I only ever read fantasy and science fiction as a kid. Why? That was my father’s fault, I suppose. I read his chewed-up books by Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury, and although I love the classics and have read my fair share, but I always come back to fantasy.
It was later in life that I read Lord of the Rings. I loved it, but I was left wondering about immortality, about what it would be like to live so long. Would such beings really be so angelic? So cold and dispassionate? Flighty and unconcerned with the trials of others, as both the book and the films portray?
That was how I first came up with the idea of The Silvan. I wanted to read a story about elves that felt real — about how they live, suffer and die. How they think, what social structures they would build, what political regimes they would create or endure. The quickest way to find that story was to write it.
Books
Since then, I have published 13 epic fantasy books across three English-language series: The Silvan Saga, Elven Worlds, and Silvan Outlands, with a fourth series, Dawnwing, currently in progress. My books are now being translated into Spanish under the series name El Silvano, with other languages to follow.
In 2018, I was honoured to win the BIBA Award for Best Fantasy, and Path of a Novice has been praised by Fantasy Book Review as “written in a style more reminiscent of Tolkien than many modern fantasy stories.”
The Silvan is a series that deals with the life and times of Fel’annár, Green Sun, an epic and military fantasy with readers of all ages, from teenagers discovering Tolkien-inspired worlds for the first time to lifelong fantasy lovers.
I write from Shedquarters in Spain, surrounded by dogs, a garden that perpetually needs attention, and far too many unread books.
Connect With Me
I love connecting with readers. You’ll find me on social media, on Goodreads, and in my Official R.K. Lander Facebook group, where my beta team are always on hand when I’m buried in a manuscript. Feel free to reach out. I’d love to meet you.
Best wishes, R.K. Lander
