If Jeff Wilcox has anything to say about it, in the not so distant future, his books will be found on the same shelves as J.R.R.Tolkein and R.A. Salvatore.

The sophomore English major has been writing since he was 11. His original inspiration was the game he loved to play, Dungeons and Dragons. He claims those early works, The Jeffian Chronicles, were all about him and “admittedly horrible.”

With almost two completed novels under his belt, Jeff doesn’t have to worry where the next one will come from. By his own best estimate, he has material for more than 30 books necessary to relate the history of the world he created.

The multi-generational saga is filled with dwarves, elves, and other fantasy creatures who battle the forces of good and evil. His characters search for deeper meanings in their lives, wishing to understand who they are and where they come from. To help him keep it all straight, he maintains maps, family trees, translations of various languages he created, minor characters, events, objects, and other material that may prove useful.

“I have a history to write. It exists for me so I see it as bringing their history to our world,” Jeff said.

His book, Rose Prophecy, is, according to Jeff, “stereotypical of the fantasy genre but also outside the box.” The nearly 700-page novel deals with the life of NightHawk Falconis. As it opens, NightHawk, still a child, is traumatized after witnessing the slaughter of his entire family by Drakoch’s army. He then sets out on a quest to “find his fate, and avenge his family.”

It is a story of self-discovery filled with minor characters that play important roles in aiding the young warrior in his quest. Along the way, Jeff enjoys creating twists that differ from what readers may expect. In the final chapters of the novel, NightHawk and Drakoch are brought together in a revealing sword fight in which Nighthawk’s true lineage and surprise fate are revealed. Here Jeff is almost forcing the reader to look in one direction while orchestrating the action in another.

Tor Publishing rejected an early version of Rose Prophecy. Since then, Jeff has undertaken a complete re-edit of the novel and plans to send this edition off to T.S.R., the same publisher of Salvatore’s works.

A second novel, Into Eternity, is well underway. According to Jeff, “The only thing readers would notice the two novels have in common is the world where they take place.” Into Eternity takes place in the distant future with a whole new cast of characters descended from those of Rose Prophecy. One other thing the two have in common is Jeff’s illustrations.

Jeff is using Shippensburg as both “a learning experience and a place to write.” He stayed away from some of the powerhouse writing programs like Columbia and Iowa because he was concerned the focus would be on changing his writing. Shippensburg was the right distance from home, the right price, and what looks to be the right program.

He is seriously considering a dual major in computer science, “I have the golden finger,” he said. His knack for computers has led to a side business fixing computers for friends and family. “Something with computers might be my career that would allow me to pursue my writing hobby. Hobbies are fun and I don’t want my writing to be work.”

Needing about a four-hour block of time to get the 20 or so pages he likes to complete each day, he always has a place to write—from his room to the library, to one of the CUB lounges. He is constantly cataloging ideas, quotes, and outlines for sequels and prequels yet to come.

His family has mixed reactions to his writing. His father, who is not much of a reader, is Jeff’s first reader and staunch supporter, while his mother is worried about his future and has expressed hope he will “get a real job.” His sister didn’t want anything to do with his book until she read the Harry Potter series. “I gave her what I had completed of the Rose revision and ever since she has been bugging me for the rest, so I guess she likes it.”

Here’s hoping the editors at T.R.S. like it.

\On the right is the cover for Rose Prophecy featuring a portrait of its main character, NightHawk Falconis. On the left is a favorite of Jeff’s, Blademaster Kurazarrl, a minor character in Into Eternity with larger roles in future volumes.

Harold Flickinger ’07, an intern with the magazine, contributed to this article.

Excerpts from Rose Prophecy:

“Thou seest, Falconis,” Drakoch cackled between attacks, “Had I but rid myself of thee on that day, one hundred seventeen years ago, everything would have been perfect! There would have been no one to oppose me. Malsheni would be in ruins now. It was genius!” He ducked under another lightning-fast swing of Falconis’s sword, backpedaling.

Falconis was on him again in an instant, giving no quarter. “It was madness,” he growled in argument. “Ah, but are not all geniuses mad?”

“Perhaps, Falconis grunted as their blades slammed together, “but clearly not all mad are geniuses!” He shoved his hated foe away and lashed out with his foot, catching Drakoch’s armor over his belly. The black-haired elf stumbled back but caught himself before Falconis could take advantage of his opening. They leaped at each other, and the battle resumed in a flurry of sparks and flashing blades.

Jeff Wilcox ’09 Hometown: Lancaster Major: English with possible computer science minor or double major Campus Activities: German Club, Anime Club Future Goals: Obviously to be published, but I want writing to remain a hobby. I don’t want to view it as work.