JQM Literary Spotlight Presents Tond, Book Three: The Journey Northward

JQM Literary Spotlight Presents Tond, Book Three: The Journey Northward

FIRST, LET’S GET TO KNOW YOU A BIT. TELL US SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF:

I am interested in music(s) from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.  I have done some research on the theory behinds these types of music, and have used what I found to construct some new, imaginary but possible genres — including the music I describe in my “Tond” books.  Some of this music is actually playable, and I gave a concert of “Tondish music” with some friends of mine, in 2017.  You can hear an excerpt from the concert here: Stream Sherványa Nocturnal Music (48-minute version) by S. Eric Scribner | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

WHAT IS THE GENRE AND AUDIENCE FOR THIS BOOK:

“Epic” high fantasy, with sword-and-sorcery adventure (though I dislike the term) and a lot of details of imaginary cultures. The audience is probably nerds everywhere: anyone who likes other-worldly quests. (Some sections may be a little too frightening or violent for some pre-teen readers; if it were a movie, I’d rate it PG-13.)

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK:

I was in 8th grade, and I was in the middle of reading Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”.  I was walking from one class to another and I suddenly said to myself, “I should write something like that sometime.” In retrospect, this is odd because I wasn’t even thinking about saying that to myself. What I meant by “something like that” was a long book with some connections to folklore or mythology and set in a fantastical ancient world. The result, more than forty years later, is the “Tond” series.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK:

The first two books of the series were essentially long introductions to the world of Tond and the two protagonists.  In this third book, all the main characters (except one) meet and begin the quest in earnest.  The basic plot is simple: they journey northward to the monster’s realm to 1.) attempt a rescue, and 2.) learn more about their foe.  Meanwhile, that one character who did not meet the others makes some important discoveries of her own.  

The long journey consists of several episodes.  The band of adventurers forge friendships, meet interesting people and circumstances, and hear some interesting music which is allegorical to what is happening in the book at the time.  They also encounter danger, sometimes from the minions of the monster they’re trying to fight, and once from other people who have a xenophobic “shoot first and ask questions later” mentality.  

The adventurers also find the beginnings of redemption: the first two books were pretty dark, but here (immediately after what is arguably the ugliest chapter in the series!) they encounter Shar and the mysterious, beautiful City That Moves — and a reality infinitely higher, deeper, and older than Tond itself.  They learn the meaning behind their quest.

WHERE CAN WE PURCHASE YOUR BOOK:

Tond, Book Three: The Journey Northward: Scribner, Steven E.: 9781549606441: Amazon.com: Books

My website: Steven E. Scribner, author (google.com) 

JQM Literary Spotlight Presents Tond, Book Two: The Wanderer

JQM Literary Spotlight Presents Tond, Book Two: The Wanderer

FIRST, LET’S GET TO KNOW YOU A BIT. TELL US SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF:

I taught English in Japan for three years in the late 1980’s.  The Japanese language was one of the major influences for the grammar of Fyorian, one of the conlangs (made-up languages) in my “Tond” books.

WHAT IS THE GENRE AND AUDIENCE FOR THIS BOOK:

“Epic” high fantasy, with sword-and-sorcery adventure (though I dislike the term) and a lot of details of imaginary cultures. The audience is probably nerds everywhere: anyone who likes other-worldly quests. (Some sections may be a little too frightening or violent for some pre-teen readers; if it were a movie, I’d rate it PG-13.)

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK:

I was in 8th grade, and I was in the middle of reading Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”.  I was walking from one class to another and I suddenly said to myself, “I should write something like that sometime.” In retrospect, this is odd because I wasn’t even thinking about saying that to myself. What I meant by “something like that” was a long book with some connections to folklore or mythology and set in a fantastical ancient world. The result, more than forty years later, is the “Tond” series.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK:

I’ve called this a “darkly humorous, paranoid prequel”.  Book One introduced the world of Tond and the main protagonist; this one backtracks fifteen years to introduce the other main protagonist: a sarcastic and flawed character named Tayon. As the book begins, Tayon as he is wandering in northern Tond, collecting lore as the Fyorian loremasters do. Then, pursued by hideous invaders, Tayon discovers that he carries a great mechana (object that is a source of power) that can stop those same invaders; but he has no knowledge of what it is or how to use it. He decides that he must either find the answers or forge his own mechana powerful enough to thwart them. His decision could have fatal consequences, since the attackers plan to drive him (and the nefarious Karjan high-knight Roagh) to unwittingly help them create a terrifying monster.

