C.J. Perry's Blog, page 6

Aleksandra Klepacka, Cover Artist

ALEKSANDRA KLEPACKA

[image error] Hey Alex, for those who dont already know you, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a full time freelance digital and traditional painter, graphic designer and 3D modeller. I’m a rambler I’m a gambler, “I’m a picker, I’m a grinner, I’m a lover, and I’m a sinner”. I have “a college education, wild imagination, add it all up it’s a deadly combination”. Following the lyrics of the last song – not sure If I would be a good bass fisher but I plan to see for myself one day. I’m particularly known for my passion for making dad jokes even though I’m neither a man nor a parent. Prefer dogs to cats and love key-lime pie. 

I had to look up that second quote becasue  Ricochet: Daddy’s Money, is not on any of my playlists currently. So I guess you’re “country as a turnip green?” But I am old enough to have liked Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker.” 

 

So other than introducing me to a new country song (which I begrudgingly admit isn’t half-bad.) you ‘ve done two awesome book covers for me. Dark Communion we worked together on really closely, but the second one, you actually read the story first and decided to go ahead and start without my input, and I absolutely love it. What made you choose that particular scene from The Apostate Prince?

 

[image error] I think I’m particularly lucky that your writing is so good.

[image error] Pishaw… Flatterer…

[image error] Seriously… I didn’t have any problem with picking a scene to illustrate. I could easily pick a couple more but I decided that I don’t want to reveal what happens as the plot unfolds. Luckily you start your story in medias res so, as a reader, I was thrown instantly in the middle of a battlefield. The bold description of the opening fight scene with illusion magic combined with necromancy was more than enough to work on my imagination. 

 

[image error] You use a lot of amazing dramatic lighting. What were your inspirations for the stained-glass on the cover of Dark Communion? 

[image error] I travel a lot and I have seen some breathtaking architecture. Sacred architecture has always been really inspiring for me, regardless of the religion it stands for. I love the play of light through stained glass, subtle reflecions it casts on the surroundings, the warm glow it creates. Light always draws attention best and even though it’s hard to incorporate it in an illustration is deffinitelly worth the effort because light and color is what can make a given piece special. 

 

[image error] I know you are doing work for some other companies, particularly with dragons. (Awesome) What other projects do you have going on right now, and where can we find them? 

[image error] Not so long ago I started working for the Curseborn Saga as an illustrator for game posters, I was also working on Jade Summer coloring books (yes 25 pages of just dragons, how cool is that?) I did a mandala coloring book too, should be out soon. I’m just doing lots of smaller commissions, mostly book covers and children book illustrations, because my main focus at the moment is improving my traditional painting so I can apply once more to the Royal Society of Portrait Painters open exhibition. I didn’t get in last year but you know what they say, get famous or die trying.  

 

[image error] You’ve done tons of great Game of Thrones fan art. What other work do you most enjoying doing?

Click to view slideshow.

[image error] I always enjoyed doing fan art of all sorts. As far as I can remember I was inspired by movies and later by books, sometimes cartoons and comics. I’m fascinated by human characters and fictional characters are constructed in such a way to evoke emotions. Artists are emotion-driven creatures and that’s how it works. I did some artwork inspired by DC comics, some other I did after watching Hobbis series, some after reading The Wicther. Even when I was fifteen I drew my inspiration from films, one of my first portraits was drawn after watching Pirates of the Caribbean. Yes, you guessed correctly. So typically for a teenage girl at the time I had a massive celebrity crush on Johnny Depp, hah. ‘

 

[image error] What is your dream project?

[image error] Your next book cover, hah.

[image error]  No one’s going to believe that…lol. C’mon, seriously.

[image error] No, in all seriousness I cannot think of one project that I dream of doing. Some of my best projects came absolutely unexpected so I just got to learn that everything can be a dream commission when you approach it as such. 

 

[image error] When I have writers block, I listen to songs that suit the mood of the scene Im working on. What do you do when you are short on inspiration? Is there a particular place, food, drink, or kind of music?

[image error] In my case is mostly songs too. On some occasions it’s audiobooks. I put an audiobook on when I work on something that doesn’t require me to focus too much. Most of the time is music that gets me going for hours. I just put my best headphones on and detach myself from real world. When I work on an oil painting I put on the best of Tchaikovsky or Brahms or just a random playlist of my favorite tangos. Sometimes I just go for something melancholic and nostalgic, Cesaria Evora never fails to get me in the mood. Up untill very recently I wasn’t much into blues but then I recently I fell in love with Joe Bonamassa and Blues of Desperation plays on repeat more often than not when I paint. Fantasy digital illustrations go well with rock/metal (every possible subgenre that emerged throughout last 40 years). When I work on something psychodellic I put on Grateful Dead or Steppenwolf. But there are days when my brain goes funky and I can literally listen to country or hard core disco music while working on a highbrow traditional flemish style painting. 

