Welcome To Rogue Blades Entertainment

RBE publishes heroic adventure fiction, from sword and sorcery to epic fantasy to historical adventure. We are invigorating a NEW Age of Heroes with hard-hitting, fast-paced tales reminiscent of mythic battles and warriors from pulp and lore. With a clash of swords and ringing steel, RBE delivers the ultimate in motivational entertainment. Updated for modern readers from 13 to immortal, RBE titles provide thrills of action along with themes of courage, survival and hope. Rely on RBE for adrenaline-driving, Xtreme entertainment!

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  • P&E Readers Poll recognizes 10 RotB authors!

    Posted By Jason on February 2, 2010

    With great relish and much rejoicing, I am excited to announce that numerous authors RBE was privileged to publish in 2009’s Rage of the Behemoth placed in ***The Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2009***SF&F Short Story category!

    Top-10 Winners:

    “Yaggoth-Voor”
    Bruce Durham
    ~ 2nd

    “Poisonous Redemption”
    Kate Martin
    ~ 7th

    “Where the Shadow Falls”
    TW Williams
    ~ 9th

    Placing:

    “Thunder Canyon”
    Jeff Draper
    ~ 12th

    “Vasily and the Beast Gods”
    Daniel R. Robichaud
    ~ 14th

    “As from His Lair, the Wild Beast”
    Michael Ehart
    ~ 15th

    “The Wolf of Winter”
    Bill Ward
    ~ 15th

    “Beyond the Reach of His Gods”
    Brian Ruckley
    ~ 16th

    “Portrait of a Behemoth”
    Richard K. Lyon & Andrew J. Offutt
    ~ 16th

    “Runner of the Hidden Ways”
    Jason Thummel
    ~ 16th

    My thanks to everyone involved with RotB, from contributing authors and artists to voters to reviewers and to all the readers and customers out there! Without any of you this book would not be receiving the recognition it so justly deserves.

    I am very proud that 10 out of the 21 possible stories from the anthology placed in this Readers Poll, 5 of those in the top half of the 84 total qualifying nominations…3 of them in the TOP 10, most of any one publisher!

    Popularity: 2% [?]

    It’s a wrap – RotC Submissions Closed

    Posted By Jason on February 1, 2010

    Submissions for Roar of the Crowd have officially closed. All submissions are being read by the RBE Prose Acquisition Editors and myself during the month of February.

    Do not anticipate a response prior to March 1st, though rejections will arrive as they are determined. I aim to have all submissions responded to by mid-March, so please do not query about the status of your submission until after March 15th, 2010.

    Thank you and good luck to all those who submitted to this anthology!

    Popularity: 1% [?]

    New Release: RBE author Michael Ehart’s The Tears of Ishtar

    Posted By Jason on January 30, 2010

    Readers of Return of the Sword and Rage of the Behemoth are familiar with the heroine of this newest sword-and-sorcery action epic. Ehart’s Ninshi, the Servant of the Manthycore, is a genuine tragic figure, inspiring in her determination to do what she deems best and right despite the horror of her role in life…a very, very long life.

    If you like action, adventure, and historical accuracy, pick up The Tears of Ishtar by Michael Ehart today!

    Popularity: 2% [?]

    RotC Open Subs Closing Fast

    Posted By Jason on January 19, 2010

    HURRY! The open submission period for the 2010 RBE premium anthology Roar of the Crowd is coming to a close.

    If you plan on submitting, rev those writing engines, for the finish line looms less than 2 weeks away!

    Popularity: 3% [?]

    Stuff the Preditor & Editor ballotbox with RBE votes

    Posted By Jason on January 3, 2010

    It is Finished.

    The P&E Readers’ Poll has concluded.
    RBE was well-represented with multiple stories from RotB jockeying for position among the top 15 SFF Short Stories! At last look, 3 were still in the Top 10, with Bruce Durham’s tied in 1st…Kate Martin’s in 6th…TW Williams’ tale tied in 10th…and 7 more appearing between 14th and 18th. What a terrific showing for RotB, 10 out of 21 stories! Much thanks to all for their support of these fines authors and artists!

