Today we’d like to introduce you to AnnMarie Knorr-Fischer.
Hi AnnMarie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My wife, Rachel Fischer, and I were cleaning out a box of old games when she came across the notes from a Dungeons & Dragons campaign she had created years earlier. As I read through them, I fell in love with the world and the story. I looked at her and said, “We need to turn this into a book.”
That conversation sparked a dream, but it took nearly ten years before we finally began self-publishing our fantasy series under the name RA Fischer Authors.
After releasing the second book, we met Lawrence Knorr, the owner of Sunbury Press Publishing. As a fantasy fan and former Dungeons & Dragons player himself, he immediately connected with what we were creating and felt our series would be a great fit for his publishing company.
We decided to pause work on Book Three and go back to strengthen the foundation of the series. We expanded the story, re-edited both books, refreshed the branding, and re-released Arcane Assassin: Path of Annihilation in 2024, followed by Mortal Guardian: Into the Inferno in 2025.
Today, we’re hard at work on the final book of the trilogy while also outlining several standalone novels set in the same world.
What makes our series unique is that Rachel originally created the world of Pangorbis from a Dungeons & Dragons campaign decades ago. She built an expansive world filled with rich lore, memorable characters, and interconnected adventures where readers can immerse themselves in quests, discover hidden stories, and truly feel like they’re part of the journey.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Writing a novel with another person definitely comes with its challenges, but one of the biggest reasons we’ve been successful is that we both understand our strengths.
Rachel has an incredible gift for writing dialogue and action scenes. She brings our characters to life and knows how to create exciting, emotional moments. My strengths are in the details, worldbuilding, and constantly asking, “But what if?” I enjoy finding ways to make the story richer and more immersive. Because we trust each other’s strengths, we rarely compete creatively—we build on each other’s ideas.
Our biggest struggles actually came before we joined Sunbury Press. Like many first-time authors, we had a lot to learn about the publishing industry. One of the hardest lessons was discovering that editing isn’t just one process. There are developmental edits, copy edits, line edits, proofreading, and more. Early on, we assumed our editor would handle every aspect of the manuscript, from the creative story development to catching grammar and spelling errors. We quickly learned that each type of editing serves a different purpose, and understanding that changed the way we approached publishing.
Looking back, it seemed like every time we solved one challenge, another appeared. But we never let those obstacles stop us. We kept learning, kept improving, and kept moving forward. Even today, we’re still discovering new parts of the publishing industry and taking the time to research and grow. I think that’s one of the most important lessons we’ve learned as authors—you never stop learning.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My full-time career is as an entertainment talent buyer, so every day is a little different. I work with clients to find the perfect entertainment for their events, whether that’s a keynote speaker, a nationally touring artist, a tribute band, or even an elegant string quartet. I love helping people create memorable experiences, and no two days are ever the same.
I’ve also recently begun a new chapter as a keynote speaker myself. My presentations explore how the people we meet throughout our lives shape our personal stories—whether they become allies who help us grow or villains who challenge us to become stronger.
Rachel is retired and now spends her time as a freelance writer and entrepreneur. She’s the creative force behind the worlds, characters, and lore of Pangorbis, and she’s always dreaming up new adventures for readers to explore.
And when we’re not working, our two corgis are more than happy to keep us busy. We lovingly refer to them as our “little corgi hell-hounds.” They’re full of personality, always up to something, and they definitely make sure life is never boring.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The best advice we can give aspiring authors is simple: get the story out of your head and onto the page.
Don’t worry about perfect grammar, run-on sentences, or whether every detail is exactly right. Those things can all be fixed later. Start with a solid outline—know where your story begins, where it’s headed, and how it ends. Then just start writing.
There will be editors, proofreaders, cover designers, and other professionals who can help refine your work. But no one can write your story except you.
If there’s one thing we wish we had known from the beginning, it’s how challenging it is to get your books into readers’ hands. Writing the book is only part of the journey. Learning how to market your work, build an audience, and connect with readers is an entirely different skill set. In fact, I think that’s the biggest challenge most new authors face.
Our advice is to keep learning, keep writing, and don’t let the business side discourage you. Every author starts with one story and one reader at a time.
Pricing:
- Arcane Assassin- $24.99
- Mortal Guardian-$29.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rafischerauthors.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rafischerfantasyauthors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rafischerfantasyauthors
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/75634851/admin/dashboard/
