James Downe's Blog, page 7

An Interview with Derek Alan Siddoway

  Derek Alan Siddoway is the author of the Teutevar Saga, a ‘medieval western’ series combing epic fantasy with the ideals and themes of the American West. His newest series, Gryphon Riders, is a fast-paced coming of age YA trilogy. He’s written novels and novellas, short stories and trilogies. Oh, and apparently he likes peach … More An Interview with Derek Alan Siddoway

Why do we Crave a Good Bit of Villainy?

I started this post as a “Top 10” list of my favourite fantasy villains.  I wanted a quick sum up of my favourites, something to try to explain what I like in a good villain.  I wanted a quick post that would generate some hits, and maybe even some senseless ire from people whose favourite … More Why do we Crave a Good Bit of Villainy?

The Sullen Feather

  After a long delay, I’m pleased to announce that a brand new short story set in the Legacy of Ash is now available!  This one is set in the imperial city of Tyrant, where rebels called the Hounds of Tyrant are fighting against the oppression of Prince Ternoryn Curassi.  The Hounds have been given … More The Sullen Feather

the Lone Wolf Anthology

Well, here it is, I’m pleased to announce that a short story of mine is in this new book.  Lone Wolf is an anthology of 11 different short stories from 8 fantastic writers.  Each story focuses on outsiders, the anti-social, or the misunderstood.  Characters on the fringes, outside of the norm, and in most cases, … More the Lone Wolf Anthology

Booknest’s Fabulous Fantasy Fundraiser!

Here is something I’m thrilled to be a part of.  Peter of Booknest.eu has put together a great raffle to raise money for Doctors Without Borders (aka Médecins Sans Frontières).  Every £1 (GBP) you donate gets you 1 ‘ticket’ in the raffle.  (Yes, that’s a £, but don’t worry the currency differences are handled through the site.) … More Booknest’s Fabulous Fantasy Fundraiser!

how the hell does someone write a whole book in a month?

As many others are doing, right now, probably right this very second, I have accepted the challenge of NaNoWriMo.  You know the one, the crazy writing exercise that a few hundred thousand writers take on every November?  Write one book, 50 000 words, in 30 days.  Well, for the last 2 years I’ve watched November come … More how the hell does someone write a whole book in a month?

Review: ‘The Vagrant’ by Peter Newman

It’s been a while since I’ve read anything as original (and yet still somehow familiar) as ‘The Vagrant’ by Peter Newman.  Set in a futuristic dystopia where unnatural, abstract demons prowl a broken landscape in search of…food?  No, not just food…living beings to inhabit and manipulate?  The seven angelic beings who are the last hope … More Review: ‘The Vagrant’ by Peter Newman

Serpentine, City of Orphans

#‎amwriting‬ James and I have been relatively quiet recently as we put the finishing touches on the very first Legacy of Ash anthology, featuring several exclusive tales by each of us. Each story will be set in and around Serpentine, City of Orphans, a sweltering port city struggling to outgrow its lawless reputation. You’ll encounter… More Serpentine, City of Orphans

Review: ‘The Copper Promise’ by Jen Williams

So, I recently went on a little vacation across the pond to London, England.  While there, I knew that one of my missions was to finally get my hands on a copy of ‘The Copper Promise’ by Jen Williams.  I’ve been hearing about her for quite some time, though none of her books are available in Canada (yet).… More Review: ‘The Copper Promise’ by Jen Williams

An Interview with Christopher Æsc Adams, Legacy of Ash Co-creator

Q – You and James have a world you co-created.  Can you tell us a bit about that process?  How do you decide who will take on what parts of the world, how is the Legacy divided? The world itself evolved quite organically, derived partially as the setting of a homebrew RPG, and partially from… More An Interview with Christopher Æsc Adams, Legacy of Ash Co-creator