Blog About My Books

2026/01/18 Books on Sale & What's Coming Next

Books 1, 2, and 3 are on sale now! I'm celebrating by doing what I do best: writing, polishing, and planning the next wave of stories.

What I'm Working On

My mantra for the beginning of 2026 is simple: get these books out, polish what needs polishing, and keep building this universe.

I'm blocking out the next few projects in my head:

Project 1: Another novel set in the Sword & Shield universe

Project 2: A collection of short stories expanding on characters from the series

Project 3: A piece that honors Gene Roddenberry's vision, inspired by a William Shatner quote (love him, tbh)

The Promotion Struggle

I'm struggling to promote these books. The obvious questions arise: Why not hire someone? Why not use AI tools?

Answer to question one: Money. Indie authors don't have marketing budgets.

Answer to question two: AI has let me down in too many ways. As much as I use AI to help with certain tasks, it's nowhere near where people claim it is. The gap between the hype and the reality is massive.

So I'm doing what indie authors do: grinding it out myself, one post at a time.

SPFBO Update

Nothing yet from my SPFBO reviewer. She has 30 books to read and has been swimming through her pile at breakneck speed. I'm stunned by how fast some people can consume books. Meanwhile, I'm trying to find my next read, but I love Steven Saylor's style so much that I keep thinking about emulating his story arcs instead of just enjoying someone else's work.

The Ask

If you've been thinking about checking out the Sword & Shield series, now's the time. Books 1, 2, and 3 are available, and I'd love for you to give Joshua's journey a chance.

Read the series:

📚 Book 1: Tale of the Four Winds

📚 Book 2: The Witch and The Necromancer: Monster's Fate

📚 Book 3: School of Magic

Available on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited

🔗 scottkay.me/book-titles

Thanks for being here. More updates soon.

#SwordAndShieldSeries #IndieAuthor #FantasyBooks #QueerFantasy #DarkFantasy #SPFBO #AmWriting #BookSale

2026/01/03 News

Today's Twitter (X) Post: "I did a thing today: Entered SPFBO XI today. I entered "Tale of the Four Winds". I will be grateful just to get eyes on this project. Good luck @AuthorGFAllen  on your entry. Thank you, Mark Lawrence, for your hard work. "  I haven't entered any kind of contenst in a while and maybe this will be the first of many. 

2026/01/02 What's So Queer About My Books?

I've been using #QueerFantasy in my posts, and I want to talk about why that matters.

Joshua's Journey with Identity

Joshua is a complex young man who wasn't raised with pressure toward traditional relationships. He identifies as asexual, not because he's following a trend, but because it's the label that fits his experience. He's not motivated toward intimate relationships beyond friendship. His love language centers on intellectual connection and emotional depth.

When those connections deepen with a close friend, it's easy to get confused about what that means. For someone without a foundation of healthy relationships, navigating those feelings becomes even more complicated. I can speak from experience here. I know better than to cross certain lines now. I didn't in my younger years.

The Path Toward Unhealthy Relationships

The conflict between craving attention and fearing loneliness is where we see Joshua struggling in Book 3. School of Magic has mature content because Joshua explores his sexuality and what he truly wants as part of his growth journey in this foreign land. He's affected by influences he's not prepared for, and the results are messy, painful, and real.

Queer Representation Throughout the Series

Queer themes run throughout these books, not just with Joshua. Fiona and Sandhi. Bertram and Steve. Wei, Scion, and Galen the Nephilim. These are strongly queer coded characters woven seamlessly into the story because that's how queer people exist in the world—as part of the fabric, not as tokens or afterthoughts.

Why I Write These Stories

I'm a queer man who grew up with desperately unhealthy ideas about love and sex. I've spent years unlearning those patterns. My personal taboos include crossing lines with people I consider friends, but I didn't always respect those boundaries. A lot of my unhealthy experiences are reflected in these stories, including sexual assault and the aftermath of trauma.

What I Hope You Take Away

When you read these books and question Joshua's choices, or the choices of other characters, know that they're coming from somewhere real. These aren't random plot points. They're explorations of what it means to navigate identity, desire, trauma, and connection when you don't have a roadmap.

That's what makes them queer. Not just the relationships, but the honesty about how messy and complicated it all is.

The Sword & Shield Series:
📖 Book 1: Tale of the Four Winds
📖 Book 2: The Witch and The Necromancer: Monster's Fate
📖 Book 3: School of Magic

Available on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited

🔗 scottkay.me/book-titles

2025/12/27: Series Update: Reordering Books & Announcing Book 5

Where We Stand

Book 2 is out and on the digital shelf. I've been deep into writing Book 3 while navigating the reality of indie publishing: since re-releasing Book 1 with the new cover, sales have been... well, nonexistent.