    It’s that time again!

    Time to select the Readers’ Choices among 2009 publications. There’s art and artists, poems and poets, stories long and short, collected and anthologized; pages for publishers, authors, artists, writers in groups and forums and workshops; book sellers, book reviewers, and – of course – editors.

    RBE is represented by Rage of the Behemoth, all 21 authors and both cover artists of the heroic adventure fantasy anthology making their appearance. While only one selection can be made in each category, please cast your votes in the following areas:

    All nominations have been submitted, but the polling pages experience scheduled updates and may not properly reflect the complete lists for a few hours.

    Thank you for your support
    of these fine authors and artists.

    You can only vote once, and only until January 14th, but polling results may be monitored here.

    Popularity: 5% [?]

    Thrilling new review of RotB @ IGMS

    Posted By Jason on December 19, 2009

    I enjoyed a fine and fun lunch at Dragon*Con ‘09 this past September with a table of exciting characters: editor Lou Anders (Editorial Director @ Pyr), author Gray Rinehart (Slushmaster General @ Baen Books), and author James Maxey and his wife. Besides being the author of the Dragon Age series (that I just happened to also pickup in full at the Dragon*Con Charity Auction), James reviews books for Orson Scott Card’s InterGalactic Medicine Show (IGMS). After lunch, he asked to review Rage of the Behemoth.

    That review now appears in his December “Lit Geek” column — and it’s a winner, with praise all across the board:

    Rage of the Behemoth…pay[s] homage to classic sword and sorcery…spurring the tropes of epic heroic adventure into a full speed gallop to deliver pure, unapologetic entertainment.

    I especially like this spot-on observation:

    There aren’t any stories in this collection that are going to change your life, or deepen your understanding of the human condition. But, every single story in this book will get your pulse pounding

    Interestingly enough, Maxey is the first reviewer to appreciate Richard K. Lyon and Andrew J. Offutt’s tale, “Portrait of a Behemoth,” and he does a thorough job of explaining just why. Couple that with statements like ‘instantly likable heroes‘ and ‘I, for one, am glad to have discovered this magnificent collection,’ and we have the perfect salute to all the talented authors and artists partnered in RBE’s second annual premium anthology.

    Popularity: 7% [?]

    3 Holiday Specials

    Posted By Jason on November 22, 2009

    3 deals you simply can’t refuse!

    From RBE to you, here are 3 special holiday season offers! From Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day, take advantage of RBE’s even better economical entertainment!

    1. The Rage of the Behemoth limited cover special deal!

      • Now’s your chance to get those favorite covers you’ve had your eye on, or plan for gift-giving, finding the perfect book with a cover specific to each of your friends!
      • Normally each $20 plus applicable shipping and taxes, for the holiday season you can purchase any of the 5 limited cover editions for a flat $20.00*! That’s right! Order your favorites and don’t worry about shipping or taxes*! Want that Giant Anaconda in the Jungle? Order it! How about that Griffin and Bear scene in the Mountains? Can’t forget that dance of the Manticore and elephant in the Sands! Then there’s that Deep Sea Monster with the harpoon through its neck! And who can ignore that Ice Dragon from the Frozen Wastes? Pick your favorite today! Of course it’s hard to choose! So take advantage of the second half of this offer:
      • Order 2 limited cover editions for a flat $30.00*! You’ve read it right! Can’t choose between 2 favorites? Take a second for less than half the cost! Savings you can’t deny! Decide to enjoy your very own copy with the wrap-around art of your choice today!
    2. The ‘Rogue Blades Presents’ special deal!

      • This is your chance to score your own personal copies of the RBE premium anthology titles! Catch up with everyone else and read the anthologies praised as reinvigorating a NEW Age of Sword & Sorcery and Heroic Adventure!
      • Normally each $16.99 plus applicable shipping and taxes, for the holiday season you can purchase any 2 copies of Return of the Sword or Rage of the Behemoth for a flat $22.00* - or 3 for $30.00*! That’s right! Order multiple copies of these critically acclaimed anthologies of addictive heroic adventure and don’t worry about shipping or taxes*! Have friends and family in need of a good read? How about that co-worker who only reads political diatribes? Or that mother on the other side of the playground with her paranormal romance? Have a nephew who just loves movies like Gladiator, Scorpion King, and Lord of the Rings? Get him hooked on the real adventures! Don’t let these special offers expire before you’ve taken advantage!
    3. The Sages & Swords special deal!

