ParanetOnline
McAnally's (The Community Pub) => Author Craft => Topic started by: Mickey Finn on August 17, 2006, 01:55:51 PM
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Are you a professionally published author and a member of the board?
Tell us about yourself and your work.
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I'm going to wait for someone else to go first. I've already rambled about myself around here. :D
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Don't make me cut & paste your ramble. ;)
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Mickey, you crack me up. All right. Everyone keeps telling me to break out of my introverted personality and put myself out there if I want to sell books.
I'm an urban fantasy writer. I sold my first novel SUCCUBUS BLUES and two sequels last November, and it'll be published in March 2007. It's about a succubus with romantic problems (that whole inconvenient soul-stealing thing) who investigates a creature killing immortals in Seattle. In January, I decided to quit my teaching job and write full-time. I started another book called DARK SWAN (title to be changed) about a shaman. It sold in January + one sequel and won't be out until after SB#2. All of my books rely heavily on mythology and have a campy sense of humor (my succubus' demonic boss chooses to walk around in a body that looks like John Cusack).
I'm about 2 months away from an Amazon listing. The website in my sig will give you more on the books, plus a review from Jim himself! *swoon*
I had to learn a lot about the publishing world to get here, so I'm happy to answer any questions folks have.
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*laughs* That sounds hilarious! You'll have to let us know when it's released--I'd love to read it.
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Hi, all!
I'm also a published author of urban fantasy/paranormal novels for Tor Books in their Tor Romance line. I write with a co-author, C.T. Adams, and we presently have two series:
Tales of the Sazi, with:
Hunter's Moon (first person male POV of a Mafia hitman turned werewolf) December, 2004. To date, it's won eight regional and national book awards for paranormal romance.
Moon's Web (sequel, also in his perspective). This one is the winner of the Best Werewolf Romance by RT BOOKreviews magazine for 2005!
August, 2005
Captive Moon (third person paranormal romance in the same world, just out this month. We're happy to report that it just made BOTH the USA Today bestsellers list, but is in its second week on the Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback bestsellers list! Woo! :D)
August, 2006
The Thrall:
Touch of Evil (first person kick-sass heroine in an alternative reality vampire world. Vampires aren't the "evil undead" but are instead creepy parasites that infect a person. They attach to the brain stem and take over a person's body using a hive mind and a queen. This also appeared on both the USA Today and Waldenbook list.)
March, 2006
Upcoming novels from Tor include:
Howling Moon (Sazi series), December, 2006
Touch of Madness (Thrall series), June, 2007
Moon's Fury (Sazi series), September, 2007 (just put this one to bed yesterday! Yay!)
We also have an historical fiction novel set in 1800's Colorado, during the building of the railroads called Road to Riches: the Great Railroad Race to Aspen from Western Reflections Publishing. It won an award for "Best Historical Chronicle" from the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. Lots of people who like steam trains and the clashes with landowners/cattle barons will probably like this. :)
And, of course, Cie and I both ADORE Jim's books!
HARRY RULES! ;D
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My name's Jessica Sherwood, and I'm an author in progress, published novel or not. I've been writing for seven or eight years, I've really lost track. My beginnings give me nightmares, but I really think I've gotten somewhere in the past few years, despite the fact that I haven't gotten to write much. Most of what I've done so far is of the fantasy genre, either in a fantastical or distant past era setting. Though I believe that since I've been reading the Dresden Files, I've been feeling more inclined toward the modern, urban setting. He's rewiring me, I tell you!
Anyway. Though I've got a ton of ideas for the general fantasy genre (a series coming from the gothic fantasy that's been published), I'm hoping to do a co-op with a good friend of mine and write out the books of our Dresden-esque RPG. But, of course, to do that, we'd both want to acquire Jim's approval, and perhaps link it back to him in some way. Maybe even get some tiny, miniscule little mention of my New York wizard in the Dresden Files. I could die happy if that happened.
But alas. I haven't written much of anything in over a year. Procrastination and lack of alone time has bitten into that something fierce. But anyway. It's good to see this section of the forum dedicated to the writers out there. :)
Just a brief bit of information on my book, here. It took me the better part of six years to write it, and it was published just over a year ago I believe. It's titled BloodRune, and is written in first person, current tense, which I've never seen anywhere before. It switches between several characters, showing the different perspectives of situations and the plot. I wrote it mainly to focus on the characters and their individual stories rather than the plot. The main characters are either vampires (my main love until Jim's wizardry stole my heart) or use magic. It follows the rediscovery and collection of ancient, powerful artifacts that are, in fact, imprisoned souls. I've taken a bit of my own twist on vampires in this, challenging the stereotypical view of them.
You can find it under both Amazon and B&N, as well as the publisher's site and even google book search.
:)
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I'm also a published author. I write historical romances as Madeline Baker and paranormal romances as Amanda Ashley. I've published over 50 novels and short stories.
My latest book, DESIRE AFTER DARK, is in stores now.
My next book, DEAD SEXY, will be published in February, followed by NIGHT'S TOUCH (a sequel to Night's Kiss) in July.
I love writing. Even after 50 plus books, the process is still a mystery to me! I have no idea where my stories come from, and since I don't outline, I rarely know what's going to happen from one chapter to the next.
For a sneak peak at upcoming books, as well as sample chapters from all my published books, please visit my website at www.madelinebaker.net
I have to say, I love Jim's books and think he's one of the best authors out there!
Mandy
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I have read several of your books written under the Amanda Ashley name and have enjoyed them very much. Thank you for giving me many hours of pleasure. :)
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I haven't been around a lot, because my life got crazy (in good ways!), but I'm still a big Jim fan, so I hope I'm welcome to come back and say hey, I'm published too! :)
Currently e-published, but always working toward the first big break into print. I write romance of various flavors (suspense, contemporary, paranormal) and fantasy/sf novels.
So, hi!
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Welcome, all!
Hey Sara...I've seen you around the blogosphere. ;) I hope you're going to enter the Double Succubus ARC Contest!
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Hey! I've seen Amanda Ashley on the shelf. ;) (Paranormal romance isn't my normal field, so that's a good thing that I recognize the name).
And I've been waiting for someone to use Dead Sexy as a title...it's a line I've been meaning to work into a story I'm writing. ;)
I'm going to post a bio on myself. Honest. I'm waiting on my roommate to get a hidden webpage up with some of my shorts for interested parties to read. *pokes roommate*
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Hey, my name is Charles Phipps.
Alas, with a company that has sold sixty copies of my best selling book in Windstorm Creative. :le sigh: That's why I've submitted my next book to the Donald Maas literary agency (don't let ANYONE say otherwise-you need an agent). It's called Hard Broiled Magician. I'm very proud of the work and think its my best yet. My previous books in the Machines Unbound series sadly cost an incredible period of two years in my life to write. I even got friends involved in the writing. Seeing it bomb so spectacularly (I can't even join the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association of America) really sent me into a deep depression for awhile. I actually worry it's hurting my chances to become professional.
I wish I'd had a community like this to guide me through the bad steps along the way. I also used to be head of a RPG company called Seraphim Guard. Sadly, my time there was sort of marked by a lot of infighting in the ranks and all of our projects failed to materialize much in the way of RPGs. I was actually quite proud of some of my projects that fell through.
