Stuart Thaman's Blog, page 2

Umbral Blade 1: Shadowlith - Relaunch Complete!

An ancient history of magic. An epic journey to find it.Alistair the Fourth was a mighty general from a long-forgotten war. Four hundred years later, Alster Lightbridge is barely a shadow of his legendary namesake. Crippled and confined to his family’s estate, he spends his days dreaming of something larger than himself—something worthy of his name.

Encouraged by his tutor to explore the Lightbridge archive, Alster discovers a magical dagger with the power to cleave shadows from their bodies. Blade in hand, Alster finally understands his purpose, though he needs to find a four-centuries-old grave in order to fulfill it. Shadowlith is the critically acclaimed first installment to the Umbral Blade duology by Stuart Thaman. This new 3rd edition version from Nef House Publishing features a highly polished manuscript with minor adjustments to the original text while preserving all of the grand adventure that fans around the globe loved at original release. Read today!

The best of the best — Xena: Warrior Princess

One of my all-time favorite shows, especially when I was growing up, was Xena: Warrior Princess. What makes it so good? And is there anything out there like it?

Xena: Warrior Princess is an iconic television series that aired from 1995 to 2001. The show follows the adventures of Xena, a former ruthless warrior who seeks redemption by fighting for good in a fantasy world inspired by ancient Greece.

Xena is portrayed by Lucy Lawless, who became a cultural icon for her portrayal of the fierce and powerful character. Xena is known for her exceptional fighting skills, her intelligence, and her unwavering dedication to her friends and allies. Sure, Xena suffers from a lot of unnecessary fan service and “chainmail bikini” stereotyping, but I can look past that. The plots are cool enough that I really think the show took off in spite of the sex appeal rather than because of the sex appeal.

Throughout the series, Xena battles various villains, including warlords, gods, and mythical creatures. Interestingly, most of the plots and battles are actually based on real historical events or actual Greek mythology / folklore. She is often accompanied by her sidekick, Gabrielle, a former village girl who becomes a skilled fighter in her own right.

One of the unique aspects of Xena: Warrior Princess is its depiction of strong, complex female characters. Xena and Gabrielle's friendship is central to the show and is portrayed as a powerful bond that can withstand any challenge.

Xena: Warrior Princess has become a cultural touchstone for many fans, and its influence can be seen in subsequent television shows and films. Its message of redemption, empowerment, and loyalty resonates with audiences to this day.

The show is a groundbreaking television series that broke barriers with its depiction of strong female characters and compelling storytelling. It remains a beloved show that continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.

If you liked Xena, what else is there to watch?

You might enjoy these other TV shows that are similar in genre or style:

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys: This show was a spin-off of Xena and shares the same fantasy-adventure genre. It follows the adventures of Hercules, who is played by Kevin Sorbo, and features similar themes of mythology, action, and humor.

Game of Thrones: This HBO series is a darker and more violent take on the fantasy genre. It features complex characters and political intrigue in a fictional world filled with dragons, magic, and epic battles.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: This show also features a strong female lead and mixes action, horror, and humor in a supernatural setting. It has a similar focus on the relationships between characters and features a blend of episodic and serialized storytelling.

Legend of the Seeker: This show is based on the Sword of Truth series of books by Terry Goodkind and features a similar mix of action and fantasy adventure. It follows a young woodsman named Richard Cypher as he teams up with a powerful sorceress to battle evil in a magical world.

Merlin: This BBC series is a retelling of the Arthurian legend and features a young Merlin as he navigates a world of magic, politics, and danger. It has a similar mix of action, adventure, and humor as Xena and features a strong ensemble cast.

Overall, if you enjoyed the action-packed adventure and strong character dynamics of Xena: Warrior Princess, these other TV shows are definitely worth checking out.

Want more strong female leads?

The punishment for vampirism is to be burned at the stake.

Necromancers, should they be captured, are hung.

I am both.

