Originating in Greek mythology, a phoenix is associated with the sun and gains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. So, perhaps it is only natural that Phoenix Ward, who has spent his entire life in Chestnut Hill (26 years) and Mt. Airy (three years), should be writing fantasy novels in which the main character, a dragon named Mysherra, is “reborn” inside a pen.

Through his writing, Ward has created a world that would rival some of these Marvel big-box-office superhero movies. Ward points out that his literary genre is not science fiction, which has real-world touchstones, but fantasy, based on supernatural or magical elements.

Ward’s new novel, “Sins of the Fire,” is the first of a three-part series. So far, he has written 220 pages of the second installment. According to Ward’s fertile, fantastical imagination, dragons once coexisted with humans.

“We shared magic, weapons, and even our souls with these creatures,” Ward said of his story’s lore. “Society’s connection between them spanned the test of time through art, stories, and spoken word. Although depictions remain, they no longer exist. Christian armies, believing these creatures to be devils, laid siege to end their species in a wild pursuit of their Promised Land. Bloodshed for nearly two centuries suddenly came to an end. Concurrently, those winged beasts, admired and feared, were extinguished without a trace.”

In “Sins,” the main character, Kane, finds a pen as he walks in Wissahickon Valley Park. As it turns out, a female dragon with superpowers resides inside that pen.

Ward was born in Chestnut Hill Hospital on Jan. 12, 1996, during one of the worst snowstorms in the city’s history. Of his name, Ward explained, “My grandfather on my dad’s side kept a journal. In it, he said he would ‘rise again like a phoenix over his doubters.’ When he passed away, my dad inherited my grandfather’s journal and read that part. My family knew this would be the perfect name for me coming into the world. That’s how I got my name, and I’ve risen ever since!”

He attended A.S. Jenks Elementary School, Green Woods Charter School, Science Leadership Academy (a magnet high school), Temple University for a B.S. in education, and Drexel University for a master’s degree in education and instruction curriculum.

He has taught mostly English and mathematics for six years, first at an alternative middle school for students in need of special attention. “In college, they do not prepare you for what happens there,” Ward said, “like when a student throws a textbook at you or when a kid cuts you with a scissors.” (He still has a scar on the left wrist from that incident.). He then taught at Overbrook Elementary School, John F. McCloskey School, and for the past three years, for Learn It Academic Services, a provider of academic support for struggling students or those with special needs.

Ward started writing the book while still in high school. After one year, he had written 200 pages. After two more years, he had 688 pages (later cut to 586) and the book was released by Wind Publishing. It has received several favorable reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble.

“I’m no good at writing fight scenes,” Ward said. “But I like character development and writing dialogue. I like three-dimensional character development. I am particularly interested in Black male characters in movies, but not when they are stereotypes. I like ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ [a 2018 animated film based on Marvel Comics’ Black superhero character Miles Morales]. I like writing characters who are Black and have depth.

“I hate the mindset that I’m going to fail. You must have a motivation to keep going. Never give up. I was so thrilled when ‘Sins of the Fire’ came out. I will cherish it forever. It is like my first child, and I am happy that readers seem to like it.”

Len Lear can be reached at LenLear@chestnuthilllocal.