Trader’s Diary

Comment from Alison
Time: May 16, 2007, 2:30 pm

One thing I feel very strongly about it that you choose a more appropriate piece of music for the beginning, end, and segues of each episode. The soft, lilting music in Quater Share was neutral enough that it worked, although it didn’t connect to the story at all. The grating tones of the Irish jig in Half Share, however, are awful. The story has nothing to do with Irish heritage or polka music, and it just seems out of place.
Also, you need to consider the audience of your pod novel, and what kind of music would sound natural to them within your story. If you are targeting younger, sci-fi-loving listeners, I don’t think a recording of an accordion from 1928 is the way to relate to them. Not that some heavy metal song straight out of a Scott Sigler audiobook is going to work, either. It needs to be mellow, but still modern and upbeat enough to be liked by the younger crowd. Something instrumental and uplifting, but not boring, would be the perfect complement to the story.

Keep up the great storytelling!

-Alison (from Fort Collins, Colorado)

Comment from Brandon Campbell
Time: May 22, 2007, 12:22 am

I love these works. Having served in the US Navy on the USS Los Angeles for 4 years, these books they really bring back memories of life aboard a submarine, which if you think about it resemble the conditions on the Lois McKendrick.
Great job on these books. Please hurry up with the next one, Full Share presumably.

Thank you!!!!

Comment from Jeff
Time: June 11, 2007, 11:52 pm

Contrary to a previous post, I find the Chanty-like jig entirely appropriate given the leitmotif running through all of the books.

Placement, fade-in/out and improved channel integration of the tunes with the words wouldn’t hurt though.

Comment from Herbert A. Shedden
Time: June 24, 2007, 6:07 pm

I believe Quarter Share And Half Share to be the best books I have heard in a very long time. I have spent $100s on other books (audio, I drive for a living, Audio books keep me awake.) Podiobooks is a great way for Authors to get their work to the public. These two books (Quarter Share and Half Share) to be the best presented I have hear, and by now I have heard many. The music seems very appropriate to me. I am 52 years old though and that might have something to do with my attitude. I am impatiently awaiting Full Share.
Sincerely
Herbert A. Shedden

Comment from Lee
Time: June 26, 2007, 11:34 am

Just about to download full share part one.

I too liked both the books and the unusual title music (although at 40 I don’t count as “younger” any more). The story so far reminds me somewhat of Heinlein with the themes of individualism, free trade and earned respect. Particularly like the below decks feel of an ordinary person just making his way in the world.

Many thanks.

Lee Lawrence (England)

Comment from Rich
Time: August 17, 2007, 4:24 am

I have just finished listening to all three Podiobooks and I want to thank you for an absolutely fantastic story, I honestly hope you can drag this story out until Ish gets Admiral share.

Many thanks.

Rich Taylor (England)

Comment from AWFord
Time: August 20, 2007, 2:36 am

Nate, all I can say is outstanding work, my friend

I’m about half-way through Half Share, and really found myself surprised at how much I’m enjoying the series. Raw space drama with no actions scenes and no aliens, no combat or real conflict… by description I never would have imagined it working, but you pull it off in such a way that I’m actually trying to keep mental pace with how the mercantile group is performing, how much the trading in ship stores has netted, the details of scaping sludge filters.

Your vision of near future space commerce is surprisingly fresh in it’s simplicity and grounded in a way easy to believe and fall into.

Again, all I can say is “OUTSTANDING” and beg you to continue stories in your Golden Age of the Solar Clipper long past Mr Wang’s tale.

Comment from Christian, Sweden
Time: August 21, 2007, 5:33 am

Yep, the stories sure are fantastic. I’m eagerly looking forward to the last (16th?) episode in Full Share, and am already longing for the following trilogy.

I expected something entirely different than I got, and that might add to the feel of something special. I was, like so many, expecting the regular kind of space opera (action, aliens etc) but this is special and wonderful in its very own way. Thank you!

Comment from Phil Nunemacher
Time: August 27, 2007, 10:13 am

I was just looking through the Spacers Handbook and noticed that something seems to be missing in the positions. What about medical? This would be especially true for passenger vessels or larger crewed vessels. Various levels of medical attendant, pharmacist mate and a doctor (officer: non-command) would be available.

Just a thought,

-phil

Comment from Nate
Time: August 27, 2007, 10:20 am

This is a really good observation. I never thought of it because Lois doesn’t need one, but the liners certainly would.

Good catch!

Comment from Phil Nunemacher
Time: August 27, 2007, 10:56 am

I sent you a reply by private email, but on second thought I’d better post it here.

Even on the Lois, there has to be someone to provide emergency treatment and get the injured to the med-bay. I’m thinking everyone must pass a first-aid course - so noted in their jacket. Also, advanced first-aid for some or all of the steward division since they seem to have no other emergency duty stations. Maybe the third mate as officer responsible as an additional duty?

Great characters and a unique plot line by the way. I look forward to the next book and hope you find a publisher soon. I’d buy the books for sure.

-phil

Comment from josh
Time: September 2, 2007, 2:32 am

Your books make me wish I was born a couple centuries later, so I could sign articles and be a spacer.

Great literature! I also hope that you find a publisher soon. I’d love to have the printed set on my shelf nestled between Douglas Adams and JRR Tolkien. I strongly believe your series would be insanely popular, and not just to sci-fi fans.

