Hûw Steer has a fantasy trilogy
@huwage.bsky.social
Writing books, seeking representation.
🚫AI.
'one of the rising stars of indie fantasy' - The Short StoryTeller
'I liked it' - some children
www.huwsteer.wordpress.com
https://linktr.ee/huwage
🚫AI.
'one of the rising stars of indie fantasy' - The Short StoryTeller
'I liked it' - some children
www.huwsteer.wordpress.com
https://linktr.ee/huwage
Pinned
"Indiana Jones meets Locke Lamora", but with more airships and hotter water
The Boiling Seas: a complete fantasy trilogy, available now!
#writingcommunity #fantasy #adventure #boilingseas #trilogy #newbook
The Boiling Seas: a complete fantasy trilogy, available now!
#writingcommunity #fantasy #adventure #boilingseas #trilogy #newbook
Tal and Lily are *not* natives of the Boiling Seas, but they grew up in the cities - swimming's never been a priority. Max *did* grow up on the Seas... where swimming will kill you.
They've become vaguely decent sailors, all three of them, by necessity and for fun.
#novemberworldbuilders
They've become vaguely decent sailors, all three of them, by necessity and for fun.
#novemberworldbuilders
Greetings, #NovemberWorldbuilders! Let's talk about your MC today. What is their relationship with water like? Do they know how to swim? Have they ever caught a fish? Or is it just something that gets in the way during their long journey? Maybe they've never *seen* a body of water so big
November 18, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Tal and Lily are *not* natives of the Boiling Seas, but they grew up in the cities - swimming's never been a priority. Max *did* grow up on the Seas... where swimming will kill you.
They've become vaguely decent sailors, all three of them, by necessity and for fun.
#novemberworldbuilders
They've become vaguely decent sailors, all three of them, by necessity and for fun.
#novemberworldbuilders
Boiling water? No problem for the metal fish of the Boiling Seas, razor-scaled and swift. Some can't stand the heat for long... so they fly through the steam instead!
And the deeper you go, the bigger - and nastier - the beasties get. Very, *very* big.
#novemberworldbuilders
And the deeper you go, the bigger - and nastier - the beasties get. Very, *very* big.
#novemberworldbuilders
#NovemberWorldbuilders time! Are there any animals or creatures who live in this body of water? Or maybe wildlife that comes to take a drink? Maybe they aren't animals, but... some kind of sentient entity? What is it? How do you classify it? How do the locals treat it?
November 17, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Boiling water? No problem for the metal fish of the Boiling Seas, razor-scaled and swift. Some can't stand the heat for long... so they fly through the steam instead!
And the deeper you go, the bigger - and nastier - the beasties get. Very, *very* big.
#novemberworldbuilders
And the deeper you go, the bigger - and nastier - the beasties get. Very, *very* big.
#novemberworldbuilders
The Boiling Seas are vital for trade and food... but also *lethal.*
No benevolent deity could have created such a deadly thing, people reason, and so Vedova is the widow-goddess of *sailors*, not the sea, to whom they pray to be spared agonising death.
#novemberworldbuilders
No benevolent deity could have created such a deadly thing, people reason, and so Vedova is the widow-goddess of *sailors*, not the sea, to whom they pray to be spared agonising death.
#novemberworldbuilders
Hey there, #NovemberWorldbuilders! Tell me a story about your river/lake. Do the locals have any beliefs about it? A myth or legend or a tie to their religion? What makes this bit of water so important to their culture?
November 16, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The Boiling Seas are vital for trade and food... but also *lethal.*
No benevolent deity could have created such a deadly thing, people reason, and so Vedova is the widow-goddess of *sailors*, not the sea, to whom they pray to be spared agonising death.
#novemberworldbuilders
No benevolent deity could have created such a deadly thing, people reason, and so Vedova is the widow-goddess of *sailors*, not the sea, to whom they pray to be spared agonising death.
#novemberworldbuilders
'Lovecraftian western' was not a genre combination I expected, but it works very, *very* well in 'His Ragged Company' by Rance D. Denton
huwsteer.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/r...
huwsteer.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/r...
