Comments on: Traitor, Book 1 of The Turner Chronicles http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/ News from the Staff of Podiobooks.com Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:26:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Doug Strand http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-333909 Doug Strand Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:46:59 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-333909 Had to comment and let you know how much I enjoyed your work. Really looking forward to the next in the series. Had to comment and let you know how much I enjoyed your work. Really looking forward to the next in the series.

]]> By: Mark Stanley http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-320728 Mark Stanley Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:54:50 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-320728 Hello Mark, I would have liked to tell you that your book was a real page turner... Uhm, but I suppose the days of such colloquial terms are long gone. However, I just needed to let you know what a serious risk your book poses to those of us who listen to it... while driving... to work... both ways... I can't seem to recall much of my drive time over the last week. And if that doesn't say it plain enough then you should know that I just sent $19.99 to you from Podiobooks. Thank you, I have not encountered a book this good in a very long time. -Mark Stanley Hello Mark,

I would have liked to tell you that your book was a real page turner… Uhm, but I suppose the days of such colloquial terms are long gone. However, I just needed to let you know what a serious risk your book poses to those of us who listen to it…

while driving…

to work…

both ways…

I can’t seem to recall much of my drive time over the last week. And if that doesn’t say it plain enough then you should know that I just sent $19.99 to you from Podiobooks.

Thank you, I have not encountered a book this good in a very long time.

-Mark Stanley

]]> By: AG http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-320574 AG Sun, 01 Aug 2010 23:08:53 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-320574 I enjoyed Book 1 immensely. The audio quality improves after the first episode, so stick with itif you are just starting to listen. I am eagerly awaiting book 2. When will it come out? AG I enjoyed Book 1 immensely. The audio quality improves after the first episode, so stick with itif you are just starting to listen. I am eagerly awaiting book 2. When will it come out?

AG

]]> By: olstar18 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-318993 olstar18 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:08:23 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-318993 4 book series, where are the other 3? 4 book series, where are the other 3?

]]> By: Mark Eller http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-317736 Mark Eller Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:06:52 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-317736 Hey Craig, thanks for your input. Seriously, thanks. Unfortunately, I'm afraid at the point of the story you mention Aaron could no longer teleport Beech high in the sky. Please remember that the wiring in his back had been reconnected, thus changing the nature of his talent. Also, he was up against a Talent Master, somebody who not only had his talents, but many more besides, to a much stronger degree. In this case, Aaron was badly outgunned, at this time. That being said, one of the purposes of a book is for characters to change, to give them room to grow. Aaron was raised as a victim, half-crippled, butt of jokes, with little confidence in himself. This had to have a long term effect on him. Having him change around in just a few months to become a decisive take charge person, especially since this is a four book series, would not leave him much room to learn and grow later on. It would also not be realistic, um, if that can be said of a sci/fi novel encompassing two worlds with psychic talents besides. All that being said, I still appreciate your comments and thank you for listening. I am still busy revising book two with my editors, but within a few months I should be able to start recording it. Mark Hey Craig, thanks for your input. Seriously, thanks.

Unfortunately, I’m afraid at the point of the story you mention Aaron could no longer teleport Beech high in the sky. Please remember that the wiring in his back had been reconnected, thus changing the nature of his talent. Also, he was up against a Talent Master, somebody who not only had his talents, but many more besides, to a much stronger degree. In this case, Aaron was badly outgunned, at this time.

That being said, one of the purposes of a book is for characters to change, to give them room to grow. Aaron was raised as a victim, half-crippled, butt of jokes, with little confidence in himself. This had to have a long term effect on him. Having him change around in just a few months to become a decisive take charge person, especially since this is a four book series, would not leave him much room to learn and grow later on. It would also not be realistic, um, if that can be said of a sci/fi novel encompassing two worlds with psychic talents besides.

All that being said, I still appreciate your comments and thank you for listening. I am still busy revising book two with my editors, but within a few months I should be able to start recording it.

Mark

]]> By: Fantasy Community — Blog — More Articles on Audio Books http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-317557 Fantasy Community — Blog — More Articles on Audio Books Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:40:03 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-317557 [...] Traitor, Book 1 of The Turner Chronicles (podiobooks.com) [...] [...] Traitor, Book 1 of The Turner Chronicles (podiobooks.com) [...]

