Blog Archives
Character-Driven Writer
Cooking Up Magick follows a halfling chef’s culinary explorations through Erdea, a world shaped by ancient magick, layered history, and the practical challenges of travel. Where did the idea behind this story come from?
The first germ of an idea for this story came while I was playing D&D with friends. I wanted to explore a game where people learned to use magick from scratch. In D&D, you start at level one already knowing how your abilities work, but I wanted to know what it would feel like to suddenly develop magick with no warning, no idea it was even possible. I imagined colorful sparks like static electricity, hair floating as power charged through the body. I thought it would be fun to play a halfling who suddenly develops this ability. Unfortunately, COVID interrupted my plans, and we all scattered. The idea wouldn’t stop cooking in my brain, so I started writing.
Shortly before the pandemic, my husband passed away. He loved to cook and had once wanted to be a chef himself, but unfortunately never got that opportunity. So my halfling, Paisley Dell, became a chef because of him. So much of him lives in these characters, in little quirks and interests. He was my cinnamon-roll softie, and Gunur Yurg carries that part of him. The whole book is my ode to him. Writing him into these characters was my catharsis.
How much thought went into designing the roads, terrain, transportation systems, and settlements?
A lot. So much thought. Many times throughout my rewrites, I discovered myself doing the equivalent of algebra. I owe an apology to my teacher for thinking word problems were a waste of time. Trying to figure out how fast the various parties were going, how many miles they had to go, how many days it would take each to get where they were going. And then, of course, how that changed whether they were all walking, being carried, or had horses, and what days they actually started their journeys in relation to each other.
The settlements didn’t require the mental gymnastics that traveling did! I did a lot of research on castles, villages, farming, warfare, and so on from about the 1200-1500’s so that I could convey the proper fantasy flavor. Because it’s fantasy, and my book is populated with different races, I tried to keep the technology developed somewhat consistently, yet with cultural variations.
Do you enjoy the problem-solving side of adventure stories as much as the action itself?
Absolutely. Action helps keep the pace fast and fun. But delving into the problems and “what do we do now” questions gives us glimpses into our characters’ minds, how they think, why they think that way, how they solve problems. I am a very character-driven writer, so I enjoy that part immensely.
Can you give us a glimpse inside Book 2 of the Dell Chronicles? Where will it take readers?
Paisley and her friends travel to Zeldara and meet with Lera Telanir, the king of the Dark Elves. Paisley learns more about her magick, and we get a spotlight more on Leel and Idari. Those two characters didn’t get a lot of page time in book one, and will get more in book two. The group also gets to meet a dragon or two.
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Paisley Dell is a halfling chef with a simple dream: learn to cook foreign cuisines and bring warmth to the world one meal at a time. But her peaceful culinary quest derails the moment she stumbles upon a talking cat, meets a dragon in disguise, and unleashes magick no one has wielded in five centuries. Now an ancient sorcerer wants her dead.
Paisley and her new friends—a pair of loyal dwarves, a wandering high elf, and an honorable half orc who believes their fates are intertwined—race against the shadow of a rising war.
As the sorcerer’s assassin draws closer, Paisley must navigate sieges, secrets, and her bewildering new powers… all while trying to protect the people she loves.
She never asked to be a hero. She just wanted to cook—but Cooking Up Magick is exactly what destiny’s recipe calls for.
Legends and Lattes meets The Lord of the Rings. Cozy fantasy warmth meets epic fantasy stakes in a story where kindness, love, and community aren’t weaknesses to overcome, but the very strengths that win wars.Found Family
Strong Female Protagonist
Characters You Want to Hang Out With
Culinary Fantasy
Secretive Cat Companion
Slow Burn Romance
Sorcerer Villain
Dragons, Wyverns, & Murdercats, Oh My!
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Fiction
The Literary Titan Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.
Award Recipients
60 Seconds To Earth’s Wrath by Joy B. Wren
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
F F F by Al X. Griz
Pixie by Nightdancer Slater
Ada, Old and New: A Brother-Sister Tale by Madeleine Van Hecke
A Child’s Guillotine by Daniel Klein
The Restoration of Man-A Journey to Healing, Identity and God-Anchored Masculinity by Eli Brackenbury
The STEWARD Blueprint: A Compass for a Purposeful Life by Andy Tseng
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
A True, Monstrous Werewolf
The Dancing Wolfeman follows a high school music teacher and DJ whose transformation into a werewolf forces him to navigate dangerous instincts, unexpected romance, and supernatural threats while fighting for his humanity. What inspired the setup of your story?