Review – His Ragged Company
The thing about speculative fiction is that all the different branches of it go together so well that half the time you can’t even tell them apart. Is Star Wars sci-fi or fantasy, or both? Is my ow…
huwsteer.wordpress.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:46 PM
'Lovecraftian western' was not a genre combination I expected, but it works very, *very* well in 'His Ragged Company' by Rance D. Denton
huwsteer.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/r...
huwsteer.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/r...
did somebody say BODY OF WATER
The Boiling Seas! It's in the name! A whole ocean heated to (nearly) 100° by geothermal shenanigans and full of metal fish, giant sea-serpents and definitely no secret underwater hideouts of any kind
#novemberworldbuilders
The Boiling Seas! It's in the name! A whole ocean heated to (nearly) 100° by geothermal shenanigans and full of metal fish, giant sea-serpents and definitely no secret underwater hideouts of any kind
#novemberworldbuilders
Welcome to our third week, #NovemberWorldbuilders! This time we're talking about important RIVERS or LAKES in our world! But, tbh, any sufficiently important body of water will do. Also, don't feel obliged to answer; sometimes I cover niche topics that aren't for everyone!
November 15, 2025 at 5:58 PM
did somebody say BODY OF WATER
The Boiling Seas! It's in the name! A whole ocean heated to (nearly) 100° by geothermal shenanigans and full of metal fish, giant sea-serpents and definitely no secret underwater hideouts of any kind
#novemberworldbuilders
The Boiling Seas! It's in the name! A whole ocean heated to (nearly) 100° by geothermal shenanigans and full of metal fish, giant sea-serpents and definitely no secret underwater hideouts of any kind
#novemberworldbuilders
No I'm *boring* in the Boiling Seas. (Well, in terms of social norms, anyway.)
In the follow-up I'm cooking, though... well, that many 'unusual' people in the same place means some very different standards when it comes to personal property...
#novemberworldbuilders
In the follow-up I'm cooking, though... well, that many 'unusual' people in the same place means some very different standards when it comes to personal property...
#novemberworldbuilders
What's up, #NovemberWorldbuilders peeps! Have you dared to get a little freaky with your worldbuilding? Does your fictional world's society believe something to be good or evil which societies on Earth (generally speaking) do not agree with? How did you come up with that idea?👀
November 14, 2025 at 9:49 AM
No I'm *boring* in the Boiling Seas. (Well, in terms of social norms, anyway.)
In the follow-up I'm cooking, though... well, that many 'unusual' people in the same place means some very different standards when it comes to personal property...
#novemberworldbuilders
In the follow-up I'm cooking, though... well, that many 'unusual' people in the same place means some very different standards when it comes to personal property...
#novemberworldbuilders
I actually only added proper named churches quite late in the Boiling Seas trilogy. In general, whether it's the sky god or the sea god, religious morality tends towards 'be vaguely nice to people', but religion doesn't have too iron a grip.
#novemberworldbuilders
#novemberworldbuilders
It's #NovemberWorldbuilders time! We're talking about the concepts of GOOD and EVIL in our fictional worlds this week. Tell me: what does your world's authoritative figures say about morality? Is there a church or governing body that tells people how to live? What do they command?
November 14, 2025 at 9:45 AM
I actually only added proper named churches quite late in the Boiling Seas trilogy. In general, whether it's the sky god or the sea god, religious morality tends towards 'be vaguely nice to people', but religion doesn't have too iron a grip.
#novemberworldbuilders
#novemberworldbuilders
Governor Weller: petty tyrant ruler of the Corpus Isles. Outwardly charming(ish), pleasant, friendly... just don't look at those soldiers standing behind him.
What does he want? Power. How will he get it? Diplomatically, if he can... but he *will* get it.
#novemberworldbuilders
What does he want? Power. How will he get it? Diplomatically, if he can... but he *will* get it.
