Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Thanks to Andy for reaching out and to Michael for giving of his time.

And because I wasn't paying attention, I went and said hello in the thread for The Mirror's Truth q&a. Anyway. Hi!

Feel free to shoot questions at me about anything and I'll do my best to answer them

Thanks for the invite! This looks like a great group!

Michael wrote: "And because I wasn't paying attention, I went and said hello in the thread for The Mirror's Truth q&a. Anyway. Hi!

Feel free to shoot questions at me about anything and I'll do my best to answer ..."

A few of us have read BR previously and will be starting TMT when it comes out.

Did you study psychology or philosophy in school?

Acceptance, Trepidation and Abandonment........you could have gone in several different directions with the big three. What was the thought process that decided you on these three characters? I couldn't wait to get back to them reading it.

The below quote is one of my favorites. Was this just off the cuff or something that came up in general life? I think of so many funny scenarios that just happened organically that I'd love to put in a book if I ever sat down and did one.

“Listen carefully. If communication is manipulation, sex is all-out war.” He gestured toward the woman, ignoring the boy’s look of confusion. “And she looks like she’d be a good fight.”

Yahoo! Can't wait to discuss the book with you Michael. I have to say you are crazy lol! But in good way haha. I mean I am amazing a things you came up such as the Doppel?? wow
Almost done!

Scott wrote: "Michael wrote: "And because I wasn't paying attention, I went and said hello in the thread for The Mirror's Truth q&a. Anyway. Hi!

Feel free to shoot questions at me about anything and I'll do my..."

Hey Scott.

I studied philosophy in university but learned almost nothing as I spent most of the time drinking and experimenting with hallucinogenics. I dropped out somewhere into my second year to pursue a career in the music biz. Wisdom has never been one of my strengths.

That said, I did a fair amount of research into psychology while writing BR. I needed a o understand the various delusions before witing about them. The fun part was trying to figure out how they might manifest.

And I totally cheated. I was in regular contact with a sociopath. Let's call him Fred. He influenced several characters and was the basis for aspects of Wichtig, Konig, and Erbrechen. Much of Wichtig's dialogue was taken almost verbatim from conversations we had. Acceptance, Trepidation, and Abandonment were embodiments of what I took to be the basic pillars of Fred's personality. He was an interesting guy, very smart. Fred was a social chameleon, very successful. I remember the day he said, "I think I might be a sociopath." Everything clicked into place.

Communication is manipulation. At some point, after my daughter was born, I realized all her attempts at communication were to get us to do things for her. When I took that thought and applied it to Fred, I realized that he never grew past that. Everything that he said was with an eye toward gain.

Tying sex with communication was an off the cuff thing. Wichtig was blathering on as he does and realized it would make the boy uncomfortable.

I'm babbling.

Quinn wrote: "Yahoo! Can't wait to discuss the book with you Michael. I have to say you are crazy lol! But in good way haha. I mean I am amazing a things you came up such as the Doppel?? wow
Almost done!"

Me? Crazy? I'll have you know I am a pillar of iron sanity!

Thanks for that informative and humorous answer. My oldest daughter is 14 and she has the same dopels. I'm waiting for her to feed me to her reflections when I dare utter, no.

Scott wrote: "Thanks for that informative and humorous answer. My oldest daughter is 14 and she has the same dopels. I'm waiting for her to feed me to her reflections when I dare utter, no."

My daughter is only six, but already she is practicing for becoming a teenager. I live in fear.

Michael wrote: "My daughter is only six, but already she is practicing for becoming a teenager. I live in fear."

My oldest came out of the womb with teenage angst so my trepidation feels empathy for yours. Luckily my others are much easier.

Hi Michael! I'm gonna start reading Beyond Redemption very soon and I was wondering how many books are you planning to write for this series?

Samir wrote: "Hi Michael! I'm gonna start reading Beyond Redemption very soon and I was wondering how many books are you planing to write for this series?"

Hey Samir,

My original plan was to write a trilogy but I am crap at planning. I accidentally wrote Swarm and Steel--unrelated book in the same world. I'd like to write (at least) two more books, one for Stehlen, and one for Wichtig. It really depends on the reception of The Mirror's Truth. If there is demand for more, I'll write more.

Currently I'm working on a new series, in a new world.

Michael wrote: "Samir wrote: "Hi Michael! I'm gonna start reading Beyond Redemption very soon and I was wondering how many books are you planing to write for this series?"

