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Marshalltown ER doctor Lance VanGundy has just released his fourth book “Revealing the Arca Prime,” the latest offering in his epic fantasy series The Rune Fire Cycle. Local book signings are slated for April 4 and May 9.
Dr. Lance VanGundy recently released his fourth book “Revealing the Arca Prime,” the latest offering in his epic fantasy series The Rune Fire Cycle.
“By day, VanGundy serves the Marshalltown community as an emergency room physician. By night, he builds intricate worlds filled with ancient prophecies, sword-wielding heroes, and richly layered lore,” said his daughter and PR rep Madisun VanGundy. “A lifelong fantasy enthusiast and proud Dungeons & Dragons veteran, VanGundy began writing the series after decades of storytelling ideas that refused to quiet.”
He will host his first-ever book signings at two new downtown Marshalltown businesses: Grounded coffee shop on April 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., then one at bookstore Fizz & Fiction on May 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Copies of his books will be available at both signings, plus readers can also buy the full series locally at Fizz & Fiction.
The book, available as a paperback, hardcover and ebook, is massive. The print version clocks in at 842 pages. (Earlier books in the series are closer to 500 pages each). An audiobook version is due out in May. Worldbuilding, the process of creating a fictional world’s history, geography, politics, culture and social structures, can be an immersive process for a writer.
“There are several kinds of writers with fantasy. Some people plot everything out, and some people write just by the seat of their pants. I’m probably a hybrid,” VanGundy said. “I had some fun story twists and character arcs that I really just enjoyed writing, so kind of gave myself permission to embellish those in the storyline. I think it worked out okay, but it definitely made for a longer work. And probably the fifth book will be similar, but I’m pretty sure I can wrap everything up with a fifth book.”
The storyline asks this question: “The blue moon rises, and with it, a legion of fell creatures marches as the High Abrogator, Tarkannen, gathers his forces in the west. Standing in opposition, the Baellentrell princes, freed from their binding mantle, unleash rune fire in defense of Aarindorn. When these colossal forces collide, who will remain standing in the ashes?”
Madisun noted her father’s books are known for their sharp humor and emotional depth.
“You know, we can’t reinvent everything all the time. (But) it’s got to be a pretty cold, boring day before I pick up a book that’s just about dwarves and elves. I can’t do it anymore,” he said with a laugh. “So I want to read something that somebody’s put a little more creative thought into. And then I try and breathe that same kind of creativity into my stories.”
VanGundy said writing and creating his storylines is a great form of escape from the stresses of working as an emergency room doctor. His best ideas come to him during aerobic exercise. He then does the plotting and writing from his home office, often in the morning hours.
Now that he’s penned four books, he said he’s ready to meet with readers, both current and future fans.
“I think I deliberately sort of shied away from marketing because I just felt like I know my own tastes in reading and consuming that genre, and I don’t really want to get my heart set on a series and then have to wait two years for book two and another two years for book three,” he noted. “So I felt like readers probably deserved that same courtesy. I wasn’t going to put a lot of energy into attracting attention to this (series) until there was some stuff to get invested in. Now I think I can see the story arcs closing. I think it’s more fun to have characters in a world and a storyline to get behind.”
VanGundy is a few chapters into writing book five. Once The Rune Fire Cycle set is completed, he may work on a spin off or start a new, smaller series.
Visit www.lancevangundy.com to learn more about his books. Simple swag (hats, t-shirts, mugs) will be for sale on the website within a month.
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