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A Creator Always
Micah Campbell is an epic fantasy author born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Micah’s journey into the realms of the fantastical began with a well-worn (and allegedly "borrowed" by his drummer) copy of The Hobbit. That single spark ignited a lifelong obsession with high fantasy, leading him from the stage of punk rock and metal bands to the quiet, ink-stained desk of a novelist. He began writing The Singing Blade (at that time titled "A Queen With No Crown") in 2001.
From Urban Legends to Epic Worlds
Hobbled by doubt and imposter syndrome, Campbell shelved his epic fantasy dreams and moved on. Before diving into the sprawling landscapes of Y'ssara in The Singing Blade: Book I of The Queen of Sorrows Trilogy, Micah made waves in the literary world with his #1 Amazon bestseller, Urban Legends, Ghost Stories, and Folklore. That success gave him the courage to embark on his odyssey to find more fantastical shores and dig up that 23-year-old manuscript!
Welcome to Y’ssara
Micah’s latest work, The Singing Blade: Book I of the Queen of Sorrows Trilogy, invites, nay, compels readers into the wounded world of Y’ssara. Influenced by the intricate world-building of J.R.R. Tolkien and the lyrical grief of Patrick Rothfuss, the stories and characters of Y'ssara explore:
The Familial Bond | The Strong Female Lead | The Unrequited Love | The Child of Prophecy | The Fallen Kingdom | The Hidden Heir | The Wise Old Man | The Betrayer | The Ancient Evil Awakened | The Quest for the Magical Artifact | The Ragtag Fellowship | Elemental Magic Systems | The Portal / Intersection of Worlds | The Reluctant Hero | The Monstrous Horde | The Sage in Exile | The Cursed Weapon | And Much, Much more!
Beyond the Page
When he isn't busy building sovereignless cities or exploring the "Western Wood," Micah makes his way in the Midwest with his wife, and three children. He still plays in local metal bands and remains a firm believer that the best stories are found in the silence after the final page.
The Pillars of Y’ssara: Micah’s Top 5 Fantasy Influences
Every great world is built on the shoulders (or bones) of giants. For Micah, these five authors provided the "blueprints" for the magic, tragedy, and sprawling history found in the Queen of Sorrows trilogy.
1. J.R.R. Tolkien: The Architect
The undisputed "All-Father" of high fantasy. Tolkien’s influence on Micah isn't just about elves and dwarves; it’s about Philology and Myth-making. Just as Tolkien built Middle-earth to give his languages a home, Micah approaches Y’ssara as a living, breathing history where the names of places carry the weight of centuries.
2. Patrick Rothfuss: The Heart
From The Name of the Wind, Micah draws inspiration for prose that sings. Rothfuss taught a generation of writers that magic should feel scientific yet wonder-filled, and that the "silence of three parts" is often more potent than a screaming battle cry. This influence is evident in the atmospheric tension of The Singing Blade.
3. George R.R. Martin: Kill Your Darlings
If Tolkien provided the myth, Martin provided the grit. Micah’s work embraces the idea that actions have consequences and that no character is safe from the turning gears of political intrigue. It’s about the "human heart in conflict with itself," set against a backdrop of epic stakes.
4. Joe Abercrombie: The Character
For the "monster slayer" in Micah, Abercrombie’s First Law series is a masterclass in grimdark characterization. From Abercrombie, Micah leans into the humor found in dark places and the idea that heroes are often just villains who haven't been pushed far enough yet, or vice versa.
5. Robert Jordan: The Master of Scope
The Wheel of Time series proved that a fantasy world could be truly massive. Jordan’s influence shows up in Micah’s expansive world-building—the idea that there are cultures, religions, and "sovereignless cities" existing just beyond the horizon of the current chapter, waiting to be discovered.
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