Tag Archives: fantasy novella

Announcing ‘Across the Sorrow Sea’ – Book Five of the Seven Swords

Across the Sorrow Sea – Book Five of my fantasy novella series The Seven Swords – is now available for pre-order from Subterranean Press. Thanks once again to the amazing Didier Graffet for a spectacular cover. 

Pre-order via the Subterranean Press website.

The ebook and audiobook editions will be released when the hardcover ships in September 2023. 

Book description:

THE SORROW SEA—THE MOST FEARED REGION IN ALL THE FIVE SEAS—PLAGUED BY STORMS, PROWLED BY A MURDEROUS PIRATE KING, AND HOME TO INHUMAN TERRORS.

Continuing their quest for the Seven Swords, legendary warrior Guyime and his companions must brave these perilous tides to find the mythic Spectral Isle, where once a demon named Lakorath was captured by a sorcerer of great power. Here ancient plans will be unveiled and the secret purpose of the seven demon cursed blades may finally be revealed…

Continuing the saga of The Seven Swords, Across the Sorrow Sea is a fast-moving tale of seafaring adventure and dramatic revelations from the New York Times bestselling author of the Raven’s Shadow and the Covenant of Steel trilogies.

Lettered: 26 signed leatherbound copies, housed in a custom traycase

Limited: 1000 signed numbered hardcover copies

Anyone who pre-orders the hardcover will be entered into a draw to win the fronts illustration drawn by mine very own hand. 

Anyone new to this series should start with A Pilgrimage of Swords, which is available in ebook and audio. Details on the book page


To Blackfyre Keep – Signed Hardcover Giveaway

To Blackfyre Keep hardcovers are here. To celebrate the release of the fourth novella in The Seven Swords series, I’m holding a signed copies giveaway for existing subscribers to my mailing list and anyone who subscribes between now and midnight GMT on November 8th. 

Three lucky winners will receive a signed limited edition hardcover of To Blackfyre Keep. The giveaway is open to all subscribers worldwide. Winners will be chosen at random and notified on November 9th – check your spam folders to make sure you haven’t missed out on a prize.

For those of you waiting for the audiobook, I’m told it’s now slated for release by Audible on December 6th, once again narrated by the incomparable Steven Brand. 

I’m aware that readers outside the US are currently unable to buy the eBook on most platforms. I’m assured by Subterranean Press that they are working on distributing the ebook to international platforms. I’ll post updated links when I have them. In the meantime, non-US readers are able to buy the ebook direct from the Subterranean Press website

Full details of this novella are on the book page.


To Blackfyre Keep – Book Four of the Seven Swords – Out Now in Hardcover and Ebook

The hardcover edition of my fantasy novella To Blackfyre Keep – Book Four 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. Order from the Subterranean Press Website.

The book is also out in ebook from:  Amazon.com* –  Nook  –  Apple Books  –  Kobo  –  Subterranean Press

(*affiliate link).

The kindle version doesn’t seem to have filtered out to the UK Amazon store yet – I’ll update the links in due course. 

Also, no word on the audiobook yet, but I’ll post as soon as it becomes available.

I know many of you were expecting this to come out last month and can only apologise for the delay which was due to lingering pandemic related issues with Subterranean Press’s printing and distribution side.

Many thanks to everyone at Subterranean for making this happen, and, as always, to Didier Graffet for the wonderful cover illustration. You can view more of his work here.

For any newcomers to this series click the links below for details of the first three volumes:

A Pilgrimage of Swords

The Kraken’s Tooth

City of Songs

I’ll be running a mailing list giveaway for signed copies of To Blackfyre Keep later this month when my author copies turn up, so sign up to the list (if you haven’t already) to make sure you don’t miss out. 

Book description:

GUYIME—DEMON CURSED WIELDER OF THE NAMELESS BLADE—FOLLOWS THE TRAIL OF THE FABLED SEVEN SWORDS INTO THE TROUBLED NORTHLANDS, A REALM WHERE HE WAS ONCE CALLED KING…AND RAVAGER.

