Chapter 96: Josiah Bancroft – The Tower of Babel’s Architect

Note: All figures below are estimates based on publicly available information. Actual figures may vary.

Author Snapshot

• Author: Josiah Bancroft
• Type: Self-published turned traditionally published
• Genre: Fantasy, steampunk, literary fantasy
• Career Span: 2013–present
• Notable Status: Books of Babel became indie legend; Orbit acquired; praised for literary prose; Mark Lawrence SPFBO champion

The Teacher Whose Tower Rose Slowly

Josiah Bancroft self-published Senlin Ascends in 2013 to little fanfare. Years later, through word-of-mouth and SPFBO recognition, it became indie fantasy legend. Orbit acquired the series, and Bancroft became poster child for patience and quality in self-publishing.

Estimated Lifetime Gross Revenue

Total Estimated Range: $1.5 million to $3 million USD (2013-2024)

Slow build to recognition, followed by traditional deal.

Revenue Breakdown by Source

1. Book Sales (Estimated: $1-2.5 million)

• Books of Babel (4 books)
• Indie era plus Orbit publication

Top Works & Impact

Books of Babel

Thomas Senlin loses his wife in the Tower of Babel and must climb through its bizarre ringdoms to find her.

Why It Became Legend:

• Literary prose unusual in fantasy
• Tower’s ringdoms imaginative
• Slow build rewarded patience
• SPFBO brought attention

The Patient Builder

Bancroft’s story inspires: years of obscurity, then sudden recognition. Quality eventually finds audience.

In the Golden Quill Chronicles, Bancroft represents patience—the author whose tower took years to build audience, whose literary prose found fantasy readers ready for it.