I write cozy space opera and warm-hearted science fiction — stories about decent people in over their heads, the crews and families they build along the way, and the small acts of courage that keep a starship (or a heart) from coming apart.
Before the fiction, I spent years as a science journalist, translating how the brain works and how research shapes everyday life into stories anyone could follow. That habit — finding the human being inside the big idea — is exactly what I chase in my novels. My science fiction is less about the hardware and more about the people living alongside it.
The universes
The Frankie Styles Adventures follow a cargo captain with a big mouth, a bigger heart, and a truly cursed run of luck. They’re fast, funny, and cozy — the best place to start is Cargo Trouble, which is free.
The Cooperative Realm is my deeper, wider world — underwater civilizations, galactic politics, first-contact mysteries, and characters whose choices ripple across generations. Titles like The Elders of Arkhide, Hidden Planet, and Worlds Apart all live here.
I also write standalone galactic suspense — high-stakes science fiction that stands on its own, like Cosmic Weave — along with short fiction and collections (Here, There, Tales of Em-bot), and the occasional near-future thriller or historical story when a character won’t leave me alone.
Say hello
I love hearing from readers. The best way to keep in touch is my newsletter — new releases, free stories, and a look behind the scenes.
You can also reach me at nicky@nickypenttila.com.