Imperial Spy

[charles]

to be honest if i saw a book with mark robson titled as author i wouldnt even bother with the blurb, i would just grab one of each and start reading in the que for the till!

 

[rune]

Got my letter in the post from your publishers' will be sending off my cheque next week

 

[Mark Robson]

Nice to see, Rune. There has already been a big response from the mailshot and it only went out this week.

 

[Mark Robson]

Got my letter in the post from your publishers' will be sending off my cheque next week

Got your order, Rune - thanks. I've signed and 'lined' the book, and dated it with the publication date, which is still a few weeks away yet. I'm told by serious collectors that this is the way to have a book signed if given a choice. By writing the first line of the book under the signature in my own handwriting, it apparently increases the potential value of the book to collectors. Sounds a bit geeky to me!

I'm just seeking permission from S & S to release all the pre-orders. Should be any day now.

 

[rune]

GOT MY COPY IT'S HERE IT'S JUST ARRIVED

Sorry, needed to share my excitement. Liked the signature Mark, at first I thought it referred to you
Then I remembered you mentioning it was the first line of the book.

Will start a thread to discuss as soon as I can get it read.

 

[rune]

Im about half way through Imperial Spy, and enjoying this first book of your new series better than your first series Mark

Can I ask, is this new series still aimed towards YA's? Just wondering, as though the scenes aren't graphic in nature, there are plenty of mature issues raised.

 

[Mark Robson]

Im about half way through Imperial Spy, and enjoying this first book of your new series better than your first series Mark

Can I ask, is this new series still aimed towards YA's? Just wondering, as though the scenes aren't graphic in nature, there are plenty of mature issues raised.

It's a good question, Rune. In short, yes it's still for YA, though I will admit that the content is both slightly darker and, whilst not unsuitably written for a young person, should prove more appealing to the adult audience.

I'm glad you're enjoying it, particularly given your love of magic and the lack of it in the story. You'll be pleased to hear that there is some magic in the second book, and the third has quite a few back-links into the Darkweaver Legacy and its history.

 

[Mark Robson]

And there's a new entry in the Ottakars bestselling children's book charts this week. Yes, you guessed it - Imperial Spy at No. 4.

Edit: Does this mean I'm now a bestselling author? I always wondered how so many authors were 'bestselling'.

 

[rune]

And there's a new entry in the Ottakars bestselling children's book charts this week. Yes, you guessed it - Imperial Spy at No. 4.

Edit: Does this mean I'm now a bestselling author? I always wondered how so many authors were 'bestselling'.

Regardless Mark, we think your a Best Seller

 

[rune]

It's a good question, Rune. In short, yes it's still for YA, though I will admit that the content is both slightly darker and, whilst not unsuitably written for a young person, should prove more appealing to the adult audience.

I'm glad you're enjoying it, particularly given your love of magic and the lack of it in the story. You'll be pleased to hear that there is some magic in the second book, and the third has quite a few back-links into the Darkweaver Legacy and its history.

Like the sound of the upcoming books , I really quite like Femke, she's got attitude - love to see a strong female role in a book

 

[dwndrgn]

Ah, so the rest of the world is beginning to discover you...*sigh* we could only keep you to ourselves for so long

Just kidding - congratulations and may your numbers and fans grow exponentially as one tells two friends, and they tell two friends...and so on

 

[Cosmo]

I have told more than two friends lol

 

[orionsixwings]

CONGRATULATIONS Mark! I hear it's already a bestseller! Kudos to you, mate, and more power!

 

[Balinor]

Mark - i read Imperial spy and loved it ...except for one thing...how COULD you be so heartless?
(you know what im talking about)
but other than that it was brill. Reynik is in my top 10 fave characters and I can't wait for the next one...when can i get a copy?

 

[Mark Robson]

I'm currently busy with the first edit of the manuscript. If you could be patient for just a few weeks, the copy you will get to read will be that much closer to the finished version. I'm sure the story will change again before I'm done.

Perhaps I should just point out what I'll be looking for from those who are going to pre-read this story. 'It's great. When's the next one coming out?' is not really very helpful! What I'd like to hear is where you think the weak spots are in the storyline. Do all the characters stay in character throughout? Did you think it would have been better if I'd twisted the plot in a different direction? Those sort of comments would have a lot of value. Comments on storyline rather than the English are vital at this stage. (though I don't mind you pointing out typos, or poor sentences as well)

Thanks in advance.

 

[Balinor]

off the top of my head the only flaw in the storyline in imperial spy was ....
SPOILER
How did Lord Danar meet up with Reynik to dress up as priests to bust her out of prison?
I didnt realise that you wanted critics of Imperial spy seing as it is already out!
I could probably spot a couple of other inconsistencies if i read it through again but as i remember the story flowed quite well
SPOILER
Possibly that a spy, even a highly skilled one, could stand up to the greatest assassin in hand to hand combat, even for a while was quite dubious....mabe a showdown between reynik and shalidar would have been more believeable
Hope this helps

 

[Mark Robson]

Balinor, it is a good point. I cut the scene where they met in Lower Mantor, as I didn't feel it added much to the story. Perhaps the hole there is a little bigger than I thought. It was obvious when they arrived together at Femke's prison that they had met - and not within the palace. Danar and Ennas arrived in Mantor incognito, looking to find out what had happened before approaching the Palace. Ennas, as a trained Imperial Spy, did not take long to find out what they needed to know. He sought to intercept one of Femke's original party in order to find out exactly what had happened to her. The person out and about most in the city was Reynik, which was fortunate for Femke - had it been one of the others, events might not have been so kind. It was logical for Ennas to meet Reynik - most of my storylines follow a sense of logic ... at least I think they do.

 

[Balinor]

makes sense

 

[Cosmo]

Hi y'all I'm just getting in to IS and its getting really good
Congratulations Mark.

 

[Mark Robson]

Thanks, Cosmo. Glad you're enjoying it. I've been busy writing the beginning of Imperial Traitor over the last couple of days. I've finished the Prologue and am now well into Chapter 1. Having had a bit of a break from writing, I'm finding the old brain is taking a bit of nudging to get back in gear, but what I'm writing seems to read well.

The start to this book is certainly different to all my previous books. I like different. Different is good.