Tracy Falbe's Blog, page 71

March ebook giveaway

Do you like to win things?

Then join my readers' list at Brave Luck Books in March and enter a drawing for a free ebook copy of Jak Phoenix by Matt D. Williams.

Here's how Williams' describes his witty Space Opera:

Jak is a space pilot who would rather kick back with a cold drink than stick his neck out to save the galaxy. But, as we all know, life often gets in the way of these 'big dreams.' In the spirit of space operas of old, comes a light hearted, action packed novel following the exploits of the best low quality pirate in the galaxy, Jak Phoenix.

Enter the ebook prize drawing or forever live with your regret.

Sci fi comic review of Genecy by Gerald Cooper

Genecy by Gerald Cooper - An intense heroic sci fi comic saga beginsIn a galaxy ruled by the Grunnod, Kaizaxx of planet Tanaan hangs in chains unaware of the epic fate that will soon consume him. In Genecy Issue #1 action immediately erupts. A ruinous escape attempt for Kaizaxx and his fellow prisoners results in massive slaughter. Forty thousand men die during a desperate space battle, and Kaizaxx is the only one to escape with his life because of an ancient relic referred to as a key that is shoved into his hands at the last moment.

Transported to a distant world Kaizaxx awakens in a desert. He barely has the will to live, but the mysterious key in his hand compels him onward until he reaches the mythic Dome of Raknirod. This long sought secret place of unimaginable power will test him greatly. With the power of the key, Kaizaxx discovers he can fight off the guardians of the dome, but then the demon Rathgar rises with his mighty horde. Despite insurmountable odds, Kaizaxx fights on against these foes described thusly:

"For one hundred billion centuries, they have only known the taste of victory."

Eventually the massive being Raknirod who has been imprisoned in the dome rises. He is impressed with Kaizaxx who has also endured long and terrible captivity. Ensuing events set up a heroic storyline that should provide a great foundation for future issues. Genecy Issue #1 distinguishes itself with marvelous artwork. The illustrator is Eddy Barrows, and the coloring is done by Tim Ogul and Oren Kramek. The excellent illustrations impress with good perspective, drama, and colossal scale.

The author Gerald Cooper crafts his story with an economic use of words. Every sentence is vivid with detail and excitement. The language is used with artistry instead of falling back on trite phrasing and cliches. Here's an example of the dramatic wording:

"The fathomless void tries to suck out every Tanaanian into its ice cold belly."

Genecy performs well as an introduction to a new comic world of violent adventure. It's a hardcore story set in a pitiless universe. I would have liked more character development for Kaizaxx so I could empathize with him better, but I expect that such details will be fleshed out in future installments. In the fast-paced Issue #1 he is being yanked around by forces far greater than himself, which leaves no time for introspection.

Genecy is produced by Gerald Cooper of Invision Comics. He seeks to create stories that will "Let the ride divine begin!" Genecy is available at Indyplanet.com. Additionally, Cooper is currently running a pledge campaign through May 7th at Kickstarter to fund future issues.

George Straatman releases Closures in Blood final part of his horror trilogy the Converging

The Converging: Closures in Blood by George StraatmanA quarter century of loving effort by George Straatman is now complete.

The Converging: Closures in Blood is the concluding volume of George Straatman's epic Converging horror trilogy.

About the novel

After apparently vanquishing the demon, Cynara Saravic…the now-immortal Elizabeth Simpson returns to America to begin a desperate search for the only man she has ever loved and the one person who can grant her absolution for the sins she has committed while under the demon's dark thrall. Abhorred as an abomination by both Heaven and Hell, Elizabeth must run a deadly and insidious gauntlet to find David Stillman, unaware that she has become the catalyst for an apocalyptic war between good and evil. Pursued across a dying America by legions of religious fanatics and satanic assassins, Elizabeth is forced to turn to her avowed enemy…a dark mistress who represents her only hope of eluding her relentless pursuers and finding some sense of closure to the dark nightmare of her life…and a hope of personal redemption. Populated by a cast of dark and richly detailed characters, Closures in Blood is a frenetic rollercoaster ride into darkest depths of the Converging universe…a place where the vile and the righteous will find a grim measure or resolution in the explosive conclusion to this master work of dark horror.

