About Shawn Phillips

Shawn Phillips is the creator of the fant2sci genre, where science-driven logic meets the wonder of fantasy and the scale of science fiction.

He began his writing career with the young adult fantasy novel Dillon’s Dream: Water in Earth in 2009, followed by his successful adult paranormal novel The Doppler Affect. With Darkened Demigod: Weapon of War, he expands his vision into a post-apocalyptic world where scientific principles shape extraordinary human evolution and global power dynamics.

Shawn spent his early years in the farming communities of southern Michigan before pursuing a chemistry degree at Hope College, graduating in 1992. His academic journey continued in California, where he earned his doctorate in chemistry in 1997. After a short time at DuPont, he began a long career as a civil servant for the United States Air Force.

As Director of the AFRL Rocket Lab, he has spent more than two decades leading research and development in liquid, solid, and in-space propulsion systems. His scientific background strongly influences his storytelling, grounding imaginative concepts in real-world possibility.

Shawn lives with his wife, Yvonne, whom he has been happily married to for over twenty years. He also shares his home with his sons, Dakota and Colby, who keep life energetic and entertaining.

Creative Collaboration

When it came time to produce the narration for Darkened Demigod: Weapon of War, Shawn Phillips knew the story needed more than a good reader. The voice had to capture the emotional range of the characters, especially the raw, wounded strength of Lohannes and the sharp, intellectual personality of his counterpart, Bookworm.

After reviewing dozens of audition samples, none fully captured that balance. Then he played a submission from voice actor Slade Hovick. Within seconds, the choice was clear. The performance carried the intensity, depth, and character shifts the story demanded. Instead of directing every detail, Shawn chose to give Slade creative space to interpret the material and build on the book’s foundation.

That decision paid off. Slade’s performance brought a new dimension to the story and later expanded to include the wide range of characters featured in the second book in the series, scheduled for release in March 2026. His professional background includes national commercial work for major brands such as Nike and Petco, as well as an extensive voice-over portfolio.

The visual side of the series follows the same philosophy. The cover art for Darkened Demigod was created by Jon Gibbons, an artist based in Manchester, UK. Introduced through board gaming connections, Shawn provided the core concept and trusted John to develop it creatively. The result was artwork that elevated the vision beyond the original idea. John is currently designing the cover for the third book in the trilogy.

This collaborative approach reflects Shawn’s leadership philosophy, shaped by his career directing advanced research in rocket science and technology for the United States Air Force. His belief is simple: the best results come when talented people are given the freedom to apply their expertise. Provide the vision. Define the boundaries. Then allow creative minds to bring their full skill and imagination to the work.