ASHWALKER by S.M. Gaither: The Shadowfern Special Edition

If you love dragons, ancient magic, dangerous journeys and beautifully ruined fantasy worlds, our newest special edition is made for you!

We are so excited to introduce the Shadowfern Edition of Ashwalker by S.M. Gaither, now available for preorder for a limited time.

Ashwalker is the first book in S.M. Gaither's Emberfall Trilogy, bringing together epic fantasy, romance, magic and a world shaped by destruction, survival and dragons.

For this edition, we wanted every part of the physical book to feel like it belonged inside that world.

The Shadowfern Edition of Ashwalker

Our special editions are designed from the ground up in collaboration with the author.

The Shadowfern Edition of Ashwalker features a completely redesigned collector hardcover, including:

• Exclusive custom cover artwork with foiling (shiny!)
• Digitally sprayed edges all around
• Two different illustrated endpapers
• Premium hardcover construction
• Custom finishing details
• Exclusive interior design elements
• Collectible extras including a large art print, bookmark and art card

Rather than simply decorating the book, the goal was to pull recognisable pieces of the story into the design.

The dragons, magic, atmosphere and darker elements of Ashwalker all played a part in shaping the final edition.

A Special Edition Built Around the World of Ashwalker

The world of Ashwalker gave us so much to work with. Dragons were once used as weapons of mass destruction, leaving the old Empire of Kaldra shattered and its surviving kingdoms hidden behind fortified walls. Beyond them are burned-out roads, toxic storms and dragon territory, crossed by ashwalkers like Arowyn who make their living carrying supplies, secrets and anything else worth risking their lives for. 

That world became the starting point for the entire edition. Arowyn and Sesca take centre stage, while the stormy ethereal landscape, flying dragons and the Ashwalker symbol all come directly from the story. The illustrated endpapers capture moments from Arowyn’s journey, including the beginning of the bond that changes everything and eventually pulls her into the dangerous court of Mouren. 

We wanted the finished book to feel unmistakably like Ashwalker, from the first look at the cover to the artwork waiting inside.

Created for Fantasy Book Collectors

Shadowfern Editions is an independent Australian special edition publisher creating limited collector hardcovers for readers who love beautiful books just as much as the stories inside them.

Each edition is produced as a limited preorder release.

That means we open orders for a set preorder period, manufacture the edition based on demand, and once that print run is complete, we do not reprint.

For collectors, this means each release represents a particular collaboration between Shadowfern, the author and the artists who helped bring the edition to life.

We cannot wait to see the finished books in readers' hands.

Ashwalker Preorders Are Open Now

The Shadowfern Edition of Ashwalker by S.M. Gaither is available to preorder now.

Preorders close 20 September 2026.

There will be no reprint of this edition, so if Ashwalker belongs on your fantasy bookshelf, make sure you secure your copy before preorders close.

Preorder the Shadowfern Edition of Ashwalker now.