Koen arises!

The journey began on January 27, 2023. As I worked through the first three books of the Absolution of the Morning Star (AMS) series, I felt compelled to explore the three-year disappearance of Prince Koen the Gray, the father of Erikson Gray, the protagonist of the AMS series. I finished the first draft on August 21, 2023, taking just about seven months to write its approximately 140,000 words. I completed editing on November 20, 2023, and started querying agents and publishers. I received some valuable feedback and completed a substantial rewrite on February 10, 2024, after which I returned to querying. After ten months of rejections and silence, I decided I had exhausted my options and would self-publish. I set the book for release through Amazon KDP on September 22, 2024.

Then, on September 5, 2024, just weeks before I would unveil Koen: Quills from the Raven’s Nest to the world, I received an email that changed everything. Grendel Press, a small publisher specializing in Dark Fantasy, Horror, and Dark Romance, wrote to say they were interested in publishing Koen. We had been in communication back in February, which is why I undertook the rewrite to incorporate their feedback, but after not hearing back, I had given up. As writers, with all the rejection we receive, we tend to assume the worst. But here they were, and they were interested in helping bring Koen to the world! After a crash course in publishing contract law (those were some stressful days), I signed the contract on September 11, 2024. I was going to become a traditionally published author!

I know what you’re probably thinking, “That was a year ago, Scott!” Yes, I know—and it was a year to practice the skill of patience. Grendel Press had several books ahead of mine in line. I had to wait for my turn, which is fine, as I wrote three more books while I waited. I received edits and suggestions in April 2025, and we completed editing on May 4, 2025. I submitted all the front and back matter at the beginning of August 2025, and approved the proofs last week. Advanced reader copies are now available via BookSirens. Check it out if you’d like a free ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Now, I am happy to report that my turn has come. Koen: Quills from the Raven’s Nest is now available for preorder here. It will release on October 1, 2025!

It has been quite the journey—two years and eight months from beginning to end, or over two solid years since I typed “The End.” I’ve learned a great deal over these years, not just about the publishing business, but also about myself. Koen is a fantastic book, and I hope you will join me in celebrating. This blog and the relationships it has fostered have helped me navigate the highs and lows of this challenging journey, and for that, I thank you.

If you have read my AMS series, Koen will open many doors and unveil many secrets. You will not be disappointed. If you haven’t had a chance to read my work, Koen is a great place to start. It sets the stage for so much that comes after and is yet to come. I wrote the book with both audiences in mind.

Please help me make this book a success. Preorders, early sales, and reviews feed the algorithm monster. It has never been easy for me to ask for help in my writing endeavors, but now is a worthy time—and for a book I can stand behind!

Cheers!