Happy New Year everyone!

Thanks for a wild ride! Wishing you all the best in 2025!

In all honesty, it was a pretty stressful year for me personally. Between a big move and burnout, I didn't accomplish all I hoped I would. But things have finally settled down at the end of the year, and I'm excited for what 2025 has in store.

Despite some personal struggles, you all have been a huge glimmer this past year! And I just want you to know how truly grateful I am for the support of all you lovely readers!

What Happened This Year

Thanks to you all, 2024 marked my best financial year as a writer, despite not releasing any new books. I write part-time now every day, which is truly incredible! Something I've dreamed about since college.

2024 also saw The Shadow Watch Deluxe Edition go to print, the completion of the first book in a brand new series. And more...

I wrote a more exhaustive version of the yearly rundown over on my website, and if you like the long version of things (basically, if you're the type of person who reads the Acknowledgments), feel free to check it out.

I go into a lot more specifics about what projects are coming down the line. Financial transparency. A bit more about the year on the personal side. etc.

There also might be a surprise cover illustration reveal and blurb reveal over there...

Year in Review (Long Version)

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Year in Review (cliff notes)

• I wrote a new book called Children of the Gods! -- It's my longest book to date, and I am powering through edits at the moment. It goes to my editor, Sarah, in February. And the plan is to launch a hardcover edition through Kickstarter in March (ebooks will also be available), and then it will launch on other platforms after that. So... you'll be hearing a ton about this book over the next few months. It's military epic fantasy and has got dragons in it. The cover illustration is finished. But the full design is still underway. So official cover reveal will be coming soon.

• We shipped The Shadow Watch Deluxe Edition -- Hundreds of wonderful backers made this possible, funding full color art and bestiary sketches. And we shipped them this summer. Though you can still order copies through Merrick Books.

• We funded Rage of Saints Deluxe - Incredible backers came through again to make this possible. In addition to all the artwork, we also added a brand new city map, and a Gallows Saint challenge coin. Oh, and a brand new bonus short story featuring Red Andovier, leader of the Shadow Watch. All artwork is complete. I just finished up the story, and am currently prepping everything to send to the printer, so we can begin going back and forth to finalize the interior and artwork for printing. And hey, if you missed it, the Late Backer Store is still open.

• Last week, we launched the Pantheon Ebook Omnibus - The first arc of the Realms of Pantheon is now available in one set, and it's the last chance to snag a copy for only $0.99 before the price goes up.

And hey, if you've already read the books, I've got a huge favor to ask of you. The omnibus essentially serves as an opportunity to get the books in front of new eyes, but sadly, the reviews for the individual books don't carry over. It's super helpful for people to have some reviews to inform their decision. If you have a moment, I'd be incredibly grateful if you'd leave a quick rating or review of the series over on Amazon.

• Other things coming in 2025 - Artwork is already underway for the Darkling Queen Deluxe Edition. And I expect that to launch probably in July or August next year, after Rage of Saints ships to backers. I am also gearing up to return to Pantheon and will start writing a new book called Swordslinger in that universe. I plan to release these chapters as I write them over on Royal Road, like I did with the last series. And then, that series will be polished and launched on Amazon, though I don't yet know when the final edited version will launch.

Thank you thank you

Yes, I typed it twice intentionally.

When you set out to write the first book, there's not a ton of pressure. You have no idea if anything will come of it. Or if anyone other than your sister will read it. Or even if you'll actually finish it.

Once you have a readership, there's more pressure to deliver a great book that readers will enjoy. Once you start relying on book sales to pay bills, new stresses arise. At times, even when a dream is coming to fruition, these things can steal some of the joy and creativity. If you let it.

And the counter to that is always gratitude!

I am constantly blown away that I get to make up stories and call it work. I am floored that people enjoy what I write. None of this would be possible without you readers. And it is not lost on me just how many incredible books there are out there to read. Every year, I add WAY more books to my TBR than I could possibly ever get to. I'm still getting caught up with series that I absolutely adore (Red Rising, anyone?).

So, if you chose to read one of my stories over the past few years, I am incredibly grateful!

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Here's What I Read This Year

• These were my Top Five - Close runner-ups were: Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne and Demon by Rob J. Hayes. I am hoping to read more fiction in 2025. Currently about halfway through Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang, and it is just as excellent as I hoped it would be.

And hey, I'd love to know your top books this year, so feel free to respond to this email, and let me know what I need to add to my TBR.

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A couple recs

My good writer pal, JDL Rosell, just launched his fourth book in the Rangers of the Titan Wilds series over on Kickstarter. I read the first book last year, and really loved it, and had to back this one. You can grab ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers.

And Jeff Speight's Archives of Evelium series is now complete, with the final book, God Ascended. If you love DnD, this is a great fit.

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Wishing you the best in 2025!

Stephen

The Shadow Watch Saga (a complete epic fantasy series)

• The Shadow Watch
• The Rage of Saints
• The Darkling Queen
• The Well of Shadows

Pantheon: Rogue System (a complete LitRPG fantasy trilogy)

• Den of Thieves
• Rogue Assassin
• Guild War

Age of Fire (a dragon epic fantasy)

• Children of the Gods - coming 2025