The Runes of Odin
The Legacy of Odin
The Iron Throne
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 8:12PM 
Something of a learning curve, but I now have a print version of Exiles of the Bhel Sea in the works, with the full spread 6"x9" paperback cover shown here. I also have ePub versions of the ebook available through Smashwords linked over on the right and through the Order Books page. It'll appear in the individual ereader book stores soon.
Monday, April 23, 2012 at 4:00PM 
Well this one took me a while. With a huge sigh of relief, I can now say that my fourth book is available. This is the first novel I have published electronically (Kindle version available now, other formats later this week), and while I will do a print version, it isn't the main focus.
And so, Exiles of the Bhel Sea is ready!
$5.99 for the full book, while of course one fantastic advantage of ebooks is that you can sample the novel for free and test-drive it.
Special thanks to my artist, Kentaro Kanamoto, my editor Amanda Le Bas du Plumetot, my cartographer-extraordinaire Matthew French, and my beta readers Amanda Le Bas du Plumetot, Steven Turner, Aidan Doyle and Alex Hong. Much appreciated.
Thanks of course to my long-suffering wife, Kristy, and my kids, Sophie and Phoebe. The main reason for the time this book has taken is the arrival of my daughters and that goes with raising children, and I hope that one day they read and enjoy this book.
It's a long one - about the same length as my Runes trilogy combined - but then epic fantasy novels are called "epic" for a reason!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 5:09PM A belated link back to an interview of me over at Angela Slatter's very informative blog: http://www.angelaslatter.com/the-runes-of-odin-drive-by-ben-julien/ .
Angela is a fellow Brisbaneite, a fellow inmate at Clarion South 2009, and the author of several anthologies and more published short stories than I care to count.
Friday, January 6, 2012 at 9:02PM 
More work from Kentaro, this one is of the drought-stricken, poisoned flood plains of the Sentinels, a view from up high on Altlith, one of the surviving Sentinel cities built onto a gargantuan spire of rock jutting up from the plain below.
I had planned to have the book ready to go by now, but I'm in the midst of moving interstate, back to my home town of Brisbane, so a little delay is in order. Looking next month (February) to have it available on e-readings, in print soon after.
Ben Julien
Second internal illustration is finished, depicting the scene of Jhared, Koja and Ragas staring down from the Gyntal Ridge near Altlith at the approaching Arakal horde.
Ben Julien
Third insert for The Bhel SeaThird and final insert for the Bhel Sea, this one is of New Werit, a port town on the southern end of the Sea.
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 2:47PM And here's the second half of the great questions from the students of Erskine Park High:
12. Why did you give Lena red hair? Was it because it was bright or uncommon? Thisuri
I wanted to use the idea of how unusual red hair is, particularly among blond Scandinavians, and use it as a symbolism of the power of the rune magic. Red hair is definitely uncommon, but even more so in Lena and Calum’s world where it indicated the latent power of a vala or duelva. Red hair is much more common in Britain, or the Isles of the novel’s world, so it also added an element of confusion and a reason why Bjorn might want to take Lena when he was raiding in the beginning of the book. Lastly, I had browny-orange hair and freckles as a kid. I don’t have much of my hair now (and it has become brown) but maybe I was putting myself in the story again.
The Runes of Odin, advice, interviews, writing process Interviews, School Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 3:59PM A class of grade 9 students over at Erskine Park High have been reading The Runes of Odin and sent me a whole slew of great questions about the book, my writing process and tips for being a writer. Below are the first ten questions and my answers, with the first name(s) of the student(s) who asked each question. It is a great pleasure to hear from them and I'd like to thank their teacher, Natali, for setting this all up.
The Runes of Odin, advice, interviews, writing process Interviews, School Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 8:50PM Branding is something every writer deals with in some form. From the style of writing, to the typical settings or types of stories a particular writer might use more often than others, and then on to the look of a series of novels, the illustrations, cover design and even the publisher’s imprint. These are all important ways for readers to identify a writer, to find more of his/her works, and to feel comfortable with a genre choice.
The Bhel Sea, The Decay Chain, publishing Illustration, Promotion, genre Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 1:17PM 
This isn't a quick process as I've made the decision to complete the first draft of the newest novel, The Decay Chain, before finalising the edits and uploading The Bhel Sea. I think this is important for a few reasons, not the least that I keep the momentum I have with the new manuscript, then tuck it away to ferment for a month before shining some redrafting light onto it. I also want to complete the Bhel Sea and then spend some time outlining the sequels, which given the scale of the story and settings, will take a while. It also allows time for Kentaro Kanamoto, the illustrator, to complete the internal illustrations (B&W inserts). Ideally, it'll all be finished before Xmas, but I am not going to rush just for that deadline.
So, soon enough, but not soon enough. Here is an example of what the final e-book cover may look like.
Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 9:03PM Jhared’s knuckles turned white on his sword hilt. His gaze was locked on Tarnok’s, but still he was aware of the whispered approach of robes and accusing eyes. Bare feet coming closer. Muted chanted. Sibilant whispers. Swords before and behind him held too tightly, too ready.
Drought. Long starvation. War. Now this.
‘And? What do the Saldina say? Are you here to do a cripple’s bidding?’ Jhared asked, then spat. The world had changed for the Elaan, but the Sept was still the Sept. Damnation came a late second.
