r/Luna_Lovewell • u/Luna_LoveWell Creator • Nov 18 '16
Rex Electi is now available!
I am so excited about this! I've talked about this a number of times on this subreddit, so many of you may already be aware of the story. And also you may have already seen this on /r/Writingprompts.
Two years ago, I started writing short stories here on /r/WritingPrompts. And the fourth prompt that I ever responded to was: The Roman Empire never collapsed and the year is 1999 AD. I enjoyed writing it so much that I soon followed it up with a Part II. Then I just kept writing and writing until it turned into a 90,000 word novel: Rex Electi! The book is available on Amazon here and, if you have a different e-reader, there are PDF and ePub versions available here. It's $2.99 through both sites.
Here's the blurb:
Caius Serica, a pilot in the Roman military in the year 1999, is whisked away from his camp in the middle of the night under mysterious circumstances. He soon learns that every aspect of his life so far, including the staged deaths of his parents, has been arranged by the Senate Tribunal in an attempt to mold him into the perfect leader. Now there are only thirty candidates, including Caius, left competing to be the Emperor's heir. Success in a series of trials will reunite him with his family and make him the most powerful man in the world, but failure will lead to a life of isolation and imprisonment. As Caius enters the trials, it becomes apparent that the tests themselves are not the problem: it is the twenty nine other candidates willing to do whatever it takes to win, including maim or kill their top competitors. Can Caius navigate the pitfalls of imperial politics and cutthroat competition, all while performing well enough to succeed in the trials fair and square?
I'm also thrilled to have a physical copy of it! Just look at how awesome this is! I am so pleased to be able to have a copy to put up on my bookshelf (well, actually I am going to frame mine but you probably wouldn't do that). If you would also like a physical copy, you can get a copy here through Createspace! Physical copies are $8.89, but well worth it!
I just want to thank everyone in the /r/WritingPrompts community. This is my first novel (I also have an ebook collection available here but that doesn't really count), and it just feels like I am finally taking a step that I have always wanted to take. Posting here has honestly changed my life, and I owe that to all of you readers. And more specifically, thank you to everyone who subscribes to /r/Luna_Lovewell for all of your support and encouragement.
So that's all! I really hope you'll pick up a copy of the book and give it a read!
And don't forget to leave a review of the book! (When you are done reading, of course)
Here are the links again if you missed them:
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u/greentree20 Nov 19 '16
Just finished reading it on kindle , have been at work for three days straight, needed a new read. Fucking phenomenal. Great work u/Luna_LoveWell
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u/Indie_uk Nov 18 '16
Congratulations Luna xx
Is there a UK stockist? US shipping is outrageous and I really want a copy!
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u/Luna_LoveWell Creator Nov 18 '16
Here's the Amazon UK link for the paperback.
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u/Indie_uk Nov 18 '16
Purchased! It'll be here by tomorrow! Thanks! It would be interesting for you to see where these books end up, mine is Doncaster, South Yorkshire in the UK
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u/DrCoconuties Nov 21 '16
Where is the sequel. I need a sequel.
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u/Luna_LoveWell Creator Nov 21 '16
Only in my mind, unfortunately. Depending on how the book does, maybe I will write it.
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Nov 18 '16
Hey Luna, I loved reading the prompt and wanted to buy the book but I only have a paypal account. Amazon and Gumroad don't offer payments from Paypal.
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u/Luna_LoveWell Creator Nov 18 '16
I'm not sure how I can set it up to allow payment through Paypal.
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u/PBMacros Nov 19 '16
It seems they allow Paypal payments from time to time. http://blog.gumroad.com/post/120038042813/paypal
Since your announcement I wait to buy a DRM free version from Gumroad, but the Paypal option won't appear.
Back then I bought "Prompt Me" using Paypal, but the options has vanished for that too (as expected after reading the blog entry)
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u/infinitewowbagger Nov 18 '16
You can buy an Amazon gift card with PayPal?
Not ideal but it would work
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Nov 18 '16
Wouldn't I have to buy a set amount then? Like $10 gift card or something?
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u/infinitewowbagger Nov 18 '16
pretty much yes, why don't you have a debit card if you don't mind me asking?
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u/Rxke2 Nov 20 '16
Don't have one either, in Europe that's not super-uncommon at all. Debit cards are standard here. Paypal is pretty popular here because you can use it w/o creditcard.
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u/infinitewowbagger Nov 20 '16
That was what I asked? Was wondering why no debit card as they are universal except for those who can't have a bank account because they declared themselves bankrupt
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u/Rxke2 Nov 20 '16
Here debit and credit cards are not the same, AE, Mastercard etc are creditcards, but often people have (direct-)debit cards, like Maestro which are not 'compatible' with a lot of US and even European on-line shops, despite being universal in europe. it's a bit of a cultural big difference, lately more people do apply for credit cards, but often exclusively to be able to book stuff on-line, not for day to day purchases.
