M S Rayed

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Superhero Author. Grinding my way through first drafts and seeking to upgrade my craft. My first book, Imperial Dawn, is out now!

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

Thrilled with today's newsletter promo for my debut, Imperial Dawn! It hit #1 in Free Military Fantasy, Historical Fantasy & Greco-Roman Myths, plus top 25 in all SFF. 🏛️⚔️ Feeling incredibly encouraged. Will definitely run another next quarter! #indieauthor #historicalfantasy

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

ARC link: https://t.co/a1sHxGzPUj

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

The story continues. I'm incredibly excited to announce that Imperial Strife, the sequel to Imperial Dawn, is officially available for pre-order! 🏛️⚔️ It releases into the world on Labor Day (Sept 7, 2026).

I'm also running an ARC campaign on Booksprout! If you want an early copy, check the link in the replies. 👇🏽 #ImperialStrife #HistoricalFantasy

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

Publishing my debut brought this intense pressure to "rapid-release" sequels. But reading The Artisan Author reminded me to stay true to my voice. My work doesn't fit neat market trends—whether it's Roman historical fantasy or cyberpunk exploring my immigrant anxieties.

As I edit the sequel to Imperial Dawn, I'm actively letting go of that pressure. Taking my time. 🖋️ #amwriting #indieauthor

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

Imperial Dawn is out now! Thank you all for your incredible support on this journey. I poured my heart into this story of soldiers, spies, and a dying empire. I truly hope you love it.

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

Who is your favorite type of fantasy protagonist: the noble hero, the reluctant chosen one, or the morally grey anti-hero? (My book, Imperial Dawn, definitely has one of those).

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

Let's do a fan-cast! Who would you cast as Galerius, the 100-year-old Roman super-soldier from my book, Imperial Dawn? I have my own ideas, but I'd love to hear yours!

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

What's more terrifying: an enemy army at your gates, or an enemy who wears the face of your most trusted advisor? My book, Imperial Dawn, asks this question.

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

There is nothing quite like the gratification of finishing a book draft and prepping it for a solo read-through. This time, I went the extra mile: formatted the manuscript in Atticus, designed a custom draft cover, and loaded it straight onto my Kindle. Seeing it actually look like a "real" book makes all those grueling hours of drafting absolutely worth it. 📚✨ #amwriting #indieauthor #writingcommunity

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

Bookstores and libraries can be a huge help! Don't forget to request Imperial Dawn at your local library or indie bookstore. It makes a world of difference.

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

Let's talk about Lupans from my book, Imperial Dawn. They are the shapeshifters of my world. Trained to be the perfect spies, they can become anyone. But what happens when you forget who you were?

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

In Imperial Dawn, I wanted to write about the different kinds of strength. The physical strength of a soldier, the mental strength of a spy, and the quiet, enduring strength of a moral compass.

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

If you enjoy the world-building of Brandon Sanderson and the historical grit of Bernard Cornwell, I tried to blend the best of both in Imperial Dawn.

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

If you're here for the political scheming, Imperial Dawn has: a puppet emperor, a power-hungry mother, secret alliances in the Senate, and advisors playing a deadly game.

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

A favorite line from my spy, Keir, from my book, Imperial Dawn: "Rome does not require a flawless hero, Galerius. It requires a man who can do what is best for its people."

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

A promise from a man who can't die, from my book Imperial Dawn: "I will stay by your bed until you are gone... Then, and only then, will I permit myself to… go off and die."

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

The first chapter of #ImperialDawn is now available to read on my website! Meet Galerius and Lysander and get a taste of the intrigue and magic to come.

https://t.co/CLgAokxK1P

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

Only 5 weeks until you can step into the world of #ImperialDawn! Get ready for a journey into a Roman Empire unlike any you've seen before.

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

How much of yourself would you sacrifice for the "greater good"? In Imperial Dawn, every character has to answer this, and their answers might surprise you.

[M S Rayed @MuhtasimRayed]

My book. Imperial Dawn, asks a tough question: If you were immortal, would you allow yourself to love a mortal, knowing you are destined to lose them?