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!

Comment from KJ Tribe
Time: November 12, 2008, 1:39 pm

@ Alison (from Fort Collins, Colorado)

I have to respectfully disagree. I’ve spent half my life on the deck of a ship, and I find that the bed music for Mr. Lowell’s works reflect the mood of both ship life and the novels perfectly. Furthermore, they compliment his voice beautifully.

Mr. Lowell, I’m in love with your voice, as well as your stories.

Comment from Nate
Time: November 13, 2008, 7:07 am

Thanks, KJ. A lot of thought went into finding the right music. I’m particularly grateful to Great Big Sea for allowing me to use their music on Double Share.

Comment from Deb
Time: March 23, 2009, 9:40 pm

Nate,
Your stories have captivated me. I got almost nothing done for the days I listened to your 4 novels. I listened to them back-to-back. I definitely want to have Ish’s babies – I like the fact that he likes interesting older women, now that I’ve become one! Phew baby. I love the way you’ve left his appearance up to the reader and just made it clear that he is serious eye candy. Your writing is delightful. I fully agree with an earlier post who points out your simple, yet very realistic feel to future space travel and life.
As a scientist (ecologist by training) I find your science accurate and that is truly refreshing. You have successfully created not only a main character I care about, but a whole troop that I’m curious about. In many ways your novels remind me of Anne MacAffrey’s novels of PERN. I simply fully fall into your fictional world and it feels real.
Oh and you read beautifully. It’s delightful to have someone reading who not only has superb grammar, but also correctly pronounces his words. (One of my tiny tiny gripes with this self-podcasting of stories is that people so often mispronounce words.) Oh, and unlike Miss Andrea, I do fully enjoy the music you’ve chosen to introduce and exit your episodes.
Keep it up. When are these books coming out in print? I’d like to have them to share with my daughter when she gets old enough.

Comment from John_T
Time: April 10, 2009, 6:33 am

I’m a little over halfway through quarter share, and thoroughly enjoying it.

I can’t even remember how I found you, might’ve been a blog post or another podcast. I just checked, it was in the shownotes for the linux outlaws podcast. ( http://www.linuxoutlaws.com/podcast/84 ) Thanks James for the recommendation, and thanks Nathan for a great story.

Comment from Nate
Time: April 10, 2009, 1:18 pm

I’m glad you’re enjoying it. It’s surprising how many linux people (and needlework folks) are writing to tell me how much they enjoy the works.

Keep listening! You’ve got something over 30 more hours to go

Comment from Jordan
Time: June 12, 2009, 2:31 pm

I like the music and i’m 16. the music has a feeling of being a sailor, To grab the rope in the middle a storm, And that what the books are about. Just replace the 2d blue with a 3d black.
Notice that he rarely talks about computers in his books. I mean ya they have their pocket PC’s but still.

Comment from Dan
Time: June 26, 2009, 10:52 pm

I hope JC threw suit cases of money at you, having his promo played before EVERY episode, drastic. Banging my head with J.C’s book listening to his promos.

Comment from Chris P
Time: September 16, 2009, 9:54 am

Nate, my man, you astound me. I cannot believe that these stories haven’t been published in print yet. I love how you subtly weave in more adult material while still keeping it clean enough for students to listen to (like when Ish saw Bev “respond under her shirt” to the cold dock air.). Your characters have had me laughing, crying, angry, and blissful. I’m really looking forward to the next installment! Congrats on being a finalist in this year’s Parsecs and sorry to see that you lost out to FETIDUS. As a listener to both James Durham and you, I think the only thing that let him squeak by with the win was the production value, as Double Share was definitely a stronger story. Keep up the amazing work! Keep us posted on your Con schedule because I’d really love to shake your hand!

Comment from josh_w
Time: September 21, 2009, 5:38 pm

I’ve been going through the Golden Age series again recently along with some of my other favorites from Podiobooks. I love this format and the participation that it draws from fans. But I had a thought that made me a little concerned about the future of these great pieces of literature. What happens in 20 or 30 years when the technology has long since passed by the wayside? Where can people get access to these books? And really it’s not just the literature that would be a loss, can you imagine how many conversations would be lost if Nathans, or the other podiobookers blogs would disappear? The one great thing about print is that in some form or another the text will probably be there on someone’s bookshelf or library. But digital media is so dependent on the reliability of technology, of itself. It doesn’t sound like a great equation.

It just makes me sad to think that when the technology dies there won’t be a way to share all this with my children. I know that Archive.org does a great job in it’s stewardship of the web, but it’s not all encompassing by far. And we can certainly burn audio to CD’s but how many of us really do that, and how long would that last?

