The Cool Kids' Fantasy Club discussion
General discussion
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Introductions
Hi, thanks for the invite Mark :) I see there is a fellow Hungarian here already, yay!
I've been - what a surprise - a fantasy reader for quite a while now, and a blogger of 3 months as of now. I read a lot of stuff from indie authors, I follow SPFBO, and will do so more closely in the future :) I already made a lot of friends in the scene but it never hurts to add some more, so feel free to send me a friend request. I don't bite. Much. Also have a sarcastic sense of humor. You'll get used to it :)
I'm currently reading a historical fiction Wolf's Head, will read I Was a Teenage Weredeer over the weekend and plan to read this year's SPFBO winner Where Loyalties Lie next week.
Hi To all...from Australia and love reading. Grew up on Fantasy and still love it until this day. Thanks for the invite Mark :)
Hi,Stuart from Scotland.
Just getting back into Fantasty/SciFi books after 15-20 years or so due to other commitments (which required reading a lot of non-fiction books), so spent the last year catching up on what I have missed, finding new authors and working through a large backlog!
I currently have 66 books on my to-read shelf and many more on my wishlist shelf!
Hi guys, I'm Will and I'm a semi pro (which means I occasionally get paid for gigs but more usually don't) oral storyteller from West Wales, specialising in telling Celtic myths and legends.I've been reading fantasy since my dad introduced me to it when I was 4 - and that's a few years ago now. Single favourite book is easily Lord of Light which i'd argue is the greatest speculative fiction book yet written (sorry, Mark! ;) )
Oh, and I write a bit, too
Hi,Keith from Australia (no not Austria..gees!) and I'm a fan of quite a few fiction genres, but the two largest being military and fantasy. I'm a massive fan of both David Gemmell and Stan Nicholls. I was utterly gutted when I heard of David's death. But at least he died doing what he loved (literally).
Hello everyone. I read and review (within my limited available time) books of all kinds and also have a book related Twitter feed where I promote authors and reviewsAlways keen to discuss books and see what other people thought and maybe throw some books I have enjoyed into the mix
Will, that sounds awesome man! I'm a particular fan of the Irish legend Cuchulain, great story that one! Do you retell the stories in English or Gaelic?Will wrote: "Hi guys, I'm Will and I'm a semi pro (which means I occasionally get paid for gigs but more usually don't) oral storyteller from West Wales, specialising in telling Celtic myths and legends.
I've ..."
On ebook I’m reading Where Loyalties Lie and in paperback I’m reading King’s of the Wyld. It’s what you call a win-win!
Hi all,I'm Sam, another Aussie.
This looks like fun! I lean toward the fantasy side of SFF as my main reading love but I'll read anything. I'm currently on a bit of a hiatus (audiobooks only) as I'm behind on a deadline, but am stacking up all the books I'm looking forward to getting to once I have free time again! I get most of my reading through recommendations these days so look forward to lots of discussions!
I'm also a fantasy writer. My debut adult fantasy is coming out in the US on 3 July with Tor, and in Australia/NZ on 30 July, and the UK on 23 August, with Transworld/Penguin.
Hello everyone! At 50 1/2 I don’t know as I class as a kid though...🤔
Thanks for the invite Mark!Big F/SF fan. Have read all of your published titles to date and I am currently in the middle of Grey Sister.
Will then start on The Deathless by Peter Newman.
hello there , i am azzedine from morocco and very found of fantasy and mark's work ; the broken empire is what got me back into reading and writing short stories (though i'm not good at writing XD )
Mod
I've ..."
Heh, I have the #1 Best Seller in Celtic, English & Welsh Myths & Legends on UK Amazon thanks to their crazy automated way of tagging books. It really has nothing to do with any of those things :)
Good to have you aboard!
Been meaning to read Lord of Light. I read all the Amber books.
Mod
Keith from Australia (no not Austria..gees!) and I'm a fan of quite a few fiction genres, but the two largest being military and fantasy. I'm a massive fan of both David Gemmell and Stan Nicho..."
I hope you voted in the Gemmell Awards then!
http://www.gemmellawards.com
Hi and thanks for the invite Mark.Long time fantasy reader and moderator of another Fantasy group on good reads.
Currently reading Testament of Loki by Joanne Harris, while awaiting my copy of Grey Sister.
Hello, I am Stefan from Crete, Greece. I love reading fantasy books that do something new or different. Recently I have been reading Mark, Sanderson, Abercrombie, Hobb, Scott Lynch, Steven Erikson and Glen Cook.
Certainly did, Mark. I wished I lived closer, though, as Edge-Lit would be a fantastic experience. I guess that's one of the problems living in such an isolated country.
