Thomas J Devens- The Revolting Peasant of Grimdark
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tdevens.bsky.social
Thomas J Devens- The Revolting Peasant of Grimdark
@tdevens.bsky.social
1.1K followers 870 following 250 posts
(He/Him) Author of gritty fantasy/grimdark (Fall of Emros and Vermin of the Old Empire), foundry worker, gamer, drinker of dark beers, and thrower of axes. Never good at social media, but trying to be more active-ish.
https://linktr.ee/thomasjdevens
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tdevens.bsky.social
Picked up some @bogwizardband.bsky.social cassettes recently, and there were some great stickers and koozies tossed in!
Gonna be blasting some nerd doom while I work on some writing!
Photo of two cassette tapes, "Miasmic Purple Smoke" and "From the Mire" by Bog Wizard, surrounded by stickers and beer koozies from the band.
January 23, 2026 at 10:32 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
Jan 20 I turn 40. So I'm listing ALL of my ebooks 'Pay What You Want' on my ko-fi for a week!

If ya wanna toss me a couple bucks, cool. Always appreciated. But no need! Money tight? Grab 'em for FREE!

Hurry up, this sale is gonna disappear faster than my hairline!

🔗👇🍻
Promo poster with a black and yellow spirally background, a photo of me making a dumb face, and thumbnails of all of my book covers. Text reads: Hey! You! This weirdo's turning 40! So why not get his ebooks for free! Pay what you want! ko-fi.com/thomasjdevens
January 17, 2026 at 1:34 AM
tdevens.bsky.social
Things are moving along nicely with "A Payday and a Pint" Revolting Peasant Press Issue 1.
A handmade short story zine with audio cassette accompaniment.
Picture of assorted papers, pens, and other tools showing my zine in progress.
January 6, 2026 at 2:22 AM
tdevens.bsky.social
My list for the end of 2025. I read/listened to some amazing books this year!

List and Author tags below.
A collage of book covers, listing my top ten books of the year, including: Residuum by DB Rook, The Hallows by HL Tinsley, Hall of Bone by Tim Hardie, The Last Gasp of Midnight by Thomas Howard Riley, Season of Kings/Season of Vengeance by AJ Rettger, Storytellers by Bjørn Larssen, Dark Oak by Jacob Sannox, Carpentry in the Elven Forest by Alex French, Dance With Me by Livia J Elliot, The Iron Crown/The Shadow Gate by LL MacRae.
January 1, 2026 at 7:02 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
About to get a writing sprint in while the beans are finishing up on the stove. This session fueled by maple porter and Castle Rat.
Photo of my desk top, with a tray of dice, a can of beer, some simple sketches, and my laptop opened to my word document and the bandcamp page for Castle Rat
December 6, 2025 at 10:56 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
⚔️🍄🌲
New short story available for free on my Ko-Fi page.
This is one I've been sitting on for a bit and wanted to get out there, though I plan on spending more time with the characters in the future.

🔗⬇️🍻
Promo image for short story, featuring a silhouetted man with a sword in a forest near an evil tree, overlaid with surreal colors in the light. The "Revolting Peasant Press" logo at the center. Text reads: "A Trip Through the Woods: a Scavengers of the Wasteland short story"
September 28, 2025 at 10:09 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
Finishing up a short story project, and back to work on The Roustabouts!
Photo of various notebooks, pens, and folders of current works in progress.
September 27, 2025 at 7:22 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
The Scroungers audiobook is live!
Narrated by the impeccable @rjbayley.bsky.social

-Fast paced
-Gritty fantasy
-Survivors of war finding unlikely allies
-The search for a killer stalking the streets of a run-down town

Grab a copy now!
🔗👇
Audiobook cover of The Scrounger by Thomas J Devens. Narrated by RJ Bayley. Featuring three characters in the dark, rainy streets of a run-down town.
September 16, 2025 at 11:33 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
And The Dregs has been submitted for SFINCS 3!
Good luck to everyone submitting their novellas this year!
Cover of The Dregs by Thomas J Devens
September 6, 2025 at 9:19 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
The time draws near!

The Scroungers (a Vermin of the Old Empire audiobook)
Written by Thomas J Devens
Performed by @rjbayley.bsky.social

⚔️When the lords fall⚔️
🐀The vermin shall rise🐀
September 2, 2025 at 12:34 AM
tdevens.bsky.social
⚔️Lucky Die is FREE for the week!
Bad bets and bar brawls, accidental deaths and chaotic gods.
A blaggard throws the dice and welcomes the carnage.
But all she wanted was a drink and a bit of luck.