Nevertheless, the best advice from my trials and tribulations is to keep trying and never give up your dream. As soon as I succeed, I'll be able to say how it was worth it :-)
I also wrote some silly children's books called the "Wooing of Ozma" and the "Engagement of Ozma"."
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I have three books published through e-publishers. Two came out in print. Both are paranormal romances. The Shaman's Daughter, is a shapeshifter/ time travel. Fallen For You, involves a fallen angel and a witch. Fallen For You is a novella in Ellora's Cave, Cavemen anthology, Dreams of the Oasis 1 which is a collection of erotic stories. My third book is only in electronic format for now and it's a romantic comedy entitled Queen of Hearts, released through Cerridwen Press. I've got a short erotica coming out in February through Ellora's Cave, I, Robot Valentine, and, as always, am striving toward landing a contract with a brick and mortar house. I write under two names now, Alison Paige for works of erotic romance, and Paige Cuccaro for everything else. Depending on your definition of published I am and I'm not. :)
www.paigecuccaro.com (http://www.paigecuccaro.com)
www.alisonpaige.net (http://www.alisonpaige.net)
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Hi, I'm Drew Henriksen. www.DrewHenriksen.com (http://www.DrewHenriksen.com)I hate talking about myself, but it is getting easier and easier. The third book of my Dragon Tales & Stories triology, Dragons & Science is due out this summer by ArcheBooks. My first two, Dragons & Wolves and The Dragon & They Detective are out now. I'm not giving up my day job, or my night one.
I've been a stunt fighter on a few low budget movies. One of the stuntmen www.mhstunts.com (http://www.mhstunts.com) asked me to write a low budget horror flick for him. Long story short, Saint Dementia was born. They have distribution and things look good for investors.
I was just invited back to Icon and hope to meet Jim and Mickey too. I asked to be put on any author panels that deals with martial arts, so I hope to get on one with Jim.
If I can only spell better.
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I write under the name Morgan Ashbury, and I write erotic romance. My first e-novel was released March 1, and a novella was released April 1. The first one will be available in print next month. My second novel is scheduled for July, and I've signed a contract for a three-book series. My web site: http://www.morganashbury.com (http://www.morganashbury.com)
I've been writing most of my life, and have completed many novels but only found a publisher last year at RT.
Cheers,
Susan
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I am only currently published in nonfiction (I have a paranormal romance, "Out of Nowhere" still languishing at Tor, from when they requested the full manuscript 3 years ago - have a feeling its past time to rewrite the thing). The nonfiction books are both parapsychology:
The PK Zone: A Cross-Cultural Review of Psychokinesis: This is a 3 parter with part I stories of PK (including miracles) from around the world from the earliest recorded literature on; Part II is the experimental PK research; Part III is experiential research (what it's like to do it) plus how people can get better at doing it themselves. It was originally published in 2003, and I'm in the middle of a complete rewrite and update now. I hope to have a new version out within the year.
Sucide: What Really Happens in the Afterlife was put out by North Atlantic Books last June. It looks at reports said to come from the afterlife (through mediums and other methods) regarding what it's like to be there for 3 types of suicide: traditional, assisted (euthanasia), and suicide mass-murder (like suicide bombers or what happened in Virginia). I went through over 400 channeled books to find the info, plus did some Q&A sessions with spirit guides and supposed deceased suicide bombers through mediums. It's interesting stuff.
My website is my name: http://www.pamelaheath.com
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Dunno if this counts: Hi, My name is Pam Parisi, and I have written museum exhibits and brochures on historic sites. I also have written National Register of Historic Places Nominations, Plumbing Codes, Planning and Zoning Codes, and Recycling Codes. I am what you call a Technical Writer. Tech Writing is, for me, fun and it has a challenge to it which is: You have to write confusing things in a form which can be understood by simple people; like, oh, elected officials, and plumbers. And you need to write museum script in short but entrancing snips that make visitors really take their time to look more deeply at things.
All of these things take a lot of research, understanding of what people need from you and from the document/exhibit you produce, and an ability to form clear concise verbiage that won't make anyone run for a lawyer.
In my spare time I write poetry and fiction, some of which has been published in magazines and newsletter, but I really, really admire those of you who have published fictional works.
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Mickey, you crack me up. All right. Everyone keeps telling me to break out of my introverted personality and put myself out there if I want to sell books.
I'm an urban fantasy writer. I sold my first novel SUCCUBUS BLUES and two sequels last November, and it'll be published in March 2007. It's about a succubus with romantic problems (that whole inconvenient soul-stealing thing) who investigates a creature killing immortals in Seattle. In January, I decided to quit my teaching job and write full-time. I started another book called DARK SWAN (title to be changed) about a shaman. It sold in January + one sequel and won't be out until after SB#2. All of my books rely heavily on mythology and have a campy sense of humor (my succubus' demonic boss chooses to walk around in a body that looks like John Cusack).
I'm about 2 months away from an Amazon listing. The website in my sig will give you more on the books, plus a review from Jim himself! *swoon*
I had to learn a lot about the publishing world to get here, so I'm happy to answer any questions folks have.
Yeah, I met you at RT Houston. The book is really good.
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I write paranormal erotic romance. I currently have two books in print with Berkley Heat (ENTANGLED and ENTICED), and two novellas in Kensington Aphrodisia's WILD NIGHTS and SEXY BEAST II anthologies. I'm currently working on my next two books for Berkley; in fact, I'm just putting the finishing touches to DREAMWALKER.
Argh! I have difficulty talking about myself especially on a board that's for another author's books. ::) Anyway, I've been reading Jim since Storm Front was first released in 2000.
For more info about me, you can visit my website www.kathleendante.com (http://www.kathleendante.com)
Kath
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Argh! I have difficulty talking about myself especially on a board that's for another author's books.
www.kathleendante.com (http://www.kathleendante.com)
Kath
We do it all the time!
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Wait, Richelle was HERE and didn't ...was she here Weds? She missed dinner!
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I don't know if this counts, but I was published in a city wide literary magazine. I got runners up in a short story contest. (Fourth Place is better than no place, I figure...)
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Sameth, certainly that counts! Short stories are an important part of literature.
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I meant since it was only a city wide thing.
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Only a city? That's pretty good. How many people can say the same thing?
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Yes, I think it is impressive. Published in a magazine is published. It is more published than I feel any of my stuff has been!
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I've been visiting here for a while, but only just now registered. Haven't had much time to post on forums. However, since this particular message area is here, I suppose I should seize the opportunity to introduce myself.
My name is Murv, but on the front of my books it says M. R. Sellars. I write an occult suspense-thriller series called the Rowan Gant Investigations, which features a modern day, practicing Witch who aids the St. Louis Major Case Squad in solving bizarre murders.
I don't want to get all blatanly self-promotional on Jim's forum, so I will leave it at that, except to say that I am currently running a monthly drawing for books on my website. :)
If you are interested in knowing more about my series, you can check me out at www.mrsellars.com (http://www.mrsellars.com) or www.myspace.com/mrsellars (http://www.myspace.com/mrsellars)
Murv
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I have sold one story, Lullaby (http://www.theswordreview.com/Published/128_Lullaby/128_Lullaby.htm), to The Sword Review for the princely sum of 1/2 cent per word. I have two stories being rewritten for editors, several more making the rounds, and some complimentary, detailed and helpful rejection letters that I'm quite proud of.
