Hello there!
Thank you for coming here and checking the place out! I’m pretty happy with it thus far – I’m sure as the community grows, it’ll become an even warmer and happier place to be.
Actually, it’s pretty amazing to be standing here in this time of life. The road behind stretches back, but I can remember almost every step along the way. The road ahead is even longer (I hope) and more challenging, but the view from here is astounding.
What a cool time to be a writer – I don’t think we’ve ever had the freedom and opportunity we do today. I am thankful.
I’ve been building this site over the last little while and I’m excited to see it launch. I envision it to be a place where I can come to for motivation and encouragement, and also where I can offer something to others: perspective, skills, cheer, or simply distraction. Whatever it may be, I hope you find it enjoyable. I appreciate every visit you make.
I also mean it to be a sharing place. One of the greatest gifts that the writer enjoys is the opportunity to share the fruit of their labors and care. I have a huge collection of poems and stories that I’ve written in the past, and I intend to post them here for you. I also have excerpts from and glimpses into some of my future works which will (hopefully) show you what I’m about as a writer and as a human being.
Door to Altharia
Perhaps you’ve already looked around and seen the announcement, but I intend to release my first full-length novel sometime in 2017. I’ve been eyeing March for the release date but I’m new to the self-publishing crowd, and it’s certainly possible that something will arise that pushes that date back. Nevertheless, I think it’s important to set goals for yourself, and that’s one of mine – March 2017. So keep your eyes peeled for updates!
The book itself is a book from the classical fantasy genre, influenced by Tolkien, Lewis, Alexander, Eddings, and other fantasy legends. Door to Altharia follows the story of young Alec Breen from Western Michigan who, on one strange night, finds his way into a mystical, magical land. Altharia is a land rich in history and conflict, with its own mythologies and religions, races and wars, magic and wonder. But it is a world about to be plunged into darkness – that is, unless Alec does what he can to save it. Torn and battered by his own difficult past, Alec must overcome all kinds of evil, both within and without himself, if he is to breathe hope back into Altharia.
Sometime in the future, I hope to share the first couple of chapters with everyone (and perhaps some of the book’s poetry), but I need to finalize a handful of details before we get there. In the meantime, I hope the above description is enough to whet your appetites and spark your interest.
Feel free to post any comments or thoughts you have below! That goes for any post I write. The best ideas are bettered by discussion, and I hope this will become a lively place in that way.
Thanks again for coming!
So long for now,
Martyn McGrath
