Raven c.s. McCracken's Blog
March 18, 2012
Celebrate Spring-2 Days Only-Get IASBSITG for FREE! (3/19-3/20)
[image error]Looking for a little light reading for your spring break? Here's your chance to download the humorous bestselling IT'S ALWAYS SPRING BREAK SOMEWHERE IN THE GALAXY for free on Amazon.com – 2 Days Only – Monday & Tuesday (3/19-3/20). If you like your sci fi to be fast, furious and funny, then this one's for you. Reg. $2.99. http://amzn.to/wmti8s "AMAZING BOOK!! Quick read, entertaining and brilliant!" And tell your friends so they don't miss out on their chance to get the book for free, too!
Don't live in the USA/Canada? The eBook will also be free internationally on the following Amazon sites (English Language Version):
United Kingdom - http://amzn.to/xATxxd
France - http://amzn.to/FPnVHa
Germany - http://amzn.to/FQmJT3
Italy - http://bit.ly/xtrZuY
Spain - http://bit.ly/wjTqZN
February 17, 2012
THE BRIDES-Get It Free This Weekend (2/18-2/19)
[image error] Looking for a twisted tale of murder, mayhem and revenge? A totally new take on an old tale? THE BRIDES retells the Dracula legend and spins it 180 degrees.
All those years back, The Brides turned the tables on their creator and then began to create "Draculii" to cover their trails over the centuries. But when they turn the wrong "Dark Prince" in present-day Vegas, someone even more evil and terrifying than they are, they are in for the fight of their lives…
For 2 days only, February 18-19, you can download the Kindle version of THE BRIDES from Amazon.com for FREE. (Don't have a Kindle? Don't worry, you can still read the book using one of the free Kindle Reader Apps for PC, MAC, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android and more.)
February 7, 2012
"None of the Vampires Sparkled…"
[image error] Thanks to Melissa Voelker at horrornews.net for her recent review of THE BRIDES. She made a lot of valid points, many of which we'll be taking to heart as we work on Raven's future projects.
One thing I've noticed about many of the reviews of Raven's earliest work — THE BRIDES was his first published fiction title as part of his anthology I EAT BUTTERFLIES released January 2011 and my first professional editing job — is while people find a few flaws in them regarding plot or characterization, almost everyone has mentioned wishing he would have written longer, more expanded versions of each of his novellas. I take it as a good sign that people want to see more of his writing (rather than less!) and that they seem to be as taken with his unique storytelling and perspective on the varied subjects as I am. It's always a great feeling when people tell you they were interested enough in the plot and characters that they actually wanted a longer book and *more* detail or that they weren't ready for the story to end… (We've heard the same comments about his other 2 novellas from I EAT BUTTERFLIES (MERLIN'S KNOT and VELOCITY SYNDROME), that people would have liked them to be full-length novels, too.)
2011 was a learning experience for both of us in what styles and types of books suit Raven's talents best and learning how to work together to produce the best possible outcome. We've realized that the short story/novella doesn't quite work for him – just not enough room for the story needing to be told. He and I will definitely work on fleshing out future stories better, taking needed time to tighten up plot points, while making sure the characters are a bit more consistent, more fully realized, using the full-length novel format. We agree with readers that it would better suited to his boundless imagination and it would allow him to truly explore his stories and characters best. (In fact, his most recent book, the humorous sci fi adventure IT'S ALWAYS SPRING BREAK SOMEWHERE IN THE GALAXY is a full-length novel and has been his best-received one to date.) A full-length sequel is currently in the works for MERLIN'S KNOT, and one is planned for THE BRIDES, too, as well as other novels featuring new characters and situations, so we'll have plenty of opportunity to use what we've learned from Raven's readers' expectations and suggestions.
If you want to read it for yourself, you can find THE BRIDES at Amazon.com - only $1.99. (Also available as part of the Kindle Select Lending Library – borrow it for free if you own a Kindle and are an Amazon Prime member.) We'd love to hear your take on it. And thanks as always to the people who take the time to read and post reviews of his books. It's truly appreciated. [Kelly]
February 4, 2012
"Quick read, entertaining and brilliant…"
[image error]We just got a wonderful 5-star review on Amazon.com for Raven's book IT'S ALWAYS SPRING BREAK SOMEWHERE IN THE GALAXY. Check it out when you get a chance.
