Welcome! I’m Timothy Patterson — a writer of contemporary fantasy with a deep love for mystery, myth, and the quiet moments where imagination meets emotion. I’ve always believed that stories are how we make sense of the unseen forces that shape our lives — the magic, the memory, and the meaning hidden in plain sight.
My novel, Forged in Ancient Fire, grew out of that belief. It’s a story about loss, identity, and the courage to face what lies beneath the surface — a cross-cultural journey of discovery that blends modern life with ancient threads of magic and myth. I’m currently serializing the novel on Substack, where readers can follow it chapter by chapter, either for free or as paid subscribers who get early access and exclusive behind-the-scenes posts.
Beyond writing, I’ve spent much of my life as a photographer, musician, and radio host, all of which feed my storytelling in unexpected ways. Whether it’s a melody, a photograph, or a scene in a novel, I’m drawn to the same question: What gives a moment its spark?
Thanks for visiting — and for being part of this journey. I hope you’ll explore the world of Forged in Ancient Fire and discover a bit of its magic for yourself.
By timothy patterson
Forged in Ancient Fire
Forged in Ancient Fire
A serialized novel available now—two chapters a week—on Substack
What if everything you believed about your past was only half the story?
Sixteen-year-old Jia Peach is grieving, broke, and adrift after the sudden death of her mother. Just when it seems life can’t deal another blow, a mysterious Korean woman arrives with a stunning revelation: Jia’s father—long presumed dead—is alive. And not just alive, but connected to a powerful, secretive family halfway around the world.
With little left to lose, Jia boards a plane to Seoul, stepping into a city that pulses with contrast—neon streets and ancient shrines, concrete towers and whispering spirits. There, she uncovers a lineage steeped in hidden magic and a family legacy guarded by silence. Her inheritance: a mystical amulet that binds her to forces older than time itself.
But every spell has a cost. As Jia’s powers awaken, the line between protector and threat begins to blur. Shadows from her family’s past close in, and she must learn who to trust—and what she’s willing to sacrifice—before the fire consumes everything she loves.
Forged in Ancient Fire is a vivid, cross-cultural coming-of-age fantasy about grief, identity, and the courage to claim your own story. It’s a tale of friendship, legacy, and transformation—where magic glows in the cracks of the ordinary world, and belief itself can be the most powerful force of all.
If you’re drawn to emotionally rich fantasy, strong female protagonists, and slow-burn magic rooted in myth and memory, you’ll feel right at home in Jia Peach’s world.
💌 Subscribe now: ForgedInAncientFire.Substack.com
Author
Timothy Patterson
Timothy Patterson is an Oregon-based author, photographer, and radio host whose creative work explores the magic hiding in plain sight. A lifelong storyteller, he’s spent decades behind the camera and the microphone—capturing moments of wonder in everyday life and transforming them into stories about memory, meaning, and belonging.
His debut novel, Forged in Ancient Fire, is a cross-cultural urban fantasy about loss, identity, and courage, currently serialized on Substack and scheduled for print and Kindle release in 2026. Patterson is also the author of several nonfiction titles on tradeshow marketing, including Tradeshow Success and Tradeshow Superheroes and Exhibiting Zombies.
When he’s not writing, Tim can be found photographing homes for Salem Realty Media, hosting Roots Rock Reggae on KMUZ-FM, or hiking Oregon’s mountain trails with a camera in hand and music in his head.
Read his latest fiction, essays, and music writing at Mixed Tape: Pulses, Prose & Pix.
Tim is serializing his first novel on Substack. Read it for free: ForgedInAncientFire.Substack.com.
Non-Fiction Books
Tradeshow Success
Tim’s first book detailed the 14 Steps to Take Your Tradeshow Marketing to the Next Level
Tradeshow Superheroes and Exhibiting Zombies
66 Lists on how to Make the Most of Your Tradeshow Marketing
You have a remarkable ability to evoke emotions and create vivid imagery through your writing. The way you described Jia’s memories of her mother and the significance of bananas in their lives was both touching and poignant. It truly captured the essence of their relationship and the impact her mother had on her.