Press & media kit

Fantasy / Action / Adventure — Book One of Of Sand and Soil

The next chapter in the world of Aliru has arrived.

This Emerald Crucible — the first volume in the new Of Sand and Soil story arc — is now officially released, inviting readers into the steaming jungles of Taen Lua for a tale of mystery, survival, and ancient secrets.

Following the 2021 release of The Torril City Mysterion: A Pinch of Peril, this new novel shifts focus to another region of the same world, expanding the scope of Aliru while retaining the signature blend of adventure, intrigue, and subtle humour that readers have come to expect. (The new book runs approximately 728 pages and is published by Wondercrab Books; ISBN 9780645814323.)

A NEW FRONTIER IN ALIRU

When the reclusive botanist Reiuk arrives in the jungles of Taen Lua to rescue a rare flower from extinction, he expects solitude, not danger. What begins as an escape from city life quickly spirals into something darker when sabotage and murder cut him off from the outside world.

Joined by the quick-minded journalist Kindri and the distant archaeologist Teth, Reiuk must navigate hostile terrain, long-lost ruins, and secrets buried beneath the canopy — where survival depends as much on trust as it does on endurance.

Set against a landscape of humid forests and forgotten civilisations, the novel blends exploration-era tension with fantasy mystery, pushing deeper into Aliru’s cultures and histories. (The story is the first half of a planned two-book arc.)

ABOUT THE BOOK

• Title: This Emerald Crucible

• Series: Of Sand and Soil — Book One

• Author: James McLeod

• Publisher: Wondercrab Books

• Format: Paperback / Ebook

• Length: ~728 pages (approx. 490 g print edition)

• Genre: Fantasy adventure with mystery elements

AUTHOR COMMENT

“This story explores a completely different corner of Aliru — older, stranger, and more dangerous. It’s about isolation, discovery, and what happens when people who don’t particularly want company are forced to rely on one another.”

THE WORLD OF ALIRU EXPANDS

While connected to earlier works, This Emerald Crucible stands alone as an entry point for new readers. Long-time followers will discover new cultures and histories hinted at in earlier stories, while newcomers can step directly into the wilderness of Taen Lua with fresh eyes.

AVAILABILITY

This Emerald Crucible is available now in paperback and digital formats through major retailers and online bookstores.

For more information, get in touch with author James McLeod or [Lou Gatwick](mailto:lou.gatwick@wondercrab.com?subject=Press Enquiry: ) at Wondercrab Books.

Wondercrab Books and James McLeod are thrilled to announce the addition to jimzip.com of the 'Short Story Library', allowing visitors and readers to access McLeod's short stories for free, with narrated versions coming very soon.

McLeod has published a number of short stories over the years in magazines such as 'Literary Heist' and the Berlin-Based indie scene periodical, 'Debút'. Now, 'Avakal's Call', 'A Spirit of Fate', and 'Wonderlust' are available to read online, with more on the way soon.

"Short stories are like firecrackers," McLeod says, "they sparkle and explode in less time than it takes to whistle a Eurovision song, while introducing readers to new adventures and world in pint-sized form. I hope people enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them."

The Short Story Library can be found at jimzip.com/short-stories.

To find out more, stay tuned to news from jimzip.com.

PRESS ENQUIRIES: PLEASE [CONTACT LOU GATWICK](mailto:lou.gatwick@wondercrab.com?subject=Press Enquiry: )AT WONDERCRAB BOOKS.

Wondercrab Books and James McLeod are thrilled to reveal the official cover art for McLeod's third novel: 'This Emerald Crucible' — slated for release in mid-2025.

Set in rain-soaked, island ruins of Taen Lua where secrets lurk in every shadow, 'This Emerald Crucible' follows Reiuk, a common gardener who is given the extraordinary task of saving a precious, fruiting flower from extinction. Thrown into a gauntlet of thrills and mysteries with the snap-witted journalist, Kindri, and the quiet, distant archaeologist, Teth, Reiuk must fight to survive before the jungle swallows them all whole…

McLeod had stated that 'This Emerald Crucible' will be a two-shot novel, set in the world of Aliru.

To find out more, stay tuned to news from jimzip.com.

PRESS ENQUIRIES: PLEASE [CONTACT LOU GATWICK](mailto:lou.gatwick@wondercrab.com?subject=Press Enquiry: )AT WONDERCRAB BOOKS.

Keep your eyes peeled in this month’s edition of, ‘Literary Heist’ for James McLeod’s short story, ‘Avakal’s Call’.

Set in a distant, agrarian society after pestilence has devastated the population, readers are invited into a powerful moment in the life of a young farmer, Sana. Gifted with sivonic energy and trying her hand at a yearly test of skill, this young woman is unexpectedly confronted by her true enemy, and forced to make a choice that will define the rest of her life.

Literary Heist is a quaternary, digital magazine based in Canada. Their goal is to give ‘a voice to transformative writers’. You can find out more at: LiteraryHeist.com

PRESS ENQUIRIES: PLEASE [CONTACT LOU GATWICK](mailto:lou.gatwick@wondercrab.com?subject=Press Enquiry: ) AT WONDERCRAB BOOKS.

Today, Wondercrab Books and James McLeod are excited to share the official cover art for: 'The Torril City Mysterion: A Pinch of Peril' — to be published in August, 2021 by Tablo Publishing, Melbourne.

With a nod to art-deco/noir era classics, McLeod has designed this illustrated cover to introduce readers to the fantasy series's two main protagonists while hinting at what lies ahead.

"This cover represents three years of work & a big personal milestone," Mcleod tweeted, earlier today, "The #WritingCommunity have made this journey wonderful. So, thank you, all!"

Mcleod later elaborated. "It's one of the most important aspects of being a creative; having control over the little things. And being able to design my own book cover is a thrill, because I have a strong vision for the aesthetic and where I want this series to go."

McLeod is planning four books in the series.

To find out more about The Torril City Mysterion, visit the official website.

PRESS ENQUIRIES: PLEASE [CONTACT LOU GATWICK](mailto:lou.gatwick@wondercrab.com?subject=Press Enquiry: ) AT WONDERCRAB BOOKS.

Wondercrab Books and James McLeod are proud to announce 'The Torril City Mysterion: A Pinch of Peril' will be published in August, 2021 by Tablo Publishing, Melbourne.

Set in the exotic port-city of Torril, this first instalment of a series pits detective-for-hire Akteron Uusei Nisbri and pulvichist Piria Ki Kasbri against the clock after three mysterious relics are stolen from the Torril City museum — each with the potential to stir up civil unrest.

"Atlantis. If Atlantis were in a jungle," McLeod says, when asked to describe the novel's setting, "then throw some polynesian slash mongolian outfits into the equation, have it stay afloat, and fill it with birds. That's Torril City."

McLeod is planning four books in the series.

To find out more about The Torril City Mysterion, visit the official website.

PRESS ENQUIRIES: PLEASE [CONTACT LOU GATWICK](mailto:lou.gatwick@wondercrab.com?subject=Press Enquiry: ) AT WONDERCRAB BOOKS.

Berlin-based indie periodical DÉBUT! Magazine's Kara Landry made a stop at local creative writing meetup, 'Federkeller'. In this article, she interviews a number of authors, including James McLeod, about their experiences, joys and frustrations with the process of creative writing.

Click the image to read the full article.

Wondering where the old site went? Ah! Here it is.

© 2025 JAMES McLEOD | PRESS