I've given copies to readers with the promise of reviews, but nothing yet. I'm hoping the post-holiday gift card rush brings some new readers. In the meantime, I'm making some important decisions about the series structure.

Big Announcement: Series Reordering

I'm officially restructuring the Sword & Shield series:

• Book 2.5 (School of Magic) is now Book 3

• Dominion Over All moves to Book 4

• Book 5 (short story collection) is officially announced

Let me break down what this means for each book.

Book 1: Tale of the Four Winds

I'm happy with this story. It's my first published book, and I'm acutely aware it could stand more work, but I've reached the point where I have to let it sail. A friend is doing an edit on an older version, and if her feedback reveals something I truly missed, I'll make changes and let readers know. But that feels unlikely at this point.

The worst feedback I've received so far: "You tell the audience about Joshua being a witch too early in the story."

I'm certain this person didn't read the book or understand where it's going. The entire series is about Joshua growing with his magic and the forces he faces along the way. It's like telling J.K. Rowling to save the Hogwarts reveal until the end of Harry Potter. The discovery IS the story.

Book 2: The Witch & The Necromancer: Monster's Fate

This is a long story, over 500 pages. It's a major growth point for Joshua as he really learns what it means to be a witch. Caleb, his best friend and necromancer, is also growing alongside him.

The themes of family, dysfunctional, chosen, or both are central here. Family shapes who we are and informs our journey, whether we like it or not.

Book 3: School of Magic (Formerly Book 2.5)

This was originally a chapter in Book 2 that grew into its own story. I re-wrote it as a standalone, but during editing, I realized how deeply it's woven into the Sword & Shield series.

Joshua goes on his own journey here. We meet new and old monsters in new places, and Joshua discovers things about himself that change everything. He ends up in a twisted emotional relationship that alters his life on fundamental levels.

It's connected, but it can stand alone. That's why it works as Book 3.

Book 4 Dominion Over All

I picked this title out of the air, then did some research and found this definition:

"Dominion over all" refers to the biblical mandate (Genesis 1:26-28) for humanity to exercise authority, care, and responsible stewardship over the earth and its creatures, acting as God's representatives. It means managing resources wisely, developing creation, and reflecting God's reign, rather than exploiting or abusing the planet or its inhabitants, requiring humans to be caretakers, not conquerors.

Right on the nose, isn't it?

This book completes the Sword & Shield series. I wrote the final scene immediately after finishing Book 3 for reasons that will be clear when you read it. Had to have a huge, final, epic battle, right?

Book 5: Short Story Collection (NEW ANNOUNCEMENT)

Yes, I'm officially announcing the short story collection I've been working on in the background.

This includes:

• Stories edited out of the final versions of Books 1-4

• New stories exploring supporting characters

• Expanded tales about the changelings (I've always wanted to dive deeper into their world)

This book is still a work in progress, but I'm excited to give these characters and moments the space they deserve.

The Reality of Indie Publishing

I'm so excited about this universe. The characters, the world, the conflicts—it all feels real and vital to me.

I just wish I could get more eyes on it.

That's the challenge, isn't it? Writing the books is one thing. Getting readers to discover them is another battle entirely. But I'm not giving up. I'm optimizing, marketing, creating content, and building this world one reader at a time.

If you've read the books, thank you. If you're considering it, I hope you'll take a chance on Joshua's journey. And if you've been waiting for reviews before diving in—maybe you could be one of the first to leave one?

Read the series:

• Book 1: Tale of the Four Winds - on sale now

• Book 2: The Witch & The Necromancer: Monster's Fate - on sale now

• Book 3: School of Magic (Coming Soon)

• Book 4: Dominion Over All (written, editing in progress)

• Book 5: Short Story Collection (work in progress)

Visit: scottkay.me

#IndieAuthor #SwordAndShieldSeries #SeriesUpdate #WritingCommunity #DarkFantasy #AuthorLife #BookAnnouncement #FantasyBooks #AmWriting

2025/12/20 Book 2: The Necromancer & The Witch on Amazon

Book is under review

I uploaded the book tonight. Waiting on Kindle next... probably tomorrow. Too tired now.

Optimized my Amazon really nicely, too! Woot woot.