George Straatman shares his thoughts about his creation

1. What are the primary themes of this final segment?

As the title would imply, the novel's plot revolves around putting a measure of closure to the story elements that have bridged the trilogy. By the conclusion of this novel, all of the primary characters who have populated the world of the Converging will have found a sense of resolution by the novel's closing page. In addition to this, the story deals with the protagonist's search for personal redemption and atonement for her culpability in Cynara Saravic's twisted tapestry of evil.

2. Is there one common theme that ties the three segments of the trilogy together?

This is first and foremost, a horror trilogy and its roots are fixed deep in the dark soil of the supernatural thriller genre, but really, the story transcends the genre to become more of an intense drama about one woman's thirty-five years search for a degree of normalcy after the foundations of her life have been eradicated by cataclysm events. Elizabeth's painful and often tragic journey is really a metaphor for perseverance and a sustained belief in the compelling power of hope. The horror elements merely serve as a vehicle through which this story is told.

3. How long did it take to complete the full Converging cycle?

The full cycle took twenty-five years to write from the first moment I took up a pen and began the first page of the original novel until the moment I decided that I was happy with the end product of Closures in Blood. The characters of the story become constant companions of sorts…who I've come to care about and develop an emotional attachment to.

4. The first two novels were characterized by intense and dark horror…that could often be considered disturbing…does this atmosphere prevail in the final installment?

Most definitely…I've attempted to infuse the novel with a pervasive sense of desperation in which Elizabeth's search for David Stillman is undertaken against a frenetic background of terror and incessant pursuit. The central concept of the Converging has always been about a wide array of forces coming together at one juncture in time with catastrophic results and Closures in Blood is fraught with this element. I wanted the story to unfold like an avalanche…or more correctly, a convergence of avalanches…all coming together with a brutally violent finality. Every character in this novel is much like a piece of an intricate jigsaw puzzle…the commonality of each of these pieces is Elizabeth Simpson, who serves as the lens through which they are all focused…with extremely explosive results. This novel certainly serves up the most diverse collection of characters of the series…and this diversity adds to the volatility of the plot.

5. Was there a single facet of this story that would stand out as the most difficult to write?

The segment of the story that dealt with the teenage runaway, Cassandra Jasic was perhaps one of the most difficult that I've ever written…the scene in which she reveals the story of the abuse she suffered as a child was difficult to write…and equally difficult to read. Ultimately, horror is an emotional response and Cassandra Jasic's hellish ordeal goes a long way toward justifying the depth of psychosis she demonstrates in the story. The tone of segments such as this one is critical…an author has to be attuned to the need for presenting this type of material in a way that does not make it gratuitous or even worse…appears to condone the actions being depicted.

6. With the conclusion of this series, is there any one character with whom you feel most connected?
Though I've enjoyed all of my characters immensely and feel a strong affinity for each, I would say that Elizabeth Simpson is the individual for whom I have the most empathy…I often reflect on the things that she endured over the course of the three novels and I'm suffused by a profound sense of sadness. Cynara Saravic presented me with the most perplexing technical challenges as a character, but Elizabeth Simpson is the one who resonates emotionally through the trilogy…her closure is, for me, the most emotionally poignant.
7. Are the any specific moral concepts contained within this final novel?

It would be difficult to write a two thousand page story without inculcating some personal philosophy into the fabric of the story…The story is violent and bloody, but beneath this, there resonates a subtle judgment on the nature of this violence. The story also holds an implied statement on the nature of seduction and the way that an individual's personal prejudices can ensnare them into accepting things that both dangerous and illogical. This subtext is most clearly demonstrated by the characters of Gregor Ingram and Contayza Prowzi, whose inherent prejudices allow them to be deceived into seeing Elizabeth Simpson as the ultimate manifestation of evil.

Elizabeth Simpson takes center stage in this novel and it is through her that I have implicitly conveyed my own personal view on violence and moral integrity…Through all of her travails and loss, Elizabeth retains an inviolable sense of dignity and grace and vehemently refuses to succumb to the more primal urges that drive many of the novel's other characters…she comes closest to representing my own perspective on the treatment of violence in art.

