A.J. Calvin
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ajcalvin.bsky.social
A.J. Calvin
@ajcalvin.bsky.social
SF/F Author of The Relics of War, The Caein Legacy, and Wraith & the Revolution
Reviewer at FanFiAddict.com

Newsletter signup: http://ajcalvin.net/newsletter/

Website: https://ajcalvin.net/books/

Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/ajcalvin/shop
Pinned
Serpentus made it through the #SPFBOXI lottery phase! (I wasn't holding out much hope, since I was in the NO group last time around and my luck is usually terrible.)

Here's a quote from one of my favorite reviews (thanks @williamjadams3.bsky.social!)

I'm looking forward to the contest! 😊
Reposted by A.J. Calvin
WWP's back, back again...with another cover reveal!! #booksky

This time we have book 2 in @srarrkewey.bsky.social The Kry Chronicles: The Silver Blade!!!

Check it out: willowwraithpress.com/2026/01/07/c...
January 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by A.J. Calvin
For anyone following #SFBO for the first time, author Zack Argyle does an awesome thing putting all the book covers up on his website! They're organized according to the blog they're assigned to and since last SPFBO you can even filter the books!

www.zackargyle.com/spfbo
Author Zack Argyle
Home for all Zack Argyle's books and projects.
www.zackargyle.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:50 AM
#WritingInJanuary 7
Wednesday Setting: Give a nature setting that is visually stimulating

This passage is from Guardian. The thought of a dragon flying beneath the branches of a massive tree makes me smile. It's also one of the few scenes in the series when Andrew is carefree.
January 7, 2026 at 1:40 PM
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 7
First line of your WIP

This is from my actual WIP, not something I'm finished with (although I should be done with this draft soon.) I don't have a title yet.

Some of you may be interested to learn that it's related to The Caein Legacy.
January 7, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Reposted by A.J. Calvin
Lately, people have been posting their worst books lists, and I wanted to share how you actually should do a "10 worst books of 2025" list:

10. Don't
9. Shit
8. On
7. Books
6. Because
5. It's
4. Extremely
3. Rude
2. And
1. Unnecessary

#booksky
January 6, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Serpentus made it through the #SPFBOXI lottery phase! (I wasn't holding out much hope, since I was in the NO group last time around and my luck is usually terrible.)

Here's a quote from one of my favorite reviews (thanks @williamjadams3.bsky.social!)

I'm looking forward to the contest! 😊
January 6, 2026 at 4:53 PM
#WritingInJanuary 6
Fill in the gap: "You'll love my book because ___"

it has Scorpion Men (the Relics of War series)

the MC is half-dragon (the Caein Legacy series)

the MC uses war hammers and there's one heck of a twist (Serpentus)

cyborgs are awesome (Wraith & the Revolution)
#WritingInJanuary 1

Hi everyone and happy new year!

I'm AJ, I write fantasy & sci-fi (see pic for my books)

I'm currently writing what might be a novella (not sure yet), related to The Caein Legacy. The draft is almost done!

Resolution: to do some actual marketing in 2026 😅
January 6, 2026 at 11:46 AM
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 6
Tropes you'd like to see more of

I don't really get excited about tropes. I don't write tropes intentionally, and I'm fine with the majority of them as a reader.

There are a couple I thoroughly dislike, but that's a topic for a different day.
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 1

Hi, I'm AJ Calvin, author of 2 epic fantasy series (The Caein Legacy and The Relics of War), along with a standalone sci-fi (Wraith and the Revolution.)

I had to take a few months off these due to stress, but it's nice to be back at it. 😊Happy New Year!
January 6, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Reposted by A.J. Calvin
📚Happy New Year #booksky Friends!📚

Starting the year off w/ an indie book rec that slays! (which also happens to be WWP's January Indie Book Club book)

ShadowBane by Cal Logan

- Japanese-inspo demon slaying ✅
- Brutal, morally grey twins ✅
- Tiger ✅

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOH9...
ShadowBane by Cal Logan
YouTube video by Willow Wraith Press
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:37 PM
#WritingInJanuary 5
Your MC is poisoned! Who do they run to for help?

At least 2 of my MCs are so stubborn that they wouldn't run to anyone, but instead fall unconscious and realize hours later that someone saved them. 🤦
This is Andrew from The Caein Legacy and Kye from Wraith & the Revolution
#WritingInJanuary 1

Hi everyone and happy new year!

I'm AJ, I write fantasy & sci-fi (see pic for my books)

I'm currently writing what might be a novella (not sure yet), related to The Caein Legacy. The draft is almost done!

Resolution: to do some actual marketing in 2026 😅
January 5, 2026 at 1:40 PM
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 5
Writing Habits

1. Make tea🫖 (the most important step)
2. Re-read whatever I wrote last while drinking tea
3. Start writing
4. Forget about the rest of the tea
5. Realize an hour later the tea is cold, but writing has been accomplished 😂
6. Make more tea
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 1

Hi, I'm AJ Calvin, author of 2 epic fantasy series (The Caein Legacy and The Relics of War), along with a standalone sci-fi (Wraith and the Revolution.)

I had to take a few months off these due to stress, but it's nice to be back at it. 😊Happy New Year!
January 5, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Reposted by A.J. Calvin
Review: Ink & Intent: The Glyphwright Chronicles

A cozy and fun LitRPG read with loveable characters, a unique take on a magic system set based on glyphs, wards, inscriptions, and mercantile trade.

fanfiaddict.com/review-ink-i...
Ink & Intent: Glyphwright Chronicles, A Cozy and fun LitRPG book
Synopsis Marcus Fairwind remembers every symbol he's ever seen. Too bad that talent is useless for a merchant's son—until he starts treating magic ...
fanfiaddict.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:17 AM
An Asian-inspired fantasy featuring demon-slaying twins, ShadowBane by Cal Logan has some of the best morally-gray characters I've encountered in a long while.

