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Spoiler: The goddess of secrets and lies, frenemy of the Raven Queen

⚠️ Here be spoilers. You have been warned. ⚠️ The story so far Goerranu first appears in Death Descends when she tries to tempt Z’nnek from his quest to rescue Ru’mael’s shade from the demon lords of the underworld. Despite her power as the goddess of secrets and lies, she is unable to enthrall him,Continue reading “Spoiler: The goddess of secrets and lies, frenemy of the Raven Queen”

Spoiler: The bedslave who became the first priestess of the Raven Queen

⚠️ Here be spoilers. You have been warned. ⚠️ The story so far Conseca maern Azzar first appears in Raven Queen, Arise when Saeverra tempts Illyria with salvation from the slaughter planned for the highland clans. Conseca is a bedslave who is being sexually abused by Saeverra’s older brother, Deffaen. Without knowing who Conseca is,Continue reading “Spoiler: The bedslave who became the first priestess of the Raven Queen”

Book Recommendation: Sons to Keep by A.S. Etaski

You think you want the Matriarchy? You can’t handle the Matriarchy. Born a healer into a culture obsessed with power, Irrwaer had few prospects beyond changing bandages and emptying bedpans. Among the matriarchs, sex is power. Sex is magic. Irrwaer knows nothing of either. But she longs to… Etaski delivers a portrait of drow societyContinue reading “Book Recommendation: Sons to Keep by A.S. Etaski”

We are all shapeshifters.

You don’t have to be a writer or storyteller for this to resonate. Let’s discuss how we all shift between archetypes and why it’s important to recognize this aspect of ourselves. Within the context of story, of course. We are all simply the sum total of the stories we tell ourselves. As humans, we tendContinue reading “We are all shapeshifters.”

To airt or not to airt: Some thoughts

As someone who has spent thousands and thousands of dollars to commission art surrounding and inspired by my novels, I’m deeply committed to human artists. Caterina Kalymniou, J-P Mavinga, and Epic Made have all produced some amazing commissions for me. Such as my covers (by Caterina) and the Kickstarter art cards by J-P and E-M.Continue reading “To airt or not to airt: Some thoughts”

Next in the ongoing saga… Art reveal!

Last January, I commissioned my friend and super-talented artist, J-P Mavinga, to create a piece of art for the Raven Queen, Arise Kickstarter. The “Thunderbird and the Priestess” was inspired by a sequence of the story that didn’t make it into the final novel—because Illyria isn’t in it at all. However, it will (soon!) beContinue reading “Next in the ongoing saga… Art reveal!”

Women in the Grimdark: Surviving a Cruel World

In a world where might makes right, you’d expect the protagonist to survive if he’s brawny, muscular, and can outfight and out-Machiavelli his opponents. But … what if the protagonist isn’t a brawny beefcake that can cleave anyone in twain with a battle axe or a claymore? What if they’re not in the position toContinue reading “Women in the Grimdark: Surviving a Cruel World”

Weird Real, Grimdark Schools

If you like to escape by jumping headfirst into a dark fantasy read, you’ll know that your trip to faraway lands is always too short. Far sooner than you’d like, you’re back to the prosaic reality of dishes in the sink, yardwork you’ve been postponing, and the knowledge that tomorrow will be exactly the sameContinue reading “Weird Real, Grimdark Schools”

Real Faeries Are Grimdark

There’s a reason the Irish curse the “fucking Fairies” under their breath. Forget everything Disney told you about these creatures. Human treasures are not what fae value. They don’t grant wishes (at least, not for cheap) and they don’t serenade you on your way to the ball. But that doesn’t mean the fair folk areContinue reading “Real Faeries Are Grimdark”