Picture a British storyteller who swapped courtrooms for fantastical worlds, weaving tales of justice and magic—meet Richard Swan! Born in North Yorkshire, this bestselling author has captivated readers with his genre-blending novels, from the epic fantasy of The Justice of Kings to the gritty space operas of the Art of War trilogy. With a knack for legal intrigue and moral complexity, Swan’s stories are as thrilling as they are thought-provoking.
The Making of Richard Swan
Growing up on Royal Air Force bases in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, young Richard Swan was surrounded by the roar of fighter jets, sparking a lifelong love for epic narratives. By age seven, he was devouring genre fiction like Monica Hughes’ Space Trap, and by thirteen, he was crafting his own stories in school computer rooms, inspired by Star Wars and The Hobbit. After studying law at the University of Manchester and becoming a barrister, Swan spent a decade litigating multimillion-pound disputes in London. But his passion for storytelling never faded, and he began writing novels as a creative escape.
Richard Swan’s Unforgettable Stories
Swan’s debut fantasy novel, The Justice of Kings (2022), the first in the Empire of the Wolf trilogy, became an instant Sunday Times bestseller. It follows Sir Konrad Vonvalt, a detective-judge-executioner navigating rebellion and dark magic in a richly detailed medieval world. Its sequels, The Tyranny of Faith and The Trials of Empire, deepen the saga with legal drama and paranormal horror. Swan’s earlier Art of War trilogy (2015–2018), a self-published space opera, showcases his knack for military sci-fi, while the upcoming Grave Empire (2025), part of the Great Silence series, explores an empire on the brink of industrial revolution. His short fiction for Black Library and Grimdark Magazine adds gritty depth to his portfolio. Swan’s style blends meticulous world-building, legal precision, and moral ambiguity, earning praise for its sophisticated take on fantasy.
What sets Swan apart is his ability to infuse fantastical settings with real-world stakes. His protagonists, like Vonvalt and his protégé Helena Sedanka, grapple with duty, faith, and the cost of power, reflecting Swan’s own experiences in high-stakes litigation. Fans love his sharp dialogue and unpredictable twists, which keep readers hooked from start to finish.
Why Richard Swan Matters
Richard Swan has carved a unique niche in modern fantasy, blending the cerebral with the cinematic. His Empire of the Wolf trilogy has been translated into eight languages, resonating with readers who crave stories that challenge assumptions about justice and authority. By drawing on his legal background, Swan offers a fresh perspective in a genre often dominated by swords and sorcery. His influence extends to aspiring writers, proving that self-publishing can lead to major deals, like his six-figure contract with Orbit Books. Living in Sydney with his wife Sophie and three sons, Swan continues to shape the genre with his upcoming dystopian sci-fi project.
- Born: North Yorkshire, England
- Key Works: The Justice of Kings, Art of War trilogy, Grave Empire
- Resides: Sydney, Australia
- Notable: Sunday Times bestseller, translated into eight languages
Ready for a journey through empires and enigmas? Snag The Justice of Kings and dive into Richard Swan’s spellbinding blend of fantasy and intrigue!