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A wonderful blend of phantasmogorical imagery, bone-chilling evil and weary nobility. There is somber beauty in both the heroes and villains, and I can't wait to read more about their doings!
The Children of the Forest
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This book hooks you in from the very first chapter––not with a dramatic depiction of a spaceship or planet, but with a set of fascinating, hard-nosed characters with deadly skills and troubled pasts. The more you read, the more you want to learn!
Ghosts of War: Retribution
Ghosts of War: Retribution is a fast paced science fiction thriller that takes you beyond the edge of the galaxy to answer one question, how far will a man go for revenge?
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Aldo Salt commented on Cold Iron Crossing
Revision Notes #6: The Mysterious Alder

When I wrote out the first draft of "Cold Iron Crossing", I consciously committed myself to write and post no less than 1 chapter per week. In other words, I chose to write a serial novel.

There’s a lot of merit to writing stories this way: you learn to write by the seat of your pants, making each chapter dynamic and game-changing in order to keep yourself and the readers engaged.  Plus, cliffhangers really do work.

The downside of serial updates, though, is that sometimes you just plain forget about plot elements...or introduce important plot elements and characters late in the story without proper foreshadowing.

The character of the "Alder" is a great example of this. She’s a very intriguing character, a mysterious ancient vampire lady who rules Cryptatown with a Iron, Well Manicured Fist...

...but I only really introduced her in the last chapter of the plot, with a few vague references here and there beforehand.  It wasn’t clear how she played a role in the greater plot, or why the other characters feared her. 

To address this,  a good portion of my revision work was dedicated to giving the Alder a greater presence in the storyline and stronger ties with the other characters.

Morgaeous, the Drake-worm is afraid of the Alder.

Sarah Mankiller, the firebrand activist, owes her a very awkward debt.

...and Dieselnoi Worawoot wants to become one of her Private Eyes?

I won’t say that the Alder perfectly implemented as a character...but I’m pretty sure I’m on the right path with her.

What do you folks think?

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    Aldo Salt liked an update for Bane of All Things

    Good morning, everyone! In the past 10 hours, we have shot past the 350 pre-order mark thanks to the support of old and new. A shout out to our new supporters: The TIE Ottawa crew (Bharat R., Sanjeev S., Kevin F. and Bernie F.), as well as Julian M., Greg M., Janet F., Jantine V., Cindy P., Ricky R., Samantha G. and Rosemary S.

    This already-extended campaign is due to end this Friday evening -- the Ides of March, no less. Hopefully this date proves more auspicious for me than it did for Julius Caesar!

    Achieving 356 pre-orders is an amazing milestone, but still not a guarantee that I will earn a contract offer from Inkshares. As I announced last week, Bane of All Things was Inkshares Staff Syndicate pick for February. I have also been asked about the state of my manuscript. These are both very good signs that have my fingers crossed.

    Now more than ever I need your help to finish strong. Any and all last-minute support matters. I also want to give a shout out to existing supporters who have stepped up in recent days to pre-order additional copies or enlist others to the cause: Francis M., Ian G., Bryan Y., Howard C., Megan A., Yves B., Elle P. and Jacqui C.

    If you haven’t already, please lend me your support with a pre-order. If you have a few dollars more to pre-order another ebook copy, please do. And if you have anyone in mind you could also recruit to the cause, now is the time. Those prize draws I promised last time are still pending!

    This whole endeavour wouldn’t be anywhere without you. I am truly humbled by the support and encouragement you have all so graciously given.

    Cheers

    Leo Valiquette

     

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