Beyond Reality discussion

Book List:

Arc I
The Curse of the Mistwraith

Arc II
The Ships of Merior
Warhost of Vastmark
Note: if you have the US hardback edition, it includes both titles.

Arc III - Alliance of Light
Fugitive Prince
Grand Conspiracy
Peril's Gate
Traitor's Knot
Stormed Fortress

Arc IV - Sword of the Canon
Initiate's Trial (pub date TBA)
(Destiny's Conflict - forthcoming)

Arc V
(Song of the Mysteries - forthcoming)

Link and directions for the INTERACTIVE MAP of ATHERA
(click the link at the page bottom for the map itself)
http://www.paravia.com/JannyWurts/web...

Back history sattellite short stories (in chronological order)
The Sundering Star, found in
Under Cover of Darkness
Child of Prophecy, found inMasters of Fantasy
Reins of Destiny, found in
The Solaris Book of New Fantasy

The above listings are all in print editions.
Translations are available for the Arcs I and II in
French, Russian, Czek, Hungarian, Polish and German.

Did you plan, from the beginning, for Arc III to encompass five volumes? Just curious, since Arcs I and II were really published as one volume each.

Jon wrote: "Did you plan, from the beginning, for Arc III to encompass five volumes? Just curious, since Arcs I and II were really published as one volume each."

Jon, in fact I planned the story for the 'events' - I knew the high points and the tension points and the likely flow of the narrative. When I began Fugitive Prince I expected to do it all in less space, but several things impacted that plan - the Independent Distributor market crashed, and the cost of paper ramped so steeply, publishers were bleeding red ink.

A very long book costs a LOT more to produce and causes a higher price point on the shelf. Chain stores literally refuse to carry a title past a certain price point. Tail wags the dog...very sad....but profit margins for print books are in fact SO narrow - and ridiculous advances for SOME books so high - all the 'effort' sometimes goes into the blockbuster the publisher paid huge bucks for, to recoup that investment.

This series has always been a labor of love.
Getting the numbers to 'work' and not compromise the story in any way meant Fugitive Prince could not hold the page count I wished for. This meant - ALL the events in Arc III had to stand; but the story had to be sectioned, and sectioned extremely carefully. I always knew where the split points I WANTED were to be - the challenge faced me that I had to adjust this.

And not sacrifice the quality OR deliver a fragmented book.

I did not compromise depth, or sacrifice ANY of the story - the split points caused me to rearrange a few events; and the rest of the story tailored to that, so in fact, as the story stands, those shifts would be seamless. Part of the challenge any writer faces is mainting Quality, Inventiveness, Unpredictability, and upping the stakes without repeated ideas....all woven into what is going on behind the scenes, because as I see it right now, to do a work of this ambitious nature, a publisher's help is required - I can focus on the writing; and they can do what they do best - Big Distribution - there is no better system I've seen yet to get the books into the readers' hands.

Today, we are seeing a move toward shorter books, or split books (many shorter installments). The 'numbers' are easier to work, in this instance, and it makes small press runs (the norm today) for reprints EASIER for the publisher to realize their investment...the shorter book is easier to backlist.

I have fought this trend; worked a schedule that would make faint hearts quail to keep the consistency of this series as it began: the strong, long format with the One Two punch plot payoff. It has not been easy.

If the story flows a bit differently for set up in an arc start, this is due to foundation, NOT sprawl.

I have absolutely NO interest in keeping this series going one word longer than necessary to finish the last.

Arc III draws to such an explosive finish it almost feels like a finish in itself. The build to that point was done with exquisite care - based on the FACT I had to publish as I went....had to finalize each book and then push on, unable to revise backwards. Had I been a hobbyist (and cannot be that, this work is FULL TIME WORK, and then some) I may have twiddled the whole thing, then gone back and reworked for (perhaps) another balance - but I have to say I am happy with how it's worked, in hindsight, given that I made all the best choices I could, and they were for the large picture very sound ones.

Will Arc IV sprawl? No. I have completed the full draft and nearly done the polish for Initiate's Trial, and it is bang on schedule, plot wize, for its two book projection.

I know the last 2 vols will ring in tight, because hereforward, the story is ALL denouement - and all at a very fast pace, since the series as a whole is past tipping point.

Stormed Fortress and arc III are a very comfortable pause point. But the last 3 volumes will not gear back in pace, only shift angle.

The middle arc always had the most ground to cover. (this is where the story expands to world-view/and faction view, without sprawling out. The core characters are still the core story).

