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Hi everyone, and welcome to my blog post for the month of March!
Once more, I want to reiterate, how humbled and appreciative I am by the initial response to my debut novel, A Drowned Kingdom. To reach the top position on the best-selling lists of my Indie Publisher, FriesenPress, for the first two weeks following the February 02, 2021, release day, was spectacular, and a proud achievement for me! All the positive reviews, and kudos I have received, have meant the world, to know that people are enjoying the book. I would like to say thank you to all those who spent their hard-earned money, and valuable time, to buy and read my novel. If anyone missed the announcement, I am pleased to report that A Drowned Kingdom will soon be released in audiobook form, through FriesenPress! I will keep everyone apprised of release details! A Drowned Kingdom continues to garner positive feedback, and I am hoping that those who enjoyed the book, are eager to read the next chapter in Lord Othrun's journey, entitled The Last of the Atalanteans, Book Two in The Drowned Kingdom Saga. The Last of the Atalanteans will be released in the coming weeks, and I can't wait to share this new installment in the saga with the world! I discussed in a previous blog post, one year ago, in March of 2021, that there has been much speculation and fascination expressed from readers about Lord Othrun, the main character of A Drowned Kingdom, and The Drowned Kingdom Saga. Yet, save Othrun himself, no other character in my book has incited as many questions to me from readers, and generated so much interest, as evidenced through inquiries via the P.L. Stuart website than Lysi, the mage, and Crown Princess of Nyrimia. No question, I also find Lysi to be a very interesting character! I am very much a planner, in terms of who I write, and I rarely stray from intended plot lines and roles that characters I have created will play in my books. The one exception that stands out for me, was Lysi. I created her to be more of a minor character, but as my writing progressed, she simply demanded more and more agency, very much like the person who inspired her! I wrote Lysi, based on a partial composite of my step-daughter, Laura, particularly in terms of Lysi's more positive qualities. Laura's intelligence, brilliant wit, tenacity, sense of fairness, and more are all aspects that I put into the formation of the Princess of Nyrimia. But it is Lysi as a morally grey character in the series, that seems to intrigue readers, and I can certainly see why! People are frequently drawn to morally grey characters, as we tend to see our own ambiguities in such characters. Lysi's driving need, and ambition appears to be power. Like Othrun she wants to rule more than just her own kingdom in Acremia. She wants to have dominion over - at a minimum - the northern part of Eltnia. This region includes the major Kingdoms of Lynchun and Carthlughe, who happen to be the realms of Othrun's overlords, though these overlords don't acknowledge Lysi's sovereignty over them. This northern part of Eltnia, is actually known as Middle Eltnia, a holdover title from ancient times. The ruler of Middle Eltnia was known as a High King or High Queen. Lysi very much considers her father, Ina, the High King of Middle Eltnia, and herself the heir to that title. Lysi seems to be somewhat unscrupulous, at times, in what she will do to ensure she secures High Queenship. Like Othrun, for Lysi, the end seems to justify the means, no matter how distasteful the means might be. While Lysi is not without her own moral code, she seems to be willing to stop at almost nothing to achieve her goals of bringing other rulers under her heel. She is willing to ally with the Sanaavians - the rapacious warriors who live in the northernmost areas of the continent - to get what she wants, despite the Sanaavians being the major existential threat to all Eltnia. Lysi, as a powerful mage, and one who seems to have the gift of prescience and reading the past (the "sixth sense" according to the Eltnish), obviously carries a lot of information in her head. She guards this information vigorously. No doubt, Lysi is secretive, and what secrets she is harbouring could potentially greatly impact the events in The Drowned Kingdom Saga. Lysi is also very intelligent, and a highly effective debater. In saying that, she seems to be very manipulative at times, using her powers, hoarding information when necessary, releasing that information (or parts of it) as it suits her purposes, and keeping her opponents off balance. These opponents include Othrun, who is constantly frustrated by Lysi's constant success with being able to stymie him and maneuver him into a corner. Othrun tends to believe that he's the smartest person in the room, but Lysi frequently shows him that's far from the case, if she shares that room with him. Their banter is always lively, and neither one will back down in a disagreement, with Lysi usually getting the better of Othrun, often leaving him stunned, confused, and insecure about his own knowledge, which he may have previously thought to be sound. Still, Lysi, for all her competence, fierceness, and seeming ruthlessness, is remarkably vulnerable when it comes to Othrun. She is obviously deeply and genuinely in love with him, this love for him is perhaps her greatest exposure. Othrun, despite his love for his own wife, and efforts to be faithful to Princess Aliaz, is definitely tempted by Lysi, and fights against feelings for her. Will Lysi's love for Othrun become her undoing, or Othrun's? While I can't give that outcome away, what I can say is that rest assured, Lysi will play a definitive role in Othrun's life, and the significant occurrences that shape The Drowned Kingdom Saga, and beyond. Please feel free to comment on this and future blogs and I will be sure to get back to you. Chat soon!
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Good day everyone! Hope 2022 is off to a wonderful start for you, and welcome to my second blog post of the year!
I have chosen for the month of February to read and review exclusively authors using the pronouns she/her. The simple hashtag for the effort to highlight such authors in February is widely known as #FebruarySheWrote, and I am honoured to participate in #FebruarySheWrote this year! I am a firm believer in amplifying voices always, and women authors can and should be celebrated throughout the entire year. Still, I do feel we require benchmark days, even months, to remind ourselves of the importance of things such as the amazing female writers we enjoy in literature. Such days of celebration, including official holidays and designated months, such as Women’s History Month (observed in March in the United States, October in Canada, for example) have been hard fought for. The activists who have made enormous sacrifices, over the years, who insisted, persisted, and resisted attempts for such voices not to be properly heard, have been instrumental in ensuring such special benchmarks exist. So let’s also celebrate Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, Mala Yousafzai, Sojourner Truth, Alice Walker, Betty Ford, Huda Sha’arawi, and those like them, who stood for women’s rights. Because women like the ones I have just mentioned, strove so that women like Virginia Woolf, Toni Morrison, George Eliot, and the uncountable brilliant female writers down through the ages would have the recognition they so richly deserve. Thus, when we acknowledge and participate in such days of celebration, official holidays, and designated months, we not only pay homage to those incredible people we wish to celebrate, but also honour those valiant reformers and advocates who struggled to ensure the celebrations could occur. Co-incidentally, many of those activists I listed above, were authors themselves. For the written word will always be a weapon in the fight for equality, justice, and amplifying voices of those deserving to be heard. I encourage everyone to participate in #FebruarySheWrote, in whatever way you see fit. For me, since I predominantly read science fiction and fantasy, I have selected the following ten sci-fi / fantasy books to read this month, and I am so excited, as these promise to be incredible reads! Please see the Goodreads links accompanying the list, check them out, and learn more about the amazing authors who wrote them! Lady Hotspur by Tessa Gratton (Goodreads link) Oraiáphon by Marian L. Thorpe (Goodreads link) To Ride Hell’s Chasm by Janny Wurts (Goodreads link) Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Goodreads link) The Younglings by Helena M. Craggs (Goodreads link) Dragon Mage by M.L. Spencer (Goodreads link) The Calling by Branwen Oshea (Goodreads link) Seraphina’s Lament by Sarah Chorn (Goodreads link) The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies (Goodreads link) Sairō’s Claw by Virginia McClain (Goodreads link) Please feel free to comment on this and future blogs and I will be sure to get back to you. Chat soon! Happy New Year everyone, welcome to 2022, and my first post of the year! May you all have a safe and prosperous 2022!
