My name is Christopher Nolen. I’m an American writer, video game designer, and (apparently) YouTuber living in the Netherlands.
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.
Writer
I write books. I also write non-books like blog posts and video essays. I am the author of The Talavara Prophecy, a YA Literary Fantasy Series. Other projects are in the pipeline.
Reader Praise for The First Whispers of Fate:
“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.
Game Maker
Goo Monster Studio is a small independent video game studio cofounded by me and my friend Zac.
Our debut title is a goofy sandbox shooter that plays like improperly modded UT99 cranked to 11. Coming to Steam in 2026.
Off Script
At the beginning of 2024, I was the Vice President of a tech company.
By the end of that same year I had quit my job, left the tech industry, sold my house, and moved my family to Europe to pursue my childhood dreams of being a writer and making video games.
Everybody thought we were insane.
I am in the midst of a pretty radical life experiment, leaving the safe path and trying to find a more creative and fulfilling one. Now that I’ve spent some time on the outside of my old life, I feel like I have some perspective and can really see it for what it was. Among other things, my work explores American culture, history, and societal assumptions.
Recent Blog Posts
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