Today is one of the most thrilling days in my career, because today, September 1, 2026, is the day my debut novella, Into the Great, is officially published and out in the world. I’ve said this in numerous podcast interviews promoting the book, but I’ll reiterate it here: writing a book just wasn’t on my bingo card, but then the opportunity came along and I’m so glad I took it.

What’s Into the Great about, you might be asking? Here’s the official description from the publisher website:

Sparks fly when Lilah, a thief from a struggling freespacer colony outside the borders of the Federated Solar Republic, meets Bax, an FSR security officer stationed at an official colony within those borders, during a time of heightened tensions for humanity as the silent, staring, seemingly invulnerable aliens dubbed The Aureum begin to meddle in human affairs. A story about choosing the life you want to live in a time of unprecedented, rapid change beyond your control.

The book has received some really lovely praise from writers I really respect, and it’s meant the world to me that they took the time to read the book and subsequently say nice things about it. Here’s a sampling:

“Into the Great is a love story, an alien story, and an action story, all captured in smart, lively prose. Readers of grounded sci-fi like The Expanse will not want to miss this one!” – Van Jensen, author of Godfall

“My kind of sci-fi novel, Elliot Blake’s Into the Great presents readers with a mesmerizing and futuristic thriller that will not only entertain, but get your brain whirring about the issues we face today. Timely, evocative, and well-crafted, I really dug this debut novel and I’m eager for more.” – Alex Segura, award-winning and bestselling author of Secret Identity, Star Wars, Daredevil: Enemy of My Enemy, and Alter Ego

“The only thing I love more than a story set in a desperately realistic future is a story set in a desperately realistic future where trust and love still matter.” – Corinna Bechko, writer of Blood Type, Green Lantern: Year One, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch

“Into the Great is my favorite kind of scifi, working class characters in the future not just struggling with their everyday lives but then colliding with the the wonder and awe of an infinite universe. I hope we get more of these characters and this world.” – John Rogers, TV, film, and comics writer, creator/writer of Leverage

“I really loved this book. Blake’s world is so fully realized with details that delight, both big and small, foreign and familiar, that by the end I became fairly convinced that he lives on Safe Harbor himself. With characters so full of conflict and passion you’ll find yourself kicking tires, lighting fires, and packing a go-bag for space travel.” – Andrew MacLean, writer/artist, Head Lopper, ApocalyptiGirl, Godzilla: War for Humanity

“Into the Great is impossible to put down and hard to get over. Blake fits a heist, a romance, and first contact into one irresistible sci-fi novella that lands clean and leaves a galaxy wide open for sequels. I’d grab a copy ASAP, only 500 exist and I’m not sharing mine.” – Charles Kindinger, creator/writer of Moriarty

“Imaginative, riveting, and full of heart. A wildly original sci-fi romance that reminds us that love is the greatest form of rebellion.” – Echo Wu, creator/writer of Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld

“Into the Great is not like any other alien invasion story you’ve ever read. It’s also not like any other love story you’ve ever read. This is smart, provocative science fiction by Elliot Blake that never forgets to entertain.” – Ron Marz, writer, Green Lantern, Silver Surfer, Star Wars

Charlie makes a good point above – every book published by L’il Factory AB is printed in limited quantities of 500 copies, and of the finest materials. Each hardcover is clothbound and the paper is luxurious and creamy and beautiful. Eventually, there will be an e-book version, but right now, it’s exclusively in print.

As I mentioned above, I’ve been doing podcast interviews to promote the book – so far, seventeen, with a few more on the horizon. Here are links to all the episodes currently available: Epic Fantasy Adventures, Books, Lore, and More!; Words, Images, and Worlds Podcast; Hembury Books Podcast; Toon-in-Talk; Scott’s Table; Tales under the cat tree; Audio Alchemy; Imagine Fitting In; No Win Scenario; Author in the Headlights; In Conversation with Terry Shepherd; Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Podcast; The Science Fiction & Fantasy Factory; Who Are You?; Realm Runners; and Finding the Magic. Whew! That’s a lot and it’s not even all of them yet. I’ll add as they become available. Thanks to all the hosts who had me on and asked me good questions.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank my publisher, David Polfeldt, founder of L’il Factory AB and all-around excellent human being. If he hadn’t asked me if I had a story I wanted to write, there’s little chance this book would have happened. But here it is! And now I have the bug to write more prose fiction… I’d also be terribly remiss if I didn’t thank everyone out there who has already bought a copy – thank you! If you haven’t bought one yet, the next paragraph has all the links to where you can get a copy for yourself.

You can buy Into the Great online directly from L’il Factory, as well as Amazon (but get it direct if you can, it helps the publisher). You can also get the book in person and online at the excellent independent bookseller Vroman’s in Pasadena, California. And if you’re in Sweden (home of L’il Factory), you can get the books in person at Elsewhere in Malmö and SciFi Bookshop in Stockholm.

There will be a couple of reading/signing events coming up in the Pasadena area. More details on those coming soon. If you can’t make either, and you’d like a free, signed bookplate, email me at intothegreat@elliotblake.com with a screenshot of your order receipt (or a picture of you with the book), your address, and to whom you’d like the book signed, and I’ll mail it to you wherever you are in the world.

Last thing: if you read the book and enjoy it, please leave a review on Goodreads. Apparently it helps with author visibility, and since I’d like to do more of this kind of writing, I’ll take all the help I can get!

Thank you!