I’d be interested to hear what others think on this. Especially Nathan since you are in the technology world.
Thanks,
-J-

Comment from chuck_
Time: October 2, 2009, 12:40 pm

I don’t know if this is the place for this or not, but I have been wondering many things about this story that are just not explained. I know this story is told !st person and it’s a great way to tell it since ,now Captain Wang’s perspective is more than interesting. However, Ish seems to become a significant influence on captains and future captains, officers and future officers, crew and even admirals (possibly future admirals)and owners of fleets. Will we see at least a glimpse of what Ish’s encounters have wrought on the universe in general. It’s clear that Ish wouldn’t tell us if he could.

Comment from Nate
Time: October 2, 2009, 12:55 pm

What an interesting idea!

This is a new one and not one I’d thought of before. Thanks!!

Comment from chuck_
Time: October 3, 2009, 12:54 pm

When I describe your story to friends, I tell them it’s a story about a young man who is being influenced by “The Invisible Hand” (a.k.a free markets) and an invisible hand (much harder to explain, maybe Lois). I consider your work astounding. Thank you for it.

Comment from Brian
Time: October 13, 2009, 1:49 pm

Nathan, in episode 19 about 1/5 to 1/4 in, when Ishmael is talking to Mr. Hill about cargo picking Ishmael says, “if I was wrong about Mr. Hill…”
He, and you, obviously meant to say “Mr. Wyatt.”
I just thought you should know.

Comment from Nate
Time: October 13, 2009, 2:10 pm

Drat.

You haven’t caught me saying “Mr. Thomas” yet, have you?

Comment from Brian
Time: October 13, 2009, 3:55 pm

No, I haven’t yet. Don’t worry though, I’m sure you still have some opportunities to make that mistake.

Comment from Mr Fife
Time: November 28, 2009, 8:26 pm

I just listened to “Quarter Share”, and I was swept away with the story. I have downloaded the others in the series and I know, I will be sad to finish the books. The story is fascinating and charming. You are quite a literary talent, Mr. Lowell.

Comment from Jezz
Time: December 9, 2009, 5:59 pm

Hi Nate: I’ve just discovered you and your work for the first time, via iTunes and the Captain’s Share. What an excellent, engaging story, and so well narrated. Thanks for making my morning drive to work far more interesting than its ever been. Well done, and lets have some more.

Comment from Nate
Time: December 10, 2009, 6:36 am

Thanks!

Owner’s Share is slated for Late Spring 2010, and Ravenwood should drop this month.

Finger’s crossed!

Comment from CTKELL
Time: January 12, 2010, 8:21 am

Nate, I have really enjoyed listening to all of your books, and am looking forward to what follows Captain’s Share. Keep up the great work and let us know when you are finally published, I would like to buy some of your books to share with others and as a way to pay you back for the enjoyment I have received listening to your work.

Thanks,
Chuck

Comment from Nate
Time: January 12, 2010, 6:27 pm

I signed with Ridan Publishing last week. The first book will be available in print in a few weeks.

Comment from martha
Time: January 20, 2010, 2:52 pm

I love Ravenwood as much as the “Share” series and have to get other stories beacuse I’m all caught up as of right now. I am going to get Quarter Share in the hand held version soon. I treasure all of you stories and will listen for years to come . I have passed the word along to my friends ,even though they don’t have an ipod or mp3 player.
Thank – you very much for making work some where I want to be,
Martha

Comment from Olan
Time: March 14, 2010, 9:16 am

have you ever thought of writing a book about a colonist on a newly settled plaint? you told about the ships that jump to nowhere and search for new systems, so it would be logical to extend that a bit by a story of the first people to arrive. your story telling powers should make it a great story.

Comment from Nate
Time: March 14, 2010, 9:37 pm

Why, yes. Yes, I have, as a matter of fact.

Comment from Andreas
Time: March 16, 2010, 1:02 am

I have enjoyed listening to all the books, but as I was listening to Captain’s Share (again), something struck me; if the clippers are “sailing” on the solar “winds”, shouldn’t they be tacking after the jump and heading inwards? Oceangoing clippers could sail pretty close to the wind, but not directly into it! . . . Ah, but the planet/orbital would not be directly between the ship and the star, so the ships *would* be sailing close to the solar wind, but not necessarily into it. Gee, Nate, you think of *everything*!

