I promised Mihir I would be on my best behaviour if he let me talk about the cover for Heavy Lies The Crown. In writing and everything. Specifically, I swore I wouldn’t push any propaganda. Well, I’m sorry, Mihir. But that’s not just who I am.

*surreptitiously puts on elaborate dragon hat*

I’m a man obsessed with dragons. I’d wager I’ve watched Dragonheart more times than most. I have dragon tattoos. I once kept a rock for three years because I thought it was a dragon egg. (I was also six), and I’ll die on a hill for the theory that dragons actually existed. And yet, peculiarly, it’s taken me 14 books to put a damn dragon on one of my book covers.

Favourites of 2019

This year has been a whirlwind of work and words for me, what with two book releases and writing a multitude of short stories. So, I will stamp a ginormous, neon disclaimer on this recap that my favourites come from a smaller pool than I would have liked. However, even though I’m firmly behind the curve, I have been treated to some excellent delights in 2019. 

First, let us talk books. 2019 was a stellar year for fantasy. The Hod King by Josiah Bancroft hit added another brilliant instalment to Senlin’s journey. It’s been soul-warming to watch Josiah climb his own tower of success. Neil Gaiman’s entertaining and informative Norse Mythology was devoured in chunks throughout the year. I also had the pleasure of finally meeting the Kings of the Wyld, and Bloody Rose, too. A Little Hatred bathed me in darkness and classic Joe Abercrombie wit. And what a fantastic year for my fellow indie authors as well. I’ve recently (and finally!) managed to dive into Seraphina’s Lament by Sarah Chorn and Never Die by Rob J. Hayes, and found their voices fresh, original and effortless in the way they transported me to other worlds.

As a ravenous cinephile, this year has been a treat for film. Avengers: Endgame and Joker I must  have seen a dozen times at the cinema. Once Upon a Time In Hollywood was also a firm favourite of 2019 and well worth investigating. As for TV, all I’m going to say is The Golden Compass and The Mandalorian. Perfect.

Look ahead to 2020

Is it me, or does 2020 sound far too futuristic? In any case, aside from looking forward to my first hoverboard, there’s a torrent of media I’m looking forward to in 2020. I have a mountainous TBR pile to conquer, and there are a lot of amazing books I need to catch up before adding more. Notably, Blood of Heirs by Alicia Wanstall-Burke, ML Wang’s Sword of Kaigen, and Wrath of Gods, Dyrk Ashton’s fantastic sequel to Paternus: Rise of Gods.

As for upcoming releases that have caught my eye, Scott Lynch is back with the Thorn of Emberlain, which I will most likely inhale, Age of Death by Michael J. Sullivan is out in January, and Shadow Saint by Gareth Hanrahan is also calling to me with its gilded cover art. Another book that’s beguiled me, and one I’ll be watching closely, is the House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, which sounds delightfully whimsical.

On the horizon for Ben Galley

With a good chunk of this year spent redefining my brand and my business, 2020 will be all about building on that new foundation, and ascending to the next level of my career as a fantasy author. 10 years and 13 titles have passed since I first published, so 2020 marks not only a milestone but a new era for me.

I’m currently working on a sequel series to my debut Emaneska Series. The Scalussen Chronicles will consist of The Forever King, Heavy Lies The Crown, and To Kill A God. I made substantial progress this year and am hoping for a 2020 release. Next year will also see the reveal of Dread Rising, an entirely new, interactive project that I’ve worked on for three years now, and the launch of a cooperative deck-building tabletop game I’ve been writing for this year, entitled Veil of Ruin.

About the author

Ben Galley is an author of dark and epic fantasy books who currently hails from Victoria, Canada. Since publishing his debut Emaneska Series, Ben has released a range of epic and dark fantasy novels, including the award-winning weird western Bloodrush and standalone novel The Heart of Stone. He is also the author of the critically-acclaimed Chasing Graves Trilogy.

Ben enjoys exploring the Canadian wilds and sipping Scotch single malts, and will forever and always play a dark elf in The Elder Scrolls. One day he hopes to live in an epic treehouse in the mountains.

Ben can be found on Twitter or vlogging on YouTube @BenGalley, or loitering on Facebook and Instagram @BenGalleyAuthor. You can also get a free ebook copy of his epic fantasy The Written at www.bengalley.com.