Jacob Gowans
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Tale 3 and Super Six

2/23/2016

25 Comments

 
So ... it's been a long long time since I've posted. The good news is that since my last post I've published Psion Omega and written a new novel. YAY!

Also during that time, I met with Shadow Mountain and discussed the sales and future of A Tale of Light and Shadow. Unfortunately for everyone, the two Tale books are just not selling well. Shadow Mountain Publishing loves the books and wishes they had done better. I love the story and want to tell it. However, the readers aren't responding.

For the most part, reviews have been good. In fact, they've been pretty solid. Most people who actually buy it really like it. But that hasn't translated into good word-of-mouth sales. The publisher tried rebranding the books with new covers to make them look like romance novels. (I vehemently opposed this decision), but it didn't make much of a difference.

When we met they said that they are very on the fence about publishing #3. When they asked me what I thought, I was honest. I am at a point in my career where I can't write books that no one wants to read. I realize that Tale 2 does not give the reader much closure. And I have written at least half, maybe more, of Tale 3. I know how the whole thing ends. But if I ever want to reach my goal of becoming a writer who can write full time, I can't work on a book that will sell a handful of copies. That's just the crappy truth.

And frankly, I can't finish Tale 3 and self-publish until the rights revert back to me. I don't know much about that process, except that it will happen eventually. So will there be closure? Yes, hopefully. Someday. If nothing else, I'll figure out a way to let people know how the story ends.

I'm very sorry about this. But that's the way the business works. Shows, movies, and books sometimes don't get to reach their proper conclusion because they aren't popular enough--for whatever reason. Some people have said this series is better than my Psion series. I don't know if that's true. I like them both. But Psion has resonated better with more readers.

In the meantime, I've written Super Six and am now working on the second draft. I still plan to launch another series called Unknown or Clone or something. Not really sure what it will be called. I've written large chunks of it. I'm really happy with how much writing I've been getting done these days, but it may be awhile before anything gets into readers' hands. I am legally obligated to show Super Six to Shadow Mt. for their possible selection. I'd also like to show it around to agents and see if I can manage to snag one of those. If not, I'll self-publish it.

In the meantime, you're welcome to contact Shadow Mt about A Tale of Light and Shadow and demand that they give you more. I don't know if it will help much, but it never hurts. I will try to do a better job of keeping you informed. Here is the first 3 chapters of Super Six (2nd draft). It's about I'm sure it's a little rough, but I'm happy to hear your thoughts (praises or constructive criticisms) in the comments here or on Facebook or twitter.
first_3_super_six.pdf
File Size: 170 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

first_3_super_six.docx
File Size: 49 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

25 Comments
Jared link
2/23/2016 03:01:58 pm

I read your first three chapters of the book and it needs to be published! It had the perfect combo of being fast paced, but if wasn't if that made any sense. I loved the foreshadowing and how it was different than expected, but it was a good different!
Anyways totally should be published!

Reply
Shanena
2/24/2016 03:40:45 pm

Wow! Super Six is so engaging!! I loved the first three chapters so much and want to read more! The world this takes place in is fascinating and scary. I hope this story gets published, I have to know what happens next!! :)

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Lynette @ Escaping Reality - One Book at a Time link
3/6/2016 09:21:00 pm

I'm really sad to hear that about Tale 3! I only just finished reading the first one, on recommendation of one of my friends, and I really enjoyed it! It makes me really sad to know that the story likely won't be finished anytime soon. As a book review blogger, I know that I, and my fellow bloggers, are a LOT less likely to pick up a book if we know that the series isn't likely to be finished. No one wants an unfinished story. I really hope that you can publish Tale 3! My review of Tale 1 will be going live within the next day or two, and I'll definitely be recommending the series to my friends!

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Cameron Crow
3/18/2016 12:27:46 pm

Oh my gosh! This book HAS to be published or I'll die from the knowledge it never came out. Ice is my favorite element, so I can't wait to see what happens! I really hope the Tale becomes popular really soon, because I can't bear to not have the last one. Hope everything works out fine in the end!

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Brandie
4/5/2016 12:49:51 pm

I am a 45 year old lady who loved your first 2 books of Light and Shadow. I am disappointed at the thought that there my not be a 3 to finish off the story. This is the second time that a publisher has done this with a series that I have enjoyed and can't finish. Maybe I need to give up reading series. I hope that they will change their minds or you figure out a way to publish it on your own. Please don't leave us hanging on what happens to Henry, Maggie, Ruther, Isabel, and James.

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Breana G.
7/8/2016 09:22:09 am

I love A Tale of Light and Shadow! I finished the second book in just two days. I couldn't put it down. I emailed Shadow Mountain to express my interest in book 3. Hopefully my opinion counts for something...

Anyway, has Shadow Mountain considered electronic publishing? I have a Kindle and love it! They wouldn't have to pay for materials such as paper and ink, once it's in a pdf format readers can pay to download it. Perhaps you could bring it up to them?

If they won't do that I hope you will publish it yourself. Doing it electronically would cost you nothing and all the money would go straight to you!

