incredibly messy relationships and a sympathetic, flawed main character presented with sometimes heartbreaking honesty. I know when the next book comes, I will be reading the series from the beginning (again).
See it all for yourself:
linktr.ee/thecmcaplan
See it all for yourself:
linktr.ee/thecmcaplan
thecmcaplan Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Threads | Linktree
Quadruplet. Autistic. Jewish. SFF author. #SPFBO9 finalist.
linktr.ee
July 25, 2026 at 12:25 PM
incredibly messy relationships and a sympathetic, flawed main character presented with sometimes heartbreaking honesty. I know when the next book comes, I will be reading the series from the beginning (again).
See it all for yourself:
linktr.ee/thecmcaplan
See it all for yourself:
linktr.ee/thecmcaplan
read a chonk from an unknown fantasy author.
I did receive an early review of it from Raina Nightingale when we were both SPFBO9 authors, and I appreciate it (and how welcoming Raina was) so much: enthralledbylove.com/2023/07/21/b...
I did receive an early review of it from Raina Nightingale when we were both SPFBO9 authors, and I appreciate it (and how welcoming Raina was) so much: enthralledbylove.com/2023/07/21/b...
Book Review: The Wings of Ashtaroth (The Sands of Hazzan) by Steve Hugh Westenra
The Wings of Ashtaroth Series: The Sands of Hazzan, #1 Genre: Dark Fantasy Author: Steve Hugh Westenra Book Description: The great city of Qemassen is at a crossroads. A powerful empire from beyond…
enthralledbylove.com
June 26, 2026 at 8:43 AM
read a chonk from an unknown fantasy author.
I did receive an early review of it from Raina Nightingale when we were both SPFBO9 authors, and I appreciate it (and how welcoming Raina was) so much: enthralledbylove.com/2023/07/21/b...
I did receive an early review of it from Raina Nightingale when we were both SPFBO9 authors, and I appreciate it (and how welcoming Raina was) so much: enthralledbylove.com/2023/07/21/b...
More from Nancy:
nancyfosterauthor.carrd.co
nancyfosterauthor.carrd.co
Nancy Foster author
Mexican-American fantasy author. Author of the SPFBO9 competing book Fragmented Fates.
nancyfosterauthor.carrd.co
May 15, 2026 at 3:25 PM
More from Nancy:
nancyfosterauthor.carrd.co
nancyfosterauthor.carrd.co
Want to start getting into indie fantasy? Don’t have time to wade through thousands of books?
Check out Steven's other #SPFBO9 recs here: www.goodreads.com/list/show/18...
For a front row seat to his next first chapter readthrough, head to the other place: x.com/SWHannahAuthor
🧵5/6
Check out Steven's other #SPFBO9 recs here: www.goodreads.com/list/show/18...
For a front row seat to his next first chapter readthrough, head to the other place: x.com/SWHannahAuthor
🧵5/6
SWHFO Survivors (SPFBO9) (66 books)
66 books based on 6 votes: The Fires of Time by Alexander Wyatt, Through Dreams So Dark by Angela Boord, Petition by Delilah Waan, The Wickwire Watch by ...
www.goodreads.com
May 4, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Want to start getting into indie fantasy? Don’t have time to wade through thousands of books?
Check out Steven's other #SPFBO9 recs here: www.goodreads.com/list/show/18...
For a front row seat to his next first chapter readthrough, head to the other place: x.com/SWHannahAuthor
🧵5/6
Check out Steven's other #SPFBO9 recs here: www.goodreads.com/list/show/18...
For a front row seat to his next first chapter readthrough, head to the other place: x.com/SWHannahAuthor
🧵5/6
Super interesting to see Steven TBR'd 8 of the 10 #SPFBO9 finalists. Talk about having your finger on the pulse!
PETITION didn't get that far but this is awesome company. Steven’s passion inspired at least a dozen others to take up the first chapter challenge and post their live reactions...
🧵3/6
PETITION didn't get that far but this is awesome company. Steven’s passion inspired at least a dozen others to take up the first chapter challenge and post their live reactions...
🧵3/6
May 4, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Super interesting to see Steven TBR'd 8 of the 10 #SPFBO9 finalists. Talk about having your finger on the pulse!
PETITION didn't get that far but this is awesome company. Steven’s passion inspired at least a dozen others to take up the first chapter challenge and post their live reactions...
🧵3/6
PETITION didn't get that far but this is awesome company. Steven’s passion inspired at least a dozen others to take up the first chapter challenge and post their live reactions...
