By day, Daniel is an internal auditor at a farm credit association—someone who actually enjoys spreadsheets and the quiet satisfaction of making the numbers behave. By night (and most weekends), he writes fantasy novels and short stories, because clearly one set of books isn’t enough.

He’s the author of the full-length novels Alliandre Rising and Attack on Foresight, and his short fiction appears in the anthology The Siege of Dragonsbane Keep. When he’s not wrangling plot holes or audit findings, you might find him rewatching his favorite anime, diving into comics and manga, or being gently strong-armed by his wife into a romantic comedy.

Born in Montana and raised in Minnesota, Daniel spent two years in the military where he joined the Society for Creative Anachronists and learned how to make bear and wine, force swords and armor, and fighting with sword and shield (yes, he’s accredited). After leaving the military, he went to Saint Cloud State University and despite doing all of his studying at The Red Carpet, he somehow emerged with a B.S. in Accounting. Through it all he maintaned a lasting affection for science fiction, fantasy, and every storytelling medium that will sit still long enough. These days he lives near Houston, Texas, where the humidity is almost as dramatic as his characters.

Ask him about cozy fantasy, swordplay, or why auditors make surprisingly good world-builders. Just don’t ask him to do both at the same time—he’s still working on that particular magic system.