By F. David Schultz
Horns of Shadow & Gold
Tyrants fall but hatred runs deep.
Personal and full of depth, a political fantasy that blends a world of spirits with a dark undercurrent, akin to Princess Mononoke and Pan's Labyrinth.
Horns of Shadow & Gold is a standalone followup to Crown of Horns, building upon the world and introducing new characters coming to grips with the death of a matriarch—and the dark spirits that have arisen within her wake. Fans of Schultz and Balion's first book will love the return to their magical world, while new readers will have no trouble to dive right in.
Inspired by the rich culture and history of Ukraine, Crown of Horns is brought to life with over 40 illustrations by Saskatoon artist and world builder Audra Balion.
Independent Author
F. David Schultz
Schultz is a life-long creator. He has brought works to life on stage as writer, director, and performer in theatres throughout his home province of Saskatchewan and delighted imaginations with his eclectic roleplaying games.
In 2020, he published his debut novel, Crown of Horns. What began as a wild flurry of writing, creating the first draft of over 45,000 words in just two weeks during the pandemic lockdowns, has turned into a rich and relevant exploration of authoritarianism, prejudice, and the power of art in the face of tyranny.
Artist & Illustrator
Audra Balion
Balion is a multidisciplinary artist. She primarily paints, illustrates, and creates comics, but she has also been known to sculpt, design for theatre and film, and perform on stage through acting and dance.
She is best known for Flight Nineteen, a silent graphic novel that invites the reader to interpret the story told without narration or dialogue, relying on visual storytelling to share the captivating and tragic narrative.
She painted the cover and created over 40 illustrations for Crown of Horns, but her contributions do not stop there. Her world of Flight Nineteen served as the basis for the world of the novel, including a nation that celebrates her Ukrainian heritage.
Inspired by Ukraine
Step into a world inspired by the beauty and culture of Ukraine, where mountains are made of mirror-glass, firebirds soar overhead, and wars are fought over the shape of one’s horns.
A portion of every book sale goes to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s Aid for Artists project. The importance of preserving art and culture are at the heart of the story, and it was important that the work give back to those fighting to keep Ukraine’s rich heritage alive.
Together, we have raised $2000 CAD to help Ukrainian culture thrive.
Writing on Writing
Follow Along
Saskatoon creators mark $2,000 raised for Ukraine with October book launch
For immediate release Saskatoon, SK, 29 September 2026 — A Saskatoon couple, author F. David Schultz and artist Audra Balion, have raised over $2,000 to support the Canada-Ukraine Foundation through their self-published novel. This October, they’ve set out to do it...
Sex, Horns, and Rock & Roll
In this blog, I dive into how Crown of Horns explores sex and gender. Here's what's on the menu: The feminist works of artist Audra Balion. How I stumbled into a fun trans character. Sneak peek into my next book! Flight Nineteen and Feminism I've spoken at length...
Fifty Shades of Morally Grey
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