Ask the Author: David Estes

“Ask me ANYTHING and I'll do my best to make my response as entertaining as possible :) Readers rock!” David Estes

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David, I'm organizing my audiobooks so that I move from one to the next as I listen & drive. I'm a fan of character & world development. In what order should I listen to your books? BookSeriesInOrder.com lists them in this order: Country Saga, Dwellers, Evolution, Fatemarked, Forsworn, Godstar, Kingfall, Salem's Revenge, Slip, Bloodwood, Krake Riders, Last King.

David Estes Hi Jeanne, great to hear from you!

If you're a fan of epic fantasy with character/world development, I think you'd enjoy my ongoing fantasy series set in the same world. The recommended order (chronological) is:

The Fatemarked Epic (5 books):
1. Fatemarked
2. Truthmarked
3. Soulmarked
4. Deathmarked
5. Lifemarked

The Kingfall Histories (5 books):
1. Kingfall
2. Dragonfall
3. Magefall
4. Nightfall
5. Endfall

The Forsworn Oath (5 books):
1. Forsworn
2. Heartsworn (coming in late 2025)
3. Stormsworn (coming in 2026)
4. Soulsworn (coming in 2026)
5. Bloodsworn (coming in early 2027)

Additionally, I think you would enjoy a few of my co-written series:

Kraken Rider Z written with Dyrk Ashton (trilogy)
The Bloodwood Saga written with Ben Galley (trilogy)
The Last King written with GD Penman (trilogy)

Thanks for all your support, I hope this helps! Also, if you're interested in signed bookmarks, send me an e-mail with your mailing address to davidestesbooks@gmail.com :)

David

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Hello david I have bought all your fatemarked and kingfall audiobooks and I have to say I love the world and the characters will we ever get a epic saga where all the kingdoms come together for a bigger end of days type battle where the fate marked and godblades are required bring back some of our favourite characters and also finding out what is happening with them for I loved the characters so much and need more ?

David Estes I'm honored by your support and kind words, thanks so much for reading Fatemarked and Kingfall! I'm not currently planning a series where I combine the others in a comprehensive way, but I am continuing to write new stories in the same world, which will include characters from all the series. For example, my new series, The Forsworn Oath, has characters from both Fatemarked and Kingfall, along with a whole new cast of characters. The first three books are out in ebook format and the first audiobook comes out tomorrow: https://www.audible.com/pd/Forsworn-A...

Once Forsworn is finished, I'm planning a fourth series in this world, and it will include characters from each of the three series as well as some new characters. It should be fun!

Thanks again, I'm so glad you're enjoying it!

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Are the Kingfall series ever issued in first editions?

David Estes Hi David, thanks for the question. Unfortunately not. When you publish through Amazon, there aren't ever really "first editions", as all physical copies are printed on demand. That said, I recently started selling deluxe special edition boxed sets of the predecessor series, Fatemarked, and also plan to eventually offer a similar version for Kingfall. The special editions include more than 40 color illustrations, beautiful bedsheets, faux-leather, foil-stamped covers, and all will be hand-signed by me. If you're interested, they are still available for preorder in the late backer store here:

https://fatemarked-deluxe-illustrated...

Thanks for your support!

David

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How many books are going to be in the Kraken Rider Z series?

David Estes Hi Chris, good to hear from you! We are planning on there being three books in the Kraken Rider Z series. Only one more to go!

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

David Estes Hi Arthur, great to hear from you! I appreciate your support and I'm so glad that you're enjoying Kingfall. You are correct. Sir Metz's character is inspired by my friends and family members who are on the spectrum. While it is true that many on the spectrum may not do well in the chaos of battle, Sir Metz's ability to focus on the precision of each small movement allows him to perform at an extremely high level.

Thanks for stopping by to ask your question! I hope you enjoy Kingfall's predecessor series, Fatemarked, as well as my brand new follow up series, Forsworn, as well. There is a lot more of the world to explore!