I’m going to start the year off (and periodically revisit throughout this year in other blog posts) some thoughts that I believe are weighing heavily on the minds of many a self-published fiction author, and many an aspiring fiction author who has not yet published and is considering what avenue to take to publish their book. Should I pursue traditional publishing, or not? Why do I prefer one (self-publishing versus traditionally publishing) to the other? What avenue best suits my needs and wants as a writer? What are the advantages and disadvantages to the different methods of publishing? There was a time in the not-so-distant past (I’d say three decades ago, for sure) this question was a non-starter. Traditional publishing, essentially, was THE WAY. The only viable way towards critical acclaim, financial success in the writing world, getting into major bookstores, and just about every other advantage that most writers seek when pursuing an agent, trying to get a book deal, and having a “big five” house emblem on the spine of their book. But the landscape is changing and evolving. Self-publishing, for many authors, is becoming quite lucrative, gaining them fame and recognition, and achieving all the dreams they may have initially felt was exclusively tied to big trad publishing. Some self-published writers still make the leap to traditional houses after successfully publishing their own books, come back to self-pub, and jump back to traditionally-published, or mix and match different books or series, publishing them by different means. But it would seem, more and more, writers are either chasing the traditionally published dream to fruition – no matter how long it takes, and it usually takes a lot of time – or self-pubbing. And once self-published, those writers either staying that course (and only tepidly pursuing traditional publishing “on the side”) while enjoying the creative freedom, exclusivity of rights, popularity, and yes, even sometimes making money, and a lot of it, from self-publishing, OR continue to full-on chase an agent and a book deal. This post is not to discourage anyone from trying to be published one way or another. Yet, I believe some salient examinations of the facts are in order. The odds are, unfortunately, unless you are very well-connected in the traditionally publishing world, or have a ready-made audience, a lot of influence, or are already a “known” commodity in the trad publishing world (with previous big traditionally-published sales), it is very difficult (but not impossible of course) to get an agent, and a trad book deal. Traditional publishing houses are profit-driven. They are businesses, first, last, and always. It’s all about what they believe will sell, and everything else matters less than that. There’s nothing wrong with this, simply stating facts of the industry. Therefore, trad houses tend to be risk averse, and want the surety of success. If you are new author who happens to also be an ex-political leader, movie star, or some other sort of celebrity, etc. the likelihood of you obtaining an agent and a book deal is EXTREMELY HIGH, because the traditional publishing house will be confident you can sell. If you are not one of those people, the likelihood is very much lower. Again, not impossible, but very hard. It seems to be a LOT easier if you have been a successful self-published writer, with a proven sales track record, readership & fans, perhaps some writing awards to your credit, a strong social media presence and following, to attract the attention of a big trad house. For an example of this, look no further than some of the self-published authors who have been semi-finalists, finalists, and winners of traditionally published fantasy star Mark Lawrence’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO). Several of those authors who earn at least a semi-finals berth in this very public and renowned showcase of self-published fantasy talent (most of whom are established, and well-known Indie writers), have managed to gain a lot of additional credibility, and draw the attention of big traditional houses, by placing in SPFBO. Thus, riding the heels, specifically, of SPFBO success, these writers have won the big book-deal. Justin Lee Anderson, Josiah Bancroft, Jonathan French, Devin Madson, and more, are just some of the names who, after ticking the box of “some writing awards to your credit”, have signed on the dotted line with big traditional houses. To reiterate, while winning any writing contest, or even winning lots of them, won’t assure you get a six-figure deal, there seems to be a (growing) definite correlation between being a lauded and popular self-published author, and having someone like Random House be willing to gamble on your ability to make them lots of money. To learn more about the upside of competing for writing awards, and some of the other benefits of entering a contest like SPFBO, please read my blog post here. In conclusion, being a well-established self-published author with tons of great reviews, and awards bearing your name does not guarantee you will get picked up by Hachette, or HarperCollins, or Macmillan, or Penguin Random House or Simon & Schuster, or one of their imprints. Still, being a successful self-published author does provide your agent with much more ammunition in your favour, when they attempt to shop your book to one of those big publishing houses. Especially because, in the new reality, traditionally-published authors are expected to do more and more in terms of marketing of their books. Self-published authors tend to have a lot of expertise with this, and beyond – i.e. printing, copyright, cover design, website design, running book sales, participating in podcasts and bookfairs, and much more. So an established and experienced, business-savvy self-pub, is going to have a great chance for success as a traditionally published author. And that’s great news for all the self-published authors out there! We’ll return to this topic and explore more on it, in later blogs! In the meantime, you may find my article written in Jericho Writers about hybrid publishing interesting. Please feel free to comment on this and future blogs and I will be sure to get back to you. Chat soon! Hi everyone, and welcome to my final blog post of 2021!