#novemberworldbuilders
Hey there, #NovemberWorldbuilders! It's GOOD and EVIL week. Today, tell me about the ethics/morals of your VILLAIN. If you don't have one of those, talk about another character, particularly one who might deviate from protagonist's moral philosophy
November 12, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Governor Weller: petty tyrant ruler of the Corpus Isles. Outwardly charming(ish), pleasant, friendly... just don't look at those soldiers standing behind him.
What does he want? Power. How will he get it? Diplomatically, if he can... but he *will* get it.
#novemberworldbuilders
What does he want? Power. How will he get it? Diplomatically, if he can... but he *will* get it.
#novemberworldbuilders
Ah, they're alright, my merry little trio. Sure, one of them is a 'freelance archaeologist' (Tal) and another is an unapologetic thief (Lily), but they're absolutely good people. Especially Max. She's lovely.
#novemberworldbuilders
#novemberworldbuilders
Greetings, #NovemberWorldbuilders. Tell me about the ethics of your MC or any character who is important in your world's lore. Are they morally good? Morally grey? Do they have a belief contrary to what others around them believe in? Are there any acts they refuse to do?
November 11, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Ah, they're alright, my merry little trio. Sure, one of them is a 'freelance archaeologist' (Tal) and another is an unapologetic thief (Lily), but they're absolutely good people. Especially Max. She's lovely.
#novemberworldbuilders
#novemberworldbuilders
A whole line of increasingly tyrannical governors of Port Malice and the Corpus Isles, I'd say. Did they keep their people safe and happy? Yeah. Did they do so by invading their lives, curtailing their freedoms and generally being dictators? Also yes.
#novemberworldbuilders
#novemberworldbuilders
Heya, #NovemberWorldbuilders. The last two days were for characters seen as pure good or evil. Now for the morally grey stuff: are there any historical figures or events that are debatable whether they were good or bad? Who are the controversial people/events in your world's history?
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
A whole line of increasingly tyrannical governors of Port Malice and the Corpus Isles, I'd say. Did they keep their people safe and happy? Yeah. Did they do so by invading their lives, curtailing their freedoms and generally being dictators? Also yes.
#novemberworldbuilders
#novemberworldbuilders
There were some rather nasty wizards back in the day on the Boiling Seas. If your magic system is basically just energy transfer, you can do some very unpleasant things with ice.
Banned magic now, a century ago. Which doesn't mean it doesn't get used...
#novemberworldbuilders
Banned magic now, a century ago. Which doesn't mean it doesn't get used...
#novemberworldbuilders
Hello, #NovemberWorldbulders! We're talking about morality in our fictional worlds this week. Today's prompt is the opposite of yesterday's: are there any characters in your world's history/lore who are considered evil? Whether ontologically evil or someone who made bad choices. Who were they?
November 9, 2025 at 1:56 PM
There were some rather nasty wizards back in the day on the Boiling Seas. If your magic system is basically just energy transfer, you can do some very unpleasant things with ice.
Banned magic now, a century ago. Which doesn't mean it doesn't get used...
#novemberworldbuilders
Banned magic now, a century ago. Which doesn't mean it doesn't get used...
#novemberworldbuilders
This is a tricky one. Were there ancient heroes on the Boiling Seas? Obviously. Do I ever actually talk about them? ...no I do not.
But there are plenty of treasure-hunting legends, at least, of days gone by. Tal Wenlock had to emulate *somebody*.
#novemberworldbuilders
But there are plenty of treasure-hunting legends, at least, of days gone by. Tal Wenlock had to emulate *somebody*.
#novemberworldbuilders
Hello, #NovemberWorldbulders! This week’s theme is GOOD and EVIL where we share morality in our fictional worlds. Today's question is about HEROES from the past. Do you have any characters who lived and performed acts of heroism before the main story starts?
November 8, 2025 at 9:23 AM
This is a tricky one. Were there ancient heroes on the Boiling Seas? Obviously. Do I ever actually talk about them? ...no I do not.
But there are plenty of treasure-hunting legends, at least, of days gone by. Tal Wenlock had to emulate *somebody*.
#novemberworldbuilders
But there are plenty of treasure-hunting legends, at least, of days gone by. Tal Wenlock had to emulate *somebody*.
