Greetings, and welcome to my humble little Substack! If you’re wondering how you got here, don’t panic, I’m wondering the same thing myself.
This post serves as the first of hopefully many, as well as a little introduction for us to get to know one another. So please, leave your shoes by the door, feel free to make yourself a hot beverage, and allow me to steal the next five minutes of your life.
What to Expect
First and foremost, I’m a lover of all things sci-fi and fantasy, especially when the two are combined. Expect to find stories here that fall within those two genres. I like my writing to have depth and grit, while still maintaining a sense of wonder that feels lost in the modern world of fantasy and sci-fi. Whether or not I can execute on that ideal is another issue.
Like many of you, I’m sure, I’ve been shaped by the works of Tolkien, Lucas, Martin, and a number of other artists whom I wish I had the time to list here. I grew up daydreaming of dragons, samurai, dwarves, and spaceships, and not much has changed since I’ve become an adult. The only difference now is that I write these thoughts down, hoping to turn my fascinations into compelling stories.
On a more practical note, I do not seek to flood your inbox with meaningless content. I plan to release one short story a month. That’s it. Since I’m just starting here, I do not want to overwhelm myself early on, and I don’t want to set expectations that I cannot meet. This may change in the future, but for now, it’s a good place to start.
That being said, I also don’t want to constrain myself to just fiction. There may be times that I want to write something more personal such as a critique, review, or piece of unsolicited advice. If that is the case, I will do so as I see fit. These will be more loosey-goosey; less regimented. You may never know when I decide to post something like this, and neither will I. You have been warned.
Oh, and I’m an artist! My goal – if time allows – is to create an accompanying piece of art for each story I write. So expect to see some original works from me each month, including the one I have at the top of this post.
A Personal Note
My writing, either conscious or unconscious, tends to explore questions of religion, faith, and the supernatural. This is undoubtedly due to my personal beliefs as a Christian. I believe – in a way I can’t quite explain succinctly – that my stories are an extension of my thoughts and wrestlings with God. Not only do I purposely include such things, but these themes also tend to bleed out through my mind and onto the page, and I’m okay with that.
As Tolkien famously said, “I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence.”
I do not intend to bludgeon people with not-so-subtle symbolism. In writing fiction, my goal is never to manipulate the reader’s own beliefs, nor to strongarm you into seeing things my way. My writing, first and foremost, is for me. It’s an exploration of the things that captivate my heart and imagination; a way to find truth through the fantastical. I know this sounds idealistic, and I know it’s likely not attainable. At least not entirely. I understand that I am human, and I can assure you I will fail to meet my own aspirations many times over.
A Final Word
If you made it this far, I thank you, dear reader. I’ve chewed on the idea of starting a Substack for some time now, and 2025 feels like a good time to start. Though I’ve only been on the platform for a few weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time thus far. There are some amazing writers on here, some of whom have been very kind to a newbie such as myself.
I can tell there is a sense of community here; one that is not typical amongst other social platforms. Substack feels much more personal. It moves at a slower pace, and it does not seek to inundate me with ads and marketing. I hope it stays that way.
Now, I do want to leave you with something to look forward to. My first short story is complete and ready to be released. Barring a final read-through and review, I plan to post it before the month is over, so please stay tuned for that. Incidentally, the first round of the Lunar Awards is also taking place this month, which my story qualifies for, so I will be throwing my hat into the ring. I’m very excited.
I really relate to this. I often end up with religious and metaphysical themes, and sometimes worry that people will find it alienating. In reality I’m merely writing whatever comes to mind, and since that’s often on my mind, it will be written