Category Archives: Nobility Among Us

Ben Zwycky’s first novel

Nobility Among Us: Chapter 1 – The Case

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Five and a half years later.

Graham Wiertham, a stocky man in his early forties and dressed in his best business suit, forced a smile and nod to acknowledge those that passed him in the lushly carpeted corridor. He noted the suits of armour, family portraits and hunting trophies on display. Is he really any different? Hearing the case is one thing, but would he dare rule against his own? He turned and looked through the large oak doors into the main courtroom of Draishire Castle. Continue reading →

Nobility Among Us: Prologue

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Here for your enjoyment are two of the internal images from the book (in the printed version, the maps will be in black and white) and the entirety of the Prologue. Some of the formatting may not match that in the book, since it’s not precisely formatted for blog posts. At the end there is a link to Chapter 1. Continue reading →

Nobility Among Us Youtube Video Contest

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I am currently in the final stages of self-publishing Nobility Among Us. The final book cover, internal artwork and manuscript have been approved, and are currently being processed by the printer, after which I will obtain a single copy for final approval before it goes on general sale (most likely in about a month).

Going the self-publishing route means doing all of my own marketing, and my funds are extremely limited. I have an idea for promoting the book via youtube video, but I don’t have the skills or tools to produce something of sufficient quality, I am especially interested in high-quality audio.

So, I would like to announce a youtube video creation contest, with a small cash prize, the overall prize fund being 60 US dollars plus two free copies of the book, the winning videos being used to promote the book. Continue reading →

Drums

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This is a ‘call to battle’ poem given towards the end of Nobility Among Us, it is recited with drum accompaniment at the end of a speech to the defenders of Draishire Castle. The castle is about to be assaulted with tanks, jets, helicopters and modern ground troops, which the defending side also has, but in vastly fewer numbers. The poem itself is from a much earlier age, when such technology did not exist.

Drums

Hear the approach of the marching drums.

With each beat, the enemy is closer;
With each beat, your pulses rise.
With each beat, our men are more united;
With each beat, focus fiery eyes.

With each beat, our forces are advancing;
With each beat, no more room for fear.
With each beat, our targets become clearer;
With each beat, the time for war is here.

With each beat, with each beat, with each beat…

They stop.

Now is the calm before the storm, the last breath of silence before the roar of battle begins.
Every man is straining at the leash, watching, waiting, for the fateful order to be given.

Here it comes…

What Makes a Man a Noble?

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Alright, I’m back from my trip, and since the publication of Nobility Among Us is drawing near, I thought it was about time to share this poem with you all; the first two stanzas are quoted at the start of the book. I will be posting further updates and a sample chapter or two over the next few weeks.

What Makes a Man a Noble?

“What makes a man a noble?
What sets a soul apart?
Is it breeding or upbringing
Or the depth of his own heart?

“What forms a mind of greatness
That triumphs through its toil?
Whose memory will not be lost
When buried in the soil?” Continue reading →