A.J. Calvin

@ajcalvin.bsky.social

1.4k Following 2.9k Followers

SF/F Author of The Relics of War, The Caein Legacy, and Wraith & the Revolution
Reviewer at FanFiAddict.com

Newsletter signup: http://ajcalvin.net/newsletter/

Website: https://ajcalvin.net/books/

My Shop: https://ajcalvin.net/shop/

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 11, 2026, 11:29 AM

Dorilian's is perfect 😂

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 11, 2026, 11:22 AM

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober 11
What would your MC's tombstone say?

As it happens...Zel has a tombstone, since he's 600 years dead. And I think this calls for another new snippet. 😊

(Felsyn is the god of fate, and Zel was a conman who convinced Felsyn's followers he was their Chosen One)

light blue background with black text

Text reads:
"'The False Chosen One's heritage has never been uncovered, despite my tireless research. However, I have located the burial plot outside of Crestfall,'" Sylvanus recites as he runs a slender finger along a line of text. "'The marker above the grave is faded, but the words are still legible. It reads: Z. Fontayne, Chosen of Felsyn, Bearer of Chains.'" Sylvanus straightens and beams triumphantly. "Fontayne is an old elven name. You weren't merely part of the war - you're the False Chosen One himself."

Rites of Departure
The Fontayne Company: Book One
Coming March 2027
Learn more at https://ajcalvin.net/books/the-fontayne-company/rites-of-departure/

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 10, 2026, 11:50 AM

The #WIPSnips word for October 10th is "fuzzy"

I went with "blurred." After searching through several manuscripts, I can't find "fuzzy."

In this snippet from Wraith and the Revolution, Kye's lamenting on his failing vision.
ajcalvin.net/books/wraith...

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

His eyesight has always been better than mine. That's yet another thing I can't get fixed; it's even more nonessential than correcting my blood condition. I've learned to live with my world being blurred at a distance, and my shoddy vision is one reason I don't mind sitting on the dune with Pablo as three people prepare to row out to their deaths. I'll see the tentacles rise from the water, see the vague shape of the unfortunate souls as they're dragged from their vessel into the churning sea, but I won't see the gory details. The blood, the chunks of flesh, the severed limbs; those will be lost to my sight.
I will hear their screams, but not everyone cries out when the devils find them. I wonder which these fishermen will be.

Wraith and the Revolution is available wide.
https://ajcalvin.net/books/wraith-and-the-revolution/

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 10, 2026, 10:57 AM

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober 10
Saturday Snippet

Here's another one from Rites of Departure 😁

blue background with black text

Text reads:
It's well after midnight, and I've forgotten that my living counterpart requires sleep in order to function. "I'll look around the premises while you're asleep. I'll need something to keep myself occupied."
He grimaces. "Promise you won't upset any of the guests. It's a *nice* inn, Zel. I'd hate to lose my good standing with the proprietor due to your antics."
I feign outrage. "Antics? Do you truly think so little of me?"
In truth, I *have* been considering...something. What I did would have been dependent on what I uncovered during my exploration. Old habits don't always die with one's body, you know.

Rites of Departure
The Fontayne Company: Book One
Coming March 2027
Learn more at: https://ajcalvin.net/books/the-fontayne-company/rites-of-departure/

@servantand.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 4:29 PMReposted by @ajcalvin.bsky.social

Friday is book day!

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 7:18 PM

I've read your first two picks and I think you'll enjoy them both! LL Stephens' series is one of my favorites from recent years.

@cblansdell.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 2:32 PMReposted by @ajcalvin.bsky.social

Presenting the cover for The Town that Banished Death by @fizzy1.bsky.social.

See post (and full reveal) in the comments 👇
#FanFiAddict

Partial cover reveal with painting of two women seen from behind.

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 3:02 PM

I've been writing for fun since I was ~8 years old. I don't remember what started it, but I have sparks for individual stories that I can recall☺️ For Rites of Departure, it was my annoyance with ghost hunting shows. I thought: What if we *could* see those spirits on tv? And make it a fantasy world!

@bookspotlight.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 5:50 AMReposted by @ajcalvin.bsky.social

Get this amazing deal of October-themed reads that’ll last you until next year! 93 books by 78 authors for just $69! Less than a dollar a book!

itch.io/b/3904/chill...

Graphic for the Chills, Thrills & Kills October Itchio Sale. 93 books for $69. A VERY BIG AND SPOOKY BUNDLE of creepy and cosy reads perfect for this year’s Hallowe’en Season! Hosted by Indie Book Spotlight.