This period where the calendar year enters its last few months is also called “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”! That means it’s the time to prepare for the “holiday season” in North America, and other parts of the world. In our multicultural twenty-first century society, we acknowledge many of the cultural and religious observances that constitute the holiday period, not only Christmas. So this time also means that we get to party and celebrate for about three months! It’s one long, festive holiday season! Awesome! The holiday period includes about two months preceding December 25 and nearly one month following that day and encompasses many notable days. Among them: Canadian Thanksgiving, Mawlid, Halloween, All Saints/All Souls Days, Diwali, Remembrance Day, Advent, American Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December Solstice, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and Day, Day After New Year’s Day (for my Quebecois friends), Epiphany, Orthodox Christmas Day, Orthodox New Year, Tu B’Shevat, and Groundhog Day. Just to name a few! Let’s not forget Chinese New Year in early February! Besides all the cultural and religious celebrations, the world is also joyous about some measure of return to normalcy, post-global pandemic. We’re still masking up, social distancing, and washing our hands, but we’re back to shopping malls, movie theatres, larger gathering with friends and family, international travel! Therefore, thankfully, we’re also going to be seeing loved ones we have not been able to physically see in some time. It is such a relief, and a huge positive boost for our mental and emotional health! I, for one am so happy it is happening! The tragedy of the pandemic, the people it affected, and those who were horribly lost will never be forgotten. For some of us, we have seen people dear to us pass, and may not feel like celebrating with others, or celebrating at all. My heart goes out to those who have experienced such loss, and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Mental and emotional health is most important. If gathering strength from others helps you with your grief, then that’s great. If not attending certain functions helps you, that’s ok too. Everyone deals with these situations differently, and there is no right way to grieve. It all depends on the individual and what’s best for them. Yet, I believe we all look forward, towards a more positive future, as humanity begins to heal, in mind, body, and spirit, socially and economically. Accordingly, with restrictions easing up, Deb and I will flying be off to see my beloved Mum, Aunt, and other family members this holiday season, in sunny, beautiful Barbados! We’ve missed our loved ones so much! I can’t wait, as we have not seen our relatives down south since before the start of the pandemic! Extra cause to celebrate! I want us to continue to have cause to celebrate! So, let’s also keep adhering to medical / scientific best practices to limit the spread of COVID-19. Let’s maintain washing our hands frequently, practicing social distancing where appropriate, and where possible, get fully vaccinated, if you are morally, and medically able to do so. In many cases, vaccination is a personal choice, and I respect those who are reticent to do it, however I do believe it is one of the surest means by which we can save lives, prevent serious illness, and get our lives back the way it was before we ever knew what COVID-19 was. The pandemic isn’t over yet, and we need to remain vigilant, so that we can keep ourselves, those we love, and our fellow humans safe, restore economic prosperity, and return to full privileges that we enjoyed before COVID-19 began. All the best to everyone for a safe, happy, healthy holiday season, and a wonderful and prosperous 2022. Here’s looking forward to the New Year, including the release of The Last of the Atalanteans! Please feel free to comment on this and future blogs and I will be sure to get back to you. Chat soon! Hi everyone! As you know, I love reading fantasy and science fiction books, and there are some fantastic self-published books out there in those categories. I had the privilege of reading some of these books, and posting reviews of what I thought of them on Goodreads. If you haven’t read these books, and if you don’t know about these authors, you’re definitely missing out! Let’s celebrate some awesome books! Here are my top indie fantasy and sci-fi books for to June to December 2021! These books are in no particular order, however are broken down into several sub-genres to help guide you in your particular reading tastes. FANTASY SATIRE  Title: Creation by Bjorn Larssen Why it’s so good: It’s hard for an author to make my list for top indie fantasy and sci-fi books for BOTH the first AND second half of 2021, but with first Children and now Creation, Bjorn Larssen has done it! The Pratchett and Adams comparisons you will hear when Larssen's name is spoken about with great esteem in fantasy circles is for a reason. Larssen is extremely gifted and if you have not read him yet, you really should! Creation is a triumph, and packs a huge punch for something you can read cover to cover in a couple of hours or less. Review Quote: “If after hearing all this, you think the novella Creation delves into Norse Mythology in a completely incongruous way, think again. This is part of the genius of Larssen, a man who knows his Baldrs from his Bragis. Larssen's research into Norse Legend is impeccable and meticulous. Just ask Steven T. Dunn, an educator with a Master's in Medical History and Norse Studies, who provides an endorsement for the novella. Larssen's hilarious take on the Norse creation checks all the "authenticity" boxes, including featuring first humans Ask and Embla.” GRIMDARK / GASLAMP FANTASY  Title: A Foreshadowing of Darkness by T.B. Wayne Why it’s so good: The story centers on a religious group that is essentially a law enforcement entity, who serves and defends those under their protection. The group channels a mysterious, but generic magical power, however each member of the group wields the power in unique ways. The group employs a combination of martial prowess and magic to carry out their duties, and it makes for an exciting and compelling story. Review Quote: “First let me say that I was highly impressed with the writing and creativity of the author. The world designed was easy to conceptualize, and the character descriptions make them believable and quickly engaged the emotion of the reader.”  Title: From the Darkness Comes by Joy Demers Why it’s so good: A well-written book that I enjoyed, and fans of fast-paced read with plenty of action sequences will definitely enjoy. Review Quote: “The prose and plot are straightforward and easy to digest. Demers spins an intriguing tale, with plenty of fight sequences, heart-warming camaraderie, roguish figures, mysterious goddesses, and of course the vengeful, broken Cadda and her eerie glowing eyes, as she is relentless in her pursuit of vengeance and to discover her mother’s whereabouts.”  Title: Oathbreaker by A.J. Rettger Why it’s so good: Oathbreaker is truly the definition of a book one can't put down. Rettger does not permit the reader to take much of a breath, once the reader gets past a lengthy prologue, going from one incredible fight scene to the next! If there is one thing I cannot fault the author for, is his non-stop, thrilling action sequences. Rettger will have you on the edge of your seat, wondering what calamity is coming next for our hero and his companions, and if they can possibly make it out alive. Review Quote: “Rettger is obviously a highly talented new writer who will only get better, and readers looking for a very young Andrzej Sapkowski or Joe Abercrombie-type author would do well to check out Oathbreaker! I am definitely looking forward to the next book by Rettger!.” HIGH / EPIC FANTASY  Title: God of Nothing: The All by Shane Scott Why it’s so good: God of Nothing: The All by Shane Scott is a psychedelic, heterogeneous, absolutely wild ride through an awe-inspiring universe, both celestial and mortal. It is a fantastic book, that has me still absorbing all its incredible aspects, long after I have finished reading it. Review Quote: “The book is filled with wit, even belly-laughing-type black humour, monumental fight scenes, tender, poignant and tear-jerking moments, terrible defeats, and dazzling triumphs. To say the characters are incredible is an understatement.”  Title: Goldsong by Beth Hudson Why it’s so good: In Goldsong, Hudson has woven an inventive and distinct universe full of unique kingdoms, diverse peoples, deep and ancient magic, gods, demons, prophecy, magical instruments and weapons, and all the elements a reader would ever want in any fantasy novel. Review Quote: “If you enjoy an extremely well-crafted system of magic and magical elements, then you will certainly revel in Goldsong. While there is no real large-scale battle pieces in the novel, that certainly did not diminish from my reading enjoyment, as all the mythology and mysticism certainly compensated for the overall lack of war and battle-excitement.”  Title: The Burden of Destiny by Laura E. Thompson Why it’s so good: Thompson’s debut is quite well-written and descriptive, the characters are heart-warming, well thought-out, and easy to root for, the world building is strong, and the magic system is interesting. Review Quote: “The book compares favourably, in my estimation, with work of the esteemed Terry Brooks of The Sword of Shannara fame: full of elves, sword and magical battles, scheming, and some surprising emotional depth. A warm and captivating YA high fantasy adventure story!”  