So begins the Age of Fire
Oct 16, 2025 8:25 pm
New Book, Lots of Signatures, and Book 2 underway...
ICYMI - My new epic fantasy book, Children of the Gods, is officially out in the world in digital formats!
We even got a lovely orange #1 new release badge over on the Zon for a little while, which is always fun!
So far, the response has been very positive. It's always a bit nerve-wracking leading up to a new release in a new series, but I am so thrilled you've been enjoying it so far, and I am beyond excited for you to read it!
If you hadn't already heard, this one is a return to the Shadow Watch universe, after taking a few years away.
This dragon epic stands entirely on its own, and takes place thousands of years before the Shadow Watch Saga, and on another world. But it does explore the origins of several bits of lore, and if you enjoyed the Shadow Watch, I think you will really enjoy this one as well.
Hardcover Updates
The final step toward printing the CotG hardcovers is now complete! Over the past couple days, I signed roughly 1500 of these title pages, which will be bound into the hardcover books. My wrist may be a little tired, but so worth it, to get this last step done, so you all can finally hold this book in your hands...
Speaking of those hardcovers... check out this slipcase that many of the backers added on...
And hey, that faux leather bookmark ain't too shabby either. With a flaming dragon egg pin and art cards and stickers as well, the Book Box backers will definitely be getting the ultimate hoard.
Now, with those signature pages off to the printer, we will be printing here in the next few weeks.
And then, it is just waiting for the books to arrive at the warehouse and start shipping out to everyone.
The printer estimates the books will arrive at the Merrick Books warehouse just before Christmas. Not sure exactly how the holiday season will impact how quickly they go out from there. But some backers should start receiving books before the end of the year in the US, and everyone ought to have their books by sometime in January.
It will be worth the wait, I promise you :)
A Couple "Media" Appearances...
I had the pleasure of sitting down to chat with a couple Booktubers early this month to celebrate the digital launch of the book.
First off, I spoke with Dr. (Fantasy) Philip Chase about the book and art, and about launching books with Kickstarter...
And second, with Pete from Realm Runners, where we chatted live about the book and I answered lots of great questions about the writing process. The replay is up here and on Spotify...
It was a lot of fun to talk with both of them!
Book Two... ?
After working on a Shadow Watch novelette, I have now officially begun Age of Fire Book 2!
Yes, I've got a working title. But not quite ready to reveal it yet.
I've, of course, been thinking about and plotting things for this book for a few months while preparing Book One for publication and working with all the logistics of two Kickstarters in one year.
Now, things are quieting down, and my primary focus is set on writing Book Two for the next 7-ish months.
Book Two is going to be VERY epic in scale, and it feels good to be getting the ball rolling.
I've written the first couple chapters, and that's all I'll say for now ;)
_________________
Thank you all for being part of this with me!
Burn Bright!
Stephen
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Age of Fire (a dragon epic fantasy)
The Shadow Watch Saga (a complete epic fantasy series)
- Street Rats of the Fringes (free prequel)
- The Shadow Watch
- The Rage of Saints
- The Darkling Queen
- The Well of Shadows
Shadow Watch - Deluxe Editions
- The Shadow Watch - order now from my website
- The Rage of Saints - order now from my website
- The Darkling Queen - Late Backer Store now open
Pantheon: Rogue System (a complete LitRPG fantasy trilogy)
