Dave Rudden
@daveruddenwrites.bsky.social
Storysmith. DOCTOR WHO. KNIGHTS OF THE BORROWED DARK. And CONN OF THE DEAD - coming soon!
It's turning into kind of a busy week!
I am delighted to share the cover of DARKISLE II: NELL ON EARTH, illustrated by the gorgeous @aeadraws.bsky.social, out this World Book Day!
If you liked CONN OF THE DEAD, this has;
- even more jokes
- a new scrappy hero
- a ravenous, T-Rex-sized otter
I am delighted to share the cover of DARKISLE II: NELL ON EARTH, illustrated by the gorgeous @aeadraws.bsky.social, out this World Book Day!
If you liked CONN OF THE DEAD, this has;
- even more jokes
- a new scrappy hero
- a ravenous, T-Rex-sized otter
January 22, 2026 at 5:15 PM
It's turning into kind of a busy week!
I am delighted to share the cover of DARKISLE II: NELL ON EARTH, illustrated by the gorgeous @aeadraws.bsky.social, out this World Book Day!
If you liked CONN OF THE DEAD, this has;
- even more jokes
- a new scrappy hero
- a ravenous, T-Rex-sized otter
I am delighted to share the cover of DARKISLE II: NELL ON EARTH, illustrated by the gorgeous @aeadraws.bsky.social, out this World Book Day!
If you liked CONN OF THE DEAD, this has;
- even more jokes
- a new scrappy hero
- a ravenous, T-Rex-sized otter
Just two days left until SISTER WAKE is released!
If you happen to be in Dublin this Thursday, come to the launch!
If you're not, but you're craving an epic fantasy with;
- anti-colonial themes
- giant monsters with tragic hearts
- Irish myth and history
Then this might be the book for you...
If you happen to be in Dublin this Thursday, come to the launch!
If you're not, but you're craving an epic fantasy with;
- anti-colonial themes
- giant monsters with tragic hearts
- Irish myth and history
Then this might be the book for you...
January 13, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Just two days left until SISTER WAKE is released!
If you happen to be in Dublin this Thursday, come to the launch!
If you're not, but you're craving an epic fantasy with;
- anti-colonial themes
- giant monsters with tragic hearts
- Irish myth and history
Then this might be the book for you...
If you happen to be in Dublin this Thursday, come to the launch!
If you're not, but you're craving an epic fantasy with;
- anti-colonial themes
- giant monsters with tragic hearts
- Irish myth and history
Then this might be the book for you...
Off to #Edinburgh for my annual week-long fantasy writing course with Rutgers students AND my first Sister Wake event AND also to go to the bar where they lower a nine-foot Frankenstein from the ceiling at 4pm every day, all equally and extremely educational
January 5, 2026 at 7:27 AM
Off to #Edinburgh for my annual week-long fantasy writing course with Rutgers students AND my first Sister Wake event AND also to go to the bar where they lower a nine-foot Frankenstein from the ceiling at 4pm every day, all equally and extremely educational
Nothing spooky at all!
(It is a perfect place to keep my skull though)
(It is a perfect place to keep my skull though)
January 5, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Nothing spooky at all!
(It is a perfect place to keep my skull though)
(It is a perfect place to keep my skull though)
Thank you all for your kind interest in my haunted door!
Upon opening, it is in fact the door to a haunted room. So that's consistent at least
I did a lil photoshoot (incl with my new book!) so insert your own monster here, and hey, may you also be visited by a creepy door this year too...
Upon opening, it is in fact the door to a haunted room. So that's consistent at least
I did a lil photoshoot (incl with my new book!) so insert your own monster here, and hey, may you also be visited by a creepy door this year too...
January 3, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Thank you all for your kind interest in my haunted door!
Upon opening, it is in fact the door to a haunted room. So that's consistent at least
I did a lil photoshoot (incl with my new book!) so insert your own monster here, and hey, may you also be visited by a creepy door this year too...
Upon opening, it is in fact the door to a haunted room. So that's consistent at least
I did a lil photoshoot (incl with my new book!) so insert your own monster here, and hey, may you also be visited by a creepy door this year too...
