Tamara S. Harker

Tumblr of indie fantasy author Tamara S. Harker. She/Her.

[tamarasharker]

Hello, everyone! I'm Tamara, an indie epic fantasy author. I'm so glad you found your way here -- welcome!

Below you'll find more about my upcoming debut novel, The Fruit of War: Stone and Flesh, but if you haven't already I heartily encourage you to sign up for my newsletter here, at my website, so you can be kept in the loop! As a token of my gratitude, when you sign up you'll get a FREE prequel novella to whet your appetite!

This blog serves as a place for me to interact with fans, and I look forward to getting to know everyone! I'm immensely grateful for your support. Enjoy your stay! ~ Tamara Tags followed: #fruit of war saga, #fow stone and flesh, #tamara s harker, #fow saga, #fow saf, #stone and flesh

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE FRUIT OF WAR SAGA

A dark, epic fantasy for adult readers fond of character-driven stories, rich worlds, and elements of gothic horror. This first installment in the Fruit of War Saga is for readers who like their fantasy intelligent, immersive, and simmering with ghosts of the past – both figurative and literal.

Book 1: Stone and Flesh Official Release: 1st March, 2026 Get your copy directly from me here, or from your retailer of choice here! (Available in eBook and paperback.)

[homunculus-argument]

Libraries are sneaky, because once you go in, it's soo easy to get a library card, and once you have one, you can pretty much grab one of everything of all the stuff they have there with no consequence, and take it home. But then once you're home and you've read all the stuff you'll have to go back to the library to return the stuff, and once you're at the library again, you're at the library again, so might as well pop in to see what they got, and then you're hauling half their shit home again, and then you'll need to return to the library to return them, so you're at the library again

And the next thing you know you've read 3000 books, your crops are clear and your skin is watered, an angel descents from the heaven to suck your dick twice a week, and also you've got some books to return so you've got a perfectly valid reason to go pop in to the library. Just a little bit.

[tamarasharker]

A new five-star review to brighten an otherwise rainy southern day! This one comes from a kind reader in Belgium, and you can read it in full here.

I'm so, so pleased to have passed the ten-review mark for Stone and Flesh! Every connection with a new reader is incredibly satisfying and I'm very grateful.

If you've like to learn more about my dark, epic debut, take a quick trip to my website! She's available now in most places books are sold (including said site, where there's also a free sample!).

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Stone and Flesh is the first book in an epic fantasy series steeped in gothic themes. It follows Fîeron, an undertaker-psychopomp in a world recovering from an unprecedented war, as he is forced to flee one burden for one far greater – and darker.

[tamarasharker]

The Nature of the Gothic / Blog / About Tamara | Tamara S. Harker

On gothic fiction, and how 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑙𝑒𝑠ℎ steeps itself in the genre like tea staining paper.

New blog post up! I consider the definition of gothic fiction, Stone and Flesh's position in it, and how the Fruit of War Saga overall will gradually slip into its turbulent waters.

Stone and Flesh was always going to be a darker flavor of epic fantasy. It's what I like, what can I say? Yet I was always reluctant to ascribe it the 'horror' or 'gothic horror' subgenre label. It took sitting back and considering the true definition of gothic literature for me to feel confident in my interpretation, because yes, Stone and Flesh has subtle – and not so subtle – gothic and gothic horror themes, and its sequel is going to get darker still.

[tamarasharker]

Barriers to Reentry

Prison libraries are struggling to deliver resources and prepare incarcerated people to transition home. New federal legislation may change

“Prison libraries are under-resourced, understaffed, and don’t have materials that reflect the lived realities of incarcerated people,” says Emily Durkin, American Library Association public policy manager. Prisons don’t allow internet access, she adds, and approved electronic devices “rarely offer meaningful access to books and library services in the way that we would like.” The current system, according to Durkin, is not scalable, and additional funding will be essential to develop collections and circulate resources. Legislation introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives aims to address the problem. The Prison Libraries Act would create one-year grants to “advance reintegration efforts, reduce recidivism, and increase educational opportunities,” per the bill, requiring $10 million in federal spending each year through 2031. The legislation could transform library services for a vulnerable population.

Time for me to drop some links! This is great news but there's stuff we can do as well. Check out these books-to-prisoners programs! + Prison Activist Resource Center + LGBT Books to Prisoners + BookstoPrisoners.org, around since the 70s + PrisonBookProgram.org, listings by state + Books Through Bars, Philadelphia-based Please share and add to the list!

