A.J. Campbell's novels are far from normal. A renowned fishermen, a Roman reenactor, and a self described “history nut,” Campbell is as unique as his own brand of historical science fiction fantasy.

Yes, “historical-science-fiction-fantasy” is a mouthful, but it's what happens when Campbell combines his love for history books, kung fu films, mythology, weaponry and the Bible with a fondness for dressing up in chain-mail and shooting the bow and arrow.

In the past 10 years, Campbell said he departed from his non-fiction roots, to pen the novels “The Demon's Doorbolt: A Tale of End-Time Panic as a Prelude to the Total Absence of Everything” and the most recently published “Forging the Blade.”

In “Forging the Blade,” Campbell drew from his extensive knowledge of Atlantic European history, and Roman cavalry, to research the origins of King Arthur to create something that's never been done before.

“It's the best thing that I've written and it has an exotic quality to it,” Campbell said.

Already well known in fishing circles as the author of the popular “Classic Antique Fly Fishing Tackle” and the department editor of Saltwater Sportsman magazine, Campbell said he became disenchanted with the fact that he wasn't going to go any further with non-fiction. So he started looking at the possibility of writing fiction.

“I went through every Authurian book that was ever written, and I discovered somehow, at least in my mind, the chances are that King Arthur, the mythical King Arthur was quite possibly not a Briton, but he may have been a Goth.”

As Campell kept digging, he discovered more signs that supported his theory that myths and legends transcend both history and culture.

On the pommel of a Chinese sword, Campbell discovered the symbol of dragon with a pearl that would later show up on the swords of Briton cavalry, suggesting a link to King Arthur's last name, Pendragon, Campbell said.

By dissecting the ancient language of Goth, Campbell said Pendragon turns into Pan Dragen, and King Arthur's father, Uther Pendragen turns into Ufar, or “chief of the all the dragons.”

Campbell said he wrote “Forging the Blade” in about six months in many sleepless nights while standing at his laptop.

“Your mind works better when you’re standing up, and I wanted my mind to be right on top of things when I wrote this, because this is the strangest friggin’ novel you’ll ever read,” Campbell said.

Armed with the perfect amount of wit and ingenuity, Campbell said he hopes his book will captivate readers with a cast of characters based off actual historical events that is set in 350 to 500 A.D., around collapse of the western Roman empire.

Online critics have praised Campbell's fiction portfolio which includes the 2011 sci-fi fantasy “The Demon's Doorbolt” as wildly imaginative because he shows an accurate understanding of history and weaponry, that blends epic fantasy battles with clever humor that shatters traditional genres.

Campbell said he wants to set his next novel in the 1950s and tentatively call it “Area 51.” Campbell's books can be found locally at Sherman's Bookstore, the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, or be purchased online at www.amazon.com.