E734 - Jordan Gray - The Infinite Night Book 1 - The Happy Marauder Perfect Bound

EPISODE 734 - Jordan Gray - The Infinite Night Book 1 - The Happy Marauder Perfect Bound

In this episode of Living The Next Chapter, author Jordan Gray shares his unconventional path to publishing hard science fiction novels, born from boredom during long shifts in the Air Force, industrial jobs, and escorting oversize loads as a pilot car operator. Starting as a middle school detention escape—scribbling paragraphs to pass time—his writing evolved into a sanity-preservation tool amid monotonous tasks like fueling planes or waiting on remote job sites. Dyslexic and self-admittedly "built wrong," Jordan rejects rigid structures like Save the Cat, favoring chaotic "insane ramblings" and adventure logs that let unpredictable characters drive the story.

His debut manuscript ballooned from one book into four, as he refused to truncate lives unjustly, hitting the 80,000-120,000 word sweet spot intuitively before declaring, "That's a break." Drawing from blue-collar grit—balancing cargo, risks, and frustrations in hazardous space settings—Jordan crafts relatable "idiots" facing daily struggles like bad public transit or food scarcity, even in a far-future universe where Earth is myth. He obsesses over authentic tech and personalities, hating some characters yet probing their "why," while infusing blue-collar humor that's twisted enough to warn off kids. Promotion means donning DIY spacesuits from motorcycle gear and paintball pads, thrilling fans at conventions who crave his competent, survivalist crews.

Editing relies on pros to fix dyslexia hiccups (he accepts 98% of changes), and covers came alive via Canadian artist Jeff Brown, who sketched live on Zoom using Jordan's padlock-inspired alien weapon—forged from scrap metal, duct tape prototypes, and a welder friend's beer-fueled lessons. Inspired by Craig Alanson's Expeditionary Force, he aims for annual October releases, prioritizing audiobooks amid fan demands, while building a website with glossaries, signed stores, and event schedules. Community support—from deployment buddies to bookstore cold-calls—fuels him, turning survival scribbles into full-circle joy.

Key Takeaway: Follow your dreams as a survival strategy—whether in boredom or chaos—by embracing your unique process, building community, and making time for fun amid responsibilities

https://theinfinitenightbooks.com/