Hey everyone!
There’s a lot to share in this end-of-year update, so buckle up and get ready.
Talking Progress
The Light of Hope, book two of The Master’s Core series, is charging through its final phases. The ones where progress really starts to accelerate. I completed the first draft of the manuscript before mid-October, then spent the following month doing a focused self-edit before sending it off to my new developmental editor.
For book two, I’ve chosen to separate developmental editing from copy and line editing, working with two different editors. I believe this approach will help polish the story to its absolute best. I’m thrilled to announce that Philip Athans has been selected to handle the developmental edit. I’m also dedicated to my ongoing collaboration with Jeff Brown who continues to do my amazing covers.
If you missed the cover tease for The Light of Hope on social media, here it is!
Jeff is currently working on a second illustration to further bring the world of Auro to life. Keep your eyes peeled. This accompanying art piece features a major threat we encounter in book two and will be teased once it’s complete. As for the synopsis for The Light of Hope, that’s coming soon as well. Leading up to the book two launch, you can expect previews of the prologue, artwork, and so much more.
Artwork, Lore, and Worldbuilding
Several artwork teases for characters and creatures have already been shared early on Discord. If you missed them, I’m excited to showcase the character art for the eight Masters by Felipe Bracioli. From left to right, you’ll see Ohrimah, Ashan, Anieva, Mithra, Indaran, Khalera, Vorlah, and Thaesa.
And before you ask, yes, there is a version of Ohrimah in his dark god form, often referred to as “Merdah.” That artwork will be appearing on the site soon, along with art of the Twin Flames, which are already complete. Enjoy this small showcase if you missed it on Discord!
There’s much more coming to the website archives over the next few months, beginning in January. The Masters, Twin Flames, additional creatures, and plenty of baddies will start making their appearances. As always, Discord is the best place to catch updates as site additions or edits are completed.
Did I mention I also had emblem artwork created for each of the racial orders? Word is, the Warden of Avestan has plans to see those appear on the site first. Sometimes characters in my fantasy world take the helm, and I listen when they decide what gets shared next. Either way, more is coming very soon, but the Aurodites and Knights of the Phoenix emblems are already live on their respective pages!
Events, Videos, and Community
The same goes for YouTube content. Now that my wife and I have moved into our forever home in the beautiful Ozarks, I’m resuming videos on my channel. Before the move, I completed a fun book event in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and I plan to do many more events in 2026. I truly hope I’ll get the chance to meet some of you in the coming year, it would be an absolute blast.
If you’d like to watch my end-of-year update video, you can find the latest Phoenix Log linked here. In it, I talk about the length of book two and share news like my initial ETA for The Light of Hope.
Giveaways and the Store
Over the holiday season, I gave away close to fifteen signed copies of The Fall of Magic. Some were standard hardcovers with dust jackets, while others were special editions. Many went to members of the Discord community, with others gifted through social media.
The limited Hero Edition of The Fall of Magic is still available in the shop, and very soon I’ll be adding new items like printed cloth maps, T-shirts, and more. If there’s something you’d love to see in the shop, please let me know. DMs on social media or Discord are the best way to reach me.
Looking Ahead
In the coming year, I hope to gather a small street team. These incredible folks act as heralds, spreading the word that this world exists and sharing it within their own communities, friend groups, and online spaces. I plan to hook them up with some seriously cool swag. If that sounds like something you’d enjoy, reach out! You don’t need to be a huge social media influencer, just someone willing to spread the word in your own way.
I also plan to bring ARC readers back into the world of Auro ahead of The Light of Hope’s release. I’m always on the lookout for true Auro lore masters. One day, I’m sure they’ll reveal themselves. Until then, a nerdy author can dream.
Okay! We’ve made it to the end of this update, but there’s one more thing!
A massive shout-out to every single one of you who shared your voices on social media or left good-faith reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Audible, StoryGraph, Fable, and anywhere else the book can be found in its various forms. Writing a review might feel like a small task, but it makes a huge difference. When you share your enjoyment of a book, it helps the story reach readers who might appreciate it, and for that, I truly can’t thank you enough.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it: there are heroes in books, and then there are heroes like you, the ones who support small authors like me and give our stories a chance. I’m so grateful for each of you!
Sending you all my very best this holiday season and I’ll see you again with another update in early 2026!
Until next time, may the light guide you!
Phoenix