RJ Hanson has accumulated a number of real-world experiences that have served to give him a unique understanding of the human condition and a perspective that gives his writing an honest grit. He has also benefited from years of training ranging from interview and interrogation techniques to hand to hand combat to SWAT tactics. RJ is a certified Firearms Instructor and Linguistic Statement Analyst.
RJ began writing at the age of twelve, however didn’t begin his writing career until the age of forty-five.
He enjoys the distinction of having scored a touch, or ‘touche’, against an Olympic fencer during a pickup match in college (he’s really far too proud of it) In his youth he worked as a cowboy having grown up on a small ranch in north Texas. At the age of 16 he was selected for the TAMS (Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science) project at the University of North Texas. In his spare time, RJ has studied medieval combat and military tactics as well as arms and armaments of various cultures and times. RJ plays in a weekly pen and paper RPG game (Rolemaster) with some close family and friends and some of the characters played have been around since 1996! His adult children like to joke that some of the characters are older than they are.
RJ and his wife, Michelle, live on a small ranch where they maintain a modest herd of cattle, Pinker (their lovable if clumsy Great Dane), and a variety of barn cats.
“Hanson’s very visceral writing style captures the breathtaking excitement, terror, and wonder of fantasy adventure that I’ve found in roleplaying, computer gaming, and classics of the genre…but is so often lacking in contemporary offerings. The mental world inhabited by his characters is very well developed. Combat scenes are invariably creative, well-thought, and realistic in a way that will please purists while remaining fast paced enough to satisfy others. And it is an intriguing blend of high and low fantasy: while inhabiting a gritty world and hardly infallible, the protagonists are high-minded people trying to do the right thing in an often complicated and confusing world. If you’re uncertain about your next fantasy read … just get this one.” Award-winning author Jon Black.
Our Start
RJ wrote what would become the first three volumes of the Heirs of Vanity Series in 2001. It wasn’t until the summer of 2018, at the prompting of his daughter/editor Kaity Norriss, that work began in earnest. In March of 2019 the first book, Roland’s Path, was published.
The Process
Thus, with Kaity editing and his wife Michelle proofreading, the family team has published the first few volumes of the Epic Fantasy Tale, Bloodlines Reforged. Of which the Heirs of Vanity Series is one of several to come.
Roadies!
The book signing events have been an adventure. One not possible without the help of friends like Riker, Jake, Bradyn, and Zach. They are also key members of our weekly pen and paper RPG sessions. We run a variety of campaigns based on the Rolemaster system from Iron Crown Enterprises.
Home and the Road
