iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Steve Blackman

PaperBound Magazine @paperboundmag.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

We’re thrilled to share this ‘Day in the Life’ takeover from Zero Override author @steveblackman.bsky.social in collaboration with Scholastic ✍️ 💚 Don’t miss Steve’s article in the latest issue of PaperBound on page 6! 📚 #dayinthelife #books #scholastic #authorlife

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I saw on Whatsapp. I'm so sorry, what a worry. Hope she's okay. ❤️

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

That went unbelievable quickly! It was such fun! Thank you, Emma, and everyone else for your brilliant questions. #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

All I ever wanted was to be in the same sentence as Shrek! #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Yes! And those young readers really deserve them! #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Don’t try to make the first draft perfect – that’s you telling the story to yourself. Once it’s down, you can layer in dialogue, description and characterisation etc. For me, that works best with a structure to build on. If I edit while drafting, I can lose the plot – literally! #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Thank you – for the audience I'm writing for it's really important! #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I’m working on the sequel to Zero Override, set a few weeks after the events of book one. Again, I’m exploring what happens when technology goes wrong or is used badly. This time, though, the story is even more closely connected to issues we’re seeing in society today... #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

It's not part of the process. It is the process! #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I’m neither, but I don’t think anyone is completely one or the other. I normally start with an idea, shape it into a classic pitch, then use Save the Cat beats as waypoints. The journey's never linear, though – I keep planning as I write and adding new waypoints as I discover them. #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

And they can be tailored based on the story or vibe. #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I usually write at home on the dining table with lots of coffee and film soundtracks. I’m equally happy in a library or café. (Coffee's a recurring theme!) The Members’ Cafe at Tate Modern offers great views of the London skyline and the river. Google Docs means I can write wherever I am #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Yes! I love logic puzzles and non-verbal reasoning – my brain seems to respond well to pattern-based games. And I love cryptic crosswords! The downside is that I also try to dismantle every film plot and work out what happens next. It’s fair to say my family aren’t always impressed! #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

My wife said 'you realise he's just like you?' Which hadn't occurred to me! #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

And some of them have incredible storytelling and worldbuilding. It's really inspiring. #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

It would have to be Andi. He’s a robot, but has so much humanity you forget he isn’t human. He’s smart but wonderfully goofy. We’d explore, solve problems, talk about films and books, and share terrible dad jokes. Honestly, my dream day! #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

It was important to me to give Zero Override the feeling of a game – for many young people, that's the gateway to storytelling. #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I found some interesting stuff climbing out, though, which *may* find its way into the next book... #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Everyone approaches worldbuilding differently. I treat it like a multi-level game – you build each level as you reach it. I really like worlds that feel recognisable but are viewed with a speculative side-eye, so I start with something familiar and go on a journey of discovery from there #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Exactly! A hammer can be used to create a beautiful sculpture, but also to destroy it. #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

3. Yes! I love the research that writing demands. The tech in Zero Override is a slightly developed version of things we use today, so I researched what might be possible. It was great fuel for the imagination, though it led me into some very deep research holes! #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

There are robots in all areas of life – too many to describe here, but I focused on two - one 'good' and one 'bad'. #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Films like Blade Runner and Terminator really influenced me! #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

When I was planning Zero Override, there were lots of debates about whether AI was good or bad. I’ve worked in tech for years, and I don’t think technology is inherently either – it’s how we use it that matters. My agent suggested robots, which gave that idea personalities and characters #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Thirteen-year-old hacker Zero discovers a virus that will wipe out every AI in the country – including his sister Grace’s artificial heart. Teaming up with a mysterious bot, he must evade MI6 and stop the virus before it’s too late. #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Oh no! I didn't think the virus in my book would affect your computer! #ukteenchat

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Hi Emma! It's lovely to be here! Thanks for having me.

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Thank you for giving us this wonderful story!

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Reposted by Steve Blackman

PaperBound Magazine @paperboundmag.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Huge thanks as always to all the writers, illustrators, authors, reviewers and publishers who have helped bring this issue together. @steveblackman.bsky.social @jencarney.bsky.social @cesalter.com @hollywebb.bsky.social @patricknessbooks.bsky.social 2/3

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Reposted by Steve Blackman

Emma Finlayson-Palmer @finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Next #ukteenchat will be on Tues 11th Aug 8-9pm BST with the fabulous @steveblackman.bsky.social, who will be chatting all about his debut MG - Zero Override. All welcome to come along and join in the chat 🙂 #ZeroOverride #writing #writerslife

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I'm really looking forward to chatting with you, Emma!

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Reposted by Steve Blackman

PaperBound Magazine @paperboundmag.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Brilliant book reviewers and behind-the-scenes readers 🎉📖 @steveblackman.bsky.social Jayne Leadbetter, Laura Jones, Lauren Marples, Cat Ould 🌟 And a very special thank you goes out to @stephaniebuosi.com who created the gorgeous front cover for this new issue 🌟

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

VERY exciting book post today! I can't wait to dive into DIRK JONES IS NOT THE CHOSEN ONE, by Gatlin Perrin. It's promising to be fun, spooky, nonbinary, and Welsh – all excellent things. Out October 9th. Thanks @fireflypress.bsky.social

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Steve Blackman @steveblackman.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Have wiser words ever been spoken?

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