About
Samuel J. Sherwin
When environmental consultant Sam Sherwin sat down one evening to sketch a fantasy map, he never imagined it would lead to a published trilogy. Yet that’s exactly how DIM: The Prince of Nishigake—a sweeping fantasy novel about hope, light, and courage—was born.
Published through PublishU, DIM is more than a story—it’s a beacon of creativity from an author who proves that imagination can flourish anywhere, even amid the technical details of environmental science.
Sam’s day job might not seem like a natural fit for fantasy writing. As a landscape and visual impact assessor for renewable energy projects across the UK, he spends his days evaluating how wind farms, solar plants, and battery stations affect the surrounding environment. But beneath that analytical surface, a deep creative current was always flowing.
“I’ve always been into drawing,” Sam shared in his interview on the PublishU Podcast. “While studying landscape architecture at university, I just wanted to do something creative again—something fun.”
That creative spark was rekindled when he stumbled upon a video about world-building—designing maps, cities, and storylines. “I started drawing a map,” he explained, “and suddenly, the story just appeared. Everything—from the rivers to the mountains—started fitting together like pieces of a puzzle.”
That single map evolved into a detailed fantasy universe filled with adventure, mystery, and meaning. As Sam continued to sketch, the story began to unfold in his mind—a story centered on a dying land and a young hero’s quest to restore it.
In DIM: The Prince of Nishigake, readers meet James Greenwood, a young man whose world is slowly dying as the Great River Balmut ceases to flow. To save his homeland, James must uncover a sacred sacrifice that could bring life back to the land. But mysterious forces and relentless adversaries stand in his way.
The book’s title, DIM, holds special meaning. “It’s a play on the idea of light returning to a dark world,” Sam explained. “The overarching theme is about hope—about bringing light back into places that have grown dim.”
The first installment of the trilogy sets the tone for the two books to come. The Prince of Nishigake, the main antagonist, is a symbol of conviction and pride—a force that challenges James at every turn.
“I’ve written him to be very strong-willed and convinced he’s right,” Sam said. “The challenge for the protagonist is staying true to his path when everything around him tries to shake his beliefs.”
The second book is nearly complete, and the third—the one Sam is most excited to write—will tie the entire story together. “I started with the ending in mind,” he said. “Right now, I’m working backward to build up to that big moment.”
For many aspiring writers, the idea of completing a 70,000-word novel sounds overwhelming. But Sam approached it with the same structured mindset he uses in his professional life.
“The key is consistency,” he said. “I aim for 500 words a day. If you do that long enough, one day you’ll have 70,000 words.”
This steady, methodical approach allowed him to turn a creative impulse into a finished manuscript—proof that passion and discipline can coexist beautifully.
Writing wasn’t just an artistic escape for Sam—it became a grounding, joyful part of his daily life. “It’s been extremely fulfilling,” he said. “I didn’t expect it to be, but the process of writing, creating, and seeing it come to life has been incredible.”
While DIM brought personal satisfaction, his deeper motivation came from wanting to inspire others—especially young readers. “I have friends and family who worry about the content their kids are exposed to,” Sam explained. “I wanted to create something they could feel good about—something that would make kids’ eyes light up and inspire them to dream, imagine, and create.”
At its heart, DIM is about hope—the kind that endures even when the world feels dark. Across the trilogy, each book will explore different aspects of this theme, weaving in subplots about courage, faith, and resilience.
“Hope is the thread that ties everything together,” Sam said. “Each story will stand on its own, but they all connect through that central message.”
For readers, that message resonates deeply—reminding us that even in challenging times, light can return.
When asked how it felt to finally hold a copy of DIM in his hands, Sam paused. “It’s hard to describe,” he admitted. “I’m still processing it. There’s a bit of shock, really—but also joy. The best part will be hearing if readers enjoy it.”
That sense of humility and wonder captures the heart of Sam’s journey. DIM isn’t just a novel—it’s the result of years of dedication, imagination, and faith in the creative process.
Sam Sherwin’s story is a testament to what can happen when you follow your curiosity. From a hand-drawn map to a fully realized fantasy world, DIM: The Prince of Nishigake proves that great adventures often start with small sparks of inspiration.
As the first book of a trilogy, it introduces readers to a vividly imagined world where the struggle between light and darkness mirrors our own inner battles—and where hope shines brightest in the darkest places.
Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a fantasy lover, or someone seeking a story that uplifts and inspires, DIM promises a journey worth taking.
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