HOME | ABOUT | BOOKS | NEWSLETTER
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Johnny Tabales is a North Carolina-based author who dissects the intersection of humanity and technology. A veteran of the U.S. Navy’s VS-24 “Scouts,” Johnny brings a tactical, disciplined eye to the page.
His narrative authenticity is grounded in his professional background, formerly as a technical contractor for the West Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, and currently as a specialist in medical technology implementation. This unique triad of military, law enforcement, and med-tech experience forms the DNA of his fiction.
After honing his craft through ten manuscripts and earning finalist distinctions in the 2025 Ready Chapter 1 Pro Writing Challenge (July, September, and October), Johnny is preparing his debut, The Lazarus Defect. He is also actively developing the prequel novel, Dead Men Tell, expanding the history of Obsidian Heights.
When not exploring the gritty underbelly of the city, Johnny manages the chaos of the real world in Charlotte, NC. He is a father of three, grandfather of two, and a youth sports coach. A self-proclaimed chef, he believes the best stories are shared with friends and family over a good meal.
Instagram: @tabalesj
Facebook: Johnny Tabales
THE ARCHIVES
THE LAZARUS DEFECT
They promised us eternal life in the cloud. They lied.
A defect in the city’s resurrection technology is bringing people back… wrong. Now, in a city where memories can be overwritten and bodies are just rental property, the truth is the most dangerous contraband of all.
DEAD MEN TELL
The year is 2015. No implants. No backups. When you die, you stay dead.
Long before Obsidian Heights became a neon fortress, it was just a city drowning in secrets.
Detective Mitch Stone isn’t hunting a glitch; he’s hunting a ghost. A cold case from the turn of the millennium has resurfaced, leading him into a conspiracy that will lay the foundation for the city’s corrupt future. The code wasn’t written in silicon—it was written in blood.
JOIN THE SHIFT
Witness the fall of humanity. Sign up to receive “Lazarus Zero,”
an exclusive 4-part prequel story, for free.
- Exclusive Lore Drops
- Early Cover & Art Reveals
- Beta Reader Invites