Pre-Order Footwizard

Pre-Order Footwizard on Audible or Kindle

My editor, Emily Burch Harris, will be returning the last few notes on Footwizard tonight. That should be the last few corrections on the manuscript, and then the formatting process begins. But the book is in the can. The map is done. I’m just waiting on the covers to come in from Podium’s excellent cover artist, Alex.

I’m very happy with the result. Footwizard is the culmination of many, many plot lines, and the beginning of many, many more. A lot happens. Mostly without magic. If it’s any indication of quality, Emily says that it’s her favorite book in the series so far. It’s right at 240,000 words, 50 chapters. And an intermission.

I think most of you will like it. A few of you won’t. I’m expecting that, and I won’t take it personally. This book is as much sci-fi as it is fantasy. It’s part Disney, part Lovecraft, part Fallout and part Western, sort of. There are Easter Eggs galore. It’s certainly a departure from many of the other books. But don’t worry, after this one, we’ll be headed back to the real world and we’ll deal with the consequences.

And there will be consequences.

This is also the first of my novels that comes with a discography. Lilastien’s playlist, so to speak. I’ve released that list on the Discord server and I’ll release it here soon. The book is 50 chapters, and there are 50 songs on the list. Not every chapter is represented by a song, but many are mentioned and a few play key roles in the feel of the book. You might want to listen through a few of these to get the mood of the novel.

As far as a dedication goes, I’m dedicating this special book to my fans — y’all. I’ve gotten so much positive feedback from you it’s awe-inspiring. It’s certainly inspirational. Y’all have gotten Spellmonger tattoos, you’ve named your chickens after my characters, and the series has played a role in your lives and your relationships far beyond any expectation I ever had. Kids are doing book reports on the Hawkmaiden Trilogy. It’s nearly overwhelming, and I want you to know that if you keep buying ‘em, I’ll keep cranking ‘em out.

So, assuming I get the cover art in time, I think I’m going to release this book July 1. Pre-orders will be up shortly. More tidbits to come (particularly if you’re signed up to the newsletter hint, hint) but I wanted to go ahead and make the release announcement to everyone.

It’s been a full eighteen months — I’ve written four books in that time and worked on several others. I’m likely going to take most of June and July off, just to recuperate, recharge, and get ready to begin on Hedgewitch. That doesn’t mean I won’t work on other projects, but I do want to give Spellmonger a short break so that I can get my head right for the next one.

Also, I will definitely be going to DragonCon in Atlanta this year. More on this later. Indeed, there will be more promotional appearances and such, and I will announce them as soon as they’re confirmed. If you have suggestions or opportunities, please let me know below.

Thank you all for being the godsdamned best fans in the universe. You make it incredibly worthwhile and fulfilling to do this. I am grateful for each and every one of you. May Ishi grant you a joyful and lustful summer. After COVID, we both need it and deserve it.

- Terry Mancour

Pre-Order Footwizard on Audible or Kindle

A Search For Answers In The Lost Land Of Anghysbel!

After winning two wars against the Nemovorti in six months, Minalan plans an expedition over the summer to the Lost Valley of Anghysbel, in the far north of his realm, in the caldera of a supervolcano at the edge of the tundra. There, he suspects, many of the answers he so desperately need might be hidden. The only problem is that thanks to the anti-magical properties of the jevolar, there, his spells won’t work – he’ll be without magic for the first time since he came into his Talent. On this quest for the knowledge to save the world, however, the stakes are too high to be concerned about such things. Minalan seeks the knowledge he needs no matter the price.

The footwizard Fondaras the Wise has been to the realm of the jevolar four times in his long life and he knows the way – and the great dangers of the non-magical land. He warns that Anghysbel is filled with forgotten creatures and lost races that have hidden from the world for eons. That doesn’t dissuade the Spellmonger – it’s a challenge. So is the deadly poisonous alkali waste that is the only way to the fabled land. So is the fact that his wife, Alya, insists on going with the expedition. So is the company of goblins pursuing him to catch the greatest wizard in the world in a place without magic. And the passage through the alkali wastes is only open for the nine dry weeks of summer, so there is a time limit on his explorations.

But once he’s there, Minalan’s expedition discovers a unique land filled with forgotten secrets: an outpost of the Kasari, where the tribe sends its magically-Talented folk; a colony of Wilderlords existing in seclusion; the exiled clan of Kilnusk Alon, the former kings of the Dradrien and Karshak, alike; a community of Tal Alon left on their own for generations; and an old comrade who has fled the Five Duchies in fear of the Censorate.

That’s just where the mysteries begin. When he opens the Cave of the Ancients, a remnant of the original human colony on Callidore, Minalan starts on a path toward the answers he seeks. He is startled to find that the once-great human civilization once had an outpost in Anghysbel, as did many other races. Armed with new knowledge he braves the dangerous wilderness of Anghysbel with Lilastien and the rest of his friends in search of the ancient Alka Alon vault containing the arsenal he seeks. Along the way he discovers the scion of the Aronin, the half crazed Ameras; he encounters a dragon, learns about a forgotten group of the Forsaken, and is introduced to the mysterious Leshi in search of an immensely important, incredibly powerful artifact. Not even the threat of cyclopses and lizard men, renegade dragons and the pestilent Kurja can stand in the way of his exploration.

But that’s not all he discovers. When a beardless, half-mad Karshak outcast offers them an opportunity to learn the secrets they desperately seek, Minalan and Lilastien are tempted . . . but the price of that knowledge may well be madness, or even death. For dark powers more ancient than the world dwell in exotic Anghysbel, powers that would speed Callidore’s destruction, not work for its salvation. Minalan the Spellmonger has to consider carefully if he’s willing to pay the price to save the world . . . and the cost of that bargain may well be his life!