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# D.L. Jennings, Author

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://dl-jennings.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [Parallel Universe book signing wrap up 2026](https://dl-jennings.com/parallel-universe-book-signing-wrap-up-2026/): There is nothing quite like hauling my books across state lines like Smokey and the Bandit. A huge thank you to Parallel Universe Books in Cleveland for hosting me. I had so many amazing people come in and say hi, and the Highglade Series found a few new readers.
- [FrostFire Faire 2026 Was Unreal](https://dl-jennings.com/frostfire-faire-2026-was-unreal/): FrostFire Faire was absolutely incredible. So many amazing people showed up in their breathtaking cosplay, and not just the cast. Even the string quartet was impeccable.
- [Author Signing at Johns Creek Books May 2026](https://dl-jennings.com/author-signing-at-johns-creek-books-may-2026/): I made the long drive from Pittsburgh down to Johns Creek, Georgia, where they were gracious enough to host me at the Johns Creek bookstore. Erin, the owner, is the one I took the picture with by the sign. After I got everything set up, I settled in and started pitching my books to anyone who would listen.
- [Fall / Winter events](https://dl-jennings.com/fall-winter-events/): If you haven't already seen the announcement, I'll be at the Nevermore Book Festival on October 18th in Tybee Island, GA!
- [Dreams of Blood and Shadow character art](https://dl-jennings.com/dreams-of-blood-and-shadow-character-art/): I wanted to share some character I had done for my next novel, Dreams of Blood and Shadow Dreams of Blood and Shadow 
- [Dreams of Blood and Shadow (Beta reader phase)](https://dl-jennings.com/dreams-of-blood-and-shadow-beta-reader-phase/): Dreams of Blood and Shadow is officially on to the next phase: beta readers!
- [Dreams of Blood and Shadow: alpha readers](https://dl-jennings.com/dreams-of-blood-and-shadow-alpha-readers/): The first draft for Dreams of Blood and Shadow has officially been sent out! Thank you to everyone who applied, and there were a LOT of you. I'm tickled pink that so many of you are interested in not just consuming my insane ramblings, but also taking notes on them.
- [Dreams of Blood and Shadow — first draft complete](https://dl-jennings.com/dreams-of-blood-and-shadow-first-draft-complete/): After a 3 months and countless sessions spent writing in a bunk bed overseas, I've finally done it: I've typed the words "THE END" in my Aztec-inspired Fantasy, Dreams of Blood and Shadow. Sitting at 89,000 words, 73 chapters, and an epilogue, this book feels like the best thing I've ever written.
- [Dreams of Blood and Shadow (update)](https://dl-jennings.com/dreams-of-blood-and-shadow-update/): Today I hit a milestone: 70,000 words in my Aztec-inspired fantasy, Dreams of Blood and Shadow. I'm really excited about this for a couple of reasons.
- [March wrap-up](https://dl-jennings.com/march-wrap-up/): Happy April, everyone! I hope you survived your March, and, like me, eagerly await the coming of April. I'm particularly excited about April for a few reasons:
- [Dreams of Blood and Shadow (teaser)](https://dl-jennings.com/dreams-of-blood-and-shadow-teaser/): Some of you may have heard me talking about my current work in progress, an Aztec-inspired fantasy that I'm calling "Dreams of Blood and Shadow," and I am so excited about it. I wanted to take just a little bit of time and try to sell you on it. Tell me what you think in the comments!
- [New Book Tour stops for 2025!](https://dl-jennings.com/new-book-tour-stops-for-2025/): Good news, everybody! I'll be doing book tour stops in a few cities this spring: Carnegie, PA; Colorado Springs, CO; and Panama City, FL.
- [February wrap-up](https://dl-jennings.com/february-wrap-up/): Hello Highglade faithful! It's been a while. I wanted to catch you up on a few things I've been working on.
- [Signed copies of Days of the Dark](https://dl-jennings.com/signed-copies-of-days-of-the-dark/): Great news! I'll be doing my book launch at Park Books in Severna Park, Maryland, on July 11th, and it is officially the best way to pick up signed copies of Book Three, Days of the Dark.
- [Days of the Dark pre-order is LIVE!](https://dl-jennings.com/days-of-the-dark-pre-order-is-live/): Originally, when I planned this post, I was going to reveal two things: (1) the never-before-seen cover, and (2) the launch date.
- [Days of the Dark cover reveal](https://dl-jennings.com/days-of-the-dark-cover-reveal-2/): Merry Christmas everyone. Do you want to know what I got you?
- [Days of the Dark Cover Reveal](https://dl-jennings.com/days-of-the-dark-cover-reveal/): Coming December 25th, exclusively for newsletter subscribers: the brand new cover for Book 3 of the HIGHGLADE Series, Days of the Dark. Click here to sign up and be notified the day that it drops!
- [Travel With Dave](https://dl-jennings.com/travel-with-dave/): I travel a lot, and people usually ask me to post the link to the Airbnbs that I stay in, so I decided to start compiling them into a list.
