The Code of the Apocalypse

The Code of the Apocalypse

21st December 2012 came and went – the world had survived the foretold Apocalypse. But what really happened on that fateful day? What powerful force was behind the threat of destruction?

Readers join an epic adventure to exotic places to learn the secret of the ancient prophecy hidden within Mayan hieroglyphic inscriptions. The second book in -The Code' trilogy, The Code of the Apocalypse is an engrossing adventure thriller inspired by scientific and historical facts. Perfect for gift guides!

Melbourne-based Martin Cole bases his work on historical and scientific facts, drawing inspiration from family life, his creative career as an inventor and entrepreneur, 8 years on the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering & Innovation Council, and from two terms as National President of Engineers Australia. Martin brings to bear his lifelong interests in writing, graphic art, astronomy and science, fortified by a Master of Engineering degree and a Doctorate of Philosophy. His day job has centred on the design of electronic products, systems and software for the prevention of crime and fire, and he is best known for pioneering the aspirated smoke detection industry worldwide that saves countless lives.

The Code of the Apocalypse
Sid Harta Books
Author: Martin Cole
ISBN: 9781922086002
RRP: $24.95

Interview with Martin Cole

Question: What originally inspired the idea behind The Code of the Apocalypse?

Martin Cole: Back in 2011 my eldest grandson learned at school that the ancient script of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) had never been deciphered. This immediately raised an exciting challenge, and my fascination peaked when I studied the intriguing style. Then as I researched further, I discovered ancient cultural links between the Rapa Nui people and South Americans, especially the Maya. So I turned my attention to the Maya, and soon found myself examining their famous prediction of the Apocalypse, which was due on 21st December 2012.


Question: Can you talk us through the research involved in writing The Code of the Apocalypse?

Martin Cole: I became fascinated with Mayan hieroglyphs too, which have only recently been deciphered, and I began to learn how to write my own Mayan sentences. Redrawing these appealed to my artistic side, because none of the available hieroglyph images were of sufficient quality to reproduce in a book. I became fascinated too with the Dresden Codex, a Mayan text which contains a very accurate almanac to compute the position of planets, especially Venus. The science and engineering skills of ancient peoples has never ceased to amaze me. Such skill enabled the Maya to predict a date 5000 years in advance, accurate within just one day.

Question: How does it feel to be releasing the book at the Melbourne Writer's Festival?

Martin Cole: This is an absolutely wonderful opportunity and I feel honoured to be selected. The book industry, from literary agencies, to publishing, to critical review and publicity, to distribution and sale, is extremely competitive. It's nearly impossible for an 'unknown" writer to break in at any level, even if your writing is of the highest quality. Somehow you have to stand out in the crowd and be noticed. The MWF provides this rare opportunity.


Question: What made you want to become an author after many successful years as an inventor?

Martin Cole: Among my numerous career challenges has been the need to convey technical information to non-technical audiences. This must be done in an interesting, understandable and engaging way, so as to impart some of my enthusiasm. So I've always enjoyed creative writing, built around solid scientific facts. In novel writing, once you run out of facts, you have licence to let your imagination scale the heights of an exciting plot.


Question: What's next for The Code trilogy?

Martin Cole: The working title for the third book is The Code of the Aliens. I finished it a while back, but I've been asked to keep it under wraps while we negotiate a possible TV series which would hopefully run for 5 seasons. We don't want to give away the plot too soon.


Interview by Brooke Hunter