James C Gilliam

3 February 2026

While I have been absent from social media, I have not been lagging when it comes to writing. I finished the first revision of ‘The Sword, the Song, and the Mage back in October 2025. Since then, I completed a review, a review with notes, and I am now 90% through the second revision. While it has been rough, I am unearthing more and more story/character/setting elements that are making the work so much richer in detail and lore. Every chapter I revise becomes that much more alive with emotion, action, and history.

As it stands, the current revision should be complete this week. For my Beta-Readers, I apologize for the numerous changes in tense and the horrific chapter numbering. Thank you for your feedback, and I am glad you thoroughly enjoyed the story overall.

Images: http://www.MalcolmPryce.com

As promised, I have to give a shout-out to Malcolm Pryce, The Oxford Writer, his Gateway to Narnia writing guide, and his humorous and insightful YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOxfordWriter. Much like myself, he has worked various jobs around the world before becoming an author, and is most notably recognized for his Aberystwyth Noir series, which is set in a stylized version of his hometown in England. While he isn’t the first Author / Creator I began following, he is the one with the simplest message and the easiest, and most entertaining, advice to follow. His ultimate view is to complete your story as a means of immortality, regardless of how well it is written. Simply completing your story leaves a physical presence, a permanent impression of your voice, your spirit, and your soul that can be passed on and experienced by others. While you may not make millions of dollars or get the movie deal you may be dreaming of, you will earn your seat at Hemingway’s Bar when you reach Heaven amongst all the other great writers in history.

In the meantime, I will continue polishing this gem, which will hopefully be on display for all to see this summer. Then afterwards, visit England once more and purchase my own, round-trip ticket to Oxford.

Until then…