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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

An excerpt from Matt Spencer's Changing of the Guards: “Yeah, but we both know, don’t we? Sometimes knowing has to be enough.” #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel #grimdarkfantasy #grimdarknovel #indiepublishing

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

...This hot, sweet bliss was all he knew anymore, getting lost in it with her, a bliss he’d never expected to recapture. He never wanted to know anything else, ever again.

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

...and he felt her agreement. He didn’t miss the scratchy straw they’d lain in back then, either. They kissed and swayed, pressing closer together as their old song played on. In that moment, all the blood and scheming and politics of Severen’s life faded to vague, distant figments. ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

...his chest, while she let him sway and twirl her gently. When she looked up at him again, he closed his eyes and bent his head so his mouth touched hers. She tasted just like he remembered. He felt just as young, too, except now he knew how to kiss her like she deserved to be kissed, ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

An excerpt from Matt Spencer's Changing of the Guards: Their gazes rested on each other while the kaleidoscope of ice-crystal reflections twirled with them across the floor. She pulled him closer and rested her head on ... #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel #grimdarkfantasy #grimdarknovel #indiepublishing

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I need to remember where this mountain summit is. Someday I want to stand up here, at this spot, with Shrira, and I want to watch this sunset with her.”

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I stayed up there for a long time. I watched the sun set while I gazed out and saw Trescha in the distance. All I could think was, Shrira’s still back there somewhere, hopefully in some tavern making beautiful music in a circle with her musician friends. ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

...gathered our outlaw band and worked out how to pull off the invasion, we went up to a mountain summit, in the Nagga Mountains…a view I’d never imagined possible. It was like you could see the whole world from up there…this world and others yet to be. After everyone else left, ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

An excerpt from Matt Spencer's Changing of the Guards: “That’s crazy.” She sighed. “Yeah.” He took her hand in his. “You know what else is crazy? On the day Rorkaster and I ... #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel #grimdarkfantasy #grimdarknovel #indiepublishing

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Reposted by Dark Fire Press

J. M. DeSantis @jmdesantis.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Finished the inks for the homage piece (after Noriyasu Togakushi's original Castlevania box art). Adapted for the upcoming Chadhiyana: Curse of the Rakshasa for A Kid and a Comic, inspired by Castlevania. Pen, brush & ink for this. A color version is coming soon. #amarting #traditionalart

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

us, the Spirelights—with all the arrogance and absolutism we grew, within this closed circle. Maybe you’re right. Maybe this big angle I’m working will destroy the Empire. Or maybe not. I’ll tell you this, though: that closed circle absolutely will, if it’s ever allowed to come back.”

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

An excerpt from Matt Spencer's Changing of the Guards: “This Empire’s still growing up, Shrira. Some diseases it’s better to catch when you’re young. Those enemies you’re talking about, we’re the ones who made them—... #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel #grimdarkfantasy #grimdarknovel #indiepublishing

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Robert J. Sodaro is definitely more than just a fan, too. Somehow out authors keep getting "top fans" on Facebook. Keep that interaction going! 🔥💜 #indiepublishing #indiepublisher #creatorownedpublisher

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

... You hear me, boy? Not on my watch!”

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

... There were no words for the agonized, hopeless sounds coming out of his mouth, except that they’d burn themselves onto Severen’s brain ’til the day he died. “No you don’t, kid. Oh no you don’t, Ketz, you little bastard, you ain’t allowed to die tonight. Not on my watch, Ketz. ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

An excerpt from Matt Spencer's Changing of the Guards: Several times before they got there, Ketz started going limp or convulsing backwards. The wounded often got like that right before the last of them sputtered out. ... #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel #grimdarkfantasy #grimdarknovel #indiepublishing

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Wülf Girlz creator & the author of many things (both under DFP & beyond), Robert J. Sodaro will be at TerrifiCon this weekend. Artist Alley P12 with the Creator Guests--& well deserved! Bob had well over 30 years writing experience before coming our way! Check out all he has to offer at #TerrifiCon

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

...Severen’s eyes were wild with mad, hellish joy as they met Rorkaster’s across the rocky field. With a grin, Severen tore free and loosed an arterial jet that arced six feet overhead before falling on them in a misting rain. Rorkaster skidded to a halt and wiped it from his face.

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

... splitting the skull to the teeth. The last one, already bleeding, made a desperate downward hack and overextended himself. Severen’s blade-arm caught him in a headlock and twirled with him as though wrestling livestock. ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

... He strained to stay coherent and focused through the agony that flashed and throbbed from his broken arm. By the time he was nearly there, two of Severen’s enemies remained in one piece, then the heavy forte of Severen’s blade landed with an echoing crack on a man’s pate, ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

... His saber sailed in all directions around his body, in a weaving blur that spilled guts and hewed off limbs that went flying. Corpses slid in half at strange angles before they hit the ground. Rorkaster spat and frothed as he ran to rejoin his friend and their dying enemies. ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

An excerpt from Matt Spencer's Changing of the Guards: Many yards back, Severen had turned and met his next wave of attackers. He ducked and bobbed among them, evading their whistling blades. ... #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel #grimdarkfantasy #grimdarknovel #indiepublishing

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

The Toadstool Bookshop in Keene, NH is hosting @booksbymattspencer.bsky.social for a Changing of the Guards signing! This Saturday, August 8th at 4pm. Meet the author and grab a copy of the newest grim dark fantasy novel from Dark Fire Press. #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel #grimdarknovel

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

“We’re going to Trescha, and we’re going to show that sonofabitch what the natural order of things really is.

