MFWG February 2026 Author Spotlight: Robert D. Moore, Jr.

I've known Robert for a while, and I'm happy to share his first published full length novel, along with being the first Moorhead Friends Writing Group author spotlight I share. I have yet to read it all of mortal.exe, but since we're in a writing group together, I've had the pleasure to read bits and pieces of it as he drafted and edited it.

About the Author:

Robert Moore, Jr. is originally from the Mississippi/Louisiana Gulf Coast. He’s called many other places home at one point or another, including west Texas, Georgia, Ohio, and now North Dakota. In his day job he’s the Teaching Lab Supervisor for the Department of Physics & Astrophysics at the University of North Dakota. In addition to writing stories about gods, goddesses, myths, fables, and science fiction, he has interests in dinosaurs, planet formation, and astronomy in general. He also enjoys fishing, hunting, and riding his motorcycle when the cold allows.

Social Media Links:

Instagram: @digitalmythsbooks

YouTube: @RobertMooreJr-Author

Mel is a goddess, the daughter of Hades and Persephone—which makes going to college a bit difficult. When the other Greek gods take notice, fitting into the mortal world becomes the least of Mel’s worries.

Lines are drawn. Warnings become attacks.

Caught between what the gods want her to be and what she wants to become, Mel must choose a path before one is chosen for her.

Will Mel live up to her name, Mellontikos, “belonging to the future,” or give up her

future to live in the past?

K.A.M: Robert, please tell where did you get your idea for your book?

Robert: Strangely enough, the idea for this book came from a meme. I’m sure a lot of people will remember it. The picture had Gal Gadot on one side of Emilia Clarke and Jason Mamoa on the other. It had a caption saying something to the effect that the picture looked like a giddy college student trying to hide the fact that her parents were demigods of the Underworld. For whatever reason, I latched onto the idea. Only I thought, why demigods of the Underworld? Why not the King and Queen of the Underworld? And so the daughter of Hades and Persephone went to college.

At first the story was a short story of about 4,000 words. I cut a lot of what I wanted to write out of that short story though. When it was done, I started pitching it to various magazines and got editor feedback from one of them. This editor, I won’t name the magazine, said that there was too much exposition, that they’d started skimming before the halfway point. I thought about this, in particular why there was so much exposition, and it was mainly because of all the things I’d cut out. Thus a short story became a novel.

K.A.M: What is your favorite character in your book and why?

Robert: I have two honestly. One is Sarah, the mortal BFF of my goddess, Mellontikos (Mel). The other is Persephone.

Sarah is a favorite because she’s brash and bold. She exemplifies what I’d hope I’d do if I found out my best friend was a god or goddess. Not only that, but in the end, she’s ride-or-die. She’d face down the gods with a squirt gun if that’s what it took to stand beside Mel.

As for Persephone, I’ve always thought she was great, even before I started writing. She was kidnapped and promised to Hades by Zeus without her consent. From such an inauspicious, and frankly vulgar, beginning, she became a queen to be reckoned with: regal and the one that Orpheus himself appealed to for the release of his beloved. At the same time, she’s a dual goddess, because she’s also Kore, goddess of Spring and Growth. I’d like to think I was able to capture both essences, even if you don’t see her as Kore in this book. Oops! That’s a spoiler for Book 2, isn’t it?

K.A.M: Is there any scene in your book based on real life? If so, what?

Robert: I can’t say that there is a particular scene that’s based on real life, no. At least it’s not there intentionally. Still, we all put something of ourselves and our experiences into what we write, so I’m sure it’s there. It just wasn’t done consciously.

K.A.M: What inspired you to write a story on Greek Mythology? And why did you choose the daughter of Hades and not the other gods?

Robert: This answer goes hand-in-hand with the first question. That said, I could have written the story with a different mythology. The gods of the Underworld could have been Osiris and Isis after all. The issue is that I didn’t feel I knew the stories of Osiris and Isis, or any of the other traditions well enough to model my story on them. Add that there were certain aspects of the overarching story that simply worked best with Hades and Persephone. I won’t say more on this point though because it would give some pretty heavy spoilers for Books 2 and 3.

As for the second question, that really is answered by the very first question above. I needed a god and goddess of the Underworld, which effectively rules out any of the other Greek deities. For what it’s worth, though, I do have at least two side stories churning in my head that may turn into adjacent novels. How do these titles sit with everyone: The Gospel of Eris: Revolution in 7/8 Time and The Red Tide: Ares Unleashed? I don’t know that either will make it out of the planning stage, but they are rattling around.

