Jou Montfort
Jou Montfort
@joumontfort.bsky.social
Fantasy & science fiction author, currently working on stories of the Phoenix and the Five Worlds.
Pinned
#januaryworldbuilders
Part 1 of my first serialized #Romantasy novel, A Chime for These Hallowed Bones, releases in February! To prepare, I'll spend this month on worldbuilding for the world of Síderon, including the Kabarāhira Sultanate and Kimian Empire!
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
#januaryworldbuilders
Day 18
One thing that makes the Kimian military so deadly (at least, within the Empire's borders) is the carmot gambeson. This enchanted, padded coat adapts to incoming forces, making it hard for "barbarian" weapons to penetrate.
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
#januaryworldbuilders
Part 1 of my first serialized #Romantasy novel, A Chime for These Hallowed Bones, releases in February! To prepare, I'll spend this month on worldbuilding for the world of Síderon, including the Kabarāhira Sultanate and Kimian Empire!
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 17, 2026 at 10:29 PM
#FantasyIndiesJanuary #writingcommunity
Day 17 -> "gold"

"A gold-dipped skull slotted into a bracket within the loop."
- A Chime for These Hallowed Bones ( #Romantasy , #wip ), Ch. 5

Volume 1 of A Chime for These Hallowed Bones begins February 3rd!

www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 17, 2026 at 1:21 PM
#wipsnips #writesky #writingprompts
Day 17 -> "gold"

"A gold-dipped skull slotted into a bracket within the loop."
- A Chime for These Hallowed Bones ( #Romantasy , #wip ), Ch. 5

Volume 1 of A Chime for These Hallowed Bones begins February 3rd!

www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 17, 2026 at 1:13 PM
#januaryworldbuilders
Day 17
The ifrit binding rings forged by Kir Nikbin were intended to topple the Archon. Each ring enslaves an ifrit to the wearer's will and empowers it with a Philosopher's Stone, effectively creating a sapient tactical nuke.
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
#januaryworldbuilders
Part 1 of my first serialized #Romantasy novel, A Chime for These Hallowed Bones, releases in February! To prepare, I'll spend this month on worldbuilding for the world of Síderon, including the Kabarāhira Sultanate and Kimian Empire!
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 17, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Recent Reads flashes back to A Master Djinn! Join us for an analysis of a debut novel that has vivid worldbuilding yet stumbles in executing its other aspects.
#BookReview #BookSky
www.joumontfort.com/recent-reads...
January 17, 2026 at 12:33 AM
It's time to wrap up the War of Souls Trilogy with a 2-part review of Dragons of a Vanished Moon! Today, in Part 1, we’ll cover the big-picture elements, including the rating and the prose.
#dragonlance #bookreview #BookSky
www.joumontfort.com/recent-reads...
January 16, 2026 at 1:23 PM
#wipsnips #writesky #writingprompts
Day 16 -> "brain" -> "mind"

“'A relative concept, but still within the grasp of your gelatinous minds.'”
- A Chime for These Hallowed Bones ( #Romantasy , #wip ), Ch. 6

Volume 1 of A Chime for These Hallowed Bones begins 2/3!

www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 16, 2026 at 12:50 PM
#januaryworldbuilders
Day 16

"Their alchemy-fueled war machines were the things of nightmares: cannisters of poison vapors, metal titans in the shape of men, and cannons that could level cities from over the horizon."
- A Chime for These Hallowed Bones ( #romantasy, #WIP), Ch. 2
#januaryworldbuilders
Part 1 of my first serialized #Romantasy novel, A Chime for These Hallowed Bones, releases in February! To prepare, I'll spend this month on worldbuilding for the world of Síderon, including the Kabarāhira Sultanate and Kimian Empire!
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 16, 2026 at 8:00 AM
This Sunday, Recent Reads dives into the adventures of #Ravenor with the #shortstory "Playing Patience"! Now's a great time to get caught up on the reviews of the #Eisenhorn mythos!
#BookSky #BookReview #warhammer40k
www.joumontfort.com/recent-reads...
January 15, 2026 at 12:08 PM
#wipsnips #writesky #writingprompts
Day 15 -> "manager" -> "archon"

“'Do you really think some old dragon had a monopoly on that knowledge? The Archon taught it to us, too.'”
- A Chime for These Hallowed Bones ( #Romantasy , #wip ), Ch. 4

www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 15, 2026 at 9:42 AM
#januaryworldbuilders 
Day 15
Yadleen makes use of a necromancer's staff, a pewter staff containing segments of prayer-etched bone. It is topped with steel chimes to chastise bhūtas and a gold-dipped skull to capture a single bhūta for binding.
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 14, 2026 at 8:37 PM
#wipsnips #writesky #writingprompts
Day 14 -> "current"