#novemberworldbuilders
November 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Big ol' airships, big ol' gasbags, big ol' reams of white canvas!
A common sight in the skies above the Boiling Seas.
#novemberworldbuilders
A common sight in the skies above the Boiling Seas.
#novemberworldbuilders
Hello, #NovemberWorldbuilders friends!
We're in COLORS week! Tell me about something in your world that's WHITE. Have you used it symbolically? Any special white clothes, rocks, animals, or magical artifacts you'd like to talk about?
We're in COLORS week! Tell me about something in your world that's WHITE. Have you used it symbolically? Any special white clothes, rocks, animals, or magical artifacts you'd like to talk about?
November 6, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Big ol' airships, big ol' gasbags, big ol' reams of white canvas!
A common sight in the skies above the Boiling Seas.
#novemberworldbuilders
A common sight in the skies above the Boiling Seas.
#novemberworldbuilders
"The flower... queenscloak, in your tongue... It had been dead for almost a thousand years. There were only a few islands that grew it. In great meadows, as far as the eye could see; shimmering petals of deep purple and silver."
#novemberworldbuilders
#novemberworldbuilders
#NovemberWorldbuilders
This week's theme is COLORS! Tell me about something in your world that's PURPLE. Do you use it symbolically? Do you have anything special in your worldbuilding that's purple? Maybe an animal, jewels, a garment, a flower, or something more strange and magical?
This week's theme is COLORS! Tell me about something in your world that's PURPLE. Do you use it symbolically? Do you have anything special in your worldbuilding that's purple? Maybe an animal, jewels, a garment, a flower, or something more strange and magical?
November 5, 2025 at 1:04 PM
"The flower... queenscloak, in your tongue... It had been dead for almost a thousand years. There were only a few islands that grew it. In great meadows, as far as the eye could see; shimmering petals of deep purple and silver."
#novemberworldbuilders
#novemberworldbuilders
Find a sailor of the Boiling Seas in their cups, and they might tell you about the things they've seen. Flying fish leaping through the steam, shoals of silver.
And the lights. Strange lights. Green lights. Way down there in the dark, and in the deep.
#novemberworldbuilders
And the lights. Strange lights. Green lights. Way down there in the dark, and in the deep.
#novemberworldbuilders
Hey there, #NovemberWorldbuilders!
It's COLORS week! Tell me about something in your world that's green. This one is probably more common, since green is so strongly associated with nature. Do you have any cool greenery in your world? Or maybe you've used it for an object? Tell me about it!
It's COLORS week! Tell me about something in your world that's green. This one is probably more common, since green is so strongly associated with nature. Do you have any cool greenery in your world? Or maybe you've used it for an object? Tell me about it!
November 4, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Find a sailor of the Boiling Seas in their cups, and they might tell you about the things they've seen. Flying fish leaping through the steam, shoals of silver.
And the lights. Strange lights. Green lights. Way down there in the dark, and in the deep.
#novemberworldbuilders
And the lights. Strange lights. Green lights. Way down there in the dark, and in the deep.
#novemberworldbuilders
"...a carrot. Or at least it was the same shape, colour and size as a carrot, and tasted like a carrot. It just grew on a bush instead of under the ground. Max's designated botanical and culinary notebook was already an... interesting read."
#novemberworldbuilders
#novemberworldbuilders
It's #NovemberWorldbuilders!
We're talking about colors in our worlds! Tell me about something in your world that's YELLOW or ORANGE? I find that these two are often underrated/underused in worldbuilding, so I'd love to hear what you have. Maybe something symbolic of the sun or made of gold?
We're talking about colors in our worlds! Tell me about something in your world that's YELLOW or ORANGE? I find that these two are often underrated/underused in worldbuilding, so I'd love to hear what you have. Maybe something symbolic of the sun or made of gold?
November 3, 2025 at 10:47 AM
"...a carrot. Or at least it was the same shape, colour and size as a carrot, and tasted like a carrot. It just grew on a bush instead of under the ground. Max's designated botanical and culinary notebook was already an... interesting read."
