W. Tod Newman writes historical fiction often set in the third century Roman Empire - the era of persecution, Sassanid expansion, and early Christian networks that quietly outlasted both. His series "The Halls of the Shadow King" follows Amal, a young man with a gift for perceiving what connects people, through a world where that gift is simultaneously a burden and a calling.
He researches the old-fashioned way, composes in LyX, and draws his own cover art starting from charcoal and pen and ink. He publishes through his own imprint, Desdichado Books.
"Amal and the Shape Shifters" is a prequel story to his "Shadow King" novels, and is posted here in seven parts. If it finds the right readers, that's enough.
More at todnewman.com.