Drew Briney: Supreme Court Lawyer Turned Bestselling Steampunk Fantasy Author

Who is Drew Briney? If you’re into young adult science fiction or steampunk novels, you might know him as the author behind Moon 514 and the Assassin Hunter series. But there’s way more to this guy’s story than just books. He’s won cases at the United States Supreme Court, performed at the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, and appeared on TLC’s reality show Seeking Sister Wife. Drew Briney’s life reads like one of his post-apocalyptic fiction novels, full of unexpected twists and turns.

Early Life and Education

Drew Briney wasn’t always part of mainstream Mormonism. As a teenager, he converted and fully committed to the faith. That decision shaped everything that came after. He served a French-speaking mission in Quebec, Canada, where he spent years helping others and learning a new language.

After his mission, Drew Briney headed to Brigham Young University. And he didn’t just pick one major. He earned degrees in history, music, and logic. That’s three different fields requiring completely different ways of thinking. His academic performance got him into Phi Kappa Phi, an honors society that only accepts top students.

His success at BYU led to a scholarship at J. Reuben Clark Law School. Most people would be thrilled just to get in. Drew Briney got paid to attend. This set him up for a legal career that would eventually reach the highest court in America.

Legal Career and Academia

For 16 years, Drew Briney practiced law. He wasn’t just shuffling paperwork either. He handled serious litigation that required sharp thinking and solid arguments. His biggest moment? Winning a case at the United States Supreme Court. That’s the kind of achievement most attorneys only dream about.

But law wasn’t his only interest. Drew Briney started teaching philosophy at Utah Valley University. There, he combined his logic degree with his love for deep questions about life and meaning. Teaching gave him something law couldn’t: direct contact with young minds eager to learn.

Eventually, he made a choice that surprised many people. He left his legal career behind to become a full-time author. After years of courtroom battles and philosophy lectures, Drew Briney decided stories were his real calling. It was a risky move, but one that led to his success in science fiction and fantasy.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Author

Drew Briney writes books where technology clashes with magic. His stories aren’t your typical fantasy with dragons and wizards, and they’re not pure science fiction either. He creates post-apocalyptic worlds where genetically engineered humans fight against magically empowered aliens. Think steampunk technology meeting psionic abilities.

His writing style has earned him comparisons to Ursula LeGuin and Elaine Cunningham. Some readers even mention Fyodor Dostoevsky when discussing his darker, more complex storylines. Drew Briney builds worlds that feel real, even when they’re completely impossible.

He’s become a bestseller in the YA SFF steampunk category. His books appeal to readers who want action, adventure, and stories that make them think. The magic systems he creates are detailed and believable. His technological elements feel grounded in real science, even when they’re centuries ahead of our time.

Published Works and Literary Success

Moon 514: Blaze and the White Griffon started on Wattpad. The serial fiction platform gave Drew Briney a chance to test his ideas with real readers. The response was huge. People loved Blaze, the protagonist who discovers a white griffon in a world where such creatures shouldn’t exist.

Unproven became a bestseller in the steampunk category on Amazon. It tells the story of Shadow, a character living in a steampunk society where magic and technology compete for dominance. The book’s success proved Drew Briney could write page-turner novels that keep readers up all night.

The Assassin Hunter and Soul Hunter series followed. These books feature high-tech assassins, memory implants, and villain origin stories that make you question who’s really good or evil. Readers have compared them to a mix of Star Wars meets Divergent, with thriller-paced fiction that doesn’t let up.

Drew Briney also contributed to the 5 Blades anthology. His short story Slice showed he could tell powerful stories in compact form. Right now, he’s working on Sea Dragon Apocalypse, a series about camouflaging dragons emerging from the abyss after a cataclysmic evolution. His website anewbreedofdragon.com offers updates on new releases.

Journey into Polygamy

At Utah Valley University, Drew Briney learned about fundamentalist Mormonism. This branch practices plural marriage, which mainstream Mormonism stopped over a century ago. He studied near eastern texts and Mormon studies, including works about Lorin C. Woolley’s School of the Prophets.

He married April Briney first. Together they had eight children. Then he married Auralee Briney, and they had six children together. His third marriage was to Angela Briney, and it happened fast. Really fast. They married after knowing each other for just 13 days, and they have one child.

That’s 15 children total across three marriages. Managing a polygamous lifestyle with that many kids requires serious organization. The Briney family became known in fundamentalist Mormon communities for their openness about plural marriage.

Seeking Sister Wife Experience

TLC’s reality show Seeking Sister Wife featured the Briney family in season 1. The show documented polygamous families looking to add more wives. For Drew Briney and his family, it meant cameras following their daily life in Utah.

They filmed season 2, but the network pulled it before it aired. Why? Because things fell apart dramatically. April Briney left, taking all eight of her children with her. The divorce proceedings that followed were complicated and painful.

The whole experience was traumatic for everyone involved. Reality television promised to show their lifestyle in a positive light. Instead, it contributed to the breakdown of Drew Briney’s first marriage. The impact on family dynamics was severe, affecting not just the adults but all 15 children.

Musical Accomplishments and Performance

Before becoming a Drew Briney author, he was a serious musician. He taught saxophone and ear training. His skill level was good enough to tour internationally with jazz bands. He performed in Europe, bringing his musical talent to audiences across multiple countries.

Symphony performances took him to China and the Philippines. These weren’t small local gigs. Drew Briney played with professional orchestras in front of huge crowds. His music degree from Brigham Young University had prepared him well.

But here’s where it gets interesting. He also became a professional juggler. In 2001, he earned the title of Utah’s Best Professional Juggler. His performance art combined storytelling with juggling, creating shows he called Story Juggler performances.

In 2002, Drew Briney performed at the Salt Lake Olympics. Millions of people watched as athletes from around the world competed. And there he was, juggling and entertaining crowds. He also performed at the Timpanogas Storytelling Festival, where his unique style of combining stories with juggling made him stand out.

Martial Arts and Woodworking

Drew Briney trained in karate for years. He worked hard, moving through the ranks toward earning his black belt. He was close, really close. But a back injury ended his martial arts career before he could complete that goal.

Even though he couldn’t finish, four of his children earned black belts. He trained them, passed on what he knew, and watched them achieve what his injury prevented him from completing. That’s got to be both proud and bittersweet.

After his karate competition days ended, Drew Briney turned to woodworking. He started creating custom furniture, using his hands to build instead of fight. Woodworking became one of his creative hobbies, alongside writing and music.

Conclusion

Drew Briney’s life doesn’t fit into one simple category. He’s been a litigation attorney who won at the Supreme Court, a philosophy teacher at Utah Valley University, a bestselling author in multiple genres, a professional musician who toured internationally, and an Olympic performer. He’s lived through a plural marriage, appeared on reality television, and raised 15 children.

His books like Moon 514, Unproven, and the Assassin Hunter series prove he can write epic fantasy mashup stories that hook readers from page one. His indie author success on platforms like Amazon, Goodreads, and Audible shows that traditional publishing isn’t the only path to reaching thousands of fans.

Want to check out his work? Visit anewbreedofdragon.com to find his latest book launch information, sign up for his Substack newsletter, or connect with him on social media. Whether you’re into dragon warfare, memory implants, or steampunk technology, Drew Briney has a story waiting for you. His books are available on Amazon and Audible, with audiobook narration by Julian Pearson bringing his post-apocalyptic survivors and genetically engineered humans to life.

If you love fantasy fiction community discussions, join other readers who appreciate genre-blending fiction that refuses to play by the rules. Drew Briney writes for thriller readers, adventure seekers, and anyone who thinks magic systems should meet technological advancement head-on.