Title: In the Shadow of Ruin by Tony Dejabo Why it’s so good: A simply outstanding book, filled with political intrigue, tribal warfare with harrowing battle scenes, mysticism, and lore in the form of African mythology, impressive, atmospheric settings in ancient Nigeria, love, betrayal, and vengeance! Review Quote: “If you like your battle scenes explosive, your outcomes unpredictable, strong, and well-drawn characters, delightful prose, African lore sprinkled with a hint of the black arts as the magic system, then look no further! Dejabo is an author to watch, and I am very much looking forward to the next entry in The Fractured Kingdom!” FANTASY ROMANCE  Title: Immortal Defiance by Laura Maybrooke Why it’s so good: Yes, there are some comfortable tropes here, but Maybrooke writes so well, you will forget about the familiarity of those tropes, and just be wrapped up in what is a great story. Review Quote: “I could rave about the awesome, intricate worldbuilding created by Maybrooke. There are great secondary characters, colourful warring factions, various races including dwarven, eleven, human, and dragon, unique nations, and a highly detailed and immersive backstory & history to it all, complete with dates of major events (which the reader will see during the headers for the flashbacks).” SCI-FI-FANTASY / SCI-FI / DYSTOPIAN  Title: The Sequence by Lucien Telford Why it’s so good: Beyond exceptional characters, The Sequence has the best elements every popular sci-fi books needs: it illustrates the relationship between the characters and the future environment, and how that new-age environment impacts them; it explains the future technologies, systems, and how they operate in a way that is readily understood; and it features incredibly cool, sexy tech that is imaginative candy for the reader. Review Quote: “The Sequence is a gripping, flawlessly-paced, diverting, beautifully written action sci-fi thriller. This one is bound to garner many more great reviews, and I predict Telford is in for his share of writing accolades in the future. He is surely a great writer to watch.”  Title: Nexus Point by K. Pimpinella Why it’s so good: Blade Runner. The Bourne Identity. Star Trek. If these franchises excite you, then Nexus Point by the outstanding author, K. Pimpinella, is for you! Review Quote: “The book is extremely well-written, with a breakneck pace. Action abounds, intrigue and secrets are always lurking around the corner. The fight scenes are excellent, and the author Pimpinella's experience and credibility as both armed forces veteran and paramedic are on full display. There is a sense of realism and urgency that Pimpinella's writing brings to the action sequences. The combination of old and future world settings, were fantastic, and Pimpinella manages to write so well that one never feels disoriented or lost at which slot in time the plot has landed.”  Title: Keepers and Destinies by Carl F. Brothers Why it’s so good: Author Carl F. Brothers presents a fascinating tale of both celestial and human conflict in his debut novel “Keepers and Destinies”, that fans of the Rapture genre (such as I) will find thoroughly entertaining. Review Quote: “Brothers maintains the Christian perspective on an apocalyptic future, painting a dystopian landscape for humans, where God, though omnipotent, leaves the fighting to his Angelic hosts, and humans are largely caught in the middle of the conflict between good and evil. I absolutely love the risk-taking for debut authors to end the first book of a series on a cliff-hanger, and Brothers does with “Keepers and Destinies” leaving the reader craving for more.” ARTHURIAN FANTASY  Title: The Secret of the Sword by Sean Rodrick Bell Why it’s so good: The Secret of the Sword features great settings, and interesting characters. Bell takes the reader on a sweeping ride, from modern locations in some of Canada's largest and most sophisticated cities, back to medieval Britain and the glory of mythic Camelot. The book provides a fascinating look at the larger-than-life characters from Arthurian lore, such powerful wizard Merlin, noble Uther, devious Morgana, and more. Review Quote: “Perhaps what I loved most about the story were the poignant themes. In the novel, Bell highlights the cost of being committed to a cause, the power of family bonds and special relationships, and how enduring love survives the grave.” YA FANTASY  Title: Of Us and Them by T.L Coughlin Why it’s so good: Coughlin has composed a wonderfully detailed futuristic earth, replete with the cool gadgetry one expects to see in a sci-fi entry. With savoury descriptions and backstory that are never overdone, but tantalizing enough to give you the feeling of being with the protagonist, the action in the novel is poignant and the stakes are high. Review Quote: “Well fleshed out characters, salient reflections on broader themes, a dash of humour, burgeoning young romances, great diversity and LGBTQ + representation, make for an awesome YA novel. Of Us and Them has all these components, and much more..”  Title: The Hidden King by E.G. Radcliff
Why it’s so good: I found myself stopping to re-read certain parts of the book, "smelling the roses", so to speak, as I savoured the delightful prose. Radcliff paints the world of the Gut so deliciously, so vividly with her words, including the sibylline "No-Man's-Land", that I felt I was right there, looking over vast expanses, uncharted lands, and imposing mountains. Review Quote: “Overall, this is a book that I loved, and after hearing nothing but good things about it, am so pleased all I heard proved to be true. I have already taken steps to secure the next two books in what promises to be an outstanding series, and give a resounding five stars for The Hidden King!” Good day everyone and welcome to my blog for October 2021!
In my August blog post I promised announcements coming soon regarding A Drowned Kingdom and The Drowned Kingdom Saga. I am pleased to make those announcements now! The first announcement: A Drowned Kingdom is going to become an audiobook! A Drowned Kingdom should be released in audiobook format prior to the end of 2021! Deb and I always wanted to produce an audiobook and offer my readers the widest variety of possible options to enjoy my work. So, A Drowned Kingdom already exists, lovingly in eBook, hardcover, and softcopy, and will soon be joined by an audiobook version. I can think of no better way to convey the flawed, compelling voice of Lord Othrun, the protagonist from whose point of view perspective A Drowned Kingdom is written, than in audiobook form. Why else did the P.L. Stuart authorpreneur team elect to make an audiobook? Audiobooks are one of the most popular forms of book sales now. The audiobook industry is trending towards becoming a billion-dollar industry. Additionally, audiobook sales appear to boost physical book sales. If someone loves listening to your book, they may elect to purchase a copy for their bookshelves too, to add to their library. One of the fantastic advantages of audiobooks is that non-readers who have challenges or preferences for listening as opposed to reading can enjoy their favourite authors. Many people either dislike reading, find themselves too busy to sit down and devote time to reading a book in physical form, or have challenges such as vision-impairment or dyslexia that precludes them from digesting a book in that manner. From personal experience, Deb notes she would rather listen to a book than read one. She has an hour-long drive to and from work and consumes numerous audiobooks a year while in the vehicle on her hands-free device, and her time is otherwise unoccupied except for driving. Audiobooks are also a wonderful way to keep the author’s work instantly available and always in stock for readers. It may take a few weeks to receive a physical copy of a book. For some authors, their works become so popular that their soft or hardcover copies temporarily sell out in physical bookstores or even online. Yet, like eBooks, audiobooks guarantee the author’s book will always be ready for immediate purchase, just a few clicks away. So, get ready for A Drowned Kingdom, coming to your headphones or hands-free device, soon! Please check this website, or my social media pages such as @plstuartwrites on Twitter for updates on release date! The second announcement: Lord Othrun returns in The Last of the Atalanteans, Book Two of The Drowned Kingdom Saga, with an expected release date of Spring 2022! I am so excited to report that The Last of the Atalanteans has begun the publication process, with the final draft of the novel recently being sent to FriesenPress, to commence editing rounds. For those of you who have been waiting eagerly to see what happens to Othrun next, you won’t have to wait long! I feel confident that you will love Book Two of The Drowned Kingdom Saga. When we left off in Book One, by his own words, Othrun had truly put himself in the lion’s jaws. We’ll see if he, and those following him, can escape those jaws, or if they will be devoured! Book two was a joy to write, though I experienced some difficult moments during its completion with the loss of a dear relative and a beloved pet. Still, those I love who have passed would have wanted me to soldier on and complete the book, and that is exactly what I did. Frankly, there were other challenges in completing The Last of the Atalanteans. I have spoken to fellow authors, and most seem to agree that they have found book two in a series harder to write than book one. You take all the positives, any critiques, trying to demonstrate how one has improved as a writer since the initial book, and prove that the success of the first one was no fluke. The pressures and expectations one feels can be tremendous, but I persevered, and overcame them. Ultimately, I have striven to write the book I believe you as the reader will be pleased with the results, while still writing the story I felt needed to be told! I will keep everyone apprised as The Last of the Atalanteans nears publication date, with further intriguing updates, such as cover reveal, and launch of the book trailer! Please feel free to comment on this and future blogs and I will be sure to get back to you. Chat soon! Hi everyone, hope you are doing well! This month brings exciting news for me, as I am honoured to have become a member of the prestigious blogging team BEFORE WE GO BLOG!!! led by the incredible BETH TABLER!!! The team has some fantastic members under Beth’s leadership, including RYAN HOWSE, G.M NAIR, STEVE CALDWELL, ELENI A.E., DYLAN MARSH, JENNI BUCHANAN, MARIA BLACKRANE, WHITNEY REINHART, MISBAH QURESHI, BRIANNA SINDER, AND PHIL PARKER!