8. With the conclusion of the trilogy…have we seen the last of Elizabeth and Cynara?

As mentioned earlier…this cycle had a twenty-five year creative life. In that time, I have transitioned from a horror novelist to a fantasy novelist…a genre with the broadest creative potential. Still, it would be impossible to invest so much creative and emotional energy into characters such as Cynara and Elizabeth and not have a strong bond with both. The Converging as a concept has definitely run its course, but I have tinkered with the idea of writing a novel that tells the story of the demon Cynara Saravic and her life through the years between her disappearance in 1850 to her appearance in the fictitious town where the first novel takes place in the 1970s. As for the trilogy's primary protagonist, Elizabeth Simpson, I have developed a plot outline for a novel that would take place some years after the events chronicled in the epilogue of Closures in Blood. Both of these notions are in the formative stages and whether they will germinate into full novels, only time will tell. My primary focus over the next few years will be on development of my fantasy cycle – Journey through the Land of Shades.

Author's website http://www.georgestraatman.com/
On Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3046802.George_Straatman
Sony Ebook Store http://ebookstore.sony.com/search?keyword=george+straatman
Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/12717
Also find the trilogy at Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Apple

Heroes, dead parents, The Lord of the Rings, and fantasy book giveaway

I had the privilege of being published at some great blogs last week.

Here are my newest articles from my ongoing blog tour:

Heroes need help - my salute to the sidekick at To Read or Not To Read

Not every hero has one, but they all could use a trustworthy friend who will stick by him or her no matter what. You may think that heroes must face danger alone and surmount great odds through individual brawn or intellect, but when I look at fiction, I see many dependable sidekicks.  Continue
Also go here to enter the giveaway for a paperback copy of Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I. You have through March 2nd to enter.

The Challenges and Rewards of Writing Fantasy without Killing the Parents at Two Ends of the Pen

Dead parents are a long established literary tradition, especially in fantasy fiction. Harry Potter is currently the most famous fictional orphan. And of course Frodo Baggins lost his parents and was adopted by his Uncle Bilbo. Cinderella was left under the domination of a wicked stepmother. Luke Skywalker thought both his mother and father were dead and then he lost his Aunt and Uncle. Continue

My favorite scenes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy at Free Book Reviews

Like many fantasy fans, the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien made me fall in love with the genre. This love led me to become a writer. My fantasy novels are not really like The Lord of the Rings, but the river of inspiration that gushes from Tolkien's writing certainly waters the fields of my imagination. Continue
What's coming up this week:

On February 28th I'll be featuring Canadian author George Straatman's new release The Converging: Closures in Blood.

Also February 28th is the last day to join my readers' list at Brave Luck Books (TM) and enter to win an ebook copy of Berserker by William Meikle.

On March 1st fans of comics can find my review of the indie comic Genecy by Gerald Cooper.

Meet fantasy and sci fi author T.C. Southwell

Visit T.C. Southwell's website
to access all of her books.The rise of independent publishing and worldwide digital distribution of ebooks are really starting to show readers what they've been missing all these years. Not too long ago I never would have had the pleasure of coming across T.C. Southwell, a prolific fantasy and sci fi author living in South Africa.

Southwell has 21 novels published at Smashwords right now and she has dozens of other works written as well. I recently read and reviewed Demon Lord, which I very much enjoyed. I have the next book Dark God on my reading list.

Impressed with Southwell's work, I asked her for an interview. She graciously explained her life as a writer, her challenges getting published in South Africa, and her choice to go into business for herself.

Are some or all of your novels in print in South Africa?

Only Demon Lord, which was published as a paperback in 2006. Unfortunately, in SA anything local is considered inferior, for some reason, and the publisher was unable to generate enough publicity to ensure good sales. Copies were sent to all the major magazines and newspapers for review, but not a single one would even read it. Some local bookshops did not want to stock it, either, even on a 'sale or return' basis. As a consequence, sales were dismal and the sequel, Dark God, was never published.

2. You've written over 40 novels. Which one was your first?

Slave Empire is the first book I wrote, in 1989, although it had a different title initially and the first draught was abysmal. My agent sent it to several publishers but it was rejected, not surprisingly. Since then I've rewritten it about three times, and currently the second book, The Crystal Ship, is my bestseller.

3. You've stated that your mother helped you financially during a 10 year period so you could dedicate yourself to writing. When was this period and did this effort lead to publication?

