Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 320

Sponsor: GIVE ME by LK Rigel

If you love Once Upon A Time, you may also enjoy Give Me, A Fairy Tale!





Book Blurb:

A young witch with a good heart. Two lovers in mortal danger. A spell that ends in disaster. 



Lilith Evergreen lives in the California desert, an ordinary woman until her fiancé returns from London with a ring he bought from a street vendor. When Lilith puts it on she dreams of a green land that's anything but desert, a tree at cliff's edge, a ruined castle, and a handsome prince. 



Then she discovers that it's all real. 



When Lilith visits the ruins of Tintagos Castle, she discovers a world of magic and love - and its dark side when she's entangled in the remnants of an ancient spell gone bad. From the moment Lilith sees Cade Bausiney, she's overwhelmed with desire for him. Cade is drawn to Lilith too - but their feelings might only be sparked by dark and dangerous magic.



Lilith and Cade must break the old spell or be forever possessed by spirits who've waited a millennium to consummate their love.



Approximately 133 pages in print

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Give-Me-Fairy-Tale-ebook/dp/B005KHHZXS

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/give-me-a-fairy-tale-lk-rigel/1105304874

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/85544





Reviewers Comments:

The Romance Reviews (top pick)

I think I'm in love...Yes, this hardened feminist shell that I wrap around me like a coat-of-arms melted as I read this delightful piece of pure romance.



Kindle Obsessed

Rigel ... masterfully infuse(s) a very intricate magical history ... with today's inclination to disbelieve anything that can't be logically explained ... she makes you believe in magic.13 Quick & Fun Questions for author LK Rigel:



Originally posted at Book Bordello

1. Rich, loved or famous – choose one. Why?Rich, no question. Wealth provides a life of freedom and the time to live it. Being loved is wonderful, but loving is better. I suspect fame would be more of a nuisance than a joy.



2. If you could have anyone serenade you who would it be and what would they sing?The Koch Brothers, "Everything I Have Is Yours" – this would solve many problems.

3. We can all time travel now. Where would you go, what would you do, and why?I would travel back to five minutes before the meeting at Fox where they decided to cancel Firefly and waylay the git who argued in favor of cancellation. The world would be a better place if we had at least four more seasons of that show in the can.

4. If you could live in the world of a book, tv show or movie, what would it be?Firefly – if I could be Zoe.

5. What's your guilty pleasure?Costume dramas like Jane Eyre, Sense and Sensibility, Wuthering Heights, Poldark, The Abduction Club, The Forsyte Saga … I could go on forever.  

6. What is your favourite tv theme?It's hard to beat Mr. Ed.



7. What was your favourite toy growing up?I loved those slip and slide things, long strips of plastic with holes in them that hooked up to the hose and you just slid down them on your belly. It was like flying on the ground. With bruises.

8. What did you want to be when you grew up?An actress.

9. What scares you the most?Poverty in all its guises.



10. What's your perfect lazy day?Outside: thunder and rain and lightning. Inside: a fire, all my work is caught up, all my bills are paid, I have plenty of Nespresso pods at the ready, and the entire day is mine to read and write.

11. What is your earliest memory.No lie: I was lying on a table kicking my feet and thinking, "Where is that thing that takes care of me?"

12. What's the greatest gadget ever made?Wine opener.

13. What's your biggest pet peeve?Ignorance.



Author bio: I live in California with my television-watching cat, Coleridge. (His favorite show is Castle, but he was enthralled by Game of Thrones.) I've been a writer since my seventh grade teacher praised one of my stories in front of the whole class. I wrote songs for the 90's band The Elements, scored the independent science fantasy karate movie Lucid Dreams, and was a reporter for the Sacramento Rock 'N Roll News. In my thirties, I returned to school and received a BA in humanities with a focus on religious studies from CSU, Sacramento. Although I'm an atheist, existential speculation informs all of my stories - doesn't everyone wonder what it all means? 

My work has appeared in Literary Mama and Tattoo Highway. 

I write the postapocapunk "Apocalypto" series about the end of the world as we know it and the beginning of a new reality in which the gods return to save humanity from itself - with varying degrees of success. 

My short story "Slurp" about an author with creativity problems on Halloween is included in DEADLY TREATS, Anne Frasier's Halloween anthology published by Nodin Press.

#SS Regency Romance, LOVE BY SECRETS

Reviewers Comments:

"As a fan of the incredible Jane Austen ... this novella was a real treat for me to read. The author does a wonderful job with descriptions, such as when she describes Emily's first ball as a kaleidoscope of colors as the couples dance the night away." Amy Lignor





"Love by Secrets is a sweet, bite-size love story. ... I really liked the time period the book was set in. It reminded me of Pride & Prejudice in that regard." Jackie Miller





Excerpt:



