Brian Van Norman

From the theatre stage to the open sea, my life has been an exploration of the human spirit. My writing examines the friction between who we are and the systems we build: past, present, and future. Whether you are here for historical rebellion or dystopian futures, I am glad you’ve arrived. I invite you to step into these stories and find the threads that connect us all.

My Journey: From the Stage to the Page

The Director’s Lens
Before I became a novelist, my world was the theatre. As a director and adjudicator, I spent decades learning how to dissect the human heart and present it under a spotlight. That foundation in drama stays with me today; I still view every chapter as a scene staged for maximum impact, ensuring every character carries the weight and truth of a lived life.
 

A Global Perspective
I have never been content to simply read about the world, I had to see it for myself. Having set foot on every continent and sailed every sea, this global odyssey informs every word I write. Whether I am describing the mist-soaked moors of 19th-century Yorkshire or a corporate-controlled Earth in the 22nd century, I write from the perspective of someone who has breathed the air and walked the landscapes of our diverse planet.
 

The Philosophy of the Machine
From my home in Waterloo, Ontario, my focus now rests on the "Against the Machine" trilogy. My work is an investigation into how humanity survives the juggernaut of technology. Through my stories, I ask the questions we often hesitate to voice: What do we lose in our pursuit of efficiency? And what part of the human soul remains forever unhackable?