My first collection (consisting of stories, essays and poetry) is entitled Symbols Flow and will be published by a very small press this fall if all goes as planned.
Onward to world domination! :D :D
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Looks like my screenplay Staint Dementia will start filming next month in Ohio. They offered me a fire burn stunt. Hope it happens.
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Looks like my screenplay Staint Dementia will start filming next month in Ohio. They offered me a fire burn stunt. Hope it happens.
Congrats, good luck, and keep us posted! :)
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I will. Can'y wait to be set on fire and get writing credit.
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I'm Julia, and my resume isn't nearly as impressive as all of yours, but I do have one. My short (9,000 words) story, "Paperwork," was published in a teen literary magazine. It's a rather odd little story, inspired by a photocopier and too much anime, but I am very proud of it. I hope to someday expand it into a novel.
The first two parts have been published online, and can be found here: http://teenink.com/Past/2007/April/21223.html (http://teenink.com/Past/2007/April/21223.html) and here: http://teenink.com/Past/2007/May/21332.html (http://teenink.com/Past/2007/May/21332.html)
I have a million other stories I'm working on, as well as a very long epic fantasy that may or may not be a novel, but "Paperwork" is the only one that has ever been published.
PS: I am addicted to reviews and criticism of all kinds, both positive and negative, and I check my e-mail and PMs very frequently. Not that I'm hinting at anything...
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Hi, I'm David Small, I have three books and am on the far side of 500 magazine articles published.
[Some folks in France translated & printed some of my articles without any permission, although they left my name on them. Sometimes I wonder silly things, like, "Should I add those to my article count?". (I sure got the email whenever there was a translation error . . . ) What do you think? ]
This was pretty much computer stuff but I was surprised to see that my writing was prowling restlessly and wanted new territory.
Life got much too interesting a decade ago so I "retired".
I'm working on getting the prowl back.
Thanks,
Dave
p.s. Is it considered tacky to mention books I ghosted when a friend badly needed a favor? That would take me up to 5.
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Hey there! Welcome aboard.
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Looks like my screenplay Staint Dementia will start filming next month in Ohio. They offered me a fire burn stunt. Hope it happens.
Filming just got pushed back. ICM, (bigger people) like the project and are doing more with it. I just finished another screenplay for these people, Camp Of The Killer Ninja Zombies. Lets get campy.
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Filming just got pushed back. ICM, (bigger people) like the project and are doing more with it. I just finished another screenplay for these people, Camp Of The Killer Ninja Zombies. Lets get campy.
I'm sorry, but I can't help but laugh at your title! Reminds me of a Dead Gentlemen (www.deadgentlemen.com) skit, Syphallitic Ninja Vampires...
Once you hear the theme song, you can never forget it.
"Syphallitic Ninja Vampires
Ninja Vampires who have syphallis...."
*sigh* Good stuff.
Your movie title intrigues me, by the way!
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Your movie title intrigues me, by the way!
Thank you, that's exactly what I want it to do.
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Looks like I put this in the wrong place first, cut and pasted from "Author in progress"
Hi all,
I'm Kevin Evans, and I write, (sigh).
Lets see, I'm 51, My wife does all my editing, (see what happens when you marry an English major Grin), I live in New Mexico, and would sell more if I spent more time writing. This year we have sold about 65,000 words @ .06 a word with about half of it scheduled for publication over the next 6 months. Samples of my stuff is at http://www.grantvillegazette.com/authors/Kevin_H._Evans
My writing started after the 06 world con where one of the GG ed board asked for a short story and two "fact" articles.
Current projects include a SF novel, and about twelve short subjects set in the 1632 universe.
Hobbies include restoring steam engines (the 2926 a 1944 Santa Fe 4-8-4) Hot air ballooning, and experimental airship design.
Regards,
Kevin
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Cool stories.
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wow, I had no idea authors had so much time on their hands. all that writing to do and whatnot..... ;D
I'm not a published author..yet :), but I'm hoping to be in the future, as well as having several other dreams and projects I wouldn't mind working on. I have yet to really do any writing, but as soon as my computer isn't absolutely dead, I'll try getting on that.
I am currently writing for one of our local papers in a bi-weekly opinion column, but that's about it. pretty lousy pay, but hey! it's a start for a soon-to-be sixteen year old from pot-saturated British columbia..
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I feel weird posting here,since the vast majority of you are fiction writers...I recently wrote one of those TV series guide books for a comic book publisher in my country,focused on a manga and anime series:
http://www.dolmeneditorial.com/noticias_ficha.php?IdNot=197 (http://www.dolmeneditorial.com/noticias_ficha.php?IdNot=197)
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Hey, that counts. ;)
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Some very interesting posts here, thats for sure.
I am a published author (of Corporate Crapifestos) and more creativly, of a webcomic called The Wagonburg Weekly
WWW.Wagonburg.com is the site.
It is about a group of people who live in a trailer park in Southern California...and happen to have Paranormal abilites. The Graphic Novel (The Park), all new-original materal about Wagonburg is slated for late 2008....with alot of that being Artist dependant.
It is really my first venture into fiction, and I am still learning a lot from the Pro's.
Regs,
W.R.
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wow, I had no idea authors had so much time on their hands. all that writing to do and whatnot..... ;D
Heh, well, I think it depends on the author. :) I almost had a nervous breakdown a couple weeks ago with my workload, and I suspect I have it light compared to Jim!!
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Heh, well, I think it depends on the author. :) I almost had a nervous breakdown a couple weeks ago with my workload, and I suspect I have it light compared to Jim!!
I guess you're right :P Poor Jim. We work him like dogs, don't we?
*cracks whip
Work Jim! Work!
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Author of dozens of really boring technical manuals, most recently the user and administrator guides to Verizon's MSP product (Hosted shared Exchange for your phone, and so forth).
And one of the authors of this:
(http://www.whiterocketbooks.com/assembled_miniburst.jpg)
http://www.whiterocketbooks.com/index_assembled.htm
Lit crit and commentary on the Marvel comic, the Avengers.
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happy news i made it big time i just searched my book on amazon and it was there yay ^_^
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hey guys good news Lost: Midnight Mist just became a featured book on Amazon.com and its affiliates like target and barnes & nobles, there is even a wikipedia article so check it out if you like. you guys are really helping me out thanks for the support and for those of you enjoying the chapters so far chapter three will be released on friday. check out wiki if you can't wait till then.
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I'm a wannabe! ;D
I write all the time, which is why I have so many unfinished stories floating around in my disaster of a locker (I'm in high school) including a half-finished script, a half-started books, and a variety of poems ranging everywhere from political to bitchy!
Question; if you have a story already going, and you get an idea for another book, is it stupid to try writing them both at once? Because I'm writing like six different stories right now! lol
(My teachers are less-than thrilled about my literary commitment...especially in class!)
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why don't you shift TW to a new thread in Author Craft? we can discuss it there? And I'm so SLOW, congrats to Dante!!!
well done!!
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I guess you're right :P Poor Jim. We work him like dogs, don't we?
*cracks whip
Work Jim! Work!