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 10:50 AM

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober 9
Free Friday/Books you hope to read before the end of the year

I have 4 ARCs I'm planning to read in the next 6 weeks or so:
Backwoods Banshee by David R Slayton
Immitant by Nathan KW Baker
Mortality Gauntlet by JCM Berne
and
Man Eater by Ally Wilkes

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 10:53 PM

It was a good one! Definitely check it out if it sounds like your kind of book ☺️

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 7:20 PM

Book review time!

An eco-horror novella with definite X-Files vibes, Don't Let It Out by N.A. Betts was a great addition to my October reading line-up!

Full review here: fanfiaddict.com/review-dont-...

#booksky #bookreview

Book review: Don't Let It Out by NA Betts
checkmark X-Files vibes
checkmark What is real, and what isn't?
checkmark Eco-horror
checkmark Novella
Read the full review at FanFiAddict.com

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 1:05 PM

This week's blog is about the Front Range Fantasy Festivals I went to recently (and includes some pictures.) It was a fun time!

ajcalvin.net/the-2026-fro...

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 11:54 AM

The #WIPSnips word for October 8th is "lizard"

This snippet's from The Moon's Eye (book 1 in The Relics of War.) I may have taken a little inspiration for this lunchtime scene after watching an episode of Bizarre Foods... 🤭

ajcalvin.net/books/relics...

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

A warrior stands before two people as they walk slowly through ancient statuary.

Text reads:
“Do you not like fruit, Maryn?” Janna asked after a time. She seemed at once fascinated and appalled by the Felene’s midday meal.
Maryn shook his head. “We are a carnivorous people. We do not subsist on plant matter of any sort. Your fruit would cause me physical illness. Thank you for the offer, but I must decline.”
“And you eat lizards?” she pressed.
“Lizards, insects, fish, birds…” He trailed off and took another bite.
“I didn’t know people ate lizards.” Janna frowned and shook her head.
“It’s not uncommon in the desert, either,” Vardak replied. “We take meat when and where we can acquire it, just as we do water.”

The Relics of War
The Moon's Eye - The Talisman of Delucha - War of the Nameless
Available Wide
https://ajcalvin.net/books/relics-of-war/

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 11:45 AM

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober 8
MC Phobias

Zel doesn't fear much, since he's already dead, but he does not like dealing with the gods (they can still affect his afterlife.)

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 7, 2026, 11:32 AM

The #WIPSnips word for October 7th is "comparison"

This snippet has the word "compare" (and also features a bit of Colin's temper...)

More about Legend here:
ajcalvin.net/books/the-ca...

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

A man wearing armor stands next to a black dragon. Behind them, a city is burning and an army stands outside its walls.

Text reads:
Alexander clenched his jaw, his eyes flashing in anger. "Magic doesn't work that way. An ignorant bastard like you would never understand."

Alexander had touched a nerve. Colin's face burned crimson and a dangerous light entered his eyes. "Do not compare me to that--" he flung one finger in my direction, "--for I will not tolerate it. You are both abominations! Why you weren't dealt with at birth, I'll never know. Mother must have been sympathetic, a traitor to this kingdom, to have let you both live!"

Legend
The Caein Legacy: Book Four
Available wide
https://ajcalvin.net/books/the-caein-legacy/legend/

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 7, 2026, 11:19 AM

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober 7
POV/tense preferences

As a reader? I like most book POVs/tenses (with the exception of 2nd person. I have a tough time with that one.)

As a writer, I bounce between 1st/3rd person, but I enjoy 1st more (I love getting into the character's headspace.)

@emmaladams12.bsky.social Oct 6, 2026, 1:03 PMReposted by @ajcalvin.bsky.social

The Forest of Stone Kickstarter is live!

This is my biggest epic fantasy launch yet, and the Kickstarter edition of the book is equipped with all kinds of extras that won’t be in the retail version. You can find the details on the campaign page here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/emm...

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 6, 2026, 11:44 AM

A great pick! I love that series.

@ajcalvin.bsky.social Oct 6, 2026, 11:43 AM

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober 6
Villains in Rites of Departure

Rites is cozy, so there aren't any big, baddies like there are in many of my other books. If I had to choose villains, they'd be Viscount Crowe and his heir, Michael (Mel's father and brother.) They don't approve of Mel's necromancy.

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