Tamara S. Harker
@tamarasharker.com
Indie epic fantasy author, editor, and avid collector and list-maker. My first novel, The Fruit of War: Stone and Flesh, arrives 1st March 2026!
🚫 GenAI, bigots unwelcome.
(She/Her)
www.tamarasharker.com
https://linktr.ee/tamarasharker
🚫 GenAI, bigots unwelcome.
(She/Her)
www.tamarasharker.com
https://linktr.ee/tamarasharker
Pinned
Tamara S. Harker
@tamarasharker.com
· Nov 7
Looking to sink your teeth into a cerebral, rich epic fantasy? "The Fruit of War: Stone and Flesh" will be served 1st March 2026!
Get your first taste by signing up for my newsletter at www.tamarasharker.com!
🪐📚 💙📚
#epicfantasy #darkfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks
Get your first taste by signing up for my newsletter at www.tamarasharker.com!
🪐📚 💙📚
#epicfantasy #darkfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks
Day 20 of #JanuaryWorldbuilders!
A wide variety! Sword types tend to be of the arming or bastard length, double or single-edged, but vary in style by country. Maces, warhammers, and flails are less common but still present, particularly as weapon-tool hybrids (such as the Íyran mattock).
[1/3]
A wide variety! Sword types tend to be of the arming or bastard length, double or single-edged, but vary in style by country. Maces, warhammers, and flails are less common but still present, particularly as weapon-tool hybrids (such as the Íyran mattock).
[1/3]
Hey there, #JanuaryWorldbuilders! Yesterday I asked about ranged weapons, so today is for melee/close-range weapons! Whacha got for me? Are people using swords and maces? Got any cool polearms? Or are your characters conducting business with their fists, teeth, and claws?
January 21, 2026 at 3:14 AM
Day 20 of #JanuaryWorldbuilders!
A wide variety! Sword types tend to be of the arming or bastard length, double or single-edged, but vary in style by country. Maces, warhammers, and flails are less common but still present, particularly as weapon-tool hybrids (such as the Íyran mattock).
[1/3]
A wide variety! Sword types tend to be of the arming or bastard length, double or single-edged, but vary in style by country. Maces, warhammers, and flails are less common but still present, particularly as weapon-tool hybrids (such as the Íyran mattock).
[1/3]
Day 19 of #JanuaryWorldbuilders! (Catchup)
Given our previous conversation about firearms and the Quelldraw Act, long-range weapons are still in the realm of bows, crossbows (though these are less common), slings, and throwing-spears. Most have evolved from hunting tools.
Given our previous conversation about firearms and the Quelldraw Act, long-range weapons are still in the realm of bows, crossbows (though these are less common), slings, and throwing-spears. Most have evolved from hunting tools.
#JanuaryWorldbuilders. What kind of long-range weapons are used in your world? Do they have bows? Longbows? Slingshots or darts? Or is this an age of guns, spaceships, and rockets?
January 21, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Day 19 of #JanuaryWorldbuilders! (Catchup)
Given our previous conversation about firearms and the Quelldraw Act, long-range weapons are still in the realm of bows, crossbows (though these are less common), slings, and throwing-spears. Most have evolved from hunting tools.
Given our previous conversation about firearms and the Quelldraw Act, long-range weapons are still in the realm of bows, crossbows (though these are less common), slings, and throwing-spears. Most have evolved from hunting tools.
January 21, 2026 at 2:57 AM
Day 19 of #WritingInJanuary! (Catchup)
Fîeron would dubiously take the spoon and be prepared to do his best!
Fîeron would dubiously take the spoon and be prepared to do his best!
January 21, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Day 19 of #WritingInJanuary! (Catchup)
Fîeron would dubiously take the spoon and be prepared to do his best!
Fîeron would dubiously take the spoon and be prepared to do his best!
Day 20 of #FantasyIndiesJanuary!
Setting aside writing/reading, I actually really enjoy editing fiction when I have time.
Outside of *words*, I love antiquing (I'm v. enthusiastic about Japanese porcelain), languages, rock-hunting, genealogy, photography, select PC games, and jigsaw puzzles!
