A Son of the Shadows

A Son of the Shadows

The Earthborn Saga Vol 1

by Steven Bissett

Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy

Night is falling. Embrace the darkness.

On the ice-clad prison world of Delta-13, where minds teeter on the edge of madness, mankind's future dangles by a thread.

Living under the shadow of an imperial conspiracy, Rex Hunt discovers a psychic gift that will upset the balance of power in the entire galaxy.

As Rex grapples with his newfound power, prison psychiatrist, Dr. Lily Tselitel, delves into the chilling surge of madness among the inmates, pulling her closer to a secret as old as the galaxy itself.

Their paths converge as they uncover an imperial plot to build a weapon that threatens to suffocate the flickering spirit of rebellion in the galaxy's fringe colonies.

Unbeknownst to the rebels, as they fight against the empire's sinister plan, an ancient shadow looms over the galaxy, threatening to consume humanity's vast colonies, and even Earth itself!

Discover the first book in an epic space opera where hope survives in secret taverns, and the line between life and death is blurred in the snowy expanse of Delta-13.

You're just one click away from learning mankind's fate.

Interview

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for over 15 years!

What makes a good story?

Relatable characters solving a problem. There are a lot of other factors that can be involved, but I find that essentially if you can “get” where the characters are coming from, and they are grappling with an issue that has compelling meaning for them, the story is instantly interesting.

 It’s outside of writing, but it’s one of my favorite examples of this principle in practice is the show This Old House. 

On its face, it’s a home improvement program where an old house is gutted and renovated into a dream house. There is no drama, practically no action, follows a known formula with no plot twists, and takes a long time to complete. So there are none of the usual tricks or methods of catching attention.

But the show is absolutely iconic, and practically everyone has flipped over to it briefly and kept watching until the segment was over.

I believe it’s because the show has a very relatable cast, and they are grappling with a problem, (renovation), that means a lot to them. And since they take it completely seriously, we feel like we should take it seriously, and the show has instant meaning for us.

And I’ve found over and over again that the books that have the strongest appeal for me, consist of relatable characters working to overcome a problem that matters to them.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

It depends on a few factors, but an Earthborn Saga book is around 2-3 months to write. First I feel out the main plot elements and get a sense of the tone that I want to hit with the book, and that usually takes me around 2 weeks. During this time, I also work on the book’s lore, formulate situations for the characters to explore, and come up with elements to give texture to the narrative.

Once the groundwork is done and I have a feeling for where I’m going, I start in on the book itself. The books are around 180,000 to 200,000 words, and I work with a goal of writing a minimum of 4,000 words per day. So when you count in days off that comes out to about 2 months of writing.

Then after that, I take a week or so for editing and proofreading and get the book ready for publishing.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

My favorites are to visit with friends, sing karaoke, and go dancing.

Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?

Absolutely, I have a short story called “Hero of the People” that goes into some of the backstory for Antonin Gromyko, and details an adventure from the early days of the Underground.

The story is a free download from my website stevenbissett.com

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?

I’ve drawn some characteristics off of real people, and that’s added some texture, but the characters themselves spring entirely from my imagination.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the

story?

I feel really like the narrative unfolds naturally and according to it’s own logic, so it’s almost like watching life happen before me.

If you’re familiar with tabletop RPGs, a really great analogy is to think of it like a game of Dungeons and Dragons. Where I am the Dungeon Master, and it’s my job to create the narrative and the overall script for the adventure to follow.

However the individual character interactions are handled by the player characters. Working from their backgrounds and personalities, they are all unscripted and react off of each other like billiards balls.

What I really like about it is it gives a very natural feel to the story and dialogue, and it makes each situation unpredictable.

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?

It’s kind of a mix, but a lot of the characters come up in the process of storytelling.

Sometimes what will even happen is I create a short-term character for a limited engagement, but I like the character a lot or he compliments the other characters, so I write him into more of a major role.

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Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CHV6484N

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The Beast Emerges

The Earthborn Saga Vol II

 

Ancient secrets. New battles.

An unyielding, insidious peril, the Devourers unleash chaos in the galaxy.

First in their malevolent sights: the ice planet Delta-13, next the enigmatic jungles of Preleteth. Rex Hunt, driven by destiny and cryptic legends, forges alliances in the galaxy's darkest corners.

From pirate-infested asteroids to secret Imperial bases, danger lurks at every corner. When ancient prophecies from the sentient world of Preleteth point to a shadowy salvation, Rex's fate becomes irrevocably intertwined with a journey that spans galaxies.

