Ryan McLeod, a life-long voracious reader, has been creatively writing since the age of six. As an avid gamemaster of several pen-and-paper roleplaying games, he has crafted countless worlds suitable for adventure, including Antiqua, the setting of Both Sides of the Blade and his upcoming project: Crucible RPG. Alongside his writing, Ryan has also developed a love of painting and illustrating - all the artwork featured in the novel was produced by the author himself.
Ryan has a long history of martial arts experience, which he has drawn extensively upon to describe the combat in Both Sides of the Blade. He has trained with many of the weapon types mentioned in the book and several of the techniques described were developed in practicing the craft.
Among various other fighting and societal traditions, Ryan has studied ninjutsu and bushido - the samurai warrior's way, cultivating a fascination with occultism and spiritual beliefs. He trains in his own martial art and philosophy, Jade Serpent, at home and at local parks, where he is often observed practicing forms with a (wooden) katana.
Although he has authored hundreds of poems, Both Sides of the Blade is his first published work. The initial novel in The Qualthalas Quandaries Quadrilogy will be followed by The Busty Barmaid's Boudoir, then Rogue, Vagabond, and Crown Prince, and finally, When the Song Ends.
