1.- Could you introduce yourself to Jamreads' readers?
I’m the author of nine science fiction novels. Liege-Killer won the Compton Crook award for best first novel and was nominated for the John W. Campbell award for best new writer. That book launched the Paratwa Saga (Ask Ock, The Paratwa, Binary Storm). One-shot novels include Refraction, Starship Alchemon and Spartan X. I’ve scripted comics, including creator-owned “Gemini Blood” and “Dead Corps” for DC; a six-issue run on “Blade” for Marvel; and co-authored with Etan Ilfeld a novelette, “Duchamp Versus Einstein.” I live in Berks County, Pennsylvania, where I formerly wrote for the regional newspaper. Prior to that, I was technical director of a community TV station. 

2.- When did you start writing?
Had the urge since I was a kid and was always drawn to SFF. Composed my first stories back around the elementary school years but didn’t get serious about writing until I was in my twenties.

3.- Could you tell us a bit about your Paratwa saga?
The first book, Liege-Killer, is set centuries from now. An apocalypse has forced humanity to flee the Earth for massive orbiting space colonies, where the survivors have lived peacefully for generations. Then a Paratwa – a genetically engineered assassin existing simultaneously in two bodies – is awakened from hibernation and goes on a seemingly mad killing spree. Unable to deal with such devastating violence, the colonial authorities awaken a pair of 21st century Paratwa hunters. But as the hunters pursue the fearsome Reemul (aka the Liege-Killer), they realize he’s just the opening gambit in a devious, long-range political scheme by the Paratwa leaders to assert control over the entire human race. Liege-Killer can be read as a standalone novel; Books 2 and 3 pick up the action years later. A prequel, Binary Storm, reveals how it all began.   

4.- About Scales, how would you say the initial idea appeared?
Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park and Spielberg’s incredible filmed adaptation were inspirations. Always loved dinosaurs but that novel and movie provided the spark. But it took many years of playing around with various concepts before I came up with a multiplex of ideas worthy of crafting into an original novel.  

5.- Which pieces of media would you say are your main sources of inspiration?
In general, books and movies. To a slightly lesser extent, miniseries and comics. Not surprisingly, I lean toward science fiction and thrillers, but enjoy works in most any genre if they’re done well. In more specific terms, have always greatly admired the holistic nature of Dune and Lord of the Rings, both the prose and cinematic versions. 

6.- How did you manage to achieve a balance between action and character development in Scales?
The key, I believe, is not separating those two things into distinct entities. Action flows from character; character arises from action. They’re two sides of the same coin. That said, blending them into a cohesive whole is likely one of the most formidable challenges every writer faces. It comes down to many hours at the keyboard and a willingness to restructure sentences, paragraphs and sequences until they achieve a natural flow.    

7-. Did your characters evolve much from the first draft to the final one?
As the writing progressed, Addi became more bad-ass than initially envisioned. I never saw her as a damsel-in-distress type, but neither was I expecting her to be as dangerous and iron-willed as she ended up. In contrast, Eddie became became somewhat more attuned to his sensitive side. The changes worked out well, I believe, enabling their disparate personalities to grow toward one another.

8.- What can we expect from Christopher Hinz in the future?
Am working on a new SF thriller. Can’t provide any story hints at this early date but can confirm that Angry Robot Books will publish it, likely in 2026.