Setting aside writing/reading, I actually really enjoy editing fiction when I have time.
Outside of *words*, I love antiquing (I'm v. enthusiastic about Japanese porcelain), languages, rock-hunting, genealogy, photography, select PC games, and jigsaw puzzles!
January 21, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Day 20 of #FantasyIndiesJanuary!
Setting aside writing/reading, I actually really enjoy editing fiction when I have time.
Outside of *words*, I love antiquing (I'm v. enthusiastic about Japanese porcelain), languages, rock-hunting, genealogy, photography, select PC games, and jigsaw puzzles!
Setting aside writing/reading, I actually really enjoy editing fiction when I have time.
Outside of *words*, I love antiquing (I'm v. enthusiastic about Japanese porcelain), languages, rock-hunting, genealogy, photography, select PC games, and jigsaw puzzles!
Day 19 of #FantasyIndiesJanuary! (Catchup)
Fîeron can be overly-critical, elitist, and entitled. These are amplified when he's no longer in the city where he holds a great deal of influence, and he struggles to adapt.
Devatska is stubborn, prideful, and very used to always being right.
[1/4]
Fîeron can be overly-critical, elitist, and entitled. These are amplified when he's no longer in the city where he holds a great deal of influence, and he struggles to adapt.
Devatska is stubborn, prideful, and very used to always being right.
[1/4]
January 21, 2026 at 2:18 AM
Day 19 of #FantasyIndiesJanuary! (Catchup)
Fîeron can be overly-critical, elitist, and entitled. These are amplified when he's no longer in the city where he holds a great deal of influence, and he struggles to adapt.
Devatska is stubborn, prideful, and very used to always being right.
[1/4]
Fîeron can be overly-critical, elitist, and entitled. These are amplified when he's no longer in the city where he holds a great deal of influence, and he struggles to adapt.
Devatska is stubborn, prideful, and very used to always being right.
[1/4]
Ah, I knew better, didn't I, and yet I still did it.
Deleting those posts RE what I was asking for the last couple days. I respect the hustle, folks, but damn.
Deleting those posts RE what I was asking for the last couple days. I respect the hustle, folks, but damn.
January 20, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Ah, I knew better, didn't I, and yet I still did it.
Deleting those posts RE what I was asking for the last couple days. I respect the hustle, folks, but damn.
Deleting those posts RE what I was asking for the last couple days. I respect the hustle, folks, but damn.
What are five things in your upcoming release?
Oh, fun! For #fruitofwar on 1st March:
1: A quest that points you toward the enemy...but not in the way you expect.
2: Elemental magic.
3: A mounting feeling of dread.
4: Cat-dragons!
5: A fruit that f*cks everything up for everyone -- again.
Oh, fun! For #fruitofwar on 1st March:
1: A quest that points you toward the enemy...but not in the way you expect.
2: Elemental magic.
3: A mounting feeling of dread.
4: Cat-dragons!
5: A fruit that f*cks everything up for everyone -- again.
What are five things in your upcoming release?
1: Many, many demons, including two and a half MCs
2: Many, many bloody fights
3: A vampire society with flying ships
4: Found family and friendship 💜
5: Lesbians!
#ChroniclesOfTheRealms
1: Many, many demons, including two and a half MCs
2: Many, many bloody fights
3: A vampire society with flying ships
4: Found family and friendship 💜
5: Lesbians!
#ChroniclesOfTheRealms
What are five things in your upcoming release?
1: Gay grandpas
2: An adorable MC
3: Disabled representation
4: Anti-establishment themes
5: Positive masculinity
1: Gay grandpas
2: An adorable MC
3: Disabled representation
4: Anti-establishment themes
5: Positive masculinity
January 18, 2026 at 8:04 PM
What are five things in your upcoming release?
Oh, fun! For #fruitofwar on 1st March:
1: A quest that points you toward the enemy...but not in the way you expect.
2: Elemental magic.
3: A mounting feeling of dread.
4: Cat-dragons!
5: A fruit that f*cks everything up for everyone -- again.
