Recently I was commenting to my wife how I feel scatterbrained and have undertaken too many writing and publishing tasks. (That wasn’t the way I worded it, but you get the gist). I told her I was thinking about narrowing my focus to just my publishing company’s website because my efforts are split between Flaming Pen Press and my personal writing projects. She wisely responded something along the lines of, “But you are your brand. People want more from your books and that’s what you should focus on.” Again, I’m paraphrasing, yet the point is that she was right.
I remember back in 2009 when I self-published my first novel Swords of the Six. That thrill of accomplishment and the response from readers gave me energy to power through the first several years of traveling and writing. Now there is a boatload of experience under my publishing belt and yet, with each new writing project I still feel an initial inadequacy. These fantasy novels are like parts of my soul and with each one writing it is difficult, painful, and a joy.
It is time to delve into my next The Sword of the Dragon novel. In Search of Dragons picks up where The Phantom’s Blade left off. One of the most fun aspects to this project is that I get to pull from my old source material, a manuscript for the entire series which I wrote thirteen years ago. It’s hard to believe it has been that long. I am keen on writing these characters and their stories with the same fascination that I wrote them back then. Sometimes the pressure of knowing that many readers are already eagerly waiting for me to finish the book can put a damper on my story focus, but ultimately everything is an exercise in discipline. And I can never have enough discipline in my life!
This will be the seventh novel I have written in The Sword of the Dragon world, and the fifth for the primary series. Wow! It’s hard to believe the journey has come this far. The original manuscript was 130,000-words divided into chapters that are now the building blocks for The Sword of the Dragon world. So far we’re over 500,000-words into the novels and there’s lots more to cover!
Returning characters for In Search of Dragons include Ilfedo, Oganna, Ombre, Honer, Ganning, Vectra, Escentra, and the creature Ulion. Introduced will be (at long last) the dragon Venom-fier, who was first mentioned in Albino’s prophesy at the end of Swords of the Six.
“Dragon great, dragon fool
One wise, the other cruel
Venom-fier, to man a friend
The other may be his end.”
Q: Which character are you most excited to see again when In Search of Dragons is published?
Actually, I know you said in your last post how you love romance mixed with tragedy, which is fine, but to be honest: I would REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY (really) like to see Ildfedo and Dantress back together if they’re both alive. Of course it’s your book and characters, so do what you like, but PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m respectfully begging you. I know that’s the point of them being separate(to pull on the old heartstrings), but hasn’t it been long enough? Please, bring them back together if you can.
Respectfully,
-Keegan
Hi Keegan, 🙂 Hmm… How does a writer respond to this without spoiling the story? Let me just say that “The Sword of the Dragon series” is not actually the story of Ilfedo and Dantress (she died during childbirth). But here’s a hint: the story is about the two babies who were born in “Swords of the Six”….. However, I’m not saying you won’t see Ilfedo and Dantress back together, just perhaps in a way you do not expect.
Can’t wait for this book. 🙂
That’s what I love to hear!
Defiantly Oganna… She’s always been my favorite!
P.S. When is your new book coming out?!! I’m dying to read it!!
Then you will not be disappointed! Oganna is most prominent in In Search Of Dragons. The opening chapter starts with her, also, and… well… no more spoilers!
P.S. Not sure of the release date yet… Let me write it first. 🙂
There’s no rush.🙂
Hey Mr. Appleton, first of all my favorite character would have to be Ilfedo because of his influence on all the characters throughout the story, second, I love your series and it has come to be my favorite over the years, I can’t wait until you release “In Search of Dragons.” I have reread the series quite a few times in between each books release. I always find myself disappointed when I finish reading one your books, because I know it takes a long time for a writer to put out another book in a series. I understand how it would take you a long time to write a book because my parents have 5 kids and it gets very busy, so don’t worry about us waiting on you. 😂
Thank You!
Hey Seth!
“In Search of Dragons” features Ilfedo prominently again.
Yes, life is busy for sure. But plug, plug, plug away is the key if these stories are to leave my brain to mark the page!
