Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" discussion

I’m sad to learn that John Jakes passed away. Maybe we could do a Brak the Barbarian group read in his honor?

Sounds good to me!

I just ordered my kindle edition of the first two.

Sad. I love the Brak the Barbarian series.

I just erased my original comment made regarding contacting DMR Books three years ago because I was heavily paraphrasing and more annoyed than I am now, regarding seeing if they would be interested in publishing the last unpublished Brak the Barbarian novel. I felt the response was surprising, lazy, and even dismissive though I think D.M. Ritzlin and DMR Books are super awesome as a whole(!).

Here's Dave's reply to me:

"Hi Michael,

I don't know the story behind the last Brak novel, but I'm sure plenty of other publishers have approached Jakes about it. If none of them have been able to convince him to publish it, I doubt I could."

*Just speculation on my part but I believe his answer couldn't be farther from the truth.

Alex wrote: "I just ordered my kindle edition of the first two."

Despite what Jakes said about a story being 'locked away in his safe', I doubt he actually ever wrote a final Brak adventure.

Steve wrote: "Despite what Jakes said about a story being 'locked away in his safe', I doubt he actually ever wrote a final Brak adventure."

I believe he did. He said so in two interviews. You think he would lie about that? That would seem out of character to me. He seemed pretty straightforward and solid to me. But maybe you knew him better than what I was able to tell from just the couple of interviews I've seen in videos(?). But maybe you're right. Regardless it sure would be cool if there was another novel!

I have THE LAST MAGICIANS winging its way to me for my JJ honorary read.

Jason M wrote: "I have THE LAST MAGICIANS winging its way to me for my JJ honorary read."

One of my fave S&S reads. Great fun!

If I were back in CA I would have gladly sent you one of my two copies, of which both are in exactly the same condition, strangely.

Michael Fierce wrote: "Jason M wrote: "I have THE LAST MAGICIANS winging its way to me for my JJ honorary read."

One of my fave S&S reads. Great fun!

If I were back in CA I would have gladly sent you one of my two copi..." That's kind of you Michael! It's been recommended a couple times in the last few days now, so I'm looking forward to reading it.

Jason M wrote: "Michael Fierce wrote: "Jason M wrote: "I have THE LAST MAGICIANS winging its way to me for my JJ honorary read."

One of my fave S&S reads. Great fun!

If I were back in CA I would have gladly sent..."

It's not the Moby Dick of S&S but a good one nonetheless. I've read it twice. I think a very small part of it might have even influenced my favorite video game of all time, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.

Have fun!