Michael Chatfield

I write character-driven, high-intensity sci-fi and fantasy where the rules make sense, the power is earned, and the world pulls you in and doesn’t let go. My stories are built for readers who love tactical realism, structured progression, and immersive world-building—whether it’s through LitRPG, military sci-fi, or gritty fantasy.

My background as a Canadian Army veteran shapes a lot of what I write. I care about making combat feel real, leadership feel earned, and decisions have actual weight. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at bad tactics or characters who power-up just because the plot says so—yeah, same. That’s why I build systems that are consistent, worlds that feel lived-in, and characters who grow because they fight for it.

Whether it’s a slum-born soldier signing a 35-year contract to escape the streets, or a half-dwarf crafter trying to build a better world inside a simulation—I write for readers who want depth, logic, brotherhood, and long-form stories they can truly get lost in.

If you’re into strategy, structure, progression, and stories that respect your time and intelligence—welcome aboard!

I was born in the UK but I grew up there and in Canada. I think it has influenced me as it allowed me to see two different countries as my own and have to understand differences between the two. This was great when working with different worlds and universes in books as it is easier for me to put on the hat of outsider and work from there.

As a child I remember reading the Redwall series by Brian Jacques--I had no idea what order to read it in and the bookstore always had different books not necessarily in the same flow of things... that was a little confusing!

I loved those books--there was something about the cheese, the drink and the bread and the relationships between the characters in the good times and the bad that really drew me in.

Narnia is the first real book series I remember hearing as a kid and that thought of being transported to another world--well its something that's stuck with me! I read quite a bit--comics like Beano and Tintin were a big thing.

Though--there was a period of several years where I didn't read--but when I started again, well I haven't stopped since.

This is a bit of a complicated one to answer! I love other author's books, but I know that I try to learn specific things from different authors--kind of create a palette of skills from different ones. There are some incredible people out there.

Though I like my own voice and the way I get to live within my stories--I think that attempting to become another author stifles the creativity and craft of your own voice. At the same time, we stand upon the shoulders of giants and to learn is to grow.

HAH! Put on the spot here!

Authors I keep coming back to:

Jim Butcher

H.D.A Roberts

Rod Carstens

John Ringo

David Weber

The Magicians' Brother by HDA Roberts--I bug my author buddies about it all the time.

I'm not sure--I relate to the characters but I don't feel that they am I or I am them. When I'm writing the story I'm seeing what they do instead of being the one making them do anything.

The next one? Hah! Ideas and characters always drag you onward to write more stories and share more. Starting a story is starting a new journey--I have no idea what is going to happen--but I'm along for the ride.

Ikea chair--best chair I've had. Some would say too many pens (they're wrong) and paper. Low profile keyboard. The largest monitor and desk I can get my hands on--I wrote Emerilia on a tv screen. Headphones. My shelves filled with books.

Headphones, a book and no one needing me for five minutes--I read everywhere and anywhere I can!