      • Forgot about this one, didn’t you? Well here’s your chance to remedy your absentmindedness! Round out that library of must-have Sword & Sorcery anthologies with this terrific title from Pitch-Black Books!
      • Normally each $9.99 (originally $14.95!) plus applicable shipping and taxes, for the holiday season you can purchase your very own edition for a flat $10.00* - or 2 for $12.00*!! That’s right! Order one for yourself and one for a friend and don’t worry about shipping or taxes*! Now’s your chance to read thrilling tales from authors such as Robert J. Santa, Eugie Foster, and Tanith Lee, not to mention terrific nonfiction articles about being a fantasy author AND an exciting interview with R.A. Salvatore – author of numerous best-selling Forgotten Realms novels. Grab an integral piece of heroic fiction history today!

    Only for a LIMITED time!

    Take advantage of these offers TODAY!

    Don’t start 2010 without an RBE book in the TBR stack!

    Attention!

    These special offers cannot be found in the RBE sidebar Paypal Store! These special offers cannot be found on Barnes&Noble.com or Amazon.com. These jaw-dropping special prices can ONLY be found right here!

    To place your order, please use the handy RBE Contact Form to detail the DEAL and TITLES of your CHOICE. Upon receiving your order, RBE will contact you with the total cost and payment information.

    Thank you for supporting RBE and its authors and artists!

    Every sale helps promote Sword & Sorcery and Heroic Fantasy Adventure!

    *RBE uses the United States Postal Service Flat Rate Priority Mail for all shipping. Free shipping is equal to the standard RBE shipping cost based upon Continental U.S. orders. All other orders will receive the same discount shipping rate but will be responsible for providing the difference in cost.

    Popularity: 8% [?]

    RotC Submission Period Change

    Posted By Jason on November 17, 2009

    Due to numerous reasons, only one of which is the to-date underwhelming number of submissions, I have decided to extend the submission period for Roar of the Crowd. This will of course, push the publication date further into 2010.

    ***RotC Submissions: August 1 – January 31, 2010***

    Submissions will be read en masse throughout February 2010,
    and all stories will be rejected/accepted in March 2010.

    Please do NOT query
    about your story’s status between acknowledgment
    of its submission and March 15, 2010.

    Popularity: 8% [?]

    State of RBE – Nov 09

    Posted By Jason on November 15, 2009

    Been real busy. Figured out I had far too many irons in the fire, so many in fact, that the fire was just about out. Couldn’t have that happen, so decided to concentrate on getting things done.

    Hearth and kin came first, so the house work had to get done. Just about. Starting to get back into the RBE swing of things as the house things wrap up.

    I am really hoping to have Demons: Clash of Steel out for Christmas. It might be out last minute, but that’s my hope and goal. Heroicologies, unfortunately, will have to wait. Roar of the Crowd submissions have been…somewhat few and far between.

    RotS and RotB are still and slowly selling respectively. Watch for Holiday Sale Specials to be announced on this website soon.

    Thanks for supporting RBE! Enjoy your day!

    Popularity: 9% [?]

    State of RBE ~ Oct 09

    Posted By Jason on October 6, 2009

    And so it is time for another update.

    September has come and gone, with little publicly new I am afraid. Behind the scenes work has been done though, mostly in the area of print layout and networking. I’ve learned how to use a new layout program, which will debut with Demons: A Clash of Steel. Honestly, though, I am excited about it, I hope readers don’t notice any difference.

    I met and networked with numerous people at Dragon*Con and have continued doing so via LinkedIn and Facebook. New reviews should be appearing, both of Return of the Sword and Rage of the Behemoth, over the next few weeks. While some who promised reviews have disappeared with nary a reply, others have stepped up and happily replaced them. I’m looking forward to seeing a few in particular.

