Dan Desai Martin

Don't forget: ASK YOUR LIBRARY TO BUY THE BOOK!!

Libraries pay higher rates for books and requesting that your library purchase a book: A) costs you nothing and B) will make the author so, so happy

Thanks so much! And congrats on writing 7 novels -- that's impressive!

I did indeed. Thanks for sharing :)

Packed with religious oppression, revolution, and self-discovery, this fast-paced, thought-provoking fantasy novel is perfect for fans of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Sabaa Tahir’s Ember in the Ashes series, and Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series. (3/3)

Blurb:
After escaping from the holy Sanctum, Ehla yearns for safety. In a realm where High Priests maintain absolute power through violence and manipulation, Ehla finds herself at the center of a rebellion she wants no part of. (2/3)

Book cover with the words "In the Shadow of the Sanctum" and the author's name, Dan Desai Martin. There is an image of a castle on a hill set against a blue-black sky with a full moon. In the foreground, there is a village in the shadow.

COVER REVEAL: Here is the cover to my debut novel, In The Shadow Of The Sanctum, coming this spring from @gdpub.bsky.social. I could not be happier with it. (1/3)
#booksky #writingcommunity #fantasybook #authors #writing #fantasybooks

Gold Dust Publishing Signs Debut Author Dan Desai Martin - Dan Desai Martin Gold Dust Publishing signed debut author Dan Desai Martin and will publish his fantasy novel, tentatively titled In the Shadow of the Sanctum.

Hi! I have a new fantasy novel coming out in the spring of this year through Gold Dust Publishing. I don't have a specific publication date yet, but happy to provide you with whatever information you need. Here's information from when I signed with Gold Dust:

dandesaimartin.com/gold-dust-pu...

We try to minimize our political content here but PLEASE educate yourself about your local politics, at least enough to vote for local politicians who aren't actively trying to harm marginalized communities (because there isn't always someone who really has your best interests at heart)

I know it is the most generic predestination argument, but it comes as part of a broader exploration of the One God, and particularly the harm caused by the all-powerful religious order that uses violence & manipulation to keep order in the realm... all in the name of religion.

The Real Ones by Maya Rupert: 9780593475973 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books Top political strategist Maya Rupert reveals how, for people of color, being real comes at a cost and authenticity is a privilege the marginalized cannot afford—that is, unless we change the system...

#SFF Outro: I'm gonna go in a wildly different direction here and share a link to a new book by my friend Maya that is not SFF but I highly recommend it. THE REAL ONES: How to Disrupt the Hidden Ways Racism Makes Us Less Authentic.

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/747083...

That's part of the mystery of the story. The character (who believes in the One God) is confronted by one who is skeptical, leading to doubts and questions. The line is something like: "If an all-knowing god knows you will eat bread and cheese for dinner, can you really choose to eat rabbit stew?"

#SFFChat Q4: I got page 171, line 11:

"While the High Priest in Thardot would wear robes of bright purples and greens, Rasto’s High Priest wore robes ranging in hue from light brown in the summer to dark brown in the winter."

#SFFChat Q3: I am re-reading Wheel of Time, and I really enjoy Mat's relationship with luck throughout the entire series. It is very character-specific, and such a fun read every time he's in scenes.

#SFFChat Q2: In my book, In the Shadow of the Sanctum, one of the characters is confronted with the idea of predestination in light of an all-knowing god. Another character is rebelling against, as she calls it, "a dusty old prophecy" that she rejects. And both themes will be explored in sequels.

Love this answer! And these sound SUPER INTERESTING, particularly the examination of Calvinist predestination in a fantasy setting.

#SFFChat Q1: I think that fantasy settings are the PERFECT opportunity to explore the role of free will. And I love books that do it -- from the Dragonlance novels (Twins trilogy) to Wheel of Time, I enjoy reading about characters who struggle with the idea of fate and free will.

#SFFChat Intro: Hi, I'm Dan and I write fantasy novels. I always close my eyes and take a deep breath just as a plane takes off.

a man is sitting in a lotus position on a pillow holding a pair of shoes . Alt: Jason from The Good Place sitting in a lotus position on a pillow waving hello with a sandal on his hand

I have my debut fantasy novel coming out this spring and I am both incredibly excited and anxious. What is launch event? How is marketing? Why is social media?

My competence level pictured below, as my brain yells, "I'm freakin' out, homie!" #booksky #authors

In case anyone is wondering where I stand: #FuckICE

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
-- DDM

Abolish ICE, impeach & remove the bastards, and prosecute all of them at MINIMUM. I often worry posting is a way for me to check the "do something" box without doing anything, so I call/write reps instead. I also can't imagine anyone who knows me wondering what I think. But just in case, #fuckICE.

Ever read a post and be like, "Damn, is this stranger on the internet speaking directly to me?" I just did. 👇

In solidarity with today's ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA blackout, MinnMax is donating $1 to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota for every share of this Bluesky post for the next hour.

#SFFChat A4: I know I talked about temples earlier, but this one came to mind when I read the prompt. Here's a mountaintop snippet that leads off a chapter:

#SFFChat A3: @sarahbethdurst.bsky.social immediately comes to mind. In the first third of The Spellshop, she has some of the best scenery descriptions I've read in a long time. As a reader, you feel like you are immersed -- the smells, sounds, vibes, etc are so incredibly vivid.

#SFFChat A2: Again, this is really important. Some of my book (coming out later this year) takes place in a temple, and I think it is critically important to evoke the feeling of the character when entering such spaces. It's worldbuilding + scene-setting + character development all rolled into one.

I have friends in my writing group who tend to write scenes in 'white rooms' -- no description of the decor, atmosphere, weather, sounds, etc. But that is what multiple drafts are for -- whatever works to get the manuscript done, right?

oh that's great! (And also great to connect with another Martin!)

100% agree!

#SFFChat A1: It is a huge influence! I want my characters to feel the muggy, hot air with no breeze and complain about the heat, or to breathe in the fresh mountain air. Not only does it add texture to the story, but there is nothing like using a storm to mirror a character's mood.

#SFFChat Intro: Hi, I'm dan and I write fantasy books. My favorite dessert is probably just a good bowl of ice cream. I'm not too picky about flavor, but perfer no nuts (peanuts, butter pecan, etc.)