We're thrilled to host local science fiction author, John T. Payne, at the library! John is the author of the Joeseph Maeker series which includes Galactic Beginnings and Galactic Shadows. Galactic Beginnings tells the story of Joeseph Maeker, once a skilled network engineer, who never expected to become the reluctant spearhead of humanity’s survival. In the aftermath of a world fractured by war, he is drawn into the fight against alien races —mysterious and relentless beings who strike at the remnants of human civilization. An enigmatic System AI begins issuing “unlock missions,” forcing Joe and his ragtag companions—including Br0k3, a sentient AI—to navigate ruined cities, contested strongholds like Charlie 13, and the endless front lines of survival.

Joe’s analytical mind and problem-solving instincts serve him well, but the world demands more than code and connections: it demands leadership, sacrifice, and hard choices.The fate of humanity may hinge not on soldiers, but on a former engineer who learns that understanding networks isn’t so different from understanding people—and both may be the key to survival.

Visit John's website here and his Amazon link here!