The Guild of the Cowry Catchers - illustrated - free book for your feedback

[ahilton]

Hi! My name’s Abigail (Abbie) Hilton. I’ve been a podcaster for several years, and I’m now venturing into eBooks. I write fantasy. My 2 series are The Prophet of Panamindorah (young adult) and The Guild of the Cowry Catchers (adult) – both set in the same world. You can find them in the Nook store.

I’m producing Cowry Catchers as illustrated ebooks, and I’d love to hear your opinions, particularly if you own a Nook Color. I’ve worked hard on the files, and I think they look good in black and white, but if you open them in a color device, they look even better. This is a completed, 5 book series. The first 2 are available, and I’m working on the files for the last 3. Here’s the description:
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The querulous island kingdoms of Wefrivain are united only by religion, a wyvern cult ruled by an eccentric and cruel High Priestess. The Temple is under attack by a gang of pirates, known as the Guild of the Cowry Catchers. They’ve been preying on Temple treasure ships, and the Temple Police charged with eradicating this menace keep disappearing.

Enter Gerard, a young prince who was exiled from his small island kingdom for marrying the court minstrel. Chosen by the High Priestess as the new Captain of Police, Gerard is smart, honorable, and a little naïve. To break the pirate ring, he must cooperate with a wily, amoral admiral—who has already tried to kill him twice.

As Gerard struggles to protect his talented wife, obey his seductive employer, and forge a complicating friendship with his dangerous coworker, he becomes increasingly aware that the pirates have a legitimate quarrel with the wyverns. Dark mysteries lurk in the Temple dungeons, and solving them will cost Gerard far more than his honor.
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This is a dark, nautical fantasy – Narnia-for-adults meets George R. R. Martin. It also includes some gay and bisexual characters. These books aren’t about being gay, but if gay characters offend you, you’re not my target audience. On the other hand, if you like high-politics/low-magic fantasy with a diverse cast, then I think I’ve got something you’ll enjoy. The pictures are safe for work. This story is for grown-ups, but it isn’t erotica.

The illustrated versions are $4.99, and I’ve got the un-illustrated version of Book 1 listed for free. I will send you the *illustrated* version of Book 1 for free if you tell me what you think (and perhaps write a review . Again: I am particularly interested in hearing from people with Nook Colors.

Email me at abigail dot hilton at gmail dot com or PM me, and I’ll send you the book. If this post is still up, you can assume the offer is still good.

Also, I’d love to hear what you think of story-book illustrations on the Nook in general. I want to hear about illustrated fiction, not graphs/ charts/ pictures in non-fiction. What are common mistakes? Is anyone doing this well? Who?

[Worldwalker]

Another book I can't read, thanks to it being only available for a platform I don't own. Too bad, it sounds like a good one.

How hard is it to catch a cowrie, by the way? I mean, they don't crawl very fast.

[AndrewH]

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

Another book I can't read, thanks to it being only available for a platform I don't own. Too bad, it sounds like a good one.

Worldwalker, you can pick up the non-illustrated version of the first book at Smashwords for free in EPUB (or whatever other format you might want, but I see you have a Sony).

It does sound good, I might read it as soon as I'm done with The Gods of Dream.

[ahilton]

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

Another book I can't read, thanks to it being only available for a platform I don't own. Too bad, it sounds like a good one.

How hard is it to catch a cowrie, by the way? I mean, they don't crawl very fast.

Hi, Worldwalker. AndrewH speaks the truth. You can get it from Smashwords in any format you want (and if they've missed a format, let me know and, I'll work on it). The un-illustrated version of Book 1 is free in both SM and BN. If you email or PM me, I'll send you the illustrated version to test-drive in the format of your choice. Also, I'm producing these books as a free podcast in fullcast audio. The first 2 are out. Check iTunes if that's your cup-a-tea.

Cowries - They can move pretty fast when they're on a pirate ship.

Andrew - Thanks! I got your email, and sent you the file. If you don't see it soon, check your spam filter.

[AndrewH]

Got it! Really looking forward to this one.

[basschick]

thanks!

should prophet of panamindorah or guild of the cowry catchers be read first?

[ahilton]

Originally Posted by basschick

should prophet of panamindorah or guild of the cowry catchers be read first?

Hey, there. You can start with either one. They happen in distant parts of the world to different sets of characters about a 10 years apart.

Prophet was written first, but Cowry Catchers is chronologically first. That's not important, though. You do want to read the books in order within each series.

[Nyssa]

The book covers are gorgeous!

I do not own a nook, but I do use Nook for PC, will that work?

[ahilton]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

The book covers are gorgeous!

I do not own a nook, but I do use Nook for PC, will that work?

Absolutely! If you want a free copy, email or PM me. I encourage people to open it in a color reader (even if their primary reading device is black and white) just so they can see the watercolors in their native beauty.

My primary artist is Sarah Cloutier - http://melukilan.deviantart.com/ I've been working with her for about 5 years now on the artwork for these books, and she is tremendously talented. I also have several excellent secondary artists, including Greensprite (her choice of pseudonym) http://greensprite.deviantart.com/ who did all the character portraits. These ladies got paid for their work, and I also give them an ongoing percent of sales. When I win, everyone wins.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by ahilton

Absolutely! If you want a free copy, email or PM me. I encourage people to open it in a color reader (even if their primary reading device is black and white) just so they can see the watercolors in their native beauty.

My primary artist is Sarah Cloutier - http://melukilan.deviantart.com/ I've been working with her for about 5 years now on the artwork for these books, and she is tremendously talented. I also have several excellent secondary artists, including Greensprite (her choice of pseudonym) http://greensprite.deviantart.com/ who did all the character portraits. These ladies got paid for their work, and I also give them an ongoing percent of sales. When I win, everyone wins.

I have sent you a PM. I look forward to seeing/reading your work.

[AndrewH]

Originally Posted by ahilton

Absolutely! If you want a free copy, email or PM me. I encourage people to open it in a color reader (even if their primary reading device is black and white) just so they can see the watercolors in their native beauty.

My primary artist is Sarah Cloutier - http://melukilan.deviantart.com/ I've been working with her for about 5 years now on the artwork for these books, and she is tremendously talented. I also have several excellent secondary artists, including Greensprite (her choice of pseudonym) http://greensprite.deviantart.com/ who did all the character portraits. These ladies got paid for their work, and I also give them an ongoing percent of sales. When I win, everyone wins.

That's really great! The illustrations are beautiful.

[ahilton]

Originally Posted by AndrewH

That's really great! The illustrations are beautiful.

Thank you! The watercolors are hanging on my walls. There's nothing quite like seeing your story come to life in images. Someday, I'd like to do a comic, but that's a much bigger project. In the meantime, working with the artists on this story has made me very happy.