Meet Adrian sul'Han, Healer and Assassin

Wanna meet Adrian sul'Han, a main character in ‪#‎Flamecaster‬ ? Head on over to Dark Faerie Tales for an excerpt from the book and an "interview" with Adrian.

New Faces, New Places: The Shattered Realms

Email from an Heir Chronicles fan awaiting publication of the Seven Realms: I just know there's going to be a MAP in the front of the book.

Like that's a bad thing. I must admit, maps are the hallmark of high fantasy. I mean, I could put a map of Ohio in the front of my Heir Chronicles books for all the left and right coast people who don't know where it is.

But generally it's assumed that interested people can find a map of Ohio if they need to. 

When I began writing The Seven Realms, I started plotting places on a crude hand-drawn map so I could remember where I put things. I am not making this up. If you mess up on these things, you will get emails. 

Full disclosure: cartography is not in my genetic blueprint. I've always had trouble with spatial relationships. Give me WORDS, dammit! I kept drawing it and redrawing it -- I even asked my son to redraw it in case I actually found a publisher. I figured they might change their mind if they saw my map. 

Anyway, here's how my map ended up: 

All the erasing makes it look like parchment, don't you think?

So when I DID find a publisher, fortunately, they hired a cartographer to redraw the map. Here is the result: 

Now much of the action in the first volume of the Shattered Realms takes place at Oden's Ford and the Ardenine Empire (which by now is pretty much everything outside of the Fells.) But toward the end of the book, a character arrives from overseas--from the fabled pirate hangout of Carthis. Some of the action in later books would happen there. More mapmaking ensued! Only now there was technology:

 Harper designer Erin Fitzsimmons and cartographer Laszlo Kubinyi worked on revisions, and produced the final map!

Welcome to the Shattered Realms...I hope you enjoy the journey.

FLAMECASTER TOUR EVENTS (Updated)

Hi, everyone! There have been some additions and changes to my Flamecaster tour schedule since it was originally posted. I've updated that posting and you can check it out here

One Month Until Flamecaster!! Get in on the Preorder Swag and Grand Prize Giveaway

When you preorder a book...it's like a gift you give your future self, right? Well, here in the Realms, we're all about gifting. Now that Flamecaster is just a month away, it's time to roll out the gifts and prizes.

So here ya go:

Everyone (US and Canada) who pre-orders FLAMECASTER from ANY retailer–local, chain, online, hardcopy, digital–is eligible to win your choice of two epic prize packs:

• A signed first edition hardcover set of the Seven Realms quartet (now out of print.) 

• A signed first edition set of the Seven Realms quartet (UK edition.) You choose either 3 hardbacks and a paperback of Crimson Crown (the UK edition wasn't published in hardcover) or four paperbacks if you like books that match. 

• Grand prize winners will also receive other swag, including a signed bookplate for your shiny bright copy of Flamecaster, signed bookmarks, a limited edition Flamecaster keychain/purse charm, and temporary tattoos.
• The first 150  entries will receive a signed bookplate and other swag--just for entering--if you include your mailing address with your entry. 
• This offer good only in the US and Canada. I'll be working with my publisher in the UK on a giveaway for those of you across the pond. 

Here's how to enter:

1. PLEASE follow these directions. I'm not very good at following directions, either, but I need your help in order to get you properly entered because I don't have minions. 

2. Send an email to cwchimapromo at gmail dot com. In the subject line, put PREORDER GIVEAWAY ENTRY

3. In the body of your email, include your name and snail mail address; which prize pack you prefer,  and how/if you would like your books to be personalized.
4. If you would like to receive a signed bookplate, bookmark, etc include your snail mail address. 

5. Make sure I have the best email to contact you

6. THIS IS IMPORTANT: Attach an image of proof of purchase for your preordered book, whether it's an online receipt, a receipt from a store, an email confirmation of an order, a notarized statement from your local bookseller--whatever way you can show me you've placed a preorder

7. Questions? Email me at that same address with the header PREORDER GIVEAWAY QUESTION

How to Preorder a Signed Copy of Flamecaster

Flamecaster is just a month away! If you would like to pre-order a signed copy of FLAMECASTER (in fact, any of my books,)  you can order from my local bookshop, The Learned Owl, here  If you would like the book personalized, let them know that in the comments of an online order or on the phone. I'll be throwing in some juicy swag along with.

You can  probably also pre-order a signed copy of FLAMECASTER from any of the bookshops I'll be visiting on tour. My tour schedule is here  Contact your choice of store and see what's involved in placing an order.

Anyone preordering Flamecaster from ANY retailer will be eligible to enter my Flamecaster Grand Prize Giveaway. What's that, you say? Stay tuned tomorrow.

Time for a TantalizingTaste of Flamecaster

What's That You Say? You'd Like to Read the First Two Chapters of #Flamecaster Right NOW?!

All right, then! You'll find it here