𝒫𝒽𝒾𝓁𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓀ℯ𝓇
LightNews LightNews
banner
philspeculates.bsky.social
𝒫𝒽𝒾𝓁𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓀ℯ𝓇
@philspeculates.bsky.social
880 followers 390 following 690 posts
Fantasy author, pizza lover and Italian wannabe.
I write stories with British folklore, interdimensional portals and broken characters seeking redemption. I'm the founder of the authors' network, the Creative Commune.
https://linktr.ee/phil_parker
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
philspeculates.bsky.social
𝒫𝒽𝒾𝓁𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓀ℯ𝓇 @philspeculates.bsky.social · Aug 30
This is what I do.

I write fantasy novels.

linktr.ee/phil_parker

#booksky #authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #books #fantasy #novels #indieauthor #dreamjob #storyteller
philspeculates.bsky.social
Whether I should or not... here it is! 🤣
A picture of a storm, wrongly spelled weather phenomenon and the punchline - a really bad spell of weather
November 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips
My extract comes from WIP:
'August Furst: Literary Investigator' (Jasper Fforde & Douglas Adam's lovechild).
This is from Chapter 1: Dayley Ledgers...

linktr.ee/phil_parker
November 10, 2025 at 2:18 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesNovember 10: Favourite line I've written:

"There were fairies at the bottom of my garden, and they were torturing someone."
From 'The Bastard from Fairyland' - my grimdark trilogy.

It's part of a TikTok "Best Opening Line" I've been told.

linktr.ee/phil_parker
#writingcommunity
November 10, 2025 at 1:03 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
This secret organisation has kept the public safe since 1666. Until now. Arcane forces, dominated for so long, are ready to fight back. One dark elf stands in their way and he's severely compromised.
linktr.ee/phil_parker
#booksky #books #fantasy #noirfantasy
November 9, 2025 at 3:35 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
Another of my 60 second guides for #writers - how to develop your imagination.
Maintain the mindset to help you stay creative.
From one writer to another!

linktr.ee/phil_parker

#booksky #writingcommunity #amwriting #guide #creativity #imagination #authorsky #books
November 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Reposted by 𝒫𝒽𝒾𝓁𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓀ℯ𝓇
creativecommune.bsky.social
Issue #2 of our free magazine ("written BY writers, FOR writers!") will look at podcasting, contracts, releasing your novel, goal setting as an #indieauthor and making audio drama (with @emilyinkpen.bsky.social).
Plus reviews, stories and new releases!
AWESOME!
#writingcommunity #amwriting
November 7, 2025 at 4:35 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
My 60 second guide to #magic systems for anyone wanting to understand how magic can work in the #fantasy genre. I've included examples from literature too - which might help your choice of reading!

linktr.ee/phil_parker

#booksky #writingcommunity #readingcommunity #indieauthor
November 7, 2025 at 3:24 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
November 7, 2025 at 10:53 AM
philspeculates.bsky.social
My favourite series is Richard Morgan's Land Fit For Heroes trilogy - the original grimdark story. The bitterness of his flawed hero, Ringil Eskieth, arises out of the execution of the man he loves and drives his need for vengeance. Brilliant storytelling. #AMoRaR
blog.readindiefantasy.com Read Indie Fantasy.com @blog.readindiefantasy.com · 4d
Daily Challenge 7: The Long Haul - Share a series you enjoyed.

