Derek Shupert is a rising voice in post-apocalyptic fiction, known for fast-paced, emotionally grounded stories where survival is never guaranteed—and rarely clean. With a passion for dystopian storytelling and a deep appreciation for flawed, determined characters, Shupert’s books explore how ordinary people respond when the world around them collapses.
In this interview, Shupert discusses what inspired Ashes of Tomorrow, how personal experience and parenthood influence his storytelling, and why flawed characters navigating impossible odds continue to resonate with readers.
What’s your apocalypse survival must-have?
For me it would be a gun and ammo. Being able to defend yourself in the unknown is paramount when faced with a catastrophic survival situation.
How has becoming a parent influenced the emotional stakes you bring to your survival fiction? Are there any scenes in Survival’s Edge that were especially personal to write?
It hits differently when you’re a parent and how you would protect your loved ones during a nationwide crisis. I relate to how protective Siena is with Max when they’re reunited and how she tries to do everything she can to make sure he’s okay.
Which character from your books would you most like to spend a day with, and why?
Maybe Ryan from Ashes of Tomorrow. His life struggles have felt similar to mine. In my early years of being an adult, things were tough but like Ryan, I did everything I could to make ends meet and try to make it happen. I respect him for being so far down but still pushing forward to save himself when everything went wrong.
What’s the one piece of fan feedback that has stuck with you the most?
I’ve had many readers tell me how much they enjoy my work and how unique my approach to survival fiction is when compared to other authors. When they say they’ll purchase anything you write, it’s the best feeling in the world and makes you feel like you’re on the right path.
Do you include Easter eggs in your books for fans to discover?
Actually, I did in one book. In my Dead State: Evolved book, I included a special Easter egg on the cover. There’s a hole in the backpack where you can see a book on the inside. You see the author’s first name, Derek. It was a nice little surprise the cover artist and I came up with.
How do you celebrate when you finish writing a book?
It can differ from book to book but usually, and this may sound boring to some, but I like to relax. By the time I finish, my creative juices are drained and I like to recharge.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about writing, what would it be?
Be patient and don’t rush the story. Flesh out the characters and make whatever is happening to them hit hard through not only action but through dialogue as well.
What’s your proudest moment as an author?
My proudest moment as an author was when I was making enough money from my books to be able to quit my day job and write full-time. I never thought it would happen and after many years of sticking with it, my time finally came. One of the best feelings in the world is being able to do what you love every day.
If your book were adapted into a video game, what would the gameplay look like?
I would say The Last of Us. The game mechanics were awesome and it’s how I would want my books to look when adapted to a video game.
Have you ever dreamed about one of your characters or stories?
I have. One of my earliest book series, Ballistic Mech, was brought to life from an intense dream I had. When I woke up, I wrote down what the series was about and dove into book one.
What’s one genre you’d love to try writing in, but haven’t yet?
Science Fiction (Military). I’ve always wanted to write a series like the movie franchise, Alien. Have the Marines go on a bug hunt. Maybe one day, I will when it feels right.
Check out Derek Shupert’s Ashes of Tomorrow series on Amazon
When the grid mysteriously fails, their fight for survival begins…
Siena Lang’s life is anything but perfect. A wretched job, a paltry salary, and the haunting void left by the loss of her parents converge into a catastrophe that defines her existence. The belief that things couldn’t possibly worsen shatters when her younger brother, Max, calls her in a panic.
Then the unthinkable happens – the world descends into darkness when the Grid suddenly fails, cutting off all communication and means of travel.
Survival is now a race against time as Siena endures impossible challenges to try and save Max.
And as disaster stirs, she stumbles upon a ghost from her past whose own demons will threaten the course of their future.
Ashes of Tomorrow is a post-apocalyptic survival thriller featuring flawed characters faced with surviving a national disaster. A grid-down series perfect for fans of Kyla Stone, Bobby Akart, Jack Hunt, and Ryan Schow.
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