I truly love this series. I love the action, suspense, mystery, and yes-the romance. (I was one of the people snagged by the new romantic cover) I hope one day I can find out what happens to Henry and Isabelle and how they take down the Emperor! That guy is seriously evil!

P.S.
This is the first time I've ever bothered to leave a comment on an authors blog and contact a publishing company to show interest in another instalment. I've read some other series that were discontinued but they were not good enough for me to be heart broken at the thought of never knowing the ending. So kudos for being so skilled.


Reply
Breana G.
7/8/2016 09:23:42 am

I love A Tale of Light and Shadow! I finished the second book in just two days. I couldn't put it down. I emailed Shadow Mountain to express my interest in book 3. Hopefully my opinion counts for something...

Anyway, has Shadow Mountain considered electronic publishing? I have a Kindle and love it! They wouldn't have to pay for materials such as paper and ink, once it's in a pdf format readers can pay to download it. Perhaps you could bring it up to them?

If they won't do that I hope you will publish it yourself. Doing it electronically would cost you nothing and all the money would go straight to you!

I truly love this series. I love the action, suspense, mystery, and yes-the romance. (I was one of the people snagged by the new romantic cover) I hope one day I can find out what happens to Henry and Isabelle and how they take down the Emperor! That guy is seriously evil!

P.S.
This is the first time I've ever bothered to leave a comment on an authors blog and contact a publishing company to show interest in another instalment. I've read some other series that were discontinued but they were not good enough for me to be heart broken at the thought of never knowing the ending. So kudos for being so skilled.


Reply
Breana G.
7/8/2016 09:24:36 am

I love A Tale of Light and Shadow! I finished the second book in just two days. I couldn't put it down. I emailed Shadow Mountain to express my interest in book 3. Hopefully my opinion counts for something...

Anyway, has Shadow Mountain considered electronic publishing? I have a Kindle and love it! They wouldn't have to pay for materials such as paper and ink, once it's in a pdf format readers can pay to download it. Perhaps you could bring it up to them?

If they won't do that I hope you will publish it yourself. Doing it electronically would cost you nothing and all the money would go straight to you!

I truly love this series. I love the action, suspense, mystery, and yes-the romance. (I was one of the people snagged by the new romantic cover) I hope one day I can find out what happens to Henry and Isabelle and how they take down the Emperor! That guy is seriously evil!

P.S.
This is the first time I've ever bothered to leave a comment on an authors blog and contact a publishing company to show interest in another instalment. I've read some other series that were discontinued but they were not good enough for me to be heart broken at the thought of never knowing the ending. So kudos for being so skilled.


Reply
iliana
8/24/2016 01:04:45 am

First off, I'd like to say your series A Tale of Light and Shadow is the first series i've ever emailed a company about, demanding for more. A loved your series dearly, both in written and ebook form. And I'm also a big fan of the fantasy covers (just saying) so hopefully the company will go back to them. Your work is incredible and the story has only become more powerful between books 1 and 2. Please, I have to beg that you finish the story.

I'm an author myself and I understand the time and effort it takes. And when you receive so little reviews and payment in return, it takes a huge toll on both yourself and your publishers. I understand that dearly. But I also believe you should keep writing the story and finish it regardless of whether or not you publish it. Maybe the book's popularity will increase or as another commenter mentioned, you could try releasing a kindle version.

Sales increase a great deal when the book drops from $18-20 to $2 for a kindle version.

Please keep writing. You're incredibly talented and the story is magical. Perhaps you should try a kickstarter as well? Some way to allow fans to make donations for your project. I know I"m not alone in saying we'd support you wholeheartedly... Please consider this. I can't go this far without knowing how the story ends...

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Rachel Black
6/6/2017 11:56:57 pm

I am enthralled with light and shadow and I would pledge to buy the third one as would my sister. The new covers sucked us in. I couldn't put them down. I will also email shadow mountain. I totally agree with the others on doing a kindle version and i understand the time equals money. Here's to hoping for more light and shadow and spreading the word.

Reply
Barbara Mayfield link
9/17/2017 08:21:08 pm

Please don't drop your fans by not finishing book 3 of Light and Shadow.
There should be a way for let those who loved the first books to have the last book.

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Holly
10/9/2017 09:02:59 am

I too am coming to share how much I've enjoyed The Tale of Light and Shadow. I haven't been able to put them down. I am begging you to finish book 3! You can't leave me hanging! I've written to shadow mountain, and I hope they will reconsider. If not I hope you can find another way to publish your story. If so, I'd be first in line to buy it!

Reply
Shari
11/13/2017 02:28:13 pm

I too really enjoyed the light and shadow book, I hope a 3rd book will come, I think it would do more damage to an author to let the readers hanging because we might not want to invest in other books from the author because we think they won't be able to finish the story.

Reply
Jo
2/9/2018 01:43:47 pm

Jacob, Jacob, Jacob. Don’t give up on this story!!! I Listen to a lot of books and this series has been so good that I listen to it every free minute I have. After the first book which I finished in just a couple of days I got the second! Before I was finished with the second I just had to find the 3rd. How devastated I was to find out you haven’t published the next one! I went from telling people about how good this book is to telling them not to because I don’t want them to feel the same as I do about not knowing how it all ends. You have got to finish this PLEASE! Not just for my sake but for all your readers and most of all, yourself!
I agree with Shari in the comments above. I’m afraid to read any of your other books for fear the same thing will happen.
You are a great story teller! You develop your characters so well along the way. You have kept it very interesting and clean, which many of us really appreciate. There are great life lessons you share! I could go on and on! Don’t let this story die. The light must prevail otherwise, you leave us all in the shadow.

