I am in the heavy process of editing the second book in my "Familiar's Tale" series, entitled "Tree of Bones," with my publisher, Joe Dickerson. It is a fun time though, because we go back and forth with fun perspectives on the story and characters, as well as make suggestions and catching teeny but annoying typos.
Working with a small publisher has it pluses and minuses. The minus is trying to get into the bookstores, even small ones. Again, the market is tough for everyone now. I did score a big success with Barnes & Noble when they picked up Gate of Souls, A Familiar's Tale, Book One, and ordered a small but respectable number of copies for actual store placement. This was a wonderful example of the larger corporation wanting to support the smaller book publisher. This may seem like a small victory, but for small publishing houses and their diligent and struggling writers, it is a mammoth success worthy of champagne and chocolate.
But despite our topsy-turvy existence, the plus of writing for a small publishing house is the personal attention you get from your editor. At least it is for me. My publisher is very supportive and knows that things take time. They are open and do not try to change my vision of what I write. I love working with Joe when we edit. It is almost as much fun as writing the book (except for the chapters where I bang my head against a virtual wall when stuck on some literary trouble spot)
One point I would like to make, is the quality of small publishing houses is first rate. Gone are the days when substandard writing was the product of the independent publisher. Not just my own house, HD-Image, but many small independent houses are putting out great work, even though they too have tough times getting bookstore placement. They sell by whatever means necessary, and use a variety of formats. E-books and PDF format downloads for example. In this ever changing technical world, times are changing. I love the traditional book. Yes, I am an old-fashioned girl. I love book covers and the tactile feel of paper on my fingertips.
But I will sell my book by any means necessary too.
I recently sat on an interesting panel at Baycon 2009 in Santa Clara, where we talked about small publishing houses. Really marvelous novels and short stories are bring produced by the independent publisher and written by not only new struggling writers, but by many seasoned and well-published authors with great resumes with big publishers.
The point is-the work is a labor of love, whether it is through a major publisher or a tiny struggling publishing house using the tools of the web to survive in this ever changing publishing world. Small publishers are not just for lazy writers who submit stories that are good, but not good enough for their bigger publishers. That attitude is just wrong. You can no longer use that judgment. There is some wonderful stuff out there, and these authors just want to do what all good writers desire-tell a great story.
I believe that being a storyteller is important. That magic of storytelling-and the venue in which it is presented, will always be there. I think you just have to be creative about where you look.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Mourning
I was prepped to do a lavish blog about my participation at Baycon 2009 in Santa Clara at the end of May. I was exhausted and as I also have a day job along with my scribal vocation, I put off for another week. Then I received news that one of my favorite fantasy writers, David Eddings, died this week.
He was a wonderful storyteller. He will be missed.
Therefore, I dedicate this week to David Eddings' memory.
I will be back next week about me. Now I am in literary mourning.
He was a wonderful storyteller. He will be missed.
Therefore, I dedicate this week to David Eddings' memory.
I will be back next week about me. Now I am in literary mourning.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The Dark Tales of Obsydia
Also great news about a series of short stories I have done set in my world of A Familiar's Tale.
My first short story about Obsydia the Bloodstone Queen, called The Bloodstone Queen, was published in Aberrant Dreams webzine a few months back. I am happy to say there will be more short stories set during the Bloodstone Age in which the immortal Queen Obsydia ruled. I have always had a fascination for the dark fairy tale queens of old, and when I conceived of Obsydia, I wanted to create dark wicked beauty and power beyond imagination. A character of my own design in originality. I wanted unique and shadowy. I wanted a Queen of Shadows.
Obsydia, daughter of the dark god Ahridum and a mortal seer, born in a dark tower and woke 13 nights after her birth a fully grown woman. Her hair is literally shadow that curls around her death pale face of flawless beauty, silver moon eyes that see all, and lips red as blood. Red as blood is fairy tale speak, but it applies to Obsydia.
She will also play a significant part in my book series, A Familiar's Tale.
After all , in a world of heroes, there must be great evil to fight. Obsydia is that evil.
I wanted Obsydia to be the most primal of all wicked queens.
I will let you be the judge.
This is a darker time for my world in which evil had power and the heroes fought to being back the Light. The stories are set about a thousand years before the story in "Gate of Souls," though because of the magical rules of my world, you will meet some familiar characters that are in the Familiar's Tale series.
I hope you enjoy these tales.