Hey Samir,

My original plan was to writ..."

Thank you for a quick reply. It looks like we have something to look forward to.

What is this new series about and is it gonna be grimdark as well or something different?

The new series will likely be dark, though less dark than the Manifest Delusion books. I'm aiming for epic dark fantasy, but I rarely end up writing what I think I'm writing. I can't share details cuz it's way too early.

And I turned the first book for a science fiction series in to my agent last week. If she manages to sell it, I may end up totally changing gears.

My daughter is 8, so my dominant doppel is definitely trepidation as well.

Michael wrote: "And I turned the first book for a science fiction series in to my agent last week. If she manages to sell it, I may end up totally changing gears."

That sounds awesome, I'd be excited to read that. What type of sci fi? Space opera? Cyberpunk?

Damned phone won't let me reply to comments. Ah well. The SF book is near-future, leaning toward cyberpunk.

Michael wrote: "Quinn wrote: "Yahoo! Can't wait to discuss the book with you Michael. I have to say you are crazy lol! But in good way haha. I mean I am amazing a things you came up such as the Doppel?? wow
Almost..."

So that mean you didn't write the book mm? lol

Anyway I am very impressed a how far and deep you went with the psychology stuff. Even went as far as talk with someone who know what it is like. It isn't easy to do that. It succeeded!

Quinn wrote: "Michael wrote: "Quinn wrote: "Yahoo! Can't wait to discuss the book with you Michael. I have to say you are crazy lol! But in good way haha. I mean I am amazing a things you came up such as the Dop..."

My Doppels have been claiming responsibility for these books from day one. Lazy bastards. I let one of 'em out once to do an interview for me over at Smash Dragons. Never again!

I wish I could claim to have hung out with Fred for research reasons. He was a musician (singer in a band) I was working with and before I understood who and what he was I`d sub-letted a room in the house I was renting to him. Yep. Wisdumb. Right here.

Will there ever be an audio version of Beyond Redemption?

Michael wrote: "Quinn wrote: "Michael wrote: "Quinn wrote: "Yahoo! Can't wait to discuss the book with you Michael. I have to say you are crazy lol! But in good way haha. I mean I am amazing a things you came up s..."

Lol! You nearly killed me after I read that interview! That was so good of you do the interview like that so reader can understrand.

I arrived at the part where Asena lost her hearing. I am very curious how it will lead because deaf world is very different and at the same time similar. Oh yeah by the way I am deaf so that is the mainly reason why lol.

Asena might be in a huge advantage for a lot of things in that world cuz anything that require people to hear in order to brainwashed or something wont work. I know this because hynosis doesn't work on me lol. Two people had tried it was funny. gee now I am imagining what it would be like if a person who grew up deaf be like in that world.

Michael wrote: "Quinn wrote: "Michael wrote: "Quinn wrote: "Yahoo! Can't wait to discuss the book with you Michael. I have to say you are crazy lol! But in good way haha. I mean I am amazing a things you came up s..."

Probably not. Harper Voyager own the rights to the audiobook. Dunno if you know this--I didn't--but Harper Voyager (at least in the US) don't produce their own audiobook. They sell the rights to companies such as audible and whatnot. Well, apparently they were unable to sell the rights. I suppose if the book turned out to be a sleeper, they might try again. At some point I'd like to see if I can get the rights back and produce an audiobook myself. I have a background in audio-engineering (mixed bands and recorded albums for almost twenty years) but realistically I have almost no free time and so... I guess if you wanna give me your number, I could whisper it to you over the phone. Would that be weird? Prolly.

Quinn wrote: "Michael wrote: "Quinn wrote: "Michael wrote: "Quinn wrote: "Yahoo! Can't wait to discuss the book with you Michael. I have to say you are crazy lol! But in good way haha. I mean I am amazing a thin..."

That interview was a lot of fun. I hope I get to do something similar once I start promoting The Mirror's Truth.

When you start thinking about a lot of real world disadvantages/situations in a Manifest Delusions setting, things get messy fast. For a while I thought I might write a MD novel which took place around a retirement home. Imagine what someone with sever Alzheimer's can do to reality. And then there`s hallucinogenics. Imagine your hallucinations shaping reality! My story in Evil is a Matter of Perspective: An Anthology of Antagonists touches on this, but there`s so much to explore.

