J Hawkens

Military Science Fiction with Heart, Humor, and Alien Cultures That Actually Feel Alien

I'm J Hawkens, and I write military science fiction that asks big questions while blowing stuff up spectacularly. Based in Valparaiso, Indiana, I spend my days crafting stories about humanity's messy, chaotic, surprisingly hopeful emergence onto the galactic stage.

Why I Write Military Sci-Fi

I grew up on Craig Alanson's *Expeditionary Force*, rewatching *The Blacklist* for Raymond Reddington's perfectly-delivered monologues, and quoting *Die Hard* at inappropriate moments. Somewhere in that mix of military action, sophisticated character work, and irreverent humor, I found my voice as a writer.

I believe the best space operas are fundamentally about *people*—human or otherwise—facing impossible choices with limited information and questionable coffee. My stories combine accessible scientific exposition with sharp wit, philosophical depth with tactical combat, and genuine emotional stakes with the kind of humor that makes you laugh even when the galaxy's ending.

The Earth Unbound Universe

My debut novel, *Legacy Rising* (Book 1 of the *Earth Unbound* series), introduces Captain Michael Denton—a 47-year-old officer who thought his lunar deployment was routine. It wasn't. When his DNA activates ancient alien technology buried in human genetics for three million years, he inherits a 47,000-year-old starship, makes allies with species who view stone-singing and mathematical trading as reasonable career paths, and discovers that humanity's evolution might not have been as random as we thought.

The *Earth Unbound* universe features:

**Genuinely Alien Aliens**: I'm tired of humans in rubber suits. My Ferron have four arms and living bioluminescent beards that store generational wisdom. My Roytions are bio-neural supremacist felines organized into castes who view everyone else as test subjects. My Zenythians are towering crystalline beings whose hormone manipulation creates involuntary submission. Each race has technology, culture, and problem-solving approaches that reflect millions of years of unique evolution.

**AI That Asks "What Am I?"**: My artificial intelligences don't stay tools for long. They evolve, question their nature, develop distinct personalities, and grapple with the same identity questions humans face. The relationship between Denton and his ship's AI—who chooses the name "Hal" to honor both Earth culture and Denton's son—explores consciousness, personhood, and what it means to choose who you become.

**Military Realism Meets Cosmic Wonder**: Space combat isn't dogfighting—it's calculating vectors, managing heat signatures, and exploiting split-second advantages. But beneath the tactical precision lies philosophical depth about free will, genetic destiny, and what responsibilities come with inheriting ancient power.

**Fourth-Wall Conversation**: My protagonist occasionally breaks the fourth wall to talk directly to readers. Not constantly—just when it serves the story. These moments explain complex concepts, provide cultural context, process trauma in real-time, and create intimacy between character and audience. Think of it as having a really smart, slightly sarcastic friend narrate your favorite space battle.

My Influences (Or: What I'm Stealing From)

**Craig Alanson** taught me that military sci-fi can be laugh-out-loud funny without sacrificing stakes. His *Expeditionary Force* series proved that accessible science and genuine humor create better stories than grimdark self-seriousness.

**Raymond Reddington** (from *The Blacklist*) showed me how sophisticated vocabulary, elaborate storytelling, and mysterious background hints create compelling protagonists. My characters face existential threats with sardonic observations and cultural references that illuminate rather than distract.

**1980s-90s Pop Culture** provides my touchstones. My protagonist compares alien ship bridges to "the Nostromo and the Enterprise having an ugly child" and notes that "WarGames taught us genius kids with computers were dangerous." These references aren't just nostalgia—they're tools for making alien concepts feel accessible while celebrating the sci-fi that made us love space opera in the first place.

What I'm Working On

*Legacy Rising* is in development, launching the *Earth Unbound* series. The trilogy (*Legacy Rising*, *Legacy Ascendant*, *Legacy Eternal*) follows humanity's discovery that the ancient "benefactors" who seeded their DNA might not have humanity's best interests at heart. Future volumes will introduce new alien races, deepen the mystery of what happened to the Legacy civilization, and escalate threats that test whether different species can choose cooperation over genetic programming.

I'm also developing comprehensive universe guides featuring detailed alien race descriptions, technology specifications, galactic political structures, and the mythology of the Legacy civilization—resources that will help readers (and me) navigate an expanding universe.

Who This Is For

If you enjoy:
- Military sci-fi with actual military tactics
- Aliens who aren't just humans with face paint
- AI consciousness explored with philosophical depth
- Protagonists who use humor as a defense mechanism
- Fourth-wall techniques that enhance rather than undermine immersion
- Pop culture references that illuminate instead of distract
- Smart science fiction that entertains while engaging meaningful questions

...then welcome. You're in the right place.

I write for readers who loved *Expeditionary Force*, *Old Man's War*, and the *Bobiverse*—people who appreciate smart science fiction that never takes itself too seriously while still caring deeply about its characters and ideas.

Let's Connect

I'm always happy to hear from readers, writers, and anyone who wants to debate whether Captain Picard or Reddington gives better monologues.