]]> By: craig http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-316906 craig Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:21:29 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-316906 I'm afraid I abandon the story 2/3 through, cause Aaron was just too whiny, weak, indecisive and, well, unappealing. I really like the story otherwise, and was looking forward to it's conclusion. Good technicals and I liked you voice Mark, once I got used to it. But when Aaron just stood there as Sarah and Earnest went up in flames, knowing he had killed Glenn by teleporting him away, and he didn't teleport Haarod to the moon (or the basement) or his family away, well, it was the last sniveling thing I could bear from his character. I will definitely be ready to check out your next efforts though, as I do think you are capable of spinning a good yarn......craig I’m afraid I abandon the story 2/3 through, cause Aaron was just too whiny, weak, indecisive and, well, unappealing. I really like the story otherwise, and was looking forward to it’s conclusion. Good technicals and I liked you voice Mark, once I got used to it. But when Aaron just stood there as Sarah and Earnest went up in flames, knowing he had killed Glenn by teleporting him away, and he didn’t teleport Haarod to the moon (or the basement) or his family away, well, it was the last sniveling thing I could bear from his character. I will definitely be ready to check out your next efforts though, as I do think you are capable of spinning a good yarn……craig

]]> By: Arlene Radasky http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-313629 Arlene Radasky Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:41:36 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-313629 Aaron Turner is everyman. Well, that is if everyman has the power and talent to transfer to another world. So far he is one of two people who have that power and it seem they both are working for a man who wants to take over the other world. The world they live in now is polluted and corrupt. As Aaron learns to live in the small town in the otherworld, he finds that he is a nice man who really can come to like himself and fall in love. He has a problem, however, he goes back to his first world to get supplies and make reports to the General. In the old world he is a crippled man who is made fun of and hates coming back. So he lies about what is happening in the new world. The lies grow bigger as the tension builds between Aaron, his general, and the Federal government. Aaron does not want to work for this world anymore and figures out how to do that. But then he finds he has an arch-enemy in the new world. Life there is not as good as he thought it would be, it is always presenting challenges. Mark Eller has made his characters believable and likeable. His scenarios are well described and I can imagine myself in them. I laugh and cry with Aaron as he finds his way in his new world and really look forward to the next Turner Chronicles adventure. Bravo, Mark. Aaron Turner is everyman. Well, that is if everyman has the power and talent to transfer to another world. So far he is one of two people who have that power and it seem they both are working for a man who wants to take over the other world. The world they live in now is polluted and corrupt. As Aaron learns to live in the small town in the otherworld, he finds that he is a nice man who really can come to like himself and fall in love.

He has a problem, however, he goes back to his first world to get supplies and make reports to the General. In the old world he is a crippled man who is made fun of and hates coming back. So he lies about what is happening in the new world.

The lies grow bigger as the tension builds between Aaron, his general, and the Federal government. Aaron does not want to work for this world anymore and figures out how to do that. But then he finds he has an arch-enemy in the new world. Life there is not as good as he thought it would be, it is always presenting challenges.

Mark Eller has made his characters believable and likeable. His scenarios are well described and I can imagine myself in them. I laugh and cry with Aaron as he finds his way in his new world and really look forward to the next Turner Chronicles adventure. Bravo, Mark.

]]> By: More Articles on Audio Books | Fantasy and Science Fiction Audio Books http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-308152 More Articles on Audio Books | Fantasy and Science Fiction Audio Books Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:05:33 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-308152 [...] Traitor, Book 1 of The Turner Chronicles (podiobooks.com) “A hero is needed. A Savior. Meet Aaron Turner, the small unassuming man who runs the Last Chance General Store. He is this town’s–this world’s–only hope. Unfortunately for the town, Aaron also happens to be a soldier and Militia spy whose job is to prepare the ground for the Militia’s invasion. To help him with this task, he has a cellar filled with advanced weaponry and the unique ability to teleport between the two worlds. However after a year of living within Last Chance, Aaron is no longer sure in which direction his loyalties lie…” [...] [...] Traitor, Book 1 of The Turner Chronicles (podiobooks.com) “A hero is needed. A Savior. Meet Aaron Turner, the small unassuming man who runs the Last Chance General Store. He is this town’s–this world’s–only hope. Unfortunately for the town, Aaron also happens to be a soldier and Militia spy whose job is to prepare the ground for the Militia’s invasion. To help him with this task, he has a cellar filled with advanced weaponry and the unique ability to teleport between the two worlds. However after a year of living within Last Chance, Aaron is no longer sure in which direction his loyalties lie…” [...]

]]> By: Evo http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-303071 Evo Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:27:07 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-303071 Yesterday I received word from Mark's wife Dani that his vacation came with an unintended side effect: Rocky mountain spotted fever. Yes, the "tick disease". Mark was admitted to the hospital and was there again overnight. From what I can gather in her emails, Mark is recovering. This is a serious condition, but he seems to be responding well to treatment. If you'd like to leave well-wishes for him, contact him via email. I think Dani is accessing his mail and letting him know who is writing. I doubt she's checking here, so be sure and contact him from his website if you want your comments to be read by him while he's out of commission. Other wise, you can leave them here and he'll see them when he returns. His website is http://www.hellholetavern.com/ Yesterday I received word from Mark’s wife Dani that his vacation came with an unintended side effect: Rocky mountain spotted fever. Yes, the “tick disease”.

