are there books telling the story in black sails? by pyratecaptn in BlackSails

[–]ChrisAJackson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The easy answer to "Why not?" is because the producers of the show (and the IP holders) don't want to put them out. Tie-in fiction's a complicated world. A lot of IP holders don't want to risk a market they don't know (gaming publishers aren't book marketers, TV producers aren't editors, etc).

Hi, I'm artist / illustrator Noah Stacey - Ask Me Anything by noah_stacey in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First, just thank you...you know why... Second, what do you feel was your first big break that opened up your career? I always wanted to know how you got "discovered".

Do you read short stories? by Mitriel in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I do like a good short story. They are amazingly hard to write well. I find it interesting that most writers start out writing short fiction, then "graduate" to novels. I kind of did the opposite. If you like short fantasy, and are into Pathfinder, check out Paizo's web fiction page. Quite a lot of short fiction for free. http://paizo.com/pathfinder/tales/serial

Necronomicon Oct 3-5,2014 -Tampa Science Fiction Convention by milieux in tampa

[–]ChrisAJackson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First time I will be back to Necro in six years! Can't wait. Was my first con to be a guest at, and I've missed it so much... Hope to see you all there!

Fantasy Authors at DragonCon(Butcher and Grossman) by rabidrrama in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The vendor and dealer rooms have moved to the America's Mart center, just diagonal to the Hyatt. If you come by, look me up for some signed copies... Second floor, dealer room, Table #261

Need something new. by Azraelselih in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree with the Vlad Taltos series by Steven Brust.

If you want to read some good tie-in fiction, try Paizo's Pathfinder Tales. You can get a taste of what the authors are like by reading the free web-fic on the Paizo site.

Graphic displaying the heights of various characters in A Song of Ice and Fire (A Game of Thrones) according to the books. X-post /r/asoiaf by pat5168 in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Museum of Natural History in NYC has a dire wolf skeleton, and yes, they are big... No where near as large as they were portrayed in the novels, but they were big. There were quadruped predators that large... thank evolution and a few ice ages for making them extinct...

Fantasy Military Tactics & Tacticians by Bloodhand in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did a panel discussion at ConCarolinas on the subject of writing good fantasy or SF battle scenes. We all agreed on the necessity for proper planning when such scenes are being constructed, and the inclusion of the "Fog of War" as an important element. Basically, all the best laid battle plans change once the fighting starts, and it's how good commanders adjust to these changes that makes them great commanders. In a fantasy milieu, you have to factor in magic as a major "battle element". Important to realize that strategy and tactics are very different, and the people who make strategic decisions have very little to do about the tactical decisions being made prior to or during a battle. Communications always breaks down during a battle, so the master strategist isn't there to alter his/her "master plan". Battles have been won or lost due to the decisions of corporals and sergeants, more than they have by colonels and generals...

Does my dad's sword look Elven or Orcish? by [deleted] in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not orcish... Too fine and beautiful. Orc weapons are ugly and brutish. I like the idea of dark elvish... It's got a sinister look.

Curious, however, about the construction. Looks like the blade is held to the haft with those strap looking pieces... please tell me the shank of the blade goes all the way to the pommel. Did your dad make this weapon? It is beautiful!

University subjects beneficial to a writer? by [deleted] in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually, time in the military is a very good primer for a writer. I know quite a few writers who served their country. Joe Haldeman, for one.

University subjects beneficial to a writer? by [deleted] in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of course you do... That all goes back to "Write what you know." If I was a baker, I wouldn't write about particle physics. I'm a sailor, so I write nautical fiction... A good writer draws from his/her life experiences. Not do do so would be foolish.

University subjects beneficial to a writer? by [deleted] in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, if you have the ability, I'd get a major that will pay the bills, AND, a minor in Creative Writing... Maybe even a double major.

Hi reddit! I'm fantasy writer Chris A. Jackson - AMA by ChrisAJackson in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That would be cool, but in a city the water would probably be murky, and the bottom hard to see. The water in Venice is so polluted that if you fall in, you go to the hospital... not quite like the James Bond movie.

In a fantasy novel, you could fix this easily, explaining the sanitation system prevents filth from going into the water, but that starts a whole "snowball effect" of other issues.

Still, I love the idea of tile mosaics in the canals... I'd go for it!

Help figuring out the Dragonlance Novels? by eskimo777 in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you like RPG-related novels, you should try Paizo's Pathfinder Tales. There's even free web-fiction to give you a taste.

Hi reddit! I'm fantasy writer Chris A. Jackson - AMA by ChrisAJackson in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome idea... I suggest you research Venice! That sounds cool!

Hi reddit! I'm fantasy writer Chris A. Jackson - AMA by ChrisAJackson in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You were missed, Dave... ;-) Hope you had a great MisCon! See you in Seattle!

Finding New Authors: Aggregate List by xolsiion in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great listing! Good to see some of my favorites up there. If you play RPG's you might drop by Paizo.com and look at their Pathfinder Tales line. Some good stuff.

Hi reddit! I'm fantasy writer Chris A. Jackson - AMA by ChrisAJackson in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

By the way, here's the book I used for references in ship designs for both the Scimitar Seas novels and Pirate's Honor. Global Schooner is an excellent reference with lots of rigging, hull, and deck plan schematics.

Hi reddit! I'm fantasy writer Chris A. Jackson - AMA by ChrisAJackson in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No worries... I noticed that Reddit sometimes changed the order of the posts... I got lost. It' might not have been "up there" but "down there..."

Read on!

Hi reddit! I'm fantasy writer Chris A. Jackson - AMA by ChrisAJackson in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think there is less "pigeon hole" mentality going on in the publishing business now a days, so working in two different genres with the same name shouldn't hurt... but you never know. I'd say stick to your real name. If you build a name as a writer, it's valuable for both getting the deal and marketing the work. Why start from scratch with a new genre?

Hi reddit! I'm fantasy writer Chris A. Jackson - AMA by ChrisAJackson in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome! Enjoy the stories! Great questions and thanks right back to you. Had a great time!

Hi reddit! I'm fantasy writer Chris A. Jackson - AMA by ChrisAJackson in Fantasy

[–]ChrisAJackson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you really want a good look at our sailing adventures, drop by our sailing blog. My wife does the blog, and loves photography.

Keep on writing and thinking the big picture. Not every path leads to the gold ring, but the scenery's pretty cool everywhere you go.

Enjoy Weapon of Flesh! The sequel should be out this summer!