Independent Science Fiction
J.M. Erickson
Literary science fiction with a social conscience.
A page-turning cautionary tale providing a glimpse into a world in which greed, racism, and hate shape our future.
The Books
Bold Dark Worlds Collection
Bold Dark Worlds
In a story of two bold, dark worlds based on Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, the future shows striking similarities to today's age of imperialism, classism, and capitalistic expansion where racism is commonplace, slavery exists, and a minority holds absolute power. But instead of a Belgium company during the late 1880s on the Congo River in Africa, this is Earth's Great Third Republic and Mars's colonies in the year 2126.
It's been over ninety years since the Great Conflict of 2041 and the rise of the Great Third Republic, and Earth finds itself cut into two social classes: those who own everything and those who are owned. For the patricians, advances in medical science and gene therapy help their bodies express ideal health and beauty in the form of pale skin, blue eyes, blond hair, and long life. For those who are non-Caucasian, it's a difficult existence of servitude for many and slavery for more. While plebs and surfers form the professional and merchant layer of a caste system, slavery remains a prominent form of property. And now, Earth's elite want to take their way of life to the new frontier: Mars.
Birds of Flight Series
Afterlife Code
"A gripping, thought-provoking read."
— Readers' Favorite
Heavy Weight of Darkness
Future Prometheus: The Series
Critical Acclaim
"Erickson's writing is sharp, provocative, and deeply human."
"A gripping, thought-provoking read."
"Masterfully blends action with social commentary."
2026 Literary Recognition
2026 Distinguished Author
International Impact Book Awards
Distinguished Author · Bold Dark Worlds
Conferred upon a limited number of authors whose work demonstrates a genuine, measurable impact on the readers and communities they serve.
View all awards
2026 Bronze Medal
Manhattan Book Awards
Bronze · Bold Dark Worlds
Recognizing exceptional storytelling, originality, and imaginative scope in contemporary publishing.
View all awardsThe Author
About the Author
J.M. Erickson is an independent author, publisher, psychotherapist, and school counselor whose work blends science fiction, dystopian fiction, psychology, philosophy, and social commentary. Based in Massachusetts, Erickson has earned recognition from Kirkus Reviews, Readers' Favorite, Foreword Reviews, Literary Titan, the International Impact Book Awards, and the Los Angeles Book Festival.
Erickson earned a bachelor's degree from Boston College with studies in psychology and sociology, a master's degree from Simmons University School of Social Work, and postgraduate certifications in psychological trauma, clinical assessment, and treatment from Boston University. His professional background produces complex characters, realistic psychological conflict, and nuanced explorations of ethics, trauma, identity, and human behavior.
His professional background significantly influences his writing, producing complex characters, realistic psychological conflict, and nuanced explorations of ethics, trauma, identity, and human behavior.
About the Publisher
Emergency Comms Press is the independent publishing imprint of award-winning author J.M. Erickson, publishing science fiction, dystopian fiction, psychological thrillers, and nonfiction that explore humanity, technology, power, and the future. Founded on a commitment to creative independence and professional-quality publishing, ECP is home to the Birds of Flight, Future Prometheus, Intelligent Design, and Bold Dark Worlds series, along with a growing catalog of original works.
Thought-provoking stories. Bold ideas. Independent publishing.
Learn more about ECP →
Complete Works
Bold Dark Worlds
All four novels collected in one omnibus edition — the complete Bold Dark Worlds series. Set in a dystopian near-future where surveillance, power, and survival collide, the series follows operatives navigating a world where the line between protector and predator has all but disappeared. Available individually or as the complete collection.
Endless Fall of Night — Book One
Heavy Weight of Darkness — Book Two
Deadly Going Dark — Book Three
Hunting Armed Men — Book Four
Future Prometheus: The Series
Five novellas compiled into one full-length epic — a Finalist in the 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. A mysterious pandemic strips men of rational thought, women seize power, and artificial persons evolve into something far beyond their creators' intentions. From the desperate survival of Emergence through the cataclysmic invasion of Resurrections, the series builds to a single day: June 6th, 2175 — Judgment Day. Both volumes earned top honors from Foreword Reviews INDIEFAB Book of the Year, Readers' Favorite International Book Awards, and critical recognition from Kirkus Reviews and US Review of Books.
Future Prometheus: Emergence & Evolution
Future Prometheus II: Revolution, Successions & Resurrections
Intelligent Design Series
Two science fiction novellas collected in one volume. Beginning sixty-five million years ago and racing to the present day, the Intelligent Design series follows a hidden truth about Earth's origins — superior beings, coexisting civilizations, and a solar system on the brink of catastrophe. Revelations won silver at the Foreword Reviews 2014 INDIEFAB Book of the Year; Apocalypse is a Readers' Favorite Five Star recipient.
Intelligent Design: Revelations to Apocalypse
Two Novellas — One Volume
Intelligent Design: Revelations
Intelligent Design: Apocalypse
Science Fiction
Afterlife Code
Time Is for Dragonflies and Angels
The Prince: Lucifer's Origins
Rogue Event
Action / Adventure Thrillers — Birds of Flight Series
Albatross
Flight of the Black Swan