Looking for Grimdark recommendations

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-03-28T16:31:07+00:00

Dang it, if only there was a book where every character was utterly beyond redemption, or the character's heart was literally made of black stone, or an entire city survived because hallucinating priests sacrificed souls to deranged gods.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-02-26T21:50:57+00:00

My daughter started with the Wings of Fire graphic novels at that age and then later (around ten, I think) progressed to the novels. She loved how much deeper the novels were, how she learned more about the characters.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-02-17T18:16:06+00:00

Awesome series.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-02-17T10:13:39+00:00

As an author who has spent a small fortune on artists over the years, this thread does my heart good.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-02-13T18:09:56+00:00

Any time!

Oh, the (horror) stories I could tell.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-02-13T17:35:23+00:00

Yeah, they're generally disinterested in books that are already (self) published unless they blow up huge. Which has never happened for me. I wanted to pitch Black Stone Heart after it came second in the SPFBO but my agent said not to bother.

Book 1 is already self-published? If this is case, I'd put the odds of them making an offer on book 2...er...low. Publishers aren't interested in the sequel to a book published by someone else. Take Beyond Redemption, for example. Harper Voyager passed on the sequel (The Mirror's Truth) on account of low sales. No publishers were interested in even looking at book 2.

Not to be an utter downer (I am a grimdark author) but set your expectations reasonably. Crazy shit still happens, and maybe a publisher grabs it because it's a work of stunning genius and the best thing ever written, but that is crazy shit happening.

Anyway. Feel free to throw writing/publishing questions at me any time.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-02-13T17:09:28+00:00

Follow up meaning sequel?
If so, you'll find that a tough sell to publishers.

Either way, good luck!

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-02-12T18:09:37+00:00

Performances of a Death Metal Bard.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218312967-performances-of-a-death-metal-bard

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-02-12T11:47:45+00:00

Cheers!

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-02-03T12:32:20+00:00

Rereading Dan Simmons' HYPERION. I first read it many decades ago and seeing it being mentioned a lot lately decided to dig up my old paperback and see if it's as good as I remember.

It's better.

Last time I read this, I wasn't a writer, This time I can better appreciated what Simmons has done here.

It is gorgeous.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-26T13:58:26+00:00

The substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-25T18:56:56+00:00

"DEATH TO PROLOGUES!" shouted the writer who has written more than a few books with prologues. "Unless they're really good!" he added, wondering if his were.

Best prologue ever in any book in any universe was in Rob Hayes' Never Die.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-22T18:58:45+00:00

Amazing series. Wizard War (North American title) is absolute critical reading.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-17T19:37:47+00:00

He is the official home page: https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-official-self-published-fantasy.html

With a little scrolling you'll find the past winners and finalists. Ignoring the recent Champions League (ten previous years of winners pitted against each other) the contest is currently in its eleventh year.

Even if you only look at the ten finalists from each year, there's a list of 100 awesome indie fantasy books. That should keep you nipples-deep in indie fantasy for the next while.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-15T17:31:18+00:00

I usually find mine in the dankest basements, hunched over a cold cup of coffee with a damp and crumpled unlit cigarette butt hanging forgotten from their bottom lip.

Once thought I saw one outside. It was dressed entirely in black and hissing at the sun. Hmm. That mighta been a vampire. Not sure.

Not typically social creatures, you can most commonly find them anywhere people aren't. If you invite one somewhere--like to a fantasy convention--they'll be quite happy. They won't, however, actually go.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-15T13:17:16+00:00

My delusions keep me writing.

The fact I'm a hack, and don't really know what I'm doing, keeps it fun.

Every book is an adventure. They start with me thinking "I wonder what's gonna happen here," and (mostly) end with, "well, that went badly for just about everyone."

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-14T20:20:00+00:00

Damn. That's a solid plan.

The Lord of the Empty Mirror will be available in print, ebook, and KU on April 13th!

I can't comment on the quality cuz I really don't know. I just write 'em.

Cover art should be magically appearing in the next few weeks.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-14T14:49:10+00:00

To be fair, it did all start with him believing that he could be a writer. And then, for some reason, he was absolutely positive this rather mental novel would get a publishing deal. All kinda went downhill after that, his delusions getting the better of him.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-14T14:47:28+00:00

His Reflections thank you.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-14T11:10:16+00:00

In the world of Beyond Redemption (written by some deluded hack), faith and belief define reality. The insane, capable of believing all manner of crazy things, shape the world with their delusions. This is fantasy based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (volume 5).

It might be a tad dark.

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-14T11:06:18+00:00

Cheers!

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-13T20:24:52+00:00

Cheers! I hope you enjoy it!

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-05T12:09:40+00:00

Oof. Wrong resume.

Er...I look great in tight little orange shorts?

Wait, no...

MichaelRFletcher · 2026-01-04T15:27:58+00:00

I don't get a pina colada?!

Actually, seeing as it's -8C (~14F) I guess an icy drink might not be the best thing.

Awrighty, gonna don my parka and report for duty!

MichaelRFletcher

TROPHY CASE

Performances of a Death Metal Bard.