It has been a long journey to get to this point, but well worth every step along the way.
In 2014, The Trials of Ildarwood was little more than a dream and a few words on a piece of paper. But after years of writing, stopping, re-writing, revising, and polishing, the first book in this long-awaited series is almost here!
To celebrate the coming launch of book one, Spectres of the Fall, I wanted to set aside some time from final preparations to create an experience for fans and prospective readers alike. After all, the story of the Ildarwood shouldn't start or end with the book. With this site, I can better provide direct updates about the progress of the series, as well as exclusive insights into how the story was written, where it's going, and what brief side adventures might be released along the way.
Creating the Ildarwood
Part of the reason why the first book in the series took so long was because I wanted to take the time to get it right. That meant avoiding a lot of the easy paths to finishing the book, like fewer characters, less depth, or less subtlety. Instead, I spent years working with a small group of truly exceptional (and patient) beta readers who were able to steer me in the right direction every time the story went astray.
I also took the time to flesh out the world of the Ildarwood as much as possible. Instead of focusing solely on the small, quiet town of Ranewood, where the first book in the series takes place, I spent long nights researching different cultures, religions, and stories because I wanted to create a vast world that was familiar yet different, with deep lore, relatable characters, and a complex history that could be used to add richness to these stories.
One day, I dream of expanding upon this incredible world with the help of other aspiring authors who, not unlike myself these past seven years, have dreamed of one day sharing some of their own stories with the world.
Until then, I have to start small - with one book, one site, and a small but passionate group of readers who just can't wait to immerse themselves fully in the Ildarwood.
What to Expect
In the coming weeks, I will be publishing more content on this site, including behind-the-scenes details about the process of self-publishing a book, exclusive lore from the world of the Ildarwood, and insights into key aspects of the plot and important premises from the series.
But the best way to gain access to the latest information is by signing up for the Trials of Ildarwood mailing list, which has links on theildarwood.com's main homepage.
My Personal Plea to You
Writing this series has been a dream come true for me, but it has also been a life changing experience. Crafting this world has inspired me to be a better person and it has changed the way I look at everyone and everything around me. It has also been my escape whenever I needed somewhere else to go or something else to think about.
So if you find yourself enjoying the stories of the Ildarwood, or are merely just intrigued by the content on this site, please help me spread the word about this series with reviews or posts on social media. More than anything else, I just want to share these stories with the world so that maybe one day someone, somewhere, can also find their inspiration the same way I have... in the Ildarwood.
S.C. Selvyn
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