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

...on which we now stand as they see fit. Tell me, friends, does anything about that sound natural to you?” He ripped his saber from the scabbard with a sharp, echoing chime and pointed the gleaming blade at the distant temple dome. ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Except from Changing of the Guards by Matt Spencer: These are the people communing with gods who can’t yet even set direct foot in this physical realm, to rewrite the natural order of these lands ... #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel #grimdarknovel #grimdarkfantasy #indiepublishing

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Matt Spencer's Changing of the Guards is available in paperback and digital: darkfirepress.com/books/changi... A grim dark fantasy novel about Severin Gris, a soldier who finds himself fighting along side his former enemies against the country he once served. #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel

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Reposted by Dark Fire Press

J. M. DeSantis @jmdesantis.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

New promotional artwork (with dressing) for the in production The Clockwork Wizard: Bone and Soulsand movie tie-in comic Written by creator James Harland Lockhart V Art by me, J. M. DeSantis We're working toward a preview if not an issue for the Fall #TheClockworkWizard #indiecomics #makingcomics

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Reposted by Dark Fire Press

J. M. DeSantis @jmdesantis.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I realise I may be talking to a bot on this BlueSky thread, BUT she does ask some good questions about Chadhiyana and my writing--questions I wish more people would ask. My writing is often about asking questions rather than easy answers or uncomplicated people or events. #amwriting #author

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Matt Spencer. Author of the new grim dark fantasy novel, Changing of the Guards. He's not *just* a "top fan" on Facebook... 😆 darkfirepress.com/books/changi... #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel #grimdarkfantasy #grimdarknovel #indiepublishing

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

From Changing of the Guards by Matt Spencer “Severen, please, what are you—?” “What am I doing?” When Krathusha tried to rise again, Severen’s fist crashed into his face. “My job, your Grace. Arresting you.” His fist crashed down again. darkfirepress.com/books/changi... #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

... Rorkaster grinned and shrugged. “Your priests didn’t like our effigies, so I volunteered ’em as alternatives. They sure stank a lot worse and screamed a lot louder in the flames, though. That was sort of annoying, to be honest. Still, fun times.”

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

...“Yeah, that was me,” said Rorkaster. “The Howling Hunt never involved murder, ’til you came along.” ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

...“We all shoulda known things were fucked when they let that lizardshit fly.” Severen peered at Rorkaster but kept his body relaxed. “Yeah, you whupped up some braves to break that law. When the priests came out and objected, your braves strung them up and set them on fire.” ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

...Next thing we knew, your ambassadors pushed it on the barons to outlaw that old custom. On you know what grounds? The howls of the running braves in the night were giving the priests nightmares. Nightmares! Couldn’t have that.” Rorkaster spat. ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

...then you erected holy outpost dwellings for your priests along those roads, right where they intersected with sacred trails Schomite braves have used for the Howling Hunt since before there were Spirelights…or at least before your ancestors called ’emselves that. ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

... That about right?” “About, sure. Then you glowsticks cleared it with Schlogmire’s corrupt Schomite barons to carve out some of your roads through our ranges. That’s how it started. Yeah…

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

...In the years since, your tradition became—” “Is. Our tradition still is.” “To celebrate that victory over a god…what is it, twice a year, under a full moon, reenacted by the village braves, to run around through the surrounding trails, making asses of yourselves in the process. ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

“The first time a god came through from the ephemeral realms and tried to subjugate the Schomites, your mystics lured it into a physical body, trapped it there, then let your youngest would-be warriors hunt it down through the woods, then fuck it, kill it, and eat it. ...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

From Matt Spencer's Changing of the Guards (a long excerpt): You know what the Howling Hunt is, Captain?” Severen leaned back wearily and closed his eyes. “Sure. According to your people’s legends—” “Our history.” “Whatever.” Severen thought back on his studies of Schomite lore.

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Pictures and a special thanks from author Matt Spencer and the Changing of the Guards book signing this past weekend. Congratulations, Matt, on a successful evening! @booksbymattspencer.bsky.social #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel #booksigning #authorsigning

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Severen darted for cover. His eyes quested for the source of the voice. Once he was behind a large rock, he called back, “That right?” “Yeah. They kept screamin’ help, help, heeeeeeeelp!”

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

From somewhere above, a rough, wild voice shouted, “Hey Captain! I was just up on the other side of your little perimeter. Y’know, that field you just set on fire? I think some of your guys wanted some help with somethin’.”

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

This unique grim dark novel came to us last year, and we're so excited to bring it to you. Join us in celebrating by grabbing a copy for yourself to experience what makes it so special.

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Changing of the Guards by @booksbymattspencer.bsky.social is available now, and we couldn't be more thrilled: darkfirepress.com/books/changi... #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel #grimdarkfantasy #grimdarknovel #indiepublishing

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J. M. DeSantis @jmdesantis.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Finally had the opportunity to work with my friends at @waywardraven.bsky.social ! I have a story in this collection, written and with art by. I hope it will be read as thought provoking & inspiring. Hit the notification button for when this launches next month: www.kickstarter.com/projects/way...

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Sorry. We don't check our comments nearly enough here. Our mistake. But you are right, and we're curious what the future holds both for Dark Horse and Mike Richardson, respectively.

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J. M. DeSantis @jmdesantis.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Slowly things are coming together and that means I'm looking for recommendations for: Comic Podcasts, Interviewers, & News Sites (indie friendly) I have multiple upcoming projects & releases & want to get the word(s) out. Now & through the Fall & Winter (probably beyond, too).

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Dark Fire Press @darkfirepress.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

@booksbymattspencer.bsky.social 's grim dark novel, Changing of the Guards, is now available: darkfirepress.com/books/changi... Corruption forces Severen Gris to fight alongside his former foes against those he once served. #ChangingoftheGuardsnovel #grimdarkfantasy #grimdarknovel #indiepublishing

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