Reply or repost with your answer to enter, and remember to include the tag #AMoRaR
A picture showing today's challenge with the text: The Long Haul - Share a series you enjoyed.
November 7, 2025 at 10:47 AM
philspeculates.bsky.social
Lots of interesting stuff for #indieauthors in this edition.
Our first edition is here (if you haven't read our highly prized resource for #writers)
www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/creativecomm...
November 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
Love this definition of writing motivation.
bjornlarssen.com Bjørn Larssen (he/him) @bjornlarssen.com · 5d
#SFFChat All my books are love letters to Iceland and/or remixes of #NorseMythology. I’m writing what I love reading, or what I would like to read if it existed ( #WhyOdinDrinks). There’s space for so many original takes on Norse lore when you realise it’s character-based more than plot-based.
sffchat.bsky.social SFFChat @sffchat.bsky.social · 5d
#SFFChat Q1: What roles do myth, history, memory, or remembrance/commemoration play in your work?
November 6, 2025 at 12:43 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
The #WIPSnips word for November 5th is "trail"

This snippet is from my WIP, 'August Furst: Literary Investor' and describes a bucolic scene a la Tolkien.
I'm labelling the story as "the lovechild of Jasper Fforde and Douglas Adams".

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
November 5, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Reposted by 𝒫𝒽𝒾𝓁𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓀ℯ𝓇
bjornlarssen.com
#WIPSnips Today, we go with 'trailers' and give some attention to the aftermath of The Great War between the Æsir and the Vanir. Also, Bragi's superpower.

#NorseMythology won't know what hit it...

Book I:
→ www.whyodindrinks.com
“My second envoy is Hoenir,” said Odin. “The greatest of leaders. Everyone will follow him anywhere. He’s got one of those voices they use in movie trailers. He will do everything you instruct him to.” The All-Father paused. There was more to Hoenir, which he didn’t want to say out loud: Hoenir always did as instructed. Without instructions, he was helpless. He was Bragi’s artistic experiment gone wrong; the singer-songwriter wrote a funky jig insisting in consecutive verses that the sky was blue, green, and red. All those things, therefore, were true. Ever since Hoenir listened to the song, he was capable of starving with two loaves of bread in front of him, unable to choose the right one unprompted.
November 5, 2025 at 1:03 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
@blog.readindiefantasy.com A Month of Rain & Reads
Daily Challenge 4: Be Gay! - Share a book with a gay protagonist and tell us what makes it awesome.

Robin Goodfellow in The Bastard from Fairyland is a bitter, lonely fae warrior exiled from his lover. Hell is being parted from those you love.
November 4, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by 𝒫𝒽𝒾𝓁𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓀ℯ𝓇
bjornlarssen.com
#WIPSnips Today, we discover why exactly the Norsemen thought Freya's holy animals were cats. It's Sif's doing. Freya (this is a little known fact) is allergic to cats.

#NorseMythology won't know what hit it...

Book I:
→ www.whyodindrinks.com
Sif’s lips formed an ‘o’ shape. Freya clearly hated cats. Wouldn’t it be hilarious to spread rumours about the cats being Freya’s holy animals she was always surrounded with? Instead of Thor’s chariot, pulled by goats, Freya’s would of course be pulled by cats… The steely smirk returned. Cats, the only animals you could count on to never listen to commands. A semi-forgotten piece of knowledge arrived: Bragi, the God of bards, poets, and singer-songwriters. Surely he wouldn’t refuse The Immortal Goddess Sif a tiny favour of spreading the word about Freya’s love for cats.
November 4, 2025 at 6:33 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
Quite a deal!
Secret agents - British folklore - mythical creatures!
linktr.ee/phil_parker
November 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
The British Isles is a rich source of #folklore. Some locations are particularly interesting - they are where folklore, #history and coincidence collide. The results of #research in preparation for my novels.
www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/post/superna...

#booksky #writingcommunity #author
Supernatural Locations in England
There are locations in Britain which defy rational explanation, places which qualify as supernatural (beyond natural). They are a fantasy writer's delight - because their explanations appear to be so...
www.philparker-fantasywriter.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:56 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
This is such a wonderful series, an absolute favourite of mine. Pre-order this book and the rest of the series too.
patricksamphire.bsky.social Patrick Samphire 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @patricksamphire.bsky.social · 6d
Nik's job keeps taking him to places he'd really rather not be in The Dead Man, out in just two week's time! Have you pre-ordered yet?

