Behind the Mic: Travis Baldree on Bookshops & Bonedust

Travis Baldree, the author and narrator of BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST, tells us about his much-anticipated prequel to his bestselling cozy fantasy audiobook, LEGENDS & LATTES. In this story, we meet Viv 20 years before LEGENDS, when she's injured and stuck in a seaside town, meeting unusual characters and forging unexpected friendships. Read AudioFile's review for the Earphones award-winning audiobook: www.audiofilemagazine.com/rev...

[@gothmom]

Just finished it - and I loved it! Thanks so much.

[@AudioFileMagazine]

[@monty671]

Travis is incredible. He understands the audience. Does not write Down to the viewers. He is the total package.

[@MargaretPinard]

Incredible! Listening to it right now. So fascinated by the journey your books have taken, and all the people who are obsessed! 🥰

[@user-sb7oz4uu4c]

Wow. You look like I imagined you lol. Love your books

[@zyxwvutsrqponmlkh]

Dint really care for it. So fuggin slow with scant plot to be had. Oh look I sell cinnamon rolls now I make a bazillion silver on that compared to the 3 copper for java. Oh look a super rare invisible cat monster decided to be my guardian for no reason at all. Deff Mary Sue vibes, everything just falls into her lap.

[@ZeketheZealot]

Did you miss the part where there was literal magic at play

[@zyxwvutsrqponmlkh]

​@@ZeketheZealot Honey, I wouldn't have picked it up if it were listed in a non-magical genre. I read about 150 books a year, and this one was maybe in the bottom 30%. I didn't drop it partway through, but that was mostly because I didn't have anything else at hand to switch to, not because it didn't deserve to be dropped. Don't get me wrong, the author shows promise; after a few more books, the storytelling skills often improve. But this book was just kind of painful to finish. And I know there are a lot of pretentious readers out there who will fawn all over works like this, but they are wrong. And no, saying all the Mary Sue-type events happen because of ley lines or some such nonsense without creating any lore or explanations that are internally consistent does not make for good storytelling. The whole "It's magic, I aint gotta explain shit" just no. The previous shop or horse stable or whatever that was on those lay lines and it did not have fortune rain down on it. Like I know I'm kinda being a dick and didn't really want to crap all over Travis's work, he is truly a world class narrator and if he enjoys his writing and makes enough from it to keep going then all for the better. This just wasn't my thing.

[@ZeketheZealot]

@@zyxwvutsrqponmlkh I appreciate that it wasn’t your thing; you dont seem to have wanted to give it a chance. This book is kind of like Stardew Valley: curl up, take a load off, and dont stress. It was never going to be a thrilling or intricate narrative, kind of by virtue of its genre

[@zyxwvutsrqponmlkh]

@@ZeketheZealot I gave it plenty of a chance, I read the whole damn thing.