In this Author POV feature, we introduce the Charcoal the Elf trilogy, a contemporary fantasy series that places classic elf lore squarely in the modern world. At its center is Charcoal D. Elph, a precocious young elf who has never fit comfortably within the rigid expectations of Claustown. Mocked for his differences, ostracized at school, and misunderstood at home, Charcoal is an everyman figure for readers who have struggled with belonging and identity. His life shifts dramatically when he discovers a battered book of Russian literature buried in the ice, sparking a fascination with humans and their complex, often self-destructive behaviors.
Can you introduce your book for librarians who may be discovering it for the first time?
Charcoal The Elf is a fantasy trilogy that takes place in the modern world, the world of today, the one all readers will know and recognize as their own reality.
Charcoal D. Elph, the hero of the trilogy, is an everyman figure. He's despised, mocked and bullied by his community because he doesn't fit in. He's precocious, immensely intelligent, talented and capable, and dissatisfied with the status quo. And... he doesn't look like his fellow elves - he has uniquely different hair (hence his first name) and elves don't like different.
In Book One: UP TOP, Charcoal is a young elf in trouble. He is shunned and mistreated by his fellow classmates and the Claustown community at large. He begins acting out and creating havoc everywhere he goes, alienating his community even further. His parents are caring but distant, and incapable of aiding him other than manifesting unqualified love. He's ostracized in school and forced to spend his free time alone, which he claims he prefers. He continues to get into scrapes and threatening situations in the wilds outside Claustown and is clearly headed for a meltdown. Through all this, his distant cousin and classmate, Trixie Pixie, stands by his side. Trixie, the most popular young elf in the entire community and clearly "headed for greatness," feels compelled to support and assist him. This is her only act of altruism in her otherwise highly self-centered world.
Everything starts to change for Charcoal when he discovers a battered old book buried in the ice during one of his "explorations." It's a hefty collection of Russian literature and Charcoal is fascinated to discover that the human condition is similar, even worse, than his own. He becomes obsessed with humans - a classic example of the oppressed reaching out to those in even worse straights. Santa, realizing this might be a way out for Charcoal, encourages the lad to develop a plan for a reconnaissance mission DOWN BELOW to study humans, analyze their self-destructiveness, what they're doing to the Earth in general, and see if something can be done to surreptitiously turn them around as a species, assuring Elfdom's survival as well.
Book Two: DOWN BELOW finds Charcoal and his cousin Trixie at the start of this great adventure, traveling to several parts of the globe (Asia, Europe, Africa) on the surface merely an expedition to study homo sapiens in their natural habitat, but which evolves into an exploration of themselves - a growing-up experience both he and Trixie begin to undergo, forced to use their wits in ways the typical elf never encounters, growing as individuals and developing strengths, skills and insight far beyond the ken of their
community. At times the challenges are immense - nearly overwhelming - much more than the two elves anticipated during their intense preparation period UP TOP. Could Santa have intended this all along?
During their travels, Charcoal begins to realize that his "specialness" is not entirely a negative thing. Encounters with creatures such as gryphons, winged horses, and a qilin (a Chinese unicorn) leave him puzzled as they treat him in a way that hints he's destined for a greatness and distinction no one, except possibly Santa, imagined.
And then, of course, there are the humans. Puzzling, contradictory, hurtful, destructive, and yet many appearing to be gentle, caring, and thoughtful as they struggle through their difficult lives. Not an easy species to study, for sure! The macaques they befriend in the Zhangjiajie forest are much more satisfying and logical.
Soon it becomes clear all is not well. Growth and self-awareness are not easily achieved. Charcoal and Trixie struggle with challenging, even life-threatening, situations. They also run afoul of a (supposedly) mythological creature - a troll community collectively called "The Hamn," malevolent by nature and determined to use humans to carry out their own destructive and evil impulses. The two elves present a significant obstacle in their plans to bend all humans to their will and so the two cousins, intent merely on information gathering, must be eliminated.
