From Notebooks to Novels: How Jaxon Schelhaas Built a Tolkien-Level Fantasy World
Fantasy lovers, this episode is for you! Jo sits down with indie author Jaxon Schelhaas to explore how a childhood passion became a full-blown fantasy saga. From handwritten notebooks to a 600-page epic, Jaxon’s journey is fueled by imagination and persistence.
At just 13, he wrote three full novels in spiral notebooks. Inspired by Tolkien’s The Silmarillion, Jaxon began building the world of Lands of Ordia. It now spans five books—and counting. But it’s not just the story that’s massive. Jaxon also created a fictional language, complete with its own alphabet and grammar.
In this interview, Jo dives into how Jaxon builds cities, cultures, and a working magic system. They also discuss how moving from small-town Iowa to bustling Chicago changed his storytelling lens. The result? A deeper, more layered fantasy world.
Even though Jaxon is still early in his career, his advice hits hard: “Just keep going.” He talks about consistency, creative routines, and the value of writing even when no one is watching. Because passion doesn’t wait for permission.
If you’re curious about worldbuilding, language crafting, or indie publishing—don’t miss this one. Plus, Jo and Jaxon bond over Tolkien t-shirts, mythology, and the weird joy of making maps for made-up worlds.
🔗 Check out more chaos and creator convos at: https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell
📘 Grab Lands of Ordia: [https://amzn.to/3GhOcHI]
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KEY MOMENTS:
- Opening riff – Tolkien shirt? Confirmed.
- Guest’s big insight – “Just keep going” is the advice he’d give his younger self.
- Behind-the-scenes – Jaxon wrote three novels in spiral notebooks at 13!
- Personal story – How a move from Iowa to Chicago reshaped his writing.
- Why it matters – Creativity is a marathon, and Jaxon’s world shows what passion plus persistence can build.
