u/Lopsided_Fly_657

In the words of house Stark - HYPE is coming

Hello folks, my novel has become too long to publish as one paperback as it exceeds by a wide margin the 828 page limit. However, I cannot split it into two fully self contained novels. Is it possible to publish it as one ebook, but two paperback volumes as part of one listing? Anyone know what I should do?

Many thanks

Petyr Littlefinger Baelish will kill, or at least try to kill, Tyrion Lannister, in the Winds of Winter.

So then, first, what is Littlefinger's motive?

Why does he want to kill Tyrion? Well, the reason is very simple: Tyrion knows too much. Far too much. He knows about Littlefinger's dagger: he knows how Littlefinger framed him for attacking Bran, and that is what started the war of the five kings. He knows Littlefinger was lying, and he knows the dagger wasn't his. He told Catelyn Stark just that, and nearly unravelled Petyr's plans, but he was a captive, and Petyr was her childhood friend, so she didn't believe him.

Tyrion knows how Littlefinger betrayed Ned Stark, Tyrion knows how much he lies.

And Tyrion is Sansa Stark's husband. And Littlefinger dosen't want to risk Tyrion exposing him to Sansa, who is the sole person he loves, in his own twisted way.

And it's not like he hasn't tried to have Tyrion killed before. He has.

During the Battle of the Blackwater, Ser Mandon Moore of the Kingsguard tries, and nearly suceeds, in killing Tyrion, but is hurled into the river by Podrick, and drowns.

In the show, it's very heavily implied that Joffrey ordered the attack against him. But in the books, it seems far more likely it was Littlefinger. Here is why.

Let's take Ser Mandon himself. He comes from the Vale, just like Littlefinger. He is appointed to the Kingsguard, but King Robert dosen't really like him. It was Jon Arryn who persuaded him to appoint Ser Mandon, yet John Arryn is described as not liking him either? So why would he suggest him? The answer lies with his wife, Lysa, who, as we know, is basically Littlefinger's slave. She works tirelessly to advance her lover's interests by pressuring her husband. It was she who pressures Jon to bring Littlefinger to Kings Landing, and in my view, it was she who pressued Jon to appoint Ser Mandon to the kingsguard, where he is essentially littlefinger's man.

So, Littlefinger has tried to kill tyrion before, and past behaviours are the best predictor for future behaviours. Littlefinger's reasons for killing tyrion are still there, just less immediate, which explains how I think he is trying to have Tyrion killed.

His killer is, in my opinion, Penny. Just a reminder, Penny is a female dwarf, who is an actor and performed at Joffrey's wedding feast. The performance was designed to anger tyrion, and indeed it does. So when Joffrey is poisoned a few moments later, the angry and humiliated Tyrion is the perfect suspect.

Indeed, Littlefinger admits to Sansa that this was his plan, and this means that he had some connection with Penny. (Notice her name. Littlefinger was famous for being master of coin, and she is called Penny. Coincidence?)

Now then, we've established that Petyr wants to kill tyrion, that he has tried to kill him, and that Penny is connected to him.

Now, In A Dance with Dragons, Tyrion and Jorah visit a mysterious woman called the Widow of the Watefront in Volantis. Jorah asks her for help to reach Daenerys, but she refuses, saying she dosen't trust him. However, out of nowhere, Tyrion is suddenly attacked by Penny, who tries to stab him with a knife.

Eventually, Jorah stops her, but the question remains,  why does she try to kill Tyrion? She claims that bounty hunters killed her dwarf brother, mistaking him for tyrion.

But for a person seemingly so mild mannered as Penny to suddenly attack tyrion with lethal intent seems strange. This is a weak motive, and dosen't match up with her behaviour. She is described in sinister terms,  getting closer and closer.

Seems a bit much for a man who has done her no harm.

What is likewise strange is the reaction of the Widow. She chastises Jorah for stopping Tyrion's murder, and has her servants give Penny a nice room and food. Seems strange, unless she was rewarding her...

She then abruplty changes her tune, and agrees to send them to daenerys...why?

Seems strange..

Later, Penny tries to kiss tyrion, and seems to develop feelings for him. Seems strange for a woman who just a few days before had tried to murder him in cold blood. But then again, she is an actress..

However, whilst Tyrion at times feel connected to her and her supposed innocence, he likewise feels that something is not right - that she is lying to him, like Shae. When she tells him he is 'brave' in the sample chapter from the winds of winter, he believes she is lying, and he even considers killing her. This indicates deep, lethal tension in their relationship.

Whether this is just his paranoia, or something more sinister, I don't know. But if Penny is a dangerous figure, or even a faceless man, I'd bet Littlefinger is involved.

Blurb of The Hungry Sword (Epic/Political Fantasy) Please critique it

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THE CONTINENT IS AT WAR.

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Kings and emperors, knights and mercenaries battle for control of a divided land.

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In the Greylands, the boy-king Henry must defend his newly independent nation - and the lives of all those he holds dear. But the full might of the Empire is marshalling beyond his borders, and a conflict is inevitable.

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In the deserts of the Southlands, Rory of Snowhold and his band of warriors are in a race against time to stop the 'Beast of the Orchards', a notorious serial killer known for his numerous, grisly crimes. But they are not the only ones searching for this monster, and sometimes the most dangerous beasts hide behind smiling faces.

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Meanwhile, in the distant Sunset Isles, a new pretender enters the war. He claims his father's lost crown - and the Imperial Throne with it.

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From north to south, the Great Rebellion has begun. Victory will go to those with steel in their hands and iron in their hearts.

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Apparently trains were travelling at speed.

Simple as.

Particularly for Americans. I like the name but I don't want it to be that every time he is named, people will instinctively think of Ronald Reagan the President. Do you personally feel the name would always evoke Ronald Reagan? Have you met people with the first name Reagan in real life? The character is not a politician or anything, and the choice of name is not intended to communicate any political meanings regarding the character, who is more of a warrior. I just felt the name is a cool one.

If the name isn't suitable, do you have any other Celtic/Norse adjacent names for him?

Thank you for your time.

Hello everybody, I am an ancient history fan who is planning an upcoming trip to Rome with friends in June. I have created a rough itinerary, but am open to improvements and recommendations if there is anything overrated/missing

Particularly with regards to the weather in mid June

Day1; St Peters Basilica (morning), Pantheon and stroll (evening)

Day2: Forum (morning), Palatine (afternoon/early evening)

Day3: Colloseum (morning), not sure for afternoon

Day4: a more relaxed day - I'd quite like to visit the Park of the Aquaducts and also the Via Appia - do you recommend any particular stretches of the Appia, preferably more authentic/rural?

Day5: Ostia antica day trip

Day6: a free day (are there any lesser known Roman sites you recommend? Especially pre 200AD)

Many thanks folks

(Also, is a parasol/sun umbrella a good idea?)