Happy New Year,

David

This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

David Estes I don't know what you're talking about. (well, I do, but I have signed an oath using my own blood that I shall not speak of this so-called tavern that bears a resemblance to another so-called similar tavern in some other book by me or by another author that I may or may not happen to be acquainted with.)

NOTE: You are not the first reader to have asked me about this, nor will you be the last. The Blind Pig tavern seems to be spreading through fantasy books like wildfire!

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In what order should one read/listen to the Fatemarked vs Kingfall Histories? I know they take place in the same world, but does one take place before another or do they happen near the same time frame?

David Estes Hi Michael, thanks for your interest in Fatemarked and Kingfall! Chronologically, Fatemarked takes place before Kingfall, but the series are unrelated so they can be read in either order, as the settings are on different continents in the same world. That said, some readers have told me they think it's beneficial to read Fatemarked first as there are a couple of cameos in Kingfall by characters from Fatemarked. But it's totally up to you! Whichever series seems more interesting to you is a fine place to start! I'm also releasing the first book in a third series set in this world, Forsworn, on September 30th. This one takes place after Kingfall but will also be a completely new continent with a whole cast of new characters and adventures :)

If you like beautiful collector's editions of books for your shelves, I'm about to launch a Kickstarter campaign for the entire boxed set of Fatemarked, which will include at least 20 interior color illustrations (possibly more if our stretch goals are reached). If that's of interest to you, check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Whatever you decide, feel free to let me know what you think!

David

Hi David, I’m a huge fan of Fatemarked and Kingfall. I have recently seen your new Fatemarked deluxe boxset Kickstarter and I love the designs, and will definitely be picking them up if they ship to Canada. Will the Kickstarter ship to Canada?

David Estes Thanks very much, Ryan, I'm glad you like the look of the new books! And they're going to have SO MUCH interior art, can't wait to start revealing some of it. To answer your question...yes! My understanding from speaking to my admin/logistics partner is that the books can be shipped anywhere :)

Have I sent you signed bookmarks before? If not, send your mailing address to davidestesbooks@gmail.com and I'll get them headed your way!

Thanks for all your kindness and support :)

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HI David! I found Kingfall before Fatemarked, but I saw that Fatemarked was released beforehand, so I read that one first. Loved it! Binge read the series on kindle, and bought the physical copies [love the cover arts BTW]. However, the physical copies of Fatemarked don't have the postludes included in them like the kindle editions. Any chance of a 2nd printing of Fatemarked with the postludes included?

David Estes Thanks so much for your kind words and support! Your timing is perfect, actually! I just pre-launched a Kickstarter for a collector's edition boxed set of the whole Fatemarked series that will include the postludes (they initially weren't included because of Amazon printing restrictions on the size of the books, restrictions that have since been reduced). Here's a link where you can click/sign up to get notifications on the campaign, which will launch in October:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

These versions are going to have tons of color interior art, a new color map, and tons of other bells and whistles :)

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On Amazon only the first book of the Fatemarked series is available in hardcover. Is there a way to get the whole series as hardcover? I'm looking for a new fantasy series to dive in and if the Fatemarked series catch on i'll be looking for the Kingfall series aswell :)

David Estes Hi Kevin, that is a very good question and your timing is perfect :) The Fatemarked hardcover available on Amazon is a remnant of an old Kickstarter campaign I ran a while back. That said, I decided to go in a different direction with the special editions, so I'll be launching a new Kickstarter VERY soon (prelaunch in the next couple weeks with the official launch in October). The Kickstarter will include the entire 5-book Fatemarked series in collector's edition faux-leather hardbacks with color illustrations and tons of bells and whistles. That said, even assuming the Kickstarter funds, the books likely won't be finished/shipped until mid/late 2025 due to all the work required to have the art completed, the books signed, etc.

If you'd rather read the series right away, the paperbacks are available on Amazon as well as the ebooks, and the Audible audiobooks have a fantastic narrator.

No pressure either way, but if you do decide to read them, let me know what you think! I've been known to send signed swag to my readers :) :) :)

Thanks for your interest and happy reading!