2025/12/20 Book 2 Launch: The Doubts, The Decisions & The Reality of Being an Indie Author

Book 2 is Almost Here

Book 2: The Witch and The Necromancer: Monster's Fate is about to hit the streets after a lot of work to make it ready... ish.

No matter how many times I look at it, no matter how many passes I make with Grammarly to ensure it's in good shape, I keep finding fixable things. It's like the project that constantly needs touchups. A couple of friends have offered to help edit, but they're still working through Book 1, so I've been relying on Grammarly and my own eyes.

The Feedback Gap

I'm worried about the feedback I'm not getting on Book 1. Since updating the cover, there have been ZERO sales. As rich as I think the story is, maybe it won't resonate with people the same way it does with me.

I don't want to be the guy who writes and writes and writes only to discover I suck as an author. I feel like I've created rich, complex characters and compelling stories. I want to move on to new storytelling, but I have 2 more books written in this universe and part of a third... so yeah.

The Timing Question

Book 2 will likely be out before Christmas, but everyone has finished their Christmas shopping by now. Would it be smarter to wait until Spring? I just don't know.

The reality is: January is actually one of the best months for book sales. People get Kindles and gift cards for Christmas. They're looking for new reads. The "New Year, New Books" momentum is real.

But the doubt is real too.

The Honest Truth

This is the indie author journey. You pour your heart into something, believe in it completely, and then... crickets. Or worse, silence that makes you question everything.

But here's what I know:

• I've created characters I genuinely love

• I've built a universe with depth and potential

• I've written stories that matter to me

• The work is done (or done ... )

Maybe the timing isn't perfect. Maybe the marketing isn't where it needs to be. Maybe I need to be more patient. But holding onto Book 2 out of fear won't change any of that.

The Decision

I'm leaning toward launching before Christmas. Getting it out there. Letting it find its readers. Because waiting for the "perfect" moment means it might never happen.

If you've read Book 1, I'd love to hear from you. If you're waiting for Book 2, it's almost here. And if you're on the fence about trying the series, I hope you'll take a chance on it.

This is the messy, uncertain, vulnerable reality of being an indie author. But it's also mine, and I'm committed to seeing it through.

Stay tuned for the official Book 2 launch announcement.

Read Book 1: https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Four-Winds-Sword-Shield/dp/B0FBSCMMY5

#IndieAuthor #AmWriting #Book2Coming #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity #TheWitchAndTheNecromancer #DarkFantasy #AuthorJourney #BookLaunch #RealTalk

2025/12/05 Rando Updates

Book 1 Re-Released: New Cover, Deep Edits & What's Next

After weeks of intense focus, I'm excited to announce that Book 1 has been re-released with significant improvements. I had the time to do a proper deep dive edit, and I took full advantage of it. The cover also received a much-needed update that better captures the story's essence.

Now begins a new campaign to connect this book with readers who will love it.

Book 2: In Progress

Book 2 is next on the list. I'm already chest-deep in editing with a hard deadline looming. My goal is to have it ready within a week or two. The story is there, the characters are alive on the page, and I'm determined to get it into your hands soon.

The Agent Journey: Honest Reflections

Of course, working with an agent would be ideal. So far, my efforts in that arena haven't been fruitful, and I'll be honest, my luck hasn't been great. I've made mistakes in the process, I know that. But I also understand that agents slog through hundreds of submissions, and standing out in that pile is incredibly difficult.

Here's the thing: I know I have a great story. I've built a universe with immense potential that can go in so many directions. The characters are complex, the world is rich, and the emotional stakes are real.

The question that keeps me up at night: How do I convey this to someone who can see it the way I do and believe in it?

I don't have the answer yet. But I'm learning. Every query rejection teaches me something. Every revision makes the work stronger. And every reader who connects with Joshua's journey reminds me why I'm doing this.

Moving Forward

For now, I'm focusing on what I can control:

• Making the books the best they can be

• Building connections with readers directly

• Learning from every step of this process

• Finishing Book 2 and continuing the series

If you've read Book 1, thank you. If you haven't yet, I hope you'll give it a chance. And if you know someone who might love dark fantasy with found family and morally complex characters, please share.

This is the indie author journey. It's not always easy, but it's mine, and I'm committed to seeing it through.

Read Book 1: https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Four-Winds-Sword-Shield/dp/B0FBSCMMY5

2025/11/19  Progress Report: Book 3 is "Done" (Sort Of)

Progress... yes, we have progress!

Book 3: The Complicated "Done"

Book 3 is done. Wait... "done" in quotes, because here's the thing: I like the ending, but I know it could be perceived very differently by readers. Is that good or bad? I'm honestly not sure yet.

