As Philip Nolen, I craft science fiction inspired by a lifelong passion for the genre and my extensive career in science. With advanced degrees in physics, metallurgy, and materials, I’ve worked with industry giants like Bell Labs, IBM, Nikon, Philips, and AMD, and contributed to founding Silicon Valley startups. My novels draw from my global experiences in optics and semiconductor physics, blending rigorous science with vivid storytelling. My greatest hope is to inspire a young reader to pursue a career in science, just as science fiction inspired me.
My forty-two-year career in research, development, and marketing of semiconductor and laser technologies shapes my fiction. After earning graduate degrees from Lehigh University and the Princeton-Lehigh Graduate Studies program (AT&T), I spent fourteen years at AT&T’s Bell Labs and Western Electric, eventually leading global development programs. My teams pioneered the first one-megabit memory chip, and I co-authored patents and technical papers still influential in laser and semiconductor industries.
These experiences fuel my stories. I’ve worked alongside brilliant researchers—visionaries who challenge logic, like the physicist who walked backward due to a motorcycle accident yet retained his genius, or the creators of Unix and C++ who shared my Bell Labs office. Their unique personalities inspire my characters.
My novels also reflect my global adventures: surviving missile flyovers in Taipei, earthquakes in Asia, typhoons in the China Sea, and a border guard’s gunfire in the Alps. From hiking Roman Mile Markers to walking Gettysburg’s battlefields, these moments infuse my work with authenticity and wonder. My love for astronomy, history, diving, and exploration—honed during solitary travels—further shapes my narratives, grounded in plausible science yet sparked by a vivid imagination.
Transitioning from technical writing to fiction, I learned from mentors like Steve Alten (NY Times bestselling author of *MEG*), who guided my debut novel, *Crucible of a Species*, later refined as *99 Mya*. David Drake and Steve Alten endorsed my *Quantum* series, and I collaborated with Drake on *Ancestry* (in progress). I’ve dined with Isaac Asimov and corresponded with Jerry Pournelle, drawing inspiration from these sci-fi giants alongside Larry Niven.
Self-published on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, my novels, including audio versions, consistently earn five-star reviews. My 2018 novelette, *Screams of the Hypes*, in *The Witness Paradox* anthology (Tannhauser Press), was voted the collection’s best. I've had several offers from other formal publishers such as Elsewhen Press, but so far have not accepted the offered contracts.
Despite early marketing success, I now focus on writing and production, spending 4–6 hours daily refining my craft.
My books are self-published via Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with covers and audio formats crafted by me. In 2013, Steve Alten mentored my shift to fictional storytelling, supplemented by insights from Donald Maass’s *Writing the Breakout Novel*. In 2019, Tim Schulte (A&M Publishing) refined *Quantum Surge*, which later received an offer from Elsewhen Press (declined to retain creative control). While my marketing efforts have waned, I’m gathering resources for a future campaign, leveraging my technical marketing expertise.
I’m finalizing *Theropod Moon*, a sci-fi horror novel in the *99 Mya* universe, and *Ancestry*, a sweeping sci-fi historical novel spanning Roman legions to the Iron Curtain’s fall. These projects demand rigorous research, blending science and history with compelling narratives. I write for the joy of creation, prioritizing quality over quantity.
Beyond writing, I’m an avid hiker, diver, and photographer, with a passion for optical design and history. My globe-spanning travels—exploring battlefields, diving, evenings on Tomales Bay, or capturing Kyoto under a full moon—continue to inspire my work.
My loyal readers, though modest in number, eagerly await each release. I aim to perfect my storytelling, balancing plausible science with captivating narratives that keep readers turning pages. While I’ve stepped back from aggressive marketing, my technical marketing background equips me for a future campaign to expand my reach.