I have fought writing this blog post for years.
Those of you who have followed me for at least a decade know that The Dark Thorn was not my first effort. It is my second. The first book I wrote was the beginning of a sweeping epic fantasy trilogy influenced Terry Brooks and Stephen R. Donaldson's early work. I loved Song of the Fell Hammer when I finished it but it didn't find a home. And since editors were looking for new urban fantasy at the time, I abandoned Song of the Fell Hammer and wrote The Dark Thorn.
I've always regretted not returning to Sorin Westfall's story. There's still so much to tell. And I've heard from readers who bought the ebook that they want that sequel, The Winter Scion. It is fully outlined and I even have the first few chapters of it. But it remained in darkness for over a decade, as I pursued other things, always waiting for the right time to resurface.
That time is now. My wife and I welcomed our second baby boy to the world on June 13th, and I'm suddenly faced with the daunting task of paying for that baby's arrival. Even with our stellar health insurance, it's going to cost between $6000-$8500 out of our pocket.
What's the best way for me to pay that off? I've decided it is time to go back to the sequels to Song of the Fell Hammer and The Dark Thorn. The former book has never been published in physical form; the latter book has a sequel with 13 finished chapters. Wednesday, I will open up The Dark Thorn's sequel and continue work on it. When finished, I will turn my attention to The Winter Scion.
I realized if I was going to do this, I can produce a hardcover of Song of the Fell Hammer. It will help cover the costs of my baby's arrival. And give people what they want. So that's what Grim Oak Press is going to do:
The Limited Edition will be cloth bound, stamped with foil, and will be double-signed by me and artist Todd Lockwood. The Lettered Edition will be leather-bound, stamped with foil, a ribbon, a clamshell, and will also be double-signed. Each lettered copy will also have a unique and original remarque from me! My way of saying thank you! The ebook is already available on Amazon and BN.com for $2.99, for those of you who want to read it now.
I'm really excited about writing these sequels. Both are long overdue!
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Best Wishes,
Shawn Speakman
Publisher & Editorial Director
PS: Here is the original map I drew for Song of the Fell Hammer. Still needs a bit of work, like a legend. Anyone notice the style I used and where it came from? Ha!
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