About the Author
Z.L. Coffman writes stories for anyone who ever dreamed of becoming more than what the world allowed.
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana but now living in Sacramento, California, he grew up spinning tales at bedtime with his grandmother, usually about magical creatures, wandering kids, and far-off places that always felt strangely close. That same love of myth and meaning led him through classics like The Hobbit, The Last Unicorn, and Dragonriders of Pern all of which quietly shaped the foundation of The Aethyrguard.
The idea of the Aethyrguard—a sacred order of mystic knights bound to powerful creatures from beyond—lived in his head for years. But it wasn’t until personal loss rewrote the course of his life that he finally said yes to the story. Instead of waiting for “one day,” he chose day one.
As a storyteller, Z.L. is verbose, descriptive, and grounded. His years of running tabletop games taught him how to breathe life into characters, improvise tension, and build worlds that feel lived in. He writes from instinct, following the pull of characters and letting the story shape itself as it comes.
When he's not writing, he's a full-time professional, a university student, a devoted partner, and a long-time Dungeon Master with two dogs and a tendency to overcommit (but make it work). Somehow, it all finds its place.
Z.L. believes stories should leave you changed—richer, not just entertained. And if you're lucky, maybe you’ll find a kindred soul in the pages.
Fun Facts
I've been telling stories for over two decades—as a writer, a Dungeon Master, and an over-caffeinated narrator for friends, family, and houseplants. (They rarely appreciate the effort.)
I plan everything, then ignore half of it. Like any good DM, I create outlines, but once the characters start speaking, I just listen and follow where they lead.
I quote movies, shows, and songs at the worst possible times. The upside? I can usually nail the voice.
My houseplants are a full-time emotional investment. I check on them more than I check my email. Whether they survive out of affection or fear is still unclear.
My love for fantasy started with my brother. We used to imagine ourselves on epic journeys with bonded creatures long before I knew what a “story arc” was. The Aethyrguard is, in many ways, for him.
I live for underdog stories. Give me a broken hero, a lost cause, and a reason worth fighting for—and I’m all in.
I write like a method actor. Once I sit down, I’m not the author. I’m inside the world, following the pulse of the scene like it’s happening in real time.
If you crossed Pokémon, Dragonriders of Pern, and Attack on Titan—you’d get something dangerously close to the inside of my brain.
A chief inspiration to my writing and storytelling, in general, is something my granny said,
“There are two sides to every story and the truth is somewhere in the middle.”