 

[image error] So far your playlist includes; country music, Greatful Dead, Steppenwolf, Steve Miller Band, tangos, Joe Bonamassa, Tchaikovsky, and Brahms.”  You are making me feel like an “uncultured American” for having Metallica, Imagine Dragons, and Nickelback (dont judge) in mine. Lol  So, switching over to visual art. Name three artists you’d like to be compared to…

[image error] My, oh my. I won’t even try to name any names from art history, I’m way to humble and respectful to do it. But I can tell you about some of my contemporaries that I learn from or at least try to. The first is an incredibly talented traditional portrait painter Cesar Santos. I absolutely adore everything he does and also love the fact that even though he’s pure genius, he is so cool and down-to-earth. I just recently bought his series of video lessons and I know that it will help me to improve dramatically. When it comes to digital painting, I’m torn between the style of Wootha and his incredible use of color and light and my fellow countryman Piotr Jabłoński. In Jabłoński’s work I’m especially drawn by the mezmerizing details and most importantly his storytelling skills. You look at the imagery he creates and you are both attracted and taken aback by its morbid, disturbing subtlety. Magic.  I know I won’t get any close to any of these artists any time soon, but dreaming doesn’t cost me anything. 

[image error]  Jablonski is 42 and Wootha is also in his 40’s. You’re 26? You have at least fifteen years to go before you are anywhere near their age and experience. I’m sure you’ll get there.  But for 26, you have done a lot of traveling. I follow you on facebook, and you are always in a new place, doing something fun and making me totally jealous. What is your favorite or most inspirational place?

[image error] It’s almost impossible to name one place. I think it’s all about the general set of experiences and emotions that travels evoke. Everything is strange and intriguing. Bill Bryson once said that there is something magical about not knowing the language of a country you go to because you can feel like a 5 year old again. You don’t understand people, you marvel at new views, you taste food you’ve never tasted before, take part in customs you never experienced before. But up until my first trip I done on my own I backpacked Croatia for a couple of days) I didn’t realize that the true inspiration does not come directly from a particular place. It’s people, it’s friends, you take with you and meet along the way, it’s your familly. They are the best part of every journey. I felt that California was my place on Earth, but it’s not because the sun and palm trees. I miss all the lovely moments I spend with my aunt and uncle there. Then I moved to London then moved back to Poland after a year. Do I miss it the UK? Yes. Even though living there is far from being a rose garden I had so many great friends to see me through bad times and share the joy of good times. For the same reason I missed Poland when being in England. Now I discovered another place in Europe that is special for me for pretty much the same reasons but I will keep it a secret for now. If I reveal everything at once You won’t make an interview with me when your next book is out!

 

[image error] Awesome answer, and I look forward to hearing about this new place you found. Until then, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given when it comes to your art?

[image error] I was given lots of advice, all helpful, all motivational and I did benefit greatly from it. However, the one that started it all was a piece of advice from my Father. My Mom saw me as a child prodigy since I first drew a cat with 8 legs on a freshly painted living room wall and was always my biggest fan, but my Dad was more realistic about my life choices. He basically told me to get a real job, preferably follow in his footsteps and become a doctor. I was in high school a bit confused, never tried graphic design in my life, my painting skills were nothing exceptional back then. Why this was an important piece of advice? First of all, it made me decide against going to art school, which was the best decision in my life. Secondly, it got me to choose something relatively useful as my major. I picked English philology, which I saw as a vehicle for advancing my career and reaching foreign markets. Lastly, my Old Folk’s words made me so angry and rebelious that I became bent on showing him that he is wrong and I will make a living as an artist no matter what.  He finally admitted that I was right in pursuing art career and that he’s proud of me. It was probably one of the most moving moments in my career so far.

 

[image error] Professionally, what’s your goal?

[image error] I try to set myself short term goals. I don’t like planning ahead because my life is a set of random, accidental events and I just float along. I enjoy my life as it is, ever-changing and full of surprises. When I was younger I lead pretty boring, stable, and safe life and that’s why I grew convinced that stability can never give me happiness. That’s why career-wise I’m not looking for anything permament just now. Maybe eventually I will settle comfortably in a gaming or publishing studio. That’s one possiblility. Other is that I will start leaning more towards traditional art, take commissions, go to art shows, maybe even get a gallery representation. One thing I’m aware of, it’s a long way to the top and I still have a lot to learn no matter if I chose traditional or digital art. For now I just listen to my gypsy auto pilot.

