About me

Hey all,

Welcome to the first post of DrewWMcdowell.com!

If you haven’t guessed, my name is Drew. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. I currently live in Phoenix with my family. I have a master’s in sociology, with an emphasis on social deviation (especially in media’s role in social deviation).

In my free time, I’m usually writing, gaming, or watching TV with my wife. I have a love of history that compels me to visit ghost towns, small towns with historical significance, and do an occasional amateur ghost hunt.

But, I don’t think you’re here for that nonsense!

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. Be it goofy sentences on my mom’s typewriter (if I may age myself!), or writing lines of poetry in fifth grade (I’ll have you know I won the Earth Day poetry contest!). Now I have my sights set on big novels that you can get lost in, short stories that pack a quick and emotional punch, and potential sparks of novellas.

Sci-Fi and Fantasy are my jams, and I stick mostly to them. However, I have begun to dabble outside of SFF and began work on a Horror/Supernatural story.

Current WIPs

A Fracture Within (Book one of The Great Mirror series) – Sci-Fi space opera, mystery, militaryesque: Actively going self-published, should expect this within 1 year!

During a routine intercept at the galaxy’s edge, at the galaxy encompassing Great Mirror, Warden James “Jimmy” Denra finds a ghost ship belonging to the quadrant’s wealthiest man, and boy does he have a bad feeling about it. When he is ordered to investigate what should be a high-value theft, Denra sees that something more sinister is lurking in the dark recesses of the system.

When the investigation goes south, Denra uncovers that the ghost ship is connected to the desires of a death cult, seeking to use the Great Mirror’s promise of death on contact to end the Milky Way. Come hell or high water, Jimmy and his smart mouth are all that stand in the way of galactic annihilation.

The Opus of Torment – Horror/Supernatural:

Barrett is gifted, or cursed, with the sight of trauma. His powers allow him to tap into the psychic pain by connecting with trauma that was captured on solid reflective surfaces. Working with the Suna, or supernatural, division of the Phoenix Police Department, he was called to a crime scene where only his talents can unlock the horrors ahead.

From a triple homicide, Barrett finds a terror-wrought plan to summon the Lord of Despair, Kraz’Delor. The seer must act quickly with the guidance of his mentor, Teena, the grit of his partner, Detective Carmen Hillier, and assistance from his beloved African Gray, Doc.

However, some things cannot be helped by others, and Barrett must learn to confront his own traumas before time runs out.

Expect Soon

At Least I’m Not Dinner – Sci-Fi, Comedy short story:

Steve comes to on an alien ship after his curiosity got the better of him. Kard’jek, his goofy, and seemingly multi-personality captor, makes it clear – Steve is going to die. In a battle of what Steve would consider his wits, he buys himself time. Convinced he is going to become dinner for this new-to-him-species, he works to befriend his captor.

Will Steve become the evening’s main course? You’ll have to read and find out.

Goodnight, Siren – Speculative, military short story

At the end of the Cold War, Nathan’s assignment is simple: receive the numbers and broadcast them. He does not know his location, nor what the numbers pertain to, but he pushes them our four times a day, every day.

When the numbers slowly stop coming in, Nathan fears the worst implications. Is his station next? Are the numbers for other stations?

The call to fulfill one’s duty will meet the ultimate test.