I can’t believe how much of October has already gone! Ack!
Status:
Half Share in text – I’m working on the edits but it’s going slowly. It’s my fault and I’m working to get that resolved ASAP because it’s holding up all the rest of my production. Sorry about that, but this one represents income and the free stuff needs to take a back seat.
Owner’s Share – on hold pending the release of Half Share in text formats. This will be released in Nov/Dec in audio because I’ve got a HUGE editing job waiting for me to get that book into shape and ready to podcast.
Cape Grace and the Ravenwood sequel – both get pushed back a bit.
In audio production work, I did a short story for Tony C. Smith and the Hugo Award winning StarShipSofa podcast which should be the lead in November’s short fiction. I’m really pleased with the way it came out and he’s sent me another to do for December. These are not interfering with the other work because they’re short, easily done, and fall into “gaah! I need a break!” territory without tying me up for days on end.
I’ve also got a paid job for narration that I need to get mixed into this stew and I’m looking at how I can make this all work. I *think* it’ll go together nicely if I can get the family back on a regular schedule and can record a bit each day. If that works, I’ll probably segue right into a more regular day with some portion of it dedicated to reading, some to writing, and some to editing.
This weekend I’ll be at MileHiCon in Denver. That’s the local sci-fi convention and I’m on several panels, doing a reading, and even have an autograph session scheduled. I’ll add it to the Out and About page. MileHi is the “local BaltiCon” and I’m hoping we can get a New Media Track established. There are now five podiobooks authors within driving distance of Denver and perhaps we can put something useful together there.
Finally, welcome to all the new subscribers to the email list. I don’t send out much stuff there so you probably won’t see that get a lot of traffic. I *will* post to it when new books get released.
Back to the salt mines for me. This is shaping up nicely and I’m very pleased with the way it’s coming out.
Now if I could just do more and faster!
Argh……well there goes my piece of mind, I can’t afford to lose that many pieces. Warp Ten Edit….Engage!
Well begun is half done! Seriously – I hope this turns into a well-enough paying gig that you can do it full-time, since you certainly seem to enjoy it! So – yes – concentrate on the paying jobs for now! We’ll get Owner’s Share when it’s time, and be thrilled to get it!
Mr. Lowell, I’m very pleased that you are able to get some of those good ‘paying gigs’. Every bit surely helps. Looking forward to most anything you put out there. Some of your sterling narration on StarShipSofa, you say? That is fanzine is weekly fare for this kid and now I’m really, really going to be looking forward to it. Thumbs up, Sar.
Thanks for the great update and I wish you the best as you keep up the great work. I’m excited about you taking paid narration gigs because you’ve really do a fantastic and professional audio production.
Have fun in Denver and if you are coming from a lower altitude, drink LOTS of water so you don’t get altitude sickness. If you do start feeling headachey and nauseous, buy a travel pack of rol-aids and eat the whole thing. It has to have magnesium in it. It’s what the hikers around here use to combat altitude sickness.
Hi, I am so glad to hear that you have some “paying gigs” to do. Been worried for you. You have done a wonderful job so far, so do not lets us push you. :-) My husband and I listen to your books a lot. Thank you for all that you do. Best wishes!
Please, for all our benefit, focus on the paying work. (This way I get to keep my irrational hope that Ish will wind up with Brill and they’ll own/operate the Lois together and build a fleet around it going a little longer … were it not for the delay I tend to think that hope’d already be crushed.)
I already have my heart set on Ish marrying Gretchen in Owner’s Share. Maybe I have gone a little space happy, but I thought Mr. Lowell has set that up so sweetly.
Mr. Lowell, thank you for all of your work. Like so many others, your stories make each day better. My commute seems too short, and getting caught in traffic almost seems a blessing. You have a wonderful voice and an inspiring story to share. Well, done, Sar!
Anticipation is half the fun. My friends and I have a running bet about whether Ish ever finds his father in the next book. Now we can argue over it even more. On a side note I have started running through the whole share series once again. I hope to have listened to them all by the time the next book comes out. You, sir, are an inspiration to this aspiring novelist. Thanks.
Glad to hear you’ve got so much good stuff to keep you occupied! We’re all rooting for you and hope it all comes together!
I am a new reader and just finished Quarter Share. I enjoyed it greatly and came into work to download the next in the series to my Kindle. You can imagine my disappointment. You are an excellent story teller! Looking forward to all your books coming out on digital. I’ll do all I can to make sure this becomes a full time job for you! Well done!
They’re coming, but I only signed the print deal in January of this year, so while the books are all available in audio form, the print is taking longer to produce.
Sorry about that.
I appreciate the work that you do; somehow you convey the feeling of being in space with the podiobook. It is not just in your writing alone. Is there a method to the conveyance of environment or is that just a side effect of your reading style? I am aspiring to write a historical novel because of my interest in historical research, two birds and one stone. The desire is to give the reader a way of empathizing to the fear that certain situations inspire in the real world. There are many places to read about empathetic writing, but you are one of the better I have read, have any advice?
Be in the moment when you write it. What do you feel? How does it smell? Where does it hurt?
In the Share books, the first person POV has a +5 empathy rating because the reader is looking through the character’s eyes. It’s got a -10 for story telling because you can ONLY show what’s in front of the character’s eyes and in their head. That makes for some contrived situations.
I have listened to all of your books a few times and am more than happy to wait on the latest in the series. Please Nate take your time I feel that if you hurry it will detract from the final product we are all going to enjoy so no worries i will just listen to the other books again and be sad as all get out when Ish is finally retired! Besides look at it this way it takes a long time to get from port to port so sail on……
Well, good news and bad news. Bad news- a waiting period. Good news- time for another re-listening to the series! Good Luck Nate! We’re all behind you.