Hello Mr Appleton. I am a large fan of the swords of the dragon series. I have been reading them since I was in the 6th grade. I am now in college and I eagerly await the next book. Thanks for your fabulous works they have been a inspiring force for almost half my life
Ps. My favorites are by far Ombre and Specter
Hey there Joseph,
Thank you for telling me! I always love to hear from fans of my books. It gives a measure of satisfaction to know that you (and others) have been able to relate to the heart of the stories that I’m creating.
I would like to see the son from the first book meet Oganna
All I can say to that is… You’ll ‘probably’ get your wish and it won’t be a subtle story element but a major development!
When will Phantoms Blade be available on iTunes book store?
Hi Jonathan,
Amazon offers good incentives for me to put my digital titles exclusively on Kindle, which is why only my first three novels are available in iTunes book store. This may change at some point in the future, but for now I’m sticking with Kindle.
However, you CAN read Kindle books on your Apple device! Simply download the app on your iPhone, iPad, or other device, then follow this link to get The Phantom’s Blade https://www.amazon.com/Phantoms-Blade-Sword-Dragon-Book-ebook/dp/B017B2KY4Q/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530672426&sr=1-1&keywords=the+phantom%27s+blade
Let me know if this works for you!
I am most excited to see Ulion return. He is a fiery prophet…in more ways than two? He reminds me a lot of Elijah, a dramatic prophet who despite an incredible faith and apparent power (Power?) from God, of course still makes mistakes and has to check himself sometimes. Ulion is mysterious both as a creature and as the guardian of a utopian land. I am looking forward to seeing him along with the others in book 5. Keep up the good work
Interesting that you should mention Ulion. He plays a far more prominent role in In Search of Dragons 🙂 I can confidently say your hopes will be rewarded.
Dear Mr. Appleton, I am about to start reading your book series Sword of the Dragon. I have heard that the reading order is, Sword of the Six, Offspring, Key of Living Fire, Neverqueen, The Phantom Blade, Neverqueen2, In Search of Dragons. Is this the correct reading order? Also, when will In Search of Dragons be released, and is that the last book in the series? Thank you.
Hi Michael,
Excellent! Always pleased to meet a new reader.
Both series are in the same storyworld. The correct reading order is this (but you can start with either series):
The Sword of the Dragon series:
Swords of the Six
Offspring
Key of Living Fire
The Phantom’s Blade
The Neverqueen saga:
Neverqueen
Neverqueen 2
My current writing project is “In Search of Dragons (The Sword of the Dragon book 5)” but I do not have a release date for that one yet. ISOD is not the last book in the series. The Sword of the Dragon series will be completed in book 7 or 8 and The Neverqueen Saga has 10 books mapped out. 🙂 Lots more to reveal!
Any updated news on this book?
None yet! Remember that first I have to republish the original novels. Check out the update here: http://authorappleton.com/writing-updates/ Don’t worry! Republishing these books sets me up to finish and publish In Search Of Dragons.
Wanted to ask is the daughters of the white dragon be able to turn into dragons themselves or are they always going to be human since they were born human? Just asking since to a sense they are dragons themselves in human form. And do the daughters of the white dragon have a long life span that all dragons have or is their life span the same as lifespan of the humans, since they were born human, also do the daughters of the white dragon have a dragon mother? Cause I assume they do accept she may no longer be alive.
Is it out for purchase as of January 2020 and if so where can I get it, I have read the series through multiple times and still have yet to get the “in search of dragons book”
First the other books in The Sword of the Dragon series have to all be republished. “Swords of the Six” and “Dragon Offspring” have both already been released! “Key of Living Fire” will be ready for publication next month, “The Phantom’s Blade” will be quickly reformatted to match the new series’ design, and then I will start in earnest on writing “In Search of Dragons.” I cannot wait to get that one published, but it suffered many delays over the years because the original publisher did not choose to contract it. I am getting that back on track now.
If you haven’t seen it yet, this is the series’ redesign. “Swords of the Six” was entirely revamped and vastly expanded! https://www.amazon.com/Swords-Sword-Dragon-Scott-Appleton/dp/1950677001/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=swords+of+the+six&qid=1581552677&sr=8-2