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🏆 A Must-Read Review for The Midnight Factory
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
russellluyt
Dec 92 min read


My Interview with Authority Magazine: 5 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Switching Careers
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
russellluyt
Nov 281 min read
Interview on the Yellow Shelf Podcast
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
russellluyt
Nov 172 min read


Book Giveaway Alert: The Midnight Factory
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.
russellluyt
Nov 141 min read


The Midnight Factory — A Book Club Must-Read
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
russellluyt
Nov 121 min read


Talking The Midnight Factory with Writing.ie
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
russellluyt
Nov 101 min read


How I did it: Pacing my novel
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...
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Jul 241 min read
I'm an ethical author. Are you?
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...
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Jun 261 min read


How I did it: Character Development
In this behind-the-scenes video, I share how the characters in my debut novel came to life - quirks, contradictions, and all. From...
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Jun 251 min read


How I did it: Starting the novel
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...
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Jun 51 min read
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