Interview With Author Brad Pághanni
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a 36-year-old Brazilian. In my country, the reality often works against the habit of reading, so I taught myself English to find a better place for my voice in the world. I have been writing books since I was 12 years old. I started with pen and paper, moved to a typewriter, and by 16, I was using a computer.
However, my journey wasn’t easy. My family didn’t support my writing; they thought it was just a phase. They wanted me to find ‘real work’ immediately since books didn’t bring in quick money. So, at 16, I started working full-time and never stopped. Because those closest to me didn’t believe in my potential, I ended up stashing 40 completed manuscripts in a drawer.
Finally, while writing my 41st book, something inside me woke up. I decided it was time to publish. After 24 years of writing in silence, here I am.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is ‘Hybrid Humans: Genesis’. I was deeply inspired by Blake Crouch’s ‘Dark Matter’. What fascinates me about Crouch’s work is how he weaves cutting-edge science into a deeply personal, high-stakes narrative. While he explores the multiverse and quantum mechanics, I wanted to dive into the ‘Bio-Noir’ territory—exploring the dark side of biotechnology and 3D-printed anatomy. Just as Crouch makes the reader question their own reality, I want my readers to question the future of the human body and what it means to be ‘organic’ in a high-tech world.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say I have a ‘ritual,’ but I do have an unusual history: I wrote 40 complete books before ever publishing one. My habit was simply the act of writing itself, often in secret, transitioning from pen and paper to a typewriter and finally a computer. I spent 24 years building worlds in the shadows, fueled by the silence of those who didn’t believe in me. My only real habit is resilience—writing even when no one is watching, and keeping the fire alive for decades until the 41st book was finally ready for the world.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My writing is shaped by a mix of high-stakes fiction and deep philosophical inquiry. Blake Crouch is a major influence; his ability to turn complex science into a visceral, emotional journey taught me how to keep readers on the edge of their seats. On the other hand, Yuval Noah Harari—specifically his insights in Sapiens and Homo Deus—profoundly influenced how I view the future of our species. Harari’s exploration of biotechnology and the possibility of humans upgrading themselves into ‘gods’ is the philosophical foundation of my Bio-Noir world. I try to combine Crouch’s relentless pacing with Harari’s unsettling questions about what it truly means to be human in a post-organic era.
What are you working on now?
Beyond my writing, my current life’s work is dedicated to social impact. I teach English to women in situations of extreme vulnerability through a local NGO. Since I had to teach myself English to open doors in the world, I decided to give that same power to those who need it most. I believe that language is a tool for freedom. While I develop the next chapters of my Sci-Fi series, I am on the front lines helping these women rewrite their own stories and gain a better position in life, just as I am trying to do with my literature.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
For an author like me, who is finally stepping out of the shadows after 24 years, I believe the best method is finding a platform that genuinely supports independent creators. That is why I consider Awesome Gang the best site to promote my work. It provides an incredible bridge between a teacher from Brazil with a story to tell and a global audience looking for original, fresh voices. Having a dedicated space like this to share my journey—from my 40 hidden manuscripts to my social work—is the most powerful way to turn a lifelong dream into a reality.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Even though I am just now publishing my first book, I have been writing for 24 years. My advice is this: Do not let silence or a lack of support stop you. I kept 40 manuscripts in a drawer because I didn’t believe in myself, but the 41st book taught me that your voice only matters if you let it be heard. Don’t wait 24 years like I did. Start where you are, use what you have—whether it’s a pen, a typewriter, or a computer—and share your story. The world needs the books that only you can write, and dignity is found in the courage to try.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever ‘heard’ didn’t come from a person, but from life itself—and it was delivered through hardship. Life has been incredibly tough on me, constantly pushing me down and testing my limits as a teacher in a country that often forgets its educators. But the ‘advice’ I took from those struggles was: ‘Use the pain as ink.’ Every time life tried to break me, I went back to my manuscripts. I learned that when the world is beating you down, the only way to stand up is to create something that no one can take away from you. My 40 unpublished books were my shield; the 41st is my sword.
What are you reading now?
Right now, my mind is entirely consumed by my own world-building. After keeping my stories silenced for 24 years, I’ve decided to stop reading others for a while and dedicate 100% of my focus to writing. I am currently deep into the sequels of the ‘Hybrid Humans’ series. When you have 40 books worth of ideas waiting to finally breathe, every spare moment is spent at the keyboard. I am reading my own characters, perfecting their voices, and making sure that after two decades of waiting, they finally get the story they deserve.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To be honest, what’s next is a fight for a better life. I am at a crossroads where I need my literature to become my path to dignity. After 24 years of writing in silence and struggling as a teacher in Brazil, my goal now is to turn my 40 hidden manuscripts into a legacy that can lift me out of hardship. I am currently working on the next volumes of the ‘Hybrid Humans’ saga, driven by the urgent need to prove that a teacher’s voice can travel the world and that stories can change a man’s destiny. I am writing my way out of the shadows.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I wouldn’t choose specific titles; instead, I’d play a round of ‘Russian Roulette’ with any books by Blake Crouch and Yuval Noah Harari. Whatever the spin landed on, I’d be satisfied. I’d need Crouch’s thrillers to keep my adrenaline pumping and my imagination alive, and Harari’s insights to keep me reflecting on the history and future of our species while I stared at the horizon. If I’m going to be stranded, I want books that challenge my brain and my pulse at the same time.
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