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Ask the Author: Brian McClellan

“Hey readers! I'll be answering questions about the Powder Mage novels and short fiction on a weekly basis, unless I get overwhelmed. Feel free to ask away!” Brian McClellan

Answered Questions (112)

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What is the descriptive sex/nudity level in your books? Thanks
Brian McClellan My books are mostly PG-13.
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How do you pronounce Michel?
Brian McClellan I pronounce it Mick-kell
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Hey Brian, I loved in the shadow of lightning. One of my new all time favorite fantasy books. Is there a sequel planned, and if there is, when would it be released?
Brian McClellan Yup! I've been suuuuuper behind thanks to some family and personal stuff last fall, but I hope to have the book turned in by the end of winter. Thanks!
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Is there any chance of all of the short stories/novellas being published in a compilation? Having a hard time getting my hands on them.
Brian McClellan I would love to do that at some point. I have no idea when.
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How clean are your Powder Mage books in regards to harsh language?
Brian McClellan Pretty much PG-13.
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HEY! Any more series planned as of 2020?
Brian McClellan Nope! No plans as of now, but I never say no to possibly more in the future.
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What is Mihali's favorite food?
Brian McClellan Squash soup, of course.
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I'm rereading Sins of Empire, and then I'll move onto Wrath, reread the Powder Mage trilogy Earlier this year. I have to admit, loving Sins even more now that I'm more familiar with some of the characters. Any chance of seeing some of the events that have happened in the past 11 years like what Taniel and Pole got up to or what made Vlora decide to go Mercenary? Lots of short story possibilities!!
Brian McClellan I've thrown around the idea of a stand-alone book covering the Kez Civil War (the events of which are mentioned in the RPG), but that's gonna be years from now if it happens.
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What books are on your summer reading list this year?
Brian McClellan None! I barely read any more these days, unfortunately. I *do* listen to podcasts, though! My favorite is the Revolutions Podcast with Mike Duncan.
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Hey, Brian! I really enjoyed your Powder Mage Trilogy and am planning to dive into Empire of Blood and Powder sometime later this year, however, the question I want to ask you is: How many books are planned for the Valkyrie Collections series and is there a (rough) schedule how often entries in this series will be released? (Novellas are over way too quickly :P)
Brian McClellan Planning at least three books, but probably more. No release schedule.
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Brian You crafty rascal and you know what I mean. Ive read book 1 and 2 of Gods of blood and powder. Can you send me book 3 by next week so I can read it on holiday. I know you can do it as you have the power and powder? Many kind thanks, Prad
Brian McClellan I will take this under advisement.

(that means no.)
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Can you tell us a two-sentence horror story?
Brian McClellan I dropped brisket while taking it off the smoker. Oh no.
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Hi Brian! The Powder Mage Trilogy really got me into the whole flintlock fantasy genre and I just wanted to say that I am massive fan. The novellas you sell via your store are reasonably priced however shipping to Australia is shocking. This alone is preventing form purchasing them (and also preventing me from picking up Uncanny Collateral). Do you ever foresee these novellas being distributed more globally?
Brian McClellan I wish I could. If an international reseller is interested in working with me, I'd be all over that. But unfortunately the shipping is just that expensive.
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Do you have any plans to do more with the War Cry universe? I loved the short story (or was it a novella?) and would love to see more in that world.
Brian McClellan Not right now. I don't discount the idea of doing so in the future, but I have a lot of other projects lined up to do first.
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Hi! I recently discovered your books and I have to say I'm absolutely in love with them. I was also very happy to learn that you were inspired by my city, Budapest and that you enjoyed your time in here. I was wondering if there's any chance you would visit Budapest for a signing event anytime in the distant future, maybe when another one of your books gets translated? :)
Brian McClellan I would absolutely love to, but that all depends on getting an invitation from my publisher! I'm glad you're enjoying the books!
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What does the world of Powder Mage series look like? I'm talking about the landscape, is it green like Europe or something different? So far I'm getting temperate/Europe-like vibes. What real life location/region here on Earth corresponds to the Nine and the Fatrastan continent?
Brian McClellan The area around the Adro is very European. The full map of the world is in Sins of Empire, and the RPG has a description of the landscape of each of the countries.
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Do you have any plans currently to release physical copies of the powder mage short stories?
Brian McClellan You can get those straight from my website! The novellas are all printed individually, and the short stories are collected into "In the Field Marshal's Shadow."
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Is there any chance of the short stories being released either individually and as some sort of collection(s) in paperback?
Brian McClellan I would like to do a collection at some point, though it will probably be in hardcover. The demand for paperback is pretty low, and to be honest for someone like me the cost of printing a paperback is not that much cheaper than hardcover.
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I'm such a huge fan of your books you have done such an incredible job! Im a sucker for military/fantasy genre and I love a good magic system. You've nailed both =) The first trilogy echoed the Napoleonic wars and the second trilogy North American colonisation/ revolution which makes for good reading. So have you thought of introducing an Asian setting into your world? Thanks for all the hardwork mate :)
Brian McClellan The Gurlish are kind of the Asia of the powder mage world, though we don't actually see them that much in the two trilogies. I talk a bit more about their history in the RPG content, but otherwise they won't be explored before I'm finished. Maybe someday I'll come back to them, though!
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Hi Brian, New, huge fan. Wondering what your writing schedule is like? You published Wrath in May of this year and I see Blood is supposed to be release June of next year. How much of your day is writing? Did you complete the writing of the trilogy/trilogies all at once and then the publishers separated them for my displeasure?
Brian McClellan I don't keep a set schedule. I write when I need to write, slack off when I have a long time until a deadline, and generally just try to keep ahead of things like the mortgage! I sold the second trilogy before any of the books had been written.
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