One of the nice things about new book releases is the bump that comes from having something new and shiny out. As most here already know, I write books for myself, and I'm always amazed to discover there are a few other people who seem to like the kind of books I do. Anyway, I was sitting at my desk typing away on some edits for book #6 of Legends of the First Empire when Robin (my wife) sent me the picture below with the email subject of "Nice Company to be in."
Hmmm....Terry Brooks, Neil Gaiman, Michael J. Sullivan, Robert Jordan, and Stephen King. I appreciate my wife thinks it's company that I should be in, but the only thing I could think of is the old Sesame Street song: "One of these things is not like the others...one of these things just doesn't belong." Don't get me wrong, I'm really, really pleased with my writing and my career. But I consider the proximity to that group of authors as a momentary alignment of planets that lasts but an instant and won't be seen again for another 10,000 years. Still, it did bring a smile to my face before I turned back to the keyboard and started tapping away again.
Book 6?
ReplyDeleteYeah, as I incorporated alpha reader change I realized book #4 didn't end where it should. That pushed a lot of it's content to book #5...which when I got to a certain point realized that it should end with a particular scene...so I bit the bullet and made it end where it should which pushed it to six books. I'm six chapters from the end and I can now say without a doubt that it WILL end at 6 books, and no more!
DeleteIt may be momentary, but not undeserved. For the record, I've read more of your books than books by all the other guys combined. And since I'm the hero of my own story, that would make you nice company for them to be in in my world. So any time you need some reassurance or an ego-boost, feel free to visit my world. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, you are too kind. Based on that, I would definitely want to live in your world ;-)
DeleteYou absolutely belong with them. It must be pretty cool to see your name among them but you should get used to it.
ReplyDeleteFrom your fingers to reader's ears. Here's hoping.
DeleteI think you suffer from Impostor Syndrome! LOL You totally belong with them. You are one of my FAVORITE writers. I honestly would take your books over any of theirs - even Gaiman's - any day. Congrats on well-deserved honors!
ReplyDeleteThat's a thing? Could be. I know I keep waiting for the knock at the door where someone tells me I'm not allowed to write anymore. Thanks for your high opinion of the books.
DeleteBook 6 .............
ReplyDeleteYou deserve every bit of it Mike!
Thanks! I'm glad there are people who feel this way. As to book #6 - yeah, I thought I posted on this - Will rectify that soon.
DeleteWell done on your latest book release and sales. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI've read more Robert Jordan than I have you. I have much nicer things to say about your books than his. I recommend Crystal Huff's Imposter Syndrome class - I hear it's really good at helping people get over it. Congrats again. You've shown your publisher you can have 2 book releases fairly close together and both can do great as your readers ask for more.
I definitely have to look up this whole "Imposter Syndrome" thing. And excellent point about releasing books closer together! Once I get everything done and turned in we can start thinking more about spacing of books.
Deleteshinny vs shiney? (delete me)
ReplyDeleteDoh! That's why I love editors. Too bad I don't have them for blog posts ;-). Fixed....and thanks.
DeleteLike Tasha I've read more Jordan books than I have yours but that's only because he has more released. I'm sincerely hoping for you to pass him on my list.
ReplyDeleteI'm willing if you are ;-)
DeleteI am a fan, I have read all your books and loved them. While I have read all the other authors in your comparison list, I would always read a new release from you, where as I may read a new release from them. My only disappointment with your latest book was it was far too short and nowhere can I find a release date for book #2
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is an official date yet, Summer of 2017 is pretty vague but it's what we have for now.
DeletePah! I've read books by all the others (though a dismally low number of Brooks). I've just discovered your Riyria tales by accident while listening to random Audible short stories. When I heard your two shorts available, I immediately started the Riyria series from the beginning, even going so far as to bump you to the top of my reading queue. You've now replaced Jordan (90% of the time) as my shower and drive-time audiobook.
ReplyDeleteNot like the others? Pah! Your stories are every bit as amazing as theirs.
Also, this: my husband now thinks (or has further confirmation) that I'm a bit of a nutter due to the hysterical laughter coming from the shower every night.
Wow, you listen in the shower? How can you hear over the water? Drive time I understand, but you really maximize every minute for listening don't you. Glad the books have been giving you some laughs. I think too few fantasy books have humor in them.
DeleteAbsolutely... when I'm not using it for my own writing "think time." I got a Bluetooth speaker specifically for the shower. I meant to use it for music, but this is far more entertaining.
DeleteAnd I agree about humor missing in fantasy. Yours are the first since Pratchett to strike the same silly chord in my heart, so thank you for that.
Respectfully: YOU BASTARD. I JUST FINISHED READING HEIR OF NOVRON FIR THE SECOND TIME. ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING WORK. JUST AS SATISFYING AS MCKIERNAN AND AS DRAMATIC AS MODESITT. WELL DONE SIR. As for the "bastard" comment. I was genuinely surprised that Nimbus´ true identity was revealed by a
ReplyDeletewhite feather. Thank you. Your membership in that company is well deserved.
You honor me with your kind words. As for the reveal...it was something I had coming for a long, long time.
ReplyDeletevery nice blog,,,
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I definitely see you as belonging on that list! I am major Tolkien geek and have been very disappointed by the tendency of high fantasy authors since JJR to keep pushing the bar with more and more disturbing ways to get the point across that their villans are really really bad, as well as making things just get worse and worse for their protagonists. I "squick" easy, and I really like the good guy to win (and I can't help but think that Tolkien would agree with me). I just finished reading Age of Empires on audiobook and I am so pleased that neither of those pet peeves of mine are in your story. All of your conclusions to each part of the plot arc are very satisfying. And, even though it's clear that your bad guys are plenty bad, you never cross the line and make me wish I could unread what I had just read. That takes real skill, in my opinion. I'm starting Theft of Swords today, bc the next one in your new series isn't out til NEXT YEAR!!! (J/K- I know these things require time). I'm just so happy to have finally found a contemporary author I can enjoy fully, with a lot of good sized books currently out that I can envelope myself in. You are a true heir to Tolkiens legacy!
ReplyDeleteI think it it's well deserved, you being there. When I read you're books I get transported back to a different time of writing, where I feel like in reading Asimov, Le Guin, and Eddings. I LOVE that your stories feel like a, perfectly distilled form of writing.
ReplyDelete