Book Three: HUNTED (Spring 2026)) finds the two elves in a conundrum, continuing to travel the world gathering information and interacting (in human form, of course) with their study species while also dealing with attempts by The Hamn to end their adventure, and their lives. The story comes to a surprising and ambiguous climax, leaving much for the reader to ponder about their own responsibilities toward the human essence, their communities, and their role in improving the lot of all living creatures residing on this planet.
What inspired you to write this book, and what core themes do you hope readers take away from it?
During a video project for the Pass the Candy Cane Charity Challenge in 2020, which was created to raise money for food-insecure people during the COVID Pandemic, the character of Charcoal the Elf - a sullen, moody, morose and contrary resident of the North Pole - was born. The production crew insisted I develop the character further and I began writing about him. It was then that Charcoal himself took over my fingers and wrote the books using my laptop and typing skills.
Core themes include:
+ we are responsible for ourselves, our actions and decisions
+ we should take charge of our own lives and not look for validation outside ourselves
+ diversity is intrinsic in the nature of humanity and should be embraced and supported rather than repressed and ridiculed.
What kind of readers or patrons do you see this book resonating with most? (age range, grade levels, reading interests)?
The trilogy was initially intended for Young Adult readers, around Middle School age, especially those struggling with feelings of not fitting in and questioning their own self identities and worth. But a surprising number of adults have become attached to the two protagonists as word spreads that these are not children's books and are very entertaining and engrossing.
Fantasy fans will be very satisfied with the magical aspects of the books - the physical abilities of the elves far supersede human limitations - but there is a good deal of suspense and generous amounts of comedy interwoven as well. Travel and food buffs will also enjoy large sections of the trilogy as there is much description of locales, folkways and foodways.
Many references are made to current events and human-generated situations. The books have been written in a way that permits them to be read aloud to others if desired, so children will delight in the story line itself, though missing references and implications that will intrigue more mature readers. The vocabulary is purposely advanced, intended to improve readers' language skills, and each book has a Glossary included at the end, clarifying words, locales, facts and concepts the average reader might not be aware of.
What themes or discussion topics do you hope librarians highlight when recommending the book?
Bullying (anti-bullying) and mental health permeate the books. Also non-conformity, learning to communicate, share, and interact positively, global warming and environmental destruction, war, cultural differences, intolerance, homelessness, transcending challenges, crisis-intervention and embracing one's own individuality - are all prominent in the story line, and allow introspection by readers.
Are there any sensitive topics or content considerations librarians should be aware of?
There were, consciously, no overt attacks on conventionally accepted topics - the books are suitable for all ages on some level, but readers should be warned that they will be challenged to think through their own assumptions and attitudes.
If your book were part of a library display, what topics, themes, or comparable titles would you pair it with?
The books are atypical of most fantasy writing in that they explore motivations and assumptions in our own, very real, world as viewed by non-human outsiders - they compare more with coming of age novels in that sense.
Which formats are currently available? (Hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, bilingual editions, large print, classroom sets, ISBNs, and whether bulk discounts or school pricing options exist.)
The debut release of the books is in paperback, with specially commissioned covers featuring original artwork by artist John Bates, illustrating a key moment in each book in the trilogy. They are also available as e-books and audiobooks (Book Two audiobook currently in production).
The books may be purchased on demand from Ingram Spark and/or Amazon. They are registered with the Library of Congress.
How could this book be used in community events or themed programming throughout the year? (For example: Earth Day, Black History Month, Pride, Hispanic Heritage Month, etc.)
DEFINITELY Earth Day, the books deal heavily with humans' negative impact on themselves and their environment.
Themed programming around tolerance, acceptance, anti-bullying, mental health, multi-culturalism and environmental awareness would all be suitable. Also, events featuring positive messaging of self-worth and diversity would be apt.
Do you offer author engagement options for schools or libraries? (Virtual visits, in-person events, Q&A sessions, etc.)
I am happy to participate in engagement opportunities. I'm a Central New Jersey resident, frequently in New York City, and can fairly easily travel to a broad section of the East Coast but am open to all possibilities. I'm completely able to interact virtually with classes, book clubs, discussions and the like.
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