Delineate.

This is a logo, or "tag" if you will, that I made for myself a little while back when I really started into experimenting with physical mediums of visual art. When I tell people what I do, though, they ask where they can see my work, and I've never really had a good answer. It only seems right that this should be that place. Because this blog is ArtificeLux...

So there it is: this blog stretches back to a time I don't even recognize sometimes, but let's call this the beginning...

Mitosis.

Seeing as this one is sorta time-sensitive, I figured I'd go ahead and post up today's design as a bonus. 10/31

It’s always nerve-wracking submitting writing for review, especially with the understanding that not every book is for everyone. Not to mention, some of my favorite books I didn’t finish the first time I picked them up. So yeah, reviews are very subjective.

So when I got my first critic review last week for Color of a Mirror from Kirkus Reviews, I was prepared for it to be some mixture of bad and good—and hoping for more of the latter. I’m so stoked to say that their final verdict was “Get It,” even going to on to call this unusual noir sci-fi story “Intricate, next-generation cyberpunk with a head-spinning finale.”

Just wow. Talk about head-spinning.

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A little about the book for those of you who may be new to this project: it centers around a cybernetically-enhanced musician who just wants to be a rockstar—which is apparently too much to ask. When one of her songs is used as the soundtrack to a viral homicide, she’s catapulted into the spotlight, only not like she’d imagined. Instead of following an action-heavy plot, the story is more focused on the interior dilemmas and relationships of the characters, as they strive to make it in a world that will crush them without a second thought.

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Check out the full Kirkus Review for a really good, spoiler-free write-up.

Sample the original soundtrack on Spotify and other major platforms.

And if all this makes you think you’d like to read the book, drop by my site here.

Falling Behind.

Coming into Focus.

House of Arrows.

The Waves’ Revealing

One year ago, I was at Dragonsteel 2023 launching my noir science fiction debut novel COLOR OF A MIRROR.

Such a fun time, and I met so many cool people there. Crazy to think it’s already been a year.

Thank you to everyone who’s purchased a copy of the book, listened to the soundtrack, or left a review or a kind word somewhere. The support has been felt and much appreciated, and I love seeing other people enjoying this unconventional story!

It’s been a great first year, and I’m going to keep pushing to try and get the book out there through the coming months.

Also Book 2 🤐 Still a ways off on that, but it’s cooking. Can’t wait to share more!

-Dan

A brief excerpt of the main character in my upcoming novel COLOR OF A MIRROR.

Now on Kickstarter. Check it out below!

Kickstarter

Color of a Mirror: Dark Science Fiction Novel and Soundtrack

A cerebral, slow-burn narrative about mental instability and the lies we tell ourselves, coupled with a cinematic dark ambient score.