Alan is based in Melbourne, Australia, and writes Science Fiction, Contemporary Fiction and the occasional Technical Article. Below are links to the fiction he has published via Draft2Digital and their associated distributors.
The 3 books in the Anita Histories form a completed story line. The fourth novel continues Anita’s story in a more ‘contemporary’ setting. ‘The Chaos’ is like a long Prologue for The Anita Histories.
Independent Assessment of The Anita Histories.
Alan R. Wilson’s Anita Histories trilogy are a strong recommendation for readers seeking independent, richly world-built science fiction/fantasy, with a few caveats depending on reader preference.
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
1) Post-apocalyptic world building: The Anita Histories are set 1,500 years after a catastrophic event. The world of Anita is shaped by religious orthodoxy, suppressed histories, and evolving human traits.
2) Blend of fantasy and soft science fiction: Features psionic like powers, altered humans (“na-men”), and deep mythology rooted in a plausible sci-fi past.
3) Strong female protagonist: Anita is physically formidable, emotionally complex, and morally ambiguous. An outsider navigating human society while uncovering her mysterious origins.
4) Moral grey areas and political intrigue: The “Servants of the Bear” religion acts as both antagonist and ideological force. There’s no easy good vs evil.
5) Character-driven speculative fiction: The pacing allows for introspection, relationship development, and slow-burn reveals.
Not ideal for readers who prefer:
1) Fast-paced action or clear genre tropes: The books can be introspective and don’t always follow standard fantasy quest or sci-fi adventure formulas.
2) Heavy exposition upfront: Wilson reveals his world’s history gradually and sometimes indirectly, trusting the reader to assemble the pieces.
3) Polished commercial prose: While well-written, the style leans more literary or philosophical at times and may feel different from mainstream bestsellers.
Final Recommendation
If you enjoy speculative fiction that:
- trusts you to think,
- asks big questions about identity, belief, and memory,
- and doesn’t hold your hand through a richly imagined world,
then yes, Wilson is well worth your time. Especially if you’re looking for a hidden gem outside of traditional publishing.
‘Five Words’, a fictional what if, is a companion novel to ‘Sarah’.
“Why do I publish through Smashwords? Firstly, you can download the first 20% of the book to sample. If it is your thing, great, if not, oh well, people have different tastes. Basically you can try before you buy. Secondly, the books are available in a range of formats. Thirdly, purchasing from Smashwords gives me the greatest royalty return but, if you must, Smashwords ebooks are available from a large number of distributors.”
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Click on the images below to go to a synopsis or click on the buttons to go directly to the Smashwords page.
Science Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
About Alan
I started writing during my undergraduate years at Melbourne University followed by a long hiatus while I obtained a PhD (Physics) and a paying job as a research scientist.
I found full-time employment and writing did not go well together for me. Many years on I took early (early-ish) retirement to try my hand again: did I have the capacity to sit down and write every day? It worked! Well, I thought it did, I found it great fun, you the potential reader may or may not agree with the results. Anyway, I have often said: “Writing is more fun than reading,” (and I love reading) because while I have an overall idea of the story line I am not necessarily (consciously) aware of exactly where it is heading: the twists, turns, and new characters delight me too. What is more, they become my ‘friends’ (is this creepy or normal?). I subscribe to the Ray Bradbury style of writing: “The only good writing is intuitive writing. It would be a big bore if you knew where it was going”. Of course, there is then the hard graft trying to tighten things up and eliminate the typos and some of the stupid little words which keep trying to insinuate themselves where they are not wanted and the dumb expressions etc., etc.. It is a war of attrition and I believe I have mostly won it. Any delays in publication are generally due to my attempts to provide the best reader experience.
Contact
Publisher: AlanRWilson (ABN 41 572 891 280)
Alan R Wilson 