February 1, 2012
Get IT'S ALWAYS SPRING BREAK SOMEWHERE IN THE GALAXY Free-3 Days Only
[image error]We had so much fun with the free giveaway for MERLIN'S KNOT that we've decided to give you all a chance to read Raven's IT'S ALWAYS SPRING BREAK SOMEWHERE IN THE GALAXY for free, too. (Thanks to everyone who helped make MERLIN's KNOT an international bestseller in the Contemporary Fantasy category, by the way, both in the free and regular lists!)
That's right – you can download an eBook copy of IASBSITG for no charge February 1st-3rd only! Click here or on the picture to get yours. It's available through Amazon.com in Kindle format, but remember, even if you don't have a Kindle, you can still read it. Get one of Amazon's FREE Kindle Reader apps or just read it in your browser using their new free Kindle Cloud reader. Tell your friends, too.
If you like Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett or William Goldman, you ought to love Raven's IT'S ALWAYS SPRING BREAK SOMEWHERE IN THE GALAXY. It's fast, furious and funny – a humorous twist on the road trip, only this time it's in outer space. Follow the antics of The Misplaced, as they introduce the galaxy to rock and roll with Earth's very first interstellar starship. Nothing stops this hardrockin' group as they explore outer space, with an in-your-face attitude.
Join Dan, Lisa, Pony, Christine, and their new manager, the hive-being Bobbisocks, as they climb the charts, face deadly aliens bent on capturing the band, and discover "It's always spring break somewhere in the galaxy!"
It's a rock and roll rollicking romp that's hilarious, has twists and dangers galore, and even some super sexy romance, human *and* alien. It's one you'll read over and over again.
January 29, 2012
Has It Really Been A Year Already?
Wow – as of 01/27, it's been a year since we published Raven's 1st fiction book as an eBook on Amazon.com: I EAT BUTTERFLIES: Tales of Vampires, Mages & Mutants, a sci fi /fantasy /horror anthology of 3 novellas. A little later, it was also released in paperback. Then he came out with IT'S ALWAYS SPRING BREAK SOMEWHERE IN THE GALAXY, a sci fi rock & roll humor book, both in eBook and paperback. We also released the three novellas from IEB as Kindle eBook "singles," two of which have hit the Amazon bestseller lists in the Sci Fi categories in early January 2012 (MERLIN'S KNOT and VELOCITY SYNDROME).
I know I'm looking forward to what the rest of 2012 has in store for us, including the anticipated sequel to MERLIN'S KNOT and the rebirth of his role-playing game THE WORLD OF SYNNIBARR, both works-in-progress.
Thanks as always to all the great readers for your support!! [Kelly]
January 18, 2012
Get MERLIN'S KNOT Free
[image error]As a "thank you" to all those who helped make Raven's VELOCITY SYNDROME hit the Amazon.com bestseller list for Sci Fi Adventure this last weekend, for 2 days only (January 18-19th, 2012), the Amazon Kindle eBook edition of Raven's international bestselling sci fi/fantasy MERLIN'S KNOT is free to all. Don't miss this chance to get your copy if you haven't already. (Free edition will be available to US, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and France Amazon.com customers so tell your friends, too.)
MERLIN'S KNOT: "What happens when you combine ancient Celtic magic and artificial intelligence? Hidden for centuries and concealed by codes hidden in Celtic knots, Alan Clark, a computer programmer, and his friends are about to rediscover Merlin's magic, but they aren't the only ones who've been searching for it, and their opponents will stop at nothing to gain the power it possesses… " (And don't miss the sequel coming out in 2012!)
Don't have a Kindle yet? No worries. Amazon offers FREE reader apps for PC, MAC, Android, Blackberry, iPad, iPod and more. Click here to get yours and start reading Raven's books today.
January 13, 2012
Get VELOCITY SYNDROME Free on Fri the 13th
[image error]For 1 day only, January 13th (aka Friday the 13th), the Amazon Kindle eBook edition of VELOCITY SYNDROME is free to all. Don't miss this chance to get your copy.
Set in a near-future Seattle, where the never-ending rains have drowned most of the city, humans have begun to develop extraordinary powers, and Big Brother has become a reality, Luke Dorsey has 1 chance to solve a murder–with a solution that may decide the world's fate…
Don't have a Kindle yet? No worries. Amazon offers free reader apps for PC, MAC, Android, Blackberry, iPad and more. Click here to get yours.
January 8, 2012
VELOCITY SYNDROME–Borrow a Copy Today
December 22, 2011
Flying Grizzlies with Laser Beam Eyes…
