Ask the Author: Garrett Robinson
Answered Questions (17)
Garrett Robinson
You CAN read either series without the other. You'll understand everything that's going on.
I do, however, think there's an "optimum" reading order, and I listed it out here: https://underrealm.net/book-order
I do, however, think there's an "optimum" reading order, and I listed it out here: https://underrealm.net/book-order
Garrett Robinson
This answer contains spoilers…
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Garrett Robinson
This is the first book in a series. There are currently six books in total. If you'd like to see the full list of books in The Nightblade Epic, go to Underrealm.net/books.
Garrett Robinson
Yes. Just not much of it. It shows up in Shadeborn, The Nightblade Epic Book 4.
Garrett Robinson
I'm sort of assuming from this that I'm not allowed to choose one of my own couples (if I am, it's Theren and Lilith). If that's the case, it's a tough question because there's so few non-dysfunctional relationships in much of media.
Once upon a time I would have said Peter Parker and Mary Jane. Spider-Man's always been my favorite superhero, and their relationship is really great (when the writers don't decide to rip it apart for no reason COUGH COUGH MEPHISTO WTF COUGH). But over time I've realized that the perfect supermodel girlfriend of the geeky science guy is maybe a little TOO wish-fulfilly?
Current fave would probably be Nomi and Amanita from Sense8. Because they DEAL with stuff, but their relationship is rock solid. They're very much an embodiment of, "USE YOUR WORDS!" They talk about things and they're supportive of each other. And they are DOWN for each other. Amanita's like, "Something's up? I don't understand WTF any of this bullshit is, but I am HERE for you, honey." And I love that.
Once upon a time I would have said Peter Parker and Mary Jane. Spider-Man's always been my favorite superhero, and their relationship is really great (when the writers don't decide to rip it apart for no reason COUGH COUGH MEPHISTO WTF COUGH). But over time I've realized that the perfect supermodel girlfriend of the geeky science guy is maybe a little TOO wish-fulfilly?
Current fave would probably be Nomi and Amanita from Sense8. Because they DEAL with stuff, but their relationship is rock solid. They're very much an embodiment of, "USE YOUR WORDS!" They talk about things and they're supportive of each other. And they are DOWN for each other. Amanita's like, "Something's up? I don't understand WTF any of this bullshit is, but I am HERE for you, honey." And I love that.
Garrett Robinson
Tolkien is unquestionably my biggest influence. I've read 'The Hobbit' more times than I can count, and I've read 'The Lord of the Rings' once a year since I was 11 years old.
I think Rothfuss' 'The Name of the Wind' is probably my favorite fantasy novel of the last decade.
Katherine Kerr and Patricia A. McKillip are two of the most underrated authors in all of fantasy. Their series should be listed among the genre's tentpoles, well above the overly-derivative works that are usually listed in the top spots.
I don't know about bench press, but I can FRENCH press about four cups a day, and if I don't, good luck getting me to write.
I think Rothfuss' 'The Name of the Wind' is probably my favorite fantasy novel of the last decade.
Katherine Kerr and Patricia A. McKillip are two of the most underrated authors in all of fantasy. Their series should be listed among the genre's tentpoles, well above the overly-derivative works that are usually listed in the top spots.
I don't know about bench press, but I can FRENCH press about four cups a day, and if I don't, good luck getting me to write.
Garrett Robinson
Hey Roxy! Sorry to hear about this trouble, and sorry I didn't see this question until now. If this is still an issue, you can always find (signed!) print versions of my books here: http://underrealm.net/books
Garrett Robinson
I can't wait to move to Kobo, iBooks, and the other ereader platforms—however, it's not in the card right now. Making my books Amazon-exclusive has been the difference between my ability to make a living as an author and ... not. If I were to remove my books from Amazon's exclusivity program, I would have to go get a nine-to-five job. That's not exactly being consigned to the seventh level of hell or anything, but I don't want to do it, and it would make my books take much, much longer. Soon (maybe next year?) I hope to get to the point where this is no longer the case, and I can make my books broadly available to everyone on all platforms.
In the meantime, I don't know if you like print books, but all of my books are available in physical form! We're taking steps to greatly reduce their cost, too, because I know our prices are a little steep. As the publishing continues to grow, we'll be able to get them cheaper and pass the discounts on to readers.
In the meantime, I don't know if you like print books, but all of my books are available in physical form! We're taking steps to greatly reduce their cost, too, because I know our prices are a little steep. As the publishing continues to grow, we'll be able to get them cheaper and pass the discounts on to readers.
Garrett Robinson
Not much to tell, really. It's been my experience on the internets that if you bring up the need for feminism and diversity in any setting that's traditionally been reserved for straight white dudes, straight white dudeBROS will show up and get all in your face about it. I tend to ignore and move on. You can search Medium.com for "garrett robinson fantasy feminism" if you want to read the post that began all the hubbub.
Garrett Robinson
We definitely did not give up on it, but our work schedules are both crazy right now. Z.C. is traveling all around the country doing all and sundry, and my Underrealm books have become my main focus. We hope to get to the third Realm Keepers book next year!
Garrett Robinson
Yes! ... eventually. Z.C. and I have to figure out a time that works for both of us to sit down and bang the book out. Right now my Underrealm books have become my main focus. But we hope to get to the next Realm Keepers book next year!
Garrett Robinson
I don't have writer's block when it comes to ideas. I have more ideas than I will ever be able to write.
When I am blocked on writing the story, I often find my outline is poor. I go over it again and again, improving it until I love it again and I am itching to keep writing the first draft. When I get to that point, I also write much faster.
When I am blocked on writing the story, I often find my outline is poor. I go over it again and again, improving it until I love it again and I am itching to keep writing the first draft. When I get to that point, I also write much faster.
Garrett Robinson
There's actually very few people I enjoy hanging out with very often. But as a writer I get to hang out with people who are way, way cooler than I am.
Garrett Robinson
Start now. Get in the chair every single day. Set yourself a daily word count, whether it's 500 words or 5,000, and hit it every single day. Increase that word count. BE SELF AWARE. Learn your weak points and improve upon them. Get an editor and sell your body to pay them if you have to.
Garrett Robinson
I'm working on The Alchemist's Touch, the first book in my series The Academy Journals, and the second series set in the world of Underrealm.
Garrett Robinson
Pretty simple: drink coffee, blast Rise Against. (I can't write without listening to them).
Garrett Robinson
I came up with the idea for the world of Underrealm many years ago, but I was always afraid to write in it. I thought I couldn't do the world—and the story I wanted to tell—justice. Nightblade, and the rest of the books in the series, came about when I decided to start fleshing out Underrealm by going small. By telling Loren's story, the story of a girl who wants to be a thief, I could learn about Underrealm a piece at a time, the same way she does.
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