# New fantasy novel: The Ventifact Colossus **URL:** \ **Category:** Marketplace\ **Created:** [January 14, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148 "2016-01-14T16:50:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/21 "2016-02-16T02:51:58Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I should have thought of this before - any way to get an autographed copy?! > [@Parthol](#): > > You’re in the UK, yes? Do you ever travel to the Boston area? 🙂 I am indeed across the pond. I’ve been to Vegas a few times, but now I’m retired I do less travelling. ---
**Author:** ![Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fool_in_the_Rain)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/22 "2016-02-16T13:43:06Z")
Love me a good fantasy…ordered, and following you on Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![Parthol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@Parthol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parthol)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/23 "2016-02-17T04:35:25Z")
> [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](#): > > Love me a good fantasy…ordered, and following you on Amazon. Thanks! I hope you still think it’s a good fantasy after you’ve read it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/24 "2016-02-17T08:52:22Z")
Just picked it up on Kindle. Looking forward to it. BTW, Infovore, I love the series so far! When is the next one available, if you don’t mind? ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/25 "2016-02-18T12:07:04Z")
My copy has just been delivered. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Parthol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@Parthol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parthol)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/26 "2016-02-18T15:31:26Z")
> [@picker](#): > > Just picked it up on Kindle. Looking forward to it. Thanks, **picker**! ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/27 "2016-02-25T07:06:21Z")
Nice work. I really enjoyed it. Now hurry up with the next one! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/28 "2016-02-25T12:40:13Z")
I’m enjoying it (it’s a real page-turner.) 🆒 Gazing into the future, I can see a favourable Amazon review coming your way. 🙂 However as this is the Dope, I have a couple of questions! Firstly a point of grammar. :eek: You write: “The first thing Ernie Roundhill did the next morning was sit at his desk and write a letter because he really ought to.” I understand this fine (it’s even written in the style of Ernie’s thought processes, if you see what I mean.) However what came to my mind was (differences in **bold** ): “ **The next morning** the first thing Ernie Roundhill did was **to** sit at his desk and write a letter because he **should**.” Secondly, is there going to be a map of Spira? (I realise you may have chosen not to, as it’s somewhat of a cliche…) ---
**Author:** ![Parthol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@Parthol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parthol)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/29 "2016-02-25T17:22:59Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I’m enjoying it (it’s a real page-turner.) 🆒 > Gazing into the future, I can see a favourable Amazon review coming your way. 🙂 So glad you’re enjoying it! And Amazon reviews are just about the greatest gift a reader can give to a new author. 🙂 > [@](#): > > However as this is the Dope, I have a couple of questions! > > Firstly a point of grammar. :eek: > You write: > > “The first thing Ernie Roundhill did the next morning was sit at his desk and write a letter because he really ought to.” > > I understand this fine (it’s even written in the style of Ernie’s thought processes, if you see what I mean.) > However what came to my mind was (differences in **bold** ): > > “ **The next morning** the first thing Ernie Roundhill did was **to** sit at his desk and write a letter because he **should**.” There’s nothing wrong wither either version, I think, and as you surmise, I chose my phrasing in part to fit the slightly simpler way that Ernie looks at the world. (Though on reflection, I _think_ my omission of “to” was correct. I know there are all sorts of grammatical divergences between the U.S. and England; perhaps this is one?) > [@](#): > > Secondly, is there going to be a map of Spira? > (I realise you may have chosen not to, as it’s somewhat of a cliche…) I would have liked to include maps, but they would have added too much expense to the production of the book. If things go well, Book 2 will have maps, and I may even get around to putting some on the book’s [web page](http://dorianhart.com/the-heroes-of-spira/) before then… assuming my artist can make the time. (Trust me: you would not want the author of the book to draw \*anything \*meant for public consumption!) I hope you enjoy the rest of the book! ---
**Author:** ![Parthol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@Parthol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parthol)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/30 "2016-02-25T17:24:28Z")
> [@picker](#): > > Nice work. I really enjoyed it. Now hurry up with the next one! 🙂 So happy to hear it. And I’m plugging away on Book 2 as fast as I’m able. 🙂 If you have the time, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. Doesn’t have to be long. Many thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2016, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/31 "2016-02-26T04:25:22Z")
On Chapter 4… ---
**Author:** ![Parthol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@Parthol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parthol)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/32 "2016-03-04T19:20:10Z")
Just wanted to mention: If you’re reading (or have finished) the book and want to be on my mailing list with updates on the series, you can sign up [here](http://dorianhart.com/the-heroes-of-spira/3-2-1-contact/). (I will never share your address, and my updates are infrequent, so no worries on those scores.) Also, if you’ve read the book, please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon – even if you didn’t think it was great. (Amazon uses number of reviews as part of their mysterious algorithms that determine how often a book gets mentioned on their site.) Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/33 "2016-03-24T20:12:15Z")