Comment from Adam
Time: March 17, 2010, 2:42 am

The solar wind is a stream of charged particles ejected from the upper atmosphere of the sun. It mostly consists of electrons and protons with energies usually between 10 and 100 eV, there for you would properly wouldn’t have to tack:-) you would go slower if you didn’t have a star directly behind you but since there are millions of stars there is alot of this solar wind:-) and you can pretty much get a lift from anywheres:-)

the solar sails aren’t collecting wind as such, as there is no wind in space, but infact getting hit by thousads upon millions of small electrons:-) so as long as the ship is being hit by electrons and protons from a direction is would be ok:-)

Infact in practical day to day use this technology is already used on a small scale:-) in a larger scale and to ge a decent speed these sales would be huge:-) maybe the size of 4 foot ball pitches would do.

these days the sales are made from gold, this is because you can get gold to become very thin, by this i mean only 3 atoms thick…

the use of an electrically generated sail is ingenius:-) and is currently actually being worked on:-) as is theoretically could be used just like the gold sails, as the electrons would hit it and give it all its energy.

thanks for your time:-)

Comment from David
Time: April 15, 2010, 3:39 pm

Thanks for the great books and for taking our imaginations to a better place. My wife and I have listened to them all 3 times and shared them with others who also found them equally entertaining. It seems like you’ve wrapped up the saga of Ishmael nicely with Captains Share, but one day when you’re ready to go back there, please write one more in this series, Owner’s Share. You eluded to it from the very beginning, and I think we all want to know Ishmael when he is in that Golden age of his life too. Thanks again for the wonderful journey. Your style and grace for words inspire me to write some of my ideas into books one day also.
Thanks!

Comment from Nate
Time: April 15, 2010, 4:16 pm

Oh, Owner’s Share is on the way.

The series wouldn’t be complete without it.

Comment from Roger
Time: May 27, 2010, 11:52 pm

Hey Nate whatever happened to Cape Grace? Love your work. Love the Irish music too.

Comment from Colin
Time: July 2, 2010, 4:59 pm

Okay ive listen to all of “share” twice totally hooked going back for 3 times round, thanks its a great listen and look forward to owners share. I can see why you so high in Podiobooks they have all been great THANKS

Comment from steve
Time: July 25, 2010, 3:41 am

I was woundering if you could put a posting up regarding “owner’s share”?
Oh, does Ishmale ever get to see his friends again?
thanks you
Sgt. Steve Coutee USMC

Comment from Nate
Time: July 25, 2010, 4:18 am

Good idea!

Comment from David
Time: August 17, 2010, 8:34 pm

Nate, have to say I am a big fan and am eagerly awaiting Owner’s Share. I have listened to everything else so far including Ravenwood and South Coast. I know you are busy with the new book and definitely do not want to take time away from that but I wanted to let you know that the podcast episodes of Full Share on itunes store have audio problem that I think is to do with the inital encoding of the MP3. I can sync all of the episodes but the audio is terrible. I got the MP3s off of Podiobooks and tried a manual copy via itunes on my computer and the same thing happened, so I ran them through Audacity, re-saved them as MP3 and presto, it worked.

I am not sure if it is just a problem with finicky iphones but for other listeners this might be a problem as well.

Cheers and can’t wait for Owner’s share.

David

Comment from Nate
Time: August 18, 2010, 3:11 am

There is a problem with the audio when played on a monaural device.

I need to find the originals and remix them.

Comment from David
Time: August 18, 2010, 4:35 am

Thanks Nate. I appreciate it. As stated I have found a solution but I am glad to know that you are aware of the issue… Just very odd that the other books in the series are just fine.

I think I am ready to admit that I am addicted.. I check solarclipper.com daily for updates. Keep up the great work..

Cheers,

David

Comment from Nate
Time: August 18, 2010, 9:46 am

Not so odd. I discovered the error after finishing Full Share … reburned Half Share and did everything better going forward from there. I just havent taken the time it needs to track down the source files for Full Share and remix them.

Comment from Rob
Time: August 19, 2010, 8:45 pm

Nate, I certainly hope you’re not tiring of the “Ishmael Wang” franchise. The transition from Full Share to Double Share leaves a big gap begging for book(s) about Ish, Pip, Brill, and Bev at the Academy. Are you considering some “Interquels” along this line?

Comment from Nate
Time: August 19, 2010, 9:03 pm

I’ve reserved the title Port Newmar but I have to confess that “Ishmael Goes to College” is not a story I’ve got a good handle on. That’s one that’s been done to death and unless I can get a unique handle on it, I’m probably not going there.