From 2004 to 2005, James Mace deployed to Iraq with the Idaho Army Guard. It was there that he wrote the initial draft of what would become his first book, Soldier of Rome: The Legionary. What was at the time a means of cathartic escapism went on to shape his career, currently spanning thirty-two books, as an author of historical fiction. Learn how he channeled his experiences, the sights, sounds, smells, and abject feelings, into storytelling.
James Mace is an author, historian, and life-long storyteller. According to his parents, he’s been telling stories since he was six, though it would be many years before he took up writing. This first began as a hobby in the early 2000s, penning physical fitness articles for a bodybuilding website and a now-defunct magazine called Hardcore Muscle. James wrote the initial draft of his first novel, Soldier of Rome: The Legionary, as a cathartic means of escapism while serving in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. He has since released thirty-one books, including twelve Ancient History best-sellers, and five South African History best-sellers. His works currently span his two favourite eras: Ancient Rome and the British Empire. He plans to eventually delve into Medieval times, as well as the First World War. Outside of his historical novels, James maintains a blog called The Buffed Historian, sharing random fitness and other tales from across history. His hobbies include weightlifting, road cycling, foothills hikes, travelling across the globe, live theatre, video games, and sitting down for a game of Dungeons & Dragons with friends. He lives in Boise with his wife, Tracy, and their cats.