A New Story and A Starving Artist

Now presenting the first of many published stories set in my fantasy world, Khanan. Also presenting the first of many life updates and an explanation for the delay in finishing my novel.

Liam Reichdan

8/8/20262 min read

I would love to start this post off on a bright note, so I will. In May, I had the opportunity to write a short story for Reedsy's Inaugural Literary Prize contest. For the past two months, I have sat, waiting in anticipation for the results to be posted. Last week, they were finally released, and I was not selected as a winner. I know that this sounds like bad news, and it was when I received it, but the bright side is that I now get to publish the story here for your enjoyment! I have just posted A Love Letter in my portfolio for all of you to read. It marks the first entry into the canon of my fantasy world, Khanan! I greatly enjoyed creating a work of mythological fantasy that more fully fleshes out the vast and storied history of this rich world, and I hope that passion and joy come out through the page to you.

A Love Letter recounts the tale of the ancient city of T'Riis'Urba, the City of Spires - its rise and its fall and its deep ties with the god of beauty, Ferrelas, the Heart's Desire. An eternal story of duty, sacrifice, and love, A Love Letter is not just an excuse for me to fill out one corner of the map of Khanan; it was a chance for me to pour my feelings into the page. The choice to format the story within a letter gave me the chance to communicate directly to the reader my own philosophy on love, and a hint of catharsis as I processed the feelings that I was experiencing in my personal life. I truly hope you all read and enjoy this story.

Now on to less happy news.

Work on Arathor: Court of the Silver Dagger has stalled severely. I have been struggling in my personal life to balance my priorities in the midst of professional struggles and a rather dramatic upending of my life. I am currently pursuing a career in writing in the hopes that this change might aid me in regaining the energy and the drive that I need to finish my novel. The story of the starving artist making ends meet as a barista is romantic, for sure, but there is a reason that the artist is always starving and never fulfilled.

I am hoping that, in the meantime, I will be able to reignite my love of writing and my love for this project and this world and make some meaningful progress even while I continue to struggle to break out into my chosen field. I remain dedicated to this dream of mine. I will complete this book for myself and for everybody who might get some pleasure from reading it.

Thank you all for your patience! Please take care of yourselves and each other. Times are hard, and we all need each other now more than ever.

- Liam Reichdan

Contact

Reach out for collaborations or questions

Email

me@liamreichdan.com