Less of a “quest” fantasy and more of a horror story (there is no escape from the sinister designs!), this is also a tale of dark psychology and an allegory of what happens if we decide to listen to our inner demons.

WHERE CAN WE PURCHASE YOUR BOOK:

Tond, Book Two: The Wanderer: Scribner, Steven E.: 9781520949871: Amazon.com: Books

My website: Steven E. Scribner, author (google.com) 

JQM Literary Spotlight Presents Tond, Book One: The Sons of Tlaen Ras-Erkéltis

JQM Literary Spotlight Presents Tond, Book One: The Sons of Tlaen Ras-Erkéltis

FIRST, LET’S GET TO KNOW YOU A BIT. TELL US SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF:

Besides writing, I’m an amateur musician. I play the piano and compose, and several years ago (2012), some friends and I put on a concert of a nine-hour composition of mine.  I didn’t expect the audience (or the musicians!) to stay there for the whole time; we traded off musicians and the audience came and went as they pleased.

WHAT IS THE GENRE AND AUDIENCE FOR THIS BOOK:

“Epic” high fantasy, with sword-and-sorcery adventure (though I dislike the term) and a lot of details of imaginary cultures. The audience is probably nerds everywhere: anyone who likes other-worldly quests. (Some sections may be a little too frightening or violent for some pre-teen readers; if it were a movie, I’d rate it PG-13.)

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK:

I was in 8th grade, and I was in the middle of reading Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”.  I was walking from one class to another and I suddenly said to myself, “I should write something like that sometime.” In retrospect, this is odd because I wasn’t even thinking about saying that to myself. What I meant by “something like that” was a long book with some connections to folklore or mythology and set in a fantastical ancient world. The result, more than forty years later, is the “Tond” series.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK:

In this first book of the “Tond” series, really a short prologue, we’re introduced to the world of Tond and some of the major characters. 

There are two civilizations, the Fyorians and the Karjans, who have been at war for centuries.  The Fyorians are known as scientists, poets, philosophers, and linguists, recently recovered from an earlier destruction of their world. They are the inheritors of a great literature. Their “loremasters” wander around Tond, seeking knowledge, and wielding the powers of “mechanas”, items left from before the destruction.

The Karjans were originally invaders and conquerors into Tond, and have only recently sought peace with the Fyorians. They are great architects and builders, and they are skilled in warfare. Their “Imperium” stretches across much of southern Tond. They are also known as musicians, artists, and craftsmen.

As these two make a tentative peace, a larger threat is growing. The Fyorian loremasters can see it with their mysterious Eye (one of the Ancients’ mechanas) but refuse to acknowledge it, because it is using a power they have forbidden and attempted to hide from all others. The Karjans are oblivious to its menace, though its first manifestations were derived from their own darkest myths and legends.

Into this world are born Rolan and Arnul, the two sons of the Fyorian loremaster Tlaen Ras-Erkéltis. Sneaking into another loremaster’s workshop to use the Eye, Rolan and Arnul stumble across clues about the gathering threat. Joining with other “renegade” loremasters, they start a quest to fight against it, and against the confines of both the Fyorian and Karjan societies that (so far) deny its existence. Their quest may cost them their lives.

WHERE CAN WE PURCHASE YOUR BOOK:

Tond, Book One: The Sons of Tlaen Ras-Erkéltis: Scribner, Steven E.: 9781520157573: Amazon.com: Books 

My website: Steven E. Scribner, author (google.com)

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS The Apprentice Storyteller by Astrid V.J.

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS The Apprentice Storyteller by Astrid V.J.

FIRST, LET’S GET TO KNOW YOU A BIT. TELL US SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF:

I’m a bit of a Jack-o-all-trades. I have a Masters degree in Social Anthropology from the National Autonomous University in Mexico (yes, I had to write in Spanish!) and a multi-major BA in Psychology, English Literature and Anthropology from the University of Pretoria, in my home country South Africa. I’ve been writing fantasy novels since I was twelve and finally got together the courage to publish a book in 2019. Additionally, I found my calling two years ago and am also a certified life coach.

