Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.

Zilla: Military science fiction, space operas … whatever you call it, we love to read it. Moses Soloman’s series The Ruler of the Galaxy has the excitement you’re looking for. Moses, can you tell us about your books?

Moses: An interstellar epic in the classic tradition, the tale follows Lieutenant Morgan Teggo and Ensign Rayna Choff, young officers in the Alscrasian service. As their brief reunion is interrupted by a mysterious power beam that shoots their craft down on a primitive planet, alarming developments begin forming at the imperial level. Soon, they are embroiled in an assassination and a full-scale invasion of the Central Empire of Eurania by an unidentified fleet led by General Mapooly, an historic figure who has been raised from the dead.

Zilla: What inspired you to write this series?

Moses: This is a story that has been with me since I was 13-years old. At its heart, it is about someone at the center of an expansive space war, and in the midst of this, he comes into conflict with his captain, who is the father of the woman he loves. This all comes to a head during a daring mission, when an ancient malevolent entity makes its long-prophesied entrance. The core plot and character arcs have stayed with me all these decades, while the scope and depth have expanded. It now encompasses not just an interstellar empire on the verge of war, but a history that stretches to ancient myths of gods and monsters, raising questions of existence and final destiny.

Zilla: What would happen if you met your characters? And who would you meet?

Moses: Within all this are Morgan and Rayna, and their friends, Otho Ennuk and Lon Prowzi. If I could meet them in person, I would interview them, perhaps similarly to one by The Galactic Times that is recalled in the book. An excerpt (edited):

Galactic Times interviewer: …How did you all meet, and what brought you together as friends?

Morgan [pointing at Otho]: He and I met first.

Otho: We were in the gym, and you challenged me to a weightlifting contest, which I won, then to an endurance run, which I also won, then to unarmed combat.

Morgan: Which I won.

Otho: No, you didn’t follow the rules…

Rayna: And I was also at the gym. I was working out with the blades, and he must have got some idea about impressing me. He challenged a big muscle guy to a blade match and got knocked on his…you know where.

Morgan: Yes, this is a family-appropriate interview.

 Rayna: And then you asked me to dinner…!

Lon: It was lust at first sight.

 Otho: You were feeling sorry for him.

Zilla: What’s your next writing project?

Moses: Currently, I am writing the next book in the series, Force from Magellania, with the goal of publishing in 2026.

Zilla: Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?

Moses: Buy The Ruler of the Galaxy at Amazon for Kindle and in Trade paperback, or order at Barnes & Noble, Kobo, or your favorite local bookstore through Ingram. I can be found at my website.