Joseph Lallo, though having written several novels, is slow to consider himself an author. Educated at NJIT, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering, the world of Information Technology is where most of his bills are paid. When not crunching numbers, he owns and operates BrainLazy.com along with two friends. There he posts random rants and editorials regarding the world of humor, entertainment, and technology. He makes his home in Bayonne, NJ, where he has lived all of his life. His novels and short stories are available via Smashwords.com.
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Awesome series dude!!! raelly love how you get on with the story and just give readers ample time to decide whether to love it or hate it. I personally LOVED IT and just wanted to say kudos for such fantastic writing. and i also can’t believe you’re so immersed in teh world of IT and came up with such amazing stuff so far from the realm of IT!! wicked!!!
I think the Deacon series is amazing. The books are definitely some of my all-time favorites and are worth reading over and over (which I normally don’t do). As a girl, I definitely connected with Myranda and was able to picture myself in her position. I too, fell in love with Deacon…
Keep on writing!
Thanks so much for sharing. I’m glad you were able to connect with Myranda and Deacon. You’ll be glad to know that they should be appearing together on the upcoming commissioned cover of the second book. I should see a rough draft of it next week.
I’ve just finished the first book in the series and I thought i’d give you a few minutes of my time (that’s all you get as i’m itching to start reading the second book in the trilogy) to tell you how pleased I am that after 2 years another author has finally made it onto my ‘must read all’ list.
Beautifully written and so easy to read. With a few short descriptive lines you introduced me to my new friends with ease. I didn’t have to spend nights with them to get to know their personality, nor did I have to be on the defensive until their true colours shone through. BANG! an instant new family.
The storyline in itself kept my stomach doing turns and more often that not I had to calm it with a few choice words. Thoroughly gripping. So much in fact that I have spent the last two days with my head in your book rather than logging onto my daily fix of fantasy in the form of an RP game (although my guildies may not be thanking you).
I could ramble to you for a long time about the great work that you have done on this first book in the series, but I have the second book to read.
I’m very glad that you’ve enjoyed the first book of the trilogy so much, and I sincerely hope that the rest of the tale leaves you feeling the same way. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Its not often that I get a chance to read a book that engages me as much as yours did. I read the first book of the trilogy in about 2 days. In the last week I devoured the remaining books and was thoroughly engrossed. I loved the characters and the entire story line. keep up the good work!!!
Thanks! It is great to hear that you enjoyed the trilogy. Right now I’m busy plugging away at a Sci Fi book, but once that’s done, it is back to the fantasy books to see where else I should take them.
Hi JL,
I just finished your 1st book and here I am looking at your website and writing this note. Well, I thought the book was fantastic. So much so, that I went to BN and bought the next two in the series and will be starting to read book 2 right after this email. I thought the characters are great, the story line is, way cool, and the magic, is sweet. It took me a little while to get into the book, though, about 150 to 200 pages, I think. Shortly after Myranda found the sword and touched it. At that point the story took off, and from then on was a page turner where I couldn’t read fast enough. Anyway, don’t stop writing, you are very talented. You also did a very good job editing as I only found a few word errors, minor ones, like her instead of here, that kind of stuff. So, don’t worry about it, I have read a lot worse and in comparison this was great, almost like it was professionally edited. I read lots of fantasy and this book is one the best, so please keep on writing, cause you will be a star sooner than you think.
Cheers!
Thanks for the comment. I’m glad you liked the book, and I hope you like the rest of the trilogy just as much!
I just finished the first book in the trilogy and can’t wait to read the next two! I was engrossed from the very beginning – page 1 to be exact. I needed to know what was going to happen next so much that I read much too fast and had to keep going back to reread! No time for any more comment as I have to get the rest of the trilogy and get back to reading! Thank you for such an engrossing series!
Hi Jeanette! Thanks for the comment. I’m really glad you enjoyed the first book, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the series. Thanks for reading!
After about 70 free downloads, I actually made my first Kindle purchases: the 2nd and 3rd books in the Deacon series. Enjoyed the ride.
Neat! Great to know I was able to inspire a purchase, and that you didn’t regret it! Thanks for the comment!
I am a huge fantasy reader. I have emptied our local library of all their fantasy books and have a bookcase full of purchased ones.
I will have to say that this one, The Book of Deacon, was right up with the rest of them.
I would love to get it in hard copy for my partner to read as he doesn’t read ebooks yet.
It was he who introduced me to fantasy and I think he would love it too.
I was mightily disappointed when I tuned the page to find your little blurb about the next book. I was ready for a long read!!
So, I guess I’d best find the next two books to find out what happens,aye?