You can read my full review for #FanFiAddict here: fanfiaddict.com/review-shado...

@fanfiaddict.bsky.social
#booksky #bookreview
January 4, 2026 at 9:19 PM
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 4
MC's goals

In Serpentus, Owen's initial goal is to hold the city of Stone Hill as long as he can after the invading army appears. He doesn't have much support beyond the city guard. The outlook isn't good.

After the battle, his focus shifts to survival.
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 1

Hi, I'm AJ Calvin, author of 2 epic fantasy series (The Caein Legacy and The Relics of War), along with a standalone sci-fi (Wraith and the Revolution.)

I had to take a few months off these due to stress, but it's nice to be back at it. 😊Happy New Year!
January 4, 2026 at 1:23 PM
#WritingInJanuary 4
Is your story driven by romance or platonic relationships?

My stories are rarely driven by romance. Some have a romantic sublot, but it's not the main focus for most of my books

Exceptions:
The Ballad of Alchemy & Steel (published novella)
Rites of Departure (forthcoming ~2027)
#WritingInJanuary 1

Hi everyone and happy new year!

I'm AJ, I write fantasy & sci-fi (see pic for my books)

I'm currently writing what might be a novella (not sure yet), related to The Caein Legacy. The draft is almost done!

Resolution: to do some actual marketing in 2026 😅
January 4, 2026 at 1:18 PM
I submitted Serpentus to #SPFBO XI this year.

It's a standalone. It's kinda dark. There's a twist midway through, and I've been told by multiple readers that they never saw it coming. Some even had to take a break because of it (this makes me happy 😈)

Cover by @thenobleartist.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 3:33 PM
#WritingInJanuary 3
Does your MC begin their journey prepared, or reluctantly?

It really depends on the MC
Andrew (the Caein Legacy) is prepared - for some things. He's not ready for others.
Vardak (the Relics of War) is ready for anything.
Kye (Wraith & the Revolution) is not ready. At all. 😅
#WritingInJanuary 1

Hi everyone and happy new year!

I'm AJ, I write fantasy & sci-fi (see pic for my books)

I'm currently writing what might be a novella (not sure yet), related to The Caein Legacy. The draft is almost done!

Resolution: to do some actual marketing in 2026 😅
January 3, 2026 at 12:53 PM
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 3
Saturday snippet

This one's from Serpentus, because that's the book I just submitted to SPFBO this year (entry pending the lottery results.)
January 3, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Now let's see if we can get past the lottery! 😊
January 3, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Reposted by A.J. Calvin
A book that made my teeth itchy, my stomach turn, and my innards want to crawl out of my body, David Simmons’ “Fetty On The Switches,” is a damp, leaky, grubby, grimey and bizarre little number that I prodded, circled and then promptly fell headfirst into.
@clashbooks.bsky.social JUNE ‘26
Review: Fetty On The Switches by David Simmons | FanFiAddict
Synopsis: Hallucinatory and darkly comic love stories are set against the gritty backdrop of the city, where guns and drugs collide with tales of paranoia, ...
fanfiaddict.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Reposted by A.J. Calvin
Posted my first review of the year, for Carved Amidst the Shadows by MT Fontaine - a really strong debut epic fantasy novel! fanfiaddict.com/review-carve...
Review: Carved Amidst the Shadows by MT Fontaine | FanFiAddict
Synopsis When the gods shaped the continent into five kingdoms to be ruled by their progeny, they did not account for the greed of men. When they created th ...
fanfiaddict.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:23 PM
It's January, which means new books are coming your way this month!

(The list was a little shorter than usual, I think due to the holidays and people being busy, but there are a few great looking reads here!)

ajcalvin.net/the-indie-au...

#booksky #indiebooks #newreleases
The Indie Author Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror New Release List: January 2026 - A.J. Calvin
The Indie Author Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror New Release List: January 2026 Celebrate the New Year with some new reads! A note to email subscribers: Due to the number of new releases this month, the email m...
ajcalvin.net
January 2, 2026 at 2:03 PM
#WritingInJanuary 2
Fashion Friday: Your MC's wardrobe and choice of weapon

Since Kye Verex recently won a "best dressed" award (thanks @cblansdell.bsky.social!) we'll talk about him.

He's a jeans & t-shirts guy, but has some cool armor he wears while on the job. Favorite weapon: plasma rifle
January 2, 2026 at 12:40 PM
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 2
Free Friday / What are you looking forward to this year?

I'm looking forward to having more time to write!
The work situation sucked the last few months, but now that it's over, I've been really productive with writing. Here's hoping it stays that way!
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 1

Hi, I'm AJ Calvin, author of 2 epic fantasy series (The Caein Legacy and The Relics of War), along with a standalone sci-fi (Wraith and the Revolution.)

I had to take a few months off these due to stress, but it's nice to be back at it. 😊Happy New Year!
January 2, 2026 at 12:32 PM
I'm reading ShadowBane right now, and it has been fun so far! Lots of demon-slaying
Happy New Year #booksky frens! New year, new WWP Indie Book Club read!

ShadowBane by Cal Logan

- Japanese inspired world ✅
- twins w/ magic ✅
- brutal and grey decisions ✅
- bestest tiger companion ✅
- loads of demon slaying ✅
- ending makes you want to curse author ✅
January 1, 2026 at 7:01 PM