It’s all systems go for Sam Boush, whose debut novel All Systems Down is a futuristic thriller set in the wake of a cyber war that has pretty much destroyed Western civilisation.

Sam has worked as a wildland firefighter, journalist, and owner of a mid-sized marketing agency.

Though he’s lived in France and Spain, his heart belongs in Portland, Oregon, where he lives with his wife, Tehra, two children, and a messy cat that keeps them from owning anything nice.

All Systems Down will be published by Lakewater Press on February 07, 2018.

My name: Sam Boush

My family: My wife, Tehra, and two elementary-school-aged kids.

I was born in….Kansas City, Missouri, but now live in Portland, Oregon.

I like my home because…Portland is a very liveable city. I can walk to everything I need in my neighborhood, from my kids’ school to the grocery store to dozens of shops, bars, and restaurants.

One thing I’d change about me…I wish I were better at stopping and enjoying what I’ve accomplished in the past. That might mean living in the moment more. Instead, I find myself constantly striving for the next mountain to climb.

Favourite film? This is where I should impress people with my cinematic breadth! Aren’t you going to be unpleasantly surprised, then, when I reveal that the masterpiece that is Mel Gibson’s Braveheart is my favourite.

It has gruesome battles, love triangles, witty banter. I’ve probably watched that three-hour spectacle 20 times.

Never gets old.

Favourite writer? Michael Crichton. He excelled at examining a scientific ‘what if’ and bringing the reader into a world of his making.

Life is great

It’s not high-brow literature, but his books are fun and fast-paced. I mean, who doesn’t love Jurassic Park and Timeline?

Best thing about my life? My life is great.

I live in a hundred-year-old house in a walkable neighbourhood. I currently write full time. My kids are at that golden age where they aren’t toddlers and they aren’t teenagers.

It’s a cop out, but, in general I have a great situation going.

What keeps you awake at night? Sleep isn’t one of my issues. My head hits the pillow and I’m out until the alarm clock chases me out of bed.

How many hours a day do you spend on your phone? Too many.

Anachronism

And I assume we’re talking about swiping through news and social media, and not actually calling anyone. Because I’m rarely actually talking on my phone.

The name is an anachronism. They should call it a timesuckscreen, instead.

Favourite meal? Most days, after I hit the gym, I make myself an omelette for lunch. Eggs, spinach, caramelized onions, maybe some leftovers from dinner thrown in. Delicious.

Go-to companion for a night on the sofa? I would say it’s my cat, except he sneezes everywhere so I usually kick him off. The truth is, I like my space. Maybe a blanket and a beer. That’s it.

Greatest extravagance? Certainly the decision to go without a job and focus on being a full-time writer.

It’s crazy, but it’s been my dream for long enough that I’m going to launch myself at this writing thing until my name is on the bestseller list  – or I have to go back to a desk job.

What you don’t know about me?  I have an identical twin brother. He lives here in Portland with me, and we still get together once a week to play video games and drink beer.