Mark was admitted to the hospital and was there again overnight. From what I can gather in her emails, Mark is recovering. This is a serious condition, but he seems to be responding well to treatment.

If you’d like to leave well-wishes for him, contact him via email. I think Dani is accessing his mail and letting him know who is writing. I doubt she’s checking here, so be sure and contact him from his website if you want your comments to be read by him while he’s out of commission. Other wise, you can leave them here and he’ll see them when he returns.

His website is http://www.hellholetavern.com/

]]> By: Mark Eller http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-302703 Mark Eller Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:59:25 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-302703 Thank you Dan. I am presently working on the second edit of Book Two with my publisher. In total there are four books that take place over increasingly larger canvases during a decade and a half. When the editing process is far enough along that I actually have a book cover, I will start recording Book Two, Betrayed. It will take a while because I have this unfortunate habit of writing a long time. Book one was about 15,000 words. Book two, it looks like, will fall into the 170,000 word range. And now I am going to stop writing because I am back from vacation 3 days. White water rafting was fun. Ziplining was fun, however there was a small problem with spraining a wrist and stressing a few muscles when I did not slow down fast enough. Did you know trees trunks are hard? Thank you Dan. I am presently working on the second edit of Book Two with my publisher. In total there are four books that take place over increasingly larger canvases during a decade and a half. When the editing process is far enough along that I actually have a book cover, I will start recording Book Two, Betrayed. It will take a while because I have this unfortunate habit of writing a long time. Book one was about 15,000 words. Book two, it looks like, will fall into the 170,000 word range.

And now I am going to stop writing because I am back from vacation 3 days. White water rafting was fun. Ziplining was fun, however there was a small problem with spraining a wrist and stressing a few muscles when I did not slow down fast enough. Did you know trees trunks are hard?

]]> By: Dan http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-302252 Dan Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:41:12 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-302252 When I first started listening to it I was a bit concerned with the audio quality, but after a couple of chapters I have to agree with JaneAtPlay, Mark's voice adds character to Aaron. After I got into it, I could not turn my iPod off! I started listening to this after the final episode was posted so it was pretty much gobbled up in a couple of days. There are a few editing notes scattered about in the episodes, but not a big deal. I really enjoyed the story and the experience! Thanks Mark! Can we hope for book 2? When I first started listening to it I was a bit concerned with the audio quality, but after a couple of chapters I have to agree with JaneAtPlay, Mark’s voice adds character to Aaron. After I got into it, I could not turn my iPod off! I started listening to this after the final episode was posted so it was pretty much gobbled up in a couple of days.

There are a few editing notes scattered about in the episodes, but not a big deal. I really enjoyed the story and the experience!

Thanks Mark!

Can we hope for book 2?

]]> By: JaneAtPlay http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-300473 JaneAtPlay Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:18:10 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-300473 Hi Mark, I'm half a dozen chapters in, and I've been drawn into the story. I have not found your delivery to be distracting. Rather, it adds character dimension to Aaron - whether intentional or not. You have an interesting world (or worlds!) developing here and I'm a sucker for "reluctant hero" stories. Thanks for presenting you work in this format. Hi Mark,

I’m half a dozen chapters in, and I’ve been drawn into the story. I have not found your delivery to be distracting. Rather, it adds character dimension to Aaron – whether intentional or not. You have an interesting world (or worlds!) developing here and I’m a sucker for “reluctant hero” stories. Thanks for presenting you work in this format.

]]> By: Mark Eller http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-298890 Mark Eller Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:47:29 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-298890 Hey Grizzley, I just did a listen to the promo that is available for Traitor, and apparently you had the first version that did not upload properly. The version that is there right now is the entire thing, complete and whole. While I have you here, I just want to say thanks for your support and comments...and since I am writing anyway, I would like to encourage anybody reading this to listen to Arlene Ardasky's The Fox. I did not hear the podcast, but I read the book and it is excellent. Hey Grizzley, I just did a listen to the promo that is available for Traitor, and apparently you had the first version that did not upload properly. The version that is there right now is the entire thing, complete and whole. While I have you here, I just want to say thanks for your support and comments…and since I am writing anyway, I would like to encourage anybody reading this to listen to Arlene Ardasky’s The Fox. I did not hear the podcast, but I read the book and it is excellent.

