I’m so happy to have a return guest today. If you know him (and I hope most of you do), you know what a talented author he is, as well as what a generous blogger he is, giving much of his time and web space to helping the rest of us promote our work. If you don’t know him, now is your chance to make a valuable connection. Without further ado, I’m delighted to turn my site over to my friend and fellow author, C. S. Boyack. Take it away, Craig, and tell us all about your latest release.
Thanks for lending me your blog space, Staci. You’re always welcome over at my place too. I’m here to talk about my newest work, Voyage of the Lanternfish.
Lanternfish is a pirate fantasy. It’s set in a fantasy world. You would think that I could just make everything up, but nothing is further from the truth. There was a ton of research that went into this story.
I live in Idaho, so my knowledge of sailing is pretty limited. I’ve been on three seas, but always with a motor of some kind. I did a lot of digging into sailing and trade winds, even though the fantasy world could function differently. Most of this kind of research led to a line or two in the book. A bit here and there to keep things on course.
There are a couple of places I visited in my life that influenced this story. One of these was Fort McHenry. This is the place that inspired the American National Anthem. It involved a dirt-ringed fort being bombarded by the British Navy. Cannon are pretty useless under these circumstances, so the Brits resorted to ship-born mortars.
These are nothing like the tubes John Wayne uses to win World War II every Saturday on cable. These things are short, thick cannons, usually firing larger ordinance than the cannon of the day. Their job was to lob a shell over the walls that would explode inside the fort and kill all the combatants. I got to see chunks of shrapnel at Fort McHenry.
Cannon of the day usually fired a solid projectile called a shot. Mortars fired an explosive shell with a fuse that involved a bit of guesswork.
I decided to add mortars to my pirate ship. I wound up using them mostly ship to ship, which is a stretch of the imagination, but in a fantasy story it comes across pretty well. I had to do a lot of research into shell sizes, firing mechanisms, and more. Again, this may lead to a line or two, but it helps keep the story realistic.
I’m a big believer in as much reality as possible, even in a fantasy environment. I’m asking readers to suspend disbelief, but I want to reserve that for the places that really matter.
I also went on a ghost hunting tour in Portland, Oregon. One of the highlights was the Shanghai Tunnel system. This is where they knocked vagabonds (Or anyone else they wanted) over the head, then sold them as labor to merchant captains.
I always heard the legal process of Shanghaiing sailors was call pressing, carried out by a press gang. In Portland, I learned the process was called crimping, and was carried out by crimpers. This also led me to check out the symptoms of a concussion.
I threaded some of this into my story too, but the reality is more brutal than it is in my story. It helps me sell the idea of oppressors vs the oppressed.
There was a lot more research that went into this tale. I won’t bore you with all of it, but I thought a look behind the scenes might be enjoyable.
Voyage of the Lanternfish is available as a Kindle ebook. I hope your fans are intrigued enough to click the link and check it out.
·•◊♦◊•·
Blurb:
An honorable man is mistaken for his disreputable father. Now he’s pushed into a political scheme to start a war that will spread across multiple kingdoms. James Cuttler’s fiancé is being held captive to ensure he goes through with the plan.
He soon decides his skills are at sea and procures a ship to wage war upon those who disrupted his simple life. He can’t do it alone, so he recruits a band of cutthroats to help him. But first, they need guns and munitions to outfit the ship properly. Deception and trickery will only get them so far. Eventually, they’re going to have to engage the enemy.
James’ goals aren’t necessarily the same as his crew. It’s a delicate balancing act to collect enough loot to keep his crew happy, while guiding them back to rescue the girl.
Voyage of the Lanternfish is filled with adventure, magic, and monsters. Lots of monsters. Hoist the colors and come along for the ride.
Purchase Link http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=B07MP8V633
Bio:

I was born in a town called Elko, Nevada. I like to tell everyone I was born in a small town in the 1940s. I’m not quite that old, but Elko has always been a little behind the times. This gives me a unique perspective of earlier times, and other ways of getting by. Some of this bleeds through into my fiction.
I moved to Idaho right after the turn of the century, and never looked back. My writing career was born here, with access to other writers and critique groups I jumped in with both feet.
I like to write about things that have something unusual. My works are in the realm of science fiction, paranormal, and fantasy. The goal is to entertain you for a few hours. I hope you enjoy the ride.
Craig
I love research posts. I’m always fascinated by how authors enrich their works with things they learn. I haven’t read Voyage of the Lanternfish yet, but I bought it the second it went live, and I’m really looking forward to this one. I hope you all check it out, too. In the meantime, why don’t you leave a comment for Craig below and share his good news with your social media contacts? I know we’ll both appreciate it.
And if you are interested in more information, visit C. S. Boyack’s website or the following links: Novels | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Pinterest | BookBub
On my list- this book sounds GREAT! I like anything having to do with ships, fantasy or not – plus it sounds like you had a wild ride doing the research…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m more than halfway through now, and it’s fabulous. I hope you enjoy it as much as I am.
LikeLike
The research was half the fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to say, Craig, that as I am reading Lanternfish, I had to wonder how much experience you had with sailing and loading cannons and muskets and blunderbusses. You have done a great job writing about them!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not a lot, but I have shot black powder pistols and rifles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
His writing is very authentic, isn’t it? Then again, it always is. Color me impressed.
