Bard city blues, p.30
Bard City Blues, page 30
“Beautiful.” I cuddled up to her, and for a while we watched light play behind the surface of the ceiling. At length I said, “I still haven’t decided.”
Alix sat up. “I’m telling you, it’s the smart course. You ain’t losing anything by joining up, so why not? Besides, you can’t play the Gate forever. You’ll be glad of those options soon enough.”
“I don’t know how I feel about being part of a group that would admit Cyprian Southack.”
“You said those other masters were nice, Wallew and them.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Certainly I’m right.”
I laughed, and we lapsed back into soft silence. We’d had this debate a dozen times since Master Southack recanted his vow to keep me out of the Bardic Guild, and we knew both sides of it by heart. Nor was Alix really trying to convince me—she had her opinion, but the choice was ultimately mine.
“You said you had something to show me,” Alix said.
“Right!” It was my turn to sit up. “On the coffee table there.”
A book lay on the low table before us, a slim, soft-cornered paperback. Alix picked it up and read the title. “Regenisraen. You finally picked, huh?”
“I finally picked. I’ve been looking forward to reading it with you.”
“Same. Didn’t know you’d pick this one, though. You’ve got history with this book, don’t you?”
I studied her face. “Do you want to read something else?”
“Not at all, Gally girl. I just thought—well, wouldn’t you rather tackle it on your own first? In case of hard feelings and such.”
“You’re right, I have a history with this book.” I took Regenisraen from her hand. “But you don’t. You’ve never even read it. Reading it with you lets me experience it for the first time.”
I looked at the clouded glass bottle lying open on the table, waiting to catch our story.
“I can’t imagine anything better.”
“There are worse fates.”
Gally and Alix will return in
The Great Elvish Bake Off
THANKS FOR READING!
If you’re reading this, you’ve just finished Bard City Blues. I hope you enjoyed meeting Gally, Alix, and their friends as much as I did.
Bard City Blues was made possible by the generosity of 158 Kickstarter backers in May, 2023. (Maybe you were one of them!) Running my first crowdfunding campaign was like trying to tame a wild horse: it funded in under two hours, earned a Project We Love badge from Kickstarter, and ultimately closed at 688% after blowing through stretch goals so fast I had to scramble to invent new ones. It will forever be one of the great moments of my life.
But the Bard City story doesn’t end there. With the Kickstarter fulfilled, this cozy little novel began its second life at Amazon, Kobo, Apple, and everywhere else indie books are sold. As you know, it’s a big world with lots to read, and indie authors live and die by two things: word of mouth and reviews.
If you liked Bard City Blues, please spread the word. Rating and reviewing on Amazon and Goodreads is huge. So is recommending the book on Twitter and Reddit (r/fantasy and r/cozyfantasy are especially good choices) and to your friends and family. Every small act makes a big difference.
By the way, the Kickstarter campaign went so smashingly it funded a sequel, The Great Elvish Bake Off. Keep an eye out for it—if you’re reading this in spring of 2024 or after, it should be available!
Thank you again for spending your time with my little book. It means the world to me.
In gratitude,
Nathaniel
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book wouldn’t exist without a great number of great people.
First off, my beta readers Charlie, J.D., and Cara, who were incredibly generous with their time, wisdom, enthusiasm, and tough love. They saved this book from being a hot mess. Into the same category goes editor extraordinaire Oliver Brackenbury, who cast a professional eye over every page. All authors should be so lucky.
Speaking of lucky, let’s talk art. Cris Puga went above and beyond with his incredible cover and interior paintings. Mikael Asikainen brought Lackmore to life despite a busy cartographic schedule—that’s why he’s my map guy. Matthew Spencer saved my bacon when things got tight (the deluxe hardcover is far more deluxe thanks to him!). Lucas Marques Oliveira made Gally and Alix look like a million bucks.
Kevin Beckett was a font of crowdfunding and social media insights. Debbie Sivovlos at Walch Printing ushered my dream into reality, quite literally. Rick Byrne designed the Wyngraf logo, helped me get Cris’s art ready for print, and sent me stickers. S. L. Rowland, Travis Baldree, and Rob Schwalb gave the Kickstarter some much-needed boosts.
I owe a great deal of gratitude as well to Fireside Fantasy, the Sweater Weather Book Club, FaRo Authors, r/cozyfantasy, and the Wyngraf social media community. Each of these spots offered advice and support in its own idiosyncratic way, and I would have been at sea without them. Let’s continue to lift each other up.
The response from the book review community to my cozy fantasy dreams has been overwhelmingly gracious. A number of reviewers have earned my undying gratitude, but in particular, I’d like to thank Jenn of Jenn’s Bookshelf, Kayla of Kay’s Hidden Shelf, and Lissa aka Bookasaur.
This novel wouldn’t have been possible without my time on the road with brothers-in-arms Miklos, Krupa, and Brian. We’ll finish that album someday.