Chapter 2

Emily placed her hand on her father's arm. With her mother on his other side, they entered the ballroom together.  Candles lit up the room. There was a dazzling, oversized, crystal chandelier in the center of the ballroom, and a dozen wall sconces scattered around the room. Musicians played a lovely tune. Couples danced in the center of the ballroom, and the swirl of silk dresses was like one of Sir David Brewster's kaleidoscopes; dazzling the eyes with color."Oh, Papa, it's so beautiful, isn't it?" Emily whispered.Mr. Stanton patted his daughter's hand. "Indeed it is." Before they had gotten too far into the room, they ran into Miss Mia Gardner standing at the edge of the dance floor. "Good evening, Miss Gardner," Mr. Stanton said.Mia curtsied. "Good evening, Mr. Stanton, Mrs. Stanton." She turned to her best friend. "Emily, I'm so glad you're finally here.""Did I miss anything?"Mia whispered in her ear.Emily giggled. She let go of her father's arm. "Papa, may I take your leave?"Mr. Stanton nodded. "Of course, Emily. Miss Gardner, a pleasure to see you this evening." He bowed to the young woman.Mia curtsied. "Thank you, Mr. Stanton." The two young women hurried over to the nearest alcove to confer in private, and away from prying eyes."Let me see it," Emily demanded.Mia held out her dance card for her friend's inspection. Neatly scribbled were the names of six young men: the handsome Mr. Connor Preston being the first name, and the reserved Mr. Charles Giles rounding out her dance partners. "Can you believe it? Mr. Preston wants to dance with me?""Of course he does. Why wouldn't he? You look beautiful tonight," Emily said.Mia gave her friend a sad smile. She was not a beauty, but had a sweet disposition. She was from a good family; not wealthy, but comfortable on 2,000 pounds per annum. With four children, however, there was hardly any extra to go around. Nineteen-year-old Mia had already been through one season without a marriage proposal. Would she land a husband this season? Or would she wait season after season for that elusive marriage proposal? "Thank you, Emily. You are a dear friend to say such sweet things."Compared to her friend, there was no doubt that Emily would have her pick of suitors. She was the prettiest girl in the roomEmily grasped Mia's hand. "I know you'll find someone this season."The two young women were huddled together on the bench. They did not notice Lady Tisbury approaching, with two gentlemen in her wake, until their shadows fell over them."Good evening, Miss Gardner, Miss Stanton," Lady Tisbury said.Both Mia and Emily looked up, and immediately stood."Lady Tisbury, a pleasure to see you again," Mia said as she curtsied. "Good evening, Lady Tisbury," Emily said. "Thank you for your kind invitation to attend this evening." She curtsied."It is my pleasure. I would like to present Mr. Connor Preston and Mr. Ethan Richardson."The young women curtsied to the gentlemen. Lady Tisbury swept her arm out toward Mia. "Gentlemen, you both are acquainted with Miss Mia Gardner. She has been a frequent guest of mine." Lady Tisbury nodded in Emily's direction. "Gentlemen, this is Miss Emily Stanton." Both Connor and Ethan bowed, first to Mia and then to Emily. "Miss Gardner. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Stanton," they said in unison.Emily watched them both. Connor had black hair, neatly trimmed at his shirt collar, and intense, blue eyes. He looked dashing in his smartly cut jacket. Ethan had blond hair and deep-brown eyes. He wore a serious countenance, and seemed rather dull next to his gregarious friend."Lady Tisbury, thank you for your kind introduction to Miss Stanton," Ethan said. Lady Tisbury nodded. "I'll leave you now. She leaned toward her nephew, Ethan, and whispered, "Please speak with me later. It is Colby again."Ethan bowed. "Yes, of course, Lady Tisbury."When Lady Tisbury had departed, Connor turned his attention to Mia. "Miss Gardner, may I have that dance now?" "Yes, uh, of course, Mr. Preston," Mia stammered, suddenly flustered by the handsome, young man."Miss Stanton, may I sign your dance card?" Ethan asked.Emily took her dance card out of her reticule, and handed it to Ethan. "Thank you, Mr. Richardson. I would enjoy that."Ethan signed the card. Before he could give it back to Emily, Connor reached for it. "My turn," Conner said, with a twinkle in his eye. He signed the dance card, and handed it back to her. He turned his attention back to Mia and offered his arm. "Shall we, Miss Gardner?"Mia took Connor's offered arm, and he led her out to the dance floor."Would you care to dance, Miss Stanton?" Ethan asked."I would love to." Emily took his arm, and they proceeded to the dance floor. They stood opposite Connor and Mia, waiting for the couples to line up for the quadrille dance. The dance was announced, and the music started. The women curtsied, and the men bowed.Emily met Ethan's hand, and they circled one another. "Don't you just love to dance Mr. Richardson?" she asked.Ethan looked up into Emily's blue eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but he did not have a chance to answer her question before they parted once again. The dance continued. Emily and Mia crossed paths. Emily was now paired with Connor. He winked at her and her eyes widened in surprise. When their hands met, a shiver of delight went down her spine. By the time the dance ended, Emily wanted nothing more than to dance again with the handsome Mr. Preston. The men bowed to the ladies, and Mia and Emily turned to leave the floor. Connor held his arm out to Emily. "Miss Stanton, I believe you owe me a dance. Shall we partake in the next dance as well?""Thank you, Mr. Preston; I would be delighted," Emily said.Ethan stepped next to Mia, and he escorted her off the dance floor. For the rest of the evening, Emily thought about the dashing Mr. Preston. He was charming and witty, and she floated around the dance floor with a smile that lit up her beautiful face.***"Oh, Nesmith, you should have seen the room. It was so beautiful. Mia and I danced almost every dance.""Whom did you dance with?" Nesmith helped Emily out of her dress."With almost every gentleman in the room; but I danced twice with Mr. Connor Preston," Emily said. "He's so handsome. I think he likes me.""Did he say so?""No; but he winked at me, and we danced two dances together.""Miss Emily, don't get your hopes up. Men love dancing with pretty girls. When he comes to see your father, then you'll know he's serious.""Oh, Nesmith, don't be harsh. You weren't there. I just know he likes me.""If you say so," Nesmith said, a frown creasing her face. The older woman combed out Emily's hair and helped her into her nightgown. "Do you need anything else?""No, thank you Nesmith.""Good night, Miss Emily." Nesmith left the room, and hurried down the hall to attend to Mrs. Stanton.Emily grabbed her evening reticule. She brought the candle over to the bed, and set it down on the table. She climbed up into bed, snuggling into the soft, feather pillows. She pulled her dance card out to look at Connor's name again, and a slip of paper fell out. "What's this?" She unfolded the note. Her eyes widened as she read it.