Keith wrote: "Will, that sounds awesome man! I'm a particular fan of the Irish legend Cuchulain, great story that one! Do you retell the stories in English or Gaelic?Will wrote: "Hi guys, I'm Will and I'm a se..."
Hi Keith, sadly my spoken Welsh isn't strong enough to do the stories in their original tongue. But amusingly, last month I did The Dream of Macsen from the Mabinogion at a local folk club: afterwards, one of the musicians came along and thanked me. He was planning to do a traditional welsh song about Macsen later, and he said that although a lot of people know the song they didn't know the legend that birthed the song, and now the audience would actually understand what they were singing about in his spot.
Mark wrote: "Will wrote: "Hi guys, I'm Will and I'm a semi pro (which means I occasionally get paid for gigs but more usually don't) oral storyteller from West Wales, specialising in telling Celtic myths and le..."Lord of Light is the masterpiece in Zelazny's canon, Mark. Stunning work, with prose to die for. Won both the Hugo and the Nebula in the same year on release, of course.
Hi everyone! Thanks for the invite Mark. I'm Pat, living in QLD Australia. I've been reading for a very long time, and enjoy Fantasy, Sci Fi and Historical Fiction most. I wish I could say I review what I read but I rarely can put into words what I think. I'm usually too keen to read the next one. When I find an author I like I tend to read as much of their work as I can. I haven't managed all of Feist''s work yet. I'm currently reading Where Loyalties Lie, and really enjoying too.
Hi, I'm Rusty from Pennsylvania, USA. I used to read a lot as a child, but got away from it for years with all the responsibilities that come with being an adult. In January 2017 I decided I needed to come back to reading and read 80 books last year and have read 35 so far this year. I mostly read fantasy, but will occasionally go to SF, YA or Middle Grade.The last 2 months I have been almost exclusively indie books free for review through Esme's #TBRindr. It's been a new venture for me, but I love it so far. Lately I have started writing out reviews for the past few books (just dipping my toes in the shallow end of the pool). I've been able to connect to several authors (who are by-and-large great), along with the network of other bloggers and reviewers.
One of my favorite book related things to do is read out loud to my wife and son (13 years old). I started that in January with Name of the Wind (Rothfuss) and am 1/4 of the way into Wise Man's Fear with them. We read a lot to my son when he was very young and got away from it. We don't do it every day (busy lives, go figure) but we do enjoy it.
Thanks for inviting me, Mark!!!
Hjello, I'm Ville and I do like me some SF/F.
Hi, everybody!I'm Jennifer Crow, and I've been reading SFF since I was a little kid. I've lived in various parts of the US, and am currently in western New York. My current reads are the second book in Aaron Mahnke's Lore series and The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang.
Joy wrote: "Hey everyone! Love this idea. Thanks @MarkI’m an avid reader & a writer, although at the moment writing isn’t happening l & I’m reading sporadically. Got a newborn in the house, so I am momming b..."
I remember those new-mom days! Fortunately after a while things tend to quiet down, but I read a lot of old favorites when my kidlings were little.
Hi, I'm Simon. I live in Wolverhampton, UK, and work in a comic store.I read, and have read a lot, but for some reason Goodreads decided to weirdly duplicate my account (been here since 2013), so I am starting all over again. I imagine that means re-adding everything that I have read from scratch from my bookshelves at home. (ballache)
This is my first Goodreads group, so hi!
Alice wrote: "Hi all, thanks for the invite Mark! I'm Alice and I've been reading fantasy for many years. I've had a blog for about 2 years now Raptureinbooks.com and I've recently taken up crochet!
Currentl..."
I've been learning to crochet, too. Just what I needed to feed my yarn obsession. I'm on Ravelry as Kythiaranos, if you're ever there.
Hi guys,I'm Lukasz - an avid fiction reader from Poland. Apart from being keen on reading and inhabiting imaginary worlds, I'm passionate about movement and the science of movement. Life without sport and books would suck.
While fantasy is my favourite genre, I tend to read pretty broadly. As a fast reader I burn through books fast. At the moment I'm reading Silent City by GR Matthews, not a bad book by any means, but also not the one that wows me.
Hi! I'm Jacqui from Tas, Aus. Seems like there are lots of Australians here!I've always liked reading, but in my teens that turned almost exclusively to fantasy. I like most of the popular authors--Hobb, Abercrombie, Pratchett, Butcher etc etc.
I love reading other people's discussions about books but rarely contribute myself, so I'll have to see how this goes!
