Picture a Florida-born storyteller who swapped Army boots for a keyboard to craft pulse-pounding military sci-fi—meet Rick Partlow! A native of Tampa, Partlow’s gritty, action-packed novels, like the bestselling Drop Trooper series, blend his Infantry platoon leader experience with a lifelong love for Heinlein’s starfaring tales, captivating readers with interstellar battles and relatable heroes.
With over 60 books across a dozen series, Partlow’s journey from self-publishing on Amazon Kindle to a genre heavyweight is a testament to his tenacity and talent. His stories don’t just entertain; they immerse you in worlds where courage and camaraderie face off against alien threats.
The Making of Rick Partlow
Born to a Baptist preacher and WWII B24 gunner, Rick Partlow grew up in Tampa, Florida, soaking in war stories and sci-fi classics. His passion for Robert Heinlein’s Have Space Suit—Will Travel sparked a creative fire, leading him to pen his first novel in high school. After earning a History degree and an ROTC scholarship at Florida Southern College, Partlow served as an Army Infantry platoon leader in Hawaii. Post-military, he juggled jobs, including teaching, while honing his craft. His early novels, written in college, laid the groundwork for Duty, Honor, Planet, but it was Amazon’s self-publishing platform in the 2010s that launched his career, selling over 10,000 copies in a year.
Rick Partlow’s Unforgettable Stories
Partlow’s military sci-fi is a thrilling mix of realism and imagination, grounded in his tactical infantry experience. His bestselling Drop Trooper series (16 books) follows Cam Alvarez, a street hustler turned Marine, battling the alien Tahni in armored battlesuits. With titles like Contact Front and Kill Chain, the series delivers explosive action and deep character arcs. The Taken to the Stars series, co-authored with J.N. Chaney, explores humanity’s fight against an alien empire, with books like Citadel’s Fall showcasing Partlow’s knack for high-stakes drama.
World War Mars, a newer trilogy, pits the USS Morrigan’s crew against ancient alien threats, earning praise for its gritty battles. Partlow’s style—think David Weber meets Heinlein—features vivid combat, morally complex characters, and believable tech, like orbital kinetic strikes and Gauss rifles. His Birthright universe, spanning series like Recon and Psi War, ties multiple storylines into a cohesive, galaxy-spanning saga.
Whether it’s the corporate mercenaries of Wholesale Slaughter or the bounty hunters of Star Bounty, Partlow’s works balance relentless action with human connections, making readers root for underdogs facing impossible odds.
Why Rick Partlow Matters
Rick Partlow’s impact lies in his ability to make military sci-fi accessible yet authentic. His self-publishing success inspires aspiring authors, proving that talent and persistence can break through traditional barriers. Fans on platforms like Goodreads praise his fast-paced plots and empathetic characters, with Drop Trooper earning a 4.38 average rating across thousands of reviews. By weaving his military insights into speculative futures, Partlow bridges real-world grit with cosmic stakes, resonating with readers who crave both escapism and relatability.
Now based in Wyoming, Partlow continues to write, hike, and capture the outdoors through photography, all while expanding his universe. His stories remind us that even in the vastness of space, human spirit endures.
- Birthplace: Tampa, Florida
- Key Works: Drop Trooper, Taken to the Stars, World War Mars
- Notable: Over 60 books, former Army Infantry officer
Snag Contact Front from the Drop Trooper series and dive into Rick Partlow’s thrilling military sci-fi universe today!