What an astonishing journey we’ve taken together: from the launch of my first novel to the Hugos, from Larry Correia’s BOOK BOMB! to the Dragon Awards, it’s been an honor to ride this out-of-control rocket car with you!
The genesis of the Soul Cycle goes back sixteen years. I had four complete stories outlined before ever thinking of self-publishing the first book. But did all the market research I could and kept a close eye on the rapidly unfolding developments that would shake the book industry.
Choosing to self-publish was the best decision I’ve made in my entire life. And you, my beloved readers, are the reason why.
Here, at the first turning of the path, I want to pause and thank you all for staking your hard-earned money, your precious leisure time, and your loyalty on an unknown author publishing his first book. They call it “self-publishing”, but no author succeeds alone. Sincere thanks also to those of my fellow authors who have given generously of their time and wisdom.
Frankly, I’m still bewildered by the critical and commercial response to the Soul Cycle. When I first launched Nethereal, I ‘d have considered the book a success if it broke even and at least 51% of readers didn’t hate it. You have seen fit to reward my initial investment with extravagance beyond my imaginings. Thanks to you, Nethereal garnered me a Campbell nomination. Souldancer became the first indie novel to win a Dragon Award, and The Secret Kings was deemed worthy of standing beside giants of trad and indie publishing as a Dragon Award finalist.
The journey’s first leg is almost over. The end of the beginning draws near. But before we move on to what’s next, I have one last tale of the Soul Cycle for you–and judging by the reviews, I’ve saved the best for last.
Dragon Award winner Brian Niemeier’s groundbreaking Soul Cycle reaches its startling conclusion in The Ophian Rising, the highly anticipated sequel to The Secret Kings.
The Zadokim healed the cosmos from the ravages of the Cataclysm, and the survivors made them kings. Now the Ophians, a ruthless insurgent movement, wage a vicious uprising against their immortal rulers’ two hundred year reign.
Xander and Astlin have transformed the desert world of Tharis into the hub of a flourishing trade empire. Their Nesshin subjects spread a new faith promising true freedom in another universe. But when Astlin seeks forbidden knowledge to resurrect her long-dead family, sinister forces exact a terrible price from those she loves.
With the Ophian threat engulfing the spheres and a primeval terror rising from its prison, Astlin must turn to a shiftless gambler, the outlaw squire of a fallen knight, and a mismatched pair of smugglers to escape the ghosts of her past and save all souls from eternal death. But can mortals succeed where even gods have failed?
Bonus: The spark that started the fire, Nethereal, Soul Cycle Book I, is only $0.99 for a limited time!
Extra bonus: The Unexpected Enlightenment of Rachel Griffin, book one of the magical YA series by my lovely and talented editor L. Jagi Lamplighter Wright is free today!
The work of creating a parallel–and superior–alternative to the debased culture peddled by Hollywood and New York is well underway. Independent artists cannot succeed without reader support.
If Star Wars has lost its luster in your eyes; if you’ve seen Harry Potter fans warping into a weird politicized cult, we’ve got entertainment options to satisfy your craving for action, adventure, romance, and horror without giving money to people who hate you.
Congratulations Brian! Bought my copy yesterday and I can't wait to dig into it!
Thank you, Alex!
Congrats!!!
xavier
Thanks!
And it is so easy not to give money to people who hate you! Cord cutting is surprisingly easy.
My book reader is stuffed with adventures by Brian, Nick & Jason, Mr & Mrs Wright, the Jons, and so many others from early PulpRev (thanks, Gutenberg.org, Amazon freebies, and 99 cent ebooks!)
Now with Alt-Hero on the way, there is nary a space for the Publishing Big 5, the Comic Book Big 2, or any of the SJW-converged Disney spores in my Entertainment Life.
What a marvelous age to be alive!
Hear, hear!
I second your sentiments.
Let me plead that we need to do the same for the rest of the Western world France Spain Germany are still in the thrall of big publishers who still want to foist paper and limit ebook availability. Worse the independent publishing is smaller and more precarious.
Even they don't publish ebooks as they should.
xavier
Introduce your European friends to authors you know to be good. Get them to speak to their friends and promote these and similar authors. This will start slowly, sure, but this is how you build to exponential growth.
SJWs oddly enough *aid* this growth. Help them help you! 😉