- [Life to Paper book festival 2023](https://dl-jennings.com/life-to-paper-book-festival-2023/): If you haven't gotten the word already, Life to Paper publishing is putting on this year's book festival in Miami -- and you are definitely going to want to make it!
- [Days of the Dark: publishing progress](https://dl-jennings.com/days-of-the-dark-publishing-progress/): Have you heard the good news? I've finished writing Book 3 of the Highglade Series! It's titled "Days of the Dark," which is a line I took directly from Book 2, "Awaken the Three."
- [Days of the Dark: draft one COMPLETE!](https://dl-jennings.com/days-of-the-dark-draft-one-complete/): You heard me right: Days of the Dark, Book 3 in the HIGHGLADE series, is done (in draft form)!
- [Days of the Dark: ending](https://dl-jennings.com/days-of-the-dark-ending/): We are closing in on 2023, and I am closing in on my goal to finish book 3 by the end of the month.
- [Days of the Dark milestone: 130k words](https://dl-jennings.com/days-of-the-dark-milestone-130k-words/): The end is near! I've seen it with my own eyes ... more or less.
- [Days of the Dark draft goal](https://dl-jennings.com/days-of-the-dark-draft-goal/): I woke up feeling dangerous. It's now my goal to finish the first draft of Days of the Dark (Book three of the HIGHGLADE series) before the end of the year.
- [Life to Paper Book Festival (Miami)](https://dl-jennings.com/life-to-paper-book-festival-miami/): Who's up for some travel?
- [Midjourney AI art](https://dl-jennings.com/midjourney-ai-art/): Well, I've found a new toy. A few days ago I was turned on to an incredible project called MidjourneyAI by a friend of mine who works in VFX, and I was floored at what it could do. Not only did it generate amazing digital art, but it did so in a matter of minutes. Now someone like me, who has no artistic talent, has access to a powerful new tool that gives life to my imagination.
- [Voyage Baltimore interview](https://dl-jennings.com/voyage-baltimore-interview/): A big thank you to Voyage Baltimore for reaching out to me and interviewing me about my life and work -- both my military service and my writing.
- [Book signing/author reading/Q&A at Park Books](https://dl-jennings.com/book-signing-author-reading-qa-at-park-books/): I’m so happy to have gotten in touch with Park Books, who have graciously offered to host me for Veterans Day to do a book signing.
- [Interview with Star Jones](https://dl-jennings.com/interview-with-star-jones/): On September 14th, I had the distinct pleasure to be interviewed by Star Jones about my writing career and military service.
- [ebook Daily feature!](https://dl-jennings.com/ebook-daily-feature/): Great news! Book one, Gift of the Shaper, is featured today on ebookDaily for $1.99!
- [Marquis Who’s Who Top Artists](https://dl-jennings.com/marquis-whos-who-top-artists/): I am pretty overwhelmed right now, but I've been selected to be included in this year's Marquis Who's Who as a subject of biographical record in the field of Fantasy Fiction Writing.
- [Awaken the Three has won the 2020 Best Indie Book Award for Epic Fantasy!](https://dl-jennings.com/awaken-the-three-has-won-the-2020-best-indie-book-award-for-epic-fantasy/): I got some great news in my inbox today, and I couldn't be happier with how 2021 has kicked off: Awaken the Three has won its category in the 2020 Best Indie Book Awards!
- [The Highglade Series gets a new look](https://dl-jennings.com/the-highglade-series-gets-a-new-look/): I have been sitting on some news that I've been very excited about, but didn't want to share it until all the pieces had been put in place. Remember that post I made about Rathma, by artist Panji? Well, today I am thrilled to announce that Panji has come through yet again and provided me drafts of not just one but TWO new looks for the covers!
- [More art by Panji](https://dl-jennings.com/more-art-by-panji/): Last month I showed you the portrait of Rathma by Panji (who goes by Panjoool). Well, that ended up hitting the front page of imgur.
- [Rathma by Panjoool](https://dl-jennings.com/rathma-by-panjoool/): Sometimes an artist just falls into your lap; other times you have to go out and look for it. This is one of those cases where I had to look.
- [Awaken the Three hits Bestseller status](https://dl-jennings.com/awaken-the-three-hits-bestseller-status/): As of 2PM Mountain Time on August 11, 2020, Awaken the Three has cracked the top 100 of Amazon's bestseller list, and officially qualifies to be labeled as such. It's right up there with James Patterson's "The Warning" and Taran Matharu's "The Battlemage," which is totally insane to me because both of those guys are giants in the industry. (Taran Matharu was famous for getting a book deal through his success with Wattpad).
