Songs and nursery rhymes have been a cornerstone of childhood for generations. These timeless tunes not only entertain but also teach language, rhythm, and storytelling in a fun and engaging way. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most beloved kids’ songs, uncover their fascinating histories, and include the key lyrics for singing along ..read more

If you’ve ever gazed at the stars and dreamed of interstellar adventures, you’re not alone. Star Trek has captivated generations with its tales of exploration, moral dilemmas, and diverse characters. Fortunately, the YA sci-fi genre is brimming with stories that echo the spirit of the series, offering young readers thrilling narratives that explore the cosmos ..read more

Welcome to Your Worst NightMare! These aren’t your Grandma’s horror stories. They are dark, twisted and real. You’ll feel them writhing into your brain like juicy earthworms. Kids love horror for a reason. Studies have proven that scary stories increase confidence and empathy. But they can also increase dopamine – which means reading scary stories ..read more

I thought I had a post about book cover design up on this blog but can’t find it – for those that don’t know, I was a book editor and book cover designer while getting my PhD in Literature. I pivoted to writing my own fiction and nonfiction book while helping indie authors publish and ..read more

The Wendigo is a fearsome creature from Algonquian-speaking First Nations folklore, particularly prevalent in the northern forests of Nova Scotia, the East Coast of Canada, and the Great Lakes Region of Canada and the United States. This mythical beast has captured the imagination of storytellers, writers, and filmmakers for generations, evolving from a cautionary tale ..read more

(coming soon!) I’m experimenting with a new way to get my novels converted into audiobook format, which I plan to release for free on YouTube, Spotify and maybe a few other places. The voices sound amazing and I’m focused on getting the best quality audiobooks I can provide. Although there are already some great (free) fantasy audiobooks available, in case you’re looking for something new and thrilling and haven’t read my books yet, these are passion projects I wrote with devotion that haven’t become as commercially popular as my main series – while I do plan to finish them all, they currently ..read more

It’s not uncommon to find lists of the best “book boyfriends” – but not as much attention has been paid to the opposite; the book girlfriend, or “waifu” to steal a pop culture reference for fictional characters to crush on. Crafting a list of the best waifus in fantasy novels involves delving into a rich world of characters that have captured the hearts and imaginations of readers worldwide. These characters are not just admired for their physical attributes but also for their strength, courage, complexity, and emotional depth. Here’s a curated list celebrating some of the most beloved waifus ..read more

Just in case it’s useful, here are some romantic ideas to build the heat level in your story. For fiction, where imagination knows no bounds and the depth of emotion can be explored in unique ways, here are some creative, meaningful, and personal romantic gestures: Time Capsule of Love: The characters create a time capsule filled with letters to each other, small gifts, and memories. They bury it in a special location, agreeing to open it together after a decade. Constellation Creation: One character arranges with an astronomer to have a small, obscure constellation unofficially named after t ..read more

I started this site, Urban Epics, when I began writing fiction in about 2016. I’d already worked as a book editor and book cover designer, plus I had a PhD in Literature, not that it helped when I started writing. I kept getting stuck in the middle, revisions were agonizing, and my stories were bigger and more complex than my skills or experience. Still, I self-published a handful of “book 1’s” to see whether or not anybody wanted to read them, and then did my best to build an audience and promote them. The nice thing about self-publishing is that you can control all the elements, test everyth ..read more

There’s something deliciously rebellious about Prometheus, a Titan who took on the mighty gods of Olympus for the sake of humanity. This character has been a cornerstone of Greek mythology and has journeyed through time, inspiring countless modern retellings and interpretations. But who exactly was Prometheus, and why did he risk the wrath of Zeus? Who is Prometheus? Prometheus, whose name means “forethought”, was one of the Titans, a group of ancient deities that predated the Olympian gods. While most Titans had a beef with the younger gods (and vice versa), Prometheus was unique. His loyalt ..read more