Tamara S. Harker
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tamarasharker.com
Tamara S. Harker
@tamarasharker.com
140 followers 330 following 55 posts
Indie epic fantasy author, editor, and avid collector and list-maker. My first novel, The Fruit of War: Stone and Flesh, arrives March 2026!

(She/Her)
www.tamarasharker.com
https://linktr.ee/tamarasharker
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tamarasharker.com
Tamara S. Harker @tamarasharker.com · 5d
Looking to sink your teeth into a cerebral, rich epic fantasy? "The Fruit of War: Stone and Flesh" will be served 1st March 2026!

Get your first taste by signing up for my newsletter at www.tamarasharker.com!

🪐📚 💙📚
#epicfantasy #darkfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks
A dark green banner split in half by a subtle gold border. The left half features a book cover with white text that reads “The Fruit of War, Book 1: Stone and Flesh”, by Tamara S Harker. It shows a man’s hand holding a purple-red fruit cut open to reveal a small skull. In the background is a shadowed orchard with fallen soldiers lying on the ground. The right half of the image describes the book, including a tagline of "Nothing truly dies -- it merely changes." and a launch date of 1st March 2026, both in red text. A donut-shaped pie chart lists its genres as 70% epic fantasy, 20% dark fantasy, and 10% gothic horror. The blurb of the book, in pale green text, reads: "A weary young undertaker is tasked by a dead hero to find an artifact that began – and ended – a recent war. In doing so, he gathers an eclectic group of veterans and greenhorns almost by accident. Yet finding the artifact is only the beginning, and in solving the riddle of the hero’s last request, they are only met with more questions – about the war, their alleged enemy, and the very nature of their world." Finally, green text reads: "For readers who like their fantasy intelligent...immersive...and simmering with ghosts of the past...both figurative and literal."
tamarasharker.com
Sure, I'll dip in #Novmemeber for a minute this fine Wednesday!

Editing is my day job, actually! I love it. I firmly believe there are more creative opportunities in the editing process than people give it credit for. When it comes to my own work it's like a delicious collaboration with the text!
November 12, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposted by Tamara S. Harker
swsworlds.bsky.social
Sometimes you want to escape, but sometimes you crave a good hard THINK. These SFF books will get that big lump of gray fat inside your head working!

bookriot.com/brain-on-sci...
From Concentrate: 6 Great Brain-On Science Fiction and Fantasy Books
What books made your thinker thunk real hard?
bookriot.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:36 AM
tamarasharker.com
I'm not sure where this first originated but I did see it floating around and liked it, so I'm gonna cheat a little and say that my first line starts at the drop-cap!

Convincing you to read my novel by the first sentence. Share yours if you want!

#epicfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks #writesky
November 12, 2025 at 12:50 AM
tamarasharker.com
I've belatedly but happily run across #FantasyIndiesNovember! (Can you tell I'm still getting settled in? 😅)

Day 11: What genres do you read and write?
A: I read fairly widely, but I gravitate most to historical fiction and (non-romantasy) fantasy. In addition to those I write sci-fi and poetry!
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 PM
tamarasharker.com
Happy Veterans Day! Today’s Fieldguide entry looks at a pivotal conflict in my novel’s prehistory, of which a large portion of my cast are veterans.

#epicfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks #writesky #icalaranfieldguide
Dark text and a flowery border on an ivory background. The text reads "The War of the Six". In the background, slightly transparent, is an illustration of a fictional, purple-red, heart-shaped fruit. Dark text and flowery border on an ivory background; the text reads: "A large-scale conflict that took place twelve years prior to current events. It followed the discovery of ìkam: the Pact of the Blessèd wished to use the fruit to strengthen their channelers and awaken more for military purposes, while the Violet Accord – initially – wished to conduct further research into the fruit and reserve it for pacifist purposes. It was ended by the release of the Plague of the Bitter Hand at the height of the Widow’s Siege, and the period of significant loss and economic struggle (known as the Long Wake) has been felt even by countries not involved in the conflict itself. The ‘Six’ refers to the six generals involved in the conflict."
November 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
tamarasharker.com
I know that the vast majority of folks following me are fellow #indieauthors so let me ask y'all (especially those of you who're published) this:

What did/do you find to be the hardest part of the self-publishing process? 👀

(Define 'hardest' however you like!)
November 10, 2025 at 10:57 PM
tamarasharker.com
A big part of what I wanted with Stone and Flesh was to write a story set after the “happily-ever-after” (even if it wasn’t so happy), where there are no longer any heroes to help. The Hidden Company haunt my narrative.

#epicfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks #writesky #icalaranfieldguide
Dark text and a flowery border on an ivory background. The text reads "The Hidden". In the background, slightly transparent, is an illustration of a fictional, purple-red, heart-shaped fruit. Dark text and flowery border on an ivory background; the text reads: "An important mercenary group that took part in the War of the Six, eventually siding with the Golden Itoqîr of the Pact of the Blessèd. Its de facto leader was Iknaïs; its other members were Andras and Amathara Acosaphaura, Talo’eran Elbusgar, Xo Ragehand, Obékona Fýdi, and the Vil’rabenen sisters (Joibri, Saraphne, and Nerise)."
November 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
tamarasharker.com
Kōtia is what happens when you take what could have been your typical teenage protagonist and drop them into a more…well, aged story – she has as much to unlearn as she has to learn.

#epicfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks #writesky #icalaranfieldguide
Dark text and a flowery border on an ivory background. The text reads "Kotia Acosaphaura". In the background, slightly transparent, is an illustration of a fictional, purple-red, heart-shaped fruit. Dark text and flowery border on an ivory background; the text reads: "A recent top graduate of the Korzhûn Shogu Holding into the Razakîr. Her parents are Andras and Amathara, and her grandparents are Devatska and Eraleon; her best friend is Fhalz. Her assigned kōza is Aensati, but her kōza at home is Saraphne. She wields a glaive. Human."
November 9, 2025 at 5:48 PM
tamarasharker.com
A bit of a shaky start to #writevember / #novelnovember; I've been sick the past few days and it's only today I don't feel like a lump of oatmeal.

However! I managed about 4k, and have unkinked something directly at the start that was bothering me.
gunsmile.bsky.social Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 4d
#Writevember Week 2

How's your progress on your WIP? Give us an update by quoting this post. The bonus question is optional but encouraged.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky
#Writevember a November writing challenge prompt tag hosted by @gunsmile.bsky.social November 8: Weekly progress check-in! Bonus: What inspired your WIP? Remember to use the #Writevember hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!
November 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
tamarasharker.com
Narrator: Little did she know it was, in fact, a cold; Tamara would spend the next days confined to bed with a notebook. Best get counting those words, Tamara!
tamarasharker.com Tamara S. Harker @tamarasharker.com · 8d
Well, today's writing session was sabotaged by what is hopefully not a burgeoning cold, and then the cat getting stung by a poor honeybee. Maybe tomorrow. 🥴
November 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Reposted by Tamara S. Harker
tracyrayauthor.bsky.social
BREAKING NEWS! My Kickstarter pre launch page for Magic Spells Delivery Service is Live!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/msd...
Please support this project to be a part of the magic!. Give it a follow and lets get ready for launch on Tuesday! #Booksky #Witchsky #Horror #Kickstarter #Book #Novel
Coming soon: Magic Spells Delivery Service - Book One Hollywood
The Verret Sisters were different. Coming from a long line of witches growing up in the family funeral home, that was just the start.
www.kickstarter.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:24 PM
tamarasharker.com
It’s time for the first creature in our Fieldguide! Meet the kōza, of which three feature frequently in the novel.

#epicfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks #writesky
Dark text and a flowery border on an ivory background. The text reads "koza". In the background, slightly transparent, is an illustration of a fictional, purple-red, heart-shaped fruit. Dark text and flowery border on an ivory background; the text reads: "A roughly horse-sized, winged feline with reptilian features, often tamed for use in war. It is believed they are descended from the Great Sky Drake. Kiva is notable for the quality of its kōza breeding."
November 7, 2025 at 6:18 PM
tamarasharker.com
Looking to sink your teeth into a cerebral, rich epic fantasy? "The Fruit of War: Stone and Flesh" will be served 1st March 2026!