- [Awaken the Three audiobook: final cut](https://dl-jennings.com/awaken-the-three-audiobook-final-cut/): Good news, everybody! This morning I got an email from David Lane Pusey, the narrator who would be recording the audiobook for Awaken the Three, saying that he had finished the recording and editing. All that is left now is for me to give it a final listen to make sure that it meets Audible's standards (and my own) and it goes off to Audible for processing.  It is incredibly exciting for a few reasons, the least of all being me getting to hear his take on all my characters.
- [Awaken the Three NGIBA nom for fantasy (finalist)](https://dl-jennings.com/awaken-the-three-ngiba-nom-for-fantasy-finalist/): The results are in: Awaken the Three is a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the category of fantasy!
- [Meet the voice of Awaken the Three: David Lane Pusey](https://dl-jennings.com/meet-the-voice-of-awaken-the-three-david-lane-pusey/): After a lot of thought, I decided to outsource the narration for book two's audiobook, Awaken the Three --unlike what I had done for book one. What followed was an ad for a narrator that I posted on ACX -- something I had experience with when I did the audiobook for Gift of the Shaper.
- [Awaken the Three is LIVE for pre-orders!](https://dl-jennings.com/awaken-the-three-is-live-for-pre-orders/): We have liftoff!
- [Awaken the Three launch date!](https://dl-jennings.com/awaken-the-three-launch-date/): Good news everyone! I talked to my publisher, Indigo River, and they gave me a firm date for the pre-order launch of Awaken the Three: May 11th!
- [Screenwriting: the next frontier](https://dl-jennings.com/screenwriting-the-next-frontier/): My favorite question to be asked is, "So who's going to play Thornton in the movie?" and I like it for two reasons: (1) it assumes that my book will be made into a movie, and (2), because Josh Hartnett is a great guy and would probably be really receptive to being in a project that would eclipse Lucky Number Slevin in terms of sheer running time.
- [Time and Punishment: A Short Story](https://dl-jennings.com/time-and-punishment-a-short-story/): One of the most rewarding things on this planet is working with people that you love, and I'm lucky enough to have a brother who not only shares in my love for fiction and fantasy, but my love for writing as well.
- [Awaken the Three cover art](https://dl-jennings.com/awaken-the-three-cover-art/): I just got two drafts for the cover of book two, Awaken the Three, and I couldn’t be more excited. Ryan Goimarac did an amazing job with the art and Indigo River did the rest.
- [House on Fire featuring D.L. Jennings](https://dl-jennings.com/house-on-fire-featuring-d-l-jennings/): One of the highlights of my professional career has been working with Ken Jennings, who knows a thing or two about writing books (The Serving Leader has been the gold standard for organizations looking to achieve greatness).  He also knows a thing or two about looking good in a suit, as seen below.
- [Gift of the Shaper audiobook — now available!](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-audiobook-now-available/): In case you haven't heard, Gift of the Shaper is now available in audiobook!
- [Advice for new writers](https://dl-jennings.com/advice-for-new-writers/): It's been just over a year since my first book was first published, and I've had a few people ask me for advice. Seeing as how I'm about to publish my second book, I thought now would be a good time to wrap up all the lessons I learned from the first one and try and roll them up into one convenient spot. And, since a majority of the people in the world are not me, I figured I would write something for them as well.
- [The two camps of Sci-fi and Fantasy](https://dl-jennings.com/the-two-camps-of-sci-fi-and-fantasy/): When I was a kid, I had a subscription to Marvel Comics, and one of the titles that came to me each month was the "What If" series. If you're not familiar with it, it's basically the Twilight Zone in comic book form: a one-shot story about situations that normally wouldn't occur, like what if Superman was Russian, or if Spider-man was a woman. No matter the outcome, it was the possibilities that intrigued me -- and I think that's my favorite part about writing fantasy.
- [Gift of the Shaper Audiobook production COMPLETE!](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-audiobook-production-complete/): At long last, the day has come. The very last audio file has been smoothed over, the edits made, re-shoots applied, and the time has come to submit the audiobook for Gift of the Shaper to Audible!
- [First look: synopsis for Awaken the Three](https://dl-jennings.com/first-look-synopsis-for-awaken-the-three/): Beyond the Wastes of Khulakorum, a storm is rising…
- [Wattpad, here I come](https://dl-jennings.com/wattpad-here-i-come/): I found myself waiting in an airport with about 12 hours to kill, so I turned to the one thing that I know will help the hours fly by for me: writing.
- [Awaken the Three: Book Two of the HIGHGLADE series](https://dl-jennings.com/awaken-the-three-book-two-of-the-highglade-series/): I am so happy that this moment is finally here! I have officially signed on with Indigo River to publish book two of the HIGHGLADE series, currently titled AWAKEN THE THREE. 
- [NFReads guest post!](https://dl-jennings.com/nfreads-guest-post/): I was recently approached about writing a guest article for NFReads.com, and I had to really take some time to think about just what I would say. I knew that I would want to talk about my journey into writing, but I wasn’t sure just how I wanted to do it.