🧵3/6
Ahoy there! 🙋♂️
I have one started and another I’m about to start - I mostly split them 🛌 and 🛋️ - both Fantasy, both #BookTube project related, and, as it randomly happens, both are #SPFBO entrants - a semi-finalist from #SPFBO9 ⬅️ plus the #SPFBOX winner ➡️ I believe 🤗 Hype!
🪐📚💙
I have one started and another I’m about to start - I mostly split them 🛌 and 🛋️ - both Fantasy, both #BookTube project related, and, as it randomly happens, both are #SPFBO entrants - a semi-finalist from #SPFBO9 ⬅️ plus the #SPFBOX winner ➡️ I believe 🤗 Hype!
🪐📚💙
April 20, 2026 at 9:58 AM
📕 Next up for me is “Death’s Disciple” by @emmaladams12.bsky.social Book One of a series with the same name.
My TSG notes have this listed as a #SPFBO entrant, and I can see on www.zackargyle.com/spfbo for #SPFBO9 that it was a Fantasy Book Critic semi-finalist too.
📚⚔️ #FantasyBooks 🪐📚💙 #BookSky 🦋
My TSG notes have this listed as a #SPFBO entrant, and I can see on www.zackargyle.com/spfbo for #SPFBO9 that it was a Fantasy Book Critic semi-finalist too.
📚⚔️ #FantasyBooks 🪐📚💙 #BookSky 🦋
April 10, 2026 at 8:32 AM
📕 Next up for me is “Death’s Disciple” by @emmaladams12.bsky.social Book One of a series with the same name.
My TSG notes have this listed as a #SPFBO entrant, and I can see on www.zackargyle.com/spfbo for #SPFBO9 that it was a Fantasy Book Critic semi-finalist too.
📚⚔️ #FantasyBooks 🪐📚💙 #BookSky 🦋
My TSG notes have this listed as a #SPFBO entrant, and I can see on www.zackargyle.com/spfbo for #SPFBO9 that it was a Fantasy Book Critic semi-finalist too.
📚⚔️ #FantasyBooks 🪐📚💙 #BookSky 🦋
Feed: "Delilah Waan"
Published on Thursday, January 29, 2026
Published on Thursday, January 29, 2026
STEVE-Published Fantasy Blog Off
Presenting the thread that nobody asked for: every SPFBO entry from SPFBO1 through to SPFBO9 under a "Steve", "Steven", "Stephen", "Stefan", "Stevens", "Stephanie", etc in the byline.
www.delilahwaan.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:18 AM
Feed: "Delilah Waan"
Published on Thursday, January 29, 2026
Published on Thursday, January 29, 2026
I thought it was in SPFBO9 with me 🤣. Why did I read it??? I'm very glad I did but where and how did I even find out about it? 😂
January 7, 2026 at 6:51 PM
I thought it was in SPFBO9 with me 🤣. Why did I read it??? I'm very glad I did but where and how did I even find out about it? 😂
My book was in SPFBO9 and i had a great time. Check it out if you can!
SPFBO is an indie book contest run by Mark Lawrence!
There are 10 teams of reviewers. 300 books. 30 books assigned to each reviewer.
We all pick one book to battle it out for the top spot in the finals.
Just got my 30! I'm finally excited about something!!
#SPFBO
#SPFBO11
#SFF
#selfpub
#indie
There are 10 teams of reviewers. 300 books. 30 books assigned to each reviewer.
We all pick one book to battle it out for the top spot in the finals.
Just got my 30! I'm finally excited about something!!
#SPFBO
#SPFBO11
#SFF
#selfpub
#indie
winnie the pooh is sitting at a table with a spoon and a jar of honey .
ALT: winnie the pooh is sitting at a table with a spoon and a jar of honey .
media.tenor.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:13 PM
My book was in SPFBO9 and i had a great time. Check it out if you can!
Yes, exactly!
I didn't either in SPFBO, though in SPFBO9 I was lucky to (possibly?) have been read the whole way through. I thought I had been, but someone else suggested it was possible I hadn't, so who knows.
I didn't either in SPFBO, though in SPFBO9 I was lucky to (possibly?) have been read the whole way through. I thought I had been, but someone else suggested it was possible I hadn't, so who knows.
July 14, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Yes, exactly!
I didn't either in SPFBO, though in SPFBO9 I was lucky to (possibly?) have been read the whole way through. I thought I had been, but someone else suggested it was possible I hadn't, so who knows.