This is a new adventure in the journey of authorpreneur P.L. Stuart, as I enter the fascinating world of blogging! Some of you may ask, why become a book blogger, and what does it a book blogger do? Besides the awesomeness of Beth Tabler and the team she has assembled at BEFORE WE GO BLOG, what drew me into the world of blogging is my desire to support and uplift those in the writing community! The writing community includes authors, poets, book bloggers, book podcasters, literary agents, publishers, and many more. I have always wanted to make a positive contribution to this wonderful community, beyond writing novels, and blogging provides an excellent opportunity for me to enhance that contribution! One of the main functions of a book blogger is to help promote wonderful books! Bloggers accomplish this by reading and writing reviews of books that are of particular interest to either themselves or the blog they are associated with. This is all done for a love of books, and a genuine desire to bring exposure to the hard work of authors. Bloggers host or participate in blog tours and book promotions arranged for authors, conduct author interviews and spotlights, and other activities that generally shine a light on great books! Bloggers provide fair and honest reviews for authors. A blogger may not necessarily find a particular book to their specific taste, but they generally highlight the positive aspects of a writer’s work, along with any areas for perceived improvement. Even if a blogger did not enjoy a certain book for whatever reason, that does not mean that book may not be exactly what someone else wants to read! With a blogger getting the word out there about a book, it can potentially lead the perfect reader to that book! As we all are aware, reading tastes are very subjective, and it is not the blogger’s goal to turn readers away from books, but rather to turn them towards the books that are best suited to their reading preferences. Book bloggers are avid, voracious readers, who then commit their opinions about books to paper, for all to see. It requires a different sort of courage to be a blogger than an author of a novel, novella, poem, etc., but blogging still takes bravery and confidence in standing behind your thoughts on a certain work. Not everyone may always appreciate your input. The key is professionalism, integrity, and consistency in how you deliver feedback, and keeping it, wherever possible, positive! These traits will ensure blogging success and keep your personal enjoyment in being a blogger high! No point in doing it if it’s not fun! I love reading, and prior to becoming a blogger, knowing how much it means to author, I always tried to leave reviews of the books I read on platforms like Goodreads. Now I will be expanding where I leave my reviews, in being a member of BEFORE WE GO BLOG! Reading is an important component to becoming an even better writer, and I am always looking to continue improving in that regard. I’m looking forward to stepping up my reading and reviewing of some fantastic books! Please feel free to comment on this and future blogs and I will be sure to get back to you. Chat soon! Hi everyone! As you know, I love reading fantasy and science fiction books, and there are some fantastic self-published books out there in those categories. I had the privilege of reading some of these books, and posting reviews of what I thought of them on https://www.goodreads.com/. If you haven’t read these books, and if you don’t know about these authors, you’re definitely missing out! Let’s celebrate some awesome books! Here are my top indie fantasy and sci-fi books for January to June 2021! These books are in no particular order, however are broken down into several sub-genres to help guide you in your particular reading tastes. GRIMDARK / GASLAMP FANTASY  Title: We Men of Ash and Shadow by H.L. Tinsley Why it’s so good: Already a 2021 SPFBO (Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off) Semi-Finalist selection, this book has beautiful, haunting, descriptive prose, is brooding, melancholy, and creepy, and witty, ironic, tight and sharp. Review Quote: “What a smashing debut by Tinsley - kudos! She is assuredly destined for Grimdark royalty, and can’t wait for installment #2 as Tinsley continues to accumulate jewels to add to her tiara!” https://www.amazon.com/Men-Shadow-Vanguard-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B08FJ6PY9M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=352AXNKX6G52F&dchild=1&keywords=we+men+of+ash+and+shadow&qid=1627711599&sprefix=We+Men+of+Ash%2Caps%2C325&sr=8-1  Title: The Legacy of the Brightwash by Krystle Matar Why it’s so good: This book transcends being a great read. This book has catapulted into my personal top one hundred books of all-time. Heart-stopping gun battles, MMA style pugilistic ring-matches, bar fights, throat-cutting murders, and that is just what the “good” characters are up to. Review Quote: “Legacy of the Brightwash deserves to win every award for best debut novel, best fantasy novel, best novel period for 2021 that I can think of.” https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Brightwash-Tainted-Dominion-Book-ebook/dp/B08S3M3J9K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32OSD96KLKRYD&dchild=1&keywords=legacy+of+the+brightwash&qid=1627712142&sprefix=The+Legacy+of+the+Brightwash%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1 NORSE MYTHOLOGY / NORSE-INSPIRED  Title: Hall of Bones by Tim Hardie Why it’s so good: The first book in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series will certainly only add to the current buzz around the sub-genre of Norse-Inspired fantasy. Remarkable read! Review Quote: “Hall of Bones is a vibrant, extremely well-written, and unforgettable debut in a series, that will have readers clamouring for the follow-up. Five stars glowing for Tim Hardie and his first installment of The Brotherhood of the Eagle.” https://www.amazon.com/Hall-Bones-Brotherhood-Eagle-Book-ebook/dp/B08NXZX6CZ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Hall+of+Bones&qid=1627713453&sr=8-1  Title: Children by Bjorn Larssen Why it’s so good: The book was even more spectacular than advertised. There is both light and grim humour aplenty in the book, it is overall a poignant and violently compelling read that is destined to haunt you. Review Quote: “In this case, words have failed me, and less is more when it comes to praising the masterpiece that is Children. I cannot say enough positive about this book. It is truly one of the best books I have read all year, amongst a lot of fantastic books.” https://www.amazon.com/Children-Norse-Mythology-Retelling-Worlds-ebook/dp/B08JVFSZZX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Children+Bjorn+Larssen&qid=1627713480&sr=8-1 ARTHURIAN FANTASY  Title: The Ravenmaster’s Revenge by Jacob Sannox Why it’s so good: This novel was selected as a semi-finalist in the 2019 SPFBO (Self Published Fantasy Blog Off). A quick and entertaining romp, back and forth between ancient settings, and modern day ones. A classic good versus evil tale. Excellent read! Review Quote: “I completely adored Sannox's vivid writing, in terms of how he describes England, a place I have always longed to visit. Sannox captivated me with his expository prose. I truly felt I was strolling or driving through today's downtown, bustling London, or the quaint urban countryside.” https://www.amazon.com/Ravenmasters-Revenge-Return-King-Arthur-ebook/dp/B07S9GX59K/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Ravenmaster%27s+Revenge&qid=1627713605&sr=8-1  Title: Queen of None by Natania Barron Why it’s so good: Who doesn’t love Arthurian fantasy, strong female characters, and a simply wonderfully-written book? This book has all that and more. One of my favourite books in this sub-genre. Review