Indie Book Club discussion

Diana wrote: "Leeland, I'm WAY behind, but I have to say, as an OCD person, I am totally geeked up over your research and detail! You could almost build an RPG game at this point ;)"

A thought I have been toying with for a bit. My friends are pushing for it too.

Leeland wrote: "Maybe if I do an unabridged version of the story ..."

Ya, I know this would be a lot, and in order to do it probably would probably add a monstrous amount of extra words to the book... not that that is necessarily a bad thing if they are implemented well. I won't pretend to tell you what to do, as it is your book and your writing style, but it did feel a bit weak. Adding 5 more chapters would maybe make it feel less weak... lol

Daniel J. wrote: "Did anyone else just notice that there is a lady's face reflected in the blade on the front cover? I must say that the cover is super well done."

Daniel and Alexandra,

Thank you. I must say they did a fabulous job going from the artist concept sketch to a photo-realistic dagger for the cover. Yes, Ticca is reflected in the blade. That is a custom (does not exist in reality) dagger. Although maybe someday they'll be selling copies of it... Oh the dreams we have...

Alexandra wrote: "Yes:) I wouldn't say it was useless. Darned handy if you ask me."

If you examine the book closely you'll see hints of what it took to make that keep me clean clasp. There was weeks of prep-work, jewel cutting, and materials. Essentially Lebuin dumped a year of magical research and a small fortune into creating a cloak clasp to keep the dirt off, and keep him cool or warm depending on the temperature.

Oh and you'll see some of the drawbacks of making such artifacts later in this book and series, which is one of the reasons Boadua took it. :^)

People, especially those working for the gods, tend to be a bit more practical for reasons which are explained later in this book and even more in book two.

Lana wrote: "I just downloaded a sample on my nook. I'm not sure if I'll be able to start reading in time to join in on the discussion, but it looks like a great read!"

Lana you can have the whole Nook EPUB. Just send me a private message with your email address I can email it to you.

Leeland wrote: "That is a custom (does not exist in reality) dagger. Although maybe someday they'll be selling copies of it... Oh the dreams we have... "

For all those sword collectors out there. The collectors edition of Thread Slivers complete with Ticca's dagger! Physical merch is sweet when it makes sense. This is way better than a t-shirt. ;)

Daniel J. wrote: "Just read the first part with Duke. I was surprised and well-pleased by how his description was done. I find that much of the description in the book is very detailed, leaving nothing to the imagination..."

You know the funny thing is I actually feel most of the book is not that detailed. There are a couple of reviews claiming I didn't provide enough details. LOL

BTW, Duke: (view spoiler)[is a large grey wolf slightly bigger than most horses. He is also pretty solid muscle. So shouldering through some wood doors is not really an issue. (hide spoiler)] :^)

Thaddeus wrote: "Money's one of the few areas I dislike doing world-building on, because it's really tricky to get relative prices right (ie some things, like horses, were far more expensive in the past compared to..."

LOL I actually got sucked into because I got caught in my own twists where I was like "well how much would a Dolphin room cost?" Followed by "dang could you actually carry that much silver?"

A few minutes of poking turned into about three days of effort. I had to hunt down all references to coin after that to re-compute the right values. But, I'm happy because I know it is a sustainable and robust valuation system that could work in reality.

Making it "could work in reality" is a primary goal for this series and world because it is supposed to be our future. So the physics have to work as well as the societies and magics. Oh yes I have a valid explanation for magic too. In fact I have gotten some of my physics & biology buddies together and bounced the whole idea off them to make sure they agreed it was a potentially accurate possibility.

"... and the gutters were filled with the red liquid of life." I have never heard blood described this way, and it is amazing. (description at 78% through)

I really enjoyed the aspect of Duke as well. Also the organization/origin of the daggers was very cool after it got explained.

Oh yes that would be good.

Scott wrote: "I really enjoyed the aspect of Duke as well. Also the organization/origin of the daggers was very cool after it got explained."

Why thank you. It gets even more interesting in book two. Ya I know I'm a tease. There are hidden truths hinted at pretty specifically in Thread Slivers.

Posted my review to my blog as well.

Alexandra wrote: "Posted my review to my blog as well."

Got a URL for that? I can engage the tweet army on it. :^)

http://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/2...

I've finished this now. I'll write a review in the next day or two on my blog, and also post it (with a rating) here.

I found this slightly hard to rate. Without getting into the Land of Spoilers, I liked the first half a lot, and I thought the focus drifted a bit in the latter half.

When Duke/Dohma were on the page I kept wondering about Ticca and Lebuin and how things were stacking up for them.

The writing style was very nice and easy to read and, as we've already discussed, the world's well-built (which is something I always enjoy. World-building and lore are some of my favourite aspects of fantasy).

