Alex Boehm is a fresh voice in sci-fi/fantasy whose debut novel, The Meditullium Conflict I: The Siege of Alvera, plunges readers into an action-packed universe at the very center of creation. When we caught up with Alex, he was happy to share how a playful experiment with ChatGPT led to an unexpected journey from casual prompt to fully realized novel—and how Michael, his reluctant hero, came to life.
We sat down with Alex to learn more about his writing process, the inspirations behind his story, and what readers can expect next from this rising author.
The Meditullium Conflict by Alex Boehm
Q: Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background?
A: My name is Alex Boehm. I’m originally from Wisconsin, and I began writing in the summer of 2024. Writing quickly became my passion, and The Meditullium Conflict is my first full-length novel.
Q: What is The Meditullium Conflict I: The Siege of Alvera about?
A: It is an action, science fiction novel that takes place in the Meditullum galaxy at the center of the universe. Four worlds orbit a massive star on the same plane. Each world is occupied by a unique race. The novel follows the hero, Michael, as he embarks on the journey to free his world from tyranny. Along the way, he encounters a mysterious ally with vital information, unlocks fragments of his past that explain his origins, and discovers an ancient power that may hold the key to solving the mysteries of the galaxy.
Q: How did the idea for this book first come about?
A: This was pretty much an accident. One day, I was messing around with ChatGPT and we got into a talk about if it could make choices, and I was trying to break it. After that, I remember ChatGPT was pretty decent at writing stories, so I pitched it a summary of a story I had, and it wrote garbage, so I took it, improved it, expanded it until I realized I was writing a novel at that point.
Q: When did you begin putting pen to paper, and what convinced you to publish?
A: I started in summer 2024 with some breaks in between. I decided to publish it and see if people would like it, and if this could be the start of my journey of becoming a writer and author.
Q: Which character in the novel was the most fun or challenging to develop?
A: I wrote the character called “Ellie” who came in later after I started writing the novel. Originally, she wasn’t planned in the novel, but I wanted to write a character who’s been through a lot and whom the readers could have a bit of an emotional attachment to.
Q: What themes or messages do you hope readers take away?
A: That even when things seem bleak, there is still hope. It is never easy, but new life is always waiting for you in the future.
Q: Did any real-life experiences influence your story or characters?
A: Not really. The novel is a little Mass Effect-inspired, but overall it is its own thing. The hero, Michael, is sort of a combination of Max Payne and John Wick.
Q: Is there a question you wish readers would ask—and your answer to it?
A: Will there be a sequel? Yes.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or moment from the book you’d like to share?
A: I wrote a part in the novel where the hero gave a speech to inspire his people around him. The full scene goes like this:
“The time for action is now,” he began, his voice steady and resolute. “Our enemies think they’ve won, that they’ve crushed us into submission. But no more.”
At a hidden Commando outpost, a group huddled around a crackling radio near a fire. One turns up the volume as Michael’s words filled the room.
“Today, we reclaimed our capital. Today, we’ve shown the enemy that we are done sitting idle, watching our families and friends suffer and die.”
At another hideout, a pair of Commandos—a man and a woman—paused their quiet conversation. They exchanged a look of determination as they listened, her hand tightening around his.
“We will rebuild what’s been taken from us. The long road ahead will prove to the galaxy that the Commandos are no one’s helot.”
A field medic knelt beside an injured Commando in a makeshift camp. She paused her work, her eyes lifting toward the source of the voice, hope flickering across her face.
Michael’s voice grew stronger, his conviction unshakable. “Stand united. Work together. End the tyranny. This has been Michael.”
Q: What challenges did you face in writing or publishing the book?
A: When I first started writing, it wasn’t even planned to be a novel. It was originally going to be a novella, but later I decided I wanted this to be something bigger. Towards the end of it, I started experiencing some burnout. I have definitely learned a lot since then and know how I would handle it all differently.
Q: What’s next for you as a writer?
A: Sequels, and even a prequel, are planned.
Q: Where can readers find The Meditullium Conflict I: The Siege of Alvera?
A: The book is available on Amazon.
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