Show Notes: Tracy Hickman

Interview: Michael and Michael are bored because Summer isn’t around. So they decided to call up Tracy Hickman and cause a ruckus.

“The Lost Chronicles” is the final series in the vast expanse that is the Dragonlance sequence that Tracy is writing with Margaret Weis. While the second book in this final series, Dragons of the Highlord Skies, made the New York Times Bestseller lists and made the finalists list for an Origins Award, the publisher, Wizards, decided that they would not publish the third and last book in the series, Dragons of the Hourglass Mage.

No one knows really why, and it’s not like the Dragonlance book could be taken to another publisher to finish out the series. So what’s a writer to do? Can the fans even make a difference in getting the final book on the shelves this time, since a toy company now owns the company that was publishing the books? Will we eventually see the final final book?

The discussion ranges from buying habits of readers (in regards to series), electronic versions of books, publishing and POD, finding quality stories, alternative and effective marketing strategies, and much more.

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s castle can be found at these coordinates: http://slurl.com/secondlife/beraudes/203/151/49.

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Link: The Official Tracy Hickman website
Promo: Parsec Awards 2008: Nominations Open!

 Cover to Cover #308A: Tracy Hickman [41:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2368)

Review by Scott Purdy
You can also hear an audio version of this review in Cover to Cover #302B

Bone Song is John Meaney’s fourth novel and the first that takes place in the world of Tristopolis.

If I had to name the style of Bone Song, I would call it Cyber-Zombie Noir. But lest I give the impression that it’s a book about Zombies let me say that Meaney has created a world with a death based Economy. For example, in this world, wraiths are used in industrial applications such as operating elevators, cranes, luggage dollies and even some high-end vehicles. Also the city’s electricity is generated by extracting psychic energy from the bones of the departed; a process with some chilling side effects which become vital to the plot.

The initial plot follows Detective Donal Riordan as he is given the assignment of protecting a famous opera Diva who will be performing in the city of Tristopolis. It turns out that a mysterious group has been murdering the world’s best artists and performers and making off with their corpses and Donal is determined to prevent the Diva from suffering this fate. But this is only the beginning.

I’m a big fan of Meaney’s work and going into the book I caught myself in a typical frame of mind people get in when an author they like tries something different: “I wanna hear more about the worlds of his previous books, what the hell is this?” Of course this is no way to approach any story. Typecasting and author isn’t fair to the author and you’ll most likely miss out on good stuff if you don’t give it a chance.

With that in mind, at the first few pages I felt I was in some strange world somewhere between Blade Runner and Beetlejuice. Fortunately I kept reading and about 20 pages in, I was hooked because I found the first of many things to care about in the story. It was the point in the story where the reader gets the first glimpse of why the bones of some people are more valuable than others and why some powerful folk aren’t willing to wait for someone to die to get hold of them. Suddenly I wanted to know more. The second thing to care about is the protagonist himself. He’s a good guy trying to a good job. He’s the kind of guy that can be deeply moved by the diva’s singing while worried that getting too involved in the performance may put him off his guard and make him unaware of a threat to her.

The only criticism I have on Meaney’s style is that sometimes I wish he would linger a bit longer on an important detail or aspect of the story. It’s actually less a criticism than a way of saying I was engaged in this world and wanted to know more. For example, Tristopolis seems to have recent history but I found myself really wanting to know about the places origins and long history. Also, the momentum shifts a bit when Donal joins a special task force and it changes from a single detective story to a crime fighting team story. Not to worry, there is plenty of tension and suspense to keep the story interesting. If a main point of suspense is resolved it’s not long before a new one takes its place.

What made Bone Song extra fun for me was all the questions; for instance, do wraiths want to spend all day operating elevators or acting as a sort of A.I. for fancy cars and motorcycles; or, why does an international flight need a sky martial and a witch; or the big one: When a character sleeps with a zombie, why does a zombie ticket agent seem to know about it and is that why she bumps him to first class? Obviously these aren’t your grandma’s zombies. Bone Song is an industrial spin on gothic mainstays of horror fiction like Wraiths, Zombies, and Witches, not to mention the sick and twisted humans.

