Hello, happy new year and good new sun!
I recently learned that in the Basque Country, some people use this phrase (“Eguzki berri on” in Basque) to refer to this time of year when the days begin to grow longer. As soon as I heard it, it inspired me to create this little sunman who appears here on the right, like a new sun emerging from the egg of the previous one. In a more Shaedresque style, may the god Casbino stop behaving like a lebrin bear!
I’m using the name of this sun god from the Cycle of Shaedra because, lately, I’ve been tinkering with the frundis files of my stories so much that I’ve even landed back on the Bayland!
Here is a brief summary of what’s new for the start of 2026:
Details on the end of the Pixies (French and Spanish versions only). I added some details that were missing about Zyro and the Zatashira in the last two chapters of the Pixies. That happens when I rush to publish without double-checking all my notes…
Chapter titles changed. Many chapter titles have been changed to better reflect the protagonist’s thoughts and experiences. The series concerned: all of them, in fact, except Shaedra (I’m on it). So why change them? Well, it’s simple: accustomed as I was to skimming the short chapter titles of classic fantasy books from publishing houses, I did the same, out of imitation. The result: some of my titles were too vague and generic. I must admit that I had never considered the impact that a chapter title can have. It’s a bit like the chapter’s hat. Of course, you shouldn’t judge someone by their hat, but it’s still better if the hat speaks to the reader and tells them something, even if it’s just a play on words ;) So I tried to create titles that convey the tone of the book or a specific experience in the chapter in question, while being careful not to include any spoilers.
Whole Series versions. A “Whole Series” version of each series is now available. This may make it easier for some people to manage all these books in their digital library. The other versions by volume are of course still available, with identical text and their own covers.
Typography (French and Spanish version only). I mentioned this in my previous post: I had changed the placement of commas in the dialogue clauses for Mor-eldal and the Pixies and said that only Dashvara and Shaedra still had a different dialogue typography. Now, all the series without exception have the same dialogue style! Even The Spy of Simraz has been updated. Au cœur de l’ombre is the only white sheep in the flock: the novel follows standard French dialogue (yes, at 19, I was still writing the standard way).
So, the year begins filled with wishes that have finally come true and that I had in mind for quite some time. In December, I was in full geek mode and didn’t write much: now, to round off the start of the year, I think I’ll go back to my dreamy writer mode, hoping to be a little more active on the blog this year… Among other things, I’d like to share with you some of my ideas on the art of creating stories and bringing them to life. Well, I’ll try to be more present… (after nearly three years of silence, typing away in my corner, you can openly doubt about it, it’s fine, I’m not sensitive… 😂). Anyway, you’ll definitely see me again as soon as I have something new to share, whether it’s a simple thought or a 1,500-page book!
Anyway, for now, I have the idea of writing shorter stories set in the world of Zangsa, but… ahem, sometimes short stories turn into long ones. That’s the hazards of inspiration.
This year, I also intend to proofread the pentalogy The Pixies of Chaos translation in English. It will be published here on this website and on Royalroad; for free, ’cause it’s my way of doing things, but don’t forget you can join this adventure, too, and support my work!
As Zangsa would say, may virtue light the way for us all! And I would like to add: … as long as it doesn’t blind us 😊
Librely from my keyboard,
Kaoseto