 

[image error] You arent allowed to anyone’s book covers but mine – ever. lol So other than that, are you taking commissions?

[image error] Hah, I’m sorry I’m a notorious turncoat, I’ve just completed 4 more book covers this month. But I can assure my loyalty by saying that next time you reach out to me I will stop whatever I’m doing and go straight to working on your project. I take commissions mostly for fantasy game illustrations and children books pictures these days. However, recently I drew a huge traditional drawing of a lion and my client has already framed it in a golden frame. It was so satisfying to see it that I feel I should take more traditional commissions..

I want to thank Alex for taking time to answer my questions, and obviously for doing such a tremendous job on my book cover. If you would like to commission Alex for any work you can find her on Artstation. 

https://www.artstation.com/alexart

Click HERE To grab your copy of Dark Communion or The Apostate Prince!

#Interview with Aleksandra Klepacka, cover artist for the Godswar Chronicles

ALEKSANDRA KLEPACKA

[image error] Hey Alex, for those who dont already know you, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a full time freelance digital and traditional painter, graphic designer and 3D modeller. I’m a rambler I’m a gambler, “I’m a picker, I’m a grinner, I’m a lover, and I’m a sinner”. I have “a college education, wild imagination, add it all up it’s a deadly combination”. Following the lyrics of the last song – not sure If I would be a good bass fisher but I plan to see for myself one day. I’m particularly known for my passion for making dad jokes even though I’m neither a man nor a parent. Prefer dogs to cats and love key-lime pie. 

I had to look up that second quote becasue  Ricochet: Daddy’s Money, is not on any of my playlists currently. So I guess you’re “country as a turnip green?” But I am old enough to have liked Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker.” 

 

So other than introducing me to a new country song (which I begrudgingly admit isn’t half-bad.) you ‘ve done two awesome book covers for me. Dark Communion we worked together on really closely, but the second one, you actually read the story first and decided to go ahead and start without my input, and I absolutely love it. What made you choose that particular scene from The Apostate Prince?

 

[image error] I think I’m particularly lucky that your writing is so good.

[image error] Pishaw… Flatterer…

[image error] Seriously… I didn’t have any problem with picking a scene to illustrate. I could easily pick a couple more but I decided that I don’t want to reveal what happens as the plot unfolds. Luckily you start your story in medias res so, as a reader, I was thrown instantly in the middle of a battlefield. The bold description of the opening fight scene with illusion magic combined with necromancy was more than enough to work on my imagination. 

 

[image error] You use a lot of amazing dramatic lighting. What were your inspirations for the stained-glass on the cover of Dark Communion? 

[image error] I travel a lot and I have seen some breathtaking architecture. Sacred architecture has always been really inspiring for me, regardless of the religion it stands for. I love the play of light through stained glass, subtle reflecions it casts on the surroundings, the warm glow it creates. Light always draws attention best and even though it’s hard to incorporate it in an illustration is deffinitelly worth the effort because light and color is what can make a given piece special. 

 

[image error] I know you are doing work for some other companies, particularly with dragons. (Awesome) What other projects do you have going on right now, and where can we find them? 

[image error] Not so long ago I started working for the Curseborn Saga as an illustrator for game posters, I was also working on Jade Summer coloring books (yes 25 pages of just dragons, how cool is that?) I did a mandala coloring book too, should be out soon. I’m just doing lots of smaller commissions, mostly book covers and children book illustrations, because my main focus at the moment is improving my traditional painting so I can apply once more to the Royal Society of Portrait Painters open exhibition. I didn’t get in last year but you know what they say, get famous or die trying.  

 

[image error] You’ve done tons of great Game of Thrones fan art. What other work do you most enjoying doing?

Click to view slideshow.

[image error] I always enjoyed doing fan art of all sorts. As far as I can remember I was inspired by movies and later by books, sometimes cartoons and comics. I’m fascinated by human characters and fictional characters are constructed in such a way to evoke emotions. Artists are emotion-driven creatures and that’s how it works. I did some artwork inspired by DC comics, some other I did after watching Hobbis series, some after reading The Wicther. Even when I was fifteen I drew my inspiration from films, one of my first portraits was drawn after watching Pirates of the Caribbean. Yes, you guessed correctly. So typically for a teenage girl at the time I had a massive celebrity crush on Johnny Depp, hah. ‘

 

[image error] What is your dream project?

