All Posts

I was delighted to receive a recent editorial review from IndieReader  for The Midnight Factory , one that engages thoughtfully with the novel’s themes, structure, and overall intent as a work of speculative fiction. The review describes the book as: “In THE MIDNIGHT FACTORY, Russell Luyt delivers a conceptually rich and atmospherically controlled novel that favors the desire for deeper understanding over narrative speed. This is a strong choice for readers drawn to reflectiv

My novel – The Midnight Factory  – was recently featured on the podcast Indie Reads Aloud, hosted by Diana Catherine Penn. The show, now in its fifth season, spotlights independent authors by giving them space to talk honestly about their work and to read directly from their books. It was a pleasure to join Diana for a thoughtful conversation about writing, indie publishing, and the journey of bringing a debut novel into the world. During the episode, I had the chance to rea

5-Star Praise from Reedsy Discovery Reviewer, Viktorija Blazheska There are moments in an author’s journey that feel especially validating — the kind that remind you why you write. Receiving a nuanced 5-star review  from Reedsy Discovery  for The Midnight Factory  was one of those moments. Reviewer Viktorija Blazheska  awarded the novel a glowing “Must read 🏆”  rating, describing it with powerful insight and emotional clarity. Her opening line wonderfully captures what I set

My recent interview with Authority Magazine  has officially been published. The conversation explores my personal journey of switching careers – what inspired the change, what challenged me, and the lessons I wish someone had told me before I took the leap. Career transitions are never simple, and in the interview I talk about the mindset shifts that helped me navigate the uncertainty, including: why uncertainty is often the starting point for creativity the importance of det

I recently had the pleasure of joining Jo on the Yellow Shelf  podcast to talk about the launch of my debut novel, The Midnight Factory . It was a wonderful conversation that ranged from dystopian worlds to personal history, from writing processes to the universal search for identity. We spoke about the rain-drenched, near-future world of New Albion, where the drug shimmer  promises escape but delivers something far more insidious. At the heart of the story is Anouk, a young

Enter now for a chance to win a free copy of The Midnight Factory ! The Goodreads giveaway runs until the 23rd of November 2025—don’t miss it.

If your book club loves stories that explore humanity at its breaking point—and still find sparks of hope in the dark — The Midnight Factory  deserves a place on your list. Set in the rain-soaked streets of New Albion , this dystopian sci-fi novel dives deep into themes of addiction, control, resistance, and the fragile ties that keep us human . Shimmer — the drug that offers both escape and enslavement — is everywhere, and the Bureau for Virtue ensures that no one remains un

I recently spoke with Writing.ie  about The Midnight Factory , the first book in the Shimmerfall Trilogy. The conversation explored how my background in social psychology shaped the story’s world—a near-future society defined by surveillance, inequality, and the human search for connection. We also talked about why dystopian fiction remains such a powerful way to ask difficult questions about who we are and what we value. You can read the full interview here:👉 Read the full

Pacing isn’t just about speed - it’s about keeping readers hooked. Here’s how I approached my debut novel like a TV writer, using...

As authors, the choices we make - about how we write, publish, and promote - matter. That’s why I’m proud to be a member of the Alliance...

In this behind-the-scenes video, I share how the characters in my debut novel came to life - quirks, contradictions, and all. From...

I created this brief video, to illustrate how easy it is to start writing a novel. You don't necessarily have to have a grand plan - just...