Hey, Chris here
I write science fiction that leans into big questions rather than big battles. I also pen essays about what happens when human nature collides with systems designed to control it. The paid labor portion of my life consists of searching for patterns and problem solving as a software engineer and swarm intelligence researcher.
Recursive Ink is where my intrusive thoughts and speculative fiction exist online. Here you'll find sci-fi short stories, provocative essays, book reviews, and insights on my work you won't find elsewhere—including serialized chapters of my Gothic sci-fi novella Pinstripe Revival.
All my content is free and segmented so you can customize what content you receive from me on a regular basis. If you'd like to support my work and help me keep the lights on (and the cats fed), there's a paid tier if you’re feeling generous. You can also support me by checking out some of my books here or if you’ve read any of my work dropping a rating/review on Goodreads or Amazon :)
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll be reading as well as some info on Substack as a platform towards the end:
Short Fiction
If you’re into short stories, you can check out the latest of my shorts here
Some suggestions:
Pinstripe revival
A bi-weekly Gothic Sci-fi serial
Kai Darcy occupies a precarious niche as a Boundary Technician for the Catamore Biosphere Reserve. When a critical systems failure along the perimeter forces Kai to work and live within the sanctuary's untamed heart, strange events and even stranger secrets are revealed about the Catamore dynasty.
Essays & Entropy
Prefer critiques of the modern world?
Technology isn't neutral—it's a reflection of power structures, biases, and the fundamental question of what it means to be human in an increasingly inhuman world. In my essays, I dissect the systems we live within—empire, technology, capitalism, culture. A mix of political philosophy, cultural criticism, and speculative insight.
A fun read:
Midweek Marginalia
On Wednesday’s we review books
Weekly reviews of books plucked directly from the shelves of my home library. New posts every Wednesday.
Reading is how I stay sane in an insane world, and writing about what I read is how I process the flood of ideas constantly reshaping my understanding. These reviews are mostly for me—a way to capture how a book changed my thinking—but I thought you might find them useful (and fun) too.
Ink & Progress
Behind-the-scenes glimpses into my novel Local Gods (releasing this Fall), progress on new projects, book promos, giveaways, and the occasional personal insight into the writing life. This is where I pull back the curtain on both the craft and the business of being an indie author with a full-time job in the 21st century.
Low Commitment?
Your time is valuable and your inbox is probably already drowning. I get it. If you want something more casual, feel free to just follow along—you can get a sense of my voice through the notes I share here without committing to the full experience. Sometimes the best relationships start with just watching from a distance.
Email & Subscription Preferences
You can customize what content you receive from me whether just writing updates or the next chapter of Pinstripe Revival when it drops you’re in control and can adjust to your liking.
New to Substack?
First off, welcome! Substack at its core is just an email newsletter platform that doesn't suck. You put in your email, hit subscribe, and then pick free or paid. Pretty straightforward. For my publication specifically, you can join a community of readers, writers, and netizens who share your interests in speculative fiction, technology, and philosophy.
Regardless, you can like, comment, and share posts like you would on any other social media site. Sharing actually helps other people find my work, which means I can spend more time writing weird stories and less time figuring out how this algorithm works.
And honestly? If enough of you share my stuff, maybe I'll finally achieve my modest goal of becoming an underground literary sensation with just enough influence to get good restaurant reservations but not so much that I have to worry about paparazzi following me to Trader Joe’s.
Win-win, really.
Stay Updated, Spam-Free
With a subscription, you’ll never miss an update. Every new post is sent directly to your inbox, keeping you informed and engaged. Enjoy a spam-free, ad-free reading experience when you use the Substack app, and gain access to bonus content, such as community interactions.
Supporting my work
I’m the author of Finitude and Beyond, Husk, and Empire in Entropy. My debut novel, Local Gods, is set to release this November; a story of faith, capital, and the allure of power. Feel free to browse my books or if you’ve already read some of my work consider leaving a review on Goodreads or Amazon. 🖤
"...Adams spins tales that are both cosmic in scale and intimate in feeling."
-Literary Titan
Why subscribe?
It’s free 🤷♂️
Your support allows me to continue creating and sharing stories, ideas, and reflections on the future.
Be kind, stay hydrated and thanks for being a part of my little slice of the internet!
C.K. Adams
If you made it this far, here’s a cookie🍪