If this sort of Necropolis world is your thing, you’ll find Bone Song a Shiny toy box. If you think being stuck in an industrial purple gloom of necroflux pollution sounds like a turn-off, you may be surprised as the story is well balance by passion, beauty, humor and little bits of hope to cling to. I look forward to the next installment in the Tristopolis world, Dark Blood, and I just may have to pay extra for an imported copy when it comes out.

Scott Purdy

Bone Song
by John Meaney
Published by: Spectra (February 26, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0553385143
ISBN-13: 978-0553385144
Genre: Dark Fantasy

Show Notes: Reading Everything in Sight

Michael, Michael and Lorrie chat about reading frequently, since Lorrie seems to go through at least 10 books a week. They talk about following stories and series, about how rereading books may or may not change previous impressions, and more.

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

Listener review: Little John in Milwaukee gives us a quick review of Jim Butcher’s Small Favor.

The Library: This week, the new entries are: Blood Ties: Blood Bank by Tanya Huff; A Darkness Forged in Fire by Chris Evans; Fallen by Tim Lebbon; Night Shift by Lilith Saintcrow; Iron Angel by Allen Campbell; The Shadow Isle by Katherine Kerr.

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s castle can be found at these coordinates: http://slurl.com/secondlife/beraudes/203/151/49.

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Promo: Parsec Awards 2008: Nominations Open!
Promo: The Gmail Podcast

 Cover to Cover #307B: How Much Do You Read [24:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1821)

Show Notes: Jim Butcher

Interview: Just about every FarPoint Media member who’s local to Phoenix dropped by for this one, because Jim Butcher came into town for a book signing. A very well-attended book signing at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, since he was delayed there an extra hour signing books for folks.

Mike M, Summer, Mike S and Brian chat with Jim about the tests and trials poor Harry Dresden’s been put through, and possible expectations of future adventures in the wringer for Harry.

Definitely check out the new Dresden Files comic series, now available from the Dabel Brothers. The first comic series is a prequel to Storm Front, followed by a 14-18 issue adaptation of Storm Front, followed perhaps by more prequels and adaptations.

Don’t miss Jim’s appearance on Slice of SciFi Video News #003 over at YouTube!

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

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FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Link: Jim Butcher
Link: Dabel Brothers Publishing
Promo: Parsec Awards 2008: Nominations Open!
Promo: PodCulture

 Cover to Cover #307A: Jim Butcher [27:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2723)

Show Notes: Inspiration and Copyrights

Voicemail: Lejon sheds some background on the book Tales Before Narnia, and Stackpole expands with some more reading he’d done about the collection. And that leads to a discussion about the use and meaning of “inspired by”.

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

Listener review: Mike liked this review so much, he’s running it a second time! Hear Princess Eve’s review of the audiobook of Orson Scott Card’s Empire.

Discussion: Mike Stackpole brings up the lawsuit that J. K. Rowling brought against the creator of the Harry Potter Lexicon, which began as a fan website and is now being published as a book (she’s suing because of the book, but loved the content of the website).

The discussion runs through authors’ rights and public domain intellectual property and fair use, and a lot more.

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s castle can be found at these coordinates: http://slurl.com/secondlife/beraudes/203/151/49.

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Link: BBC: Rowling defiant on Potter rights
Promo: The Scapecast

 Cover to Cover #306B: Inspiration and Copyrights [30:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3073)

Show Notes: Ryah Deines and Kurt Armbruster

Interview: Michael Stackpole and Summer talk with WFC 2008 committee members Ryah Dienes and Kurt Armbruster about all that goes into organizing a professional convention, and still have fun doing it.

WFC 2008’s theme is “Mystery in Fantasy and Horror”, and this year’s guests are David Morrell, Barbara Hambly, Tom Doherty, Tad Williams and Todd Lockwood.

Go attend just to witness the massive book signing, and don’t miss their podcast, that’s been running for almost 2 years now, promoting the 2008 Convention.

If you’re attending and can record any of the panels you’re attending, volunteer as a recording minion for the convention!