Oh, fun! For #fruitofwar on 1st March:
1: A quest that points you toward the enemy...but not in the way you expect.
2: Elemental magic.
3: A mounting feeling of dread.
4: Cat-dragons!
5: A fruit that f*cks everything up for everyone -- again.
Day 18 of #JanuaryWorldbuilders!
Again, I've already talked about bloodsilk, haha, so I'll focus on the more 'mundane' armor of the Üstrarian army, the Itoqîr.
First, the Itoqîr has six divisions, most with their own specialty, and as such their informal and formal uniforms and armor vary.
[1/5]
Again, I've already talked about bloodsilk, haha, so I'll focus on the more 'mundane' armor of the Üstrarian army, the Itoqîr.
First, the Itoqîr has six divisions, most with their own specialty, and as such their informal and formal uniforms and armor vary.
[1/5]
#JanuaryWorldbuilders Heya! I can't let it ONLY be weapon talk this week! What kind of armor do your characters wear? Or what kind generally is made in your world? What material is it made from?
January 18, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Day 18 of #JanuaryWorldbuilders!
Again, I've already talked about bloodsilk, haha, so I'll focus on the more 'mundane' armor of the Üstrarian army, the Itoqîr.
First, the Itoqîr has six divisions, most with their own specialty, and as such their informal and formal uniforms and armor vary.
[1/5]
Again, I've already talked about bloodsilk, haha, so I'll focus on the more 'mundane' armor of the Üstrarian army, the Itoqîr.
First, the Itoqîr has six divisions, most with their own specialty, and as such their informal and formal uniforms and armor vary.
[1/5]
Day 17 of #JanuaryWorldbuilders! (Catchup)
Something slightly different this time: a *mythical* weapon. It's known as the Darmlegung Spear (DS, for brevity) or the Hopespear.
The DS is the name given to a weapon wielded by the legendary, larger-than-life nae'cthosai hero Ligafe Yasa.
[1/5]
Something slightly different this time: a *mythical* weapon. It's known as the Darmlegung Spear (DS, for brevity) or the Hopespear.
The DS is the name given to a weapon wielded by the legendary, larger-than-life nae'cthosai hero Ligafe Yasa.
[1/5]
#JanuaryWorldbuilders, do you have any magical or otherwise special/important weapons or armor in your world? What do they do? Is there lore or a story behind how they came to be? Has is always been special or was it made that way through some critical event?
January 18, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Day 17 of #JanuaryWorldbuilders! (Catchup)
Something slightly different this time: a *mythical* weapon. It's known as the Darmlegung Spear (DS, for brevity) or the Hopespear.
The DS is the name given to a weapon wielded by the legendary, larger-than-life nae'cthosai hero Ligafe Yasa.
[1/5]
Something slightly different this time: a *mythical* weapon. It's known as the Darmlegung Spear (DS, for brevity) or the Hopespear.
The DS is the name given to a weapon wielded by the legendary, larger-than-life nae'cthosai hero Ligafe Yasa.
[1/5]
Day 16 of #JanuaryWorldbuilders! (Catchup)
Xa'aroch *is* a weapon. He's a Ba'athorog, which are the alpha predators of Azgorach. Ba'athorog in general are designed to be as physically dangerous as they are psychologically dangerous:
First, they're large.
[1/4]
Xa'aroch *is* a weapon. He's a Ba'athorog, which are the alpha predators of Azgorach. Ba'athorog in general are designed to be as physically dangerous as they are psychologically dangerous:
First, they're large.
[1/4]
#JanuaryWorldbuilders. We talked about the MC (or another important character) yesterday. This time: what about their opposite? A villain? A foil? Someone else of importance in the story or lore? What weapon does that character use?
January 18, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Day 16 of #JanuaryWorldbuilders! (Catchup)
Xa'aroch *is* a weapon. He's a Ba'athorog, which are the alpha predators of Azgorach. Ba'athorog in general are designed to be as physically dangerous as they are psychologically dangerous:
First, they're large.
[1/4]
Xa'aroch *is* a weapon. He's a Ba'athorog, which are the alpha predators of Azgorach. Ba'athorog in general are designed to be as physically dangerous as they are psychologically dangerous:
First, they're large.
