Picture an American storyteller who spun tales of dragons and heroes, captivating readers and gamers alike—meet Tracy Hickman! Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1955, Hickman is a fantasy author and game designer best known for co-creating the Dragonlance series with Margaret Weis. His imaginative worlds, rooted in epic quests and moral dilemmas, have left an indelible mark on fantasy literature and role-playing games.
From his early days as a missionary to his groundbreaking work at TSR, Hickman’s journey is as epic as the stories he tells. With over 60 books and a legacy that shaped modern fantasy, his tales continue to inspire adventurers worldwide.
The Making of Tracy Hickman
Tracy Raye Hickman grew up in Salt Lake City, where his parents nurtured a love for reading through visits to the local bookmobile. Drawn to science fiction and fantasy, he devoured books that sparked his imagination. After graduating from Provo High School in 1974, where he explored drama, music, and Air Force JROTC, Hickman served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1975 to 1977. These experiences, along with various blue-collar jobs, enriched his storytelling with themes of faith, duty, and resilience.
Hickman’s writing career began unexpectedly. While working at TSR in 1982, he pitched an idea to make dragons fearsome again, leading to the creation of Dragonlance—a revolutionary blend of novels and Dungeons & Dragons modules. Paired with editor Margaret Weis, Hickman found a lifelong collaborator, and their shared vision transformed fantasy gaming and literature.
Tracy Hickman’s Unforgettable Stories
Hickman’s most iconic work is the Dragonlance Chronicles, starting with Dragons of Autumn Twilight (1984). This trilogy follows the Heroes of the Lance as they battle the dark goddess Takhisis in the war-torn world of Krynn. Its vivid characters, like the tormented mage Raistlin Majere, and accessible, Tolkienesque world captivated millions, selling over 22 million copies worldwide.
Beyond Dragonlance, Hickman’s versatility shines in works like the Death Gate Cycle, a seven-book series co-written with Weis, exploring interconnected universes with intricate magic systems. With his wife, Laura, he crafted the Annals of Drakis, a trilogy blending rebellion and fantasy, and the innovative Dragon’s Bard series, serialized online before print. Hickman’s style weaves moral complexity, mythic archetypes, and immersive world-building, appealing to both gamers and readers.
His lesser-known gem, Wayne of Gotham (2012), a Batman novel for DC Comics, delves into Bruce Wayne’s parents, showcasing his ability to tackle diverse genres. Hickman’s collaborative approach, often with Weis or Laura, brings fresh perspectives to classic fantasy tropes.
Why Tracy Hickman Matters
Tracy Hickman’s impact on fantasy is monumental. With Weis, he pioneered the gaming fiction genre, blending novels with role-playing games in a way that redefined both. In 1999, Pyramid magazine named him one of the millennium’s most influential figures in adventure gaming, crediting him and Weis with creating a new literary niche. His 2002 induction into the Origins Hall of Fame celebrated Dragonlance as a “literary sensation.”
Hickman’s stories resonate because they explore universal themes—good versus evil, sacrifice, and redemption—while inviting readers into richly crafted worlds. His influence endures in the 2022 release of Dragonlance: Dragons of Deceit and the upcoming Dragonlance Legacies trilogy, set for 2026, proving his tales remain timeless.
About Tracy Hickman
- Born: November 26, 1955, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Key Works: Dragonlance Chronicles, Death Gate Cycle, Wayne of Gotham
- Awards: Origins Hall of Fame (2002), Pyramid magazine’s Most Influential Persons (1999)
- Collaborators: Margaret Weis, Laura Hickman
Ready to embark on an epic adventure? Snag Dragons of Autumn Twilight and dive into Tracy Hickman’s thrilling fantasy worlds!