Voicemail: Shane in Sydney gives us another example of Christian fiction (yeah, he went there); how “The Da Vinci Code” is compelling and poorly written at the same time, and suggestions for Mary Doria Russell’s “The Children of God” and “The Sparrow”; Trucker Overdrive weighs in on how his wife enjoyed the start of the Left Behind series but not the end, and posits that maybe that series is the literary equivalent of a candy bar; Will from Tulsa wonders if a scene in Sigler’s INFECTED was inspired by “Parasite Eve” or not; Darcy’s Dad reports that Darcy visited Jim Butcher’s St Louis book signing; Darcy’s Dad also weighs in on Left Behind’s appeal to it’s Christian fan base; Schmoo throws in Piers Anthony’s “Incarnations of Immortality” series as having a thread of religion in there; Trampas comments on labeling from #302B, and how it goes beyond books categorizing.

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s castle can be found at these coordinates: http://slurl.com/secondlife/beraudes/203/151/49.

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Link: World Fantasy 2008: Calgary Alberta CA
Link: WFC 2008: MySpace
Promo: Second Shift
Promo: PodCulture

 Cover to Cover #306A: World Fantasy 2008 [41:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3156)

Black Magic Woman is the first in a new series by author Justin Gustainis, “The Quincey Morris Supernatural Investigations”. It’s a wonderful read, and wonderful introduction to a world that’s all too familiar to long-time readers of fantasy and dark fantasy like myself.

The Story: Quincey Morris is an investigator of the occult and the supernatural. He’s a descendant and namesake of the Texan who died in the Carpathian Mountains, helping Abraham Van Helsing and John Seward rid the world of a cursed and vicious Count. Libby Chastain is a white witch, close friend and sometimes contractor for Quincey, helping him out whenever a little magic needs to be worked.

This time, what starts out as a “simple” assignment to free a family from a curse that dates back to the Salem Witch Trials turns into a deadly cross-country pursuit to uncover the power behind it and end the threat. Once the witch responsible for the black magic feeding the curse discovers that Morris and Chastain are coming after her, she decides to take the battle to them, hard and fast.

In a second story line, Garth Van Dreenan, a South African detective from their Occult Crimes Bureau, comes to the States and is teamed with African-American FBI agent Dale Fenton in the search for a serial killer who’s been abducting children and killing them for their organs.

Both storylines converge in whirlwind fashion, bringing resolution to one aspect of what they’ve discovered. But all of our heroes are unaware that another door is still open…

The Good: The title and the back cover blurb intrigued me from the start. It didn’t hurt that our friend Jim Butcher has a stunning blurb on the front cover, either.

The story starts out fast and furious, with Quincey “filling in” for a rescue job in a small Texas town, cleaning out a newly formed nest of vampires, and the pace flies along for the rest of the book. The tension never seems to give Our Heroes much time to rest, but the ride as we follow them along is truly enjoyable.

I think this series will appeal to fans of Tanya Huff’s “Blood Ties” series, and Jim Butcher’s “Dresden Files”. Before you think that Quincey and his network of contacts reminds one a teeny bit of Harry Dresden’s world and work, their respective worlds are very different. Quincey doesn’t possess any supernatural or magickal gifts… just the benefit of personal experience and a family history of dealing with such matters. If the book’s opening gambit is any indicator of what Quincey’s done before and what we’ll get to see him do, it’d be more accurate to call him the John McClane of supernatural problem-solving: the right guy in the right place at the right time.

The Bad: As far as the story is concerned, not one thing! Minor character nits: I thought the initial racial tension between Van Dreenan and Fenton felt a little forced when introduced, but the urgency of their investigation turned that aside soon enough. Also, my minor irritation at not learning as much about all of the antagonists as I’d hoped was quickly sated by learning that the real power directing that particular crop of bad guys is still at large, and that we’ll definitely be seeing more of him in the next book (and beyond?).

The Ugly: Having to wait until December to read the next book in the series, Evil Ways! It’s a rare thing when a series hooks me so deeply from the start that I want to start reading the next book as soon as I’m done with the current one.

