I don't have a schedule, but I do have a writing process. 1. Hunt for a historical character whose life is gripping. 2. Outline the series arc, then the first book chapter by chapter. 3. Polish with deep research. 4. Leave room for changes! Read more: www.ericschumacher.net/2022-4-12-re...

The Vikings went west. But they also went east, and formed the kingdom of Kievan Rus'. That's the setting of Sigurd's Swords, book 2 in Olaf's Saga. Now selling for £0.99 on Amazon UK until June 30th. www.amazon.co.uk/Sigurds-Swor...

Last week: pine tar. This week: wool. One sail = ~2,000 sheep. A raiding party of ten ships = 20,000. The entire Viking fleet at its peak = 2 million — just for the sails. Behind every longship, a loom. And only kings and earls had the wealth to make it happen. ⚔️ #VikingHistory #HistoricalFiction

Why do I write about Vikings? As a kid, it was the warriors and the battles that hooked me. But as a I studied them, I learned how complex they were, and how much there still is to know. It was that combination of discovery and mystery that got me – and kept me – writing about them for years.

A quick reminder — two deals, still running. 📖 God's Hammer (eBook) — 99¢ until June 18th → books2read.com/u/3GrYXn 🎧 Wolves of Wagria (Audiobook) — 60% off until June 2nd — that's just a few days away. → www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p... Don't miss out.

We interrupt normal programming for the observance of Memorial Day. What began as Decoration Day and flowers on Civil War graves, is now a day to honor every man and woman who died in service to this country across 250 years. Behind every name: a person and family forever changed. Not forgotten.

I'm often asked if I have a writing routine. The short answer: no. I have a day job. Fixed schedules don't always work. And a rigid routine might kill the thing that makes writing enjoyable for me. So I think in longer terms: a book a year. What about you? #Hisfic #WritingRoutine #AmWriting

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Two books, two deals — a limited time only. 📖 God's Hammer (eBook) — 99¢ until June 18th → books2read.com/u/3GrYXn 🎧 Wolves of Wagria (Audiobook) — 60% off until June 2nd → www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p... #VikingHistory #HistoricalFiction #HistFic #BookDeals #KindleDeals

Pine tar was one of the secrets of Viking expansion. Without it, longships leaked or rotted. A single ship needed hundreds of liters. A fleet needed thousands. Where did it all come from? Answer: industrial-scale tar pits hidden in the northern forests.

How much do I research? A lot. It's important to get the facts right. But where facts run out, the story should at least be plausible. That's why I include a Historical Notes section at the end of each book. If you read my books, do you read the Historical Notes section?

935 AD. A teenage Christian returned to pagan Norway with one goal: take the throne from his ruthless brother Erik Bloodaxe. His name was Hakon Haraldsson. The odds were stacked against him. God's Hammer is his story. 📖 books2read.com/u/3GrYXn #HistoricalFiction #VikingAge #Vikings

History Tidbit: It took 11 oak trees to build a single Viking longship. The planks were never sawed. They were split to follow the wood's fiber, allowing it to stay flexible in ocean swells. That was the genius of it. #VikingHistory #NorseHistory #HistoricalFiction #HistFic #MedievalHistory

The reMarkable Paper Pure launched today — a beautiful device for focused writing. The company (which I help with PR) is Norwegian. Which, given that I've spent years writing about Norway's past, feels like a very deliberate twist of the Norns' threads. 🧵 Details: remarkable.com/products/rem...

