Ashfaq Ahmad

Ashfaq Ahmad

Born	16/10/1974 Sitapur
Occupation	Author, Publisher, Blogger
Language	English, Hindi
Genre	Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction, Science Fiction, Standalone Stories
Imprint	Gradias Publishing House
Spouse	Farhat Najma
Children	Fairish Ayan, Fahed Ruman, Laraib Aariz, Zara,

Ashfaq Ahmad is an established and versatile writer in contemporary Hindi and English literature. His works bring together ideas, realism, and imagination, while combining Indian sensibilities with global settings, diverse subjects, and a wide range of human experiences.

He has written more than seventy books, including novels and stories across various genres. His two major ongoing series, Crime Fiction with David Francis and Spyverse, have so far produced ten published novels each.

His body of work also includes Arlzverse, an expansive narrative concept comprising thirty interconnected books. In addition, he has published twenty standalone works of fiction and one work of nonfiction.

Contents

Brief Biography
Writing Career
Literary Works
Notable Themes and Concepts
Other Writing and Literary Activities
Publishing

Brief Biography

Ashfaq Ahmad was born on 16 October 1974 in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India. He spent most of his childhood engaged in education and reading. However, at the age of seventeen or eighteen, due to certain family circumstances, he left home and moved to Mumbai, which brought his formal education to an end. His pursuit of learning, however, did not end with his formal schooling. Even amid the demands of everyday life, he continued to acquire knowledge through various sources and mediums.

He returned from Mumbai to Sitapur in 2001 and lived there until 2013, when he moved to Lucknow, where he currently resides. During this period, he married and became the father of four children— three sons and a daughter.

Writing Career

Ashfaq Ahmad began writing during his adolescence. He wrote his first story while he was in the seventh grade. He continued writing stories and several books until 1998, although none of his early works were published at the time.

He later took a break from writing due to other commitments in life. After 2018, he resumed his literary work. His first book was published by Notion Press in 2019. He subsequently established his own publishing house, Gradias Publishing House, and published his first book under the imprint in 2020.

Since then, he has published more than seventy books in both Hindi and English.

Literary Works

Arlzverse — An expansive narrative concept comprising thirty interconnected books, incorporating elements of science fiction and exploring themes related to human evolution, memory, extinct civilizations, and the universe.

Crime Fiction with David Francis — An ongoing crime-fiction series centered on David Francis, with ten novels published to date.

Spyverse — An ongoing espionage series centered on three principal protagonists, whose missions involve national security and international affairs. Ten novels have been published in the series to date.

Standalone Works — In addition to these series, his standalone works include Saavri, The Bloody Castle, Jihadi Parinde, Junior, Ishq Unlimited, Aaseb, and God's Existence.

Notable Themes and Concepts

The major works of Ashfaq Ahmad explore themes related to science, human existence, crime, espionage, national security, memory, identity, and human relationships through different narrative forms. His three principal series approach these themes from distinct perspectives.

Arlzverse is an expansive narrative concept comprising thirty interconnected books. Its stories explore scientific and philosophical questions concerning human evolution, artificial life, memory and immortality, the unknown past of Earth, and the possibility of extinct civilizations. Its broader narrative scope also encompasses extraterrestrial life, the possibilities of the universe, and questions concerning creation and the possible nature of its creator. In this sense, Arlzverse uses science fiction as a medium for exploring questions surrounding human existence and the nature of the universe.

Crime Fiction with David Francis is a character-driven crime-fiction series centered on David Francis. Alongside crime and mystery, the series incorporates elements of travel, adventure, personal freedom, and human relationships. David travels to different parts of the world guided by his distinctive outlook on life and personal principles, and circumstances repeatedly draw him into various crimes and crises. His personal experiences and decisions play an important role in driving the narratives forward.

Spyverse is an espionage series featuring three principal protagonists who undertake various missions on behalf of their agency. These missions involve national security, intelligence operations, and international affairs, with the stories taking place both in India and abroad. Alongside covert operations, the series explores themes of information, identity, international networks, strategic decision-making, duty, and personal risk.

Other Writing and Literary Activities

In addition to his fiction, Ashfaq Ahmad writes on a range of subjects. He operates literary blog websites including Lafztarash, Shabdkaar, and Aakharvani, where his writings cover literature as well as subjects such as society, politics, science, technology, and history.

Publishing

In addition to writing, Ashfaq Ahmad is active in the publishing industry. He founded Gradias Publishing House to publish his works and support literary endeavors.

Major Works