Also, I have done a lot of work with the Gutenberg Project and was wishing I could have fixed the errors that came through into the ebook. They in no way spoiled the reading though, and you have since had them fixed, I believe, so all is well!
Looking forward to the next part of The Book of Deacon!
Many thanks,
Hobbit.
PS. I use my Netbook as my ereader. I have downloaded a programme called Calibre. It a good way to manage my ebooks.
Cheers!!!!
Hi! It is great to learn that a diehard fantasy fan considers my book to be worthwhile. I’ve been taking some preliminary steps toward getting the book published in paperback, but I’m reluctant to move forward until, at the very least, all of the books of the trilogy have seen an editor. It is bad enough releasing an eBook with errors. Releasing a paperback with errors is another thing entirely. If and when I make the book available in print, however, you can be sure that I will announce it here.
Hopefully, if you choose to read the entire trilogy, you’ll feel as positive about the whole story as you did about the first chapter.
By the way, I actually use Calibre to do test conversions and work with my rough drafts before sending the books off to the retailers. You might be the first person I’ve heard from who actually reads the books on a computer screen by choice. Most of my friends and readers bought dedicated devices just to avoid having to do that.
Thanks for reading!
I read and loved The Book of Deacon trilogy.
However me being the purist I am I want it on my physical bookshelf.
Are there any plans for this to ever be possible?
Not long ago, I would have said that physical versions of these books would be unlikely, but I’ve been hearing more and more from people interested in paper copies. I’ll have to look into it, and try once and for all to iron out all of the errors I can find, but I would say that one day you will indeed find these in paperback, at least. I’ll be sure to spread the word, if and when it happens.
I agree with the previous post. I love my Kindle, but I like to have a hard copy of my favorite books. The Book of Deacon trilogy is definitely among my favorites.
Another vote in favor of physical copies! I literally had a tab open this morning on the subject of book printing. Pocket Book? Digest? US Trade? Must research…
I wrote a 200 page pulp sci-fantasy book a few years ago before e-readers were popular, and got 500 copies printed and shipped to me – this method allowed me to sell them for $8 plus shipping and ‘make’ $4 on each copy (ie. the printing and shipping to me was just under $4 per book). On the down side, it’s a pain in the neck having to pack and ship books a couple of times a week, even if you get a load of boxes in advance so you only need to go to a mailbox.
However, after I was done with that print run, I repackaged it for print-on-demand, which in its cheapest form (which is a less convenient larger format with fewer pages) starts at closer to $8 *and* you give up a portion of the ‘profit’ beyond that – end result, the book is priced higher and you get less money for each sale. The higher price also means I make more like one or two sales a month versus the original run average of around 15 sales a month. And that’s even including the cheaper-but-overpriced ebook option that the print on demand place has (original run had no ebook).
For me, if I was to write another book I’d probably go either trying to get “real published”, or ebook-only, because neither of these two print options is very appealing to me having tried both.
Given that you, like me, work with computers, I’m surprised you aren’t just selling your ebook version directly from your website – I’m pretty sure you could charge a lower price and still get more ‘profit’ per sale, that way! Especially with the free first book.
Hi, thanks for the advice! Of the two print options, I would probably go with print-on-demand. I’m very happy with the amount of money I’ve been earning off of the eBooks, so I wouldn’t be terribly upset with a low profit margin on the print editions. It is mostly just for people who want a physical copy. You make a good point about potentially earning more by selling the eBook direct on the site. That’s something I might think about doing in addition to the various distributors I sell through. It remains an option because none of my distributors require exclusivity. Thanks again!
I too made my first Nook purchases with the following second and third books of the trilogy. I wasn’t able to put it down unless forced to. For myself, I rather enjoyed the ‘no chapter breaks’; it is easy enough to pick up reading where you left off electronically and it kept the story flowing. It is something different to be recognized from other authors.
Thanks for that great adventure.
Hi. Thanks for the support! I’m glad that you liked the lack of chapter breaks, but from the looks of it, most of my readers would prefer I split into chapters. The Sci Fi book has chapters, as does the upcoming sequel. As for the future fantasy books? Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Thanks for the comment!
I just finished the first book. As a 40-something Grandmother, I am very pleased to say that this experience took me back to the first novel that touched my soul. I was around 14 years old and my older brother lent me “A spell for Chameleon”, by Piers Anthony. My granddaughter is only a toddler, but I plan to share The Book of Deacon with her, as soon as she can read. Thank you for taking me back to such a youthful and exciting time, in my life.
Hi! Thanks for the comment! I’m honored that you would compare me to Piers Anthony, and that you would look forward to sharing my story with your granddaughter. It makes me extremely happy to know that you enjoyed the book.
