Picture a Utah-born storyteller who turned paper folding into a magical art form—meet Charlie N. Holmberg! This fantasy author, best known for her enchanting Paper Magician series, has captivated readers with her whimsical yet grounded tales. A proud Trekkie and BYU alumna, Holmberg’s journey from Salt Lake City to literary stardom is as inspiring as her stories, blending magic, romance, and heart.
With her debut novel optioned by Disney and a shelf full of awards, Holmberg has carved a unique niche in fantasy. Her ability to make everyday materials like paper feel extraordinary has earned her a devoted following. Let’s dive into her life, works, and why she’s a must-read for fantasy lovers!
The Making of Charlie N. Holmberg
Born on April 4, 1988, in Salt Lake City, Charlie Nicholes Holmberg grew up in a family of Trekkies, alongside three sisters with equally boyish names. Her love for storytelling sparked early, fueled by fantasy novels and a fateful encounter with The Vision of Escaflowne at 13. At Brigham Young University, she earned a BA in English in 2010, studying under fantasy titan Brandon Sanderson, whose advice on magical limits shaped her career. Before publishing, she honed her skills as a technical and freelance editor, crafting her debut novel, The Paper Magician, as her ninth completed manuscript.
Charlie N. Holmberg’s Unforgettable Stories
Holmberg’s breakout hit, The Paper Magician (2014), introduces Ceony Twill, a young apprentice bound to paper magic in a Victorian-inspired world. Inspired by origami and Sanderson’s focus on limitations, the series—The Glass Magician (2014), The Master Magician (2015), and The Plastic Magician (2018)—weaves romance, danger, and a unique magic system that animates man-made materials. Fans adore its blend of whimsy and emotional depth, with The Master Magician hitting the Wall Street Journal bestseller list.
Beyond this series, Holmberg’s versatility shines in the Numina trilogy, exploring darker magical realms, and the Spellbreaker duology, a historical fantasy with a rebellious heroine. Her standalone novel The Fifth Doll (2017) won the Whitney Award for Speculative Fiction, while Followed by Frost (2015) earned a RITA Award nomination. Holmberg’s style is vivid and accessible, balancing intricate world-building with relatable characters and a touch of romance that makes every story sparkle.
Her settings often draw from historical influences, like the British drama Downton Abbey for The Paper Magician, and personal moments, such as scraping snow off her car for Followed by Frost. This knack for grounding fantasy in real-world inspiration makes her work resonate across ages, from teens to adults.
Why Charlie N. Holmberg Matters
Holmberg’s impact lies in her ability to make the ordinary magical. By turning paper into a source of power, she invites readers to see wonder in the everyday. Her stories, often light yet layered with themes of forgiveness and self-love, appeal to both fantasy veterans and newcomers. The Disney option for The Paper Magician in 2016, with producer Allison Shearmur attached, signals her growing influence, even if the project remains in development.
As a multi-Whitney Award winner and Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for The Hanging City (2023), Holmberg continues to shape the fantasy genre. Her podcast, Your Mom Writes Books, and active social media presence connect her with fans, cementing her as a beloved voice in modern fantasy.
- Birth Date: April 4, 1988
- Key Works: The Paper Magician, The Fifth Doll, Spellbreaker
- Awards: Whitney Award for The Fifth Doll (2017), RITA Award finalist for Followed by Frost (2016)
- Fun Fact: She plays the ukulele and owns too many pairs of glasses!
Snag The Paper Magician and dive into Charlie N. Holmberg’s whimsical fantasy world—you won’t look at a sheet of paper the same way again!