[1/4]
Day 18 of #FantasyIndiesJanuary!
I've actually started these (character aesthetic boards) over at my Pinterest account, though I'd like to redo them with properly-attributed / license-free images. Still, worth a peek!
www.pinterest.com/tamarasharker/
I've actually started these (character aesthetic boards) over at my Pinterest account, though I'd like to redo them with properly-attributed / license-free images. Still, worth a peek!
www.pinterest.com/tamarasharker/
January 18, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Day 18 of #FantasyIndiesJanuary!
I've actually started these (character aesthetic boards) over at my Pinterest account, though I'd like to redo them with properly-attributed / license-free images. Still, worth a peek!
www.pinterest.com/tamarasharker/
I've actually started these (character aesthetic boards) over at my Pinterest account, though I'd like to redo them with properly-attributed / license-free images. Still, worth a peek!
www.pinterest.com/tamarasharker/
Day 17 of #FantasyIndiesJanuary! (Catchup)
Oh all right, you can have another snippet, because you've been good (to me). 😉 Since I've just spoken of Fîeron's stress levels for Day 16...
Oh all right, you can have another snippet, because you've been good (to me). 😉 Since I've just spoken of Fîeron's stress levels for Day 16...
January 18, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Day 17 of #FantasyIndiesJanuary! (Catchup)
Oh all right, you can have another snippet, because you've been good (to me). 😉 Since I've just spoken of Fîeron's stress levels for Day 16...
Oh all right, you can have another snippet, because you've been good (to me). 😉 Since I've just spoken of Fîeron's stress levels for Day 16...
Day 16 of #FantasyIndiesJanuary! (Catchup)
Fîeron -- He...does not, haha. Just pushes it down.
Devatska -- Also pushes it down, especially after the loss of her husband.
Aramastus -- He confides often in his fellow Warden Orihne or takes active strides to relax, like long walks.
[1/2]
Fîeron -- He...does not, haha. Just pushes it down.
Devatska -- Also pushes it down, especially after the loss of her husband.
Aramastus -- He confides often in his fellow Warden Orihne or takes active strides to relax, like long walks.
[1/2]
January 18, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Day 16 of #FantasyIndiesJanuary! (Catchup)
Fîeron -- He...does not, haha. Just pushes it down.
Devatska -- Also pushes it down, especially after the loss of her husband.
Aramastus -- He confides often in his fellow Warden Orihne or takes active strides to relax, like long walks.
[1/2]
Fîeron -- He...does not, haha. Just pushes it down.
Devatska -- Also pushes it down, especially after the loss of her husband.
Aramastus -- He confides often in his fellow Warden Orihne or takes active strides to relax, like long walks.
[1/2]
Day 18 of #WritingInJanuary!
When Fîeron and Isaia were twelve, Isaia was part of a group of volunteer Clerics sent to 'the front' (though the war had just ended) to help those affected by the Plague of the Bitter Hand. Though this wasn't done to hurt Fîeron, he *was* subconsciously hurt by it.
When Fîeron and Isaia were twelve, Isaia was part of a group of volunteer Clerics sent to 'the front' (though the war had just ended) to help those affected by the Plague of the Bitter Hand. Though this wasn't done to hurt Fîeron, he *was* subconsciously hurt by it.
January 18, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Day 18 of #WritingInJanuary!
When Fîeron and Isaia were twelve, Isaia was part of a group of volunteer Clerics sent to 'the front' (though the war had just ended) to help those affected by the Plague of the Bitter Hand. Though this wasn't done to hurt Fîeron, he *was* subconsciously hurt by it.
When Fîeron and Isaia were twelve, Isaia was part of a group of volunteer Clerics sent to 'the front' (though the war had just ended) to help those affected by the Plague of the Bitter Hand. Though this wasn't done to hurt Fîeron, he *was* subconsciously hurt by it.
Day 17 of #WritingInJanuary! (Catchup)
Setting the obvious (content warnings) aside...either that it's not a romantasy -- though I'd hope that's obvious -- or, more likely, that it isn't a light read.