I have eyes for only oneIn the sea of colorful silksWith eyes of blueAnd a smile thatGladdens my heartYou are my Bright Star

"A love letter. Oh, Mr. Preston; I knew you liked me." Emily hugged the slip of paper to her breast.





LOVE BY SECRETS, .99

AMAZON:  http://www.amazon.com/Love-Secrets-Regency-Romance-ebook/dp/B005XMZ0NM





BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-by-secrets-debra-elizabeth/1106798037

Spotlight and Interview with Terri Giuliano Long

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/In-Leahs-Wake-ebook/dp/B0044XV7PG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306533515&sr=8-3

Barnes & Nobles Nook: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/In-Leahs-Wake/Terri-Giuliano-Long/e/2940011264566?itm=1&USRI=In%2BLeah27s%2BWake

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0044XV7PG/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0KPRJ2ETYF4CYY623Y5P&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294



Do you work another job when you are not writing? I'm a writing teacher. I've taught part-time for Boston College for sixteen years, a range of classes that include everything from Web writing to food writing.

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren't writing?Hands down, spending time with my family. They are the most important people in my life.  Without them, nothing else would matter.

What is your favorite color? Why?I love gold, not for the monetary connotations, but for its glittering hopefulness.

What is your favorite season? Why?Spring, again because it's hopeful. My husband and I currently divide our time between New England and California. There is nothing so stunning as a clear fall day in New England, with the warm sun and colorful leaves. But in spring, as the days get longer, you feel hopeful and alive.

If you could live anyplace on earth, where would it be? Why?I've been blessed with the opportunity to visit many wonderful places. Always, at some point in the trip I think, wouldn't it be great to live here. But there really is no place like home. Right now, our children are spread across the country, fulfilling their own journeys. Down the road, when everyone is finished with school, I hope we live near or at least within a reasonable drive of one another. That's my dream home.

If you could have any car, what would it be? I'm not really a car person. As long as it's reliable, gets good gas mileage, and has no body rot, I'm happy.

Tell us about your writing: How long have your been writing? Was it a dream, a goal or is it just a hobby? I've always been a writer at heart. As a child, I entertained myself by making up stories and acting in my own improvisational plays. In high school, the majority of my hobbies and activities somehow involved writing. One day, brazenly, I walked into the editor's office at the town paper and asked for a job. For a while, I covered sports and general high school news. Eventually, the editor gave me my own column. I was sixteen. That column was my first paid writing job. I earned about a dollar a week – and I knew then that writing was the only job I'd ever want.I can't imagine not writing. Writing transports me; I lose myself in the process.

How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?Ideally, I blog in the morning and either write or edit the novel I'm currently working on from early afternoon until dinnertime. This schedule doesn't always work. During crunch time, when I'm busy editing and grading students' papers, my own work falls by the wayside. Since the summer, marketing In Leah's Wake, I've neglected Nowhere to Run, my novel-in-progress, and I'm eager to dig in again. Typically, when I've been away from my fiction, it takes a few weeks to catch up and establish a regular routine.In the past, I insisted that students write every day. I now see rules as counterproductive. The right way to do anything is the way that works best for you. Life interferes with the best-laid plans. You can fight it or go with it. I try to go with it. That's not to say I always succeed.



Do you listen to music or do you need a quiet place to write? I'm easily distracted, so I need a quiet place to write, preferably with no Internet access. If I start anything else, I'm likely to fall into a rabbit hole and lose the entire day I'd hoped to spend writing.

What is the name of your book and is it part of a series or a stand-alone novel?In Leah's Wake is contemporary fiction.

