Richmond West, writer and philosophy teacher

I'm a writer and a teacher of philosophy, and I'm now in the Philosophy and Literature Ph.D. program at Purdue, a perfect fit for someone like me. Hopefully, I'll get my Ph.D. in hand this time and teach full-time somewhere, so I can continue to write and have a job to fall back on.

Not wishing to be "typecast" into a particular genre in my writing, I write regular fiction, science fiction, and fantasy, all laced with philosophy, religion, sexuality, and ethics (I was also a former Ph.D. candidate in philosophy and religious studies, and I carry that love into my fiction writing).

I strive to write stories that rock your world with action while subtly providing philosophical and ethical thoughts to reflect upon.

Quite postmodern, I attempt to promote understanding and compassion surrounding issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, class, the environment, and religious toleration. I'm not afraid to be gritty and risque in my writing, either.

Stylistic influences include Dan Simmons, Stephen King, Jim Shooter, as well as Tolkien, Orwell, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche.

So far I've written three books, two fantasy/science fiction: The Deviants and Your Yesterday Is My Tomorrow, and another more common drama with sexual themes, Witch Hunt, which is now available! You can order them at www.amazon.com.

In my newest book, Witch Hunt, I am critical of "hostile environment" sexual "harassment" law (not quid pro quo sexual harassment law, which I support). When people can be slammed for asking someone out, or telling a joke, we have gone way too far, and I shudder to think how these laws can be applied against gays, lesbians, and queer people in the future. They sure have impacted me as a white, "straight" male. Not a lot of people like to talk about these issues, but I sure confront them in my work.

My yellow lab, Heidi, the love of my life, even stars in The Deviants! Check it out. I love dogs. (I love cats, too, but sadly I'm allergic to them.) Besides reading, writing, and teaching, other interests include movies (all genres), Star Trek and other science fiction, and Alabama football.

Thanks so much for visiting my site!