Author | Lightnews

Jack | TallShepherd

@tallshepherd.com

980 followers 960 following 240 posts

•Fantasy Cartographer & Graphic Designer. •Maps for: The Blade Itself (Curious King), Bound & The Broken, Malazan & more. •COMMISSIONS OPEN (email or dm for more)

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · Dec 5

Still one of my favourite maps I've made! Just managed to capture something that I really dig and it's something I'm gonna be chasing for all future maps I make (of which there are a bunch in progress, just can't share yet).

2 16

Reposted by Jack | TallShepherd

Rory Muldoon @rorymuldoon.bsky.social · 1d

Ai art sucks for many reasons but its ubiquitousness is the one that gets me. No art director worth their salt would ever specify a style that generic and un-ownable. Yeah, you might have saved some money, but you’ve also torpedoed your chance at being memorable.

3 12 56

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · 1d

It'd be nothing without your formidable imagination Philip!

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · 1d

The map I created for the wonderful @philipchase90.bsky.social and his special edition released via the @thebrokenbinding.bsky.social, this was an upgraded version of an earlier map I put together when Philip first released his epic trilogy!

#maps #mapmaking #cartography #fantasymaps #epicfantasy

3 12

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · 4d

Witcher-related purchases from this evening’s author event. New copy of Last Wish to replace my (awful) netflix tie-in copy (that I got to replace my lost original copy). Also Season of Storms because it was the last one I needed to complete the collection.

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · 5d

Thank you😭 you’re the best🤟 I shall appear in your email inbox in a puff of smoke soon.

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · 6d

Lost my grandma last night, if you’re expecting something from me I’ll get back to you asap but I’m gonna take some time for myself over the next couple of days.

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · 7d

Won’t be long, sorry I’ve kept you waiting but I cannot wait to show you what’s been cooking😭😭

1 2

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · 7d

Cooking up something special for @krystlematar.bsky.social, cannot wait to show it. It’s a project that’s let me play close to historical maps, and I’m trying to make it as authentic as possible. Put a lot of time into the linework specifically with this one, hopefully it pays off!

2 1 7

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · 18d

More maps more maps more maps!!!

Adam Bassett @adamcbassett.com · 18d

We hit stretch goal #3! @tallshepherd.com will be helping me illustrate another two maps for this book.

Thank you to everyone who has backed this already, and who has shared / shown your support for it. It means the world. 🙏 💙📚🪐

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · 20d

Adam is an excellent guy and a powerhouse of a creative! Check out his kickstarter, it's a project that's worthy of your time, especially if you're as keen on fantasy (and maps in particular) as I am! I got to work on some new maps for it (as well as providing a few pre-made ones).

Adam Bassett @adamcbassett.com · 20d

The Kickstarter ends Oct. 21! But first, I want to shine a light on a few more cartographers who kindly let me interview them, and who offered a few of their maps to use in the book! A massive THANK YOU to Cartographybird, Misjay Maps, and @tallshepherd.com! 💙📚🪐

www.kickstarter.com/projects/ada...

A graphic that showcases three cartographers' profiles: Cartographybird, Misjaymaps, and Tallshepherd. Two of their maps are features as well, the most prominent being Cartographybird's fictional map of Europa with decorative borders.

A graphic that shows the cover of AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN: WORLDBUILDING AND CARTOGRAPHY, which is on Kickstarter until Oct. 21, 2025.

Reposted by Jack | TallShepherd

K Matar @krystlematar.bsky.social · Sep 22

One day I’ll be finished IN THE SHADOW OF MY BRIGHT FUTURE and then I can show all of you fabulous humans the map of Haven that @tallshepherd.com made for me and it’s going to be amazing!!!

1 3 9

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · Sep 22

I shall be there to sound the trumpets and shout about it from the ramparts! (And also show it off everywhere, I love how that project came together) 🎺🎺🎺

1 1

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · Sep 21

I had the pleasure of working on some bits for Adam, this project is mega and if youre a fan of fantasy, worldbuilding or maps, then you don’t wanna miss the Kickstarter. Adam has done a great job all around, and he’s pulled together a heck of a team.

Adam Bassett @adamcbassett.com · Sep 21

TOMORROW! The Kickstarter for AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN begins tomorrow. 💙📚🪐

This is a reference book for authors & worldbuilders which touches upon science, history, and practical map design to help us build our fictional worlds and maps for SFF.

🔗 www.kickstarter.com/projects/ada...

A graphic displaying the cover art of AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN: WORLDBUILDING & CARTOGRAPHY, which shows a boy drawing maps—maps that turn into a fantasy scene with dragons.

1 2

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · Aug 15

As I haven’t shared anything here in a while here’s an (unintentionally) blurry timelapse of some city mapmaking!

Reposted by Jack | TallShepherd

thePlenty.net | Robin Hobb & Megan Lindholm news @theplentynet.bsky.social · Jul 9

Full reveal of the three versions of Curious King’s limited fine press edition of Assassin's Apprentice by @robinhobb.bsky.social

Less than a week to go before the public preorder starts!

More details and relevant links:

theplenty.net/news/2025/07...

A dark blue hardcover book with a bright blue design of a deer's head, standing upright on a table. Next to it is a lighter blue slipcase for it.

A dark green hardcover book with a tan deer's head cutout on the front cover, with a child head silhoutte against the deer's. The book is standing upright on a table. Next to it is a brown leather slipcase decorated with gilded details.

Side by side on table is a wooden box with intricate laser cut wood designs depicting a castle, and a tan leather book with a dark tone drawing of a child and a dog sitting in a rocky landscape.

2 4 24

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · Jul 1

Anthony at Curious King does such a good job, he puts so much into each edition, I’m super thankful to him for bringing me on board, have worked with him on and off since 2022 and he’s the real deal! I would be in the same boat if I didn’t get artist copies though, they are very exclusive haha.

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · Jun 30

Thanks man! Was so cool to get to work on a legendary series!

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · Jun 29

Have been slacking with my Bluesky posting recently, but it's been announced so I can shout that I'll be doing the map for Curious King's production of @robinhobb.bsky.social 's Farseer trilogy! Will be able to show it off soon I hope! The rest of the production is STELLAR, you're in for a treat.

2 3 23

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · May 24

I finished The Devils! I liked it, but wasn’t blown away. Great fun though, but not quite up there with any of the First Law world books. Loved the setting and the characters as always were awesome.

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · May 4

Actually been really useful haha, just used a piece of pine from a hardware store, didn’t need to do any cutting or anything. Brackets were from amazon and they were very affordable too!

1 1

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · May 2

New DIY folding corner desk for when I get sick of my other desk on the other side of the room… (ADHD issues😤).

1 5

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · May 1

Almost 1k followers here wow, so much faster than the ol' hellsite. Love ya Bluesky.

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · May 1

Still alive, just plugging away at my map backlog! Wish I could do socials and work and keep on top of a clean house all at once but it's real tricky, something's gotta give and it's usually the socials. Hopefully will have some sexy new maps to show soon tho.

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · Apr 16

Catching up with emails today so if you’re waiting for one from me keep your eyes peeled!

Jack | TallShepherd @tallshepherd.com · Apr 14

YIKES, It's gone, sorry Artem!