IF I had any one wish, it would be that the first volume had more room for humor - which blooms in Arc II. Put simply, there was so much had to go into Mistwraith, there was no room. Everything squeaked, that book was written so tight - but that may not be apparent at first. The fulcrum points laid down in that foundation will launch a whole lot of powerful stuff, down the line.

This story was not written for the quick, simple skim. It is not for instant gratification, but for the deep impact punch that comes after a precision set up.

I know you are at Fugitive Prince - and the intricacy of the detail, here, is not frivolous. You will see EVERYTHING come back, bigger.

Oh, I have definitely seen and savored the expansion of detail in Fugitive Prince and I love it!

I didn't mean to accuse you of sprawl. I was merely curious and your explanation is thorough and enlightening. I'm not opposed to sprawl, well perhaps urban sprawl, and you've never delivered anything less than excellent prose.

As soon as I finish Fugitive Prince I plan to re-read Curse of the Mistwraith with an eye for all that I missed the first time. Now that so much is being revealed via the beginning of Arc III, I am sure to be amazed at my own blindness.

Yes, Curse lacked the lighter side, but definitely packed a punch.

Lighter side? Uh, it's only maybe my favorite book of all time! Plus the ones that follow, of course!

Janny, I just wanted to say that is a very cool map and I'm sure I'll be making use of it. I'm one of those fantasy readers that like maps.

I'm not a visual person (I so totally don't see "movies in my head" when I read as I understand a lot of people do) so things like maps and pictures help me to "see" the story in a way I can't on my own.

I still read it, understand and enjoy it, but I don't see it. But being so focused on the words allows me to to savour those, which I am doing in this case.

However, only being up to page 42 I will stay away from the map for a while as everything on it is currently a spoiler. All the same, it's a brilliant thing to have provided for the readers.

Kerry wrote: "Janny, I just wanted to say that is a very cool map and I'm sure I'll be making use of it. I'm one of those fantasy readers that like maps.

I'm not a visual person (I so totally don't see "movie..."

Kerry, the only spoilers are in the little pop-ups that happen when you click on them. In fact, they are hard to find and I thought they had been taken away from the map, so you don't have to worry. You can click on portions of the map to zero in and there are no spoilers if you do that. But if you put your cursor over names of places, and click, a pop-up will explain what happened in that particular place. Spoilers are in red print. Just don't read anything in red.

Actually the pop-ups start out with generic information about the place and if there is spoiler material the word SPOILER appears in red in a line by itself followed by the rest of the text in the default color. Something like:

        This place is such and such

                      SPOILER

       This text contains the spoiler

So just don't read below the red SPOILER.

I should have mentioned that some popups show image(s) of the place.

I've referred to the map a lot, simply because I love following along the journeys and whatnot on maps in whatever book I read, and the maps in the paperback copies of Janny's series are SO SMALL that my ancient, 37 year old eyes can't make out the names.

Also, fair warning, in the hopes that it may help new readers: the first few chapters are set on the splinterworld of Dascen Elur, which is NOT on the map of Curse of the Mistwraith. I'm saying this because I spent a good amount of time looking for those place names on the map when I first read the book. :)

Thanks, Stefan, for the mention that the place names on the map are for Athera only, not the splinter world.

I might mention that the directions on the map include a way to click and enlarge the area you want to view.

Hmmm. Goodreads isn't sending me emails for updates! Phooey.

Well I finally got a whole slew of updates. :\

Stefan wrote: "Also, fair warning, in the hopes that it may help new readers: the first few chapters are set on the splinterworld of Dascen Elur, which is NOT on the map of Curse of the Mistwraith. I'm saying this because I spent a good amount of time looking for those place names on the map when I first read the book. :)"

My magnifying glass and I thank you. I was worried that my vision was even worse than I thought!

::chuckles::

Hi Janny! This isn't so much related to this thread, it's more so a general question about the books. I'm about 75% complete with the first book (already a big fan) and was wondering... Is there a difference between the US and the UK version of the book? Are there even two different versions? I ask because I noticed on the back of my book it says UK.. And when I started reading it I had a hard time at first adjusting to some of the.. I'm not even sure what to call them. An example - around spoken words, instead of double quotes as I am used to, it was single quotes. And italics weren't used in the way I've grown accustomed to. So is this something that would be different in US versions of the book (if they even exist, I haven't been able to find that information through google)? Or are those things just part of your writing style? I've grown used to it now, but was just curious.

