About
Fantasy novelist exploring legacy, myth, and the weight of choice.
I'm Ben Skene, a fantasy writer who came to storytelling through a love of myth, history, and the quiet choices that shape lives. My love for fantasy began in the libraries of my childhood, shaped by authors like C.J. Cherryh, J.R.R. Tolkien, Gordon R. Dickson, and Terry Brooks. That early love became a lifelong obsession—building worlds, writing and rewriting, learning what a story actually needs to be.
The Fractured Soul is the first book in a planned trilogy, The Sylfaen Chronicles (working title). It's a portal fantasy where Earth and the magical world of Sylfaen collide. Bastien, a historian from Dublin, is pulled into Sylfaen—only to discover a mysterious connection to a missing prince's soul. As factions vie to control his fate, Bastien must confront a possibility that unsettles everything: his life may never have been entirely his own.
My background bridges archaeology, Classical civilizations, and IT, so my storytelling is shaped by both ancient history and modern technology. I've worked archaeological digs in Italy, studied in Ireland, and spent years in technical support, knowledge management, and documentation.
Beyond writing, I'm an avid traveler, PC gamer, and lover of deep worldbuilding—whether in books, history, or games like Baldur's Gate 3, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age. I live in sunny Arizona with my wife and two sons.
Five More Things About Me (That Don't Fit in a Formal Bio)
I started writing The Fractured Soul over fifteen years ago, but I didn't realize what the story was actually about until I rewrote it. Twice.
Turns out majoring in Classics and archaeology is useful for worldbuilding (less so in IT). Ancient structures, myth logic, and alternative technology don't sneak in so much as insist on being there.
I have aphantasia, which means I can't visualize anything in my mind's eye (and yes, that includes the faces of my wife and boys). I think entirely in words. Make of that what you will.
My favorite book is C.J. Cherryh's The Dreaming Tree. If you've read it, we'll probably get along.
I make oatmeal the same way every morning. There's chia, flax, Greek yogurt, and enough pumpkin spice to be seasonally inappropriate.
I'm currently seeking representation for The Fractured Soul. If you'd like to get in touch, you can reach me here.