I’ve just left a review on [Amazon.co.uk](http://Amazon.co.uk) - 5 stars (well deserved 🆒 ) ---
**Author:** ![Parthol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@Parthol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parthol)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/34 "2016-03-24T20:39:22Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I’ve just left a review on [Amazon.co.uk](http://Amazon.co.uk) - 5 stars (well deserved 🆒 ) Thanks, **glee**! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! If you have a spare minute, consider copying your review over to the U.S. Amazon site; that’s where the BookBub people will look when I apply for a promotional spot in a couple of weeks. 🙂 As for maps, I would have liked to include them, but as a first-time self-published author, I discovered they were too expensive to include. My hope is to include them with Book 2, the first draft of which is about 60% complete. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2016, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/35 "2016-03-24T23:09:52Z")
OK, I’ve copied my review over to the main Amazon site. I realise maps in the book would be expensive. How about sending your subscribers an e-mail attachment which they could print out? Also for the future, I’m keen to get autographed copies. Maybe when the next book comes out I could send you cash and you reply with an autographed book? ---
**Author:** ![Parthol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@Parthol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parthol)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/36 "2016-03-25T03:38:54Z")
> [@glee](#): > > OK, I’ve copied my review over to the main Amazon site. Thanks! > [@](#): > > I realise maps in the book would be expensive. > How about sending your subscribers an e-mail attachment which they could print out? Right now the problem is that I don’t have maps worthy of publication. I am NOT an artist, and the artist I used for my cover is both busy and expensive. But when I do have maps made, I’ll immediately post them to my website and mail the link to my subscribers. > [@](#): > > Also for the future, I’m keen to get autographed copies. Maybe when the next book comes out I could send you cash and you reply with an autographed book? I’m sure we can work something out. 🙂 Do you use PayPal? I could buy myself a copy, sign it, and mail it to you, and you could PayPal me the cost of the book and maybe half the shipping. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/37 "2016-03-25T09:11:43Z")
> [@Parthol](#): > > Right now the problem is that I don’t have maps worthy of publication. I am NOT an artist, and the artist I used for my cover is both busy and expensive. But when I do have maps made, I’ll immediately post them to my website and mail the link to my subscribers. Excellent - I look forward to that. > [@glee](#): > > Also for the future, I’m keen to get autographed copies. Maybe when the next book comes out I could send you cash and you reply with an autographed book? > [@Parthol](#): > > I’m sure we can work something out. 🙂 Do you use PayPal? I could buy myself a copy, sign it, and mail it to you, and you could PayPal me the cost of the book and maybe half the shipping. I use PayPal. I’ll pay for all the shipping (I want you happily writing! 🙂 ) Oh, and I’d want a copy of Ventifact Colussus signed too… 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Ace331](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Ace331](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace331)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/38 "2016-04-19T16:15:10Z")
Does Amazon still count it as a “sale” if I get it free through Kindle Unlimited? Would hate to think I’ve been cheating authors out of royalties by getting books for free. Think I’ve downloaded 20-30 books through Kindle Ulimited. Most of which I intended on buying and only didn’t because of the free option. ---
**Author:** ![Parthol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@Parthol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parthol)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/39 "2016-04-19T19:00:41Z")
> [@Ace331](#): > > Does Amazon still count it as a “sale” if I get it free through Kindle Unlimited? Would hate to think I’ve been cheating authors out of royalties by getting books for free. Think I’ve downloaded 20-30 books through Kindle Ulimited. Most of which I intended on buying and only didn’t because of the free option. Great question! Authors get paid for each page you read of a Kindle Unlimited book, and (at least for full length novels) it tends to work out that if you read the whole thing, they get paid about as much as if you had just bought it outright for your Kindle. More specifically, Amazon computes a giant fund that all KU authors split up each month. For March, that was 14.9 million, which translated to .0047 per page. In my case, Amazon has set The Ventifact Colossus at 624 normalized Kindle pages, so I get paid $2.93 for each full-read of the book. That’s slightly _more_ than I get for a straight-up Kindle sale! So download away, and feel no guilt 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ace331](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Ace331](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace331)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2016, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148/40 "2016-04-19T20:40:26Z")
Good to know. Book has been downloaded. I’ll write a review on amazon once it makes its way up to the top of my to read list. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fantasy-novel-the-ventifact-colossus/743148.md?page=3)