Author Spotlight: J. Gibson
J. Gibson, author of the Planar Lost universe, is an interdisciplinary researcher working in higher education. He holds degrees in criminal justice/criminology, sociology, and psychology, and is pursuing a terminal degree in education, his greatest passion. In his spare time, Gibson enjoys reading, writing, and watching. When he has no time to spare, he ends up doing these, anyway.
What do you love most about writing?
Writing fiction, overall, is a passion project for me, since my main job is in higher education. I enjoy worldbuilding and trying to create complex plots and characters that allow me to explore themes and ideas that are interesting to me. Writing fantasy gives me the creative freedom to explore the personal experiences of others. Crafting lines and scenes that resonate with people is incredibly fulfilling.
What do you think readers will love about your books?
My general hope is that readers will find the world, characters, and ideas presented in Planar Lost interesting. It’s difficult to do anything entirely unique, but I try to be inventive with my setting’s magic system, mystery, and political intrigue and give everything a sense of history and depth. I want important characters to feel like real people, even in a fantasy setting. Ultimately, I believe it’s not up to me whether my writing or my books are good. I feel that’s something for readers to decide and let me know.
Are you currently working on any new books or writing projects?
I’m nearly finished with the third book in the Planar Lost series, The Faceless Man, and a sort of prequel novel, Kravae: Betrayal of a Mage, set before the first book. I’m working on a nonfiction book too, but I’d rather not expose the topic in case I don’t finish it!
Where can people follow you online to learn more?
My author site, jgibsonwrites.com, is the primary place to find any of my content. There’s a newsletter people can sign up for there as well. The best place to follow me for the most updates would likely be X/Twitter.
Do you have a favorite book or author?
I primarily read nonfiction. Although I don’t have a single favorite book or author, I’ve enjoyed anything by Barbara Tuchman. I also like reading Mary Romero, Bart Ehrman, Sarah Pomeroy, and Loïc Wacquant. Currently, I’m reading Unfair: The New Science of Criminal Justice by Adam Benforado, and it’s great. I draw more inspiration for the themes and ideas in my books from nonfiction than fiction.
The Blackened Yonder: Planar Lost: Book One (Planar Lost [Standard Edition] 1)
Magic is restricted. The dead walk. Survival is never guaranteed.
When dark forces empty a village overnight, only the ravenous undead remain. Garron Latimer, the village priest, flees to the capital seeking salvation.
Far south, Athenne joins the underground Saints of Aetheria to ignite revolution and unleash forbidden magic. But their ambitious agenda demands a terrible price.
Torn between duty and defiance, Garron uncovers secrets that test his faith. Plagued by doubt, Athenne questions the Saints’ righteousness, knowing betrayal could destroy her.
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J. Gibson crafts harrowing, introspective tales that blend fantasy and horror. Those who enjoy the gritty worldbuilding and moral ambiguity of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and the rich setting and philosophies of R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy War will revel in the complex characters, mixture of fantasy and horror, and examination of empire, faith, and revolution in The Blackened Yonder.
The Ember Reach: Planar Lost: Book Two (Planar Lost [Standard Edition] 2)
The dead rise. Traitors plot. Two women defy wicked forces.
In a city overrun by the ravenous undead, Karis, a troubled investigator, faces a terrifying struggle for survival.
Hundreds of miles north, Sister Amun faces a grand conspiracy that plunges the capital into chaos.
To expose the truth behind the undead plague, Karis must contend with sinister and strange entities. Meanwhile, Amun navigates political turmoil, dark magic, and betrayal that threatens to destroy everything she knows.
J. Gibson has created an engrossing world blending the mystical and magical with political scheming. Fans of Glen Cook’s The Black Company, Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law, and George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire will relish this gritty, vivid world where the political elite harbor bloody secrets and otherworldly beings walk among them. Lovers of the supernatural will enjoy the mixture of dark fantasy and Lovecraftian horror.