Black Magic Woman (A Quincey Morris Supernatural Investigation)
by Justin Gustainis
Published by: Solaris (January 29, 2008)
ISBN-10: 1844165418
ISBN-13: 978-1844165414
Genre: Dark Fantasy

Show Notes: Interview with Justin Gustainis

Michael, Brian and Michael roll with the flow from this week’s extra-long A-show, and in avoiding any final comments (for now) on the e-book discussion, they touch on the interaction between authors and their readers.

Interview: This week, Justin Gustainis joins us to chat about his new dark fantasy novel Black Magic Woman. He tells us about Quincey Morris and Libby Chastain, and the investigation of an ancient curse on a family, and the larger scope that the story takes on as it progresses.

We talk about crafting a story of this type, and writing the types of stories he enjoys reading, some of his other story influences and more.

And yes, Summer did think this is a book worth staying up until 3am to finish.

Listener Review: Princess Eve gives us a review of the audiobook version of Orson Scott Card’s Empire.

Don’t forget, you can also comment on books listed in The Library… look through the listings and feel free to post your thoughts and comments there.

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s castle can be found at these coordinates: http://slurl.com/secondlife/beraudes/203/151/49.

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Link: Justin Gustainis
Promo: Second Shift

 Cover to Cover #305B: Justin Gustainis [37:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6493)

Show Notes: People want E-Books, and want them Now

Discussion: Jason from West Oz lends his thoughts on why e-books haven’t yet been “profitable”, and steps that might be taken to remedy that situation. Michael, Michael and Brian discuss. A lot.

Listener Review: Web Genii gives us a review of Kage Baker’s Gods and Pawns, a collection of short stories from “The Company” series.

Voicemail: Arkle submits a few more authors for consideration for the foothills of Mount Olympus: Douglas Adams and Peter David. Scott from Tucson submits that the steering wheel mounted laptop desk beats out the steering wheel mounted book holder… Scott wins. Tim asks what’s going on with Borders closing it’s store doors. Anna takes issue with Stackpole’s generalizations of academics and literary studies. Tim comments on Arthur C. Clarke. Trampas offers his thank to Dragon Page listeners for all of the suggestions for western-flavored Fantasy and for Westerns.

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

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FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Promo: The Dragonlance Canticle
Promo: Variant Frequencies

 Cover to Cover #305A: Discussing E-Books [38:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5559)

The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 1: The Field Guide
Review by Darcy Low

My best friend Ashley got this book out of our school library and said I soooooooo had to read it. I took it and looked at it and it was like the littlest book I ever seen! But we like same books so I took it home and wow, she was right!!

The story is all about these three kids, Mallory, Simon and Jared. Who are brothers and sister and move into the old run down house after their father leaves their mom. Mallory is the oldest, she is kinda like me, a tomboy dad calls it. She likes Fenching and sports, Simon is the next oldest; he collects insects and loves animals. He is the most happiest about moving because now he can have more room for his pets. (and more pets!) Jared is the youngest, he is the most shy and tends to read and be by himself more. He also got into trouble at his old school, but it sounds to me like it wasn’t his fault.

Almost immediately weird things start happening, and it begins with something scratching inside the walls and scurrying all over the house. Simon wants to find out what it is because he thinks it’s a squirrel, and he’s the pet lover in the group. Jared tends to be the one who fights because he hasn’t quite adjusted to the idea of Dad leaving. Mallory is interested in fencing (with swords, not wooden barriers around yards!).

Together, they begin their investigation and quickly find a dumbwaiter inside the wall that leads up to a secret room with no doors. The room is filled with books – and it also has a threatening note (written in rhyme) that tells them they should all leave. Of course, the kids have nowhere to go and they’re not going to just walk away from a puzzle.

The story continues to get more creepy and intense (Mallory wakes up with her hair tied in knots to her bed and Simon gets beaten black and blue). Worst of all, Mom blames Jared for everything, and his brother and sister aren’t sure that he didn’t do it. (i didnt get that part. why she would blame him for that stuff.)

This first book deals with them exploring the house, find this way cool old book, and finding out what the scratching is. Is it a squirel or something else?? You’ll just have to read to see. hehe.