Back to writing, after a drobba break.
My first short story about Obsydia the Bloodstone Queen, called The Bloodstone Queen, was published in Aberrant Dreams webzine a few months back. I am happy to say there will be more short stories set during the Bloodstone Age in which the immortal Queen Obsydia ruled. I have always had a fascination for the dark fairy tale queens of old, and when I conceived of Obsydia, I wanted to create dark wicked beauty and power beyond imagination. A character of my own design in originality. I wanted unique and shadowy. I wanted a Queen of Shadows.
Obsydia, daughter of the dark god Ahridum and a mortal seer, born in a dark tower and woke 13 nights after her birth a fully grown woman. Her hair is literally shadow that curls around her death pale face of flawless beauty, silver moon eyes that see all, and lips red as blood. Red as blood is fairy tale speak, but it applies to Obsydia.
She will also play a significant part in my book series, A Familiar's Tale.
After all , in a world of heroes, there must be great evil to fight. Obsydia is that evil.
I wanted Obsydia to be the most primal of all wicked queens.
I will let you be the judge.
This is a darker time for my world in which evil had power and the heroes fought to being back the Light. The stories are set about a thousand years before the story in "Gate of Souls," though because of the magical rules of my world, you will meet some familiar characters that are in the Familiar's Tale series.
I hope you enjoy these tales.
Back to writing, after a drobba break.
A Successful Book Signing for "Gate of Souls"!
Greetings fans of all things Familiar!
So sorry that it's been a while since my last entry. I have been busy writing my third entry in my Familiar's Tale series, Fires of Rapiveshta, and editing the second, Tree of Bones.
I had a book signing recently at Borders Express bookstore at the Sun Valley Mall in Concord, CA. They are wonderful folks and so kind to let an unknown writer have a book signing, especially in these hard times. I was at first hesitant about a book signing, as I am not a well known writer (though I long to be princess of heroic fantasy tales) and this is my first published novel. But I am not shy either, and I managed to sell quite a few books in just a couple hours. I even surprised myself! I had such fun! And I sold many books! My husband, Rick, also took pictures which will be posted to site.
I must also thank the wonderful artists that created magnificent cover art-Henning Ludvigsen and Natascha Roeoesli-that attracted potential readers to my table. It is beautiful and the product of true artists. I also found that people are eager, even hungry, for a good new fantasy and my book attracted a variety of folks.
I also met some enthusiastic girls in their teens, desperate for a great female heroine to read about. My Runa (in Gate of Souls) is a very positive character and I know people will love her courage, humor, and strength. My book is aimed at fantasy readers of all ages, but I know this tale will appeal to girls desperate for a female heroine. I have my share of male heroes with characters like Darcus and Cathal, so this series will appeal to just about anyone who loves a good fantasy. And my wicked characters, such as Koll and Xabral, provide the danger and suspense. I also have new adversaries rising in my second book, Tree of Bones, but as I
am editing that book with my publisher, Joseph Dickerson, I must not say too much yet.
But now I feel confident that anywhere I go, whether it be a book signing or reading, I can soothe the bookseller's fears, as my book does sell quite well.
More blogging later. I promise not to be lazy. Really.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Book Signing Alert!
Hello all! I am having a book signing for Gate of Souls this Saturday, January 24, 2009, at the Borders Express bookstore at the Sun Valley Mall in Concord, CA between 12 and 2 pm.
Am excited.
Am excited.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The First Time...
Belated Happy New Year to all. Has been busy time. Physically, I am recovering from the holidays, though the scale turned ruthless upon my New Year's weigh-in; prepping for 2009's pristine diet and exercise regime. As a writer I must remain physically and mentally fit.
However, the ginger bread cookies and chocolates left their merciless mark on my thighs.
Cruel scale. Will have cocoa to feel better after the even crueler treadmill.
The good news is my artistic scales are better balanced. I went into my local Barnes & Noble to see if my book, Gate of Souls, was in yet. I have done this a couple times a week since I received the letter from B&N that they would carry my book in the stores. So when I finally saw it on the shelf, in the new over sized paperback shelf of the Science Fiction/Fantasy section, I was a bit dumbfounded. I stared at it like village idiot for a good deal of my lunch hour. I then took a picture of Gate of Souls on the shelf with my cell phone (technology is so nice, especially when it provides instant gratification) and called my husband. Also made a sale. A hapless couple wandering the aisle, came too close and I casually asked if they were looking for something new to read. I knew they read my genre when I saw some of the books in the gentleman's hand. He said yes. I held out my book and said "buy me."