[image error] Your next book cover, hah.

[image error]  No one’s going to believe that…lol. C’mon, seriously.

[image error] No, in all seriousness I cannot think of one project that I dream of doing. Some of my best projects came absolutely unexpected so I just got to learn that everything can be a dream commission when you approach it as such. 

 

[image error] When I have writers block, I listen to songs that suit the mood of the scene Im working on. What do you do when you are short on inspiration? Is there a particular place, food, drink, or kind of music?

[image error] In my case is mostly songs too. On some occasions it’s audiobooks. I put an audiobook on when I work on something that doesn’t require me to focus too much. Most of the time is music that gets me going for hours. I just put my best headphones on and detach myself from real world. When I work on an oil painting I put on the best of Tchaikovsky or Brahms or just a random playlist of my favorite tangos. Sometimes I just go for something melancholic and nostalgic, Cesaria Evora never fails to get me in the mood. Up untill very recently I wasn’t much into blues but then I recently I fell in love with Joe Bonamassa and Blues of Desperation plays on repeat more often than not when I paint. Fantasy digital illustrations go well with rock/metal (every possible subgenre that emerged throughout last 40 years). When I work on something psychodellic I put on Grateful Dead or Steppenwolf. But there are days when my brain goes funky and I can literally listen to country or hard core disco music while working on a highbrow traditional flemish style painting. 

 

[image error] So far your playlist includes; country music, Greatful Dead, Steppenwolf, Steve Miller Band, tangos, Joe Bonamassa, Tchaikovsky, and Brahms.”  You are making me feel like an “uncultured American” for having Metallica, Imagine Dragons, and Nickelback (dont judge) in mine. Lol  So, switching over to visual art. Name three artists you’d like to be compared to…

[image error] My, oh my. I won’t even try to name any names from art history, I’m way to humble and respectful to do it. But I can tell you about some of my contemporaries that I learn from or at least try to. The first is an incredibly talented traditional portrait painter Cesar Santos. I absolutely adore everything he does and also love the fact that even though he’s pure genius, he is so cool and down-to-earth. I just recently bought his series of video lessons and I know that it will help me to improve dramatically. When it comes to digital painting, I’m torn between the style of Wootha and his incredible use of color and light and my fellow countryman Piotr Jabłoński. In Jabłoński’s work I’m especially drawn by the mezmerizing details and most importantly his storytelling skills. You look at the imagery he creates and you are both attracted and taken aback by its morbid, disturbing subtlety. Magic.  I know I won’t get any close to any of these artists any time soon, but dreaming doesn’t cost me anything. 

[image error]  Jablonski is 42 and Wootha is also in his 40’s. You’re 26? You have at least fifteen years to go before you are anywhere near their age and experience. I’m sure you’ll get there.  But for 26, you have done a lot of traveling. I follow you on facebook, and you are always in a new place, doing something fun and making me totally jealous. What is your favorite or most inspirational place?

[image error] It’s almost impossible to name one place. I think it’s all about the general set of experiences and emotions that travels evoke. Everything is strange and intriguing. Bill Bryson once said that there is something magical about not knowing the language of a country you go to because you can feel like a 5 year old again. You don’t understand people, you marvel at new views, you taste food you’ve never tasted before, take part in customs you never experienced before. But up until my first trip I done on my own I backpacked Croatia for a couple of days) I didn’t realize that the true inspiration does not come directly from a particular place. It’s people, it’s friends, you take with you and meet along the way, it’s your familly. They are the best part of every journey. I felt that California was my place on Earth, but it’s not because the sun and palm trees. I miss all the lovely moments I spend with my aunt and uncle there. Then I moved to London then moved back to Poland after a year. Do I miss it the UK? Yes. Even though living there is far from being a rose garden I had so many great friends to see me through bad times and share the joy of good times. For the same reason I missed Poland when being in England. Now I discovered another place in Europe that is special for me for pretty much the same reasons but I will keep it a secret for now. If I reveal everything at once You won’t make an interview with me when your next book is out!

 

[image error] Awesome answer, and I look forward to hearing about this new place you found. Until then, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given when it comes to your art?

