Raf's Biography
Rafael Hohmann was born in December 1992 in Curitiba, Brazil—inside what used to be a castle dungeon.
His early life was defined by scarcity, but also by something far more important: exposure to stories. After immigrating to the United States, Rafael spent his early childhood being homeless or in the basement of a restaurant where his mother worked. It was then, between the ages of six and eight, he taught himself English by reading books and watching television for hours at a time.
Stories became more than entertainment—they became possibility.
By the age of nine, he was writing his own. Through his school years, he sold hand-drawn comics to classmates, shared chapters of ongoing stories, and eventually wrote, printed, and sold his first novel while still in high school. By seventeen, he was living on his own, determined to build a stable life and pursue writing seriously.
Years later, after serving a mission in Brazil, working odd jobs at strange hours, and putting himself through school, Rafael returned to storytelling with renewed focus. In 2016, he began publishing short fiction online—experimenting across genres and rapidly building an audience of thousands. Within months, readers were asking him to write and publish a full-length novel.
That request became SunRider.
Originally shared in chapters, the story gained momentum quickly. When Rafael officially self-published the novel in 2017, it became a national #1 bestseller in epic and dark fantasy—at one point surpassing major titles in the genre. The book’s success led to a contract with Podium Publishing, launching the series into audiobook format and solidifying his place in the indie fantasy space.
As his readership grew, so did his involvement in the writing community. He became a frequent panelist at conventions, collaborated with other authors, and eventually began working with international bestselling author David Farland. What started as mentorship evolved into a close professional relationship, with Rafael contributing to writing communities and events alongside him.
In 2022, following David Farland’s passing, Rafael was asked by members of the writing community—including industry professionals—to continue teaching his creative writing courses. He went on to lead the 318R course and Epic Novel Workshop, helping writers from around the world develop their craft.
Throughout this time, Rafael balanced his creative career with leadership roles in business, including serving as a COO and executive director. But despite the demands of those roles, storytelling remained central to his identity.
After a period of stepping back to focus on family, teaching, and rebuilding, Rafael returned to writing with a clear vision:
Not just to create stories—but to build an ecosystem.
An ecosystem where readers aren’t just passive consumers, but part of something larger. Where stories expand beyond the page. Where connection, trust, and meaning matter as much as the narrative itself.
Today, he continues to write epic fantasy with that goal in mind—creating worlds shaped by pressure, characters forged through hardship, and stories that aim to stay with readers long after they’re finished.