About
Behind the wall
Who wrote it, how it was made, and where to find the author this winter.
02 · The author
M. R. Ostrand writes cold places.
Ostrand grew up on a stretch of coast where the sea froze most winters and the ferry stopped running in January. The first drawing of the wall was on the back of a tide table.
Before writing full time, Ostrand worked as a surveyor, measuring things nobody else wanted to measure. The houses of Oskeld are partly built from that: six groups of people who each know one thing better than anyone, and nothing else.
Book one took six winters to write. Book two is being written now, in a shed with a wood stove and no internet.
03 · The saga
Three books, three winters.
Out in November
Book one · The Rime
A beacon is lit from the sky. Out 14 November 2026.
In progress
Book two · The Thaw
The ice begins to melt from the inside. Being written now.
Planned
Book three · The Gate
The last gate opens for the last time. Planned.
04 · Events
Come to the wall.
Readings, signings and one very cold outdoor launch. Every event is free unless marked.
Launch night reading
The Lantern Room
Edinburgh
Launch
Signing and Q&A
Northgate Books
Manchester
Signing
Worldbuilding workshop
Livestream, 90 minutes
Online
Workshop
Winter fantasy festival
Harbourside Hall
Bristol
Festival
05 · Press kit
Everything a reviewer needs.
Cover files, the map, the six banners and a short and long bio. Ask for advance copies with the form on the pre-order page.
Cover
Front cover, spine and full wrap
Print and web sizes, with and without the title.
Map
The map of the wall
Endpaper version and a clean version without labels.
Banners
Six house banners
Transparent files, one per house.
Bio
Author biography
50, 150 and 300 words.
“Write the cold first. The fire takes care of itself.”
M. R. Ostrand, on writing book one
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