The 19th Bladesman

by S J Hartland

I’m fortunate to have so many fabulous friends, mentors and family who helped bring the Shadow Sword series to life.

  My amazing, wonderful mentor Dr Kathryn Heyman--where would I be without you? Kathryn not only believed in the series but taught me everything a journalist doesn’t know about writing. Turns out that’s a lot! Thank you Kathryn for too many things to list.

  Many thanks to my Saturday night family, Sasha and Eleanora, who patiently listened to talk about characters and publishing. (Hamilton one day … maybe.)

  Thank you to my Sunday “furniture night” family, Cat, Steve and Hoges. “Dace the Virgin Knight” isn’t in this series (and guys, hate to tell you but he’s not a virgin!) Maybe one day Dace will appear …

  Thanks to Annie and Dad, David and Annette and Kate who only ever encouraged me.

  A thank you to my friend Meghan who ended up becoming a beta-reader before I knew what that was … and read the first three manuscripts, or 1800 pages! Thank you Jo and Eva for reading blurb after blurb.

  Thank you to Sarah G from Red Adept (that poem about enforcers is very cool) and to Hayley and Dallas from the University of Southern Queensland for helpful suggestions on writing and publishing.

  About the Author

  S. J. Hartland is an emerging author of epic fantasy.

  She is an Australian journalist, former AAP finance editor and fencer who watches too much TV, spent too many holidays wandering around obscure castles and is obsessed with anything medieval.

  The 19th Bladesman is her first published novel. The second in the Shadow Sword series, The Last Seer King, will be released in mid-1019 and the third later that year.

  Find out more about the series and the characters at www.sjhartland.com