My master bestowed upon my shoulders a monumental task, one that has become my life's ambition. Should I fail, at least I will burn with a smile on my face, knowing that I did not live by my father's rules, the life he would have forced upon me as his heir. I have brought a legion of slaughter to the foot of the altar where I will soon carve my destiny, and I know that more bloodshed will follow.

I welcome every drop.

Read or listen today!

Origins of LitRPG

LitRPG, short for Literary Role-Playing Game, is a genre of fiction that combines elements of role-playing games and science fiction or fantasy literature. These books typically follow the journey of a character who finds themselves trapped within a virtual reality game world, and must navigate challenges and level up their skills to progress through the game.The roots of LitRPG can be traced back to the 1980s, with the emergence of the first online multiplayer games such as MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons) and MUSHs (Multi-User Shared Hallucinations). These games allowed players to immerse themselves in virtual worlds and interact with other players in real-time. As online gaming evolved, so too did the idea of stories set within virtual worlds.The first book widely considered to be LitRPG is "Only Sense Online," a Japanese light novel series by Aloha Zachou, which was published in 2012. The series tells the story of a young girl named Yun, who logs into a virtual reality MMORPG game to escape the stresses of real life. The success of "Only Sense Online" paved the way for other LitRPG series to follow.One of the most popular LitRPG series in recent years is "The Gam3" by Cosimo Yap, published in 2015. The series follows the journey of Alan, a gamer who is recruited by an alien race to fight in a virtual reality game that will determine the fate of Earth.Since then, the popularity of LitRPG has continued to grow, with countless authors exploring the possibilities of virtual worlds and gaming mechanics in their writing. Some of the most successful LitRPG series include "The Land" by Aleron Kong, "Awaken Online" by Travis Bagwell, and "Ascend Online" by Luke Chmilenko.LitRPG books have also sparked a renewed interest in tabletop role-playing games, such as Dungeons & Dragons, as well as online gaming communities. Many LitRPG authors are themselves avid gamers, and the genre has become a way to bridge the gap between literature and gaming.In conclusion, the history of LitRPG books can be traced back to the emergence of online gaming communities in the 1980s. Today, the genre continues to grow in popularity, offering readers a unique and immersive way to experience virtual worlds and gaming mechanics through literature.Ready to start a new adventure?Read or listen today!

