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Athrogate22
Acolyte
2 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Oct 2012 : 05:42:33
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Hello all, I just discovered Candlekeep while trying to find out more about Tammith. This is where my google search led me.
First of all, I want to say how much I love your books Mr. Byers. You write in such a compelling way. I read the rage, rite, and ruin in 5 days. I just finished the haunted lands trilogy. I loved it. In the haunted lands, i loved the story between Tammith and Bereris.
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I really wish she had survived, in which case Bereris and Mirror wouldn't have had to go trying to kill Szass Tam, but I understand not everyone can live.
I would've liked some more closure as to whatever happened to her soul. Can we assume she now resides with Kelemvor, or was she devoted to any other god or goddess? I don't even know why I care, except that her whole life sucked from beginning to end, through no fault of her own.
Thank you again for the contributions you've made to the Forgotten Realms! |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2012 : 05:57:14
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Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoy my stuff.
I think you can safely assume that Tammith and Bareris are together and happy in the afterlife, probably in whatever paradise would be most congenial for a heroic warrior bard. |
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Athrogate22
Acolyte
2 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2012 : 06:59:15
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| Haha, okay then. Well, keep up the good work! |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2012 : 18:13:53
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| Here's an interview with me. I wish I'd know it was going to be a video interview and not just audio. But anyway: http://authorfeast.com |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2012 : 01:34:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
My November column on Airlock Alpha takes a look at Marvel NOW;
http://airlockalpha.com/node/9425/astrojive-musical-chairs-marvel-style.html
I like what Gillen's doing with Iron Man... as Stark's personal technologist-philosophy has always been at the heart of what I love most about the character.
I'm definitely intrigued -- for the first time in years -- about a new Captain America book. Remender's proposed slant for the series sounds somewhat reminiscent of all that I loved about Cap from the craziness of the late 70's in his original book.
Really, though, the upcoming title for Marvel NOW that I'm most looking forward to... is Superior Spider-Man. Slott's run has been nothing short of "Amazing," so the new book is definitely going to be a hard-sell for me. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 01 Dec 2012 01:38:19 |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2012 : 07:25:44
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| Voted. My first choice is also currently at the top of the rankings. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2012 : 07:39:15
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Looks like we voted for the same. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2012 : 07:48:36
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Great minds think alike . |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2012 : 14:19:24
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| Thank you for voting, guys. I appreciate it. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2012 : 16:42:41
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I liked #92 the best; it currently has the highest rating. It has a nice, gothic feel, and isn't slapping you in the face with the vampire.
My second choice is #132, which is currently 3rd. It, too, isn't as painfully overt about the vampire, and the hand from the grave is a subtler kind of creepy than a scray-looking dude with fangs.
I did not like #78 or #102; the partial of the face is just weird.
#129 just looks like some dude screaming, like he got kicked somewhere soft and squishy.
#109 and #126 I didn't like, because I don't like monstrous-looking vampires. I don't want them glittering, obviously, but I prefer the juxtaposition of a normal (or even attractive) appearance with the monster lurking within.
#47 bugs me because I don't like closeups, and I again don't want something overt.
As I said, I prefer my vampires to appear to be normal, charming individuals, with that veneer of civility covering the lurking darkness within. I like vampires that embrace their nature, and that enjoy being predators lurking among their ignorant prey. For me, a vampire should be subtle in his/her deeds, and only reveal their nature when they're feeding. I want Count Dracula, not Count Orlok or Edward Cullen. And if I'm looking at covers of vampire novels, those preferences dictate how I want the art to be. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2012 : 18:54:58
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There's another round of polling to really, really, really finally, ultimately decide on the cover for the ebook republication of The Vampire's Apprentice. Once again, I would greatly appreciate your input.
