Jack Whitsel - Author

“What a great start for a series! Shadows of Kings is an excellently written, impressive first novel that will be savored by fans of fantasy.” - Seattle PI

“If heart pounding intrique is what you want, this is the book.” -The Story of a Writer

“Shadows of Kings has grit Martin would be proud of and magic equal to Sanderson” - Customer review

Lady Gaga: Beyond the Monster Ball

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 01:46:31 -0400

Lady Gaga: Beyond the Monster Ball

It's Release Day for SHADOWS OF KINGS!

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 19:36:49 -0400

It's Release Day for SHADOWS OF KINGS!

Book Review: Shadows of Kings, by Jack Whitsel

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:16:04 -0400

Book Review: Shadows of Kings, by Jack Whitsel:

The 3rd *** 5 star review (5 stars listed on Goodreads) by Mayra Calvani

{Book Spotlight Excerpt} Shadows of King by Jack Whitsel

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 11:16:00 -0400

{Book Spotlight Excerpt} Shadows of King by Jack Whitsel

Jack Whitsel interview

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:41:55 -0400

Jack Whitsel interview:

A wonderful Interview by Jess Frellathon

The Shadows of Kings Trailer is Available on YouTube

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:55:53 -0400

The Shadows of Kings Trailer is Available on YouTube

Game of Thrones: Season 2 is coming!

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:49:35 -0500

Game of Thrones: Season 2 is coming!:

HBO is about to unleash the 2nd season. Follow the link for the full article.

Banshee in the Well Review: Robin Lovejoy Tolkien

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:38:57 -0500

Banshee in the Well Review: Robin Lovejoy Tolkien:

See J R R Tolkien’s Great-Great Niece’s debut Children’s book

@JackWhitsel: If you love #book #cover art, see my interview with #Ural Akyuz - a renown artist in...

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:11:32 -0500

@JackWhitsel: If you love #book #cover art, see my interview with #Ural Akyuz - a renown artist in the book industry. http://jwhitsel.Wordpress.com Shared via TweetCaster

Wow! Things are moving fast. Twilight Times Books has released the advanced readers copies of...

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:14:27 -0500

Wow! Things are moving fast. Twilight Times Books has released the advanced readers copies of #Shadows of Kings on PDF. http://twilighttimesbooks.com/News.html Shared via TweetCaster

Watch Your Mouth! A look at Violence in Contemporary Fantasy

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:04:57 -0500

Hello, everyone! As this is my first post of the new year, I thought I would spice things up a bit. For starters, this week’s topic deals with the more violent nature of contemporary fantasy. And secondly, I have a surprise guest who will offer her insights on the matter.

There is no use mincing words. When it comes to fantasy, some of us like it rough. Recently, we have seen an emergence in the more gritty types of fantasy. The most prominent in the mainstream, and the focus for the sake of this article, is George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones. As one of HBO’s new golden boys of cable, what we have enjoyed viewing on television has for the most part been accurately pulled from Martin’s A song of Ice and Fire saga. Beginning with Game of Thrones, we plunge into Martin’s Westeros, where we are introduced to numerous characters. The token black and white aspects of the hero and villain are replaced by characters whose actions are continuously shaded in hues of grey. Nobles use profanity, murder, conspire, and partake of wenching. Hmmm…not unlike the historical figures we have idolized throughout the centuries. And there, my beloved readers, is part of the appeal for this genre. It’s more than just fantasy…it’s an edge that at times reflects our darkest natures and mirrors our colorful past. And yes, we enjoy seeing victims run through. In a world inundated with video games, where you can destroy civilizations and shoot cops, I’m afraid the violent streak in fantasy is here to stay…for better or for worse.

In my opinion, what makes a saga such as A song of Ice and Fire work is balance. It has his violent moments, but they are skillfully sewn within the proper context of the story. Once again…BALANCE being the key attribute – a discipline I have tried to implement within my upcoming novel, Shadows of Kings. But my personal appeal for the darker side of fantasy does not in any way discount the work of writers who refrain from using vulgarity or excessive violence. After all, the Father of contemporary fantasy, J.R.R Tolkien, kept it at arm’s length when he wrote the Lord of the Rings. And speaking of Middle-Earth, that brings me to the introduction of my guest. And who better to speak in Tolkien’s absence, then one of his living relatives who also writes fantasy? Fellow viewers and subscribers, I’m pleased to introduce J.R.R. Tolkien’s great-great niece, Robin Lovejoy Tolkien – Author of Banshee in the Well.

To see the resat of the article - Please visit http://jwhitsel.wordpress.com

Mistletoe and Mayhem

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:54:00 -0500

The Holidays have arrived! And what is this time of year without a bit of indulgence and gluttony? Let’s face it – excess and the Holidays are joined like lovers. And I’m not complaining. I’m just as enraptured with the food and shopping as the countless multitudes filling our malls.

The mayhem begins with my appetite. Starting with Thanksgiving, my DNA suddenly alters to accommodate the massive intake of sustenance, that would normally stuff a hog before the slaughter. I name the flavors of the Holidays – Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberries and peach pie, like a devout catholic recites the Apostles Creed.

Rabid spending soon follows. As a father of two young boys, I can’t help but have my living room explode with colorfully wrapped boxes, candy, and the scent of cinnamon. I love indulgence without guilt, and the Holidays grant me that peace of mind, while allowing me to portray one of my favorite characters – Santa Claus. My youngest boy once said to me, “Dad, I’m glad Santa buys cool stuff, that way you don’t have to spend any money.” With comments like that, how could I not spoil them?

And finally, it’s a time for friends and family. The embrace of a loved one and a kiss under the mistletoe. Somehow during the Holidays, everything just comes together. So with that said, I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season, and embraces some of the mayhem this time of year brings.

Please share any wonderful Holiday stories or sentiments of your own, either here or on my blog @ http://jwhitsel.wordpress.com

Oceans of love,

Jack