Picture an American storyteller who turned a knack for gritty survival tales into a post-apocalyptic sensation—meet D.J. Molles! Known for his pulse-pounding The Remaining series, Molles crafts stories of military action and human resilience that keep readers up all night. A former police officer turned New York Times bestselling author, he’s proof that indie grit and meticulous research can conquer the literary world.
With no military background himself, Molles channels his passion for survivalism and storytelling into worlds where chaos reigns and heroes rise. His ability to blend heart-stopping action with raw human emotion has earned him a devoted following. Ready to dive into his apocalypse? Let’s explore the man behind the mayhem.
The Making of D.J. Molles
Little is known about D.J. Molles’s early life, as he keeps his personal details under wraps, preferring his stories to do the talking. Living in the southeast of the United States with his wife and daughter, Molles spent years as a police officer, a career that likely sharpened his knack for high-stakes scenarios. His writing journey began after facing rejections from traditional publishers, prompting a brief hiatus. But the joy of crafting stories pulled him back, and in 2012, he self-published The Remaining, launching his indie career with a bang.
Influenced by war stories and survival narratives, Molles leaned on veteran friends and his brother for insights, ensuring his military details felt authentic. His commitment to writing as a passion project, not a full-time gig, kept him grounded, drawing inspiration from real-world experiences while balancing a day job.
D.J. Molles’s Unforgettable Stories
Molles’s The Remaining series, starting with the 2012 novel of the same name, is his crown jewel. It follows Captain Lee Harden, a Special Forces soldier tasked with rebuilding America after a bacterial plague turns most of the population into ravenous predators. The series, spanning six novels and two novellas, blends military precision with post-apocalyptic chaos, delivering relentless action and moral dilemmas. Its sequel, Aftermath (2012), dives deeper into Harden’s struggles, showcasing Molles’s knack for escalating stakes.
Beyond The Remaining, Molles expanded his universe with the Lee Harden series, starting with Harden (2018), which tracks the same protagonist in a fractured America. His Grower’s War series, like The Purge of District 89 (2017), explores dystopian resistance, while Breaking Gods (2019) ventures into sci-fi. Molles’s style is cinematic, balancing page-turning thrills with introspective character moments, all grounded by his obsessive research into tactics and survival.
His indie roots shine through in his rapid release schedule—often a book every six months—driven by a desire to keep the story flowing. Fans love his realistic dialogue and flawed, relatable heroes, though some critique his villains as thinly drawn. Still, Molles’s ability to make you root for battered protagonists in a crumbling world is unmatched.
Why D.J. Molles Matters
D.J. Molles has carved a niche in post-apocalyptic fiction, proving indie authors can rival traditional heavyweights. His self-published success with The Remaining caught the eye of Orbit, leading to wider distribution and cementing his status. By blending military thriller tropes with raw human stories, he’s redefined the genre, inspiring readers and writers to embrace survivalist narratives.
His impact extends beyond books. Molles’s “Lessons in Writing” video series shares his journey, encouraging aspiring authors to persevere. Living sustainably in North Carolina, he embodies the resilience of his characters, training to be “half as hard to kill” as Lee Harden. For fans, Molles is a beacon of authenticity in a crowded genre.
- Key Works: The Remaining (2012), Aftermath (2012), Harden (2018), The Purge of District 89 (2017)
- Hobbies: Skydiving, playing guitar and drums, sustainable living
- Notable Quote: “The only easy day was yesterday!”
Snag The Remaining and dive into D.J. Molles’s thrilling post-apocalyptic world—you won’t put it down!