Newsletter Makeover - June 15, 2025



I traveled to Cambridge, England for work since my last email. I didn't get much time to explore on my own, but walked a great deal while I was there, and took photos as I went. Yes, I'm sure I looked like a tourist, but I'm comfortable with that. "Bodies in the Bookshop" appeared to be a bookstore that sold only murder mysteries (sadly, it was closed).

I learned, among other things, that the title, Secrets of Deara, absolutely needs to be said with a Scottish accent. Technically, I learned that here in Texas, funnily enough.


Click here to be removed from family content.

Since release of Secrets of Deara, I'm pausing on Shepherds of Truth while I try to get my marketing game in better order. I'm considering restructuring the emails to be once a month instead of every two weeks. Let me know your thoughts. (I know I have a couple of folks who love the family updates, or at least they have in the past.)

As many of you know, my Urban Fantasy and Epic Fantasy stories take place in the same universe. I've finally given that universe a name: the Fractured Arcana. Here's some tag lines I'm toying with.

The Fractured Arcana: where gods fall, magic breaks, and worlds collide.
An ancient world of broken gods and unstable magic. A modern world where their echoes still stir. Two series. One universe.
Where magic was born from sacrifice—and broken by it.

I've rewritten my email intro sequence, and I'm retooling my web page to be more succinct, and to reflect the Fractured Arcana branding. I'm betting at least a couple of you will be willing to provide feedback. You can re-sign up here. Unfortunately, I don't know how else to do it than just make it live and ask for feedback, so if it doesn't work, I would love to know quickly.

All books by Steven J. Morris

Indie Author Showcase

None this week. I'm considering cutting this section. Does anyone have positive things to say about the links to other books I send? If there's a mix... if some people love it and some hate it... well, let me set up an opt-out link.

Opt out of indie book links


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​​May you get lost this week in another world.

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Steven J Morris

Hi! If you enjoy fantasy with snarky humor, I've got some books for you. My newsletter takes you along the creative journey, and keeps you informed of what's brewing.

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I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving—with family, friends, or a bit of quiet time if that’s what you needed. My heart’s with those who find this season hard, missing faces no longer at their table. We hadn’t planned to host this year, but plans changed (as they do). I ended up smoking a turkey, starting at 4 a.m. It turned out great—despite some new smoker equipment that didn’t want to cooperate. A few changes to the newsletter: I’ve removed the opt-outs for family updates and the Indie...

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Today, there's a podcast interview out for Guardian of The Palace. I think it'll get archived, but not 100% sure. Might be a today-only thing. Honestly, I have no idea why anyone would want to listen to authors talk about their books. I sometimes listen with a writer's ear, but as a reader? I don't get it. I'd love for someone to explain to me. I'd also be interested in knowing if my sentiment is right, and no one wants to listen to an author. I downgraded my email plan, so I can no longer...