NEWBERG, Ore.—Cody King never expected his Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) hobby to lead to a book deal, but the Newberg-based fantasy cartographer has officially submitted the manuscript for his first published work, set to release in mid-2025.
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King, who works full-time as vice president of sales and marketing for a finance company, began drawing maps for his D&D campaigns in 2017 when he first learned how to play the game. What started as a way to visualize game locations quickly evolved into a passion project with a growing social media following.
What Is Dungeons & Dragons?
Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG), where players engage in collective storytelling, with outcomes determined by rolling dice. Many scenarios are set in a medieval fantasy world, utilizing elements of folklore and magic. However, players can develop settings in any genre, including modern-day scenarios.
Dungeons & Dragons has been a part of popular culture since its inception in 1974 and surged in popularity after 2020, as many sought creative and social outlets during the pandemic. Its flexibility—requiring no cards or board to play—attracted players to the imaginative freedom of the game. Today, D&D often serves as a catch-all term for TTRPGs, though not all are related.
“I grabbed a piece of copy paper and just sketched out a map,” King said, recalling his first attempt. “The game wasn’t great. The storytelling wasn’t great, but the map was passable. The party thought it was pretty good, which encouraged me to keep drawing.”
That initial map led King to create an Instagram account dedicated to fantasy cartography in 2018. He soon found himself among the first fantasy mapmakers to gain a significant online following.
“I was one of the first fantasy cartographers with a specific account for mapmaking,” King said. “There are others that predate me, and I know them by name. They’re great people, but I was one of the first to get a following in the tens of thousands.”
King’s online presence exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on TikTok. He remembers conducting a map giveaway when he had 500 followers, expecting mostly friends to enter. But the giveaway worked, and within six months, his follower count jumped to over 200,000. People began reaching out to commission stylized maps for their own campaigns, and commenters challenged him to create unique elements, like a kraken peeking out of a lake.
His growing popularity caught the attention of publishers. King recently completed the manuscript for his first book, The Game Master’s Guide to Fantasy Mapmaking: Draw Immersive Maps for Dungeons & Dragons and Other Role-Playing Games, published by Page Street Publishing, and set to release on July 29, 2025.
“We’ve got a ways to go,” King said, “but it’s a good thing because the publishers are doing a great job investing in the texture, feel, and aesthetic of the book.”
Despite his social media success, King maintains his day job while dedicating 15 to 25 hours a week to art and D&D-related projects. He is considering transitioning to full-time art but isn’t ready to take that step yet.
“I’m having to face some big conversations about it,” King said. “When do you take that leap? When do you leave the regular paycheck behind and bet on yourself? When you’re playing the social media game, you’re always worried about the day it dries up.”
King’s exploration into fantasy gaming has also led to collaborations and opportunities with other creators. In addition to his upcoming book, he is working on an audio drama titled The Long Rest, a supernatural fantasy thriller inspired by D&D themes. He’s also negotiating a second book and developing both sci-fi and fantasy manuscripts.
King’s journey from casual D&D player to published artist reflects the broader resurgence of tabletop gaming in popular culture.
“Now we’ve expanded the demographics of people playing D&D, and then COVID gave it a bump,” King said. “When we could reconnect in person, people were desperate for that.”
D&D is as culturally popular and diverse as ever, King noted. Some production studios now focus on creating fantasy tabletop role-playing content, and the game features prominently in TV shows and films, including a D&D-licensed movie released in 2023. In a 2023 Time magazine special edition, a 20-sided die—the primary tool used to determine success or failure in D&D—graced the cover alongside a story titled “Dungeons & Dragons: The Game that Changed the World.”
The game also has a wide presence locally. Barley & Vine Tavern has dedicated TTRPG nights; Expansion Games in Chapters Books & Coffee’s coffeehouse has TTRPG dice and figurines; and the Newberg Public Library hosts consistent D&D for teens nights.
“They’re starting to introduce kids to collaborative storytelling,” King said. “Not only does it let them be creative, but it teaches communication, boundaries, consent, and other social skills. You can connect these ideas with kids in a fun way.”
As he awaits his book’s release, King continues balancing his creative pursuits with his professional career. His story is an inspiration to those hoping to turn hobbies into something more, proving that it’s never too late to explore one’s artistic side.
“Discovering art that late in life is beautiful,” King said. “It’s wonderful. I’m glad I did, because it’s opened a lot of doors.”
Draw Your Own Maps: Tips from Dungeon Master’s Diary
For aspiring fantasy cartographers, King recommends starting with whatever materials are available and seeing if they enjoy the process. For those looking to invest more seriously, he suggests using quality supplies, such as Strathmore 400-weight drawing paper and Sakura Micron pens in varying weights.
He also advises practicing individual map elements before attempting full compositions.
“Practice the assets that make up a map,” King said. “Learn how to draw mountains, cliffs, and rivers. Get those reps in before creating a full map.”
Once the proper materials are in hand and the map’s framework is set, King encourages artists to practice using their pen with a light touch. This technique, he said, helps get more use out of a single pen by varying the weight and density of the lines.
Lastly, King encourages anyone interested in fantasy mapmaking—or any art—to dive in and start. Resources are available online, including King’s social media accounts, which offer step-by-step guides on drawing trees, mountains, buildings, and more.
“Sometimes the first mark on a blank sheet is daunting,” King said, “but once you connect two points with a line, your brain starts filling in the landmarks. I’m looking forward to the day I can just point people to my book, because it covers all of that.”
You can follow Cody King on Instagram and TikTok to view his work and learn more. His book, The Game Master’s Guide to Fantasy Mapmaking, is available for preorder at Barnes & Noble and will be available locally at Chapters Books & Coffee after its release.
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