- [April 2019 book tour and audiobook updates](https://dl-jennings.com/april-2019-book-tour-and-audiobook-updates/): April has been my busiest month since Gift of the Shaper launched, and that is saying a lot. But after all was said and done, it was exhausting but amazing. I couldn't be happier. Let's get into exactly why I've just about had enough of commercial flights and hotels.
- [Gift of the Shaper Fan Art](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-fan-art/): I had the coolest thing happen to me the other day: someone sent me a few drawings of something that, previously, had only existed in my imagination.
- [Gift of the Shaper on Kansas City Live!](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-on-kansas-city-live/): I was never sure if I was in Missouri or Kansas a few times on my trip, despite being in Kansas City the whole time (it's very confusing, I promise), but I did get the chance to swing by KSHB's Kansas City Live and talk with Kelly Nyberg about Gift of the Shaper.
- [March updates and tour dates](https://dl-jennings.com/march-updates-and-tour-dates/): I have a few updates today, and hopefully some of the hard work that I've been pouring into absolutely everything lately will be paying off! I've got updates on the Audiobook, hardcover copy, and my (potentially) last TV appearance.
- [San Antonio Living 2019](https://dl-jennings.com/san-antonio-living-2019/): If you would have told me 15 years ago when I joined the Air Force that I would have wound up in San Antonio again voluntarily, I would have told you ... that I believed you. Bet you didn't see that one coming did you? Well that's the kind of thing that you can expect from my interview with San Antonio Living that I just wrapped up!
- [Updates, updates, updates (and more updates)](https://dl-jennings.com/updates-updates-updates-and-more-updates/): The good news is that I've got a bunch of things going on that I want to tell you about; the bad news is that I have a bunch of things going on. In short I'm gonna throw some info at you about TV tour dates, audiobook progress, beta reader signups for Book Two, and pre-purchase info for the hardcover version of Gift of the Shaper!
- [Gift of the Shaper tour dates](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-dates/): Quick update for you, but I've got some great news that I'm excited to share: I'll be going to a few cities -- some of them might even be close to you!
- [Gift of the Shaper audiobook – first ten chapters](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-audiobook-first-ten-chapters/): With a tentative release date of 3/15, I've decided to release the first ten chapters of the audiobook for Gift of the Shaper -- for free! Think of it as a test drive for that really cool car you have your eye on (the one that parks itself, and has adaptive cruise control): if you like it, maybe you swing back around and pick it up. And if you don't -- hey, at least you got to roll the windows down.
- [Gift of the Shaper tour dates!](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-tour-dates/): I have some exciting news for those of you who can't read: I'm going to be on TV! I have had the incredible fortune to have been invited to do not one but two interviews.
- [Awaken the Three](https://dl-jennings.com/awaken-the-three/): I'm a little late in getting the word out, but I have some great news for those of you who don't like how long George R.R. Martin is taking to write his next book: I'm faster. As of this month, I have finished the first draft of Awaken the Three, Book Two of the Highglade series!
- [If you want something done right, hire an expert](https://dl-jennings.com/if-you-want-something-done-right-hire-an-expert/): Given the recent attention that I've gotten in the media, I've decided that I need to do everything I can to get the word out there about Gift of the Shaper. That being said, I've got three things currently going on in the way of big announcements. And, wrapped up in a convenient little blog, here they are!
- [A Bittersweet Christmas](https://dl-jennings.com/a-bittersweet-christmas/): Let me say this first: as of this writing, my mother is still alive. I'm writing this at a very hard time in my life, and after proofreading this at least once, it reads like an obituary. I'm not going to change what I wrote (although I will get her permission before I share it with anyone), but writing has always been a mental respite for me, and this was the absolute best thing that I could think of to do at the time.
- [Gift of the Shaper makes international headlines](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-makes-international-headlines/): It all started with some pictures.
- [Ads: a peek behind the curtain](https://dl-jennings.com/ads-a-peek-behind-the-curtain/): So it's nearing the Christmas season and, as someone with something to sell, I am going to take advantage of that. I thought that some of you might be interested in seeing just what goes into promotions and ads -- and that includes the stuff you see on Facebook and Instagram. I don't know if you guys are interested in peek behind the curtain, but I thought a little transparency might be interesting.
- [Updates and reflections](https://dl-jennings.com/updates-and-reflections/): Some might say, "What good are tales?”
- [Awaken the Three: sneak peek #1](https://dl-jennings.com/awaken-the-three-sneak-peek-1/): The words "When does the next book come out?" are a double-edged sword to a writer. While it means that people are really excited about your work, it also means that you'll be hearing until you actually release your next book. So the most recent time I heard it, it got me thinking: what I could do in the meantime to sort of ease the transition? The answer, to me, was simple: give you a look at a chapter from the second book in the Highglade series, tentatively titled "Awaken the Three."