I am getting ready to download the next book. You are very gifted and I look forward to seeing more from you.
I read and thoroughly enjoyed the entire Book of Deacon trilogy! I was one of the people you reeled in with the free download of the first book and I became so invested in the story and the characters that I had no choice but to buy the other two, so very well done, indeed! The world had a unique feel even with the myriad of aspects that seemed familiar from various other fantasy works, and I found myself constantly wondering how they would accomplish their prophesied task. Great job! I will admit that I’m a bit jealous, though–as a self-published author, myself, this really makes me wish my own book would sell as well as yours!
Thanks for picking up the trilogy, I’m glad you liked it. Regarding your own book, don’t get too disheartened. It took me well over a year to make more than a few dollars off of these books. All it takes is a few people spreading the word and suddenly you’ve got a sales spike on your hands. (Though, as you point out, a little bait on the hook in the form of a free book doesn’t hurt.) Thanks for reading!
I try not to get too upset about my own book–I do sell a copy or two a week and I’m pretty happy with that, really, since I didn’t actually set out to make money off of it–it’s just the idea that it could provide some much needed additional income that’s appealing, haha. In any case, you are quite welcome and thank you! I wrote a review on the first Book of Deacon book on Amazon, since every review helps!
Many thanks, and good luck!
Dear Mr. Lallo
I just wanted to thank you for writing such a marvelous book. My 15 year old daughter and I both thoroughly enjoyed it. I just purchased the next two from B&N.
Three things I really liked:
1) No chapter breaks. It was easier to put the book down when I didn’t have to “just finish this chapter”
2) It wasn’t a soap opera book! Usually books this length have so many characters and a story for each that they only have space for a chapter or two of each character like watching a soap opera.
3) The story itself. I believe that this will be one of those that I have to read at least once a year just to reacquaint myself with old friends. I can relate to Myranda, the “street-wise” but still naive girl, and Deacon is just like the men in my life kind of geeky but so charming.
Thanks again
Many thanks! I’m glad you and your daughter enjoyed the book, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. It is funny, many of the things you liked are things that others have complained about, particularly the lack of chapters. I’m glad to see that there are folks out there who are a fan of that choice. Thanks for the comment!
*** CONTAINS SPOILERS ***
Thank you for writing such a refreshing take on the fantasy genre. The cave of the beast and the discovery of the hidden village within blew my mind! I especially liked the scene I’n the tavern with the bag of copper and when we first met Leo! Great work and I cant wait to read through the second and third!
I am sorry about the spoilers, it didn’t even occur to me when I wrote this. If it needs to be removed or edited let.me.know!
Don’t worry about it. The comments on the site are a minefield of spoilers already. (I’d advise caution reading other comments, because book 2 is spoiled fairly frequently, in fact.) Thanks for expressing concern though. I’ll apply a warning to the top of your comment. Since I’ve got a moment, I may as well try to track down and label as many other instances as possible. Thanks again for commenting!
Thank you very much! Writing the village of Entwell was one of the more entertaining parts of the trilogy for me. (I might have to find a way to spend some more time there in future books.) I hope you enjoy the rest of the trilogy!
I just bought the second book today off amazon. Awesome so far picking up right where the first left off! It makes it so hard to stop reading when there are no chapter breaks. Hours just slip by!
Glad you’re continuing to enjoy the story. You can blame Terry Pratchett for my lack of chapters. I just got through reading through most of the Discworld series when I was looking into polishing the books up for publication and thought, “If he doesn’t chapterize, maybe I can get away with it.”
I like to write short stories and I hope to some day make a book. How were u able to get it published on the e-reader market places? We’ll be famous authors together!
Hi. Congrats on your interest in writing. Getting your books out on the market is actually really easy. The two places I used to publish my books were Smashwords.com and Kindle Direct Publishing. Smashwords has a how-to here. and KDP has a self publishing guide here. Both are free. If you sign up and follow the directions, you can have a book for sale on all of the same markets as mine. If you give it a try, good luck!
*** CONTAINS SPOILERS ***
What an enchanting series! I am a high school art teacher and have never much been interested in Fantasy. I Iean more to Stephen King and Dean Koontz and Jane Austen, and other authors that fully engage the mind on several levels. Your books have engaged my mind and given me a new direction to follow and explore, for that I thank you.
I downloaded your first book on my Kindle ( saving a tree) and before I was half way through I had to get the other two as well as “Jade” which I am in the process of reading.