I didn't either in SPFBO, though in SPFBO9 I was lucky to (possibly?) have been read the whole way through. I thought I had been, but someone else suggested it was possible I hadn't, so who knows.
experience of indie contests outside a vague awareness of them (and I actually assumed a very high quality of writing for the books that I saw doing well!), but once I entered SPFBO9 and read more of the books and saw that some of my favourites cut very early/get DNFed (some progressed as well!), &
July 14, 2025 at 11:48 AM
experience of indie contests outside a vague awareness of them (and I actually assumed a very high quality of writing for the books that I saw doing well!), but once I entered SPFBO9 and read more of the books and saw that some of my favourites cut very early/get DNFed (some progressed as well!), &
While out in the garden tonight, I remembered that Hills of Heather and Bone turns 2 today! It's truly been a special journey writing and publishing this book. It was a #spfbo9 finalist and I'm continually blown away by everyone who has it picked up and connected with the story.
#booksky #indiebook
#booksky #indiebook
May 20, 2025 at 11:32 PM
While out in the garden tonight, I remembered that Hills of Heather and Bone turns 2 today! It's truly been a special journey writing and publishing this book. It was a #spfbo9 finalist and I'm continually blown away by everyone who has it picked up and connected with the story.
#booksky #indiebook
#booksky #indiebook
Books one and two of the Sam Adams series, SPFBO9 semifinalist CREDIBLE THREATS and RISING SHADOWS, are out now. Action-packed, fast-paced urban fantasy full of magic, sarcasm, monsters, explosions, and a talking cat. Book three will be out later this year. www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW5KGZ...
Credible Threats (The Sam Adams Series Book 1)
Amazon.com: Credible Threats (The Sam Adams Series Book 1) eBook : Meyer, Daniel : Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
April 10, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Books one and two of the Sam Adams series, SPFBO9 semifinalist CREDIBLE THREATS and RISING SHADOWS, are out now. Action-packed, fast-paced urban fantasy full of magic, sarcasm, monsters, explosions, and a talking cat. Book three will be out later this year. www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW5KGZ...
ICYMI: when I hit a thousand followers, I'll put both my books, SPFBO9 semifinalist CREDIBLE THREATS and RISING SHADOWS, books one and two of the Sam Adams series, on sale, plus do a lowkey AMA here on Bluesky. #amwriting #amwritingfantasy #writingcommunity #books #reading #booksky #authorsky
April 10, 2025 at 3:35 PM
ICYMI: when I hit a thousand followers, I'll put both my books, SPFBO9 semifinalist CREDIBLE THREATS and RISING SHADOWS, books one and two of the Sam Adams series, on sale, plus do a lowkey AMA here on Bluesky. #amwriting #amwritingfantasy #writingcommunity #books #reading #booksky #authorsky
Last chance to pick up a free copy of BLACK STREAM at the Indie Book Sale! Sequel to #SPFBO9 semi-finalist THE WAY OF UNITY 🖤
Discover some indie gems here:
indiebook.sale
Discover some indie gems here:
indiebook.sale
April 7, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Last chance to pick up a free copy of BLACK STREAM at the Indie Book Sale! Sequel to #SPFBO9 semi-finalist THE WAY OF UNITY 🖤
Discover some indie gems here:
indiebook.sale
Discover some indie gems here:
indiebook.sale
With Sam Adams book three slated for later this year, this would be the perfect time to jump into the series. Book one, CREDIBLE THREATS, was a SPFBO9 semifinalist, and it and book two, RISING SHADOWS, are out now. www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW5KGZ...
Credible Threats (The Sam Adams Series Book 1)
Amazon.com: Credible Threats (The Sam Adams Series Book 1) eBook : Meyer, Daniel : Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
February 20, 2025 at 10:40 PM
With Sam Adams book three slated for later this year, this would be the perfect time to jump into the series. Book one, CREDIBLE THREATS, was a SPFBO9 semifinalist, and it and book two, RISING SHADOWS, are out now. www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW5KGZ...
CREDIBLE THREATS, book one of the Sam Adams series, and SPFBO9 semifinalist... full of monsters, mayhem, sarcasm, magic, explosions, and a talking cat www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW5KGZ...
Credible Threats (The Sam Adams Series Book 1)
Amazon.com: Credible Threats (The Sam Adams Series Book 1) eBook : Meyer, Daniel : Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
February 5, 2025 at 11:34 PM
CREDIBLE THREATS, book one of the Sam Adams series, and SPFBO9 semifinalist... full of monsters, mayhem, sarcasm, magic, explosions, and a talking cat www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW5KGZ...
I'm reading The Diplomacy of the Knife by C. M. Caplan. It's the sequel to The Fall Is All There Is, which was a spfbo9 finalist. I'm 60% in and I'm really enjoying it.
