Christian Richards

Originally from Oakland, California, Christian spent much of his youth growing up on boats in San Francisco Bay, then the United States Virgin Islands. It was in the USVI that he developed his craving for knowledge and adventure. Being escorted for 2 days by a whale, swimming with a 20-foot ray, sitting in the cockpit of an F-14 on the deck of the Nimitz, and hanging out for a day with Shel Silverstein will do that to you.

Growing up dancing to live music in the islands practically every day eventually led to Christian's passion for ballet. He attended the University of Oklahoma as a Ballet Pedagogy major and went on to have a professional dance career with Ballet Oklahoma, Nevada Dance Theater, and Ohio Ballet. Upon retiring at the ripe old age of 28, he attended Southern Methodist University and received his MFA in Choreographic Theory and Practice. From there, Christian went on to direct college programs, teach and choreograph all over the country and found his own professional contemporary ballet company.

At 40, a major life-changing event occurred. Christian developed a serve neuropathy in his legs, causing great pain, and could no longer teach dance. After going through 3 years of depression, trying to figure out how to reinvent himself, Christian decided to take a stab at a life-long ambition and write a book. The Order is that first effort. Writing allowed Christian to have a creative, expressive outlet. It saved his life.

Now, on the correct medicines, Christian teaches and choreographs part-time in Virginia. But his true passion is now writing. You can find Christian at cirauthor.com. Keep an eye out for Orion, the second book in the Tales of Jericho series!