[beemovieerotica]

if you work in a creative field...or if you do creative hobbies like writing or drawing...you need to make friends with people who don't do those things. you need to befriend normie Steve who has never written a story in his life. and this is because when you are in a creative job or hobby and spend all your time doing that thing, surrounded by very capable people, who you inevitably compare your own progress and skills to, you forget what the baseline human skill at that thing is. and it's usually zero. normie Steve has not written a story since the 3rd grade when his teacher made him do it. he's very good at other things that are not storytelling - but if you tell normie Steve that you wrote a full 300-page book from start to finish, he will think you're some kind of savant. he does not know ANYONE else who has done this. you need this perspective. because when you're constantly on Let's Write Stories dot Com then everyone on Let's Write Stories dot Com will inevitably be like "oh of course everyone on earth has written a book or several at this point!" and you canNOT let yourself think that. that is not even close to the average human experience. you are in a bubble. do not put yourself down. do not give up.

[tamarasharker]

Interview: Adam Bassett / Blog / About Tamara | Tamara S. Harker

An interview with indie author Adam Bassett, including an exploration of his latest fantasy novel, "Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs".

In case you missed it – whaddya mean you're not signed up for my newsletter yet! – I had the pleasure of talking with the multitalented Adam Bassett for the second in my series of indie interviews hosted on the Harken! section of my website's blog. We discuss his short novel, Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs, maps, indie publishing, and the balancing act of being both an author and a reviewer. 📚

[tamarasharker]

No April Fools here! To celebrate Stone and Flesh's one-month birthday, the eBook is now 99¢ everywhere she's sold!

The sale will run from today (April 1st) to April 8th, so if you've been curious about my gothic-steeped epic fantasy, now's a great time to scratch the itch! + All retailers (including Bookshop.org -- a great alternative to Am*zon!) + Buy direct from me

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The War of the Six and the Plague of the Bitter Hand unleashed at its peak has left the kingdoms of Ícalar in tatters. Years after a tenuous peace is made, the last surviving member of the heroic Hidden Company, Iknaïs, succumbs to the plague. Wearied Shepherd of Leaving Fîeron Eburos is called to attend the body and release Iknaïs’ soul, yet insodoing, he discovers a message pointing to the very artifact that began the war. Most confusingly of all, this message states that Iknaïs was entrusted with the artifact by the enemy and that Fîeron needs to find it at any cost.

Fîeron's reluctant duty leads him to Devatska, an elderly, brilliant engineer-strategist living in anonymity after the mysterious culling of her family. But in solving the riddle of Iknaïs' last request, they are only met with more questions – about the war, their alleged enemy, and the very nature of their world.

[tamarasharker]

Ícalar

[p]An interactive map of Ícalar, a.k.a. abovecloud. Explore it further by clicking labels, shaded areas and borders, and bodies of water![/p

The past week or so I figured out how to make one of my maps semi-interactive via WorldAnvil, following some lovely coloring and addition of a decorative ìkam border by my map artist, Melissa.

The link will take you to the interactive version: you can hover over labels, bodies of water, and other shaded areas to access brief encyclopedic entries! Now if only I could embed it on my website!

Interactive capabilities aside, the colored map is simply lovely by itself:

[tamarasharker]

Hello, friends! 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉 only arrived just over two weeks ago, but the work of an indie author is ceaseless. Not only am I looking for street team members – a.k.a. my Heralds – for 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉 itself, I'm looking ahead to its sequels! While my timeline is still developing for my need for beta-readers and an ARC team, I figured it's better to start early. Consider this an ongoing call until I say otherwise!

Find out more and apply here! (Sorry, I will not consider folks who do not apply through the forms on my website.)

Not your cup of tea? No time? Sharing is appreciated! Not read 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉 yet? You can grab an eBook or paperback from me directly or from any of these retailers. I'm on Libby and Hoopla, too! Thanks for reading! ❤️ ============== Stone and Flesh is the first book in an epic fantasy series steeped in gothic themes. It follows Fîeron, an undertaker-psychopomp in a world recovering from an unprecedented war, as he is forced to flee one burden for one far greater – and darker.

[tamarasharker]

I've truly been blown away by how well my first week has gone! It's modest of course compared to others', but it's just the kind of steady, organic growth I want. A huge thank-you to everyone who has given my debut a chance so far! <3

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Copies from me! Copies from elsewhere! Stone and Flesh is the first book in an epic fantasy series steeped in gothic themes. It follows Fîeron, an undertaker-psychopomp in a world recovering from an unprecedented war, as he is forced to flee one burden for one far greater – and darker.

[tamarasharker]

For your reading pleasure, please enjoy the most fever-dreamish authorly scam email I've received to date.

[tamarasharker]

Get to Know Your Mutuals!