[image error] I was given lots of advice, all helpful, all motivational and I did benefit greatly from it. However, the one that started it all was a piece of advice from my Father. My Mom saw me as a child prodigy since I first drew a cat with 8 legs on a freshly painted living room wall and was always my biggest fan, but my Dad was more realistic about my life choices. He basically told me to get a real job, preferably follow in his footsteps and become a doctor. I was in high school a bit confused, never tried graphic design in my life, my painting skills were nothing exceptional back then. Why this was an important piece of advice? First of all, it made me decide against going to art school, which was the best decision in my life. Secondly, it got me to choose something relatively useful as my major. I picked English philology, which I saw as a vehicle for advancing my career and reaching foreign markets. Lastly, my Old Folk’s words made me so angry and rebelious that I became bent on showing him that he is wrong and I will make a living as an artist no matter what.  He finally admitted that I was right in pursuing art career and that he’s proud of me. It was probably one of the most moving moments in my career so far.

 

[image error] Professionally, what’s your goal?

[image error] I try to set myself short term goals. I don’t like planning ahead because my life is a set of random, accidental events and I just float along. I enjoy my life as it is, ever-changing and full of surprises. When I was younger I lead pretty boring, stable, and safe life and that’s why I grew convinced that stability can never give me happiness. That’s why career-wise I’m not looking for anything permament just now. Maybe eventually I will settle comfortably in a gaming or publishing studio. That’s one possiblility. Other is that I will start leaning more towards traditional art, take commissions, go to art shows, maybe even get a gallery representation. One thing I’m aware of, it’s a long way to the top and I still have a lot to learn no matter if I chose traditional or digital art. For now I just listen to my gypsy auto pilot.

 

[image error] You arent allowed to anyone’s book covers but mine – ever. lol So other than that, are you taking commissions?

[image error] Hah, I’m sorry I’m a notorious turncoat, I’ve just completed 4 more book covers this month. But I can assure my loyalty by saying that next time you reach out to me I will stop whatever I’m doing and go straight to working on your project. I take commissions mostly for fantasy game illustrations and children books pictures these days. However, recently I drew a huge traditional drawing of a lion and my client has already framed it in a golden frame. It was so satisfying to see it that I feel I should take more traditional commissions..

I want to thank Alex for taking time to answer my questions, and obviously for doing such a tremendous job on my book cover. If you would like to commission Alex for any work you can find her on Artstation. 

https://www.artstation.com/alexart

Click HERE To grab your copy of Dark Communion or The Apostate Prince!

#Worldbuilding Basics – 8 Tips for Technology and Magic

From setting limitations on Neo to breaking the system with Marty McFly, we’re looking at guidelines for Technology and Magic Systems in your world!

#5Star #Review of Dark Communion by Bri’s Blog

I’m going to be honest here. I forgot that I downloaded this, and I don’t even know where I got it from. All I know was that one day I was looking down the list of books on my EPUB reader app on my phone, and there it was. Looking at the cover and the […]

via Dark Communion Review — Bri’s Blog

#Worldbuilding Basics: 6 Tips for Geography and Mapmaking

Mountains, rivers, and deserts, oh my! D.C. Fergerson breaks down a refresher course on our 8th grade Earth Science class to explain classic mistakes in creating your world, and why water is kind of a jerk.

 

#Worldbuilding Basics: 6 Tips for Law and Order

From Fight Club to Star Trek, learn how to establish rules for your world without making smell-the-fart-acting mistakes.

 

Click to get D.C. Fergerson’s first installment of the Wicked Instruments series, FREE!

Featured Author A.M. Rycroft, Author of the Cathell Series

 

Special thanks to A.M. Rycroft who was my Newsletter coach over the past few weeks. She is an indie author who is a bit of a rising star in my personal favorite genre, Dark Fantasy. I plan to pick her brain some more about being an indie author. Her books, the Cathell Series, are suberbly written and well reviewed. If you are a new indie author, she’s a good example of how to do it right. If you’re a reader of Dark Fantasy, I have your next favorite series right here. Now, without further ado. 

A.M. Rycroft

Bio

A.M. Rycroft read her first book of horror short stories when she was just eight years old. Her first fantasy book followed shortly after. She loved them both and went on to devour many more books in both genres.

Scary stories and fantasy books quickly took over her life. She wrote her first horror short when she was nine, much to the horror of her English teacher and her parents. It wasn’t until well after high school, however, that she tackled her first fantasy novel, not long after reading “A Game of Thrones” by George R.R. Martin. This time, it was to the horror of her college writing professors, who shunned all things having to do with “genre fiction”.

Rycroft’s dark fantasy Cathell series is a clear melding of her two reading loves: sword and sorcery fantasy and spine-tingling horror. The strong female characters’ experiences parallel the classic hero’s journey, but with a dark and bloody spin. She takes great delight in drawing a rich world with flawed characters and villains that seem to get more terrifying as the series progresses. Her teachers would be so proud.

