Bardic Fool

Indie fantasy author, fiction editor, & aggressive supporter of your creative dreams.

[bardicfool]

[Image description: A mockup of the Hidden Bonds cover on a tablet. Black text above reads "If the rules exist only to break you, you have to learn to break them first." Underneath, black text reads, "E-book now available for preorder!"]

🎉 I'm excited to announce that Hidden Bonds, the last book in the Compound Series, is now available for preorder! 🎉

You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKZJXD7Z

E-book only for now, but the paperback is coming soon. Stay tuned!

Blurb + more info under the cut.

If the rules exist only to break you, you have to learn to break them first.

1. A prickly empath can't be a hero. Trapped in a compound run by a mysterious new major, Bastian Lucas only cares about one thing: finding out what happened to the man he loves. But he can't escape the fact that his fellow assets need him to be the hero he definitely isn't. 2. A beaten officer can't get back up. Forced to use his power against the assets he tried to protect, Henry Mortimer has lost the will to fight--along with any hope of seeing Bastian again. But the compound leaders who betrayed him have set bigger plans in motion, and Henry might be the only one who can turn the tide. 3. A ragtag team of assets can't change the world. When Bastian launches a desperate plan to rescue Henry, it brings the simmering tensions between assets and compounds to a boil. And as he and Henry gain new allies and lose old friends, they'll have to decide if they're willing to risk everything to bring down the Compound Network for good.

---

I've been working on this series since 2018, and I'm super scared/excited/sad/happy/idk what else to see it coming to an end! If you like cynic x idealist m/m romance, cranky empaths, magical conspiracies, and ladies who talk to plants, this one is for you. 😉

[bardicfool]

[Image description: A mockup of the Hidden Bonds cover on a tablet. Black text above reads "If the rules exist only to break you, you have to learn to break them first." Underneath, black text reads, "E-book now available for preorder!"]

🎉 I'm excited to announce that Hidden Bonds, the last book in the Compound Series, is now available for preorder! 🎉

You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKZJXD7Z

E-book only for now, but the paperback is coming soon. Stay tuned!

Blurb + more info under the cut.

If the rules exist only to break you, you have to learn to break them first.

1. A prickly empath can't be a hero. Trapped in a compound run by a mysterious new major, Bastian Lucas only cares about one thing: finding out what happened to the man he loves. But he can't escape the fact that his fellow assets need him to be the hero he definitely isn't. 2. A beaten officer can't get back up. Forced to use his power against the assets he tried to protect, Henry Mortimer has lost the will to fight--along with any hope of seeing Bastian again. But the compound leaders who betrayed him have set bigger plans in motion, and Henry might be the only one who can turn the tide. 3. A ragtag team of assets can't change the world. When Bastian launches a desperate plan to rescue Henry, it brings the simmering tensions between assets and compounds to a boil. And as he and Henry gain new allies and lose old friends, they'll have to decide if they're willing to risk everything to bring down the Compound Network for good.

---

I've been working on this series since 2018, and I'm super scared/excited/sad/happy/idk what else to see it coming to an end! If you like cynic x idealist m/m romance, cranky empaths, magical conspiracies, and ladies who talk to plants, this one is for you. 😉

[bardicfool]

[Image description: A mockup of the Hidden Bonds cover on a tablet. Black text above reads "If the rules exist only to break you, you have to learn to break them first." Underneath, black text reads, "E-book now available for preorder!"]

🎉 I'm excited to announce that Hidden Bonds, the last book in the Compound Series, is now available for preorder! 🎉

You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKZJXD7Z

E-book only for now, but the paperback is coming soon. Stay tuned!

Blurb + more info under the cut.

If the rules exist only to break you, you have to learn to break them first.

1. A prickly empath can't be a hero. Trapped in a compound run by a mysterious new major, Bastian Lucas only cares about one thing: finding out what happened to the man he loves. But he can't escape the fact that his fellow assets need him to be the hero he definitely isn't. 2. A beaten officer can't get back up. Forced to use his power against the assets he tried to protect, Henry Mortimer has lost the will to fight--along with any hope of seeing Bastian again. But the compound leaders who betrayed him have set bigger plans in motion, and Henry might be the only one who can turn the tide. 3. A ragtag team of assets can't change the world. When Bastian launches a desperate plan to rescue Henry, it brings the simmering tensions between assets and compounds to a boil. And as he and Henry gain new allies and lose old friends, they'll have to decide if they're willing to risk everything to bring down the Compound Network for good.