Hello new followers and happy new year! We're just twelve days away from the launch of my first epic fantasy, SISTER WAKE, everything you've ever wanted in a book;
(provided what you want is Irish myth, colonial revenge and two hundred foot Celtic goddesses with a grudge.
I hope to see you there!
(provided what you want is Irish myth, colonial revenge and two hundred foot Celtic goddesses with a grudge.
I hope to see you there!
January 3, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Hello new followers and happy new year! We're just twelve days away from the launch of my first epic fantasy, SISTER WAKE, everything you've ever wanted in a book;
(provided what you want is Irish myth, colonial revenge and two hundred foot Celtic goddesses with a grudge.
I hope to see you there!
(provided what you want is Irish myth, colonial revenge and two hundred foot Celtic goddesses with a grudge.
I hope to see you there!
Happy New Year everyone! My NYE's plans involved inviting some friends over and opening the mysterious door in our new house for the first time.
It was lots of fun and we certainly didn't unleash or get replaced by anything.
Here's to a new year of definitely not being possessed!
It was lots of fun and we certainly didn't unleash or get replaced by anything.
Here's to a new year of definitely not being possessed!
January 2, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Happy New Year everyone! My NYE's plans involved inviting some friends over and opening the mysterious door in our new house for the first time.
It was lots of fun and we certainly didn't unleash or get replaced by anything.
Here's to a new year of definitely not being possessed!
It was lots of fun and we certainly didn't unleash or get replaced by anything.
Here's to a new year of definitely not being possessed!
Join the Rising on Jan 15th!
We are launching my Irish-inspired epic fantasy SISTER WAKE in the lovely Grafton branch of @dubray-books.bsky.social on Jan 15th and there will be wine and readings and I am QUITE NERVOUS so you should come along and tell me I'm pretty
We are launching my Irish-inspired epic fantasy SISTER WAKE in the lovely Grafton branch of @dubray-books.bsky.social on Jan 15th and there will be wine and readings and I am QUITE NERVOUS so you should come along and tell me I'm pretty
December 18, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Join the Rising on Jan 15th!
We are launching my Irish-inspired epic fantasy SISTER WAKE in the lovely Grafton branch of @dubray-books.bsky.social on Jan 15th and there will be wine and readings and I am QUITE NERVOUS so you should come along and tell me I'm pretty
We are launching my Irish-inspired epic fantasy SISTER WAKE in the lovely Grafton branch of @dubray-books.bsky.social on Jan 15th and there will be wine and readings and I am QUITE NERVOUS so you should come along and tell me I'm pretty
Just a few days left to get your vote in for the Irish Book Awards! Show your support for CONN OF THE DEAD and a whole host of gorgeous books at irishbookawards.ie...
November 12, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Just a few days left to get your vote in for the Irish Book Awards! Show your support for CONN OF THE DEAD and a whole host of gorgeous books at irishbookawards.ie...
The CONN OF THE DEAD audiobook has been released!
This was such a blast to read so if you've got a horror-lover aged 9 - 11 (particularly one who's neurodivergent) this is the peril-packed few hours for them.
There's even a sample here to check out!
rbmediaglobal.com/audiobook/97...
This was such a blast to read so if you've got a horror-lover aged 9 - 11 (particularly one who's neurodivergent) this is the peril-packed few hours for them.
There's even a sample here to check out!
rbmediaglobal.com/audiobook/97...
September 4, 2025 at 11:56 AM
The CONN OF THE DEAD audiobook has been released!
This was such a blast to read so if you've got a horror-lover aged 9 - 11 (particularly one who's neurodivergent) this is the peril-packed few hours for them.
There's even a sample here to check out!
rbmediaglobal.com/audiobook/97...
This was such a blast to read so if you've got a horror-lover aged 9 - 11 (particularly one who's neurodivergent) this is the peril-packed few hours for them.
There's even a sample here to check out!
rbmediaglobal.com/audiobook/97...
I've added another Publishing Information Session as the first one has been snapped up - your support is greatly appreciated and I'd love to help your book find a home!