Interview

 

[image error] Did you try and find an agent or publisher first, or did you decide on being an indie author right from the start?

 I was going to look for an agent initially and then I changed my mind along the way.

[image error] Why?

 The typical reasons, really: impatience, wanting to do my books my way.

 

 So, you went ahead and did it on your own. What did you learn after you published the first one?

 We’re never as good at editing or design as we think we are. And doing publishing right is expensive. Heh.

 

 I know that your series is building momentum and your audience is growing, and congrats on that. But at what point would you, or did you, consider yourself a literary success? I guess what I’m asking is, what does literary success look like to you?

 That’s a really good question. At one point in time, I really wanted to win awards and get written up in the New York Times. That was success to me. I’d still like those things to happen some day, but what I recently realized that I care about more than those things is telling stories that people enjoy and want to read again.

Ever read a novel and think to yourself at the end that it was a good book, but you probably wouldn’t read it again?

 Plenty of times.

 I don’t want to write those kinds of books. I first realized that I was starting to become the writer who writes books people want to read again after I released the second (better) edition of Into the Darkness. A book reviewer said it was the best written indie book he’d ever read, and he would recommend it to anyone. That was high praise from him, because I know he’s notoriously hard to get a good review out of.

But I have to say I think I may have come close to my goal with my third book, The Joy Thief. A reviewer said she ignored her kids and her dog so that she could finish the book. It was that good. Her review made me laugh out loud. It was genuinely funny.

 

 

 So, as long as we are on the subject of reviews… Do you read all your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

I’ll read them from time to time, if I see I have a new one. I usually get surprised by new Goodreads reviews than Amazon ones. They just seem to pop up.

Good ones are definitely better than bad ones, and a couple have made me blush. Bad ones, well, that’s a whole other ballgame. I know some people who get really upset by a bad review, but I don’t anymore. I understand that not everyone will like my work. That’s fine.

I’ll look for something I can use to improve in the bad ones. Authors should never become complacent about their writing. But sometimes, I have to laugh at a bad review, because the person isn’t even hiding the fact that they’re going out of their way to be insulting. Again, that’s ok. If that makes their day, then it’s fine by me.

 

 What is your writing Kryptonite?

Do you mean what will stop my writing in its tracks?

 Pretty much. For me, it’s any kind of bad mood. If something ticks me off, like an argument with a family member, or one of my kids misbehaving, I may as well do something else, because Im not getting any writing done.

 Two things: noise (I’m very sound-sensitive) and summer. I get very bad depression during the summer. It’s the alternate form of Seasonal Affective Disorder. So I’ve stopped writing during the summer months. They tend to be the noisiest months anyhow — leaf blowers, lawn mowers, etc.

 

 Well, if you aren’t writing in the summer, I guess you’re reading? How do you find your next book to read?

 I like to wander the shelves of my local bookstores and libraries. Whatever catches my eye, I’ll pick up and read a few pages. If I can’t put it down or it intrigues me, it’ll come home with me. Sometimes, I’ll read write-ups, but mostly it’s me wandering.

 

 Ever get reader’s block? (I do, it’s okay to admit it lol)

 Yes. I’m embarrassed to say that I have several lovely unread books on my shelves, including a pair of Joe Hill titles that he was kind enough to sign, and yet sometimes I mope about not having “anything” to read. Which is to say that I want to read something in a particular vein, and I don’t have any books that fit that criteria.

 

 I know you make your own covers, and they are awesome, by the way. What tools do you use?

 

 Thank you. I use a combination of Gimp, which is more or less equivalent to Photoshop, but free, and InDesign. InDesign has slightly better layout tools than Gimp. Also, I get free fonts through Typekit with my InDesign subscription, which is a must for designing covers. Using standard fonts is often not enough for good cover design.

 

[image error] Your first book is Into the Darkness, but there is also an Into the Darkness Special Edition. I’ve read Into the Darkness, and loved it. I have yet to check out the special edition, but I see that it has added history and behind the scenes stuff… How about a peek at some of it? What do you say?

Sure. The Special Edition starts off with an introduction where I talk about how I came to write the novel. Reading A Game of Thrones helped me develop my style, but something else inspired the plot. The short version of the story is that I was inspired by a dream I had and couldn’t shake afterwards. Eventually, I decided to write it down. It took on a life of its own from there. You’ll also find histories of the different races and gods of Cathell inside the Special Edition, and also the prequel “The Fall of Tynan Selvantyr”. As I explain in my author’s note, it was originally the prologue in the first edition of the novel. Though it’s a good story, it didn’t further the plot in a meaningful enough way, so I removed the prologue in the second printing and put it into the Special Edition as a short prequel.