That's great, Will. I only know a couple of words in Scots Gaelic (either related to swearing at someone or drinking beer haha :) What a unique profession you have there, though. I'd love to sit down in a warm Welsh tavern on a freezing winter's night with a cold beer and listen to a Celtic legend.
Hi, Mark, thanks for the invite. I’m Renee, I unfortunately live in Texas, currently. Nothing, wrong with Texas, just itching to move back to Florida. I’m a long time reader, I was the nerd in elementary school that thought it was cool to have reading contests with my friends. Discovered SF, in high school, back in 96. I had an English teacher have us read, The Legacy of Heorot, by Niven and Pournelle. I was blown away! I had been mostly into mystery books, up till then. I just couldn’t believe it was possible to love books more then I did. After that, I started reading all the SF, I could. After, quite a few years, I then had a friend tell me about, The Wheel of Time, series. It was then, that I had found my soul mate. I quickly moved on to Martin, Brooks, Sanderson, and of course many more. My all time favorite is Rothfuss, The Kingkiller chronicles. Yes, yes, I know it’s annoying waiting on the third book. But, it’s well worth the wait. I love it so much my entire back is tattooed in the Felurian scene, from book 2. Mark, I just read your books, Red and Grey sister. I fell in love with them. I texted my brother immediately and said I think this guy, is part Rothfuss and part Sanderson for me, which says a lot. I’m currently reading Prince of Thorns, and loving it!
Hi, I'm Ulff, author of Shattered Dreams and its upcoming sequel Shattered Hopes.Thanks for the invite, Mark
Keith wrote: "That's great, Will. I only know a couple of words in Scots Gaelic (either related to swearing at someone or drinking beer haha :) What a unique profession you have there, though. I'd love to sit ..."
I don't know where you live, Keith, but I'll bet that if you have a look online (facebook is for once useful for something) you will find a storytelling club meeting near you. Usually a great evening out.
Hello, everyone. I'm Carole-Ann and thanks to Mark for the invite.I've been reading SFF since the late 50's/early 60's when it really started off in the UK and why I have a cellar full now (pic in profile).
I'm also lucky enough to have my own bookshop in deepest, darkest Somerset, UK :)
Hi, I am currently reading, Prince of Thorns, and loving. After, I finish this series, I’m moving on to, Garth Nix. My brother, just started reading, and loves them so much he gifted me, The Old Kingdom, series.
Hi, I'm Mike! Thanks for the invite to the treehouse of cool kids. I mostly read fantasy and sci fi, and always TRY to review (though the toddler, new job, and new house have prevented substantial reviews lately).
I also wrote a fantasy epic called SOLACE LOST, and I plan on entering Mark's SPFBO next year!
I'm a fantasy and sci-fi author. My fantasy novel The Shard was in the initial Fantasy blog off and got a nice 4* rating from Bookworm Blues, the same score as the winner that went on to the finals, which I was happy about given that my book had elves and dwarves in it (the kiss of death these days). My cyberpunk novel The Immortality Game has some interest from a production company to acquire the film/tv rights, though I consider that just a dream until I see something actually happen. It would be cool, though.Though I'm American, I've been overseas since 1993 serving as a diplomat. My kids have never lived in their own country until just now when they are off to college. We've been all over the world, but have lived in Russia, Croatia, China, Iceland, Azerbaijan, Hungary, and now the Bahamas. I play some pretty serious chess and have played against four world champions. I've also had some small acting parts in a couple films--A Good Day to Die Hard and The 100-Year-Old-Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared.
I've been a long-time Mark Lawrence follower, all the way back to the Yahoo group days.
Thanks for the invite Mark, I have been reading fantasy since I was 9 years old starting with the narnia books then the hobbit when I was 11. Terry pratchett, David Eddings Raymond e feist, Katherine Kerr and David gemmell all were major influences on my reading back in the 80s and now as well.
Read thousands of fantasy books over the decades.
Greetings to all fellow fantasy readers & writers.I am Orestes from Greece.
Back in 2011 I read Rothfuss' The name of the Wind, and it reignited my passion for Fantasy. Since then I have read the works of most contemporary writer's in the genre.
I am not an aspiring author but I like to mess around with the craft and try some world building every now and then.
It's nice to meet you all.
Hello,I'm Brian from Alabama. After I done learned me my letters, I picked up one of those pagey things and been readin' me some fantasy ever since.