Now I've got an image of Bob the Skull reciting a Dresdenverse version of "See Spot Run" stuck my head:
"See Jim. Jim is a writer. Jim writes books. See Jim write. Write, Jim, Write!"
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New to the forum and relatively new to the Dresden books (which I really enjoy).
My writings and have all been of a scientific kind.
I have 15 publications (11 first-author) in scientific journals: Brain Research (5), Behavioral Neuroscience (2), Psychopharmacology (2), European Journal of Pharmacology (1), Drug and Alcohol Dependence (1), Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior (1), Neuropharmacology (2) and 1 in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
Looking to branch out into other genres.
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Welcome and now I know who to call if I'm looking for a dissertation on the probably or possible effects of the Vampyr Virus.... :-)
Welcome and best wishes on your exploration of fiction.
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Alas, I was almost published. The only reason I wasn't is because I didn't submit my work on time. I could have resubmitted at a later date but never did. I sometimes wonder if I could still submit my work, it is still relevent and would need updated stats. I don't think it is something most of you would be interested in though. It is a nursing paper on screaning for domestic violence. My instructor in college, Jakie Campbell (actually appeared on Oprah once), wanted me to submit it and sponsered me a semester to write it for publication and for Independent study credits. I also wrote several SOPs for the Navy, lol.
Congrats and Good luck to the authors here. I'm adding you all to my wich list!!
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DIZZY! :-) Hi! Haven't seen you post in awhile, you must be in threads that I'm not normally in...
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No, I actually haven't posted since around February, but I missed you guys, a lot, so I am trying to be around more. ;D
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Welcome and now I know who to call if I'm looking for a dissertation on the probably or possible effects of the Vampyr Virus.... :-)
Welcome and best wishes on your exploration of fiction.
Thanks!
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I'm reading the first published book by a new author, I met her at a signing at the mall. The book is called Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey (is that a cool name or what) and I am liking it quite a lot. It's a teenage vampire ramance of sorts, I would have loved it when I was a teenager ;D
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Hey Guys!
I'm freshly published - just released an urban fantasy novel called Old Haunts this week. Here's the blurb from the back of the book:
Jack Worthington's life has hit a dead end. Business as a spirit talker is as dangerous as it is underpaid. He is behind on the rent, terminally single, and every morning he awakens to be haunted by the ghost of an eighty year old woman with a bad memory.
Naturally, things only get worse.
In saving the life of a client, Jack is forced to break one of the fundamental laws of existence, a crime that carries with it the punishment of death. Knowing that his days—or hours—are numbered, he races to forestall his inevitable death sentence, but in his travels unwittingly stumbles upon a potential catastrophe in the making.
Now he has to figure out why the ghosts of London City are sowing fear and paranoia into the minds of police and ordinary citizens, and what it all has to do with the anniversary of the infamous citywide riots that occurred one year ago to the day. His search eventually leads him to a haven for the city’s underworld denizens, where he must face a vampire with whom he shares a terrible link to the past, all while trying to stay alive just long enough to avert the apocalypse.
Some days saving the world kinda sucks.
So there it is! If you're keen to check it out, here's the link (amazon listing is pending):
http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/OldHaunts.html
If you have any questions about the book or want to talk about it, feel free to e-mail me... Would be sweet to meet some fellow Dresden fans out there :)
My e-mail is emm_ett@hotmail.com
Thanks
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It's been a long while since I posted on these boards, or even perused them....*Sigh* :-[
Anyway, I'm now an (Electronicly) published Author! The place is the subscription site, BattleCorps http://battlecorps.com (http://battlecorps.com). It is the only place to get offical cannon fiction set in the Battletech Universe. Battletech itself is a game celebrating it's 25th year, and is well know for a deep and varied universe.
I've had three sort stories published so far on the site, and I'm hopeful for a fourth story. Hoppefully I can go from there..... ;)
Craig
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Congrats on getting published!
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Hello,
I am a published author, but not in what a lot of people here might read. Judging from my sales I think I can say almost everybody actually.
I wrote "Police Battalions of the Third Reich" and "SS-Polizei: Memories of Poland."
I writing two books now. "The Einsatzgruppen in the Baltic" is the working title. The other is a serial novel on my blog. It is "American Apocalypse." The first volume is being edited so I can shop it around. Now I am writing Part 2.
This is what someone else wrote:
Not sure where to post this, but lately I've been reading some pretty good doom fiction. The other day I was cruising the comments over at http://www.calculatedriskblog.com, and came across a reference to a serial novel being posted on-line. I checked it out, and found it to be quite addictive. It starts out in the not too distant future; the first couple of chapters could have been written by a contemporary homeless person today. However, the world starts shifting rapidly for the protagonist Gardner and his little band. What I find especially illuminating about the novel is the author nova's exploration of different responses to the crisis that devolves: there are the Burners who are pissed off at the system, the Tree People who are more or less primitivists, the Movers who are trying to obey the Federal Government's shifting decrees about where to go for help, etc. And of course a Prepper who retreats into his basement with all his guns and goodies. Not for the faint of heart; nova's depiction of the future is rated "R" for graphic violence.
Oh, it is also has Freya the Goddess. She has returned as a 12 year old girl.
Anyways, this looks like a cool place.
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Oh, the site for the serial novel: http://theamericanapocalypse.blogspot.com/
:-*
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I tend to forget sometimes, but I am a published author :) I wrote and did technical editing for several non-fiction computer software books. It's a pretty cool feeling to go into B&N and see your book on the shelf. They were all written as contract pieces which meant I got paid peanuts for them, but it looks great on the resume (I do computer work by day). And LORD were they boring. I also was a contributing author on a major computer website for a while, and I still write occasional articles for various sites.
On the fiction side, I sadly have not had the same success. I've had a couple pieces of poetry published (mostly rubbish I think, but they got published!). My efforts at writing full novels have failed. I keep losing the thread of the story. Lately I've been thinking about trying to focus on longer short stories to try and break through a bit.
-Paul Stansel
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madpoet, Shoot. I always thought the non-fiction side of things opened up the fiction side? You haven't seen that to be the case?
Maybe a novella (20,000 words). I once started a learning piece with a plan for 20,000. Then found it nice to expand it full length.
Thoughts from people on short stories? It seems that the rigid structure on short stories is like a different type of writing from longer works? What can one learn by concentrating primarily on short stories that would apply to longer work? Food for thought. And zowie, I think I just highjacked one of Mickey's threads. Eeck! I'll come back later and break this off into a new thread. Someone cover my back from Mickey's lightening bolts, while I'm at work. :-)
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Non-fiction does not seem to open any doors to fiction writing. I have been told by agents:
It confuses the readers
Why bother? There is more money in nonfiction
It is harder to market
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It's been a while since I've poked my head in here. In fact, last time, I was part of the "author in progress" crew.
Just wanted to let you know that my first book, A Devil in the Details will published by Roc in July of 2010!
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Hey, congrats!
That's really something to be proud of! Are you going to write full time or are you going to wait a bit before making that jump? Without giving away too much can you tell us what the book's about? Congratulations again. I'll be keeping an eye out for a copy of your book.
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It's been a while since I've poked my head in here. In fact, last time, I was part of the "author in progress" crew.
Just wanted to let you know that my first book, A Devil in the Details will published by Roc in July of 2010!