9designs.com/other-packaging-label-design/contests/create-next-packaging-label-design-heliosphere-books-imprint-179389/poll/fj24s7?utm_source=voting_app&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=voting |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2012 : 19:16:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
There's another round of polling to really, really, really finally, ultimately decide on the cover for the ebook republication of The Vampire's Apprentice. Once again, I would greatly appreciate your input.
9designs.com/other-packaging-label-design/contests/create-next-packaging-label-design-heliosphere-books-imprint-179389/poll/fj24s7?utm_source=voting_app&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=voting
Is that URL correct? I copied and pasted it into a browser window, but it didn't find the site. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2012 : 19:58:46
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| #75 is my new fave. I prefer the color in that one to the color in #92. As of this post, it appears others share my preference. #132 is now my third choice, and I still don't like the other two at all. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2012 : 22:06:56
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| Agreed. The subtler text is better by far. A good book doesn't need garish lettering to sell. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2012 : 02:51:41
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| Sorry to have missed this book. I checked Barnes & Noble tonight, and they don't have it; out of print they say. Feeble excuse, I say. I did find a couple of brief reviews on Amazon, but I need one point clarified. Is the story set in 21st century suburbs, or ancient castles, or something else? |
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2012 : 04:15:03
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Well, I voted. And apparently I'm bucking the trend. I think 78 (the beast-face in blood) is the best choice, because it sounds like this isn't the civilized kind of vampire. He might *try* for the veneer of civility but he's unable to blithely ignore his baser instincts. He's a beast, and 78 is a picture of a beast. That said, my original first choice was 126... somewhere between beast and civility. I thought 109 was a strong choice too.
102's metallic silver and glowing red eyes remind me of the terminator... I'm expecting a shapechanging construct made of metal, which for whatever reason resembles a lion or gargoyle. Cool, but not a vampire. 78 clearly says blood and here the bestial features take my mind straight to vampires... very good. However (here's the mix) I think a black background might be a better choice than white.
I like 92, but does it depict some place in the story? If so, that's cool. My point is just that picking up a book with 92 on the cover, I'm going to be expecting a story that prominently features misty forests and old castles (hence my question about the setting). I'm not necessarily going to think guts & gore, action, and betrayal of friends. The irregularity of the lettering leads me to expect some humor or goofyness rather than a punch in the face story about one guy's hell on earth. Is that what I should be expecting? 75 is an improvement, and makes the lettering issue a moot point... although I would change the gray "Vampire's" to a glossy wet-looking red (evocative of blood, but no dripping) because as it stands it lacks color/drama/charge and certainly the story doesn't lack those things.
I like 132. The hand coming out of the earth could mean zombies, and the moon could mean werewolves, but with the red eyes the combination gets me to vampire so it works. The colors are good, and the lettering doesn't cover up the artwork. Solid choice, but not better than 126 (or 75).
I rank them 78, 75, 92/132, 102.
I thought it was peculiar that none of the art options feature people. This guy isn't in a vacuum... it's not just him wrestling with his unwelcome new nature. I get that he's alone in a sense, and it's not that I necessarily want to see a bunch of carnage, but... part of any vampire story is the battle between human and beast. Obviously that will be in the story so I'm not criticizing the book at all. This is part of the reason why I *like* 75 and 92 as art and gave them the #2/3 votes, but I don't think they fit the book... because they emphasize an isolation that seems antithetical to a vampire story.
I guess it just struck me as odd that all of the art being considered omits one whole side of the battle. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2012 : 05:12:35
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| The blood-face was my number two choice, despite my dislike of the plain face and/or the red text. For some reason the face just works in the red. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2012 : 06:45:51
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The book is currently out of print, but Endpapers Press is republishing it as an ebook in 2013. (We don't have the exact release date yet.) Hence, the need for a new cover.
I wrote the novel circa 1989, and that is when it's set. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2012 : 06:52:46
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So your story actually predates the vampire craze?
