Unleashing a dream: Lewis Anschutz’s journey and Fallen King

For author Lewis Anschutz, Fallen King is the realisation of a dream nurtured from childhood, shaped by life’s highs and lows, and fuelled by storytelling. Fallen King reflects the themes he hopes to share, that of perseverance, friendship, courage, and hope. In the book Anschutz crafts a tale set in a vividly imagined world, but the story behind the book is equally compelling.

Anschutz’s fascination with stories began when he was young, sneaking away with his father’s books to read them secretly. These early experiences instilled in him a belief that stories are sanctuaries, realms where dreamers are kings and hope reigns. From an early age, storytelling became his refuge and ambition. Though his first writing attempts faced ridicule, he never gave up, driven by the understanding that stories could inspire others just as deeply as they had him.

The genesis of Fallen King can be traced back to 2001, a time when reading had suddenly become ‘cool’ among his friends. Immersed in Harry Potter and later The Lord of the Rings, Anschutz found himself in love with the boundless possibilities of fantasy. On New Year’s Day in 2002, he was at a Trinidad cinema for the première of The Lord of the Rings, and from the opening scenes, he was captivated. He left the theatre in tears, deeply moved by the bond between Sam and Frodo and inspired to create a story with a similarly powerful sense of friendship and adventure. That night, a dream was born.

Bringing Fallen King to life demanded life experience. His early drafts, though heartfelt, felt incomplete. He realised that to write an epic story, he needed to live a little longer to experience joy, pain, love, and loss. With every failed attempt, he grew, and the story grew with him. Over time, he faced the heartaches, friendships, sacrifices, and self-discoveries that would ultimately add depth and authenticity to his tale.

In 2017, a quiet moment with a friend rekindled his desire to complete Fallen King. Sitting across a restaurant booth, both of them grappling with life’s disappointments, Anschutz rediscovered his dream. He was finally ready to tell the story that had been waiting within him for so long. As the novel took shape, his characters and world felt more tangible and real than ever. COVID-19 provided him with the time and focus needed to write the final chapters, and by then, his life had transformed. He had found his wife, and his understanding of love and resilience had deepened, enriching the story with a grounded sense of hope and connection.

Fallen King is more than just a fantasy novel; it is a testament to Anschutz’s journey as a storyteller, brought to life with the support of those who believed in his vision. His heartfelt gratitude extends to his wife, parents, siblings, and friends.

Fallen King transports readers into the extraordinary realm of Gorddann, but it also reflects the remarkable journey of the author himself. The novel is a fantasy and a testament to the power of imagination and the profound impact that storytelling can have on our lives. For Anschutz, this story represents the culmination of years of dreaming, striving, and triumphing over self-doubt. Readers will experience a world as rich and resonant as the author who brought it to life.

The book cover has been designed by Crystine; Fallen King is published and marketed by The Publishing Chick Limited.