BIG HUGE CONGRATS TAS!!! AND ITS ROC, so who is your agent? Who's editing for you?
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It has been a while for me too.
Karen and I have hit a few milestones, we sold a short novel on the strength of a few chapters and proposed story line. It is currently being serialised in the Grantville Gazette.
Regards,
Kevin
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Hey! I know you!
Do you have a link to the Gazette for folks?
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Grin,
I was at one of your panels at FenCon 09.
Here is a link to the Gazette, About a third of the story is open to read for free. If any one wants the rest, PM me and I will try to get it to you. (Work has gotten a bit crazed, new equipment and contractors are a pain)
http://www.grantvillegazette.com/
Regards,
Kevin
Hey! I know you!
Do you have a link to the Gazette for folks?
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A necropost, but it's a pinned topic, so I figure what the heck.
I'm not much of an author by board standards with just a handful of short fiction sales in hard science fiction, literary fiction, and horror. I've a completed novel that I'm shopping and another in ideation. (I've had some nibbles from small presses, but I'd prefer to go with someone who actually moves product).
Among my latest sales is a piece of "Tweet Fiction" (a buck for a <= 140 characters story, to be published in an upcoming flash fiction magazine (http://www.storyhack.com/). On a per-word basis, it's probably my biggest payday.
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Welcome to the author's craft section. It says 'lurker' but I know I've seen you on the boards before, right? In either case, welcome! And pay, what's that? LOL
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Been out for a while, but I'm still writing. (Up to seven stories now on Battlecorps.com, including a major anthology for teh dire) I plan on contuning short stories until I feel comfortable, then slowly expand from there into novels. When I do make that jump to novels, I want to have something to show I have a track record......
Craig
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Still working on the Heiress Of Magic series. Part of it was bought by the now-defunct CHARMED magazine; I've gone back to rewrites, bringing in original characters as to no longer associate the series with the TV show. Sold the poem " Invitations To Life " to a German mag. Was paid peanuts ( and tasty they were! ) but never saw the finished product. Ah well..
C'est la vie!
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I'm a small press, self published game designer. Our first effort - InSaNiTy the RPG - has been a local hit, allowing me to wrangle some shelf space at local gaming shops. Otherwise, we're available online through Lulu and RPGDriveThru. It's encore, Terminal Insanity, was recently released.
I stress small press; I can tell you exactly how many copies of each book that have been purchased. We're waiting to hear back from some distributors, fingers and everything else possible crossed....
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Okay, got the right thread this time. Sorry about that.
Hello all.
My name's Rob and I am a published writer. If you count e-books as published which a lot of people don't.
Currently I'm working on a menage romance. I got started in erotica and am still very fond of writing it.
Also working on a vampire novel. I wrote a series of vampire stories with the narrator being a vampire. I like the characters and world so much I have to keep dreaming up new stories for them.
I played with the vampire oeuvre a little. My vampires are undead blood drinkers who hunt through seduction, but being dead, none of their, um, equipment works. It's tricky writing erotic scenes with that limitation. Also, my vampires can't laugh or cry. They might want to, but they can't. It adds horror and angst to their stories.
Nice to be here.
P.S. I see a few people I know from elsewhere here.
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D. M. Zwerg
Published coauthor or contributor on a number of gaming books for Kenzer & Company.
Lord Flataroy's Guide to Fortifications (coauthor)
and the Kalamar Atlas
but made minor contributions to many more.
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Seriously though, how is it that Jim hasn't made the obvious post in this thread?
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Seriously though, how is it that Jim hasn't made the obvious post in this thread?
More than likely his minders keep him focused elsewhere. Too many opportunities for someone to say, "Hey, he got that idea from me!" You understand, right? Besides, we'd all rather he was writing!
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I am a published writer.
I've written several stories (of community interest) for area newspapers. I've written for both online (e-zine) and a small print trade magazine.
And I have a four book young adult fantasy series released by a small independent press.
I've a fifth novel (paranormal romance) that I've queried with a romance publisher. Waiting to hear back.
And two other manuscripts (both paranormal romances) halfway finished. And I've started on a couple more.
Stories just keep popping into my brain.
And I've decided to start looking for an agent.
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I am a published writer.
I've written several stories (of community interest) for area newspapers. I've written for both online (e-zine) and a small print trade magazine.
And I have a four book young adult fantasy series released by a small independent press.
I've a fifth novel (paranormal romance) that I've queried with a romance publisher. Waiting to hear back.
And two other manuscripts (both paranormal romances) halfway finished. And I've started on a couple more.
Stories just keep popping into my brain.
And I've decided to start looking for an agent.
Ahhh, sweetie... It's okay to post your web-links and titles. :-) It isn't considered shameful self-marketing. Welcome!
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Ahhh, sweetie... It's okay to post your web-links and titles. :-) It isn't considered shameful self-marketing. Welcome!
Oh. Okay. But I figured if anyone was curious about them, they might click on my profile. My website is there.
They are listed at Amazon under my pen name JoElle Martin, the Dreamer's Forest series.
www.dreamersforest.com
Thanks. :)
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I've e-published lots of children's poetry, but the majority of my publishing has been non-fiction children's magazine articles with a couple of fiction thrown in.
I'm working on a young adult horse-and-sword fantasy, but I'm having no luck finding a publisher for a half-finished-probably-crappy novel. I'm discovering that finding publishers for books is vastly different than magazine sales. Oh, well. I make enough from the magazines.
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I've e-published lots of children's poetry, but the majority of my publishing has been non-fiction children's magazine articles with a couple of fiction thrown in.
I'm working on a young adult horse-and-sword fantasy, but I'm having no luck finding a publisher for a half-finished-probably-crappy novel. I'm discovering that finding publishers for books is vastly different than magazine sales. Oh, well. I make enough from the magazines.
Rachel is currently working on a novel and as part of her preparations to write she researched how to get published. Since then we have spoken to several other folks in the industry ( Anne Sowards Jim's Editor was one) and the general point of agreement was get an agent first. It becomes the agents job to sell your book for you and they have the connections to do so. Presented only as an FYI . I wish you all the best with your creative endeavors !
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I've e-published lots of children's poetry, but the majority of my publishing has been non-fiction children's magazine articles with a couple of fiction thrown in.
I'm working on a young adult horse-and-sword fantasy, but I'm having no luck finding a publisher for a half-finished-probably-crappy novel. I'm discovering that finding publishers for books is vastly different than magazine sales. Oh, well. I make enough from the magazines.
Along with what whingnut said, Anne also said that publishers want the book to be finished before you query. It lets them know that you can finish a book.
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Along with what whingnut said, Anne also said that publishers want the book to be finished before you query. It lets them know that you can finish a book.
Thanks, guys! The thing is, I already know all of this in my head (having taken the same approach with the magazine articles.) I was really just sending out tentative feelers on the book, to see if there would be interest.
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Thanks, guys! The thing is, I already know all of this in my head (having taken the same approach with the magazine articles.) I was really just sending out tentative feelers on the book, to see if there would be interest.
A good way to see what publishers are interested in is to follow editors on Twitter, or to see if they have blogs. Same with agents.
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From the writing team of Pharoah and yours truly ... the online magazine Another Realm is publishing one of our short stories in March. Our first publication. Woohoo!