From a memory way back in 1998 – driving at night on a country road that looked eerie and ominous. Perfect setting for a werewolf ambush. This memory stayed with me, and in December of 2024 it came back to me very vividly, and it stayed with me. I decided to do something about it, so hence my book.
How did you develop the connection between his musical instincts and supernatural transformation?
My son was learning to play the Trombone when I was outlining the book, and I saw his trombone case everyday, and walla – I decided to make my story completely different and make music the anchor that prevents Titus from becoming a true, monstrous werewolf.
Titus struggles with loneliness and emotional disconnection before his transformation. How does becoming a werewolf reshape his understanding of identity and belonging?
It’s all about music, and how it’s shaped his life. If it was wasn’t for the music, it would be just another werewolf tale.
As The Dancing Wolfeman launches a supernatural fiction series, which aspects of Titus’s transformation and relationships offer the greatest opportunities for future exploration?
The relationships with both Nicole and Everett, as all three are interconnected with whatever outcomes I write.
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Titus Wolfe never expected his life to change in the blink of an eye. By day, he’s a respected teacher. By night, a DJ who spins vinyl to escape the monotony of his reality, but one fateful night in the foggy woods of Sonoma County, everything shifts. When a terrifying creature attacks, Titus is left with more than just a wound. He’s bitten, and the curse of transformation into a werewolf now looms over him.
As the full moon rises, Titus’s world crumbles. No longer just a man, he feels the primal urges of the werewolf fiction coming to life within him. The transformation is agonizing, leaving him questioning who he really is. The terrifying call of the wild pulls at his very soul, and with every passing night, he grows stronger, faster, and more dangerous.
In this paranormal romance, Titus struggles to hold onto his humanity as he navigates the brutal reality of his new existence. He’s caught in a shapeshifter story where every moment is a battle against the beast inside. His life becomes a journey of survival. As his transformation deepens, he discovers his own strength and a dark side he’s terrified of unleashing.
It’s not just the supernatural thriller he has to face. The people around him notice the change. His relationship with the world and the woman he loves teeters on the brink. Will love save him, or will the monster take over? The lines between human and dark fantasy werewolf blur as he tries to keep his terrifying secret from consuming him.
As a coming-of-age supernatural tale, The Dancing Wolfeman is more than just a werewolf story. It’s about mystery thriller with werewolves, the fantasy horror werewolf lurking in the shadows of our hearts, and the fight to reconcile the person we want to be with the monster we fear we might become. In this urban fantasy werewolf romance and coming-of-age supernatural, the stakes are high, and fighting for control might just mean losing everything.
Valor Tale: Renascence, Volume III
In Renascence, David Earl Williams III delivers an ambitious conclusion to his fantasy adventure trilogy, bringing together an expansive cast of characters, intricate mythology, and themes of sacrifice, redemption, and perseverance. Set in the richly imagined world of Mesovilla, the story follows Dew Wilder and his companions as they confront a growing threat involving a dangerous virus, an ancient power, and a mysterious organization determined to reshape the world. As the final installment in the trilogy, the novel builds upon established relationships and conflicts while exploring the personal burdens carried by its central characters. Williams combines fantasy, science fiction, military action, and comedy to create an energetic adventure that places considerable emphasis on friendship, loyalty, and the choices that define a person’s character.
I liked the book’s attention to character development, particularly the emotional struggles experienced by Dew, Rena, Elvir, and Cooper. Each character faces circumstances that test their convictions and challenge their understanding of themselves. Rena’s determination to confront the consequences of her past is especially compelling, as is Elvir’s complicated relationship with her family and cultural heritage. Cooper’s journey also provides some of the book’s most thoughtful moments, particularly when he declares, “I did the best I could… and I forgive myself for what I couldn’t do.” This moment captures an important theme running throughout the narrative: genuine courage involves acknowledging personal failures and finding the strength to move forward. These individual journeys give the larger conflict emotional significance and provide readers with reasons to invest in the characters beyond their immediate survival.
Williams demonstrates considerable imagination in constructing the world of Mesovilla. From the troubled streets of Demmin to the distinctive communities of Anahit and the mysterious environments surrounding Aether’s Keep, each location contributes to the adventure’s sense of scale. The narrative incorporates ancient civilizations, supernatural abilities, advanced technology, and political intrigue into an elaborate fictional history. Its screenplay-like presentation, featuring narrator descriptions and character dialogue, gives the book a distinctly cinematic quality. The accompanying illustrations reinforce this visual approach, helping readers picture important characters, settings, and encounters. Action sequences are frequently detailed and energetic, although their extended descriptions occasionally slow the narrative’s momentum. The extensive dialogue also creates opportunities for humor, particularly through Elvir’s irreverent personality, providing moments of levity amid increasingly serious circumstances.
