After months of writing, revising, and navigating the publishing process, I’m thrilled to announce that my novel “Shattered Horizons of Tarveran” will be published this summer. The manuscript has been accepted, the contract signed, and the reality of this book entering the world is gradually becoming tangible. From fragments of ideas sketched in notebooks to a complete narrative that others will soon be able to read—the journey feels both surreal and profoundly satisfying.
“Shattered Horizons of Tarveran” represents a significant departure from my previous published works. While “Life on the Island” and “Туманные блики” were contemplative stories set in recognizable present-day settings, this novel ventures into near-future territory, blending elements of corporate drama with more speculative concepts. Set in the metropolis of Tarveran—a city experiencing mysterious rifts in physical reality—the narrative follows multiple characters as they navigate both external crisis and internal conflicts.
The premise emerged during my time interning at a marketing firm, where I was struck by the strange cognitive dissonance between the sleek corporate environment—with its emphasis on metrics, optimization, and strategic planning—and the messy, unpredictable human realities beneath the surface. What began as a satirical thought experiment gradually evolved into something more complex: a story about how we construct meaning in fragmenting worlds, how power operates through systems and relationships, and how individuals respond when reality itself becomes unreliable.
Here’s a brief excerpt from an early chapter, where two key characters discuss the latest rift occurrence:
Mornington
11:30 AM. Tornett. The center of Tarviran.
Tornett was primarily known for its residential districts and arguably some of the most prestigious housing complexes in the city. If you were a successful entrepreneur seeking a quiet life in a private sector with all amenities included, you would certainly consider buying property in Tornett. These complexes offered just about anything—from spa centers and leisure zones to restaurants and adjoining shopping malls.
The impeccably finished penthouse buildings ensured comfort and security for their residents. Essentially, Tornett was almost a self-sufficient, multifunctional city within a city.Such was the Mornington complex, situated nearly in the very heart of the district. But it had one more extremely important feature, prized by its owners—it was almost always very quiet there.
If you happened to step inside apartment 9.14, you would likely think that no one had lived there yet. It felt as though its two floors had only just been set up for habitation, featuring a mostly basic hi-tech design. Despite the minimalist furnishings, many would probably deem this style—while suitably modern for a high-tech apartment—rather dull.
There was hardly anything for the eye to latch onto: nearly everything was rendered in the same grayish-neutral palette, blending into the overall atmosphere. Even the countertops and floor mats almost merged with the pale walls, giving the impression of a largely empty space.
However, the owner of the apartment seemed satisfied with the interior. At least, as he himself claimed, he saw order here. And if your surroundings are in order, then your thoughts will be in order, too.
In the kitchen, there was already enough light, despite the lingering smog that barely let the sun’s rays break through the dusty clouds.
Malbrond sat at the table, slowly and carefully sipping from a small cup of espresso—diligently brewed by his secretary (and, in practice, his live-in partner), Mein Mezzetino.
He was poring over the contents of a file folder filled with documents intended for that day’s negotiations.Truth be told, Malbrond preferred to keep his document work separate from breakfast. First, it was distracting. Second, documents—copies of the originals, neatly filed, even so—clearly had no place in the kitchen.
Yet today, Mein had managed to insist that the Director step out of his office, where he had spent nearly the entire week, apart from several trips to the company HQ. So, albeit grudgingly, Ozaris temporarily moved to the kitchen, which could not help but please Mezzetino.A short summary of the upcoming negotiation participants was outlined on the cover page of the document stack. After carefully reading all the information on the other side (i.e., the expected Clan representatives), Ozaris’s gaze briefly caught on the information about the R.O.K.s leadership, lingering for a moment on Rozier’s photograph.
Barely audible, he seemed to either snort or mutter something under his breath, then placed the cover page back into the folder and continued reviewing other papers.
“Smart guy, just far too withdrawn—tough to get a word out of him… And that’s undeniably bad for such a crucial political skill as public communication. He must be hiding something, maybe problems at the university? It’s likely that competition and excessive aggression are rampant in that environment…” Ozaris pulled out another set of financial statements from a shiny file. “I need to talk about this subject. Though… I could ask Levelis to do it—when it comes to conversations with an emotional undertone, he’s pretty eloquent. I’ve never been one for that. At least he’ll be of some use, mm…” So thought Ozaris, reviewing once more the list of necessary documents for the day’s negotiations.
In Malbrond’s view, numbers were far superior to people. More perfect. They were understandable and objective. Correct calculations never lied and never betrayed. Numbers never hid the truth from him—unlike people…
That was why Ozaris preferred calculating logical strategies over delving into someone else’s problems. He had more than enough of his own, after all.Finally, Malbrond looked up from the pages, turning halfway toward the young woman who had been standing quietly in the corner of the kitchen all this time. Somewhat surprised, he raised his eyebrows and spoke to Mein:
“Miss Mezzetino… Why are you just standing there? Please, have a seat.” Ozaris indicated the chair opposite him, waiting for his secretary to sit. “Could you count these documents once more? If it’s not too much trouble.” He placed the folder before her, opening it to the first page. “There should be exactly thirty-four sheets, all numbered… Do let me know if you spot any mistakes…”
He then turned his full attention to his coffee and the slightly cooled toast on the plate nearby. “Today’s meeting is extremely important for all of us…”
The novel grew from my fascination with how corporate thinking—with its emphasis on quantification, optimization, and management—attempts to impose order on fundamentally unruly realities. My experience in marketing strategy provided firsthand exposure to how organizations develop narratives about unpredictable events, transforming complexity into digestible frameworks and actionable plans.
While the setting and premise may be speculative, much of the interpersonal dynamics and organizational behavior depicted in the novel draws directly from my observations in corporate environments. The tension between numbers and intuition, between strategic planning and tactical improvisation, between institutional priorities and individual ethics—these conflicts shape the choices my characters face as Tarveran’s crisis escalates.
At its heart, though, “Shattered Horizons of Tarveran” isn’t primarily about corporate intrigue or speculative phenomena. Like my previous stories, it’s concerned with how people make meaning in challenging circumstances, how they navigate relationships across differences, and how they reconcile inner and outer realities. The rifts that fracture Tarveran’s physical landscape serve as external manifestations of the psychological and social fractures the characters must address.
Working on this novel has been both challenging and exhilarating. The multi-perspective structure, the world-building requirements, and the intricate plot demanded a different approach to writing than my previous work. I found myself creating elaborate character profiles, mapping the city’s geography, and developing timelines to track the progression of both personal and public events.
The process has reinforced my belief that I’m approaching a significant transition point. As I complete my master’s program at Imperial College, the path ahead increasingly points toward dedicating myself more fully to writing. While my marketing education has provided valuable insights and skills—many of which inform this novel—the fulfillment I’ve found in creating this fictional world confirms that storytelling remains my primary calling.
I’ll share more details about the publication process and release date in the coming weeks. For now, I’m savoring this milestone and expressing deepest gratitude to those who’ve supported this project through its development.
“The future is already here—it’s just not evenly distributed.” (William Gibson’s observation has been a touchstone throughout the writing of this novel)