Draft:Alexander Wales
American web novelist and short story writer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alexander Wales is the pseudonym of Ben Friesen, an American author widely cited as a pioneer of the rational fiction movement and a significant contributor to the LitRPG genre.[1] He gained acclaim for his long-form web serials, most notably Worth the Candle, a self-reflexive portal fantasy that explores themes of trauma, meta-fiction, and game theory.[2] Beyond his original fiction, he is the author of the Superman fan fiction story The Metropolitan Man, which has been praised for its realist examination of the philosophical implications of superpowered beings.[1] Wales also co-hosts the Rationally Writing podcast, where he discusses worldbuilding and narrative structure.[3]
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Alexander Wales | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ben Friesen Minnesota, U.S. |
| Occupation | Novelist, podcaster |
| Genre | Speculative fiction, fantasy, science fiction |
| Notable works | Worth the Candle, The Metropolitan Man |
| Website | |
| alexanderwales | |
Background
Friesen was raised in a Mennonite community in Ohio and Minnesota.[4] He has cited his religious upbringing and subsequent transition to secular rationalism as a significant influence on his approach to character motivation and worldbuilding. Before transitioning to full-time writing, he participated in the early development of the r/rational community, where he began publishing deconstructions of established speculative fiction tropes.[4]
Literary themes and style
Wales is considered a central figure in "rational fiction," a subgenre characterized by internal consistency and the application of the scientific method to fictional settings.[5] His narratives often function as deconstructions of genre tropes; for example, Worth the Candle examines the psychological toll of portal fantasy archetypes, while The Metropolitan Man treats the existence of a superhero as a global existential risk.[1]
His prose often incorporates elements of Game theory, Decision theory, and utilitarianism. Critics have observed that his protagonists typically approach conflicts through logical deduction and the optimization of available resources, a hallmark of the subgenre. This focus on the intellectual agency of characters has led to his work being cited as a primary example of how web-based serial fiction can engage with complex philosophical dilemmas.[5]
Selected works
- The Metropolitan Man (2014)
- Worth the Candle (2017–2021)
- This Used to Be About Dungeons (2021–2023)
- Thresholder (2023–present)
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