313 - Don's Away Mission With Author Matt Witten

What If Corporations Owned Everything?  Matt Witten on 51%Author Matt Witten joins No Win Scenario to discuss his dystopian novel 51%, a police procedural set in a privatized America where corporations own nearly everything — including people.In this episode, Don Schechter talks with Matt about the real-world fears behind 51%, how corporate power and privatization shaped the novel’s world, and why a crime story was the perfect way to explore a dystopian future. The conversation dives into world building, police procedurals, character perspectives, crime marketing, writing advice, and the strange irony of adapting an anti-corporate story for television with help from a major corporation.Whether you’re a fan of dystopian fiction, crime novels, political thrillers, sci-fi, or writing craft, this conversation explores how speculative fiction can turn today’s anxieties into gripping storytelling.No Win Scenario is a science fiction podcast hosted by Don Schechter and Trevor Chamberlain: two friends who hate each other, talking sci-fi.Episode: 313Runtime: 26:59Guest: Matt WittenIn this episode:Matt Witten on the origin of 51%A dystopian America ruled by corporate powerPrivatized police, institutions, housing, and identityBuilding a believable future through small detailsWhy a police procedural fits the world of 51%Crime marketing and corporate-controlled justiceWriting dystopian fiction without overwhelming readersAdapting novels for televisionAdvice for writers: write what you love and trust your voiceChapters:00:00 Introduction to Matt Witten and his work01:22 The origins of the idea for 51% and real-world parallels03:20 The privatization of police and other institutions04:52 Deep fears and societal concerns inspiring dystopian fiction06:03 Political and corporate trends in storytelling08:06 Why a police procedural fits the dystopian world09:02 The concept of crime marketing in the novel10:53 World-building details: Reagan’s apartments and more11:12 Creating a no-win scenario to drive the story13:04 Character perspectives and nuance in storytelling16:26 Balancing detail and readability in world building18:23 Adapting a novel to TV20:53 The irony of a corporate-funded anti-corporate story25:07 Advice for writers: follow your passion and trust your voiceWebsite:https://www.nowinscenariopodcast.comDon says: Order the Ascendants novel: https://ascendantsbook.com/Trevor says: Watch Front Row Reactions https://www.youtube.com/@frontrowreactionsEmail: [email protected] & Instagram: @NoWinScenarioPodcastSubscribe for more science fiction interviews, author conversations, Star Trek discussions, filmmaking insights, and deep dives into the future of storytelling.#MattWitten #51Percent #DystopianFiction #Dystopian #CorporatePower #CrimeFiction #PoliceProcedural #AuthorInterview #WritingAdvice #WritingProcess #ScienceFiction #SciFi #NoWinScenario #DonsAwayMission #DonSchechter #TrevorChamberlain