Books / bristol author
Bristol fantasy author crowdfunding to publish second novel
Five years have passed since Bristol author Jonathan Watts published his debut fantasy novel, Bury Me Where They Fall, described as “a dark examination of mythology and madness”.
In the intervening time, he has written widely, concentrating in the genres of folklore, mythology, horror, sci-fi and fantasy – as well as working day to day as a senior copywriter.
Now writing under the pen name Jon Barghest – after “the ghostly black dog of North Yorkshire folklore, in a nod to my Northern heritage”, he explains – he has completed the sequel, The Second Resurrection.
Haunted by what he saw deep in the trees, Axel flees through the forest. Behind him, the howls and shrieks of frenzied killers, hunting him.
At last, he breaks free, into the sunlight. Rescued by soldiers besieged in an abandoned town, they tell him the men and women hunting him are a deranged death cult, worshipping the god Decius.
Axel saw Decius die. It’s not possible that he has followers already. Ones who indoctrinate new members with blind, unquestioning faith… and sadistically punish those who waver.
How can the cult of the Second Resurrection exist?
Jon Barghest fantasy novels – photo: Arkbound
In order to publish and launch the book, while reissuing the first novel, Watts is running a crowdfunder. There is a range of rewards on offer to backers, and every penny raised will go towards editing, design, marketing and print costs.
Watts is hopeful that both novels might help to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health.
“By bringing these books to as wide an audience as possible”, he notes, “I aim to help people with their own mental health by examining depression, anxiety, grief, loss and trauma through a gritty and relatable dark fantasy narrative.”
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You can find out more about the publisher, Arkbound (a registered charity) here and support the crowdfunder (until December 1) at www.crowdbound.org.
Main photo: Jonathan Watts
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