Why did I write The Prophecy of the Yubriy Tree?
Because epic fantasy is immersive in a way that runs counter to the fleeting dopamine hits of the culture. It unapologetically demands your attention, and then, if done well, it treats your attention span with the respect it is due.
That's what I've tried to do with The Prophecy of the Yubriy Tree. I've tried to create a world that respects the reader. A world that is serious about its frivolity. A world that revels in its own existence. The end result, I hope, is a life-affirming work of art that remembers the importance of invoking a sense of play while underscoring the challenges of human existence.
Now I'm not saying that I pulled it off. That's for the readers to decide. But if I didn't, it certainly wasn't for a lack of trying.
I also wrote The Prophecy of the Yubriy Tree because I'm obsessed with history. Especially the way that humans are forced to reconcile our present condition with a past that can only be viewed through a distorted lens. Histories both personal and public weigh heavily on the characters in The Prophecy of the Yubriy Tree. The wisest understand that history can't be escaped, but neither can it be made to perform for one's own ends. History is often a subtle, stubborn thing, forever wanting to be recognized while refusing to be corralled.
This series is also a response to the many epic fantasy series that I've read and loved over the years. The times that I've fallen in love with a fantasy series have been some of the best reading experiences of my life. But, like every writer who picks up a pen, I'm driven by the desire to bring my vision of the genre I love to life, while paying homage to the greats who came before me. If this sounds overly ambitious, then I can only say that it comes from a pure place: I am a writer who has honed their craft for more than two decades, and I think I've written something special. The Prophecy of the Yubriy Tree is the end result of years of blood, sweat, and loving attention.
I hope that you enjoy it. The Prophecy of the Yubriy Tree is out October 19th. Preorder your ebook copy HERE. Hardcover and paperback versions will be available on October 19th.
Now back to writing Book Two. (Psst: There’s a postscript beneath the cover photo)
P.S. Be sure to check out the notes tab on the Ben Spencer Writes Substack homepage. I’m lining up a series of “I write of…” posts that I intend to feature on Substack Notes and other social media outlets. My goal is to release one a week once The Prophecy of the Yubriy Tree is out. It’s a quick little creative exercise that’s also been a lot of fun. I have fifteen finished and ready to go. Check out the first one below.
I write of the dragon that flies east at dawn, racing on great leathery wings toward the fiery genesis of existence, a twin to the same life-force burning deep within its hungering gullet. I write epic fantasy.