Every alliance forged, every secret unveiled, and every battle waged will shape the future in this grand space opera of courage, sacrifice, and cosmic revelation.

Dive deep with Rex and his crew as they embark on a perilous journey. If you think you've outsmarted the might of the Empire or the ruthlessness of the Devourers… prepare for your reckoning.

Jump into book two of The Earthborn Saga today!

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Book Links:
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The Crucible of Titans

The Earthborn Saga Vol III

 

Dreadnoughts. Devourers. Deception. In a star field of lies, can anyone be trusted?

Trapped aboard the Empire’s ultimate weapon, Sentinel, Rex becomes the crucial factor in the cosmic war against the Devourers.

But there's a mysterious web of deceit beyond the battlefield. Driven by an intense hatred of mankind, an ancient being emerges as the parasite's true puppet master.

Between the Empire, the Devourers, emboldened pirates, and a plethora of colonial revolutionaries, are there simply too many enemies to overcome?

The mysterious Krancis, architect of the Empire's desperate gambit to survive, sends Sentinel on a collision course with the single greatest foe ever to threaten mankind. The battle to come is beyond colossal: it's a celestial clash of titans that could cost Rex everything he has left.

Dive into this enthralling mosaic of military tactics, clandestine politics, and cosmic spirituality. Feel the universe quake under the weight of monumental choices. Here, heroes are born, villains rise, and entire galaxies crumble.

Ready for the next level of space opera?

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Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CLZTYYSJ

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-crucible-of-titans-the-earthborn-saga-vol-iii-by-steven-bissett

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200881990-the-crucible-of-titans

 

The Tides of Retribution

The Earthborn Saga Vol IV

 

Will the Empire crumble under the weight of betrayal and invasion?

As the galaxy is besieged by the merciless Devourers and treacherous Fringers, one ship and one man stand as humanity's final hope.

Can the enigmatic Rex, a master of shadowy psychic powers, and the massive warship, Sentinel, keep the relentless enemy at bay?

Rumors of alien infiltration and psychic omens shake the Empire to its core. Can Rex and Sentinel hold the line long enough for Krancis’ new experimental weapon to be deployed against their enemy?

As the hive-minded Devourers grow bolder and more ruthless by the day, the Empire finds itself fighting battles on multiple fronts. Eliminating high-level operatives providing intelligence to the parasite becomes as crucial as protecting the Empire's teeming population centers.

Venture into this colossal clash, where an alien hive mind, the Imperium’s internal enemies, and the ticking clock that marks humanity’s doom converge. Witness as Krancis' innovations offer a glimmer of hope, Rex pushes his psychic gifts to the limit, and the Devourers edge closer to ultimate victory over humanity.

Ready to discover what surprises await humanity?

Immerse yourself into the intrigue of book four of the Earthborn Saga today!

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Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CMQ6R7PS

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201630933-the-tides-of-retribution

 

The Crusade of Vengeance

The Earthborn Saga Vol V

 

The tides are turning, but is it enough to save humanity?

When the Empire’s last gamble pays off, the Devourer's end finally seems inevitable.

Armed with Adler fighters and Sentinel's devastating cannon, the Devourer's reign of terror might be on the brink of ending.

But the colossal enemy has one last trick up its sleeve and is spreading a devilish evil across the Empire in a desperate bid at victory. Armed with city-sized masses of stinking Devourer flesh, these psychic nightmares that consume life are being warped in from deep space to wreak havoc on the Empire's core worlds.

And even as Rex powers Sentinel's cannon to obliterate the Devourer's latest monstrosities, a darker evil waits in the wings, a force that dwarfs all other threats.

Advanced weaponry meets arcane entities and the very fabric of the universe hangs by a thread.

Prepare to confront the real enemy in book five of the Earthborn Saga today!

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Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CNGHBHZR

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202226205-the-crusade-of-vengeance

About the Author

Steven Bissett has been writing stories for over fourteen years. An eclectic author, he excels at seamlessly blending genres together to produce unique stories. With compelling characters, dynamic plots, and a crisp, candid style that holds nothing back, Bissett continues to delight readers of every age.

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Author Links

Website: https://stevenbissett.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553167780329

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Steven-Bissett/author/B09PL47H9G

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19702986.Steven_Bissett

Giveaway

$20 Amazon

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

https://www.silverdaggertours.com/sdsxx-tours/the-earthborn-saga-book-tour-and-giveaway