I'm only about 80 pages in, but I wanted to say I'm enjoying the magic the best. I've always been a fan of sorcery. Also, I agree with Alexandra that the little sketches in each chapter are fantastic. Well done.

Thaddeus wrote: "I found this slightly hard to rate. Without getting into the Land of Spoilers, I liked the first half a lot, and I thought the focus drifted a bit in the latter half.

When Duke/Dohma were on the p..."

Thanks for the great feedback. I guess I could have stayed on them the whole book. But, then the events that are boiling around them would not be known about. I'll have to think on this for the final book.

Lana wrote: "I'm only about 80 pages in, but I wanted to say I'm enjoying the magic the best. I've always been a fan of sorcery. Also, I agree with Alexandra that the little sketches in each chapter are fantastic..."

Thanks!

I do agree in part, the ending drifted a bit and Duke tends to take over. Although how to rectify that I have no idea:) Duke is a very cool character though:)

Alexandra wrote: "I do agree in part, the ending drifted a bit and Duke tends to take over. Although how to rectify that I have no idea:) Duke is a very cool character though:)"

The fun part is that this is the first of three parts. The first part ended with this book.

The book names are very descriptive of what is happening in that particular book. If you consider the various states of threads I hope it becomes clearer.

:^)

Just a suggestion, but you could've expanded upon Ticca's dreams. Would've allowed for more character development/history-revealing and added a bit more Ticca/Lebuin to the latter half.

Yes, I am much looking forward to the follow ups. It is always tricky to read just one part of a trilogy without having the need to know what happens to all the characters. It is like reading Fellowship of the Ring and not reading the rest, there is no firm conclusion, the fellowship is broken and there are a lot of lose ends. All is dealt with, just not immediately.

Thaddeus wrote: "Just a suggestion, but you could've expanded upon Ticca's dreams. Would've allowed for more character development/history-revealing and added a bit more Ticca/Lebuin to the latter half."

Oh Thaddeus, you are so very curious. I love it! Is it because you figured it out and want confirmation? Here let me partially pull out that one thread for you.

“I will not let a man know my intimate thoughts. You come here out of curiosity, and a desire to know the making of my works. Ticca comes here for other reasons.” -- Kliasa, Thread Slivers

The rest is a small spoiler in that pulls together a few key points in book one that are clues around one of Kliasa's plot threads. As Sherlock Holmes said, once all the facts are put together in proper order anyone can follow the progression.

(view spoiler)[
There are clues. Such as just a little later on in that same conversation:

"I shall teach you all my secrets ... I am aware of more than I should be, because of this place and of how I can interact through my creations..." -- Kliasa, Thread Slivers

Boots where just a hobby for Kliasa, which is why they were never her top priority and pushed aside for her other work. She was asked to make a journal for the feast gift to Magus Vestul, which given formally was acknowledged by all as a worthy gift from the elves to Vestul. The knowledge of how to make the journals was passed to Kliasa through her family line. She was invited to sit at the head table at the feast, normally reserved for only council members (aka heads of the families), why? Kliasa made the finest journals in the world. So who else has one? What do they hold? One other book in the story was a journal made by Kliasa, although not as obvious and it too was kept hidden and locked away.
(hide spoiler)]

I just finished reading, and even though I had seen that it would end in a cliffhanger it still took me a little by surprise. I've read a series or two that didn't come to a full conclusion with each book, but I can't recall having one stop right in the middle of the action. If that's your style, and you leave your reader wanting more, then I say roll with it. I'm always happy to see something new.

I liked the bits about Kliasa. As an elf and forest fan, I would have enjoyed reading more about her people. I didn't mind the year passing in a night, since I've seen other fantasy realms where time passes differently depending on your location. I call that forest magic, myself. :)

I'm not sure if the copy you sent me was the final version, since I didn't purchase it. You have one sentence that does not begin with a capital letter and another that has no period at the end. You may have already corrected that, and it didn't bother me. I just happen to have noticed it as I was reading. If I remember correctly, both instances were in Duke's dialogue.

I didn't feel you took too much time away from Lebuin and Ticca to focus on Duke. I thought the story flowed well the way you set it up, and I was able to follow it quite nicely.

Where can I get myself a pair of those boots? They always match your outfit and have other magical properties. Sounds like a winner to me!

I would say overall you've done well. I look forward to reading more from you.

Lana wrote: "Where can I get myself a pair of those boots?"

LOL, There is a great quote out there about writers writing the books they wanted to read but couldn't find. So I write about all the stuff I wish I had. :^)

I'll be on the look out for the periods. You got the final copy as published on B&N for Nook.

Thank you for not being hyper sensitive to any typos you spotted.

After I finish up the book I'm beta reading I'm going to read this again before doing my review. I got into a read binge and didn't have the time to do the reviews so I want to refresh everything. That's one of the reasons I've been a bit quiet in here I don't want to mix up the plots of a few books and say something that has nothing to do with your book lol.