They laughed. I did not expect them to really buy my book. However a few minutes later the wife came up to me and said she would love to buy my book and would I mind signing it. I said yes, of course. I will always sign for folks. It's only polite. So she bought Gate of Souls and I happily inscribed it. Was nice day, even though I had to go back to work.
But the first time seeing my book, Gate of Souls, in the bookstore is a great moment indeed.
More news very soon. Must get back to writing the new Familiar's Tale. Am on book three as my publisher has book two, Tree of Bones, in hand and we are in editing process. But I left one of my characters in the bit of a bind (litertally) and I think they want me to write the next chapter to resolve the situation.
However, the ginger bread cookies and chocolates left their merciless mark on my thighs.
Cruel scale. Will have cocoa to feel better after the even crueler treadmill.
The good news is my artistic scales are better balanced. I went into my local Barnes & Noble to see if my book, Gate of Souls, was in yet. I have done this a couple times a week since I received the letter from B&N that they would carry my book in the stores. So when I finally saw it on the shelf, in the new over sized paperback shelf of the Science Fiction/Fantasy section, I was a bit dumbfounded. I stared at it like village idiot for a good deal of my lunch hour. I then took a picture of Gate of Souls on the shelf with my cell phone (technology is so nice, especially when it provides instant gratification) and called my husband. Also made a sale. A hapless couple wandering the aisle, came too close and I casually asked if they were looking for something new to read. I knew they read my genre when I saw some of the books in the gentleman's hand. He said yes. I held out my book and said "buy me."
They laughed. I did not expect them to really buy my book. However a few minutes later the wife came up to me and said she would love to buy my book and would I mind signing it. I said yes, of course. I will always sign for folks. It's only polite. So she bought Gate of Souls and I happily inscribed it. Was nice day, even though I had to go back to work.
But the first time seeing my book, Gate of Souls, in the bookstore is a great moment indeed.
More news very soon. Must get back to writing the new Familiar's Tale. Am on book three as my publisher has book two, Tree of Bones, in hand and we are in editing process. But I left one of my characters in the bit of a bind (litertally) and I think they want me to write the next chapter to resolve the situation.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Holiday Scrolls & Book News
Hello all and happy holidays! Time for drobba cakes and endless cups of hot drobba smothered with whipped cream and dusted with cinnamon.
I should never blog while feeling peckish.
The first great news is now "Gate of Souls" will also be at your favorite Barnes & Noble store in about 6-8 weeks. I have been available since the beginning through their online site, but this is most exciting. If you see a short woman with chestnut hair staring for hours at my book "Gate of Souls" on the shelf-it could be me. Three cheers for Barnes & Noble!
I am also steaming with new ideas about the third book in my Familiar's Tale series, "Fires of Rapiveshta." I cannot say much because I want my readers to be surprised. I will say that Rapiveshta, as I mentioned in the first book during one of Belwyn's school lessons for Mellypip in "Gate of Souls," is the land of the dragons. There will be lots of dragons!
The second book in my series, "Tree of Bones," has been turned into my editor at HD-Image publishing to begin the fun task of polishing and editing before it goes to print. You will enjoy the return of favorite characters like Runa and Mellypip, plus new exciting characters too-human, feathery, furry, and immortal.
More later. I need drobba.
I should never blog while feeling peckish.
The first great news is now "Gate of Souls" will also be at your favorite Barnes & Noble store in about 6-8 weeks. I have been available since the beginning through their online site, but this is most exciting. If you see a short woman with chestnut hair staring for hours at my book "Gate of Souls" on the shelf-it could be me. Three cheers for Barnes & Noble!
I am also steaming with new ideas about the third book in my Familiar's Tale series, "Fires of Rapiveshta." I cannot say much because I want my readers to be surprised. I will say that Rapiveshta, as I mentioned in the first book during one of Belwyn's school lessons for Mellypip in "Gate of Souls," is the land of the dragons. There will be lots of dragons!
The second book in my series, "Tree of Bones," has been turned into my editor at HD-Image publishing to begin the fun task of polishing and editing before it goes to print. You will enjoy the return of favorite characters like Runa and Mellypip, plus new exciting characters too-human, feathery, furry, and immortal.
More later. I need drobba.
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