- [Gift of the Shaper wins Best Fantasy in 7th Annual Beverly Hills Book Awards](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-wins-best-fantasy-in-7th-annual-beverly-hills-book-awards/): I wasn't ready to have my mind blown this morning, but when I checked my email, I saw the following message:
- [Audiobook update #2](https://dl-jennings.com/audiobook-update-2/): Back again as promised! Progress on the audiobook is coming along smoothly, and I've already had to do a few re-recordings from when I lost the ability to read (I said "looked up at the stairs" instead of "at the stars") or didn't like how a character's voice sounded.
- [how it feels to hit Imgur.com’s front page](https://dl-jennings.com/how-it-feels-to-hit-imgur-coms-front-page/): Sometimes, everything just comes together.
- [Award-Winning Finalist in Fiction: Fantasy](https://dl-jennings.com/award-winning-finalist-in-fiction-fantasy/): I have always wanted to say that I'm an award-winning author.
- [Audiobook update #1](https://dl-jennings.com/audiobook-update-1/): Never fear, friends who can't read good (and want to learn how to do other stuff good too), the audiobook is coming along slowly but surely!
- [Clovis Library author reading Gift of the Shaper](https://dl-jennings.com/clovis-library-author-reading-gift-of-the-shaper/): October has been a great month for Gift of the Shaper and, by proxy, me! I was invited to do a reading and book signing at Clovis-Carter library and I was floored at the turnout. I was lucky enough to have been the featured author in their book club for October so there were some amazing questions.
- [Audiobook: Phase 1 complete!](https://dl-jennings.com/audiobook-phase-1-complete/): Good news, everyone! As of today I have officially wrapped recording for the audiobook version of Gift of the Shaper!
- [Author Stories Podcast episode 487: D.L. Jennings](https://dl-jennings.com/author-stories-podcast-episode-487-d-l-jennings/): I was absolutely ecstatic to be interviewed by Hank Garner for his Author Stories podcast, mostly because I'm in such great company.
- [A million ways to die in Belize](https://dl-jennings.com/a-million-ways-to-die-in-belize/): The first time I found myself in a speedboat at night, I was going through training for the US Air Force, surrounded by guys with night vision goggles, and going about 40 knots. The second time, I was just trying to get home. Both times, I was sure I was going to die.
- [Nature: the other indoors](https://dl-jennings.com/nature-the-other-indoors/): Ok, time to flex my writing muscles, I said to myself. 
- [Bellevue University Interview](https://dl-jennings.com/bellevue-university-interview/): When my alma mater, Bellevue University, decided to do an interview with me about Gift of the Shaper, I was over the moon.
- [First book reading at Cannon AFB Library!](https://dl-jennings.com/first-book-reading-at-cannon-afb-library/): I'm still reeling from the excitement of doing my first book reading at Cannon Air Force Base library! They had contacted me about a month or two beforehand saying that the copies I had donated to them were garnering some interest, and then invited me to do a reading and book signing. After dancing around my room in excitement for about 7 or 8 minutes, I composed myself and an email. I told them that, yes of course I would be interested, and that I was incredibly excited for the opportunity.
- [Gift of the Shaper in the Wild 3: Ken Webster, Jr.](https://dl-jennings.com/gots-in-the-wild-3-ken-webster/): “Gift of the Shaper in the Wild,” is a series of articles intending to highlight the people who are the backbone of the success of Gift of the Shaper: my friends, and the people who were crazy enough to pick up my book. I couldn’t think of a better way of saying “thank you,” so this is my attempt at doing so. Check out some of the other profiles here! 
- [2018 Nebula Awards](https://dl-jennings.com/2018-nebula-awards/): The 2018 Nebula Awards have come and gone, and there was one clear winner: me.
- [Gift of the Shaper in the Wild #2](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-in-the-wild-2/): “Gift of the Shaper in the Wild,” is a series of articles intending to highlight the people who are the backbone of the success of Gift of the Shaper: my friends, and the people who were crazy enough to pick up my book. I couldn’t think of a better way of saying “thank you,” so this is my attempt at doing so. Check out last week's profile here!
- [Gift of the Shaper in the Wild #1](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-in-the-wild-1/): One of the best things to happen to me recently was when friends of mine started sending me pictures of themselves holding my book. There's really no feeling quite like it, and I'm hard pressed to explain it even though I'm purportedly a writer. (Although using a word like "purportedly" will probably get me beat up). But, after a friend of mine sent me a picture of Gift of the Shaper "hanging out" in Greece, I got to thinking that I could start to do something with them.
- [D.L. Jennings: Reddit featured Writer of the Day](https://dl-jennings.com/d-l-jennings-reddit-featured-writer-of-the-day/): On April 30th I was thrilled to be chosen as the reddit.com/r/fantasy Writer of the Day. If you know anything about reddit, you'd know that it's kind of a big deal because of how many people frequent the site. But what you may not know is that all I had to do was sign up and they gave the spot to me then and there. You may be saying to yourself, "But Dave, that's probably because they saw who you were and gave it to you based on how awesome you are," and I would agree. Unfortunately we would both be wrong because it's really just based on who signs up when.
