Hail fiery-hearted men and women of the gloomy slopes and sombre hills!
It’s that time again so lets dive right into the big news…
BATTLEBORN
Battleborn is now LIVE with a campaign on Indiegogo! And not only that, but it is FULLY funded already. We now seek to reach our stretch goals, but more importantly to expand the horde of sword & sorcery faithful.
Issue one will have stories by Howard Andrew Jones, Robert E Howard, CL Werner, Greg Mele, Erik Waag, TJ Marquis, Robert Rhodes, Michael Shea, Alyssa Hazel, & more!
Other treasures include articles, top notch interior art, and the FRUG comic series by Schuyler Hernstrom.
My contribution to this mighty anthology is titled To Boast of Victory.
A mercenary’s life is one of thrills, but a siege offers only mud and monotony. Skarde, never famed for patience, soon finds his fraying. In the besiegers’ camp, where drink loosens tongues and pride dares folly, three warriors wager their honor on a reckless stunt. This story echoes a half-remembered incident in the Song of El Cid, or perhaps only a dream of one.
Dragon Award Voting is Live
Make your voice heard!
Register to vote for the 2025 Dragon Awards here, and if I may make a request, please vote for Howard Andrew Jones’ Shadow of the Smoking Mountain. Even Larry Correia who shares a nomination in the Best Fantasy Novel category has asked voters to cast their votes Jones. Jones passed away earlier this year after suffering from cancer, but his influence on this new era of sword & sorcery will last forever.
https://awards.dragoncon.org/2025-ballot/
A Culture of Active Readership
Awards help sales, not only by bringing a title into the limelight — though this effect is powerful in the short term — but also by providing social proof. Social proof is critical for a book’s long term success, and you can help by leaving reviews! I’m not just asking for reviews for my books, but for every book you read.
Let’s create a culture of active readership, which includes going beyond bookshelves, talking to fans and authors on social media, and reviews. Taking control back from the collapsing lit industry takes some effort, both in seeking out new works and authors, and by making sure your voice is heard. I must improve at this myself.
If you’ve read Citadel of Seven Swords or Rock and Roll Mercenaries: A Pulp Rock Anthology, please consider rating and leaving a short written review.
Shadow in the Eye
Shadow in the Eye, my story for Lyn Perry’s Swords and Heroes, is available on Amazon (on pre-order until the 26th of August). Of course, it’s free to read on Swords and Heroes, but if you want a copy for your Kindle Library it is available at the link below. And hey, I always appreciate my 35% of $0.99!
Princess of the Shrouded Mountain
Book 3 is moving along. I wish I could get this out tomorrow, but that’s not possible. I’m making edits right now based on the feedback provided by three fine beta readers. I’ve gotten invaluable advice from Tim at Secret Fire Books, Nick from The Book Graveyard, and Big Jake from PulpMortem. All are booktubers, and damn good ones. I’ve included links to their channels in case you want some first class booktubing.
I’ve hired an artist whose name I’ll reveal when I start promoting. Suffice to say, if you are in this weird indie sub genre space you’ve probably seen his work. It’s old school, savage, and a wonder to behold. I can’t wait to see what he conjures up.
Final edits will be under Daniel P Riley once I’m done with beta edits.
Booktuber Anthology
Speaking of Tim, Nick, and Jake — we’re conspiring with a host of other booktubers to write an anthology of short stories. I’ll go light on details as we don’t have many of those hammered out yet, but from the stories I’ve read so far, fun will assuredly be had.
My own story is about a roguish, working-class spacer and his lovably furry companion getting caught up in an unexpected adventure. Extremely original! Very ground breaking! Laser guns pew!
Other Shorts
I’m happy to have a tale accepted by Savage Realms Monthly, but the publication date is still in the air. I will toot my horn when info drops. Will my story be voiced by Moose Matson in the audio edition? An exciting prospect!
These past few weeks I’ve been spending my (rare) free time writing shorts, so more will be incoming. In particular is another Skarde tale in classic dungeon delving style. I have plans to submit it… a likely place being Battleborn.
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