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Below are the most recent articles or updates from NedMarcus.com.
Jul 23, 2020
Blue Prometheus Series Boxset On Sale!
The Blue Prometheus Series boxset is on sale on Kobo Canada until July 29th. 40% off the regular price of $9.99!
You'll need to add the code JULYSALE at checkout.
The sale will start on Kobo US, UK, AUS, and NZ on July 25th. Click on the link below to take you to Kobo.
Jul 18, 2020
Fantasy Short Stories
In the past, I used to write and self-publish my short stories, and made all of them available on this website. Young Aina and The Huntress of Prometheus have helped introduce my writing to many readers.
But recently, I've changed my approach. I now plan to submit new short stories to fantasy and sci-fi magazines, and hopefully publish in many different places. I'll still link to the stories from this website, of course.
I've only just started this, and have just submitted one short story, and will submit a second one soon. Although my main objective is to write fantasy novels in my Triumph of Light Cycle—and I'm busy on the first novel in the second series of this cycle now—when I can, I also like to write short fiction.
More on this later, but until then, here are two fantasy short stories to read on this website...
Jun 19, 2020
Four Reasons to Read a Lot of Books and What I'm Reading
Four reasons to read. And what I’m reading this month…
Continue reading "Four Reasons to Read a Lot of Books and What I'm Reading"
May 05, 2020
Updates
I'm working on the final few pages of the second draft of my new novel today. This is my story draft, where I tighten the story. As usual, I had some detours. I outlined the second novel, which gave me a more complete picture of the first one; I wrote a short story about one of the antagonists, who I now know much more deeply; and I researched more, too. All good detours.
I usually write four drafts, but the first two are where most of the work goes, so I'm on track for a summer release of the first novel of a new series.
I mentioned in my newsletter that this series (and future series) will be part of an overarching cycle set in connected worlds. But each series can be read independently of the others.
The new series is urban fantasy suspense. More on this later...
Apr 26, 2020
Blue Prometheus
Blue Prometheus is a fantasy novel by Ned Marcus. On a distant planet, three humans must fight the technology and black magic of a spacefaring empire…
Apr 04, 2020
Young Aina
Young Aina is a fantasy story set in the ancient forest and shows Aina learning to speak to the forest, as well as a formative experience in her life…
Mar 26, 2020
Chess Strategy for Fantasy
When I was stuck writing part of the climax for Fire Rising, I remembered something I'd heard Garry Kasparov say when discussing chess strategy. He'd explained that in chess, it's not always the number of pieces you have that counts, or even their power. Sometimes, although it may look as if you are at a great disadvantage, the positioning of the pieces can make the difference between winning and losing.
Thomas was alone and facing deadly enemies on the top of a fiery tower. I couldn't see how he could survive, let alone defeat his enemies. But then I thought about Kasparov's advice for chess. I imagined the top of the tower as a chessboard, with each piece having to act according to its nature—in this case according to the nature of their magic. I immediately saw a way for him to use the physical environment to survive the encounter.
The usefulness of learning new skills and experiencing the world in different ways for creativity and deepening new fantasy worlds is something I've known for a long time, but it still surprises me.
Feb 27, 2020
Deep Inside the Planet
"Lucy watched a small yellow monkey in one of the giant fungi stare at them as their boat moved into the waterway. A constant drizzle fell over the swamp, and she wiped the water from her face; the tiny monkey copied her, and then they left it behind.
Thomas rowed while Chloris bailed out the water slowly gathering by her feet with her hands, and Lucy sat at the stern searching for any signs of intelligent life in the forested swamp.
“Need to eat,” Chloris said. She leant over the side and tried to catch a fish from the channel. It slipped through her hand. The thought of eating fish from this turgid grey river made Lucy feel nauseous—and thankful she’d become vegetarian. But still, it was better Chloris eat fish than humans."
One of the quieter moments on the journey to the centre of the planet in The Darkling Odyssey.
Free Stories—Young Aina and The Huntress of Prometheus
Recent Articles
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Blue Prometheus Series Boxset On Sale!
Jul 23, 20 12:32 AM
The Blue Prometheus Series boxset is on sale on Kobo Canada until July 29th. 40% off the regular price of $9.99! You'll need to add the code JULYSALE at checkout. The sale will start on Kobo US, UK, A…
-
Fantasy Short Stories
Jul 18, 20 10:03 PM
In the past, I used to write and self-publish my short stories, and made all of them available on this website. Young Aina and The Huntress of Prometheus have helped introduce my writing to many reade…
-
Four Reasons to Read a Lot of Books and What I'm Reading
Jun 19, 20 05:58 AM
Four reasons to read. And what I’m reading this month…