It is with great sadness that I see the demise of another small publisher is about to happen. The eminent Night Shade Books, which was agent subs only, is scrambling for someone to take on their business and their authors rather than file for chapter 11, which would be disastrous for the authors concerned, some of whom are friends.

From what I have read, this is a case of growing too quickly and not being able to keep up with the paperwork. Nothing sinister and such a shame for a publisher that has won so many accolades for books.

Yes, my stuff is with a small publisher, but I am not concerned on a personal level. I see sensible cut offs happening with  new subs to allow the business to grow at a sustained rate. I am just so sorry for friends caught up in the mess of Night Shade books and also so sorry for the publishers.

Stunned!

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Darkspire Reaches is sitting at #73 on the Amazon.ca site for hot new releases. A big thanks to family, friends and fellow Canucks for this.

In other stunning news, Shadow Over Avalon, my science fantasy book, will be released by Kristell Ink in November of this year. I am also delighted to announce two of my short stories will be appearing in the anthology ‘ Magic Creatures from the Celtic Mists’. These are ‘The Seventh Child’ and ‘The Hurdy Gurdy Man”. These stories have not appeared on my website, or on Readwave and will be released in April when the anthology goes live. Added to this is a review of Darkspire Reaches by Abyss and Apex magazine, now live at http://www.abyssapexzine.com/2013/03/2q-2013-small-press-book-reviews/

Venus meets Mars

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I subscribed to the Kindle Gorilla thingy and downloaded a book. Um well, I will not be doing a review. I happen to detest giving negative reviews and chose instead to remain silent.

The problem? Someone hadn’t clued in that less is more. Unfortunately for me, I had guessed the supposed bad guy was a red herring very early on and who the real antagonist was and for what reasons. This left the sex scenes. I am not a prude, but after the first one I became bored. Where lust, and not sexual tension inspired by love and attraction is paramount, there is little to hold the reader’s interest unless they are an unrequited teenager.  Sexual tension is something Ilona Andrews does to perfection. It is an art to have two people attracted and yet separated by circumstance beyond their control. This is where the current read fell by the wayside.

However, I do have two books I know I am going to enjoy. One is by Mary Wood and it is a deep look at a family in time, similar to Catherine Cookson. I have already read her other books and I know this will be enjoyable. The other is by Joanne Hall, who is a fellow writer for Kristell Ink Publications. I have seen the blurb and it is my kind of book. I know I will not be disappointed.

Giveaway for Darkspire Reaches.

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KindleHere it is, the latest in e-book readers. This is what one lucky reviewer will be winning in the upcoming givaway for Darkspire Reaches. The competition will run for one month after the book launch on the 20th of March, or until I get 200 reviews, whichever comes first. (I wish). The winner’s name will be drawn at random from a hat and anyone can enter who has provided a review on Amazon for Darkspire Reaches of at least 40 words that demonstrate the book has been read without giving spoilers.

The first chapter of the book can be found in the Snippets section of my website. I will also be available at a book launch party I am hosting on Facebook on March 23rd from 8am to 11am Mountain Time. This should be a good time for most other people. Come hang out with me for a little while.

Getting Published

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This should be a walk in the park, but apparently it isn’t.

How to piss off an editor in a few easy lessons.

First off, assume your sub is the next best thing to sliced bread and then take it personally when rejection happens.

Next, send in two more stories that are likewise flawed after the editor has told you precisely why the first rejection occurred.

Follow up by arguing about the edits on one of these stories that the editor took pity on and made into something that would fly, and disparage two stories you were gifted to receive for your enlightenment on the process, calling them drab. Hey, these stories are accepted.

Poke fun at the publication, saying you will make your own stories shine. This is fine, and I expect the person to enjoy all the work entailed in getting self-pubbed. Yes, it can be done successfully, but it take a lot of money, time and sheer hard work to make the project shine and sell.

Lessons to be learned? Check the ego at the door. He who pays the piper calls the tune.