About the Author

 Kurt Wilhelm Oster, originally writing as Wilhelm P. Ostir, is a California-born fantasy literature enthusiast. Having lived across the United States, including Arizona, California, Florida, and New Jersey, he weaves his passion for fantasy and history in a unique way, reimagining classical historical figures. His third book in the House of Phoenix Chronicles continues the Heroes journey, exploring the multigenerational family narrative of the great Houses of Phoenix and Ignatius, with the fourth installment, "Things Are Not What They Seem," set for release in Spring 2024. The LGBTQ+ coming-of-age series, appealing to all ages, promises excitement with every page.

In October 2023, Oster introduced a children's book spin-off, "Mystical Way of Time." Beyond his writing, Oster dedicates his career to advocating for and transforming the lives of individuals with various exceptionalities and reading disabilities, serving as a mentor, educator, and advocate.

Overcoming dyslexia and a profound reading disorder, Oster evolved into a passionate literacy advocate. Celebrating disabilities, sexual identity, LGBTQ+ life, culture, and classic heroines in the House of Phoenix Chronicles, Oster shares a personal journey from disdain for reading to a love for the fantasy genre.

A Rutgers University graduate with Honors, Oster holds multiple graduate degrees, including a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California. The House of Phoenix Chronicles, a five-part fantasy series featuring magic, dragons, time-traveling, and diverse characters in modern times, is expanding with the development of multiple spin-off series. Beyond writing, Oster actively advocates for the LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and disabilities communities, promoting inclusivity and acceptance.

I knew the journey in The House of Phoenix Chronicles, Volume I, Rise of the Magical Three, was just the beginning. With the growing success of Volume I, I understood that I had to keep things going, and ten months after the release of Volume I, it gives me great pleasure to share with all of you, my readers, Volume II, Secrets Echoed, of this epic and fantastic series. As a writer, the journey of developing the storyline, the characters, and the lives becomes an art form. As I noted in the Afterword of Volume I, my writing is influenced by my career as a licensed therapist. My experience working with mental health, life coaching, and helping the LGBTQ+ community, combined with my love of history, has influenced my story themes, characters, and relationships in the House of Phoenix Chronicles.

When asked to summarize the series, I would say this. It is a fantasy love story that includes some exciting characters along the way. One of history’s greatest wizards, Merlin, is at the forefront of the story but with a bizarre twist, which brings magic, time travel, mystical creatures, technology, and the challenges of growing up to life in this epic tale.    As readers and writers, we know many literary themes, one of which is the most popular—the Hero’s Journey. Unfortunately, society has taught us that the female heroine is usually cast as the “damsel in distress,” who is saved by colorful companions, usually a man.  

 As a gay man and as the father of a teenage woman, I feel there are not enough stories with female heroines in the literary world. The House of Phoenix Chronicles explores the life of a young heroine, her two brothers, and their struggles with love and power that will shape their destinies. I hope this series inspires the next generation with a love for reading, our fellow humans, and values that redefine the role and acceptance of all people.

Although I grew up in a family of readers and academic scholars, I hated books passionately as a young person. It was not until my high school years that I began to enjoy reading and became engrossed in fantasy fiction. In college, I discovered that I am dyslexic, a severe reading disability. Once I had that under control, I thrived in my college education far beyond what I could ever have expected. 

As the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg said:

"Reading is the key to many good things in life. Reading shaped my dreams, and more reading helped make my dreams come true."

In developing the House of Phoenix Chronicles series, I live by Ginsburg’s words. My goal as an author is to write a series that helps open doors to many good things: enjoyment, happiness, amusement, a sense of awe, adventure, and an overall love for reading. At first for me, reading was my enemy. Coming to love reading opened the doors for many opportunities in my life, opportunities that I hope others will experience through my writing.