Vastland: A Novel
When Dr. Emélie Desjardins, a disgraced cosmologist with a fragmented consciousness, is recruited into a proxy war between Earth and a rogue AI on Mars, her expertise in gravitational anomalies links her to Origin, a drug that allows users to teleport through a network of quantum gates linked to a parallel reality known as the Manifold. As Emélie ventures deeper into the Hesperides Cartel’s web of corporate espionage and interplanetary conspiracy, she discovers Origin's true purpose extends far beyond drug smuggling. With each subsequent Jump into the Manifold, Emélie is forced to watch the line between truth and deception dissolve as she faces the possibility that her own past may be the key to preventing an interdimensional war.
About Vastland
Vastland is a serialized, sci-fi thriller that began on September 1st, 2025 and will conclude on February 5th, 2026. New chapters drop every Monday and Thursday, with the occasional bonus content on Saturdays.
The story and audiobook are free, so when you’re ready, head over to Chapter 1 to get started, or subscribe for notifications + access to subscriber chat, where I drop bonus intel, behind the scenes, and lore (including Codex entries).
About the Author
Bryant Callahan is the author of Vastland, a dystopian sci-fi thriller. He holds degrees in English, Psychology, and Theology from Rockhurst University, as well as a Master of Architecture and a Master of Science in Design Technology from the University of Washington.
He served two combat tours in Iraq as a USMC infantryman during OIF II.
When he’s not writing fiction, Bryant can be found making pizza or designing computational fabrication workflows. He lives in Seattle with his partner, Abby, and their dog, Lady.
Awards and Honors
2014 Charles M. Kovich Dramatist Award (Rockhurst University)
2015 Father Aloysius J. Breen Award for Excellence in English Studies (Rockhurst University)