🔗🔽🍻
Cover of "Lucky Die" a short story in the Shadows of Emros series by Thomas J Devens. Artwork features the main character, Shel, seated at a cluttered table in a tavern Promo for "Lucky Die" featuring the cover. On one side is the text of the back cover synopsis: "With a roll of the dice, fates are decided. With the clatter of bones, one's doom is sealed. The gods laugh, watching the little people make their mistakes. And the gods watching Shel are laughing their asses off." And on the other side a quote from a review reading: "Short, bloody and fun. Gambling with lives amidst bar hopping violence." -James Harwood-Jones.
August 17, 2025 at 10:29 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
Over 100 amazing books on sale for the Epic Sale of Beloved SFF 2025!

All books that have been recommended, for .99 or FREE!

There's so many excellent titles to choose from.

Both of my Vermin of the Old Empire novellas are 99c

🔗👇🍻
Promo image featuring covers of many of the books on sale, including The Scroungers, larger at the center. Text reads: Epic sale of beloved sff 2025. Aug 7th-11th. Over 100 recommended books on sale. Free or $0.99
August 8, 2025 at 7:27 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
🐀Just posted a teaser for the next Vermin novella, The Roustabouts, over on my Ko-Fi. Go check it out!

Clicker down below🔽
Promo image: "The Roustabouts: a new chapter in the Vermin of the Old Empire" over image of pike armed soldiers.
July 18, 2025 at 8:01 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
I can't even begin to say how excited I am to announce the coming audiobook of The Scroungers, narrated by the immensely talented @rjbayley.bsky.social !

Fall of 2025!
I gush about it in the link in the comments!
Promo image with the cover of the audiobook, The Scroungers, and pictures of author Thomas J Devens and narrator RJ Bayley. Caption reads: It is my absolute honor to announce. Audiobook coming fall of 2025!
July 5, 2025 at 10:21 AM
tdevens.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJuly

3- Here's an excerpt from The Dross, when one of the MCs, Direnn, enters 'Howling Hell Mutt's Ales and Brewing' a dingy tavern in a city soon to be under siege. Where we meet Helmutt and his dog Flop.
Book excerpt that reads: “I assume that would be the Hell Mutt?” Direnn turned her attention back to the barkeep. Despite his limp, he crossed the room in few strides. With Direnn’s question he paused, raising a brow. “Huh? Him? No, no.” The man glanced at the dog, snorting a laugh, and turned back to Direnn. “That’s my dog, Flop, or Lazy Little Shit, he don’t come to neither, so doesn’t matter much either way.” “Flop?” “Aye, on account of him being a big ole, wrinkly, floppy mutt and me not being all too creative in my naming conventions.” A grin stretched across the man’s face as he leaned over the bar. “I’m Helmutt, and this here is my pride and joy.” He waved his hand, showing off the tavern, before leaning closer and lowering his voice. “Well, the tavern and Flop, of course, but don’t tell him I told ya that. “But where are my manners? Welcome to my humble establishment, make yourself at home.” Helmutt reached a calloused and scarred hand across the bar in welcome greeting. Prompt list for #FantasyIndiesJuly Day 3- Animal Friends
July 3, 2025 at 8:21 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJuly
2. Reading and writing I don't really have a preference, it all depends on the characters.

I've taken a shine to a few side characters in my series, and have plans to expand on a bit more, though!

A standout in The Dross is Helmutt the haggard brewer.
Prompt list for #FantasyIndiesJuly Day 2- Do you tend to like the MCs, side characters, or villains the most?
July 3, 2025 at 12:11 AM
tdevens.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJuly
1- Howdy y'all, I'm Thomas J Devens. I write gritty, dark fantasy. Thought I'd try doing one of these!

I have 2 WIPs set in my Vermin of the Old Empire series, which follows various groups of survivors making their way in the aftermath of a major battle.
Prompt list for #FantasyIndiesJuly Day 1- Introduce yourself & WIP
July 2, 2025 at 2:10 AM
tdevens.bsky.social
I listened to the audiobook of The Iron Crown by @llmacrae.bsky.social and narrated by @rjbayley.bsky.social recently, and here are my thoughts (on Page Chewing at the link below)
*spoiler... it's amazing!
Book cover of The Iron Crown by L.L. MacRae
June 28, 2025 at 11:07 AM
tdevens.bsky.social
Look at that! Finally got paperbacks up on the ko-fi page, and I managed to take some halfway decent photos.

