Thursday, January 29, 2009

Encouraging Email

I got a very nice email from a reader that I'd like to share:

Hello Peter Dudek,

It feels like a strange privilage to write to the creator of such a awe-inspiring epic tale. Usually I can never communicate with the great minds that have authored my favorite books, because they have all died. (I hope there is not correlation here!)


During our Florida Keys fishing vacation, my mom read the book to my dad, older brother, and I. I loved the setting you created--it was living, breathing, and easy to visualize. The names of all the creatures in this world rang with the appropriate tone. As we neared the middle of the book, I began to understand more in depth the soul-stirring parallels that this book has to our own spiritual journeys. I was encouraged to seek Christ when all seems dim. As the illumina, God is near and readily spoken to. He is powerful and thus, so is prayer. He also rules over the forces of evil and powers of darkness. I love the way you encompassed both the seen and unseen world with both the shadows and the Drilockk, and how the shadows had great influence over people who turned to the evil one. This book had high intensity and kept us reading hour after hour. Please, please keep writing! You left your characters in dire circumstances!


I have been telling people about this marvelous book, and others will too, so that you won't have to spend as much time advertising but instead invest your time into writing. In hopes of doing this, I wanted to make you aware of an organization called Homeschoolalumni.org. You might consider joining this site and encouraging its users to read your book. Emily Cianciola works for this site, and sometimes she writes a spotlight on particular members. She interviewed my brother, Samson, recently because he was a National teem aspirant (he made it, by the way). I am sure that she would be very interested in interviewing you, if you become a member.

Thanks for using your talents for Christ.

Blessings,
Marissa

Monday, January 26, 2009

My brother Drew

Just wanted to offer a big thanks to my younger brother Drew. He's the brains and engine behind my website, and without him, I'd have a website that looked like it was designed by a math major. Below is a pic he painted as a Christmas gift to myself. It is concept art from my book. Drew, thanks for your help! You Rock! (Please ignore the reflection in the background of my taking the pic with my cell phone)





Thursday, January 8, 2009

One month in...

First, I wanted to say thanks to everyone who's read my book so far! I appreciate all your feedback. Ironically (and I hope this is a good sign) my biggest negative return has been "I don't like the ending!" Reason being, I sort of leave it at a cliff hanger, though I do resolve the story thread I wished to resolve in book 1. Though I call Forsaken Kingdom a series, in reality it is one large story that will be presented in what I plan to be three to four books, similar to what Tolkien did with the Lord of the Rings.

Good news: I've started the second book.
Bad news: It's going to be at least a year before I can finish it, then it will take more time to get it professionally edited and put in a book form. Although, if I can get a traditional publisher to pick up City of Prophecy, the timetable will be shorter.

Prayer Request: I'm juggling many things right now, and I'm hoping God sees some use in these books I'm writing. If so, I really need prayer that someone in the publishing industry will take notice of my series. Advertising/Promoting this thing isn't easy, and I have to be careful not to spend too much. Anyway, if you've read it, and liked it, please spread the word to other readers who might like it as well. And to repeat, all prayers will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!!