I’m Adam Martin, a man forever caught between the worlds of precision and chaos, practicality and imagination, spreadsheets and granite boulders.

On one hand, I’m a registered architect and project manager—two roles that require me to tame the unruly forces of construction and planning, ensuring that nothing falls apart and breaks (literally). It’s a life of structure, contracts, precision, and keeping all things in-line, on budget and on track!

But on the other hand, I’m an artist and a writer—a maker of things less concrete and more ephemeral. This is the side of me that stares out the window of our family shack in Bicheno, Tasmania, at Peggy’s Point, where lichen-draped granite boulders stand watch like ancient gods. Sometimes they inspire me, sometimes they mock me with their timelessness while I wrestle with a single sentence.

But my most important role is at home. I’m the partner to the most extraordinary, beautiful woman—and my best friend—Gabrielle, whose astonishing patience keeps my world from spinning off its axis. Together, we’re raising four incredible kids: Ruby, Isaac, Audrey, and Florence. They are my daily inspiration, my greatest joy, and the reason I strive to be better every day.

I’m also deeply passionate about men’s mental health. My stories, infused with themes of trauma, vulnerability, and flawed humanity, reflect my belief that it’s in our imperfections that we truly find our strength. Perfection is a myth—our beauty lies in the cracks and scars, in the vivid, untamed landscapes of our lives.

Finally, to you, dear reader: thank you. You’ve chosen to spend a moment of your precious time reading this novel, and that’s no small thing. You remind me why I tell stories—not just for myself but for someone out there, for you. So may your own granite boulders inspire you, challenge you, and occasionally remind you not to take it all too seriously. From the bottom of my imperfect, procrastinating heart—thank you.