WHAT IS THE GENRE AND AUDIENCE FOR THIS BOOK:

Fantasy/space-opera cross over aimed at adults but suitable for 16+

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK:

A series of vivid dreams started this whole project. I wanted to write the dreams as short stories but didn’t want them in an anthology, but rather set within a frame story like 1001 Arabian Nights. That brought into being a tale about a boy who wants to become the apprentice of the greatest storyteller in the known world.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK:

Many of us face situations that make us feel we only have bad or worse choices. But is that really all we have? Are there truly no other options? Viola Alerion, the main character of The Apprentice Storyteller, believes there is nothing she can do to make her life even remotely bearable. She must suck it up and accept the consequences of her past choices. Her mindset is one of: head down and keep on ploughing forward… step by step, no matter where it takes you… The boy who becomes her apprentice, has a different view. His picture of life and how the world works goes against everything Viola believes, but she also sees a grain of hope. Could it work for her? And what’s more important… Could it work for you? I can affirm that it has worked for me. Three years ago, I took a course that changed my life. It helped me figure out that what I really wanted was to rekindle my childhood dream of becoming an award-winning fantasy author. One year later I was a published author of three books and earlier this year, I became a USA Today Bestselling Author, not to mention that The Apprentice Storyteller is currently in the running to win the Author Elite Award in the Fantasy category! What the boy teaches Viola in The Apprentice Storyteller is what I have learned and applied to my own life, and it is what I wished to pass on. I hope The Apprentice Storyteller can inspire others to see their potential and reach for their dreams. For me, it is a book of hope… Of possibility… And of the deep magic of human potential.

WHERE CAN WE PURCHASE YOUR BOOK:

https://books2read.com/u/mdD6J5

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS Naiya’s Wish by Astrid V.J.

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS Naiya’s Wish by Astrid V.J.

FIRST, LET’S GET TO KNOW YOU A BIT. TELL US SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF:

I absolutely adore fairytales! My father is Bavarian and my German grandmother sent me many books in German. One of my favourites is a collection of Grimm fairytales. I realised quite early on that different fairytales are favourites in English and German. I started out retelling my favourite Grimm fairytale, Brother and Sister, which is a tale not known in the English-speaking sphere. With the success of The Siblings’ Tale duology, I realised there was a lot of scope to bring lesser-known tales back into popular consciousness. The focus of my series Elisabeth and Edvard’s World is to do just that.

WHAT IS THE GENRE AND AUDIENCE FOR THIS BOOK:

Fantasy (Fairytale retelling) – New Adult

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK:

I was looking for an obscure Grimm fairytale that I could use to connect some others I have planned to retell and my already-published retellings. The Nixie of the Mill-pond provided the perfect link to everything I wanted to create with the Elisabeth and Edvard’s World series. It serves as a lynchpin to my already published books and introduces characters to three other fairytales I’ve always wanted to retell: The Tinderbox (Andersen), The Singing Soaring Lark, and Mother Holle (Grimm).

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK:

A Naiad makes an impossible wish, sending a ripple of effect through the land and binding to her magic the people from the nearby mill, and the village beyond. Unexpected twists of fate tie Naiya to Hilda, the miller’s unhappy wife and, Amina, the baker’s youngest daughter. Amina is flung into a daring adventure when Naiya’s wish ensnares the love of Amina’s life. Can she find a way to save Phillip from the watery depths? And what will she have to sacrifice to do so? This is a retelling of The Nixie of the Mill-pond from the perspectives of three female characters. Writing it, I wanted to explore several questions that came to me regarding the original tale: why did a naiad want a human child? How would the miller’s wife react to his deal with the naiad that essentially meant giving up their child? And what inner turmoil would the forester’s wife have gone through when her husband’s curse came true and he was taken into the depths of the mill-pond by the naiad?

WHERE CAN WE PURCHASE YOUR BOOK:

https://books2read.com/u/mvo7rJ

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS The Twelve Tasks by Katharine E. Wibell

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS The Twelve Tasks by Katharine E. Wibell

FIRST, LET’S GET TO KNOW YOU A BIT. TELL US SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF:

I have always been fascinated by mythology and epic poetry including the Odyssey, Ramayana, Beowulf, and the Nibelungenlied. This passion has manifested in my writing which blends my knowledge of the animal world with the world of high fantasy. When not working on a new book, you might find me throwing axes, kayaking, playing with my dog, brewing mead, or creating art, for I am also a reverse glass painter!

WHAT IS THE GENRE AND AUDIENCE FOR THIS BOOK:

Young adult, epic fantasy

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK:

This is a funny story. The Djed Chronicles is actually the reason why I wanted to become an author in the first place. As children, my sister and I created all sorts of characters, backstories, worlds, and arch-villains to combat our alter egos. I enjoyed these stories filled with mythological references, spunky heroines, and diverse friendships so much that I wanted to one day share them with the world. Though I actually wrote a different series first, I have finally returned to those stories and characters now that I have a better knowledge of indie publishing and have developed my literary ‘voice.’

