Meet Austin

Hi, I’m Austin—storyteller, cattle farmer, and lifelong lover of characters with moral complexity. Funny thing is, I never imagined I’d end up as an author. I didn’t love writing in school—essays? No thanks. But storytelling? That was something else entirely. My ideas flowed faster than I could type, so I adapted, using voice recordings and transcriptions to capture the epic worlds spinning through my mind.

For as long as I remember, I’ve been fascinated by characters—not just who they are, but why they are the way they are. Whether it was action figures or video game heroes, I didn’t just collect them—I learned everything about them, down to the tiniest details. Even today, I can tell you the obscure backstory of a minor character in a galactic battle scene. My obsession with characters grew into something deeper—a desire to explore their motivations, especially in the gray areas of morality. Does the villain know they’re the villain? How do people justify their actions when good and evil are intertwined?

These questions fuel my stories, where I build characters who wrestle with complex motivations and ethical dilemmas. For me, world-building and character development go hand-in-hand. The worlds I create are shaped by these moral questions—every kingdom, culture, and conflict exists to challenge my characters’ beliefs and force them to confront the blurred line between right and wrong. I’m passionate about building worlds where readers not only get lost in the adventure but also find themselves questioning what they thought they knew about heroes, villains, and everything in between.

Now, at 25, after five long years of writing and editing, I’ve crafted an epic fantasy universe filled with rich, intricate details and characters you’ll feel like you’ve known forever. Whether it’s a hero’s quirky habit or the shadowy corners of a morally ambiguous world, my goal is to make you feel like you’re a part of the story—living through each decision and challenge alongside the characters.

When I’m not writing my next chapter, you’ll find me enjoying the simple life—spending time with family and friends, cattle farming, tending to animals, and gaming when there is time. All I need is a little time and quiet space to build my next world.

Ready to explore the world of Forge and Fray? Follow me at @forgeandfray, and get ready for an adventure that challenges not only your sense of wonder but your thoughts on morality and human nature.