Alumni Spotlight: John Daze

Over the past 109 years, more than 200,000 individuals have graduated from Webster University around the world. Join us as we highlight their Webster stories.  

John Daze, MA ’12, MS ’19, found a military-friendly school in Webster University after departing active service. Through conversations with several veteran friends, Daze learned that Webster’s staff and curriculum were instrumental to their professional successes, ultimately solidifying his decision to enroll at the Los Angeles Air Force Base campus.

Daze earned his first master’s degree in business and organizational security management in 2012 and his second in cybersecurity in 2019. “I was lucky enough to work where there was a local campus… It was the best decision I made post service. It not only enhanced my civilian career, but it strengthened my portfolio and expanded social relationships and networking opportunities,” Daze said. 

Daze has fond memories of his Webster years, recalling professors like Ted Cheney, PhD, who “understood the plight of transitioning veterans,” and staff members like Deborah Marshall and Janice Neal who he considers equally as important to his success as his professors. Daze also remembers the late Renee Wilcots, who passed away in 2024 and “will always be remembered for her guidance and support.”  

With a military background and two master’s degrees in business management and Cybersecurity, Daze never would have guessed that he’d become an award-winning novelist.

Before the pandemic, Daze and his friends enjoyed playing the fantasy tabletop role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons. They ran campaigns in a hostile landscape with memorable characters that would later inspire Daze to take their game a step further. Like much of the world when COVID-19 hit, Daze and his friends could no longer continue their weekly campaigns. With everything they had created, Daze just couldn’t “shake the idea of creating Azoria’s origin story” and decided to finally sit down and write it.

Daze’s debut fantasy novel, “Rogues of the Crosslands: Azoria’s Blade,” published Sept. 15, 2023, by The CreativeKeep Inc., follows Azoria, a 12-year-old elven girl on a quest for vengeance after orcs destroy her village. With her mother's sword and a burning desire for revenge, Azoria ventures into the dangerous Crosslands. Themes of family, addiction, personal growth, duty and belonging are explored, making this an exciting and thought-provoking read for young adults. 

Writing the Crosslands Saga has been a passion project for Daze, reminiscent of those fun times spent with friends. Therefore, when “Azoria’s Blade” received 11 awards, including Five Star Awards from Literary Titan and Indies Today, Daze was quite surprised. “Azoria’s Blade” has also been acknowledged with The Golden Wizard Book Prize, which describes it as a “fantastically written, action-packed fantasy novel that features an incredible storyline, well-developed characters, and plenty of jaw-dropping plot twists to keep readers engaged from beginning to end.”

For Daze, Azoria’s story doesn’t end here. “Some of the side characters were so well-received, that I've branched out to create origin stories for them. It's a very challenging yet thrilling process,” Daze shared. Book two of “Azoria’s Blade” is also in its final draft, with the next two books already in development. Daze is just getting started — the first issue of “Azoria’s Blade” comic series is in production, and he has plans to create an entire “Azoria’s Blade” graphic novel. His ultimate dream for Azoria is to create a full-blown animated series.

Cover art of Azoria's Blade.

Returning to the story’s roots is also on the table. Daze shared that “creating a [Dungeons and Dragons] campaign would be a dream come true! I could even envision Azoria's Blade as a standalone board game.”

Daze reflected on his life journey, saying, “There are several milestones I think of when I look back at my life, like joining and retiring from the military, earning two master’s degrees and the birth of my children. I would also say that publishing my first book is just as impactful. I’m proud that I’m contributing something to the literary world and creating something tangible to pass down to my children.”

Learn more about Daze’s writing journey on Instagram and pick up your copy of “Rogues of the Crosslands: Azoria’s Blade” on Amazon. Or, stop by the 2024 Comic-Con International: San Diego July 25-28, 2024, to meet Daze in person. 

Daze at a former Comic-Con event.