I've posted Prince Kristian's Honor, Chapter One: Quest's End to a blog within my profile.

Check it out!

I apologize for some of the line spacing issues - I hard some difficulty transferring it.

I hope you enjoy it. - Tod

Tod,
I think Marc hit it right on the head. It's hard to sell at cons for two reasons (1) You're a new author, and (2) you only have one book.
Two years ago I was in the same situation as you. I went to cons full of enthusiasm expecting to meet sci-fi fans who would snap up my (first and only) book. I had very limited success. I certainly didn't sell enough books to cover my costs and after doing three cons I decided to call it a day and wait until I had at least a couple of books before I would revisit the con circuit. My second book is due out in Feb so I'll be ready to give it another whirl, but honestly, I found the cons to be an enormous financial drain and not worth it. At this point in time, I'd contact cons and see if you can be a guest on panels - focus on promoting yourself and your book rather than the hard business of selling.

Broos, as for the person who talks for 20 minutes without buying anything - I think you can shake them off without being rude. I think if you've got people at your table who are clearly interested in your work (and clearly said other person isn't going to be a buyer), you are totally within your rights to say "Excuse me, I need to talk to these people." At worst, they'll hang around and want to talk some more, at best you'll get rid of them too. You don't have to be rude about it, but sales are more important than being nice to someone who clearly isn't interested. (My favorites are the folks who end up saying - "Oh I don't read science fiction" after they've talked to you for 20 minutes about everything under the sun).

If he's interested in talking to you he'll hang around while you give your spiel to the others.

Thanks for the rundown, Tod, and for the selling tips, Marc. I hadn't thought of carrying a variety of books. Any advice on what to do with the guy who wants to talk for 20 minutes without buying anything while potential customers come and go? Do you just keep steering the conversation back to versions of "Say, I've got a chapter about that in this book right here; care to buy a copy?"

Different cons have different foci. Some are literary, and the people there go for the books. Others are more focused on media or gaming, and those are not necessarily good places to be. I've been selling my books at cons for the past several years, at many different cons. Originally I was a guest author at I-Con on LI, but they became more media oriented and the author track got trimmed down. Now I go as a dealer, and last year I sold over 100 books, 40 of which were either written by me or had one of my stories in them. The others were books from my publisher not written by me. A wide variety is a good thing. I've met a lot of authors who just carry their own books and they usually don't do well. I expanded my collection and eventually created a business as a bookseller to cover a wide variety of book readers. I even sell westerns and autobiographies at cons.
My display is almost 80 titles laid out on red cloths, but the biggest draw I have is myself (and my daughter), calling the people in, and talking to them at length about the books. If I can get them to stop and actually pay attention to me and the books I can often talk them into getting something. If not, have a card or bookmark in hand with some information for them to take away with them. And always be standing up! Always be looking at them, to see who gives your books anything more than a glance and be prepared to give them your pitch instantly.

Tod wrote: "My First CON (SFF Convention) … Where I failed, What I learned, Why I still had Fun!

I attended my first Sci-Fi/Fantasy Convention, the PhilCon 2009 (Philadelphia), last weekend. My primary goal..."

Thanks for the debriefing, Tod.
It was very informative!

Now that might be interesting. Kinda hard for a wall flower to be so bold. I'm getting used to it though.

You could always attend them all, I discovered over 20 just during my first CON and each of them seemed to offer something slightly different. :o)

You mean to tell me that I have to shop for something ELSE? I hate shopping.

I'm sure you will. Another lesson is to choose the RIGHT Con to attend. Each seems to have its own unique flavor ... some focus on dealers, some on literary panels, others on concerts and acts ...

Ah - such a show. Thanks for going and doubly thanks for sharing all this with us. You're the greatest. I hope to make use of your advice sometime in the future.

My First CON (SFF Convention) … Where I failed, What I learned, Why I still had Fun!

