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The author, famous for his acclaimed comfort fantasy books, recently launched his newest installment in the set. Titled Brigands & Breadknives, the tale centers on Fern the ratkin when she embarks on a classic adventure story following abandoning her successful business.

A Change from Familiar Territory

In contrast to the prior stories in the set, that focused on settling down, Brigands & Breadknives delves into the idea of disappointing people you care about. The author stated that this book is focused on understanding to make tough choices that you care about.

"The novel is regarding learning to say no that you value, and mastering to say no," the author said. "I'm working on a new project. Are people be upset? Is it important? Do I have to pursue what's most important for myself, even if it could disappoint others?"

Own Experiences Shaping the Plot

Baldree explained that his own challenges have consistently informed his writing. Earlier, he had a career in the gaming industry, designing projects like the game Torchlight and Rebel Galaxy game. His decision to step away from the gaming world to produce audiobooks inspired the protagonist Viv's life shift in Legends & Lattes.

"I realized during the initial novel that when you write a narrative, you can't help but include a personal elements within," he said. "Then when other people react to that, there's a wonderful experience of shared experience."

The Rise of Comfort Fantasy

As per Travis Baldree, the rise of comfort fantasy has increased in recent years, to some extent due to a longing for relief and community in the wake of the recent health crisis.

"Society feels a somewhat in turmoil, and I think in our entertainment, most of us want something that is comforting," Baldree explained. "During COVID, the series Game of Thrones was released, and I thought, 'I enjoy the show, but I do not want in seeing my favorite characters beheaded.'"

Delving Into Alternative Routes

While Viv found her satisfying conclusion in Legends & Lattes, Baldree believed he should not rip that away from her by sending her out from the business. Centering on Fern gave him the chance to explore a character choosing the reverse journey—abandoning a comfortable life to begin an journey.

"It's not true that all of your solutions for life's problems are to stay put and run a shop," he said. "Each person is unique, and additionally, we're each unique at different points in our lives. The approach that succeeded for me 10 years ago is not effective for me now."

Expanding the World

In contrast to the prior books, which were located in cozy communities, Brigands & Breadknives features a road trip that allowed Baldree to flesh out his fictional universe without relying on exposition. The quest accompanied by Astryx and her chatty weapon Nigel features killer chickens, fearsome creatures, honorable mercenaries, and a remarkably peaceful sanctuary devoted to worshiping a eldritch deity.

Upcoming Works

In terms of his next project, the author is stepping beyond familiar ground with a LitRPG story tentatively titled Four Bastards and a Baby.

"I have read hundreds of LitRPGs, and at this point I have developed opinions about what I want in one," he explained. "I desire more characterization. I want an end. Numerous such stories try to avoid change, and I do not desire that."

Future Stories

Enthusiasts of the universe of Legends & Lattes, the author has created a set of narratives including accounts about the baker character Thimble the baker and Viv's succubus partner the succubus, which will be issued in an future anthology. Additionally, he anticipates he'll revisit to the setting to address his experience writing his latest novel, which is considerably more extensive and more plot-driven than his prior books.

"I'll have a book about developing a difficult project that was really, really challenging for you to accomplish," he says.