The 2014 Book Auction Continues (Week 2 of 3)

The auction weekends continue, this time I go to the very beginning of my personal shelf and put up my earliest efforts at publishing. After completing a few horror, fantasy and one modern mystery novel, I decided to write for publication.

What resulted is a book called Fate Cycle: Sins of the Past, an ambitious effort in high fantasy. Fate Cycle: Dead of Winter is the prequel novella. Neither of which are particularly good, in my opinion, but people have still sought copies out in used book stores, and asked me for a reprinting from time to time.

I won't be producing more copies of either book, I'm moving on to better ideas in Spinward Fringe and Brightwill instead. There were 100 copies of Sins of the Past made, and only 7 of Dead of Winter. The set I'm offering are signed by me and the cover artist. Click on the auction link for more details: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Fate-Cycle-Dead-of-Winter-and-Sins-of-the-Past-Out-of-Print-Lot-6-/171484261208?pt=US_Fiction_Books&hash=item27ed422b58

The next item up for auction is a manuscript of Brightwill, a fantasy novel by Randolph Lalonde. It will come signed by Randolph Lalonde and one of his editors, Sylvie Lafontaine. The picture is a clever mock-up of what you'll be receiving, since the finished product does not exist yet. The manuscript will come with a special cover page, an interior signed page exactly like the one above, and will ship after October 14, 2014 but at least two weeks before release. Only three of these manuscripts will be made.

This, like every other unique item auction, will come with a one-of-a-kind letter thanking you, and telling you about the item you've won. In the case of this item, I'll talk about where the ideas for Brightwill came from, and about my experience writing it.


Here's the link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Brightwill-Pre-Release-Signed-Manuscript-Lot-5-/171484096307?pt=US_Fiction_Books&hash=item27ed3fa733


And the last bit up for auction is my copy of the limited edition version of Spinward Fringe Broadcast 6: Fragments. I call it the "Shiny Vacsuit Edition" or "Sci-Fi Booty Edition" because the rear cover features a 3D rendered character (Ayan), from a scene that was cut from the book. I had 14 of these made then discontinued production, opting for a more neutral 3D rendered futuristic city scape as the final back cover. 13 out of the 14 copies were signed and sold, and this is my own copy.

I've signed it for you, and this, like every other auction item, will come with a unique letter of thanks that will also talk about the item you've won.

Here's the link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Spinward-Fringe-Broadcast-6-Fragments-Shiny-Vacsuit-Cover-/171483922352?pt=US_Fiction_Books&hash=item27ed3cffb0

Thank you so much for spectating and participating, good luck!

From my bookshelf to yours.

Fate Cycle: Sins of the Past

Just when you thought it was safe to walk down the virtual Fantasy Isle, I release (or re-release) a fantasy novel. In preparation for me to start working on the second half of this story (entitled Fate Cycle Exodus), later this year, I worked through this volume with the help of my new Editor.

It's 99.9% typo free now, and a few other things have been improved. The story is the same, however, and I've withdrawn the book from Trafford's publishing service so they're no longer ripping me or my readers off. They were charging people $33.99 for a copy of this book, which is robbery. At the same time I wasn't getting even close to a third of that as a royalty either.

I've switched to Lulu.com as the publisher for this volume and it's in my store (links are to the right), and set it up with my international EBook distributor, so you'll probably see it kicking around sites like Amazon.com soon.

Now, about this book. The main characters are Warlord Deih Utonin, Celeste Utonin, King Gavat Lorridge, the Sorcerrer Madul, Ascromm (also known as the Lord of the Winds), and his apprentice, Coriath. This half of the story is about the appearance of a portal in the lands of Athoul leading to Rikaam, the home of a group of people called the Caydorians. The Caydorians were once residents of Athoul, but were banished thousands of years beforehand by Kumajarie Utonin and a group of high magicians. This book is about exploration, political and spiritual corruption, necromancy, great big nature magic and the beginning of the apprentice Coriath's journey into manhood and magic. I loved telling this story and took an entire year to write the book after developing the world for over a decade.

It was my first fantasy novel and I look forward to returning to the lands of Athoul to finish the journey I began four years ago. That book (Exodus), is half finished, so when I crack the leather manuscript case it's been sealed up in for over three years in November, you can imagine I'll be lost in a happy reunion with characters I haven't been able to forget. This is the book people stop me in the street about, asking 'where's the second one?' and everyone has those people to thank for this republication. I hope you dive in and enjoy this twisting tale, I know I was surprised as I read it once more and enjoyed the experience.

As for the Spinward Fringe series, the second book is being edited, the third book is in the works and sales are accelerating by the day internationally through various EBook retailers. More news on that and the earlier First Light Chronicles series shortly, until then, enjoy Fate Cycle Sins of the Past!

RL

P.S.
Yes, Fate Cycle Dead of Winter does take place before this. It's a little fantasy romance novel that's a really fun read but not essential to enjoy or understand Sins of the Past.

Starfree Port: Under Serious Review

First Light Chronicles: Starfree Port is currently being reviewed by my editor from beginning to end. Within the next couple of days I'll know if this bird flies or if I just baked a great big turkey.

In the meantime, the editor for Fate Cycle Book I: Sins of the Past just finished a full review of the novel. That's right, I have a different editor for that series. After a minor clean up, it will be ready for a reprint through my more modern publisher who will be offering copies at a much more affordable price. I'll be glad to see that book find a new home. I will be working on the second (and final) book in that series later this year, and I'll most likely release it through the same publishing house.

One more thing about the First Light Series before I run off to work. I've enjoyed writing Starfree Port immensely and can't wait to hear my editor's opinion. I really don't have a really clear perspective on it's quality since there were three drafts in all, then a long editing process in which I removed an entire plotline. Technically, according to my own rule book of story telling, it offers everything I like in a science fiction novel. It's up to my editor to tell me if it's actually a fun read. You'll know what the verdict is moments after I do.

Just thought you'd all like an update.

RL