I attended my first Sci-Fi/Fantasy Convention, the PhilCon 2009 (Philadelphia), last weekend. My primary goal was to promote the release of my first Fantasy novel, Prince Kristian’s Honor. I planned to establish a dealer’s table to use as a platform to introduce myself to convention participants, fellow authors, as well as industry insiders. My (overly) optimistic goal was to sell 100 copies of my book while there (to pay for the expenses of the convention and to put some money aside for my next book project).

I sold one book in three days … compared to the 25 books I sold in just four hours at a Border’s book signing the evening before the CON. So what happened? What did I do wrong? Is my book horrible? Should I give up!?!

Putting things into a "calmer" perspective, I met my primary goal and I learned a lot of useful information about the traditional and self-publishing businesses, conventions, and the great people that attend them. I failed because I confused and combined two very different objectives; promoting and selling. I did, however, learn a lot about how to work a convention and I had fun because I met people with similar interests.

Here are some of my lessons learned:

1. Selling vs. Promoting = Dealer Table vs. Panels. As a new writer, you want to be seen and heard more then you want to sell books. The best way to establish credibility is by sitting in on discussions, asking valid questions, listening and learning. Don’t be afraid to provide your own opinion/observations (when appropriate), but don’t showboat either. If panel members and the audience consider your comments valid, their opinion of you will rise. That could lead to people wanting to know more about your published works. Potential readers will then connect with you during breaks or parties to find out more about you and how they can get a copy of your book. If you have the time and resources to participate in panels AND run a dealer’s table you can do that too. That works best if you have a second person at your table that can answer questions about your book, point readers to additional resources on the book and sell the book while you are away. This option comes in handy if people want to go directly from an outstanding conversation with you to your table and buy a copy of your future bestseller!

2. Networking = Get to Know the Graybeards and the Up and Coming. I found there were two types of dedicated writers/insiders at the CON. There were those staffers, insiders and writers that had made a successful career through the CON circuit (Graybeards) and there were those, like me, that want to become the best new writer. You can, and should, learn from both. Questions are encouraged and all of the people I had conversations with enjoyed talking about their passion for Sci-Fi/Fantasy writing. There will likely be parties (some large and rowdy and some more subdued) every night of the CON. I’d encourage would-be writers to attend these parties. It’s a great way to meet new people in the regional industry, talk about the CON, and even a little about future business opportunities. Though I didn’t walk away from the CON with an agent, larger publisher, or 100 copies sold, I acquired a lot of contacts for potential business, references, and continued dialogue.

3. The Lexicon of the CON = Know the Language. There’s got to be a site out there that will help you understand the lingo better. Find it and be ready for the “Non-traditional” lifestyles, behaviors, costumes, attitudes and expectations of a CON.

4. Table Display = Professionalism but Not Necessarily Sales. I had an AWESOME table. I had a professional sign, a lot of neatly arranged books, bookmarks, a binder full of sample blogs, reviews, and proof of rankings on Amazon. I even had a personalized table cloth! All of those things demonstrated that I took my promotion seriously, but it didn’t necessarily mean people were interested in the book. I think a good way to look at a table is to consider what draws people in, what keeps them there long enough for conversation, and what will convince them to make a buy. More than one product on the table certainly brings over more people; even if they’re things unassociated with your novel. Things like collectable badges, magnets, buttons, bookmarks, stickers, and candy would have brought more people over. I also thought candy was an inviting way for a few of the more savvy writers to encourage dialogue with people. A huge part of the CON is about establishing a longer term presence within the community. Being friendly, open and honest about what you are doing and what you hope to do are big part of what people want to know about you before making a book purchase.

