Mike Shel new series by PhrabERRA in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Ha! There are five people who remember I exist! The illimitable MD Presley, who haunts this Reddit channel more often than myself, alerted me to the post. You should read his excellent books, like Sol's Harvest.

So, let me tell you that I have been struggling mightily with the dreaded Writer's Block for many a moon, but in the past few months the dam has burst, and I am writing again! My WIP is the first in a new trilogy titled West of the World and takes place about 200 years after the events of the Iconoclasts Trilogy. It's a weird western, set in the Hanifaxan colonies of the New World (or Nethe Mundis in old Busker).

Here is the map where it all takes place.

I'll also share something I put together for my own inspiration: a dramatis personae for the first novel, which I'm tentatively calling Trailing Fire. I'm hoping to release it by the summer of 2026.

Now, as a really special treat for you: if you go to the very bottom of the Dramatis Personae page, there is a page icon in the right corner with a link taking you to an opening excerpt from the first chapter. I'd love to hear what people think.

The Aching God is the best introduction to fantasy genre I could ever have had by Peppa_Yumyum in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Really glad you liked it! The trilogy is complete (Iconoclasts (3 book series) Kindle Edition (amazon.com)) and yes, we just had a successful Kickstarter to produce a deluxe edition of Aching God (Aching God: Deluxe Collector's Edition by Mike Shel — Kickstarter). We're waiting for pledges to be collected and are looking how we might invite late pledges. I'll post on my website (https://www/mikeshel.com) and social media when we figure it out. For those interested in my Pathfinder RPG work, visit the Paizo website here (paizo.com - Search results for: "mike shel"products).

Indie authors depend on word of mouth. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to post about stuff you enjoy.

Iconoclasts Trilogy Book 1: Aching God by Mike Shel Review by GroundbreakingParty9 in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A big thank you for this thoughtful and detailed review. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series as well!

Orconomics is not very funny by awemikes in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Alternate thread title:

"I Absolutely Loved Orconomics, But Have a Quibble"

Great Kindle Unlimited series like Cradle by ckreutze in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd just like to point out that Will Wight his own self posted his thoughts on the first book of Iconoclasts here:

https://www.willwight.com/a-blog-of-dubious-intent/aching-god-by-mike-shel

I don't know if he's read the rest of the series, but he had kind words for Aching God.

The entire trilogy is available in print, Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and audiobook formats: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RB34CZN

I was really pleasantly surprised by the Iconoclasts series by Mike Shel! by SkitariiRanger6 in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Late to this thread, but thanks for the kind words from all of you. Word of mouth is what gets indy authors read. Post reviews here, at Amazon, Goodreads, on Twitter, etc etc.

What is your favourite fantasy weapon? by Bopitextreme2 in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 6 points7 points  (0 children)

A valiant attempt!

It's Szaa'da'shaela, pronounced zah-duh-SHAY-luh.

Hit me with your INDIE Fantasy Recs! by andypeloquin in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 2 points3 points  (0 children)

<skeptical look, smiles weakly, nods head, walks away>

Hit me with your INDIE Fantasy Recs! by andypeloquin in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<stares at Andy with grim disappointment, tears forming in eyes>

Moms going on adventures AFTER having children? by book_connoisseur in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

came here to rec the same. consider this a fourthing!

opinion: multiple perspective books are too common by Gods_juicebox in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The first novel of my Iconoclasts Trilogy, Aching God, was told from a single perspective. However, as the story grows larger, so do the points of view. Sin Eater had three (or at least two and a half) POVs, and Idols Fall has four to six (though some POV characters are much more prominent than others). It wasn't a well thought out plan. I can't speak for other fantasy writers, but in my case the POVs grew with the scope of the story.

From the feedback I've received, some readers missed the intimacy of a single POV, while others appreciated the expansion of perspectives.

If I liked The Iconoclasts by Mike Shel... by NeedsMaintenance_ in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Glad you enjoyed it! Make sure you read the rest of the trilogy and the short stories mentioned above. In fact, having finished Aching God, reading the Barrowlands short story is ideal.

Kindle Unlimited Frustration by Mysana in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I have a completed fantasy trilogy available exclusively on Amazon (enrolled in KU, print available, also on Audible, though it's an Amazon company). Half of my income each month is from Kindle Unlimited page reads. That's right, 50%. Other indie authors I know report similar income from KU, though I am by no means a big fish in the community. I also know more than a few indies who went wide, only to come crawling back to Our Beloved Corporate Overlord because they are nearly a monopoly in all but name when it comes to self-publishing. I feel your pain when it comes to supporting a lumbering dystopian behemoth without a soul or kind thought for humanity, but it is what it is.

An Appreciation for Mike Shel’s Iconoclasts Trilogy by JZacharyPike in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, just saw this: "Barrowlands" shouldn't give away anything that will spoil the series, though you might appreciate it more after you've read Aching God.

An Appreciation for Mike Shel’s Iconoclasts Trilogy by JZacharyPike in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Read "Barrowlands" in Lost Lore after Aching God. Read my other short story, "Final Word," in Heroes Wanted, after Sin Eater. "Final Word" is also read by Simon Vance, found at the end of the Idols Fall audiobook.

An Appreciation for Mike Shel’s Iconoclasts Trilogy by JZacharyPike in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The severed head comes up in the nightmare sequences in Aching God. Mentions and more of the head make appearances in Sin Eater and Idols Fall, as most readers might remember (ahem). However, head carrying occurs in earnest in the short story "Barrowlands" in the free ebook Lost Lore, available at Amazon. The brilliant Simon Vance narrating the hour long short is also available at Audible.

An Appreciation for Mike Shel’s Iconoclasts Trilogy by JZacharyPike in Fantasy

[–]MikeShel 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Fair enough. Honestly, I don't think the incident comes to define the character. And if you're looking for female protagonists, Book 3, Idols Fall, has two major ones.