Welcome, fellow travelers, to...

This series will contain side stories, artwork, and extras from its companion release, “Of Lowlifes, Lutes, & Liars.”

What does this mean for you? Readers will get bonus content not published in the premium release of “Lowlifes,” including character drawings, Inksgiving rewards, and side stories that are free to read and enjoy.

Additionally, I'll be taking questions in “Ask Me Anything” uploads, where readers can submit their queries about anything they’d like to know—about the story, the characters, the process; whatever you’d like. I’ll keep the responses as spoiler-free as possible, so if the answer sparks more questions, you’re definitely onto something.

For the side stories, they will largely be created from reader suggestions, questions, and tangents that don’t fit in the Premium release. Want to celebrate a holiday on Chromaldus? See a day in the life of your favorite side character? Learn more about the inner workings of Old Sarzonn? The side stories are where that will be.

Q: Where does “Of Lowlifes, Lutes, & Liars” take place?

A: “Lowlifes” takes place on the planet Chromaldus, a world where humans and Outsiders coexist in uneasy times. The primary setting is in a large, walled-off city between the human settlements to the west, and the Outsider’s High Wall to the east. This city, Old Sarzonn, is nestled in the fertile fields between the two territories, with a gigantic wall surrounding the perimeter from invasion.

Q: What’s life like in Old Sarzonn?

A: It depends on who you are, and where you’re from. A mix of humans and Outsiders live there, with different social classes living wherever they can afford to. At the top of the hierarchy, the nobility live in luxury in Holloworth to the north. On lower ground, the middle class lives and works in Cheapside and Merchant’s Quarter. And the worst of the worst places to live is the disgusting underbelly, called The Dregs.

There’s also an immense barracks in Cheapside belonging to the Dark Army soldiers stationed here. These elite warriors, the Solanai, work alongside the city guards to protect the weak and ensure the peace. At least, that is, until the war drums sound.

Aside from the city governance and the Solanai, the only other major body is the House of the Holy Healer, a religious order with a firm grip on the citizens of Old Sarzonn. Good harvests, favorable weather, prosperity, and survival—all are thought to be delivered by the Grand Cathedral’s high cleric, Lord Amias Vythorne.

Q: What makes someone a lowlife, a lute, or a liar?

A: A “lowlife” is a catch-all term for hoodlums, criminals, and anyone deemed “undesirable” in Old Sarzonn. Anyone dirty, diseased, or diabolical would be called a lowlife, whether it’s warranted or not.

Mixed-race people—the children of human and Outsider parents—are often maligned as lowlifes and second-class citizens. Humans descriminate amongst their own race as well, shunning and mistreating the D’jabareen peoples of the southern part of the continent. Not every foreigner is a lowlife, but many Old Sarzonnese citizens think of them just as poorly.

Due to the oppressive hold of the church over its citizenry, music is frowned upon, unless it is state-sponsored and approved by the holy house. Musicians who refuse to abide by such rules are an especially reviled class of lowlifes, due to their disregard of moral decency.

And the most hated of all lowlifes are the liars. They come in two forms; those who only speak falsehoods, and those with powerful and convincing Deceiver magic. Of all the lowlifes in Old Sarzonn, Lord Vythorne despises Deceivers the most.

To that end, bands of holy soldiers, called Star Guards, patrol the streets with silver gauntlets that burn and destroy anyone spreading falsehoods. Woe be to any Old Sazonnese citizen caught in one of their Inquisitions…

Q: We start the novel when Khazmine is a teenager, so who are the adults on the novel cover?

A: “Lowlifes” is broken up into two parts; the childhood era, and the adult era. The first fifty chapters cover Khazmine’s teenage timeline, followed by a time-skip. The cover features the adult survivors from the childhood era.

Q: What is ether?

A: Ether is a magical energy that can manifest in sentient beings. A user of magic is an etherling, also called a magician. Ether powers magical abilities, like water, fire, healing, light, and shadow, and can be used for good or evil.

Q: Who are the Outsiders?

A: Humans use the term “Outsiders” to describe the other primary race that lives on Chromaldus. They are human-shaped aliens that resemble elves, with pastel-colored skin in a rainbow of different hues. Outsiders have white or silver hair, pointed canine teeth, and vertical slit pupils in their sharp eyes. Outsiders have more acute senses than humans do, live for much longer, and have access to ether types that most humans don’t have. They are genetically compatible with humans, though Old Sarzonn’s society largely frowns on mixed race unions.

Q: “Of Lowlifes, Lutes, & Liars” is a prequel to “Apparent Secrets.” Do I need to read one before the other?

A: No, but readers of “Apparent Secrets” will learn more about what happened to Khazmine after the events of “Lowlifes.” The two books share a universe, and Khazmine ties the two directly together as well. Additionally, readers of both will get answers to questions faster, as some details are explained earlier in one book over the other. That said, “Apparent Secrets” is a slow-burn romance, with Khazmine as a supporting character.

Q: There’s still more I want to know. Can I ask you questions?

A: Absolutely! I’ll be answering questions raised in chapters and uploads on the main story and in the Lowlifes’ Lair. Shout out in the comments below with your questions. 

Until then, blessings and virtues to you, and happy reading!