Witty Whitesocks was, and continues to be, the best desk cat a writer could ask for. She’s here right now.
Finally, and most of all, this is for my wife Molly and my son Jack.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nathaniel Webb is an author, editor, and musician. His writing includes the novels A Conventional Murder and Expedition: Summerlands, the bestselling music biography Marillion in the 1980s, and the Old Humblefoot mysteries. His stories have appeared in Swords & Sorcery Magazine, The Consultations of Sherlock Holmes, MYTHIC, and more. He publishes Wyngraf, the magazine of cozy fantasy, and wears many hats for New Edge Sword & Sorcery.
As a lead guitarist, Nathaniel toured and recorded with numerous acts, including Grammy-nominated singers Beth Hart and Jana Mashonee, Colombian pop star Marre, and Talking to Walls.
He has degrees from Phillips Exeter Academy, Wesleyan University, and (eventually) Northeastern University. He lives in Portland, Maine with his wife and son under a huge pile of cats.
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Nathaniel Webb, Bard City Blues
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Alix sat up. “I’m telling you, it’s the smart course. You ain’t losing anything by joining up, so why not? Besides, you can’t play the Gate forever. You’ll be glad of those options soon enough.”
“I don’t know how I feel about being part of a group that would admit Cyprian Southack.”
“You said those other masters were nice, Wallew and them.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Certainly I’m right.”
I laughed, and we lapsed back into soft silence. We’d had this debate a dozen times since Master Southack recanted his vow to keep me out of the Bardic Guild, and we knew both sides of it by heart. Nor was Alix really trying to convince me—she had her opinion, but the choice was ultimately mine.
“You said you had something to show me,” Alix said.
“Right!” It was my turn to sit up. “On the coffee table there.”
A book lay on the low table before us, a slim, soft-cornered paperback. Alix picked it up and read the title. “Regenisraen. You finally picked, huh?”
“I finally picked. I’ve been looking forward to reading it with you.”
“Same. Didn’t know you’d pick this one, though. You’ve got history with this book, don’t you?”
I studied her face. “Do you want to read something else?”
“Not at all, Gally girl. I just thought—well, wouldn’t you rather tackle it on your own first? In case of hard feelings and such.”
“You’re right, I have a history with this book.” I took Regenisraen from her hand. “But you don’t. You’ve never even read it. Reading it with you lets me experience it for the first time.”
I looked at the clouded glass bottle lying open on the table, waiting to catch our story.
“I can’t imagine anything better.”
“There are worse fates.”
Gally and Alix will return in
The Great Elvish Bake Off
THANKS FOR READING!
If you’re reading this, you’ve just finished Bard City Blues. I hope you enjoyed meeting Gally, Alix, and their friends as much as I did.
Bard City Blues was made possible by the generosity of 158 Kickstarter backers in May, 2023. (Maybe you were one of them!) Running my first crowdfunding campaign was like trying to tame a wild horse: it funded in under two hours, earned a Project We Love badge from Kickstarter, and ultimately closed at 688% after blowing through stretch goals so fast I had to scramble to invent new ones. It will forever be one of the great moments of my life.
But the Bard City story doesn’t end there. With the Kickstarter fulfilled, this cozy little novel began its second life at Amazon, Kobo, Apple, and everywhere else indie books are sold. As you know, it’s a big world with lots to read, and indie authors live and die by two things: word of mouth and reviews.
If you liked Bard City Blues, please spread the word. Rating and reviewing on Amazon and Goodreads is huge. So is recommending the book on Twitter and Reddit (r/fantasy and r/cozyfantasy are especially good choices) and to your friends and family. Every small act makes a big difference.
By the way, the Kickstarter campaign went so smashingly it funded a sequel, The Great Elvish Bake Off. Keep an eye out for it—if you’re reading this in spring of 2024 or after, it should be available!
Thank you again for spending your time with my little book. It means the world to me.
In gratitude,
Nathaniel
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book wouldn’t exist without a great number of great people.
First off, my beta readers Charlie, J.D., and Cara, who were incredibly generous with their time, wisdom, enthusiasm, and tough love. They saved this book from being a hot mess. Into the same category goes editor extraordinaire Oliver Brackenbury, who cast a professional eye over every page. All authors should be so lucky.
Speaking of lucky, let’s talk art. Cris Puga went above and beyond with his incredible cover and interior paintings. Mikael Asikainen brought Lackmore to life despite a busy cartographic schedule—that’s why he’s my map guy. Matthew Spencer saved my bacon when things got tight (the deluxe hardcover is far more deluxe thanks to him!). Lucas Marques Oliveira made Gally and Alix look like a million bucks.