What I liked best about this book was how they figured out what was going on and what they needed to do to stop it. it was a puzzel, the rhyme and I love puzzels. I also liked the pictures in the book and the map. it heped me picture things better.

What I’ll always remember about the book is the old house. Sounds like there are many many rooms still left to explore and all kinds of adventures yet. ( read all of these and yeps, LOTS of adventures.) We have a house down by where i go to school thats one 200 years old. And the people that own it added on to it a lot, more rooms, a sun room in back, a balcony all kinds of things. Its now HUUUUUGE!! So now after reading these books it makes me think of wow wouldn’t be cool to live there and explore that place?

I don’t want to tell you what they find making the scratching noise in the walls. That would spoil it.

If you looking for a short book to read that’s really good, then check these out!! They are 107 pages so it won’t take long. but they are very good!!!

Sometimes something small is best! Like me!

See you guys later. Get to reading!!

The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book One)
Written by Holly Black, Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
Published by: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (May 2003)
ISBN-10: 0689859368
ISBN-13: 978-0689859366
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Show Notes: Technology, Science and Fiction

Tim Low wonders which science fiction writers out there are the visionaries we should be reading now that Arthur C. Clarke has passed. That’s a tougher question than it looks, because science and technology are advancing faster now than 40-50 years ago, and sometimes a technology that’s proposed in a story may become real or become disproved faster than in decades past.

Is writing about the social and societal impacts of science and technology the next wave, or is there a niche out there still for advanced vision in fiction that’s scientifically based? What’s ready to be imagined that we haven’t seen yet?

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

Listener Review: Web Genii has a review of Breath and Bone by Carol Berg, the sequel to Flesh and Spirit. SPOILERS ARE CONTAINED WITHIN!

The Library: Tales Before Narnia edited by Douglas A. Anderson; Witness by Bill Blais; Deluge by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough and Anne McCaffrey; The Gift of the Unmage and Spellspam by Alma Alexander; The Crystal Skull by Manda Scott; The Secret History of Moscow by Ekaterina Sedia; The Dreaming Void by Peter F. Hamilton; Small Favor by Jim Butcher.

Don’t forget, you can also comment on books listed in The Library… look through the listings and feel free to post your thoughts and comments there.

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s castle can be found at these coordinates: http://slurl.com/secondlife/beraudes/203/151/49.

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Promo: The Geek Spin: Comedy Music on the Net
Promo: Dragonlance Canticle

 Cover to Cover #304B: Technology, Science and Fiction [35:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4309)

Show Notes: Interview with James A. Owen

Mike M takes a moment to reminisce about Joe Murphy, his contributions to The Dragon Page and to Wingin’ It, and Mike S recounts a Dragon*Con experience with Joe. Mason Rocket is still missed.

Joe Murphy Review: Listen to Joe’s review of both the book and the movie “Ella Enchanted”.

Also, check out Mike S’ site, Stormwolf.com to get “The Secrets: Serial Fiction”, a new e-book guide to developing and writing serial fiction.

Interview: Illustrator and author James A. Owen joins us in studio, in the midst of his school and library tour to talk about The Search for the Red Dragon, the second books in the “Imaginarium Geographica”.

The stories and the artwork in this series are wonderful, with the grand scope of history, geography, literature and mythology that are intertwined. Now, combine this with the 7-book “Mythworld” series that will eventually tie into the 7-book “Imaginarium” series, plus a tie-in with the “Starchild” graphic novels, and you’ve got a truly rich world that needs it’s own book of footnotes just to keep track of all of the references.

Either way, it’s a fun world to read in and let your imagination run in.

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s castle can be found at these coordinates: http://slurl.com/secondlife/beraudes/203/151/49.

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Promo: The Babylon Podcast
Promo: Sending A Wave: Interview with Nathan Fillion, (available April 9, 2008)

 Cover to Cover #304A: James A. Owen [35:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4330)

Jim Butcher is on tour this April, promoting the newly released 10th novel in “The Dresden Files” series, Small Favor

Catch Jim at one of the following locations left on his jaunt, and tell him we said “Hi!”