Good... I've hated vamps ever since Buffy the Vampire layer. I want monsters, not Fabio with fangs. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 08 Dec 2012 06:53:11 |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2012 : 11:51:20
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| I voted for 75 as well. Its the best option, 132 was my least favorite. The whole hand rising from the grave thing is more appropriate for Zombies nowadays. |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2012 : 14:01:05
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Hi, Markustay.
It depends on which vampire craze you're talking about. Anne Rice's vampire novels had already hit big, and there were some other popular vampire series by people like Chelsea Quinn Yarbro as well. My book was sort of a reaction to some of that stuff, particularly Rice's work. She made being a vampire glamorous and appealing, and my book makes it anything but. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 09 Dec 2012 : 05:19:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Hi, Markustay.
It depends on which vampire craze you're talking about. Anne Rice's vampire novels had already hit big, and there were some other popular vampire series by people like Chelsea Quinn Yarbro as well. My book was sort of a reaction to some of that stuff, particularly Rice's work. She made being a vampire glamorous and appealing, and my book makes it anything but.
Yeah, I've read a couple of her books... Her vampires are forever young and sexy, without any real drawbacks to being a vampire. As I recall, in one of the books, two vampires decided to sleep in a church! |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Entromancer
Senior Scribe
USA
388 Posts |
Posted - 10 Dec 2012 : 16:56:14
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| Richard, could you talk a bit about the writing process for The Year of Rogue Dragons? Did you have a difficult time deciding who would be the central protagonist and how big the scope would be, given that it was an RSE? |
"...the will is everything. The will to act."--Ra's Al Ghul
"Suffering builds character."--Talia Al Ghul |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 10 Dec 2012 : 18:06:47
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Year of Rogue Dragons had its genesis when WotC told me they wanted a trilogy showcasing the dragons of the Realms, they wanted me to write it, and they thought it would be a good idea for it to center on a new Rage of Dragons. So I knew from the start that it was going to have to be a big, big story. Although I did make it even bigger than it arguably needed to be.
SPOILER ALERT
SPOILER ALERT
SPOILER ALERT
There had, of course, been a number of Rages in the history of the Realms. Hardcore Realms fans knew that, and they knew how they had always worked. The dragons went nuts, they did a lot of damage for a relatively short time, then the dragons recovered their sanity, and the Realms survived. I decided that to do something that would work dramatically in the context of an epic trilogy, I had to go beyond all that. I needed to create the worst Rage ever, a Rage that constituted a problem that somebody actually had to go out and solve, because otherwise, the results would be truly catastrophic. Solving the problem would mean solving the mystery of why Rages even happen and putting an end to them for all time. (I wasn't worried about losing an interesting story element from the Realms by ending Rages because the next one wasn't due for several hundred years of Realms time anyway.)
The alternative to this approach, it seemed to me, was just to do what would have amounted to a Godzilla movie in medieval drag, and I didn't think that would satisfy anybody (although I subsequently heard from some of the people who dislike the trilogy that they did want exactly that.)
As far as protagonists go, I knew my hero was going to have to be a guy who could fight evil dragons and would end up working with good ones. So I came up with Dorn. As a professional monster hunter, he had the skills he needed, and because he was a guy who started out hating dragons, he would (I hoped) have an interesting time trying to relate to any of them as something other than hated foes.
Of course, the book really has a number of heroes, conceived to make the plot work and inspired in part by various models. Taegan's in there because I needed some kind of guy representing elves given that I pinned the origin of the Rage on them. He reflects my love of fencing and was intended to stand out from lots of other elves in fantasy by being ashamed of his race instead of proud of it. Will and Pavel are my tribute to the classic bickering buddies dynamic you see with characters like Monk and Ham from Doc Savage and the Thing and the Human Torch from the Fantastic Four. Pavel's also in the story because I needed a genius scholar to help work out the mystery. (And Pavel actually is a genius scholar even though he's chosen the rough-and-tumble life of a wandering adventurer and his buddies don't quite realize just how erudite he really is) |
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Questions for Richard Lee Byers
