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Melissa McPhail

Melissa McPhail is the author of the best-selling epic fantasy series A Pattern of Shadow & Light. She's the mother of twin girls who think boys in books are just better, and the adoptive mother to four very large cats who basically rule the roost; and while she can never leave the house in one attempt, she's pretty darn good at spinning a tale. She's also a classically trained pianist, violinist and composer, a Vinyasa yoga instructor, and an avid tea drinker.

Melissa's fantasy series has won eight best fantasy awards and (even more importantly to her) a fiercely devoted following. She is known for being an engaged author on social media and welcomes your thoughts on her work, the speculative fiction genre or writing in general.

Look for Melissa on Twitter @melissagmcphail, Facebook at facebook.com/cephraelshand or via her website and blog at melissamcphail.com.


“Fill what’s empty, empty what’s full, and scratch where it itches, your Grace. That’s my motto.”
Melissa McPhail
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“The eye of your mind—your intelligence; the eye of your heart—your conscience; and the eye of your soul—your instinct.”
Melissa McPhail
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“Fear was the worst evil ever to plague a man, for with it came hesitation and with that, inaction, failure, death.”
Melissa McPhail
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“In every waking moment, it is our next choice that makes us who we are.”
Melissa McPhail
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“All things are formed of patterns, from a single blade of grass to the most majestic of mountains: air and water, fire and earth; Life itself.”
Melissa McPhail
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“A man may rule his household,And a King govern his land,But Death walks in the thrall of Cephrael’s Hand.”
Melissa McPhail
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