5. Essential Supplies = What do I need and what can I forget about?
a. Professional Sign – advertise your book and ensure it includes the Title, Cover Picture, portion of a review or synopsis, and your name.
b. Table Cloth – one may be provided but you should have a back-up.
c. Book Stand – a book that stands up catches the eye better.
d. Books
e. Bookmarks
f. References – Reviews, Biography
g. Sales Receipt Book
h. State Sales Tax Registration/Confirmation papers
i. CON Dealer Acceptance Letter
j. Pens – medium tip marker or pen
k. Cash bag – at least make sure you have something secure to put your change in. Make sure you are also prepared to make change.
l. Calculator
m. Notepad – I used this to write down all of the contacts I made, as well as the notes I took for this blog.
n. Business Cards – have something prepared to hand out to agents, writers and other dealers.
o. I also tried to run a looping slide show of photos (of me and the book) to entice people to stop and look and ask questions. It didn’t work well. I wouldn’t put a lot of time into Fantastic Effects … focus on engaging people when they stop by.

6. Follow-up. When you’ve survived your first CON, make sure to recontact those that you met. I think it reinforces how much you appreciated meeting, talking and learning from those you encountered. It may also demonstrate how committed you are to becoming better … and who knows … maybe you’ll make a new friend, associate or partner in the process.

7. FUN = Embrace Your Geekiness! Hey! It’s a CON … people are attracted to these things because they get to express themselves in ways they normally can’t. My biggest regret is that I didn’t have my wife with me to watch the table so that I could visit the PA Jedi table, grab a custom made lightsaber and perform my newest Jedi Master Kata Form 6! There are a lot of things to participate in at a CON, from lightsaber duels, re-enactments, card games, panels, Philking, and parties to masquerade contests, art exhibits, auctions and concerts. Promoting your new release is very important, but having fun and learning are probably equally (if not) more important.

I hope these lessons learned helped out other new writers preparing for their first CON. If anyone has specific questions – you can contact me through the Contact Author feature.

Regards and Good Luck! Tod

I'm afraid I won't get to it tonight. Something happened with my connection and now it's too late.

I'll get it done tomorrow for sure. I have a list of about 8-10 things to share on everything from dealer rooms vs. panels, table displays, to embracing your geekiness!

Tod

Yes, let us know when you've posted it, Tod.

The last time I did a book signing (as part of a literary festival), the only books I sold were to the library that hosted the event. That was kind of a sad day...

Well, good for you and too bad. I guess that says something about where the market is. I look forward to your post.

The PhilCon experience was Good and Bad; I learned a lot that I didn't expect to, but I only sold ONE book! I sold more books in three hours at a Borders at the airport than I sold in three days at the SF/F Convention. I think the blog I do on this experience will be beneficial for everyone and hope to have it posted here tonight.

Broos;

I read through your books. Sounds positively intriguing. You obviously love everything about the old navy and such.

I lied. I'm sorry. I truly thought I was a member of the Author's Guild but I must have been thinking of something else. Anyway, I looked it up and since I'm self published, I don't even qualify to try for membership. Blah. Thanks anyway though.

And likewise you can read the first pages of my books at Amazon also too as well additionally.

Broos
http://www.brooscampbell.com

Broos,

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. I'll check out the Authors Guild also. You've got me curious.

Just met some of the people from SFF Writers Association last night at the convention in Philly. I learned a lot and will post a blog on my experiences here in a few more days.

Broos, Deathmarch Army will be just as dark, twisting and twisted as Prince Kristian's Honor. :o) You can read the first chapter and a lot more at Amazon's (Look Inside Feature).

Thanks - Tod

Oh new blood in the conversation. Thanks for the tip, Broos. I'm a member but I'm still hung up by even that cost. It's a conundrum.

Sorry about jumping in late on this thread. I just wanted to point out that the Authors Guild offers web hosting for a reasonable price, billed quarterly. Their templates are a little clumsy to use, but no more so than iWeb, in my experience. They're not nearly as customizable, though. You also have to be a member of the guild. (That's not an endorsement or a not-endorsement. I'm just pointing it out as a way of marketing on the relatively cheap.)

Anyway, Tod--what I really wanted to say is that if Ferral's Deathmarch Army is as cheerfully berserk as the title, I'm-a read it.

