Hey, I’m Robison Wells.
NY Times Bestselling Novelist, Artist, Game Designer and Blogger
Hey! A rather large announcement:
After years and years (13 years to be exact) of me saying “yes, that really is how the series ends!” and “no, I’m not going to explain the ending” and “I love leaving it hanging and ambiguous”….
I’m writing Variant Book 3.
No idea when it will be published, or the format in which it will be published, but I expect to have the first draft done by the end of August 2025. Then, I’m going to move as quickly as I can. If it ends up being published by HarperTeen (which would be super cool, but not exactly likely) then it will be a shiny new book published in a usual publishing schedule. If it is not, then I will indie publish it or something.
Small spoilers: its working title, which is not going to be its real title, is VARIANT PLUS 25.
Who is Robison Wells?
Doer of Things
I published my first book in 2003, and have since gone on to publish, or contribute to, 14 more. I’ve won a bunch of awards and maybe you’ve read some of my stuff.
I’m also an artist—oil, pencil, and ink primarily. My biggest claim to fame there was that I once won 4th Place in the Utah State Fair. So, I’m a pretty big deal.
And I ran a website about miniature wargames, a love of mine since I was 9 years old, and in 2023 I published my first wargame.
Mental Health Advocate
I have an anxiety disorder, depression, and big granddaddy of them all: schizophrenia. I work and write for the benefit of the mental health community.
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15 Books Published
New York Times Bestseller
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30 Years of Art
Painting and drawing professionally
and semi-professionally since high school
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Mental Health Advocate
For a more compassionate world
Blog Thoughts
What Critics are Saying
"With its clever premise, quick pace, and easy-to-champion characters, Wells's story is a fast, gripping read with a cliffhanger that will leave readers wanting more."
Starred Review of Variant, Publisher’s Weekly
"In a world where terrorism is an increasing threat, this fast-paced book brings it home."
Starred Review of Blackout, Kirkus
FAQ
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I haven't published anything since 2019, and I've kinda been enjoying the break. I refer to it as semi-retirement.
But don't worry--I still have stories in me. I'm working on something new right now. I have completed first draft as of October 15th, 2024. Who knows when or if it will be published, but I'm enjoying it.
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You know what? For the past 13 years, the answer to this has been that there is no Book 3 and there will be no Book 3—this is because when the publisher bought the series they only wanted two books, and it’s very hard to sell another book in a series to a different publisher.
But. guess what? I’m writing Book 3. And I’m absolutely loving it.
I have no idea HOW it will be published—odds are slim that HarperTeen is going to pick up the series after so long—but I will make sure that it is available for you to read as easily as possible, even if that means I indie publish it.
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Maybe? But probably not. I have a bad habit of monetizing my hobbies and rendering them unrelaxing. I've done a lot of commissions in the past, and even played around with sell prints, but it's just a lot of work and stress that I don't want.
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I love hearing from readers! Email me at robisonwells@gmail.com
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It's probably not the one you're thinking of.
My favorite is Dark Energy, because of two things:
1) it was a lot of fun to write
2) when I reread it, I make myself laugh
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Variant has sold a film option twice, but film options don't really mean much. The closest we got was the project was in development and then the production company was bought by a different production company, and that company was making the 2014 Karl Urban TV show Almost Human. They decided "we already have an android show! We don't want another android show!"
So that was the end of that. Hollywood is fickle.