"Without that undercurrent of music, Yadleen found herself peering furtively down each street they crossed ..."
- A Chime for These Hallowed Bones ( #Romantasy , #wip ), Ch. 5

www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 14, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Recent Reads reviews Red Dragon, the sequel to Sky Shielder! This will be a 5-part review, releasing on Wednesdays. Join us today for the overview!
#BookReview #BookSky #indie #Romantasy
www.joumontfort.com/recent-reads...
January 14, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Recent Reads completes its deep-dive into Curse of the Wolf! Join us for a closer look at the plot, characters, worldbuilding, and romance.
#urbanfantasy #BookReview #BookSky #indie
www.joumontfort.com/recent-reads...
January 13, 2026 at 10:12 AM
#wipsnips #writesky #writingprompts
Day 13 -> "reflex"
"Rajeev appraised Yadleen with a cold, dissecting look, the kind that made one reflexively hold one’s breath and wait for judgment to be passed."
- A Chime for These Hallowed Bones ( #Romantasy , #wip ), Ch. 3
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 13, 2026 at 10:07 AM
#januaryworldbuilders
Day 13

"They also dressed presentably: pleated shalwar trousers and a long kameez tunic for the more traditional types, or a kurta suit for those of a modern bent."
A Chime for These Hallowed Bones ( #Romantasy , #wip ), Ch. 1

www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 13, 2026 at 7:51 AM
On Tuesday, 2/3, Volume I of A Chime for These Hallowed Bones, my first serialized #Romantasy, begins! #Alchemized meets #JadeCity in a slow-burn Enemies to Lovers story, inspired by cultures of Southwest Asia!
#indie #fantasy
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 12, 2026 at 11:26 PM
#januaryworldbuilders
Day 12
In Kabarāhira, bowing to someone is seen as an acknowledgement that said person is honorable. It is often done by a junior person to a superior when accepting commands, apologizing, or being dismissed.
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
#januaryworldbuilders
Part 1 of my first serialized #Romantasy novel, A Chime for These Hallowed Bones, releases in February! To prepare, I'll spend this month on worldbuilding for the world of Síderon, including the Kabarāhira Sultanate and Kimian Empire!
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 11, 2026 at 9:31 PM
#SundaySnips
January 11th

“'That won’t be necessary,' the graverobber blustered. 'Your master will vouch for me. This is a family affair.'”
- A Chime for These Hallowed Bones ( #Romantasy , #wip ), Ch. 1

#WritingCommunity #Writingprompt #Writesky #HQpress
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 11, 2026 at 12:11 PM
#FantasyIndiesJanuary #writingcommunity
Day 11

Bhūtas can be influenced by sonic cues, so the most important tools in a necromancer's arsenal are musical instruments - bells, cymbals, and chimes.

Volume 1 of A Chime for These Hallowed Bones begins 2/3!

www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 11, 2026 at 12:04 PM
#wipsnips #writesky #writingprompts
Day 11 -> "climb"

"Climbing back up the hill took far longer than going down."
- A Chime for These Hallowed Bones ( #Romantasy , #wip ), Ch. 8

Volume 1 of A Chime for These Hallowed Bones begins February 3rd!

www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 11, 2026 at 11:58 AM
The review for The Strength of the Few begins 1/30! For now, let's break down the critical changes to the magic system from The Will of the Many, as these are the driving force behind the narrative.
#BookRecommendations #bookreview #BookSky #hierarchy
www.joumontfort.com/recent-reads...
January 11, 2026 at 10:56 AM
The character art commissioned for my upcoming #Romantasy project, A Chime for These Hallowed Bones, is complete! Thanks to @legionattack13.bsky.social for the fantastic work!
January 11, 2026 at 8:42 AM
Today, Recent Reads will break down the magic system in The Strength of the Few! Catch up on the foundations of this system by looking back at the worldbuilding of The Will of the Many!
#hierarchy #BookRecommendations #bookreview #BookSky
www.joumontfort.com/recent-reads...
January 11, 2026 at 12:31 AM
#januaryworldbuilders
Day 11

While Kabarāhira's honor system is vital to understanding whom in society is trustworthy, it can lead to other ills in a bid to cover up dishonorable acts, such as abandoning the children of extramarital affairs.

www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
January 10, 2026 at 11:31 PM