The latest news is that I’ve finally gotten my Parsec Award submission off to the committee. We’ll know in a few weeks if I’ve made the cut again. With four novels hitting the finalist list in the last four years, I’ve got a good track record. Last year’s win felt great and I’d love to be the first author with repeat wins in the Long Form category. Here’s a link to the 48 minute mp3 file I’ve sent to the committee. I was allowed to have one 30-second intro and up to six clips not to exceed one hour. I picked five and kept it under fifty minutes. If these five don’t do it, I don’t think adding another few minutes of audio will help.
Double Share is on track for release in August. I need to get the edits over to Ridan by the end of this month so they have a chance to deal with them in July. I’m getting a lot of interest from readers who are looking for the next book and I’m sorry to have to say “August” but given how fast Ridan is rolling these out in comparison to a mainstream press, I have to say that I’m impressed. At least we’re not having to wait for me to write them first.
Speaking of Ridan, we’re still having transitional issues with Robin Sullivan going full time with Ridan Publishing. The transition from her old day job to the current situation along with significant back-to-back conventions on top of an exhausted body has some of the expected consequences – along with some unexpected ones. Please have some patience as they gear up with more staff, extra editors, and all the other things that need to happen but can’t happen quickly.
Hard covers are still in the mix. There will be 250 of each title. Ridan is still evaluating presses.
I’ve had a lot of questions about Nook and iBook versions of the books. The intention is to get them into those places. It hasn’t happened yet. In the meantime, there’s a manual process in place for you to order them on your format of choice through the Ridan site. A couple of people have been surprised at the amount of time taken to turn them around. Hang in there, folks. (See the paragraph above about growing pains.) It’ll get addressed.
That’s it for now.
Safe Voyage.
Good luck, Nate. We’re all cheering for you!
I just returned from a business trip to Australia and have to say that listening to DS and CS made the flight a great deal more tolerable. A bit of wine, a podiobook on the iDevice, sit back and zone… Excellent.
Really enjoyed FS in the Kindle version. Publisher did a great job.
Nate
Thanks for keeping us fans in the loop as to what is going on with your writing. Much appreciated.
Having bought e-book versions of the 3 released Trader Tale stories I have been fixing the various encoding, spelling, typos, etc. for myself. I have contacted Ridan Publishing about sharing this work with them and intend to do this soon. However I wondered if you’d like to be involved directly, seeing my ‘fixes’ before I send them to Ridan.
You will have my email details, so if you want to contact me on this matter, please feel free.
Rob.
“Speaking of Ridan, we’re still having transitional issues with Robin Sullivan going full time with Ridan Publishing.”
I hope that explains why I ordered Full Share and got Quarter Share instead.
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Ooops.
Did you contact them?
I remember sending out a QS recently …
This inquiry reminds me, I have often wondered if the ship (The Lois) has a “library” type space where you could sit your buns down to read on your tablet, or watch a movie or some such without being in the berthing area with people in and out or yakking, etc. I mean, libraries do have folks wandering around, but most have comfy chairs and areas where you can have a place to get away from the general traffic to do whatever. My picture in my head of the berthing areas are of bunks and a table area to sit and talk, but no recliners and good lighting (an absolute must for these old eyes) for a quiet time reading a book or listening to a podiocast with earphones, etc. Obviously, the staterooms, other than the Captain’s cabin, don’t have the room either. A desk chair would not do and the bunk would kill your neck and shoulders. Hmmm. Just a thought……
Typically, you read in your bunk and watch movies on the mess deck. Space is at a premium and the volume must be rationed carefully.
I remember it was one of the great pleasures of making it back to port that I could sit in an easy chair and why the conversational grouping in Ishmael’s cabin was so important to him (altho I don’t think I really stressed that enough).
Thanks, Nate. I could read in my “bunk” when I was younger. I guess I have forgotten the abilities of youth (I am older than you) and that young bodies can adapt. Looking forward to learning where Ish goes from OS. Hope you get other folks stuff done so you can get to your own writing. Also, I hope your class goes well this summer. It sounds like you have some good stuff in mind for your students. heh heh (that was an evil laugh)
As Game of Thrones concluded on HBO tonight, I had the passing thought wondering when Traders’ Tales season 1 will be airing. :)
Yes, wishful thinking, but I think the series is that good. And happy Father’s Day to you, sar.
I thank whoever is responsible for the new shipment and I will make sure the extra QS copy finds a good home.
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You’re welcome, Del.
The shipment went in this morning’s mail. Sorry for the mix-up. I suspect it was something I did in shipping and not any fault of the process.
Awesome. Can’t wait for August at this point.
Hi Nate,
I gotta say I think it’s actually a good thing that the books haven’t all been published yet. The fact that Full Share wasn’t available in print back then forced me to pick up the Podcasts, which I certainly wouldn’t have touched otherwise. They’re now making my daily commute a pleasant experience ;-)
I’m also glad that your’re offering your books on the Ridan website without DRM restrictions. I would’ve had to buy two copies (one for the Kindle, one for the Nook) otherwise, not to mention the fact that buying Nook books from Europe is a major pain in the ass…
Cheers,
Thomas
Thanks, Thomas. We’re getting them up as soon as we can but it does take a lot more time than I expected. I’m glad you like the podcasts. I know a lot of people can’t do audio but for those that like it – have a use/need for it – I think that it’s a great medium. I look at it as a return to the campfire. It gives me a chance to tell you the story in my own literal voice.
Great fun.
Yes, that is a Big selling point for me. You tell a story instead of just reading one out loud. I think audio books would be more popular if that was the common style.
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Nate,
Totally outside the Solar Clipper universe… But in your discussions with Ridan have mentioned anything about when Percepliquis will come out? Their web site still says “April”…
Sean,
They’re saying they’ll be making a limited time production of it around the end of the year 2011/early 2012. They really want to make the last volume available for the people who bought the first five.
Thanks. I did – in Kindle format – and would really like to read the last piece.
It’s a good story, and one I probably would not have found without you… But to be open, the trader tales are the ones I want in hard bound copy to pass to my son. This one’s a good read he may enjoy but not something I’ll enshrine. I just want to finish it!
@Nate
Just want to second the delbert’s comment about audio books. I was one of those “I would much rather read than listen” people but your style/voice has changed that for me. I actually prefer the podiobooks! Which has definitely surprised me. :)
Keep up the good works!
Alex
I am probably just one of the hundreds if not thousands that just read books and never say anything. Prior to a couple years ago there was no way and habits are hard to break.
As a space opera junkie I passed your books up for about 6 months, the reviews seemed a little “tame” for me but finally all the Five-Stars got to me an I tried QS. Could not put it down and then saw that there was 4-5 more and got HS, was just as good all within 3 days. Had to wait for FS, but during that time I passed the word on and I know of 5 others that are now hooked.
FS was just as good if not better. My partners and I are eagerly awaiting DS. Since reading your “normal people” approach, I find myself seeking more character and background development in the space opera I read. I am beginning to think that I have been given an injection and slowly but surely I am being drawn to more depth and less escapism.
I think I am thanking you, not sure yet. There does not seem to be a lot of authors (or I am not looking in the right places) that attempt to make the everyday life of individuals interesting enough to want to read.
layne
Thanks, Layne.
Double Share is at the publisher now. I expect to do about two more passes before it gets released but we *should* be able to make an August delivery.
It’s been a lot of fun taking this path. My listeners have said they think the books get better as we go along. I’d like to think I’m learning stuff as I go.