Hey folks—cool project to check out 👇 Author Josh Gillingham launched a Kickstarter for HALLS OF ASGARD, a #Viking-themed #boardgame where you play as Norse gods trying to defeat Hela. Semi-co-op, social strategy, 3–6 players. Art by Helena Rosova (no AI used). Back it here: bit.ly/hallsofasgard

⭐️ Award Alert! Honored to have Vengeance of the Damned (Olaf’s Saga, Book 5) recognized by Historical Novels Review with a Editor's Choice Award! #HistoricalFiction #Vikings #BookSky #AmReading

For my recent birthday, my sister decided to turn a Thanksgiving picture of me into a Viking image. I think I look better as a Viking! 😂

RELEASE DAY! Vengeance of the Damned audiobook! The incomparable Gildart Jackson is narrating once again! Get it now on Apple Books, Audible, B&N, Google Play and elsewhere: rbmediaglobal.com/audiobook/97... #vikingbooks #actionbooks #historicalfiction #histfic #vikingsaga

INTRODUCTION I'm delighted to post my 5-star review of his Historical Norse Adventure, Vengeance of the Damned (Book 5 Olaf's Saga), released by Bodn Books on October 2, 2025. linneatanner.co/43ugPdc

Vengeance of the Damned reviews are coming in. Thank u, @LinneaTanner, for the kind words! "a gripping and satisfying conclusion to the Olaf's Saga" Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/review/show/... Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/books/vengea... (community reviews) Amazon: www.amazon.com/review/R2GLC...

SALE ALERT! From now until December 1, 2025, enjoy a 50% discount on the "Forged by Iron" audiobook. Perfect for gifting to Viking enthusiasts or beginning the epic adventure on your own! Explore more at: www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p... #VikingSaga #AudiobookDeals

✨ FLASH SALE ✨ FORGED BY IRON is FREE today and tomorrow on Amazon. If you haven't started Olaf's Saga yet, here's your chance! Get your copy here: mybook.to/ForgedbyIron #historicalfiction #adventurebooks #Viking #NorseSaga

❀༻ 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓓𝓪𝔂 ༺❀ #BookReview - 5 STARS Read with #KindleUnlimited ✦ * . * Vengeance of the Damned: A Viking Age Novel (Olaf's Saga Book 5) By Eric Schumacher * . * ✦ maryanneyarde.blogspot.com/2025/11/edit... #HistoricalFiction #mustread #bookoftheday 💙📚

Did the early medieval Scandinavians celebrate #Halloween? Not as we know it today and certainly not in name. But they did have two interesting (and sinister) celebrations, in which we can see overlaps: Vetrnætr and Álfablót. I've written about them here: www.ericschumacher.net/2020-10-6-di...

Don't forget: If you haven't embarked on Olaf's Saga yet, you can begin for FREE. Simply visit the website and subscribe to my newsletter. I assure you, no unwanted emails! www.ericschumacher.net/readers-club/ #historicalfiction #complimentarybook #vikinghistory

I know, not Viking-related, but I'm also a sucker for US history and adventure-laden family sagas that span generations. The Mallory Saga from Paul Bennett hits all the marks! Book 10 is in the works, so now is a good time to jump in! www.amazon.com/gp/product/B... #historicalfiction #UShistory

Bookshop's AntiPrimeDay Sale is going on! If you prefer print books and want to support local bookstores, consider buying through Bookshop.org. Their #antiprimeday sale is currently running. Extra Bonus: my books are available on the store: books2read.com/ap/xdjVVP/Er... #antiprimeday

Head's up, everybody. Some great new novels just released or are coming soon. Don't miss out. - Camelot by Peter Gibbons - Return of the Wolf by Steven McKay - Shield of Mercia from MJ Porter - Swords in the Snow by Matthew Harffy and Steven McKay - Wolves of Hastings by Logan Irons #newbooks

Thank you all! Because of you, Vengeance of the Damned is sitting in some good company alongside Octavia Randolph and Peter Gibbons. #historicalfiction #newreleases #actionbooks #vikingfiction

"Readers who enjoy Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon series or Giles Kristian’s Viking novels will find that Schumacher is up to the test. Highly recommend." High praise from an amazing author, Daniel Greene. Available globally on Amazon: mybook.to/vengeanceoft... #historicalfiction #NewBookRelease

Book Launch Guest Post by Eric Schumacher, Author of Vengeance of the Damned: A Viking Age Novel (Olaf's Saga Book 5) tonyriches.blogspot.com/2025/10/book... @authoreschumacher.bsky.social #HistoricalFiction #BookLaunch

