Welcome to Falden’s Forge
I’m Eric Falden, and the Forge is where I hammer out my stories.
If you like immersive narratives, character-driven adventures, and grounded worlds that still hold magic and the fantastical, you’re in the right place.
I publish epic fantasy in bite-sized stories. Sharp narratives, rich settings.
You’ll also get occasional essays on the genre, a look at where fantasy and history intersect, and the occasional note on writing craft, commentary, or a piece of literary analysis.
Stick around. You might help shape what gets forged next.
What to Expect
Free posts on Tuesdays, at least monthly, usually stories.
When I have a story, you’ll get one. Otherwise, we’re diving into history, exploring fantasy works, or talking craft—whether that means challenging myths about the Middle Ages, or comparing how magic shapes narratives.
All my stories…
… are set in the same world
… are stand-alone, so they can be read in any order.
… should take about 15-20 minutes to read.
If you want to get a feel for things, start here:
Read some stories
Explore the connection between fantasy and history
Check out some narrative analysis.
Browse commentaries & reviews.
Or see my (more rare) general writing advice.
All of this is for free subscribers. But Forgemasters get a whole lot more.
Support my work. Become a Forgemaster.
Forgemasters are paid subscribers, and they’re the lifeblood of my work here. They keep the fires hot and the hammers swinging. They’re the partners in my work, invested readers who help shape what gets written.
As a Forgemaster, you’ll get:
An exclusive short story every month
Access to the Lorework series: behind-the-scenes & worldbuilding explainers, each month
The ability to vote on what gets written
First access to books, like The Samyuzot
A voice in future fantasy reads & reviews
Complete access to the full paid archive
On top of it all, that financial support makes it easy for me to keep building, keep growing, and keep writing. More support means I can give more. Now, tomorrow, next year, and over the long haul.
I’ve got big plans. Forgemasters help me make them real.
Thank You For Reading
You can see everything I’ve written—except for things reserved for Forgemasters—in my Table of Contents.
If you want a recommendation, check out the pieces below. They’re some of my most popular.
The Most Important Narrative Tool No One Told You About
There’s one important part of narrative that is almost completely overlooked, a tool for crafting a story that seemingly no one has heard about.
One Head as Tribute
A young nobleman ventures into the land of the giants. He has won his trophy, but can he escape with it?
The Failure of Frodo Baggins
An unflinching look at the power of evil and the mercies that saved Middle-Earth.
What Did Kings Actually Do All Day?
Evaluating kingship in history and fantasy. It's not politics. It's personal!