I started this morning and I'm already hooked, just two chapters in. I'm taking the day off from work tomorrow so I can read!

Not really. I have errands to busy my day. But here's hoping I can get some book time in while I'm at it.

Anyway, to the Q&A, I'm sure I'll have some questions soonly. I'm very intrigued with this magic system, if that's the right word for it. More like faith-delusion system. Thanks for joining us here. I'm intrigued with your behind the scenes stuff already...

Michael wrote: "Probably not. Harper Voyager own the rights to the audiobook. Dunno if you know this--I didn't--but Harper Voyager (at least in the US) don't produce their own audiobook. They sell the rights to companies such as audible and whatnot. Well, apparently they were unable to sell the rights."

I was aware that a lot of publishers do not produce their own audiobooks. I'm told audiobooks are fairly low priorities for both publishers and authors due to the fact that they are fairly expensive to produce and also because when you factor in studio fees, narrator fees, and the audio publishers cut, the profit percentage per dollar is significantly lower than that generated by both the paperback and eBook formats.

It is a pity Beyond Redemption was overlooked by the audio producers. I guess I'll just have to hope book buyers come to their senses and make the book the sort of hit that nobody can ignore!

Chris wrote: "I started this morning and I'm already hooked, just two chapters in. I'm taking the day off from work tomorrow so I can read!

Not really. I have errands to busy my day. But here's hoping I can ge..."

Pfft! Errands! Who needs food? Not when madness can sustain you!

I consider Beyond Redemption to be low fantasy. Technically, there is no magic. The rules of their reality are simply different from ours.

That said, my mind wanders and I think about what might lay beyond the borders of the city-states. What if a civilization truly believed magic was possible? There is no reason why there can't be sorcerers and wizards here. After all, if enough sane people believe something (no matter how crazy), it is real. If they can make gods, they can certainly make demons and dragons and immortal warlocks.

Gavin wrote: "Michael wrote: "Probably not. Harper Voyager own the rights to the audiobook. Dunno if you know this--I didn't--but Harper Voyager (at least in the US) don't produce their own audiobook. They sell ..."

You already know more about publishing than I did two years ago when BR sold.

I would love for BR to be an audiobook if just to hear someone try and deal with all those German names!

Michael wrote: "You already know more about publishing than I did two years ago when BR sold.

I would love for BR to be an audiobook if just to hear someone try and deal with all those German names! "

Beyond Redemption would need a talented audio narrator for sure to deal with those German names and the Dopples.

What inspired the German flavoured feel to Beyond Redemption? It is a first for me to experience it in the fantasy genre.

Gavin wrote: "Michael wrote: "You already know more about publishing than I did two years ago when BR sold.

I would love for BR to be an audiobook if just to hear someone try and deal with all those German name..."

I`d never seen German-inspired (stolen) names before either. I wanted to get away from the Anglo-centric fantasy and those names with all the apostrophes and Ls like Lly`Ynn`Wll`Yn`Wyr. Which is actually kinda cool now that I look at it. I guess it`s too late to change my mind about the names.

Allan Corduner does fabulous German accents.

Sorry, that's not a question.

Margret wrote: "Allan Corduner does fabulous German accents.

Sorry, that's not a question."

You dare not ask a question!?

There should be some kinda punishment for that.

And...writing down the name in case I end up trying to fund an audiobook myself.

Ummmm what kind of music do you listen to?

I'm sorry I haven't started reading it yet. I'll come up with something better later tonight when I'm a few chapters in

You might could do a Kickstarter to fund it.

And another name I'll throw out there is Tim Gerard Reynolds. He does the Riyria books for Michael J. Sullivan and the Red Rising books for Pierce Brown.

Since we're playing this game.. Michael Kramer does an insane amount of accents too.

I'd back it on kickstarter cause I love audiobooks

Margret wrote: "Ummmm what kind of music do you listen to?

I'm sorry I haven't started reading it yet. I'll come up with something better later tonight when I'm a few chapters in"

I'm am unrepentant metal-head. It can't be too heavy.

Margret wrote: "Since we're playing this game.. Michael Kramer does an insane amount of accents too.

I'd back it on kickstarter cause I love audiobooks"

Interesting idea. Gotta talk to my agent about getting the rights back.

That's so awesome! Me too. I swear a tear comes to my eye when my 3 year old sings the lyrics to Sweating Bullets

Margret wrote: "That's so awesome! Me too. I swear a tear comes to my eye when my 3 year old sings the lyrics to Sweating Bullets"

My daughter calls deathmetal "Daddy Music."