✨ Vengeance of the Damned is Now Available!✨ The fifth and final book in Olaf's Saga – Vengeance of the Damned – is now available globally in print and ebook on Amazon: mybook.to/vengeanceoft... Pick up a copy today! #historicalfiction #NewBookRelease #medievalhistory

The first review of Vengeance of the Damned is in. Thank you, Author Griff Hosker, for the kind words! Book release is Oct 1. Pre-order today at: mybook.to/vengeanceoft... "Beautifully drawn fictional characters..." "...fast and entertaining..." "An excellent read ..." #NewRelease #histfic

Happy Friday, everyone! c/o Gary Larson and The Far Side

It's hard to get my head around the fact that our nation is now standing on the side of Putin because of this embarrassment of a president and vice president. Shameful.

I got laid off today, with the rest of 18F. 18F was an elite federal software shop. We made gov't websites work better, more efficiently for the American people. We saved taxpayers from getting screwed over by contractors. And were fired for it. We made this website to tell our story: 18f.org

✨ EBOOK PROMOTION ✨ HAKON'S SAGA: 99c DATES: Feb 27-Mar 7 Grab the whole Hakon Saga for just 99c—3 novels + 1 novella in one! buff.ly/3LvPIV1 #Book#BookSale #ebook #historicalfiction #99c

A good reminder that living in the early medieval period was not easy. www.sciencealert.com/x-rays-of-vi...

Random thought of the day...in the cookie category, I'm not sure there are many better than frozen Girl Scout thin mints. That is all.

✨ LAUNCH DAY! ✨ Riddle of the Gods is now available as an audiobook! And I have 6 FREE copies to give away! To enter to win one, leave a review of one of my books on Amazon, then share the review with me and your community here. Book Page: https://buff.ly/4k8oW5V I hope you enjoy it!

"If you've enjoyed any of Bernard Cornwell's great Saxon series of books about Uhtred of Bebbenberg, you'll love Schumacher's protagonist,..." As an avid reader of all things Cornwell, this review of my first book, God's Hammer, still floors me. https://buff.ly/3Qda0Fu

Audio Book News! My latest book – Riddle of the Gods – is now available to pre-order. Grab it today! https://buff.ly/3WIUCVm #audiobook #preorder #historicalfiction #histfic

Good morning, Santa Barbara! Hope everyone has a great day. 😁

Huge gratitude for our neighbors, Mexico and Canada have sent fire fighters and army to help us.

✨ NEW BOOK DEALS! ✨ Let's start 2025 right with book deals! Forged by Iron (eBook) - 0.99 (UK only) - Jan 1-31, 2025 https://buff.ly/41ZsJeZ Forged by Iron (audio) - 70% OFF - Jan 1-11, 2025 https://buff.ly/3OW0zKd Sigurd's Swords (audio) - 60% OFF - Jan 1-15, 2025 https://buff.ly/40ktpdR

Thank you to the Historical Fiction Company for honoring Riddle of the Gods with the 2024 Hugo Historical Fiction Silver Medal. I'm honored! What a nice way to kick off 2025! https://buff.ly/49ZAUKc

January was named after the two-faced god Janus, who looked back at the past and faced the future. The first month of the Roman calendar was the time for officials to pledge/renew their vows of loyalty to Rome — the origin of our modern New Year's resolutions. #ancienthistory

Riddle of the Gods - Book of the Year Finalist! Thrilled to be recognized along with so many other great writers. Thank you, The Coffee Pot Book Club. #Bookaward #historicalfiction #histfic

Well, this just happened. To say I'm excited is a bit of an understatement...THANK YOU, Coffee Pot Book Club, your readers, and the indie writers community!

Congrats to all of the winners and honorable mentions! There are some amazing books and authors on the list! #BookAwards #HistoricalFiction

Great news! Forged by Iron audiobook is 70% OFF until Jan 11. This is the first book in the Olaf's Saga series. Get it today! https://buff.ly/3OW0zKd #booksky #historicalfiction #booksonsale #vikingfiction