✦   AN EPIC FANTASY SERIES BY MICHAEL MATHEWS

A world of wonder.
A way back home.

One ordinary father. One impossible journey. And a magical world whose beauty is being swallowed by something dark.

BOOK ONE  ·  THE GLOOMY MEADOWS

BEYOND THE STORM

Somewhere between the familiar and the impossible.

Laswynd is a realm of remarkable people, ancient secrets, curious magic, and places not found on any earthly map. But a mysterious sickness is spreading across the land, and even its rulers cannot agree on how to stop it.

For Christopher Earl, none of that was supposed to be his problem. He only wants to get back to his children.

THE FIRST LEGEND
LEGENDS OF LASWYNDTHE GLOOMY
MEADOWS
MICHAEL MATHEWS

Promotional artwork · Final book cover to be added

01 THE FIRST BOOK

The Gloomy Meadows

Every journey begins somewhere. This one begins with a storm.

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Christopher Earl has an ordinary life in Virginia: a job, bills, and three children he loves more than anything. Then a violent storm opens the way to Laswynd, a world he never knew existed.

With a sharp-tongued former soldier, an endlessly curious scholar, and a peculiar stuffed dog at his side, Christopher must navigate strange lands, dangerous powers, and the creeping threat known as the Spreading Death.

He has one goal: find a way home. Laswynd may have other plans.

RELEASE DETAILS COMING SOON

FROM CHAPTER ONE · COLD POTATOES

“For a moment, normal was nothing more complicated than cold potatoes and making his kids laugh.”

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LEGENDS OF LASWYND: THE GLOOMY MEADOWS

A LAND UNLIKE OUR OWN

Explore Laswynd

From lively village squares to the distant seat of power, every corner of Laswynd holds another story. Select a location to see its illustrated world.

THE GIZZLEFELL MEADOWS

Meadowick

A bustling town in the Meadows, full of market stalls, familiar routines, and the sort of watchful curiosity that makes an unexpected stranger impossible to ignore.

A PLACE WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGINS

THE PEOPLES ATLAS · FOUR PROFILES

Peoples of Laswynd

Different in appearance, history, and homeland, each of Laswynd’s intelligent peoples has a story of its own. Explore their portraits and field-guide cards.

Illustrated people profiles and interpretive scouting ratings · No story revelations

ALLIES, ODDITIES & ADVERSARIES

Meet the Characters

Some will help Christopher find his way. Others will make sure the road is anything but easy.

Character concept artwork · Appearances may evolve as the series develops.

THE JOURNEY HAS ONLY BEGUN

Only the summoned
may pass through the rift.

And Christopher still doesn't know why he was chosen.

Begin with Book One ↑
Portrait of Michael Mathews, author of Legends of Laswynd
MICHAEL MATHEWS THE AUTHOR

BEHIND THE PAGES

Meet the Author

Michael Mathews

Michael Mathews is the author of Legends of Laswynd: The Gloomy Meadows, the opening adventure in a planned fantasy series.

The story begins with a father who would do anything to make it home—and a wondrous world whose troubles become impossible for him to ignore.

More from Laswynd is on the way.

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THE WORLD IS WAITING

Every legend starts
with a first step.

Discover The Gloomy Meadows ↗Publication information and official purchase links will appear here when available.

AN EXCERPT FROM BOOK ONE

Chapter One Cold Potatoes

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The mashed potatoes were getting cold.

Christopher Earl knew this because he had reheated them twice already, and because Taylor had been studying the bowl for the better part of a minute with the same expression she usually reserved for particularly difficult math problems.

“They’re potatoes,” Christopher said.

Taylor looked up. “I know.”

“You’re studying them.”

“I’m deciding whether they’re still legally potatoes.”

Christopher pointed his fork at her. “I worked hard on those.”

“You took them out of a plastic container.”

“I worked hard opening the plastic container.”

Taylor tried not to smile. She failed.

Across the table, Michael snorted.

Christopher smiled and took another bite of meatloaf.

For a moment, normal was nothing more complicated than cold potatoes and making his kids laugh.

— END OF PREVIEW —

LEGENDS OF LASWYND01 / 07
Christopher EarlCHARACTER CONCEPT ART
THE GLOOMY MEADOWSCARD 01 / 07

ATTRIBUTE RATINGS

Illustrative scouting scores · 1–10 · not final canon

CHARACTER FILE
SCOUTING REPORT