books2read.com/thedeadman
Promo image showing the cover of The Dead Man, A Mennik Thorn Prequel Novella, by Patrick Samphire. Image includes the text: I’d had enough of hanging around in brothels. I wasn’t saying it would do my reputation any harm; any reputation I had was pretty much in the gutter already. But the smell of old sweat, stale air, spilled drinks, and other people’s sex was seeping into my skin, and I felt dirty. 14 days to go.
November 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
My 60 second writers' guides might offer ideas and inspiration.
How about inverting those tired and over-used tropes? Or exploring genres in fantasy or varied magic systems and the authors that use them.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

#amwriting #writingcommunity #booksky #authors
November 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
Your 60 second insight into types of magic in #fantasy - and #novels where they feature.
It's surprising how diverse #magic has become - we've moved beyond wands and fairies granting wishes!
linktr.ee/phil_parker
#booksky #writingcommunity #folklore #authorsky
November 2, 2025 at 4:20 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
Dark fantasy and a dystopian near future - a grimdark story with a fairy princess, dragons and a psychotic warrior - this is not a fairy tale with happy ever afters!
www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/the-knights...
Sale price = 99p per book.
youtu.be/Dphz1VopABk
#Booksky #authorsky #fantasybooks
The Bastard from Fairyland - an introduction
YouTube video by Phil Parker Fantasy Author
youtu.be
November 1, 2025 at 4:42 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
The British Bureau for the Arcane - keeping you safe from "mythical" creatures since 1666.
Your perfect Halloween read - with vampires, werewolves, witches & vicious fairies. Plus plenty of twists in these tales.
www.philparker-fantasywriter.com/the-dark-elf...

#fantasybooks #booksky #noirfantasy
October 30, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Reposted by 𝒫𝒽𝒾𝓁𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓀ℯ𝓇
kevin-gallant.bsky.social
UPDATE! 🌹🎉

I realize not many people have access to much right now, so I put the eBook version of Beyond The Mark down to the lowest I could on Amazon, which is $0.99

Hope this helps it become more accessible, I'd rather continue the story than make money, so I hope you enjoy!

#Fantasy #Author
A stylized cover art for the book titled "Beyond the Mark: Ashes of the Hero," featuring a silhouette of a cloaked figure in a dark, magical forest. The figure, shrouded in shadow, is holding a glowing sword with a vibrant red hue. Intricate patterns adorn the figure's cloak, evoking a sense of mystery and fantasy. The background showcases an eerie forest with bare, twisted trees and ethereal lights, creating a mystical and foreboding atmosphere. In the distance, a castle with spires looms against a pale, glowing sky, adding a sense of adventure and danger to the scene. The title is prominently displayed at the top in bold, stylized lettering, with a vivid gradient effect that contrasts with the darker tones of the artwork. The overall composition conveys themes of heroism, darkness, and a journey into the unknown.
June 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
philspeculates.bsky.social
Readers have said,
"An enjoyable, easy read, full of wit and humour. If you like loveable rogues thrust into unwilling heroism, this could be the book for you."
"This is definitely on my top books of 2023 list. Highly recommended!"
linktr.ee/phil_parker

#booksky #fantasynoir #standalonefantasy
October 29, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Reposted by 𝒫𝒽𝒾𝓁𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓀ℯ𝓇
patricksamphire.bsky.social
20 days until The Dead Man is published. Today, I ordered a proof copy of the paperback. Photos when it arrives! The paperback will be published on the same day as the ebook, November 18th.

You can pre-order the ebook now: books2read.com/thedeadman
Promo image showing the cover of The Dead Man, A Mennik Thorn Prequel Novella, by Patrick Samphire. Image includes the text: Mages didn’t have the best reputation in this city, mainly due to the fact that most of us were complete wankers who wouldn’t kick you into the river if you were on fire. The Dead Man. A Mennik Thorn prequel novella. 20 days to go.
October 29, 2025 at 12:08 PM