A Glimpse into the Story Behind the Story
On March 14, 2022, I sat down with BookGlow to talk about Startup, my novel set at the tense intersection of AI innovation and post-Soviet intrigue. The conversation covered everything from how the idea was born to the deeper themes that run through the story—like ethics in tech, the price of ambition, and the subtle (or not-so-subtle) pressures behind startup culture.
BookGlow is a literary platform that highlights fiction and nonfiction books, author interviews, and writing insights across genres. They offer readers a behind-the-curtain look into the minds of authors and the making of their work, and I’m honored they chose to feature Startup.
Real Experiences in a Fictional Shell
As I mention in the interview, Startup is fiction, but the motivations and fears behind the story are all too real. During my decades working in semiconductor R&D, I witnessed how innovation is often driven as much by urgency and funding as by inspiration. The idea of a professor getting tangled with oligarch-backed money may seem dramatic—but is it really that far from the truth?
I also discuss the moral complexity of the protagonist, Professor Krstic. He’s not just an inventor—he’s someone trying to stay grounded while navigating a tech world increasingly influenced by geopolitical forces. That tension is, for me, one of the central themes in both the story and our current moment in technological history.
Read the Full Interview
You can read the full interview here:
👉 Interview with Riko Radojcic, Author of Startup (BookGlow)
Learn More about the book Start Up