In Quater Share, I wonder if you could explain how someone who takes as much pride in his work as Cookie does, would allow the coffee pots to get so dirty, and stale grounds used? This wasn’t an overnight happenstance, and I just don’t see him ignoring the situation for as long as it took to produce oily coffee. You must love coffee, you use the concept rather often. It’s not my favorite part of your stories, in fact, I’d think in the future there would be more modern tech involved to create the perfect cup, at the perfect temp. I do enjoy the ‘trading’ aspects of the books, and believed your solution and use of flee markets insightful and plausible. Even in the future man is gonna be lookin for a deal!
I liken your story to the same genre as the Lee/Miller’s Liaden Universe, your book especially reminded me of Balance of Trade. Their series has been my favorite for years, and I’m glad to add your book to my list of favorites. Congrats on all your recent success with your writing and keep up the good work. You’re in good company!
That’s a good point and one I had never thought of. I think part of it is “habit.” Things tend to go along because “that’s the way we’ve always done it” and it takes a change (in this case, a new crew member) to get the pattern broken.
Lee and Miller is also one of my favorite series and one of the inspirations for the books. Glad you like them. :)
Keep up the good work! Both my girlfriend and I are eagerly awaiting the further adventures of Ish and Mother Fairport, but we’d much rather it done right than quickly. :)
If it helps, I know a number of people who have heard the buzz about quarter share and are waiting for half share to be out prior to diving in to the ebooks, and would imagine that there are plenty more out there…Your hard work on the text versions will pay off, two ebooks = more than 2x exposure to new happy readers, and it just expands from there. :)
Would gladly pay for Owner’s Share. I’m hooked.
How about a little info. Oct is gone and half share is still in limbo.. A latter estimate of release would be nice.
@Hyde – Time spent giving us updates is time *NOT* spent editing Half Share and getting Owner’s Share done. Patience. “Owner’s Share – on hold pending the release of Half Share in text formats. This will be released in Nov/Dec in audio because I’ve got a HUGE editing job waiting for me to get that book into shape and ready to podcast.” It’s coming – give him time.
Dr. Lowell, take your time, don’t rush it. I for one will gladly wait for your stories. because i know when it is released, it will be a work of art and well worth the wait!!!! thanks for all you do!
Well, I love this series, and it’s certainly worth the wait. I’m leaving on a road trip Monday 11/9, since it’s unlikely I’ll have Owners Share to pass the time, any recommendations for other sci-fi audio books? The share series is the first time I’ve ever listened to audio books, and only then because I got hooked by reading quarter share on the kindle. Now I’m hooked and need to find something to fill my drive time.
Well, there’s always “South Coast” and “Ravenwood” … those are also my books but not in the “Share” series.
You might also enjoy “The Crown Conspiracy” which I narrated for Michael Sullivan. I enjoyed doing it greatly.
Beyond that,
– Tumbler by Brand Gamblin
– Shadow Magic by John Lenahan
– Clear Heart by Joe Cottonwood
– 7th Son (the whole trilogy) by JC Hutchins
…
the list is pretty long. :)
On the coffee issue: first, while Cookie could do amazing things with spiced beefalo, making good coffee may not have been something he had learned to do. Second, the coffee urns were filled and maintained by either Pip, who wasn’t very motivated until Ishmael came along, or the guy they dropped off in Neris. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if cleaning the urns was the other guy’s job, and Pip didn’t know much about it beyond measuring the grounds, putting it in the filter, and pushing the start button.
Man, we sound like trekies debating what Spock was really thinking when Kirk said”Bones……” Gives me a warm fuzzy fealing in the pit of my tummy!
Stefan, I just relistened to Ravenwood and I recommend it. Much underrated work. The scope of Shares is bigger (with a whole career) and smaller (just a few rooms on a ship in void) so as a comparison, it really shows off Nate’s art.
Why is it when I get a great book I have to wait for the next one in the series, simply put this Quarter Share is by far one of the great secrets, many times I have bought books by known sifi authors and thought ” Oh no, not another super captain with good looks and a perfect crew!” When I picked up your book at Amazon I had those same thoughts but WOW! your book I am happy to say gave me pause for thought because it seemed so real, I am really looking forward to seeing how you are going to flesh out not just the people but the politics and businesses of commerce and government.
Thanks for such a great book
Nate, I loved Quarter Share as you know. I especially love the autographed hard copy I got from you. It sits on my desk at work in a prominant place. Can’t wait for the next book and hope it is in print soon. Thank you such a fresh series and for actually taking the time to reply to my constant emails. You are the first professional author that has done so. I wish you the very best and hope this does turn out to be a full time gig for you although I am a bit selfish in that wish. :)
I’ve actually been in iBooks nearly weekly looking for the next book. The suspense is killing me.
Best Regards,
Mark
Amazing stuff, recently got into Trader’s Diary and can say it is by far one of the most impressive sets of literature I have had the time to listen to. Can’t wait for more text to be published as to my wife would appreciate your writing ability and craft of the tale! Best of luck on getting things out on schedule. And I think I speak for everyone here that we cannot express our gratitude for you sharing this with us, Thank you!
Quarter share ROCKED!!! Can’t wait for Half Share. Well done Mr. Lowell. Keep at it mate! One of the best reads in ages. Couldn’t put it down! Cheers
Did I read this correctly in that you said owners share will be out in audio this month? Thanks.
I’m hoping it will, yes.
It’s taking me forever to get it edited down.
Would love to hear Owner’s Share this month. I would also love to read it on my kindle.
I was also surprised going back through this thread that you did “The Crown Conspiracy”. I’ve just found them for my kindle and on the 3rd one.