Shawn Wickersheim

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Shawn Wickersheim

Goodreads Author


Born
The United States
Website

Twitter

Genre

Influences
David Gemmell, George R. R. Martin, Joe Abercrombie, Terry Brooks to n ...more

Member Since
August 2011

URL


Shawn Wickersheim lives in historic Woodstock Illinois with his wife and children.

His books include: The Penitent Assassin and The Savage Nobles trilogy ("Stolen Dagger", "Stolen Justice" and "Stolen Crown" -- formerly known as The Rush of Betrayal books).

Some have called these books 'dark or grimdark fantasy', others have called them 'epic fantasy'...he'll leave it to you to decide how you want to label them while he gets back to writing/editing the next book in the series, a stand-alone sequel to both The Penitent Assassin and The Savage Nobles trilogy.

Thanks and as always, Happy Reading.
...more

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Popular Answered Questions

Shawn Wickersheim The genre is easy. Fantasy.

As for a co-writer, I'd rather not just give you an easy answer. To me, the easy answer would be someone like George R. R. …more
The genre is easy. Fantasy.

As for a co-writer, I'd rather not just give you an easy answer. To me, the easy answer would be someone like George R. R. Martin or Mark Lawrence or Joe Abercrombie or if he were still alive David Gemmell. I enjoy reading their books and in general, I love their writing styles.

However, if I were to write a book with another author, I'd want to know we were co-writers in the truest sense of the word with equal say on the story, plot, characters etc. I'd like to know my co-writer enjoyed my books and writing style just as I would theirs. I'd also want to work with someone who's writing strengths complimented mine and vice versa. That's not to say the gentlemen I listed above couldn't be that author...but I believe if I co-authored a book with someone else, it would likely be with another indie author.

That said, if Martin, Lawrence or Abercrombie wanted to work with me...well, I'd be a fool to say 'no'.(less)
Shawn Wickersheim Thank you for your question, Brian…

While my books tend to have a darker tone, I do like to insert humor into them as well…even if at times it’s gallow…more
Thank you for your question, Brian…

While my books tend to have a darker tone, I do like to insert humor into them as well…even if at times it’s gallows humor. As for me, I tend to be a little more light-hearted in person with a bit of a self-deprecating sense of humor. The comment was more of an example of my sense of humor, as opposed to the books…though I must say, a fictionalized me in Mallor’s world would likely do whatever Mallor told him to do. Mallor is not someone you should mess around with, as I’m sure you’ve come to realize the more you’ve gotten to know him.

As for carrying on full conversations with characters – no, not really – it’s more full conversations taking place between characters and I’m the fly on the wall…

Though, I will say, the voice of the magic does sound a bit like the voice that pops up from time to time while I’m writing, especially when I’m working on first drafts. Even now I can almost hear him say, “This is the best you can do? This answer is crap!”
(less)
Average rating: 4.04 · 91 ratings · 39 reviews · 6 distinct works
The Penitent Assassin

3.93 avg rating — 68 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions
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The Rush of Betrayal: Decep...

4.63 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions
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The Savage Nobles: Stolen D...

4.17 avg rating — 6 ratings2 editions
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The Rush of Betrayal: Absol...

really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2013 — 2 editions
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The Savage Nobles: Stolen C...

4.67 avg rating — 3 ratings2 editions
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The Savage Nobles: Stolen J...

4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings2 editions
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More books by Shawn Wickersheim…

How is it 2025?

I don’t know where the time goes. I’ve heard that the older you get, the faster time seems to fly — and as the years pass, they surely do seem to be flying faster and faster. There must be some way to slow it down again….right? Not sure.

Forgive me for sounding a bit clunky, or rusty. It’s been a while since I’ve written. 2024 started out okay, I was exercising daily and was not in bad shape for so

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Published on January 05, 2025 20:06
Invisible Prey
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Return to Sender
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The Count of Mont...
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Shawn’s Recent Updates

Invisible Prey by John Sandford
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Shawn Wickersheim is on page 82 of 335 of Return to Sender
Return to Sender by Craig Johnson
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Shawn Wickersheim is currently reading
Invisible Prey by John Sandford
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Broken Prey by John Sandford
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Shawn Wickersheim is currently reading
Return to Sender by Craig Johnson
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Shawn Wickersheim is currently reading
Broken Prey by John Sandford
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Rough Country by John Sandford
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Roll to Hit by Harry Slater
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Reacher by Lee Child
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More of Shawn's books…
Quotes by Shawn Wickersheim  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“Mallor reached into a pocket and tossed a pair of hazel eyeballs onto the table. They bounced softly and wobbled to a bloody stop next to the butcher's knife. "Go untie the man in my room, and see to it that he gets those back.”
Shawn Wickersheim, The Penitent Assassin

“Sometimes the righteous path doesn’t take you where you need to go!”
Shawn Wickersheim, The Penitent Assassin

“Don’t you just love children? If they’re not disappointing you, they’re dead.”
Shawn Wickersheim, The Penitent Assassin

Polls

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“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”
Stephen King

“Who says life is fair, where is that written?”
William Goldman, The Princess Bride

“Has it ever occured to you, Master Ninefingers, that a sword is different from other weapons? Axes and maces and so forth are lethal enough, but they hang on the belt like dumb brutes. But a sword...a sword has a voice.
Sheathed it has little to say, to be sure, but you need only put your hand on the hilt and it begins to whisper in your enemy's ear. A gentle word. A word of caution. Do you hear it?
Now, compare it to the sword half drawn. It speaks louder, does it not? It hisses a dire threat. It makes a deadly promise. Do you hear it?
Now compare it to the sword full drawn. It shouts now, does it not? It screams defiance! It bellows a challenge! Do you hear it?”
Joe Abercrombie, The Blade Itself