I was tagged by the lovely and hardworking @kaatiba -- thank you, friend! I in turn tag: @thesorcerersapprentice, @leebrontide, @karkkidoeswriting, @rosavaya, @sheernerdpower, @plumcoloredblazer, @ohtobealady, @webedragons, @napna, @juniperajar, and @dahliasgloom! Currently Reading: New Spring by Robert Jordan Last Song: The "Winter Adventures" playlist by Blue Turtle Last Film: Heathers (1989) Last Game: It's been a while since I've been so busy lately! Possibly Valheim, if you don't count the little "Not That Spelling Bee" in my phone, haha. Last Series: We've been dipping in and out of Would I Lie to You? and Taskmaster lately for something light while I was busy and stressed. Coffee or Tea: Both, though no coffee (or caffeine generally) past 4PM. I'm trying to drink more tea than coffee, though. Currently Working On: While I decompress from publication day, I'm sprucing up the synopsis for Stone and Flesh so I can submit it to a competition. I hope, though, to get back to Book 2 soon!

[tamarasharker]

Five Things You'll Find!

I was tagged by @thesorcerersapprentice to list five things you'll find in my WIP -- or in this case, my no-longer-WIP! Thank you, friend!

This account isn't very large yet, so please, if you see this, consider yourself tagged and please tag me so I can see your answers!

Here are five things you'll find in The Fruit of War: Stone and Flesh:

Gothic-flavored motifs, philosophical themes, and lyrical prose -- without getting bogged-down or confusing.

Psychopomps!

Oodles of fictional flora and fauna, including cat-dragons and warbears! Oh my!

Diverse characters who are each haunted by something and handling it in different ways. And no, they're not a gaggle of teenagers.

An ending that's satisfactory, while still leaving the door open for the journey to come.

[tamarasharker]

Happy Book Birthday to Stone and Flesh! A tremendous thank-you for all of your support along the way. Check out either of the links below to get your hands on a copy! It’s available in eBook and paperback. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed creating it.

Stone and Flesh is the first book in an epic fantasy series steeped in gothic themes. It follows Fîeron, an undertaker-psychopomp in a world recovering from an unprecedented war, as he is forced to flee one burden for one far greater – and darker.

www.tamarasharker.com books2read.com/fruitofwar

Video alt-text beneath the cut:

A square burgundy background with a faint ornate floral border and a fictional reddish-purple, heart-shaped fruit with a dark ivory calyx. Over the top of this background is gold text that first reads:

“As they retreated Amathara asked who were we to think a banishing a victory? Who were we to think we could go on as before, knowing now that worlds were thin as cloth, as flesh? We were complicit in our silence; the Éga howled.

— Akāsien Ttarvek, from “The Plague Litany” “ It then reads “It’s here!”, followed by “Bite into Stone and Flesh at www.tamarasharker.com and all major retailers!”. Another slide reads “Get your copy now!” above a mockup image of a paperback book, an e-reader tablet and a phone screen with a lush green book cover, under which is text that reads “books2read.com/fruitofwar”.

[tamarasharker]

The big day is tomorrow and I’m pinching myself!

Stone and Flesh is the first book in an epic fantasy series steeped in gothic themes. It follows Fîeron, an undertaker-psychopomp in a world recovering from an unprecedented war, as he is forced to flee one burden for one far greater – and darker.

www.tamarasharker.com linktr.ee/tamarasharker

Video alt-text beneath the cut:

A square burgundy background with a faint ornate floral border and a fictional reddish-purple, heart-shaped fruit with a dark ivory calyx. Over the top of this background is gold text that first reads:

“As they retreated Amathara asked who were we to think a banishing a victory? Who were we to think we could go on as before, knowing now that worlds were thin as cloth, as flesh? We were complicit in our silence; the Éga howled.

— Akāsien Ttarvek, from “The Plague Litany” “ It then reads “1 Day to go!”, followed by “Find Stone and Flesh at www.tamarasharker.com”.

[tamarasharker]

My debut novel arrives the day after tomorrow, can you believe it?!

Stone and Flesh is the first book in an epic fantasy series steeped in gothic themes. It follows Fîeron, an undertaker-psychopomp in a world recovering from an unprecedented war, as he is forced to flee one burden for one far greater – and darker.

www.tamarasharker.com linktr.ee/tamarasharker 

Video alt-text beneath the cut:

A square burgundy background with a faint ornate floral border and a fictional reddish-purple, heart-shaped fruit with a dark ivory calyx. Over the top of this background is gold text that first reads:

“...their dying breaths adoring, “I saw him – I saw the hand of rage, his flail and his grinning blade in defiance raised as the flaming vial dropped from the tower and the armies fell.”

– Akāsien Ttarvek, from “The Epic of the Hidden” “ It then reads “2 Days to go!”, followed by “Find Stone and Flesh at www.tamarasharker.com”.