Five years ago, I hit “publish” on a story I wasn’t sure anyone would read. It was called the Island of Stone, a quiet horror tale set deep in the woods where shadows whisper and the past never really dies. It wasn’t flashy. It didn’t come with a marketing team or a big budget. ItContinue reading “Five Years Later: A Thank You, A Reflection, and a Celebration”
Category Archives: Koen
Doldroms
Just a quick update this weekend. I’ve finished editing Duke Rhime of the Spire and started querying. I am taking a slow and systematic approach there. There is no particular rush. It is a good book with good market appeal. The Novice of Thanatos is available for preorder and will be released on March 7th.Continue reading “Doldroms”
Happy Lunar New Year!
If you don’t know, this past Wednesday was the Lunar New Year, and my wife and I celebrated by eating hot pot. As usual, we ate way too much. It is not a meal conducive to portion control. We dressed in red from head to foot, cleaned, and did not leave the house- all ChineseContinue reading “Happy Lunar New Year!”
My path forward for this year
I’ve finished the first draft of Duke Rhime of the Spire and begun editing (yay!). It is currently at 103k words. As I mentioned in my last post, I wrote this book very quickly during the holidays, which usually means it will need a heavy edit. I started that process two days ago, and IContinue reading “My path forward for this year”
From Sathanas to Erikson: The Evolution of Lucardia
As the release of Destiny of the Daystar quickly approaches (book 4 of the Absolution of the Morning Star, January 7th) and I feverishly write Duke Rhime of the Spire, a book set hundreds of years before the AMS series, I find myself pondering the weight of Lucardia’s extensive history. Oh, stop the moans. IContinue reading “From Sathanas to Erikson: The Evolution of Lucardia”
What It Means to Write a Legacy Project
As the release of Destiny of the Daystar, book 4 of my Absolution of the Morning Star series, approaches (January 7th!), I ponder why I’ve chosen the last five years and ~2,500 pages to tell Erikson Gray’s tale. Some stories aren’t just books—they’re pieces of your soul, fragments of something more extensive you’re compelled toContinue reading “What It Means to Write a Legacy Project”
2024, a year in review
Another year is coming to an end. It’s time to look back and see how far we’ve come (or not). I’m rounding up my fourth year on this self-publishing journey. It hasn’t been a rocket, more like an air balloon, but I’m hopeful that 2025 will be a good year in my writing world. First,Continue reading “2024, a year in review”
Why Dark Fantasy Resonates in Our Modern World
In a world filled with uncertainties, where crises and conflicts often dominate headlines, it might seem counterintuitive that dark fantasy—a genre brimming with moral ambiguity, supernatural dread, and apocalyptic stakes—would resonate so profoundly with modern readers. Yet, its appeal is undeniable. From the meteoric success of series like Game of Thrones to the growing popularityContinue reading “Why Dark Fantasy Resonates in Our Modern World”
Illuminating the Path: The Journey to Destiny of the Daystar
With Destiny of the Daystar releasing on January 7, 2024, I find myself reflecting on the journey—both Erikson Gray’s and my own—that led to this pivotal moment. This book represents more than the fourth installment in the Absolution of the Morning Star series; it’s a turning point in the epic tale of light, shadow, andContinue reading “Illuminating the Path: The Journey to Destiny of the Daystar”
How History Inspires My Fantasy: The Foundations of Lucardia
As a writer of dark, epic fantasy, I often find that the seeds of my stories take root in the fertile soil of history. The Absolution of the Morning Star series, particularly Destiny of the Daystar (releasing January 7th, 2025), and the series’ prequel Koen: Quills from the Raven’s Nest (coming Spring 2025 from GrendelContinue reading “How History Inspires My Fantasy: The Foundations of Lucardia”