The takeaway is a series of conclusions. I feel like I'm cycling through them all, but I didn't give Joshua what I wanted to give him. I can't get much deeper into it without spoiling the whole conclusion right here on this blog, so you'll just have to trust me on this one.

Sometimes the story demands an ending that's true to the characters rather than what we want for them. That's where I am right now.

Book 1: Deep Dive Edit in Progress

On a more concrete note, I've been working on a deep dive edit of Book 1 for an updated Amazon release with the new cover I wanted to launch two months ago.

Timeline:

• Book 1 update should be online by Christmas

• Book 2 will follow in early 2026 (give or take)

Book 3: Cover Design Struggles

And then there's Book 3's cover, which has turned into a struggle bus trying to find the right images. Yeah, the things we worry about as indie authors.

Current Status:

• 📖 Book 1: Deep edit + new cover (Christmas release)

• 📖 Book 2: Ready for early 2026 launch

• 📖 Book 3: Draft complete, wrestling with the ending and cover design

• 📖 Book 4: Complete standalone

Read more at: https://www.scottkay.me/blog

#IndieAuthor #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #Book3 #AuthorLife #EditingProcess #BookCovers #WritingProcess #FantasyBooks #AuthorJourney

2025/11/08 - So Close. Oh So Close.

Yeah, so yeah. I'm an author... ha ha ha hah. I write things.

Being a bit silly here, and I'm keeping it in the post as I sit here seeing the end of Book 3 finally landing.

Writing Grounded Supernatural Characters

One of my goals with this series is that my powerful characters are not reflections of superheroes, even if they have remarkable abilities. I find myself thinking of Harry Potter or the TV show Being Human (both US and UK versions). This isn't a copy, but I'm using these references to create cohesive, balanced stories with supernatural characters living in a modern world—dealing with rules of existence and pushing the boundaries of what that means when it comes to the extraordinary.

Writing from Experience

There is a lot of trauma and joy experienced by the characters, things I have personal insight into, told from a place of experienced pain. I also write from a place where joy makes a person vulnerable, where the reaction to happiness is to struggle with tears and shame at the same time. To never know what is okay to feel, and to ask those questions while trying to figure out identity.

Joshua vs. Caleb: Two Sides of the Same Journey

Joshua is put through the ringer. While Caleb has had a similar journey, his outlook is the antithesis of Joshua's, because Caleb doesn't hold on to self-doubt and shame like Joshua does. Why is Joshua in this place? It has to do with the way he lost his parents and how that formed him into who he is.

Joshua is much better than me as a human, a witch, and as a spiritual person. He is a multiverse reflection of me in many ways, even if the two of us are vastly different people. In his youth, I make him experience things few people have to deal wit, especially all in such a short time of his life.

I love this guy. I see Caleb as the guardian angel that he is, but together as friends they bring out the best in each other.

Read more at: scottkay.me

#AmWriting #WritingCommunity #FantasyBooks #IndieAuthor #AuthorLife #CharacterDevelopment #BookBlog #WIP #UrbanFantasy #SupernaturalFiction #WritersOfInstagram #AuthorJourney #Book3 #SwordAndShieldSeries #WritingProcess #LGBTQ #QueerFantasy

2025/10/29 Learning, Writing, and Wrestling with Book 3

Lessons from the Query Trenches

An interesting thread on X this week gave me some valuable insight into my query letter struggles. An agent highlighted a common mistake in submission letters. One I've been making myself.

The Thread:

• Original Post from Ciara Smith

• My Response

My initial reaction (the question marks in my reply) might have seemed defensive, but I was genuinely processing the feedback. I'm always listening and thinking about what industry professionals share. She made some important points that I'm taking to heart as I refine my approach.

Book 4: A Standalone Complete!

I officially finished Book 4 this week, and it's written as a standalone novel. You don't need to read the Sword & Shield series to enjoy it, though it enriches the overall universe if you do.

The Harry Potter Inspiration

I thought a lot about Harry Potter while crafting this book. A school of magic naturally creates its own lore and world-building, just as Diagon Alley exists separately from Hogwarts, or how wizarding London operates parallel to the muggle world. Book 4 has those parallel arcs while telling a complete, self-contained story.

A More Adult Journey

Fair warning: Book 4 gets spicy in a few scenes. This is a more mature story. I take Joshua into an entirely different world where he experiences things he's never encountered before, pushing him (and the narrative) into new territory.

