Zack Riley

My name is Zack Riley. I'm an Australian author of science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian literature. I'm also a bit of a car nut. Love my Holdens and HSVs. 

Born and raised in Australia, my upbringing was filled with the adventurous spirit that would later infuse my writing. This spans from the countless camping trips to the Victorian high country with Dad, my love for video games, specifically growing up in the 90s and the V8 supercars always being on TV.

Before I dived headfirst into actually writing, I served Australia with distinction, dedicating a total of 18 years to the Royal Australian Navy, blending both full-time and reserve service. 

My experiences instilled in me a deep sense of patriotism, duty, discipline, and an unyielding resolve, qualities that I often try to weave into my narratives.   

My military time had taken me to many places in southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and several pacific island nations. Adding to all those have been many ports here in Australia. Throughout 2010/11, I was deployed to the Middle East and served in direct support for the Afghanistan campaign. After returning home I was deployed to active duties with the border force. In 2016 I made the Australia Day honors and awards, receiving an Australia Day medallion for my efforts. Full-time service ended a few years after where I put more a focus on my family and personal life. 

I'm a devoted father of three, cherishing the joys and challenges of parenthood. My commitment to family serves as a wellspring of inspiration, enriching my storytelling with themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience. It's not without its challenges, navigating the world with an autistic child has proved to be a difficult one, but I guess any parent could tell you that about any aspect of raising children.  

Back to books, I host a dynamic Sydney-based writing group. I’ve taken over as the host and continue to allow other aspiring writers gather to share ideas, critique each other's work, and foster a supportive environment for literary growth. 

Away from the world of words, my passion for cars reigns supreme, particularly my affinity for Holden and Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). I own a varied collection of vehicles; I’m sure you saw the meme on the home page "The average person owns 8 cars in a lifetime." My wife commented: "Not all at the same time!" 

I can often be found tinkering and fine-tuning, or should I say fixing one of the cars. It’s a hobby that provides a welcome respite from the rigors of being an adult.   

Whether immersed in the intricacies of a dystopian landscape, joining fellow writers on their creative journeys, or beneath the bonnet of a classic car, I have the spirit of creativity, curiosity, and camaraderie. Some would say this is a jack of all trades, and a master of none. 

Through my diverse pursuits, my aims is to leave a creative and unique mark on the literary landscape, captivating readers and enthusiasts alike with boundless imagination and unwavering passion. My goal is to give everyone who said I could never do this in high school a big “fuck you.” It’s amazing to see how far I have come, especially after finding out I was dyslexic.