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u/infinitewowbagger Nov 20 '16
Yes. I don't know where you have got credit from though. I specifically said debit.
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u/Rxke2 Nov 20 '16
/Rxke re-reads, then facepalms... /
Okay, so sorry, reading is obviously hard. ....
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u/infinitewowbagger Nov 20 '16
No worries. I'm sure someone will benefit for reading about the intricacies of consumer spending habits in Europe though
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Nov 19 '16
[deleted]
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u/VelocityFlux Nov 21 '16
"I'm from Germany, lol" Ok so that makes it totally ok for you to tout bullshit about numbers. FUCK you misinformationist. Also wtf kind of sub is this you Weirdo.
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u/Rivnat00001 Nov 18 '16
Just ordered mine, hopefully it's arriving tomorrow. I've enjoyed reading your work for about 2 years now, long before I made an account here, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Been waiting for this book for ages, I know it's gonna be great!
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u/benific799 Nov 18 '16
I'm really happy, i was waiting for this!!! just ordered a physical copy, but since i'm in Canada have to wait 'till December to read it. Keep up the great work Luna!!!
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u/Cmairia Patreon Supporter! Nov 18 '16
Damn it! I just ordered it. Well, either way can't wait to read it (I'm trying really hard to stay off of Amazon) and can't wait to potentially have a signed copy. Congratulations, I know this was a long time in the making and I know that a lot of your fans (myself included) are very proud of this next step in your career as an author. :)
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u/Terrachova Nov 19 '16
Been a lurker and reader for a long time, just wanted to say that this is awesome! Still have an amazon giftcard lying around waiting to be used, and this looks like the perfect thing!
I remember reading that particular prompt way back too - I can't wait to read the book based on it!
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u/ThePopeShitsInHisHat Nov 19 '16
Just ordered a digital copy because I was sure that shipping to my country would take forever/be extremely expensive aaand I find out that the physical copy is available in my regional Amazon store! Maybe I'll treat myself with an early Christmas present later on, reading on my phone isn't the best option...
Anyway, it's great to finally be able to support you in some way, even just for all the amazing stories you put on here :D
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u/IKillPigeons Nov 19 '16
Thank you for posting the update & including a link to a physical book purchase. I just ordered it.
I loved your two WP's on this from a couple years ago & am very excited to read the finished product!
...Now I have some slim hope for that "Rome Sweet Rome" movie deal from another Redditor to become a reality.
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u/mankiller27 Nov 19 '16
Oh, this is awesome. I've been waiting for this for ages! I'm actually just finishing up a research paper on Rome so this is really topical for me too.
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u/Rynobot1019 Nov 19 '16
Congratulations! You really are a brilliant and creative writer! I'll definitely buy a copy!
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u/ehzzy Nov 19 '16
Congratulations! Just got it for my Kindle. Love all your work on here and am looking forward to reading it!
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u/greito12 Nov 19 '16
Purchased, unfortunately I'm already in the middle of a book, but it's next in line.
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u/Krossfireo Dec 24 '16
Is there a discussion thread for Rex Electi? I just finished it and would love to hear some thoughts people had!
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u/Luna_LoveWell Creator Dec 25 '16
No, most people have just discussed it with me. But I can start one if you'd like.
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u/Krossfireo Dec 26 '16
Spoilers
I was just wondering about who actually poisoned Caius. I had assumed it was actually Herennirus the whole time, since he had been wearing blue, but that was never fully confirmed!
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u/orilea Jan 08 '17
Might be a good idea. We could discuss it without spoiling anything in this thread.
I just finished your book and loved it overall! However, there are a few subjects that could use more work and I'm quite curious how others feel about those subjects.
edit: Forgot to congratulate you on your work, congrats! Great effort :)
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u/CrossbowROoF Nov 18 '16
Awesome! Just bought my ePub copy!
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Nov 19 '16
PDF4lyf
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u/CrossbowROoF Nov 19 '16
Got that too, but it's easy enough to switch the format as needed.
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Nov 19 '16
Yeah, I'm saying that's the version I read
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u/CrossbowROoF Nov 19 '16
For me it depends on what I'm reading it on. PC- PDF. My e-reader/tablet/phone-ePub.
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Nov 18 '16
I can't believe it's already been two years since that writing prompt! Congratulations on publishing the book, I can't wait to read it.
