Blog

Writing Great Prose with Anna Smith Spark

Anna Smith Spark (author of grimdark fantasy book, The Court of Broken Knives) joins us to talk about her unique and celebrated prose styling, along with sharing her advice for improving your prose in general.

My Books:
Across the Broken Stars: https://jedherne.com/acrossthebrokenstars
Fires of the Dead: https://jedherne.com/fires
The Language of Lies (FREE): https://jedherne.com/lies/

Socials:
website: https://jedherne.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/jedhernewriter
twitter: https://twitter.com/JedHerne
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jedherne/

Read More »

Adrian Tchaikovsky Interview: Writing Mind-Blowing Worlds

Arthur C. Clark award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky (Children of Time, Shadows of the Apt, The Doors of Eden) joins us again to discuss how to create amazing fantasy and sci-fi worlds. Enjoy!

My Books:
Across the Broken Stars: https://jedherne.com/acrossthebrokenstars
Fires of the Dead: https://jedherne.com/fires
The Language of Lies (FREE): https://jedherne.com/lies/

Socials:
website: https://jedherne.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/jedhernewriter
twitter: https://twitter.com/JedHerne
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jedherne/

Read More »

1 18 Innovative Fantasy Settings ft Gareth Hanrahan

For most of the genre’s history, fantasy books were usually set in analogs of medieval England. Today’s episode explores why it might be a good idea to write about different types of worlds, and how you can do it. Enjoy!

My Books:
Across the Broken Stars: https://jedherne.com/acrossthebrokenstars
Fires of the Dead: https://jedherne.com/fires
The Language of Lies (FREE): https://jedherne.com/lies/

Socials:
website: https://jedherne.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/jedhernewriter
twitter: https://twitter.com/JedHerne
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jedherne/

Read More »

WWW 1.17 – Animals ft. Adrian Tchaikovsky

Arthur C. Clark award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky (Children of Time, Shadows of the Apt, The Doors of Eden) joins the Wizards, Warriors, and Words team to share his secrets for writing fantasy and sci-fi animals.

My Books:
Across the Broken Stars: https://jedherne.com/acrossthebrokenstars
Fires of the Dead: https://jedherne.com/fires
The Language of Lies (FREE): https://jedherne.com/lies/

Socials:
website: https://jedherne.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/jedhernewriter
twitter: https://twitter.com/JedHerne
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jedherne/

Read More »

WWW 1.16 – Productivity

Newsflash: there’s a lot of words in a book. How are you going to write them all, while keeping your sanity? In today’s episode, we talk routines, motivation, and word counts. Enjoy!

Gareth Hanrahan: garhanrahan.com
Michael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.com
Rob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.uk
Jed Herne: jedherne.com

Socials:
website: https://jedherne.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/jedhernewriter
twitter: https://twitter.com/JedHerne
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jedherne/

Read More »

WWW 1.15 – Writing Great Dialogue

Books have words, and a lot of those are contained within dialogue. In today’s episode, our hosts share some surprising tips for crafting engaging dialogue. Enjoy!

For more about our hosts and our books:
Dyrk Ashton: paternusbooks.com
Michael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.com
Rob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.uk
Jed Herne: jedherne.com

My Books:
Across the Broken Stars: https://jedherne.com/acrossthebrokenstars
Fires of the Dead: https://jedherne.com/fires
The Language of Lies (FREE): https://jedherne.com/lies/

Socials:
website: https://jedherne.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/jedhernewriter
twitter: https://twitter.com/JedHerne
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jedherne/

Read More »

WWW 1.14 – Gods and Monsters ft Gareth Hanrahan

Today we’re talking all about gods and monsters … and who better to join us than Gareth Hanrahan, author of The Gutter Prayer and The Shadow Saint! Gareth is well known for his innovative exploration of gods in fantasy. Our regular host, Dyrk Ashton, isn’t too shabby either, thanks to his experience writing the epic urban fantasy Paternus trilogy, which sees hundreds of gods fight for supremacy in the modern day. Enjoy!

For more about our hosts and our books:

Gareth Hanrahan: garhanrahan.com
Dyrk Ashton: paternusbooks.com
Michael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.com
Rob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.uk
Jed Herne: jedherne.com

Socials:
website: https://jedherne.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/jedhernewriter
twitter: https://twitter.com/JedHerne
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jedherne/

Read More »

The Thunder Heist Book Launch Party

Get The Thunder Heist here: https://jedherne.com/thethunderheist

To celebrate the release of my latest fantasy book, I held a book launch party on Oct 18th, 2020. The event included a talk about writing great characters, a reading from the novel, and a Q & A session. I had a blast hosting this event and I hope you enjoy watching the replay!

Timestamps:

0:00 – Overview of the event
1:01 – A lecture about writing great characters
9:10 – Introducing The Thunder Heist
9:55 – A reading from chapter 1
16:40 – Question time

Read More »

WWW 1.13 – Magic Systems

For many readers, magic is what draws them to fantasy. Our hosts share their unique perspectives on what it takes to craft interesting, unique, and suspensful magic systems that add a layer of richness to a fantasy world.

For more about our hosts and our books:

Dyrk Ashton: paternusbooks.com
Michael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.com
Rob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.uk
Jed Herne: jedherne.com

Socials:
website: https://jedherne.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/jedhernewriter
twitter: https://twitter.com/JedHerne
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jedherne/

Read More »

Jed Herne Reads The Thunder Heist – Chp 1

Read The Thunder Heist here: http://bit.ly/ThunderHeist

Jed Herne reads from his new pirate fantasy novel, The Thunder Heist (Twisted Seas #1).

“From the very beginning, it’s clear that you’re going to get a very clever plot, coupled with action-packed, non-stop pacing. The first chapter alone destroyed me in terms of how frantic it was, it felt like a finale and a blockbuster finale at that. If chapter one is a hook, then Herne’s writing style is the line, and together they just pull you through the story with relentless energy.” – Bookends & Bagends

Blurb:

A relentless thief. An impossible heist.
Meet Kef Cutmark. Pirate, monster-slayer, scourge of the Twisted Seas.

After a lifetime of running from her past, she’s returned to Zorith – a tangled jungle of a thousand boats, all lashed together to make a floating city-ship. Zorith is powered by a device that draws energy from lightning. Mysterious, unique, and locked in an unbreachable tower, it’s the envy of Zorith’s rivals.

And Kef? She’s here to steal it.

If she can take the device and cripple Zorith, maybe she’ll find justice for all the hurt the city has caused her. But with an unreliable thieving crew, hunters closing in, and her past bearing down upon her, failure looks more likely. And if she fails, she’ll never find peace again.

Read More »

Free Pirate Fantasy Novella!

Enter your email to get Sailor’s Gambit – a free prequel to The Thunder Heist (Twisted Seas #1). You’ll also join Jed’s email newsletter, so you can stay updated about future books, behind-the-scenes exclusives, and other fun bonuses.