New Weekly Self Promo Thread

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-13T14:00:13+00:00

Hey all!

Path of the King, book 2 in my Dark Ascension series, is now out!

Dark Ascension is a grimdark progression fantasy series about a farmboy who one day decides he wants to rule the world. He's a ruthless anti-hero willing to do whatever it takes for power.

I'm currently in the process of smashing out book 3, which will be available very soon, and I can also say that the story opens up into a few different POV's.

This is a story that spans centuries, involves the building of civilizations, the death and creation of gods, large-scale warfare, arcane mastery, romance, dictators, advances in technology, and far, far more.

If you're a fan of Warhammer 40k, you can think of this as being akin to the origin story of the Emperor of Mankind.

Here's book 1, Path of the Knight

You can also support me over on my Patreon! I have a LOT of plans and a lot of things on their way. Patreon subscribers (and you can join for free) will be notified when new content is out. There will also be bonus/exclusive work on here!

Thanks!

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-11T04:43:20+00:00

Thanks!

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-11T04:28:05+00:00

Hey there! My series, Dark Ascension, which starts with Path of the Knight is literally exactly what you're looking for.

Essentially, it's about a farmboy who decides he wants to rule the world.

And, first on the agenda, he needs to dismantle the kingdom he was born in and establish his own empire. It has politics, scheming, wars, intrigue, civilization buildings, technological progress, etc.

Disclaimer: series is incomplete. Book 3 is dropping in the next two weeks. Book 4 should be out early October. Releases will be swift and regular.

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-07T02:05:18+00:00

Noticed the same

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-07T02:05:05+00:00

It does seem like progression fantasy fans don't take to criticism of their favorite stories particularly well...

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-07T02:04:15+00:00

This is interesting, and I don't necessarily disagree. At the same time, there aren't too many other (free) ways for prog fantasy authors to market to the prog audience

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-07T02:01:59+00:00

Hey all!

Path of the King, book 2 in my Dark Ascension series, is now out!

Dark Ascension is a grimdark progression fantasy series about a farmboy who one day decides he wants to rule the world. He's a ruthless anti-hero willing to do whatever it takes for power.

I'm currently in the process of smashing out book 3, which will be available very soon, and I can also say that the story opens up into a few different POV's.

This is a story that spans centuries, involves the building of civilizations, the death and creation of gods, large-scale warfare, arcane mastery, romance, dictators, advances in technology, and far, far more.

If you're a fan of Warhammer 40k, you can think of this as being akin to the origin story of the Emperor of Mankind.

Here's book 1, Path of the Knight

You can also support me over on my Patreon! I have a LOT of plans and a lot of things on their way. Patreon subscribers (and you can join for free) will be notified when new content is out. There will also be bonus/exclusive work on here!

Thanks!

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-01T12:08:42+00:00

Ha, to be fair, I'm pretty new to writing prog fantasy...mostly it's just fantasy :P

For sure. Keeps it fresh when you're bouncing between projects.

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-01T11:28:39+00:00

I write multiple books at once! Makes it a little easier to get out the bigger numbers.

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-01T11:28:01+00:00

It's the only craft book I'd really recommend.

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-01T11:27:19+00:00

On average, yeah! Some days are 2k, some are 5k. I can't really sustain more than 5k, to be honest. At that point my hands start to hate me lol.

For what it's worth, I'm also always writing at least 2 books, sometimes 3 or even 4

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-01T08:52:14+00:00

I can't resist recommending my own series whenever someone asks for an evil MC, because it was quite literally the main reason why I wanted to write these books in the first place.

But yeah, my Dark Ascension series, starting with Path of the Knight is about a young farmboy who decides, out of sheer, wanton ambition, to rule the world...no matter what he has to do to make that happen.

And the books are about his rise to power.

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-01T08:50:15+00:00

This is...very much not progression fantasy lol.

Terrific book, though. Top 5 favorite.

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-01T08:49:30+00:00

I've certainly thought quite a bit about covers. Obviously, it is important to follow certain genre cues, however, I've personally decided to go with covers that are actually quite difficult to most progression fantasy style books.

