Fatema Yasmin is a thought-provoking new voice in the realm of science fiction, blending scientific curiosity with emotional depth and ethical reflection. With a passion for exploring humanity’s role in shaping the future, her debut novel Call of Future offers a compelling vision of a world teetering on the edge—and the courage it takes to change course. Yasmin’s writing is marked by a rare fusion of intellect and empathy, as she crafts stories that are both visionary and grounded in real-world urgency. Through characters like Dr. Philip and vivid depictions of a fractured Earth, she prompts readers to consider the consequences of their choices and the power of collective action.
The Literature Times: Call of Future presents a fascinating use of retro-causal theory. What inspired you to explore time manipulation as a tool for solving real-world problems?
Fatema Yasmin: The heart of Call of Future was born from a single, haunting question: What if the future could speak to the past—not to undo fate, but to reshape it gently? This quiet thought opened a gateway to a story where time was not a battleground of paradoxes, but a bridge of purpose—a means to carry whispers of wisdom backward through the current.
In an era burdened by the slow burn of consequences—climate collapse, the echoes of war, the unrestrained hand of technology—I wondered: What if tomorrow’s children could reach us? Not with warnings engraved in thunder, but with soft murmurs of what might still be? A future that does not scream, but guides.
Here, time is no longer a weapon to alter history, but a lantern to light the hands still writing it. It becomes a compass passed gently through generations—not to flee from fate, but to walk toward it with awareness, integrity, and quiet bravery.
That’s why in my novel, Emily says, “By making small alterations to the past, we can save lives and combat corruption without causing major disruptions to history.”
The Literature Times: The novel paints a vivid picture of a collapsing Earth in 2050. How much of that was drawn from current environmental concerns and scientific projections?
Fatema Yasmin: The vision of Earth in 2050 portrayed in Call of Future isn’t a far-off dystopia—it’s a reflection of the path we’re already walking. The imagery is drawn not from imagination alone, but from real-world scientific warnings and environmental data that grow more urgent with each passing year.
Rising sea levels, mass extinctions, vanishing freshwater reserves, and unstable climate systems—these are no longer speculative threats; they are unfolding realities. The novel gathers these scattered signals and weaves them into intimate human moments: the sting of toxic air, retreating shorelines swallowing homes, the silent grief of families uprooted not by politics, but by an uninhabitable planet.
Among the most haunting symbols in the story is the wildfire—no longer seasonal, but relentless. Forests once full of life are now reduced to smoldering ash, their skies painted red with flame and fear.
So Markopolo in my novel says, “I miss my wife and grandchildren terribly.” Markopolo mourned, his voice choked with grief, “The memories of the little moments we shared haunt me every waking moment. Entire communities vanish overnight, consumed by heatwaves and infernos fueled by a climate spinning out of control.”
What I aimed to do was transform cold statistics into stories that breathe—to turn charts and forecasts into voices, faces, and feelings. It may be fiction, but it’s grounded in an undeniable truth: the future we once feared is already knocking at the door.
The Literature Times: Your protagonist, Dr. Philip, is driven by both scientific ambition and emotional resilience. How did you develop his character and moral dilemmas?
Fatema Yasmin: I created Dr. Philip as a character who holds both science and humanity in equal measure. He is not just a brilliant mind chasing discoveries, but a responsible soul trying to build something that connects the past and the future—for the betterment of all. His intelligence is guided by care, and his ambition is shaped by a strong sense of duty.
While developing his character, I focused on the balance between what he can do and what he should do. He faces moral questions at every step: will his invention help humanity, or harm it? He is always walking a fine line between bold progress and quiet caution.
His romantic life adds a deeper emotional layer to his journey. It mirrors the balance between love and responsibility. Just like his mission to save the future, his relationship requires patience, sacrifice, and emotional strength. Through love, he stays connected to what truly matters. Through duty, he stays committed to his larger purpose.
In the end, Dr. Philip stands as a symbol of harmony—between science and heart, future and past, personal and global. He reminds us that real progress comes not just from knowledge, but from compassion.
The Literature Times: The story includes a cross-generational alliance of scientists. Why was it important for you to highlight collaboration across time and generations?
Fatema Yasmin: In Call of Future, highlighting a cross-generational alliance of scientists was not only intentional—it was essential. The collaboration between characters from different eras, such as Dr. Philip from 2014 and Dr. Emily from 2050, was designed to symbolize the continuity of human responsibility across time. It reflects the truth that solving the complex challenges facing our world—like climate collapse, unethical technology, and biological threats—cannot rest on the shoulders of one generation alone.
By weaving together voices from the past and future, I wanted to show that progress is a shared legacy, built not just by innovation, but by intergenerational wisdom, trust, and sacrifice.
The older generation offers foundational knowledge and caution; the future generation brings urgency, evolved insight, and perspective shaped by consequence.
