R.W. Van Sant is a writer of grimdark science fiction, dark fantasy, bizarro fiction, and horror, as well as a tabletop role-playing game designer who firmly believes every story is improved by at least one bad decision and a lurking existential threat. Having studied history, science, and politics, he spends an unreasonable amount of time asking questions such as, “What is the worst thing that could happen?” and then writing novels about it.

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Living in the American Southwest, he draws inspiration from vast deserts, strange legends, forgotten places, and the occasional news headline that sounds suspiciously like speculative fiction. His stories blend wonder, terror, dark humor, and the uncomfortable suspicion that humanity may be its own final boss.

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When not creating doomed civilizations, cosmic horrors, or bizarre creatures with questionable life choices, he can usually be found designing tabletop adventures and finding new ways to make readers laugh moments before everything goes terribly wrong.