The novel’s emotional foundation rests on its examination of responsibility, forgiveness, and the lasting consequences of personal decisions. Williams repeatedly returns to the idea that individuals can seek redemption through meaningful action, even when their histories are marked by suffering or regret. Early in the story, Rena expresses her determination with the words, “I will make this right… I’ll handle the rest…” This sentiment reflects the moral conflicts shaping many of the characters’ decisions. The relationships among Dew and his companions are equally important, emphasizing how trust develops through shared hardship. Although the story occasionally relies on lengthy explanations and repeated expressions of determination, its sincerity remains evident. The blend of serious emotional material, eccentric comedy, and elaborate confrontations gives the narrative a distinctive personality.
Valor Tale: Renascence, Volume III offers a substantial reading experience that rewards familiarity with the preceding installments. Its numerous characters, interconnected histories, and extensive mythology create a demanding but engaging continuation of the trilogy. Williams’s storytelling is especially effective when the spectacle of the adventure intersects with intimate moments of vulnerability, reconciliation, and mutual support. The book’s concluding sections also demonstrate his commitment to giving the characters’ personal journeys meaningful attention. Readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy adventures, science fiction elements, elaborate battles, and stories centered on enduring friendships will find much to appreciate here. Renascence is an imaginative and emotionally earnest work that celebrates perseverance, compassion, and the courage required to confront both extraordinary dangers and deeply personal challenges.
ASIN : B0HL1NT6T6
Something on his mind.
The Square follows a recovering alcoholic writer who returns to his hometown to investigate a sinister cemetery, only to uncover an ancient supernatural evil threatening the community. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration to write The Square came from my love of vampires as well as the love for the fantastic book Salems Lot by Stephen King. My approach on writing The Square was basically a vision of what I think a vampire story should be like (spooky, mysterious, bloody). I wanted to keep the plot in Massachusetts. My home state ❤️
How does Andrew Cummings’s struggle with alcoholism influence his determination to confront the supernatural forces and unresolved memories of his childhood?
Alcoholism is a major struggle for some. For Andrew Cummings, his struggle with alcoholism has made him stronger, brave, and more disciplined. He uses those pros as a method of feeling accomplished. Sometimes our life struggles can make us stronger.
Andrew also knows that the cemetery has always been a mystery to him. Something on his mind. While he struggles with alcoholism, Andrew finds relatable thoughts from the mystery of the cemetery as well as the supernatural evils within his home town. Both are relatable by causing trauma.
Sometimes having more than one thing on your mind can cancel out one another. I’ve learned this myself. Past memories of pain can lead to modern bravery.
What drew you to traditional vampire mythology, and how did you approach incorporating its familiar elements into a contemporary Massachusetts community?
What threw me to traditional vampire mythology was my love for the fictional creatures. Vampires, as well as ghosts, were my biggest childhood fears. I used those fears to create something that would become a modern pleasure to write about.
Massachusetts has a lot of history with the supernatural. I thought that this state would be a perfect plot for a vampire novel.
Why was it important to explore the unfolding mystery through characters like Laura, Maggie, and Denise rather than focusing exclusively on Andrew?
Having multiple characters in a story makes it more interesting. I wanted the story to show how a community of people would’ve reacted in a certain scenario.
To focus the story only around Andrew would’ve taken away the community aspect of the town.
Distinct Flaws and Virtues
Of Inklings and Willowpillars follows five young adventurers who follow an eccentric professor through a mysterious portal where they discover a world of magical creatures, dangerous kingdoms, and ancient secrets. What inspired you to create Of Inklings and Willowpillars, and how did the idea for The Chronicles of Ber’Ebrin first take shape?
The original spark for the novel began with one of my favorite philosophical questions from Plato’s Republic regarding the Ring of Gyges. Gyges finds a ring of invisibility, cloaking him from responsibility. What does he do? He slays the king and beds the queen, acting on his base desires. The question it presents is: What makes a person good? If you are given a ring of invisibility that removes all consequences from your actions, do you still choose good when no one is looking, and no one will ever find out? I wanted to test this exact philosophical dilemma through an ensemble of children whose distinct flaws and virtues would collide under pressure.
