If you’d asked my teenage self what I dreamed of for in the future when I hit my 50’s, I probably would have said either owning a DeLorean (Back to the Future) or a Lotus (For Your Eyes Only). Or being a full-time author. At least one of the three came true!

Ten years ago, my world changed when I gave away free copies of The Wretched of Muirwood on Kindle for just a few days and then fans (many of you) discovered my books for the first time. A few months later I was offered a six-book deal with Amazon Publishing and the rest is…history. I’ve written many more books since then and been able to have experiences that would have blown the mind of my teenage self (like being on a panel at Comic Con with my hero, Terry Brooks, on my b-day!)

My writer’s journey has been a rollercoaster with ups and down. Recent ups has included Knight’s Ransom being named a Wall Street Journal bestseller. My publisher also sent my family to all-you-can eat Sushi to celebrate reaching over 5 million readers. A recent down — my TV deal for Kingfountain isn’t going to happen. It’s a long story, but let’s just say that the Film and TV rights are now back in my hands. And I’m grateful, to be honest, because things were feeling off for a while.

Successes and disappointments are part of this business and I’m grateful, every day, just to be along for the ride. It has been awesome to see reader reactions to Fate’s Ransom this last week. Ending a series is so important to me, especially how it lands with readers, so I’ve been waiting with anticipation. Not all my books have landed spot on, but I do my best and work hard with my editors to make them satisfying.

I’m also super excited for the launch of my newest Muirwood series, The Dawning of Muirwood, which comes out in May 2022. It’s been so nostalgic to be back writing again in the world of Leerings, Aldermastons, and the Medium. I will be doing a Facebook Live this week (watch my FB page) and giving away a few advanced copies of book 1, The Druid to a few lucky winners.

Last by not least, I also wanted to announce that my line-up for 2023 will be a little different. Actually, a lot different. Many of my books have been inspired by realistic and intense dreams. Well, I had one last June that I just couldn’t get out of my mind. I spoke to my editor about it and wondered how she felt if I wrote a series that *wasn’t* epic fantasy (I still have many ideas for more fantasy novels–have no fear!), but I wanted to try a new genre, to see if I could challenge myself to write something completely new. Thankfully, she was totally excited about the idea and I’ve signed a contract with A-Pub. I’m not going to reveal anything else right now (except a picture below which will be an enormously vague clue), but I have started writing it and wow…it’s been so fun!

Welcome 2022 and hopefully it will be a step in the right direction. I will be teaching again at the Storymakers conference in Provo, Utah in May. Hope to see some fans there this year!

-Jeff

P.S. I have two relatives hospitalized with Covid (my wife’s uncle is on a ventilator right now and her aunt is in the ICU–additional prayers would be helpful!)