOWEVER this is not a bad thing. In future novels Kupfer can flesh out his characters and develop his writing style, and I look forward to seeing it develop. Overall, a pretty good book with plenty of potential for the future. Getting three and a half sheep.

Shawn's book is available as an e-book here.

BAK

Adventurer's Rule #7: Never pass up a free dessert.