#SATurday: Authors, Be Yourself

Great post to help you when you’re down.

Shannon A Thompson's avatarShannon A. Thompson

#SATurday: Authors, Be Yourself

As an author—but also as a marketer—I am constantly stressing the importance of being true to yourself and being true to your work. For instance, it’s a popular question to ask an author how long it took them to write a story. In turn, this has caused millions of debates about how long it should take. The infamous Stephen King, for example, has been quoted saying that writing a first draft shouldn’t take longer than three months, the length of a season. And to that, I say, pish posh. (Respectfully, of course.)

To me, it is ALWAYS more important to be true to the story than to meet a deadline. I mean, George R.R. Martin practically dedicated his life to writing A Song of Ice and Fire (a.k.a. Game of Thrones for you HBO fans), and he’s labeled as a serial fantasy genius. His…

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10 Ways to Find Editing Services on a Budget

Kate M. Colby's avatarKate M. Colby

Finding the right editor is like finding someone to date. It takes patience, resourcefulness, and sometimes, just plain luck. There are dozens of ways to find editors online, and the first editor you find may not be the right fit for your book, or the two of you may not have good chemistry.

As if sorting through the editing pool were not difficult enough, when you are putting out your book on a budget, things get even tougher. It can take a long time to sort out how to balance your needs with your budget and figure out which editor or editing service best meets that balance.

Again, while there are dozens of ways to find your right editor, here is a short list of ideas to get you started and keep prices low. Please keep in mind, this article is only about finding editing services, not the average costs or what…

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#Guestauthor. Nicholas Rossis. Great blogger, sci-fi, fantasy and children’s author.

olganm's avatarJust Olga

Hi all:

As you know on Fridays I try and bring you new authors that haven’t visited yet my blog. Sometimes I keep reading about some authors, I enjoy their blogs, and they become such familiar faces for me, that I’m surprised when I check back and realise they’ve never visited my blog yet.

That is the case with my guest today.

Nicholas Rossis is a writer I’ve known for a while and whose blog  I thoroughly enjoy and I’ve mentioned before. (It’s full of useful information, don’t miss it!). How I hadn’t featured his books here before, is anybody’s guess, but finally, today is the day.

First, a bit about Nicholas:

Author Nicholas Rossis Author Nicholas Rossis

Avid reader. Web developer. Architect by training, holder of a PhD in Digital Architecture from the University of Edinburgh. Now, author.

Nicholas loves to write. Except for his epic fantasy series, Pearseus, he has also…

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What Do You Like About Adventuring?

The Hobbit

The Hobbit

Luke Callindor– I kind of did that when I left home.  Just no yelling and it was night and I did more of a sneaking motion.

Nyx– I was more kicking and screaming.

Delvin Cunningham– The question is more about what we like, which is something we don’t really hear.  Most people want to know about our adventures or what we don’t like about.

Nyx– Horses, sleeping on the ground, bad food, nearly getting killed every week, lack of a bath . . . Why do I keep doing this?

Sari– Because you’re destined to keep traveling until the Baron is defeated or you die.  I like the stories and meeting new people.  Though the lifestyle is rough on my dresses.

Timoran Wrath– It may be smarter to wear more practical clothing.  *Annoyed glare from Sari*  Or continue doing what you are doing.  The point of adventuring is to help those in need.

Luke– At least the way we do it. Other people are out solely for reputation and money. I came close to being like that. Honestly, I like becoming famous for being a hero. It makes me feel like my lifetime of training is justified.

Delvin– Interesting way to look at things. Many of us have spent most of our lives training without knowing what the future held. It’s almost like we always knew we’d end up on the road.

6th Champion– I guess Nyx and I are the only ones who grew up expecting this. It does bring an odd sense to the entire thing.

Nyx– Kind of like it’s a job and fun doesn’t usually factor in. Yet, I do have fun because I’m with my friends.  That’s what I like about adventuring. Sharing stories and my life with those I care about.

6th– I’m sorry, but I’m not there yet.

Sari– You’ll get there.  I mean, you just woke up a month ago.  The author is still trying to figure out how to use you on the blog.