[image error]What’s your next book, and when can I expect an advance copy?

Two are coming out soon, actually. Part 1 of Corruption of Honor, my new dark fantasy series, is coming in September. It’s much darker even than the Cathell series, with some hardcore horror elements. And then Shadowboxer, book 4 of the Cathell series, will be out in November. It kicks off The Gathering Dark Trilogy, which book 3 set up. As for advanced copies, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I can give you a peek at Corruption of Honor in just a couple weeks.

[image error] Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions! You’ve been a huge help and inspiration for me. I only hope the Godswar Chronicles can be as well written, reviewed, and popular as the Cathell Series. 

Click Here to get started on the Cathell Series – you wont regret it. 

You can find A.M. Rycroft here on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/1.amrycroft

You can check out her other works on her amazon author page.

3 New #Wizard Feats for #Pathfinder and #DnD

These feats include homebrew feats that already have been posted on other sites. I linked to them here, rather than re-posting them and causing any confusion over who created it. I searched google for the feats similar to the ones below. If these feats exist elsewhere, I have not found them.

Prestidigitator (Cantrip Mastery):   

The definition of “Cantrip” that I use in the world of Loatia comes from Advanced Dungeons&Dragons 2nd Edition. If you like, you can click on the image of the description to go to the AD&D 2E Players Handbook on Scribd. You can find the description of “Cantrip” on page 171.

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Prerequisites: DM Approval, Minimum level 5, Wizard Class only, Spell Mastery, Improved Spell Mastery

Benefit: Cantrip or “Prestidigitation” can now be cast with the above description at will, without expending a spell, and without the need for memorization. 

DM and Player Note: This may not seem like a very powerful feat, but the Cantrip spell as it was outlined in AD&D 2E made it all but a miniature Wish spell. From the tried-and-true banana peel to provoke a dex check or slip (the banana peel does not cause a loss of HP, but the fall can), to turning your enemy pink to humiliate him in front of his friends, it is the cornerstone of a wizard’s mystique. 

The possibilities in terms of roleplay and combat are virtually endless. No one screws with a Wizard who knows how to properly apply Cantrips. And, as an added bonus, it saves the Wizard from having to cast their more powerful spells, or can bail them out of a jam when they are tapped. Not to mention, there is NO SAVING THROW against the actual effect/spell. (But like that banana peel example, can provoke a save) This is a nuanced feat and not suitable for every DM or campaign, and as such, like everything else, is subject to DM/GM/Storyteller approval.

Other examples of legal uses:

Use it to create an aura around your character that gives people who pass him/her a chill to start the whispers around the inn.
Create a minor ethereal black glow on your character’s closed fist to bluff a magical attack.
Give the princess a (fake) wart on her nose.
Make the dwarf smell like farts.
Even use it to do your character’s hair and clean the mud off them as emerge from the swamp with the rest of the group, effectively making them look like sh*t literally does not stick to them.
Changing the clothes of a skulking thief in the crowd to a bright orange color.

Just remember the rules:

Creates only very minor magical effects (as appropriate for a 0 level spell)
Cannot cause a loss of hit points. (not directly, at least – see banana peel example above.)
Cannot effect concentration of spellcasters.
Can only create small, obviously magical materials.
Materials created by a cantrip are fragile and cannot be used as tools of any sort.
Cannot duplicate ANY other spell effect.
The caster must concentrate to keep the Cantrip effects active.
If the target is a creature with an intelligence of 1 or above, the target will always know who cast the spell on them. (I added this one for balance after play testing) 
This feat cannot be used in conjunction with other metamagic feats like silent spell or still spell. However, a pick pocket, stealth, or slight of hand check to set the DC to notice the spell can be rolled at the DM’s discretion. (another post-play testing adjustment)
There is no saving throw.

 

New Counterspelling Feats

Counterspelling is one of the most underused abilities of the Wizard Class. These feats are intended to change that. Here are the rules for counterspelling as they exist now in Pathfinder and 3.5:

Select an opponent as the target of the counterspell
Ready an action to wait until your opponent attempts to cast
Spellcraft check as a Free Action (DC 15 + the spell’s level).
Success means the spell is identified and a counterspell can be attempted. 
Without Improved Counterspell, a spell can only counter itself. 

