Apologies everyone, but I've not had internet access since last Friday and cellular connectivity continues to be intermittent. I'll be getting a new chapter up soon as I get a solid connection. Glad to report that me and mine here in Asheville are doing as well as possible under these conditions....
2024-10-01 22:11:46 +0000 UTC View PostHarald told Pastoric everything.
It was surprisingly easy.
The priest was endlessly patient and curious, and his expressions were mobile and encouraging. Beyond that, his concern seemed genuine. Harald believed the man when he proved easy to shock and took bitter satisfaction in revea...
2024-09-27 13:00:18 +0000 UTC View PostI've sold the audiobook rights of Thrones of the Fallen to Podium. I'm going to be structuring each 'book' as a 150k word arc, or roughly 45 chapters each.
This has caused me to step back and eye the narrative sweep of the tale thus far, and realize, reluctantly, that some pro...
2024-09-24 14:27:19 +0000 UTC View PostHarald opened his eyes.
He was in a strange room. Relief flooded him. Comfortable, clean, with morning sunlight pouring in through large windows. The sheets were soft, his body relaxed and without pain, and -
A memory came to him.
- screams erupting from beneath a canvas tarp as...
2024-09-24 13:00:18 +0000 UTC View PostSam watched, aghast, as Harald massacred the hobgoblins.
She couldn’t tear her eyes away.
From his very first scream as he charged their massed ranks it was an incredible, horrific, nonstop orgy of blood and death. He appeared less a man than an agent of ruin, his strength ridiculou...
2024-09-20 16:03:57 +0000 UTC View Post“Nessa!”
Arrows were raining down on Harald as he stared at the collapsed tent. Blocks of stone lay about his fallen companion, with one massive block having crushed her leg. She was attempting to claw free, but was trapped amidst large bulky objects that were now covered by the canvas....
2024-09-17 13:38:11 +0000 UTC View PostThe hobgoblin leader’s presence was such that Harald fell back in dismay. Nessa gave ground, eyes wide, and while they both kept their weapons up, each moment they didn’t press Barko back was time for more hobgoblins to flood into the back of the room and start moving up the sides.
But ...
2024-09-13 16:24:32 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey everyone!
Quick question for you all, as you know this story best: which of the three cover styles above do you think would work best for Thrones of the Fallen? Which is likely to help it find the broadest audience? I've a sneaking suspicion I missed the mark w...
2024-09-10 17:50:52 +0000 UTC View PostThe Dungeon Portal’s first triangular face skipped the 13th, 14th, and 15th Levels, and led directly to the 16th. It was seen as a rite of passage, to graduate from the pentagonal faces that opened to the first dozen and move into the very first Copper-ranked level. Anyone with a writ could use...
2024-09-10 13:00:12 +0000 UTC View PostHaving decided that Sam and Kársek were uniquely unqualified for a spot of sordid skullduggery, Harald, Vic, and Nessa proceeded into the Shambles later that day by themselves.
The sky had become overcast, with dark clouds pressing low upon the towers that lined the final curvature of the ...
2024-09-06 17:11:54 +0000 UTC View PostOver the past few weeks you guys have been incredible with your feedback, comments, and DMs. I asked your thoughts on Thrones of the Fallen, and you responded, loudly and clearly.
You guys are enjoying the story. It's not an excellent web serial, and it has pacing issues, but perha...
2024-09-03 18:48:27 +0000 UTC View PostThey repaired to the library once more after finishing lunch, and there were served coffees and desserts. Everyone claimed chairs, but the focal point clearly remained the countess, who sat by the empty hearth.
“Vic, Nessa, I understand that until now you’ve only been part of my scale-h...
2024-09-03 13:00:10 +0000 UTC View PostWhat does one do while waiting to learn if your new liege will damn you for your demonic patronage? For Harald, the answer was obvious: he and his companions resumed their training regimen with all intensity. Either Countess Sonora would countenance his relationship with the demon Vorakhar, or, d...
2024-08-30 13:00:13 +0000 UTC View PostHarald felt the walls of the library press in around him. His breath felt strangled in his throat, and he couldn’t tear his gaze away from Countess Sonora.
How had he miscalculated so badly?
Not only had he failed in impressing her, he’d given terrible offense.
The library w...
2024-08-27 15:06:51 +0000 UTC View PostVic yanked open the front door even as he hurled the shopping bags aside. “The carriage!”
“The House Celestara carriage?” cried out Sam in disbelief.
