SARKUZ is Coming!

Every now and then, I receive a manuscript that, from less than a quarter of the way through editing, I get tingles down my spine. I almost immediately feel it. I think it was at about that point that I told the authors, “I think you have something really special here.”

SARKUZ is one of those books.

From the characters to the world building, the magical elements, to the story itself, this was nothing like anything I’d ever read before. Original, imaginative, and immersive were three words that immediately came to mind. I couldn’t get enough of it.

Recently, the authors contacted me to let me know it was finished and ready for publishing, and they gave me a final copy to read. I cannot wait to get started! I’ve missed these characters and their adventures! If you love fantasy, and I mean epic fantasy filled with vibrant and whimsical original artwork, and colorful characters who will stay with you long after you’ve read the last page, by all means, check out SARKUZ coming June 27, 2025!

It isn’t easy becoming a Mage.

It takes ten grueling years of study and hard work, but those who stand the best chance are talented and faithful. Audrey Caminus is neither. Her father is a powerful Mage, the strongest to ever come out of their small village, but she inherited none of his talents. To make matters worse, she never wanted to join the Hearth Church, and cannot bring herself to worship her God.

It isn’t easy being a warrior prince. There is a war raging between the draconic Kingdom of
Hydrafell and the giants of the south. Agni is the son of the Successor King; a descendent of the greatest dragon to have ever lived, and is expected to end this war. But a curse leading to his small size has made him terrified of fighting.

Things only become more complicated when the two of them meet, their resulting collision landing them in huge trouble with the Successor King. Luckily for them, a prodigious Mage named Cindy Astrapi is willing to help them escape… for a price. A storm is rolling in, and a
Sinister threat lurks beneath each thunderclap; the trio must learn to work together if they’re going to survive.

Click here to find out more about the story. Their Reddit page is filled with amazing artwork, a world map, and more about the stories!

Amazon Author Page, where you can check out the other books in this series.

An Interview With the Author:

Would you be willing to provide our readers with a personal introduction beyond your official Author Bio? I’m not really sure what that would entail, but I’d be interested.

Beyond the blurb, can you share a unique aspect or background detail about your book’s setting or characters? The Gods control magic in Sarkuz, powerful entities with a predilection towards an element (Fire, Lightning, Stone, Water, and Air). It makes Mages a unique cross of Cleric and Wizard, to put it in D&D terms.

Every book begins with an idea. What was the initial inspiration that led you to write this particular story? Our very first idea was a small pygmy dragon whose father was disappointed with him, meeting with a human Mage, and being whisked away on an adventure across the continent.

Fantasy often tackles profound themes. What central message or theme do you hope readers will take away from your book? One of the most important themes is breaking free of expectations put upon you by family. Throughout the book, both Audrey and Agni have heavy expectations placed upon them, and they overcome them in their own ways.

Of all the characters in your book, is there one you feel particularly close to? Why? Definitely Audrey. Audrey is bad at a lot of things, but never gives up, even when everyone else tells her to. She’s incredibly determined, though she has a habit of smashing her head against a brick wall until she eventually breaks through.

How do you approach character development in a fantasy setting to ensure they are relatable to readers? To err is to be human, I believe the saying goes. Characters’ flaws and struggles are what make them relatable, even if they have a little bit of magic to help along the way.

What served as the primary inspiration for this book? Was it an existing myth, a personal experience, a dream, or something else entirely? We took lots of little inspirations when we were coming up with this book. One of the biggest ended up being Avatar: The Last Airbender, which gave us the idea of wanting to use elemental magic.

How long did the process of writing this book take from inception to completion? It’s taken about 5 years, more or less.

Are there other stories or fantasy worlds you’re currently developing? Right now, Sarkuz is our only world currently in development. We do have a few short stories and another novel in the works for Sarkuz, though.

What attracts you to the fantasy genre specifically? Do you explore other genres as well? Dragons, magic, swords, heroes, villains, what’s not to love? I haven’t thought about trying out any other genres, though I’m not opposed to it.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? Was the journey straightforward, or did you face challenges along the way? I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a writer. I’ve bounced around a few career paths, but I always assumed I’d be writing on the side at the very least. What I hadn’t expected was becoming *just* a writer.

Editing is a crucial part of the writing process. How do you approach revisions and self-editing in the context of a fantasy narrative? I’m pretty stubborn when it comes to making changes, especially cuts. But I find taking a deep breath and a step back helps recontextualize what’s actually important. I often find myself going on long tangents about lore and worldbuilding when really I should only be including details important to the scene I’m writing in the moment.

With the growing popularity of audiobooks and multimedia adaptations, have you considered these formats for your work? I haven’t given it any serious thought, but an audiobook would be cool, especially to hear the voices of the characters come to life.

If you had to describe your writing style in three words, what would they be? Atmospheric, enveloping, evocative.

What tools or methods do you prefer for writing – computer, typewriter, voice recording, or traditional pen and paper? I’ve always written on my computer with Microsoft Word.

Could you share five books or authors that have influenced your writing, especially within the fantasy genre? The Inheritance Cycle, the Temeraire novels, Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke, How to Train Your Dragon series, and the Dragonlance novels.

How do you tackle Writer’s Block when working within the expansive boundaries of fantasy? It’s all about momentum. I usually have my document open on my second screen, and across the day, I add a sentence or two or even a paragraph as I’m doing other things. It all adds up, and seeing the progress I made even on a tough writing day is usually enough to break the block.

What piece of advice would you offer to budding writers, especially those looking to venture into fantasy? Make a map. Maps are so helpful while worldbuilding, not just to keep track of all the environmental additions you make, but also to help flush out people and places based on what they’re nearby.