Improved Counterspell rules: For counterspelling, you may use a spell of the

same school that is at least one level higher


If the target is within range, the spells negate each other with no effect
Metamagic feats are not taken into account when determining whether a spell can be countered.
Dispel Magic cast as a counter:

“The effect of a spell with an instantaneous duration can’t be dispelled, because the magical effect is already over before the dispel magic can take effect.” – Paizo
“When dispel magic is used [as a counterspell], the spell targets a spellcaster and is cast as a counterspell. Unlike a true counterspell, however, dispel magic may not work; you must make a dispel check to counter the other spellcaster’s spell.” – Paizo
“You make one dispel check (1d20 + your caster level) and compare that to the spell with highest caster level (DC = 11 + the spell’s caster level)” -Paizo


All casting times, for the most part, are considered ‘Standard Actions‘

That’s a lot to remember and do. It delays the wizard’s action and makes them completely defensive for an entire round. There are too many ways it can fail, and the specificity of the entire thing just reeks of “Screw that, too much effort for not enough result.”

Still, it stands to reason that it should be difficult, and risky. If PC’s can counterspell, so can NPC’s, and no wizard PC wants his hard earned spells snuffed out of existence at the flick of an NPC’s wrist. Understanding that, a feat that simplifies this has to be earned and fair. A wizard that is a master counterspeller would have planned on becoming such, and have had to burn a lot of other feats to achieve that end. A master counterspeller could never happen by accident. Any wizard with these feats would be highly specialized wizard hunters or spell combatants. Their prowess in magical combat would be a thing of legend.

So, here it is:

Dispeller (Counterspell Mastery)

Prerequisites: Spell Mastery (With Dispel Magic as a chosen spell), Improved Spell Mastery, Quicken Spell, Improved Counterspell, Dexterity 12, Wizard level 9

Benefits: When an opponent casts, the wizard may counterspell as a swift action as though it were an attack of opportunity. (Thus negating the need to delay initiative) The  Wizard can default any 3rd level spell and above that he/she has memorized to Dispel Magic cast only as a counterspell. The caster must succeed at a Dispel Check:

(1d20 + your caster level) – vs – (DC 11 + the spell’s caster level)

Master Dispeller (Greater Counterspell Mastery)

Prerequisites: Spell Mastery (With Greater Dispel Magic as a chosen spell), Improved Spell Mastery, Quicken Spell, Improved Counterspell, Dispeller, Dexterity 12, Wizard level 15

Benefits: When an opponent casts, the wizard may counterspell as a swift action as though it were an attack of opportunity. (Thus negating the need to delay initiative) The Wizard can default any 6th level spell and above that he/she has memorized to Greater Dispel Magic cast only as a counterspell. The caster must succeed at a Dispel Check:

(1d20 + your caster level + 4) – vs – (DC 11 + the spell’s caster level)

Note: The effect of the Dispelling Feats are similar to the Priest ability to default to a healing spell of equivalent level except it always defaults to Dispel Magic (or Greater Dispel Magic) and is a swift action. The switch to a “swift action” means that a wizard can counterspell and still cast their normal spell for the round. There is no need to delay the action, worry about schools or specific spells, a spellcraft check, or burning the entire round for nothing.

How is this Balanced?

First of all, the limitation on instantaneous duration spells still applies. Second, the number of feats the PC or NPC has to burn to earn these forgoes MANY other feats that would make him or her a more well-rounded mage. A 9th level wizard would have to use almost every feat they earned since the creation of the character to have Dispeller. This means they probably cannot maximize or enlarge spells, or create magical items.  Against non spellcasters, the already pronounced handicap in Melee would be even greater because they could not have taken many feats to counteract it. It is very similar to a specialized Illusionist or Conjurer. They have foregone other training in favor of a specific field of study. However, against another spellcaster, the Dispeller or Master Dispeller feats give them a distinct advantage. (Of course, a cleric could still bash the wizard over the head with their mace – no counterspelling that.)  

#Worldbuilding Basics: 6 Tips for Setting and Theme

From Neo proclaiming his acquisition of Irish stepdancing, to a muffin-top metaphor for storytelling, it’s all here. It’s all about setting and theme in this one, and how to make sure your story – your world – doesnt go off the rails.

“Show me your dolphins.” – D.C. Fergerson

 

 

Click to get D.C. Fergerson’s first installment of the Wicked Instruments series, FREE!

#Worldbuilding Basics: 5 Pitfalls in Storytelling

From broken promises to mental gymnastics, and from Jar-Jar Binks to Night of the Living Dead, D.C. Fergerson explains what to avoid in your story. Whether it’s D&D, a novel, or a film, these mistakes are a no-no.

 

 

Click Here to get a free copy of The Singer and the Charlatan! [image error]