Mike’s Comments (group member since Jan 14, 2018)

Mike’s comments from the Lost Lore Readalong! group.

The first novel in the Iconoclasts series, Aching God, now has a GR page. It's scheduled for a cover reveal at The Fantasy Hive on March 13, 2018, and should be available for pre-order at Amazon on April 1, 2018, with its official release on April 9, 2018.

If you enjoyed "Barrowlands," I think it's safe to say you'll enjoy Aching God. "Barrowlands" is a prequel to the novel.

I'm tearing into this tonight, Jeff! I loves me some dungeon crawls, so I'm quite looking forward to it. I'm very interested in your concept of Totem Magic and wondering how else this ties into the recently released City of a Thousand Faces. Does it serve as a prequel of sorts? Will we be seeing any of the characters again?

Taya:

I'll be reading Palesword during my toddler's nap today. In the meantime, a question: what attracted you to writing in the vein of Norse fantasy?

With Benedict still lost in the Wilds, I'll take over duties today introducing the story by TL Greylock, "Palesword." As before, spoilers are welcome, feel free to post your thoughts on the tale after Feb 13th if you come to the Readalong late, feel free to ask any questions!

Loved loved loved your short story, Laura. I think it's really hard to pull off a piece with this kind of pitch-black humor with a tangible morality within the tale. Often you can feel the writer trying too hard and it brings you out of the story (Oh, now s/he's showing how clever s/he is). This was so smooth and true, I was fully immersed throughout the entire read. I want to read more by this author.

Kathryn wrote: "I'm glad there's a full novel being written in this setting, I'll be happy to read it!"

First, glad you liked the story, Kathryn!

Second: Syraeic. Pronounced sur-AY-ik

Third: The novel in question is called Aching God and is in the capable hands of an editor for final proofing. The artwork and typography are done. Next is formatting by a skilled vendor of those services. With other i's to dot and t's to cross, I'm hoping the novel will be out before summer, perhaps before the end of spring. And it's the first of a planned trilogy entitled Iconoclasts.

Dyrk:

Haven't had a chance to read your short yet, but I'm interested to hear about how you came upon the premise of the Paternus world. I don't think I'm alone amongst fantasy aficionados experiencing an early love of mythology (starting with the Greeks, of course). Were you well versed in the broad array of mythologies across cultures?

Tim, that was just...eep...wow. So rich, wonderful, terrible. I've never been slapped in the face by a story, then had that same story pat me sweetly on the cheek.

Amazing stuff, Tim.

Thanks so much to those who have already taken part in this conversation, and for your kind comments! Not sure if this is bad form, but for anyone wanting notification for when Aching God is released, or other info re: my work and that of other indies, please take a minute to sign up for my monthly newsletter:

https://mikeshel.us16.list-manage.com...

Once a month, no spam, I won't share your email address with anyone.

Keep the questions and comments coming!

Bryan wrote: "'I'm with Sandy, though. The end left me a bit "Whaa?" I suppose I'm unsure of the significance of the inscription and what, if any, part it played in how the monster reacted when touched with the ring."

See my reply to Sandy above re: the meaning of the ending. Perhaps it was too coy...

As for Hesk's ring, you'll have to wait some time to find out why the monster reacted to it as it did.

Glad you liked the story!

Sandy wrote: "I totally did not get the ending though - does it have a reference that I am missing because I am not a Pathfinder person? I really loved the story and the writing painted a great picture of all characters but the ending left me with...Say What?

I did think it was intriguing that he actually heard her talk. Does that mean that he too is mad because of his adventure in the crypt? "

Sandy:

First, thanks for reading the story! Not being familiar with Pathfinder shouldn't be a handicap here, though there are some classic dungeon crawl tropes that a fantasy RPG person might get a kick out of that an uninitiated reader may pass over.

I'm curious to know exactly what threw you off about the ending. I fiddled with that closing passage a lot. The revelation at the end is that the severed head had really been talking to the alleged "madman" all along. The translation of the ring inscription, which Hesk assumed was an ancient wedding band, was a sentiment a bridegroom might have for his bride: "Hold tight, my beloved," or, put another way, "This is the beginning of our exciting journey." This is a coy wink both to Hesk, that his adventuring life is really just beginning, as well as to the reader who chooses to come along with me on the story I want to tell in my trilogy-in-progress.

Hope that helps, and I'm glad you enjoyed the story!

I hear you, Jennifer. Perhaps Grim Squishy is a new category?

Goodreads, she is hungry.

I'll re-submit an answer to Tim's question above:

Hey Mike, given your Paizo writing chops, how much fun was it to write a little dungeon crawl going horribly wrong?

Every adventure designer is a bit of a sadist, laying traps and doing their best to wreak havoc on players. And truth be told, players love hearing tales of terrible disasters, as long as it's someone else's player characters in the buzzsaw.

When I originally began writing this tale, its purpose was to create a reward for signing up for my mailing list. Those most familiar with my work are Pathfinder players, so I thought a dungeon crawl that goes awry would be a tasty treat for those folks. Hopefully it serves to draw others into my world as well.

Thanks, Taya!

"Barrowlands" takes place before the events in Aching God and in fact, the mystery man is the protagonist of the novel. Hesk was created for the short story, but I suspect we may run into him again later in the Iconoclasts series.

Should anyone have any questions for me, I'll be in and out today: toddler duty at home, I'm afraid. Thanks in advance to all those who took the time to read my tale.

Steve:

I haven't had an opportunity yet to read your novels, so I'm wondering if you could give us an idea how this tale fits into your epic. I'd also be interested to hear about your process for choosing this short for the anthology.

Greetings, all! I'm Mike. I've been designing adventures and support material for the Pathfinder RPG since 2010. I'm now focusing on my epic fantasy trilogy "Iconoclasts." The first book is in the hands of a certain editor known 'round these parts and I've started the second book. I was lucky enough to get included in this anthology, the tale something of a prequel to my first novel, "Aching God." Excited to get a taste of each of these wonderful writers! God help me, I’m a desperately slow reader, but I’ll labor to keep up.

Current reading:

E-book: Touch of Iron (yes, Tim, still…) (https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Iron-Liv...)

Fiction: A Head Full of Ghosts (https://www.amazon.com/Head-Full-Ghos...)

Non-Fiction: The Tigress of Forli (https://www.amazon.com/Tigress-Forli-...)