Tracy Falbe's Blog, page 61

Apple iBookstore increases exposure for my fantasy novels in Europe and Scandinavia

Today I am passing along the news from my distributor Smashwords.com that Apple's ebook retail store known as iBooks has expanded to 26 more countries in Europe and Scandinavia. I know that my fantasy novels have been included in the Apple catalogs for the UK, Germany, and France for a while, but now readers who use Apple devices can now easily find my works in:

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

Greece

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Of course people in the majority of these countries have been able to sample and purchase my ebooks for years through my website using PayPal, but some people thrive on the convenience of easily shopping within the Apple system. Fantasy fans throughout these new regions being targeted for domination by the sleek and stylish gadget troops of Apple are invited to search for the works of Tracy Falbe.

My fantasy titles are:

Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I
The Goddess Queen: The Rys Chronicles Book II
Judgment Rising: The Rys Chronicles Book III
The Borderlands of Power: The Rys Chronicles Book IV

Rys Rising: Book I

Please see more about each title in the sidebar on the left.

Chapter 6. Captured added to Union of Renegades podcast

Last week the first wave of fantasy podcasts from my novel Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I launched at Podiobooks. This week sees the addition of Chapter 6. Captured.

In this chapter my hero Dreibrand Veta meets the heroine Miranda. They both discover that the unspoiled forest at the fringe of the Wilderness truly deserves its dreadful reputation. The vicious beast called the fenthakrabi appears and definitely gets itself a good dinner.

Although it was about 14 years ago that I wrote this chapter I can still recall the pleasure of writing it. I enjoyed the interplay among Dreibrand and the two Atrophaney scouts who captured him. Then of course this was one of my first forays into writing frightening action, and I tell you it was fun to do. I hope it's fun to read, or listen to.

Visit the Union of Renegades fantasy podcast and start listening. Six chapters are up and new ones will be arriving every week until the novel is completely available, so please subscribe.

Additionally, I'd like to offer a big thank you to blogger friend Albert Robbins III for helping get the word out about my fantasy novel podcast at his indie book review site.

Best of the Quest #2

I've been blogging for a while, and here's a sampling of some of my better posts that deserve a second chance to be ignored.

What do readers of medieval fantasy get out of it?

My thoughts on the deep satisfying elements of the fantasy genre that go beyond superficial entertainment.

Real life more epic than any fantasy novel

I get very real in this post and write about the doomed city of Goma and the horrors of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

You can never know too much about survival

My book review of the Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook. You should always carry it. Ladies, it is small enough to fit in a medium sized purse. Guys, ask a lady to carry it for you just like you do with everything else.

Character profile: Meet Elec Stormwhisper a high elf of the Realm of Ashenclaw

I recently encountered Gary F. Vanucci on Twitter and invited him to submit a character profile from his fantasy novel Covenant of the Faceless Knights. Today he introduces us to a giant eagle riding high elf skilled in the disarming of mechanical traps, among other things. Elec Stormwhisper—Elec is a high elf in the Realm of Ashenclaw. He hails from the island home of Acillia where he and his people lead a secluded lifestyle. They participate with the other races in trading goods and services when need be and involve themselves only in times of great need.

All high elves have a natural aptitude for the arcane arts, unlike the forest elves, who prefer the use of bows and swords instead. Elec did not show signs of arcane mastery, much to the chagrin of his father and kin. Instead, he excelled in the areas of alchemy as well as disciplines that involved cunning and use of his dexterous digits, including designing, building and disarming mechanical traps.

Elec also trained for several years with his Uncle Faorath in the areas of training exotic pets—specifically giant eagles—in the ways of befriending them and using them as flying mounts. These talented few are called the Wind Riders of Acillia.

On many special celebrations and prior to leaving on his mission as an envoy, Elec was gifted with many ancient elven magic by his uncle, who continues to support and encourage the young elf in any way he can.

Elec has dark hair and white pupils—both unusual features for the high elves, who usually tend toward eyes of blue, amber, violet or green and hair that ranges in color from silver to gold. Elec is a very insecure combatant, he often compensates for his lack of natural prowess with his constant use of combat-enhancing alchemical elixirs, which in his mind, he has perfected. He often experiments on himself, using different combinations that meet with varying results. He is understandably an expert in the surrounding fields of alchemy and botany.



Where to buy the novel

Authorhouse 

Amazon

Barnes & Noble 

Realm of Ashenclaw

Synopsis of Covenant of the Faceless Knights

When a dangerous artifact goes missing from a temple, the elderly high priest in charge eventually comes to the conclusion that he needs help. He requests aid in the form of a one-time apprentice, Garius, who is now an Inquisitor representing the Order of the Faceless Knights. After a series of interviews, Garius sets out on his quest aided by Rose, a rogue among rogues, by the battle-hungry Saeunn, and by a naïve elf named Elec, who reluctantly agrees to accompany them at the behest of the persuasive Inquisitor. The eclectic group then sets out to recover the artifact before it falls into the hands of the lich who once held it. Such is the Covenant of the Faceless Knights!

