Terrorism is a hot-button topic that has horrifying connotations to the average person. But it’s even more horrific to imagine terrorism perpetrated by the people’s own government.
Terrorism is a hot-button topic that has horrifying connotations to the average person. But it’s even more horrific to imagine terrorism perpetrated by the people’s own government.
Ohio University alumna and author Tracy Lawson explores that nightmarish dystopia notion in her new novel Counteract, a work of young-adult literature released Aug. 6 through New Jersey publishing house, Buddhapuss Ink.
“It’s in the young adult vein, but I would describe it as a (young adult) dystopian thriller, because it’s fast-paced and utilizes multiple perspectives in the telling of the story,” Lawson said. “The target audience is the average teenager ... but it has crossed over well into adult audiences too.”
This is Lawson’s first work of fiction and was originally formulated through collaboration with an aspiring writer.
“I was editing my daughter’s friend’s short stories, and we got to talking about ideas for a book and he suggested, ‘Well, what if everyone is on LSD and thought itself is collectively shared?’ and we just ran with that,” Lawson said. “The book was partially born from hallucinatory vignettes he and I wrote. I really wanted to do something different with this one, and I had a lot of fun writing it.”
In Lawson’s offshoot alternate world, the populace is plagued by paranoia and constant threats of terrorism. The government begins to outlaw everything in the name of safety, from driver’s licenses to public sporting events.
The story focuses on two teenagers, Careen and Tommy, who stumble across a conspiracy that, if revealed, would shat- ter the sociopolitical infrastruc- ture of their country. Lawson said the book is meant to ask questions and get people think- ing about their singular role in collective society.
MaryChris Bradley, publisher at Buddhapuss Ink., claims that the book is moving well, selling out on Amazon by its release date, and has tremendous cross- over potential.
“Counteract is more new adult than young adult, with a plotline that’s frighteningly realistic,” Bradley said. “We felt it wasn’t why we should publish it, but why wouldn’t we publish it.”
Lawson fondly recalls her formative years at OU, having taken creative writing cours- es with late professor emeritus, Daniel Keyes.
“He was an eminent science-fiction writer, most known for Flowers for Alger- non. The workshops were horrifying to me, but I learned a lot from them,” Lawson said. “His constant advice was -- always write all of your ideas and keep them, because you never know what could evolve from one idea. You have to be prepared for rejection, and you have to be prepared to work, but writing is very rewarding. You just have to
keep going and not give up.” Counteract is available on amazon.com in paperback or e-reader editions. Copies will also be in stock shortly at Little Pro- fessor Book Center, 65 S. Court St., or can be ordered through the store.
SN002310@OHIO.EDU
