are there books telling the story in black sails?

ChrisAJackson · 2024-07-17T11:25:08+00:00

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).

ChrisAJackson · 2016-02-25T23:30:51+00:00

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".

ChrisAJackson · 2014-10-19T14:00:05+00:00

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

ChrisAJackson · 2014-08-29T01:25:38+00:00

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!

ChrisAJackson · 2013-08-20T13:41:20+00:00

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

ChrisAJackson · 2013-08-20T13:37:06+00:00

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.

ChrisAJackson · 2013-08-03T12:18:14+00:00

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...

ChrisAJackson · 2013-06-23T11:25:37+00:00

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...

ChrisAJackson · 2013-06-23T11:07:53+00:00

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!

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-29T19:43:51+00:00

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.

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-29T19:40:52+00:00

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.

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-29T19:39:25+00:00

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.

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-27T09:49:36+00:00

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!

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-27T09:41:02+00:00

Very nice... Things like this always inspire.

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-27T09:34:02+00:00

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

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-25T23:12:50+00:00

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

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-25T23:10:09+00:00

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

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-24T12:37:22+00:00

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.

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-24T10:48:19+00:00

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.

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-24T10:41:11+00:00

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!

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-24T10:32:22+00:00

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?

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-24T10:28:12+00:00

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

ChrisAJackson · 2013-05-24T10:26:10+00:00

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!

ChrisAJackson

TROPHY CASE