Where did the idea come from?  Years ago, I wrote a series of feature articles about families with drug- and alcohol-addicted teens. The moms talked candidly about their children, their struggles. Their heartbreaking stories stayed with me. My husband and I have four daughters. When I began writing In Leah's Wake, they were teens. Most families experience conflict during their children's teenage years. We're no different - though, thank goodness, ours were tame. We experienced nothing remotely like the problems and challenges the Tylers face in the book. As a parent, I knew how it felt to be scared, to be concerned for your children's future. Although I didn't think about it at the time, I now see this as a primary force driving this story. My work with families, my personal experiences and core beliefs – all these things played on my conscious and subconscious mind, and ultimately emerged as this book. What is it about? In Leah's Wake tells the story of a family in collapse. Sixteen-year-old Leah, a star soccer player, has led a perfect life. When she meets a sexy older guy, attracted to his independence, she begins to spread her wings. Drinking, ignoring curfew, dabbling in drugs—all this feels like freedom to her. Her terrified parents, thinking they're losing their daughter, pull the reigns tighter. Unfortunately, they get it all wrong, pushing when they ought to be pulling, and communication breaks down. Soon, there's no turning back. Twelve-year-old Justine caught between the parents she loves, and the big sister she adores, finds herself in the fight of her life, trying desperately to pull her family together. Will this family survive? What happens when love just isn't enough? 



Jodi Picoult fans often tell me the book reminds them of hers. I'm not sure she – or I – would agree, but we both write topical family stories. And it's a lovely compliment.  Brag facts: In Leah's Wake is the recipient of the CTRR Reviewer Recommend Award and is also the Book Bundlz 2011 Book Club Pick. In Leah's Wake is an Amazon Kindle bestseller.

Do you have any upcoming projects in the works or other books that have been published? I'm currently working on a psychological thriller with a historical twist. Nowhere to Run takes place in the White Mountains in northern New Hampshire. A year after the brutal murder of her six-year-old daughter, Abby Minot, formerly an award-winning writer, accepts her first assignment—a profile of the philanthropic Chase family, kin of the popular New Hampshire senator and presidential hopeful, Matthias Chase.In her initial research, Abby glimpses darkness under the Chase family's shiny veneer. Digging deeper, she uncovers a shocking web of lies and betrayal, dating back to the nineteenth century. Abby soon finds herself trapped—between an editor obsessed with uncovering the truth and the town and family who will stop at nothing to ensure it stays hidden.I hope to complete the novel this fall. 
Author bio: Terri Giuliano Long grew up in the company of stories both of her own making and as written by others. Books offer her a zest for life's highs and comfort in its lows. She's all-too-happy to share this love with others as a novelist and a writing teacher at Boston College. She was grateful and thrilled beyond words when her award-winning debut literary novel, In Leah's Wake, hit the Barnes and Noble and Amazon bestseller lists in August. She owes a lot of wonderful people – big time! – for any success she's enjoyed!

Spotlight: WHEN HORSES HAD WINGS by Diana Estill

Book Blurb:

Pregnant at 16, Renee Goodchild drops out of school and marries. Now she's trapped in rural Texas with Kenny, her violent, garbage-collecting husband. A bleak future seems assured until she meets self-appointed relationship guru, Pearly. 



"That's why you don't let 'em rule the roost. 'Cause you can't count on 'em to be there the next mornin' when it's time to crow," the worldly Pearly advises.



Renee narrates this tale of ruin and redemption where the damaged and downtrodden lead each other to unintended, sometimes heartbreaking, and often bittersweet outcomes. When Horses Had Wings examines the lives of broken people competing for the most basic needs: the primal urge for affection and the eternal search for acceptance.  

When Horses Had Wings: Kindle/U.S., Kindle/U.K., B&N, Smashwords



Author Bio:  

Diana Estill is the author of three humor books and one collection of short stories: Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road, Deedee Divine's Totally Skewed Guide to Life, a ForeWord Book of the Year Finalist and an International Book Awards winner in humor, Stilettos No More, and Crap Chronicles.

Prior to becoming an author, Diana worked for many years as a journalist and humor columnist. Her columns have appeared in The Dallas Morning News, Washington Post, The Miami Herald, Road & Travel, and other publications. She has been featured in First Magazine and has appeared on a variety of TV shows and radio programs.

I have a mini-sampler of reprinted essays from several of my books available now for free from Smashwords and Apple's iTunes. I'm still trying to make the eBook free on Kindle, where it's currently priced at 99 cents. Here are the freebie links to  You Can't Change Crazy : Smashwords, iTunes.

Website:  www.TotallySkewed.com

 

Blog: www.Totallyskewed.wordpress.com

Interview with James Dorr

Briefly describe your journey in writing your book.  Vanitas came about from an article I'd read about steam calliopes, saying the calliope was originally intended for use by churches, in lieu of bells, to "chime" the hours.  It never caught on, but with a keyboard added, it found a home as a musical instrument for use on steamboats and in circuses.  That led me to wonder:  what if a calliope were  retrofitted for church use again, but this time as a substitute for a church organ? 

I should point out here that I am a short story writer and poet.   I wrote Vanitas as a mystery story, weaving murders and gothic accouterments into it, and it was first published in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine in January 1996.  It has appeared again in print in my collection Strange Mistresses:  Tales of Wonder and Romance (Dark Regions Press, 2001), but then, this year, Untreed Reads Publishing put out a call for steampunk/mystery crossover stories and, even though the original writing may predate steampunk as a genre, Vanitas seemed to fit the bill.  Jay Hartman at Untreed Reads agreed, and Vanitas is now available as of August 2011 in electronic book form in Untreed Reads' "Orbits" science fiction/fantasy short story line.

