I’m a big LOTR fan, and I suspect many here in the Legion are, too.
Earlier this year, I rewatched the trilogy when it struck me like Gimli's axe just how much Tolkien's work has influenced The Divided Region without me even really knowing it.
There were so many parallels that it’s borderline spooky.
For example:
LOTR has Mordor, TDR has Kaudon.
LOTR has Sauron, TDR has Vraqor.
LOTR has Fell Beasts, TDR has Skarloxes.
LOTR has Gandalf, TDR has Alderan.
LOTR has the Misty Mountains, TDR has the Frosty Peaks.
LOTR has the elven sanctuary of Rivendell, TDR has a wizard equivalent in Kladstin.
LOTR requires the Ring to be destroyed, TDR requires a prophecy to be heeded and acted upon, or else the dark lord will cast Estos into an age of shadows.
These were just some of the immediate ones that came to my mind while writing this email. Now, the keen eyes amongst us might have noticed there was no mention of elves, orcs, dwarves, and hobbits, and that's not because I failed to mention them.
It's because there are no such races in TDR.
Only men, wizards, seers, dark lords, and beasts inhabit this world.
With my novels being short in comparison to most epics in the marketplace, including every race and Dwarven ale to ever exist in this genre would have risked serious lore dumps or, worse…
Risked being skimmed over altogether for the sake of preserving the series’ strong pacing.
That’s why I made the sensible decision not to add them.
It doesn’t mean I don’t like them, nor does it imply I’ll never write them in a future series, but for TDR, it makes no sense.
Anyhoo, I found that to be an interesting discovery, indeed.
(Hat tip to you, Grandpa Tolkien.)
And being the opportunistic marketer I am, now is as good a time as any for my shameless sales pitch 😈:
If you're a lover of The Lord of the Rings or fantasy that has vast plains, forbidden forests, prowling beasts, and a dark lord that stirs in the foul basins of the realm, then now’s the time to put down your shrimp sandwich and grab the series.
Why?
I have secretly commissioned brand-spanking new covers for the series ahead of my foray into paperbacks (don’t worry, all existing Patrons get these updates completely free. Please read the instructions in the P.S. below).
Let’s just say…
They. Look. Righteous. 🤩
Take a gander for yourself:
https://djjwatsonstore.com/products/TDR-Bundle
And if the reimagined covers don’t tempt you over the line, tomorrow’s email might.
Stay tuned.
DJJW
P.S. Instructions for Patrons:
A) If you bought through my Storehouse and downloaded the e-book(s) onto your own e-reader (Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iPad, etc.):
- Search your inbox for the original download message (try “BookFunnel” or the book title).
- Delete the old file from your device (Remove from device / Delete download / Archive).
- Re-download from your original BookFunnel link (or My BookFunnel Library).
- Transfer it back to your device (USB, Send-to-Kindle, or your usual app).
(Tip: If the cover still looks wrong, open the book once to refresh the thumbnail.)
B) If you used the BookFunnel app (to read or listen):
- Open the BookFunnel app (iOS / Android / Kindle Fire).
- If the update doesn’t show: remove the book (Remove from device), then tap to re-download.
- If you send the book to another app (Kindle, Apple Books, etc.), re-export after re-downloading.
C) If you bought through a retailer (Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, etc.):
- Usually, no action needed — future downloads get the new file automatically.
- For existing Kindle purchases: turn on Automatic Book Updates (Amazon → Manage Your Content & Devices → Preferences) or check your “Purchased/Updates” area.
If any of this feels fiddly, reply to this email with your purchase email and I’ll send you a fresh link. Or contact BookFunnel at help@bookfunnel.com — they’ll sort it in a jiffy.