Eastmont Middle School eighth-grade English teacher Marc Gregson is used to helping his students craft arguments, edit essays and find their voice. This spring, however, he also is celebrating the release of “Downfall,” the final installment in “Above the Black,” his science fiction trilogy. 

 “Book three is the culmination of everything that was built up with the first two in the series; it’s action-packed,” he said about the novel released in March. “Conrad’s uncle has now become king and he is a tyrant. Conrad is essentially forced to fight a battle he doesn’t want to. So this book is about trying to bring down the biggest monster in the sky, which ends up not being a monster, but a person, his uncle.”

For Gregson, finishing the trilogy was both exhilarating and emotional.

“It was fun to write the story in this world I created, but it also was difficult emotionally saying goodbye to these characters,” he said.

That emotional connection is something his students might recognize.

Gregson spends his days encouraging his student-writers to develop characters with clear motivations and goals, the same advice he follows. 

His main character remains closest to him “because I was in his head so long. The story doesn’t work without Conrad.”

Readers can anticipate intensity in “Downfall,” but Gregson says also expect hope.

“There will be some sad parts, but ultimately, its core is hopeful and optimistic for people,” he said.

While “Downfall” marks the end of the trilogy, Gregson isn’t finished. He has an adult dystopian thriller, “Behind the Glass,” coming out this November and he already is writing a second science fiction trilogy for young adults.

“I like big stories, but for me to be able to write the stories I want to tell and have them be as big and epic as I want, I write multiple books,” Gregson said.

His first trilogy included “Sky’s End” and “Among Serpents.”

Gregson also is involved in a screenplay adaption of his work.

“I’ve already seen a first draft of the script, and I’m very impressed with it,” he said. “I can’t say who the screenwriter is, but he has worked on other blockbusters.“

With Antoine Fuqua, known for thrillers and action movies, as the producer, Gregson is upbeat about the project.

“I’m cautiously optimist about it because they’re so careful and true to the story. That’s a good thing; they’re not rushing anything,” he said.

While his cinematic career is taking off, Gregson remains committed to his own writing and family.

His wife serves as his “alpha reader” while his 12-year-old daughter already is a devoted fan.

“She’s read all three books already and offers advice. She’s like, ‘I want more monsters,’” Gregson said.

His twin daughters are fourth graders, who are being introduced to genre fiction with Lord of the Rings series.

It was a junior high librarian who noted Gregson’s love of science fiction after he wrote a Halloween story with a killer squirrel. She introduced him to “Ender’s Game.” He then read “The Hobbit” and the Harry Potter series — and got hooked.

“My stories are more adventurous than those ones are; mine have an edge to them and are a lot more explosive, like big action battles and cinematic,” he said.

Gregson and his family like adventures of their own, taking daring rides on roller coasters across the country.

“The back row is the best because you get the extra Gs. I feel like I'm on the back of one of my sky serpents in my books,” he said.

Balancing teaching and writing hasn’t been easy. Now working part time, Gregson maintains a schedule: up at 6:45 a.m., do a set of 40 pushups and write 1,000 words until 10:30 a.m., when he comes to Eastmont.

That dedication is something he passes on to his students, along with practical advice: focus on your character’s goals to keep the story moving, avoid comparisons to other writers and embrace the process.

“You’re on your own trail. Follow it, wherever it takes you even if it zigs or zags,” Gregson said, recalling his first book he wrote, “The Bringers,” which never got published, but motivated him to write more and eventually, he became a New York Times best-selling author.

Gregson is enjoying his own journey from the classroom to the page and soon, the screen, and while he said goodbye to his favorite character, Conrad, it might just be “see you later.” 

“I’m only 40, so maybe in 10 years, I will come back to Conrad,” he said. “Maybe he’ll show up again.”