Scott wrote: " I don't want to mix up the plots of a few books and say something that has nothing to do with your book...."


LOL that is really great. A world apart from one review I have seen (yes this is real):

"I didn't buy or read this book because it is awful. The plot is garbage and the writing even worse."

LOL

I didn't buy or read this book because it is awful. The plot is garbage and the writing even worse"

Where is this review so that I can mark it as not helpful... How can you legitimately complain about a book if you didn't even read it? what basis does this reviewer (and I use that term lightly) have for disliking the plot and writing style if he didn't crack the cover? I fail to understand the purpose of sanity of this....

Daniel J. wrote: "How can you legitimately complain ..."

That was the gaff of the whole thing. It was a review on one of Michael Hicks recent books. It was also a one star. I haven't had time to go looking for it (else I would have put the URL in the post). But doing this from a phone makes it hard to bounce back and forth.

I loathe it when reviewers do that sort of thing. Or if a retailer sends a book out late and the book itself gets a 1* rating because of it.

I decided against clicking to see the spoiler. One thing I like least about writing is that I already know who lives and dies and gets nailed to a tree and left there for the crows to eat. So, I'll avoid spoilers and enjoy surprises when I can.

Leeland wrote: "Scott wrote: " I don't want to mix up the plots of a few books and say something that has nothing to do with your book...."


LOL that is really great. A world apart from one review I have seen (ye..."

Charming. How does the reviewer know that? Really?

I might buy the paperback Leeland, anything with tables and glossaries suits me better if I can hop back and forth as I am too stupid to use book marks on Kindle:). I would like to read it again before the next one appears.

Alexandra wrote: "I might buy the paperback Leeland..."

There is a 50% off coupon for the printed copy right now via Createspace http://bit.ly/V5z55z discount code ZUVJKMQP

Awesome:) Will check it out, postage is a pain in the arse for anyone in the UK but will see what it comes to.

Hmmm even with the discount, to get the cheaper postage it won't arrive until mid august....

The speedy delivery is more than I paid for the book and still takes 2 weeks....

Alexandra wrote: "Hmmm even with the discount, to get the cheaper postage it won't arrive until mid august....

The speedy delivery is more than I paid for the book and still takes 2 weeks...."

That is weird. I thought CreateSpace (aka Amazon) had POD centers all over the place. Particularly in the UK. You shouldn't have to pay for US to UK shipping. I'll poke at this to try and figure out how they are wired up.

I know, it is insane. It is actually cheaper for me to order my own book on amazon and get either free mailing or at least cheap mailing than go through Createspace and buy an author copy.

The cheapest postage on yours was about $5, and would arrive on 7th August!!!!

Not only that I get charged for an overseas transaction. Create space really stings non US authors, and for gift vouchers can only be used in the recipient's home store.

I think it is a case of buying from Amazon they send to a local printer, buy from Createspace and you put up with one printer in the US. If it weren't for the fact that Lulu have retail mark up on selling via Amazon which over prices a book I would switch back to them.

If you find somewhere selling those magic boots and magic bag, let me know.

Alexandra wrote: "If you find somewhere selling those magic boots and magic bag, let me know."

You too! :^)

:)

Full Review: http://digerbop.ca/2013/06/thread-sli...

It is always difficult as an author to translate what is in your head into a readable and understandable coherent story. Often when I am writing I wonder whether my "subtle hints" are enough to keep the reader interested or whether they will have no idea what I am talking about. I feel like this is both done well and poorly in Thread Slivers. I have to be honest, I didn't really get the title until I read the book blurb where it talks about threads of fate.

I almost feel like in cases such as this that the whole trilogy should be written as last in rough draft before chopping it up into three parts. The ending was the weakest part and I feel like it may make the series less readable and feel more disjointed. With a full script it could be split more authentically verses ending in the middle of the action. With a just a bit or reorganization (to fix the weak POV changes in the latter half, and the ending) this would easily be a 5 star book. Great writing, story, world building. The passion really comes through.

Amazon just sent me a marketing email saying I might like this book:)

Alexandra wrote: "Amazon just sent me a marketing email saying I might like this book:)"

Oh that is SO cool! I don't get these. I hope it enticed you to buy it... ;^)

Thought some of you might like this.

In Thread Slivers Ticca is a twenty year old young woman, highly trained in combat, and tactics. She didn't start off like that.

She was born a farmer's daughter in Rhini Wood far away from the dangers and excitements of the great cities.

Come have a peak into Ticca's childhood and revisit one of Ticca's days before she started training as a Dagger.

"The Best Day, Until Tomorrow."

The world was crushing me. I was being ground down into the dirt I was tilling...

I hope you enjoy the background short at http://www.lartra.com/blog/20130625-b...