Our authors

David F. Balog is the co-founder of Owl Talyn Press and the author of Necromancer’s Lament and Necromancer’s Sorrow. He also writes children’s books under the pen name Sandy Neal.

David F. Balog was born, raised, and still lives in the Greater Cleveland area with his cat. He grew up in the libraries of Lakewood and Parma, and his babysitters were the creatures of the Cleveland Aquarium. Ever inquisitive, he dove deeply into science, paranormal studies, mathematics, and mythology at an early age, and never let go of the idea that they, and other studies, were all tightly connected.

An avid reader, particularly, but certainly not limited to, science and science fiction, David always sought to learn more about the world. His personal studies eventually clashed with his scholastic teachings, causing him to reject traditional academia for a time. Years later, he would attend Cuyahoga Community College, Ursuline College, and Cleveland State University, eventually earning a Master’s Degree in History. All through his studies, he continued to focus on the theology, mythology, and fables and how they connected societies throughout time and regions. Though the stories and characters change, the underlying truths always remain the same: primarily, the constant striving of individuals to become better people.

At long last, it fell on David to contribute his own stories and mythologies to the public consciousness. With the experience of developing characters and worlds combined with writing numerous research papers, David began work on his first novel: Necromancer’s Lament, the first in a planned trilogy.

Growing up, you were just as likely to find Haley playing outside as you were to find her with her nose in a book. She particularly enjoys books focusing on worlds of magic and adventure.

Often joking that she’s part mermaid, Haley earned a marine biology degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2017, then a Master of Professional Science in marine conservation from the University of Miami in 2019.

With an English father and an Italian-American mother, Haley had a colorful upbringing in Charlotte, North Carolina, which she has accentuated by traveling as much as she can. And, of course, she SCUBA dives whenever possible.

She says her biggest inspiration for writing is that she simply needs her characters to be quiet, so she can think.

Sara R. Cleveland has always been a voracious consumer of stories with a soft spot for fairytales. Childhood favorites such as Ella Enchanted guaranteed that her love of princesses and dragons, talking animals, and enchanted forests eventually evolved into a passion for retelling and reimagining classic stories.

In addition to reading and writing, Sara enjoys spending time dabbling in the fiber arts, including spinning and crocheting. She swears she’ll finish that sweater someday.

Raised in Northeast Ohio, Sara and her husband live close to family with their two unruly cats. Her friends insist that this bio must include her love of alien smut and geese, especially her family’s pet goose, Amelia.

Sandy Neal is the pen name David F. Balog uses for children’s books.

Lucy A. McLaren is a fantasy author and professional counselor, passionate about writing dark fantasy stories that include a realistic representation and exploration of mental health issues. She is a life-long fan of fantasy stories, and enjoys reading, writing, watching, and playing them.

When not writing, she can be found spending time with her husband and attempting (largely unsuccessfully) to wrangle her son.

Isa began her journey as an avid fantasy reader who often wondered if, one day, she could write a book herself. It turned out that she could.

Isa’s work began with short stories. She was hooked from the moment she began crafting her own worlds and characters, watching them dance under her typing fingers.

For Isa, the lens of fantasy helps her understand the world; the good and the bad, the whimsical and the dark. Much more than a form of escapism, she believes that speculative fiction has the potential to show a better future for ourselves, to take us on new adventures.

Isa moved continents from her home town in Brazil to Portugal in 2017, seeking that new adventure for herself. Besides writing and reading, Isa enjoys long runs through the local parks of Porto, feeding and watering her plants with her adoring husband, and obsessing over the fanart of her favourite fantasy protagonists.