We are very excited to sit and down and talk with Jesse Muehlbauer. Jesse’s debut novel, The Artificial Conspiracy, has just been published. We had a chance to review the novel recently, and we absolutely loved it!

Thriller Magazine: “Is this the end of the world?” is a powerful recurring question in the novel. What inspired you to open the story with that line, and what does it mean to you personally?

I’m a big fan of “novel of ideas” fiction. Often in stories like that, a recurring question plagues the world that the protagonist lives in. Since this is a literary novel, my goal was to have themes that resonate both now and in the future. Currently, society is concerned about the onset of generative AI and its influence on human life. Yet the question has also been uttered for millennia as a means of manipulation, first by causing societal fear, and then by offering a belief system as the answer. What drew me to using the question in my book was how versatile it was with apocalyptic thinking of all kinds. Is this the end of the world? Probably not. But that question will never be extinguished. 

TM: The Preserve is a fascinating mix of utopia, cult, and psychological refuge. What research or personal experiences influenced the creation of that space and its enigmatic leader, Alexander?

I always pictured The Preserve as sort of looking like Biosphere 2, only with more sparkle. Its leader, Alexander, was an amalgamation of many of the cult leaders of the 20th century. His charisma—or lack thereof—attracted the type of people he knew could be ideal followers: those who had given up on society, on their dreams, on life itself, and were only too relieved to hand their mental sovereignty over to him. Also, the image of the “mad prophet in the desert” worked beautifully for the Nevada setting.

TM: Mirai McGarry is a compelling protagonist—artistic, determined, and quietly vulnerable. How did her character come to life for you, and was there a particular moment or scene that solidified her voice?

 I’m thrilled to know that Mirai’s character resonated. She was a composite of many people I know, including my wife, Poe, who is Burmese-American, grew up in Myanmar, and is one of the most talented and resilient people I know. As an admirer of great art, I had wanted to write a story about the philosophy of beauty and feature an artist hero. This book finally gave me that chance. Mirai having relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis was the result of many fascinating conversations. From a writer’s point of view, MS mirrors the shadowy elements of the conspiracy itself: unpredictable, enigmatic, ruthless, but also manageable with the right support. Mirai is a vulnerable hero, but her determination originates from her life philosophy—that beauty can save the world. Her putting that belief into action, especially in the final scenes of the story, made me appreciate her character all the more.

TM: The Artificial Conspiracy balances intimate emotional stakes with global (and even cosmic) questions about humanity and survival. How do you approach that scale as a writer without losing either element?

If you’re going to write a novel about universal themes, then the emotional stakes must emerge from those themes being put into action. Character development happens through your protagonist interacting with the plot, making choices, experiencing the consequences, and growing as a result. The universality of the questions I address in the book dovetail with the hopes and fears of all people throughout all time. That’s what makes literary fiction both timely and timeless. 

TM: The novel weaves in themes of mental manipulation, belief systems, and mass psychology. Were there any real-world events, movements, or figures that shaped your depiction of The Preserve and its following?

I’m a student of history, so there are too many real-world examples to share in the space provided. Instead, I encourage your readers to pick up the book “Cults” by Max Cutler to use as a springboard for their own research. Also, never forget what Creed from The Office once said on the topic: “I’ve been a member of many cults. You have a lot of fun as a follower, but you make more money as a leader.” 🙂

TM: Without spoiling too much, the Times Square scene is one of the novel’s most chilling moments. Can you walk us through the process of crafting that sequence and how it fits into the broader themes of control and fear?

Thank you for the compliment. The Times Square scene was difficult to plan but then fairly easy to put to paper. New Year’s Eve is supposed to be the pinnacle moment of the year. So, I imagined what a disruption at the stroke of midnight would look like. The darkness, the wandering confetti, the eerie silence, it was all incongruent to the moment and the more detailed I made it, the better the scene became. Authors like to aim for a defining mental image from which to launch the rest of their story. It’s gratifying that my readers have found that scene so memorable.