February 4, 2025 at 10:50 AM
I'm reading The Diplomacy of the Knife by C. M. Caplan. It's the sequel to The Fall Is All There Is, which was a spfbo9 finalist. I'm 60% in and I'm really enjoying it.
Hi, I'm reading The Diplomacy of the Knife by @cmcaplanwrites.bsky.social
Sequel to The Fall Is All There Is, which was a finalist in the Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO9).
A fantasy steampunk mash up. A new kind of weird that is truly genre-defying.
Sequel to The Fall Is All There Is, which was a finalist in the Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO9).
A fantasy steampunk mash up. A new kind of weird that is truly genre-defying.
February 2, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Hi, I'm reading The Diplomacy of the Knife by @cmcaplanwrites.bsky.social
Sequel to The Fall Is All There Is, which was a finalist in the Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO9).
A fantasy steampunk mash up. A new kind of weird that is truly genre-defying.
Sequel to The Fall Is All There Is, which was a finalist in the Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO9).
A fantasy steampunk mash up. A new kind of weird that is truly genre-defying.
I recently really enjoyed Leafdust & Deadwood by Justin Greer!: beforewegoblog.com/sfincs-revie...
& if you like romance along with your fantasy coziness, there's the SPFBO9 finalist, A Rival Most Vial: www.goodreads.com/book/show/86...
Some people have also called Hills of Heather and Bone cozy!
& if you like romance along with your fantasy coziness, there's the SPFBO9 finalist, A Rival Most Vial: www.goodreads.com/book/show/86...
Some people have also called Hills of Heather and Bone cozy!
SFINCS Review: Leafdust and Deadwood
“The Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”) is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. W...
beforewegoblog.com
January 26, 2025 at 11:18 AM
I recently really enjoyed Leafdust & Deadwood by Justin Greer!: beforewegoblog.com/sfincs-revie...
& if you like romance along with your fantasy coziness, there's the SPFBO9 finalist, A Rival Most Vial: www.goodreads.com/book/show/86...
Some people have also called Hills of Heather and Bone cozy!
& if you like romance along with your fantasy coziness, there's the SPFBO9 finalist, A Rival Most Vial: www.goodreads.com/book/show/86...
Some people have also called Hills of Heather and Bone cozy!
Still updating my SPFBO9 opening reads backlog on the website.
Its been nice to do this and be reminded of all these excellent beginnings.
tommock.com/2025/01/22/s...
Its been nice to do this and be reminded of all these excellent beginnings.
tommock.com/2025/01/22/s...
SPFBO9 Opening Reads 200-209
Melissa Widmaier’s The Wind at Oak Hallow, CM Caplan’s The Fall Is All There Is, Niranjana Siva & Archana Sujai’s The Missing Piece of History, Jason Link’s Angel from R…
tommock.com
January 22, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Still updating my SPFBO9 opening reads backlog on the website.
Its been nice to do this and be reminded of all these excellent beginnings.
tommock.com/2025/01/22/s...
Its been nice to do this and be reminded of all these excellent beginnings.
tommock.com/2025/01/22/s...
Just chiming in once again that I've written two novels, SPFBO9 semifinalist CREDIBLE THREATS and RISING SHADOWS, books one and two of the Sam Adams series, and you can read them and everything. #booksky #authorsky #books #reading #writingcommunity #urbanfantasy #sff
www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW5KGZ...
www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW5KGZ...
Credible Threats (The Sam Adams Series Book 1)
Amazon.com: Credible Threats (The Sam Adams Series Book 1) eBook : Meyer, Daniel : Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
January 21, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Just chiming in once again that I've written two novels, SPFBO9 semifinalist CREDIBLE THREATS and RISING SHADOWS, books one and two of the Sam Adams series, and you can read them and everything. #booksky #authorsky #books #reading #writingcommunity #urbanfantasy #sff
www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW5KGZ...
www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDW5KGZ...
Can I brag about my cover artist for a moment? Maria is a personal friend, and being able to hire her for my books has been such a joy. Her cover for Beta was even a finalist in the SPFBO9 cover contest.
What’s extra wild? These are her only book covers! She works in theme design!
What’s extra wild? These are her only book covers! She works in theme design!
January 16, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Can I brag about my cover artist for a moment? Maria is a personal friend, and being able to hire her for my books has been such a joy. Her cover for Beta was even a finalist in the SPFBO9 cover contest.
What’s extra wild? These are her only book covers! She works in theme design!
What’s extra wild? These are her only book covers! She works in theme design!