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK:

Twelve worlds. Two opposing forces. One prophesied Hero. The precarious balance between two opposing forces has begun to shift and threatens the very existence of life throughout the universe. Only the Djed—the prophesied savior—has a chance of thwarting a catastrophe that could destroy the cosmos. And the next Djed is predicted to be a child of Earth. Katie awakens on a world far from her own, a world bound in magic, one of twelve that hosts entities of vast power and might. She is suspected to be that savior. However, to be acclaimed Djed, difficult and dangerous tasks, one on each of the magicked worlds, must be completed. Katie and a menagerie of misfit companions—a precocious witch, a half-blood elf, and a humanoid pup—work together to discover her fate. If proven true, a terrible burden will be placed upon her, one that will link her destiny with war, a war led by a thirteen-year-old girl. *** The Djed Chronicles follows Katie over her teenage years as she confronts dark forces and discovers that the right choices are not always apparent and wrong choices can have deadly consequences.

WHERE CAN WE PURCHASE YOUR BOOK:

You can find The Twelve Tasks on Amazon, Kindle and KU. https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Tasks-Djed-Chronicles/dp/0998377988

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS Illuminare by Atlas Rose

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS Illuminare by Atlas Rose

FIRST, LET’S GET TO KNOW YOU A BIT. TELL US SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF:

A few unique things about me are that I majored in accounting in undergrad but am completing my Masters in Composition and English. I love philosophy and rhetoric, and I’m usually found reading whatever American Founding era primary sources I can get my hands on. I collect the primary sources in reprints or collections wherever possible or else download electronic copies of the originals from Library of Congress to add to my collection. At this point, I have more on my shelf than I’ll get to in the next few years, but considering my upcoming projects, they’ll prove indispensable resources. I hope to find them indispensable resources soon as I’ll be completing my program with my thesis paper next year on a mostly ignored area of American Founding history. As nerdy as it may be, I couldn’t be more excited for the thesis project.

WHAT IS THE GENRE AND AUDIENCE FOR THIS BOOK:

The genre is classic philosophical fiction/dystopia in the grain of George Orwell and Ayn Rand. The audience is young adults and adults with an interest in classical dystopian novels and philosophy.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK:

Actually, I was working on another book at the time that is the same genre and deals with a slightly different theme. I had a character in the book whose backstory isn’t really discussed in the novel, and as I was considering what themes I might want to work with for this short story, he came to mind. His story was the perfect one for the theme “a mind restrained to the acceptable line of reasoning and threatened with violence upon refusal is a mind in chains” and the more specific plot theme “the mind’s jailbreak”. His backstory illustrated both beautifully and with wonderful clarity. So the inspiration, if you can call it that and not a conscious effort to choose just the right theme, was the core idea I chose to display and then, secondarily, the intersection with the other novel I was working on that was too perfect to pass up.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK:

“Illuminare” is about a man clawing free of the prison of the mind enforced by the totalitarian State in which he lives. The entire story is focused on his journey from a general sense of unease at the way things are, which he brushes away to go on his way as a “good citizen”, to his decision about whether to flee to freedom or stay and fight.

WHERE CAN WE PURCHASE YOUR BOOK:

https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Walls-Burning-Dystopian-Anthology-ebook/dp/B09GTT9Q9D

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JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS Becoming Captain Torreigh by James Quinlan Meservy, exclusively available in Iron Walls, A Burning Embers Anthology

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS Becoming Captain Torreigh by James Quinlan Meservy, exclusively available in Iron Walls, A Burning Embers Anthology

FIRST, LET’S GET TO KNOW YOU A BIT. TELL US SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF:

My favorite animal that can be found in the Realm of Terra is the wolf. I what is unique about that is that in my debut novel, The United, The Realm of the Light Book 1, my villain is a demon who shifts into the form of a wolf. My wife often makes fun of me for publishing yet another book about the wolf being the bad guy, when in mortality I defend our brother wolves for being predators necessary to our ecosystem in Southeast Idaho.

WHAT IS THE GENRE AND AUDIENCE FOR THIS BOOK:

Becoming Captain Torreigh is YA Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian short story.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK:

Oh man, that is long story. When I in high school, I wrote an epic ballad about a sea captain named Torrey. The when I was working in archaeology, I had this crew leader who always wore white long sleeved button front shirts over his tee-shirt. One day I was teasing him for being a pirate, and he jokingly said he was “A Rocky Mountain Pirate.” And the idea stuck.

Eventually the idea of a Rocky Mountain Pirate and my old poem about Captain Torrey merged. And here we have it.

