Cutting through the spin. Daily thoughts on the serious and the slightly ridiculous. 

When I started writing The River Rubicon in 2023, I didn't expect it to feel like prophecy.

But by the time The Shadow of Pharsalus came out in 2025, the headlines had caught up with the plot. Democracies were fracturing. Extremists were gaining ground. Institutions were bending, breaking, or being ignored. And suddenly, the story I thought was speculative fiction felt a lot more like a mirror.

Hi, I'm Daniel Paul, a Canadian author and former sports executive. I write political thrillers—the kind that blur the line between what's imagined and what might actually happen. My debut series, The Maggie Drake Series, includes The River Rubicon and The Shadow of Pharsalus. It follows people caught in the storm of rising authoritarianism in the U.S.—and the fight to hold onto what matters.

This Substack is where I'll go deeper. I'll be sharing:

• Thoughts on global politics, democracy, and misleading information

• The real-world events that inspired my writing

• Behind-the-scenes content from the Maggie Drake Series

• Sneak peeks at what's coming next

• And occasional reflections on sport, justice, and what makes the World a bit crazy right now

If you're interested in how political fiction can reflect reality—or how reality keeps catching up with political fiction—you're in the right place.

THE RIVER RUBICON: THE BEGINNING

Every story begins with a spark. Sometimes, it's an ember buried deep, waiting for the right breath of air to ignite. Other times, it's an inferno that consumes everything in its path, demanding to be told. This book is the latter—a story that burned its way into existence, fueled by questions too dangerous to ignore.

What happens when power is absolute, and truth becomes the enemy? What do ordinary people do when faced with extraordinary circumstances—when the line between hero and villain dissolves, and survival demands the unthinkable? These aren't just the questions this book asks; they're the ones it answers, with an intensity that will keep you riveted to the edge of your seat.

As you turn these pages, you'll meet characters who live in the gray areas, who are neither saints nor devils but something far more real: human. You'll walk alongside them as they navigate a world teetering on the brink, where decisions are never easy, and consequences are always lethal. It's a world that reflects our own in ways that might leave you breathless—or unsettled.

This book is not just a story. It's a journey, a challenge, and perhaps even a mirror. It will pull you into its depths and leave you questioning where the lines are drawn in your own life. By the time you're done, you won't just have read a book; you'll have lived an experience.

So, turn the page, ignite the spark, and brace yourself. Because what lies ahead isn't just a story—it's a firestorm. And once you step into the flames, there's no going back.

Enjoy the ride.