Broos
http://www.brooscampbell.com

Yeah, sounds like fun. Tell me all about it when you get back.

If it were only like that for all would-be writers!

Writing fiction is certainly better than figuring out how to SELL fiction.

I think I'll have fun this weekend, though, at PhilCon. They're scrambling to get things ready. There are even some hard core fans waiting in the lobby.

I hope to learn a lot, sell enough books to make-up for the cost of attending ... or at least meet some good agents, editors and new writers.

I know. I discovered a really cool web design site too and for a 'reasonable' price all things considered. Just now, I find it hard to justify the cost and I haven't really figured out exactly what I want it to do. I'd like for it to promote all of my writing, not just the one book. And I'd like for it to be totally interactive. I truly want reader feedback, even if it's to be critical. Now that e=books are becoming so popular, I would even like to sell some of my other writings from there - be my own sales person. I'm not sure if that's possible. Second only to the cost, I don't understand the mechanics of a web page enough. My son is the geek in the family. I'll be discussing it with him in a great deal of detail as soon as he's a little better established in his new job. I'll go with a company but I'll need his help to make sure they can do what I want. They speak the same language, you know. The only language I speak is fiction.

I hate to say it in this way, but I've found that a webpage is pretty much the cornerstone of a solid social-media marketing strategy.

The blogs, FB, Twitter, even Amazon pages should all direct potential readers to your Homepage. Consider it the Mecca of Anna (where they can find out everything they want to know). Less than 5% of all of my sales were generated by people on the social chat networks. It gets people interested in you, but isn't likely to create large demand for sales. The webpage should contain a bio, extended back cover description, pictures of you and a cover picture, a link to stores where they can buy the book, your consolidated blogs, any artwork, all of your reviews, and a method for contacting the author.

It isn't cheap. I found OneandOne.com to be very reasonable - about $120 per year. Web design is a completely different topic, though. That's going to cost, unless you can find an avid supporter to assist you (that has the expertise). I was fortunate to find someone like that to help me...they created a Drupal based sight (which reduces the design costs a little). Without that help, I could have paid $1-2,000.

Yep - most of it. My blog - http://annalwalls.blogspot.com/. Facebook - http://profile.to/annawalls/. Twitter - http://twitter.com/AnnaWalls. I even have an author's page on Amazon but until I buy something from them I can't use it - but soon. I even have some of my work in two writing contests. This juggernaut will get rolling someday. I even have a MySpace account but I don't go there very often. I don't really like MySpace. I need to be generating at least a little money before I can go after a web page though.

I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said ... I was reading my book back to myself :o)

It is rough and I'm sorry I haven't been more supportive for you. I've definitely run into snobs but I think the vast majority of people are just too busy trying to make it.

I appreciate the comment, but it isn't deserved. I want to be a great writer and story-teller but I have a ways to go ... a ways. PKH is just the beginning.

Do you have sample chapters available for review?

How about a webpage, FB, Twitter, and author page on amazon? I'd recommend that a webpage and social interaction are the first building block to getting the word out.

Even if what everyone is hearing is, "Hey, there are two rookies over in the corner trying to make it big," then they saw us when we were just starting out. I hope they remember us when we are so much more than what we are.

I am and it's not. I did get a new review on my book, though. She liked the story, didn't much care for my main character but loved the others. And thought my writing was a little rough - but that's alright. What can you expect about a first book written and published before I began wading among such knowledgeable people as yourself. I've learned a thing or two over the last half year.

At least you have a blog of 2. Mine is stagnant. And even where I've added comments to other strings, most of them are ignored. Maybe I'm being too selfish. I'm told authors are like that - a lot.

Thank you Anna...so far this blog is a party of 2!

But I don't expect much when you set up a discussion for your own book.

I got excited when I (thought) I saw your name on the dealer list for PhilCon...it was a different Anna.