Get your first taste by signing up for my newsletter at www.tamarasharker.com!

🪐📚 💙📚
#epicfantasy #darkfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks
A dark green banner split in half by a subtle gold border. The left half features a book cover with white text that reads “The Fruit of War, Book 1: Stone and Flesh”, by Tamara S Harker. It shows a man’s hand holding a purple-red fruit cut open to reveal a small skull. In the background is a shadowed orchard with fallen soldiers lying on the ground. The right half of the image describes the book, including a tagline of "Nothing truly dies -- it merely changes." and a launch date of 1st March 2026, both in red text. A donut-shaped pie chart lists its genres as 70% epic fantasy, 20% dark fantasy, and 10% gothic horror. The blurb of the book, in pale green text, reads: "A weary young undertaker is tasked by a dead hero to find an artifact that began – and ended – a recent war. In doing so, he gathers an eclectic group of veterans and greenhorns almost by accident. Yet finding the artifact is only the beginning, and in solving the riddle of the hero’s last request, they are only met with more questions – about the war, their alleged enemy, and the very nature of their world." Finally, green text reads: "For readers who like their fantasy intelligent...immersive...and simmering with ghosts of the past...both figurative and literal."
November 7, 2025 at 6:05 PM
tamarasharker.com
I’ll be honest, Devatska is one of my favorite characters I’ve ever written; she’s smart, tired of everyone’s sh*t, swears copiously – and is the last of a culled dynasty.

#epicfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks #writesky
Dark text and a flowery border on an ivory background. The text reads "Devatska Acosaphaura". In the background, slightly transparent, is an illustration of a fictional, purple-red, heart-shaped fruit. Dark text and flowery border on an ivory background; the text reads: "A former Assistant Warmaster of the Golden Itoqîr during the War of the Six, whose brilliance earned her the moniker ‘Shadow Warmaster’; she has since retreated into obscurity as a tinker in Korzhûn. She is also the inventor of enstreng and firearms, both of which were outlawed. Widow of Eraleon, mother of Andras, and grandmother and foster parent of Kōtia. Her kōza is Bashka. Human."
November 6, 2025 at 5:26 PM
tamarasharker.com
“Remember, remember, the 5th of November…” Today we’re looking at something illegal in Ícalar, which nonetheless weighs heavily on the mind of two of our characters.

#epicfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks #writesky #icalaranfieldguide
Dark text and a flowery border on an ivory background. The text reads "enstreng and firearms". In the background, slightly transparent, is an illustration of a fictional, purple-red, heart-shaped fruit. Dark text and flowery border on an ivory background; the text reads: "The in-world equivalent of gunpowder, created via experiments conducted by Devatska Acosaphaura. Currently outlawed along with the first firearms by what is known as the Quelldraw Act."
November 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM
tamarasharker.com
Ubiquitous throughout nearly the entirety of Ícalar are what are known as Shepherds of Leaving, an ancient caste composed of one of my favorite mythical entities – psychopomps!

#epicfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks #writesky #icalaranfieldguide
Dark text and a flowery border on an ivory background. The text reads "Shepherds of Leaving". In the background, slightly transparent, is an illustration of a fictional, purple-red, heart-shaped fruit. Dark text and flowery border on an ivory background; the text reads: "Shepherds are a type of Aré (magic) practitioner under a House of Leavings, specializing in services to the deceased and their loved ones using empathic abilities; it is a highly-respected, widespread, secular profession. Shepherds act as coroners, funeral directors, spirit guides, grief counselors, and other roles associated with laying the deceased to rest. They are overseen by the Eyes, and also known as leaveguides or Honored Guests."
November 4, 2025 at 6:12 PM
tamarasharker.com
Well, today's writing session was sabotaged by what is hopefully not a burgeoning cold, and then the cat getting stung by a poor honeybee. Maybe tomorrow. 🥴
November 4, 2025 at 2:06 AM
tamarasharker.com
It’s time to meet our main protagonist, Fîeron, a.k.a. the weariest undertaker-empath in all the land who’s about to become that much wearier – but this time with friends!

#epicfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks #writesky #icalaranfieldguide
Dark text and a flowery border on an ivory background. The text reads "Fieron Eburos". In the background, slightly transparent, is an illustration of a fictional, purple-red, heart-shaped fruit. Dark text and flowery border on an ivory background; the text reads: "It’s time to meet our main protagonist, Fîeron, a.k.a. the weariest undertaker-empath in all the land who’s about to become that much wearier – but this time with friends!"
November 3, 2025 at 6:21 PM
tamarasharker.com
While the weekend's #writevember / #novelnovember wasn't as productive as I'd have liked, I did at least make progress with rewriting CH1+2 material that needed to be updated because my B1 ending changed!

Hopefully I can finish that today, and move on to completely new CH4!
November 3, 2025 at 4:05 PM
tamarasharker.com
To celebrate the days growing shorter, let’s talk quickly about Ícalar’s calendar system!
‪

#epicfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks #writesky #icalaranfieldguide
Dark text and a flowery border on an ivory background. The text reads "Icalaran Calendar". In the background, slightly transparent, is an illustration of a fictional, purple-red, heart-shaped fruit. Dark text and flowery border on an ivory background; the text reads: "There are seventy-five days in a Season, and four Seasons in a year. The Seasons roughly equate to spring (the Season of Opening), summer (the Season of Ripening), autumn (the Season of Closing), and winter (the Season of Waiting). The new year begins on the first day of the Season of Opening, and there are many regional feast-days throughout."
November 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
tamarasharker.com
November’s here! Let’s kick off this Fieldguide with the fateful fruit, the harbinger of war, the root of our plot – the ìkam!

#epicfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks #writesky #icalaranfieldguide
Dark text and a flowery border on an ivory background. The text reads "ikam". In the background, slightly transparent, is an illustration of a fictional, purple-red, heart-shaped fruit. Dark text and flowery border on an ivory background; the text reads: "An evergreen stonefruit bush that mysteriously appeared in Ícalar, now extinct following the release of the Plague of the Bitter Hand in the War of the Six. Its fruit was notable for its ability to sometimes awaken channeling ability in non-practitioners and unreliably strengthen that of current practitioners, as well as possessing implications for soil fertilization and cloud-seeding projects or – contrastingly – volatile bioweapons. As such, control of the fruit and the grove became the subject of the war. Agüthsha Intoh was the discoverer and foremost researcher of the ìkam and used it to concoct the Bitter Hand."
November 1, 2025 at 4:19 PM
tamarasharker.com
Hi! I'm an #indieauthor whose first book will come out next March, so I'm using #writevember to work on Book 2! #fruitofwar is a dark, #epicfantasy series following a psychopomp as he fulfills a mission given by the soul of a war hero. One magical fruit, lots of questions.

#novelnovember #novnov
gunsmile.bsky.social Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 11d
#Writevember begins!

Let's start with who you are, the WIP you'll be working on this month, and your writing goal. Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky
#Writevember a November writing challenge prompt tag hosted by @gunsmile.bsky.social November 1: Introduce yourself, your WIP, and your writing goal for this month. Remember to use the #Writevember hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!
November 1, 2025 at 3:25 PM
tamarasharker.com
🍂👻🎃 Happy Halloween, everyone! 🎃👻🍂

Stay safe as you celebrate!
October 31, 2025 at 4:38 PM
tamarasharker.com
Happy Thursday, friends! As a heads-up since I know we'll be busy tomorrow, I have some fun planned for November to introduce you to my novel!

And if you haven't signed up for Novel November (the successor to the ill-fated NaNoWriMo), you can do so here: prowritingaid.com/novel-november
October 30, 2025 at 8:28 PM
tamarasharker.com
Getting your first book club scam truly is a weird rite of passage in this business, isn't it?

(That makes three scam types, now! Gotta catch 'em all!)
October 30, 2025 at 5:09 PM