Hi thanks for the invite. I'm Siobhan from Accrington, UK
I've always been an avid reader, my wonderful parents read to us & always bought us books for birthdays, Christmas etc... I enjoy anything that captures my interest -Fantasy, Sci-Fi & thrillers, steampunk/ paranormal historical . Believable, complex characters in books fascinate me - well that covers ALL of Mark's books so no surprise I love them then. Love Peter V Brett's writing & I think I'd like to become a resident in Dennis E Taylor's Bobiverse :-P
I used to teach children that needed a little more help accessing their potential- which to me always included opening up & helping them unlock their imagination too. I loved my job, & was gutted when health forced me to rethink. Currently I'm a self employed artist. The up sides of this are that I have an amazing assistance dog Tyde, I get to work mainly around me & since I'm deaf as a post now & gave up on tv with it's rubbish subtitles, I have even MORE time to read :-D
Always looking for good books to keep my brain alive & kicking!
Hello!I'm Ellie, I'm 25 and live in England.
I like most fantasy and also enjoy historical fiction. I am trying to diversify by reading random other genres from the library, with varying success.
My favourite author is Terry Pratchett.
I wish I went to Hogwarts.
I have a cat called Reg.
Thanks for the invite, Mark! I've never been one of the cool kids, so this is kind of nice. ;-)According to the little yellow balloon beside my comment box, we're not going to be dicks. Yay!
I'm T. Frohock and from North Carolina. I'm an avid fan of horror and Gothic fiction, especially fantasy; although I've been known to read science fiction, too. My tastes run the gamut from weird fiction to popular fiction. I've been reading genre fiction since I was twelve years old, and I think I've forgotten more fiction than some people have read [I saw someone here is reading Tanith Lee--good on you!], which is really cool, because you are all helping me rediscover books that I loved as a young adult.
My non-fiction tastes are history (early 20th century--WWI, Spanish Civil War, and WWII), religion (whatever nabs my fancy at the moment), and some philosophy.
I'm really sloppy about keeping up my Goodreads page, and I doubt that will ever change. There is a lot that I read that never makes it here until I decide to review it. I'll give quick sip reviews on Goodreads, and longer reviews at my website.
I write historical fantasy with a dark edge to it. I'm on a deadline to finish the next book in my Los Nefilim series, so I might be more of lurker some weeks.
I think that is about all I have to say right now other than, hello, hello!
Matt from Pennsylvania, USA. I'm an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy. I'm currently reading ARM OF THE SPHINX by Josiah Bancroft. It's excellent!I'm a big fan of Mark's (which is why I'm here), Christian/Miles Cameron, and Josiah Bancroft (a new favorite).
I'm also an author. I'm 95% finished writing the rough draft of the fifth and final book in my Orb series. I took part in the Fantasy Blog Off a few years ago and hope to have an entry in the next one.
Thanks for the invite :)I'm Olivia, I'm 34 and live in England but originally I'm from Switzerland.
Currently reading too many fantasy series at once!
Matt wrote: "Matt from Pennsylvania, USA. I'm an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy. I'm currently reading ARM OF THE SPHINX by Josiah Bancroft. It's excellent!I'm a big fan of Mark's (which is why I'..."
Matt, I see you are from Doylestown. I am in Pottstown. Cool!
Thank you for the invite, Mark!Hello everyone! My name is Jody! I grew up and still live in the southeastern US. I am currently reading The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Look forward to chatting and getting to know some fellow Fantasy/Sci-Fi lovers, and buddy reading some amazing books.
Rusty wrote: "Matt wrote: "Matt from Pennsylvania, USA. I'm an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy. I'm currently reading ARM OF THE SPHINX by Josiah Bancroft. It's excellent!I'm a big fan of Mark's (wh..."
In internet terms, we are next door neighbors!
Hi, I’m Paul. I began to read fantasy after I graduated college and had a bunch of time on my hands while looking for work. I started with the wheel of time series. I’m currently studying to be a Catholic priest.
Hi everyone, I'm a long-time fantasy fan from Slovenia. My tastes have been lately leaning towards character-focused and slice of life kind of stuff, but I won't say no to a good epic either. I've also been doing the r/fantasy Bingo challenge since the beginning and it helped me find a lot of new books - this year, I'm doing two cards, one focused on indie and underrated books. Currently deciding what to read next. My favourite book of all times is The Gray House by Mariam Petrosyan.
Outside of reading, I like drawing, playing the occasional video game, and building model airplanes.
The Cool Kids' Fantasy Club
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Anthony Ryan (other topics)
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Tanith Lee (other topics)
My name is Rob. I read a lot, I write a lot. My piratical book, Where Loyalties Lie, just recently won the SPFBO... so there's that. :D
Currently I'm reading Grey Sister, and I've just started the audio book of Fabius Bile (from the W40k library), hopefully I'll get that finished before Ravencry drops!