Eric Coulson
Author · Retired Diplomat · Ex-Forces · Recovering Lawyer
Eric Coulson is an author, retired diplomat, ex-forces, and a recovering lawyer. His debut international spy thriller, The Chrysalis Option, is on sale at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., where he has made a presentation. He is a retired United States Army Officer and Foreign Service Officer. He joined the State Department in 2015, and served in Abuja, Santo Domingo, and London, before retiring in 2022.
Besides writing international espionage thrillers he likes playing guitar, tasting wine and whisky, and traveling the globe with his wife Karen. He was featured in a military publication for his volunteer work in saving dogs overseas.
In His Own Words
Many British spy thrillers feature a familiar-looking hero, but The Chrysalis Option introduces readers to a new kind of save-the-day character — a black woman who was raised an orphan in Nigeria. And who better to write such a book than a retired diplomat, ex-forces, recovering lawyer? “Our heroes do not need to look like us,” says Coulson, who joined the State Department a decade ago and served in Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, the Dominican Republic and the UK. He also served in the British Ministry of Defence.
“I have always been a fan of British spy thrillers. I would spend a lot of my off-time going to the scenes of various books. I had just returned from living in London for two years and wanted to hold onto that experience and create something amazing.”
Military Honors
Personal Awards
- Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
- Joint Service Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
- Army Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
- Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
- National Defense Service Medal (2 awards)
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device
- Combat Action Badge
- Air Assault Badge
Permanent Unit Awards
- Army Superior Unit Award
- Naval Unit Commendation
- Valorous Unit Award
Beyond the Page
Hobbies & Interests
Bruce Springsteen fan, plays guitar, outdoor travel, hiking, wine tasting, dogs.
Cities Lived
Born in Long Beach, California; graduated high school in San Mateo. Considers himself a Californian.
- Long Beach, California (born)
- San Mateo, California
- Washington, D.C.
- Portland, Oregon
- Carbondale, Illinois
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Fort Huachuca, Arizona
- Cairo, Egypt
- Albany, New York
- Abuja, Nigeria
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- London, United Kingdom
- Lilongwe, Malawi (current)