Shiver Me Timbers It’s A World Apart
June 2012 marks the release of A World Apart, the second in the Elencheran Chronicles series, full of pirates, love, magic, friendship, battles and family. I sometimes thought I would not make it this far but it’s an amazing feeling to have this second book out there. I just have time to tell you a little more before retreating to my laptop to begin my third book! Writers sadly don’t have holidays. Our imaginations won’t allow it!
I began this venture back in 1999 with the creation of the fictitious world of Elenchera. After more than a decade of world building, including 500+ maps and 47,000 years of history, I released my first novel, Fezariu’s Epiphany, in May 2011. Though the Elencheran Chronicles deal with a fantasy world my aim has always been to do something different with the genre, to make it more accessible to a wider range of readers. Although Elenchera is a key aspect of each novel in the series, it is the characters that take precedence and not the world. Readers will still learn snippets of Elencheran history but the bulk of their time will be spent in the company of the characters.
I applied this rule with Fezariu’s Epiphany which told the story of a boy who suffers many upheavals in his young life, including the abandonment of his mother and the murder of his stepfather. Fezariu blames himself for these tragedies and eventually runs away from home. He joins the Merelax Mercenaries – Elenchera’s most prestigious hired hands. Rising through the ranks, Fezariu is born to be a mercenary but his past never lets go and when the chance to go back and learn the truth comes along he has no choice but to take it.
Fezariu’s Epiphany had a generally positive response, which was very humbling for me, and I am hoping the same will be true of A World Apart. This isn’t a sequel but a new, stand-alone novel focusing on three friends – Demetrius, Eleyna and Halcyon – who grow up together in Dove’s Meadow. In their teens they end up in a love triangle, which is only resolved when Demetrius leaves to join the army. After a decade the three friends are reunited, no longer as friends but as enemies. Demetrius is a disgraced soldier charged with hunting down a notorious pirate – the Ivory Rose. Halcyon is part of the Ivory Rose’s crew and Eleyna is the infamous pirate Captain that Demetrius must capture or kill to earn his freedom. It’s a tough dilemma but which path will Demetrius take?
A World Apart is a much longer novel than Fezariu’s Epiphany but it’s been so rewarding completing it. I have felt more confident working on this novel. I received some useful feedback for Fezariu’s Epiphany and I have applied that with this latest book. I am hopeful that A World Apart will be considered superior to Fezariu’s Epiphany, as I believe it is, but at the same time I am looking forward to further feedback, the chance to learn and develop as an author.
One of the reasons I became an indie author in the first place is I believe that readers are the ones that ultimately decide how worthwhile a book is. Readers, writers and book bloggers are the teachers I listen to intently with every piece of writing I produce. I don’t believe it’s possible to write the perfect novel but I do believe you will only get close to that ideal by taking on board what others have to say. For me, all constructive criticism, whether positive or negative, is always welcome. I never want to stop developing as a writer and only readers can help me complete this amazing journey.
GIVE AWAY GIVE AWAY
The author is giving away an e-book copy of A World Apart and ...... $20 Amazon GC! To join the giveaway, just leave a comment with your email. Extra points will be given to those who will follow Bookingly Yours and share this post thru Facebook and Twitter with the link/s included in the comment section. Giveaway ends on July 17 and winner will be announced shortly thereafter. GOODLUCK!!
U P D A T E A S O F J U L Y 1 5 T H
The author is adding one more e-book for the giveaway and this will be extended until the 27th of July. Goodluck!
50 comments:
A big thank you to Bookingly Yours for me hosting me today :)
Woo hoo! Congrats David!
Jeannette
jwhitus@hotmail.com
GFC- jwhitus
NetworkedBlogs - Jeannette Whitus
It has been a long time since I read a good epic pirate book!
Ooh this sounds pretty cool. Thanks for the post and giveaway!
juliecookies(at)gmail.com
Ooh this sounds pretty cool. Thanks for the post and giveaway!
juliecookies(at)gmail.com
The book sounds fantastic, and I LOVE the cover...excellent! Hoping I win, lol.
julie (dot) ws (at) gmail (dot) com
I was just doodling around this morning and came across a mention for this post and hopped on over. I must say that the Elencheran Chronicles sounds like a fun world and I look forward to more. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of the latest installment in the journey.
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
That was a great post so nice to read an author who is in tune to what the readers are after. Great one David.
