(updated 7/25/25)
From the first moment that people did the strange thing of asking me to talk about their books on my blog, I’ve been impressed by the quality of a lot of what’s been published by authors going out on their own, taking all the risks, shouldering all the responsibility and doing all the work to get their words, their dreams, their blood, sweat, and tears. This should be celebrated—it’s definitely appreciated, as we’re trying to show this week.
As part of this week-long celebration, I’m continuing my habit of highlighting the self-published works that I’ve blogged about over the last few years (or meant to blog about, but at least read)—just a sentence or two. Hopefully, this’ll be enough to make you click on the link to the full post. Beyond that, it’d be great if I inspired you to add a few of these to your TBR. Also, be sure you check out the other posts over at the SPAAW Hub.
Today we’re going to be looking at Self-Published Fantasy. These are some of the most imaginative, creative, and enjoyable Fantasy novels I’ve read since I started blogging. These authors approach this beloved genre in ways that surprise and inspire me. Check out these books, hopefully, you’ll find something good.
I should also add that this list has grown more than the others this year…maybe half of the new books I’m talking about this week are here.
Healed by Carrie Alani—A tired and beleaguered nurse gains the ability to heal (my post about it)
Partial Function by JCM Berne—a fun-as-all-get-out wuxia-inspired novel where a former legendary warrior has to try to rescue her kidnapped daughters, and who knows what wake of destruction she’ll leave along the way (my post about it)
Of Honey and Wildfires by Sarah Chorn—Chorn’s Western/Fantasy about…I don’t have room here. It’s beautiful prose, heartbreaking stories, and a stellar example of writing. (my post about it)
Oh, That Shotgun Sky by Sarah Chorn—the follow-up to the above. A handful of people trying to come to grips with the new world they find themselves in. (my post about it)
Seraphina’s Lament by Sarah Chorn—A planet is dying, political upheaval, and the dawn of a new reality. One of the most brutal reads in recent memory (and one of the most disturbing covers!). I absolutely loved it and would be literally counting down the days until the sequel if I knew the date. (my post about it)
One Man by Harry Connolly—A man hiding from his past becomes a one-man army trying to save a kidnapped mother and daughter. (my post about it)
Buddy the Knight and The Queen of Sorrow by Peter David—A valiant teddy bear knight, who is devoted to protecting his Person from the monsters from The Realm-Under-The-Bed, has spent years defending a little girl named Mieya from these fearsome foes. He’s frequently assisted by his companion, a stuffed tamarin—a mandolin-playing bard. Esteban not only fights at Buddy’s side, but his songs frequently tell the tales of Buddy’s victories. These two (and allies they’re yet to meet) take on the ultimate foe. (my post about it)
1-800-CallLoki by Dawn Blair—a collection of novellas tracing Loki’s adventures in 21st Century America. (my post about it is forthcoming)
Toby and the Silver Blood Witches by Sally Doherty—A young boy who takes care of his seriously ill mother, gets the surprise of a lifetime when a witch crashes into his attic and asks for his help! It’s a fun MG adventure. (my post about it)
Haven by Ceril N Domac—a family in a slightly grimmer (and future) version of the U.S. has to go on the run to a safe settlement when they start to display signs of being more than human. (my post about it)
The Hero Interviews by Andi Ewington—A Loremaster conducts a series of interviews with Fantasy heroes, and others, to find and describe the essence of heroism. A thoughtful look at the idea is buried under jokes that will appeal to Fantasy Readers and RPG Players in particular-but many others, too. I had a great time with this. (my post about it)
The Story of Lucius Cane: Book One by Vanya Ferreira—a mildly atypical vampire goes up against a lycanthrope-ish rogue in 1794. (my post about it)
The Impudent Edda by Rowdy Geirsson—a brilliant retelling of Norse mythology set in the Boston area. (my post about it is forthcoming, was hoping for yesterday. Or back in April.)