Want to see a character from your novel on Her Ladyship's Quest?

Please see how to submit your character profile.

Union of Renegades was #1 at Podiobooks today

As I announced this morning, my first fantasy novel Union of Renegades launched its serial podcast at Podiobooks today. Checking back at the site this evening I discovered to my surprise that my podcast was the top subscription for the day. Of course I'm not reading too much into this. Loyal Podiobooks users probably subscribe to most of the new releases, and I'm just enjoying some first day popularity. However, it was still a nice thrill for me to see myself at the top of a chart. That's never happened before. I honestly did not expect to see my fantasy podcast on the chart when I clicked on the link. I can only hope that this continues.

To listen please visit the Union of Reneagades fantasy podcast.

Union of Renegades fantasy novel podcast live & free at Podiobooks

Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I is now a free serialized podcast.At long last after a great deal of effort on my part and the people at DarkFire Productions, my very first fantasy novel Union of Renegades has entered the medium of audio. The first five chapters were released at Podiobooks.com this morning, and more chapters will be forthcoming every week.

Begin listening here: http://www.podiobooks.com/title/union-of-renegades/

At that page you will find easy to use buttons for sharing this podcast on Twitter or Facebook, so please let your audio enthusiast friends know about the release of this exciting fantasy novel.

The novel was read by Chris Snelgrove, who did a magnificent job. Hearing another person interpret my work with the spoken word was a new experience for me. Although I'm a novelist, I'm a little ashamed to admit that I'm not quite sure how to express what it's like to hear my creation coming back to me from someone else. I'm going to have to ponder this one for a while more.

Regarding the podcast, it consists of 40 episodes reflecting the 40 chapters of the fantasy novel. Union of Renegades is a full length work approaching 180,000 words. This may intimidate some listeners and excite others. At any rate, I do hope that the audio version will enable more people to discover my fantasy fiction and draw a few into the world of The Rys Chronicles.

About the novel:

Have you ever looked at the facts of your life and realized your dreams won't come true? Have you ever looked into the unknown and seen opportunity? For Dreibrand Veta, a young officer in the Horde of the Atrophane Empire, these questions explode from his spirit in a fit of rage and launch him into an epic struggle. After he encounters a rare super race, the rys, he is forced to choose sides between passionate rivals and navigate his way through a foreign culture all while plotting to seize his own wealth and glory. In this opening novel of The Rys Chronicles you'll meet a man scarred by bad deeds who answers the call of a heroic cause. An unconventional heroine will tug at your sympathies as she bravely faces adversity with all the strengths and vulnerabilities of her womanhood. And overarching it all are the rys. Their magic makes them superior to humans, but they are not above employing humans in their deadly schemes.
In addition to the Union of Renegades fantasy podcast this novel is also a free fantasy ebook.
In the near future I will also be adding these podcasts to my website so as to make them even more discoverable, but until then please enjoy them at Podiobooks.

News for today

Thank you to Matt D. Williams for interviewing me at the Jak Phoenix Universe today. A while back I wrote a review of his fun space adventure Jak Phoenix and I heartily recommend it. It takes some guts to publish your humor and Williams made me laugh while entertaining me with some solid space opera.

Last night one of my readers who has read all of my novels, emailed me because he had finished my newest one Rys Rising: Book I. He kindly told me that it was "absolutely wonderful." That was a nice pick-me-up for what has been a difficult week at home.

Tomorrow expect to see a post here about the launch of the serial podcast of Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I at podiobooks.com. I'm officially entering the medium of audio.

On Tuesday, I'll be publishing a character profile from Covenant of the Faceless Knights by Gary F. Vanucci. If you are an author please look at how to submit a character profile to Her Ladyship's Quest.

Good night. I'm off to spend some time reading the manuscript of New Religion: Rys Rising Book III.

I was interviewed at Indie Writers Zone

Thank you to Patricia McCallum, author of the upcoming murder mystery novel Quick Kill, for interviewing me on her blog. I candidly reveal how all my mistakes are my fault and that I have a prickly prima donna attitude toward the thought of someone else editing my novels.

Read the interview Indie Insider.

My inspirations are featured at J.M. Tresaugue's blog

The flattery continues in the second installment of author J.M. Tresaugue's series about me. Does someone writing a three-part series about me mean I write good fantasy novels? I hope so.

Here's the link: Inspiration

Another big thank you to Tresaugue who writes fantasy, science fiction, and horror. He says his fiction is dark but will pull you along with a thread of hope, but hope does not guarantee a happy ending.