- [Example query letter](https://dl-jennings.com/example-query-letter/): I thought, since I wrote a guide on how to get your book published, that I would give a real-world example and include an actual query letter that I sent out to an agent. When you are starting to work on yours, feel free to use mine as an example. (I am one of those people who learns by example, so if you happen to be like that, too, great!)
- [So you wrote a novel … now what?](https://dl-jennings.com/so-you-wrote-a-novel-now-what/): And, if you're not quite there yet, but looking for tips on how to finish your book, check out my post on how to finish that novel.
- [Gift of the Shaper: Updates and Reflections](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-updates-and-reflections/): If you've been following my Facebook posts, you'll know that I started doing a YouTube series for readings from Gift of the Shaper. It's my latest attempt to try and add more dimensions to the book by giving you access to my thoughts behind characters and my process for writing it. Since we live in an age of open communication, I felt that this was really the best way to bring the characters to life, and to let you (as the reader) get a better glance into what I (as the author) was thinking. If you're interested, check it out!
- [Basics of Writing: Pacing](https://dl-jennings.com/basics-writing-pacing/): Have you ever read an action scene that just seemed to drag on? What about important dialogue that seemed to fly by way too fast? If you've experienced either of those and been annoyed, you've experienced poor pacing, and you have a right to be upset. In this "Basics of Writing" entry, I'll try to go over pacing, and some ways that you can make your own writing better by utilizing it properly.
- [Basics of Writing: How to Finish that Novel](https://dl-jennings.com/writing-basics-novel/): One of the questions that I get asked the most is “what advice do you have for someone trying to write a book?” My answer is almost always some variation of “the only way to write a book is to write a book.” And by that I mean, the words aren’t going to write themselves. The first step of writing is putting words on paper, and it’s arguably the most important. And to do that, you need to find out how you work, and how to get yourself motivated.
- [Charity Walk for Autism Speaks](https://dl-jennings.com/charity-walk-for-autism-speaks/): On April 14, I'll be participating in the Bay Area charity walk for Autism Speaks. It's is an incredible organization that does some really impactful work including awareness, outreach, and treatment of autism.
- [Gift of the Shaper Launch](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-shaper-launch/): I'm two weeks into the launch of my Epic Fantasy Gift of the Shaper and I couldn't be happier. If you follow me on Facebook, you'll know that not only is it my first book, but that I'm also well into writing the sequel. I meant it when I labeled Gift of the Shaper as "Book one of the HIGHGLADE series," because I fully intend to keep writing more. Eventually, when I get the hang of it, I plan to use this blog as a vehicle for updates on the progress of the sequel (tentatively titled Three, Awaken). I'm gonna let you know right now that I've written 49 chapters for it already, and I'm pretty close to finishing it. I started writing it almost immediately after I finished the first one, so it was an easy transition. But I digress.
- [Gift of the Shaper reading: Chapter 1](https://dl-jennings.com/gift-of-the-shaper-reading-chapter-1/): This is the first edition of the YouTube series I'm doing, reading Gift of the Shaper (doing the voices and everything!)
- [Interview with D.L. Jennings](https://dl-jennings.com/d-l-jennings-interview/): Hi everyone! If you were looking for 86 minutes to kill -- like if you have a long car ride, or you need to cook 86 packages of minute rice -- I did an interview with Ken Webster, Jr., who hosts Pursuit of Happiness Radio based out of Houston. Lucky for me, Ken is an old friend of mine and we picked up like we'd never stopped hanging out.
