Peter Diggins's Blog

The forces of darkness are converging, and only those brave enough to confront them stand between Syrane and a future consumed by chaos.

Duncan Hawkwind, the outsider, now wields power unlike any other, shaped by the remnants of an ancient archmage’s magic. Locked in a deadly struggle against Xiphos, who seeks to reclaim what Duncan has taken, he struggles to control the overwhelming forces within him. An eclipse approaches, heralding a dark ritual that threatens to reshape two worlds.

Both Gwidion and Xiphos search for a powerful tome hidden somewhere in time, each intent on using it to reshape reality itself. But the book is lost, its location veiled in mystery, hidden beyond their reach.

Joined by allies both old and new, Garth Bowen races against time to stop Gwidion, the warlock bound to a dangerous pact with the demon Zastrokas, whose plans threaten to unravel everything. But the path is fraught with danger.

One of their own falls to the consequences of Xiphos’ actions. Now, Duncan and his companions must push forward, knowing that stopping Gwidion’s ritual and Xiphos’ quest for immortality is their only hope. With the fate of two worlds hanging in the balance, they face their most dangerous battle yet…

The Tassie Indie Author Book Fair was great fun. I am pleased to report I had a very successful day; I sold out of book one!

I’m happy to report I have some more copies of all four books in the Syrane Chronicles available for sale.
If you’d like to purchase directly from me, please head over to my Square Shop.
Otherwise, they are available at many fine retailers worldwide.

Speaking of worldwide, I am also pleased to report I received a paperback copy of book one, ‘A Miscast Spell’, translated into German!
I must admit I have no ability to speak or write in Deutsch. But it’s exciting to have my work translated for others to enjoy.

Thanks for reading!

Pete

Hello folks,

A lot has happened since the last time I posted.

The Warlock’s Curse

March marked the eagerly awaited release of Book Four in the Syrane Chronicles series, titled ‘The Warlock’s Curse.’ Now available in both paperback and Kindle formats, the latest instalment has been unleashed into the world.

Here are all four books on my bookshelf. They look kinda cool all together

The Syrane Chronicles: Collection One

Speaking of Kindle, the first three novels (A Miscast Spell, The Archmage’s Tower and Dance of Death) are available on Kindle as ‘The Syrane Chronicles: Collection One’. It’s a virtual boxed set.

Book Five of the Syrane Chronicles

I’ve been working hard on book five of the Syrane Chronicles. I’m pleased to report the first draft is 54,000 words at the moment (probably about halfway done).

And, book five has a name. I’m calling it ‘Somewhere in Time’. Will it still be called that when it’s finished? Good question. Time will tell.

Yes, that was a time pun.

Other news

In a departure from literary news, Tasmania’s sporting prowess has shone brightly on the national stage.

Cricket

Our cricket team, the Tasmania Tigers, showcased their talent by advancing to the final of the prestigious Sheffield Shield competition. Despite a valiant effort, they faced formidable opponents in the form of Western Australia, who were a little too good for the Tigers over the course of the four-day contest.

Basketball

The Tasmania JackJumpers clinched their inaugural NBL Title in a thrilling showdown against Melbourne United. The tightly contested five-game finals series culminated in a victory for the JackJumpers, marking a historic moment for the team and their fans.

AFL Football

And at long last Tasmania’s entry into the AFL, the Australian Football Code was announced. Very exciting. I’m not sure this will lead me to renounce my Geelong Cats membership, but it’s exciting for local players, coaches and administrators. It’s great to get a team that will inspire and support young women and men to play in a Tasmanian team.

Book Fair

On 4 May 2024 I’ll take part in the Tassie Indie Author Book Fair. Held this year at the Salamanca Arts Centre in Hobart, it will run from 10am to 3pm. If you’re in the local area, please come visit!

Thanks for reading!

Pete

It’s so close I can smell it…
Book four is out on Friday!


Check it out on Amazon.

Duncan Hawkwind, the Outsider, has returned home to Earth. But in Syrane, the friends he left behind could suffer. Those affected by his actions plot revenge and work to bring Duncan back to Syrane.

Jade has welcomed new students to the Mage’s Tower, but the apprentice mages are up to something. One, Aldis, keeps a mysterious, hidden agenda. The demon Zastrokas seeks to corrupt Gwidion, another apprentice mage. Garth Bowen discovers that someone has murdered Gwidion’s entire family. But Bowen is at a loss to explain the other dead bodies at the crime scene.

Evil forces hunt for mysterious magical books that offer them power beyond imagination.