*does a SqueakyTiki dance for joy*
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I'm a videogame writer and lecturer on videogame narrative. I have been called a transmedia artist, but my current skillset is more 'narrative designer' in all honesty.
My published works are a little eclectic - I'm a contributing writer on a few text-books for distance-learning courses and used by UK universities, technical writer on a few others, narrative designer on one published videogame (I was a writer, games designer and external writer liaison on that one), narrative designer on one more still waiting to be released, writer on two other unreleased games...
Oh... and my first novel (mercifully written under a pseudonym) was romance... I was a teenage goth, it seemed like a good idea at the time, and then a small publisher got hold of it.
I am currently working on a short story for a steampunk compilation getting released in September while the studios are taking a break and there's little or no freelance writing work to be had, but I also have a novel that keeps stalling. I keep meaning to get an agent, but I want to get a 'real' novel ready to do the rounds before I start bothering agencies.
I originally trained in the theatre, learning everything from lighting and carpentry to iambic pentameter and stage-combat. I was a playwright, an actor, a director and stage-manager. I have been an artistic director and I have been the guy sweeping the stage at the end of the show. I was also stabbed in the nuts once when a sword-fight went wrong, but since I was the fight-director, that was probably my fault...
The greatest impediment to my writing is probably Harry Dresden; I keep reading when I should be writing, but I am about 80% of the way through Turn Coat and so I will soon be able to get some work done.
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AnthonyHJ, you sound like my male counterpart. Which is kind of scary. Good luck on the novel.
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I've had a varied range of publishing experiences: scientist and researcher since 1986 and have published many original scientific articles reporting on my research, edited scientific books and authored chapters in scientific books; edited and authored articles in a newsletter for a volunteer organization I co-founded in 1988; published in the County newspaper in high school.
I really love writing and reading....but what I've never done, and would love to do, is write fiction...not sure I have the capacity for it...am thinking of writing about one of my special rescue dogs, Micro, rescued from a puppy mill (?Marley been there done that crosses my mind) and a fictionalized story based on some of the interesting people and experiences I've encountered (a la "House of God" by Samuel Shem, the novel upon which St. Elsewhere TV show is loosely based), or, perhaps, medical-science fiction (as they say, write what you know about...). Anhoooo, maybe when I retire....
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Pharaoh and I just had our first publication, a short story up at AnotherRealm (http://www.anotherealm.com/). I keep going back to the site and staring in disbelief ... it doesn't seem real!
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Pharaoh and I just had our first publication, a short story up at AnotherRealm (http://www.anotherealm.com/). I keep going back to the site and staring in disbelief ... it doesn't seem real!
Good work. I enjoyed the read.
How long was it between submission and acceptance?
SF
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They apparently gather a year's worth of submissions, then dole them out one at a time over the course of a year. We were notified in December that we'd been accepted, and they put out a line up for the entire year at about the same time, so we could see our names and the title listed for March. Then the anticipation began...
Didn't help that they didn't update the site until almost 7pm yesterday. But, the story's there and CGL and I are pleased with our first publishing credit.
As I've said before: Today the Internet, tomorrow the WORLD!!! (of print publishing)...
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Fun story. I liked it. Congratulations on getting it published.
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Completely agree!
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Bravi! Bravi! Congratulations on your publication! (Although, I say: What! No illustration to go with it? LOL)
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LOL! It's my fault, I've kept him too busy writing ;)
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Congrats CGL and Pharoah, way to go, - fun story - I hopped over and read it and enjoyed it.
Heartsonycgr - the dean of medical SciFi might be James White - his Sector General stories about a enormous
multi-species hospital in space.
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Many thanks for the compliments ya'll. :)
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Heartsonycgr - the dean of medical SciFi might be James White - his Sector General stories about a enormous
multi-species hospital in space.
Thanks for the tip, SnowL! I will search him out! I knew a dog show judge by that name...naaaah...probably just a coincidence...
H
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Allo all :)
I'm actually in both threads for different categories, Author in Progress for the novels (curses upon thee, 72 hour work week and dodgy power/internet!) and here for a table-top RPG, of all things. Not sure if that counts, per se, but I am the writer and lead game developer (the latter against my will) for Dark Nova Games. The Dark Nova RPG comes out in May (debuting at Comicpalooza in Houston, where I'll be chained to a table next to our lead artist for the amusement of the rotten-vegetable-hurling public... kinda like the stocks for artists and authors), for which I wrote the entire setting, designed the races, most of the ships and vehicles, and wrote the four starter missions included in the main manual. Since I JUST got back CONUS and completed my last contract for a while, I have subsequently been chained to a laptop and ordered to work on the second book in the RPG series by my whip-cracking masters ..errr, bosses :D . There is no end to the torment, however, for upon completion of my work my family and friends take up their whips and demand that I finish the novels and submit them. Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? :D
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Allo all :)
I'm actually in both threads for different categories, Author in Progress for the novels (curses upon thee, 72 hour work week and dodgy power/internet!) and here for a table-top RPG, of all things. Not sure if that counts, per se, but I am the writer and lead game developer (the latter against my will) for Dark Nova Games. The Dark Nova RPG comes out in May (debuting at Comicpalooza in Houston, where I'll be chained to a table next to our lead artist for the amusement of the rotten-vegetable-hurling public... kinda like the stocks for artists and authors), for which I wrote the entire setting, designed the races, most of the ships and vehicles, and wrote the four starter missions included in the main manual. Since I JUST got back CONUS and completed my last contract for a while, I have subsequently been chained to a laptop and ordered to work on the second book in the RPG series by my whip-cracking masters ..errr, bosses :D . There is no end to the torment, however, for upon completion of my work my family and friends take up their whips and demand that I finish the novels and submit them. Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? :D
Yeah, I know exactly what you mean....started as a fiction writer on the Battletech line, and gone on to some writing for an upcoming battletech product. Hope to expand beyond that soon enough.
Welcome!
Craig
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Aaaaaaaaaaaand I finally officially published :D the RPG hit the printers last night, publisher should have it out in two weeks :)
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Congratulations Breandan - way to go.
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As I mentioned in the other thread, I finally got to see the finished product today... and we now have an RPG manual thicker than most college textbooks (http://ciarraide.org/dark_nova/images/game_manual_size2.jpg)! :o
Perhaps I was a bit TOO verbose, since my writing- the setting and descriptions- takes up 2/3rds of the book :D
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I wasn't sure whether to introduce myself as an author in progress or a published author. I've yet to publish a novel, but have sold 4 short stories and am a member of SFWA. You can read stories of mine here (http://dailysciencefiction.com/story/break), here (http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/story.php?s=96), and here (http://redstonesciencefiction.com/2011/07/vaporware/), and the fourth one's out later this year in Electric Velocipede. I'm in the process of writing an urban fantasy novel now, which is what brings me into Jim Butcher's orbit. That, and I interviewed him a couple weeks ago for the Clarion Blog.
Nice to meet everyone!
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My ebook is presently available on Smashwords.com and Amazon.com it will be available at most major online outlets in about two weeks and available in paperback in about 6 weeks.