Hope your writing and book sales are growing :o)

Thought provoking to be sure. Thanks for sharing your experiences in this way. And thanks for pointing this all out. I for one, appreciated it immensely.

The Use of Allegory in Modern Fantasy Fiction: Prince Kristian's Honor

‘The people shouted out prices quickly. Several argued over the worth and cost of the slave. Eventually, only one person was able to keep bidding higher. His love stepped away from the crowd, handing the slave trader a few gold coins. She grabbed the rope that was dangling on the stage and gently guided her new servant off. The beautiful girl seemed to feel Mikhal’s stare and turned to face him. Her wicked smile quickly fell from her face as she saw his disbelief, but only for a moment. The girl Mikhal knew to be the demon smiled again, pulling her slave behind her.

In his dream, Mikhal fell from the barrels as a tremor from the earth shook the city. People in the middle of the street cringed, unsure of what to do. A statue of a beautiful goddess fell from its pedestal crushing a man. The delicate glass torch that was held in the statue’s outstretched hand shattered on the paved street. A loud boom rocked the foundation of the tavern next to Mikhal even as the earth stopped shaking. He looked up from where he lay to see a column of dark smoke rise from somewhere deeper in the city.’

Many stories, through out recorded history, have included allegories as a means of conveying an important message to readers. An allegory can be a story in which the apparent use of characters and events symbolizes a moral meaning; an allegory is a symbolic reference to something of importance to the reader. The opening paragraphs in this discussion are from Prince Kristian’s Honor, Book One of the Erinia Saga; I wrote them to point out issues of racism and depravity within a fictional society. The description of the falling statue with a delicate glass torch should help readers understand that I am alluding to issues within our own society. The earthquake and signs of disaster deeper in the city warn readers that there is something more troubling at the heart of the kingdom within the book, but I am also suggesting there may be issues within our own society.

Stories of fantasy are nothing more than the retelling of our own triumphs and sad, sad tragedies. I believe the fantasy fiction genre provides an outstanding vehicle for presenting moral and societal issues (through the use of allegories). In my first novel, Prince Kristian’s Honor (PKH), I use the allegorical convention to describe events and emotions I experienced over the last decade. This discussion will highlight three examples of allegory within my novel, with the intent of encouraging debate on writing conventions within modern Fantasy, as well as inform readers interested in some of the more nuanced portions of PKH.

‘The king shook his head. “Religious fanatics don’t win wars, Ferral. I thought you would have learned at least that much from me. If you want to have a kingdom to rule after I am gone, you will follow my lead. Politics can be as threatening as any war and can do as much harm as any army. We shall defeat the Erandians through intrigue and sabotage, not by rushing them with a thousand suicidal zealots.”

“There are the loyal followers of Belatarn and then there are those that deserve to die. The Erandians especially deserve death. Those meddling fools have influenced our world for too long. It’s time they realize that we don’t want or need them. It’s Belatarn’s will that all non-believers die, and I’ll be his messenger.” (Ferral declared)’

The previous passage from PKH was carefully constructed to reflect the conflict between two rivals struggling for control and influence over a larger kingdom. One of the characters, the King of Belarn, believes the way to control the world is through subtle changes and power-plays while Ferral, the villain in the novel, believes the only way to dominate the world and force his brand of religion upon everyone is through fanaticism and violence.

In my book, Ferral and his father represent Osama bin Laden and his long time comrade, Abdullah Azzam. Both were early members of the Maktab al-Khadamat movement but Azzam wanted to take a more unified, cautious and subtle approach that would work through existing Middle East fighting forces rather than create a separate, militant force. He also wanted to focus the global jihad against a different area than what Osama planned. Osama bin Laden did not agree with Azzam; he felt the only way to change the world was through violent uprising against apostate regimes and the Americans that backed them. In the end, Azzam was murdered. It is not certain whether bin Laden was responsible for his comrade’s death, but it certainly was a catalyst for increased radicalization of people in many countries.