Stefan wrote: "I've referred to the map a lot, simply because I love following along the journeys and whatnot on maps in whatever book I read, and the maps in the paperback copies of Janny's series are SO SMALL t..."

Stefan, I remember asking Janny on her own website a few years ago if a map of Dascen Elur was a possibility. She mused that it was, at the time, but I rather suspect the primary job of getting words on paper has consumed any time that might be spent satisfying this reader's esoteric fancies.

Still, a map of Dascen Elur in The Curse of the Mistwraith would have been a mighty nice, dare I say Tolkienesque, touch.

I love maps.

Dawn wrote: "Hi Janny! This isn't so much related to this thread, it's more so a general question about the books. I'm about 75% complete with the first book (already a big fan) and was wondering... Is there a ..."

Yes, Dawn, there are differences.

The British version has British spellings, and also uses the style of single quotes. If the first printing was done from the London office, they put it all into British style. If the first printing was USA, sometimes they kept the US spellings - I have not checked to see if this stylistic shift was retained in the new reprints.

Are there other differences?
Could be.

There are some phrases that were changed to British usage (extremely minor! Example (not from this book, but To Ride Hell's Chasm: the US version used the word diaper - the British changed it to 'nappy')

Other minor differences: (and they are EXTREMELY small).
Production in London for the earlier volumes was sometimes rushed - so older, used copies of the Brit. edition may have errors. Older US editions may have some typos or the occasional minor error. If I knew the error was there, I fixed it in later reprints. (of course if you SEE an error or typo IN THE NEWEST EDITION, message me, I will flag it).

The US editions may vary here and there in a phrase or two; where production was concurrent, the US editor preferred something as written in manuscript, and the British editor made a MINOR adjustment.

Let the scholars get headaches over it - grin. You need not.

Unless you prefer American spelling and style - then, yes, dig up the old US editions, they will all be styled as you are accustomed.

Traitor's Knot and Stormed Fortress have no such shifts; except for the British spelling and style. And for Stormed Fortress, the British text is the only version currently available in the English language.

Clansman wrote: "Stefan wrote: "I've referred to the map a lot, simply because I love following along the journeys and whatnot on maps in whatever book I read, and the maps in the paperback copies of Janny's series..."

I have not forgotten this! It is heading the list of 'to do' once I turn in the hot deadline.

Just curious: If something is printed or released in Canada, do they have a separate style as well? (Canadian English?) Same goes for Australia I suppose.

I work with several Canadian and UK vendors as an IT professional, so I'm used to receiving e-mails with alternate spellings and/or hearing alternate pronunciations via conference calls. I find the differences intriguing.

The reprints are what I've been reading, and they seem to have the British spellings.

Though I've seen "judgement" and "judgment" in the same volume (I think it was Ships), so they might have missed it here or there.

Also, the add for ordering the books in the back of the reprints has pounds for pricing and a British address.

Chris wrote: "Also, the add for ordering the books in the back of the reprints has pounds for pricing and a British address."

Did you notice (under the sticker for US pricing) that the books are printed on paper from the Forest Stewardship Council? (FSC) I do applaud the effort to underwrite sustainable forestry in every way.

That's cool. I didn't notice that since I left my stickers intact. I didn't want to chance damaging the cover...

Chris wrote: "That's cool. I didn't notice that since I left my stickers intact. I didn't want to chance damaging the cover..."

Cool, yes. Definitely one of the reasons I looked to UK HarperCollins for the reissues. :)

Janny wrote: "Clansman wrote: "Stefan wrote: "I've referred to the map a lot, simply because I love following along the journeys and whatnot on maps in whatever book I read, and the maps in the paperback copies ..."

YAY!

Janny wrote: "Chris wrote: "Also, the add for ordering the books in the back of the reprints has pounds for pricing and a British address."

Did you notice (under the sticker for US pricing) that the books are p..."

I noticed that! I was wondering what sustainable reading meant. Very cool!

Could not get over my frustration with the printed map in The Curse of the Mistwraith, and don't always have a computer handy, so I went to the Interactive map and printed a map of each of the 5 kingdoms to keep with the book I'm reading. Wish I had done it sooner!!

Kathi wrote: "Could not get over my frustration with the printed map in The Curse of the Mistwraith, and don't always have a computer handy, so I went to the Interactive map and printed a map of each of the 5 ki..."

Hey! Good idea!

