What is the Arcanist?
The Arcanist: Fantasy Publishing, LLC is a small, independent press based in Bloomington, Indiana, dedicated to exceptional Fantasy fiction. We publish books and periodicals that showcase diverse voices and imaginative worlds, drawing from authors of all backgrounds.
Our stories go beyond traditional quests and gratuitous battles. We aim to illuminate the human condition through the lens of whimsical worlds. Some of our heroes are larger than life; others are ordinary people pushed beyond the edge of possibility. In every tale, we explore what it means to endure, transform, and rise in the face of the impossible.
Our Story
The Arcanist began as a tabletop role-playing game publisher called The Arcanist’s Refuge, founded by James D. Mills in 2019. Under that banner, we released several bestselling supplements and adventures on DMsGuild.com earning critical acclaim and collaborating with industry names like Grim Press, Gnome Made Games, and MrRhexx.
In 2022, The Arcanist’s Refuge closed following a personal loss in James’s family. During this time, James returned to school at Southern New Hampshire University, where he earned his BA in Creative Writing and Psychology—and discovered a passion for contemporary literary fiction.
It was at SNHU that James met Lee Patton. Together, they founded The Literary Fantasy Magazine in 2024, publishing under the new imprint The Arcanist: Fantasy Publishing. Following the successful launch of the magazine’s first issue in January 2025, we expanded into book publishing—partnering with emerging authors to develop rich, character-driven Fantasy stories we felt were missing from the traditional publishing landscape.
Our debut novel, A Valley of Shadow by Lee Patton, will release on October 31, 2025.
Our Mission
The Arcanist stands for freedom in genuine storytelling. Through our novels and periodicals, we cultivate a vibrant, inclusive community of authors from all walks of life. For us, narrative comes first—always.
In a world fractured by politics, war, and inequality, we aim to serve our readers and writers with authentic, soul-driven art. We embrace complexity, welcome paradox, and amplify voices from around the globe—regardless of identity, background, or borders.
As a publisher, we offer some of the highest royalty rates in the industry. We treat every book as if it were our own. Unlike many traditional publishers, we put people first—our authors, our readers, and the wider literary community. We believe in breaking down barriers to fantastic fiction, and building a home for stories that matter.
Masthead
James D. Mills — Editor-in-Chief
James D. Mills was born and raised in the heat of California’s Central Valley. Now he resides in Bloomington, Indiana, where he and his partner, Eden, live a slow life of cultivation and self-sufficiency alongside a menagerie of furry friends. He earned his BA in Creative Writing and Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University cum laude. He is currently enrolled in SNHU's MBA program.
His short fiction has been published by the Penmen Review, Floyd County Moonshine, and Calliope on the Web, among others.
Find out more: jamesdmills.com.
Lee Patton — Fiction Editor
Lee Patton is a Christian and Army veteran from North Dakota. He is fiction editor for The Arcanist: Fantasy Publishing and has been published in The Literary Fantasy Magazine and The Penmen Review. Fascinated with mythic tales of mighty heroes and dark terrors, Lee dwells in the realm of fantasy, where faith and courage are carried on the edge of a blade.
He is author of “Even the Dead Suffer,” first tale in the Izrak the Deathless saga. The story will continue in A Valley of Shadow, set for release in serial, beginning February 2025, on The Literary Fantasy Magazine website. In his free time, Lee is reading vintage Sword & Sorcery, exercising, and learning the Russian language.
Heed The Call and discover more at: Deathless Realms – Fantasy Tales of Lee Patton.
Menke HB — Associate Editor
Menke HB was born in The Netherlands, yet English became her heart language before she moved to the USA in her early 20s. Struggling to feel like she belonged anywhere, she wrote for herself through a decade of chronic depression.
As an English Language and Literature major, her focus on poetry and African American Literature emboldened her to speak up and start sharing her writing. Inspired by authors like Langston Hughes and Octavia E. Butler, Menke writes both LGBTQIA+ and cishet speculative fiction, allowing her characters to figure out who they are as she writes their stories. In addition to long- and short-form fiction, she writes poetry and memoir style essays.
Menke lives on her husband’s family’s dairy farm in Michigan. Here, she homeschools her four children while working towards an MFA in Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University.
Jackelyn A. Bickford — Associate Editor
Jackelyn A. Bickford, a passionate, creative writer, was born and raised in the vibrant city of Miami, Florida. In search of a slower-paced lifestyle and inspiration, she made the move to rural North Carolina. With a BA in English from the University of Phoenix, Yackelyn is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University.
When she is not reading, writing, or beta-reading for fellow writers, she is spending quality time with her kids and family. Her love for the fantasy genre runs deep. It was ignited at an early age by the enchanting stories of J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien. Today, she is diligently working on her first manuscript within this captivating genre, hoping to bring her dream of becoming a full-time author to life.
Volunteer Staff
- Rich Rardin — Volunteer Submissions Reader. Submission evaluation for The Literary Fantasy Magazine. Began in May 2025.
- Xander JWF — Volunteer Proofreader. Editorial assistance for novels. Began in July 2025.
- Steven Raymond — Volunteer Proofreader. Editorial assistance for novels. Began in August 2025.
Former Staff
- Juliette Wallace — Volunteer Submissions Reader. Submission evaluation for The Literary Fantasy Magazine. From July 2024 to April 2025.