D.E. King's Blog

When it comes to fantasy books, the cover is often the first thing that captures a reader’s imagination. A striking fantasy book cover does more than showcase the title. It hints at the magical worlds inside, teases epic battles, and invites readers to lose themselves in other realms. Whether you’re a reader hunting for your next adventure or an author trying to make your book stand out, understanding what makes a cover work is key.

A great cover can make your story unforgettable. A poor one ...

Whether it’s an epic battle between kingdoms in an entirely fictional world or a subtle, magical disturbance in an otherwise normal setting, fantasy fiction continues to captivate readers of all ages. But not all fantasy stories are created equal. Ask any seasoned reader or writer of the genre and they’ll tell you: there’s a world of difference between high fantasy and low fantasy.

So, what is high fantasy? What is low fantasy? And, why does it matter?

From magical creatures to magical pow...

Need a spark to ignite your next fantasy story? Whether you’re a new author or a seasoned wordsmith looking for a boost, you’re in the right place. These fantasy writing prompts will transport you to magical kingdoms, dark forests, mystical cities and everywhere in between. From epic fantasy quests to quirky, cozy fantasy scenes we’ve got a treasure trove of ideas to get your imagination going and your pen moving.

Below, you’ll find themed sections filled with fantasy fiction writing prompts ...

There’s a special kind of joy that comes from reading a cozy fantasy book. It’s not about saving the world or battling dark lords. It’s about quiet magic, warm cups of tea, and characters who find happiness in the simple things.

Cozy fantasy books are the literary equivalent of a comfy jumper on a rainy afternoon. They favour small, meaningful stories over high-stakes battles. Characters grow not through war, but through connection. You’ll still find magic, mythical c...

In the world of fiction writing, choosing the right point of view (POV) can shape the entire feel and focus of a story. One of the most powerful, yet often misunderstood, is omniscient point of view. This narrative style allows the storyteller to step outside the limitations of a single character and offer a broader, more expansive lens. 

So, what exactly is omniscient POV? And how’s it different from things like third person limited or first person? Let’s break it down.

I was excited to be on Sally Barrilla’s podcast, the Detective Writer, where she very regular interviews a wide range of authors about their writing journey.

If you’d like to listen to her interviewing me, our conversation about my writing journey you can do that on the following platforms.

Here’s the Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YEs64yo3XTRbEyIQIjUCR

And to see more of Sally’s podcast visit her site: https://detectivewriter.com/2025/06/16/meet-our-brand-new-guest-darryl-d-e-king...

Whether you are an avid reader or aspiring writer, knowing a little more about the stories you love can help you develop a deeper appreciation. 

Our world is filled with patterns, from the changing seasons to the rise and fall of the moon and sun. Stories are no different, following a beat and shape that keeps you hooked and going back for more. But how do you break down a story to view its internal structure? Let’s do a deep dive into all you need to know about story structure and more. 

It’s publishing time for Cut In Half, the pre-order is set, manuscript is finished: check it out.

Finalising the interactive map and waiting on the print test to arrive so we can set the publication date for print as well.

That’s pretty much it, the mad final sprint to make sure all the little things are done.

Oh yeah i probably need to do some social posts.

Key work of late:

If you are thinking of writing a story (or even want to learn some more about the ins and outs of writing), you’ll find the point of view or POV is a vital ingredient in any book.  But what exactly is a third person point of view and how does it affect your story? 

Let’s break down the third person voice and all you need to know. 

Third-person POV is when the narrator tells the story from an outside perspective, rather than as a character’s perspective from withi...

Rounding out the preparation for launch of Cut In Half next month. That included locking down on the blurb, if you haven’t seen that check it out.

There’s always lots to do and plan to get ready for a launch including multiple reads, sending to copy editor and final preparation.

This week we’ll start on the interactive map for it. That means some updates to the map design, then loading the new image into the tool we’ve built for interactive maps, and then plotting out each step for the characters....