Dark | Gothic | Epic Fantasy
Churchyards and Crossroads is a series of blogs that explores stories, folktales, and ancient mythology that inspire my writing and the worlds I build. I hope you’ll walk them with me. In British folklore—particularly in the north of England—few stories are as enduring or unnerving as tales of the barguest, also known as the Black... Continue Reading →
In honour of spooky season, this month’s blog is dedicated to some of the more chilling elements of Augustine. Every October, as the nights grow long and the air becomes redolent with the smell of wood smoke, rain, and burning leaves, the world seems to shift slightly. Shadows linger longer than they should, and forgotten... Continue Reading →
Unravelling the mystic emblems at the heart of The Knights of Aster. Symbols and symbolism are a fascinating subject—one I’ll no doubt dive deeper into one day, if only for my own gratification. But for this blog, I’ll focus on three of the most prominent symbols that lie at the heart of Aster’s lore. In... Continue Reading →
The real-world nightmare that inspired the Gothic dark fantasy - Augustine. He appears at the foot of your bed Tall. Motionless. Watching. A silhouette darker than the room around him. Always in a wide-brimmed hat. Always just out of reach. This is The Hat Man At least, this is my experience of The Hat Man.... Continue Reading →
EMERSON LAINE 