What genre are your books?  Do you write in more than one genre?Besides Strange Mistresses, I have two other full size print books at present, Darker Loves:  Tales of Mystery and Regret (Dark Regions, 2007) and, also published in August this year, Vamps (A Retrospective) from Sam's Dot Publishing, the latter a collection of poetry ranging over twenty-three years on the subject of vampires and things vampiric.  Add to these an out-of-print chapbook, Towers of Darkness, in Nocturnal Publications' "Night Visions" poetry series (1990) and The Garden, a science fiction/horror novelette in print and electronic chapbook formats from Damnation Books in 2009,  but the bulk of my work has appeared in magazines and anthologies.  As for genre, most of what I write is dark -- horror and fantasy, but sometimes humor too -- with the occasional foray into science fiction and mystery, and maybe dark romance.  Venues range from Aboriginal Science Fiction to Xenophilia, Alfred Hitchcock's to The Yellow Bat Review.

If you write in more than one genre, do you use a pen name? I sometimes appear as James S. Dorr or as James Dorr, often by editor's prerogative, while my "website/blog name" is jamesdorrwriter.  Other than that, no, though way, way back when I was in college I sometimes wrote for student publications under different names to avoid professorial complaints that I ought to spend more of my time on my classes. 

Did you query agents and traditional publishers?  Did you receive an offer of representation or a book contract? For Vanitas, no, I just sent it in.  But every experience carries its own details.  Strange Mistresses originated in a request from the publisher who I'd met at World Fantasy Convention.  The first proposal I sent was rejected, but the second accepted, and then a few years later I queried about a "sequel" and thus came Darker Loves.  Vamps (a Retrospective) followed a similar pattern, with a publisher who'd printed poetry by me before in magazines declining a mixed fiction/poetry holiday book proposal, but hinting that something a little more general and with poetry only might get a more favorable reception -- and so it did.  For the other two chapbooks, Towers of Darkness was by publisher invitation (also after she'd published some of my work in her magazine) and The Garden was one I just sent in. 

What factors influenced your decision to sign with Untreed Reads?I had not yet used nor had any immediate plans to use the electronic rights for Vanitas, so an electronic-only deal seemed a good thing -- and, after all, they had accepted the story already.  They allowed me room to negotiate some contract items.  Also their editing was extremely light and what there was of it was negotiable too -- from experience with a few anthology publishers, etc., in the past, this was a very large plus for me -- though in fairness I should note that I am an experienced author, while others, perhaps newer to writing, might find their work more in need of tweaking.   In general, I've felt I've been treated with respect. 

How involved are you during the creative process for your book's cover design? In this case, not at all.  Vanitas is part of Untreed Reads' "Orbits" line and, except for a few of the longest stories, they use common cover designs within lines as a sort of "brand" mark, thus promoting the line as well as the individual books.  So for any who may wonder why the cover illustration doesn't seem to have too much to do with the story description, now you know why. 

Do you plan to self-publish any other books or will you stay with Untreed Reads? I have no plans to self-publish any books at present.  I have two other stories under consideration now by Untreed Reads, one a science fiction novelette, "Peds," that I sent unsolicited and the other a very short Christmas horror piece, "I'm Dreaming of A … ," sent in response to a call for year's end holiday stories.   After that, we'll see.  Night Owl Reviews recently gave Vanitas a very favorable write-up (4 ¾ stars out of a possible 5) so that may have a positive impact on sales, but with only three or four months passed since its publication, who knows? 

What kinds of social media [twitter, facebook, webpage, blog, writing forums] are you involved with trying to garner attention for your book(s)? As a multi-genre writer and poet, I consider myself a "brand" as much as any specific book or story, so while Vanitas and Vamps (A Retrospective) may be the newest, they share space on my site with other books, as well as publishing news on individual stories and poems (along with, I might add, occasional "lagniappes" -- free samples of some of my work -- and even a movie review now and then).  Readers are invited to check me out at http://jamesdorrwriter.wordpress.com and, as for the books, pressing the covers in the center column will bring you to publishers' information, while scrolling down through the various posts will offer sometimes blow by blow histories of acceptances, setbacks, publication dates, etc.  Then, on Facebook, I'm there as "James Dorr" (the one with the "Morrigan crow" as an avatar) which, if nothing else, announces new blog posts (often in stereo, as different distributors rush the news to you) along with occasional more personal items.  And as for writing forums, I'm on a bunch but less for advertising purposes as for finding news about publication proposals I might submit to, but also when I do submit I include selected past publications in my biography which, should I make the sale, will be printed too.   

How do you feel about the world of digital publishing?  Do you think it will replace traditional publishing one day?It's new, is there more to say?  Digital publishing seems to have caught on in various forms, offering some advantages, especially for relatively "light" fiction, some disadvantages over print books.  Especially in an all-but-recession the relative cheapness of new titles has helped this market grow fast,  and there's plenty of room for further expansion while print books may have pretty well saturated their market -- at least until the economy improves (historically, books have tended to be bellwethers, people flocking to libraries when times are tough -- or maybe just watching TV or playing games -- returning to bookstores as times get better, although readers' getting accustomed to electronic books as another alternative has affected this pattern at least in the short term).  As for the long term, it probably will still make inroads in traditional publishing, but traditional publishing had been changing anyway, with more and more once autonomous  "New York publishers" merging into multi-national conglomerates on the one hand, and the rise of shorter run "indy" trade paperback publishers, offering more specialized lines, on the other. 