Grab a copy if you'd like. Unfortunately, set up for US only, but hit me up for international shipping, but it's probably gonna be pricy.

clicker down there👇
Photo of a paperback copy of The Scroungers over a background of chainmail, furs, and an axe. Photo of a paperback copy of The Dregs over a background of chainmail, furs, and an axe. Photo of a paperback copy of Stone & Shield over a background of chainmail, furs, and a sword. Photo of a paperback copy of Split Paths over a background of chainmail, furs, and a sword.
May 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
I read Dance With Me by @liviajelliot.com ! My review is finally up on Page Chewing so check it out. Dance With Me is an amazing book that you don't want to miss out on!

I'll post links below
Promo for the Kickstarter launch of Dance With Me by Livia J Elliot. Up top is the caption "Campaign Starts May 6th 2025" with the "Follow Now" Kickstarter seal and a picture of the cover of Dance With Me: a black and white cover with golden text and a figure's silhouette falling into the darkness. Finally, it includes a quote from a review; "A clever, dark, psychological fairy tale."
May 3, 2025 at 11:39 AM
tdevens.bsky.social
🐀THE SCROUNGERS🐀
⚔️New Cover⚔️
🐦‍⬛1 Year Old!🐦‍⬛

We made it. Feast your eyes!
I'm so happy with this new cover.
Now available wide.
And from now till May 5th the ebook is only 99c on my Ko-Fi page!

Please share this around and help get the word out! I appreciate y’all!
🔗👇🍻
New cover of "The Scroungers" by Thomas J Devens. A medieval village in a rain storm, a greenish-blue light cast on the scene. Three figures are arrayed at the center. A promo image of the new cover of "The Scroungers" by Thomas J Devens with several reviews around the cover. Including: "Grim and brutal, this book takes the idea that war is ugly and there are no real victors, and runs with it." -A.J. Calvin (The Caein Legacy) "Muddy, grubby, and bl**dy good stuff." -H.L. Tinsley (Vanguard Chronicles) "Dark and grim, and written in a concise, no nonsense prose that is also moody and mood setting." -Livia J Elliot (Dance With Me) "A ton of fun! Surprising turns, action & full of wit." -James Harwood-Jones
May 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
tdevens.bsky.social
Look at that. One more day to go.
New Cover-Going Wide-And a sale to boot.
Stay tuned folks!

I swear, I'm back to work on Monday and will be back to only posting occasionally.
April 30, 2025 at 12:45 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
2 Days!
I'm off work this week.
I started this too early.
I don't know what day it is anymore.
Comment if I should jump the shark and reveal the cover a day early?
Who starts a countdown at 7 days?
Is this an existential collapse in real-time?
No it's a slow burn cover reveal.
2 Days!
Get psyched!
April 29, 2025 at 11:45 AM
tdevens.bsky.social
3 days. In which Ebar's face returns to the shadows.
3 days until the final reveal.
3 days remain so I'll include something new.
Promo image for a cover reveal with the captions; "The Scroungers. 3 Days. Vermin of the Old Empire. Thomas J Devens." Back cover of The Scroungers. A dimly lit medieval street with an ominous glow in the rain. The blurb reads: "The lords have fallen. It was the war to end all wars. Violence had plagued the Fractured Kingdoms since the fall of the Old Empire. But as the generals and the lords died in the Valley of Torglen, the folk looked beyond their allegiances. Beyond their nations. The bedraggled masses that survived the battle flocked to the nearest town with hopes of a new life. One in which their rulers remained rotting in the mud. Brigge led her company of sellswords to foreign lands. Now she seeks to lead the dispossessed into a new life. Ebar was forced into duty. Conscripted by the war machine of Volgsland. Though the war is over, his service is not. A killer stalks the streets of Bright Hollow. Tortured by their past and longing for vengeance. Disparate tales intertwine as the lives of the survivors collide. Bright Hollow is a small town, brimming with newcomers."
April 28, 2025 at 1:35 PM
tdevens.bsky.social
This is the most consecutive days of posting I think I've ever done on social media.

4 days to the reveal
1 last look at Ebar on the old cover
Promo image for a cover reveal, showing parts of the old cover of "The Scroungers" by Thomas J Devens, with sections of the new cover. At the center, the caption "4 Days"
April 27, 2025 at 3:30 PM