David

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Hello, I read your Fatemarked series back in 2021 and recently read it again. After completing it a second time, I continued on to your Kingfall series. These are two of my favorite series of all time! Recently learned that you're writing another series in the same world. Absolutely looking forward to it! Will it also be thousands of pages long? Thanks.

David Estes Thanks so much for all your support and enthusiasm for Fatemarked and Kingfall! Yes, I am currently working on the next 5-book series set in the same world, The Forsworn Oath. Book 1, Forsworn, will likely be released in September or October of this year, with the first sequel, Heartsworn, to be released shortly after (both books are already written). I'm about a third of the way into the third book, Stormsworn, so I'm making good progress! To answer you question, YES. These are also going to be long, sprawling epic fantasy novels. Forsworn clocked in at 263,00 words, which is more than a thousand normalized pages. And Heartsworn is even longer at 292,000. The final three books will likely be just as long or longer. So like Fatemarked and Kingfall, this one should keep you busy for a while!

As a small token of my gratitude for your support, I'd love to send you some signed bookmarks. If you're interested, e-mail your mailing address to davidestesbooks@gmail.com and I'll get them headed your way :) :) :)

David

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No question, just love. My wife recommended The Kingfall Histories series to me, which led to Fatemarked and got me overly excited to have 10 new books to read. I'm about 40% of the way through Kingfall and 100% hooked. Thank you!!! Goodreads yelled at me and said I needed to add a question mark? HAHA

David Estes I'm honored! And question or not, I really appreciate you getting in touch :) As a small token of my appreciation, can I send you and your wife some signed bookmarks? If so, e-mail your mailing address to davidestesbooks@gmail.com and I'll get them headed your way!

PS- After you're done with Kingfall, there's a whole new series set in the same world coming soon. The Forsworn Oath :)

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I have just finished reading Dragonfall (absolutely amazing) when i realised the Fatemarked series was actually similar to that of a sequel to Kingfall, should i abandon reading Magefall for now and swap to reading Fatemarked?I was also wondering if your book came in hardcover because it would avoid making the cover crumpled which might ruin the magnificent artwork.

David Estes Hi William, I really appreciate your support and kind words! I purposely designed the series such that you can read Fatemarked and Kingfall in any order. They have different characters (except for Christoff Metz and Gwendolyn Storm, who make cameo appearances), are set on different continents, and have different plot lines. So it's really up to you. If you feel strongly about reading them in the order I wrote them (as well as chronological order in terms of the events occurring in the world), then Fatemarked comes first. It will also give you more background on Gwen and Christoff before they make their cameo appearances. I'm currently working on a third series set in a different part of the same world, Forsworn. Coming soon!

There ARE hardbacks available on Amazon for Kingfall and its sequels. Fatemarked, however, only has a special edition hardcover for book 1, but I have yet to produce hardcovers for the sequels (coming soon via a Kickstarter).

Would you be interested in some signed bookmarks? If so, e-mail your mailing address to davidestesbooks@gmail.com and I'll get them headed your way!

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Awesome man, thanks for the quick reply. I will definitely have to keep and eye out for the boxed set of Fatemarked! Any dates set yet?

David Estes Not just yet, I'm currently in talks with the logistics company that will manage administration of the Kickstarter, printing, shipping, etc. But as soon as I have the estimated timing, I'll let everyone know on social media and via my newsletter :)

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Hi David, hope all is well. I was wondering if you have any ARC or review copies of book one of Fatemarked? I have had my eye on this series for so long now but have been having a hard time finding a physical copy of the self pub version with that beautiful cover art! I make it my mission to read and review self published authors and share my reviews on GoodReads, Youtube, Twitter and Amazon to help spread the word:)

David Estes Hi LambchoP, thanks for your interest in Fatemarked. I don't have any review copies of the book, and it has been fully rebranded as part of a Kickstarter to match the ebook/audiobook versions. These signed, special editions are still available here: https://fatemarked-epic-fantasy-hard-...

I am also planning a major Kickstarter this year for the entire Fatemarked series, where I'll be selling it as a special edition boxed set (all five books with possibly new interior art (depending on whether it funds)).