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Holly Collins
10/2/2018 10:21:44 pm

I am very disappointed that there isn’t going to be a book 3 in The Tales of Light and Shadow. Sometimes it takes time for a series to hit it off. Honestly, had I known there wasn’t going to be a conclusion, I would have skipped reading the first 2. They are great and I DO think they would become popular, especially with your other series hitting it off. I hope you will finish the third and give us a chance to finish the story. When I series is complete it will get more recommendations. As is, I’m sure no one will recommend it.

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Renae
10/23/2018 11:38:35 pm

Please please please finish Tale 3!! I only found Tale 1 a week ago and have already finished Tale 2. I tried finding Tale 3 the minute I finished 2 and am so disappointed to find it is on hold. I loved the first two books as much as any I have read and I am 65 years old and read alot. I hope you reconsider not finishing the series. I have told several of my friends and family about these books and how I could not put them down until I got to the end and how disappointed I am not to know how the Tale will end. You are a wonderful writer and I hope to read more of your books. Very soon.

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Donne
1/2/2019 09:11:08 pm

Hi Jacob, my family and I have just listened to book 1 in audiobook while we travelled up and down the country for our holidays. We have absolutely loved it. We are now seeking out book 2 even though we know book 3 isn't written. We hope book 3 gets written eventually. My daughter also wants book 1 in book form so she can go back and read it again. What great characters and so well paced. Thank you.

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Corinn
1/9/2019 10:42:24 am

I am sad and discouraged to hear about book 3. I just finished book 2 today and would have bought #3 in a heartbeat. I live this series, and would have recommended it to others. I hope you will take all possibilities that have been suggested into consideration. I sadly have to agree with others, I probably will not attempt your other books, for fear the same thing might happen to me. I was given the first two books as a gift from my sister, but had I known the series might not ever be finished, I may not have read them. I won't make that mistake again if I can help it. Please consider completing book 3!

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Jaxon Peterson
2/7/2019 08:03:14 pm

I need a third book in the tale of light and shadow!!! I just read the other two and loved it, I need to know what happened to ruther! Does he end up with maggie!?! I hope that one day you can finish it in some way. Please

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Paige
4/3/2019 10:22:32 pm

The first two books of a Tale of Light and Shadow resonated with me on so many levels. I have severe depression and am engaged to a boy akin to Henry. I felt the struggle of the Iron Pass on a very real level. I've been desperately waiting for the third book. I understand the legality situation, but please. I'll wait a few more years if you need, but I need to know that one day I'll be able to finish the series, to purchase the last book and sob my heart out. Your words are art. They've helped me through the hardest of times. I am not buttering you up when I say that you are my favorite author. This series I've received the most crap for because of the cheesy covers, but I love it the most. I had no idea the series even existed until my teacher gave the book to me right before I went into knee surgery . I got out and was bedbound for a week. So I read the book because I had nothing better to do. I've reread the first two books over and over again. I don't need the book today. But I need to know whether there's hope of seeing it in Barnes and Noble some day. If there's not, I'll stop hoping. But I need to know. Please......

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Cathy Whitney
4/11/2019 08:55:12 pm

This series (Tale of Light and Shadow) is so wonderful. I am captivated by the characters and have a hard time not listening to the audio book version through deseret bookshelf. I will be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series. Thank you for your efforts to keep it going.

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Corinn
5/9/2019 08:12:27 am

Posting again because I saw that you are considering writing book 3 now! I have been keeping my eye out, because even though it didn't seem like it would happen, the series is so good I always held on to the hope. I was a book nerd always as a teen, and this is one of the best series. Thank you for thinking of finishing it! That can't be said enough! I will recommend it to everyone!

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Cindy Lewis
5/2/2022 03:07:34 pm

I should have know better than to have started a series the all books weren’t completed… cross this Author off my list

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Gabe
6/24/2022 08:34:42 am

I'm a father of 6 so I don't have too much time to read books, but have been listening to audio books (while working, driving, etc). Tale of light and shadow kept popping up for me to look at (I generally like fantasy), and the cover was a real put off. It looked like a romance novel. I still was really put off but after reading reviews and they sounded solid, I finally gave it a chance. Was very happy I did as I will now be looking at your other books. They say to not judge a book by it's cover, but I do it all the time (guessing most do).

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Adam Hall link
11/11/2022 08:22:07 pm

City buy standard less stage pull blue task. Address rise happy reach high another animal. Of eight huge president discover month learn most.

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    I am an Author.

    And a dentist. And a husband. And a daddy. And a movie lover. And opinionated.

    My Projects:

    1. Super Six:
    -First draft finished
    2. Tale 2: Secrets of Neverak
    -Published
    4. Tale 3
    -on hold

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