Excerpt:

Mel had only been at Cal Tech for a few weeks, but it already felt like home. Enough so that she didn’t really want to visit her parents and Olympus just yet. Another bothersome element of the trip was that she couldn’t wear her usual jeans, t-shirt, and tennis shoes. She’d become used to such comfortable clothing, but they would never do for a trip home, much less to Olympus for the Equinox celebration. Thus, for the occasion, she was dressed in a pale blue chiton that left her shoulders bare, a cream-colored skirt, and flat sandals that laced up her calf. Instead of her hair being loose down her back, it was curled and tied up at the back of her head in nice folds with a leather cord. She laughed at the thought of Sarah and her new friends not recognizing her dressed like this. It was time to go, though, so she picked up a package of treats for Cerberus on the desk. Thinking of her old friend made her smile. It had only been a matter of a few weeks, but she did miss Cerberus.

She looked at the picture of a cavern hanging on the wall, took a step and found herself in the cavern of gray rock and deep shadows. The air was chilly, damp, and musty. She could hear the flow of Lethe behind her. The opening of a large tunnel faced her. After only a few steps toward the tunnel a loud bay sounded. It faded into echoes, but two more canine voices took it up.

Mel only had enough time to set the package down before she was bowled over by the huge form of Cerberus. The three-headed beast was easily six feet at the shoulder, with shaggy white fur splattered with black blotches. One head was black, one white, and the middle head was as spotted as the rest of him. Each head was collared by a ruff of longer hair. All of him was happy to see her, and the three heads took turns bathing her with their tongues.

“Cerberus!” Mel tried to make her tone sharp, but her laughter made it difficult. “Cerberus, down.” She finally managed to make her tone authoritative enough that the fierce Hound of the Underworld listened. “Let me up, Cerberus.” And he did, though likely because the package she’d brought suddenly caught the attention of the middle head.

Mel snatched the bag and got back on her feet. “I don’t know that you deserve these now.” Her words didn’t stop him from sniffing and nuzzling at the bag. She swatted at his noses, but they kept coming back. Finally, unable to control her laughter, she pulled out the box of treats. Cerberus didn’t know what they were, but he knew he wanted them, and he set to prancing about. Mel tore off the top of the box, then scattered treats everywhere. Cerberus tried to go in three directions at once, chasing them with each of his heads, which made Mel laugh even harder.

Her laughter died down, and she ruffled the fur at his shoulder as he snuffled out treats. She gave him a final pat on the shoulder and turned back to the tunnel into the Underworld proper. “I’ll see you again before I leave,” she said, and walked into the deeper gloom.

Buy it on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/mortal-exe-Goddess-Code-Robert-Moore/dp/B0G7S6ZZSV/

Silver Dawn Books in Grand Forks, ND

Witchwood Bookshoppe in Grand Forks, ND

My Latest Obsession

Is there a show that you can watch over and over, but never get sick of it? I have two, possibly three now. SGU. Stargate Universe.

Trapped on an ancient spaceship billions of light-years from home, a group struggles to survive and find their way back home.

Only had 2 seasons and 6 comics books. Ended way too soon in my opinion. My favorite character was Eli Walsh. The nerd who everyone needed to help solve their problems. The nerd in me was glad to see another finally not be picked on and relied on.

-K. A.

Why Do People Suck? Chapter One

This book helped me with my frustrations. Surprisingly, I think people are great, but sometimes they have to deal with those that are not.

Here is a sneak peek!

Shrieks from the most frightening monsters pierced the air.

My heart hammered, sweat beaded on my forehead as I searched for them. They headed in my direction, chasing their next prey.

I retreated to the grass to let them pass. Those barbarians had once stripped the clothes off a boy band’s lead singer, scaring him into leaving the entertainment industry forever. I couldn’t afford a bodyguard to protect me from the Sol fans, Solar Harmony’s fanbase name, because my manager had stolen my money.

The famous person rollerblading would never lose the teenage girls chasing him without help. Pity rose inside me, and I rolled across the bridge, waiting for them. The bridge blocked my view. They had nowhere to go unless he turned around to face them. I doubted he would.

The guy arrived at the top of the bridge. He kept the brim of his baseball cap low, as if it did anything to disguise himself.

“Under the bridge,” I called to the lead singer of Solar Harmony.

Jordan Space glanced at me and then behind him. He had less than a minute to decide to follow me or not.

“You’ll never lose your fans,” I told him. Maybe he thought I was worse than them, but I had never acted like them, and I never would after experiencing it.

Jordan hesitated and asked, “Which way?”

I gestured for him to follow me, then carefully descended the small dead grass next to the bridge, using the side as support.