Just read this over at GoodReads Feedback:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

So we can now have spoilers in posts and reviews (view spoiler)[but hide the spoiler information with simple spoiler tags (hide spoiler)].

What's the schedule for the last two books? Neither one have a start date in the to-read bookshelf hear at Beyond Reality.

Jon wrote: "What's the schedule for the last two books? Neither one have a start date in the to-read bookshelf hear at Beyond Reality."

Are you asking about the two that aren't published yet? :D

I think Janny's been starting them when everyone wraps up with the current one.

Jon wrote: "What's the schedule for the last two books? Neither one have a start date in the to-read bookshelf hear at Beyond Reality."

Jon, the thread for the first three chapters of Traitor's Knot will be posted up Thursday...it will be a finish party, too - I just turned in Initiate's Trial. :)

Janny wrote: "Jon wrote: "What's the schedule for the last two books? Neither one have a start date in the to-read bookshelf hear at Beyond Reality."

Jon, the thread for the first three chapters of Traitor's K..."

Awesome news! Excellent!

Yep, sorry folks, I hadn't added the start date because we're not following our usual one-book-per-month schedule, and I was too lazy didn't get around to calculating the start date. Traitor's Knot will be this Thursday, and Stormed Fortress as soon as we're done with that one.

I re-read the series a while ago, have to say it's still one of my favourites, can't wait to read the 'end'.

For lack of a better place to post this: I had a dream last night that two close friends of mine who are identical twin guys were in this huge feud where C. was trying to kill J. and J. didn't understand why. There was some nefarious plot involving a pirate ship that I was trying to over hear while pretending to search for a dropped earring, or something along those lines? It's all your fault, Janny, because there were distinct echoes of your plot in the dream ;)

Shel wrote: "For lack of a better place to post this: I had a dream last night that two close friends of mine who are identical twin guys were in this huge feud where C. was trying to kill J. and J. didn't und..."

lol!

Helen wrote: "I re-read the series a while ago, have to say it's still one of my favourites, can't wait to read the 'end'."

You can't possibly want to read it more than I want to write it - grin - the good news: two books to write, (Initiate's Trial is turned in/coming Oct 27th in hardback) and both are under contract.

Nice to have you here, Helen. Feel free to jump in with any comments.

Shel wrote: "For lack of a better place to post this: I had a dream last night that two close friends of mine who are identical twin guys were in this huge feud where C. was trying to kill J. and J. didn't und..."

MY fault? ;)
What I want to know is who gets blamed for the dropped earring. ;)

LOL! I dropped the earring on purpose as an excuse to linger in the area and try to overhear C's plotting ;)

That was probably the only part of the dream that made any sort of coherent sense...dreams are weird...

Thanks Janny. I think you'll miss writing about Arithon, he made a huge impact on me and you are closer still.

Helen wrote: "Thanks Janny. I think you'll miss writing about Arithon, he made a huge impact on me and you are closer still."

When a story is finished, it is finished - I think you will be surprised. I will not 'miss' writing about Arithon - though some readers may miss more books on that character - what I foresee, when done, is - wow, fourteen more novels I WANT to finish when the series is done, and with characters just as vivid and wonderful. Wait and see...;)

Janny wrote: "Helen wrote: "Thanks Janny. I think you'll miss writing about Arithon, he made a huge impact on me and you are closer still."

When a story is finished, it is finished - I think you will be surpris..."

Uh oh.

what I foresee, when done, is - wow, fourteen more novels I WANT to finish when the series is done, and with characters just as vivid and wonderful. Wait and see...;)

You don't ever do thing by halves, do you Janny?

:)

Kerry wrote: "what I foresee, when done, is - wow, fourteen more novels I WANT to finish when the series is done, and with characters just as vivid and wonderful. Wait and see...;)

You don't ever do thing by..."

Couldn't imagine it, by halves, nope.

'sucker for punishment' springs to mind! Roll on the new characters.

Janny, it did amuse me, you saying that Cherryh books are an instant must buy. You are my must buy. I clearly don't think of you having a life or reading, just writing books for me!!

Helen wrote: "Janny, it did amuse me, you saying that Cherryh books are an instant must buy. You are my must buy. I clearly don't think of you having a life or reading, just writing books for me!!"

Helen, thank you for your enthusiasm, hitting the 'must buy' list is one of the most touching compliments for any author, ever.

Your welcome, you've bought me hours of pleasure! Now, go write!!

LOL! Did you hear that whip crack, Janny?
;-)