History of Fantasy Fiction

When did fantasy fiction start? Fantasy novels have been around for centuries and have captivated readers of all ages with their imaginative worlds, magical creatures, and epic battles between good and evil. The genre has a rich history that spans back to ancient myths and legends, but it was not until the 20th century that it became a recognized literary genre.One of the earliest examples of fantasy literature can be found in ancient myths and legends from around the world. These stories often featured gods and goddesses, monsters, and heroes with supernatural powers. One of the most famous examples is Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, which tells the story of Odysseus and his journey home after the Trojan War.In the 19th century, authors such as Jules Verne and H.G. Wells wrote science fiction stories that included elements of fantasy. Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth and Wells' The Time Machine are examples of early science fiction novels that featured fantastical elements.However, it was not until the 20th century that fantasy literature became a distinct genre with its own conventions and tropes. The publication of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit in 1937 and The Lord of the Rings trilogy in the 1950s is often credited with establishing fantasy as a popular genre. Tolkien's epic tales of Middle-earth introduced readers to a fully-realized world filled with dwarves, elves, orcs, and other fantastical creatures.Other notable fantasy authors from the mid-20th century include C.S. Lewis, who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia series, and Ursula K. Le Guin, who wrote the Earthsea series. These authors helped to establish many of the conventions of the genre, such as the use of magic, mythical creatures, and epic quests.In the latter half of the 20th century, the popularity of fantasy novels continued to grow, with authors like Terry Brooks, George R.R. Martin, and J.K. Rowling becoming household names. Today, the fantasy genre remains popular with readers of all ages, and new authors continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in fantasy literature.What’s the best of the modern era?Fantasy literature has always captivated readers with its vivid imagination, epic battles, and enchanting creatures. The 20th century was a prolific period for the genre, producing many classic works that have endured the test of time. In this article, we will explore some of the best fantasy novels of the 20th century that have captured the hearts of millions of readers.The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien First published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy novel that follows the journey of hobbit Frodo Baggins as he sets out to destroy the One Ring and defeat the evil Lord Sauron. The novel is set in the fictional world of Middle-earth and has been widely praised for its world-building, character development, and rich mythology. The Lord of the Rings has influenced countless works of fantasy and remains one of the best-loved and most-read novels of the genre.A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin A Song of Ice and Fire is a series of epic fantasy novels that began with A Game of Thrones in 1996. The novels are set in the fictional world of Westeros, where the noble houses battle for control of the Iron Throne. The series is known for its intricate plot, well-drawn characters, and unexpected twists and turns. The television adaptation of the series, Game of Thrones, has brought even more attention to the novels, making them some of the most popular works of fantasy of all time.The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels that were written between 1950 and 1956. The novels follow the adventures of a group of children who are transported to the magical land of Narnia, where they encounter talking animals, witches, and other fantastical creatures. The novels are known for their Christian themes, but they have also been praised for their imaginative world-building and compelling characters.The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin The Earthsea Cycle is a series of fantasy novels that began with A Wizard of Earthsea in 1968. The novels are set in the world of Earthsea, where magic is a central part of life. The series follows the story of the young wizard Ged, as he rises to power and battles the forces of evil. The novels have been praised for their nuanced portrayal of magic, their complex characters, and their exploration of themes such as power, identity, and mortality.Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling The Harry Potter series is a seven-book series that began with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1997. The series follows the story of Harry Potter, a young orphan who discovers that he is a wizard and attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The series has been praised for its imaginative world-building, well-drawn characters, and themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage. The series has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring a generation of readers and spawning a massive franchise that includes movies, merchandise, and theme parks.The 20th century was a golden age for fantasy literature, producing many classic works that continue to captivate readers today. The novels on this list are just a few of the best examples of the genre, but there are countless others that are equally worthy of attention. Whether you are a long-time fan of fantasy or a newcomer to the genre, these novels are sure to transport you to magical worlds filled with adventure, danger, and wonder.
Ready for more?

Stuart Thaman is a fantasy author who has been making waves in the genre with his unique and imaginative storytelling. His novels feature complex characters, detailed world-building, and exciting plots that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Book Signing at Chaotic Good, Lexington, KY!

March 18, 2023! Come out to Chaotic Good, 545 S. Broadway, Suite 160, Lexington, KY! They have awesome coffee, great food, tons of (free) boardgames, lots of D&D and comics, and so much more! And on March 18th, they’ll have me!

How to advertise books on Reddit.

Don’t screw it up!Advertising on Reddit can be a true nightmare. One wrong move and you’ll get brigaded with 1-star reviews, personal attacks, death threats in your email, and probably worse. That said, I’ve made thousands advertising my books on Reddit. How did I do it? Let’s dive in.Step 1: find subreddits in your genre. No, r/books is not in your genre. Avoid any subreddit with 100,000+ subscribers. You’re just white noise there. A waste of time. Find smaller, niche-focused communities like r/litrpg or r/haremfantasynovels. Millions of subreddits exist, so you can certainly find your niche. And you can also look at non-book subreddits. Wrote something about a parrot? Try r/parrots or something similar. You get the idea.Step 2: follow the damn rules. I cannot stress that enough. Read, understand, and read them again. Follow them meticulously. Almost every single subreddit has a very strict no ads policy. Follow it!!! Posting a billboard for your book in a subreddit that disallows ads is about as good as sawing off your foot with an old knife.Step 3: participate in the community. Join discussions. Actively comment and offer useful insight. A stranger will not be able to market at all. A familiar / respected name will.Step 4: look for specific self-promotion threads. Find out when they go live. Many subreddits have weekly or monthly self-promotion threads. Drop your links in there, but only when the thread is fresh. If it already has 5+ comments, don’t waste your time.Step 5: as you follow step 3 and develop a name and reputation in the community, you’ll come across posts looking for your exact kind of content. DO NOT SHILL YOUR BOOKS IN THE COMMENTS. Don’t be that guy. Instead, message the person asking for a recommendation to offer them a FREE copy of your loss leader (from Bookfunnel) and list the reasons your book matches their interests. The goal is to create a fan organically, not pressure someone into clicking a link and then forgetting about you.Step 6: always use “Old Reddit” instead of the new redesign. It is just 1000% better. 10,000% better. Infinitely better. And NEVER use the Reddit app.