Becoming Captain Torreigh is the back story to a future novel about a Pirate who sales the reformed Lake Bonneville in search for the truth about the 21^st Century.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK:

Nesvik Torreigh is born on the shores of Lake Bonneville in the small village of Double Top. His village is controlled by the High Priestess, and his future will be controlled by the woman the High Priestess selects to be his wife. All Nesvik desires is freedom, but the only place he can be free is on the waters of Lake Bonneville.

WHERE CAN WE PURCHASE YOUR BOOK:

https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Walls-Burning-Dystopian-Anthology-ebook/dp/B09GTT9Q9D/

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS In Pursuit of Independence by Astrid V.J. (short story in Iron Walls a Burning Embers dystopian anthology)

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS In Pursuit of Independence by Astrid V.J. (short story in Iron Walls a Burning Embers dystopian anthology)

FIRST, LET’S GET TO KNOW YOU A BIT. TELL US SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF:

I play the violin and have a certification as a Suzuki Method violin teacher for beginners. Although I don’t teach at the moment, I apply the Talent Education teaching method with my children and hope to teach them to play the violin or find enthusiasm for another instrument when they’re a little older.

WHAT IS THE GENRE AND AUDIENCE FOR THIS BOOK:

Dystopian, New Adult

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK:

Feminist ideology often talks about “motherhood” as if it’s “evil” and a terrible outcome of “patriarchal oppression”. As a woman who’s always wanted to have children, I wanted to explore what it would be like if I honestly believed what some third-wave feminists say. In Pursuit of Independence is my take on what would happen to me if I was convinced that what I’ve always wanted was false and imposed upon me by a “patriarchal society”.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK:

Misubuki Dzaan is the foremost economist of the Haldrian Empire. Her day starts out like any other until she finds the shuttle system has broken down, throwing her into the opportunity of her life, although she only sees part of it, allowing her beliefs to cloud the potential staring her in the face. The Tales from the Dystopian Mind series of short stories considers how our socialization and ideologies stop us from listening to our inner truths, and often sabotage us from achieving the full spectrum of our potential in all areas of our lives. In Pursuit of Independence is set in the same Fantasy/Space-Opera universe as The Apprentice Storyteller and The Wordmage’s Tales novellas, but has a more futuristic slant to the society.

WHERE CAN WE PURCHASE YOUR BOOK:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GTT9Q9D/

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS The Twelve Tasks by Katharine E. Wibell

JQM LITERARY SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS The Twelve Tasks by Katharine E. Wibell

FIRST, LET’S GET TO KNOW YOU A BIT. TELL US SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF:

I have always been fascinated by mythology and epic poetry including the Odyssey, Ramayana, Beowulf, and the Nibelungenlied. This passion has manifested in my writing which blends my knowledge of the animal world with the world of high fantasy. When not working on a new book, you might find me throwing axes, kayaking, playing with my dog, brewing mead, or creating art, for I am also a reverse glass painter!

WHAT IS THE GENRE AND AUDIENCE FOR THIS BOOK:

Young adult, epic fantasy

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK:

This is a funny story. The Djed Chronicles is actually the reason why I wanted to become an author in the first place. As children, my sister and I created all sorts of characters, backstories, worlds, and arch-villains to combat our alter egos. I enjoyed these stories filled with mythological references, spunky heroines, and diverse friendships so much that I wanted to one day share them with the world. Though I actually wrote a different series first, I have finally returned to those stories and characters now that I have a better knowledge of indie publishing and have developed my literary ‘voice.’

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK:

Twelve worlds. Two opposing forces. One prophesied Hero. The precarious balance between two opposing forces has begun to shift and threatens the very existence of life throughout the universe. Only the Djed—the prophesied savior—has a chance of thwarting a catastrophe that could destroy the cosmos. And the next Djed is predicted to be a child of Earth. Katie awakens on a world far from her own, a world bound in magic, one of twelve that hosts entities of vast power and might. She is suspected to be that savior. However, to be acclaimed Djed, difficult and dangerous tasks, one on each of the magicked worlds, must be completed. Katie and a menagerie of misfit companions—a precocious witch, a half-blood elf, and a humanoid pup—work together to discover her fate. If proven true, a terrible burden will be placed upon her, one that will link her destiny with war, a war led by a thirteen-year-old girl. *** The Djed Chronicles follows Katie over her teenage years as she confronts dark forces and discovers that the right choices are not always apparent and wrong choices can have deadly consequences.

WHERE CAN WE PURCHASE YOUR BOOK:

You can find The Twelve Tasks on Amazon, Kindle and KU. https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Tasks-Djed-Chronicles/dp/0998377988