An Alter Ego
Some writers have alter egos, whom they feature as protagonists in their novels.
Jack Carr has James Reece.
Tom Clancy had Jack Ryan.
Ian Fleming had James Bond.
I have a lead character too. His name is Telamon of Arcadia. He’s a solitary mercenary of the ancient world. A bit like Clint Eastwood’s “man with no name,” only instead of a gun, his weapons are the bow and the sling, the sword and the spear.
Telamon has a problem.
For crimes committed in previous lifetimes, he has been cursed by heaven. His punishment is to live lifetime after lifetime, always as a soldier. He kills and is killed, over and over.
In Tides of War (2002), Telamon fought in the twenty-seven-year struggle between Athens and Sparta. In The Virtues of War (2005), he served Alexander, a hundred years later. In A Man at Arms (2021), he was a Roman legionary in Judea at the time of the Crucifixion.
In this new book, The Arcadian (May 2026), Telamon gets a chance to free himself from the wheel of his damnation.
The story takes place in 15th Century Spain, shortly after the discovery of the New World. A mysterious horse appears to Telamon. He recognizes it as his horse, when he served as a cavalry commander in the Tenth Legion of Rome, 1500 years earlier.
The horse bears the “X” brand of the Tenth Legion. The same mark, a tattoo, now appears on Telamon’s forearm …
Has this steed been sent across centuries to signal that Telamon has “served his time?” What must this haunted warrior do to lift the curse he has labored under for centuries?
This is the story of The Arcadian.
It’s a swashbuckler. I hope you’ll ride along with Telamon and me—and our mystery horse—as we cross the centuries, fighting for justice and adventure.
More to come in the weeks till pub date in late May …
DO THE WORK
Steve shows you the predictable Resistance points that every writer hits in a work-in-progress and then shows you how to deal with each one of these sticking points. This book shows you how to keep going with your work.
THE AUTHENTIC SWING
A short book about the writing of a first novel: for Steve, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Having failed with three earlier attempts at novels, here's how Steve finally succeeded.
NOBODY WANTS TO READ YOUR SH*T
Steve shares his "lessons learned" from the trenches of the five different writing careers—advertising, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and self-help. This is tradecraft. An MFA in Writing in 197 pages.
TURNING PRO
Amateurs have amateur habits. Pros have pro habits. When we turn pro, we give up the comfortable life but we find our power. Steve answers the question, "How do we overcome Resistance?"
That’s great. I may see Dienekes in the story.
Thankyou Mr Steve for mounting up once again and Pressing into the Field of Resistance. Looks like you have rescued for us another treasure from that foul dragons lair.
Will be Most Awesome Indeed !
I have pre ordered Audible and me main man George ! is reading it. Thanks again and have a Great day.
Oh I love horses – I have two of my own. To be honest, for the most part I would rather spend time with them other than with people.
Can’t wait to read The Arcadian.
Yes. I know this man. I know Telamon. I know you, too, old warrior, old friend.
Redemption.
Love you so.
Strength and Honor, always.
Oh wonderful! I cannot wait to read this new novel. It’ll be the highlight of the year without a doubt. I’ve been longing to spend more time with Telamon.
Thank you Steve. Great work!
Best regards,
Peter
A horse, a sword, justice, and adventure. I’m in. Can’t wait to follow Telamon on his journey. Congratulations. Thank you for the interview with David Perell. I took notes. In the middle of a project, it’s great to have reminders on how the get to the end. And how to clean up the beginning, and the middle…Seriously, much appreciated.
Can’t wait to preorder.
Likewise, Jackie. Loved the conversation with David Perell. That guy know how to do an interview. Connelly, Albom, Powers, Franzen… Pressfield.
When I have a spare moment, I’ll have to check out the other interviews. Always looking for shared experience and knowledge. Thanks, Joe.
Oh wow, that is great, I love it. I hope I will buy this book, sounds very relevant to what is happening in the world, as we all seek peace.
Dear Telemon, maybe, just Maybe..but the curse has only lifted, eased, not completely paid off…??? John Connolly has Charlie Parker, who has been reminded of his role in the rebellion of the Angels, but is working off His eternity by working to see that Justice is present, one case at a time, even at peril to his current family. Deja Vu…?
Themes, alter egos. Maybe in this life you are condemned to write about your past lives? I LOVE it! Repeating a previous error with each sunrise.? Looking forward to a good read..
AWESOME !!!
TYTYTY !
Very much look forward to seeing Telamon again.
I’ll bring my copy to our next visit at the Reel Inn for a signature. Congrats, Steve,looking forward to Telemon’s next adventure.
But have you read your Michael Moorcock recently?
I love that you have an Eternal Champion! Looking forward to reading.
Also, did you read Stephen Dando-Collins’s book CAESAR’S LEGION on the 10th, which I edited? Such a great book.
Looking forward to reading this! Congrats on getting out into the world!
Oh my my my – that is the best news!! I so look forward to this continuing tale of Telamon. It makes me want to re-read the earlier books to get him into my mind before reading The Arcadian.
He is such a strong and wonderful archetype, and I enjoy his journey – it is ours too on many levels.
Thank you for bringing Telamon to life.
Swashbuckler?!? I’m in! Lol (was anyway)
I bought the hardcover of “A Man at Arms” when it came out, enjoyed it very much and gifted it to my pastor, who found its description of the mid-1st century AD Mediterranean world fascinating, as I did. The previous two books in the series are on my shelves (actual and virtual, respectively). I’ve pre-ordered the new book. Steven’s description reminded me of the Eternal Mercenary series, begun by Barry Sadler back in 1979. I read the Sadler books and they were pretty decent pulp fiction yarns, but after Sadler’s death another author took over and I couldn’t go more than one or two more books with him, especially after he really botched the one about the Rough Riders in 1898. Steven’s series is, I’m sure, much better-written. I’m starting “Tides of War” tonight.
I’m so excited to delve in. Looking forward to this, Steve!
We are all looking forward to it!!
I am so happy my dear Steve. Thank you. I want to buy it and enjoy it.
And I have more good news. I started writing again. The last piece of the miracle process, for now, was miss Cameron’s push -whom I learned about from you- to write the morning pages and even invent artists’ dates. And I did dear Steve, for 7 months relentlessly I did. Gosh, some days now the book is awakening. But not on the blank screen, no, never. Now on paper, with the gracious presence of unstable ink and smudges. Also without flashbacks, only the present moment. I don’t care about what happened in the book, I don’t give a damn. And without judgement. Miss Cameron taught me on that a lot.
The first interesting point is a small act where the team is going to an isle where three women stand. My heart told me that this scene is very, very 100% trivial/cliche -and indeed it is. But behold, the answer is not “false. It’s that actually there is a procedure: scene -> feeling of trivial-ity -> changing future direction, morphing to a new scene according to the “soul”. And all this only in the name of internal truth.
My love to you, Diana, our friends.
Tolis,
Godspeed with your writing.
You’re the best kind of teacher, Steve. It’s such a gift to watch you live!
Uau! Congratulations!
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
It sounds good. I love a powerful horse in a story
Sorry in being tardy here. A hearty congrats to Steve. I cannot wait for this book…
I’m suspecting: “the animal carries the divine.”
The story will be strong– as I’m thinking the author (and more than a few of his loyal readers) believe the story’s premise (that some of us warriors have served together in past lives and will do so again) is true/fact.. SF