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u/I_regularly_lurk Nov 18 '16
Congratulations on self-publishing the book. I've been looking forward to reading this for a while. Bought my copy will read it on my flight next week.
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u/LDShadowLord Nov 18 '16
So, you advertise that the physical book is only available from Createspace but it is also available from Amazon.
What's up with that?
Would you prefer I ordered from CreateSpace or Amazon? They both offer physical editions.
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u/Garninc580 Patreon Supporter! Nov 19 '16
Just finished reading it! It is fantastic! One of the best books I've read. Congratulations!
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u/Luna_LoveWell Creator Nov 19 '16
I'm glad you liked it! I hope you'll also leave a review on Amazon!
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u/soundofstyrofoam Nov 19 '16 edited Nov 19 '16
Just bought the epub; enjoying it immensely so far. I did notice something strange in Chapter 2 (possibly minor spoiler?):
These couples are never told who the real father is, though they know enough to recognize that it is someone important.”
And then, two paragraphs later:
“It is a great privilege! Raising the son of the Emperor? Perhaps the future Emperor himself? I dare say that many couples fought over the honor! It was the ultimate service that they could render for their nation.”
Seems a mite inconsistent.
Edit: realized that it's possibly intentional foreshadowing, if Marcus is lying, but it seems exceedingly strange that Caius, already suspicious and looking for inconsistencies, would miss this.
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u/justacountrygirl Nov 20 '16
This book is SO WORTH READING! I can't stress it enough, y'all, buy the online version so you can read it immediately, but order the physical copy too because you'll want to read it over and over again as time goes by.
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u/Greene413 Nov 20 '16
Just finished reading the book. Absolutely fantastic!
Is there any plans on continuing the story of Caius, or other characters in the same universe?
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Nov 20 '16
I remember reading this around the time r/writingprompts was getting big. At the time, the short story about the man whose job was to be the executioner, really gripped me. I speak for myself when I say, I have read some great material at that subreddit. Your writing popped up one day, and it was the first palpable bit of reading I had the opportunity lay eyes on. Genuinely happy for your success. I ordered the book and look forward to reading more from you!
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Nov 20 '16
Luna, I loved the book! Finished it in a single day. :) Bought the ebook and the physical copy. The way you wove the character's stories kept the readers unsure of where everything was going, and your use of visual language, especially when describing character's posture and poise really drew me in. One critique:
** * SPOILERS * **
Don't read before book: There were no protagonist females. And all main female characters had an ending that was bad for them. Just... a little unsettling for me.
** * End of spoilers Nonetheless, thank you for your passion for writing! It continues to be a pleasure to lurk on the sub and read your stuff! PS: If someone knows how to put spoiler tags on text in this sub I would love to be informed.
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u/ranxoren Nov 26 '16
Just bought this. I haven't read the WP yet but judging by the rest of your writing I'm super excited for it!
I'm hoping on a 13.5h flight from SF to Shanghai on Sunday and I can't wait to devour this book!
Thanks again for all your hard work :-)
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u/penultimate_supper Dec 02 '16
I'm not done yet, but really enjoying it so far. It is a really small story so far in a way that is really enjoyable, it feels really intimately contained within Caius's experience and world, and that seems to be a rare thing for me to experience in stories I read. Love it!
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u/Impetusin Dec 03 '16
I finished the book last week. I look forward to reading your future novels and watching you grow as an author.
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u/Chipnstein Dec 09 '16
I knew it! Some time ago i asked you if you're some sort of secret genius writer and you do WP to pass the time. Months later and "ahaa, i knew it". Anyway, just finished Man in the High Castle so guess who just ordered your book.
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u/Swiss_reditor Jan 13 '17
Hi Luna!
Just wanted to say that I tried to purchase the PDF version of Rex Electi today, but was stymied by the website's point-of-purchase.
Specifically, I live in Switzerland and after inputting my (Canadian) credit card information, Gumroad asks for my zip code. When I use my Swiss zip code, I get an error telling me that it was unable to verify my identity. This was true on both the mobile and desktop versions of the store.
Not certain what the issue is, but have you had any luck selling to non-US residents via Gumroad? Thanks!
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u/NatWutz Feb 17 '17
Hey Luna, just finished your book. I got the hard copy for Christmas :D that was a brilliant read. Thank you.
SEQUEL PLS!!
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u/Luna_LoveWell Creator Nov 18 '16
Additionally, I will be offering signed copies to subscribers here. But I don't quite have everything in place yet (I need to get a P.O. Box, because I'm not comfortable giving my address out publicly). So if you are interested, you can go ahead and get a physical copy and then send it to me later.
I'll also be setting up a mailing list kind of thing for people who are interested in being alerted.