Final version of Magelord should be up within 12 hours . . .
This one includes more maps and a few sketches of Sevendor, ostensibly by Minalan's folk. Most of the spelling and grammatical errors are fixed, but email me any that I missed and I'll update accordingly.
Oh, yeah. Knights Magi will be out this month. When I release it, to make up for the pricing fiasco that accompanied the release of Magelord, I will be selling the book at the $2.99 pricepoint for 48 hours. After that it goes up a buck to $3.99 and stays there. It's over 150,000 words, I think you'll get your money's worth.
For all of you who hate my covers, I've hired a real live artist whose name shall not yet be revealed to do all of my covers. Gone will be the castles. Knights Magi should be the last book in the series with a lame castle cover . . . and the first one with a new, human beings in action cover.
For all of you awaiting word of Trask's Odyssey, I'm about 70% done, but it is both longer and more complex than KM, so the short fantasy book got done first. Sorry about that, it just worked out that way. I actually have to take a lot more time with Space Viking books because of the legacy. For Spellmonger, I can make shit up more easily.
Special thanks to Emily Harris, my editor.
Oh, yeah. Knights Magi will be out this month. When I release it, to make up for the pricing fiasco that accompanied the release of Magelord, I will be selling the book at the $2.99 pricepoint for 48 hours. After that it goes up a buck to $3.99 and stays there. It's over 150,000 words, I think you'll get your money's worth.
For all of you who hate my covers, I've hired a real live artist whose name shall not yet be revealed to do all of my covers. Gone will be the castles. Knights Magi should be the last book in the series with a lame castle cover . . . and the first one with a new, human beings in action cover.
For all of you awaiting word of Trask's Odyssey, I'm about 70% done, but it is both longer and more complex than KM, so the short fantasy book got done first. Sorry about that, it just worked out that way. I actually have to take a lot more time with Space Viking books because of the legacy. For Spellmonger, I can make shit up more easily.
Special thanks to Emily Harris, my editor.
Yay I say yay!
ReplyDeleteWoot! Thanks for the update. Nice to hear how things are going once in awhile. Can't wait for Knights Magi!
ReplyDeleteAs for me, your covers aren't the worse I've seen. The first book cover I do like, and the 3rd cover is also kinda cool. Though not to much a fan of the second cover.
Any idea how long the spellmonger series will be? Curious, love the series.
I thoroughly enjoy this developing world, and I can guarantee it going to at least 12 books, probably more. And lotsa short stories. The Spellmonger series is a bit of a marketing experiment, and so I'm planning several different "kinds" of stories all set within the same world. There will be some that will be utterly PG (Hawkmaiden, forthcoming) and some that will be delightfully explicit - with full warnings to protect delicate sensibilities.
DeleteBut the short answer is . . . I will keep copulating with this fowl as long as she'll have me. There is a final book, but -- gods willing -- I'll release it posthumously.
I'm loving the books. At the moment, I'm really struggling for good fantasy, and your books have been a bright spot in a failing genre.
ReplyDeleteMagelord was excellent. I especially loved the chapters on Min developing Sevendor into a prosperous nation, albeit a bit of disbelief that he managed to turn it around in a year. And that he could act panicked at the thought of a dragon attack, despite having faced the Dead God.
As for the covers, they aren't bad. Thanks for the excellent writing!
Hey, Min had magic. And a really big bank account. It took both. Anyone who has purchased a new home can sympathize.
DeleteAnd anyone who can face a dragon and not panic has my admiration. Just because you dodged a duel with Palpatine doesn't mean Vader doesn't still scare the shit out of you.
Thanks for reading -- I think you'll like KM.
Lovely news, I hope you will release the next version of Spellmonger soon (one after KM).
ReplyDeleteI would also love to see the world development progressing slowly from medieval society, to industrial to modern. Not suddenly, but gradually which gives us time to appreciate each era.
A bit or empire building would also be appreciated. Also, the short stories really added the spice to overall saga by introducing new characters, As they were not visible in main book, i could properly appreciate them. I do not like main book to deviate too much from main character, which could make the story one-dimensional.
However your short stories fix this, without going totally off track (like David Weber).
You are one of my favourite fantasy authors, I hope you keep on producing good work for a long time to come.