There you have it. My tried and true guide to making thousands of sales on Reddit. If you put in the time and effort, it works. If you skip step 3, it backfires horribly. Cheers!

Unsheathed has an audiobook!

Unsheathed: An Epic Fantasy Collection Take me there!

Draw your blade. 

Fasten your armor. 

Prepare for war. 

The Unsheathed collection brings to life nine powerhouse tales of epic fantasy filled with daring duels, gruesome slaughter, and the ringing cacophony of battle.

“A diverse anthology of unique fantasy. Left me wanting for expansion to full novels!” - Amazon Review

Umbral Blade 2: Mournstead

I’m getting close!I know there’s been a long wait since Shadowlith came out. Quite a few years, actually. Originally, I just didn’t know where I wanted to go with book 2. I wrote myself into a bit of a complex corner. Oops.But that’s behind me now! I’ve moved past the blocks, and the book is coming along nicely.So when will it be done???I DON’T KNOW! Soon, I hope. I’m sitting just shy of 50k words right now. I’m planning on this book being just a tad bit longer than book 1, so maybe 75k - 90k. We’ll see when I get there. In all honesty, I really hope to have it at least in edits by the summer. That’s rapidly approaching. I think I can do it.Anyway, that’s the update. Sorry for the delay!Oh, and I’m planning on releasing a really cool combined duology edition as well. Maybe a hardback? I don’t know yet.

2022 Convention List

Sad news.I currently do not have a single event scheduled for 2022.Why?Prices keep going up. By a lot. Booths that used to cost me $100 - $250 at events like Lexington Toy and Comic Convention or Cincinnati Comic Expo are now $700 - $1200. That price increase is absolutely insane. Smaller indie authors like me simply cannot afford to attend. I know a lot of authors on the convention circuit, and we’re all saying the same things. We just can’t afford to attend conventions this year. There’s going to be a significant lack of authors (and other indie creators) at your favorite shows in 2022. Get ready to see a lot of t-shirt towers and booths full of Funko Pops.Right in my own backyard, Lexington Comicon TRIPLED their booth prices. That used to be my favorite event. Now I can’t even go. It breaks my heart to say it, but I really don’t think I’ll be doing a single live signing event in all of 2022. You guys know I love to come out and do that stuff, but it just doesn’t make sense financially to schedule anything now. Big conventions like Lexington and Cincinnati require me to order about $600 - $800 worth of inventory a few months in advance, and paired with a booth cost of $700+, I just won’t make a single dime in profit.The shred of good news is that if you still want a signed copy of a book, you can always order them right through my webstore. And if you’ve signed up for my newsletter (on the bottom of any page on this site), you have a coupon code already.

Let’s hope that 2023 sees a decrease in booth prices so I can get back on the convention circuit and meet some more fans!

An update for the fans.

What have I been up to in the past couple years?

Alright, that’s a fair question. The last book I launched was A Black Soul on December 15, 2019. We’re coming up on 2022 now. No, I have no quit writing. Not at all.

