1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’ve been writing stories since I was 13. They were tough reads back then, obviously—but the spirit was there early on. Over the years, life has a way of chipping away at your dreams, but no job, profession, or field of study ever really felt right to me. I always wanted to write these strange stories. So, I kept honing the craft on the side. After my novella The Last Librarian was nominated for the National German Sci-Fi Prize, momentum began to build. Once I finished the first draft of Onyros Volume One: Splinter, I knew I had something strong on my hands.

2) What inspired you to write your book?

It started out as a short story, but it quickly evolved into something entirely different. The main inspiration was simply my desire to spend more time in Bellgraph—with its characters, its atmosphere, its themes. The world kept growing, and I just couldn’t stop.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I’m not sure there’s a single message. The story is filled with strange ideas, little moments, and details that—hopefully—inspire, move, or challenge the reader. That’s really all I care about: making the reader invested.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I’ve always had a deep love for two genres: cyberpunk and cosmic horror. They’ve been merged before, but not quite in the way I envisioned. Onyros is my attempt to blend influences like Peter Watts, Laird Barron, and Aldous Huxley. I’m also a big fan of “Mystery Box” storytelling in the J.J. Abrams sense. So, in a way, I set out to create my own genre: mystery- and plot-driven cyberpunk told in the most adult and sophisticated way I could manage. I wanted to explore the themes that keep me up at night—what lies beyond perception, what consciousness truly is, and how narrow our existential bandwidth might be.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d probably sit down with the Lamathean Degus and just ask, “You okay, bud?”

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

That’s a complicated question. Being an indie sci-fi author just starting out is exhilarating, frustrating, and incredibly challenging. I always wanted to take the indie route to have full creative control. The book’s only been out for two months, so everything is still in the early stages.

As a writer, you need to develop your own strategy. Promo sites like Book Barbarian can give you spikes in visibility, but they’re not a long-term solution. Especially when you’re not writing to market, you have to get creative.

Building a mailing list is essential—I’m only fully realizing that now. Also: learn advertising. Facebook, Instagram, and especially Amazon ads are crucial. Write compelling reader magnets and market them well. If your story has a cinematic feel, consider working with a tool like Veo 3 to visualize key elements and build a strong landing page.

For Onyros, I’m currently developing the audiobook and producing teaser videos with Veo 3, which is really exciting. But it’s a long game. You need patience—and passion.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just-starting authors out there?

It’s not originally my advice, but I once heard Nic Pizzolatto, the creator of True Detective, say: If you can imagine yourself doing something else, you’re better off doing that. I couldn’t agree more.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Starting in September, I will release new Onyros books and novellas monthly throughout the year until February 2026. I have a huge backlog for stories in this world that I am polishing and now getting ready for rapid release. There will a total of five novellas and one volume. 

Next year, I’ll also conclude the Onyros trilogy with the third and final volume, along with two more novellas. Then, it will be done. I’ll definitely miss Bellgraph and its inhabitants—but I’ve got so many more stories waiting to be told. So yeah—I’ll be busy for a while.

About the Author

D. K. Thorne studied philosophy and sociology, holding a B.Sc. in Psychology. With philosophical science fiction as his first love, Thorne crafts stories that explore the complex intersection between consciousness and reality.

The Onyros Chronicles is Thorne’s labor of love—a high-paced dystopian saga spanning multiple volumes that ventures into uncharted sci-fi territory.

When not writing, Thorne can be found working in abandoned Polish cabins and quiet attics. An award-nominated writer, he enjoys collaborating with artists from all over the world.

https://www.instagram.com/d.k.thorne/