Stephen Hecker Builds Worlds from Dreams, Ink, and Imagination
Stephen Hecker, multi-award-winning author and artist, brings his expansive imagination to life through novels, tattoos, and immersive fantasy worlds.
Fantasy Visionary Behind Zebulon Series and Awakened Comics
Stephen Hecker shares the origins of Zebulon, the influence of his artistic background, and the challenges of balancing storytelling, visual art, family life, and immersive fantasy world-building in this compelling interview.
Stephen Hecker is the kind of storyteller who doesn’t just craft a world—he builds a universe. With the Zebulon series, Hecker invites readers into a mythic reality as intricate as it is immersive, where folklore meets high fantasy and every detail—from custom languages to complex guild systems—feels lived-in and alive. His work is not only imaginative but foundational, offering the kind of layered storytelling that lingers long after the final page.
What sets Hecker apart isn’t just the scale of his creativity, but the sincerity behind it. Whether it’s through a tattoo machine, a sketchpad, a comic panel, or a novel’s prose, his vision remains rooted in passion and purpose. The world of Zebulon is more than a setting—it’s a legacy in motion, forged by dreams, shaped by artistic discipline, and fueled by an unwavering desire to connect with others through story.
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Stephen to explore the dream that launched a universe, the creative process behind his iconic characters, and how he balances the roles of artist, author, educator, and father. His insights offer a rare glimpse into a mind where imagination and ambition are perfectly aligned—and where storytelling is nothing short of a calling.
A visionary creator whose passion, artistry, and storytelling brilliance redefine fantasy, Stephen Hecker inspires with every character, chapter, and crafted world.
What inspired you to create the world of Zebulon and its unique guild system?
I’ve always loved building characters, monsters, and stories from scratch. I didn’t want to borrow or mimic existing content, though that’s tricky these days because so much has already been done. Instead, I tapped into my long-standing interest in mythology, religion, and folklore to build something unique. Zebulon isn’t just a world—it’s a connected reality, where all my stories, art, and characters can exist together. The core idea actually came from a recurring dream I’ve had since childhood. It always plays out when I hear “Children [Dream Version]” by Robert Miles. That dream became the foundation of my universe.
How does your background in tattoo artistry and graphic design influence your writing or world-building?
It’s less about the specific mediums of tattooing or design and more about being a lifelong artist. I’ve been creating characters, stories, and cartoons since I was a kid. My strength lies in visualizing and describing characters and settings in vivid detail, which comes naturally from my artistic background. Tattooing and design are simply different ways I express that creativity. Whether it’s on skin, canvas, or paper, my imagination drives it all.
“Zebulon isn’t just a world—it’s a connected reality.” — Stephen Hecker
What challenges did you face transitioning from visual art to writing novels?
Grammar. No question. It’s been my biggest hurdle since school. I struggled with the difference between casual conversation and formal writing, and that made me believe I couldn’t be a “real” writer. It took me years to realize that storytelling is the most important part—and that’s what editors are for. Once I accepted that, I finally felt free to write the stories I had bottled up for so long.
How do you balance your work as an artist, business owner, author, and father of seven?
Time is my most valuable resource. My family comes first, so evenings are for them—playing games, hanging out, and being present. My business and art life are tightly connected, and I work every day, whether it’s tattooing, graphic design, or teaching. Writing and drawing usually happen late at night, after the kids are asleep. I don’t sleep much—4 to 6 hours is my average—but it’s worth it. Being self-employed takes discipline and excellent time management, but the freedom it brings makes it all worthwhile.
How do you approach developing complex characters like Alamir and Markus?
The Zebulon series, especially The Black Dragon’s Claw, was born from a 2.5-year D&D campaign I ran. I built the world, races, languages, and monsters myself, but several characters came from the players in that game. With their permission, I adapted their creations into the novel and filled in the gaps with characters of my own. I build each one with full backstories, attributes, and personalities—then let the story dictate how they act and grow. My personal favorites are Lokelo, Markus, and Rexorel. I treat every character like a real person with their own motives and arc.
“Time is my most valuable resource.” — Stephen Hecker
What part of writing the Zebulon series has been the most emotionally challenging?
Two parts, really. First, keeping track of every character—how they look, act, and where they are in each scene—is a constant mental juggling act. Second, the writing itself. I’m not a fast writer, and I don’t have the luxury of writing full-time. I aim to finish one novel—or two novellas—a year, which can be tough with my schedule. I’ve got so many stories I want to tell before my time runs out, and the pressure to get them all out is very real.
How did working on the Awakened comic book series impact your storytelling in Zebulon?
It taught me the power of storyboarding. Working with Josh Skidmore on Awakened helped me understand pacing, scene planning, and how to visually structure a story—even when writing a novel instead of drawing panels. Now, I outline every story with key events and interactions, and that visual planning makes my writing much more focused and intentional.
What excites you most about the upcoming Zebulon Tabletop RPG?
I’m thrilled that the story is expanding beyond the page. Publishing a book is great, but creating something interactive—where players can build their own stories using my world—is on another level. It means people care enough about what I’ve made to dive into it themselves. I’m also working on audiobooks with sound effects to enhance the experience further and draw people even deeper into the world of Zebulon.
“Creating something interactive—where players can build their own stories using my world—is on another level.” — Stephen Hecker
If you could collaborate with any author or artist, who would it be and why?
As cliché as it sounds, Tolkien. His influence on my writing is undeniable—The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit sparked my imagination as a kid. I’d also love to work with Neil Gaiman for his masterful blend of mythology and storytelling. Artistically, I admire Jakub Rozalski for his eerie, atmospheric style, and I’ve been lucky enough to work with @little.normal.iris, a fantastic fantasy artist whose work fits perfectly with the Zebulon universe.
What advice would you give aspiring authors building immersive fantasy worlds?
Research and write. Dive into history, mythology, culture—anything that can help build a believable world. Use real-world references to ground your fantasy in something familiar. Most importantly, just start writing. Don’t wait to be perfect. Editors can clean up grammar and structure, but they can’t fix a story that was never written.
