Cal Logan Returns: Shadow Vein, Book Two Politics, and Real Yokai Folklore

Cal Logan is back for round two, and it's the show's first return guest. His debut ShadowBane landed as one of Pete's picks for Indie Book of 2025, and the sequel, ShadowVein, closes out a very different kind of book two. Cal walks through the decision to pull back from book one's battle heavy structure and lean into political, character driven fantasy instead, a swing he knew was risky right after such a strong debut.We get into the covers, including the original concept Cal brought his artist that got scrapped for something stronger, and the color shift for book two that quietly sets up book three. Cal also breaks down how much of ShadowBane and ShadowVein pulls directly from real Japanese yokai folklore rather than invented mythology, why he chose feudal Japan over Western demon lore for the series' backbone, and the specific liberties he did and didn't feel comfortable taking with a culture that isn't his own.Plus how a planned single book split into a trilogy once the story kept growing past 700 pages, the advice Cal has for indie authors nervous to put themselves out there, and a first look at what's coming: a prequel novella covering the twins' early days, and a much bigger, war focused book three landing in 2028.===========================Connect with CalInstagram / TikTok: @cal_logan_author===========================Connect with Realm RunnersSubscribe: @realm_runnersFollow Realm Runners: instagram.com/realm_runnersFollow Pete: instagram.com/pete_reviews_books_goodFollow Devin: instagram.com/bromantasy0:00 — Intro and welcome back to episode twelve with Cal Logan3:33 — Cal introduces Shadow Bane, Shadow Vein, and the Schism of Souls trilogy4:41 — Why book two pulls back from action into political, character-driven fantasy8:39 — Cover art process: the scrapped original concept and finding the right artist11:40 — Book two's color shift and what it sets up for book three27:35 — Splitting one massive manuscript into a trilogy29:29 — Grimdark influences and that eight-message death scene30:51 — How much of the demon mythology is real Japanese yokai folklore32:25 — Why feudal Japan instead of Western demon lore33:36 — Anime influences, Demon Slayer comps, and the Andy Palakin quote37:21 — Advice for indie authors: being unafraid and staying genuine online1:01:58 — The background mythology readers latched onto more than expected1:03:11 — Why nothing an indie author writes goes to waste1:04:51 — Book three update: war, mythology payoff, and a 2028 target1:07:02 — The prequel novella: the twins' early days before Shadow Bane1:08:26 — Wrap-up and where to find Cal