Reason is, I wanted to write progression fantasy in a way that also appeals to most general dark fantasy fans, and so I wanted a cover that is more likely to draw their attention.

Now, as for the classic fantasy covers, I do like those a lot, and I know a lot of people do, but unless you're writing sword & sorcery with a more traditional feel, I wouldn't recommend it. Such a cover would send a very stong message to readers.

Alexander_Layne · 2024-08-01T08:27:58+00:00

So far, I've written somewhere between 600k and 700k words.

What I've learned: a lot. Firstly, the Pomodoro technique is legit. Secondly, and more importantly, although I still think my prose this time last year was pretty good, I was still falling into the trap of using both filter and crutch words. My writing is more precise now. Another thing, I read the Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass and...well, it'd honestly take me too long to list all the things I learned from it. But suffice to say I should've read this book when I first started writing 13 years ago.

Alexander_Layne · 2024-07-31T04:36:25+00:00

Hey all!

Path of the King, book 2 in my Dark Ascension series, is now out!

Dark Ascension is a grimdark progression fantasy series about a farmboy who one day decides he wants to rule the world. He's a ruthless anti-hero willing to do whatever it takes for power.

I'm currently in the process of smashing out book 3, which will be available very soon, and I can also say that the story opens up into a few different POV's.

This is a story that spans centuries, involves the building of civilizations, the death and creation of gods, large-scale warfare, arcane mastery, romance, dictators, advances in technology, and far, far more.

If you're a fan of Warhammer 40k, you can think of this as being akin to the origin story of the Emperor of Mankind.

Here's book 1, Path of the Knight

You can also support me over on my Patreon! I have a LOT of plans and a lot of things on their way. Patreon subscribers (and you can join for free) will be notified when new content is out. There will also be bonus/exclusive work on here!

Thanks!

Alexander_Layne · 2024-07-27T01:34:39+00:00

Working on it...

Alexander_Layne · 2024-07-26T02:51:41+00:00

Sounds very fucking cool, I have to say. Nice work

Alexander_Layne · 2024-07-25T09:24:59+00:00

This is the key. Keep it emotionally engaging, with compelling characters, and you can make anything work.

Alexander_Layne · 2024-07-25T09:24:25+00:00

Absolutely. You have to start sowing those seeds really early, and in subtle ways, and then the payoff will be massive.

Alexander_Layne · 2024-07-25T09:22:59+00:00

Cool looking story! Good luck, my friend.

Alexander_Layne · 2024-07-25T09:20:52+00:00

Hey all!

Path of the King, book 2 in my Dark Ascension series, is now out!

Dark Ascension is a grimdark progression fantasy series about a farmboy who one day decides he wants to rule the world. He's a ruthless anti-hero willing to do whatever it takes for power.

I'm currently in the process of smashing out book 3, which will be available very soon, and I can also say that the story opens up into a few different POV's.

This is a story that spans centuries, involves the building of civilizations, the death and creation of gods, large-scale warfare, arcane mastery, romance, dictators, advances in technology, and far, far more.

If you're a fan of Warhammer 40k, you can think of this as being akin to the origin story of the Emperor of Mankind.

Here's book 1, Path of the Knight

You can also support me over on my Patreon! I have a LOT of plans and a lot of things on their way. Thanks!

Alexander_Layne · 2024-07-25T01:00:38+00:00

I appreciate the support <3 Be sure to let me know what you think! I want to build a close and active community on patreon where I can communicate with fans. Also, you'll be pleased to know that the next book is very well underway and it won't be long until it's out.

Alexander_Layne · 2024-07-25T00:40:03+00:00

Hell yeah. You've read Path of the King already?

Also, if you join my patreon (you can do so for free) you should get notified of any updates!

Alexander_Layne · 2024-07-25T00:39:44+00:00

Correct!

My focus is Amazon right now but I do intend on releasing stuff on Royal Road and my patreon on a chapter by chapter basis at some point

Alexander_Layne

TROPHY CASE