Hale: The Rise of the Griffins
JK Noble stands at the intersection of imagination, design, and ambition. As the author, illustrator, and creative force behind the HALE fantasy series, she is reimagining what a modern book franchise can be. Her work blends traditional storytelling with visual art, gaming, and accessibility, creating a multi-sensory literary experience for young readers.
The journey began early. Long before her books were published, storytelling was a natural expression of who she was. As a child, she filled notebooks with fictional worlds and characters, drawing and writing with equal intensity. While creative expression was deeply ingrained in her, she also understood the financial risks of a creative career. This led her to pursue formal studies in computer science and graphic design—practical fields that later became instrumental in building her fantasy universe.
At the age of sixteen, Noble wrote the manuscript that would become the HALE series. What started as one expansive novel was eventually divided into two books to align with the structure of traditional publishing: HALE: The Rise of the Griffins and HALE: The Prophet’s Journal. The work quickly gained critical attention, including a positive Kirkus review that opened professional doors and led to a publishing deal with Morgan James.
HALE stands out not only for its compelling narrative and rich world-building but for how Noble has built an entire ecosystem around the story. She isn’t just an author—she is the illustrator, designer, and architect of a brand that merges literature with gaming and merchandise in a seamless way. Every aspect of the HALE franchise, from its character visuals to its branding, is created by Noble herself.
A prime example of this integration is the HALE 3-in-1 Collector’s Bundle, a product designed to deliver a complete immersive experience. It includes the first two HALE novels, and a sealed pack from the HALE Trading Card Game: The Extraordinary Collection (Volume 1), that includes nine intricately illustrated character cards—one of which is rare, either holographic or lenticular. Each card corresponds to characters, objects, or places from the books and contains a distinct power, background, and role in the overarching narrative. This combination of reading, collecting, and gameplay creates a bridge between story and interaction, especially appealing to younger audiences.
The trading card game itself goes beyond traditional merchandise. Noble designed it as a strategic, character-driven experience, allowing readers to engage more deeply with the HALE universe. It extends the world of the books into a format that is both playful and meaningful, making the characters feel real and dynamic.
What makes Noble’s approach to publishing even more distinctive is her commitment to accessibility. Through her philanthropic arm, the JK Noble Foundation, she donates one book to a public school for every dollar earned through her brand. This effort reflects her belief that literature should be reachable, especially to children in underserved communities. She also envisions HALE books stocked not just in bookstores, but in everyday retail spaces—pharmacies, department stores, grocery chains—places where children and families frequently go. The goal is simple: bring stories back into the everyday world.
Beyond her work as a writer and designer, Noble is also a voice within the creative community. She hosts Pen’s Sorcery, a podcast that explores storytelling as a craft, as well as creative entrepreneurship and the cultural importance of fantasy. The podcast serves as a platform for conversations with fellow writers, educators, and readers, helping to foster a community around thoughtful, imaginative storytelling.
Noble’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. HALE: The Rise of the Griffins became a bestseller on both Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The novel was also named a finalist in the 2022 Gertrude Warner Book Awards, a category of the Chanticleer International Book Awards that honors excellence in middle-grade fiction. In addition to this recognition, HALE has received high praise across numerous respected literary platforms. Reviews have consistently highlighted the book’s emotional depth, strong character development, and lyrical prose.
But her long-term vision goes far beyond book sales and awards. She is working to establish HALE as a global fantasy brand with the kind of reach and resonance seen in franchises like Marvel. Plans for film and television adaptations are part of her roadmap, with both animated and live-action formats envisioned. Noble’s dual expertise in writing and visual design uniquely equips her to oversee such transitions with creative continuity.
She also aims to expand the HALE universe through additional books, spin-off stories, interactive games, and continued educational outreach. Every initiative she undertakes is rooted in her commitment to storytelling as a transformative force—one that empowers, inspires, and stays with its audience long after the final page is turned.
In a time when attention spans are fragmented and physical books often compete with digital media, JK Noble is proving that stories still matter—especially when they are presented with care, creativity, and purpose. By integrating literature, art, gameplay, and philanthropy, she is redefining what a fantasy series can be.
Through HALE, she is not just building a brand—she is building a universe. And for readers young and old, it’s a world well worth exploring.
