d.s.black Writer/Illustrator
I'm Dorian Kane; I write as D.S. Black, exploring grim darkness and tangled souls.
original and licensed universe fiction
Madness is a tide that comes for every sailor.
original grimdark nautical horror novel
Professional inquiry: Sample chapters & visual development available
Read craft breakdowns and world building:
An ancient Inquisitor. A Rogue Trader built from trauma. The enforcer caught between them.
short set in the Warhammer 40k Universe
Proof-of-concept novella in progress, sample chapters available for professional inquiry
Read craft breakdowns and character architecture:
The Circle of Life is a lie the powerful tell the prey.
original dark fantasy universe primer
In a world where apex predators rule through divine mandate,
a scavenger king rises from the gutter to challenge the natural order.
STATUS: Universe primer with visual development
full lookbook in-progress
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Essays on craft, character architecture, and the mechanics of grim darkness.
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D. S. Black | Writer & Illustrator
I build worlds where grim darkness isn't aesthetic—it's architecture.My work synthesizes narrative craft, visual development, and systemic worldbuilding to create fiction that feels both fantastical and functionally real. I'm a fusionist, not a specialist: I write atmospheric, character-driven prose and design the worlds those characters inhabit, from psychological profiles to visual reference sheets to the cultural systems that shape them.This multidisciplinary approach allows me to deliver projects with rare cohesion—whether that's a Warhammer 40,000 character study backed by professional-grade concept art, or a nautical horror novel with complete visual development.Current Focus:
- Developing THE REPLY, an original grimdark nautical horror novel
- Creating original Warhammer 40,000 fiction for Black Library submission
- Writing craft analysis at logbook.deadstar.blackMy capabilities include:
Narrative Craft. Character-driven prose with sharp dialogue. Atmospheric worldbuilding. Psychological depth in morally complex characters. Genre specialization in grimdark, horror, and noir.
Visual Development. Professional character design, costume development, and concept illustration. Sequential storytelling. Creating marketable visual identities for characters and worlds.
Systemic Worldbuilding. Culture-first methodology integrating language, religion, and power structures. Military intelligence background informs political intrigue and command dynamics.
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