The Spellspark Letters: Making magic is often about the minutiae

“Wizardry is all about thinking ahead, about being prepared. Wizards aren’t really superhuman. We just have a leg up on seeing things more clearly than other people, and being able to use the extra information we have for our benefit. Hell, the word wizard comes from the same root as wise. We know things. We aren’t any stronger or faster than anyone else. We don’t even have all that much more going in the mental department. But we’re god-awful sneaky, and if we get the chance to get set for something, we can do some impressive things.”

Jim Butcher, "Storm Front," The Dresden Files

Wizardry, and book publishing, is about ninety percent about preparation and setting the stage, rather than the big explosive part of making the magic happen. And this week has definitely been about the preparation and setting the stage.

I'd like to talk about every awesome part of writing and including every page that is coming out from the creative teams. But...first, there would be a ton of spoilers, and second, it dismisses what everyone is doing behind the scenes. We are almost done with compiling all the files for Legends of the Realm Volume 1, while working on contracts for the next issues and artwork in the whole realm. All while prepping the next book for a September 15th launch date for "Printopia," and all the other things I'm about to mention below.

It's...well, it's busy work. A lot of which I was never trained for or prepared for. But I have to admit, even in the midst of work that I really know nothing about...it's really fun. We're working on making everything Arcane Inkdustries the publisher that I've always dreamed of. Working with good artists who are also good people. Producing amazing books that you will be excited to read. We are so excited to be bringing everything to life for you. If you want to read more, please check out everything in the State of the Inkdustries. There is so much to cover.

State of the Inkdustries

God Street - Our next book is coming out soon! Yes, God Street book 2 is returning soon.
What's God Street? It is the story of a boulevard just outside reality where every deity calls home. Zeus, Odin, Aphrodite, Ahriman, and others you've never thought existed. And it's home to William Creed, the man destined to destroy the Street and everyone in it.
This is for fans of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, or The Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews, or The Nightside by Simon R. Green.
After the events of book one, Will Creed is back on the Street, working and taking all odds jobs he can. Life is exciting, just the way he likes it. Shyera his friend the dragon is even talking about more jobs. But the Phoenix is rumored to be on its way. And everyone wants to possess the legendary firebird. Or kill anyone who stands in their way.

I loved bringing God Street to life. And September 15th, it's going to be a part of Backerkit's "Printopia," event. We'll have more information for you later, but until then, enjoy seeing that small snippet of our cover!

Legends of the Realm Volume 1 (and volume 2!) - We are sending off everything to the printer! Bringing all these pages together was not easy, but not nearly as hard as you might think. Honestly, everyone involved has been so easy to work with, and I'm excited to have these books in hand soon!
As for Volume 2, well...it is being worked on as we speak. And not in a "we have concepts down." More in a "Jack, you may need to tone back your darkness writing," kind of way. But Camriddeon's story is taking a twist, and I love it.
Short Comics in Legends of the Realm - Oh, this is going AMAZING! Antonio Sforza is working on the pencils for the comic for Shania, our stone guardian from issue 2, Set in Stone. Amanda Dufresne is starting inks and this summer is going to drive my wife and my COO nuts because I keep running up to them with my phone going "DID YOU SEE WHAT THEY JUST DID?!?"
The Innkeeper's Dirge - Book 2 is almost done. It's at that point of almost done that has me going insane. I want the book done, I want to just spit out the last hundred pages (yes, that level of epic fantasy where a hundred pages is almost done), but I want to give the Fiorae a chance to breathe. So much is happening in these last few pages that will shape the whole continent.
Our beta readers are still beta reading book 1, and I am so so very nervous about that. Hopefully they like it!

Where to Find Us Next

If you want to read more of our short stories, poetry, see behind-the-scenes work, or support everything that Arcane Inkdustries is doing, click the link and sign up to be a Patreon supporter now.

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Thank you for reading. I hope that this sparked a piece of magic for you this week.

Until next time.

Blessings,

Jack Holder

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