Keep up the great work, I hope it is as fun to write as it is to hear.

-Josh-

Comment from John
Time: September 17, 2007, 8:34 pm

I cannot believe how much I have been enjoying Quarter Share.

Imagine, a science fiction story set on a spaceship with no aliens, no space battle, not much high drama and one that explores what could be considered rather mundane day-to-day activities. And yet, the story is absolutely gripping.

I picked it up on podiobooks.com and as I write this, I’ve just found out there is only one episode left. I’ve been listening to an episode a day and champing at the bit for the next. I don’t know what I will do when the story runs out. I’m glad to see that other books are in production.

I’m really not sure if it’s the characters, the story or the narration I love the best, but I think this production is fantastic.

Please keep up the fantastic work.

Just found the website, too. That’ll keep me busy!

Looks like I am not the first to make these observations. I guess Nate struck a chord.

-John

Comment from Eric Kennedy
Time: September 26, 2007, 9:43 pm

THANKS for the end! Keep up the great work!

Comment from Binary
Time: September 27, 2007, 3:01 am

Just finished listening to the final chapter of Full Share. So sad its over, but what a fantastic series of books. Please please tell us there is more to come.

Comment from Jadi
Time: November 15, 2007, 5:01 pm

Goodness gracious,

I just finished Full Share, and have to say that I am thrilled by the universe you have created. Somewhere else I compared your work to some of Robert Heinlein’s. His novella “Citizen of the Galaxy”, contains scenes where the story’s hero “Thor” is living with a group of Traders that are all related. They call themselves “The Family.” The way the people on the “Lois” relate to each other is reminicent of that story.

Good work, can’t wait for more.

Comment from Dan-d
Time: December 24, 2007, 1:09 pm

These are among the best books I have ever listened to or read! You have immersed us in a universe that has no bounds and the stories could be endless. Thanks for all you effort over the past year. Keep it coming, and stay out of the RL.

Comment from annoyance
Time: February 12, 2008, 10:46 am

I loved this series and universe. I’m interested in plot line concerning using sludge and algae matrices to create fertilizer. Is that going to become important in the future?

Comment from Luce
Time: February 29, 2008, 5:45 pm

Absolutely loving all of the books so far. I’m currently on my 4th run through on Q/H/F Share boosk and downloading South Coast weekly from Podiobooks. It’s great to read about very real people living in a universe that feels so real.

however I do have a question, everything in the books I’ve come across appears (in my head at least) to have Earthly origins. I imagine that most of the worlds out there have been terraformed by the big companies, however long that takes, but I still wonder if there is any non-terrestrial life out there?

Are there any native lifeforms on these worlds? Are native plants/microbes etc wiped out by the terraforming processes? Is my question merely outside the interests of the character’s that we’ve come across so far?

Comment from Nate
Time: February 29, 2008, 6:05 pm

I haven’t run across any yet — other than some of the fish species.

It would be a mistake to rule it out.

Comment from Josh
Time: March 1, 2008, 2:37 am

I love the books! I listened to the first three in three days! Great story and very well presented. I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful books and keep up the great work!

Comment from osmia
Time: March 11, 2008, 7:46 pm

Have fun in California Nate. And I want you to know that I know How To Crochet! (and I knit too:) So of course my next question is if Ish will run into any of his old Co-Ed Crochet Team buddies in Double Share? And is there any way we can get their shawl pattern? That’d be too cool to crochet it!

Comment from Cassiopeiae
Time: July 1, 2008, 6:04 pm

Dr. Lowell,
I was introduced to your series by a co-worker recently- well, actually about a week ago… and I have now heard all but the new Double Share (which I am on my way right now to download). I say this with the knowledge that it is redundant to you by now, but these books are just fantastic. I guess my opinion could not be more clear, considering I have listened to them all in seven days. Further, I think the music is perfect- and I am 25 so don’t you go letting anyone steer you away from your literary instincts (which seem pretty impeccable to moi).

Comment from Nate
Time: July 1, 2008, 7:27 pm

Glad you’ve enjoyed them. Double Share will be available on Podiobooks.com on Friday

Comment from Jordan C D
Time: July 11, 2008, 6:24 pm

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! one more day.
I having withdraw. I need my share.

Comment from Wyatt
Time: July 27, 2008, 6:46 pm

Excellent! Well written and well told. I’ve listened to Quarter Share, Half Share, Full Share, South Coast, & Double Share in a little over two weeks. I devoured each one and I believe I’ve even hooked my wife on them as well. I appreciated the small touches like name dropping podcast authors (Ellis, Ballantine, etc.) and especially your musical selections. Some people don’t seem to understand the fairly obvious parallel to stories of sea tales and the clippers that plied Earth’s oceans in the height of the triangle trade. The shanties and jigs were the folk music of those sailors who went down to the seas and can be considered analogous to the Blues of the early Twentieth Century; music of the working people. Bittersweet for me is the realization that I’ve caught up with the author and now have to wait for the next installment!

Comment from lynn
Time: August 4, 2008, 9:39 am

I’ve greatly enjoyed each of your works, and compliment you on your selection of accompanying music. The jigs, reels, and hornpipes of Irish traditional music have been part of maritime tradition for centuries, and are a perfect fit for stories of merchant voyagers. I can see the swabbie on deck, playing his concertina to pass the time on a long passage. Thank you!