Happy New Year, indeed! I was very pleased to discover that What Remains of Heroes has been nominated for a Stabby award over on reddit.com, in the category of best self/indie pubbed fantasy of 2015! Voting is underway now through January 6, so if you’ve not done so already please consider taking a moment to cast your lot for your favorite(s). Plenty of other interesting categories to peruse as well.

Here’s the link:

Cheers,

DB

It’s been a busy few weeks for me between trying to get ready for Christmas and dealing with everyday life. Oh, and trying to squeeze in a fair bit of writing, as well.

Book Two is coming along nicely, and at present I am writing a riveting (to me, anyway) scene with Lannick and the Necrists. I won’t give much away, other than to say there is some rather grotesque imagery which made my dear wife cringe while giving the scene a read-through. My work is done, then!

Bale’s storyline in particular has taken shape very well. He’s teamed up now with another character from What Remains of Heroes, is well into his journey, and has been quite entertaining to write. I’m hoping the readers will enjoy it.

Karnag is, well, Karnag, and there are dark times afoot in his and Fencress’s storyline. I’ll leave it at that.

Anyway, just a reminder that the Audiobook–excellently narrated by veteran performer Andrew Tell–of What Remains of Heroes is available. If you have an Audible account (or have been wanting to sign up) and would like a copy, leave a comment/request here and I’ll pass along a promo code to the first ten to politely ask for it. Make sure to leave your email address.

The newly revised (corrected what few typos were in the first printing) paperback makes an excellent holiday gift as well.

Happy Holidays to one and all. Read thee well!

Cheers,

DB

Well tomorrow is my favorite American holiday: Thanksgiving. It is a day on which I will overindulge in foodstuffs and ale, then perhaps tell a crass joke or three. It is also a day I will remember how especially thankful I am to that growing number of kind folks who’ve given What Remains of Heroes a chance, and have even taken the time to post a nice word about it online. Many thanks to the readers, and may you all have a most wonderful holiday weekend.

Secret tip to those kind readers who follow me here: keep on the lookout for a giveaway I’m going to do with my recently released audiobook. Watch this space!

Cheers and many, many thanks,

DB

Huzzah! The audiobook for What Remains of Heroes is now available on Audible, here: http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/What-Remains-of-Heroes-Audiobook/B0187PL8N2/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1448051852&sr=1-1

For reasons unknown it is categorized as “contemporary fantasy,” but should be relabeled as “epic fantasy” soon. Also, the audiobook will be available on both iTunes and Amazon within the next few days. Give it a listen!

Cheers,

DB

Good day today all around.

I’ve re-released the paperback for What Remains of Heroes, freshly edited and with a new, slicker, more awesome cover treatment. If you’ve not picked one up before now, it’s time. Available on Amazon US and UK, as well as your local bookseller by request.

The excellent audiobook for What Remains of Heroes is just around the corner–just a few days away depending upon the slow turnings of Amazon’s machines. I must say I am more than pleased with the fine performance and production, and can’t wait to indulge in listening once again. Trust me, Andrew Tell (the narrator) did quite an excellent job. If you liked the book you will love this narration. It should be available next week on iTunes, Amazon, and Audible. Give it a listen!

Lastly, Book Two is motoring along quite nicely. Presently I’m fretting over a pivotal scene involving everyone’s favorite drunken wretch and a few certain necromancers of ill repute, but this scene should be done soon and then more fun to follow. Bale’s chapters are really shaping up nicely, and Fencress continues to kick ass as a central character. More than halfway home!

Again, many thanks to all those who read the book and follow along here. May Illienne the Light Eternal spare her loyal servants!

Cheers,

DB

What Remains of Heroes just received a very, very kind review from the excellent Ria over at the book review site Bibliotropic. I am flattered, honored and humbled (a combination that feels slightly akin to mild nausea, but much better). For those curious, you can check it out here:
http://bibliotropic.net/2015/10/26/spfbo-review-what-remains-of-heroes-by-david-benem/

As for the *highly anticipated* (by my mom, anyways) Book Two, one of the character’s storylines (hint: everyone’s favorite drunken wretch) is undergoing a serious facelift. Even with the major rewrites I am coming up on 70,000 words (WRoH was 122,000) so a release in the late spring seems reasonable.

Oh, and about that audiobook. Final draft should be approved any moment now, and then it takes a week or two in Amazon’s review process. Then it shall be unleashed upon an unprepared and unsuspecting world! Beware!!!

More updates to follow. Watch this space!

Cheers,

DB

Sorry for the lack of attention to the blog of late. But, hey, I have nearly legitimate excuses, okay? Been listening to the narration of What Remains of Heroes for careful edits, and I’m happy to report I’m nearly done (and extraordinarily pleased with the performance of Mr. Andrew Tell!). I’m hoping this will be available within the next 10 days or so.

Book 2, The Wrath of Heroes, is also coming along nicely. The listen through What Remains of Heroes has really helped me reconnect with some of the characters in a more meaningful way, and has been a surprisingly useful tool in moving forward with the next book. If you happen to be an indie writer, I’d highly recommend looking into having an audiobook produced.

Again, apologies for allowing so many cobwebs to drift about this place lately. I’ll try to keep the dust off from here on.

Thanks again for reading.

Cheers,

DB

What Remains of Heroes is presently dueling to the death with nine other indie fantasy novels in Mark Lawrence’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off. Of the 270 or so entrants, WRoH is one of ten finalists (yay!) and I’ve been anxiously checking ye olde Twitter feed to see if any reviewers have gotten around to rating it (aside from the most excellent gents at Fantasy Book Review, who gave it an 8.5 and passed it into the finals). So far no new ratings, but they will come…

I’ve purchased several of the other finalists’ books and have run across some darn good fiction. Check them out if you have the chance. Indie fantasy is representing!

Cheers,

DB

So I had my first sale in Italy, as well as my first review from Costa Rica. To an internet rhubarb like me that means an awful lot.

Also, it looks as though this site is getting a fair amount of traffic, which I can only HOPE means that folks are looking for news about Book Two. If you happen to be one such person, then please feel free to leave a question or comment on this post. I’d be happy to engage, and will take anything short of an insult involving my momma.

The scoop is I’m motoring along with about 60,000 workable words done. Lots of rewrites so far but what I have now is–in my opinion–pretty cool. Hopefully you agree. I’ll also try to get Chapter One posted on this site soon.

Cheers,

DB

So I was just admitted into the prestigious SFWA, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. You know, the folks who hand out that Nebula award.

Very cool.

I am quite stunned and humbled that my first book (What Remains of Heroes) has garnered enough attention to make me eligible for membership, and thanks again to the readers who made this possible. I promise I’m working hard on book two–update soon!

Cheers,

DB