Thanks for stopping by and happy reading!

David

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

David Estes Hi Matthew, thanks so much for your support and I'm so glad you're enjoying Kingfall so far. The way I've designed this world is that you can read either Fatemarked or Kingfall first. That said, I definitely think you'll enjoy Fatemarked as well, especially learning more about Gwendolyn Storm's origins and her role in what happens in that part of my world. But there's no need to drop Kingfall to read Fatemarked first, as the events that transpire in that series have no impact on Kingfall, or the new series I'm working on, Forsworn.

As a small token of my thanks, can I send you some signed bookmarks? If so, email your mailing address to davidestesbooks@gmail.com and I'll get them headed your way. Happy 2024, may it be a year filled with stories and reading!

David

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Stoked for a Third series. Just spent 2 days trying to get over Domino but still eagerly waiting Nightfall to arrive. I am hopeful there was a reason for what happened. Any chance you could release a PDF of all the back stories from the FateMarked series? I love learning more about the characters and I'm bummed they weren't included in the paperbacks. I'd be happy to buy a book of just them.

David Estes Hi Heath, send an email to davidestesbooks@gmail.com and I'll see what I can do!

Thanks for all your kindness and support :)

Happy holidays!

David

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No question. Just THRILLED to hear that there will be a THIRD series in the Fatemarked/Kingfall world! Will it also be five big books? I **adore** your characters and stories. I'm extremely excited about this third series! I will, of course, also be reading all of your OTHER series - but this particular bit of news has me OVER THE MOON!!! ♡♡♡

David Estes Thank you so much for stopping by to share your excitement! That actually really helps as I'm currently in the part of the series where it's fun but a long slog. Writing massive series like this is a marathon (more like an ultra-marathon or maybe Forrest Gump running coast to coast!), so I need some extra motivation along the way ;) But YES! Like Fatemarked and Kingfall, The Forsworn Oath will be five very big books (Forsworn, Heartsworn, Stormsworn, Soulsworn and Bloodsworn). Book 1 is already done and is 265k words, so a little bigger than Kingfall was. I'm currently about 100k words into writing Heartsworn. My narrator, Tim Gerard Reynolds, is scheduled to work on the first two books in summer 2024, with the hopes of releasing Forsworn and Heartsworn in September/October 2024. From there, I hope to release the final three books in the series every six to nine months, depending on how long they get! In any case, I really appreciate your support and enthusiasm! Happy holidays!

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Hello David, will you be bringing Endfall to Audio? I do not posses the skill of sitting still and reading. Audio books have helped me in more ways then I can count. I love your stories and would love to hear the end of this story line. Please consider having Tim G complete this series. TY.

David Estes Hi Wendy, great to hear from you!

The answer is YES. TGR is actually producing the audiobook right now, and my publisher, Audible Studios, has told me they're looking at a February or March 2024 release for Endfall. I'm so sorry for the delay, I know all my audio listeners have been waiting a while! TGR is in high-demand (partly my fault, as he is also narrating three other series for me, Kraken Rider Z, Demon's Reign and Shadebound) so his schedule is challenging.

In other news, TGR will also be narrating my follow up series set in the same world as Fatemarked and Kingfall, titled Forsworn, and will begin work producing the first two books in June 2024 with a tentative release date of September 2024. So there is more to come!

Thanks again for all your support! I know you're not a physical book reader, but would you be interested in some signed bookmarks as a small token of my appreciation for your support? If so, e-mail your mailing address to davidestesbooks@gmail.com and I'll get them headed your way :)

David

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Will Thronebound come out in paperback??

David Estes Great to hear from you, Cathy! I am really hoping Thronebound will be released in print format, but in this case it’s up to the publisher, Wraithmarked Creative. Normally I have control over such things but not in this case. The publisher chose to release the first two books in paperback on a delayed basis, so I’m expecting Thronebound will be the same. Fingers crossed. In the meantime, can I send you some signed bookmarks? If so, send email your mailing address to davidestesbooks@gmail.com and I’ll get them headed your way.

Thanks for all your support!

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