Dr. Sam Sammane, author and technologist, has been named a finalist in the Science Fiction: Post-Apocalyptic category of the 2025 American Fiction Awards for his debut novel, Republic of Mars. This recognition marks Sammane’s first major fiction accolade, following multiple honors for his nonfiction work.
The American Fiction Awards, now in its eighth year, celebrate outstanding literary achievements across independent, hybrid, and mainstream publishing. Entries are evaluated by a panel of editors, writers, and publishing professionals, with finalists selected for their innovation and literary merit.
Republic of Mars, released in May 2025, is a psychological mystery set on a self-sustaining Martian colony where societal stability masks deeper questions of autonomy, memory, and control. Departing from traditional sci-fi themes of warfare or survival, the novel employs philosophical restraint, exploring unsettling silence within a society that functions flawlessly but forgets its origins.
The novel quickly achieved commercial success, reaching #1 on Amazon’s Mystery & Detective – New Releases and Solar System – Best Sellers lists. Critics have praised its thought-provoking narrative and thematic links to Sammane’s earlier nonfiction writing.
Before venturing into fiction, Sammane received widespread recognition for his 2024 nonfiction debut, The Singularity of Hope: Humanity’s Role in an AI-Dominated Future. This work garnered awards from Literary Global, PenCraft, American Book Fest, and the International Impact Book Awards, highlighting its interdisciplinary approach to artificial intelligence and human agency.
Sammane’s nonfiction explored how the future of AI hinges on human decisions shaping technology’s purpose. Republic of Mars builds on these ideas, imagining a future where critical questions have ceased as memory itself fades, examining the subtle intersections of control and convenience.
With an academic background in Applied Physics and Nanotechnology, Sammane is founder and CEO of TheoSym, a California-based company dedicated to the ethical development of AI and Human-AI Augmentation technologies. His work emphasizes maintaining human dignity amid growing algorithmic influence.
In a statement, Sammane reflected on the award: “Fiction lets us ask questions without forcing answers. I’m grateful Republic of Mars resonated enough to be recognized—especially in a category that values deep ideas.” He describes his writing as an invitation to thoughtful reflection rather than mere entertainment.
Republic of Mars is available worldwide in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover editions, and accessible via Kindle Unlimited.