Quote: “Barron spins an intimate, spellbinding, first-person narrative, full of lyrical prose, mesmerizing characters of lore, especially strong women, and a unique perspective on the Arthurian sagas, in which portrays a voice unheard, far from powerless, and determined not to be forgotten, as was predicted, makes her presence felt.” https://www.amazon.com/Queen-None-Natania-Barron-ebook/dp/B08DK3791Q/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Queen+of+None&qid=1627721838&sr=8-1 FANTASY-ROMANCE  Title: Neglected Merge by Eve Koguce Why it’s so good: Neglected Merge is a fascinating novel, with a thought-provoking and original plot, outstanding characters, and amazing writing. Review Quote: “Romance is central to the book, and it is exceptionally well-executed. There are unexpected liaisons, surprise relationships, and passionate encounters that fans of the genre will adore. On the dystopian fantasy side, along with the excellent world-building, the political intrigue, and negotiations that take place between different elements of society, are extremely compelling.” https://www.amazon.com/Neglected-Merge-Fantasy-Utopian-Romance-ebook/dp/B092J7S3CV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Neglected+Merge&qid=1627786390&sr=8-1  Title: By Immortal: Honor Bound by Danielle Ancona Why it’s so good: Overall, I found it completely spell-binding, and representative of the best all of those genres have to offer, and that is no small feat for any writer. Review Quote: “I must begin a review of this book by stopping to pay homage to Ancona's prose. Imagine a glorious Monarch butterfly, with all its majesty and beauty, landing unexpectedly on your finger. You would barely feel its light touch, as its dainty feet keep it perched on your skin. But you would be totally entranced, transfixed by the brilliant colours, and wonder of its thin, elegant wings.” https://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Honor-Bound-Alchemy-Angels-ebook/dp/B08GR7MTYD/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Immortal%3A+Honor+Bound&qid=1627786865&sr=8-1 HIGH / EPIC FANTASY  Title: Voice of War by Zack Argyle Why it’s so good: SPFBO6 Finalist. Indies Today Best Fantasy. Independent Sci-fi Fantasy Author Battle Winner. BBNYA Fantasy Finalist. the list goes on of the accolades for this book. Enough said! Review Quote: “The plot weaves along at an excellent pace, with just enough backstory, immediate action, world-building, and compelling characters to keep the reader engaged. And if as a reader you require a magic system that is extremely well thought out and not derivate of any you have seen before, then Voice of War is your book!” https://www.amazon.com/Voice-War-Threadlight-Book-1-ebook/dp/B084F96GFZ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Voice+of+War&qid=1627786920&sr=8-1  Title: Fortune’s Fool by Angela Boord Why it’s so good: Well-deserved finalist in the 2019 version of Mark Lawrence’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-off (SPFBO#5). Review Quote: “This was the “perfect” fantasy book for me. It was the ultimate, arbitrary, lucky match of my personal tastes as a reader paired with a writer’s personal choices for how they wrote the book. Just as the quote I took from the book above, Fortune’s Fool took me unawares, unexpectedly arrived and stuck with me, destroyed my carefully constructed reading plans, and now I’m here trying to write a review fitting of how much I fell in love with the book, rather than reading other books I promised myself to read first.” https://www.amazon.com/Fortunes-Fool-Eterean-Empire-Book-ebook/dp/B07ST8KQ87/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Fortune%27s+Fool&qid=1627787037&sr=8-3 INTRUSION FANTASY  Title: Quicksilver and Brimstone by Elizabeth Eckstein Why it’s so good: Make room intrusion fantasy royalty J.K. Rowling and Philip Pullman! There’s a new Queen aspiring to the throne, and her name is Elizabeth Eckstein! All hail!!! Review Quote: “ I owe Eckstein for restoring my faith in the whole sub-genre of intrusion fantasy. I had given up on literally HUNDREDS of intrusion fantasy novels, many dispatched to an uncertain fate (after barely escaping dreaded “DNF” status) banished to my donation bin, destined for dusty used bookstore shelves. Ever since the “Harry Potter” series, I had largely abandoned that sub-genre, never finding another work that could measure up for me. Until, that is, reading Quicksilver and Brimstone! This book is a simply stupendous work of intrusion fantasy & YA fiction!” https://www.amazon.com/Quicksilver-Brimstone-Crucible-Crimson-Lion/dp/B08CPLF56Y/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Quicksilver+and+Brimstone&qid=1627787400&sr=8-1 HISTORICAL FANTASY  Title: The Fires of Treason by Michele Quirke Why it’s so good: In The Fires of Treason, Michele Quirke’s debut novel, an unshakeable bond between royal brother and sister, a quashed rebellion, an illicit affair, a scheming sister, an abusive king, an assassination attempt, and more, make for a very well-written and involving historical fantasy. Review Quote: But there are so many more positives about this book besides the exceptionally-drawn characters. The writing is silky, immaculate. The themes presented in the novel were compelling. Gregory and Elizabeth are forced to confront moral questions about self-preservation versus life-taking, stealing versus perishing from hunger, and the benefits, disadvantages, and limits of absolute power. I found how they dealt with these situations, and how Quirke put her characters in these uncomfortable dilemmas, fascinating.” https://www.amazon.com/Fires-Treason-Michele-Quirke-ebook/dp/B08FDGY6C4/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Fires+of+Treason&qid=1627787548&sr=8-1 SCI-FI-FANTASY / SCI-FI / DYSTOPIAN  Title: Allegory of the End by A.R. Mirabal Why it’s so good: Watch out for this author. A.R. Mirabal is poised to break into the sci-fi genre, and he just might break it wide open. I can't wait to see what he writes next! Review Quote: “For, first and foremost, 'The Allegory of the End' is the first instalment in what will no doubt be a very well-read sci-fi series, and has all the bells and whistles in terms of fancy gadgets and incredible futuristic armaments that sci-fi readers crave.” https://www.amazon.com/Allegory-End-One-Death-Order/dp/1736920219/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Allegory+of+the+End&qid=1627787820&sr=8-1  Title: Skyview: Lord of the Wills by M. Sheehan Why it’s so good: Readers will find it hard to put down Skyview: Lord of the Wills, with its stirring action sequences, engrossing historical perspective, and interesting characters. Sheehan has amazing storytelling and writing abilities, and Skyview: Lord of the Wills will take you as the reader to dizzying heights from which you won't want to descend! Review Quote: “I have never read a novel, prior to Sheehan's work, with such a completely fresh and original concept. Sheehan certainly knows how to please me as a reader, as he somehow deftly manages to weave three distinct genres - thriller, sci-fi, and historical fiction - into one captivating book. Since Sheehan accomplishes this genre-blending in seamless fashion, Skyview: Lord of the Wills feels like a mash-up of the Star Trek, James Bond, and Indiana Jones movie franchises. https://www.amazon.com/SkyView-Lord-Wills-M-Sheehan/dp/1525576062/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Skyview+Lord+of+the+Wills&qid=1627788214&sr=8-1 SCI-FI-FANTASY / SCI-FI / DYSTOPIAN  Title: The Scars of Gaia by R.P. Lauer Why it’s so good: Two things I absolutely loved about this novel: main characters and the foreboding that made me care about them. The sense of tension build up during the novel was compelling, and made me want to keep flipping pages. As James and Claire find out more about how their countries - and the greater world - truly operate, they uncover sinister elements that they must work together to confront. There is a real sense of dread, doom and something rotten hanging over the book. That sense of impending disaster is counterbalanced with the tender and pure relationship that blossoms between James and Claire, and the hope that their courage and humility can ultimately triumph. Review Quote: “Lauer pens a gripping tale, wonderful characters, and a fantastical world that feels like reality. The Scars of Gaia has a straightforward, seamless narrative that's sublime. Amazing read, and Lauer is definitely an author to watch!” https://www.amazon.com/Scars-Gaia-R-P-Lauer-ebook/dp/B0936G9K9J/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Scars+of+Gaia&qid=1627788300&sr=8-1  Title: Dawnbreak by Rebecca Mickley