Truly, life is the misery we endure between disappointments.
Joe Abercrombie, Last Argument of Kings

“Rules are for children. This is war, and in war the only crime is to lose.”
Joe Abercrombie, Last Argument of Kings

157418 Grimdark Fantasy — 2013 members — last activity Feb 11, 2026 01:08PM
This is for fans of what has been coined Grimdark Fantasy. This includes books by authors such as Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, George RR Martin, Sc ...more
25x33 Thieves and Scoundrels — 20 members — last activity Apr 13, 2014 04:12PM
For those who loves the bad boys and girls in literature - the thieves, scoundrels, too-smart-for-their-own-good, underhanded, sly, vicious, murderous ...more
935887 The Banished Lands and The Bloodsworn — 1432 members — last activity Jan 04, 2026 03:59PM
A group to discuss all books written within The Faithful and the Fallen and Of Blood and Bone, as well as The Bloodsworn, by John Gwynne. We will disc ...more
636120 The Cool Kids' Fantasy Club — 1787 members — last activity Feb 01, 2026 07:12PM
A group to chat about SFF books. Authors and readers welcome. I might post about my books and the Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off too. I plan on maki ...more
417136 Lost Lore Readalong! — 126 members — last activity Oct 13, 2018 06:18PM
This is an open group (so, EVERYONE is invited) for exploring the FREE fantasy anthology, Lost Lore (released on Monday 15th January, don'tchaknow) Th ...more
67609 FBR Book Club — 17 members — last activity Oct 14, 2013 12:15AM
Fantasy Book Review is starting up a monthly book club. Join in here to participate in our discussions
80482 Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" — 1121 members — last activity Feb 14, 2026 07:03PM
Readers, authors, illustrators, and editors aggregate here to discuss Sword & Sorcery books and related media (movies, comics, blogposts, etc.). ...more
56898 Shut Up & Read — 9884 members — last activity 4 hours, 54 min ago
A place for all types of readers.
155639 Author Interviews, Book Reviews & Promotions — 764 members — last activity Nov 13, 2025 06:03PM
Books are amazing to read - escapism at its best. But, do you ever wonder how the author wrote it or what inspired it? If so, author interviews are ...more
154447 Support for Indie Authors — 16628 members — last activity 20 hours, 33 min ago
Officially 15k Members Strong & Climbing!! Building and supporting a community of self-published authors dedicated to both sharing experiences and le ...more
More of Shawn’s groups…
Comments (showing 1-13)    post a comment »
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message 13: by Shawn

Shawn Wickersheim I haven't been around here much this year, but I hope that trend does not continue.

If you have any questions about The Penitent Assassin, or either of the Rush of Betrayal books, please drop me a line. (Of course, it's been awhile since I've read them so I might need to refresh my memory with another read soon! LOL) And if you haven't read them yourself, why don't you give them a try? Yes, they can be dark in places, and gritty too, but I try to inject humor in there as well, and fill the pages with quirky and adventurous characters.

Have a great day and as always - Happy Reading!


message 12: by Shawn

Shawn Wickersheim Nevey Berry wrote: "Thanks so much for adding me Shawn.
I am looking forward to read your books.

--Nevey..."


Thanks for being friends, Nevey.
I hope you enjoy reading my books.

Happy Reading.

--Shawn


message 11: by Neveen

Neveen Thanks so much for adding me Shawn.
I am looking forward to read your books.

--Nevey...


message 10: by Shawn

Shawn Wickersheim A happy day here! The Rush of Betrayal: Absolution (Book Two) has (finally!) been published!!! :) It should be showing up on Amazon.com later today!!

Okay, I think I've used up all my !!!! for the day.


message 9: by Shawn

Shawn Wickersheim Happy 2nd Birthday, The Penitent Assassin. How time flies!

And just so you know, every day I get closer and closer to the new 'The End' for The Rush of Betrayal: Absolution (Book Two).

Happy Reading!


message 8: by Shawn

Shawn Wickersheim I was very, very close to being done with The Rush of Betrayal: Absolution (Book Two) and then I decided to rip into the ending one more time so I'm now putting it all back together again. I do have the cover art done and I'll post it over on my blog....soon.

I hope you're all having a wonderful and creative summer!

Happy Reading.


message 7: by Shawn

Shawn Wickersheim With the kids both out of school for the summer now, my crazy life schedule has become actually a little less crazy. Really. I am very, very close to being done with The Rush of Betrayal: Absolution (Book Two). I'm pretty much just tweaking the ending now. I know I should go over to my blog and write about it there too, but honestly, I'm spending most of my free time just getting this book done. I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

Happy Reading.


message 6: by Shawn

Shawn Wickersheim Despite a crazy life schedule, I'm finally making some serious headway on the final edits for The Rush of Betrayal: Absolution (Book Two). I'm eager to finish this book and start work on my next book - a sequel to both The Penitent Assassin and The Rush of Betrayal books. Have a great day - and Happy Reading!


Carrie Thanks for the friend request!! :)


message 4: by Shawn

Shawn Wickersheim Wishing The Penitent Assassin a 'Happy Birthday'. My 'baby' is one year old today. It's hard to believe it has been a whole year since I published it. Wow. I guess it's true what they say - time flies.


message 3: by Shawn

Shawn Wickersheim Terry wrote: "Shawn! Hey, great to see what you look like, at last! xx"

LOL. Thanks. I figured it was about time to add a real photo. :) Hope you're having a great day!


message 2: by Terry

Terry Tyler Shawn! Hey, great to see what you look like, at last! xx


message 1: by Shawn

Shawn Wickersheim L.J. wrote: "Thanks for the add Shawn!"

Sorry about the delay....I just scrolled this far down on the page and saw this! So embarrasing! :) Hope you have a great day!


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