Ymerodres - Book One of the Stormpaintress Saga

Hello Friends,
Just a notification. I'm publishing on LuLu my first pseudo-commerical novel. It's a P.O.D. and I will keep a storefront that I can push. I have it all loaded up and prepared but need to await my printed copies for approval. My thoughts behind going LuLu are these...

a) I couldn't go into full time writing as a profession. It would take the fun away.
b) I want the work to be available, but I'm not in it for money.
c) I'm very anti-capitalist and don't want to feed the publishing junta.
d) I'm going green. POD is a very green way to publish.

The novel is 50,000 words and 220 pages in size, called 'Ymerodres' and it's pure bred 'Sword & Sorcery' but with florid fight scenes. It forms the introduction to a planned series.

A funny event happened when my wife picked up my last MS. She noticed that all the " and ' were interchanged. Meaning it came out like this:

Vanaras said, 'Tivara is going to Fylfot City. She said Hamadan is "Hucking in Fellfire" to this very day.'

Now, this would have been a disaster indeed. I was lost to provide an example of WHY it was like this, as ALL the novels we searched through were the other way around with the " as the outside marks and ' as the inner. Confounded for a few hours, I went to start reading a new addition to my shelf. The Hobbit it was called. And there, with shock, appeared the same reversal. Apparently, when I did my study of basic punctuation, I took an old book from 1935 or so and used that as my basis.
The rules have changed somewhat since then. LOL.

For the first time, I believe my work is of publishable quality. I will be able to direct you the storefront by the end of the coming week. I'm very happy for a while. :-)

Many Hugs
OGO

Good luck to you OGO! I hope indeed that you get acknowledgement from the reading community for your work! Please, please keep us posted!

Gez

Good Luck with your efforts.

If you want to compare notes let me know.
So far for me reviews are good, sales SUCK!

OK, I have just finished reading OGO's novella, Ymerodres - Book One of the Stormpaintress Saga.

I was most impressed, and I could not put the book down without reading it to its end. The only disappointment was that the story was clearly continued in the next installment, and I did not have it at hand.

I wont describe what the plot was about - that is something for others to discover, but it is high fantasy with a strong Welsh tradition influence, and with a strong strain of multiverses and technology. And it hangs together just fine. The plot is neat and highly entertaining - perhaps the only thing that didn't quite hang well with me was the degree of power of the main characters, giving them little threat conceptually - and yet, in defense against my statement, there were moments when there was a concern that some plans could become unraveled. This is a pedantic point on my part.

I especially loved the interaction between the male and female main characters - there was genuine love and deep-rooted companionship between them. I think it was a major feature of the story. I also liked OGO's sense of humour - this is something I have grown accustomed to and was not disappointed at all. The humour was presented in all facets, from the irony to the ribald, from subtlety and the slapstick.

This was a self-published work and I know from OGO's earlier statements, it was his choice to have the written word as priority to profit or fame. I respect him for that. He did a great job of editing (and I know he had some help at home!), but here and there it could have benefited from a professional treatment - this is no unexpected, as this is a universalism. I was a little worried that there was no ISBN number in the book - was this an option or something Lulu doesn't provide? A shame - as I believe the number would serve OGO well.

All in all, an enjoyable work and fast paced, and entertaining. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys High Fantasy, or even fantasies that are strongly influenced by well researched medieval history and culture.

Can't wait to read it - good job OGO!

Gezza,
Many thanks for the reading. Due to immigration processes, I can't get an ISBN for this yet until I procure a state welfare registration number (SS) because, any ISBN registration requires the use of my SS number. They then make tax deductions apparently as these are then Royalties. As it stands, it cannot go to amazon without an ISBN. Currently, the Lulu registration and no ISBN means that LuLu places the tiny amount of sales profit into 'Other Revenue' category.

Ymerodres is just the beginning of the series. The next one, 'Kissing Stones' is going to be very dynamic.

Since, I've been editing OLD stuff, called 'Coral Sword' and 'Cataclysmia' as history behind the current series. My wife thinks 'Coral Sword' is okay but a little winding. She likes Cataclysmia a LOT and it's full of graphic combat and sinister themes.

Hey Gezza, I am honoured that you reviewed my novel. Today is a good day for me!

Blessings
OGO
http://stores.lulu.com/turrismagna
http://www.meetup.com/Idaho-Sentinels-Study-Group-1-33/

Hey Guys
My 2nd novel 'Cataclysmia' is available for free download now. Enjoy. :-)

OGO

OGO - it is I who is honoured, having read your story. It is a pleasure to read fun high fantasy novels, and I hope one day to make a living from it. I will no doubt start collecting your stories and join your fan base!

cheers

Gezza

OGO

I have ordered your paperbacks for The Coreal Sword and Cataclysmia. I look forward to reading them... but when are you planning to publishing the sequal to Ymerodres? (anticipation is tangible)

gezza wrote:OGO

I have ordered your paperbacks for The Coreal Sword and Cataclysmia. I look forward to reading them... but when are you planning to publishing the sequal to Ymerodres? (anticipation is tangible)

Hello Gezza.
Coral Sword is not 'up to it' to be truthful...but Cataclysmia is fairly well appreciated by readers. As far as Ymerodres is concerned, I've been making armour recently and getting a sword club moving, as well as searching for work...we are at p.60 with the sequel (but the plan and groundwork is done already) and Book 2, 'Kissing Stones' will most likely be finished by early December and edited for a Jan 2010 release. If it finishes up earlier, will let you know. I find writing this stuff very easy, what stops me is that there's no positive reward...sales are minuscule and even on kindle, I've sold nothing. About 27 books (all four have sold about 27) can get you the figures if you wish. Kissing Stones is very action packed. Some twists in there too. Should have a few shocking scenes...old chars coming out their tombs and putting on flesh to join the conquest...but it's not all easy victories. This one is savage and somewhat erotic. :-)

Blessings

Thanks OGO

I think you need to do more marketing if you want to sell more. One suggestion is to pick your best work and ask Lulu for recommendations for Indie Awards. If you start getting awards, you might get more attention.

cheers and looking forward to Kissing Stones immensely.

Gez