Steven A. McKay's Blog
September 22, 2025
Return of the Wolf OUT NOW! The Forest Lord is back!
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Hey everyone! Exciting Monday for me (and hopefully you too!) as my brand new Forest Lord novel, Return of the Wolf is out today! I’ll post the links where you can find it below. I hope you’ll check it out, and if you do read it you enjoy it as much as the previous four novels in the series.Please do share my posts about the book on Facebook and X if you’re able to, it really helps me out. I will be running a giveaway to win a signed PROOF copy of the paperback edition over on Facebook so make sure you’re following me there so you don’t miss out. I’m also doing a giveaway for a signed proof copy on my email list, so sign up for that now if you haven’t already!
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If you buy the book and enjoy it, PLEASE do leave a 5 star rating/review on Amazon and/or Goodreads!If you’re wondering whether I’ll be publishing a winter novella this year, the answer is YES! I’ve been writing one with Matthew Harffy and we’ve now completed it, have a title, AND some fantastic cover art. Look out for more info on that soon. We think people are going to enjoy the read, ideal for Christmas!
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Buy your copy of RETURN OF THE WOLF on Kindle or as a paperback at the links below. If you’d like to buy a signed copy from me, just email and let me know. THANK YOU all, have a fantastic week!
StevenUSA link
UK link
Australia link
Canada link
September 1, 2025
WOLF’S HEAD just 99p on Kindle UK!
Perfect timing! WOLF’S HEAD, book 1 in my Forest Lord series, is just 99p on Kindle UK this month. As you know, the new novel (number 5, RETURN OF THE WOLF) will be published on September 22nd so if you’ve not started the series now is the ideal time – jump in for less than a quid! Perfect reading for historical fiction or even dark fantasy fans.
GET IT HERE – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolfs-Head-Forest-Lord-ebook/dp/B00DSCDZFY
If you’re already read the original four FOREST LORD novels, you can pre-order book 5, Return of the Wolf HERE.
August 21, 2025
Return of the Wolf PRE-ORDER now live!
RETURN OF THE WOLF is now available to pre-order on Kindle! Please head over and do the necessary at the links below, and, if you’re feeling particularly kind, maybe you’d even let your friends, lovers, and hated nemeses know all about it? Much appreciated.
Robin Hood is BACK, people! 
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FN842N1P
USA – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FN842N1P
Oz – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FN842N1P
Canada – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FN842N1P
August 13, 2025
Return of the Wolf COVER REVEAL!
I sent this out yesterday to my Email List subscribers (sign up HERE to make sure you get early access to future news, giveaways, and even the occasional free story).
Cover reveal for The Forest Lord book 5, Return of the Wolf! I rather like it and I think it’ll look great as a small thumbnail on Amazon for readers to find and hopefully be enticed to buy! Originally the background was a sunset pink but it just didn’t work as well as the greens and browns used here. Bear in mind the character models used on the cover are just the artist’s impressions, you can continue to picture them all in your own mind however you like, and I will do the same. I’m sure you can guess who the four guys are! Let me know what you think of the cover. 
I’ve passed the 100,000 words mark in the novel now, editing will begin at the end of August and then, all being well, it will be published around mid-September. I won’t rush it though, the first Robin Hood novel in nine years should be as strong as the famous longbowman himself!
Look out for the Return of the Wolf pre-order going live on Amazon over the next few days/weeks, and make sure you sign up for my Email List as I will no doubt be giving away some signed PROOF copies of the book just for you guys.
Thank you all very much for continuing to support me by buying, reading, rating, and reviewing my books, and for liking, commenting on, and sharing my posts on Facebook and X. It’s all MASSIVELY appreciated! Hopefully you’ve all read and enjoyed The Druid’s Prey by now and are eager for a new adventure with the merry folk of medieval Wakefield!
Cheers
Steven
August 4, 2025
Wolf’s Head special offer on Audible.com
As you may know, I’m currently writing the fifth Forest Lord novel. I had never planned to do another full-length book in the series but I’m glad I changed my mind as I’ve been having a great time writing it, with the reunited heroes going off to see new places and getting up to things they’ve never done before.
If you’ve not read any of these novels yet, you might be interested to know that the first book is in Audible USA’s Monthly Deal. Grab it HERE for a bargain price and start adventuring with Robin, John, Tuck, Scarlet, Matilda and the rest of the legendary companions!
August 1, 2025
DRUID bargains worldwide! And a GIVEAWAY!
Hey everyone! I have some good news for those who haven’t read THE DRUID yet – it’s only 99p in the UK for a short time, and 99c in the USA. Grab your Kindle copy NOW and dive into the world of 5th century Britain with Bellicus, Cai, Eolas, and Duro!
If you’re a German reader, you can now get DER DRUIDE free with Prime Reading too. The third book in the series is also out in German, Der Thron des Nordens, and hopefully sells as well as the first couple have…. LINK
On another note, I’m working hard on the fifth Forest Lord novel (the first in NINE YEARS!) and truly having a great time writing it. It’s tentatively titled Return of the Wolf (well, what else could it be?!) and I hope to have it published THIS SEPTEMBER so look out for the cover reveal and pre-order coming sometime soon.