---

I've been working on this series since 2018, and I'm super scared/excited/sad/happy/idk what else to see it coming to an end! If you like cynic x idealist m/m romance, cranky empaths, magical conspiracies, and ladies who talk to plants, this one is for you. 😉

[bardicfool]

[Image description: A mockup of the cover of Hidden Bonds in front of a photo of a dark parking garage tinted blue. Underneath, yellow text reads "The Compound Series ENDS September 15, 2025"]

Not sure I remember how to post on Tumblr 😅 but:

HI THERE! I have a book coming out next month!

Hidden Bonds is the third and final book in the Compound Series, an urban fantasy m/m romance starring a cranky empath, the deceptively "normal" officer he falls for, and the sinister organization that wants to kill them both. Official blurb + more info below the cut.

If the rules exist only to break you, you have to learn to break them first. 1. A prickly empath can't be a hero. Trapped in a compound run by a mysterious new major, Bastian Lucas only cares about one thing: finding out what happened to the man he loves. But he can't escape the fact that his fellow assets need him to be the hero he definitely isn't. 2. A beaten officer can't get back up. Forced to use his power against the assets he tried to protect, Henry Mortimer has lost the will to fight--along with any hope of seeing Bastian again. But the compound leaders who betrayed him have set bigger plans in motion, and Henry might be the only one who can turn the tide. 3. A ragtag team of assets can't change the world. When Bastian launches a desperate plan to rescue Henry, it brings the simmering tensions between assets and compounds to a boil. And as he and Henry gain new allies and lose old friends, they'll have to decide if they're willing to risk everything to bring down the Compound Network for good.

Places to find out more:

Get ARCs from Gay Romance Reviews or Booksprout (this includes ARCs for books 1 and 2 in the series!)

Add to your TBR on Goodreads and/or Storygraph

Follow me on IG (bardicfool) for more up-to-date info

IIRC, Tumblr will bury this post because of the links, so if you're inclined to share, that would be great! Thank you! 💖

[bardicfool]

[Image description: A mockup of the cover of Hidden Bonds in front of a photo of a dark parking garage tinted blue. Underneath, yellow text reads "The Compound Series ENDS September 15, 2025"]

Not sure I remember how to post on Tumblr 😅 but:

HI THERE! I have a book coming out next month!

Hidden Bonds is the third and final book in the Compound Series, an urban fantasy m/m romance starring a cranky empath, the deceptively "normal" officer he falls for, and the sinister organization that wants to kill them both. Official blurb + more info below the cut.

If the rules exist only to break you, you have to learn to break them first. 1. A prickly empath can't be a hero. Trapped in a compound run by a mysterious new major, Bastian Lucas only cares about one thing: finding out what happened to the man he loves. But he can't escape the fact that his fellow assets need him to be the hero he definitely isn't. 2. A beaten officer can't get back up. Forced to use his power against the assets he tried to protect, Henry Mortimer has lost the will to fight--along with any hope of seeing Bastian again. But the compound leaders who betrayed him have set bigger plans in motion, and Henry might be the only one who can turn the tide. 3. A ragtag team of assets can't change the world. When Bastian launches a desperate plan to rescue Henry, it brings the simmering tensions between assets and compounds to a boil. And as he and Henry gain new allies and lose old friends, they'll have to decide if they're willing to risk everything to bring down the Compound Network for good.

Places to find out more:

Get ARCs from Gay Romance Reviews or Booksprout (this includes ARCs for books 1 and 2 in the series!)

Add to your TBR on Goodreads and/or Storygraph

Follow me on IG (bardicfool) for more up-to-date info

IIRC, Tumblr will bury this post because of the links, so if you're inclined to share, that would be great! Thank you! 💖

[bardicfool]

[Image description: A mockup of the cover of Hidden Bonds in front of a photo of a dark parking garage tinted blue. Underneath, yellow text reads "The Compound Series ENDS September 15, 2025"]

Not sure I remember how to post on Tumblr 😅 but:

HI THERE! I have a book coming out next month!

