David Shepherd is the author of the Summerlands epic fantasy trilogy. This is his blog where you can read about the trials and tribulations of writing, keep up to date with new and current releases and hear about the influences that day to day life has on his works.
Posted By David Shepherd on November 22, 2008
A magical coin…
A tournament for a place in the King’s Blades…
A creature from the darkest nightmare…
For half-elf Kirik, this summer will bring more than his transition from boy to man. Friendships will be tested, lives will be lost as a shadow falls over Farsee Forest.
Read the second installment of A Shadow Falls today. Simply register at www.songoftheelves.com and download chapters 4,5 & 6 for free.
Up the elves!
Posted By David Shepherd on November 15, 2008
It’s here – at last! A Shadow Falls, the first book of the Song of the Elves saga is available now at www.songoftheelves.com. Beginning this week you can download the book in six exciting instalments. Simply go to the ‘chapters’ section of the website to receive your first free download. If you like what you read, return and register for the next instalment and pass the link on to your friends!
You can post your comments on the first instalment via the electronic feedback form – I’d love to know what you think.
Many thanks go to Nick and Col for their expertise, support and guidance in getting the project this far – lads, your help and friendship is invaluable.
For anyone who has already entered the Summerlands, I salute you. Up the elves!
Posted By David Shepherd on November 1, 2008
I’ve just spent a fantastic four days in the Lake District, and I’m pleased to report its beauty remains unrivalled. The snow crested peaks of the Langdales and Crinckle Crags provided an alluring sight from the restaurant of our hotel, drawing us out in to the minus temperatures to explore old haunts and find new corners of beauty. Like many authors before me, the Lake District has provided inspiration for my writing, most obviously in the varying landscapes of the Summerlands, but more importantly in the mood of the novel. In creating the welcoming feel of the beginning of A Shadow Falls I am reminded of the roaring fires of cosy pubs such as the Kings Arms in Hawkshead; in the later flight through the forest of Kirik at the end of Sins of the Father I am reminded of dramatically beautiful places such as Sherrifs Wood above Bowness and the difficult woodland at the base of Red Pike. Going back to the Lakes this week has reaffirmed the image I have for the Summerlands, and provided inspiration for chapters not yet written.
Long live the elves!
Posted By David Shepherd on October 16, 2008
I am currently nearing the end of the fourth (and hopefully final) draft of Summerlands. The first part of the book, newly titled A Shadow Falls, will be made available as a free download from this website. It’s approximately 100,000 words in length and I’m much happier with this edit than the original version. As a result, work on my second project The Mirror of His Soul has ground to a halt. I’m looking forward to launching back in to that project as the dark nights draw in, and have set myself the target of Easter for completion of this stand alone novel.
Up the elves!
Posted By David Shepherd on October 2, 2008
Check out the latest tale from the Summerlands. Prince Nemar is one of my favourite members of the supporting cast of the first three books. His influence in the Song of the Elves grows as the saga progresses. He has an important part to play in saving the world, and a date with destiny that cannot be denied. Inspiration for his character came from the old swash buckling movies - Michael York in the Three Muskateers, Banderas in Zorro, Heston in the Crimson Pirate. His early life is full of colour, and perhaps one day his full story will be told. Let me know what you think of the story of how his famous blade came by its name.
Up the elves!
Posted By David Shepherd on September 27, 2008
I was lucky enough to have lunch with Keith Gray on Tuesday of this week. Keith is the author of a number of succesful children’s books and also does great work encouraging young people to write. I was able to bend Keith’s ear for an hour on the pitfalls of getting published and I am grateful for the top tips and encouragement I received over our capuccinos. The most exciting part of the day for me was getting to see how another author works. Best wishes with your new novel Keith!
Posted By David Shepherd on September 21, 2008
Check out the two new additions to the website – The Sundering tells of the arrival of the elves in Rhoderica. Last Battle relates the momentous victory of a unique alliance of elves and humans against the savage Southren. These tales are of great significance to the events of A Shadow Falls, part one of The Summerlands, being the first cycle of SOTE.
Let me know what you think. I’ll soon be posting your comments on this site.
Posted By David Shepherd on September 15, 2008
The Legend of Arthur Blackrose is the first in a series of short ‘tales’ that I will be showcasing on the website. Arthur was actually the first character drawn up for Rhoderica, the continent on which the first two books in the Song of the Elves trilogy is set. The story you can read here charts the beginning of Arthur’s reign, but he has a much bigger part to play in the History of Rhoderica which you will be able to read about in a future prequel to the Song of the Elves. Arthur lived approximately three hundred years before the invasion of the Southren, documented in the prologue that preceeds The Summerlands.
Posted By David Shepherd on September 3, 2008
Welcome to the Song of the Elves website. A great deal of work has gone in to bringing the project to this point and I must begin by thanking Nick for all his fantastic help and advice, and Lee for the stunning online gaming cartoon work you will have already seen. Thanks also go to Pete for his work on the original splash page.
Special thanks must also go to Col, who has put hours of work in to reading and editing The Summerlands, and the streamlined gaming and revamped chapters that you will be able to download here over the coming months would not have been ready without his support. I hope you enjoy the material available, and if you do, come back for more, and tell your friends. Happy reading!
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