Now, if you’re interested in winning TWO signed books, head over and sign up for my EMAIL LIST. I am currently running an amazing giveaway with historical fiction powerhouse Griff Hosker and one of my subscribers will win the first two novels in his NORSEMAN series. Click HERE to sign up for my Email List, but be quick as I plan on drawing a winner very soon! I read Norse Warrior before it came out and genuinely loved it. Even gave it an endorsement which I don’t do very much these days. Check out Griff’s stuff!
Cheers all!
Steven
June 24, 2025
First review for THE DRUID’S PREY (out now!)
David’s Book Blurg has posted the first review of my new novel, THE DRUID’S PREY. 5 stars, and he had this to say about it: “I can’t spoil it but those last few chapters have to be the best I’ve ever read!”
The book is out NOW and I’m really excited to know what you guys think of it. I allowed my imagination to carry me off in at least one unexpected direction with this story, one that seemed mad even to me but I decided to just go with it and I believe it made the book more interesting. Do let me know what you think of it when you get a chance to read it. If you’d like to know more, do check out David’s review at the link below, and take a look at his other reviews – he’s a massive historical fiction fan and really knows his stuff.
Release Day Review – The Druid’s Prey by Steven A. McKay!
April 26, 2025
Omnibus editions of my books – bargain buys!
Did you know that some of my books have been collected into Kindle boxsets? You can get all four Forest Lord novels in one collection, and all six Warrior Druid of Britain novels in two collections. The best part? They’re cheaper than if you buy the books separately, especially in the USA! They’re also included in Kindle Unlimited.
Check them out at the links below!
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Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles Boxset 1
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Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles Boxset 2
April 15, 2025
Song of the Centurion Kindle deal!
SONG OF THE CENTURION, sequel to The Druid, is just 99p all month in the UK and also now 99c in the USA for a few days. If you haven’t read it yet, grab your Kindle copy now! This is book 2 in the Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles and one I actually enjoyed a research trip for. You can read about that, and see all the photos of Dunadd Hillfort, HERE .
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The NEXT book in the series is just back from my editor (who I discovered at the HNS Conference is also David Gilman’s editor). It’s always pretty nerve racking waiting on an editor’s feedback – will they like the book? Will they find a ton of plot holes? Will they find mistakes you hadn’t noticed? Will they suggest a major rewrite? Well, thankfully none of those apply in this case, as she says, to my great relief, “I have now read THE DRUID’S PREY and very much enjoyed it. You have really honed your craft over the years!” Pre-order it now on Kindle HERE .
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While I was waiting to hear back from the editor I’ve been writing my sections of the Winter/Xmas novella I’m collaborating on with Matthew Harffy. I think if you’ve enjoyed my previous Christmas tales you will really like this one – plenty of action, some humour, camaraderie, outlaws, and, of course, warmed ale! We’ve actually been posting episodes on the Rock, Paper, Swords! Patreon page about the creation of the book – planning, initial writing stages, developing things further, and any issues we’ve encountered. I think those episodes are a really cool way of documenting the creation of a historical novella and it’ll be fun to listen back to them once the book is out. If you are one of our Top Fans or Producers you’ll get a free copy of the ebook, and Producers will also have their name listed in the acknowledgements section! If you’d like to supportus, check out the RPS Patreon page HERE .
March 29, 2025
The Druid’s Prey PRE-ORDER now live!
You can now pre-order the Kindle edition of THE DRUID’S PREY, book 7 in my Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles. It will be published on June 24th, but please do get your pre-order in now if you plan to buy it as it really helps other people to find it and, with so many new books coming out nowadays that is hugely important (and appreciated). It will, as always, be available on Kindle Unlimited as well. Paperback edition can’t be pre-ordered but it should be out on the same day as the Kindle version.
A vicious attack. An enraged warrior-druid. A relentless hunt for vengeance!
Following a cowardly raid on Dun Breatann the Saxon attacker, Saksnot, rides back to rejoin his bretwalda, Hengist, in far-off Garrianum. Bellicus, outraged by the savage attack on his people and his closest friend, follows the perpetrator with just one thing on his mind: bloody justice!
As the towering druid hunts his prey across the summer fields and streams, Arthur, Bear of Britain, seeks to make a lasting peace with the new immigrants from across the sea. Hengist has no such plans however, instead working alongside his terrifying volva, Thorbjorg, to bring only blood, fire, and death to the embattled Britons.
As the brutal struggle for supremacy rages between the two warlords and their armies, Bellicus will find himself drawn into an adventure he could never have foreseen. An adventure that may seal the fate of Britain for generations to come.
An adventure that fans of Bernard Cornwell, Griff Hosker, David Gemmell, and Joe Abercrombie will love!
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While we wait for The Druid’s Prey I’ve started work on my sections of the 2025 winter/Christmas novella I’m writing with Matthew Harffy. If you’d like to follow our progress we’ve uploaded some bonus Patreon-exclusive episodes of our podcast Rock, Paper, Swords! in which we discuss our process. So far we’ve talked about coming up with ideas, how we hope to actually do everything in terms of software and planning, and other early-stage brainstorming. As the year goes along we’ll continue to update Patrons with our progress – it should be a really cool diary for our readers who like that sort of thing! Sign up here to listen (and also get access to our full library of bonus episodes, shoutouts on the show, and other perks ): patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast
