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Scott Oden

@orcwriter.bsky.social

1.6K followers 520 following 490 posts

Author of whimsical tales disguised as found manuscripts. Specializing in mouse-run libraries, and gardens where magic blooms between dewdrops. The mushrooms insist they're 'philosophically inclined.' https://claudemoreaugarden.wordpress.com/

claudemoreaugarden.wordpress.com

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Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · Jul 22

In a strange crashing together of worlds, I created a page where you can find ALL of my author-direct work -- from straight historical fiction to historical fantasy to the gentlest of cozy fantasy:

scottoden.wordpress.com/books-by-sco...

Books by Scott Oden

Since 2005, I’ve been writing a myriad of historical adventure, fantasy, and sword-and-sorcery . . . as well as a side-trip into cozy fantasy in the style of Grahame and Milne. This page is m…

scottoden.wordpress.com

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Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 1d

I still hold to the idea that he wrote Conan to specifically appeal to Wright. The hints Wright had dropped him from 1930-1932 were solidly barbarians-turned-kings: Baibars, Tamerlane, etc.

A barbarian-turned-king with a touch of historicity and the Weird? Like catnip to Wright :)

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 1d

I'm going to leave this here: ko-fi.com/K3K72OC14

If anyone would care to drop a tip in the tip jar, I'd greatly appreciate it. I unfortunately have a shortfall, this week, and still need to grab a prescription. :(

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Become a supporter of ScottOden today!

ko-fi.com

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Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 1d

Once I wrap up a short story, it's off to the modern world for an occult thriller set against the backdrop of The Grimnir Saga:

scottoden.wordpress.com/2025/10/07/t...

#BookSky #grimnir #GatheringofRavens

The Ash Road

I’ve mentioned before, I think, how ideas for books just strike out of the blue. One day I’m contemplating series characters and where Conan came from, and the next I’m hip deep i…

scottoden.wordpress.com

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 5d

Of course, if you like what I do and perhaps own All The Things, you can always drop a shilling in the tea fund: ko-fi.com/K3K72OC14

Buy ScottOden a Coffee

Become a supporter of ScottOden today!

ko-fi.com

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Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 6d

Sometimes, you *just* have to let your inner nerd cut loose . . .

scottoden.wordpress.com/2025/10/02/d...

Down the Road of Kings

The other day I’m re-reading Harold Lamb’s The Crusades: Flame of Islam — the second volume in his non-fiction duology about the goings on in Outremer. It’s a favorite of mine, and one…

scottoden.wordpress.com

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Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 6d

Sadly, yes.

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Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 6d

At least the end of Rome had Goths and Vandals. We just have dumbasses.

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 6d

What the garlic-infused fuck is this?

Emily C. Hughes @emilyhughes.bsky.social · 6d

no no the publishing industry is doing fine, why do you ask

A screenshot from Publisher's Lunch:
Jennifer L. Armentrout and Hellmann's
In a promotion designed for BookTok enjoyment, Jennifer L. Armentrout’s just-published THE PRIMAL OF BLOOD AND BONE is available in a special, limited-edition "garlic-scented copy, infused with Hellmann’s Garlic Aioli to create a one-of-a-kind, Craven-proof book." They explain: "This exclusive edition is printed with garlic-infused ink, designed to ward off Armentrout’s bloodthirsty monsters, the Craven. While humans may dread garlic breath, Hellmann’s has cleverly transformed this social faux pas into an unexpected – and delicious – form of supernatural protection."

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Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 6d

I'm going to write a Roman book that's infused with the scents of the Cloaca Maxima, spilled wine, and day-old garum!

*Takes BookTok by storm*

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 7d

Five of mine are on there; three I own via reversion years ago. I went ahead and filed a claim on all 5.

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Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 7d

A couple of thoughts on series characters . . .

scottoden.wordpress.com/2025/10/01/t...

The Holy Grail

It seems to me that the Holy Grail of fiction writing — both old-school and modern — is the successful series character. Robert E. Howard’s Conan; Harold Lamb’s Khlit the Cossack; Bern…

scottoden.wordpress.com

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 15d

Just a little note to say thank you.

scottoden.wordpress.com/2025/09/23/a...

A Note of Thanks

I wanted to take a minute and say thank you to everyone who has grabbed a copy of OLD GODS AND OTHER TALES; thanks for giving it a read, talking about it, dropping a few stars and reviews. Thanks f…

scottoden.wordpress.com

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Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 20d

My brain loves going off on a good tangent . . .

scottoden.wordpress.com/2025/09/18/d...

Distractions

My brain loves nothing more than a good distraction. This happens like clockwork: I declare my intent to work on a single project; my brain, rather than toeing the line, has a “hold my beer!&…

scottoden.wordpress.com

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 22d

Reviews are starting to filter in from the aether!

scottoden.wordpress.com/2025/09/16/w...

What Readers are Saying

Old Gods and Other Tales is in its third week of release, and already reviews are starting to come in. Author Charles R. Rutledge calls it “well written, full of color, action, and atmosphere…

scottoden.wordpress.com

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Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 25d

I recently booty dialed my butt call. I think I'm Englishing wrong . . .

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 26d

He's got that steely-eyed "I'm throwing a juice box and going to Valhalla!" look to him . . .

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 27d

"No one needs another old white guy's perspective on What Just Happened," said no old white guy, ever.

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · 29d

A little Roman encyclopedia started it all for me . . .

scottoden.wordpress.com/2025/09/09/l...

Let’s Talk About What I Do . . .

I’ve been traipsing down memory lane over on Facebook. My interest (obsession?) with ancient history began in 1984 or so, with the purchase of a chunky mass-market paperback encyclopedia of s…

scottoden.wordpress.com

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · Sep 9

Glad you liked it! Thanks for the kind words.

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · Sep 7

Perhaps wisdom is being offered something you've thought you wanted only to realize you've been doing it all along . . .

scottoden.wordpress.com/2025/09/06/l...

Let’s Talk About IP Writing . . .

IP here means Intellectual Property. The sandboxes of fandom that belong to others; think Warhammer, think Star Wars, think Conan. I have worked in the latter IP, having produced two tales for the …

scottoden.wordpress.com

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · Sep 5

Glad to hear it! :)

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · Sep 4

Skreets. Fiasco's from the skreets.

Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · Aug 31

We've taken the #2 spot! Onward to #1!

scottoden.wordpress.com/2025/08/29/p...

#Sword&Sorcery #BookSky #HeroicHistorical

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Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · Aug 30

Let's go! Surely we can muscle some S&S into the top spot?

scottoden.wordpress.com/2025/08/29/p...

#Sword-and-Sorcery

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Scott Oden @orcwriter.bsky.social · Aug 29

My four with St. Martin's are registered and there are PDF copies of the certificates. My two with now-defunct Medallion Press are registered, but there's no viewable copy of the certificates. Luckily, for those I have the old hard copy certificates of registration.