Kevin Beckett was a font of crowdfunding and social media insights. Debbie Sivovlos at Walch Printing ushered my dream into reality, quite literally. Rick Byrne designed the Wyngraf logo, helped me get Cris’s art ready for print, and sent me stickers. S. L. Rowland, Travis Baldree, and Rob Schwalb gave the Kickstarter some much-needed boosts.
I owe a great deal of gratitude as well to Fireside Fantasy, the Sweater Weather Book Club, FaRo Authors, r/cozyfantasy, and the Wyngraf social media community. Each of these spots offered advice and support in its own idiosyncratic way, and I would have been at sea without them. Let’s continue to lift each other up.
The response from the book review community to my cozy fantasy dreams has been overwhelmingly gracious. A number of reviewers have earned my undying gratitude, but in particular, I’d like to thank Jenn of Jenn’s Bookshelf, Kayla of Kay’s Hidden Shelf, and Lissa aka Bookasaur.
This novel wouldn’t have been possible without my time on the road with brothers-in-arms Miklos, Krupa, and Brian. We’ll finish that album someday.
Witty Whitesocks was, and continues to be, the best desk cat a writer could ask for. She’s here right now.
Finally, and most of all, this is for my wife Molly and my son Jack.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nathaniel Webb is an author, editor, and musician. His writing includes the novels A Conventional Murder and Expedition: Summerlands, the bestselling music biography Marillion in the 1980s, and the Old Humblefoot mysteries. His stories have appeared in Swords & Sorcery Magazine, The Consultations of Sherlock Holmes, MYTHIC, and more. He publishes Wyngraf, the magazine of cozy fantasy, and wears many hats for New Edge Sword & Sorcery.
As a lead guitarist, Nathaniel toured and recorded with numerous acts, including Grammy-nominated singers Beth Hart and Jana Mashonee, Colombian pop star Marre, and Talking to Walls.
He has degrees from Phillips Exeter Academy, Wesleyan University, and (eventually) Northeastern University. He lives in Portland, Maine with his wife and son under a huge pile of cats.
KICKSTARTER BACKERS - SINE QUA NON
Day One Backers
Adam Doochin
AlderBeez
Alex Coles
Alexa G
Alicia Steen
Allison Marshall
Amanda Cook
Angelica Fiori
Athena L
b.e.stack
Benet Devereux
Binning
Carl Ellis
Charissa Chi
Charlie Ann
Christine Hanolsy
Claire White
Coby Rosser
Courtney Carlson
Dakota VanLinden
Debbie Y. Lee
Derek B.
ebooksgirl
Emery
Emily Laufer
Eric Thomas Lentz
Francesca Cantor
G Virgilio
Grace Fairfax
Grant Martin
Harry Laurence
Isaac E. Payne
Ivan Ellul Xuereb
J. Kent Layman
J.Z. Weston
Javier A. Flores
Jay Wolf
Jean Sitkei
JP Rindfleisch
Julianne
Julie Bozza
Kaden K.
Kari Wreath
Kathleen Allman
Katie Franklin
Katrina C
Kayla Yetman
Kevin Beckett
Kimberly Hirsh
Lady Starling
Lilly Ibelo
Lily
M.A. Dosser
Matt Johnson
Michael Skazick
Mike Palumbo
Mira Hsu
Missy Jerome
Morgan Tracy
Nathan B
Neil Willcox
Robert J Schwalb
RogueEffect
S.L. Rowland
Sabrina Herman
Samantha Flores
Sarah Swarbrick
Scott Walker
Sean Robinson
Stew Shearer
Toby and Stacie Webb
Todd Pollman
Tristin Morgan
Tyler Anderson
Umeeka Raichura
Backers
Aaron Jamieson
Andy Karnik
Austin Scarberry
Brad Smith
Cara Mast
Christine Cano
Clarissa C. S. Ryan
Colin S.
Dave Grey
Deanna Briggs
Dess Toncheva
Emily Williams
Erica “Vulpinfox” Schmitt
Eriko
Erin H
Eron Wyngarde
Ethan Wilson
ev0ke Publication
Gabi Walshaw
Gabriel Ryland
Gideon Ariel
HardWorkLucky
Holly Bernabe
Jacob Watt
James Richards
Jaws
Jen L. Smith
Jenn Collignon
justchris
Kayla Bolton
Kelvin Neely
Kerri Regan
Kip Corriveau
Lorna Doone
Louise Roberts
M I Johnson
M.E. Bent
Mark Geier
Matthea W. Ross
Megan Garrett
Melanie B.
Melanie Greeley
Michael T Burke
Mike “PsychoticDreamer” Bentley
Netanel Ganin
Noe Medina
Nyxie
Rick Cook Jr
Rina S.
S, Z. Meriläinen
Sam Wright
Sara Carothers
Sarah Stubbs
Sol Foster
T. Thorn Coyle
Tibs
Tina @kimonobooks
Victoria Buckland
Zoë Redstone-Rothstein
Nathaniel Webb, Bard City Blues
