About the Author
U.S. Air Force Major | Science Fiction Author
Daniel Stroup is a U.S. Air Force Major with over 20 years of service, including time as a firefighter before becoming a pilot. He holds degrees in Fire Science, Emergency Management, and Executive Leadership. The Red Omen is his debut novel.
For years, story ideas came in flashes of inspiration that never found shape—until 2025, when Stroup discovered the structure and guidance that transformed scattered visions into a complete universe. What began as an experiment in learning became a passion for storytelling.
He writes about honor, impossible choices, and what it means to do the right thing when there are no good answers—questions forged through decades of high-pressure decision-making in emergency services and aviation.
The Red Omen started with its ending. Stroup had to write his way backward to discover how the characters arrived there—and fell in love with the journey. More stories from the Luminari Expanse are coming.
A Note on Process: Writing with AI
I imagine the story, the characters, the dialogue, the action, the plot. I either write it out myself or have AI transcribe my words, then work with it to reorganize them into more eloquent paragraphs for readers to enjoy.
It all began with an experiment to learn how to use AI more effectively, and writing became enjoyable instead of a chore. AI served as my proofreader, helping me identify when pacing slows down or when I’m repeating myself too often. When I can’t find the right words, it helps me break through writer’s block. I can finally bring my dreams to paper when before I couldn’t get past the page formatting.
AI doesn’t have the answers, but it helps me create the solutions.