My name is Alex Athanas, I’m a 25 year old Film graduate from Rhode Island College, and freelancer currently working for Palladium Books. In addition to writing and illustrating for the forth-coming Federation of Magic books, I am also compiling material for a graphic novel tentatively titled Red Sun Stories©. I’m thrilled to be a member of the "Palladium Youth Movement" of young writers and artists, and owe much thanks to Brandon Aten, and Taylor White for really going to bat for me with Kevin and the rest of the guys up at Palladium. I’m very excited to be working on the Federation books, and have plans for many other Palladium Projects, as well as some things of my own.

My primary interests lie in film, illustration, music and philosophy. Being first and foremost a visual person, my chief inspirations come from illustration greats like Ramon Perez Jr., Yoji Shinkawa, Martin Marcos, John Byrne, Bruce Timm, Yoshiyuki Sadamato, Mike Mignola, Kevin Long, and Hayao Miyazaki. My fav. Filmmakers being Stanley Kubrick, Yoshiyuki Tomino, early George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg, and in terms of writing my post-mortem mentors: H.P. Lovecraft, J.R.R. Tolkien, Friedrich Nietzsche and Sir Arthur C. Clarke who is still very much alive.

I truly love Rifts, and am honored to contribute to its sacrosanct cannon. Though I don’t roleplay as much as I’d like, our Federation campaign continues at 7 years and counting. Rifts more than anything has been my true inspiration, and to that I owe creative giant Kevin Siembeida heartfelt thanks for giving me years of endless enjoyment in the post-apocalyptic world of Rifts.