Ross Harrison

Biography

Ross Harrison is the author of novels and short stories in the realms of science fiction - specifically space opera and science fantasy - thriller, noir, and steampunk. He has been writing since childhood, and occasionally likes to revisit those old stories for a good cringe and nervous laugh. He also talks about himself in the 3rd person because it seems more professional.

Ross lives on the UK/Eire border in Ireland, where he moved from England in 2001, hoping the rain will help his hair grow back.

Smashwords Interview

What motivated you to become an indie author?
Like, probably, all indie authors, I didn't intend to be one. I was in too much of a hurry to get my work out to agents, and so ended up sending out the novel before it was ready. That resulted, naturally, in rejections. In turn, that led to me considering self-publishing.

It isn't that easy a decision, as the world of self-publishing brings a different set of difficulties to traditional publishing. Not least of all a suspicion and mistrust from readers. But eventually I made the decision to follow that road.

At that point, I had left the novel to sit for quite a while, and I knew I had to go back for another thorough edit. That edit - with the added, looming thought that real people would be reading these words - turned into a full rewrite. I made huge changes and improved the book drastically. To the point, in fact, that a well-respected agent read a good portion of it online and sought me out to ask for a full read. By that time, I was less than a week from publication, so I said no, but it was encouraging.

It's quite hard work if done properly, but I sold about 400 books in the first handful of months and got a lot of very good feedback, and have never felt like I did the wrong thing. I've since published a second novel and a short story, with my contribution to a sci-fi/fantasy anthology about to be published in the next month or so.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Possibly the escapism. It's like having a job title of Daydreamer. It's one of the reasons I write science fantasy, primarily. In science fantasy, I can do whatever I want. It's my universe, with my rules, and it can be whatever it needs to be.

Another joy, perhaps on par with that, is when the story and the dialogue just flows straight out of my fingertips without me having to particularly think about it. When things progress all by themselves and all I have to do is keep up.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Ross Harrison online

Series

NEXUS
NEXUS is a non-linear science-fantasy/space opera series in which every book has some kind of connection to the others. Although best read in order for more background and understanding, only Ghosts of the Fallen is a direct sequel.
Temple of the Sixth
Price: $2.99 USD.
Blades of the Fallen
Price: $3.99 USD.
Ghosts of the Fallen
Price: $4.99 USD.
Church of the Assassin
Price: $4.99 USD.
Fear of the Dark
Price: $4.99 USD.
Kira
A series of post-apocalyptic, steampunk short stories detailing Kira's attempts to simply survive.
Kira
Price: $0.99 USD.
Kira Part II - Horizon
Price: $0.99 USD.

Books

Forge of the Assassin
Series: NEXUS, Book 7. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 115,830. Language: English. Published: July 15, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense
They've taken her daughter. She'll remind them all of one thing... She is the only thing they fear.
Fear of the Dark
Series: NEXUS, Book 6. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 139,740. Language: English. Published: October 13, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera
A dark planet on the galaxy’s edge. A primordial predator. A desperate hunt for a dangerous secret. Love, death, and fear await among the stars...
Church of the Assassin
Series: NEXUS, Book 5. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 111,100. Language: English. Published: November 24, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense
In a brutal purge of her sect, they came for her and the baby. They took their shot at an apex predator and they missed. Now it's her turn.
Ghosts of the Fallen
Series: NEXUS, Book 4. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 105,460. Language: English. Published: November 24, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
While a vengeful inquisitor hunts the murderous cult she thought she had destroyed long ago, the Vanguard finds itself haunted by the last of the Fallen. Darkness and danger arise in both horrifyingly familiar and entirely new guises.
Blades of the Fallen
Series: NEXUS, Book 3. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 93,590. Language: English. Published: August 1, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » General
The murder changes everything. The Vanguard is supposed to protect against such violence, not fall victim to it. But even the so-called 'Fallen' wouldn't kill without reason. Would they?
Kira Part II - Horizon
Series: Kira. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 14,180. Language: British English. Published: December 10, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Steampunk & retropunk, Fiction » Science fiction » Apocalyptic
Their town is gone and their people are dead. Kira has a new responsibility: keep the boy alive. When they reach the horizon, she realises that might not be so easy.
Acts of Violence
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 71,840. Language: English. Published: January 19, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Hard-Boiled
(5.00 from 1 review)
Jack Mason thought he was keeping the girl safe. Then he found her dead in his apartment. Now the cops think he did it, and they're not the only ones. The city's crime lord wants him too. If Jack doesn't prove his innocence by the end of the day, he won't live to see tomorrow.
Temple of the Sixth
Series: NEXUS, Book 2. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 99,380. Language: English. Published: December 13, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Adventure » Action
(5.00 from 1 review)
A race to rescue a kidnapped god and stop a fifty thousand year old evil dominating the galaxy... Too much for a failed private detective?
Kira
Series: Kira. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 13,400. Language: English. Published: September 30, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Steampunk & retropunk, Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
(4.33 from 3 reviews)
24 hours in the life of Kira, a Wastelander trying to survive the harsh realities of a post-apocalyptic land ruled by the brutal, oppressive Government.
Shadow of the Wraith
Series: NEXUS, Book 1. Price: Free! Words: 128,010. Language: English. Published: August 2, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
(5.00 from 1 review)
A ghost ship terrorises the galaxy. Can a team of inept soldiers exorcise the stars and bring an end to an even greater threat?

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