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Rebecca Alasdair
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  • on reading

    My top five reads of 2024

    Rebecca Alasdair / 28 December 2024 / 5 Comments

    We’re almost done with 2024, which means it’s time to share the best books I read this year! I managed to exceed my reading goal of 20 books and had quite a few 5-star reads in there, which is exciting. But here are the books I enjoyed the most, so come check it out and share your list of top…

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  • on reading

    My top five reads of 2023

    Rebecca Alasdair / 21 December 2023 / 1 Comment

    As 2023 nears its end, it’s time to announce my TOP FIVE favourite books of the year! I’ve experienced quite the reading yo-yo over the last 12 months, but I reached my reading goal for the first time in ages and really enjoyed myself doing so. So come and check out my list of favourites and share your top reads…

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  • graceborn

    Another call for beta readers!

    Rebecca Alasdair / 31 July 2023 / 2 Comments

    I have finished writing the third draft of Blood of Old (Graceborn #1) and am on the hunt for beta readers! If you like chunky books with multiple POVs, complex world-building and high stakes, and would like to read this epic fantasy story of brothers and blood, submit an EOI today! →

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  • on reading

    My top five reads of 2022

    Rebecca Alasdair / 28 December 2022 / 8 Comments

    The time has come to announce my TOP FIVE favourite books of the year! While I’ve had another slow reading year in 2022, I’ve had fun with the books I did get through, and I’m excited to share the ones I enjoyed the most. Come check it out and tell me your favourite reads of this year!! →

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  • excerpts,  on writing

    Advent Train Stories: The Sapling

    Rebecca Alasdair / 10 December 2022 / 13 Comments

    Welcome to Day 10 of the Advent Calendar Story Train hosted by Ari Meghlen, where you can read 24 pieces of flash fiction in the lead-up to Christmas, all following the prompt “the gift”. Mine is titled The Sapling and is the first short story I’ve written in YEARS. I hope you enjoy it!! →

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  • on reading

    My top ten reads of 2021

    Rebecca Alasdair / 28 December 2021 / 8 Comments

    Wow, how is it already time to announce my TOP TEN favourite books of the year? I’ve had a slower reading year in 2021, but that’s all right. I enjoyed the 35 books I did read, and today I’m excited to share the ten I loved most of all. So come and join the chat!! →

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  • on publishing

    Meet Southscript Press, my new publishing business

    Rebecca Alasdair / 25 November 2021 / 13 Comments

    I am thrilled to introduce you all to SOUTHSCRIPT PRESS, the publishing business I’ve set up to self-publish my novels and fulfil a lifelong dream. Come and learn all about it and why I’ve done things up the way I have. I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions!! →

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  • holding up the sky

    Exciting publishing announcement!

    Rebecca Alasdair / 8 September 2021 / 15 Comments

    Today I have news that has been years in the making. My contemporary YA novel Holding Up the Sky has been on quite the journey with me, and I am so very excited to finally announce its next phase. Come check out all the details of my long-awaited publishing debut!! →

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  • fantasy fridays

    Playing God: Building an economy for the world of your WIP

    Rebecca Alasdair / 27 August 2021 / 2 Comments

    Hello and welcome to my final Playing God post…for now, anyway. Today I talk about the economy as an aspect of world-building, the most important economic elements to build, and give a sneak peek at the system in my own fantasy WIP. Come and check it out!! →

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  • graceborn

    My characters as signs of the zodiac

    Rebecca Alasdair / 26 July 2021 / 4 Comments

    I’ve been a little low on motivation recently, so I decided to have some fun and take a deep dive into the characters from my WIP fantasy series Graceborn. In today’s post, I use personality traits to match my key players with signs of the zodiac—come check it out and tell me if you’ve done anything similar!! →

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Welcome! I'm Rebecca Alasdair, an Australian indie author whose one true love is fantasy—the more epic, the better.

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Do you use StoryGraph? How do you find it? I fina Do you use StoryGraph? How do you find it?

I finally got around to making an account but haven't had a chance to explore much yet. But I did make sure my upcoming epic fantasy book "Blood of Old" is on there so you can add it to your TBR if you like!

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#storygraph #fantasybooks #epicfantasy #indieauthor #gracebornseries
ARCs for my upcoming epic fantasy novel have start ARCs for my upcoming epic fantasy novel have started going out, but there is still time to apply for a copy! Just head to the link in my bio and complete the form! 😀

Much has been lost, but blood does not forget. And while the Old Blood remembers, what once was may yet be again...

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#arcreaderswanted #arcreader #fantasybooks #fantasyseries #gracebornseries
How do the KDP and IngramSpark versions of my pape How do the KDP and IngramSpark versions of my paperback compare?

𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Both have a matte cover, and the artwork and colours look awesome. The cover on the KDP version does curl quite a bit at the moment, but hopefully it will settle over time?

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗿𝗮𝗽. Ugh. The KDP version has been coming out 3mm thinner than their specs say...which is still within their enormous "acceptable" error margin of 3.2mm. This throws out the cover wrap so some of the spine ends up on the cover. The IngramSpark version is PERFECT.

𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲. The IngramSpark version uses groundwood paper, which makes the book lighter and is closer to trad pub paper. The KDP version has nice smooth cream paper, which is denser. This makes the book heavier, but I don't find it TOO heavy.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿. The KDP version has very crisp text on the cream paper. Because the groundwood paper is more textured, the ink in the IngramSpark version sinks in a bit more and makes the text a bit softer. Still looks good though.

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁. I like the IngramSpark version better. It is better quality and feels more professional; this is the version that will be available everywhere except Amazon. The KDP version is still pretty damn good though, and will probably be cheaper (even though I'll set the same price) for those who want to buy through Amazon.

"Blood of Old" will be out on 01 December 2026, and I hope to have preorders up next month!!

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#paperbackbook #fantasybooks #indieauthor #selfpublishing #gracebornseries
What do you like to see in a mentor character? Th What do you like to see in a mentor character?

Three of the key secondary characters in "Blood of Old" act as mentors for the MCs, and I just LOVED writing their relationships. We have...

Myrrine, the former princess who knows a lot about governing a nation (or so she thinks) and has her own plans for MC Asa.

Tora, the snarky warrior who doesn't approve of Myrrine's interference and gets lumped with Asa's "unteachable" brother, Kael.

Endrid, the struggling Weaver who just wants everyone to get along and could do with a nice long nap.

Can't wait for you to meet them all at the start of December!

🎨 Art by @sophielouisedraws

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#characterart #fantasybooks #fantasyseries #epicfantasy #gracebornseries
Who is the traitor sowing dissent in the ancient c Who is the traitor sowing dissent in the ancient city-state of Asphodel?

I love a good betrayal arc, so of course I had to include one in my fantasy series! It's a bit of a slow-burn subplot, and I hope to keep people guessing who is pulling the strings behind the scenes.

What is the best betrayal arc you've come across in a fantasy series before?

🗺 Map by @cartographybird 

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#fantasymap #fantasybooks #fantasyauthor #indieauthor #gracebornseries
Is it completely shameless of me to capitalise on Is it completely shameless of me to capitalise on this?? 🤭

Social media has been melting down over the last few days following the title and cover reveals for ACOTAR 6 and 7. I had a chuckle to myself when I saw one of the tag lines is "What was lost will be reclaimed", since that's a key line of a prophecy in my own fantasy series!

Now, the #GracebornSeries is not the same sub-genre as ACOTAR, being epic fantasy rather than romantasy. But it really does go to show how similar themes and elements can occur across a broad variety of fantasy books.

If you're looking for a way to pass the time while waiting for ACOTAR 6, would you like an eARC of "Blood of Old"? See link in my bio for details 😊

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#fantasybooks #fantasyseries #fantasyauthor #indieauthor
Kael O'Dair is not the type of MMC everyone likes Kael O'Dair is not the type of MMC everyone likes to fawn over...

There's no quiet brooding, no cunning plans masterfully executed, no sauve confidence and posse of loyal followers.

This guy is a prickly, whiny risk-taker who would love to kill you if only someone would teach him how. His bark might be worse than his bite, yet chaos always trails in his wake.

Request an eARC of "Blood of Old" now through the link in my bio!!

🎨 Art by @sophielouisedraws

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#indieauthor #fantasyseries #fantasybooks #epicfantasy #gracebornseries
Z is for Zamkhulis! 👇 We have finally made it to Z is for Zamkhulis! 👇

We have finally made it to the very last post of my A to Z of worldbuilding elements in the #GracebornSeries! I can't believe it's been going for YEARS!

To celebrate, I thought I'd talk about...celebrations. There are two main celebrations that mark the calendar in the world of Graceborn:

🎉 Zamkhulis, which occurs at midsummer. The longest day, the shortest night, in the very middle of the year on the full moon of summer’s second lunation. It's a vibrant time for celebrating life and the Maker's blessings.

🎉 Zamtaris, which occurs at midwinter. The shortest day, the longest night, on the full moon of winter's second lunation. It is a quiet, reflective time, marking the end of one year and the beginning of the next.

What is the most interesting type of festival or celebration you've come across in fantasy fiction? 🤔

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#worldbuilding #fantasybooks #fantasyseries #fantasyauthor

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