James Maxey

James Maxey is an American author known for his fast-paced fantasy, science fiction, and superhero adventures. His published works include novels such as "Nobody Gets the Girl," "Bitterwood," and the Dragon Apocalypse series, which comprises "Greatshadow," "Hush," "Witchbreaker," and "Cinder." His short fiction has appeared in publications like Asimov’s Science Fiction and InterGalactic Medicine Show, as well as numerous anthologies. Maxey’s storytelling blends action-packed narratives with deeper explorations of human nature, often infused with humor and imaginative world-building.

Maxey’s career spans multiple genres, from post-apocalyptic science fiction in the Bitterwood saga to superhero tales in "Whoosh! Bam! Pow!" and "Lawless." His Dragon Apocalypse series delves into a world where primal dragons embody elemental forces, combining swashbuckling adventure with mythic stakes. In 2015, he was honored as the Piedmont Laureate, recognizing his contributions to literature. A lifelong reader and writer, Maxey draws inspiration from the pulp adventures he loved in his youth, crafting stories that balance thought-provoking themes with entertainment.

Beyond his novels, Maxey has released short story collections such as "There Is No Wheel" and "The Jagged Gate," showcasing his versatility across speculative fiction. He has also contributed to anthologies and collaborated on projects like the Word Balloon Books series, aimed at younger readers. Residing in Hillsborough, North Carolina, Maxey continues to write, with recent works including the Dragonsgate trilogy, concluding with "Dragonsgate: Angels" in 2023. His enduring focus remains on creating engaging, imaginative stories that resonate with fans of genre fiction.
Bitterwood Books
# Title Year
1 Bitterwood 2007
2 Dragonforge 2008
3 Dragonseed 2009
4 Tornado of Sparks 2012
5 Dawn of Dragons 2013
6 Dragonsgate 2018
7 The Map of the Drowned City 2021
Bitterwood Books in Chronological Order
# Title Year
1 Tornado of Sparks 2012
2 Bitterwood 2007
3 Dragonforge 2008
4 Dragonseed 2009
5 Dawn of Dragons 2013
6 Dragonsgate 2018
7 The Map of the Drowned City 2021
Borderlands Books
# Title Year
1 There is no Wheel 2011
2 The Jagged Gate 2017
Dragon Apocalypse Books
# Title Year
1 Greatshadow 2012
2 Hush 2012
3 Witchbreaker 2012
4 Cinder 2016
Dragons Gate Books
# Title Year
1 Devils 2020
2 Spirits 2022
3 Angels 2024
Lawless Books
# Title Year
1 Cut Up Girl 2018
2 Big Ape 2018
3 Victory 2018
Whoosh! Bam! Pow! Books
# Title Year
1 Nobody Gets the Girl 2003
2 Burn Baby Burn 2011
3 Covenant 2017
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 Bad Wizard 2014
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 Write! Daydream, Type, Profit, Repeat! 2020
2 Cryptids: How We Know They are Real 2024
James Maxey Anthologies
# Title Year
1 Modern Magic 2005
2 Prime Codex 2007
3 Beauty & Dynamite 2008
4 Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show 2008
5 The Year's Best Science Fiction & Fantasy, 2009 2008
6 Shimmer 11 2009
7 Masked 2010
8 Soon 2013
9 Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters 2014
10 CORVID-19 2021
11 Rockets & Robots 2022
12 Paradoxical Pets 2022
13 Beware the Bugs! 2022
14 Terrific Tomorrows 2024