David M Allan’s new novel combines elements of both fantasy and science fiction to examine the glamour of power and the danger of invisible forces that can manipulate and control even the most formidable leaders.
DARTFORD, KENT – 08 June 2018 – Elsewhen Press, an independent UK publisher specialising in Speculative Fiction, is delighted to announce that they have signed with author David M Allan to publish his novel The Empty Throne. Combining swords, magic, other-worldly creatures and ambitious politicians, with a gateway to another world, The Empty Throne is an unexpected mix of traditional fantasy and science fiction, likely to appeal to readers who enjoy the work of David Eddings, Robin Hobb and Juliet McKenna.
In the world of The Empty Throne, there is a Citadel. In it stand three thrones, one of metal, one of wood and one of stone. Between them shimmers a gateway to a new world, created four hundred years ago by the three magicians who made the thrones. When hostile incorporeal creatures came through the gateway, the magicians attempted to close it but failed. Since that time the creatures have tried to come through the gateway at irregular intervals, but the throne room is guarded by the Company of Tectors, established to defend against them. To try to stop the creatures, expeditions have been sent through the gateway, but none has ever returned.
On each throne appears an image of one of the Custoda, heroes who have led the expeditions through the gateway. While the Custoda occupy the thrones the gateway remains quiet and there are no incursions. Today, Dhanay, the newest knight admitted to the Company, is guarding the throne room. Like all the Tectors, Dhanay looks to the images of the Custoda for guidance.
But the Throne of Stone is empty. The latest incursion has started; a creature escaping into the world, a kulun capable of possessing and controlling humans.
The provincial rulers, the oldest and most powerful families, ignore the gateway and the Tectors, concentrating on playing politics and pursuing their own petty aims. Some even question the need for the Company, as incursions have been successfully contained within the Citadel for years. Family feuds, border disputes, deep-rooted rivalries and bigotry make for a potentially unstable world, and are a perfect environment for a kulun looking to create havoc…
The arresting cover is by renowned artist Tony Allcock, encapsulating the atmosphere of the throne room and Dhanay’s shock when he realises the throne is empty. The author immediately liked the cover art for the “air of mystery and feeling of menace”.
The Empty Throne will be available on all popular eBook platforms from 3rd August 2018. It will be available in paperback on 22nd October 2018.
Notes for Editors
About David M Allan
David M Allan got hooked on reading at a young age by borrowing to the max – 3 books, twice a week – from the public library. He was caught up and transported to fabulous other worlds by the likes of Wells, Verne and Burroughs (and later by Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke, Heinlein, Le Guin, Wyndham…). Alas, the journeys were temporary and he had to return to Earth.
His love affair with science fiction and fantasy had him thinking vaguely about writing but he didn’t follow through until after retirement and his relocation, with wife and cat, to a houseboat on the Thames. It was reading one book which he didn’t think was very good that led him to say “I could do better than that” and then setting out to prove it. David has since had a number of short stories published in online magazines, but The Empty Throne will be his first published novel.
About Tony Allcock
Tony Allcock lives in Hertfordshire and has been both a Research Scientist and a Fine Artist for 40 years. He has exhibited watercolour and oil paintings in galleries and exhibitions in the UK, France and Italy. More recently he has also been painting digitally, illustrating music CD covers and book covers. Under the internet name of 888toto he has been developing digital painting brushes and techniques that have been downloaded by many hundreds of artists around the world. This is the third book cover Tony has produced for Elsewhen Press.