He hurried behind me, and we hid underneath the bridge.

The screams from the teenage girls sounded closer.

I missed them at my concerts, and jealousy rose inside of me. I had trusted the wrong person, and he took my stage name, Cam. Jordan had fans loving his music. Well, I had nothing, but I didn’t want them chasing me.

Footsteps thudded on the wooden planks.

Jordan pulled me against the underside of the bridge, pressed his body close to mine, and placed a hand over my mouth. His scent of overpriced cologne wafted into my nose.

“Jordan!” one girl screamed.

“Marry me!”

“I’m marrying Jordan!”

They argued until someone announced, “We can all marry Jordan.” They cheered as they finished running across the bridge and hurried away, chasing after nothing.

I didn’t have the heart to tell them that they all couldn’t marry him. If I did, I would reveal our location. Not like I needed to hide.

Jordan took his hand off my mouth and muttered, “Sorry.”

“Yeah, you didn’t need to cover my mouth,” I told him. Annoyance built inside of me, and I pushed it back down. Faced with overzealous fans, he did what any celebrity would: run, hide, or confront them.

“Sorry,” he said again. From the sound of the word, I could tell he didn’t mean it.

“Are you?” I asked.

Jordan opened his mouth and closed it again. “No. I had to get away. Didn’t want to lose my clothes.” He looked down at the ground, bringing his sunglasses to the tip of his nose and tilting his head as he looked up at me in his classic smoldering style.

I rolled my eyes. “Where are your bodyguards?”

“I’m not famous enough for them.”

I told him, “Surely a man consistently ranked among the top five sexiest men since eighteen doesn’t require fan protection.” My voice dripped with sarcasm. If the magazine lacked principles, it would’ve listed him much sooner.

“You know who I am.” His words weren’t a question.

“And I would like some personal space.” I motioned with my hands for him to move away from me. He didn’t need to stand so close that I could touch him. His scent gave me a headache.

Jordan inched closer, twisting his body to gather momentum before rolling backward. His loose designer gray shirt rustled in his wake. “Most of my fans can’t wait to be near me.”

“Who said I was a fan?”

“You don’t like my music?” Jordan asked. His smile faded from his handsome face. He pushed his sunglasses back up, but not before the hurt expression passed through his brown eyes.

I hesitated. Critics’ negative comments about my work always stung, but I had a grown thicker skin. I wished someone would’ve told me the truth. “I preferred your earlier work,” I answered.

“Not now?”

“Sounds like you’re trying too hard. Please don’t make a Christmas album.”

“What do you mean?” He leaned against the wall.

My legs ached, and I did the same on my side. “Singers make a Christmas album to make money or because they fear their careers are dying,” I answered.

“Not about the Christmas songs. Why don’t you like my recent music?” Jordan asked.

I took a moment to answer him. His latest song missed something, and it was like everything else out there.

“With your latest song, Best of Me, someone has sung it before. Why can’t women succeed alone? Why must you tie her to you? Or any guy, for that matter?” I answered. My cheeks heated. My intention included every love song, not solely Jordan’s. He wrote his own music according to the magazine Music Right Now.

“My song didn’t sound quite right, and I couldn’t figure out why. I didn’t want to release it, but I got outvoted by my band.” Jordan ripped off his hat, running a hand through his brown hair. He sported the classic swept back hairstyle popular among boy band members and actors. “Honestly, I should’ve changed the lyrics to something more like Best of You. Do you write music? What’s your name?”

The urge to escape flowed through me, but my exhaustion prevented me from running away. I hated discussing myself after everything that had happened. “You don’t need to know my name.” Like he would remember my name, Cobie Meine, anyway.

“Why not?”

“You won’t remember me, and we live in different worlds. We should go. Your fans will notice they lost you and circle back to find you.”

Jordan frowned. “You’re right, we should leave, but I’ll remember what you did for me, mystery girl. We live on one world unless you’ve discovered another? Should we go together or separately?”

I laughed and rubbed the back of my neck as a plan formed. “I realize you may not be keen on the idea, but we should depart the park together, holding hands. No one will suspect you’re on a date with me.”

“Why not?” Jordan asked me.

“You’re you and I am me,” I answered him.

“You’re beautiful.”

I plastered on a fake smile. “Thanks. We should go.”

Jordan rolled toward me and held out his hand.

I took his hand, and my heart picked up speed a little. Yes, I could verify that Jordan was a heartthrob.

We glided out of the tunnel and followed the path. His clammy hand had calluses on his fingertips from playing guitar. He worked hard. I shouldn’t have told him his songs sucked. I really was a fan of his earlier music.

