Thanks to Jesper Schmidt of the ‘Am Writing Fantasy Podcast’ for inviting me on to talk about fantasy writing, publishing, and marketing books in today’s publishing landscape.
Listen to the interview or a read a transcript here (scroll down to the bottom of the page for the audio player). Or if you prefer to gaze upon my ugly mug whilst I talk, watch it on YouTube.
You can also find it on Apple Podcasts or your pod-catcher of choice.
Also, many thanks to The Quill to Live SFF review site for choosing City of Songs – Volume 3 of the Seven Swords, as one of their favourite novellas of the year. Check out the full list here.
The US ebook edition of The Pariah, Book One of The Covenant of Steel, is on sale at $2.99. This is a Black Friday only sale so act quickly if you don’t want to miss out.
In other sale news, Subterranean Press is currently offering the hardcover signed special editions of Songs of the Dark and City of Songs at half price.
The US ebook edition of Tower Lord – Book Two of the Raven’s Shadow Trilogy – is now on sale at $1.99. The sale will run until October 19th. Book details and sample chapter on the book page.
In other news, the ebook edition of The Martyr – Book Two of the Covenant of Steel – is now available for pre-order on the UK Kindle Store: Amazon.co.uk
I’m delighted to reveal the cover for The Martyr, Book Two of The Covenant of Steel.
Thanks as always to everyone at Orbit for making this happen. Illustration by Jaime Jones.
The Martyr is currently slated for release on June 28th 2022 in the US and June 30th 2022 in the UK. Here are the pre-order links so far* – the ebook hasn’t yet appeared on the UK Kindle Store. I’ll post further links when I have them.
New to this series? Check out book one, The Pariah.
*(affiliate links used for Amazon)
Book description:
The Martyr is the second novel in The Covenant of Steel, a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.
Times have changed for Alwyn Scribe. Once an outlaw, he’s now a spymaster and sworn protector of Lady Evadine Courlain, whose visions of a demonic apocalypse have earned her the fanatical devotion of the faithful.
Yet Evadine’s growing fame has put her at odds with both Crown and Covenant. As trouble brews in the kingdom, both seek to exploit her position for their own ends.
Sent to the Duchy of Alundia to put down a rebellion, Alwyn must rely on old instincts to fight for his new cause. Deadly feuds and ancient secrets are laid bare as war erupts, a war that will decide the fate of the Kingdom of Albermaine and, perhaps, prevent the coming of the prophesied Second Scourge.
And finally, thanks to fellow fantasist Ben Galley for inviting me into his Fantasy Author Lounge to talk books, writing and various gubbins. Check it out on YouTube.
The US ebook edition of Queen of Fire – Book Three of the Raven’s Shadow Trilogy – is now on sale at $1.99. The sale will run until October 19th. Book details and sample chapter on the book page.
Thanks to everyone who entered the City of Songs signed hardcover giveaway. The winners have now been chosen and notified. Check your spam folder to make sure you haven’t missed out on a prize. The signed numbered hardcover can still be purchased from Subterranean Press while stocks last. Check out the book page for more info.
City of Songs hardcovers are here. I’ll be running an exclusive mailing list giveaway for signed copies on September 30th to coincide with the release of the e-book and audiobook. To make sure you don’t miss out on a chance to win, sign up for the mailing list.
City of Songs is the third volume in my novella series The Seven Swords. You can buy the special signed and numbered edition hardcover exclusively from the Subterranean Press website.
Good news for UK audiophiles, the audiobook edition of The Black Song, Book Two of The Raven’s Blade continuing the adventures of Vaelin Al Sorna, is currently part of Audible UK’s two for one sale. Go to audible.co.ukto buy – sale ends on October 2nd.
There are a lot of great on-sale books to buy along with The Black Song, but my personal recommendation is The Bloody Red Baron by Kim Newman – see my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1095151043
The hardcover edition of my fantasy novella City of Songs – Book Three of the Seven Swords – is now shipping from Subterranean Press. Thanks to everyone who bought a pre-order. The special tray case edition has sold out but there are still copies of the signed and numbered hardcover available. Please note that Subterranean will not be supplying large online retailers with copies so if you want one you’ll have to order from the Subterranean Press Website.
The ebook and audiobook versions haven’t yet been published but should appear before the end of the month. I’ll post links when I have them.
I’ll be running a mailing list giveaway for signed copies of City of Songs later this month so sign up to the list (if you haven’t already) to make sure you don’t miss out.
“Ryan (the Raven’s Shadow series) impresses with this fantasy trilogy opener… The author makes buy-in easy thanks to three-dimensional characters and intelligent prose that grips from the opening sentence.” – Publisher’s Weekly starred review.
“The Pariah is a sharp, brutal tale and a brilliant introduction to the Covenant of Steel series. While the story itself is grim and bloody, Ryan’s prose and characterization are a beacon in the darkness. A remarkable story that I did not want to end.” – FanFiAddict.
About the book:
The Pariah begins a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.
Born into the troubled kingdom of Albermaine, Alwyn Scribe is raised as an outlaw. Quick of wit and deft with a blade, Alwyn is content with the freedom of the woods and the comradeship of his fellow thieves. But an act of betrayal sets him on a new path – one of blood and vengeance, which eventually leads him to a soldier’s life in the king’s army.
Fighting under the command of Lady Evadine Courlain, a noblewoman beset by visions of a demonic apocalypse, Alwyn must survive war and the deadly intrigues of the nobility if he hopes to claim his vengeance. But as dark forces, both human and arcane, gather to oppose Evadine’s rise, Alwyn faces a choice: can he be a warrior, or will he always be an outlaw?
“Ryan (the Raven’s Shadow series) impresses with this fantasy trilogy opener… The author makes buy-in easy thanks to three-dimensional characters and intelligent prose that grips from the opening sentence.” – Publisher’s Weekly starred review.
“The Pariah is a sharp, brutal tale and a brilliant introduction to the Covenant of Steel series. While the story itself is grim and bloody, Ryan’s prose and characterization are a beacon in the darkness. A remarkable story that I did not want to end.” – FanFiAddict.
About the book:
The Pariah begins a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.
Born into the troubled kingdom of Albermaine, Alwyn Scribe is raised as an outlaw. Quick of wit and deft with a blade, Alwyn is content with the freedom of the woods and the comradeship of his fellow thieves. But an act of betrayal sets him on a new path – one of blood and vengeance, which eventually leads him to a soldier’s life in the king’s army.
Fighting under the command of Lady Evadine Courlain, a noblewoman beset by visions of a demonic apocalypse, Alwyn must survive war and the deadly intrigues of the nobility if he hopes to claim his vengeance. But as dark forces, both human and arcane, gather to oppose Evadine’s rise, Alwyn faces a choice: can he be a warrior, or will he always be an outlaw?
The Pariah will be released in the UK on August 26th. Pre-order links are on the book page.
Thanks to everyone who entered the signed hardcover giveaway. The winners have now been chosen and notified. Check your email spam folders to make sure you haven’t missed out on a prize.
Anyone who would like another chance at a signed hardcover can enter the Orbit giveaway which is open until August 31st and includes an exclusive print of the cover illustration by Jaime Jones.
f you’d like to hear (or see) me talk some more about The Pariah and my writer origin story check out this interview I did with the Wizards, Warriors and Words Podcast with fellow fantasists Dark Ashton, Jed Hearne and Michael R Fletcher.
Apologies to anyone who signed up for the video confab today with myself and RJ Barker which has had to be put back to 1st September due to RJ battling the lurgy. You can still sign up here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/ryan-barker-aug2021/register
