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About the Book
Human Software is the story of two women competing against themselves, each other, and the realities of tech work and ambition against a backdrop of global uncertainty and corporate greed. Beth is the overworked software engineer, and Chrissie is the new executive sent to deliver a cruel message. Both of them struggle to regain control of their lives set against a savage downsizing at the major employer of a post-industrial coastal town.
Human Software explores how modern companies have failed to adapt to working with technology despite it being a core part of their business. It shows how human interaction is affected by working with complex systems. It touches on themes of 24/7 culture, burnout, mental health, globalisation, AI, climate change, and the dehumanisation of work.
Human Software is available end July 2025.
About the Author
Software engineering is rife with contradictions—roles that shouldn’t exist, people who do things that they shouldn’t. Having worked in the industry for thirty years, I thought it was time I started writing about it. Human Software is my first novel, inspired by the work I've done for dozens of different global corporations in the UK, the Netherlands and further afield over my career. It's set in a part of the world I know well, but with a twist, and it features characters inspired by those I've met along the way.
As a programmer, I’ve contributed to the world of Open-Source Software since the mid-’90s. I’ve also worked as a technology journalist and continue contributing to the discussion about how we build more humane software engineering organisations. I regularly publish on my blog and I have an occasional podcast. I’m also active over on LinkedIn.