While traditional publishing gatekeepers have long controlled who gets a shot at literary stardom, blockchain technology is blasting those doors wide open. Wicklow-based science fiction author Liam O’Neill is making waves as the first Irish writer to release his dystopian novel entirely through blockchain platforms. No middle-men. No rejection letters. Just pure creative control.
The numbers don’t lie—traditional publishers reject 95-99% of manuscripts. O’Neill got tired of waiting. His novel “Neural Chains” explores a future where blockchain governs everything from real estate to personal identity. Ironic that he’s using the very technology he sometimes critiques to distribute it.
When 99% of doors close, sometimes you build your own—even if you’ve warned others about the design flaws.
Blockchain publishing isn’t just some tech-bro fantasy. It’s transforming how authors get paid. O’Neill receives royalties in real-time through smart contracts—no more waiting months for quarterly statements that require a mathematics degree to understand. Every sale triggers an automatic payment. Simple as that. The ERC-721 standard made these revolutionary smart contracts possible on the Ethereum network.
His readers own their copies too. Actually own them. Not like those ebooks you “buy” that companies can remotely delete whenever they feel like it. Each digital copy has unique blockchain verification, preventing piracy while ensuring readers truly possess what they purchase.
O’Neill’s experiment goes beyond just selling books. He’s released limited edition NFT versions containing exclusive content—alternate endings, deleted scenes, author notes. These NFTs create unique digital assets that provide exclusive experiences for his dedicated readers. Some sold for hundreds. Who knew sci-fi nerds had that kind of cash?
The system isn’t perfect. The technology still intimidates many authors. Regulatory questions loom. And yes, the environmental impact of some blockchain networks remains concerning. O’Neill acknowledges these issues openly.
But the potential for independent voices—especially in speculative fiction—is undeniable. Authors exploring controversial themes or experimental formats no longer need permission from publishing executives to reach readers. The decentralized and distributed nature of blockchain makes censorship more difficult for authoritarian entities looking to suppress controversial content.
“The gatekeepers aren’t gone,” O’Neill notes, “they’re just becoming irrelevant.” And for sci-fi writers imagining bold futures, that might be the most revolutionary plot twist of all.