So, to stick my neck out, I see a decline in print on demand publishing* ("POD," another recent innovation in the world of  print) except by publishers who are really doing electronic editions with POD simply as another alternative.  I see a continued rise in "niche" print publishers as well as in publishers specializing in collectors' editions, often expensive and fancy and autographed, etc., with deliberately limited press runs (as an example, my Darker Loves is available from Dark Regions Press in a boxed, deluxe leather-bound numbered edition as well as in standard trade paperback form)   As for bookstores themselves, "brick and mortar" stores had already been losing share to internet outlets like Amazon and eBay, Barnes and Noble having perhaps partially insulated itself from Borders' recent fate by establishing an internet sales branch as well.  I do see continuing diversity in larger stores like B&N, at least for now -- sales of CDs and DVDs, greeting cards, coffee shops, WiFi  and cyber cafes, etc.) and a possible rise in smaller independent, and often specialized bookstores to fill the vacuum left by Borders (although that's a trend already started as well, e.g. stores specializing in graphic novels).  

*This is in spite of the fact that a few bookstores have installed actual POD machines, like a vending machine where, after you've chosen what you want from the sample copies displayed on the shelves, you hand over your money and have it print you a copy while you wait, even printing a stiff paper cover and binding it for you.  I could see these having an upsurge as a truly cool novelty, but in the long run, printing one copy at a time is still more expensive than having a larger press print thousands, or even just hundreds or dozens, of books at a time.  

What is the biggest thing you've learned during your journey as an author?Perseverance.  Perseverance.  Perseverance.  (Some might say "Pigheadednesss.")  Different authors may have different goals, but mine is to remember that I am an artist first, a person hoping to put a few bucks in his pocket second.  Don't be too eager to follow trends, by the time you're ready the hottest ones will have already ended.  But sometimes they come back so don't abandon doing what you like just because it's now passé (hey, I just published a poetry book about vampires, in a currently zombie-dominated world).  A corollary:  make your work good enough and it'll get published anyway (but on the other hand, don't hold out too long hoping for a better offer).  

Do you have any advice for new authors? Don't be too quick to quit your day job.  (Also, see the above.) 

What's next for you? I have a series of stories I've been working on over the past few years set in the far future, dying Earth world of the "Tombs," a vast necropolis and the cities and lands that surround it.  About a dozen Tombs stories have been published thus far, including "The Riverman's Daughter" in Strange Mistresses and "Rat Girl," "The Walking" (also more recently reprinted in Roll the Bones, published by Fight On!, Feb. 2011), and "There Was an Old Man" in Darker Loves, and I've been discussing a possible novel with a mid-size independent print publisher combining reprinted and new Tombs stories with an overall narrative theme, somewhat in the manner of Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles or Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club.  Beyond that, I've been working mostly on shorter stories tailored more to electronic venues (one, "Naughty or Nice," will hopefully be out around Christmas time in Daily Science Fiction, my second for them, while "Waiting for Geoffrey," billed as a romance, was recently published in Untied Shoelaces of the Mind) as well as poetry (check Abyss and Apex on Christmas Eve for a seasonal sf poem, "Expanded Mission"), as well as making more older work available again -- part of my coping with the post-recession --  in various anthologies and other markets (check out, for instance, Innsmouth Press's  Candle in the Attic Window and, upcoming, Future Lovecraft; Bards and Sages' America the Horrific:  Tales of Horror from American Myth and Legend; et al.).  

These and other projects are detailed as well on my site, http://jamesdorrwriter.wordpress.com  as noted above.  



James Dorr http://store.untreedreads.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68_7_49_52&products_id=191

Sponsor: Saving Katya by Sandra Edwards

Book Blurb:

Olympic Gold Medalists Kate Peterson (U.S.) and Alexei Petrova (Russia) haven't seen each other in eight years--not since their teenage affair ended after Alexei was forced back to Russia. But in the here and now, they're about to be reunited at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California. 



Kate's agreed to participate in the Torch Lighting Ceremony because she's on the verge of losing her eyesight to a mysterious illness, and she can't afford the experimental surgery that could restore her vision. With a little luck she just might land an endorsement deal at the Olympics--her only shot at funding the surgery.



Alexei's living in the States now, where he's made a fortune selling "himself". He's also made enemies with a U.S. senator who wants him deported. But his plight becomes secondary after he runs into Kate at the Olympics. Clearly, she's hiding something, and he's shocked when he finds out what. 



Once Alexei learns of Kate's illness, saving her becomes his top priority--but will he save her only to be forced, once again, from her life? 



Please note: This is a novella. Approximately 35,000 words (132 pages). Also contains the bonus short story SEPARATE WAYS.