Hidden Bonds is the third and final book in the Compound Series, an urban fantasy m/m romance starring a cranky empath, the deceptively "normal" officer he falls for, and the sinister organization that wants to kill them both. Official blurb + more info below the cut.

If the rules exist only to break you, you have to learn to break them first. 1. A prickly empath can't be a hero. Trapped in a compound run by a mysterious new major, Bastian Lucas only cares about one thing: finding out what happened to the man he loves. But he can't escape the fact that his fellow assets need him to be the hero he definitely isn't. 2. A beaten officer can't get back up. Forced to use his power against the assets he tried to protect, Henry Mortimer has lost the will to fight--along with any hope of seeing Bastian again. But the compound leaders who betrayed him have set bigger plans in motion, and Henry might be the only one who can turn the tide. 3. A ragtag team of assets can't change the world. When Bastian launches a desperate plan to rescue Henry, it brings the simmering tensions between assets and compounds to a boil. And as he and Henry gain new allies and lose old friends, they'll have to decide if they're willing to risk everything to bring down the Compound Network for good.

Places to find out more:

Get ARCs from Gay Romance Reviews or Booksprout (this includes ARCs for books 1 and 2 in the series!)

Add to your TBR on Goodreads and/or Storygraph

Follow me on IG (bardicfool) for more up-to-date info

IIRC, Tumblr will bury this post because of the links, so if you're inclined to share, that would be great! Thank you! 💖

[bardicfool]

Let's Write With . . . TOWER OF GOD

Talking about anime while also discussing writing advice in a way that doesn't suck? That's the plan! Today's subject is the 2020 anime Tower of God.Welcome ...

Long time no see, Tumblr! I hope you’re all doing well. 💖

Today I’m offering up a gift to my fellow geeky writers who are tired of pointless, overly proscriptive writing advice:

Introducing the Let’s Write With… video series, in which we explore the possibility that watching anime + discussing the craft of writing might just = writing advice that doesn’t suck!

For this inaugural episode, we’re looking at the anime Tower of God and its take on things like genre, character development, and plot-driven consequences.

Witness me achieving moderate success at not spending the entire video fangirling over a certain blue-haired smartass! 🔪 Quake with horror as I discuss why we maybe SHOULDN’T hate that character everyone seems to hate! 😱 And more!

[bardicfool]

Let's Write With . . . TOWER OF GOD

Talking about anime while also discussing writing advice in a way that doesn't suck? That's the plan! Today's subject is the 2020 anime Tower of God.Welcome ...

Long time no see, Tumblr! I hope you’re all doing well. 💖

Today I’m offering up a gift to my fellow geeky writers who are tired of pointless, overly proscriptive writing advice:

Introducing the Let’s Write With… video series, in which we explore the possibility that watching anime + discussing the craft of writing might just = writing advice that doesn’t suck!

For this inaugural episode, we’re looking at the anime Tower of God and its take on things like genre, character development, and plot-driven consequences.

Witness me achieving moderate success at not spending the entire video fangirling over a certain blue-haired smartass! 🔪 Quake with horror as I discuss why we maybe SHOULDN’T hate that character everyone seems to hate! 😱 And more!

[bardicfool]

Let's Write With . . . TOWER OF GOD

Talking about anime while also discussing writing advice in a way that doesn't suck? That's the plan! Today's subject is the 2020 anime Tower of God.Welcome ...

Long time no see, Tumblr! I hope you’re all doing well. 💖

Today I’m offering up a gift to my fellow geeky writers who are tired of pointless, overly proscriptive writing advice:

Introducing the Let’s Write With… video series, in which we explore the possibility that watching anime + discussing the craft of writing might just = writing advice that doesn’t suck!

For this inaugural episode, we’re looking at the anime Tower of God and its take on things like genre, character development, and plot-driven consequences.

Witness me achieving moderate success at not spending the entire video fangirling over a certain blue-haired smartass! 🔪 Quake with horror as I discuss why we maybe SHOULDN’T hate that character everyone seems to hate! 😱 And more!

[bardicfool]

Lost (Compound Series #0)

Just because you know where to go, doesn't mean they won't find you . . . Chloe Pembroke can't get lost. Ever since last summer, the gl...