Magically guided to enlist in the retinue of a lovesick knight, Guyime and his companions journey to the haunted ruin of Blackfyre Keep, a castle legend tells cannot be held. But a far deadlier threat than mere ghosts awaits. An ancient evil has been conjured and to defeat it Guyime may be forced to become the monster he used to be—the Ravager reborn.

Continuing the epic adventure of The Seven SwordsTo Blackfyre Keep is an enthralling tale of creeping menace and pulse pounding action from New York Times bestselling author of the Raven’s Shadow and Draconis Memoria trilogies.


Fire Wings Paperback Now Available & The Martyr Audiobook Update

I’m pleased to say that the illustrated paperback edition of my novella Fire Wings is now available. Cover and interior illustrations are by long term collaborator Kevin Goeke. 

Buy here*:  Amazon.comAmazon.co.uk

(*affiliate links)

For more details and info on other formats, see the book page. The winners of the signed, illustrated hardcover giveaway have now been chosen and notified. Thanks and welcome to the new subscribers to this list.


As explained previously, the audiobook release of The Martyr – Book Two of The Covenant of Steel – has been delayed in order to accommodate Steven Brand’s increasingly busy narration schedule. The revised release date is now confirmed as September 6th in the UK and US. Pre-order links are on the book page

There seems to be some weirdness going on with the US Audbile pre-order page regarding current availability (I’ve no idea why), so US customers might need to wait a few weeks before their orders will be accepted. 

In other The Martyr news, thanks to Publishers Weekly for this starred review of the book


I’m happy to reveal the frontis illustration for To Blackfyre Keep – volume four in my Seven Swords novella series drawn by my very own hand. Anyone who pre-orders the special edition hardcover from Subterranean Press will be entered into a draw to win the original signed illustration. 


And finally, anyone who can’t get enough of me wittering on may want to check out the latest SFF Addicts Podcast in which I and four fellow authors discuss the merits and otherwise of both traditional and indie publishing. 


Fire Wings – Out Now in Print and Ebook

The standalone version of my novella Fire Wings is now available in ebook and illustrated print editions. The illustrations are courtesy of Kevin Goeke who also painted the terrific cover illustration. Check out more of Kevin’s work on his website.

The illustrated paperback edition is currently stuck in Amazon’s labyrinthine bureaucracy – I’ll update you when it becomes available.

Book description:

For centuries the Sentinel Eyrie has stood watch over the Maw, the foul lair of the Voice and its monstrous servants. Long have the dishonoured and the damned journeyed to the Eyrie in search of restored honour. 

Shamil, disgraced warrior from the southern desert, has journeyed to the Eyrie seeking redemption for a terrible crime. To earn it he must win the trust of a Great Wing, one of the mighty birds that carry the sentinels into battle. But such trust is not easily won, and the Voice is rising… 

Fire Wings is a soaring fantasy adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of the Raven’s Shadow trilogy.

Buy the ebook here*:  Amazon.com –  Amazon.co.uk –  Nook –  Kobo –  Apple Books –  Google Play

Buy the illustrated hardcover here:  Amazon.com –  Amazon.co.uk –  Barnes & Noble

(*affiliate links used for Amazon stores)

Sample interior illustrations from the print editions:

Fire Wings was originally published in the now sadly discontinued Deep Magic Magazine and takes place in the same world as my short story The Hall of the Diamond Queen. Although Fire Wings can be read in isolation, if you want the full back story to the tale of the Wraith Queen Sharrow-Met, The Hall of the Diamond Queen is available free to subscribers to my mailing list. It can be found in the Unbound anthology published by Grim Oak Press.

To mark the occasion I’m running a mailing list give-away for five signed Fire Wings hardcovers. To enter, join my mailing list before midnight GMT on May 17th. Existing subscribers are automatically entered. The giveaway is open to all readers worldwide. The winners will be chosen and notified on May 18th.


Announcing ‘To Blackfyre Keep’ – Volume Four of the Seven Swords

To Blackfyre Keep – Volume Four in my ongoing fantasy novella series The Seven Swords – is now available for pre-order from Subterranean Press as a limited edition signed hardcover. 