    Financially RBE could be better, but in this economy and this industry, who couldn’t? I am very glad that RBE has always been able to be current with all of its authors and artists. This does not mean that RBE is even remotely near to being in the black. I’ve miscalculated a time or two, and stretched in places where perhaps I should not have. As a small business owner I am aware that the average time it takes to get into the black is five years, and this economy certainly has something to say about that.

    Time- and labor- wise, I am close to returning attention 100% (or as much of that as I can possibly ever give as a full time dad and employee) to RBE. The house that has consumed much of my time and resources since June is almost completed. I certainly aim for my parts of it to be done by the end of the month. As for the many hats of RBE I wear, the webmaster has much webmastering to do, the editor has editing to do, the bookkeeper has contracts to draft and submit, the marketer has loads of promotion and sales and advertising to do, and the publisher has a book to layout and get published. Ironically, the editor seems to have the least amount of work to do.

    Where are things at?

    • Demons: A Clash of Steel Anthology ~ hasn’t changed I am afraid. There are 28 stories beside me that have been hand-edited. 26 of them need to be entered into the computer yet. The forward and transition art is in house, and the contract has been drafted. All I need is an uninterrupted day or two to type in all the edits, fill in all the contracts, and email the lot out. That time is almost impossible to come by.
    • Roar of the Crowd: An Anthology of Heroic Adventure ~ The cover is in (and open to feedback from all by the way), and it’s another stunning Johnney Perkins’ piece. Speaking of Johnney’s covers, those he did for Return of the Sword and Rage of the Behemoth are for sale if anyone is interested. We ran a special price earlier in the year, which I’m sure just might be available again someday. Submissions are very, very slowly arriving. In fact, if I were to accept all the stories received thus far, there is not enough to publish the anthology yet. Either that means there will be a lot of tales arriving in November, or I’ll be extending the open submission period come 2010.
    • Rage of the Behemoth: An Anthology of Heroic Adventure ~ We’re just halfway through the contributor interviews, so watch for several more exciting replies to the RBE 7-Question Interview. There are numerous copies of the limited cover editions of RotB remaining. It would help RBE greatly if these were to be purchased, so please recommend or consider purchasing them as gifts for those extra-special readers in your lives. :)
    • There are a few other projects I’ve been working on, like a handful of single author collections that can’t be openly discussed just yet. I hope and plan for one to be out yet this year, but there may be other (perhaps better) things ahead for the collection. One special new project I’ve been working on that I’d like to announce is
    ‘Rogue Blades Presents’ is excited to unveil the latest in RBE anthologies:

    Heroicologies

    where YOU can build
    your own anthology of heroic tales

    Heroicologies are a lot like those anthologies from AnthologyBuilder where readers can assemble their own personal anthology. The primary difference is that Heroicologies will consist of nothing but heroic adventure fiction and cover art. Readers will select their own stories and covers from a wide selection of previously published and new works by RBE-approved authors and artists of heroic material.

    Always wanted that perfect set of stories

    or a collection of your favorite author’s works?

    Readers will have 250 pages to fill with up to 12 stories.

    Always wanted to choose your own cover

    or add that favorite piece of art to your collection?

    Readers will have several options for cover art size and location.

    Heroicologies will make the perfect gift for family and friends looking for that special book collecting old favorites and new discoveries. Putting together that just-right anthology has suddenly become much easier. Watch for RBE’s Heroicologies coming soon!

    *Heroicologies are not yet available. Authors and artists who have worked with RBE in the past are welcome to submit material at any time. Other authors and artists interested in providing material for Heroicologies should use the RBE Heroicology form. Material submitted must be considered heroic adventure in nature and RBE will be the sole judge of each piece. While RBE is predominantly a publisher of heroic adventure fantasy, Heroicologies will not be restricted to just works of speculative fiction. Initial material available for Heroicologies will predominately be that of a speculative nature, but RBE plans to provide all genres of heroic literature (such as Westerns, hardboiled crime, mysteries, war, and espionage) as soon as possible.

    Popularity: 13% [?]