TJ Polk

Born in the historical shadows of Fort Polk, Louisiana, my appreciation for story began early—in the colorful panels of comics and through silently watching TV with the captions on, sneaking every possible line of dialogue. That curiosity soon grew into a drive to question, challenging teachers when my reading uncovered contradictions, and ultimately led me to teach myself how to read music and pick up the trombone.

My formative years took a significant turn when my parents separated, and I moved from Louisiana to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, during middle school. At Glenn High School, I joined the marching band, building friendships that have lasted to this day. It was during this time that my creative writing truly flourished. I wrote poetry, songs, music, hooks, jokes, and stories about anything and everything. There was nothing out of reach—I even wrote and acted in an original play for my theatre arts class. 

After graduating in 2005, I attended North Carolina A&T State University. But the sudden freedom was too much; I became lost and did not re-enroll the following year. It was the structure and discipline of joining the military that ultimately helped set my compass straight.

Three graduate students in orange caps and gowns holding diplomas at a graduation ceremony, with a crowd and school building in the background.
Group of nine soldiers in camouflage uniforms and tactical gear, standing outdoors in front of a tent and rocky terrain.

Shortly after retirement, life delivered another profound challenge. My mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I moved back to North Carolina from Georgia to be with her. Watching her deteriorate was the hardest thing I've ever done. I found solace and escape by diving back into my writing. She lost her battle in October 2024.

Family of four in Christmas sweaters, sitting together indoors with holiday decorations, including a Christmas tree, stockings, and ornaments.

The Army was a roller coaster ride that took me all over the world—from the West Coast to Hawaii, across the East Coast, and across Europe. I used my service to travel, finish my education, and, most importantly, I gained two vital things in my life: I met my wife, and we had two beautiful children. After being blown up, run over, and just used up, I was medically retired. My service was finished, but the damage was already done. 

Three people sitting on a wooden bench under a tree at an outdoor shopping or dining area. The boy on the left wears a blue Los Angeles Rams jersey and cap, the girl in the middle has blue-dyed braids and holds a blue ice cream cone, and the older woman on the right has glasses, curly blonde hair, and wears a colorful dress, holding a drink. In the background, there is a large yellow and green umbrella with the Wet Willie's logo.

Now that I've moved back to Georgia to be with my family, I've committed myself to revising my stories and sharing them with the world. My first book, "Out of the Window," is available now, and I have more on the way. 

I specialize in weaving together the epic scale of high fantasy—complete with ancient magic, doomed kingdoms, and world-altering stakes—with the heart-pounding intensity of a modern thriller. I love leaving readers guessing which is more dangerous: the monster in the mist or the intricate web of betrayal that lies hidden in the halls of power. 

The best stories challenge your expectations of reality and of the human heart, and I invite you to step through that door into the wondrous and perilous worlds held within my books. I hope you enjoy reading my stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.

A man standing with arms crossed in front of a bookshelf in a bookstore. He is wearing sunglasses, a gray cap with a red logo, a black t-shirt with graphic prints, ripped light gray jeans with patches, and red, black, and white sneakers.
A man crouching in front of bookshelves at a library or bookstore, wearing a black cap with a red logo, dark sunglasses, a black graphic t-shirt, gray distressed jeans with red and white patches, and red and black sneakers.