That single question quickly demanded an expansive canvas. It grew from a simple character study into The Chronicles of Ber’Ebrin, a multi-book epic that I originally penned between 2005 and 2011, and have spent the years since honing and refining. I wanted to combine the classic, illustrated storybook wonder I devoured as a child in the 1970s and 80s—like the worlds of Baum, Carroll, and Lewis—with my real-world observations as an immigration attorney. Every day in my legal practice, I witness real human stories, labyrinthine systems, and the profound weight of personal choices. The fantastical settings of the polycosmos became the perfect way to strip away everyday distractions and test fundamental truths about human nature, morality, and systemic power.
How did you develop the five Inklings as individuals, and what makes their personalities work together as an adventurous group?
I build characters from the ground up, from their background, vulnerabilities, needs, wants, speech patterns, and even clothing preferences. In an ensemble like the Inklings—Mary, Charlotte, Edgar, Charles, and Jules—it was vital that they never feel like a monolith. Each child carries a distinct verbal register and a unique way of processing emotion, whether it be fear or temptation or desire.
To make their interactions meaningful, I layered in the real, heavy internal and external issues a child of the late nineteenth century might naturally face—from losing parents in industrial accidents to facing poverty, loneliness, and first love. For example, eight-year-old Edgar desires to be taken seriously, wondering if he is brave and courageous. He pretends to be a bear. When realm-traveling, he is changed into a willowpillar, testing his character. Meanwhile, fifteen-year-old Mary is caught between the freedom of childhood imagination and the rigid expectations of impending Victorian adulthood. When these varied psychologies clash and reconcile in times of crisis, their rivalries, humor, and deep loyalties reflect the messy, beautiful reality of real-world friendships.
How does the idea that Ber’Ebrin can only be found by the worthy connect to the novel’s larger exploration of character, humility, and personal growth?
In the lore of the Polycosmos, Ber’Ebrin—the Beautiful Place—is built upon an intentional paradox: it can only be entered by the worthy, and it can only be found by those who are not actively seeking it. This comes from one problem that has always bothered me in religion: that people do good because they will be rewarded with Heaven. Ber’Ebrin is not such a place. In addition, this concept is directly tied to the series’ core belief that goodness is not a passive, innate state, or something you pursue for a reward; it is an active, courageous choice practiced in the face of peril—and without promise of reward.
When travelers chase Ber’Ebrin as a prize or an escape, it slips away from them, leading to realm madness. True worthiness in this world requires humility and a focus on the immediate moral choices in front of you. The portals themselves only open and draw children in when something within them is unfinished—a fear to face, a truth to learn, or a friend to save. By making the world react immediately to their choices—where a mistake can lead to a run-in with slavers or a physical transformation—the characters are forced to grow. They learn that they do not prove their character by reaching a destination, but by choosing responsibility and loyalty when doing otherwise would be much easier.
As The Chronicles of Ber’Ebrin progresses into darker and more mature territory, how do you envision the characters and the series’ themes evolving?
The series is built to grow older and darker alongside the characters as they journey deeper into the spaces of the Polycosmos. While the story begins with a tone of old-fashioned, whimsical adventure, it is not a gentle or uncomplicated journey. The landscape inherently contains elements of captivity, exploitation, and supernatural corruption. One arc explores a path to utter depravity and what can lead a person to this choice. The next arc seeks to explore if the person can be redeemed from those choices.
Because all 21 books are written, the roadmap for this evolution is already set. As the series progresses, the narratives transition from childhood fairy tales into complex cross-generational struggles. We will explore heavy, mature thematic territory: unrequited love, ill-fated romance, mental health breakdowns, addiction, the agonizing despair of losing hope, and the literal paths of falling into corruption and fighting for redemption. The villains force the characters to confront sophisticated questions about consent, free choice, and sacrifice. Ultimately, the overarching arc tests the protagonists to their absolute limits, demonstrating that passivity is never an option and that true courage is forged only through fire.
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It is 1877 in Vanover, New England. Five young adventurers—the Inklings—gather around the eccentric Professor Augustus Peabody, who possesses a map of impossible worlds, six mysterious key-coins, and a mystery of his own: his father disappeared years ago searching for a place that may not exist.
The friends expect adventure.
They do not expect the door to open.
Beyond it lie the Colorless Kingdoms: black sands beneath a merciless sky, pirate skiffs sailing desert seas, ancient temples, enchanted objects, strange creatures, and rulers whose hospitality is not always what it appears to be. When one of the Inklings is seized by slavers and carried toward the dreaded Black Citadel, the others must follow.
