Wrizzit
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Hi, I'm Bear, I'm new here. I write emotionally intense cozy fantasy that follows realistic life journeys in a setting that tries to portray positive examples of a world we could strive towards, with things like strong community values and healthy masculinity, to name a few. I write The Book of Balance essays on Substack, but I wanted to focus more on rekindling my love for fantasy here, which is struggling against my anhedonia. On recommendation from some Substack friends, here I am 🐻
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Jack LhasaFeb 27
The ‘cozy’ genre subtype wasn’t a thing for the first 3/4 of my writing career. I’m still a bit confused by the idea.
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BearWisemanFeb 27
Have you ever heard of Travis Baldree or his debut, Legends & Lattes? It's about an orc opening a coffee shop and everyone that I tell about my books told me to read his work, which was pitched to me as cozy fantasy. Turns out I love his work. There are hardships, but it's very low fantasy. It's practically kishotenketsu, but not quite. You feel super emotionally connected to the characters and invested in the story, despite there not necessarily being a lot of action or conflict. Another awesome example is Patrick Rothfuss' Slow Regard of Silent Things.
Jack LhasaFeb 27
Interesting. I have actually heard of that book! I’m not opposed to the ‘cozy’ genres, but I still think like the person who got his feet wet when publishing wasn’t something you could “decide” to do. I spent a long time working the paperbacks and industry rags because that’s what you did until you sold a novel manuscript. Genres weren’t in the 1000s back then lol. I’ll be sure to look up some of your stuff. I’m currently doing Fantasy, completely removed from earth and humans. Deep worldbu.
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BearWisemanFeb 28
Hey, that's fair! I have a nagging feeling that I missed my window about a decade ago and now I'm just deluding myself that I'll ever get noticed, but whatever, I keep going either way. If you're an avid reader, I'd gladly send you my first book. I'm a lil desperate for reviews, haha. How do you feel about the publishing industry these days? I'm an old music journalist, so if it's even half as dreadful as the music industry (which I'm sure it is), I'm quite hesitant to even try for an agent.
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Jack LhasaFeb 28
Yeah, the publishing industry is still holding its face, but it’s nearing a headline decline. Market saturation is killing content industries one by one. Music, as you mentioned is dealing with a decline unlike anything in its history. It’s the story everywhere. Content is everywhere and content producers are facing margins smaller than the industry’s abusive start. Publishing has been allowed to slip past all previous quality check points. The publishing industry has always been a tough on.
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Jack LhasaFeb 28
Agents are nearing extinction. The best route for a new author is often by releasing an ebook through a process that would have you doing heavy self promotion before scheduling a release, and a media run after it’s publication as well. Message. I’ll check out your work if I get some time, and I can help point you to the choices available right now. Ea ch has problems. It’s still worth the effort though.
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Matt EFeb 27
Nice! What type of fantasy do you write? Mine's usually historical, if I'm not writing horror.
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BearWisemanFeb 28
The Vitmar Chronicles is a serial series that follows two brothers (with healthy masculinity, heh) over the span of about 20 years. It's very coming of age - love, family, growth, change, grief, etc. So I suppose it's technically cozy or low-fantasy, but the emotional side of things can be intense. Just... no one's saving the world. Horror writing fascinates me. I have one horror story stuck in my head, but I'm not a horror lover so I have no idea if the premise is any good, heh.
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Matt EMar 3
a twenty-year time span is something I haven't read in any online fiction. I can read a bit, is it on wrizzit?
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BearWisemanMar 3
Not yet, at least, but there is a sneak peak on my website! www.bearwiseman.com/creative-writing/the…
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Matt E24d
It was a great read; the style was fast and concise. And the end made me want to know what was going to happen next. Definitely a thumbs up for me.
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I too suffer bouts of anhedonia. BiPolar is a fickle mistress. The dizzying highs and the crashing lows. Is yours persistent?
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BearWiseman24d
Yeah, it's a bit of an after effect of depression. I've managed to get out of the miserable every day feelings, but haven't yet regained my feelings of joy or ability to derive dopamine from things 🥲😅 Oof, bipolar sounds like a rough ride to be on - my sympathies 🫂
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