A Big Format Change

After much deliberation, I’ve decided to change the way my novel is going to be released. Instead of one large, single volume, it will be split into two books. There are many reasons for this decision, but mainly because:

At 190,000 words (650+ pages), it’s quite long, which might be daunting for some readers.

Printing and shipping such a hefty tome, even in paperback, is an expensive endeavour.

Stay tuned! I’ll be releasing the full titles of both books soon. 🙂

Publishing Announcement

As you all know, the road to publishing my debut novel has been a long one with a few bumps along the way. However, I am now pleased to announce I’ve signed with a new publisher, Leschenault Press to assist me with publishing The Blackwater Prince under their Book Reality imprint.

Watch this space for updates as the publishing process progresses over the next few months and continue to join me on my journey to being a published author.

UPDATE

It’s been a while since my last post, and I apologise for that. There were issues with my publisher (which I won’t go into here) that have caused them to go into liquidation.

Unfortunately, this bad news means I will either have to find a new publisher, which may take some time, or soldier on and self-publish. While self-publishing is not ideal, I have learned quite a bit about it in the past few months, so it's definitely a viable option.

My plan is still to publish The Blackwater Prince in 2025, it’s just the timing may change as I have to decide on the path I'll follow. I sincerely hope you will stick around and continue to follow my journey to becoming a published author.

Onward and upward.

The Blackwater Prince - The Companion

She is the cousin and constant companion of the King’s only daughter, acting as friend, handmaiden and confidante.

Her position alongside the princess is controversial at best, hated at worst. Many a noble family would move heaven and earth for their daughter to be the lady-in-waiting to the princess, and most cannot understand why a girl of such lowly status holds such a lofty position.

She counts herself fortunate given the scandal surrounding her birth. She may have royal blood, but it counts for little. However, the royal family welcomed her from a young age where she and the princess grew up like sisters, much to the dismay of many members of the court.

Currently being schooled far from the capitol, their safe haven may not be so safe for much longer. She is young, barely fifteen, but she must find the courage to survive and protect the princess as the realm descends into chaos.

The Blackwater Prince - The Son

He is the heir apparent to the vast estates and riches of one of the realm’s most powerful houses. As such, he had all the advantages expected from a family of such high status.

He never excelled at finance or politics, but he did become an exemplary horseman and quite formidable with the bow, though this did little to impress his father.

Consequently, he was left languishing at home until, in his twenty-first year he was summoned to the capitol to work beside his father, who had become Governor several years before.

He assumed he would finally gain the respect that he deserved. However, he was rarely given tasks of significance with which he could really prove himself and the excitement soon faded. As time passed, his attitude soured and he became more obnoxious, alienating those around him.

Little does he know he will soon be at the centre of the biggest upheaval in the realm for generations. Will he finally gain the approval and respect he has sought for so long, or continue to be a disappointment to his father?

Why this Genre?

I love reading fantasy novels and have done since I was young, with stories that transport you to another world, even if only for a short time. ‘Magician’, 'The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant' and 'Lord of the Rings', to name a few, are on my list of favourite novels.

I also enjoy historical novels, with the amazing ‘Pillars of the Earth’ by Ken Follett, my absolute favourite novel of all time. These types of stories also take you to another world, or at least another version of our world, and most of the time, I learn something as well.

I consider ‘The Blackwater Prince’ a ‘medieval fantasy’, combining my love of historical fiction and fantasy. It should appeal to readers who enjoy both of these genres as well as those not generally into reading fantasy.

The Blackwater Prince - The Handmaiden

Although unafraid of hard work, she yearned for more excitement than life on the farm delivered. She loved her family, but at the tender age of sixteen, despite her mother’s objections, she left for the capitol, Twin Falls. She found work in her uncle’s tavern but quickly tired of being groped and propositioned by the men who frequented the establishment.

The gods finally smiled on her when she gained employment in the Governor’s household. Whilst not as glamorous as imagined, it was far better than the farm or the tavern. She worked hard, even garnering praise from the tetchy head cook.

One day, she was plucked from the kitchen to be handmaiden to the Governor’s wife. Her new mistress was a demanding aristocrat, but before long, they became close, much closer than she had ever been to anyone.

Despite her fortunate circumstances, she couldn’t fully enjoy her new life, for she harboured a secret that, if revealed, could have deadly consequences.

Who is the Blackwater Prince?

The prince has barely seen eighteen summers, but he has already experienced more than his share of family tragedy. His older brother and grandmother were missing at sea, presumed dead, and his mother succumbed to a suspicious case of food poisoning. Then, last winter, his uncle was murdered by bandits while returning to the capitol from a wedding in the Greenhavens.

As heir to the throne, he lives a life of privilege. He wants for nothing but resents having his future planned out for him. He rebels, causing strife with members of the court, being in places he shouldn't be, and continually raising the ire of his father, the King.

Little does he know that he will soon be thrust into the centre of an age-old feud that will force him to re-evaluate what is really important in his life.