For me, the start of a new year is less an occasion for announcements than a moment for taking stock. This text is not intended to provide an outlook in terms of dates or results, but rather to describe the framework within which my work will take place in 2026. It is about my working methods, my priorities, and the decisions I make—even if they are not immediately apparent.
After “Rock Dreams,” people ask me what instrument I play. The answer surprises them: none. I’ve never played in a band, never stood on stage.
Why do readers believe me about the music scene anyway? Because technical accuracy is not the same as emotional truth. And because a friend who knows the scene told me about every scene, “This is much more harmless than reality.”
About doing research, pretending to be something you’re not, and what kind of expertise a novel really needs.
In “Rock Dreams”, there is one scene that caused me more headaches than any other during the editing process: Tom is sitting on a park bench after the concert. He has just been humiliated on stage, is wearing a collar he cannot open, and is completely devastated. It is when everything falls apart.
“Just an interview” is a new excerpt for you. As usual, you can download it as EPUB and PDF. As always, I hope you will enjoy reading it.
“Maybe that’s all we can do: not stay perfect. But sincere.”
My new reflection on Rock Dreams is not about fame, but about fragility.
Tom, frontman of The Cry, loses himself in a silent power struggle. Not with the world – but with himself.
What remains when you stop fighting back? And what happens when someone else starts to reshape you?
I accompanied Tom for a long time – and learned a lot about him during the crisis. And perhaps also about us.
The world of Triarchia is a place of balance, strict order and deep social division. Three great spheres characterize this system, each with its own laws, values and duties. For centuries, they have existed in a fragile peace that is only maintained by adherence to the “Old Rules”. But the “Old Rules” enforce slavery, bondage and separation from nature and progress. And beneath the surface, conflicts simmer, and not everyone submits to their predetermined fate.
Sometimes it seems as if we are stuck in an endless loop of the same stories: The hero resists temptation and saves the world, two lovers overcome obstacles to come together, or a young outsider discovers his true destiny. But why do storytellers in books and films always fall back on the same patterns? The answer lies deep within our human nature.
Here you can download another excerpt and insight into the preparatory work for a future novel: “ Dark Rage” from the “Silent Power” series by Michael Sell.
Get a first insight into the world of my upcoming novel. Discover the background, such as the Great Wars and the downfall of Nemoris, the tripartition and creation of Triarchia, the Old Rules and the Council, society and the shadows of Triarchia.
I’ve always believed that music is a language that connects people. With Rock Dreams, I wanted to show what’s behind this language – the struggles, the passion and the moments that change everything.