#novemberworldbuilders
#novemberworldbuilders
It's the Boiling Seas, there's some water underneath all that steam and it's presumably blueish...
(but also some snazzy uniforms on Port Malice)
#novemberworldbuilders
(but also some snazzy uniforms on Port Malice)
#novemberworldbuilders
Heya #NovemberWorldbuilders!
Continuing with COLORS! Tell me about something in your world that's BLUE. Do you use it symbolically? Do you have anything special in your worldbuilding that's blue? Maybe an important object symbolic of the sea or sky? Tell me about your blues!
Continuing with COLORS! Tell me about something in your world that's BLUE. Do you use it symbolically? Do you have anything special in your worldbuilding that's blue? Maybe an important object symbolic of the sea or sky? Tell me about your blues!
November 2, 2025 at 12:35 PM
It's the Boiling Seas, there's some water underneath all that steam and it's presumably blueish...
(but also some snazzy uniforms on Port Malice)
#novemberworldbuilders
(but also some snazzy uniforms on Port Malice)
#novemberworldbuilders
Robes! The Lantern has various levels of ceremonialness to its scholarly robes but they are all red.
#novemberworldbuilders
#novemberworldbuilders
Welcome to #NovemberWorldbuilders!
This week's theme is COLORS! Tell me about something in your world that's RED. Do you use it symbolically? Do you have anything special in your worldbuilding that's red. Maybe an animal, jewels, a garment, a flower, or something more strange and magical?
This week's theme is COLORS! Tell me about something in your world that's RED. Do you use it symbolically? Do you have anything special in your worldbuilding that's red. Maybe an animal, jewels, a garment, a flower, or something more strange and magical?
November 2, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Robes! The Lantern has various levels of ceremonialness to its scholarly robes but they are all red.
#novemberworldbuilders
#novemberworldbuilders
"oh for the love of- he's writing about bloody trains again, isn't he"
huwsteer.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/1...
huwsteer.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/1...
10.45 from Platform One
If you have been reading this blog, or indeed certain of my stories, for any length of time, you’ll have realised that I bloody love trains. Honestly, it’s surprising that I’ve only published one r…
huwsteer.wordpress.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM
"oh for the love of- he's writing about bloody trains again, isn't he"
huwsteer.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/1...
huwsteer.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/1...
Bloody loving the Checquy books by @danielomalley.bsky.social right now
October 29, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Bloody loving the Checquy books by @danielomalley.bsky.social right now
Bookshops are some of my favourite places in the world. Sometimes, though, I can't stay in them for long.
huwsteer.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/b...
huwsteer.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/b...
Bookshops, Anxiety, and Lack Thereof
I have reluctantly joined Threads, to add another account to the list of social media platforms I barely understand how to use effectively. If you use it, and want to watch me flail, you can. I was…
huwsteer.wordpress.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Bookshops are some of my favourite places in the world. Sometimes, though, I can't stay in them for long.
huwsteer.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/b...
huwsteer.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/b...
now you see I *could* write or I *could* open these children's trading cards
October 24, 2025 at 7:46 PM
now you see I *could* write or I *could* open these children's trading cards
★★★★★ - "a brilliantly-executed concept of fantasy archaeology"
Sound good? It's a whole trilogy! You can read it! It's got airships and tomb raiding and magic and stuff!
(Link to all 3 Boiling Seas books below.)
#writingcommunity #books #fantasy
Sound good? It's a whole trilogy! You can read it! It's got airships and tomb raiding and magic and stuff!
(Link to all 3 Boiling Seas books below.)
#writingcommunity #books #fantasy
October 20, 2025 at 11:18 AM
★★★★★ - "a brilliantly-executed concept of fantasy archaeology"
Sound good? It's a whole trilogy! You can read it! It's got airships and tomb raiding and magic and stuff!
(Link to all 3 Boiling Seas books below.)
#writingcommunity #books #fantasy
Sound good? It's a whole trilogy! You can read it! It's got airships and tomb raiding and magic and stuff!
(Link to all 3 Boiling Seas books below.)
#writingcommunity #books #fantasy