Short Description of my bookWhen Rodregas survives his suicidal rebellion against an evil sorcerer, he finds himself reborn with the power of a Celestial Lion. With this second opportunity at life he chooses to redeem himself by fighting the evil sorcerers that he formerly served. Rodregas’ actions thrust him into the middle of a struggle between the Celestial Gods and the Daemons of the Infernal.
Link to ebook:http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/100628
Gil Hough
email at gilhough (at) yahoo.com
Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/GilHough
Authors page on Smashwords: http://www.smashword...e/view/gilhough
Discount Couple - $1 Dollar off for CELESTIAL JUSTICE RZ99J Good through February, 01, 2012 at smashwords.com
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One of the downsides of being a published author, book-signing hell
(http://ciarraide.org/dark_nova/images/pre-order_stack1_for_signing.jpg)
Stack one of the pre-ordered hard-cover books I have to sign, then an in-person signing at a game store. My hand is going to fall off! Jim, how do you do it? :o
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I'm in Mishell's category even though I have only one story published in "Strange New World's 10". A Star Trek contest anthology. Fourth best story in the book.
http://www.amazon.com/Strange-New-Worlds-Star-Trek/dp/1416544380/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209012784&sr=1-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Strange-New-Worlds-Star-Trek/dp/1416544380/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209012784&sr=1-1)
Hmm, can't figure out how to rename the link.
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I guess I'm promoted now from the Author In Progress thread to this one!
My first novel, Locked Within, is availble to pre-order now on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Locked-Within-Paul-Anthony-Shortt/dp/1937178250/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346060692&sr=1-1).
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One of the downsides of being a published author, book-signing hell
(http://ciarraide.org/dark_nova/images/pre-order_stack1_for_signing.jpg)
Stack one of the pre-ordered hard-cover books I have to sign, then an in-person signing at a game store. My hand is going to fall off! Jim, how do you do it? :o
But they are so pretty!
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I wasn't sure whether to introduce myself as an author in progress or a published author. I've yet to publish a novel, but have sold 4 short stories and am a member of SFWA. You can read stories of mine here (http://dailysciencefiction.com/story/break), here (http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/story.php?s=96), and here (http://redstonesciencefiction.com/2011/07/vaporware/), and the fourth one's out later this year in Electric Velocipede. I'm in the process of writing an urban fantasy novel now, which is what brings me into Jim Butcher's orbit. That, and I interviewed him a couple weeks ago for the Clarion Blog.
Nice to meet everyone!
Welcome! And of course it counts!
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Way too long since I was here...too busy writing. :D
Now all the way down to the bottom.
I got a HM, no pay but they published it. Had to describe a color in 50 words or less.
Blue Home (http://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_18.html)
I can see why the first place got First but not the third place story...it seems on the same level as the three HMs.
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In honor of the release of my second book Admiral's Gambit. I'm availing of the amazon free promo for Book 1: Admiral Who?
So get Admiral Who? while its free. I know you'll be hooked! I've given away over 300 free copies in the last 12 hours.
The Deposed King
Admiral Who?:
http://www.amazon.com/Admiral-Spineward-Sectors-Novel-ebook/dp/B007WQSY44/ref=la_B008VO5354_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347519502&sr=1-1
Admiral's Gambit:
http://www.amazon.com/Admirals-Gambit-Spineward-Sectors-ebook/dp/B0099RQCHU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347499090&sr=8-3&keywords=admiral%27s+gambit
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Got my first royalty payment from Amazon today--a whopping 17 bucks! :)
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Got my first royalty payment from Amazon today--a whopping 17 bucks! :)
Woo Hoo!! Time to start shopping for boats and such!
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Got my first royalty payment from Amazon today--a whopping 17 bucks! :)
I got ten bucks for my first first month. And for each of the next two.
so far you're riding high!
the Deposed King
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Hey guys, my debut young adult crime fiction will be published by The Poisoned Pencil, which is a young adult imprint of The Poisoned Pen Press. I've described it as an edgy young character of Bones ilk which will appeal to future Baldacci Camel Club fans. Others have told me it's kinda like Veronica Mars, but I haven't read those or seen the series. I'm not sure that I should.
I was humbled last spring to receive a mentor ship from author Jan Blazinin through the SCBWI-IA. She praised my character's age-appropriate voices. I received the same comments from an agent this last weekend who also gave me great feedback on my technical skill, pacing, tension, etc. etc. etc.
I wouldn't have started this journey and the many classes and conferences without the advice, support, and guidance from you guys. Thank you all at jim-butcher.com. You are all awesome!
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Congratulations Meg and way to go.
Yaaaaaaaaaaa - does Kermit the Frog arm wave. :D
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Congratulations and good luck with it! Way to go! :) :) :)
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Add my congrats to the list. Well done!!
Craig
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Congratulations! That's great news.
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Thank you all. The author website over there is excited because one of their authors was named on the Kirkus Review 2013 top mystery/crime fics. Her name is Charlotte Hinger. I'm with the press' new imprint with their first book coming out in March. I'm six author signed and the editor has made me promise to duck tape my fingers together and not touch Book I until she can work on it, so Book II is getting lots of love and word count.
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Off topic:
Anyone here know anything about Curiosity Quills Press?
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Off topic:
Anyone here know anything about Curiosity Quills Press?
I got nothing.
The Deposed King
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There's a thread about them on Absolute Write:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240830
It's a few pages long, and I'm not sure what to make of them on a quick glance of the earlier posts. They seem very new to the industry, and made up mostly of authors who came together to get their own books published. I have nothing against that, my own publisher is a family-run business and their first author eventually became the managing editor, but the thread might be worth looking into.
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I've been published through a small press inside a niche fandom; a novella and 10 short stories (3 forthcoming). Also I've either served as primary or secondary editor on three anthologies, with a fourth I just opened the call for. But the writing is all weird erotica so I'm being vague.
I'm trying to break into more mainstream markets and having real difficulty at it.
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Difficulty in writing more mainstream fiction or difficulty in generating interest from mainstream publishers, if you don't mind me asking?
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Difficulty in writing more mainstream fiction or difficulty in generating interest from mainstream publishers, if you don't mind me asking?
The latter. I've had several horror stories rejected so far. Also, I tried to put together an anthology, but small press publishers either don't do anthologies or only work with in-house editors; the publishers I'm used to dealing with have no editors on staff, so they're far more willing to work with outsiders.
But I'm also having trouble in terms of conceptualizing - I'm asking for help on that over here (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,41203.0.html).
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The latter. I've had several horror stories rejected so far. Also, I tried to put together an anthology, but small press publishers either don't do anthologies or only work with in-house editors; the publishers I'm used to dealing with have no editors on staff, so they're far more willing to work with outsiders.
But I'm also having trouble in terms of conceptualizing - I'm asking for help on that over here (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,41203.0.html).
Thought about going to the self-pub route?
Craig
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Thought about going to the self-pub route?
Craig
Not willing to go that route, no.
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Not willing to go that route, no.
Any reason? I just wondering....
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Any reason? I just wondering....
If you self-publish, you are responsible for everything, which means you either do it yourself or you pay someone to do it. That means editing, formatting/layout, cover art, printing, promoting, selling. Even if you go e-pub, that just means you aren't printing it.
Whereas even a small press will do most of that for you.