Please see more about his fiction at his profile on the Independent Author Network.

Creative journey of Kirk Yuras yields fine art illustrated fantasy ebook

King Krylor from Time of the Awakening by Kirk YurasThe two decades author and artist Kirk Yuras has spent developing his fantasy saga Generations of Legends reveal the depth of his passion for his art and fiction. He has recently published the first book in his series Time of the Awakening. He developed the art for his story as well as the narrative and lovingly designed each page. He "handcrafted a physical copy and captured it digitally."
My interview with him illustrates the time and commitment that many independent creatives consider necessary for their lives. 1. When did you first start writing Generations of Legends?

I started the lesser story arcs and world building as far back as junior high - some twenty years ago Krylor became a very real part of my mind. I engineered the continents, plate tectonics, weather patterns, relevant planets/moons in the system (Earth science, a big plus) the Races, ecosystems and histories of this world(s) peoples. Many readers want to know when the actual writing of Book One began. Before I finished high school, I had a rough outline for each book in the series and chapter by chapter outline of the first book, which then went under the working title "The Awakening." Since then, the title has changed and my delivery has changed, but the main story remains intact. The year following high school (94-95), I finished the rough draft of the first book and carefully outlined each book in the series, to the chapter (with a paragraph description of each chapter.) "Time of the Awakening" has since gone under a number of changes, as is the nature of a novice work under critical scrutiny. But these changes had more to do with the craft of writing and maximizing the elements of the story, rather than changing the plot itself. Again, I'd point out my deep appreciation to the team of writers who critiqued my work and helped me sift through what worked and what needed worked upon.



2. Do the paintings or the stories come first?

A seemingly simple question, but that one is tangled, as well. Sometimes I doodle and 'run with it.' In cases like these, the subconscious expresses itself and specifics fill in the blank later. Other times, I write a passage and feel it needs illumination. Looking at the Durgos King Hemel, words would never accurately describe something so unusual. If I want the reader to have a clear, fixed idea about the imagery I'll illustrate after I write. If I want the words to "paint a picture" in their mind, I hold back (with great reluctance, I might add.) Chapter 33, "What the night brings" (out of Book 1) is a good example of holding back. But visualization is part of what makes reading so great. It's also a test of my skill as a writer. I feel strongly about a book's ability to hold its own without any accompanying art.

3. You mentioned at your site that you sometimes write and paint at a Barnes & Noble store. What have your interactions with the public been like in this venue? Do people get excited about your art and buy the ebook?

I had this experience yesterday, in fact; something about seeing an artist at work invites curiosity. Since I'm now actively selling, I try not to commit to anything too elaborate because I want people to feel like they can approach me. Also, I like to be able to stop and answer questions and point them to purchase opportunities like my deal with the Special Edition. Provided I'm not working with something time sensitive (like acrylic or water color) it's never a bother to stop and chat. Discovering the appeal of this approach happened by accident, by the way. I never intended to use it as a sales tactic! I had a sketch book, my laptop open, a caffeinated beverage at the ready and one day someone started asking questions. I thought, If only I had a sign up that said something like "Meet the author..."

4. Any additional comments?

I would only point out that traditional readers might want to reconsider the notion of taking in an ebook. I agree, it's not the same. I agree, my layout, design and artwork do work better on paper, in a 'bound' format, such as a hardcover book. That is exactly why I went to the trouble of creating the one-and-only physical copy. But given the market, the electronic format is where many new authors are being forced presently. And given the quality of my book, the electronic version is a price the general audience should be much more comfortable with: the bottom line guesstimate is $75 minimum for a physical copy, as compared to a $7 ebook. I cover pricing on my site under the tab "What you pay for" and the current state of the market under the tab "FAQ's, why electronic publication?"

About Time of the Awakening

Supernatural forces threaten the nation, Embrilliance. Men behave as if possessed – throwing themselves from towers, wading into raging currents, braving white-hot forges or burying themselves alive. Creatures long since forgotten stir in the Infested Bogs. The Walking Dead, once mindless automatons, now show signs of intelligence and organization. A demon rampages unchecked across the land. The military marches into a trap laid by a dark army amassed at the border.


One man stands in the way of annihilation; Krylor Hendsdred.

Hero.

Prophet.

King.

Though Krylor is gifted with prophetic insight, the villain Neiloph Ebonire holds him in check as he orchestrates the evils plaguing Embrilliance. Neiloph can read the King's thoughts, can counter his every move and thwart any plan. Any plan except…

Purchase the Special Digital Edition of Time of the Awakening

Barnes & Noble

Amazon Kindle

Thank you Kirk for letting me interview and for providing samples of your art on Her Ladyship's Quest.