Book 3: The Finale Awaits

Completing Book 4 actually helped me solve the climax for Book 3. When I looked at my document recently, I realized it's been months since I touched it. Now I need to pick up at the big climax and push through to the ending.

The Editing Journey

Book 3 is hungry for a major edit. Here's where it stands:

✅ Draft complete

✅ Rewrite complete (pending the ending)

🔄 Deep dive edit in progress

I cut a lot from the draft to the rewrite, really focusing on Joshua's massive character journey. Sometimes you have to strip away to find the heart of the story.

Current Project Status:

Book 1: Tale of the Four Winds - Final polish + new cover (December launch)

Book 2: The Witch and the Necromancer - Editing in progress (December launch)

Book 3: Climax and finale needed, then deep edit

Book 4: Complete standalone draft ✓

Read more at: scottkay.me

#IndieAuthor #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #FantasyBooks #AuthorLife #WritingProcess #BookBlog #WIP

2025/10/23 Blinded by Books

A Major Milestone: Book 4 Complete (Maybe?)

I think I finished Book 4 today. I wrote what feels like an epic ending, but only time—and beta readers—will tell if it lands the way I hope.

Here's the interesting part: Book 4 (technically Book 2.5 in the timeline) wasn't just about finishing another story. Writing it helped me crack the climax for Book 3. Sometimes you have to write around a problem to solve it.

The Publishing Pipeline

Books 1 and 2 are complete and waiting in the wings. Both need final editing passes, and Book 1 (Tale of the Four Winds) is getting a new cover before launch at the beginning of December.

The Indie Author Reality

Book sales as an #indieauthor have been... okay. Nothing to write home about, but steady. My time splits three ways: writing, working, and house projects. I've deliberately chosen to prioritize writing over socializing—which is both good and bad, depending on the day.

Book 2 Progress Check

I reviewed the entire manuscript for The Witch and the Necromancer today and found more little issues than expected. I thought editing was further along, but that's on me. The good news? I edit quickly while reading, so it's just a matter of buckling down and doing the work.

The Book 1 Dilemma

I originally asked someone else to edit Book 1 because I felt too close to it. But maybe enough time has passed that I can tackle it myself now. Or should I finish Book 3 first? I only have the final scene left to write.

Decisions, decisions.

Today's Writing Stats:

Book 4: Complete draft ✓

Book 3: One scene remaining

Book 2: Editing in progress

Book 1: Awaiting final polish + new cover

Relevant Links:

My Website: scottkay.me

Preorder info coming soon!

#WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #AmWriting #FantasyBooks #AuthorLife #WritersOfInstagram #BookBlog #WIP

2025/10/21 Good Morning World

I'm excited to launch this blog as a way to keep you updated on my journey as an author and share what's coming next in the universe you've been exploring.

Where We Stand

As mentioned on the HOME page, I've written four complete books in this universe, with a fifth taking shape in my mind. Books 1-3 form one complete story arc, while the working title School of Magic stands alone, though it originated from Book 2 of the Sword and Shield Series.

Why School of Magic Became Its Own Story

In The Witch and the Necromancer (Book 2), Chapter 2 grew into something much larger than anticipated. The story was too expansive to fit within that book without derailing the main arc. I made the choice to leave readers with a cliffhanger—a gap in time that explores a separate, transformative experience for Josh and his character development.

Without revealing too much, Book 2 takes your heroes (including Caleb in his own unique way) on a massive journey of growth.

The Fifth Book: Short Stories

The fifth installment will be a collection of short stories expanding on characters from the Sword and Shield Series. One of my favorites explores the changelings—beings we only glimpse in Book 1, learn more about in Book 2, and grow closer to in Book 3. Their story is a frightening tale of survival and identity.

Coming Soon

Book 2 is nearly here! Preorders will be available soon, so stay tuned for updates.

2025/10/20 Updates coming to Tale of the Four Winds

Book 1 Updates: New Edits and Cover Reveal

I'm currently working through some light edits on Book 1 to refine the writing and enhance the reading experience. Along with these updates, I'm introducing a new cover design.

Why the Cover Change?

While I love the current cover, it's beautiful and atmospheric, it focuses on a relatively minor element of the story: the old willow tree in front of the building that houses a tree spirit. This lovely detail, captured brilliantly by the artist, appears only briefly in the narrative.

The new cover takes a more direct approach, showcasing the heroes and the central conflicts they face throughout the book. It better represents what readers will experience in the story.

Sneak Peek

I'll be sharing the new cover below soon—stay tuned!