Ask the Author: Brian D. Anderson

“Ask me a question.” Brian D. Anderson

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Brian D. Anderson Thank you for the question. I am thrilled you are enjoying Akiri. He's a favorite of mine. I am currently working on Book Four and it should be released in early 2024.
Brian D. Anderson I am so very pleased you enjoyed The Bard's Blade. Assuming you have also read book two, A Chorus of Fire, I would have a difficult time recommending what to read next. The Godling Chronicles was my first series and while a fun YA fantasy, is an example of my early writing. The strength of the story seems to overcome the flaws for many readers.
Dragonvein is a sci-fantasy adventure written for an adult audience. There are more mature themes than found in The Godling Chronicles. Some are possibly disturbing.
Akiri are standalone adventures in the spirit of the Conan novels. I love them. But they appeal to specific readers who enjoy straightforward, fast-paced, bloody action. Think "a warrior and his dragon roam the land kicking ass".
Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did writing them. Book three of The Sorcerer's Song will be out in Nov.2022. So stay tuned for that.

Brian D. Anderson
Brian D. Anderson Thank you for your kind words.
Health issues and two hurricanes and well....2020 put me way behind. But all of my series should be competed next year.
Brian D. Anderson Not yet. I've had both medical and a few other issues. But I am nearly finished with it and will be sending it to editing soon.
Brian D. Anderson Thanks for the question. Yes. There will be a fourth Akiri novel. I'm hoping to have it ready before the end of the year. Several things have been delayed due to the new series with Tor. But as I have completed the first two books of The Sorcerer's Song, I can now reapply myself to wrapping up the rest.
Happy reading!
Brian
Brian D. Anderson Hi Steven. Thanks for the question. The reason there was a long time between books is that I sign a 3 book deal with Tor (Macmillan) while I was in the middle of writing book 2 of The Vale. Needless to say it took priority.
I'm almost finished with the second Tor book, and don't need to start on the third until next year. So the wait for Vale #3 should not be nearly as long.
Thank you for reading and I hope you've enjoyed my work.
Brian
Brian D. Anderson Yes. I'm currently working the second Vale novel, and should have another Akiri book finished soon after. Not sure as to release dates yet.
Thanks for the question. I'm thrilled that you enjoy my work.
Brian D. Anderson There is one more due to come out this year. It will be the final installment and will bring the story to a resolution that the original series did not. Much to learn, and hopefully a few surprises.
Brian D. Anderson Thank you. I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. I actually caught the instance you mentioned...way too late. Audio had been recorded and books printed. So I decided they were both. Acharia is the Alabama of the world. He's also his own grandfather. Yeah...cheap dodge. But it's all I could think of.
There will be many more stories. Each will be a standalone novel, but with the continual story thread throughout. So they can be read out of sequence and still be enjoyed. Or read in order and the reader can follow the underlying story as it develops.
Thanks again. I hope you continue following the series.

Brian D. Anderson
Brian D. Anderson I'm working hard on it and hope to have it ready before the new year. As it is the final installment, it takes a bit longer. In the meantime, please feel free to check out my new release - Akiri: The Scepter of Xarbaal. https://www.amazon.com/Akiri-Scepter-...
Brian D. Anderson It's been sent to Audible Studios (they own the audio rights to the series). when they'll release it, I don't know. They don't tell me until it comes out for pre-order. It's usually about three months. I wish I could tell you more.
Brian D. Anderson Thank you. I am so very happy you are enjoying my work.
Dragonvein is scheduled for five books. Book Four is about 75% complete and I am shooting for a May release. This one has taken a bit longer to write, being that it partly involves Martok’s backstory. I felt it was important to give a detailed account of his life, given the pivotal role he has played. This presented several unexpected challenges – mostly matching certain aspects of his background with the current plot, as well as developing his personality in a way that rings true with what we already know about him.
Thank you again, and I hope you continue to enjoy the series.