Thanks for the feedback, I value it and take it to heart.
DeleteThere will be a progression in the society of the Five Duchies, but it won't be an easy transition to industrialization. Indeed, one of the themes in the series that I'll develop is that industrial and agricultural societies are very different, and when you add magic (essentially a higher level of technology) into the mix, things get wacky.
There will be some empire building. And some empire falling. The shorts will continue unabated, because they're fun and they make me (a very little bit of ) money. They also add to the background of the series. Expect a lot more, and some from very unusual directions.
KM is like that. It focuses around Tyndal and Rondal exclusively, so there's not a lot of advancement of the over-all plot. If Magelord was world-building, this is character-building, and not everyone is going to love it. If you don't, that's cool -- Min's narrative picks up where it left off in the next book in the series (High Mage, forthcoming) with Tyndal and Rondal off-stage for a goodly portion of it. And a few shorts I've started ("Stonesinger", "The Spellmonger's Honeymoon") will fill in some important details and even advance the long-range plot in some important ways.
Some may fear I'm losing focus by deviating from an established strong lead character, even for a while. But I think it adds tremendously to the world, over-all, and it scratches some itches I have.
My esteemed and valued editor, Emily Harris, has given me feedback to the effect that it's a fun read that positively adds to the world . . . but I need to make the sex more explicit in the re-write.
Work, work, work . . .
It's up.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Terry,
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I have very thoroughly enjoyed this series and look forward to the next release, either short or long. When you say it's up, is it up as a book update to the current work, or as an additional purchase?
Thanks,
Tim
I had Amazon push through the update. Looks great, thanks!
DeleteKinda sad Min, will not be in KM, as the focus, as of course he is the main lead and all and he is a great one at that. Especially with his humor and whit. Gotta love Min and his thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThough, I can see why Knights Magi will focus on Tyndal and Rondal because they do need the development if they are to have any real role later in the series, They need the development. And since Spellmonger is a series of books it fits in. So even though im sad on missing out on Min's adventure im still looking forward to KM.
Also, I do love the short stories. I generally avoid short stories, but the ones in this series are great and add a nice background for some things not covered in the main books. Especially when the short stories come in one big book like the "Road to Sevandor". That way even tho they are short stories they add up to a nice size book to read.
Really can't wait for Knights Magi to come out. Thanks for the maps. The ones that come with the Kindle edition are "wanting" for more locations that coincide with the towns, hamlets, cities and castles mentioned in the books.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'd like to see an Indie film made from one of the books thus far.
One nagging thought, and it's what the Tree Folk mentioned about Minalan... he will produce a line of powerful magical line..... his daughter from his liaison with Isily.... certainly not like Morgan La Fey.....
Maybe but I have been wondering if its not a result of Alys inhaling Whitestone dust while pregnant - from Urik's Rebellion.
DeleteIn medieval times it wasn't uncommon to have a few mistresses as a lord. And it would suit Min's character. Alya pratically gave him the permission in magelord. Aside from Isly which is someone he can't trust, I'm pretty sure the beautiful young truthteller Lesana is a good candidate. I'm rather interested how those realtionships will develop. Alya doesn't have any magic powers and he never seemed to connect with her on an intelectual level. Not as with Pentandra.
ReplyDeleteThe young apprentice is quite taken with him as well. That should be an interesting development to follow when she grows up and he starts seeing her as a women and not a child.
I loved the POV of Rondal. He is smart and funny in his seriousness. Tyndal and him are going to be far more useful "assets" in his war with the Dead gog than Min himself might think right now.
Still I'm gonna miss Min in Knights magi, when it's just going to be those two. I'm rather fond of him. There are just so many plots he's invovled with I'd like to continue.
Who is he going to choose as his enforcers ?
What is going on with Isly and his bastard child?
Are Lesana or Lady ithalia a potential love interests ?
Knights magi isnt out yet and I can't wait for the following book already. :/
I'd be interested to see the byplay between Rondal and Tyndal as I think the conversations they have in private would be interesting. I'll also be interested to see if they can develop a working relationship - they would make a powerful pair if they could only get along - they seem to even out the flaws in each others character.
DeleteLove the series... can't wait for the next one.
