Tales of Malstria

The first two novels in my Tales of Malstria Series are now available. The novels take place in thoroughly researched historic settings, including England in the decades following the Norman Conquest and the Mediterranean in the time of Alexander the Great. Combining elements of fantasy, horror, and literary fiction, the series explores the adventures, loves, heroism, and misdeeds of complex characters changed by supernatural acts. Tales of Malstria's supernatural roots draw from the myths and folklore of various cultures.

Lose yourself awhile in another time and place. Cringe and laugh, love and hope for characters you like and hate in equal measure. Although part of a series, each book is written as a stand-alone novel.

If you're a fan of subtle psychological horror or fantasy with a gothic feel, check out The Taking. Three generations have passed since LeMerle carved out his realm during the Norman Conquest, and his atrocities have grown to legends. When the castle he built becomes her home, Amarys of Rensweald feels LeMerle's dark presence. The darkness haunting her tempts her, as well. Amarys struggles to make the right choices, but when love gnashes her, she craves revenge. How will she face the monster she is unleashing?

Like horror touched with edge-of-your-seat adventure and psychological tension? Then, Tangled is for you. A runaway in twelfth-century York, Quin builds a life from stolen trinkets and constant hope. His knack for survival keeps him alive after he's nabbed by Leoric of Rensweald, a nobleman with dangerous needs. When Quin falls in love with Leoric's ward Amarys, his precariously balanced life comes undone. Pulled into a quest for revenge, he must choose between saving himself or the one he loves.

For a synopsis and excerpts and to preview Gates the Hours Keep, the next book in the Tales of Malstria Series, visit TraciRobison.com.

Books, Amplified

Today Ken Follet's The Pillars of the Earth was released as the first amplified edition for Apple's iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.  Publisher Penguin Group and Starz Entertainment collaborated to create the interactive e-book, which includes text, videos from the upcoming Starz miniseries Pillars, and supplemental information much like the "making of" features included on DVDs.  Although it's not the first e-book to incorporate video, Pillars of the Earth is the first to join portions of a current mini-series with the book on which it is based.

"The Amplified Edition offers a truly integrated multimedia experience of Ken Follett's imagined story," says Molly Barton, Penguin's director of business development in an AP article . "The Amplified Edition brings you the imagery, architecture, music and clothing from the time period while also offering readers the chance to explore the process Ken Follett went through with (miniseries producer) Ridley Scott to bring his story to life on screen."

"This is a fantastic way to keep the consumer engaged in the iPad application, the series and the book at the same time," Ferrell McDonald of Starz Entertainment is quoted in USA Today . 

This collaboration is a smart move for Penguin, taking advantage of the upsurge in e-book sales and the popularity of Apple's products and demonstrating an understanding of how consumers are using media.  Such ventures may boost sales, but only large publishing houses may have the resources for similar muti-media editions.

Assuming multi-media edtions become popular, what will be the effect on writers trying to break into print?  To what extent will publishing houses focus their production on new avenues for known winners like Follet's 1989 novel?  If new authors choose to bypass traditional routes and self-publish electronically, will their text-only works be overshadowed by amplified editions?