Martyn Stanley's Blog - Posts Tagged "fantasy-series"

Well, part 3 is progressing nicely! My volunteer editor is now going through the first half of part 3, and I'm now over 51,000 words. There's still a long way to go though! It is going to be bigger, in fact it's going to be huge. I can't see it being less than 100,000 at the moment, but after careful deliberation I've decided not to break up the books again. I did think book 3 could have become, 'Deathsworn Arc 3 : The Blood Trials' but it's starting to get ridiculous! So I'm going to press on and release a late, but double the expected size. 'Deathsworn Arc 3 : The Temple of the Mad God'

It's coming, I know it's late, but it will be worth the wait!

Martyn

If you have, did you enjoy it? If you did, how about supporting it by voting it on one or two of these lists:-

https://www.goodreads.com/list/book/1...

Can you remember the story? Why not have a go at the trivia questions! Book 1 quiz can be found here:-

https://www.goodreads.com/trivia/work...

Book 2 quiz is here:-

https://www.goodreads.com/trivia/work...

Enjoy!

Martyn

It's drawing closer!

I have an incredible cover, it looks great. Theoretically it just needs lettering - but something seems somehow off with it? I don't know what though! There just seems something isn't quite how it should be?

I love it and in many ways it seems perfect - but there's something I can't put my finger on...

I still need to finish editing and polishing it of course. I need to start thinking about my blurb too. I've never been too happy with my book 1 and 2 blurbs, I don't think they're very enticing - but I don't really know how I could improve them, without spoiling some of the big plot twists.

Book 3 also has the companions facing confrontations with the Isharian Church. I think the atheist aspect of the books is important - yet people don't seem to pick up on it... Part of me thinks I should shout about the atheism, because it's subtle and part of me thinks I should leave it in - but not mention and let people discover for themselves. I am trying to be balanced. The Isharian Church has it's problems, and is responsible for evil in Torea, but I want to portray it as also responsible for good!

I wish I could get it out sooner - I'm really waiting for time to sit down with my editor at the moment, and I need to work out what needs changing about the cover. It's really special though, so I don't want to share it until it's ready.

I will get there! Sorry for the long delay, I just want it to be as good as possible before I release it this time.

Martyn

Despite my best attempts, I've never managed to get my books really 'moving'. I did about fifty copies in April, which was okay - but I'd like to be doing 50 a day, every day. Is that realistic? I have no idea.

I'm working on books 3 and four simultaneously now - editing 3 and writing 4. I have a second series in mind.

If I'm going to be able to pour as much time as I'd like into my writing, I need it to pay it's way a little more. To be frank I'd prefer to just be a writer, but I couldn't live on royalties alone at the moment.

To that end I'm still pursuing a publishing deal with someone who can get books in print and get them into wider distribution.

This morning I sent off a lengthy Book Proposal with synopsis, chapter synopsis, competing books, author profile, two manuscripts and a brief summary synopsis of the series. It was hard work putting it together. I just hope I get somewhere this time. I do have a 'plan B' to get wider distribution, but I want to rule out the traditional publishing route for this series first. If I can't secure a print deal - then I'll try again with my second series (still in my head at the moment!)

Writing is easy, getting into a position where writing is your primary source of income is NOT easy. Still, I will keep trying - I haven't failed until I've stopped trying. Even if I don't sell a single copy of Deathsworn Arc: The Blood Queen I am going to finish the series. Even if my series isn't a commercial success, I'm writing a second series. Writing has been a great source of direction.

I've also paid for my Creative Writing Module as part of my Open Degree with the Open University. It starts in October. Hopefully anything I put out after the course will be even higher quality, stronger writing than my earlier efforts.

I've written no more 'Mad God' yet, I'm going to perfect that first 1000 words first and make my first chapter as good as I can get it before I write on.

I'm really pleased with my latest review of book 1 on Amazon.com! I think he really 'got' what I was going for.

A True 5 Star

"Well written with imaginative use of standard characters, elves that are more than your standard pretty girl or tiny warrior, dwarf without attitude and with intelligence, heroes with flaws and not every ending is a happy one or every encounter works out for the best. And a dragon that is both morally superior and evil at the same time, reflecting a measure of humanity and the moral ambiguities we face. One has to wonder about the mindset the author comes from." - Ron Kell "RB" "



I think this helps me understand my writing instincts better. I think my instinct is to take convention, and turn it on its head! I think this really explains what I was shooting for with book 1. So happy someone 'got it' :D

Martyn

PS: I've changed my Google+ address! Please update your bookmarks, if you haven't added me, Add me and I will reciprocate:-

https://plus.google.com/+MartynStanle...
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Well the book is still a way off!

I need to check a few things, re-check them. Polish it a bit and maybe do a few minor re-writes!

I really, really want this to be better than book 3.

Here's the covers though for paperback and ebook!

What do you think? Like?

I'm really stoked. I just had a great video review of my first Fantasy book 'The Last Dragon Slayer'.

I really like what he has to say. It makes all the effort worthwhile! Please visit the URL and give it a 'Like' and a 'Share' ! :)

https://youtu.be/uFxk2jY2-fA