🧭 Have you read LOST? 🧭

Turns out every day really is a Learning Experience™ because I just learned how to get Lost, the companion short story to the Compound Series, up on Goodreads!

Lost is a newsletter-exclusive short story set in the Compound Series world. It takes place before and during Dark Empathy and includes:

A timid but tough heroine 💪

Shady experiments on magical people 🧪

BFFs trying to save each other from ~peril~ 🙏

A sprinkling of Compound Series cameos 😉

You can get your copy by signing up for the Bardic Fool newsletter here. Then head over to Goodreads and let me know what you think!

[bardicfool]

Lost (Compound Series #0)

Just because you know where to go, doesn't mean they won't find you . . . Chloe Pembroke can't get lost. Ever since last summer, the gl...

🧭 Have you read LOST? 🧭

Turns out every day really is a Learning Experience™ because I just learned how to get Lost, the companion short story to the Compound Series, up on Goodreads!

Lost is a newsletter-exclusive short story set in the Compound Series world. It takes place before and during Dark Empathy and includes:

A timid but tough heroine 💪

Shady experiments on magical people 🧪

BFFs trying to save each other from ~peril~ 🙏

A sprinkling of Compound Series cameos 😉

You can get your copy by signing up for the Bardic Fool newsletter here. Then head over to Goodreads and let me know what you think!

[bardicfool]

Lost (Compound Series #0)

Just because you know where to go, doesn't mean they won't find you . . . Chloe Pembroke can't get lost. Ever since last summer, the gl...

🧭 Have you read LOST? 🧭

Turns out every day really is a Learning Experience(TM) because I just learned how to get Lost, the companion short story to the Compound Series, up on Goodreads!

Lost is a newsletter-exclusive short story set in the Compound Series world. It takes place before and during Dark Empathy and includes:

A timid but tough heroine 💪

Shady experiments on magical people 🧪

BFFs trying to save each other from ~peril~ 🙏

A sprinkling of Compound Series cameos 😉

You can get your copy by signing up for the Bardic Fool newsletter here. Then head over to Goodreads and let me know what you think!

[bardicfool]

Hiatus Announcement

Hiya! Here’s a quick announcement that I will be going on indefinite hiatus from Tumblr.

I’ll be letting the queue play itself out, but I won’t be checking messages or making original posts (with the possible exception of sharing new YouTube videos and book release announcements–we’ll see what I’m up for).

Here are some other places you can find me:

Instagram

Youtube

Bardic Fool website

Bardic Fool newsletter (get a free story when you sign up!)

This is not a decision I make lightly. I’ve been on Tumblr for years (both in fandom and as a writer), and I still have so much love for this weird little place. But for mental health reasons, I need to reevaluate how I engage online, and for now, that means stepping back from certain social platforms.

You are all so lovely and so very talented! Please keep telling your stories. 💖 And I’d love to have you come visit me elsewhere on the interwebs! 🤗

[bardicfool]

Hiatus Announcement

Hiya! Here’s a quick announcement that I will be going on indefinite hiatus from Tumblr.

I’ll be letting the queue play itself out, but I won’t be checking messages or making original posts (with the possible exception of sharing new YouTube videos and book release announcements–we’ll see what I’m up for).

Here are some other places you can find me:

Instagram

Youtube

Bardic Fool website

Bardic Fool newsletter (get a free story when you sign up!)

This is not a decision I make lightly. I’ve been on Tumblr for years (both in fandom and as a writer), and I still have so much love for this weird little place. But for mental health reasons, I need to reevaluate how I engage online, and for now, that means stepping back from certain social platforms.

You are all so lovely and so very talented! Please keep telling your stories. 💖 And I’d love to have you come visit me elsewhere on the interwebs! 🤗

[soracities]

“some nights you are the lighthouse / some nights the sea”

— Ocean Vuong, from ‘My Father Writes From Prison’, Night Sky With Exit Wounds

[wishbzne-deactivated20210526]

Anne Carson, from Red Doc>

[bardicfool]

What if we’re shouting into the void … and no one’s listening?

Creating art in a vacuum can be hard. In this week’s episode of Conversations with the Void, we’re gonna get real about how to create when it feels like no one else cares.

(Spoilers: They care more than you think. But that doesn’t necessarily make things easier.)