Over the past few months, I’ve been picking up the threads of the Fatal Empire fantasy series, which I started waaay back in 2013-ish by publishing the short novel Keeper of Secrets. It’s been ages since I first started writing the series, and it’s taken on a bit of a different shape in my mind since then. But I’ve finally gotten around to it again, with a renewed sense of excitement of where it might go.

Last summer, I put out A Visitor’s Guide to the Dharakmeni Empire, just for my subscribers. This was a short, tongue-in-cheek traveler’s guide to the main setting of the Fatal Empire series, written in the voice of Yarden the Wanderer–the Shining Kingdom’s foremost adventurer and devotee of the Keeper of Wonder. (Yarden also appears in a cameo role in “Legends of Lasniniar: The Wanderer,” just for fun. [Well, for fun, and to introduce him to Lasniniar, where he can have the opportunity to write more guides, lol.])

I recently wrote a second book along the same lines, A Visitor’s Guide to the Shining Kingdom, which will be the setting of a future project in the series. This month, I’ve publicly released both guides for $0.99 each. Paperback formats will also be coming very soon. (There was a weird issue about the apostrophe in the titles that created a holdup with the paperbacks. An apostrophe! I kid you not.)

Since I was putting the Dharakmeni guide out on the market, instead of giving it away to subscribers, I wanted to swap it out with something new I could send to my subscribers instead. This month, I’ve started offering “Keeper of Knowledge” to all new and existing newsletter subscribers–a short story prequel from the Fatal Empire series that explores some of Admon’s backstory and isn’t available anywhere else. (If you’re not a member of my adventure squad newsletter list, it’s totally free to join, and you can unsubscribe any time.)

Another short prequel will be coming out in August, which explores Moriah’s backstory. Keeper of Wonder (Fatal Empire Book 2) is currently in the revisions phase. It’s turned out to be twice as long as Keeper of Secrets, and will likely be coming out in September. On top of all that, the overall look of the series has gotten a bit of a facelift. Here are all the details for both guides and “Keeper of Knowledge”:

Keeper of Knowledge

I always thought I knew the world I had been born into—the powerful and insular Dharakmeni Empire. I thought I knew what it meant to be born the son of a noble house.

That knowledge comforted me. Even as a child, I thought I understood my place and the legacy I would eventually inherit.

…Until the day I realized I knew nothing at all.

Meet Raziel’s foster-father Admon, and learn his dark heritage in this short story prequel from the vividly rendered Fatal Empire fantasy series by the author of the World of Lasniniar series, Jacquelyn Smith.

This title is exclusively available as a free welcome gift to members of Jacquelyn’s adventure squad.

A Visitor’s Guide to the Dharakmeni Empire

Assassins, danger, intrigue… The Dharakmeni Empire does not welcome the faint at heart. (Or anyone else, for that matter.)

But fear not, dear reader! The Shining Kingdom’s foremost adventurer, Yarden the Wanderer, knows all the ins (inns?) and outs of the continent’s most reclusive (and reviled) region.

Let Yarden guide you—as only he can—on a journey through the empire’s customs, caste system, and cuisine. Explore esoteric temples dedicated to the endless expressions of the goddess. Meander your way through a myriad of marketplaces. Impress the locals with your nebulous, newfound knowledge!

…Learn just enough to become an adventurer in your own right with this exclusive guide, funded by the Temple of the Keeper of Wonder, and recorded by the scribe of the World of Lasniniar series, Jacquelyn Smith.

Please note: Yarden the Wanderer and the Temple of the Keeper of Wonder in no way claim responsibility for any harm or mishap that befalls visitors of the Dharakmeni Empire before or after reading this guide—including, but not limited to death or enslavement.

Get the ebook at:

Buy ebook direct from the author

(Edit) Paperback now available at:

A Visitor’s Guide to the Shining Kingdom

The jewel of the continent… The Shining Kingdom draws visitors from all over the known world—mystical mages, wandering warriors, and everything in between.

But every foreign land has its perils and peculiarities. Let the kingdom’s foremost adventurer, Yarden the Wanderer, guide you on a journey through the culture and quirks of his humble homeland.

From the Opal Mountains to the Malachite Forest, city streets to local lore—Yarden’s wise words will enable you to become an expert adventurer of the kingdom in your own right in this special scroll, funded by the Temple of the Keeper of Wonder, and recorded by the scribe of the World of Lasniniar series, Jacquelyn Smith.

Please note: Yarden the Wanderer and the Temple of the Keeper of Wonder in no way claim responsibility for any harm or mishap that befalls visitors of the Shining Kingdom before or after reading this guide—including, but not limited to falling prey to a leshy, or drowning by a rusalka.

Get the ebook at:

Buy ebook direct from the author

(Edit) Paperback now available at:

Last Few Days of the Smashwords Summer Sale!

In other news, there are only a few days left in the Smashwords Summer Sale, which runs until July 31st. There are lots of ebook titles to choose from at great prices, with many of them even available for free. You can check it out here.