I.e., it demands your attention! It isn't something you can just dip into for 15mins, haha.
Setting the obvious (content warnings) aside...either that it's not a romantasy -- though I'd hope that's obvious -- or, more likely, that it isn't a light read.
I.e., it demands your attention! It isn't something you can just dip into for 15mins, haha.
January 18, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Day 17 of #WritingInJanuary! (Catchup)
Setting the obvious (content warnings) aside...either that it's not a romantasy -- though I'd hope that's obvious -- or, more likely, that it isn't a light read.
I.e., it demands your attention! It isn't something you can just dip into for 15mins, haha.
Setting the obvious (content warnings) aside...either that it's not a romantasy -- though I'd hope that's obvious -- or, more likely, that it isn't a light read.
I.e., it demands your attention! It isn't something you can just dip into for 15mins, haha.
Day 16 of #WritingInJanuary! (Catchup)
I've drawn on several cultures' historical fashions for inspiration, including the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires and Asiatic steppe cultures. My starting point is usually climate and available materials, plus similarities in lifestyle.
Additionally...
[1/2]
I've drawn on several cultures' historical fashions for inspiration, including the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires and Asiatic steppe cultures. My starting point is usually climate and available materials, plus similarities in lifestyle.
Additionally...
[1/2]
January 18, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Day 16 of #WritingInJanuary! (Catchup)
I've drawn on several cultures' historical fashions for inspiration, including the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires and Asiatic steppe cultures. My starting point is usually climate and available materials, plus similarities in lifestyle.
Additionally...
[1/2]
I've drawn on several cultures' historical fashions for inspiration, including the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires and Asiatic steppe cultures. My starting point is usually climate and available materials, plus similarities in lifestyle.
Additionally...
[1/2]
#PretendPanel catchup deux!
Gosh, umm... For the first book I completed, the SFF project, its initial incarnation probably had five drafts; its second complete rewrite had maybe three, and there was a several-year gap between the two so my writing (and I) had changed.
"Stone and Flesh"...
[1/2]
Gosh, umm... For the first book I completed, the SFF project, its initial incarnation probably had five drafts; its second complete rewrite had maybe three, and there was a several-year gap between the two so my writing (and I) had changed.
"Stone and Flesh"...
[1/2]
#pretendpanel, I will get to your answers from yesterday shortly, thank you for your patience. Meanwhile...
January 17th: How many drafts, then vs. now? (see image and/or alt text for further prompting if needed)
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 17th: How many drafts, then vs. now? (see image and/or alt text for further prompting if needed)
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 18, 2026 at 6:07 PM
#PretendPanel catchup deux!
Gosh, umm... For the first book I completed, the SFF project, its initial incarnation probably had five drafts; its second complete rewrite had maybe three, and there was a several-year gap between the two so my writing (and I) had changed.
"Stone and Flesh"...
[1/2]
Gosh, umm... For the first book I completed, the SFF project, its initial incarnation probably had five drafts; its second complete rewrite had maybe three, and there was a several-year gap between the two so my writing (and I) had changed.
"Stone and Flesh"...
[1/2]
#PretendPanel catchup!
"Stone and Flesh" was me embarking on a much more loose and fun strategy -- i.e., letting go of the perfectionism that I feel hobbled me in prior projects. When it turned out not to be half bad, I then applied older methods.
Going forward, for Book 2 and beyond...
[1/2]
"Stone and Flesh" was me embarking on a much more loose and fun strategy -- i.e., letting go of the perfectionism that I feel hobbled me in prior projects. When it turned out not to be half bad, I then applied older methods.
Going forward, for Book 2 and beyond...
[1/2]
#pretendpanel, tell me...
January 16th: Where are you now with the writing process? How has that changed?
e.g. keeping it fun / currently learning processes / adherence to learned processes / breaking out of outgrown processes / something else?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 16th: Where are you now with the writing process? How has that changed?
e.g. keeping it fun / currently learning processes / adherence to learned processes / breaking out of outgrown processes / something else?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
January 18, 2026 at 5:55 PM
#PretendPanel catchup!