“It’s got four wheels,” said Harald, rushing to Kársek’s side. “That’s all we need!”
The dwarf was grimaci...
2024-08-23 13:00:13 +0000 UTC View PostHarald frowned the whole way home. People seemed to sense him coming and some instinct warned them to step aside, so that without realizing it, Harald carved a path through the crowds, ignoring the stares and hushed voices that trailed after him.
Lady Hammerfell’s words echoed in his mind...
2024-08-20 13:02:08 +0000 UTC View PostHey everyone!
We're closing in on 100 chapters and I wanted to get a sense of how you all felt about the story so far.
To be brutally honest, I'm not sure it's working, at least, not as a webnovel. Patreon growth has been flat or slowly declining for months now, and while I know the ...
2024-08-19 15:23:46 +0000 UTC View PostStill feeling restless, Harald decided to eschew his customary morning run and simply head out into the city. He could lose himself in intense training, but instead he wanted to think things through. He dressed in warm woolens with a heavy all-weather cloak, and set out into the dreary morning, a...
2024-08-16 20:28:36 +0000 UTC View PostI'm writing this one from my phone. I moved into my new office yesterday, but while shuttling back and forth I blew out my minivan's back tire.
Fabulous.
Long story short, I'll finally get back into my office this morning and will immediately post the chapter. Shouldn't take too long...
2024-08-16 12:30:38 +0000 UTC View PostThe next morning Harald rose early, not to run, but with the intention of getting out of the house and simply walk. The day before had been nothing but circuitous discussions and fitful bouts of training. It had done nothing to relieve him of his conflicted emotions, nor settle his uncertainty ab...
2024-08-13 13:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostKársek returned to the ancient garden shed once their conversation in the kitchen was finished. He had worked hard and happily at converting it into a new soulkeep, embracing both how it would undoubtedly be a temporary vehicle for his wandering spirit yet also a necessary creation for his peace...
2024-08-09 13:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostHarald gaped. “Slay Thracos? The man is a Silver-ranked raider!”
Vorakhar canted his head to one side. And?
Harald raked his fingers through his hair. “You already agreed to this?”
The demon’s silence was answer enough.
“And in one month?” The cavern...
2024-08-06 13:00:42 +0000 UTC View PostThe hobgoblins never had a chance.
It took no small amount of effort and fortune to reach the ledge, but by being patient and scrupulously attentive to where he stepped, Harald was able to negotiate the rocky slopes and finally slide out onto the smooth rock. He could just make out the hobg...
2024-08-02 13:00:09 +0000 UTC View PostThe Amulet of the Hobgoblin King. Harald bounced it in his palm. An Uncommon Artifact, which meant it was worth a Zenith Tide, or 10,000 Copper Crescents. On the face of it the amulet seemed more valuable; this kind of sway over goblinoids felt very powerful, but then again, it was only useful to...
2024-07-30 13:00:15 +0000 UTC View PostThe tunnel widened dramatically as it curved down and around through the earth, its walls shifting from rough rock to blocks of slate. Shadowpaw padded alongside him, sniffing and alert, and Harald moved forward cautiously. He wanted to press up against the tunnel wall to make himself a smaller t...
2024-07-26 13:00:17 +0000 UTC View PostSam nestled into the curved window seat, a cozy nook formed by the lower third of the great circular window. The recessed sill was lined with cushions and blankets, transforming the space into a welcome embrace where she felt hidden from the night and the city outside.
Mug of tea cupped in ...
2024-07-23 13:00:13 +0000 UTC View PostHarald rubbed at his face, glanced around one more time to ensure he wasn’t about to be ambushed, then moved to crouch with his back to the wall so that he couldn’t be surprised. Blade resting across his knees, Goldchops and Shadow Mastiff watching over him, he focused on the new message and ...
2024-07-19 13:00:16 +0000 UTC View PostThe Dungeon Plaza was a mess. Terror bird corpses were being scraped off the cobblestones from where Lady Hammerfell had smashed them to paste, while those who’d survived in a more bodily fashion were being piled up like cordwood. House Drakenhart raiders were in evidence, working alongside the...
2024-07-18 04:18:05 +0000 UTC View PostApologies, but Tuesday's chapter will be late this week due to a combination of COVID and a cross country move. Not fun. I failed to get all my ducks in a row, but I'll definitely publish all the chapters this week as soon as the dust settles.
Thanks for your patience!
2024-07-16 13:00:16 +0000 UTC View Post