Buy links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Katya-ebook/dp/B005P9FURY

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saving-katya-sandra-edwards/1105874576





Author Bio:



Sandra is an award-winning author with eclectic tastes. She writes in a variety of genres such as paranormal (mostly time travel and reincarnation), contemporary, and suspense. Her books often push the envelope and step outside the boundaries of conventional romance. She lives in the U.S. (west coast) with her husband, two kids, four dogs and one very temperamental feline.

http://www.sandrawrites.comhttp://www.facebook.com/SandraEdwards.Author





Book Excerpt:



Kate felt like a dismissed child. Overwhelmed by a sudden urge to escape, she stopped just outside the restaurant's entrance. "Alexei..." She started to speak and her voice wavered. "I know you've got business to attend to," she added, avoiding his cobalt-blue eyes. They were captivating and dangerous, capable of uprooting a girl from her good senses. "It's not far to my hotel. I can walk."    "I'm sure you can." A persuasive strength coated his vague words.  "The call sounded urgent." She stopped, and hesitated briefly before inspecting his tall, athletic physique. His blazer looked like it had been poured over his powerful shoulders. The mesmerizing teenage boy had grown into a striking, robust man—one who now wore cashmere overcoats and fancy European tailored suits.  A black limo rolled up. She stepped back, too flustered to care about getting in someone else's way. Who was Alexei dissing over the phone? Was it her? It must be so, the conversation had started out about her. She didn't deserve to be treated this way. Dinner was his idea. Not hers. He was right, though. She did know the score. He had ignored her letters because he wanted to. She was good enough to sleep with and that was it. Nothing more than a teenage tryst.      Disillusion reeled inside Kate's head and stole her breath away. She propped a steadying hand on the car. Alexei cradled his arm around her shoulder, opened the vehicle's door and urged her inside. "Wait..." She used the doorframe for leverage, but it had little influence over Alexei. He swept her into the car with capable skill. The door swung shut, trapping her inside a much too tight compartment with Alexei sitting way too close. Close enough to radiate sensual energy that was intense enough to drive her crazy. "You look pale. Are you sure you're all right?" His fingertips trailed over the edge of her face. Chills coursed through her in electrifying waves. Kate laid her purse on the seat and inched some space between herself and Alexei.   Be strong. One moment of pleasure with Alexei was not worth the pain it could bring their daughter. He'd already rejected Katya once—when he ignored Kate's letters. She couldn't risk that happening again.  "I can't do this." She scooted toward the door and secured the handle in her hand. "Call me tomorrow, okay?" Her suggestion was half-hearted and it came on the heels of her flinging the door open and scrambling out of the other side of the car. Instinct pushed her to run, but her legs dragged as if they had weights attached. The idiot in her wanted to look over her shoulder to see if he had gotten out of the car, but she didn't dare. A single come-hither glance from Alexei could send her back into his arms.  Kate hurried along the sidewalk, telling herself she could cover the distance—two blocks—and disappear inside the building before Alexei caught up to her.








       

Guest post: 10 Tips for Writing Dialogue

by Laura Backes http://www.dslserviceproviders.org/ 1.      Practice – There's nothing that replaces practice. Take every opportunity to write dialogue. It might be in a doctor's waiting room, on the bus, or in a plane. Wherever you are, look around and fill in dialogue. What are those two whispering across the room?

Listen – Listen to real people speak. They don't use correct grammar. They don't use full sentences. Sometimes they talk over each other. Write dialogue like it really sounds. Dialogue is rich in its own way- the pauses, the crosstalk, the things left out are just as important as the words that are said.
Speak – Read what you write aloud. You'll hear where it sounds stilted or dry. You'll hear where it doesn't flow, and where it does. If you read fast enough, your brain will automatically correct what you've done wrong, so listen to yourself as you read aloud. You'll gain a lot.

Let Go– Don't worry about making it perfect. Let your characters speak. They may say things that you never imagined. If you know your characters well and let them speak through you, you'll end up with a much richer piece.

Ramble – Feel free to ramble on. People never get to the point in conversation. Unless you're writing a police officer or doctor giving a report, don't expect the characters to spew out just the facts. People beat around the bush; it's a fact of life. Let your character ramble and they'll end up much deeper and more real.

Simplify – Don't make your characters say everything. Simplify your dialogue. A 'yep' or 'nope' can speak volumes about a character. They don't have to respond to others, and they don't have to finish a thought. Let your readers fill in some gaps.

Slang – What you speak is a living language. It changes. Let your characters reflect who they are and where they come from. If they want to say ain't, then let them. It's not your job to be the grammar police for your characters.  People speak badly. They dangle participles, they use fragments, and they swear. Remember that it's not you that's speaking- it is your character. They have their own voice so let them use it.

Less is More- Don't go overboard on the accents. Tell the reader what accent a character has and then give hints in the dialogue. No one wants to read a page of apostrophes and deliberately misspelled words. A ya'll or a gotta once in a while will remind readers of who's talking, without the stress.

Follow – Make sure your readers can follow who is talking. A he said, she said will do wonders for a dialogue-heavy piece. If you have more than four quotes without saying who is talking, you may want to throw that in. It doesn't have to be complex. 'He yelled' works just as well as 'he screamed, shouting to the heavens as his bellowing cry resounded off the walls'.

Make it Visual –Remember that people are reading your dialogue, not speaking it (unless you're a screenwriter). If you want a character to pause, take a breath, or even stutter, you'll have to write it. Breaking up a quote is a great way to show a pause. 'It's this way,' he said, 'I'm leaving.' Because of that break, the reader sees the pause without being told it's there. Unless you have a character doing something special with the time between words, make it visual but not explicit.