Their rescue leads through realms of drakes, toad-goblins, fae intrigue, hidden magic, dangerous bargains, and perils stranger than anything they imagined at home.
But something has followed them through the portal.
A force of darkness has chosen one of the Inklings for a purpose more terrible than death: not merely to destroy her, but to persuade her to choose corruption for herself.
Meanwhile, Edgar has become a willowpillar. Charlotte has changed as well. Professor Peabody is keeping secrets. And somewhere beyond the known worlds lies Ber’Ebrin—the Beautiful Place, said to be found only by the worthy, and only by those who do not seek it.
Of Inklings and Willowpillars is the first book in The Chronicles of Ber’Ebrin, a darkly whimsical Victorian portal-fantasy series for teen and adult crossover readers. Blending classic storybook wonder with quirky humor, danger, moral choices, strange worlds, and long-hidden mysteries, the series begins with young adventurers—and grows older and darker as they journey deeper into the Polycosmos.
Mind the first step. The realms beyond have been waiting.
Content note: Contains fantasy violence and death, child peril and enslavement, alcohol and gambling, supernatural corruption and coercion, and non-explicit older-teen romantic themes.
Scorpion Knight
Avery Christy’s Scorpion Knight is a gritty, character-driven fantasy adventure that combines medieval warfare, frontier living, and political intrigue into a richly imagined world. Set in the Mountain Empire in 992 A.B., the novel follows Amos Kern, a former knight whose years of military service have left him with painful memories and a longing for a peaceful life. As the sole survivor of a devastating attack on Baldy Fortress, Amos has endured imprisonment, suspicion, and the loss of close friends. Now free, he hopes to reconnect with his brother and fulfill their childhood dream of owning a cattle ranch. His journey takes him through a land unsettled by rebellion, ambitious nobles, and shifting loyalties. Christy gives this epic fantasy story an appealingly personal foundation. Although kingdoms and armies shape the world around Amos, his motivations remain refreshingly human. He wants a home, a meaningful future, and the freedom to decide what kind of man he’ll become.
Amos is a seasoned fighter with considerable practical knowledge, but his experiences have also made him cautious, occasionally stubborn, and deeply aware of how quickly violence can change a life. There’s an appealing contrast between the warrior who can handle dangerous situations and the ordinary man who enjoys playing guitar, sharing stories, and imagining a quiet existence raising cattle. His developing friendship with Rolana Stephos, a determined young woman searching for her missing brother, brings warmth and emotional depth to the adventure. Rolana has her own ambitions and uncertainties, and her willingness to venture beyond familiar surroundings makes her an engaging companion. Their conversations feel natural, often revealing more about their personalities than lengthy descriptions could accomplish. Supporting characters, including the resourceful Druthman and several complicated noblemen, contribute humor, tension, and distinctive perspectives to this medieval fantasy journey.
Christy’s world-building is particularly enjoyable because so much of it emerges through everyday experiences. The Mountain Empire feels like a functioning society with trade routes, military traditions, religious institutions, regional customs, and political tensions that affect ordinary travelers. Readers encounter busy inns, dusty roads, caravan camps, isolated fortresses, and settlements where information can be as valuable as money. The author’s attention to horses, supplies, weapons, and the practical challenges of traveling gives the adventure fantasy setting a convincing sense of physical reality. There’s also a strong Western flavor to the storytelling, especially in its open landscapes, independent-minded characters, and emphasis on surviving through resourcefulness. The political struggles between nobles add another layer of intrigue, while hints of prophecy and spiritual mystery introduce the possibility of forces beyond everyday understanding. Even the fictional dice game called Hand receives thoughtful attention, reinforcing the impression of a world with its own history and recreational traditions.
The story moves between quieter moments of companionship and tense encounters where Amos must draw upon everything his experiences have taught him. Its pacing allows room for conversations, personal reflection, and the small decisions that shape relationships, giving the more dangerous episodes greater emotional significance. There’s also an undercurrent of hope running through the novel, particularly in Amos’s determination to build something worthwhile after years of hardship. His journey explores how friendship, responsibility, and unexpected opportunities can influence a person’s understanding of home. Christy’s straightforward prose and grounded characterization make the book accessible while its layered political landscape offers plenty for dedicated fantasy readers to appreciate. As the first installment in a two-book story, Scorpion Knight establishes an engaging foundation for a larger adventure. Readers who enjoy character-driven epic fantasy, medieval adventure, and frontier-inspired storytelling will find plenty to appreciate in Amos Kern’s journey.
Pages: 177 | ASIN: B0GTVZYDPV
