NextGen

In the year 2050, the vast majority of Americans make up the "liberated class"- promised freedom from labor, but given inescapable poverty and societal decay. In spite of his dystopian upbringing, 18-year-old "libertine" Henry Simon starts a band with his friends in a desperate attempt to find meaning and happiness in a world ruthlessly deprived of both by its automated authoritarian government. Meanwhile, Helene Shock is a fully conscious musical "autogen" whose continual refinement as an artist and outsized clout as a superstar leads her to help the forsaken libertines in any way she can. As their paths cross, Henry and Helene must navigate the treacherous conditions of the liberated cities, the mind-bending developments in automated technology, and the overwhelming political pressures placed upon them by a government increasingly controlled by the autogens that ushered in their dangerous new world. 

Jam-packed with music, humor, and politics, NextGen is the apocalyptic story of one generation's headlong plunge into a world dominated by automation, and the next generation's fight to reclaim their humanity. Steven Cary's first novel offers thrilling suspense, thoughtful analysis, and-most importantly-a bright glimmer of hope.

After all, the future is unwritten...