In this episode of After the Fall, I sit down with Garrett Holt—an indie author and U.S. Navy professional whose background in intelligence, history, and political science brings a unique level of realism to his writing.

Garrett is the author of Siege of the Forgotten Order, a post-apocalyptic novel that blends military strategy, dark science fiction, and elements of horror. We talk about how his real-world experience shapes his storytelling, what it’s like building a book and audience at the same time, and what actually goes into launching a series from scratch.

Beyond writing, this conversation dives into survival psychology, leadership under pressure, and how large-scale systems begin to break down. It’s a grounded, practical look at the kinds of scenarios often explored in fiction—and why they resonate so strongly right now.

Whether you’re a writer, a reader, or someone interested in preparedness and real-world risk, this episode offers both insight and perspective.

🔍 Topics Covered:

•  Writing post-apocalyptic fiction with real-world influence 
•  Military experience and storytelling 
•  Survival mindset and leadership 
•  Building an audience as a new author 
•  BookTok and modern publishing strategies 
•  Collapse scenarios and system instability 

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