Markus Mattzick is the author of the three-volume post-apocalyptic blackout series OHNE STROM (Without Power) as well as the jungle camp thriller and the media satire “10 kleine Prominente gingen in den Dschungel” (“10 Little Celebrities Went Into The Jungle”). His short stories have been published in the German computer magazine c’t, among others.
He was born in Giessen, Germany in central Hessen in 1972, has remained loyal to the region to this day apart from a semester in Liège, Belgium, and lives with his family in Hüttenberg.
After studying geography and a detour via facility management, he became a computer scientist and initially worked as a programmer, database developer and product owner. Today he works as IT security officer, among other things.
Another passion alongside writing is music, where he combines storytelling with acoustic interpretations of songs as Markoustique.
Climate fiction has only appeared marginally in his works to date, but has been a recurring theme in the father-of-two’s novel research.
As an author, I have the opportunity to tell worlds from the perspective of normal people, as they could become reality in just a few years - and in some cases already are. Especially in times when many people are increasingly critical of science, fiction is a better way to reach readers emotionally.
After publishing my debut novel OHNE STROM (Without Power), I noticed that stories can trigger changes in behavior: many readers told me that they started thinking about crisis prevention after reading it. Regardless of whether it's about measures to slow down climate change or preparations for the consequences: when, if not now, should we start?
Ten celebrities embark on the adventure of a lifetime in the dangerous wilderness of the West African jungle.
What begins as an exciting reality TV show quickly turns into a deadly game of survival. As they battle through deadly challenges, the contestants must fight not only against the dangerous jungle, but also against their own inner demons and personal conflicts. But when the kidnapping of the participants takes the show in an even darker direction, it becomes clear that there is more at stake than just victory. Who will survive the game, and what price will they pay for it?
“Ten Little Celebrities Went into the Jungle” is a gripping thriller full of suspense, adventure, and surprising twists that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.
The village of Umbach in central Hesse on a summer afternoon. The power goes out and most people initially believe it to be a temporary glitch. It quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary event: batteries and rechargeable batteries are also no longer working, and a nightmare scenario unfolds. The supply of food and drinking water collapses, and communication networks are down.
Malte tries to get his family and village through the crisis and quickly realizes that he has to choose between stomach and morals. Jutta is on a 767 when the power goes out. Simone is stuck in Hamburg after the blackout and has no way of contacting her family in central Hesse. She sets out on foot on the 400-kilometer-long and dangerous journey home. Florian is monitoring the heart-lung machine during heart surgery when the power grid and emergency power systems in the hospital fail. Lukas is in a shopping center in Wetzlar and witnesses a major traffic accident. Laura quickly realizes that she cannot cope with the sudden loss of her smartphone. When will help come from outside? Is there even an “outside”?
Our modern, civilized society seems to be as firmly established as one could wish for. However, a few days of an unexplained nationwide power outage are enough to tear this wafer-thin veil apart. Things that were previously taken for granted quickly become a dangerous adventure.
Less than three weeks have passed since the power outage, and the line between “them” and “us” has shifted. Driven by hunger, Umbach is attacked, and while Malte stands up for humanity, others are already fighting an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. How dangerous are the Freyrists, or are they actually just part of the community? Simone’s journey home is becoming increasingly difficult, and people’s willingness to help is dwindling. Will she ever see her family again? How much humanity can one still afford?
The village of Umbach in central Hesse, nineteen days after the blackout. The residents have come to terms with the new circumstances, but continue to experience setbacks. Many things that were taken for granted before the power outage now have to be laboriously worked out. While Malte guides the village through the disaster with the village council, his relationship with his son threatens to slip away. Jutta now drives carriages instead of a 767 and begins to suspect what her husband is really like. Simone is still unable to contact her family and experiences both helpfulness and abysmal ruthlessness. Florian is ostensibly helpful, but ruthlessly exploits every opportunity to his advantage. Lukas can’t grow up fast enough and is open to the ideas of the nationalist Freyrists. Laura becomes the target of religious fanatics’ moral beliefs. Who’s responsible for the burning crosses? Are Ms. Armsteiner and her henchmen behind the attacks on Umbach? What kind of society will the village build?
44 days without electric power.
44 days without rain.
During a brief summer storm, lightning strikes the woods near Umbach. The forest fire threatens the village and its neighboring towns.
No sooner have the nationalist Freyrists left Umbach than Nadine is confronted with the crumbling solidarity of the farmers: Johannes Orloff becomes radicalized with his religious fanatics, thereby endangering the peace of the village.
Gordon sees how Simone’s hike has changed her. Can the family reunite? In addition, he himself becomes the target of hatred and must ask himself who his enemies are.
The major sets off for his hideout, hoping to find his daughters there. But what he actually finds will change him forever.
Three human fates that will transcend your boundaries.