Fantasy, Lore, & More: Empty Hands

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Joshua Blum is joining me to talk about his book, Empty Hands. What’s it about? Empty Hands is a blissfully self-aware martial arts fantasy that weaves elements of Saturday morning cartoons, Hong Kong kung fu cinema, Dungeons and Dragons, and 80s action films. In a world where the elite Imperial Rangers receive magically assigned sidearms during the Drawing, Logan, the youngest and seemingly least capable Ranger, faces the challenges of training alongside seven others. As they work through differences, the Rangers-in-training must learn to come together as a unit and take their place among the revered Rangers of old. What’s in this episode: Joshua Blum will take us into the world of Empty Hands with an excerpt from the novella, exploring themes of martial arts, teamwork, and the unique 80s-inspired setting. We'll discuss the self-awareness woven into the story, drawing inspiration from various nostalgic sources. The episode will also highlight the novella's standalone expansion to The Thirteenth Hour and the embedded links to the retro 80s concept EP that accompanies the text. Where to get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Empty-Hands-Thirteenth-Interlude-Martial-ebook/dp/B07V1R4CDX Where to find our guest: Instagram: @the13thhr.ost and @the13thhr Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.blum.714?mibextid=LQQJ4d Twitter: @13thhr Podcast: https://www.thirteenthhourpodcast.com/ Book Soundtracks: https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/ Website: https://13thhr.wordpress.com Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joshua-Blum/ Newsletter signup: https://wordpress.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3ca280fd186ff5792e73845e5&id=fab0d4c78a Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/joshuablum About your host, Melinda Kucsera: I am Melinda Kucsera, an indie fantasy author who wrote and published 20+ books since 2016 across 6 series. I write epic fantasy adventures about families and magical creatures who’re just trying to survive in a world that hates and fears magic but is steeped in it. My books are full of magic and mayhem, but somehow, even the darkest adventure always ends well. ⁠⁠⁠Join me⁠⁠⁠ every week for a new story. What series do I write? ⁠⁠The Curse Breaker series⁠⁠ - listen to book 1 on Spotify now. ⁠⁠The His Angelic Keeper series⁠⁠ - listen to book 1 on Spotify now. ⁠⁠The Robin of Larkspur series⁠⁠ - listen to book 1 on Spotify now. ⁠⁠The Divergent Heroes series⁠⁠  ⁠⁠The Curse Breaker’s Companion⁠⁠ - listen to book 1 on Spotify now. The ⁠⁠Rogue Gods Trilogy⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠Follow the Rogue Gods Kickstarter Campaign⁠⁠. Where to find your host, Melinda Kucsera: Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://melindakucsera.com/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Start the Curse Breaker Series⁠⁠⁠ now. Sign up for my newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.mkucsera.com/welcomecharacters⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Read fun fantasy adventures MONTHS before anyone else on Patreon⁠⁠. About Kickstarter The Kickstarter to fund special editions of Curse Breaker Books 1-3, Curse Breaker Books 4-6, and Curse Breaker Books 7-9 ended, but ⁠⁠you can still order copies⁠⁠. Get the Limited Edition Christmas Epic Fantasy Adventure: A family searches for the true meaning of Christmas, then must save it in an epic fantasy adventure told through poems. ⁠⁠Follow the Rogue Gods Kickstarter Campaign⁠⁠.