That was from about 1993 to 2003, and, although I wrote pretty much all my books during that period – except Slave Empire and the Queen's Blade prequels – I didn't actually try to find a publisher at that stage. I wrote the books for my own enjoyment, and had no plans to have them published. Basically I was an unemployed bum living in my mum's garage – which she converted into a flat for me – and I borrowed an ancient PC (which actually belonged in a museum) from some friends and spent my nights writing stories. Then I decided it was time to do something with my life, so I moved to Cape Town in 2003 and started my IT business. I got another agent in 2005 or thereabouts, who found the local publisher for Demon Lord.

4. At your main website, you explain how publishers and other middlemen gain most of the profit from books while authors are undercompensated and readers pay high prices. When did you realize you wanted to produce your own work and become an independent creative entrepreneur?

After my agent retired in 2009, I tried to find an overseas agent and discovered how high their fees are – up to 20%. By that time I was becoming fed up with the whole rigmarole and the amount of waiting involved – it can take several months to get a reply from an agent or a publisher – and they don't want you to send your work to any others at the same time. I looked at a number of e-book publishers, and submitted Demon Lord to one, but it's 112,000 words and very few e-book publishers will publish books longer than 80,000 words. They wanted me to cut 20,000 words out of it, and I wasn't prepared to do that. They'd have had even more fun with Dark God, which is 128,000 words! All my books are quite long, and I didn't want to have to re-write them all to make them fit e-book publishers' specs. I started looking at self-publishing options, and in particular e-books. I heard good and bad things about the e-book market, the most negative aspect of which is that it's rather small compared to the paperback market, but it's growing in leaps and bounds and most people in the industry say it's the way of the future. So it was only just before Christmas last year that I finally decided to change tack and take the self-published e-book route, and I have no regrets.

5. Judging from feedback from your readers, what do you think people like the most about your stories?

Mostly, people seem to like my heroes and heroines, which I'm very happy about since they're my favourite aspects, too, and all my books are character driven. I let my heroes do what they want and merely follow their stories.

6. Any additional comments?

I would encourage new authors who are struggling to find an agent or publisher to go the e-book route. I was constantly assured by my agents that all the best authors were rejected many, many times before they found an editor who liked their work, but why put yourself through that when you don't have to anymore? Getting published with a mainstream publisher is a long-drawn-out process that can take up to two years. While there's nothing quite as satisfying as holding an actual paperback copy of your 'baby' in your hands, e-books are almost as good, and there's also POD publishing, which I plan to explore, too.

Thank you T.C. Southwell for sharing your experiences. Readers can find out about all her novels at T.C. Southwell Books.

Seen this week on the indie writer scene

Comic book writers go indie too

I received a review request this week from independent comic writer Gerald Cooper of Invision Comics. I have a copy of the first issue of Genecy that I will be writing a review for soon. This was my first contact with a comic writer, and it exposed me to the website Indyplanet.com that describes itself as "the greatest selection of independent comics available anywhere."

Another traditionally published author goes indie

Diana Driver author of the Ninth Lord of the Night announced her new status as an independent writer this week at her blog. Ninth Lord of the Night is now available in print and for Kindle at Amazon. In her post New Beginnings as an Indie Author she said:

I think that being with a traditional publisher for the past few years conditioned me to both long waits and being kept in the dark about release dates. Being an Indie author with Amazon is a new experience and one I'm really relishing.

Welcome to the land of the free Diana!
 
About Ninth Lord of the Night
 
Think the Maya Gods are dead and buried?

Think again.

What if they're only sleeping?

In less than eight hours, seventeen-year-old Zack goes from California, the land of fun and sun, to the third world nation of Guatemala, where his life is changed forever. He expects to be bored, not tangle with murderers and artifact smugglers. He wants to go home, instead he's swept into the world of Mayan myths and legends – a world that is his to claim if he only has the courage.

Interview with T.C. Southwell tomorrow

My new favorite fantasy author T.C. Southwell has 21 novels on Smashwords now. Her prolific dedication to writing inspires me. In her interview tomorrow, you'll learn more about the challenges she faced as an author in South Africa and how independent publishing is now helping her reach a world audience.

Are you an indie writer with some news? Contact me and I might be able to mention you here.

Read a great indie writer recently? Leave a comment and let others know about it.

