By: Roy Abraham
In a world where most people choose between practicality and passion, J.C. Ahern confidently chose both and wrote her way.
Born in Columbia, Missouri, in 1988, Ahern’s life has been anything but predictable. From scribbling stories as a child to saving lives as a nurse practitioner, her journey goes between worlds, the real and the imagined, much like her unforgettable protagonist in the Strategy Series trilogy: Pawn, Royals, and Siege.
Today, she resides in Hallsville, Missouri, balancing her stethoscope and her imagination with admirable precision. Writing has always been an escape for her. It’s something she’s done since she was little. Replacing characters in her favorite stories with ones she made up. Eventually, those characters found lives of their own.
The Spark of Duality
Ahern earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Stephens College, but also pursued a more traditionally secure route, later obtaining a BSN and Master’s in Nursing. Remarkably, she wrote the first book in her Strategy trilogy, Pawn, during a grueling 15-month accelerated nursing program. The remaining books, Royals and Siege, came together in the rare slivers of time she found while working full-time as a nurse practitioner.
That’s not to say it was easy. It took nearly a decade for her to finish the trilogy. She didn’t market the books early on because she didn’t want to disappoint fans with long waits. But she never stopped writing.
Welcome to Skaki
The Strategy Series is an energetic, thought-provoking sci-fi rollercoaster that blends video games, anime, sports, mythology, and a sharp emotional core. At its heart is Rogue, a teenage girl who wakes up inside a brutal virtual chess-like reality known as Skaki. Her strength, resistance, and transformation from pawn to queen mirror much of Ahern’s own journey, balancing inner grit with vulnerability.
“I wrote Rogue as the person I’d want to be in that world,” Ahern says. “But realistically? I’d probably fall far short of her.”
Still, real-world parallels abound. Ahern drew from personal experiences with bullying, athletic competition, and the personalities of people she’s encountered, though she’s careful to say no character is a direct transplant. They’re inspirations but never carbon copies.
The books balance themes of resilience, identity, sacrifice, and the age-old game of power. Yet, they’re also laced with pop culture references, snappy humor, and emotional depth that appeals to readers ages 10 and up. She wanted the books to be fun. They’re fast-paced, full of action and feeling, and both kids and their parents have a great time with them.
Beyond the Final Move
Though Siege marks the end of the Strategy trilogy, Ahern’s creative momentum hasn’t slowed. She’s currently working on several new projects, including:
- A LitRPG fantasy novel set in a deeply immersive game world.
- A sci-fi horror story about zombies in space (Yes, it’s as wild as it sounds).
- A Christian fantasy she’s nurtured since college, her “baby,” as she calls it.
While there may be no sequel to Strategy, her editor is writing short stories set in the same universe, so fans may not have seen the last of Skaki just yet.
Legacy Without Pressure
When asked what legacy she hopes to leave, Ahern’s answer is refreshingly grounded. “I just want readers to have a good time. Maybe feel a rush, maybe cry, maybe laugh. If my stories can give people even a few decades of happy nostalgia, I’ll consider that a win.”
Her writing zone? Surprisingly low-key. Just give her chocolate milk, a chaotic or clean space (depending on her mood), a good movie score, and she’s set.
J.C. Ahern’s life is an example of one that is grounded in science and elevated by imagination. With a pen in one hand and a stethoscope in the other, she’s living proof that you don’t have to pick between saving lives and creating new ones on the page.
And like her heroine Rogue, she’s already played her first moves. Smart, fierce, and full of purpose.