The beautifully molded characters are delightful and the rich detail weaves a story that fascinates the mind and nourishes the soul . The character of each hero and Myn gives the reader an easily identifiable model that is strong yet real with obstacles and flaws to overcome. Ivy especially was intriguing as she struggled to control the emotions that could cripple her.
I cannot say that I loved one character more than another as in truth, I came to love them all, even Lain’s erstwhile partner, don’t we all have a self-serving side.
I have also become a new fan of no chapter headings as it made the reading flow easily with no interruptions almost as if I were listening to a story teller in person rather than reading a book. Great idea!
Your work speaks of and addresses the human condition in all its glory and weakness and I plan on recommending your books to my high school students. Your creativity will spark and ignite creativity in others, that I can foretell.
The only disappointment, for me, was the ending of the hero Lain. He has such potential for development and rebuilding.
Thank you for a wonderful read. I look forward to more books packed with adventure, beauty, and excitement. You are a truly gifted story teller, keep writing.
Susan
Wow, thanks! I’m glad you liked the books. It is flattering, and borderline intimidating, to know that I’ll be recommended to students. I might be influencing young minds! Thanks for commenting, and thanks for reading!
The Book Of Deacon was amazing!!! I am a new Nook owner and came upon this book after browsing through the billions of free ebooks. I am a semi-green reader, and was a little hesitant about reading this book……but #1. Free is awesome, and #2. The reviews were outstanding. So I had to try it out. With a job, 3 children, and husband, I am crazy busy. The Book Of Deacon took me away everyday and I could not wait to get my hands on it!! The characters are great and the story even better! I’m visiting your site to find out how to purchase (very happy and willing to do so) the second book. I recom this book to anyone with an ereader. I will certainly buy this book when it is published. Thank you so much for writing and sharing this incredible adventure!!
Hi. Thanks, I’m really glad you liked the book! It makes me feel good to know that people are enjoying the story AND spreading the word.
Joseph hi,
This story is amazing, I’m reading it every night and gets even more interesting and fun, I’m in colombia, passing it over to my friends.
Rgds,
Hi! Thanks for reading, and for taking the time to comment. I’m really glad you’re enjoying the story. Thanks for spreading the word!
Like others before me, I downloaded The Book of Deacon for free and became so engrossed in the story that The Great Convergence and The Battle of Verril became my first book purchases on my Nook. I loved the flow of your stories and the detail used in seens like the valley at the end of Verril. You’ve joined my author watch list next to Jim Butcher! Please keep the adventures coming!!!
Thanks! I’m a Jim Butcher fan myself. (One of these days I really need to finish reading the Dresden Files.) I’ll do my best to continue producing stories you’ll like!
I don’t comment very often but I loved your books! I have read alot of fantasy and relly enjoyed this series. Thanks:)
Thanks so much for reading!
I have to say that I rather enjoyed the first book and as a result immediately bought the second one on Amazon. I really like how Myranda is steadfast in her beliefs but open to growing as an individual. I really like the character of Lain as well and can’t wait to see him develop and open up. My one concern though is that some of the dialogue appears forced or unnatural. I’d also like to know why (maybe I will once I continue on in the journey!) Myranda was so adept at learning all these magical techniques; especially faster than anyone in Entwell’s recorded history! Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and after finishing it, within minutes started reading the second. Thanks for an original and refreshing series!
Hi. Thanks, I’m glad you liked the books! I’ve had a few readers tell me they had some trouble with my dialogue. I’m always trying to improve, though. In time some things are revealed about Myranda that explain some of her more noteable skills. Thanks for reading.
Your books are amazing! I litterally read ‘The Great Convergence’ for six hours straight last week! I was wondering, was there a specific place where you learned to write, or did you kind of just teach yourself? The dialogue seems like it`s perfect for the characters, and the settings and ideas are all unique. Also, do you plan out your characters or do they develope on their own? Ivy and Lain are really well thought out — they`re definately my favorite characters. Honestly, I think this book is just as good as the Hunger Games, if not better. I just wish more people knew about it
If this became a movie, I would definately come to the premiere. I`m sure it would turn out great!
Hi! I’m very happy that you are enjoying my story so much. To keep from cluttering this page up too much, I’ll send you an email to answer your questions.
I LOVE this series!! I was so sad when I read the last page of “The Battle of Verril” because I wanted to keep reading. I was glued to my Nook when I was reading all the books, and have told my fellow fantasy fans about your work. I have a baby, so finding time to read in the midst of everything was challenging, but I found the time so I could find out what happened next! Great job!
Hi Jennifer! Many thanks for the comment. I’m very happy you enjoyed the series. Thanks for spreading the word! I really appreciate the support and kind words. Have a great day!