#786 – Sean Robins – I, Anomaly | The Crimson Deathbringer
#785 – Erik P. Antoni – Nous Solis, The Monad, and The Cosmic Cycle
October 20, 2026
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Interview starts at 27:30
Sean Robbins on sci-fi, AI, and writing at full speed
Author Sean Robbins joins to talk about building a career as an indie sci-fi writer, publishing 48 books across seven series, and balancing writing with a teaching job in Abu Dhabi. He also shares how his lifelong interest in science fiction shapes stories about artificial intelligence, free will, and machines learning to connect with people.
In this episode
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How childhood sci-fi favorites like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Isaac Asimov inspired Sean’s writing
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Why a single story idea—such as a combat android with free will—can send him straight back to the keyboard
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What led him to indie publishing after difficult experiences with publishers
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How Sean writes AI characters, including a combat android and a sentient starship
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His mix of comedic storytelling, military sci-fi, and high-stakes plots
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His concerns about AI’s effects on jobs and creative industries
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How writing became a productive outlet for managing pure O OCD
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How living in different countries has influenced his characters and worldview
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His rapid-release publishing approach, audiobook work, and plans for future series
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Why he’s considering leaving teaching to focus on writing full time
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The setbacks and unexpected growth that taught him to keep going
Sean Robins, a Canadian independent science-fiction author with 46 published novels. My newest series, I, Anomaly, starts with I’m a Weapon, narrated entirely by Jack—a combat android manufactured as military property and programmed to obey. Then he becomes self-aware, refuses an order he believes is morally wrong, and discovers that the people who built him are considerably less enthusiastic about artificial intelligence once it starts having opinions.
Author of the most awesome SF books in history The Crimson Deathbringer (an Amazon bestseller). Star Trek & Star Wars fan. http://Getbook.at/crimsondeathbringer
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Timestamps
00:00 — Meet Sean Robbins and his prolific sci-fi career
03:13 — Indie publishing and lessons from past publisher experiences
05:25 — Childhood influences and becoming a sci-fi writer
09:54 — AI in Sean’s books—and his concerns about AI’s real-world impact
15:55 — Sentient machines, free will, and human connection
22:01 — AI, jobs, and the possibility of universal income
27:06 — Rapid-release writing, audiobooks, and the business of publishing
32:58 — Considering full-time writing and life beyond Abu Dhabi
37:50 — How writing helped Sean manage pure O OCD
41:58 — Travel, worldview, and creating characters from around the world
49:44 — Publishing setbacks, persistence, and where to find Sean’s books
