Press & Media
Arkhelian is an independent creative studio publishing original science fiction, cyberpunk, cosmic horror, and related fiction.
Founded by author Alexander Mharcei, Arkhelian develops and publishes creator-owned stories and fictional settings spanning cyberpunk, dystopian science fiction, post-apocalyptic fiction, cosmic horror, dark fantasy, mythos, liminal fiction, and related genres.
Arkhelian stories are available through major international booksellers and platforms, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo, and the Arkhelian direct store, with distribution reaching readers in more than 190 countries.
For press inquiries, interviews, review materials, or additional information, please contact Arkhelian through our Contact Us page and select Press.
Arkhelian at a Glance
Founded by: Alexander Mharcei
Focus: Original fiction, IP development, and serious genre continuity
Primary genres: Cyberpunk, dystopian science fiction, post-apocalyptic fiction, cosmic horror, dark fantasy, mythos, and liminal fiction
Website: arkhelian.com
Store: shop.arkhelian.com
Arkhelian publishes works by Alexander Mharcei, The Twelfth Stephaniak, and Collus E.M., and collaborates with additional authors, artists, and contributors internationally across its projects.
Fictional Universes & Properties
Arkhelian’s fictional settings are separate creative universes. Characters, events, organizations, and worldbuilding should not be assumed to cross between properties unless explicitly stated.
ChromaSpyke
ChromaSpyke is a dystopian cyberpunk universe created by Alexander Mharcei.
Set within a fractured future shaped by corporate power, augmentation, artificial intelligence, war, and competing systems of control, ChromaSpyke provides the setting for novels, short fiction, and serial fiction. The universe spans roughly two dozen stories, with several additional projects in development.
Exile Machine
Exile Machine is a separate science-fiction and cosmic-horror universe created by Alex Mharcei.
Exile Machine combines post-apocalyptic science fiction, survival, and cosmic horror. The Exile Machine universe is separate from ChromaSpyke.
Botenlorn
Botenlorn is a contemporary cosmic-horror universe created by The Twelfth Stefaniak.
Botenlorn explores liminal spaces, mythos, isolation, and encounters with things that exist at the edge of human understanding. It is a distinct fictional setting separate from both ChromaSpyke and Exile Machine.
Authors & Contributors
Arkhelian publishes fiction from its in-house authors and works with independent writers, artists, and other creative contributors across selected projects and publications.
Alexander Mharcei / Alex Mharcei
Alexander Mharcei is an American science-fiction author, creative producer, trained editor, and founder of Arkhelian. His creative work extends beyond fiction to poetry, painting, photography, and the curation of art exhibitions.
His published fiction includes A Star Too Far, A Star in Shadow, Leaving on a Metal Horizon, Chitterfield, The Queen’s Silence, and the short-fiction collection Requisition Volume 1: Anonymous Anomalous Intent.
Mharcei also publishes Exile Machine under the shortened author credit Alex Mharcei. The use of Alex Mharcei for Exile Machine distinguishes that work from fiction published under the Alexander Mharcei name, including works set within ChromaSpyke.
The 12th Stephaniak
The Twelfth Stephaniak is a contemporary cosmic-horror author identity published through Arkhelian. Their work explores liminal spaces, modern mythos, isolation, and encounters with things that exist just beyond human understanding.
The Twelfth Stephaniak is the creator of Botenlorn, a contemporary cosmic-horror universe encompassing interconnected fiction and other projects.
Contributors
Arkhelian works with authors, artists, illustrators, designers, and other creative contributors on selected publications and projects.
Press Resources
The following materials are available for journalists, reviewers, booksellers, podcasters, event organizers, and other media professionals.
Arkhelian Press Kit — PDF
Studio overview, key properties, selected publications, biography, and reference information.
[Download Press Kit]
Alexander Mharcei Biography — PDF
Short and extended biographies suitable for editorial, event, and media use.
[Download Biography]
Arkhelian Properties Guide — PDF
Reference information covering ChromaSpyke, Exile Machine, Botenlorn, their creators, and the relationships between Arkhelian’s fictional universes.
[Download Properties Guide]
Additional book-specific information, cover images, author photographs, logos, and other media assets are available upon request.
Press FAQ
Where should new readers start with Arkhelian?
Arkhelian’s stories span several independent fictional universes, with multiple ways to begin.
Readers interested in dystopian science fiction and cyberpunk can explore ChromaSpyke, starting with Default State on the free fiction page, inexpensive digital short stories, or the novels A Star Too Far and Leaving on a Metal Horizon.
Readers looking for post-apocalyptic science fiction and cosmic horror can explore Exile Machine.
Readers interested in contemporary cosmic horror, mythos, and liminal fiction can begin with Botenlorn, starting with Angio Dreams on the free fiction page.
Arkhelian’s Articles Page also features essays, thought starters, lore, announcements, and other writing about the ideas, genres, and creative work surrounding its fiction.
Is Exile Machine part of ChromaSpyke?
No. Exile Machine and ChromaSpyke are separate fictional universes published through Arkhelian. ChromaSpyke fiction is published under the Alexander Mharcei name, while Exile Machine is published under the shortened Alex Mharcei author credit. The two universes do not share a setting or continuity.
Are all Arkhelian stories set in the same universe?
No. Arkhelian develops and publishes multiple independent fictional settings. Shared authorship or publication by Arkhelian does not indicate that works belong to the same fictional universe.
Is Arkhelian a publisher or an author?
Arkhelian is an independent creative studio and publisher.
Who is The Twelfth Stephaniak?
The Twelfth Stephaniak is an author identity used for selected contemporary cosmic-horror fiction published through Arkhelian. The Twelfth Stephaniak is the creator of the Botenlorn universe.
Are review copies available?
Review copies may be available to reviewers, journalists, podcasters, booksellers, librarians, and other media professionals. Contact Arkhelian through the Contact Us page with information about your publication, channel, or organization.
Are interviews available?
Interview and appearance requests for Alexander Mharcei and participating Arkhelian contributors can be submitted through the Contact Us page.
The 12th Stephaniak is not available for interviews.
Press Contact
For interviews, review copies, media inquiries, event requests, or additional information, please contact Arkhelian Press & Media through the Contact Us page and select Press.
Please include your name, publication or organization, the subject of your inquiry, and any relevant deadline.
