Fantasy Author | Army Veteran | Lifelong Storyteller
Welcome—and thank you for visiting.
Dennis D. Montoya is a fantasy and literary fiction writer whose work explores connection, memory, and resilience. His writing has been recognized as a finalist in the Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. He writes from the intersection of storytelling and healthcare, where empathy is not only a skill, but a way of seeing the world.
I’m Dennis D. Montoya, a fantasy author drawn to stories of hardship, transformation, and the quiet glimmer of hope that survives through both.
I grew up in a small town in Washington State and graduated from Clarkston High School before joining the U.S. Army, where I served two enlistments. Afterward, I worked a string of jobs—janitor, baggage handler, even garbage man—while finding my way into healthcare. I began as a Certified Nursing Assistant and eventually became a Registered Nurse.
Those years taught me something simple but powerful:
people are endlessly fascinating—resilient, intelligent, and kind.
Writing has always been part of who I am. I started in fifth grade, spinning odd stories that entertained my classmates. By eighth grade, they were still odd—but definitely more fun to read. Like many writers of my generation, I was shaped by Dungeons & Dragons and later by Terry Goodkind’s Wizard’s First Rule. That book inspired my close friend Hank and me to say, “We can do this too.” And so we did.
In 2015, my co-author and I self-published Over the Dragonwall, the beginning of a much larger fantasy series. Since then, I’ve returned again and again to the world of Ambervale—sharpening its edges, enriching its lore, and building the story I’ve always wanted to tell.
I’m currently revising The Witch’s Mandate with a developmental editor, refining every page to make the story stronger, deeper, and truer to its heart.
— Dennis D. Montoya
Random facts:
I’m a pretty ordinary guy. The only truly remarkable thing about me is my wife—she loves me more than I deserve. She thinks I’m gifted, handsome, and smart (and I don’t argue). She believes in me, pushes me to grow, and reminds me that every good story is better when you have someone to share it with.
A few quick truths:
I play Pathfinder and get a thrill from cracking open a new character sheet.
I believe the best stories are forged with friends, humor, and the occasional critical fail.
I’m scuba certified and happiest anywhere near the water.
My daily motivation? To be the man my dog already believes I am.
About This Blog
I started this blog because I have more writing ideas than I can reasonably fit into a single book.
When I’m deep in a scene about a monk crossing the wilds of Ambervale, it’s probably not the right time to wax poetic about dog treats, my favorite set of dice, or why goblins always roll better than I do. Jumping between topics like that would confuse the reader—and honestly, me too.
So I created a place for all those extra ideas to live.
I reached out to four lifelong friends and fellow storytellers—Erik Spaulding, Eric Ellis, Scott Lutz, and Rick Jones—and invited them to join as guest bloggers. After a few choice words and a bit of convincing, they agreed.
We’re new to this, but we’re having fun, and we hope you enjoy the stories, insights, and occasional nonsense we share here.
If you have thoughts or questions, feel free to email me at DennisMontoya37@iCloud.com (use “Blog” in the subject line).
On behalf of the whole writing crew—thank you for visiting. We look forward to hearing from you.
From dice rolls to dragonfire, from ink to ash—may the stories find their truth.
— Dennis D. Montoya
Fantasy Author | Stories Forged in Ink & Ash
For Agents and Editors
If you’re visiting as part of the publishing world, welcome. Here you’ll find a selection of my short fiction, ongoing projects, and current works in revision, including The Witch’s Mandate. I’m actively seeking representation for the Ambervale series and welcome inquiries or professional correspondence at DennisMontoya37@iCloud.com.
Dennis D Montoya 