I shared G+ and twitter
frellathon(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for commenting Jeanette and thank you :)
Not since watching The Pirate Movie, right Coral? :)
You should try a book called Amador Lockdown. Heard it's pretty cool. Going on my TBR pile :)
Thanks for commenting Julie :)
Thanks for your kind words about the cover and storyline, Julie :)
Thanks for commenting Denise. If you end up trying a book from The Elencheran Chronicles I hope you enjoy the story :)
Thanks for commenting and sharing Jessica.
I think being an author and book blogger helps enormously. It's valuable to see both perspectives. I always aim to treat readers and writers the same as I would like to be treated :)
Awesome post. Your novels seem extremely intruiging. I just mightt have to buy them soon! I Love Love Love! Your book covers. What a fantastic job. Please give props to the artist for me. (totally seirous) I enjoy when an author recognises that the readers and book bloggers are his teachers, because in a way we are. You can only improve by listening and being open minded. A stubborn author will get no where!
Best Wishes-Nic
Pirates, love, magic, friendship, battles and family - sounds like my kind of read.
Loving it that you take on board what your readers think, as the above comment said a stubborn author will get no where!
reneeroseclosetgirl at gmail
I'm following now too!
Looks like a great book...
Here's my email:
soma.rostam@yahoo.com
Thanks for commenting Nic.
Yes, writers need to keep their ears open to all feedback if they are to improve. I'll never be content with a certain standard, I'll aways strive to improve :)
Thanks for commenting Petty.
Yes, there's a lot more going on in A World Apart than my first book.
I don't understand writers that don't listen to book bloggers and readers. Your audience makes or breaks you at the end of the day. Value them and they will value you.
Thanks for commenting Renee :)
Thank you for commenting Soma :)
If you try any of the books I hope you enjoy them :)
Joining:)
GFC: arra
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/NakedArra/status/222808005379489792
FB shared: http://www.facebook.com/terence.morta.1/posts/457365747620810
Arra M.
naked_cannibal@yahoo.com
That is an interesting cover for the book :)
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds interesting. Just tweet about it. https://twitter.com/LynelleClark1/status/223377818606764032
i hope i did not miss out but i
love your pic on t he page and then the book cover is great wow ilike to read the book and blgo on it
The amount of thought you have put into building the history of your world is amazing to me. Lots and lots of stories in there and I look forward to reading them!
and of course I forgot to add my email which is LibraryGirl @ about.me
Thank you
rierie11booger (@) yahoo.com
abrennan09@hotmail.com
Happy to come across your blog - thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
I love stories of pirates, some I'm sure I'll enjoy. A World Apart. Thanks for the giveaway.
p_Halligan@yahoo.com
Shared on Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/H3artonF1r3/status/227106543999520770
p_Halligan@yahoo.com
This books sounds amazing!! girlfloyd at gmail dot com
tweeted - https://twitter.com/PennyRubbers/status/227183645067194368
girlfloyd at gmail dot com
tis is great book and i love to read and bog on them fr you i love to read
I would love to read A World Apart.
I'm a follower and tweeted.
GFC: Malvina Beatrice
Tweet : https://twitter.com/Acciomalfoyz/status/228175662303825923
darkenf(at)rocketmail(dot)com
Wow! All the background research and history that you checked into. I hope you enjoyed all the background work involved. I know it will add to your book. Thanks for the giveaway and the book.
savewish@yahoo.com
Thanks for the giveaway!
marine.mom42@hotmail.com
I would love to be entered to win!
surveylover77 at hotmail dot com
Hi wulf thanks for commenting.
I'm very happy with the cover for AWA. The guy that put it together is one of the best :)
Hi Lynelle,
Thanks for commenting :)
Hi desitheblone,
Thank you for commenting and for your kind words :)
Thank you for commenting Angela.
Many years went into Elenchera and I sometimes wondered whether to carry on. I'm glad I stuck with it.
Hi Pam, thanks for commenting.
Pirates are great, aren't they? Good luck with the giveaway :)
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for commenting :)
Hi Malvina,
Thank you for commenting.
If you do read AWA I hope you enjoy it :)
Hi Sherry,
Thank you for commenting.
The world building was fun and sometimes tiring and frustrating. I wanted to quit many times but am pleased I saw it through to the end :)
Hi Shannon,
Thank you for commenting. Good luck with the giveaway :)
Thanks David for this great giveaway, I have just published my post for the giveaway winners!
Hi Pam, thanks for commenting. Pirates are great, aren't they? Good luck with the giveaway :)
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