In a realm where shadows of tyranny loom large, Anthem, a quiet young woman with a hidden magic, and Raven, framed for a crime she didn’t commit, find their destinies intertwined. As Azura Voss weaves a web of deception to control the empire, a rebellion stirs in the heart of injustice. Anthem’s magic awakens the Dragon’s Heart, and with it, the long-lost dragons. Together, Anthem and Raven lead a daring rebellion, unraveling conspiracies, confronting their pasts, and revealing a legacy hidden for centuries. With the return of dragons, secrets, and prophecies, their struggle becomes the realm’s last hope. ‘Anthem’s Ember’ is an epic tale of magic, redemption, and the power of the unexpected in the fight for justice. For all the exclusives, join my Patreon!
It’s been a minute or three since I posted any fresh content here! I’ve been busy, just not with a lot I can point to…exactly. There is my fantasy-themed newsletter over at Substack, An Enchanted Life.
On Wednesday I released a new essay that took a deep dive into lore.
What it is, why it’s important and how it improves a reader’s experience. I also examined the ways that writers can build their world’s lore. Now before you dismiss lore as boring, think of it this way. Lore is what makes the difference between really feeling immersed in an epic fantasy and just reading words. Lore has helped make Brandon Sanderson, J.R.R Tolkien, and George R.R. Martin household names among fantasy enthusiasts.
Here’s an excerpt from my essay;
“Fantasy lore has become more inclusive in recent decades, featuring a broader range of characters from diverse backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and identities. This reflects a growing awareness of the need for representation in literature. Even fantasy tropes have evolved in recent years. Modern fantasy authors challenge and deconstruct traditional fantasy tropes by creating morally gray characters, questioning the hero’s journey, and exploring complex themes. It has expanded beyond literature into other media, such as film, television, video games, and tabletop role-playing games (RPGs). These adaptations and extensions often influence the development of fantasy lore. Online communities, social media platforms, and fan conventions have allowed fans to engage with and even contribute to the evolution of fantasy lore. Fan fiction, fan art, and fan theories play a significant role in shaping the genre. In fact, some fan fiction across fandoms has been so well written, that it is difficult to remember that is indeed fan fiction…”
There’s much more than that, and I really encourage you to read the entire thing.
(If you enjoy it, please share it with your fantasy-loving friends)
I’m still working hard on collecting an anthology of my shorter fiction. I haven’t got the volume I’d like yet, so it’s likely to be a few more months before that project can move to the next stage. But it’s still in progress, so I’m happy with that.
As I build that collection, I’m also teaching myself how to make videos that will accompany individual short stories. Once the videos are made, I plan on making them available to my Patrons over on Patreon. In the meantime, Patrons get advance viewings of my fiction, essays and story journals. Sometimes many days in advance! I’ve also been making any fantasy-related artwork I create available over there too. Pop over and check out the free posts I’ve made available, and if you like what you see, maybe consider becoming a Patron.
So tell me…what’s the last fantasy book that you’ve read? Let me know in the comments below!
Splintered Realities 