Ask the Author

[hammerhead]

Hi, Mark,

My 11 year old son, is getting more interested in reading
and I just came across these post. What i have read in these threads
and from talking to my son. He would like to start reading them
My question is are they sold here in America and are the books at a level
where they challenge him but at the same time they don't overwhelm him

 

[Mark Robson]

Hi, Mark,

My 11 year old son, is getting more interested in reading
and I just came across these post. What i have read in these threads
and from talking to my son. He would like to start reading them
My question is are they sold here in America and are the books at a level
where they challenge him but at the same time they don't overwhelm him

Hi Hammerhead. The books are not on general release in the US, but I just had a look at amazon.com and they are showing some of my books as available, and they are all orderable (you might have to wait a while). I did have to smile, as by looking on amazon.com I discovered this wonderful review of Firestorm that I'd not come across before: Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Dragon Orb: Firestorm: No. 1

Firestorm is the book I'd recommend as a starter for an 11 year old. It's not too daunting - fairly large type print and not too many pages. Yet the story is written to appeal right through the age ranges.

 

[hammerhead]

Thanks Mark,

I have ordered Firestorm and my son awaits it's delivery

he said to tell he will let you know how he likes it.

once again thankyou

 

[Mark Robson]

I look forwards to hearing what he thinks.

Thanks Hammerhead.

 

[Ell]

Hi again Mark,

I know I was going to re-read the Imperial series, but I ended up reading the Darkweaver series again instead, I do love it. Having just finished it, I have a couple of questions that haven't occurred to me before. Firstly, what was it that the improvised spell that Calvyn put on his blade under Perdimonn's influence in the first book actually did? Did it just make the sword receptive to the key's for later, or was it necessary to bind the other spells he put on the sword, i.e. without it the sword would not have had any powers, or did it give the sword a specific ability (I can't quite remember all of them so I'm not sure if I am forgetting to account for one)?

And my other question is why was the original emperor immune to Vallaine's sorcery? Did he have a similar ring to Vallaine, or was he a sorcerer himself, or is there some rite or object that in becoming emperor, grants all emperor's resistance?

Sorry if this post has spoilers (although the books have been out a while now). I will try to edit it if you feel it does. Thanks,

Ell

 

[Mark Robson]

Hi again Mark,

I have a couple of questions that haven't occurred to me before. Firstly, what was it that the improvised spell that Calvyn put on his blade under Perdimonn's influence in the first book actually did? Did it just make the sword receptive to the key's for later, or was it necessary to bind the other spells he put on the sword, i.e. without it the sword would not have had any powers, or did it give the sword a specific ability (I can't quite remember all of them so I'm not sure if I am forgetting to account for one)?

And my other question is why was the original emperor immune to Vallaine's sorcery? Did he have a similar ring to Vallaine, or was he a sorcerer himself, or is there some rite or object that in becoming emperor, grants all emperor's resistance?

Sorry if this post has spoilers (although the books have been out a while now). I will try to edit it if you feel it does. Thanks,

Ell

Good questions both, Ell. The first is easy to remember - under Perdimonn's influence, the elemental rune of the Earth power is bound into the blade. The rune disappears immediately, and Calvyn is unable to remember it ... because Perdimonn doesn't want him inadvertently using the full power locked in the sword. He did it to ensure knowledge of the rune survived, even if he did not. If Perdimonn had died, Calvyn would then have remembered the rune and would have unwittingly become the Warder of the Earth Element. This is not explained in the book, but it was what I had in mind as I was writing it.

Having put the power of the Earth Rune into the sword, all of Calvyn's own spells were amplified by its hidden power - hence even the most powerful magicians could not resist them.

I don't remember making the first Emperor immune to Vallaine's sorcery, but you could be right. If so, then it was more than likely the original Emperor's ring that Vallaine then stole (having used Shalidar to do his dirty work for him) and subsequently gave to Bek.

I hope that makes sense. It must be about eight years since I last read those books and I've written so much since that they've become a little hazy.

 

[Ell]

That's fantastic! The thought that Calvyn was carrying round the earth rune all that time. And that also gives a deeper explanation of how Perdimonn's thought process jumped to Calvyn being the object of Drehboor's prediction! He was already part of the way there. Thanks a lot Mark! Truly brilliant.

 

[lionspatrol07]

hi mark after reading your imperial series afte you recomending it to me in abingdon book store. i was wondering what the chances are of a fourth book and also the likely hood of this going to film. its a truly amazing book and would look fantastic on the big screen and could even give harry potter a run for its money . i look forward to hearing from you soon with regards julian

 

[Mark Robson]

Hello Lionspatrol07, and welcome to Chronicles.

The chances of another Imperial book are quite good in the long term. I have some great ideas for a follow up series, and I deliberately left some glaring open ends - in particular, the Fox. I have another series that I want to write first, though. My wishes aside, the publishers might have other ideas. I'm hoping to be able to give news on what I'm going to be doing next sometime soon. Sorry to be vague, but as those in the industry will know all too well - the wheels turn very slowly! In the meantime, I'm hoping that people are enjoying the Dragon Orb books. I had a ball writing them. Don't be put off by the covers looking as if they're for younger readers. There's enough in there for adults to enjoy as well.