Here’s what’s been going on:

Firstly, I (necessarily) took 2020 off from serious writing endeavors in order to study for the Kentucky bar exam. Some of you might know that I graduated from law school in May of 2020 and was scheduled to take the bar in the summer. Due to Covid, the date of the test was changed a handful of times, and when the studying plan is a rigid, immutable 580 hours, that makes it tough. I actually started studying in November of 2019, and then I finally sat for the bar in October of 2020.

AND I PASSED!!!!

I took a new day job in the fall of 2020, making the jump from education into law, and with that I also moved about an hour south. Between studying for the exam, 30+ showings of my house, starting a new career, and moving to a new city during a plague, 2020 left me basically no time to write. I still churned out a little bit of content, but nothing substantial.

Welcome to 2021. I started the year working massive hours for pennies at a law firm that I very quickly realized was not for me, so I left in February to start my own practice. I’m now the proud owner of Baker Thaman Law in Georgetown, Kentucky. Starting the firm took a lot of work, and it essentially exhausted my mental faculties for quite some time. The prospect of working on a huge 125k+ LitRPG novel became daunting.

But the firm is off the ground now, we have steady clientele, and we’ve won a handful of cases.

During the summer of 2021, I opened Nef House Publishing to submissions, created a website for it, and started focusing on some other aspects of my author life. That’s been hugely exciting, and I’m proud to say that Nef House has some awesome new titles that you should certainly check out.

Back in the beginning of quarantine, I also decided to try and pursue one of my “bucket list” life goals. I desperately want to play guitar live in a metal band. That’s been a goal of mine for years. I’ve been a guitarist since I was 7. I’ve been playing at a professional level for at least 10 years. I’ve played innumerable acoustic, folk, bluegrass, and jazz sets, but never metal. In my heart, I’m a metalhead. My all-time favorite band is Epica, a symphonic death metal band from the Netherlands. I have multiple tattoos from the metalcore band Oh, Sleeper.

So sometime in 2020, I started writing black metal tracks and releasing them under the band name Saxo Grammaticus. For the moment, I’ve just been messing around as a 1-man solo project making random stuff that I know isn’t very good, but I’ve been slowly assembling a team that I think can make some top notch tracks and hopefully play a few shows in the future.

Anyways, that’s what I’ve been doing for the past 2 years when I should have been writing.

Welcome to 2022.

I’m writing again. It is official. I’m working on new material for Mournstead, and I intend to finish the first draft of the manuscript within a month or two. Both Nef House and my law firm are off the ground and operating smoothly on a day to day basis, so I have no more excuses. Writing has once again become a priority in my life. I can’t promise 4 novels in a year like 2019, but I really, really hope to have Mournstead ready for release in quarter 1 of 2022. After that, my focus will shift to A Ruined World.

And here are some notes about Mournstead:

You can read a teaser here

The first book was short. Shadowlith came in around 75k words. Mournstead is probably going to be around the 100k mark. That’s the goal

The tone is a lot darker than Shadowlith. Near the end of book 1, I hinted at some very dark themes that I knew would be in book 2. Those themes are getting a lot darker than even I anticipated. Expect the tone to be more in line with Forsaken Talents

The writing is vastly improved. Shadowlith came out in 2017. My writing has gotten so much better since then. I’m considering releasing a revised version of Shadowlith once Mournstead comes out, and my publisher is cool with the idea. We’ll probably do a special edition duology / omnibus version (hardback?) with an updated version of Shadowlith included

My editor is leagues better than before. I upgraded massively in that department. In my opinion, I have the absolute best in the business now. Mournstead is going to absolutely kick ass

Mournstead is the conclusion of the Umbral Blade series. We’re ending at 2 books, and the story will be complete. It feels nice

Well… There you have it. My life.

Drop a comment below and let me know how you’re doing or what you’re most excited to see from me next. No matter what, I always love hearing from fans.

Cheers. Drinks some bourbon for me.