Heretical Fishing

Heretical Fishing by Haylock Jobson follows Fischer, a reluctant male protagonist transported to a fantasy world governed by a malfunctioning magical System. Instead of chasing levels, glory, or epic quests, he focuses on eccentric fishing methods and befriending every animal he can, including a notably overachieving pet crab. As cosmic forces stir and strange cults, scheming nobles, and misfiring magic converge on his quiet life, Fischer is pushed into an adventure he never wanted. Blending LitRPG mechanics, progression fantasy elements, and light-hearted comedy within an epic fantasy setting, the novel offers a speculative twist on the summoned-hero premise.

Power is returning to the world after millennia, ancient constructs are stirring back to life, and one man is doing his best to ignore all that noise.

Fischer has everything he could possibly want in life: a menagerie of cute animal companions, a waterfront property from which to fish, friendships that blossom more and more by the day, and enough coffee to take out a small elephant—or a really large dog.

If it were up to him, he’d spend the rest of his life laying in the shade with Maria at his side, a rod in one hand and a fresh pastry in the other. Unfortunately for Fischer, cosmic forces still don’t care about mortal feelings.

The capital is growing wise to his movements. The cults are still culting. The merchant that provides coffee beans is nowhere to be seen. And awakened beings are popping up like barnacles on the rocky shore. Even his friends have gone behind his back and started a church with the express goal of turning him into a god.

It’s a lot for one man to take on. But thankfully, Fischer isn’t alone. Between his trusty guard crab, an otter that can summon lightning like Zeus, and a bunny that seems a little too fond of roundhouse kicks, he’ll be just fine . . . right?

The second volume of the laugh-out-loud LitRPG adventure series—a #1 Rising Star on Royal Road with more than three million views—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

In a world where godhood is within reach for those willing to claw their way to the top, only one man has the resolve to reject power and go . . . fishing? Again?

Try as he might, Fischer still can’t catch a break. Tropica’s forces have just perpetrated the fantasyland equivalent of crashing the king’s party, kicking over the punch bowl, and making a series of rude gestures on their way out. Unfortunately, they’re about to learn firsthand that when you take a bully down to the mat, it’s best to make sure they don’t get back up.

Because their enemies are unearthing long-forgotten powers, and if those dabbling in the resulting destructive chi succeed, they could become even more annoying than the time Corporal Claws hid all of Fischer’s pants.

Still, as troublesome as existential annihilation might be, the hurdles in one’s own mind are a lot worse—and Fischer has more than a little debris that needs to be swept off his mental doorstep. With the help of his friends, it might just be time to take out the trash once and for all.

The third volume of the laugh-out-loud LitRPG adventure series—a #1 Rising Star on Royal Road with more than three million views—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!

An empire has fallen, another blooms in its wake, and one man— who would rather be fishing, thank you very much —has finally accepted his role as its leader.

Thanks to overwhelming might, a cadre of violent animals, and a weaponized fish or two, Tropica has wiped Gormona's royal forces from the map. Now at the helm of his own Church, Fischer finally has some time to relax. But life in Tropica is much like fishing from a rocky it's only a matter of time before you hook a snag.

It seems chi has returned to the area, the Church of Fischer and the village of Tropica have grown, and at least one of Fischer's animal pals has experienced a breakthrough that defies metaphysical understanding. Furthermore, these developments send out waves of essence, their echoes spanning oceans and reaching distant shores.

And unfortunately for everyone involved, they haven't gone unnoticed . . .

The fourth volume of the laugh-out-loud LitRPG adventure series—a #1 Rising Star on Royal Road with more than three million views—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

When one man becomes the chosen deity of a church, it's all fun and games . . . until it interferes with his fishing time.

After months of sticking his head in the sand—sometimes literally—Fischer is finally ready to learn the secrets of the Kallis Realm . . . just in time for some of his followers to start hoarding them. Talk about infuriating.

Still, there's much to be grateful for. The world's chi is growing stronger every day, leading to unique awakenings, strange creations, and unexpected allies for Fischer and the gang. Not to mention some downright absurd changes to Tropica's sea life.

Meanwhile, on a distant continent, far less cozy powers are feeding off the same increased essence—and unlike Fischer, they've got zero interest in playing nice. But it'll be fine. Probably.

The fifth volume of the laugh-out-loud LitRPG adventure series—a #1 Rising Star on Royal Road with more than three million views—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!