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I grew up in a small town, Kinston, in Eastern North Carolina in the golden age of youth. I say golden age, because kids dashed out the door on Saturday morning, took to bicycles, and explored the world around them unrestrained only returning home for dinner in the late afternoon. I scampered over fields and swampy low grounds, investigated and collected anything that moved and half the flora I came across. That gave me the knowledge of the natural world that backgrounds my epic.
I studied mythology and developed my own language that has served me through life. My most prized names took form in the characters and places of my books all these decades later.
I went to college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I graduated with a BA degree in Ancient and European History. An elective course on castle and cathedral fired up a love of medieval architecture. Little did I know political histories, biographies, art, and architecture would again arise in the fortresses and palaces in my books.
I served my country in the Vietnam War, repairing the display computers on the Air Force’s F111 aircraft, though not in Vietnam. Then I audited agriculture courses at NC State University for a year before returning to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduating with a MBA, Masters of Business Administration.
A long career in the textile industry working in materials inventory, computer systems development, and finally, manufacturing operations ended abruptly due to a corporate buyout. The imploding industry left little economic opportunity. I found myself looking ‘outside the box’ for future options. A seed suggestion to write down some of my stories, planted by a doctor of literature in my youth, germinated. I decided to write a fantasy story. I had no inkling it would lead me on the greatest adventure of my life. Though I didn’t know the stern mandates of creative writing before I started, I learned backwards by rewriting my epic over the years correcting the point of view, show don’t tell, ‘ly’ adverb, passive voice, etc. issues until at last I have the story down pat.
017My greatest supporter and companion through the years of writing this epic was my little silky terrier, Miss Delia. She passed away after sixteen years just prior to my publishing my first of the four books. This epic is dedicated first and foremost to that precious little girl.
Reviewed by Eduardo Aduna for Readers' Favorite
Saxthor, second son of the current Queen, is in danger from his very own aunt, the Witch Earwig - who also happens to be the previous queen. With the help of two well-meaning mages and a host of magical creatures, Saxthor must find a way to tap the power inside him and survive the political machinations of his immediate family.
There are several things that makes a fantasy epic work. World building is an essential part of any fantasy novel, as is populating this imaginary world. C. Craig Coleman has taken genre tropes like dragons and faeries and imposed his own style and flair on them. He then placed these magical creatures in a world that is different enough to be exotic, but familiar enough for readers to have solid points for reference. Saxthor, as a protagonist in what is the first book of the series, fits the archetypal hero mold. Youngish readers would have no trouble identifying with his desire for independence, his capacity for self-reliance and his intuitive cleverness. He is a character whose story readers would want to follow. I for one would love to see his development from a capable young man to someone who can truly impact the fantasy world that he lives in.
Of course, no protagonist would be interesting without a capable antagonist to bring out the best in him. As far as crafting villains and nefarious characters go, C. Craig Coleman manages to combine evil and weird while adding a slight pinch of humanity to the mix. The Dragon Ring, Neuyokkasinian Arc of Empire Book 1, is a charming and solidly written book with surprising depth that can gain C. Craig Coleman a legion of new fans.
