Deadwind Sea, a new novel by Josh Wagner will be available December, 09.

Before America became the “Land of the Free” it was the Land of the Dead—the realm beyond the setting sun, to which expired spirits made their lonely way. Deadwind Sea is a collection of interwoven short-story myths, some deeply moving, others hilarious and bizarre, centering around one poor and unfortunate Shepherd’s 14th Century journey across the Ocean Sea to rescue his true love from the grip of death.

Cover art by Joiton

Sergio, a young shepherd from medieval Spain, has a knack for mucking things up. To the shock of his fellow villagers, Sergio manages to win the heart of the most beautiful girl in town. When his love unexpectedly dies, Sergio undertakes a voyage to the Land of the Dead on a quest to bring her home.

The story begins in 14th century Spain, making stops in Rome, Byzantium, and the North Pole before following the setting sun into the timeless Land of the Dead. Here, on the untouched continent that history would later call “America”, spirits prepare a New World for the imminent arrival of the living. Sergio finds himself at the heart of a drama to liberate the new frontiers from stagnation, a drama that takes him at last far beyond the horizon of our world.

Deadwind Sea is a meta-fictional tapestry of interwoven short-story myths, some deeply moving, others downright silly, all of which facilitate one man’s quest to rescue his true love from the grip of death.

These short stories interact with the overarching narrative in richly innovative ways, pushing the boundaries of the very art of storytelling. Highly accessible, yet starkly intelligent, Deadwind Sea maintains an air of whimsy and imagination, while packing one heck of an emotional punch.

Some early cover sketches.