Why it’s so good: It is one of the most refreshingly unique books in the genre I have ever read. I was amazed by Mickley's ability to captivate the reader, and bring out strong emotions - I have to admit I reached for the tissue box at least twice during my reading. The mixture of angst, struggle, sadness, hope, and fulfillment that the author blended into this book is a potent one, so reader be warned, don't be surprised or ashamed if you shed a tear or two, as I did. Rest assured, Dawnbreak is a book you will never forget, in a very positive way. Review Quote: “Mickley's worldbuilding is top-notch, her writing is stellar, and her characters are so well-drawn that the reader cannot help becoming attached to them. There is gut-punching commentary on the state of human existence, relationships, and the future, that only a writer as skilled Mickley could pull off without sounding too preachy.” https://www.amazon.com/Dawnbreak-Farthest-Star-Book-1-ebook/dp/B07MCRVPYW/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dawnbreak&qid=1627788766&sr=8-1 There you go! I will post my picks for the best in indie fantasy and sci-fi for the second half of 2021 in early winter of this year! Please feel free to comment on this and future blogs and I will be sure to get back to you. Chat soon! Hi everyone! Hope you are all doing well! I can hardly believe it’s already been five months since the release of my debut novel A Drowned Kingdom, Book One of The Drowned Kingdom Saga, on February 02, 2021! The time has flown by, and I have been extremely busy, however things have been fantastic!
For this month’s blog, I thought I would provide a quick update of my journey as an authorpreneur since publication and let everyone know some of the exciting things coming regarding me and my writing soon! How’s It Going? A Drowned Kingdom has been extremely well received since publication. Reviews have overall been quite favourable, sales have been strong, I am humbled by the generally positive response to my work, and extremely grateful to all the readers and reviewers who are responsible for all my early success. Thank you so much! It means the world! A “Get It” endorsement from the esteemed professional reviewing company Kirkus Reviews, and consequently being featured by Kirkus as one of ‘Four Great Examples of the Genre” for fantasy, in their April 15, 2021 Kirkus Reviews Special Indie Edition Magazine (page 9) was a huge honour. Receiving a Four out of Five-Star review from lauded professional review company Foreword Clarion Reviews was also great feeling. Currently, A Drowned Kingdom enjoys a four plus-star average rating on Goodreads and on Amazon. Several great fantasy bloggers have provided encouraging feedback, such as the wonderful reviewers Sue Bavey, Christine Bode, Jennifer of Queen’s Book Asylum, and Dawn Lewis, and Betanda Shaman. Special thanks to all the bloggers out there, and all the hard work they do. Immediately following publication, A Drowned Kingdom shot right to the top of the bestselling charts of the bookstore for the publishing-assist company, FriesenPress, and held that #1 bestselling ranking for two weeks in a row! Subsequently, A Drowned Kingdom received the honour of being named a FriesenPress “Staff Pick” amongst all their wonderful authors’ books. A Drowned Kingdom by P.L. Stuart | The FriesenPress Bookstore . Yet much more than any formal accolades, it is the feedback from readers who have appreciated my novel, that has meant the most to me, and warmed my heart immeasurably. It is an incredible feeling when someone genuinely enjoys reading something that has been such a personal labour of love. In the meantime, I have been working hard to promote A Drowned Kingdom, and The Drowned Kingdom Saga, through social media, engaging in media events such as book fairs, interviews, and podcasts. I truly have fun participating in such events, and I believe they are critical to author success. The work of an authorpreneur is never done, as writing books is only half of the equation. The other half is letting people know that your book(s) is out there. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through such media endeavours. Please feel free to visit my website Media page to see the latest for P.L. Stuart in the media and for media requests, please visit my Contact page. I also took a leap of faith and entered A Drowned Kingdom in Mark Lawrence’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off, or #SPFBO7 as noted in my last blog post. Read here to learn more about that here Why P.L. Stuart entered "A Drowned Kingdom" in SPFBO7 - P.L. Stuart (plstuart.com) . A large part of that is increasingly becoming strengthening my connections in the wonderful #WritingCommunity, brainstorming, learning from and sharing ideas regarding writing and the writing business with fellow creatives, supporting and uplifting each other. Zoom conference calls with fellow writers across the world, direct message chats, and emails are a great way to allow these relationships to flourish via virtual means. Somehow, between all this exhilarating activity, and a full-time, terribly busy job, I have found time to work on writing The Last of the Atalanteans! More on that below! Suffice to say, the last five months have been some of the best months of my life, accomplishing the dream of becoming a published author, and relishing in all that comes with it! What’s Next For P.L Stuart? I will continue to focus on being part of a strong and innovative authorpreneur duo! First and foremost this means Deb – my lovely wife and business partner - and I strategizing together, on marketing, writing, and where to take our venture next! In this regard, working with the assistance of FriesenPress, we expect to be able to make some great announcements in the coming months about A Drowned Kingdom and The Drowned Kingdom Saga! Stay tuned! I am pleased to be participating in several media events over the course of the summer, including the Chatham-Kent Public Library Virtual Author Festival, a podcast with the wonderful Jeff Rutherford of Reading and Writing Podcast fame, When Worlds Collide Festival for Readers and Writers, and as a guest speaker to The Caribbean Fiction Book Club. August 2021 is also when I anticipate the final draft of The Last of the Atalanteans, Book Two in The Drowned Kingdom Saga, will be completed, and ready to go for professional editing. The goal is for The Last of the Atalanteans to be released approximately a year from the publication of A Drowned Kingdom, so readers won’t have to wait too much longer to see the next instalment in the epic adventure of #LordOthrun, Prince of the Atalanteans. Please feel free to comment on this and future blogs and I will be sure to get back to you. Chat soon! The 7th Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO7) started June 01, 2021! And I am happy to announce that my novel A Drowned Kingdom, Book One in The Drowned Kingdom Saga, is an entry in SPFBO7!