Author Bio: This is a guest post from Laura Backes, she enjoys writing about all kinds of subjects and also topics related to internet service in my area.  You can reach her at: laurabackes8@gmail.com.

Review: SHAMAN, HEALER, HERETIC by M. Terry Green

Amazon buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Shaman-Healer-Heretic-ebook/dp/B004KAAUUG

4 of 5 stars

Olivia (Livvy) Lawson is a modern-day techno shaman. She uses technologically enhanced googles (the God Helmet) to help guide her through the different realms of the spirit world and she is blessed with a unique spirit helper—lightening. She is barely making ends meet and things go from bad to worse the day a supernatural kachina, an ancient Hopi god, shows up in her apartment. Livvy ignores the god and he melts back into the spiritual world. The kachina is a sign, but Livvy doesn't understand what his message means and she doesn't feel comfortable talking about it with anyone, not even her shaman broker. However, when a number of other shamans start dying, Livvy has no choice, but to enlist LK's aid and the aid of every shaman living in the Los Angeles area. 

This book opens with a bang and caught my interest immediately. The author does a great job in pulling the reader into the story chapter after chapter. The character of Livvy is well fleshed out—a technologically gifted shaman, but a shy and social inept young woman. There are tidbits in the story of Livvy's attending medical school, but there is no further explanation of why she dropped out. Was the life of a shaman more appealing or did something happen to force Livvy out of medical school?  I was disappointed when nothing more was revealed in this book, but perhaps that will happen in the next book.

The shaman broker LK was my favorite character. He may be a dwarf, but he's one well-dressed guy with his tailored suits and custom Italian shoes. He knows all the shamans in and around LA—their strengths, their weaknesses—and is the one that is instrumental in helping Livvy contact everyone to help solve the problems in the middleworld. The author does a superb job in describing the unique cast of shamans and their spirit helpers.  Each is different and brings an added flair to the story.

The one character I did not connect with is the paramedic, Joel. I don't feel he added anything to the plot and it seemed to me that he was introduced into the story for an easy fix. I think the story was solid without him and his scenes could be deleted from the book without affecting the flow of the story.

All in all, this was a very inventive and interesting story. I would definitely like to read the next book and see what new adventures await Livvy. Recommended.

New Release: TRENTON MAKES by Dave Conifer

Currently at .99. Grab a couple before the price goes up!



Book Blurb:



Life after prison was already going badly for Billy Fargo, and that was before he found out he's the skeleton in a very important person's closet.



When Billy Fargo walks out of prison he's determined to take revenge on the man who framed him. But before he can, he's back in trouble with the law. This time it's a double murder charge. Living on the outside is hard, but why is it getting harder?



Private eye Ricky Willmar is dead set on finding out, but after connecting the dots he's shocked at what he learns. There's somebody out there on the verge of something huge and he's not about to let a bottom-feeder like Fargo get in his way.



Fargo always said he'd rather die than go back to prison. He never thought those would be his only choices. Amazon link:http://www.amazon.com/Trenton-Makes-ebook/dp/B0060QKHGU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320616183&sr=8-1Barnes and Noble link:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trenton-makes-dave-conifer/1106953641?ean=2940013209916&itm=1&usri=dave%252bconifer%252btrenton%252bmakes

Salute A Veteran

VETERANS DAY, 2011 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION

Flag at Arlington National

Cemetery




Today, our Nation comes together to honor our veterans and commemorate the legacy of profound service and sacrifice they have upheld in pursuit of a more perfect Union. Through their steadfast defense of America's ideals, our service members have ensured our country still stands strong, our founding principles still shine, and nations around the world know the blessings of freedom. As we offer our sincere appreciation and respect to our veterans, to their families, to those who are still in harm's way, and to those we have laid to rest, let us rededicate ourselves to serving them as well as they have served the United States of America.

Our men and women in uniform are bearers of a proud military tradition that has been dutifully passed forward—from generation to generation—for more than two centuries. In times of war and peace alike, our veterans have served with courage and distinction in the face of tremendous adversity, demonstrating an unfaltering commitment to America and our people. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the country they loved. The selflessness of our service members is unmatched, and they remind us that there are few things more fundamentally American than doing our utmost to make a difference in the lives of others.



World War II Memorial
Just as our veterans stood watch on freedom's frontier, so have they safeguarded the pros- perity of our Nation in our neighborhoods, our businesses, and our homes. As teachers and engineers, doctors and parents, these patriots have made contributions to civilian life that serve as a testament to their dedication to the welfare of our country. We owe them a debt of honor, and it is our moral obligation to ensure they receive our support for as long as they live as proud veterans of the United States Armed Forces. This year, as our troops in Iraq complete their mission, we will honor them and all who serve by working tirelessly to give them the care, the benefits, and the opportunities they have earned.



Arlington National

Cemetery
On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to our veterans, to the fallen, and to their families. To honor their contributions to our Nation, let us strive with renewed determination to keep the promises we have made to all who have answered our country's call. As we fulfill our obligations to them, we keep faith with the patriots who have risked their lives to preserve our Union, and with the ideals of service and sacrifice upon which our Republic was founded.With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service members have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation's veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2011, as Veterans Day. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I call on all Americans, including civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, and communities to support this day with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.BARACK OBAMA