6th– He’s watching this?

Timoran– Who do you think is putting the words on the screen?

6th– What screen?  I’m sorry, but I really don’t understand what’s going on here.

Luke– I thought you were going to explain this type of post to her, Delvin. She’s not looking very good.

Delvin– We couldn’t get past her being a character in a book and there being an audience. I thought she’d be fine after being awake for so long.

Nyx– Maybe we should end this before she faints . . . and takes the readers with her.

Sari– To sum up, we like getting the stories, the fun, the friends, and some of us are having a little trouble accepting reality.  Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

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The Heart of Teaching Tour with #RRBC’s John Fioravanti

John W. Howell's avatarFiction Favorites

A special guest on Fiction Favorites is Rave Reviews Book Club board member and Membership Director John Fioravanti. This is a stop on his The Heart of Teaching Tour. John Fiction Favorites is yours.

Thanks, John I’m grateful that you would be my host of this sixth post of THEHEART OF TEACHING TOUR, and to Nonnie Jules of 4WillsPublishing who arranged it all! The full lineup for this tour can be found @ http://wp.me/P43s9i-2g

“It would take me several more years to learn that the most valuable thing I could offer students who confided in me was a willingness to listen and caring support.”

Excerpt from John Fioravanti: A Personal Journey To The Heart of Teaching.

In a previous post, I talked about the fact that I had felt the desire to help others as far back as I can remember. It became a major motive when I…

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Interview with Daniel Dombrowski for the Quantum Flux Podcast

Nicholas C. Rossis's avatarNicholas C. Rossis

From the blog of Nicholas C. Rossis, author of science fiction, the Pearseus epic fantasy series and children's booksYou may remember Daniel Dombrowski of the Nonlocal Science Fiction Magazine. The first issue includes a story by me, called “Shoot the devil.”

Daniel has now kindly interviewed me for his podcast, Quantum Flux. You can listen to the interview below, or on his page!

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Guest Post – Poet John T. M. Herres with his poem Scenery

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STARCHILD Book Blast & Giveaway

cherrymischievous's avatarCherry Mischievous

The Books

Starchild: The Age Of Akra by Vacen Taylor
Book 1 of the Starchild series
Genre: fantasy

About Starchild: The Age Of Akra:

When Mai is chosen to take a pilgrimage to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts to train with the oldest and wisest master of their people, an ancient prophecy is set in motion. The events to come have been predicted but are not unchangeable. When the Starchild returns to the planet of Sage, the foreknowledge of the prophecy begins to gain strength. Four children come together and become linked to the events that lie ahead. In The Age of Akra, the first stage of their journey has them facing the deadly spiderflax, only then to be confronted by a creature of the underworld, an evil Dementra called Amual. The struggle to bring peace to the world of powerful energies lies in the hands of these…

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A Needed Release

So, I’m still working through the paranormal thriller.  It’s getting tough since I’m still learning the characters, fighting fantasy author habits, and still have a little doubt.  I’m seeing that the chapters are smaller than my normal ones, but no idea if that’s a good or bad thing.  Anyway, I needed to get something out of my system and I figured I’d do it here:

Magic Dragons Elves Dwarves Swords Sorcery Windemere Nyx Fizzle Drite Orcs Griffins Adventure Gods Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic
Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic
Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic “Dammit, Luke!”

That should get me through the rest of the week.

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Thursday – A little Personal #RRBC’s Behind the Pen with Bethany Turner

John W. Howell's avatarFiction Favorites

Last Saturday I was Interview by Bethany Turner on her Blogtalk radio show titled Behind the Pen. Since I did not fall on my own petard I thought I would make the interview available should you wish to listen. It is a half-hour and If you can’t sit that long I understand. Below the link to the broadcast is a picture which will at least make your visit worthwhile.

a-behind-the-pen

Here is the link to the broadcast. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravereviewsbookclub/2015/05/02/rrbc-rave-waves-blogtalkradio-behind-the-pen

Here is the photo payoff for the visit. It is a stormy sunrise.

2013-08-22 06.59.51

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