So, a few years back, I wrote a short story for an anthology. Unfortunately, the anthology didn’t garner enough interest and the folks putting it together decided not to go ahead with it.
Back then this story was called Portents and Deceit. A short tale of a woman with a gambling problem. And a god problem. Shit, kinda just a life problem. It was set at some unmentioned time in the world of my main series (and back then, my only series) Fall of Emros.
This was a story I had a lot of fun writing, but after that anthology had folded, wasn’t sure what to do with it. I knew I wanted to get it out though. Since then, I changed the name. Lucky Die. It just has a better ring to it, if you ask me. Fits better too.
I went on to shop Lucky Die around a little bit, sending it in to a few magazines. Though rejected, it also generally got good feedback, just wasn’t the right fit. The question remained: What should I do with this?
I’d tossed around the idea of a newsletter, something I’m still trying to learn more about. I’ve considered a collection of short stories. That will happen at some point, but I didn’t feel it was the right move for this one. I wanted to get it out to people. I needed to see something come of it.
SHADOWS OF EMROS
And thus I began a new series. Shadows of Emros will be a series of tales set in the world of Emros outside of the main series. They will take place at different times and in different places. Some may pick up on known characters long before the events of Stone & Shield. Some may focus on the darkest recesses of organized crime that only trickle into the main series. Perhaps tales of the shady dealings that began the Emrosian Empire to begin with. There will be all sorts
It’s a kickoff. You see, I’m in the process of going wide. No longer a pawn to the Zon Machine. I want to have more control over my work and not rely solely on such a place to get my work in front of eyes. So, Lucky Die seemed the best place to start. All my work will still be available over on that megasite. But it will be available all over now, too. And more importantly, it will be available directly from me.
My other work is currently in KDP Select limbo, where it will have to wait until the subscription term is up. Then each book will enter the wide world when it becomes available (in fact a little birdie informs me that The Dregs is currently in the process of wide release).
Lucky Die will not be going wide. In fact the ebook will only be available directly through me. There will be a paperback available on Amazon starting April 1st (Why a paperback of a short story? Because I’m a bit of a nerd, and want one for my shelf. And copies to have for in person events).
I’ve started a Ko-Fi page. One of those places where folks can donate money to me, if they want. And honestly, I wouldn’t mind if they do, I mean, every bit helps. But that isn’t my main goal. I don’t really plan on asking people to donate to me through it, that’s their call. What I want from it is the nice, simple store front. Go there to buy my books, from me. It works out best for all parties. Sales directly benefit me and in return I’ll have the prices reduced on everything for you.
In fact, if you go there now, you can grab a copy of Lucky Die and even The Dregs. As they become available, all my other books will be there too! For now only in digital formats, but I plan on looking into the logistics of selling paperbacks direct as well.
I’ll also treat the site a bit as a newsletter/blog, posting updates, excerpts, short stories, and whatever else. I’ll post some links below, but first… How about that cover reveal?
With a roll of the dice, fates are decided.
With the clatter of bones, one’s doom is sealed.
The gods laugh, watching the little people make their mistakes.
And the gods watching Shel are laughing their asses off.
Grab a copy over on my Ko-Fi page!
https://ko-fi.com/thomasjdevens
And as always you can find all my books and socials here:
https://linktr.ee/thomasjdevens
Thanks for reading all this! Now I’ve got some reviews to go write.
By the way, in my first post on here, I had mentioned I’d include a song with each post. Perhaps you noticed I hadn’t in a few of them. There’s a reason for that. In book reviews, I won’t be posting any songs. When I’m writing a review it’s to try to help spread the word of a book I enjoyed. I don’t want to detract any of the highlight from that book. I write reviews to celebrate books I loved and to try to bring more attention to those authors. Those posts will remain spotlights on them.
As for posts about my own work, or anything like that, fuck it. Here’s a song (a whole damned album even!):
