Alania Press FAQs

Author & Series

• What is The Durajan Series about?
  What survives when our identities, histories, and the beliefs once held sacred are treated as things to be ignored or erased? This story was born from that question and 
from many others I’ve carried since childhood.
  ‍
  The Chronicles of Durajan™ and The Empires of Durajan™ are the first and second novels from A. H. Lewis. They are a story of banishment, memory, and the struggle to rebuild something sacred from the remnants of a fractured world. Told through the voices of those who rise from ruin, forge unlikely bonds, and carve their names into history, it is a tale of defiance against the forces that seek to erase them.
• What should I expect when reading the books of the Durajan Series?
  I like to think of the Durajan Series as a literary epic fantasy with the soul of a historical saga and the heart of a survivor's journal. The Chronicles of Durajan, The Empires of Durajan and future books in the series are, at their core, a continuous story told through a chorus. It unfolds in-scene through narrative and dialogue, alongside signed journal entries and written recollections that deepen context, theme, and character. Spanning years and generations the books weave multiple voices into a living chronicle of banishment, endurance, and rebirth.
• Who is A. H. Lewis?
  A. H. Lewis is a lifelong storyteller drawn to questions of faith, memory, and what endures when all else is stripped away. The Durajan Series is the fulfillment of a promise to himself, a return to the creative spark that never left.
  
  Born from scattered notes and late-night thoughts, the world of Durajan grew into something he could no longer keep to himself. It is a love letter to the stories that shaped him and a meditation on strength, resilience, and the power of reclaiming identity. He writes not to follow trends but to explore what connects us and what we are willing to stand for.
  
  Lewis lives in Connecticut with his wife, Anne, his closest collaborator and fiercest supporter.
• What is A. H. Lewis' creative background?
  With over thirty years of experience in design, storytelling, and creative direction, A. H. Lewis has worked at the intersection of creativity, technology, and narrative—building teams, campaigns, and worlds that inspire connection and meaning. The Durajan Series brings together a lifetime of creative exploration into one cohesive universe.
• Are more books coming in the series?
  Yes. The Chronicles of Durajan and Empires of Durajan are Books One and Two. The next books in the series are The Song of Durajan, Book Three of the Durajan Series, and The Legacy of Durajan, Book Four.

World & Lore FAQs

• What is the Duravela?
  The Duravela (The Enduring Story), is the oldest known script of the Awakened World, the written language of the Time Before. Thirty-six glyphs are known and studied by the most faithful scholars of the Nine. → Dialects and the Duravela
• What is the Nalduravela?
  The Nalduravela, (The Forgotten Story), is an expanded set of the same script that even the most learned have failed to decipher. While the countless symbols and sigils that lie scattered across ruins, carved into stone and whispered in ritual and rite, continue to be recorded and studied, it is widely believed that they cannot be read but only awakened as gifts from the gods.
• What languages or dialects appear in the world of Durajan?
  Each nation’s tongue bears the weight of its ancestors, its land, and its pride. To speak in the tongue of Skarn is to echo the howl of the wolf. To speak as Tharios is to carry the order of Houses. To speak as Shadura is to weave beauty into mourning.
  
  Each dialect is a lineage of memory, born in the time after the Silence, when the Nine first found their footing and spread across the Awakened World.
• Is the world of Durajan inspired by real cultures or histories?
  I like to say that the Awakened World is inspired by many, beholden to none. There are thematic and philosophical roots from several cultures, but not direct analogues. Many are a blend.
• Where can I learn more about the maps, calendars, and glyphs?
  You can dive into the map of the Awakened World here
  You can explore the seasons of the Mother, Wolf, Maw and Mountain here
  You can explore the glyphs and language of the Awakened World here

Publication & Media FAQs

• Where can I buy the books?
  ‍Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and other major retailers.
• Are review copies available for bloggers or media?
  For a review copy please contact a.h.lewis@alaniapress.com
• Is there a media kit available?
  A media kit is available here.
  
• How was the book received by critics?
  The Durajan Series has received critical praise from BookLife by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and BookTrib. Reviews for both titles can be found on their respective book pages.
  
• Is The Durajan Series being adapted for television or film?
  I believe the world of Durajan was made to live beyond the page. Rights inquiries are welcome at a.h.lewis@alaniapress.com.
• Is there an audiobook?
  The Chronicles of Durajan audiobook, narrated by A'rese Emokpae, is now available on Spotify and rolling out to additional retailers and library platforms, including Audible, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble/Nook, Google Play Books, Kobo, Libro.fm, Chirp, OverDrive/Libby, and Hoopla.
• What formats are currently available?
  The Chronicles of Durajan is available in Hardcover, paperback, ebook and audiobook.
  The Empires of Durajan is available in Hardcover and ebook.
• Who illustrated the art for Durajan?
  All illustrations were created by the author, A. H. Lewis and can be seen on his The Art of Durajan YouTube page.
• Can I use images or text from Durajan for fan projects or reviews?
  Absolutely. I welcome creative engagement with the world of Durajan. Non-commercial use is perfectly fine as long as proper credit is given. You’re welcome to quote short excerpts, share artwork, or create fan projects inspired by the series, provided they include attribution to A. H. Lewis / Alania Press and a link to AlaniaPress.com when possible.
  
  For any commercial or published adaptations, please reach out for permission first.

Creative Process FAQs

• What themes does the series explore?
  Identity and memory—alongside resilience and resistance—in defiance of powers that seek to silence others and erase them. As one reviewer put it, the series is “a heartfelt reminder that our voices, no matter how small, matter more than we realize.”
• What inspired the creation of Durajan?
  I’ve poured a lifetime of questions into this project, but at its core, it was born from a search for meaning and identity. The world can be both profoundly beautiful and mercilessly cruel. Throughout history—across tribes, empires, and nations—some have been embraced by their societies while others have been cast out.
  
  The lines that define us shift constantly. People once deemed less than human fight to claim their place. Those who simply wish to live as themselves are exiled for their truth. Ancient faiths and traditions fade, leaving descendants who have forgotten where they came from.
  
  Faiths rise and fall. What we call divine changes with every generation, yet the search for meaning endures on this small blue world we all share.
• Where can I read more about the creative philosophy and personal story behind the series?
  For an extended conversation about the origins of the Awakened World, the philosophy behind the Nakarran Creed, the creative partnership that shaped the series, and the personal meaning behind the dedication — read the full BookTrib feature: A. H. Lewis on Building the World of Durajan at BookTrib.com.