Mike Champagne is proving that a quiet pandemic pastime can grow into something much bigger.
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The Lloydminster-based, self-published author was at Coles on April 18, meeting readers and promoting his latest release, I, during a book signing at the LloydMall.
Champagne said his writing journey began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he — like many others — found himself with unexpected free time.
“I was bored, like everyone else,” he said. “I just sat down and started writing a short story, and it grew into something more.”
That first project became The Prophecy Stone, launching what has since developed into a catalogue of nine self-published books spanning multiple genres.
“I couldn’t leave that first book by itself,” he said. “So, I just kept writing.”
Champagne’s work ranges from more mature, adult-oriented stories to science fiction and absurdist comedy. His Dr. Galen Vex series, for example, blends humour and science in a format aimed at younger readers.
“It’s kind of like The Naked Gun or Airplane!,” he said. “The main character is like Doc Brown, MacGyver and Quagmire all rolled into one.”
His newest book, I, marks another shift — this time into psychological thriller territory. The novel follows a man trapped in a repeating daily loop, forced to piece together what’s happening through observation alone as events around him shift and escalate.
“It’s like a Groundhog Day idea,” Champagne said. “But no one explains anything to him. He just has to figure it out.”
The project also allowed Champagne to experiment with a different narrative style, writing from a limited point of view to heighten tension and uncertainty.
While his catalogue continues to grow, Champagne said his focus remains less on profit and more on storytelling.
“My biggest thing is just that people read and enjoy my stories,” he said. “That’s what I’ve really come to love about it.”
The path of self-publishing, however, comes with challenges. Without access to professional editors, designers or large-scale distribution, Champagne handles nearly every aspect of production himself — from writing and editing with the help of friends to designing covers and arranging printing.
“All the distribution, I have to do on my own,” he said. “It’s a lot of legwork.”
Still, the hands-on process is part of the reward. Champagne describes a sense of pride in holding a finished book — something tangible he created from start to finish.
“There’s something about having the physical copy in your hands,” he said. “It’s a pride thing.”
With nine titles now completed — including multiple series and standalone works — Champagne views his current body of work as a foundation for what comes next.
“My goal is to become a fully published author,” he said. “I want to create something I can confidently take to a publisher and say, ‘This is my best work.’”
For now, his books are available locally at Coles in LloydMall, online through his website, and at select local retailers, as he continues building both his readership and his craft.
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