- [Writing Fantasy: What’s in a Name?](https://dl-jennings.com/whats-in-a-name/): A good character needs a good name
- [Memories as Long as Light](https://dl-jennings.com/memories-as-long-as-light/): Some time ago I wrote a short story for a reddit thread. The writing prompt was for a friendship between a time traveler and an immortal, and I thought it was an interesting premise. Below is my attempt. I hope you enjoy. — Sometimes I wouldn’t see him for years. Once, I went an entire millenium – but in a lifetime that is measured by the dying of stars, even a day spent alone can seem like an eternity. But he always came back – and every time he did was special because I always worried that it would be his last. His coming was heralded by a tingling sensation – a warm glow that worked its way out from the base of my neck – that signaled a shift in the temporal plane, and I knew he had returned to me once again. I opened my eyes as he materialized. There he was, just as I remembered him: hair the color of snow and eyes to match, with a bloodless complexion that reminded me of the moons. He looked up with his wide, white eyes and grinned. “It’s good to see you again,” he said. “Bastyon,” I said with a smile. “You’re late.” “I’ve heard that joke a hundred times and it never gets old,” he answered with a laugh. “I’m glad that some things never change.” Ever since the first time I’d felt him, Bastyon had been a curiosity to me. He told me of the race of people he descended from – “humans,” he called them – and the solar system that they once called home. Their time had long, long since passed and they had moved on to other planets, other suns, and other forms. The body that Bastyon inhabited now was one that he found comfortable, but was by no means one that he was bound to. It was what let him slip in and out of the time stream so easily, and was the one that he had first come to me in. It was the one that I knew him in, and it comforted me. But there was something about his smile this time that bid me look deeper – an emptiness behind his eyes that I could not quite place. “It’s been four hundred years,” I said slowly. “You’ve missed a great deal.” Bastyon looked up at the night sky, to the twin moons suspended overhead. “Well that’s what I have you for,” he replied. “Or are you too busy to catch me up?” I chuckled as I looked down at his fragile frame – his thin, delicate limbs that moved so easily. I reached down and put my hand on the ground for him to step into. “For you?” I said. “I can spare a few moments.” I picked him up and raised my hand up to my shoulder. He crawled onto its rocky, grey surface easily like he had done so many times before. I smiled at him and joined his gaze into the sky. “The stars are dying,” I said. “I know,” Bastyon whispered. His words were heavy, like they were filled up with water. “It’s why I came back.” I smiled, but it was more out of reflex than happiness. Hearing his voice was comforting, and it had a soothing effect on me. “How many times have you come back?” I asked. I didn’t look down to see his reaction but I knew he was looking away. “I stopped counting after a thousand.” “And the universe after this one?” “It’s big – bigger than this one,” he replied. “You …” he paused. “You would like it, I think.” “Then tell me about it,” I said. My eyes were closed now. I felt him stand up and place his hand on the side of my face. His touch was tender, and I knew he was trying to comfort me. “I haven’t traveled too far past the beginning, but there are more stars than I’ve ever seen. I think it has the potential to give birth to something really special.” The question lingered in the back of my mind – the one I had thought countless times to ask him before, yet lacked the courage to speak. I had seen the birth of the sun, lived through the formation of the cosmos, experienced the vast emptiness of space and time that only an immortal can even conceive of. Yet here I stood, faced with the end of all things, and could not even whisper. But Bastyon, like he had done countless times before, spoke the words for me. “You told me that you don’t feel any pain when it happens. That it felt like being born, or like waking up from a dream.” I felt the cold of the universe closing in as the stars winked out, one by one. I knew that it would not be long. I was just happy that my friend was here with me. “Thank you, Bastyon,” I said to the darkness. “But you should go. When the last light goes out, it will be far too cold for you to survive. There will be nothing left but me.” “I know,” he said. I felt his arms around my neck in a gentle embrace. It was gesture that I’d always told him was strange to me, but he never seemed to care. “I just wanted to see you one last time.” So this truly was the end, I thought. Let it come. “You’re sure I can’t talk you into coming with me?” He asked. There was warmth behind his words, and it almost made me reconsider. “You know I can’t,” I finally replied. “This is my universe. My home. I gave birth to the life in it, and will be here when it ends.” I felt the cosmos shutting down. Space and time had begun their slow and inevitable unraveling. “You say that every time I come back,” Bastyon said. “I keep thinking that one of these times I can change your mind.” “I’m afraid not, little friend,” I said with a sigh. “I find you again, you know,” Bastyon said. The words were hopeful, but had a sadness to them that clouded his voice. “But you’re different. You’re not… you.” “It’s the nature of what I am,” I replied. “It’s how things must be, and how the universe can keep living. These cycles come in waves, Small One, and this one is just a speck of dust in an ocean of stars.” I looked at the tiny being perched on my shoulder – the end result of billions of years of growth and change – and smiled. “And besides,” I said, “I have survived in you.” I felt the tingling again, and knew that Bastyon was leaving. This universe would die out, fated to pull apart as the grip of gravity slowly gave way, with only blackness remaining. Blackness, cold, and me. I shut my eyes for the last time, and waited for the end. This next universe would be different, and my death would be the catalyst to bring it about. I smiled, and waited, knowing that the next time I saw Bastyon would be through the eyes of the new seed of life – one that would spend another eternity waiting, watching, and hoping for him to appear once again.
- [So you wanna know what my book is about…](https://dl-jennings.com/so-you-wanna-know-what-my-book-is-about/): Hey guys!
- [Help me choose a prologue!](https://dl-jennings.com/help-me-choose-a-prologue/): Hi friends,
- [The Road to Publication](https://dl-jennings.com/the-road-to-publication/): I have some exciting news.

## Pages
- [News](https://dl-jennings.com/news/)
- [Newsletter Sign Up](https://dl-jennings.com/newsletter-sign-up/)
- [In the Media](https://dl-jennings.com/in-the-media/): Awaken the Three
- [Shop](https://dl-jennings.com/shop/)
- [Contact](https://dl-jennings.com/contact/): Dave reads everything that comes through, though he can't always respond to everything right away.
- [About](https://dl-jennings.com/about/): David “D.L.” Jennings has always been in love with storytelling. Fantasy was the natural outlet. He loves the idea that anything is possible, and he's been obsessed with magic and sharp characters doing interesting things since he was a kid.
