Hey Laurence, nice to see your post! How is weather in the Shetlands?
originally posted by Laurence J Johnson
Hello Janny, the weather here is as changeable as ever, but thankfully we have not had much snow this winter yet.
My interest in reading has been rekindled, I had a dry spell for quite a while.
Bagpipe music still does not reach me, but it may some day!
originally posted by Nurgle
Janny was there any stories that you wanted to tell from this series but never got to? These books for me after countless re reads still rank as one of my all time fav books… Despite the insane killing off of the world… just wondered if you ever had more to tell?
Hi Nurgle, welcome here!
There are no other stories in the Empire that interest me, no.
I'd have been mildly curious to wonder what Kevin was up to during his time, sent back in the Kingdom. Both Ray and I have been too busy; the concept is NOT even in discussion, so if you please, don't mistake this post as anything other than idle rumination on my part. 
originally posted by Nurgle
we are all mildly curious i am sure! Ray too busy… well alas in his last book too busy to actually proof read it…
originally posted by Clansman
Yes, unfortunately Ray Feist's quality has dropped considerably with the passage of time.
I got the impression that he simply got tired of writing in that world. No inspiration or drive to keep his writing interesting? Hard to know.
originally posted by Hunter
The original Riftwar trilogy and the Empire series were very fine writing and two very different stories. Subsequent novels/series were perhaps a pale imitation of the original and were to keep people happy who wanted to follow other characters rather than developing new stories to be told. I found them to be very similar to later novels in George RR Martin's series where they were full of characters which I just didn't care about - not a good sign to continue reading…
originally posted by Selene
Will the Empire trilogy be out as e-book any time soon? I'd like to re-read it. 
Selene
Hi Selene, thanks for your interest, last I heard, I was told the agent was working on it. If you sign for the e mail list or my twitter feed (jannywurts) you'd receive the announcement when it happens. Or watch here.
originally posted by Selene
Thanks! Good to know it's being worked on.
Selene
News yesterday - the e rights for the Empire series are settled at last. News of the release date will be forthcoming the moment I have it.
originally posted by Aaron MacCormack
Hi,
The Empire series outshines almost all of Ray's work except his original Magician, which is on par. I'd like to thank you for helping a young non reader to become a consumate consumer of the written word…across multiple genres.
I have to admit that i have not read any of your other work though for fear that it may dispell my admiration for your imagination and creativity. This is something i wish to remedy. Which series would you suggest i read next?
Also, as i value your work so highly and always suggest to friends that if their children don't like to read then they should introduce them to Riftwar saga and your Empire series, could you pls arrange for your publisher to contact Dymocks Hong Kong and sell them a wider variety of your works and more copies. I always have to request the books i want which i don't mind…but the Empire series should always be on the shelf.
Thanks for sharing Janny
Hi Aaron MacCormack - welcome here and thanks for the kindest of notes.
The best way to get books on any bookstore shelf is for the customer to ask for them, and have other readers do the same…shops will carry what sells and what readers demand, and they do listen to their clientele.
As for trying out my books - there are several avenues to take.
Sorcerer's Legacy was my first, and simplest novel - that story has a lady lead, too, and it was the reason Ray asked me to collaborate on the Empire series in the first place. IT is not in print at the moment, you would have to find a used copy, if you could.
Cycle of Fire (Stormwarden/Keeper of the Keys/Shadowfane) is out in audio from Audible books - it is a fantasy 'coming of age' - more of a quest story, but with a lot more twists.
Master of Whitestorm is also a stand alone/runs to action adventure more or less - it came a little later in my career/also out of print but there are used copies about.
Those books were my 'earlier' career and are less complex in both style and story.
The latest book (still in print/easy to get in ebook or print, from HarperVoyager) is To Ride Hell's Chasm - expect a careful build and an explosive fast paced finish - this was the story the reviewers and critics who liked Empire took to best - if you like this one, then you would perhaps test the waters with the Wars of Light and Shadow series, after.
If you try to start with War of Light and Shadows, bear in mind, you are jumping in at the deep end!
All the books are character driven, but do have action and all have finishes. I don't EVER do cliff hangers even in a series.
MOST of the books have 'excerpts' available on this website - in print, epub, mobi, and even, audio. The first three chapters of To Ride Hell's Chasm are done as a clean reading, (look in the podcast section under excerpts) - and you can also hear the entire first chapter, in audio, of audible's production of Stormwarden.
So do feel free to test the waters!
The best thing to bear in mind is that (like Empire) the events WILL change the characters - and like you have seen, there WILL be a big shift at the half point (as something big unveils or comes to a head) - I always slow build to a huge finish, so don't give in too soon, because things you feel don't count will play in the end.
Some readers coming off the Empire series have to adjust a little to the style - I've heard said in mail from readers that you read about 5 chapters, you 'adjust' to the style and it works - but I wouldn't know - each individual is different.
Empire was a total blend of Feist and Wurts - if you read into our solo work, you will see that individually we are different, but you also will recognize some of the 'traits' that made our works what they are, together. Some readers take to this immediately.
Only way to know is to try. The best thing, too, is to let go of your 'expectations' and let the book tell its story - and see what happens by the end.
If there are other readers here who have read Empire and also the other solo works, do feel free to post your experiences to help Aaron out. Often the author is the last person to know how it feels in the reader's shoes!
Best always, Aaron, and good reading no matter what you choose!
originally posted by John Hulet
I recently re-read Daughter of the Empire to write a review… So impressed by the characters and some of them felt very familiar. Arakasi so reminds me of Arithon. The breadth of talents that they share and the close held personality. Am I wrong? I am enjoying writing the review…so important for newer readers not to miss out on stuff like this!
originally posted by Clansman
Aaron, I too found Janny's work through reading Ray Feist, which I read as it was being published back in 1986. I went from Riftwar to Empire, and then looked for any Janny Wurts I could find, which led me to Cycle of Fire (which I recently re-read. Very cool blend of Fantasy and SF). Then I dove into Curse of the Mistwraith when it was brand new.
There are a few of us on this board who have been with Janny, whether she new it or not, since those early days of Arithon's continuous running battle with his older half-brother Lysaer. It has easily been the best epic fantasy that I have ever read since I gobbled up all the Tolkien I could find. No one else comes close, but it is a big bite to chew, and you need to be ready for it. There are layers upon layers, and if you like detailed plotting and sudden twists, and all of whats best and worst of human nature revealed so that you can look at US from a different perspective, then it's the Wars of Light and Shadow for you.
originally posted by Aaron MacCormack
Thanks all,
Perhaps i'll jump in at the deep end after all…whilst i keep an eye out for the books that are no longer in print.
John!! Are you re-reading for a review at fantasyliterature.com?? If so, I'd be thrilled to hear it - that is a significant 'hole' in their list, to have nothing on that series.
Aaron - whatever you try, I hope you have a good time. If you plunge into the deep end, bear this in mind: NOTHING you see (at first) is as it seems. Each time you get more information, everything you thought you believed will shift and shift again. Good hunting!
originally posted by John Hulet
Janny - You know me too well. I loved the Riftwar Saga as a kid and Daughter of the Empire was amazing. There are some points in the plot that literally make me sad to consider even at this point! You have a habit of writing things that actually touch me like that.
Angus - You are missed my friend!!
originally posted by Clansman
Thanks, John! Good to see you on these Boards. I miss being at FanLit, but life's just too dang busy!
Thank you, John, that is very pleasing news - it's great to see you around here, too.