Find out more at the link below.
www.ruthennis.com/irish-kidlit...
@rurooie.bsky.social @sineadohart.bsky.social
Find out more at the link below.
www.ruthennis.com/irish-kidlit...
@rurooie.bsky.social @sineadohart.bsky.social
August 11, 2025 at 10:09 AM
I've added another Publishing Information Session as the first one has been snapped up - your support is greatly appreciated and I'd love to help your book find a home!
Find out more at the link below.
www.ruthennis.com/irish-kidlit...
@rurooie.bsky.social @sineadohart.bsky.social
Find out more at the link below.
www.ruthennis.com/irish-kidlit...
@rurooie.bsky.social @sineadohart.bsky.social
The lovely folk at @hodderscape.bsky.social showing off the gorgeous proof for SISTER WAKE!
It's on Netgalley now and the pre-orders are open below if you, like me, have always been of the opinion that the Nine Years War needed more Kaiju...
lnk.to/SisterWake
It's on Netgalley now and the pre-orders are open below if you, like me, have always been of the opinion that the Nine Years War needed more Kaiju...
lnk.to/SisterWake
August 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
The lovely folk at @hodderscape.bsky.social showing off the gorgeous proof for SISTER WAKE!
It's on Netgalley now and the pre-orders are open below if you, like me, have always been of the opinion that the Nine Years War needed more Kaiju...
lnk.to/SisterWake
It's on Netgalley now and the pre-orders are open below if you, like me, have always been of the opinion that the Nine Years War needed more Kaiju...
lnk.to/SisterWake
Sometimes I wonder why I stick around on r/writing, and then something like this comes along.
July 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Sometimes I wonder why I stick around on r/writing, and then something like this comes along.
Of course! The two Custodes are from Dominion (which I think was so overprinted you shouldn't have trouble finding heads online) and the SW in progress is from the Chaos Warriors!
July 15, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Of course! The two Custodes are from Dominion (which I think was so overprinted you shouldn't have trouble finding heads online) and the SW in progress is from the Chaos Warriors!
My first novel for adults - SISTER WAKE - is coming in January!
The beginning of an epic fantasy trilogy published by the stellar @hodderscape.bsky.social, SISTER WAKE is about colonialism, vengeance and giant fuck-off monsters.
(1/3)
The beginning of an epic fantasy trilogy published by the stellar @hodderscape.bsky.social, SISTER WAKE is about colonialism, vengeance and giant fuck-off monsters.
(1/3)
July 7, 2025 at 2:04 PM
My first novel for adults - SISTER WAKE - is coming in January!
The beginning of an epic fantasy trilogy published by the stellar @hodderscape.bsky.social, SISTER WAKE is about colonialism, vengeance and giant fuck-off monsters.
(1/3)
The beginning of an epic fantasy trilogy published by the stellar @hodderscape.bsky.social, SISTER WAKE is about colonialism, vengeance and giant fuck-off monsters.
(1/3)
An absolutely gorgeous time at @ilfdublin.bsky.social - thank you so much for supporting Conn and I (and letting me play D & D with some very Chaotically Good writers!)
May 27, 2025 at 8:49 AM
An absolutely gorgeous time at @ilfdublin.bsky.social - thank you so much for supporting Conn and I (and letting me play D & D with some very Chaotically Good writers!)
What being three chapters away from finishing a draft looks like...
May 14, 2025 at 8:55 AM
What being three chapters away from finishing a draft looks like...
A lovely write-up for Conn from Ruth Concannon in the @irishexaminer.bsky.social, highlighting children's books about determination and imagination!
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
May 4, 2025 at 10:23 AM
A lovely write-up for Conn from Ruth Concannon in the @irishexaminer.bsky.social, highlighting children's books about determination and imagination!
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
It isn't easy to have a headful of horror movies and bones made of lightning - Conn is hyper-active, hyper-focused and hyper-aware that he tends to tire people out.
What are you supposed to do when everyone else is encouraged to be themselves, but you're just a bit too much?
What are you supposed to do when everyone else is encouraged to be themselves, but you're just a bit too much?
April 14, 2025 at 10:12 AM
It isn't easy to have a headful of horror movies and bones made of lightning - Conn is hyper-active, hyper-focused and hyper-aware that he tends to tire people out.
What are you supposed to do when everyone else is encouraged to be themselves, but you're just a bit too much?
What are you supposed to do when everyone else is encouraged to be themselves, but you're just a bit too much?
Just 10 days until CONN OF THE DEAD hits shelves, so here's a more of Ali's gorgeous art - meet Conn!
A very typical pose - Conn loves Irish myth, esp. the grim and gruesome parts. Telling these stories makes the world click into focus for him - it's just a pity it tends to gross everyone else out.
A very typical pose - Conn loves Irish myth, esp. the grim and gruesome parts. Telling these stories makes the world click into focus for him - it's just a pity it tends to gross everyone else out.
April 14, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Just 10 days until CONN OF THE DEAD hits shelves, so here's a more of Ali's gorgeous art - meet Conn!
A very typical pose - Conn loves Irish myth, esp. the grim and gruesome parts. Telling these stories makes the world click into focus for him - it's just a pity it tends to gross everyone else out.
A very typical pose - Conn loves Irish myth, esp. the grim and gruesome parts. Telling these stories makes the world click into focus for him - it's just a pity it tends to gross everyone else out.
There's something nice about finishing the first draft of TALES OF DARKISLE II AND getting to announce the launch for Book I all in the same day!
(also I'm exhausted I wrote 8000 words today, send me coffee)
But I'll be recovered by the 24th (I hope) come celebrate, it'll be (horrible) magic!
(also I'm exhausted I wrote 8000 words today, send me coffee)
But I'll be recovered by the 24th (I hope) come celebrate, it'll be (horrible) magic!
April 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
There's something nice about finishing the first draft of TALES OF DARKISLE II AND getting to announce the launch for Book I all in the same day!
(also I'm exhausted I wrote 8000 words today, send me coffee)
But I'll be recovered by the 24th (I hope) come celebrate, it'll be (horrible) magic!
(also I'm exhausted I wrote 8000 words today, send me coffee)
But I'll be recovered by the 24th (I hope) come celebrate, it'll be (horrible) magic!
With just a few weeks left until CONN OF THE DEAD hits shelves, I want to share some teasers of Ali Al Amine's gorgeous art!
Obviously you don't START with the horror (and believe me it gets horrible) so here is something lovely - our portraits!
If you can get drawn by Ali, do - it does wonders...
Obviously you don't START with the horror (and believe me it gets horrible) so here is something lovely - our portraits!
If you can get drawn by Ali, do - it does wonders...
April 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM
With just a few weeks left until CONN OF THE DEAD hits shelves, I want to share some teasers of Ali Al Amine's gorgeous art!
Obviously you don't START with the horror (and believe me it gets horrible) so here is something lovely - our portraits!
If you can get drawn by Ali, do - it does wonders...
Obviously you don't START with the horror (and believe me it gets horrible) so here is something lovely - our portraits!
If you can get drawn by Ali, do - it does wonders...
I asked Graham to put together a simple D & D session for 50 kids, and instead he designed a brand new game from the ground up and it was chaotic delight from start to finish!
April 7, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I asked Graham to put together a simple D & D session for 50 kids, and instead he designed a brand new game from the ground up and it was chaotic delight from start to finish!
I had seven of my books stolen by one of the richest men in the world, all to create something that doesn't work, that nobody wants, and that will fold in a few years, taking a lot of trees and oxygen with it.
It's a fruitless, embarrassing ego trip, and the sooner its stymied the better.
It's a fruitless, embarrassing ego trip, and the sooner its stymied the better.
April 3, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I had seven of my books stolen by one of the richest men in the world, all to create something that doesn't work, that nobody wants, and that will fold in a few years, taking a lot of trees and oxygen with it.
It's a fruitless, embarrassing ego trip, and the sooner its stymied the better.
It's a fruitless, embarrassing ego trip, and the sooner its stymied the better.
Ozone in London Fields. VERY restorative.
March 26, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Ozone in London Fields. VERY restorative.