Moreover, the scientific alliance becomes a metaphor for how every action we take today is entangled with the fate of tomorrow—just like the retro-causal theory they explore. Their shared mission illustrates a deep, poetic truth: to protect the planet and preserve humanity, the past must listen, the present must act, and the future must guide.
Through this dynamic, I hoped to remind readers that collaboration across time is not science fiction—it is a moral necessity.
The Literature Times: Romance plays a key role in Philip’s journey. What does love symbolize in a world that’s falling apart?
Fatema Yasmin: In Call of Future, love is not just a side element—it is the soul of the journey. While the world collapses under war, environmental ruin, and the misuse of powerful technologies, love becomes the driving force that holds the characters together.
It gives the innovators the courage to face danger, the strength to keep going, and the reason to believe in a better future. Love brings meaning to their mission, reminding them why saving humanity matters in the first place.
Amid fear and uncertainty, it shines as a light in the darkness, offering hope when everything else seems lost.
More than just emotion, love in this story becomes a powerful force for change. It stands against the greed for money and power—the same greed that fuels destruction and conflict. Love restores what is most human in us: empathy, trust, and connection.
It helps the characters rebuild not only the broken world around them, but also the fragile world within. And in the end, it is not science alone that carries them forward—it is love that rekindles the soul, awakens forgotten tenderness, and teaches them that to truly survive, one must also remember how to feel, to dream, and to love again.
The Literature Times: The mission in 2024 doesn’t go as planned, and the story takes a darker turn. Was it important for you to show that even knowledge of the future doesn’t guarantee success?
Fatema Yasmin:Yes, it was deeply important to show that even with knowledge of the future, success is not guaranteed. In Call of Future, the mission of 2050 doesn’t go as planned—despite advanced technology, brilliant minds, and futuristic foresight, disaster still strikes.
The failure of their mission serves as a powerful reminder that knowledge alone cannot prevent catastrophe unless it is used wisely and shared meaningfully.
This darker turn was intentional—to reflect the harsh truth that knowing what lies ahead is not enough if the present remains unchanged.
The novel is a cautionary tale. It shows that while the future may send warnings, salvation depends on today’s choices.
We cannot rely solely on science or technology to save us. We must actively disseminate the knowledge we gather—about climate change, the misuse of AI, and human greed—and educate the present generation about the consequences of their actions. Only through this conscious awakening can we avoid the destruction shown in the story.
I aimed to raise awareness and inspire urgency in today’s generation to protect the Earth before fiction becomes reality.
The Literature Times: What message or reflection do you hope readers will carry with them after finishing Call of Future?
Fatema Yasmin: After finishing Call of Future, I hope readers carry with them a sense of urgency and responsibility. The novel is more than a sci-fi adventure—it is a reflection of our current path and a warning of what may come if we continue down a road of environmental neglect, unchecked technological misuse, and moral disconnection.
Through the characters’ journey across time, I wanted to show that even the most brilliant scientific breakthroughs cannot save humanity unless we change our mindset today.
At its heart, Call of Future urges readers to value compassion over greed, wisdom over power, and connection over control. I quote a few lines from my novel that also call readers to remain awake:
“With a heavy heart, Vatsal pleaded with his comrades to end his suffering, to spare him from the fate that awaited him at the hands of the merciless machine. And in a moment of heart-wrenching decision, they granted his final request, their shots ringing out like a dirge as they ended his torment. The sight was unbearable, the weight of their decision crushing them like a ton of bricks. But even as their hearts shattered, they knew that they could not afford to dwell on their loss. With renewed determination, they vowed to take revenge for their fallen comrade, to fight with every ounce of strength they possessed until justice was served.”
It is a call to awaken—to realize that the future is not a fixed destiny, but a living consequence of our present actions. I want readers to ask themselves: What kind of future are we creating? And more importantly, what can we do now to make it better?
If this story can spark even a small sense of awareness and responsibility in someone’s heart, then it has fulfilled its purpose.
The Literature Times: Are you currently working on a sequel or exploring other genres and themes in your upcoming projects?
Fatema Yasmin: Yes, I am currently working on a new novel that explores themes of feminism and social justice. As a social reformer, I believe writing is one of the most powerful tools to create awareness and ignite change. My upcoming work continues this mission.
It centers on the lives of three women from three different generations, each navigating the complexities of womanhood in a deeply patriarchal society.
Through their intertwined stories, a murder mystery is solved—a symbolic unraveling of the struggle against societal constraints.
It highlights the expectations placed upon women and shows the resulting psychological and emotional trauma. I aim to portray the silent struggles, resilience, and emotional journeys that women endure, which often remain unnoticed.
This novel emphasizes the need for women to have their own space, respect, and meaningful support—not as charity, but as their rightful place in society.
I want readers to reflect on how our culture often overlooks women’s voices and worth. My goal is to inspire empathy, conversation, and ultimately, transformation. For me, writing is not just storytelling—it is social responsibility in action.
