Just a quick note. I have been writing for just over 50 years, starting out in 1976. I only mention this because many of my ideas and stories predate the advancement of AI. All of the Third Kingdom stories are 100% human-written. I do use editing and proofreading programs in an attempt to give you the best possible reading experience.

Creatures of the Third Kingdom: Meet the Frond-Drake, a small, stealthy parasite native to the Third Kingdom's Fern Forest.

Equipped with retractable gliding membranes, these predators hunt by drifting silently down from the canopy like a falling leaf to target exposed skin. Once they land, they use a needle-like proboscis to anchor themselves to a host, injecting a numbing anesthetic so you never feel a thing while they feed.

Whatever you do, don't try to rip them off. Forcible removal triggers a dangerous neurotoxic "toxin dump" that paralyzes the victim. Instead, they must be safely detached using a mixture made by the locals of river mud and crushed herbs.

To survive the forest, locals wear specialized hats that cover the back of the wearer's neck, the most vulnerable area. If the Frond-Drake attaches to the cloth, it will not be able to penetrate the skin. The safe removal of the Frond-Drake is critical. Anyone unlucky enough to be paralyzed by their venom faces severe social stigma, with some locals believing the person has been ‘taken’. This can result in the victim being considered an outcast or severely ostracized.

Character Profile – ‘Robin’ from “Blood on the Wand” –

Robin is a walking contradiction wrapped in emerald-green silk. As an instructor of Gottlof’s "Eagle" school of psychology, she preaches a philosophy of maximalism, luxury, and mental liberation through indulgence. She projects a bold, outspoken confidence and a notoriously quick temper, but it is all a meticulously crafted shield.

Beneath the bravado, the sharp intellect, and the dark hair that catches bronze in the sunlight, the thirty-two-year-old is deeply vulnerable. Raised in the port city of Helgaport by a fiercely protective father whose merchant ships brought her rare books in place of worldly experience. Robin has no memories of the mother she lost too soon. Despite her attractive, athletic frame, tanned legs, and full hips, Robin privately agonizes over the fear that others might just see her as "plump." Furthermore, her bold teachings on indulgence mask the surprisingly shy reality that she has never had a serious romantic attachment.

Fiercely ambitious and hungry for the official title of Professor, Robin is ready to take on the world to prove herself. But for all her calculated presentation and academic brilliance, she harbors one dangerous blind spot: a wildly naive trust in the inherent goodness and responsibility of the nobility. When her sheltered, book-bound upbringing finally collides with the harsh reality of the world outside the academy, her meticulous plans and defensive bravado might not be enough to protect her.

Third Kingdom Lore - A Geoffee (Jof-Fee) is a gamekeeper, but not of your normal game. A Geoffee specializes in rare and violent breeds of animals. The conditions require them to be quite strong (muscular) and all but fearless. A Geoffee will rarely bathe in order to maintain his constant ‘normal’ scent for the animals to recognize. He will also not come around fire, as the smell of smoke can cause some of the more sensitive animals to become nervous and more aggressive. Anyone who has been in the trade for any amount of time will generally have a number of scars, and it is not unusual for a Geoffee to be missing appendages. Staying away from fire has them eating raw meat, much like the animals they keep. Geoffees will have poor social skills and would rather be in the company of their beasts than people. Their normal attire is thick leather, almost like armor, to protect their more vital areas. Geoffees work closely with breeders to develop new types of beasts for sport and competitions.

In The News

Ø Overall Science Fiction/Fantasy sales are up over 41% from last year. This makes it one of the fastest-growing sectors in all of publishing.

Ø Romantasy is driving much of the increase in Fantasy sales, with sales in the sub-genre increasing by 34% in a single year, with annual sales in excess of $610 million dollars.

Ø Onyx Storm, by Rebecca Yarros, sold an amazing 2.7 million copies in its first week. This makes it the fastest-selling adult fiction title in twenty years.

Ø Nearly 67% of Fantasy readers purchase both the eBook and Audiobook at the same time.

Ø The Rise of Nobledark: Market analysis indicates that "Nobledark" (a bleak, corrupt world where heroes fight to maintain their moral integrity) is actively replacing Grimdark. Analysts attribute this to reader exhaustion with real-world crises and endless cynicism.

Ø Principal photography for “The Hunt for Gollum” officially began in July 2026 in Wellington, New Zealand, and is scheduled to run through October 2026. - The movie is slated for a theatrical release on December 17, 2027.

Ø The Hugo Awards ceremony takes place on August 27th at the LAcon V Worldcon in Anaheim.

Ø Despite the popularity of eBooks and audiobooks, physical print still accounts for 68% of overall publishing revenue. Industry analysts attribute this largely to younger demographics purchasing physical hardcovers for special editions, gifts, and personal libraries.

September 2026 Fantasy Releases

Ø Blightfall by Brandon Sanderson (September 1): This is the first book in the new Riftwake series, co-authored with Janci Patterson.It is a YA/NA-leaning space fantasy set in the Skyward universe.

Ø The Knave and the Moonby Rachel Gillig (Sept 1): The gothic romantasy sequel to The Knight and the Moth, following Sybil as she tries to outmaneuver the king with the help of a mysterious tournament champion.

Ø Storm Callerby Nisha J. Tuli (Sept 1): A romantasy set in a magical, storm-wrecked Manhattan.

Ø Throne of Glass: Dyslexia-Friendly Edition by Sarah J. Maas (September 8): Bloomsbury is releasing a special dyslexia-friendly paperback edition of the first Throne of Glass book.

Ø Tempestby Victoria Aveyard (September 8): The adult fantasy debut from the bestselling author of Red Queen.Set on the stormy Lyrian Sea, it blends high-seas pirate intrigue, empire clashes, and romantic tension.

Ø Dead Beatby Leigh Bardugo (Sept 15): The dark, long-awaited conclusion to the Ninth House trilogy, bringing demons into the heart of Yale.

Ø Grim Tidings by B.K. Borison (Sept 15): A paranormal romantasy where a rogue Grim Reaper collides with a Guardian Angel.

Ø The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy by Ali Hazelwood (September 22): Hazelwood’s latest foray into paranormal romantasy, featuring an enemies-to-lovers dynamic set in an elite supernatural university.

Ø Threshing Dayby Rebecca Yarros (Sept 29): The next installment in the blockbuster Empyrean series, featuring thirteen interconnected stories.

Ø The Mirror of Infinite Endingsby Stephanie Garber (September 29): A companion novel returning to the beloved Once Upon a Broken Heart / Caraval universe, bringing back Jacks and Eva in a gothic fairytale setting.

Ø Baldur's Gate 3: Astarionby T. Kingfisher(September 29): An official dark fantasy prequel following the fan-favorite vampire rogue during his servitude to Cazador Szarr, featuring Kingfisher’s signature dark wit, danger, and romantic tension

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