Ted Barber launches two fiction series with Mesa signing event

Author Ted Barber will spotlight two new book series at a signing event Sept. 19 in Mesa, Arizona, including a futuristic epic and a political thriller. The stories examine memory, power and democracy as Barber asks what happens when societies forget history or trade freedom for security.

Why it matters: - Ted Barber’s two new series tap into timely questions about memory, power and democratic erosion. - The books aim at readers of science fiction, speculative fiction and political thrillers. - The Mesa event gives local readers a chance to meet Barber and hear how the two projects connect.

What happened: - Barber will hold a book signing and series premiere on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Half Price Books, 6339 E. Southern Avenue in Mesa, Arizona. - The event will feature two works: The Infinite Quest: The Sixth Sun and The Forsaken Awaken Series: Deferment. - Barber will meet readers, discuss the books and the inspiration behind both series, and sign copies.

The details: - The Infinite Quest: The Sixth Sun looks 4,300 years into humanity’s future. - The series asks whether humanity would repeat past mistakes if all collective memories of history disappeared. - The story explores civilization, memory, human behavior and whether progress is possible without remembering the past. - Deferment is the first installment in The Forsaken Awaken Series. - The novel follows a fictional U.S. president through his first four years in office. - The president starts by presenting himself as a leader who will "save America." - The story then shows him gradually moving the country toward dictatorship. - Deferment examines power, persuasion, political ambition and the erosion of democratic ideals. - The event is open to readers interested in science fiction, futuristic fiction, political thrillers, speculative fiction and unconventional stories. - Event details list the signing as "Ted Barber Book Signing & Series Premiere."

Between the lines: - Barber is using two very different fiction frameworks to explore one shared theme: how choices made now can shape the future. - The futuristic series and the political thriller point to the same concern from different angles — forgetting history versus surrendering freedom. - Barber said, "These stories are fiction, but the questions behind them are real." - Barber added that what people remember, what they forget and the choices they make can shape the future in ways they may never anticipate. - The promotion suggests the books are meant to spark discussion as much as entertain.

What's next: - Readers in Mesa can attend the Sept. 19 event to buy, discuss and have the books signed. - The signing introduces both series together, setting up future interest in additional installments or reader engagement around the themes. - More information is available through Barber’s social accounts, including Instagram and Facebook.

The bottom line: - Barber is pairing a far-future science fiction series with a political cautionary tale to ask whether humanity learns from its past — or repeats it.