Ian Gregoire's Blog, page 6
May 9, 2020
Book Review: The Invisible Man By H.G. Wells
[image error]Purchase From Book DepositoryThe Invisible Man
H. G. Wells
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Format: Paperback, 208 Pages
Date: 31st March 2005 (First Published 1897)
ISBN-10: 014143998X
ISBN-13: 9780141439983
There is a compelling case to be made that H.G. Wells is the most influential science fiction author of all time, ahead of such luminaries as Verne, Clarke and Asimov. Despite his notable limitations as a fiction writer, he was...
May 8, 2020
Request A Review Copy Of My Debut Novel
At the start of the week my second novel, The Apprentice In The Masters Shadow, was finally published. I am unsurprised that it hasnt become a bestseller. As a sequel, its fortunes were almost entirely dependent on the number of people who have read my debut novel, which isnt many. With that reality at the forefront of my mind I knew it would be a waste of time to undertake a significant marketing campaign in the lead up to publication day. The only way any meaningful interest in my latest...
May 7, 2020
Book Quote: Brilliance Of The Moon, “Your Lands Will Stretch From…”
Prophecies are a common trope of fantasy fiction, and this particular gem, from Brilliance Of The Moon, the third book of the Tales Of The Otori series, is a fabulous example of such. Its a wonderfully written, poetic prophecy, as befitting of a writer as accomplished as Lian Hearn (pen name of the British born childrens author, Gillian Rubinstein).
I cant think of another prophecy from any other book that is quite as memorable as this one. If you happen to know...
May 6, 2020
Book Review: The Gauntlet By Karen Chance
[image error]Download For FreeThe Gauntlet
(A Kit Marlow Short, Book 1)
Karen Chance
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Publisher: Self-Published
Format: eBook, 52 Pages
Date: 12th October 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1458125934
This is a perma-free ebook available from: iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords
Few things in life can match the strength and power of the bond between a mother and her child. There are no lengths a mother will not go to, or no hardships and trials she will not...
May 5, 2020
A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed
So, yesterday was launch day for my latest book, The Apprentice In The Masters Shadow. It pretty much went as I anticipated, meaning I dont have a bestseller on my hands, nor am I likely to have one at any point in the next couple of years. Ive not yet bothered to check how many copies have been sold so far since the almost non-existent pre-orders have given me a decent idea of the level of disinterest among 99.99% of the reading population.
You might think that I would be disheartened...
May 4, 2020
Trivia: The Genesis Of The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe
You are no doubt aware that C.S. Lewis The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe is one of the most beloved and successful childrens fantasy books in history. But have you ever wondered what inspired Lewis to write the story? Well its a question that has been answered in the book, Of Other Worlds: Essays And Stories, a posthumously published anthology of essays and unpublished stories by Lewis.
In an essay, appropriately titled, It All Began With A Picture, Lewis explains that the...
May 3, 2020
Trivia: The Inspiration For, The Man In The High Castle
As you may already know, The Man In The High Castle is the Hugo Award winning, alternate history novel in which the Allies lost the Second World War, by American science fiction author, Philip K. Dick. What you may not know, is that the writer cited the primary influence for his work was the 1953 novel, Bring The Jubilee, by Ward Moore, which occurs in an alternate history, twentieth century United States wherein the Confederate States of America won the American Civil War in the 1860s.
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May 2, 2020
Book Review: The Left Hand Of God By Paul Hoffman
[image error]Purchase From Book DepositoryThe Left Hand Of God
(The Left Hand Of God Trilogy, Book 1)
Paul Hoffman
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: Paperback, 437 Pages
Date: 6th January 2011 (First Published 2010)
ISBN-10: 0141333553
ISBN-13: 978-0141333557
Ever pondered what type of story disappoints a reader the most? Its not those travesties that are bad from beginning to end, because such works can at least lay claim to being consistent. It...
May 1, 2020
Planning For The Future
So today is the final day of the pre-release showcase for my upcoming second fantasy novel, The Apprentice In The Masters Shadow, which is released next Monday. While I am excited by the prospect of my readers finally getting their hands on the book, my thoughts have already turned to what the future holds for my writing career. This is a quick post to share my short-term aspirations for securing my long-term future as a full-time independent author.
As I mentioned in my post yesterday I...
April 30, 2020
Reflections On My Third Anniversary As An Author
It dawned on me earlier today that this month marks my third anniversary as an independent author. Naturally enough, I cannot help but reflect on what I have accomplished over the course of those three years, and what still remains to be achieved. In some respects I am ahead of where I assumed I would be when I published my first book in 2017, but in other respects I am behind. I have subsequently pushed todays scheduled post back until tomorrow so I can give a brief assessment of where I...