Countdown to Extinction is a great album, but (for me) Rust in Peace is one of the greatest albums of all time.

umm not sure if it is the whole hearing stuff but I dont get it lol. the music, German accent and audiobook lol.

I listen to audiobooks also. I'm curious now: do you imagine that the characters speak in German accents, or would the names be the only thing that would require a German pronunciation? The woman who narrates Alex Marshall's books does accents well, and Steven Pacey does some interesting accents in Joe Abercrombie's audiobooks.

Quinn wrote: "umm not sure if it is the whole hearing stuff but I dont get it lol. the music, German accent and audiobook lol."

One should never do this stuff before the first coffee. Just deleted my answer.

Awrighty.

The characters aren't German and don't speak German. To them the German names are just that, names. They don't think of them as words just like we don't think of Fred as a word.

Given a do-over, I'd use German sounding names instead of actual German words. I confused and annoyed a number of folks who can actually speak German. Though maybe I should go all the way and hire a narrator who can butcher the German.

Quinn wrote: "umm not sure if it is the whole hearing stuff but I dont get it lol. the music, German accent and audiobook lol."

I'll mime some metal for you later.

Michael wrote: "Pfft! Errands! Who needs food? Not when madness can sustain you!

I consider Beyond Redemption to be low fantasy. Technically, there is no magic. The rules of their reality are simply different from ours.

That said, my mind wanders and I think about what might lay beyond the borders of the city-states. What if a civilization truly believed magic was possible? There is no reason why there can't be sorcerers and wizards here. After all, if enough sane people believe something (no matter how crazy), it is real. If they can make gods, they can certainly make demons and dragons and immortal warlocks. ..."

I've read a couple more chapters, and I definitely see what you're saying. I knew that "magic" wasn't the right word for it. I suppose Geisteskranken is more accurate :) At any rate, the system is fascinating and I'm really enjoying it so far as it is explored.

As far as the errands go, I just need a few Doppels and I'd be all set!

Chris wrote: "Michael wrote: "Pfft! Errands! Who needs food? Not when madness can sustain you!

I consider Beyond Redemption to be low fantasy. Technically, there is no magic. The rules of their reality are simp..."

Glad you're enjoying it!

I find Doppels less useful than one might think. They share many of my foibles and faults, and are about as interested in buying new socks as I am. When I do finally get them out running errands they come home with nothing but five pound blocks of cheese, bacon, and Jameson whiskey. And then there is the constant plotting against me.

LOL, good point. Though I certainly wouldn't turn away any cheese, bacon, or Jameson whiskey.

Michael wrote: "Quinn wrote: "umm not sure if it is the whole hearing stuff but I dont get it lol. the music, German accent and audiobook lol."

One should never do this stuff before the first coffee. Just deleted..."

Lol, Tea works just as well at least to me. Thank you for the explain. I get it.. I think.

Anyway I finish the book! Thank you for wrote the wonderful book! I enjoyed it heck a lot! I am looking forward to the second book. Do you know when Chapters will have the second book?

Quinn wrote: "Michael wrote: "Quinn wrote: "umm not sure if it is the whole hearing stuff but I dont get it lol. the music, German accent and audiobook lol."

One should never do this stuff before the first coff..."

Excellent! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Leave the house and go to an actual store!? Now I know you're mad!

With The Mirror's Truth being self-published, I'm guessing the odds of it every appearing in a physical store are vanishingly small. It can be had through all the typical online venues, I believe.

Michael wrote: "Quinn wrote: "Michael wrote: "Quinn wrote: "umm not sure if it is the whole hearing stuff but I dont get it lol. the music, German accent and audiobook lol."

One should never do this stuff before ..."

When you have an active doppel like mine, you would be sitting around either.

I guess I will have to tell my old fashion doppel to shut up and buy ebook mirror's truth

Quinn wrote: "I guess I will have to tell my old fashion doppel to shut up and buy ebook mirror's truth
"

The book is available in both print and ebook from all Amazon sites. Though if you live in the boonies, shipping can get a bit steep. Yeah, tell the old-fashioned Doppel to shut up.

I'll be starting TMT in the AM when it's available.

Scott wrote: "I'll be starting TMT in the AM when it's available."

For a second there I thought you said "TMNT"