Plans (Goals) for 2016

Well, I'm not a person much for New Year Resolutions. But I do like to set goals.

For 2016, I would like to see two novels reach publication, and be well into working on a third.

Since Relic Hunted is planned for release in January 2016, and I have a start on Jack's Tale (working title), it may be possible. I have plenty of ideas/outlines for the next First Civilization's Legacy Series, Crax War Chronicles and several other novels not related to my two established series, including Jack's Tale.

However, with my increased work load (since 2010, my student numbers have increased by 53%--very heavy for an English teacher grading essays and other long assignments), and other work related tasks I'm involved in, plus family and church and everything else, I'll have to be even more efficient with my time.

But, goals are things to shoot for, and what I hope to accomplish is attainable.

Guest Post: Writing Dark Fantasy by Cas Peace

When I began writing my Artesans of Albia series, I had no idea which fantasy genre would apply. Once all nine books were finished it was clear the main genre would be Epic Fantasy, with Sword and Sorcery and probably Heroic Fantasy as lesser categories. However, the final trilogy of the series can most certainly be classed as Dark Fantasy, and this came as quite a shock to me, even while I wrote it.

Fans of the series will know there are elements of dark fantasy throughout the six books published so far. My main female character, Sullyan, suffers rape in the first trilogy, and this terrible experience colors her life and drives her to defend and protect those weaker than herself. Her determination to survive, or at least find some meaning for what life she has left, is what enables her to work toward the destruction of her tormentor and eventually face him in person. Strength gained through adversity is a theme running through all nine books, and it applies not just to Sullyan but other characters as well.

When I came to write this third trilogy, Master of Malice, it quickly became apparent that the mood would change. My antagonist, Reen, has been horribly, terribly disfigured by an incident on his island prison, an experience that changes him fundamentally. Someone as pious as Reen might be expected to see his survival as a reason for thankfulness, maybe a sign he should forgive his enemies and learn to live in contentment. But Reen chooses to believe he has been empowered by his God to wreak a terrible vengeance, and this he sets out to do.

Given his nature and the nature of the vengeance he seeks, it was necessary for me to delve into the darkness of my own psyche in order to write authentic scenes. I expected this to be difficult but it was actually—and worryingly—easy. I guess we all have darkness in our souls, the potential for evil, and once I gave myself permission to explore it, it flowed onto the page with disturbing ease. 

I have always believed an author must have experienced emotional highs and lows in order to convey such emotions on paper. How can you write scenes of trauma and depression if you have never felt such emotions yourself? It is possible to gain insights from other people’s reactions to terrible events, but I would find it difficult to convey real depth and realism without having gone through such things myself. It is rare for a person to go through life untouched by disaster, death, loss, or rage, but it can also be hard reliving them. I have to say that I found the act of projecting my darkness onto a character to be cathartic; it gave me a greater understanding of how my emotions worked and how I could express them without damaging myself. I hope I have succeeded in writing Dark Fantasy, and that readers will feel my characters’ emotions as deeply as I did. 

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Cas Peace

Author of the Artsans of Albia fantasy novels:

Artesans of Albia:
King's Envoy -- King's Champion -- King's Artesan

Circle of Conspiracy:
The Challenge -- The Circle -- Full Circle

The Master of Malice:
The Scarecrow (new release)

Author Website: www.caspeace.com

Author Amazon Page: Cas Peace on Amazon

Where Relic Hunted is Currently Available

Where Relic Hunted is Currently Available:

Ebook:
Amazon USA
Amazon UK
Amazon Canada
Amazon Australia

B&N Nook

Smashwords

iTunes

Kobo

Print:
Amazon

Audiobook:
In Production and Not Yet Available

Security Specialist Keesay and the Iron Druid

If you ask me, any day one of my novels or characters is paired with the Iron Druid, it's a good day.

Article: Participating as a Panelist (Updated) over at the Australasian Christian Writers Blog

Hey Folks,

The Australasian Christian Writers is hosting one of my articles today, a revised and updated version of something composed a few years back:

Link: Guest Post: Participating as a Panelist
 

Book Signing, December 5th at Christmas in the Village

For those in the West Central Ohio area, I will be participating again this year at the Annual St. Paris Christmas in the Village celebration.

In addition to a visit by Santa with free pictures, and free sleigh rides, be sure to stop by at the Municipal Building in St. Paris to see me and many other vendors of various crafts and creations, and many other events.

I look forward to seeing you to talk fantasy, science fiction, reading, and writing, and shooting the breeze, and sign a few books (from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm). Books make great Christmas gifts, if you ask me.

For more information on exact times and details follow this link:
Christmas in the Village 2015
 

Cover Reveal: The Scarecrow by Cas Peace

It is my pleasure to host a cover reveal of Cas Peace's latest work, The Scarecrow: Master of Malice, Book 1

Description: 

Pure evil rises once again in Albia…

Three years have passed since Baron Reen’s trial. A terrible accident on the island of his exile has transformed him into a nightmarish scarecrow creature with dark, mysterious powers. Staging his own suicide, Reen breaks free of his prison and, with the help of the former queen Sofira, embarks on a ruthless quest for vengeance against his worst enemy, the woman responsible for the overthrow of his schemes and his own ruination: Brynne Sullyan.

Sullyan is tasked with investigating Reen’s suicide. The missing body and a series of disasters in Port Loxton—a vicious murder, a brutal ambush, and a devastating fire—raise suspicions in her mind. She probes deeper, determined to uncover the truth, unsuspecting of the evil that’s about to be unleashed…

Praise for The Scarecrow:

“Cas Peace’s Artesans of Albia trilogy immediately sweeps you away. The Artesan series propels you into a world so deftly written that you see, feel, touch, and even smell each twist and turn. These nesting novels are evocative, hauntingly real. Smart. Powerful. Compelling. The trilogy teems with finely drawn characters, heroes and villains and societies worth knowing; with stories so organic and yet iconic you know you’ve found another home—in Albia. So start reading now. I, for one, can’t wait to find out what will happen next.”

--Janet Morris: The Sacred Band of Stepsons; the Dream Dancer series; I, the Sun; Outpassage.

“I have just loved this entire series. Cas Peace is a master storyteller, providing a depth and breadth of information about her worlds and their people that is just staggering. Her characters are complex and multi-dimensional, and I have very much enjoyed reading this series. I am also looking forward with great anticipation to her next novel in this series. I heartily recommend this series to anyone who enjoys epic fantasy, strong world-building, and beautiful storytelling. Highly recommended!”

--K Sozaeva, Amazon Vine Voice and Top 1000 Reviewer.

“As a fan of the late great David Gemmel I think I have finally found an author who is similarly inspiring. It’s how fantasy should be written. Less about the world building and more about the characters. I didn’t want to stop reading.”

--ML. H,  Amazon reviewer.

“A superb read. Non stop intrigue and action. I literally could not put it down. Anyone needing a good series to read should take up Book 1 and get started. Cas Peace has created an unforgettable hero(ine) in Sullyan and a world that ranks alongside Middle Earth and Westeros.

--David C Snell, Amazon Reviewer.

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Release date: December 14th.

Author Cas Peace will be back then as a reminder while sharing her insights on Dark Fantasy...