To Blackfyre Keep is slated for release in September this year. Pre-order from the Subterranean Press website.

Many thanks to everyone at Subterranean for making this happen, and, as always, to Didier Graffet for the wonderful cover illustration. You can view more of his work here.

The ebook edition will appear on the day of the hardcover release. There will also be an audiobook edition but the release date is not yet confirmed. Details to follow when I have them.

Book description:

GUYIME—DEMON CURSED WIELDER OF THE NAMELESS BLADE—FOLLOWS THE TRAIL OF THE FABLED SEVEN SWORDS INTO THE TROUBLED NORTHLANDS, A REALM WHERE HE WAS ONCE CALLED KING…AND RAVAGER.

Magically guided to enlist in the retinue of a lovesick knight, Guyime and his companions journey to the haunted ruin of Blackfyre Keep, a castle legend tells cannot be held. But a far deadlier threat than mere ghosts awaits. An ancient evil has been conjured and to defeat it Guyime may be forced to become the monster he used to be—the Ravager reborn.

Continuing the epic adventure of The Seven SwordsTo Blackfyre Keep is an enthralling tale of creeping menace and pulse pounding action from New York Times bestselling author of the Raven’s Shadow and Draconis Memoria trilogies.

Newcomers to this series should start with Volume One, A Pilgrimage of Swords – details on the book page.


New Interview on the Am Writing Fantasy Podcast

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 SongsVolume 3 of the Seven Swords, as one of their favourite novellas of the year. Check out the full list here.

Full details and where-to-buy links are on the City of Songs book page.


City of Songs – Out Now in Ebook and Audio

*Cover illustration by Didier Graffet

City of Songs – Volume Three in my novella series The Seven Swords – is now available in ebook and audio editions. 

Buy the ebook: Amazon.comAmazon.co.uk –   Kobo  –  Apple Books  –  Nook

Buy the audiobook:  Audible.comAudible.co.uk

The signed limited hardcover edition is also still available exclusively from the Subterranean Press website

Also, thanks to review blog The Quill to Live for this excellent review of City of Songs

For any newcomers to this series click the links below for details of the first two volumes:
A Pilgrimage of Swords
The Kraken’s Tooth
  


City of Songs – Book Three of the Seven Swords, Now Shipping

*Cover by Didier Graffet

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.

For any newcomers to this series click the links below for details of the first two volumes:
A Pilgrimage of Swords
The Kraken’s Tooth
  

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. 


‘The King Must Fall’ Kickstarter – Only 24 Hours Left…

The Kickstarter for The King Must Fall has met its funding goal but there are still plenty of stretch goals left, including stories from Deborah A. Wolf (Godsworld) and Matthew Ward (Legacy of Ash).

The King Must Fall is a dark fantasy anthology from Gimdark Magazine featuring 14+ authors writing about rogues, assassins, mages, blackguards, and warriors on quests to kill their kings, rulers, and leaders.

Wrapped in Felix Ortiz’s beautiful cover art, designed by the legendary Shawn King, and with a stretch goal to fill it with Carlos Diaz’s interior art, The King Must Fall will be a gripping read and an eye-catching addition to your bookshelf.

The anthology will feature an all new Raven’s Shadow novella by yours truly and great stories from the following authors:

 Bradley P. Beaulieu (The Song of the Shattered Sands, The Lays of Anuskaya)

 Kameron Hurley (The God’s War Trilogy, Worldbreaker Saga)

 Michael R Fletcher (Manifest Delusions, Black Stone Heart)

 Anna Smith Spark (Empires of Dust)

 Shawn Speakman (The Annwn Cycles, Unfettered)

 Daniel Polansky (Low Town, Those Above)

 Devin Madson (The Reborn Empire)

 Adrian Tchaikovsky (Shadows of the Apt, Children of Time)

 Lee Murray (Into the Mist, Hounds of the Underworld)

 Jeremy Szal (The Common)

 Justin Call (The Silent Gods)

 Trudi Canavan (The Black Magician, Age of the Five)

 Peter Orullian (The Vault of Heaven, The Astonishing)

Go to the Kickstarter Page to support this anthology.