Picture a sharp-dressed geologist spinning tales of rebellion on distant desert worlds—meet Alex Wells! This American author, also known as Alex Acks, weaves science fiction and fantasy with a gritty, anti-corporate edge. Best known for Hunger Makes the Wolf, Wells captivates readers with intricate world-building and badass characters, all while hosting the nerdy Skiffy and Fanty podcast.
With a knack for blending hard science with magical 'witchiness,' Wells crafts stories that feel like Dune meets Mad Max. Their love for cats, movies, and speculative fiction shines through, making them a rising star in the genre. Let’s dive into the journey of this multifaceted storyteller!
The Making of Alex Wells
Born with a passion for science and stories, Alex Wells carved a unique path. Armed with a Master’s in sedimentology, they spent years studying desert landforms, which later inspired the vivid, dusty settings of their novels. Wells’s early love for films like Star Wars and Indiana Jones fueled their appetite for adventure narratives. This blend of geeky enthusiasm and geological expertise set the stage for their writing career.
Before novels, Wells honed their craft with short stories in outlets like Strange Horizons and Lightspeed. Their involvement in the Northern Colorado Writer’s Workshop and Codex sharpened their skills, while co-hosting Skiffy and Fanty gave them a platform to geek out over sci-fi and fantasy. This vibrant community shaped Wells into the author we know today.
Alex Wells’s Unforgettable Stories
Wells’s debut, Hunger Makes the Wolf (2017), is a sci-fi Western that won the Kitschies’ Golden Tentacle Award for Best Debut. Set on Tanegawa’s World, a corporate-controlled desert planet, it follows Hob Ravani, a one-eyed biker with witchy powers, as she battles TransRifts Inc.’s tyranny. Critics praise its vivid world-building and fierce female friendships, calling it 'a dash of Dune with a bit of Fury Road.'
The sequel, Blood Binds the Pack (2018), continues Hob’s fight against corporate greed, blending labor strikes with magical intrigue. Wells’s standalone novella, Angel of the Blockade, showcases their versatility with a spacefaring tale of smuggling and survival. Their steampunk mystery collection, Murder on the Titania and Other Steam-Powered Adventures, offers witty, queer-friendly stories that highlight Wells’s playful side.
Wells’s style is a gritty mix of science fiction and fantasy, grounded in geological realism. Their deserts aren’t just sand—they’re hardpan, dunes, and iron-rich grains, reflecting their expertise. Themes of resistance, found family, and worker solidarity resonate, making their work both thrilling and thought-provoking.
Why Alex Wells Matters
Alex Wells brings a fresh voice to speculative fiction, merging hard science with magical rebellion. Their focus on inclusive, complex characters—especially strong women like Hob and Mag—challenges genre norms. By centering labor struggles and corporate critique, Wells’s stories echo real-world issues, earning praise for their political urgency and heart.
As a podcast host, Wells connects with fans, amplifying diverse voices in sci-fi and fantasy. Their influence, though still growing, is undeniable, inspiring readers to question power and embrace their inner rebel. With more stories on the horizon, Wells is a name to watch.
- Pen Name: Alex Wells (also writes as Alex Acks)
- Key Works: Hunger Makes the Wolf, Blood Binds the Pack, Murder on the Titania
- Award: Kitschies’ Golden Tentacle for Best Debut (2017)
- Fun Fact: Loves cats and hosts the Skiffy and Fanty podcast
About Alex Wells
Snag Hunger Makes the Wolf and dive into Alex Wells’s thrilling sci-fi Westerns! Whether you’re a fan of biker gangs or witchy rebellions, their worlds will keep you hooked.