Enter drawing for an ebook giveaway plus groundhog video

February, although the shortest month, becomes rather wearisome in the Northern Hemisphere. Apparently the groundhog did not see his shadow and spring is coming early, but I think it more likely that the critter's eyes were crusted shut by snow and ice.

Stay cozy in your hole until the grass sprouts with your winter reading. Or,if your in the Southern Hemisphere, go to the beach and think about me and stop shaking your head at our groundhog obsessions. Visit Brave Luck Books (TM) where you can download my fantasy novel Union of Renegades for free and join my readers' list. When you join my email list you will be entered in a drawing for a free ebook.

The prize for February is Berserker by William Meikle, a Viking versus Yeti novel. Now there's an entertaining concept. Please see details and use the form at this page to enter:

http://www.falbepublishing.com/braveluck/monthly-giveaway-details.html

To Read or Not To Read: Guest Post and Giveaway with Tracy Falbe

To Read or Not To Read: Guest Post and Giveaway with Tracy Falbe: "I have the pleasure of having Tracy Falbe here today. She is the author of several fantasy fiction novels including Union of Renegades..."

A happy thank you to Marcie at her popular book review blog To Read or Not To Read for publishing my article Heroes Need Help - My salute to the sidekick.

From the article: I think in general the fictional hero represents daring and experimentation. The steadfast strength of the hero-friend is there to support and sometimes to save. The hero-friend wants to be part of the possibilities of the hero, and the hero-friend helps us share in the adventure.

Read the whole article at Marcie's blog and enter the giveaway drawing for a paperback copy of Union of Renegades.

Indie writer news

Historical Fantasy Short Story collection by Joseph Robert LewisThe Tale of Asha, Volume 1: Death - Contains three short stories The Lotus Cave, The Fever Mist, and The Shining Scales. See more about these tales by Joseph Robert Lewis.

Growing Fantasy News Community at Fantasy-Faction.com
I've been following Fantasy Faction on Twitter for a while, and it's really shaping up as an enjoyable and informative website for fantasy genre fans. Action in the forum is consistent with the regular addition of discussion questions and reviews. Also find new indie fantasy writers in the forum's book ads section.

Upcoming interview with South African fantasy author T.C. Southwell
Thanks to ebooks and worldwide distribution I recently discovered T.C. Southwell, who has agreed to an interview for Her Ladyship's Quest that I will be scheduling soon. Refer to my recent review of Demon Lord to see how much I appreciated reading this great fantasy author.

How's my blog tour going?
Over the weekend I was delighted to have two bloggers publish my guest posts.
Killing characters - a fantasy writer confesses her sins

The therapeutic meditative qualities of writing

What's your indie writer news?
Read something you liked by an independent author? Leave a comment and tell other people about it.

Are you an indie writer? Contact me with your news and it might get mentioned at Her Ladyship's Quest. Use the form on this page.

I'm going on tour - Here's where to read my great guest posts

Fantasy author Tracy Falbe on blog tour. (Not actually pictured, but model represents a reasonable representation of me, except I'd rather be stepping out of JEEP and wearing boots. Oh, and I'm not that tall, but the hair color is about right.)Thanks to the bloggers at Author AdvenTours, I will be on a blog tour to promote my fantasy series The Rys Chronicles from February 19th through the 25th. Along with some basic features for Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I, I have written some guest posts that other bloggers are kindly publishing for me. I developed some nice articles for this tour. They were hard to giveaway, but you're supposed to share the good stuff when you pimp on someone else's corner.

Here's the details:

Feb. 19, Killing characters - A fantasy writer confesses her sins - Guest post at Breakout Books

Feb. 20, The therapeutic meditative qualities of writing - Guest post at Jeff Ambrose's blog

Feb. 22, Featured at Kindle Geeks

Feb. 23, Featured at Book Chat

Feb. 23, Heroes need help - My salute to the sidekick - Guest post at To Read or Not to Read, plus paperback giveaway


Feb. 24, The challenges and rewards of writing fantasy without killing the parents - Guest post at Two Ends of the Pen

Feb. 24, Featured at Hot Gossip Hot Reviews

I'm excited about reaching more readers. My blog is also open to touring creatives. I'd love to hear from indie writers, musicians, game developers, and filmmakers. See details about blog tours at Her Ladyship's Quest.

Also, fantasy readers, please download my first novel Union of Renegades for free right here.