Why, sell millions of copies of Fate of Empires and become a household name, of course.

Or Plan B: write Burden of Empires, the next entry in The Unceasing Empire Saga.

Without spoiling too much, here’s some of what you can look forward to in Burden:

• Despite her circumstances at at the end of Fate of Empires, Jyhadir will — to her own surprise— overcome every barrier the world tries to throw at her. But, as she’s already learned, there’s always a price….

• Iystes will weave plans within plots, as always trying to make the world dance to his own tune. If only the world were a better dancer.

• Darztak has to try to navigate Tarkha through an existential crisis. But how much will it cost him — or the country he so dearly loves?

• Kazdan and his sons just want to rescue Kazfet. (Assuming she doesn’t rescue herself first!) Surely world-spanning geopolitics won’t interfere with such a noble quest, right?

• Things aren’t looking so bad for Eyclas. He’s feeling pretty good about himself, he’s making inroads with his fellow soldiers… yup, everything’s coming up Eyclas. That kind of success always leads to a happy ending in grimdark, right?

• Oh, and some big names will drop by too. Who, you ask? Oh nobody special… just Archcardinal Hythas Ayaetr! Ever heard of him? Not good enough, you say? OK, then how about the Divine Vassal himself? Fancy a peek into the mind of a man who communes with the gods themselves? If so, then you’ll love Burden of Empires, due to be released in… well… er... Before The Winds of Winter?