SPFBO is an annual contest designed for English-language fantasy writers and readers. The patron and host of SPFBO is famous British Grimdark fantasy author Mark Lawrence. Mark has penned ground-breaking books such as the internationally best-selling Broken Empire Series. The opening book of the Broken Empire Series, Prince of Thorns, is one of my personal favourite top 100 books of all-time. And the protagonist of the series, I feel, is one of the most memorable - not to mention most controversial - fantasy characters ever written: the flawed, dangerous, and compelling Prince Jorg Ancrath. You can learn all about Mark Lawrence and his outstanding books here: https://www.marklawrence.buzz/ Altruistically, although he is heralded world-wide as a traditionally-published fantasy star, Mark Lawrence created SPFBO. He wanted to design a vehicle for his self-published brethren, so we may potentially one day acquire the sort of success he currently enjoys. The purpose of the SPFBO contest is to shine a light on self-published fantasy books, promoting the fact that there are more than solely great traditionally-published literary works in the genre. SPFBO is a phenomenal opportunity to increase the credibility and visibility of self-published fantasy books. Read about SPFBO, its rules, and why you, a self-published fantasy author, should consider entering here: https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-official-self-published-fantasy.html Here is how SPFBO operates: fantasy novels are submitted by their authors to the SPFBO website. Then the novels are distributed to 10 prominent fantasy blogging sites (who are essentially the judges) for review. 300 books maximum are selected, based on a first-come, first-serve basis. The books selected are divided evenly amongst the blogging sites. So, each blogging site has a pile of 30 books to review. Next, each individual blogging site has the task of choosing ONE finalist from among their 30 books. Thus, there are a total of 10 finalists. Then, those 10 finalists are subjected to further scrutiny by ALL 10 blogging sites. The overall winner of the contest is the finalist amongst those 10 who receives the highest average review score received from the blogging sites. Despite the immense celebrity of the host Mark Lawrence as a top fantasy author, and all the acclaim the contest has garnered to-date - surprisingly - many self-published authors I spoke to had never even heard of SPFBO. Since there are many wonderful awards and prizes open to independent authors, I suppose even one so prominent as SPFBO can escape attention. Still, I can think of no more prestigious and impactful award out there right now in the world of self-published writers than SPFBO. The ability to have top bloggers review your work cannot be understated. The potential for increased sales due to exposure from the contest is considerable. Some independent authors have even found agent or traditional publishing contracts specifically because of their success in SPFBO. SPFBO6 winner Justin Lee Anderson, author of The Lost War, recently signed with Ian Drury of Sheil Land Agency, on the heels of his big victory. The main benefits I personally saw from SPFBO were the collecting of reviews from distinguished bloggers, gaining of awareness of more great fantasy books, the incredible contacts and connections to be made with more people in the writing community, and the sense of camaraderie and fellowship that participating in such an event would bring. SPFBO is not a traditional literary contest. One doesn't just typically submit their entry, and forget about it, until winners are announced. It's a special, often once-in-a-lifetime experience for an author, and it can be a great bonding experience to be shared with fellow entrants. There is a real hype and buzz about SPFBO. It is a year-long contest, where there are seemingly endless social media chats and groups devoted to analyzing and exploring the works of all 300 entrants. Entrants themselves form their own groups to get to know each other, support each other, brainstorm about writing, get writing feedback, do cross-promotion, and more. Most of the eyes of fantasy bloggers, and fantasy indie writers who are not even participating in the contest, are squarely trained on SPFBO for a good portion of the year. There is even an awesome cover competition as part of the contest http://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/2021/05/spfbo-7-cover-contest.html! And believe me, there are lots of fantasy readers doing the same! Particularly once the ten finalists are announced! Then the attention becomes even more intense! And even as the winner is about to be announced, the hype starts all over again for the next contest!!! The entire fantasy community really comes together for it. Blogger, authors, readers, and many stakeholders in the self-publishing industry chat, get to know each other, uplift each other, and learn about wonderful authors and phenomenal books that otherwise may have conceivably gone more unnoticed. I felt SPFBO was too great an opportunity to pass up. Many of us in the self-published community struggle to get our books reviewed by anyone, much less top bloggers. In one of my previous blog posts about why I sought professional and peer reviews, I emphasized how critical reviews can be to the success of any author. Even non-flattering reviews are important. They provide essential feedback that can potentially help improve your writing. Or these types of reviews point others who might enjoy your book more, in the right direction. And while of course being judged by bloggers can be scary, I have a lot of confidence in the blogging community. Having followed most of the bloggers on social media well before I even published A Drowned Kingdom, and before I knew they would be SPFBO7 judges, I knew they were top notch professionals. They deserve a lot of credit. They do a very crucial and sometimes arduous job, for free. My experience is that they do it as professionally, objectively, and compassionately as possible. You may get an endorsing review, or a not-so-positive one, but you are absolutely guaranteed a FAIR one. That is all a writer can ask for. And typically, that means that the bloggers will highlight great aspects of your book that will help market it to the world, even if it was not their cup of tea overall. So, I took the plunge, and resolved to enter my book into the contest. Yet before I decided to submit my debut novel, A Drowned Kingdom, for SPFBO7, I also decided that it would not be as worthwhile if I did it in isolation. I knew so many fantastic authors whose works deserved recognition, but who had struggled to obtain reviews and attention. What better way to address this issue than to enter SPFBO? Moreover, I wanted to see contestants boost, support, and motivate each other. Such competitions, as beneficial as they are, can be tough on one's psyche. Make no mistake, it is always tough when your book is subjected to critique, much less when the eyes of the fantasy world are watching! Odds are, unfortunately, for most writers that enter SPFBO, that we are not going to make the finals. But the advantages to entering, as I outlined above, were so tantalizing, irrespective of winning, that I strongly encouraged a group of my writer friends to enter the contest too. I formed a Twitter group so that several writers could share information on entry rules for the contest, updates on submission deadlines, and general chatter about SPFBO. That led to another awesome writer creating a Slack group for the same purpose, and then many of us joining a much larger Discord group devoted to the contest. Again, all these groups with the purpose of informing, networking, supporting, uplifting each other, and chronicling our journey through SPFBO. And, it is also to have fun, and celebrate being part of it all! Enjoying the moment, and the privilege of being able to be a published author, and enter contests such as SPFBO, is important! SPFBO may be a contest with only one winner, but we who have entered are determined to make it a collective effort, and collectively celebrate one another's successes, and raise each other's spirits during the difficult moments. The writing community is an awesome, collaborative, kind, and reassuring place, and we ultimately succeed together, not alone. So fellow authors, let's cheer each other on, even while we dream of individual SPFBO glory! Readers, check out all the mind-boggling books of SPFBO, at the Goodreads Listopia listings. Part 3 of those listings is where you will find A Drowned Kingdom! https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/162631.SPFBO_7_2021_Part_3 Please feel free to comment on this and future blogs and I will be sure to get back to you. Chat soon! |
P.L. Stuart's BlogI am a Canadian high fantasy author. My debut novel, A Drowned Kingdom - first in The Drowned Kingdom Saga, is now available! Book 2 in The Drowned Kingdom Saga, The Last of the Atalanteans, is now available here! Archives
February 2023
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