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The writer, renowned for his bestselling feel-good fantasy novels, has recently released his latest installment in the collection. Called Brigands and Breadknives, the tale focuses on Fern the ratkin while she starts a classic adventure story subsequent to walking away from her flourishing bookshop.

A Shift from Cozy Themes

Differing from the previous novels in the set, that focused on settling down, Brigands & Breadknives examines the idea of saying no to loved ones. Baldree explained that this story is focused on learning to make tough choices whom you value.

"This book is about learning to disappoint people who you love, and understanding to refuse," Baldree noted. "I'm working on a new project. Are people end up let down? Is it important? Do I have to do my true passion for myself, although it may alienate someone?"

Own Experiences Shaping the Story

The writer mentioned that his own challenges have consistently informed his writing. Before, he was involved in game development, developing games like Torchlight and the space combat game Rebel Galaxy. The move to leave the gaming world to narrate audio stories inspired the protagonist Viv's career change in Legends & Lattes.

"I found while writing the debut story that when you write a tale, you can't help but include a much of your own experience in the story," the author stated. "And when readers react to that, there's this really amazing moment of understanding."

The Rise of Cozy Fantasy

In the words of the author, the appeal of cozy fantasy has surged in recent years, to some extent due to a wish for relief and human connection following the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The world feels a little bit on fire, and I feel in our entertainment, a lot of us desire something that is comforting," he said. "I recall the pandemic, the show Game of Thrones premiered, and I thought, 'I'm a fan of it, but I have no interest in watching my beloved characters killed off.'"

Delving Into Alternative Routes

While Viv found her happy ending in the first book, the author felt he should not take that away from her by sending her away from the cafe. Following Fern gave him the possibility to explore a character taking the opposite path—leaving a secure life to embark on an journey.

"I believe that every answer for life's problems are to stay put and open a small business," the author said. "People are unique, and furthermore, we're individual at distinct times in our lives. The approach that succeeded for me previously doesn't work for me currently."

Expanding the World

In contrast to the previous books, which were set in small towns, Brigands and Breadknives includes a road trip that enabled Travis Baldree to flesh out his fantasy world avoiding info-dumps. The quest with the elf warrior and her sentient blade Nigel features killer chickens, terrible monsters, ethical soldiers, and a unexpectedly calm monastery dedicated to revering a Cthulhu-like entity.

Future Projects

For his upcoming book, the author is moving into new territory with a LitRPG tale tentatively titled Four Bastards and a Baby.

"I've gone through numerous LitRPG books, and now I have formed thoughts about what I want in one," Baldree explained. "I prefer better development. I prefer a conclusion. A lot of these books want to stay on the treadmill, and I don't want that."

Revisiting the Setting

Enthusiasts of the world of Legends & Lattes, the author has authored a series of tales including accounts about the ratkin baker Thimble the baker and Viv's love interest the succubus, which will be released in an forthcoming anthology. Moreover, he anticipates he'll revisit to the universe to explore his experience writing his new book, which is much lengthier and more narrative-focused than his prior books.

"I'll have a story about squeezing something into being that was incredibly tough for me to achieve," the author explains.