Malice Reflected in Black and Blood

Chapter 4

Malice Reflected in Black and Blood has been a real fight to get finished. Just like The Sharpened Fangs of Lupine Spirit, I completed the first draft for this book back in 2017 by writing a chapter a day after my GCSE studies. It’s gone through so many iterations, had so much added and stripped away, kept me up to 3am across countless nights hunting for that surge of creative inspiration…until now. The second instalment in the Vos Draemar saga proudly emerges from the snowy wastes to share another segment of this story that’s been years in the making.

Malice Reflected in Black and Blood The Sharpened Fangs of Lupine SpiritVos Draemar

As always, I have many people to thank for their persisting support in all my creative endeavours. These people have all helped me get to where I am today and have never let up. Each one played such a critical part in getting this book out there – whether they read my early drafts, created the magnificent cover and maps, or retweeted important posts on the book account.

Thank you to Adam Pickering, my illustrator, who designed the jacket and maps for the book. I have a longstanding work relationship with Adam stemming all the way back to almost ten years ago now and his talent for creating such great pieces of work and being receptive to design instruction has never waned. He suffered through long COVID during the process of getting the designs done and I can only admire his dedication to his passion that helped him persist despite being sick. As always, I look forward to working with Adam again in the future.

Thank you to Next Chapter for taking me on and making the Vos Draemar series a reality. I remember getting their acceptance email back in September 2020 and how ecstatic I felt reading it. I appreciate the tremendous value of the opportunity they’ve given me and I am thankful.

Vos Draemar

Thank you to author Stewart Bint for all his assistance, guidance and support. Stewart has always lent me an ear when I’ve needed to consult him, has been kind enough to read early drafts of my work, and has mentored me since The Little Dudes Skool Survival Guide. As always, I am honoured to have your ongoing guidance.

The Little Dudes Skool Survival Guide

Thank you to my family; my siblings Charlie and Christian, my parents Francesco and Deborah. The Sansostris have been the bedrock of all this from the moment I started writing stories in primary school. They’ve chauffeured me to readings, they’ve provided insight and opinion on the book covers, and they’ve regarded my work with an inexhaustible passion and love like no other.

And, finally, thank you to the reader. I’m happy to see you again after the first instalment, crossing paths at the very front of the book. Every word of praise and critique, every review and rating, could be measured in gold. The fact you are here again, that you are invested in this world of mine enough to venture into the breach once more, is a reward like no other. Thank you.

Grazie di tutto,

Grazie di tuttoHG Sansostri