Venarri and Turgon, two of Duncan’s elven companions, are missing without a trace.

Zekhur, the mighty Jarl of the Ogres, is on the warpath.

And is Xiphos the lych truly dead?

Thanks for reading!

Pete

As we eagerly await the upcoming release of ‘The Warlock’s Curse’ in March 2024, I’m excited to announce that the first three novels of The Syrane Chronicles are now conveniently bundled together as a Kindle Boxed Set, available on Amazon.

Hello folks,

It’s been a while since I did an update! All three books are out now on Amazon and other retailers. All three are doing well and getting good reviews!

Amazon have selected A Miscast Spell to feature on their Daily Kindle Deal email in the US and Canada on 30 October 2023. It will be reduced to $1.50 on the day.

Please keep an eye out if you receive these emails from Amazon! Tell your friends; hey tell people you dislike too. They might like the book!

The first draft of Book 4, The Warlock’s Curse is written. It’s due out in March 2024 and is available for pre-order.

Thanks for reading!

Pete

I think… the title says it all!

Available for pre-order now!
Amazon Australia
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Canada
Amazon New Zealand

https://www.syrane.com/

I mentioned a little while ago that changes are coming. So what’s changed?

Some big things, actually. I’ve unpublished all the books I’ve written (Outsider, Outsider: Deliverance and Orion: Wager of Battle). In the past eight years, I’ve become a much better writer and I’ve been given an opportunity to redo these books, to present them as I would have liked to have done them originally.

In the past few months, I’ve written a whole new book’s worth of stories about Duncan Hawkwind and his adventures and misadventures in the Kingdom of Syrane.

I’ve breathed new life into the first two Outsider novels and turned them into three books!

I’ve changed some bits, introduced new characters and set Syrane up to host a heap more adventures beyond the first three books.

The short version:

The books formerly known as Outsider, Outsider: Deliverance and Orion: Wager of Battle are no more.The re-released books will have new cover art and new titles.We will re-title the series and call it The Syrane Chronicles. Books four and five are already in development.The first three books of the series will tell Duncan Hawkwind’s story, and we’ll refer to them as The Hawkwind Saga.

‘A Miscast Spell’ is book 1 of the Hawkwind Saga

‘The Archmage’s Tower’ is book 2 of the Hawkwind Saga

‘Dance of Death’ is book 3 of the Hawkwind Saga

We hope to release in the coming months. I’ll give you more info when I have some to share. It’s been great fun to retell myself the stories, and I can’t wait to share them with you!

Hello folks,

There are changes afoot.

I’ve withdrawn the books I’ve written for sale.

Outsider, Outsider: Deliverance and Orion: Wager of Battle are for sale no longer!

I have breathed new life into the series formerly known as ‘Outsider’.

There’ll be a fresh relaunch with a new series title and new individual book titles, with new cover art and will expand from two books to three. From there, the new series will grow!

I’m looking forward to sharing it with you in the coming months.

Pete

I’m a huge Cats fan. Last time they won the premiership, I didn’t have the blog. Now seems as good a time as ever to mention them here.

Yesterday the Geelong Cats won their tenth premiership in the AFL (we knew the competition as the VFL until 1990), and their first since 2011.

The AFL/ Australian Football has operated in various forms since 1858. Melbourne and Geelong, respectively founded in 1858 and 1859, are among the oldest continuous sporting clubs in the world. Coincidentally, Melbourne was the 2021 premier.

Back in 2007, the Cats won their seventh, but first since 1963. A very long drought and having not been born in 1963, 2007 was the first one I’ve seen them win. In my lifetime, I’ve watched the Cats lose six Grand Finals and win four.

Here’s a complete list of how the Cats have fared over the year s .

Yesterday’s win was pretty exciting. The game itself was one-sided; the Cats defeated the Sydney Swans by 81 points. But so many times since 2011, the Cats have gone so close; they only missed the finals once (2015), lost five preliminary finals, and lost the Grand Final in 2020.

Yesterday, of course, they won the Grand Final, in front of 100,024 people at the MCG (and countless millions on TV).

They won fielding the oldest team ever (by average age) at this level.

The critics labelled the Cats ‘Too Old, Too Slow’ for several years.

It led to a great comeback tweet from the club:

Too old, too slow, too good The cup will look great down at the retirement home #Untameable pic.twitter.com/kNJPHYDQss

— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) September 24, 2022

Too Old, Too Slow… Too good!

Geelong Premiership Captain Joel Selwood and yours truly…

Go Cats!