Of all the books I’ve published, Books 6 and 7 were the ones I’ve regretted the most.
When I wrote Sands of the Solar Empire, I introduced the LoE Second Series with a whole new cast of Characters including Paymaster Stenstrom, Lord of Belmont, Private Taara de la Anderson of the 110th Marines, Lillian of Gamboa, and, fan-favorite Lord A-Ram.
I wrote the book full of mystery, giving Paymaster Stenstrom all sorts of secrets at the beginning of the book, and then revealing them bit-by-bit in the second act leading to an exciting conclusion.
But, things didn’t quite work out like that.
Given Sands’ 200,000+ word count, I was compelled by my then publisher to split the work into two books of roughly equal length. I ended up with Sands of the Solar Empire, and Against the Druries.
The bad thing: I didn’t write Sands to be two books–I wrote it to be one long book, with the front end being more about discovering the characters I’d introduced, and the back half being much more action-oriented. Splitting the book down the center made Sands a very disjointed book, where I introduce the plot and leave it hanging butt-first to the wind. I even had to contrive a manufactured ending where none of the plot is resolved at all–a total face-palm cliffhanger, and not a very good one at that. Some readers didn’t notice the abrupt ending, but some utterly hated it and let me know all about it, with me having to give a tacit mea culpa, as I knew they were correct. Against the Druries, being a much tighter, action-oriented story where the plot is resolved, was a much more well-appreciated book.
Rough sketch for The Belmont Saga cover, by Carol Phillips
But now, under the Hydra brand, I finally get to correct that injustice and finally give Sands of the Solar Empire and Against the Druries the treatment they deserve and they will be republished as one book entitled The Belmont Saga. Finally, the story can be told as I meant for it to unfold, as one narrative with a beginning, middle and an end as all stories should have. Plus, the book will feature a brand new cover by Carol Phillips and over 70 interior artworks with some being totally new.
I can’t wait for this one to come out, as I’ve always dreamed to see it–one story, one book done up right, Hydra-style.
The Belmont Saga will be available in mid-2019 from Hydra Publications
copyright 2018, Ren Garcia and Carol Phillips
The Temple of the Exploding Head
The Belmont Saga
November 14, 2018
Of all the books I’ve published, Books 6 and 7 were the ones I’ve regretted the most.
I wrote the book full of mystery, giving Paymaster Stenstrom all sorts of secrets at the beginning of the book, and then revealing them bit-by-bit in the second act leading to an exciting conclusion.
But, things didn’t quite work out like that.
Given Sands’ 200,000+ word count, I was compelled by my then publisher to split the work into two books of roughly equal length. I ended up with Sands of the Solar Empire, and Against the Druries.
Rough sketch for The Belmont Saga cover, by Carol Phillips
But now, under the Hydra brand, I finally get to correct that injustice and finally give Sands of the Solar Empire and Against the Druries the treatment they deserve and they will be republished as one book entitled The Belmont Saga. Finally, the story can be told as I meant for it to unfold, as one narrative with a beginning, middle and an end as all stories should have. Plus, the book will feature a brand new cover by Carol Phillips and over 70 interior artworks with some being totally new.
I can’t wait for this one to come out, as I’ve always dreamed to see it–one story, one book done up right, Hydra-style.
The Belmont Saga will be available in mid-2019 from Hydra Publications
copyright 2018, Ren Garcia and Carol Phillips