]]> By: Mark Eller http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-298156 Mark Eller Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:04:05 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-298156 Hey guys, sorry being late checking in here, there have been some family issues going on and a bunch of stuff with that television show that I am slightly connected to. Yes, the first three or four episodes are a bit rough for several reasons, mostly having to do with spring and allergies, and also because the pace of this book is so different from my other podcasts that it took me time to get the voice or pace needed. I'll redo those chapters in a couple weeks after I get back from a little trip. Grizz, sorry about the promo. I had it reloaded after the same issue with it appeared in the first upload. Apparently, even though the promo is good on my side, it is not uploading properly, so I will have to make a new one. Unfortunately I have not had the time to keep really on top of things due, once again, to the family health issues thing. Criticism? Trust me on this, I never ever get discouraged by criticism. Criticism is an opportunity to learn and improve and it has helped improve my writing tremendously. Praise is nice, but good constructive criticism is better, especially by a peer who is in a position to know and help out. Appreciate all the good comments and the constructive crit comments and thanks to you all. Mark Hey guys, sorry being late checking in here, there have been some family issues going on and a bunch of stuff with that television show that I am slightly connected to. Yes, the first three or four episodes are a bit rough for several reasons, mostly having to do with spring and allergies, and also because the pace of this book is so different from my other podcasts that it took me time to get the voice or pace needed. I’ll redo those chapters in a couple weeks after I get back from a little trip. Grizz, sorry about the promo. I had it reloaded after the same issue with it appeared in the first upload. Apparently, even though the promo is good on my side, it is not uploading properly, so I will have to make a new one. Unfortunately I have not had the time to keep really on top of things due, once again, to the family health issues thing.
Criticism? Trust me on this, I never ever get discouraged by criticism. Criticism is an opportunity to learn and improve and it has helped improve my writing tremendously. Praise is nice, but good constructive criticism is better, especially by a peer who is in a position to know and help out.

Appreciate all the good comments and the constructive crit comments and thanks to you all.

Mark

]]> By: Greg Crites http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-297986 Greg Crites Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:07:47 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-297986 I read the PDF. I did not listen to the audio version. That said, I enjoyed the book. It is an entertaining read, and not my preferred genre. Mark was kind enough to send me the PDF as I listen to horribly angry music while writing, and I write all the time. Which means, I can get a PDF read in a day; listening to an audio version can take me weeks. It is a story well-told with strong characterization and a good example of world building. I read the PDF. I did not listen to the audio version. That said, I enjoyed the book. It is an entertaining read, and not my preferred genre. Mark was kind enough to send me the PDF as I listen to horribly angry music while writing, and I write all the time. Which means, I can get a PDF read in a day; listening to an audio version can take me weeks. It is a story well-told with strong characterization and a good example of world building.

]]> By: George http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-297968 George Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:08:52 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-297968 Mark, i'm really enjoying this story. Learn from the criticism, but don't let them get you down. This storyline is clever and entertaining. Is this book in print? are there more? Mark, i’m really enjoying this story. Learn from the criticism, but don’t let them get you down. This storyline is clever and entertaining. Is this book in print? are there more?

]]> By: Tasarran http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-297662 Tasarran Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:28:45 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-297662 I have to agree that you can tell that Mr. Eller's reading is a little hesitant at first, but he does improve with time. It does seem that part of it is either intentional (and fitting for the main character's personality), or is just part of his speech pattern. Either way, the rough edges are smoothed down by the third or fourth episode. Perhaps Mr. Eller would consider re-recording the first few episodes when he finishes the story, just so the whole book has the same level of polish, for the new listeners? A very entertaining book, I am awaiting the next episode, and the next book! I have to agree that you can tell that Mr. Eller’s reading is a little hesitant at first, but he does improve with time.
It does seem that part of it is either intentional (and fitting for the main character’s personality), or is just part of his speech pattern.

Either way, the rough edges are smoothed down by the third or fourth episode.

Perhaps Mr. Eller would consider re-recording the first few episodes when he finishes the story, just so the whole book has the same level of polish, for the new listeners?

A very entertaining book, I am awaiting the next episode, and the next book!

]]> By: Grizzly Smith http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-297494 Grizzly Smith Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:41:16 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-297494 Is it just me, or is there a serious problem with the promo for this book? Your voice drops out completely in the middle, and the music continues... Tried to play it on my live show on BlogTalkRadio, and -then- I found the problem -- embarassing when one is trying to do a live show. I know how hard it can be. I've recorded a few myself. But you might want to take a look at that... Griz Is it just me, or is there a serious problem with the promo for this book? Your voice drops out completely in the middle, and the music continues… Tried to play it on my live show on BlogTalkRadio, and -then- I found the problem — embarassing when one is trying to do a live show.

I know how hard it can be. I’ve recorded a few myself. But you might want to take a look at that…

Griz

]]> By: Brock http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2009/05/13/traitor-book-1-of-the-turner-chronicles/comment-page-1/#comment-296865 Brock Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:35:21 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/?p=1267#comment-296865 Max, Give it a few episodes. The reading quality improves as he gets more experienced at it. He may never be as polished as you require, but for an author doing his own work I think he is doing fine. Max, Give it a few episodes. The reading quality improves as he gets more experienced at it. He may never be as polished as you require, but for an author doing his own work I think he is doing fine.

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