I have the first two books and I'm drooling already for the 3rd. book. You are a fantastic Si-Fi writer, keep up the great work. Have you ever thought of collaborating with 'James Rollins'? I bet both of you could come up with something utterly mind-blowing in the combined Si-Fi/Fantasy realm.
Have just finished both'Velocity weapon' and 'Chaos weapon'. I enjoyed both. But please help me. A grammar question. How do you justify the designation of 'they' for the characters Arden and others as 3rd Person Plural? It screams off the page at me that it should be (surely?) 3rd person singular. ( I'm embracing my inner stickler).
Yours sincerely
W.Roper
Arden's pronouns are they/them, a convention that's been in use since the 14th century. You can read more about this usage, and what it means to those who identify as non-binary, here: https://www.dictionary.com/e/they-is-a-singular-pronoun/. Thanks for asking!
Many thanks for promptly taking time to answer my pedantic question. But you answered a question I didn't ask. I meant: why is they used as3rd person plural and not singular like he/she? Even your quoted dictionary definition references3rdperson singular exmples. So for example(your narrative is past tense so this is the only case where it shows up) we find you saying 'they were'. This is what makes no sense to me. It should (surely?) be 'they is'. The designation 'they' I in no way question. Only your use, as if Arden is not an individual but rather some multiple being which they plainy isn't. It becomes a matter of clarity which I admit I'm struggling with here too. Perhaps you understand what I'm trying to say?
Yours sincerely
W.Roper
Per the AP style guide, when they is the subject of a sentence it takes plural verbs regardless of the referent being singular - consider "you" also takes plural verbs. I hope that helps! More info can be found here: https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/singular-they
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Alan Drooz
Just wondering if you know how long a series Ms. O'Keefe is planning for Protectorate. Thanks.
Megan
Post authorThe Protectorate books are a trilogy, thanks for asking!
Charles
I have the first two books and I'm drooling already for the 3rd. book. You are a fantastic Si-Fi writer, keep up the great work. Have you ever thought of collaborating with 'James Rollins'? I bet both of you could come up with something utterly mind-blowing in the combined Si-Fi/Fantasy realm.
Charles
Sorry for the vague info. on the books. I posted my comments about the 'Protectorate books'. THEY'RE FANTASTIC!
W.Roper
Have just finished both'Velocity weapon' and 'Chaos weapon'. I enjoyed both. But please help me. A grammar question. How do you justify the designation of 'they' for the characters Arden and others as 3rd Person Plural? It screams off the page at me that it should be (surely?) 3rd person singular. ( I'm embracing my inner stickler).
Yours sincerely
W.Roper
Megan
Post authorArden's pronouns are they/them, a convention that's been in use since the 14th century. You can read more about this usage, and what it means to those who identify as non-binary, here: https://www.dictionary.com/e/they-is-a-singular-pronoun/. Thanks for asking!
W.Roper
Many thanks for promptly taking time to answer my pedantic question. But you answered a question I didn't ask. I meant: why is they used as3rd person plural and not singular like he/she? Even your quoted dictionary definition references3rdperson singular exmples. So for example(your narrative is past tense so this is the only case where it shows up) we find you saying 'they were'. This is what makes no sense to me. It should (surely?) be 'they is'. The designation 'they' I in no way question. Only your use, as if Arden is not an individual but rather some multiple being which they plainy isn't. It becomes a matter of clarity which I admit I'm struggling with here too. Perhaps you understand what I'm trying to say?
Yours sincerely
W.Roper
Megan
Post authorPer the AP style guide, when they is the subject of a sentence it takes plural verbs regardless of the referent being singular - consider "you" also takes plural verbs. I hope that helps! More info can be found here: https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/singular-they
Edward Conway
Hi Megan, thanks for the books; they, along with others, help an old man forget the current madness of our world, at least for a sort while 🙂
My question; any estimate of publication for the 3rd Protectorate book?
Cheers
Megan
Post authorThank you, glad you enjoy them! The third book should be out sometime in Summer 2021.
Autumn
I just got the 3rd book delivered last night, had it pre-ordered. So excited to dig into this and see how the story continues.