* Monday, 4/7: Houston TX: 6:30pm, MURDER BY THE BOOK (2342 Bissonnet St)
* Tuesday, 4/8: Chicago IL: 7:30pm, BORDERS BOOKS & MUSIC (1500 16th St, Ste D)
* Wednesday, 4/9: St Louis, MO: 7pm BARNES & NOBLE (320 Mid River Ctr, St. Peters, MO)
* Wednesday, 4/16: Kansas City, MO: 6pm, BARNES & NOBLE (Country Club Plaza, 420 W 47th Street)

He’s also scheduled to be ay NY Comic Con at the Javits Center on Apr 18-20, along with the Dabel Brothers, and appearing at Mobicon in Mobile, AL, May 18-20.

He was in Phoenix on April 6th, and he dropped by the studio for a chat, so keep your readers open for that show!

Show Notes: B is for Books, mostly

Today’s topic: Trampas asks a question about the “Left Behind” series, mostly about the quality of the writing, and why are so many people still rushing to read them all?

Mike and Mike posit that it’s the apparent lack of modern Christian-based or Christian-themed fiction out in the marketplace, and the word-of-mouth marketing efforts of book clubs, combined with a smaller number of writers in that genre. Discuss.

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

Listener Review: Web Genii gives us a review of Reader and Raelynx by Sharon Shinn, the fourth book in her Twelve Houses series. Spoilers are contained within, so listen at your own risk!

The Library: This week’s new books: The Houses of Time by Jamil Nasir; ELOM by William H. Drinkard; The Hidden World by Paul Park; The Born Queen by Greg Keyes; A World Too Near by Kay Kenyon; Lady and the Vamp by Michelle Rowen.

Don’t forget, you can also comment on books listed in The Library… look through the listings and feel free to post your thoughts and comments there.

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s castle can be found at these coordinates: http://slurl.com/secondlife/beraudes/203/151/49.

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Promo: Variant Frequencies
Promo: EDGE SF / Dragon Moon Press

 Cover to Cover #303B: B is for Books, mostly [25:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4004)

Show Notes: Scott Sigler

Mike Stackpole has an asteroid named after him… Asteroid 165612, discovered in 2001, joining Phil Plait and a handful of other skeptics with asteroids as namesakes.

Proof we are starstuff after all?

Interview: New Media Rockstar Scott Sigler joins Mike, Summer and Mike to chat about his newest hardcover release, INFECTED. He talks about the interest of Crown Books in experimenting with using free content to promote sales of the print version, with free e-book version available for a few days prior to the print release, as well as the podcast version of the book being released again.

Will this convince the old line publishers to be more flexible with this kind of marketing strategy? We can only wait and see.

Hopefully you already got the free PDF download that had been in the feed since last Friday.

Voicemail: Darcy’s Dad has a few questions about the FarPoint and Third Life Books Castles in Second Life; Trucker Overdrive comments on the literary world’s snubbing of scifi, and misunderstood what the analysis was focused on; Ziv from Israel with comments on the Prince Caspian trailer and Christianity in the Lewis books brought up in their podcast; Divorced Geek with comments on husbands not knowing what things may or may not intimate with their wives.

Is there such a thing as being discrete in a voicemail? Discuss.

Submitting Listener comments: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! “Cover to Cover” has it’s own call-in line, 206-350-READ! That’s 206-350-7323, or just email Michael with a comment you’ve recorded yourself!

Don’t forget, you can also comment on books listed in The Library… look through the listings and feel free to post your thoughts and comments there.

Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s castle can be found at these coordinates: http://slurl.com/secondlife/beraudes/203/151/49.

FarPoint Forums: Head on over to the FarPoint Forums and join in the discussions on Dragon Page topics, and for most of your favorite FPM shows!

Link: Stormwolf.com: see Stackpole’s asteroid
Link: Scott Sigler
Promo: EDGE SF / Dragon Moon Press
Promo: INFECTED by Scott Sigler

 Cover to Cover #303A: Scott Sigler [37:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6625)