Tag: local author event

Under Western Skies: A New Prompt Book Rides Into the Sunset

There’s something timeless about the American West.

Maybe it’s the endless horizons stretching beneath a painted sky, the lonely rider following a river through mountain country, or the creak of a stagecoach rolling across a dusty trail while adventure waits just over the next ridge. Whatever it is, the Western has never truly faded from our imagination.

That’s why I’m excited to announce that Realms Unwritten: Under Western Skies is currently in processing for publication and moving steadily toward release.

Inspired by the spirit of classic frontier storytelling, this latest addition to the Realms Unwritten prompt book series explores the enduring themes that have made Western fiction a beloved genre for generations.

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For Fans of the Classic West

If your bookshelf includes works by Louis L’Amour or Zane Grey, you’ll feel right at home beneath these skies.

If you grew up watching the larger-than-life screen presence of Clint Eastwood or the enduring frontier heroism of John Wayne, you’ll recognize the spirit that helped shape this collection.

And if you’re completely new to the Western genre but find yourself drawn to tales of open country, frontier courage, lawmen and outlaws, pioneers and prospectors, then this book was created with you in mind as well.

The goal isn’t simply to revisit familiar Western tropes. It’s to provide writers, artists, worldbuilders, role-players, and dreamers with a rich collection of prompts designed to spark new stories and fresh adventures beneath vast skies and distant mountain ranges.

Whether you’re developing a novel, sketching artwork, building a campaign setting, or simply looking for inspiration, Under Western Skies offers opportunities to saddle up and head into unexplored territory.

Another Journey in the Realms Unwritten Series

One of the joys of creating these prompt books is exploring genres that continue to inspire readers and creators alike. The Western remains one of the most enduring storytelling traditions ever created because its themes are universal. With Realms Unwritten: Under Western Skies, I wanted to capture both the grandeur of the landscape and the human stories that unfold within it.

Coming Soon

The publication process is underway, and I’ll be sharing updates as we move closer to release. When Realms Unwritten: Under Western Skies becomes available, you’ll be able to purchase it online, and we’ll also have copies available at our next in-person book sale.

Until then, keep your boots clean, your campfire burning, and your imagination pointed toward the horizon.

Discovering Stories and Connections at Plus Ultra Coffee

Megan here and boy…there are some events that leave you tired by the end of the day, and then there are the ones that leave you full in the best possible way. Sunday at Plus Ultra Coffee in the Bradley Square Mall was very much both.

Thank you to everyone who came out, browsed the tables, picked up books, asked questions, shared stories, and stayed awhile to chat with us. One of my favorite parts of these events is getting to sit down with people who are just as eager to geek out over history, mythology, folklore, dragons, and strange old tales as we are. We always crave those connections and conversations!

And truly, that is always welcomed by all three of us — me, Megan, D.B. Hopson, and Roy, who somehow manages to turn imagination into something tangible with every drink and project he touches.

One of the most rewarding things to witness throughout the day was seeing people light up when they found their thing. Sometimes it was one of the dragons D.B. designed and Roy printed. Sometimes it was finally spotting the book they’d been searching for and realizing they could actually take it home with them that day. There’s a kind of quiet magic in that moment — when a story, an image, or even an idea suddenly clicks into place for someone. That is what makes all of this worthwhile.

The Wings of Wisdom series continues to grow, with one more slated to come out within the next year or so. But there are other children’s stories already in the works. Some are whimsical and some lean deeper into folklore and myth. All of them are being built with the same hope: that stories can still spark wonder, teach values, and bring families closer together.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the far back corner of my very eclectic mind, a handful of historical fiction and science fiction projects are continuing to percolate. Slowly. The hope is to have at least one of those finished before the end of the year slips away from me.

And for those who enjoy poetry, I’m also preparing to load my recent chapbook, Appalachian Roots, onto KDP and IngramSpark so it will be more widely available for readers interested in that corner of my work as well.

Thank you again to Plus Ultra Coffee for hosting us, and thank you to every person who stopped by the table. Independent storytelling survives because people still care enough to seek it out, talk about it, and carry it home with them.

We noticed. And we’re grateful.

Thank You for Supporting Independent Publishing in Cleveland

D.B. Hopson here and I wanted to say Sunday’s book signing in Cleveland was something special, and I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who stopped by, talked stories, and picked up copies of the writing prompt books. Seeing people flip through the pages, point out favorite prompts, and talk about the kinds of stories they want to tell reminded me exactly why I started putting these collections together in the first place.

There’s something satisfying about watching an idea spark behind somebody’s eyes.

For those who came out and supported the books — thank you. Independent publishing lives and dies on word of mouth, local support, and readers willing to take a chance on something handmade and heartfelt. It means more than you probably realize.

The good news is the work hasn’t slowed down.

There are several more prompt books currently in the works, each exploring different themes, aesthetics, and genres. Some lean into strange little corners of storytelling that don’t fit neatly on a shelf. I’ve been spending long evenings sketching concepts, refining prompts, and building collections designed to help writers break through creative walls and find stories they didn’t know they had in them.

If all goes according to plan, the next time we make our way back out to Cleveland in the coming months, there should be at least one or two brand-new prompt books sitting on the table alongside the current collection.

Until then, keep writing. Keep daydreaming. Keep chasing the odd ideas.

Most stories worth telling start small.