From Bow to Book
It’s not every day you watch a friend’s dream take flight. But today, with the release of The Phoenix Archer, that’s exactly what I’m doing. Matt Latimer isn’t just an author to me—he’s a friend, a colleague, and one of the most quietly determined people I’ve ever met. And this book? It’s so much more than a debut. It’s a testament to years of persistence, creativity, and a deep, unrelenting love for storytelling.
When I first met Matt, it didn’t take long to see he wasn’t one for half measures. Whether he was discussing the finer details of an arrow fletching or the delicate balance of tension in a narrative arc, his passion burned through in every word. Working together at The Irish Field Archery Monthly has been one of the great joys of my time as editor-in-chief. Matt brought not only his expertise in archery but a boundless imagination that would shine month after month in the serialized chapters of The Phoenix Archer.
Readers immediately took to his work. Each month, as I prepared the latest issue, I could feel the buzz around his growing story. The world of Anordaithe—its shadowed forests, its murmuring rivers, its characters both flawed and fiercely human—was unlike anything we’d published before. And Matt, ever humble, approached each chapter with the same blend of excitement and nerves. “Do you think it’s good enough?” he’d ask, every single time. And every single time, it was better than good.
But to truly understand the weight of this moment, you have to know a bit about Matt himself. His journey hasn’t been an easy one. Dyslexia, a challenge that might have silenced a lesser spirit, became for Matt a reason to fight harder, to dig deeper. Storytelling wasn’t just a pastime for him—it was a lifeline, a way to navigate the world and express the rich, complex thoughts swirling in his mind. He didn’t just overcome dyslexia; he transformed it into part of the reason his stories resonate so deeply.
Beyond his writing, Matt is a man of many talents. As an archer, he’s honed his craft with the kind of discipline that mirrors his approach to storytelling. He’s spent more than a decade perfecting his skill with English longbows and American flatbows, crafting his own arrows for competition, and serving on the committee of Lough Cuan Bowmen. His dedication to archery is woven into the fabric of The Phoenix Archer. You can see it in the way Alejandro Zaragosa moves—the reverence for the bow as more than a weapon, but a philosophy—a metaphor for control, chaos, and the fragile balance between.
And then there’s Anordaithe, the setting of Matt’s novel. It’s not just a world—it’s an experience. Matt has poured his love of nature into its every detail, drawing on his own hikes through Ireland’s wild landscapes and his fascination with the natural world. The forests don’t simply loom; they breathe. The rivers don’t just flow; they whisper secrets of ancient lives. His characters—Alejandro, Ksenia, Blair—are as real as the world they inhabit, their struggles as vivid as their triumphs.
Alejandro Zaragosa, the titular Phoenix Archer, is a master of the bow but also a man wrestling with grief and justice. Ksenia Kiamount is untamed, unpredictable, a force of nature embodied in human form. And Blair Ruthvane? He’s the quiet heart of the story, a figure of resilience who, in his own understated way, holds the narrative together. Together, they form a trio as jagged and compelling as the world around them.
For me, as someone who has shared in this journey, The Phoenix Archer is more than just a book. It’s the culmination of Matt’s incredible talent and determination. Watching him grow as a writer has been nothing short of inspiring. Each serialized chapter in TIFAM was a step toward this moment, and now that it’s here, I couldn’t be prouder.
This book also marks a significant milestone for TIFAM. As a magazine, we’ve always sought to celebrate the art and spirit of archery, blending technical insight with the joy of the sport. With The Phoenix Archer, we take our first step into book publishing—a leap into uncharted territory that feels as exciting as it is right.
Now, The Phoenix Archer is out there, waiting to be discovered. You can find it on Amazon or through TIFAM Newsagent, alongside the other offerings we’re proud to share with the archery community. And if you pick up a copy—and I hope you do—I think you’ll find what so many of our readers already know: Matt’s story doesn’t just invite you in; it pulls you under, immersing you in a world that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.
Here’s to Matt, to The Phoenix Archer, and to the stories still waiting to be told. For a writer, a friend, and a fellow dreamer, I couldn’t be more proud. Sláinte, my friend.
—Marcin Malek
Editor-in-Chief, The Irish Field Archery Monthly
