Ask the Author: James Siewert
“Hello Everyone! Captains of Oartheca is finished with a planned release date of November 2025. ARC calls are out, both here and on Booksprout, and stay tuned for the cover reveal in October!”
James Siewert
Answered Questions (6)
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James Siewert
Hello there!
Apologies for the delay in replying and thank you so much for your question. How awesome it is that you'd like to create some fan art for Rowland and Toar! To help you get a better idea of what they look like, here is a description of each character:
Rowland
He's a tall, heavyset, muscular fellow with a bit of a curve to him; think the archetypical 'gay bear' dude and that's what he essentially is, except he's clean shaven or has slight stubble. Basically, he works out but still enjoys a good meal or two. He's got short, light brown hair and hazel-green eyes, and people would describe him as honestly handsome in the classical masculine sense. His attire, outside of his scarlet and gold CAPS uniform, would be considered casual and lowkey, with complementary colours combined with practical functionality and form. He doesn't carry a weapon (except for his brain) unless he's in uniform, in which case he'd have a standard coil pistol.
Toar
Well, in Rowland's own words, Toar is best described as a gigantic werebear, leaning more on the 'were' side. Basically, an anthropomorphic ursine with charming, human-like expressions. He's quite muscular, but a little overweight (especially at the start of the series). He's very tall - easily a full half-metre taller than Rowland - and many humans would find him to be quite physically imposing. He's got pewter grey fur, kept short and well maintained, and his eyes are a bright cobalt blue that reflect his curiosity and intelligence. As of Captains of Oartheca, he's typically dressed in an Oarthecan Star Service Navy (OSSN) uniform, which is navy blue but with lighter blue scratch-mark-like lettering/symbols which reflect his rank and numerous military accomplishments. When in uniform, he carries his bespoke plasma sabre and would be armed with a plasma gun for good measure. Outside of uniform, he's dressed quite smartly and sharply, reflecting his father's immense wealth and status.
Well, that sums up the basic appearance for Rowland and Toar, at least in my head. Everyone has their own view of what the characters look like though, and that's exactly the way it should be - it's imagination that determines how they look, especially in Toar's case. I'm sincerely looking forward to how you see the characters! Thank you for your interest in my stories and I am thrilled that they've inspired you to create your own artwork - it's such a compliment that these characters mean something for you.
Apologies for the delay in replying and thank you so much for your question. How awesome it is that you'd like to create some fan art for Rowland and Toar! To help you get a better idea of what they look like, here is a description of each character:
Rowland
He's a tall, heavyset, muscular fellow with a bit of a curve to him; think the archetypical 'gay bear' dude and that's what he essentially is, except he's clean shaven or has slight stubble. Basically, he works out but still enjoys a good meal or two. He's got short, light brown hair and hazel-green eyes, and people would describe him as honestly handsome in the classical masculine sense. His attire, outside of his scarlet and gold CAPS uniform, would be considered casual and lowkey, with complementary colours combined with practical functionality and form. He doesn't carry a weapon (except for his brain) unless he's in uniform, in which case he'd have a standard coil pistol.
Toar
Well, in Rowland's own words, Toar is best described as a gigantic werebear, leaning more on the 'were' side. Basically, an anthropomorphic ursine with charming, human-like expressions. He's quite muscular, but a little overweight (especially at the start of the series). He's very tall - easily a full half-metre taller than Rowland - and many humans would find him to be quite physically imposing. He's got pewter grey fur, kept short and well maintained, and his eyes are a bright cobalt blue that reflect his curiosity and intelligence. As of Captains of Oartheca, he's typically dressed in an Oarthecan Star Service Navy (OSSN) uniform, which is navy blue but with lighter blue scratch-mark-like lettering/symbols which reflect his rank and numerous military accomplishments. When in uniform, he carries his bespoke plasma sabre and would be armed with a plasma gun for good measure. Outside of uniform, he's dressed quite smartly and sharply, reflecting his father's immense wealth and status.
Well, that sums up the basic appearance for Rowland and Toar, at least in my head. Everyone has their own view of what the characters look like though, and that's exactly the way it should be - it's imagination that determines how they look, especially in Toar's case. I'm sincerely looking forward to how you see the characters! Thank you for your interest in my stories and I am thrilled that they've inspired you to create your own artwork - it's such a compliment that these characters mean something for you.
James Siewert
Hi James, thanks for your question and for buying my books! I will certainly investigate how to go about making the books available as ePubs on Amazon and will post an update if I'm successful. Stay tuned, and thanks again for supporting my stories.
James Siewert
HI Cliff,
Progress is slow-going on Captains of Oartheca, but I am working to get the book published this year. I'm around 60% done with the first draft, so while there's still a lot to go, I try and get a little done every day. It's a big story so far - the most hefty of the series! Thank you SO much for your interest in my stories and keep an eye out on my blog for further updates.
Take care,
James
Progress is slow-going on Captains of Oartheca, but I am working to get the book published this year. I'm around 60% done with the first draft, so while there's still a lot to go, I try and get a little done every day. It's a big story so far - the most hefty of the series! Thank you SO much for your interest in my stories and keep an eye out on my blog for further updates.
Take care,
James
Clarissa
So excited to hear this, can't wait to read the next installment. Although obviously don't tire yourself out, whenever the book appears will be amazin
So excited to hear this, can't wait to read the next installment. Although obviously don't tire yourself out, whenever the book appears will be amazing x
...more
Mar 22, 2024 09:35AM
Mar 22, 2024 09:35AM
D G-P
ditto on Clarissas comment. looking forward to the next chapter but pace yourself :)
Mar 25, 2024 11:49PM
Mar 25, 2024 11:49PM
James Siewert
That's a tall order but I'll give it my best shot! In the most simple terms: Oarth grawls = anthropomorphic werebears. Oarth barons = outrageously attractive human men. Brolocons = gargoyle-ish with 2 prehensile dorsal tentacles. Myliorians = svelte purplish elves with no body fat (don't kiss them). Pryok'tel = orange-hued cannibals with bone-spikes for hair and an expandable mouth. Harculcorians = crocodile brick sh*t-houses. Alconalc = frail, bird-like geniuses with large eyes. Tekethi = anthro-spiders. Purdonese = platypus-human hybrids. Nurcillices = deceptively delicate insectiod angels. Pyzari = tall, gangly, reverse jointed, mandible mouths, horns. There's more but I've yet to describe them fully!
James Siewert
I would say that the Under Drive tech is 95% imagination combined with 5% hypothetical science. In order for the Under Drive to exist, you'd have to accept that there are multiple realities parallel to our own, that there's a way to cross those realities, and that it possible those realities do not have the same laws of time, space and physics that our universe does. Those three points are kicking around the science community, but at this point, everything is speculative only. Thanks for your interesting question and for reading the Oarthecan Star Saga!
James Siewert
Hey there, thanks for your interest in the series! The next book in the Oarthecan Star Saga is 'Barons of Oartheca', scheduled for release April 30, 2022. After that, 'Captains of Oartheca' is Spring 2023 (if all goes according to plan). Hope you'll join in the continuing adventures of Rowland & Toar!
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Oct 04, 2026 01:53AM · flag
Oct 04, 2026 05:52PM · flag