ReplyDeleteSooo much room in this series for more stories and development. Keep all of the loose ends in mind to get wrapped up such as the Aronin telling Min to get the Staff of the Archmage and meet up with his daughter... I can totally see how we have not got to that point yet.
I love books that really focus on just the one character, so I love how it's been all Min centered; however, Tyndal and Rondal are fun characters as well, so I imagine I will enjoy KM as long as it has the same primary character focus as opposed to bouncing all over the place.
The idea of some more explicit sections to the novels or short stories sounds great too.
Yes, Aronin did tell Minalan to get the Staff of the Archmage, and then there's Perwin that's sunk below the seas [a nod to Atlantis] and that funny group that Penny's dad belongs to with their duty to do something their not sure of about the Forsaken, which requires Perwin to do.
DeleteAnd there has always been this nagging thought about what Aronin told Minalan about his Ironite that Aronin crafted for him. I believe Aron said, there, now it cut the tie to the abomination on all stones that touch it for a hour and will do you bidding, or something like that. I wondered if Aronin meant all the stones that have touched Minalan's stone. That could be big.....
Ya, having couple of liaisons or living in a "ménage à trois" would be amazing for character development, it will take story in a interesting direction. I have rarely seen this done in western literature, but its quite popular in Japanese Manga (Harem concept in Boys over Flowers).
ReplyDeleteA good contentious love story, with humorous style,may add spice to the story. I have yet to read a book marrying these two diverse concepts of fantasy and love successfully.
If you can pull it off, it will be EPIC!!
I'm a huge fan of this series! Is there a publishing date for KM yet? I'd love to get my hand on a ARC and would be glad to pay extra for it (as would others no doubt).
ReplyDeleteWhen oh when will Knight's Magi be out. I've been checking everyday for the past 2 weeks. Please please please release it (or alternatively give a date to look forward to).
ReplyDeleteReally excited, can't wait.
I have to concur with all the others in their excitement for the new book. Any status updates?
ReplyDeleteNot that I've been able to gather, no.
DeleteI was in the hospital for four days, and had to take a couple of days of bedrest, but I'm back on the final draft now. Still anticipating a February release date.
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better! My thoughts are with you and know that your health must come first. We can wait a year for the book if that is what it takes. Hopefully it was nothing serious.
DeleteAgreed. Hope you are doing better now.
ReplyDeleteI am having a problem where my copy of Magelord is not updating to the second edition. Still says first edition beta and I have made sure that auto updates is enabled...
ReplyDeleteAmazon absolutely sucks with updating any books. I have auto update on to, and each time a book comes out with an update I have to contact amazon to tell them the book is not updating. Then they finally send me the updated book.
DeleteThey have yet to tell me why the update function isn't working even though I have told them its not working and asked why.
So yeah, amazon good for getting books but the customer service can really suck.
Where do you contact them regarding that - I'm having the same issue?
DeleteThere is contact us section on amazon.com just click on that then choose support and tell them you ebook is not updating. It will give you a couple of contact options i.e email, phone or chat. The chat worked well for me, only took 8 minutes
DeleteHey Terry,
ReplyDeleteJust got the updated version of Magelord and I must say it was excellent! The images really helped A LOT. If this is any indication of how the rest of the books will go then i'm content to continue with this series till the end!
Will you make it Terry ?
ReplyDeleteDamn, that's the question, isn't it? I hadn't anticipated a 4-day hospitalization and the flu. I'm still trying to make it, but I might be a few days late.
DeleteWell dont sweat it. Author always get the feeling that their readers get angry if they cant keep their set release dates. What we actually dont like is, when we're out of the loop. A few days dont matter anyways. It just gets tiring to have to check the page all the times
DeleteBTW the maps included in the updated Magelord are excellent. Thank you for putting them in there. With the maps in Warmage, these give us more visuals while we read. The new drawings are a plus as well as character drawings.
ReplyDeleteAgain my many thanks for going through the trouble to make them.
Ummm know anyone that can do character drawings??? Be nice to see what you envision Min, Ayla, Astral, Penny, and the rest....
I agree the maps.drawings & sketches in the updates are great.
ReplyDeleteAre there any updates regarding the release of Knights Magi?