"Stone and Flesh" was me embarking on a much more loose and fun strategy -- i.e., letting go of the perfectionism that I feel hobbled me in prior projects. When it turned out not to be half bad, I then applied older methods.
Going forward, for Book 2 and beyond...
[1/2]
"Stone and Flesh" was me embarking on a much more loose and fun strategy -- i.e., letting go of the perfectionism that I feel hobbled me in prior projects. When it turned out not to be half bad, I then applied older methods.
Going forward, for Book 2 and beyond...
[1/2]
One of my favorites, too!
This seems appropriate for #Caturdqy .
"...it isn't that I don't like you, Susan, because, after all, in moments of quiet, I'm strangely drawn toward you, but, well, there haven't been any quiet moments."
Know the film? One of my favorite classics.
"...it isn't that I don't like you, Susan, because, after all, in moments of quiet, I'm strangely drawn toward you, but, well, there haven't been any quiet moments."
Know the film? One of my favorite classics.
a woman is talking on a phone while sitting on a leopard
Alt: a woman is talking on a phone while petting a leopard
media.tenor.com
January 18, 2026 at 5:15 AM
One of my favorites, too!
I'm so honored and grateful to be gathering a collection of stellar (!) ARC reviews for "Stone and Flesh" this early -- I truly wasn't expecting it. About a month and a half to go before launch day!
All reviews can be found in full here, on Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...
All reviews can be found in full here, on Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...
January 17, 2026 at 11:46 PM
I'm so honored and grateful to be gathering a collection of stellar (!) ARC reviews for "Stone and Flesh" this early -- I truly wasn't expecting it. About a month and a half to go before launch day!
All reviews can be found in full here, on Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...
All reviews can be found in full here, on Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...
It's #Caturday! So have a picture of Penny from a couple nights ago when I finished up my Annihilation reread.
#southernreachseries
#southernreachseries
January 17, 2026 at 4:45 PM
It's #Caturday! So have a picture of Penny from a couple nights ago when I finished up my Annihilation reread.
#southernreachseries
#southernreachseries
Since "going live" back in mid-September of last year, I've had ten email-based scams and five DM-based ones across my platforms. (Today made email-based scam #10, prompting this post.)
What're some of the scams you've received, and what about them made you chuckle most?
I'll go first:
[1/2]
What're some of the scams you've received, and what about them made you chuckle most?
I'll go first:
[1/2]
January 16, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Since "going live" back in mid-September of last year, I've had ten email-based scams and five DM-based ones across my platforms. (Today made email-based scam #10, prompting this post.)
What're some of the scams you've received, and what about them made you chuckle most?
I'll go first:
[1/2]
What're some of the scams you've received, and what about them made you chuckle most?
I'll go first:
[1/2]
Day 15 of #FantasyIndiesJanuary!
Last: "Annihilation" by Jeff Vandermeer (reread)
Current: Baudelaire's "Les Fleurs du Mal", du Maurier's "Frenchman's Creek", Jordan's "New Spring".
Next: "Authority" by Jeff Vandermeer, plus whatever fantasy series my Darling Viking and I decide to start!
Last: "Annihilation" by Jeff Vandermeer (reread)
Current: Baudelaire's "Les Fleurs du Mal", du Maurier's "Frenchman's Creek", Jordan's "New Spring".
Next: "Authority" by Jeff Vandermeer, plus whatever fantasy series my Darling Viking and I decide to start!
January 15, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Day 15 of #FantasyIndiesJanuary!
Last: "Annihilation" by Jeff Vandermeer (reread)
Current: Baudelaire's "Les Fleurs du Mal", du Maurier's "Frenchman's Creek", Jordan's "New Spring".
Next: "Authority" by Jeff Vandermeer, plus whatever fantasy series my Darling Viking and I decide to start!
Last: "Annihilation" by Jeff Vandermeer (reread)
Current: Baudelaire's "Les Fleurs du Mal", du Maurier's "Frenchman's Creek", Jordan's "New Spring".
Next: "Authority" by Jeff Vandermeer, plus whatever fantasy series my Darling Viking and I decide to start!