Derek McGann
Indie Author
“With its mix of descriptive and emotional storytelling, it’s a promising read from a new voice in the genre.”-Review on Amazon
When I was a freshman in high school, I took a book down from my dad's shelf that changed how I viewed novels in a very profound way. That book was Shogun, by James Clavell. Since then, I have been fascinated by medieval Japan and the culture of the Samurai, and that influence will be obvious throughout my books. Shogun instantly became my favorite novel, only to have the distinctly unfortunate luck to be supplanted by the next book I took down from my dad's shelf, an enormous tome that was bound in red leather and came in its own case. That novel was The Lord of the Rings, which became my favorite for decades to come. Even now that another book has taken that place (The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson), I shouldn't need to explain how Tolkien's masterpiece influenced me as a reader of epic fantasy, and now as someone who has decided to try writing some of his own.
After graduating from Texas A&M University, I became a high school math teacher in San Antonio, Texas where I have made my home. At the same time, I took up two hobbies - origami and skydiving. The skydiving lasted for about two years before I got bored of it, but I kept with origami over the years. Eventually, I moved past the point where I just followed published diagrams created by others and bought Robert Lang's book Origami Design Secrets. Using the concepts outlined in that book, I began creating my own original designs from scratch, which you can see on my other website.
Writing epic fantasy novels was something I've always wanted to do for as long as I can remember, but I just never had any good ideas. I have no clue where they materialized from, but all of a sudden ideas popped into existence. Then just kept coming. I have greatly enjoyed the beginning of what I know will be an incredibly long process, and I am very much looking forward to this next phase of my life. I hope you enjoy reading my stories as much as I am enjoying writing them!
By the Author:
The World of Daea has experienced ten thousand years of peace after Aashkevath, the Lord of Ruin, was banished. He became a distant legend and the various peoples of Daea were free from the constant ravages of his drogha hordes, until mysterious creatures recently began appearing and indiscriminately slaughtering anyone they came across. They bear the mark of Aashkevath, but do not resemble the descriptions of the now mythical drogha, causing their origin to be in doubt.
In an attempt to find help, Taija Hayvarinen, a Healer from the Island of Xyleria, has embarked on a journey to contact Yshoru, the absent Creator of Daea. Widely mocked for her beliefs by the other Vahdrao, those who can manipulate the energy flowing through the world, she seeks aid from the Empress of Ekkiji, whom she befriended fifteen years ago. At the orders of the Empress, she is accompanied by Daisuke, an Ekkijian warrior who does not share Taija's faith in Yshoru, and Kaori, a Mindrao who is particularly skilled in combat. The fate of the world hangs in the balance as they begin their search.