Warmest Regards,
Brian D. Anderson
Brian D. Anderson Thanks for the question. A company called Damonza did the Dragonvein covers.
Brian D. Anderson No. In my original outline, Dragonvein was scheduled for five books. I had considered a trilogy. But I could not find a way to finish it in three books without rushing the ending and thinning out the characters.
Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy the series. Feel free to ask any question you want.

Warmest Regards,
Brian
Brian D. Anderson Hi,
Thanks for the question. The Godling Chronicles and Dragonvein are two very different stories. The Godling Chronicles was the first series I wrote. In fact Book One was my first novel. That being the case you will notice that the writing flows a bit better in the later books. And the story was meant as a Young Adult series. There is very little in the way of sexual content or obscenities.
The female characters are strong and capable; often overshadowing their male counterparts. I rarely write weak women into my stories – though in Dragonvein I have been accused of being misogynistic.
Dragonvein is more adult. I left in the sexual content where I thought it was important to the story. And some of the language reflects how people actually would speak. The criticism I have received over the treatment of some of the female characters by the villains has not gone unnoticed. However, I disagree with much of what has been said by those critics. The women are strong in this story. That some suffer is meant to demonize not only the villains, but also the world the antagonist has created.
I think it reflects what we see today in the real world – albeit an extreme depiction. I have tried to write the women as resilient and strong – able to withstand what would shatter most men. Again I believe this to reflect reality. But it has been misinterpreted by some as misogynistic and abusive. I suppose you will have to judge for yourself.
Thank you again for the question. I hope you enjoy my work.

Brian D. Anderson
Brian D. Anderson Hi Mindy,
Thank you for reading and for the question. I am thrilled you have enjoyed Dragonvein. Book Three is currently in editing and should be out this month. There was a slight delay due to circumstances beyond my control, but it has been resolved. As for the exact date, I'm not sure. because I want the readers to have it available as quickly as possible, I will not be offering it as a pre-order. Instead I will be releasing the very minute the proof readers send it back to me and I format the text. I can say it will be weeks, not months.
Thank you again and I hope you continue to enjoy my work.

Warmest Regards,
Brian D. Anderson
Brian D. Anderson Thank you for the question. And thank you for taking the time to read and review my work.
What I like to see is a thoughtful and considered approach. It helps the reader make an informed choice and can give the author a gauge for determining where he/she is succeeding or failing.
In my opinion, reader reviews have put indie books on the map and I value them immensely (even the bad ones). I've learn quite a bit from the review process. It has helped me grow as a writer as well as understand the impact a story can have on people. I never take for granted that someone has taken time from their lives to read what I have written, and I do my best to make see that it's time well spent. Sadly, I don't always succeed. But I try.
Brian D. Anderson I'm happy to answer. :)
I’ve been fortunate enough to have had some absolutely wonderful interactions with fans. They have become as important to me as the stories themselves, and I love it every time I get a message or email from someone who has enjoyed my work. Even after more than three years, it gives the same thrill as it did the first time it happened. So in a sense, everything I write is for them.

I know it's popular among authors to say that they write for themselves. But in my mind, without the fans I don't see the point of publishing at all. I can always write a story that only I understand or would want to read then shelve it in the “for me” section. I feel that the best part of what I do is knowing that there’s a smile on the readers face when they put down my book and that they are excited when I release something new. But then I've always considered myself an entertainer rather than an artist. Don’t get me wrong, I love beautifully crafted writing and elaborate stories created to expand the mind and touch the soul. And those who have the talent for it and produce genuine works of literature are truly artists and have my utmost respect. But I also see the value in simply taking someone out of their humdrum world for a few hours and providing them with a bit of fantasy and adventure. Thankfully I don't need to be an artist to achieve this goal.

As far as the actual story lines and the influence my readers have, I think I would agree with you on that one. I wouldn’t write a story I didn’t like. I certainly want to satisfy the people who brought me to this point in my career, and they are in my thoughts when I come up with new ideas. But like you, there is no amount of goading or pleading that could make me write something I wasn’t comfortable with.

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