Greetings, dear readers!

I am thrilled to introduce you to my latest venture, a series that has been simmering in the cauldron of my imagination, gradually taking shape and readying itself to step into the world: the Apex Archives.

the first book: echo of the stars

Let's take a quick journey into the first book without giving away too many spoilers. The Apex Archives introduces us to a galaxy teetering on the brink of a new era. Here’s the blurb:

A soldier betrayed. Alien technology exploited. A mission to reach into the stars.

The pandemic of 2044 redrew all the lines on the map and killed off a third of the global population. Authoritarian governments rose to power, and a century of progress was lost while the rest of the world starved and devolved into violent chaos.

After a lifetime of war, Liam Ward joined Valorus, a private military contractor serving the United Nations of America and its Nationalist Party.

In his twilight years, he's assigned to a new contract with the potential to set him up for retirement. Instead, he finds ancient technology that will change the trajectory of his life and the world as a whole.

Now Liam must make decisions that could affect the fate of the human race while beset on all sides by betrayal, geopolitical machinations, and assassination attempts from the forces that wish to maintain their stranglehold on power.

This is a story of conquest, empire, and the progress of the human species as they reach toward the stars and evade the darker spirits of their nature.

A New Literary Universe

But there's more! This inaugural tale doesn't just set the scene for the books within the Apex Archives. It lays the groundwork for an expansive literary universe, one which will encompass the reimagined best-selling series the Scourge Wars and the RoyalRoad popular System Envoy series. While unique in their stories, these narratives will find threads of connection, intertwining their fates and contributing to a grander narrative tapestry. Expect easter eggs, familiar faces, and lore that bridges across series.

Seeking Beta Readers!

And now, an invitation! I believe that stories are a collaboration between the writer and the reader. As I venture further into the Apex Archives, I'm reaching out to a select group of beta readers who would love to embark on this journey ahead of everyone else. I'm keen to gather feedback on the lore's pacing, depth, and coherence and to hear about the tropes you expect, desire, or want to be subverted within the genre.

If you're passionate about science fiction, have a keen eye for detail, and are ready to dive into a new universe (with the added perk of reading ahead of the official release), then this might be your calling. Every beta reader will receive a free epub of the novel.

Let's craft a universe of stories that resonate, captivate, and entertain. I eagerly await the insights, critiques, and perspectives of those willing to undertake this adventure with me.

Royal Road release

If you don’t think you can give great feedback in the draft, then don’t worry! I’m also releasing the chapters on RoyalRoad. Even though the website isn’t great for Science Fiction, I’ve still decided to post this story (one chapter a day) to get early feedback. You can find the story here:

Until then, the stars beckon, and the universe awaits its archivists. I hope you'll join me in unveiling the mysteries of the Apex Archives.

Best regards,

D.W. Belfield