# My first novel (fantasy) has just been published! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 8, 2013, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404 "2013-03-08T17:53:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/61 "2013-04-29T00:52:13Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > That “bona fide” comment was supposed to have had a smilie with it, and was meant to be funny and a takeoff on “O Brother Where Art Thou?” Instead, it came out sounding like I was questioning the book’s validity. I hope so much you know I would never do that. I didn’t catch the reference, but I knew it wasn’t a jab, so no worries. Thanks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/62 "2013-04-29T00:57:58Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > My pleasure! (I’m Silas Sparkhammer!) Definitely enjoyed your book. The thing that stood out the most was the realism of pre-industrial life. Like, having to dig latrine pits when roughing it in the woods. Or how much doggone work is involved in shoving a keel-boat upstream. Thanks so much! That review really made my week. All the info about how river shipping worked against the current (before the steam engine) I researched from [this book](http://www.amazon.com/The-Keelboat-Age-Western-Waters/dp/0822953196). > [@](#): > > (We never read about Aragorn and Boromir having to dig latrine pits!) > > Not much more I can say without spoilers: deuced good read! A pleasure! Having people who I’ve never met tell me that my book is good is one of the most gratifying things that’s ever happened to me. Thank you very, very much. > [@](#): > > P.S. “Silas Sparkhammer” is stolen from Jack Vance, “The Book of Dreams.” Yeah, I googled it and figured it out a bit later. > [@](#): > > P.P.S. Was “Phink” an allusion to [Mike Fink](http://www.yesterland.com/keelboats.html)? No- I guess it’s just an interesting coincidence. Generally the names of my characters come to me straight from the ether. ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/63 "2013-04-29T15:45:03Z")
I just picked up the book so will review it when done. Honestly the cover isn’t that bad though I agree that it looks young adult. I think it’s the bright colors that trigger that reaction. Still, kudos to you for writing it. I got hit with a book idea about 6 months ago that I think about constantly but haven’t committed to paper. If this works out well for you that would give me some good incentive to see my idea through as well. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/64 "2013-04-29T15:58:49Z")
> [@Frazzled](#): > > I just picked up the book so will review it when done. Honestly the cover isn’t that bad though I agree that it looks young adult. I think it’s the bright colors that trigger that reaction. Still, kudos to you for writing it. I got hit with a book idea about 6 months ago that I think about constantly but haven’t committed to paper. If this works out well for you that would give me some good incentive to see my idea through as well. Thanks- I hope you enjoy it! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/65 "2013-04-30T13:02:10Z")
Another first for my book- the first [not-so-great review](http://www.amazon.com/review/RWAYHGFGIKWWB/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm). I guess it’s still mostly positive… and I couldn’t possibly expect everyone to love it. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/66 "2013-04-30T13:40:38Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > and I couldn’t possibly expect everyone to love it. Sure you could. 😉 All authors know everyone should love their baby. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/67 "2013-05-04T20:50:18Z")
In order to foster some more customer reviews of my book, I’d like to offer a copy of the ebook for free to any Straight Dope reader who promises to post an honest review (on Amazon, Goodreads, B&N, etc) when finished reading it. If you’re interested, please send me a message, and let me know how to get it to you. And for anyone who has already read it and reviewed it, I’d be happy to offer a free copy of my next book, once it’s published 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/68 "2013-05-04T21:30:26Z")
Well, at least it was a “thrash and trash” review! Three stars? Well, beats the heck out of two or one! (I was once walking in the park, and some cute girls were rating the guys they saw. I walked by, and they muttered to each other, “Six.” I was irrationally smug the whole rest of the day!) ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/69 "2013-05-04T21:34:04Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > In order to foster some more customer reviews of my book, I’d like to offer a copy of the ebook for free to any Straight Dope reader who promises to post an honest review (on Amazon, Goodreads, B&N, etc) when finished reading it. If you’re interested, please send me a message, and let me know how to get it to you. I’ll trade ya–you review mine, and I’ll review yours. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/70 "2013-05-04T22:30:01Z")
BTW, just to add: I’ve been reading yours and enjoying it. I had to take a break to read some other stuff, but I plan to finish it up soon! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/71 "2013-05-04T22:37:04Z")
Sounds good Infovore- I’ve got yours too, and it’s on my list. I’ll let you know when I get to it. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/72 "2013-05-05T01:00:28Z")
A bit late to the party, but I just bought the kindle version, and will be starting it very soon 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2013, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/73 "2013-05-05T01:12:17Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > A bit late to the party, but I just bought the kindle version, and will be starting it very soon 🙂 Great! I hope you enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404/74 "2013-05-08T22:50:20Z")
Another smattering of [positive reviews](http://www.amazon.com/Sailor-of-the-Skysea-ebook/product-reviews/B00BQO25SY/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending#RY3MG1LHOR1FU)… one of them comes from our very own (and fellow author) [Infovore](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=685899). You have my gratitude! For the first time, I’m starting to feel a smidge of confidence that (gasp!) I actually wrote a pretty good book. Even though the cover art doesn’t seem to be a big hit. I’ve still got a few spare copies of the ebook if anyone would like to promise an honest review upon completion for a free copy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-novel-fantasy-has-just-been-published/652404.md?page=3)