Sebastien de Castell

The work is done.
The blades are where they belong.

Our Lady of Blades releases May 14th.

For those who prefer to step into a story early, pre-orders are open.

decastell.com/book/our-lad...

#fridayvibes #comingsoon #fantasy #preorder

"Justice isn’t recompense for the dead. It’s not retribution against the perpetrator. It is an . . . act of faith: a belief that the truth matters, and that we mortal men and women are worthy of that truth, no matter the consequences."
~ Estevar Barros
decastell.com/book/crucibl...

Fun Castle Fact: Wawel Royal Castle

The ceiling of the "Envoys' Hall" has 30 carved wooden heads. Legend says one head once spoke to give the King legal advice.

Location: Krakow, Poland
Year Started:1504
Size: Houses one of Europe's largest arcaded courtyards.

I sat down with Hannah Baller to talk about writing, fantasy, and how characters tend to steer stories in directions I didn’t plan.

If you’re curious about the thinking behind the books, the interview’s here:
hannahballer.com/2021/05/30/s...

#SebastienDeCastell #FantasyAuthor

Asked David Gerrold about ending a series, he said, “It’s over when characters have said all they needed.” I chose “Let Cade, Corrigan, and crew blow the world up” and “More vampire kangaroo.”

#Writing #AuthorUpdate

What's the biggest misconception about being a professional author? 🤔

As William Goldman said, “Nobody knows anything.” That's the publishing world for you—full of unpredictability! One day it’s success, the next, who knows? But I love every moment!
#AuthorLife #WritingCommunity

Our Lady of Blades is coming.
Not everything will be shared publicly.

Early reveals, limited editions, and quiet details go to the newsletter first—before the wider world catches on.

decastell.com/secrets/

#OurLadyOfBlades #ComingSoon

Did you know? 🏰 Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome is linked to the Vatican by an 800m secret tunnel, the Passetto di Borgo, used by Popes to escape during invasions! 🕵️‍♂️

#HistoricCastles #CastleFacts #HistoryNerd

Join me today at 11 am ET for a LIVE chat on Technology Revolution: The Future of Now, with Bonnie D. Graham
Talking on The Future of Authors + AI: Anything But Writing
Join us LIVE:
www.youtube.com/@BonnieDRadi...
#interview #bookchat

In my chat with Bookish Whimsy, I discussed how fencing shapes my action and dialogue writing. A duel has its own rhythm, much like conversations. When done right, readers truly feel the scene.

bookishwhimsy.blogspot.com/2014/07/inte...

#BookChat #WritingTips #Fencing

Huge thanks to everyone who came out for Swords, Fights, and Spellslingers with the dangerously talented Miles Cameron. Stories were swapped, fantasy was debated, and no one escaped entirely unscathed (emotionally).

Always a pleasure meeting readers.

How do you stay motivated while writing?
For me, it’s about honoring the readers who support my work and finding a meaningful theme that drives the story. ✍️📚

#fridayvibe #writing #motivation

In a few hours, the swords come out.
I’ll be at Indigo Bay & Bloor with Miles Cameron for Swords, Fights, and Spellslingers—signing books, handing out swag, and talking fantasy until someone makes us stop.

🕞 3:30–6 PM
📍 Indigo Bay & Bloor, Toronto

Tomorrow, swords will be crossed and books signed! Join me and the talented Miles Cameron for Swords, Fights, and Spellslingers.

📍 Indigo Bay & Bloor, Toronto
🕞 3:30–6:00 PM
✨ Free swag. Signed books. Questionable wisdom.

Come say hello or challenge us! Your move.

“There’s a trick to fighting on the deck of a ship. I don’t know what it is, but I fully intend to find out one day.”
~Falcio
decastell.com/book/tyrants...
#humour #humor #fantasy #bookquote #bookchat

Fun Castle Fact: Château de Chenonceau! 🏰✨ Its gallery served as an escape route during WWII—one side Nazi-occupied, the other "Free France."
Location: Loire Valley, France
Year Started: 1514
Size: Built over the River Cher.

#HistoryNerd #CastleFact #CastleLovers #DidYouKnow

Modern Romantic Podcast: Finding Beauty

I had such a great time talking on the Modern Romantic Podcast.

Check it out: www.youtube.com/watch

#bookchat #interview #FantasyReaders

Back in Toronto for book promo—catching up with my brother & writer friends. Fun facts: Merril Collection (massive SFF archive), the PATH (largest underground walkway), Spawn was created here, and Ad Astra supports Canadian fantasy writers.
#Toronto #BookPromo #FantasyFans

Back in Toronto for book promo! Catching up with my brother & writer friends. Fun facts: Merril Collection (huge SFF archive), the PATH (world’s largest underground walkway), Spawn was created here, and Ad Astra champions Canadian fantasy.
#Toronto #BookPromo #FantasyFans

Is there an author whose writing makes you envious?
Miles Cameron writes daily, driven by curiosity and narrative mischief. That's a real writer!
#FridayVibes #QuestionOfTheDay

"It’s much too cold and wet here for a king to bother coming all the way out here to rule."
~ Brother Agneta
decastell.com/book/crucibl...
#bookcharacters #author #crucibleofchaos

Fun Castle Fact
Built in 1514, Hampton Court Palace wasn’t just a royal home—it was a food factory.
Henry VIII’s kitchens made 800 meals a day, and the court drank 600,000 gallons of beer a year.
Power, apparently, came by the barrel. 🍺⚔️
#FunCastleFacts #HistoryNerd #Worldbuilding #FantasyAuthor

The Fantastical Magic of the Ordinary World - GUEST POST by Sebastien de Castell (PLAY OF SHADOWS) | Fantasy-Hive To celebrate the release of his first book in a brand new series, PLAY OF SHADOWS, Sebastien de Castell joins us and explores the process behind creating magic systems

I had such a fun time with @thefantasyhive.bsky.social talking about "The Fantastical Magic of the Ordinary World."
fantasy-hive.co.uk/.../the-fant...
#playofshadows #bookchat #fantasybooks

Just when I thought I couldn't take on more book requests, I found a gem by Jake Brrr❄️. A wild fantasy ride filled with mystery and underdogs racing against time! Can’t wait to dive in! 📚✨ #MondayMotivation #AuthorLife #ComingSoon #FantasyBooks

I often get asked for tips on writing fight scenes. Here are two key techniques:

1. Let readers choreograph the fight.
2. Build tension and stakes beyond the action.

For more, check out: decastell.com/2014/07/23/5...

#WritingTips #FightScenes #CreativeWriting 💥📚

“It’s stories that inspire people to change. It’s stories that make them believe things can be better.”
~Falcio
decastell.com/book/knights...
#greatcoats #characterquotes #author #Fantasy

Did you know? 🏰 Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, Denmark, built in 1574, features a 203-ft Banquet Hall. It inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet and profited from taxing Baltic Sea ships! 💰 #CastleFact #HistoryFact #WritersLife #Author

I always have a great time talking about Play of Shadows. Thank you so much Track of Words.
www.trackofwords.com/2024/03/28/a...
#author #interview #playofshadows

Feeling grateful for my health! Had a wild ER visit in Cambodia for kidney stones, but no serious issues. Just wrapped up a check-up with a physio in Vancouver and I’m excited to improve my mobility and strength over the next two months! 🏋️‍♂️💪 #HealthJourney #Resilience #AdventureAwaits

Do you have any writing bad habits?

My redoubtable editor, Jo Fletcher, used to say of the Greatcoats novels, “You can make Falcio as maudlin and introspective as you want in the first half of the book, but I’m cutting those bits from the last act.” Tens of thousands of readers thank you, Jo.