In PKH, Ferral also gets his way and is responsible for the chaos that engulfs the land of Erinia. Additionally, Ferral’s quest to obtain magic so he can terrorize the other kingdoms directly relates to the very real threat of terrorists acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction:

Ferral smiled. “These powers will help Belarn influence the rest of the world. Those that might have stronger armies will be afraid to use them out of fear of what I can and will do to their people. They will surrender to me or watch helplessly as their kingdoms are destroyed.”’

In PKH, Ferral is able to control the population through intimidation, radicalization, and magic. His followers become nothing more than puppets that perform their duties blindly. The same could be said of people through out history that have aided cruel leaders in their personal quests for power. Osama bin Laden is a master at understanding and twisting religion to suit his needs. People, desperate for change, cling to leaders like bin Laden and Ferral because they offer motivation and an alternative to the status quo. They may not even realize that they are being manipulated; they are simply doing what they believe has to be done for a greater good.


‘Those in the army that had not perished in the fires that erupted from several places at once, like a coordinated attack, fought to save their king. Several servants reported seeing a large fire ball slam into the side of tower that the king slept in . . .

From below the balcony, soldiers and servants tried one last time to rush through the flames and save their beloved king . . . Suddenly, a rumbling sound grew from inside the palace. The grand building collapsed, the ground underneath the rescuers trembling. The tower fell in on itself. First, the roof and battlements fell; their massive weight tearing through reinforced floors. As the added weight and momentum continued to fall down, floor upon floor, the outside walls simply sagged in and fell. Hundreds were still trapped inside. There was no way for them to escape the wreckage. Dozens of rescuers were crushed by the falling rock and smoke, and dust engulfed those that ran from the royal grounds.’

Hopefully, readers will immediately see this as a remembrance of the terrible events of 9/11. I did not incorporate it into my novel for any personal gain; I describe the event as a way to convey my own emotions (I was involved in the Global War on Terror for several years and I volunteered for hazardous assignments because of what happened on 9/11).

The argument, and perhaps the challenge, that I am writing about is that the Fantasy genre has much more to offer. Stories that cause intense emotion or introduce us to new characters are the foundation of any good novel, but a story that can also remind us of the issues we face in our lives can be worth so much more. Stories of fantasy are nothing more than the retelling of our own triumphs and sad, sad tragedies. I made that argument at the beginning of this discussion; it’s a quote I wrote for the book back in the year 2000. The phrase took on much more significance for me after the events of 9/11 and the years I spent in various combat zones. The allegories within PKH are meant to be entertaining, but they are also intended to be thought-provoking. I used allegory to reflect the issues I personally faced over the last ten years and I intend to continue using the convention in future projects.

For those of you who have supported me by purchasing and reading PKH … thank you. I have room to grow as a writer, but I am also pleased by the amount of feedback I have received. I hope you can now better understand some of the things that I intentionally incorporated into the book. I hope it left you wanting to read more about Prince Kristian, Cairn, and Mikhal, but I also hope it made you think about some of the issues that we face as a society.

Regards, Tod

Tod Langley
Author of Prince Kristian’s Honor, Book One of the Erinia Saga

24 reviews, a video and a book signing. You definitely on a roll. Congrats.

24 various reviews of PKH are now available at www.TodLangley.com

There is also an initial book preview video on YouTube ... just search for it by the title. It could use a lot of work, but I think it gets the tone across well.

I plan to post a blog to my sites tonight on the use of Allegory in SF/Fantasy.

Developed a few lists to help me prepare for this Thursday's Borders book signing and this weekend's PhilCon.

I'm really excited!

I've also consolidated all of my reviews and critiques. I believe there will be a second edition of PKH before the release of the second book, Ferral's Deathmarch Army.

Oh yeah I love those kinds of threads, mine is generally 'what comes around, goes around' or 'life is a circle'.

Ancient Ruins, Society and their links to Fantasy Fiction - This is one of the major themes within my series that drove me to want to write...

