It’s hard to believe I get to write this: Book 2 of The Dreams of Phillip Aisling is officially written and now in the hands of my editor.
This milestone has taken far longer than I expected, nine years, in fact. But looking back, I can see why it needed this much time to take shape.
Reason #1: Finding the bigger picture
When I first sat down to draft Book 2, I thought it would be a fairly straightforward continuation of Phillip’s adventures. But I quickly realized I couldn’t go further without knowing where this whole series was going. What was the end-game? What were the true stakes, the ultimate climax, the deeper meaning beneath the adventures? Until I figured out the broader outline of the entire series, I was stumped. I didn’t just want another book, I wanted a story that built toward something epic, meta, and profound.
Reason #2: A detour into entrepreneurship
In early 2018, life took an unexpected yet exciting detour. I was awarded a scholarship to join the Founder Institute and launch a startup (TraitsAI.com). That experience pulled me into five years of entrepreneurship that took all my free time in nights and weekends after work. My focus shifted to building teams, raising funds, and chasing ideas in tech. Writing took a back seat, but Phillip was never far from my mind. I always knew I would return to finish his story, it was just a matter of when.
Reason #3: Life happened—and changed me
Since publishing Book 1, I’ve lived through experiences that reshaped my perspective, especially around spirituality and meaning. Those lessons couldn’t be rushed. They needed time to integrate, and eventually, they began to seep into the lore, the worldbuilding, and the underlying truths of Phillip’s journey. This series has always been about more than dreams, it’s about choice, responsibility, and awakening. My own lived experiences helped me deepen those themes in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I first started.
So here we are. Book 2, The Dreams of Phillip Aisling and the Lucid Multiverse, is almost complete. It’s bigger and more ambitious than Book 1, both in scope and in heart. Handing it off to the editor feels like stepping through one of Phillip’s dream portals: I’ve carried it as far as I can alone, and now it’s ready to be polished, refined, and prepared for readers.
To those who’ve been patient and supportive all these years…thank you. This wouldn’t exist without you. I truly can’t wait to show you what’s next.
The multiverse is opening again soon!
Thank you!
— Brandon