Just went through the prologue of my current client job, and I'm ecstatic. I think this project is the kind I've been looking for. Gay, James Islington style narrative, and elemental magic system. Super excited to get back to it
Draft 2 of You Cannot Drown a Shadow is complete and off to my editor as of 3am this morning.
This is the second time I’ve written this book all the way through and hit over 160,000 words!
Mixed emotions abound, and I’m excited for a second pair of eyes to give me a fresh perspective.
Love persists through darkness & deluge 🌊🖤
Meet Jae & Iro, the leading men from You Cannot Drown a Shadow, my debut novel arriving in late 2026 📖
🎨: marinevhs
Love persists through darkness & deluge 🌊🖤
Meet Jae & Iro, the leading men from You Cannot Drown a Shadow, my debut novel arriving in late 2026 📖
🎨: marinevhs
A second glimpse. 🔮
Jae, a shadow mage blamed for his mentor’s untimely demise.
He enlists his estranged best friend on a mission to clear his name. Will he brave the depths of the seas, his past, & his heart—or will he step into the shadow they cast for him?
Art by @rossowinch.bsky.social
Art Commission:
Jae, protagonist of 'You Cannot Drown a Shadow'
#commissionsopen #commissionedart #art
A second glimpse. 🔮
Jae, a shadow mage blamed for his mentor’s untimely demise.
He enlists his estranged best friend on a mission to clear his name. Will he brave the depths of the seas, his past, & his heart—or will he step into the shadow they cast for him?
Art by @rossowinch.bsky.social
There’s someone I’d like you to meet.
Jae
Acolyte, Shadow Pillar
Visual concept by @duranch.bsky.social
Protagonist of You Cannot Drown a Shadow, my debut novel coming in late 2026.
I can’t wait for this special guy who’s lived in my head for so many years to capture your heart 🖤
I have thoughts on being a creative and crafting an interconnected universe, and you can read them now ⬇️
open.substack.com/pub/alexluco...
Why are some of us inclined to the speculative in a world built for the rational mind?
How can we reframe embarrassing moments as milestones in our creative journeys? ✍️
I wrote about these and more in my first-ever Substack article ⬇️
open.substack.com/pub/alexluco...
What does it mean to be a creative person?
How can we reframe embarrassing moments as milestones and find the strength to keep going?
My first-ever Substack article is live. You might get some insights into my writing journey, too!
open.substack.com/pub/alexluco...
I feel like authors blocking people who gave them bad reviews is completely reasonable.
Just like bad reviews are fair game, why should an author be expected not to do what it takes to preserve their peace?
Would you rather said author trash talks the reviewer?
cr:
📖 The Strength of the Few by James Islington—65% through my ARC. Trying to finish before it comes out next week. Been stalling on finishing this because I don’t want it to end!
📖 The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino. 2 chapters in & loving the immersion.
Happy 1 year to the EP everyone slept on
I had high hopes for you
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Yesterday, the ETHOS Kickstarter brought in 58 backers and raised $2,100 of the $3,500 we need to produce this amazing anthology!
Let's keep it up. Back it now and help us make this book even better!
For those in the US & Canada looking to start Legend of Tal, now's a good time! The ebook is 50% off for the rest of October.
As one reader put it (flatteringly!), what you're getting is "Name of the Wind meets Wheel of Time meets Robin Hobb."
May you enjoy!
#FantasyBooks #booksale
Revision process on You Cannot Drown A Shadow is moving along. It’s so much more work than I expected, especially for the chapters that require full rewrites.
At this point, I’m just having fun with the new stuff I get to add while making sure the continuity lines up 🫶
You’re iconic
🎨 New Art Reveal! 🎨
This piece features Tal battling a centaur-ish creature called an ijiraq. I love how she turned out!
At least 3 more artworks still to come for An Emperor's Gamble - stay tuned for the reveals.
🏷️ Art by Anderson Magalhães
#fantasyart #fantasybooks #kickstarter
Would any authors care to take a look at a short book blurb (that I intend to go on the back cover) and let me know if it makes sense? 📖
Movie of the year for me
I don’t use this app a ton but whenever I log in and I just see people posting about their books and art, it feels like a breath of fresh air. Seriously considering checking in here more often than the other place
I got tired of zombie stories about a decade ago, but I’d love to see one where the punchline isn’t that *gasp* humans are bad.
I want to see zombies as the real threat. The surviving humans should be there because their cooperation and compassion got them through.
But nope, too optimistic I guess
May or may not have booked a tat appointment in LA with my dream artist for late December without having any plans of how to get there yet or what else I’ll do 😅
How does one bridge the bottomless chasm between the vivid vision in their head and their writing ability?
Slots for September and October are available!
Almond has an audible L, the other two don’t
I just posted the progress shots of this background and a poll over on ko-fi!
Are you interested in commission a bg? For your world building? To use in your own art work?
Please let me know what you think!!
ko-fi.com/polls/Are-yo...
ROGUISH RAFFLE! 🚨 I've teamed up with some rebellious authors for this awesome book giveaway.
Get a chance to win 1 of 33 print books being offered from those in the image. I've read several of the stories and can attest to their quality!
Enter through the 🔗 in my bio or below!
#fantasy #books