 

[lionspatrol07]

hi mark

thanks for your reply, i will certainly be reading them at some point, i am just currently going to start reading the dark weaver series and i am very much looking forward to reading them. hope your well regards julian

 

[Gary Compton]

Hi Mark,

As you know I'm toying with the idea of setting up my own publishing company for my books. I know you've said that you started publishing your own series and you sold 50,000.

Is that correct? How did you do that. Was it online sales, Ebay. Amazon etc. Did you get into any bookshops. I'm interested in picking your brains. I hope you dont mind me asking.

Also, over what period was those sales?

Looking forward to your reply.

 

[Mark Robson]

Hi Gary,

Over time I got into all the major chains and went national through Waterstones and on a limited basis through WH Smith as well. This was far from easy and was most unusual for a self published series. The sales have been over a 9 year period. The first year I sold about a thousand. The second year I sold three thousand, the third year I sold about six thousand, the fourth year I sold about twelve thousand. After that sales settled down to an average of six to seven thousand a year, though it's finally beginning to tail off now.

Some of my sales were through online sites - amazon etc, but I should point out that a good percentage of my sales over the years (probably in the region of 35-40%) have been made at signing events. I have done loads and loads of leg work. Self publishing is no easy ride, as I'm sure you will be aware already.

Mark

 

[Gary Compton]

So how did you get into Waterstones and WH Smith, did you contact their head office or your local branch.

Did you offer sale or return or just give them a good price

On the book signings how did that work, did you set them up or was it done for you.

I'm the type of bloke who lives in a parallel universe. I always enjoy the challenge when someone says, 'Oh you'll never manage to get into there or sell 10,000 books.' I really fancy having a go!!

 

[Mark Robson]

So how did you get into Waterstones and WH Smith, did you contact their head office or your local branch.

Did you offer sale or return or just give them a good price

On the book signings how did that work, did you set them up or was it done for you.

I'm the type of bloke who lives in a parallel universe. I always enjoy the challenge when someone says, 'Oh you'll never manage to get into there or sell 10,000 books.' I really fancy having a go!!

I started at branch level, Gary. I'm not sure you can still do this, though. At the time I got branches to buy books in as 'local books', but this practice has been stopped by the HQs of both chains. Fortunately I had also utilised my early contacts and successes within the chains to establish an account with both HQs, leading eventually to my books being taken nationally through both chains.

All books to chains are on SOR and you have no choice but to give them a good price. The standard is a 55% discount through the wholesalers these days.

I have always set up my own booksigning events. I can count on one hand the number of store signing events that have been organised by my publishers for the launch of my last six books! However, I have organised literally hundreds on my own. How do you do that? You ask. It's that simple. I advise you to begin with Independent stores. They will look after you much better and appreciate your time more. You may not sell quite as many books as you might in somewhere like Brent Cross, or Cribbs Causeway, but if you do it right, you will develop a good readership and a reputation.

Tenacity will take you a long way. Good luck.

 

[Threddy]

Hi Mark,

5 and a half years after you singed my copy of The Forging of the Sword:

'To Ed,
I hope this inspires you to write magical stories of your own,
Mark Robson.'

I have nearly finished my first novel. Anyway, my question is this:

If I was to self-publish my book, do you think that if I sent you a copy, you could review it so that on the cover I could put:

'Fast-paced, gripping action packed book. I can't wait for the sequel.' Mark Robson

In return, I could have a few pages about your serieses (whatever the plural of series is) at the back of my book.

Ed

 

[Mark Robson]

Hi Mark,

5 and a half years after you singed my copy of The Forging of the Sword:

'To Ed,
I hope this inspires you to write magical stories of your own,
Mark Robson.'

I have nearly finished my first novel. Anyway, my question is this:

If I was to self-publish my book, do you think that if I sent you a copy, you could review it so that on the cover I could put:

'Fast-paced, gripping action packed book. I can't wait for the sequel.' Mark Robson

In return, I could have a few pages about your serieses (whatever the plural of series is) at the back of my book.

Ed

If you were to send me a copy of your finished manuscript, I would do my best to fit reading and reviewing it into my schedule, Threddy. I can't promise any particular quote without reading it, though! I read a manuscript by a new author last week that was absolutely stunning. I'll be amazed if it doesn't find a major publisher. If you think the above suggested quote is really true, then perhaps you should consider submitting it before committing to self publishing. Doing it yourself is really hard work, often for little return.

 

[Threddy]

It's not finished yet Mark, but when it is, you can have a free copy because it was you that got me writing it.

The problem with trying to get it published is that generally, you need an agent which I can't afford.

Ed - Threddy

 

[Mark Robson]

It's not finished yet Mark, but when it is, you can have a free copy because it was you that got me writing it.

The problem with trying to get it published is that generally, you need an agent which I can't afford.

Ed - Threddy

You don't pay an agent, Ed. But they do take a cut of anything you make from your writing. It is the agent that does all the hard work convincing the publishers to take you on as a writer, but for that work, they take a slice of the profits.

 

[Mark Robson]

It's not finished yet Mark, but when it is, you can have a free copy because it was you that got me writing it.

The problem with trying to get it published is that generally, you need an agent which I can't afford.

Ed - Threddy

You don't pay an agent, Ed. But they do take a slice of any book deals and royalties that you earn from your writing. In my experience a good agent will earn his money.

 

[Threddy]

You don't pay an agent?

Oh, that's interesting. I've only managed to find ones that require payment. Maybe I'm getting confused.

I'll see what I can find then.