The full set of character illustrations for Our Lady Of Blades by @decastell.bsky.social, his incredible new swashbuckling masterpiece. Go grab it today (1/2)

They gave her a new name when they took everything else. She decided to keep it. Lady Consequence. 🗡️ Our Lady of Blades — out now. decastell.com/book/our-lad... @mikeshackle.bsky.social @bengalley.bsky.social

Who is Vicendi? In a world of silk and gold, one brave lawyer dared to speak out when others wouldn’t. Rijou wasn’t prepared for his boldness. Are you ready? Our Lady of Blades — out now! decastell.com/book/our-lad... @mikeshackle.bsky.social (portrait artist) @bengalley.bsky.social(animator)

One of my favourite characters to work on from @decastell.bsky.social brilliant new book, Our Lady Of Blades, was Spada. I wanted to capture that feeling of 'Oh shit' when she walks towards you. If you fancy some swashbuckling fantasy, pick up Our Lady of Blades today. It's Sebastien's best yet

Who is Spada?? She's everything they wanted to become. She's everything they should fear. Sometimes the most dangerous blade is the one you admire. Spada. 🗡️ Our Lady of Blades — decastell.com/book/our-lad... @mikeshackle.bsky.social (portrait artist) @bengalley.bsky.social (animator)

I was really lucky to work on some character illustrations as well as the cover for @decastell.bsky.social amazing new book, Our Lady of Blades. I think it's his best yet, so go grab it today. There's a reason why he's the master of swashbuckling fantasy. Here's Castilis and Tazia

⚔️ Meet Castilis. He didn't need a blade. He had something far more dangerous. A smile, a lesser house, and absolutely no conscience. decastell.com/book/our-lad... @mikeshackle.bsky.social (portrait artist) @bengalley.bsky.social (animator) #OurLadyOfBlades #SebastienDeCastell #FantasyBooks

My cover for FURY by @julianbarr.bsky.social coming soon to Kickstarter, part of his Ashes of Olympus series. It's the story of Achilles, told in a really beautiful lyrical way. Imagine yourself thousands of years ago, sitting around a campfire while a bard entertains you with Achillies' exploits.

Been tweaking my dragon racer illustrations. Really like how they've come out. Much moodier. (And if any indie fantasy authors need a cover, give me a shout)

Another Dragon Racer. Trying to get both beast and rider to look different but similar to the first one. Like variations in Formula 1 cars and drivers. Having a lot of fun putting these together

Had lunch the other day with my amazing writing friends and we ended up talking about racing dragons (as you do). So I ended up creating this over a few nights. I was thinking if you were racing, you'd want a dragon that was fast and agile, rather than a big beast. A TIE fighter as it were.

Playing around with this in some quiet moments. When Valhalla Calls. Still lots to do.

Orbital Drop by @stevemchugh.bsky.social is out now if you love a bit of tense sci-fi adventure. Run to your nearest Amazon store and grab it today

I was lucky to illustrate the covers for the relaunch of @julianbarr.bsky.social's amazing Ashes of Olympus series. It's launching on Kickstarter soon

Fancy a bit of Rangarok with your Midgard Serpent?

"There came an arm and a hand above the water." The return of Excalibur

I've got a couple of spots free if any indie fantasy or sci-fi authors are looking for a cover artist! DM if you'd like to chat

A great review of THE NEW SPY by Tim Shipman, the Sunday Times political editor and the Spybrary podcast. He's a man who knows his espionage books. "I've just finished the book and it's terrific. Hugely propulsive, a gutsy lead, some terrific supporting characters and a genuine sense of peril."

And chocolate. Lots of chocolate

Being productive with my insomnia. Fan art for The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee. Out in May

The more I hear about The Last Contract of Isako by @fonda.lee, the more desperate I am to read it. "A battle-worn corporate samurai undertakes one last mission on a merciless planet where death is always a mere breath away." Yes please. (Fan art by me)

here's the art to ORBITAL DROP by @stevemchugh.bsky.social without the titles. I loved working on this cover

I was asked to give my thoughts on generative AI usage in games - here they are!

COVER REVEAL Orbital Drop by @stevemchugh.bsky.social Cover by @mikeshackle.bsky.social Drops April 24th, 2026 Check out FanFiAddict(dot)com for more info! (Link in bio)

Cover illustration by yours truly. And the book is utterly amazing ...

9. DROP DOWN DEAD by Michael Dylan - 4👑 The fifth book in the DI Simon Wise thriller series. Another one I'm a sucker for. In this one, Wise & team investigate the murder of a woman that turns into a case with a missing child. Time is running out. Review: queensbookasylum.com/2026/02/19/d...

Always worth a watch!

Hey wonderful fantasy indie authors. I've been doing cover illustrations for awhile now for some great writers and have a couple of spots free for January. Check out my work and give me a shout if you'd like to work together on something: www.theillustrationshack.com

5 star read for book three for me thank you so much @mikeshackle.bsky.social for writing such an amazing series! So many complex emotions and characters! If you haven't already read this gusy please go pick up the series!!!

As part of the Indie Fantasy Addicts FB group's Christmas, Majordomo is free this week. The response yesterday on Facebook was awesome. Now I'm sharing it here. Get this award-winning novella for FREE!

Skulls

Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen… The Stone Roses New Order The Wonder Stuff Prince Paul McCartney (I used to love going to concerts. Probably why my hearing's shot to bits now)

This is really one of the greatest comic sagas of modern times. Everyone should be reading this.

These is a great book in a great series!

Have a kid-free weekend. Lots of writing planned, playing loud music and watching the football. But it is very weird being on my own. Very grateful the dog's here!

It's a wet Halloween here. I hope that means the local high school kids won't/can't go firework crazy tonight as it absolutely traumatises my poor old dog.

I'm having a clear out of some books. Some extremely rare Last War books up for grabs if anyone is interested. Check out what's available at www.mikeshackle.co.uk/for-sale.html

Myself and @lisadoeslife.bsky.social will be live tomorrow at 7pm BST on my channel to discuss We Are The Dead by @mikeshackle.bsky.social 🥳 I am so excited to talk about a new series! Make sure you join us! www.youtube.com/live/LEyR7-b...

Aaargh! Please stop sending me AI written notes about my writing in the hope I'll buy your crap marketing service.

THE NEW SPY is only getting 5 ⭐ reviews so far... (does happy dance)

After that nonsense today, it’s pretty clear that Trump is getting ready to go to war with someone

People are enjoying this little trip back to Jia it seems

You can now pick up A Lost Cause, a tale from The Last War, over at your local Amazon store (it's even FREE to read on Kindle Unlimited). Perfect for anyone wondering what happened to Yas.

I really love Alien:Earth!

Gotta say Alien Earth really scares the crap out of me some of the time. Love how it’s not just about the xenomorph

This is my favourite of the new Jack Frey covers that I did recently. Glad to be coming out of the creative dark place I've spent most of this year.

The first Detective Inspector Simon Wise crime thriller is 99p on Amazon UK this month.

Before The Last War, there was Jack Frey. Some new covers for an old friend. Available at your nearest Amazon store

I love Full Tilt, a bonkers sci-fi samurai crime noir rollercoaster of a ride. If you can grab a digital copy, do so and thank me later