C.M. Carney’s fascination with fantasy and adventure began at the tender age of ten, sparked by an editorial that linked Dungeons & Dragons to dark forces lurking beneath the surface. Unfazed by such warnings, Carney’s mother bought him the game, and the seeds for a lifelong passion were planted. He was soon hooked on exploring realms of imagination, where myth and magic took center stage and where stories could shape the very world around him.
Before embracing the world of full-time writing, Carney spent nearly two decades as a creative executive working in the animation and special effects industry, gaining invaluable experience in bringing fantastical visions to life. But after years of helping others tell their stories, he decided it was time to bring his own to the page. With his background in visual storytelling, he brought a cinematic quality to his writing, immersing readers in worlds that felt both vast and intimate.
In 2018, Carney’s debut novel, Barrow King: Book One of The Realms, marked the beginning of his journey as a published author. The book quickly became a bestseller in the realms of Norse mythology and role-playing games, as it deftly blended epic fantasy with a gamified, LitRPG approach. Readers were drawn into a universe where ancient myths met modern sensibilities, and where every battle carried not just physical stakes, but moral and personal consequences.
Building on the success of his first novel, Carney expanded his literary universe with The Quintessence series, which combines elements of traditional fantasy with structured progression systems commonly found in LitRPG. Awakened, the first book in the series, introduced readers to a world of cultivation, magic, and power. With Blighted following closely behind, Carney continued to evolve, delving deeper into character-driven stories with high stakes and intricate world-building.
But Carney’s creativity doesn’t stop with his existing series. He is actively developing new works, including The Essence of Power and a lighthearted, Arthurian-inspired superhero adventure, Knightman & Page, showing his versatility as a writer with the ability to blend humor, heart, and action into his narratives.
Now based in the Pacific Northwest, Carney continues to engage with readers, fellow authors, and fans of fantastical adventures, sharing stories that blend his love for gaming, mythology, and character-driven tales. His books are a testament to the power of imagination, where every plot twist and world-building decision is carefully crafted to captivate and inspire those who dive into his worlds. Whether navigating the intricate politics of a broken realm or stepping into the boots of a reluctant hero, C.M. Carney’s work is sure to leave a lasting impression on those who seek stories that push the boundaries of adventure and imagination.
