About the Author

I am originally from Vermont, where I grew up dairy farming. I’ve read widely in sci-fi and fantasy genres since my pre-teen years through today. I always had a strong interest in both science and history that I maintain to this day.

I attended the University of Vermont, earning a BS in Biology, after which, I turned to swinging a hammer for a living.  During those nine years in construction, I met my wife Dawnna, my eldest son Lucas was born and I took several stabs at writing a science fiction novel that was in my head since I was twenty. 

I also became involved in medieval reenactment through the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), where I adopted the persona of an early sixth century Salian Frank, and learned a bit about several forms of period combat. I specialized in polearm fighting, with spear, greatsword, and sword with shield following along in that order.

At the ripe old age of thirty, I lost my mind and joined the Army, where I remained for 21 years, retiring in the spring of 2019.  I specialized in, of all things, modern weapon systems.  After several years of repairing everything from pistols to battle tanks, managing maintenance shops and personnel, I moved from the enlisted ranks to become a warrant officer, more of a maintenance administrator and technical resource than a direct manager.  My two younger sons, Tristan and Ethan, were born during our first years in the Army.  My career has brought my family to many parts of the country and me to many parts of the world, usually parts you don’t want to visit.  Now I work as a civilian but under contract to the military, so I didn’t move too very far from the defense industry.

I finally started writing seriously in 2010, but quickly became bored with the sci-fi novel I had in the works for twenty-plus years, and shifted my focus to building the fantasy world Aertu and the story to fit in it.  I hope that you enjoy my work.

Best regards,

Julian

Old photo circa 1993-94 from my days as a reenactor.

Mosul, Iraq 2006, convoy escort detail. That’s me with the goofy grin, second from the left.

Last day in uniform before retirement 2018. Older, but not necessarily wiser.

Me today, December 2023.