Earlier in the decade, I had the opportunity to visit some of the most awe-inspiring ruins of the Middle East.

Thousands of years ago, a civilization carved the facades of large temples, treasuries, tombs, amphitheaters, and homes into the cliffs hidden within a vast desert. These people were shrewd businessmen that understood trade routes and commerce. Their buildings, many are as tall as some buildings used by businessmen today, were designed to impress travelers and demonstrate their economic wealth, sophistication, and architectural beauty.

But the empire did not last as long as many others ... the trade routes moved away from their secluded oasis and they were vanquished by other, stronger empires.

The scenes of crumbling, but still majestic, structures conjures up strong images for me. I often wonder what conflict arose that could destroy such power and beauty? Ancient stories are often parables reflecting social and religious issues. Sodom and Gomorra, Atlantis, Noah's Ark, Rome Burning ... perhaps, even the slow destruction of Petra ... highlight issues concerning the sins of society.

The Erinia Saga, IS a social commentary. I've used what I have seen while visiting other countries, including ancient ruins, their myths and cultures and my own feelings to describe what I think may be happening within our own time.

Originally, when you visited my author webpage, you would notice two ancient pillars on either side of the main page. I took a photograph of some strong columns supporting an arch about ten years ago. The columns you saw were taken and artistically altered for the page. They now look pitted, worn and fragile ... much like one of the cultures in my books and, perhaps ... even a little bit like our own society.

Not everything I write about is a prophecy of "doom and gloom". After all, we live in a time like no other ... I just hope we take note of the things that are not going so well, remember those cultures that did not succeed and learn from the past.

Isn't that one of the great things about Fantasy Fiction? That you can link different things together in a thread to convey a message? That's the way I feel about my writing.

Extended Backcover Description.

I feel a more detailed description of the book may help potential readers understand the major plot, characters and theme of the story. Hope this helps, Regards - Tod

“Epic, Fantasy Adventure … Fascinating story with strong characters … A relevant story no matter the intended audience!”

“Do you still dream of me, Cairn?” the haunting, beautiful voice insisted upon knowing for the thousandth time.

How could he think of anyone else? How could he forget?

He would never forget.

~ This is the story of one man’s quest for revenge and another man’s quest to find himself ~

Kristian is the young, and not so well respected, prince of Erand. His father has offered a treaty to Duellr as a way of unifying their countries against a growing threat and Kristian will be married to their princess to seal the deal. Kristian does not want to be married and thinks his father’s concerns are misguided, but he forgets all of these things once he meets Allisia. He may just be able to change his ways and become the man everyone hopes he will be … with her help.

Ferral, the mad sorcerer-king of Belarn, has his own plans. He raises a demon from Hell to destroy both ruling families in one swift attack. Allisia is gone and Kristian promises to lead an army to find his betrothed and bring Ferral to justice.

Nothing will go as planned. As he realizes his mistakes and the catastrophic consequences of his actions, Kristian will have to start over to prove his worth ... it may not be enough to win back his men’s respect, Allisia’s love, or his honor.

Kristian will have allies on his quest, but they may not be up to the task of killing a powerful sorcerer. Mikhal, the cavalry officer that hates Kristian for what has happened, must suppress his feelings to defend his prince against Ferral’s evil magic. He must also figure out why he is drawn to the demon … as if he has known the creature his entire life. Cairn also decides to help Kristian despite his misgivings. Together, they must overcome their fears, distrust for each other, and Ferral’s vast army of creatures. Only together can they hope to defeat their enemies.

This discussion will highlight new writer issues surrounding my first release - Prince Kristian's Honor, Book One of the Erinia Saga.

I hope to cover lessons I learned about writing style, editing, publication, self-marketing, conventions, book signings, etc.

I'll accept any question that I have experience on and hopefully we can all learn from my mistakes - and hopefully, my success!

Thanks, Tod