Fresh Start Johnny Worthen 9781787589636

On the edges of mankind's domain there is a penal planet called Fresh Start where a sentence is at best exile to five generations, but more likely death in its harsh unforgiving wastes. It is to this planet the empire sends the worst of the worst and it is on this planet that Qays Mendoza searches for his old captain.

The galactic empire is falling, civilization contracts. Fresh Start is abandoned. Without oversight, the planet is wild, without guards; the Oubliette, the supermax prison on the supermax planet, lies open, and the Butcher of Raznak, a killer worse than the one Qays seeks, is on the loose.

With the help of a street waif called Patience, Qays seeks answers. His soul is stained with guilt and his spirit broken by complicity. Religion did not have the answer; duty did not explain it. Birthright and station were not enough. His answers lie somewhere on Fresh Start.

FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to excellent original writing in horror, science fiction and fantasy. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress. Awarded independent publisher of 2024 by the British Fantasy Society.

Johnny Worthen grew up in the high desert snows and warm summer winds of the Wasatch Mountains. He graduated with a B.A. in English, minor in Classics and a Master's in American Studies from the University of Utah. After a series of businesses and adventures, including years abroad and running his own bakery, Johnny found himself drawn to the only thing he ever wanted to do - write. And write he does. Well versed in modern literary criticism and cultural studies, Johnny writes upmarket multi-genre fiction, both traditionally and independently published. "I write what I like to read," he says. "That guarantees me at least one fan."

Johnny's best-selling series, The Books of Coronam, is an epic science fiction series in the vein of Frank Herbert's DUNE. It is available from Flame Tree Press, with international distribution through Simon and Schuster. Another Flame Tree Press title is Johnny apocalyptic myth THE GAIA CHIME, which witnesses the global chaos of a planet in repair. Like Johnny's many other titles it is available wherever better books are sold.

Johnny teaches creative writing at the University of Utah, is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (PAA), Pikes Peak Writers, IBPA, SFWA, HWA, and is a lifetime member of The League of Utah Writers. He lives in Sandy Utah with his wife and cat. There's also a lawn.

"Worthen shows himself a master of style and substance..."