Timothy McGowen doesn't just write books – he crafts entire universes.
Dragonstone Academy represents McGowan's unique approach to worldbuilding through its innovative card-based magic system. Rather than conveniently giving his protagonist the perfect ability for each situation, McGowan created actual physical card decks, shuffled them, and let random draws determine the character's options during pivotal moments. This constraint forced organic problem-solving that makes the combat in the book even more unbelievable and realistic.
Surprisingly, several of McGowan's separate series exist within a shared universe, with characters occasionally crossing over between books. Careful readers will notice familiar faces appearing across different timelines and settings, all building toward an eventual convergence in a planned capstone series. With forthcoming projects including a John Wick-inspired apocalyptic tale for Aethon Publishing, a secret collaboration with a narrator, and a venture into a new genre under a pen name, McGowan's literary universe continues to expand in exciting directions.
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