- [Books](https://dl-jennings.com/books/): This is epic fantasy with worlds and characters you have never met. If that sounds like your kind of read, you are in the right place.
- [Events](https://dl-jennings.com/events/): Below is where you can meet me in person! If you see something near you, come find me.
- [Home](https://dl-jennings.com/): For thousands of years, the Breaker of the Dawn has been locked away in the Otherworld. Two factions have kept the prison sealed. Now someone has the key, and both armies are coming for it.

## Products
- [HONOR: A Science Fiction & Fantasy Anthology](https://dl-jennings.com/product/honor-a-science-fiction-fantasy-anthology/): Travel from distant planets on the edge of space to enchanted worlds filled with magic. Laugh with plucky thieves and cry with aging mages. Discover ancient wisdoms, rise above unbeatable odds, and reflect on personal sacrifices.
- [Acrylic Hammer bookmark](https://dl-jennings.com/product/hammer-bookmark/): Never lose your place again! This sturdy companion will help you navigate the plains of Derenar, the mountains of Gal'dorok, and the pages of the entire HIGHGLADE Series. Made from acrylic sheet, this is not your normal plastic bookmark!  
- [Days of the Dark: Book Three of the Highglade Series](https://dl-jennings.com/product/days-of-the-dark-book-three-of-the-highglade-series/): The conclusion to the Award-winning series from author D.L. Jennings              
- [Days of the Dark](https://dl-jennings.com/product/days-of-the-dark/): For some, even death is not the end . . . . Across countless generations, the bloodthirsty chovathi were confined to their subterranean lairs – but when a new power joins with them and their hive-mind, even the gods of creation find themselves threatened. Ahmaan Kaa, the outcast Lord of the Dead, seeks to use the chaos sown by the chovathi to oust the gods of creation themselves and seat himself upon the throne – and the last hope for humanity reveals itself in the most unlikely of places, and from the most unlikely of allies. Who will claim control over the realms of mortals and gods? Find out in Days of the Dark, the thrilling conclusion to the Award-winning Highglade Series, where D.L. Jennings once again transports readers to the war-torn lands first visited in Gift of the Shaper and Awaken the Three.   Click the thumbnails to check out the bookmarks!    
- [Highglade Series Bookmark](https://dl-jennings.com/product/bookmark-hs/): Never lose your place again! This matte companion will help you navigate the plains of Derenar, the mountains of Gal'dorok, and the pages of the entire HIGHGLADE Series.
- [Map Bookmark](https://dl-jennings.com/product/map-bookmark/): Never lose your place again with this bookmark -- pulled straight from the pages of Awaken the Three! Based on the map found in the book, this matte companion will help you navigate the plains of Derenar, the mountains of Gal'dorok, and the pages of Gift of the Shaper.
- [Awaken the Three](https://dl-jennings.com/product/awaken-the-three/): In the sequel to his award-winning novel Gift of the Shaper, D. L. Jennings once again brings to life an epic tale of war and chaos as earthly armies fight for otherworldly prizes. Ancient powers lying dormant must be called upon, bringing strength to those who need it and conquest to those who seek it; battles will rage and cities will fall, but only the most desperate or reckless would seek . . . . . . to awaken the three.
- [Awaken the Three: Book Two of the Highglade Series](https://dl-jennings.com/product/awaken-the-three-book-two-of-the-highglade-series/):  "Beyond the Wastes of Khulakorum, a storm is rising..." Book two of the HIGHGLADE series   In the sequel to his award-winning novel Gift of the Shaper, D. L. Jennings once again brings to life an epic tale of war and chaos as earthly armies fight for otherworldly prizes. Ancient powers lying dormant must be called upon, bringing strength to those who need it and conquest to those who seek it; battles will rage and cities will fall, but only the most desperate or reckless would seek . . . . . . to awaken the three.   Order now!
- [Gift of the Shaper](https://dl-jennings.com/product/gift-of-the-shaper-product/): Gift of the Shaper chronicles the epic struggle between the existing forces of good and evil, with both sides vying for control of the key that unlocks the Otherworld. The very powers of creation and destruction hang in the balance, and only a heroic effort by Thornton and Miera, backed by the power of the Athrani, can possibly stop the Khyth from unleashing ruin — and the Breaker — upon their world.
- [Gift of the Shaper: Book One of the Highglade Series](https://dl-jennings.com/product/gift-of-the-shaper/): "Armies will clash, and even gods will die…" The Award-winning, epic debut from author D.L. Jennings Gift of the Shaper chronicles the epic struggle between the existing forces of good and evil, with both sides vying for control of the key that unlocks the Otherworld. The very powers of creation and destruction hang in the balance, and only a heroic effort by Thornton and Miera, backed by the power of the Athrani, can possibly stop the Khyth from unleashing ruin — and the Breaker — upon their world.