The Camelot Shadow by Sean Gibson—Victorian academics face off with druids (and others?) on a hunt for an Authurian artifact. Finding it will determine course of history. (my post about it is forthcoming)
The Blackwood Saga by Layton Green—three brothers from New Orleans travel to a fantasy version of Earth and have to fight their way back home. (I haven’t finished this series yet, and it’s driving me crazy)
The Brothers Three (my post about it)
The Last Cleric (my post about it)
The Spirit Mage (my post about it)
The White Room by Pierce Taylor Hibbs—There’s a lot going on (visibly and invisibly) in this Pennsylvanian small town. (my post about it)
The Knight Revenant by Adam Holcombe—this short story introduces Gam Gam the Necromancer in a fantastic way. (my post about it)
A Necromancer Called Gam Gam by Adam Holcombe—a newly orphaned child finds refuge with a knitting Necromancer in a fun adventure, that isn’t afraid to explore other emotional environments. (my post about it)
Nugget’s Tenth Life by Adam Holcombe—what was life (rather, were lives) like for Gam Gam’s cat before she brought him back? (my post about it)
The Wishing Stone by Adam Holcombe—Gam Gam has a map that could get Mina what she’s looking for. If they can survive the attempt. (my post about it is forthcoming)
Stone of Asylum by Hilarey Johnson—In the late 1800s, as the Gold Rush in the Northwest starts to die off, a Korean warrior, with particular magical abilities, tries to track down his missing sister.(my post about it)
Sunbolt by Intisar Khanani—a street thief/revolutionary finds herself over her head after her latest mission. A fast and fascinating read. (my post about it)
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher—A 14-year-old young woman whose magic controls baked goods is the only thing standing between her city and an invading army. You know, that old yarn. It’s delightfully charming. (my post about it)
Grave Cold by Shannon Knight—a mix of creepy fantasy and creepier SF in a dystopian future. (my post about it)
The Conjuring of Zoth-Avarex: The Self-Proclaimed Greatest Dragon in the Multiverse by K.R.R. Lockhaven—A group of magic users summons a dragon into 21st Century U.S. and immediately lose control over it. Heroics and hilarity ensue. It’s part corporate-satire, part fantasy-trope satire, part celebration of those same tropes, and all very funny. (my post about it)
Mrs. Covington’s by K.R.R. Lockhaven—This book about friendship and nachos describes a young man looking to get out from his weathly father’s shadow who ends up buying a capybara-themed pub and running it with his new friends. There’s also a treasure hunt. Warm fuzzies, kindness, and good times ensue. (my post about it)
Zoth-Avarex’s Escape Plan: A Pick-Your-Own-Path Experience by K.R.R. Lockhaven—A short Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style sequel about what happens to the dragon after the novel. (my post about it)
The Glass Frog by J. Brandon Lowry—an orphaned teen who has dreams beyond the village she was raised in gets the change to see the larger world when a stranger washes up on shore. A great mix of light moments and emotional depth. (my post about it)
Bones & Betrayal: Silence of the Dead by Andi Ewington/Erica Marks—A necromancer and his partner are compelled to investigate a murder in a fairly typical Fantasy city. It’s a truly compelling mix of magic and mirth. Mystery and intrigue. And pie. Delicious, and sometimes deadly, pie. (my post about it)
A Graveyard for Heroes by Michael Michel—the second Dreams of Dust and Steel novel. The story grows grander, our perspective enlarges—and assuming that the pre-series status quo was as good as it could be, this civilization is in trouble from many sides. Stunning work. (my post about it)
The Price of Power by Michael Michel—the first novel in the Dreams of Dust and Steel series. We focus on four characters as their nation is on the verge of collapse–and get glimpses of the roles they can pay in keeping it from complete disunion (or their roles in pushing it toward the end). (my post about it)
The Culling by M. T. Miller—a bleak fantasy world is beset by monsters, and The Culling is a committed group of warriors wandering the countryside to fight them. These are dark books, but so fun to read.
Apex Predator (my post about it)
Brotherhood of the Worm (my post about it)
The City of Scales (I accidentally deleted my post when it was almost done, and I’m having a hard time replicating it. But it’ll be here soon)
The Nameless Chronicle by M. T. Miller—humanity struggles in a desolate, post-apocalyptic world. One man rises to fight the despots ruling them. He suffers, he bleeds, he dies. He just can’t seem to stay dead.
Ascent (my post about it)
Bedlam (my post about it)
Risen (my post about it)
A Strange Chemistry (my post about it)
Strife (my post about it)
The Complete Nameless Chronicle—the series is now published in one “boxed set” eBook
Curse of the Fallen by H.C. Newell—a woman whose magic has her marked for death and her closest friend journey to find a way to break the curse she’s under. (my post about it is forthcoming)
Heart of Fire by Raina Nightengale—two young people surprisingly find themselves bound to dragons, and the world may soon change because of them both. (my post about it)
Sir Thomas the Hesitant and the Table of Less Valued Knights by Liam Perrin—a wholesome and comedic Arthurian tale about knights not quite good enough for the Round Table (my post about it)
Bizarre Frontier Omnibus #1 Brock Poulsen-a group of novellas following the adventures of a Wild West lawman cursed to never die as he takes on supernatural foes. (my post about it)
Bard Tidings by Paul Regnier—a light-hearted Fantasy adventure about a bard who finds himself in the unlikely position to save a village from an invading army. He’s also strangely capable of it (with the right allies). (my post about it is forthcoming)
Panacea by Alex Robins—in an alternate ancient Greece, the war between the gods comes to Earth. (my post about it is forthcoming, if I can ever figure out how to put what I want to say into words)
Klone’s Stronghold by Joyce Reynolds-Ward—a temporary teaching job becomes so much more. (my post about it)
Cursed Cocktails by S.L. Rowland—a battlemage tries to enjoy his retirement by relaxing and starting a business. If only the world would let him. A heart-warming cozy fantasy. (my post about it)
Sword & Thistle by S.L. Rowland—an adventurer is sent on a near-impossible task. But the payoff will make the struggles worth it. Another heart-warming cozy fantasy in this series. (my post about it is forthcoming)
An Unexpected Afterlife by Dan Sofer—wide-scale resurrection of the dead causes more than a few problems for everyone in modern Israel. (my post about it)
If you're a self-published author that I've featured on this blog and I didn't mention you in this post and should have. I'm sorry (unless you're this guy). Please drop me a line, and I'll fix this. I want to keep this regularly updated so I keep talking about Self-Published Authors.
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