Now, this is taken with a grain of salt because even the Big Five traditional publishers now expect authors to be responsible for a good portion of their promotion. Gone are the days where you just crank it out and someone else handles all the other steps. But that is a world and a half from self-pub.
I'd much rather let someone else take care of all that other stuff, so I can focus on the writing part. ;)
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Yep, self-publishing isn't for everyone. The main reason I've gone hybrid is to get more books out there than my current publisher can manage in a year. That said, I want to find a literary agent now, so there'll be a while where I'm just releasing self-published titles.
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Yep, self-publishing isn't for everyone. The main reason I've gone hybrid is to get more books out there than my current publisher can manage in a year. That said, I want to find a literary agent now, so there'll be a while where I'm just releasing self-published titles.
What do you need the literary agent for?
The biggest thing that I can tell an agent is good for is getting your manuscript into one of the Big Five publishers; they won't accept non-agented manuscripts.
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There's a lot to be said for having someone to negotiate contracts and get you a better deal than you can on your own.
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So that's what they do; I wasn't clear on an agent's role and duties.
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Literary agents use industry contacts and knowledge to find the best time to pitch your book, the best publisher to pitch to (based on market trends and each publisher's current backlist and upcoming releases), helps you make changes to the manuscript to make it more marketable, and negotiates offers to find the best deal for you. Not to mention making sure you don't get stung with a bad contract.
I got lucky in getting my first book deal without an agent, but I'm ready to move forward with my career and want someone who knows the industry better than me to help.
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Literary agents use industry contacts and knowledge to find the best time to pitch your book, the best publisher to pitch to (based on market trends and each publisher's current backlist and upcoming releases), helps you make changes to the manuscript to make it more marketable, and negotiates offers to find the best deal for you. Not to mention making sure you don't get stung with a bad contract.
I got lucky in getting my first book deal without an agent, but I'm ready to move forward with my career and want someone who knows the industry better than me to help.
Word of advice: Before signing any contract, have a lawyer that has IP law experience review the contract. I have heard and read about horrorible contracts that screw over the writer so bad. That's both agent and publisher contracts. It'll cost a few bucks, but it's better than getting screwed....
Craig
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Yep. I was lucky to have a friend who works for a non-fiction publishing house who was able to read over the contract for my first book.
You want to avoid anti-competition clauses and anything where there's no clear way to get your rights back.
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I struggled for a very long time to get published before my 1st book was finally released by Amber Cover, "The Rules of Supervillainy (http://www.amazon.com/Rules-Supervillainy-Saga/dp/1514269392/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435011022&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Rules+of+Supervillainy)" just a couple of weeks ago.
My second book, "Esoterrorism (http://www.ragnarokpub.com/#!esoterrorism/c14nv)" is coming out on July 8th.
I owe Jim Butcher a lot for helping inspire my writing as well as develop my style but it was a long hard road. Almost five years in the process.
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Esoterrorism came out a couple of days ago.
Available here (ftp://www.amazon.com/Esoterrorism-Secret-Files-Red-Room-ebook/dp/B0110HOKV6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1436507893&sr=1-1&keywords=Esoterrorism+Phipps)
I generally prefer to publish with independent publishers rather than try to go with the big leagues and have worked with a number of them. One thing is the quality standards vary drastically and you really have to shop around. One of the more respected independent publishers I dealt with (who I ultimately turned down) offered me an extremely small percentage, ebook only publication, and almost no promotion benefits.
Amber Cover, by contrast, gave me a straight 50% of the fee from sales, an audio book guarantee, paperback guarantee, and plenty of work together for promotion.
Ditto, Ragnarok Publications.
So you really have to look around if you're going for indie publications as the terms are highly variable.
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Well, a few minutes ago, I joined the ranks of published fiction authors. I published a short story of mine for 0.99 on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. I don't think I blew anything up too badly, but, of course, I had errors in the short description and I haven't been able to fix them yet.
Benefactor
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0154JS53A?*Version*=1&*entries*=0 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0154JS53A?*Version*=1&*entries*=0)
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Good job farmer bob!
The Deposed King
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Congratulations Farmer Bob, way to go.
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A little good news from (and for) me. Some of you mat remeber that I tried self-publishing 'The Book of Xyxy' several years ago (2012) but it didn't really do all that well. I earned a whole $3.50 over the 8 or 9 months it was up on Kindle. I took the stories down from there in Jan of 2013 and they've pretty much been just sitting around since. However, I've been playing around with those and other stories in the meantime, and the good news is ...
Part 1 of The Book of Xyxyx,- Genassist - will be published sometime this summer by Smoking Pen Press in an anthology called 'A Read on the Run'. Not sure of the exact date, but I'll let you all know when I do.
Also, a short story of mine called 'The One' has been accepted by Fiction Magazines for publication in the Jun 11th issue of New Realm (a monthly online magazine).
I'm not sure how popular either of these are going to be but ... it gets my name out there. 8)
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Hi All,
I'm seeing that self-published might count here. If it does, I'll throw my hat in the ring. I recently completed my first novel MISSING: A Mason Gray Case. I used Create Space for the print version and KDP for the ebook.
I'll admit, I'm using this forum to promote it, but I think Dresden fans will find it appealing since it is an Urban Fantasy set in Chicago with a hard-boiled main character.
The whole process of writing and self-publishing has been incredibly fascinating and challenging and now I'm trying to learn the marketing aspect. If anyone is interested in finding out more, check out my blog. williamcmarkham.weebly.com (http://williamcmarkham.weebly.com)
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Great to have you here!
The Deposed King
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Thanks! Can't believe it took me this long to find my way on here. I've been a fan for years and never had any friends who shared my interest.
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It used to be a lot hotter in Author Craft but the hay day was maybe 2013-2015. There are a number of reasons but not being able to share and critique story's here are a large part of it I believe.
Anyway happy to have you!
The Deposed king
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Hi all. I figured I should introduce myself somewhere, and since I technically qualify for this thread I'll do it here.
I can't claim any cool fiction titles like a lot of the people before me, but I've always got a few chugging away that hopefully will get finished at some point. I do have a few educational books on Amazon though, plus a couple more that I ghost-wrote for to earn extra money back while I was job-hunting following the 2009 crash). They're not super-sexy, but they're nice and aimed at kids, so the world is probably a tiny bit better because they exist rather than not.
I currently live in London, where I manage an artificial intelligence team for a large gaming company. If anyone is in the area, feel free to give me a shout. I spent several years in Germany before this, and a lifetime in the US originally.
DF remains one of my favorite series, hence the urge to drop by and say hello. I think Jim needs to stop having so much fun and get back to work on it though :)
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Welcome AcheronEHJ
Congrats on the books and writing for kids may seem simple but isn't.
As for JB, sometimes the mind needs to clear itself with simple fun.
Enjoy and be safe.
Snowleopard.
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Great to have you!
The Deposed King
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Hey there! Glad you stopped by!
Craig
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I've waited a long time to be able to post here! I just got an offer yesterday for a publishing contract!
I'll add more details as soon as I get them, including my name of course...but I just wanted to share the exciting news!
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I've waited a long time to be able to post here! I just got an offer yesterday for a publishing contract!
I'll add more details as soon as I get them, including my name of course...but I just wanted to share the exciting news!
Jealousy triggered...
Congratulations. Truthfully, congratulations.
Still jealous tho...