GLASSSMITH
A Tale of the Impossible
When I first began writing these books, I followed a boy setting out to find his Stone of Life. I knew his father had been a Smith, that he was gone, and that tragedy awaited along the way. Beyond that, nothing was certain.
Many of these books surprised even me. I would sit down to write one thing, only for a single word to lead me astray. Suddenly, I found myself writing about unknown people and events. It felt as if several of us were shaping the book together, each keeping secrets until the very last moment.
Lambor, son of Hardin, at the age of five, sets out to find the Stone by which he vows to devote his life to one calling alone—to be a Smith, as his father was. On that journey, he endures something unimaginably dreadful, an ordeal that shapes the course of his life. His life is filled with astonishing discoveries and achievements, with great loves and even greater losses. It moves between the dream of an ordinary day in a smith’s workshop and the panic of what tomorrow might bring. Forces push him into a relentless pursuit, though he longs for peace.
The protagonist lives in an imagined world, a realm of beauty and terror, of magic, wonder, humanity, and dragons. This is a world where not every man is truly a man, and not every wolf is truly a wolf. If the tale were set on this planet, it would place itself in northern Norway in the eighth century. I cannot say why precisely then and there, but I honored the rules and realities of how people lived in that place and time.
Excerpt:
How many knives have you seen in your life?
– Hundreds, perhaps more than a thousand?
– Were they all the same?
– No, of course not.
– Some were rough, some smooth, some adorned, some plain… isn’t that so?
– That’s right.
– But have you ever held in your hand a knife that sings? A knife from which the air flees, to which the night itself bows?
– No, but I have heard…
– You see, you Masters
—Smiths, Carpenters, Weavers… sometimes you merge with what you create; I can find no better word. Something draws you in—other people, a chance, a story, a song, the very material itself… and into what you make you pour a part of yourself, your breath, your soul, your life. And then that “thing” is no longer merely an object; it becomes part of the life of the one for whom it is intended, a fragment of you that you give away to another.
But such a gift carries a price.
They say, “What must be done is never difficult.” To tell the truth, they lie—it is hard to ask for help.
I have done what I could. I wrote the books, designed the layout, and now I am working on the covers. But the funds for printing are missing. A few good people help with reading, corrections, and editing. The print run will not be small: four books totaling around 1,300 pages in A5 format, plus one large map, likely A3.
If you are able, there is a widget on the page where you can donate €5—or more, if you wish. The PayPal account is svetionicar@gmail.com, which is also the email address for any questions or comments. Soon, I will open a Patreon page as well.
Once I finish the final editing of all four books—the first two are already complete—and know the exact page count, I will search for the most affordable printing house. Only then will I know the precise costs.
Support the publication of Glasssmith and help bring this epic fantasy to life.
Meet the Author:
@svetionicar: gardener in a small organic garden of heirloom vegetables, lover of nature, beer, heavy metal, science fiction and fantasy books and films, computer geek, designer of small gardens and tiny living spaces. Happily in love for more than 40 years. Chronically and incurably broke. When the time comes — Santa Claus.
With your support, the complete set of these books could look like this. This is a working version in Serbian, accompanied by a detailed map that is still in progress.
Each volume carries its own story, yet together they form the epic Chronicles of the Glasssmith. The snowy landscapes, the wolf, and the dragon are not just decoration — they are part of a world waiting to be brought to life in print.
Support the publication of Glasssmith and help transform this vision into reality.
