Announcing The Elemancer Chronicles

A Dream-Weaved Journey from Etheria to the Bookshelves

Nate Schloesser
4 min readNov 22, 2023

As a high school student, my nights were filled with journeys not of this world but of a realm born from the depths of my imagination — Etheria. This mystical world, vivid and alive, revealed itself to me not through the pages of a book or the pixels of a game, but through a series of dreams, as vivid and tangible as waking life. In these dreams, I was Finnean, a character who lived and breathed in my subconscious, as real and complex as any friend I had in the waking world.

Night after night, I was transported to Etheria, an enchanted land where the ordinary blended seamlessly with the magical. With each dream, its landscapes unfurled in my mind’s eye — towering mountains, serene forests, and bustling towns, each brimming with life and lore. The characters I met in these dreams, from brave warriors to wise mages, were not mere figments of my imagination but felt like old friends and foes, each with their own stories waiting to be told.

Compelled by these nocturnal visits, I began to sketch the contours of this world during my waking hours. Characters took shape on paper, their personalities and tales intertwining to create a tapestry of narratives rich in magic and intrigue. Etheria became my creative sanctuary, a place where I could weave stories of adventure, friendship, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

However, as is often the case, the path to adulthood diverted my attention from these mystical sojourns. Responsibilities and the demands of daily life took precedence, and Etheria, with all its wonders and mysteries, receded into the background. I embarked on the journey of adulting— dedicating myself to building a family, a career in design, and ministry in the church. Yet, the world of Etheria was never truly forgotten. It remained a cherished haven, a wellspring of creativity that I would dip into during moments of reflection and repose.

As the years unfolded, our family grew, and with it, our world expanded in extraordinary ways. With our children maturing, we dove into captivating series like the Green Ember, Wingfeather Saga, and The Dream Traveler’s Quest. Each story unfurled new adventures, kindling hours of lively discussions and shared wonder. Then, a few years back, an exciting new chapter began for us. My wife and I, along with our five children, embarked on an explorative journey that deepened our family bonds: we purchased a travel trailer. Roaming across the varied tapestries of our country’s landscapes, we simultaneously ventured through the boundless realms of imagination, delving into rich literary worlds together.

In the warmth of these family moments, I found the perfect opportunity to revisit the world I had created in my youth. Around the campfire, under a blanket of stars, I began to share Finnean’s adventures in Etheria with my children. Their eyes would light up with the same excitement and wonder that I had felt as a teenager, crafting these tales. Each story I told brought us closer, our laughter and gasps echoing in the night air.

As we journeyed together through Etheria, my children’s insatiable curiosity and innocent inquiries grew. “Why don’t you just write a book, Dad?” they would ask, their simplicity and earnestness striking a chord within me. It was a profound moment of realization — why not, indeed? Why not bring these tales, which had brought so much joy to our family, to a wider audience?

Encouraged by their enthusiasm, I revisited my old sketches and writings, piecing together the fragmented tales I had crafted so many years ago. My children’s eager anticipation for more stories of Finnean and his world became the catalyst for a renewed creative journey. Their curiosity reignited the spark of imagination within me, and the world of Etheria, which had been a cherished part of my past, now became a shared adventure for my family and, eventually, for readers everywhere.

With renewed vigor, I began to pen the stories that had long resided in my mind. My children became my sounding board, offering feedback and ideas, their enthusiasm fueling my creativity. My wife, already skilled in the art of editing from her work on her sister’s novels, became my cornerstone. Her insights, critiques, and unwavering support were instrumental in transforming a dream into reality.

Thus, ‘The Elemancer Chronicles’ transitioned from a dream to reality, a labor of love that blossomed from a series of vivid dreams into a narrative shaped by the joy and creativity of family life. This series is more than just a collection of stories; it’s a piece of my heart, now shared with you, the reader. It signifies the commencement of an epic journey, not only for Finnean and his companions but also for each one of us who chooses to step into the vibrant world of Etheria.

This first book, just the beginning, will be available by the end of the year, marking the start of an extensive and enchanting series. Over the course of seven planned books, I aim to weave a tapestry of adventure, magic, and discovery, each volume unfolding a new chapter in this sprawling saga. It’s my hope and belief that you will find these tales as captivating and immersive as they have been for me and my family.

“Call of The Wind Whisperer” has been renamed to “Windborne Fate” and is available on Amazon and Kindle as of May 15,2024.

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Nate Schloesser

AKA Nathaniel A. Castle. AKAKA Nate Alan. Writer, speaker, and author. I am passionate about the field of UX and enjoy teaching, coaching, and design.