When you seek the truth, be sure you are prepared to find it.

Book cover titled "The First Whispers of Fate" by C.J. Nolen, displayed on an e-reader and a physical book, featuring a ship sailing on stormy seas with a mask in flames at the bottom.

“Part Epic Fantasy, part Murder Mystery, dripping with Jane Austin vibes.”

“C.J. has a gift for creating rich worlds and dynamic characters with a writing style that’s sure to delight readers.”

"A delightful twist on the Cinderella story."

“Sometimes, writing simply serves as the delivery method for plot, characters, etc. (like a chip carries dip)... However, this prose style is a chip worth eating on its own.”

"Posing as a combination of fantasy, novel of manners, and detective story, this book examines conceptions of race and class and explores the nature of cognition—all in a really great read. Thoroughly unique and completely engrossing, The First Whisper of Fate needs to be on your to-be-read list!"

My name is Christopher Nolen. I’m an American writer and video game designer living in Bordeaux, France.

My name is a letter away from a certain famous director, so I publish under my childhood nickname C.J. to appease the algorithm gods.

I write fiction that blends literary and genre vibes.  My first novel is a fantasy murder mystery masquerading as a novel of manners.  Somehow, that’s getting a sequel.

The Talavara Prophecy is a YA Literary Fantasy Series.  Other projects are in the pipeline.

Join The Nolenator Newsletter

I don’t like newsletters.

Most of them feel like they’re manufacturing content to meet some arbitrary frequency goal. I don’t send out a newsletter unless I have something to share. Things like release dates. You know—NEWS.

Subscribe to The Nolenator today.

You probably won’t hear from me for months.