“Can’t believe this is working,” Jordan whispered.

“I told you no one would believe you were on a date with me,” I reminded him.

“Why wouldn’t they? You’re totally my type.” His hand clenched mine, and his body stiffened as we glided past a group of teenage girls searching. Probably for him.

I half laughed at his statement.

Jordan glanced down at me and motioned with his head.

We steered away from a rather large pack of hyenas. They shrieked and laughed so loud that everyone nearby covered their ears. A few had broken off, making me suspect there might be others.

“This way,” I told Jordan. I tugged on his hand. We needed to find the exit.

Near it, more teenage girls waited. Another group joined them. Had they told others Jordan was at the park? They’d have swarmed him if they had.

Jordan released my hand and braked. He must’ve spotted his fans, too. After I stopped next to him, he pulled me into his arms.

I protested until he touched my face.

“They’re looking over here,” Jordan told me. Of course, he wouldn’t actually want to kiss me. “Thank you for saving me.”

“Thank me when we leave the park,” I whispered.

“Is there another way out?”

“Yes, your fans are probably there, but I may have another way.” I had snuck inside this park a few times after needing a break from touring. Someone might’ve fixed the board. If they had, I would leave him and tell his fans he was somewhere else.

“You don’t need anyone to rescue you.” Jordan smiled at me, and I bet his eyes twinkled underneath his sunglasses.

“I’m my own knight in shining armor.” I had to be after my parents kicked me out. They wanted my money, and since I was no longer their meal ticket, they had no use for me.

“Not me. I’ll rely on you. Why won’t you tell me your name?” Jordan asked.

I stared up at him. “Because I don’t want to be another notch on your belt. Let’s go when your fans aren’t looking.”

“You could never.” He touched the small of my back and pressed me against his chest. “We have an opening; however, I’m reluctant to mention it. I enjoy holding you.” Despite his words, he released me.

I guided him until we ended up behind the bathrooms. I took the overgrown path. We got lucky with the board being loose there. I peeled it back.

“I don’t want to leave you like this,” Jordan said as he bent. He had a hole near the knee of his blue jeans.

“Like what?” I asked, confused. I hunkered next to him.

“Not being able to thank you.”

“You did earlier.”

“Yeah, but I want to give you tickets to my concert or your favorite handbag, or something.”

“I need nothing,” I told him.

“I like you,” Jordan said.

My breath caught in my throat. “Sure, you do. Why didn’t you kiss me?” He had the chance more than once.

“I will on our first date.”

“You should go.”

“You’re not coming with me?” Jordan asked.

“Who else will lead your fans away from you?” I asked him.

“Again, you saved me, and I can’t do anything for you?”

“You can do something for me.” I realized I wanted something else. “Actually, two things.”

“What?”

“Don’t make a Christmas album,” I answered.

“Why not? You don’t like my music,” Jordan pointed out.

“Not now, but I did before.”

Jordan sat up straighter, and he brushed his knee against mine. “What if I make the album for money and never quit making music?”

“Then you’re doing it for the right reason.”

“What’s the second thing?” Jordan asked.

“Only release music you’re happy with,” I answered.

“I had already planned it after our talk. Goodbye, mystery girl.”

“Goodbye, Jordan.”

He squeezed my knee before he climbed through the hole. I was a bit surprised he fit through it, since his shoulders were so broad.

I waited for a minute and stood with my knees cracking. My feet ached, and I needed to remove the rollerblades, but I kept my promises. I rolled toward the center of the park. After getting there, I screamed Jordan’s full name and took off.

He had given me a new perspective on life. I could either stay angry or I could sing like he did, but I wouldn’t forget.

Once I got home, I tore off the eviction notice on my door. It would wait. I searched online for a talent show, any talent show, to perform. One happened next week, and I had enough money for the tram fare. The repo company repossessed my vehicle after I missed a few payments.

If you wonder what Why Do People Suck is about?

Cobie Meine, the world’s top singer, is abandoned by her manager who stole her money, fans, and stage name, Cam, after she decided to remove her mask. Left with nothing but her clothes on her back, she no longer sings until she saves a well-known musician from a horde of teenage girl fans.

Jordan Space leads Solar Harmony as its singer and songwriter. He'll always remember the woman who saved him from his fans, even if she doesn’t like his music anymore. He follows her advice to only releasing songs he’s happy with. Someday, he hopes to thank her.

However, fate, overzealous fans, lawsuits, Cam's impersonator, and the music industry continually drive Cobie and Jordan apart, leaving them questioning why they can't find happiness?

https://mybook.to/WDPS