Thanks, Jan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful to find a new release by Craig. I’ve read and enjoyed several of his books and his research always ramps up that believability factor hugely. I’m looking forward to reading ‘Voyage of The Lanternfish’. Congratulations on the new release, Craig.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I feel exactly the same way, Soooz. Thanks so much for dropping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s nice to see Craig making the tour with his new book. 🙂 Happy Writing and Reading!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks. Appreciate you coming along. It’s exciting, and tiring all at the same time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I always enjoy tours where all the posts are different. I’m learning so much about the story and Craig’s process. It only makes me want to finish the book faster!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Interesting information on the mortars, Craig. Your research really pays off. Thanks, Staci for hosting today.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love hosting people. Happy to do it. Thanks for visiting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I kind of want to see one fire an exploding shell now. I avoided the topic, but I wonder what kind of wear and tear they put on a ship’s wooden deck too. A cannon recoils back. A mortar recoils down.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That would be interesting to see. If you can’t find it online, try submitting it to MythBusters. Seems right up their alley, and they just launched a new version of the series with brilliant kids.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good point. I imagine there are only so many shots before the decking gives way.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It would about have to at some point, even if you braced it below the deck.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good point.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You caught me at the reference to John Wayne, one of my favorite actors. I can imagine the damage and chaos those cannons could do to a ship. Sounds like an action-packed story!
LikeLiked by 2 people
My grandfather loved John Wayne. Anytime I see a reference to him, it makes me smile.
And it is an action-packed story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m old enough to have seen many of his films in the theater. Basically grew up on such fare. Those shrapnel artifacts were pretty damned scary too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love to read about the research process. I find the story behind the story fascinating. I remember the ghost tour it inspired me to do one locally, but ours wasnt as exciting. I’m looking forward to reading this. It awaits me on my Kindle.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I remember him talking about it, too. It sounded like a blast. We have a famous haunted hotel near here, but no walking ghost tours. At least, none that I know of. Sorry your tour wasn’t as good as Craig’s. Maybe there’s a story in it, anyway. If not, at least you got out of the house!
Thanks, Denise. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the book once you’ve read it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Denise. Insiders understand, but non-authors think we can make everything up in science fiction or fantasy. I put a lot of research into all my stories.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your hard work shows, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As long as it’s not obvious to casual readers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
Staci has generously provided her space for the Lanternfish tour today. The topic is research, even for a fantasy tale. Maybe you can offer a guess about which three seas I’ve been on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ghost hunting tour? I’d be all over that one, Craig.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was so much fun. There was a ton of history involved that never made my story. The tunnels were used to hold the captives. They flooded once, and the powers that be just let all those people drown rather than free them. Thus the ghost part of the tour.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Tragic. Yet fascinating.
I’m with you, Teri. A ghost tour sounds fun.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am nearly finished with my copy of Voyage of the Lanternfish. It grabbed me from the beginning and I cannot wait to see how it ends. There are so many elements woven into it that it keeps the reader turning the page. Good job.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love hearing that, Michele. I hope to have a chance to finish it this weekend. I’m enjoying it, too.
LikeLike
Thanks, Michele. I’m glad it’s holding your attention.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for lending me your space today. I’ll stop by for the next few days and participate in any comments we get.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always happy to have you here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
I’m excited about C.S. Boyack’s new book. It’s next in line on my Kindle. I’ll be featuring an excerpt on my blog on Saturday, but here is another great post related to the book on Staci Troilo’s blog.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Don!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Don. Hope you enjoy the tale.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m sure I will.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The research in this sounds absolutely fascinating, Craig. I always heard of pressing and press gangs as well but never crimping. It’s amazing the things we find out when researching a book.I remember doing a ton of research for one of my early novels, Twelfth Sun. The Twelfth Sun was an old sailing vessel so I spent a lot of time researching nautical movements and–of course–sea myths, but barely used any of that in my book…well, except for some of the myths, LOL. Still, it was such a fun rabbit hole to go down. I know how much you enjoy research, so I’m guessing you felt the same while working on Lanternfish.
Wishing you much success with this release. I’m currently reading it and it’s off to a “bang” 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love to research, too. I can only imagine how much Craig enjoyed doing it. Even with a fraction of his discoveries made it into the work, it clearly made a huge impact. The story (as far as I’ve read) is rich in world-building and authenticity.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your experience with Twelfth Sun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There was so much research, this only scratched the surface. Chinese words, weapons, jellyfish propulsion, all kinds of things.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love that kind of stuff. I can get lost for days—weeks—in research.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
OOOOH! Your should I say I I I I I 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Every time I read about Lanternfish, Craig, the book just sounds better and better. I’ve bought my copy and have it waiting on my ereader for me to get to it … can’t wait! Very best of luck with this book and all your other great reads. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m not too far into it yet, Harmony, but what I’ve read so far is so enjoyable. I’m sure you’ll feel the same when you get to it.
Thanks for dropping by!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Harmony. I hope it meets your expectations.
LikeLiked by 2 people