5 July 2026
I have made the first and second steps in the process of bringing this story to my hopeful audience. First, I have submitted my novel for Copyright. Second, I finally sprang for a personal website, giving me a lot more control and freedom over my delivery. On the coattails of this, I plan to serialize my novel on this website, releasing a chapter each week until it is completed. While this may seem like a strange marketing plan, from the research I have done, all signs point to making the book as widely available for free and for purchase as the most effective means of advertising. So for those of you who do get your free copy during launch week, or through this website, please provide solid feedback and recommend the story to your friends and family, whether for purchase or otherwise.
The Sword, the Song, and the Mage series is not only a novel (and a hopeful retirement option), but it is also a project that I hope to expand into an enterprise. I have put these stories together using as many free tools and a shoestring budget, utilizing friends, family, and online tools for the research. If this bears fruit and the novels take off, I can afford to hire editors, artists, and other research personnel to enable others in the industry to continue to thrive. Regardless, I will write my stories as I have found great joy, excitement, and entertainment in the Immersive-Storybuilding process (As well as deep sadness and mourning (you’ll see, I promise) and will continue to do so as my hobby. As I mentioned before, I have nine novels planned, five of which I have played through and outlined, with a couple of side stories already in the works. That starts with you, my fellow wanderers.
Now to help out those who have helped me…
Jed Herne
*Image from Author’s Website
Jed Herne is a fantasy author from Western Australia whose works include Kingdom of Dragons, Across the Broken Stars, The Thunder Heist, and Fires of the Dead. Jed recently published his first instructional book, Plotting Your Fantasy Novel, in which he breaks down the outlining process into easy and manageable steps to ensure your story has a resolute direction. He started writing fiction in highschool and not only has he built a career from his writing, but also from his YouTube channel dedicated to helping writers find their own voice and craft exceptional stories.
Please go to his multiple platforms and explore the works he has available:
https://www.youtube.com/@Jed_Herne
James C Gilliam 
Leave a comment