About the Author

Cole Harridan is an American author who lives on the East Coast with his family. His works graft existential reflection onto fantasy literature, confronting the volatility of power, the cyclical nature of violence, and man's enduring struggle to parse meaning and responsibility from the universe. He writes often, at length, and often at length; he has been penning severe tales in mythic register since childhood, and attributes this to an overexposure to the likes of Plato and Homer during formative years.

“I’ve found every great story is meant to leave us with something, so I’ll always pursue words that endure.”

Cole's upcoming debut epic fantasy novel, A Mockery of Peace, pits a grieving warrior of unlikely beginnings against an obsessed lord, a doomed wizard, and the imprisoned god they serve. Within its universe, medieval history and philosophy overlap with ancient mythology and religion, while deeply scarred characters struggle beneath the weight of power, grief, and expectation.

Forgotten depths and long-abandoned ruins feel lived-in rather than discovered. Conflicts are driven as much by human conviction as swords and spells. A Mockery of Peace has been praised by sample audiences for blending epic scope with moral complexity, character-driven storytelling, and unflinching prose.

When not brooding over the blinking cursor, Cole enjoys rock climbing, attending dinner parties with loved ones, and tinkering with new technologies. His latest hobby project is fine-tuning a virtual reality racecar simulator. As ever, perfection eludes. He remains a long-standing fan of the Elder Scrolls and Mortal Kombat game franchises; besides riding dragons and fighting gods, in quiet hours he can be found puzzling over a good book or daydreaming about horses galloping freely upon the plains.

Cole welcomes all business inquiries and fervent enjoyers of his work to email him directly at coleharridan@coleharridan.org.

From the Author

Like a great deal of writers, I’ve spent most of my life devouring books. I inherited this blessing from my mother, then found encouragement in her example. I could never quite keep still growing up, and the same could be said for my mind.

I would pivot from classic literature and Greco-Roman history to astronomy and economics, from ancient Japanese meditation techniques and medieval folk stories to modern self-help books and the Lovecraftian mythos. The written word can be made beautiful by the mind it graces, and I knew well my love for it long before I honed any interest in fantasy. That bit came later on, and it struck like lightning.

No matter the genre, I’ve discovered that the finest stories ask as much of us as they answer. That’s why I developed a world of characters who reflect the face which studies them. What might you do in their position, and why should they behave differently?

Is it always honorable for someone to sacrifice everything for what they believe to be the greater good? What does unmatched power mean when pitted against unavoidable tragedy? Is it we who carry purpose, or is it that which carries us?

Couple these questions with legendary figures, a kingdom rife with betrayal, and divinity which casts down more than it exalts, and you will find yourself well-equipped for the journey.

From the depths of who I am, I thank you for taking it alongside me.

Yours truly, in the OurFather’s name, to last light and dying breath,

Cole R. Harridan