Sylvester Olson's Blog, page 3
November 12, 2016
new giveaway
In my blog post from yesterday, I forgot to mention the dates of the new contest. The giveaway fo A Detective from Geoduck Street will begin on 11/18/16 and end on 11/26/16.
November 11, 2016
November Update and New Giveaway Announcement
The three months between late August and America's Thanksgiving holiday always move faster than other times of the year. Even though it's been that long since my last post, the first installment of the Geoduck Street sequel is still not ready to go. My editors have been busy, and the delicate matter of prodding them to actually attend to the volume has been as easy as pulling teeth. I'm still hopeful that I will "go live" with the new book sometime late this month.
In the meantime, I've been working on other projects when I can tear myself away from my school studies. I have a story set in the same universe as A Detective from Geoduck Street, which is neither a sequel nor prequel but an independent tale. I'm about 2/3 or 3/4 finished with this. I've also been working on two different game books (anyone remember the old "Choose Your Own Adventure" books from the 80's?). Finally, I have a short (and extremely silly) work that I'm composing entirely in Esperanto; I suspect the finished product will run between 50-80 pages. I plan for all four of these to "go live" sometime in the first quarter of 2017.
The events of this past week have been extremely troubling. Hillary Clinton won the American popular vote, and I hope that the rest of the world outside the US remembers that, assuming the voting percentages accurately sample the American public, 162+ million Americans are equally upset as I am about the unexpected shift the US may very well take. I began Geoduck Street in the late 90's, but the Bush years really shaped the story (as well as the sequels to come). Identifying as a Cascadian through those years helped me, as I was embarrassed and ashamed of what Bush and the Iraq War did to the US and the reputation of American citizens. I've always interpreted Cascadia to be an international concept (which is why British Columbians are just as Cascadian as I am). Identifying as part of an international region allows Pacific Northwesterners to rise above the pettiness that Trump and Red State American nationalism have unleashed on our society.
Because of my desire to present a positive face on the American Northwest, which overwhelmingly did not vote for Trump, I've decided to hold a new giveaway for A Detective from Geoduck Street. The contest is worldwide and across all continents.
In the meantime, I've been working on other projects when I can tear myself away from my school studies. I have a story set in the same universe as A Detective from Geoduck Street, which is neither a sequel nor prequel but an independent tale. I'm about 2/3 or 3/4 finished with this. I've also been working on two different game books (anyone remember the old "Choose Your Own Adventure" books from the 80's?). Finally, I have a short (and extremely silly) work that I'm composing entirely in Esperanto; I suspect the finished product will run between 50-80 pages. I plan for all four of these to "go live" sometime in the first quarter of 2017.
The events of this past week have been extremely troubling. Hillary Clinton won the American popular vote, and I hope that the rest of the world outside the US remembers that, assuming the voting percentages accurately sample the American public, 162+ million Americans are equally upset as I am about the unexpected shift the US may very well take. I began Geoduck Street in the late 90's, but the Bush years really shaped the story (as well as the sequels to come). Identifying as a Cascadian through those years helped me, as I was embarrassed and ashamed of what Bush and the Iraq War did to the US and the reputation of American citizens. I've always interpreted Cascadia to be an international concept (which is why British Columbians are just as Cascadian as I am). Identifying as part of an international region allows Pacific Northwesterners to rise above the pettiness that Trump and Red State American nationalism have unleashed on our society.
Because of my desire to present a positive face on the American Northwest, which overwhelmingly did not vote for Trump, I've decided to hold a new giveaway for A Detective from Geoduck Street. The contest is worldwide and across all continents.
August 11, 2016
Announcement about sequel
Klahowya!
So I have some news about the sequel to "A Detective from Geoduck Street."
In terms of work and studies, this summer has just about murdered me. I finished rewriting/editing Chapters 1-4 of the sequel, but then caught myself taking short cuts with the subsequent sections. In looking at it now, I realize that preparing Part II of "The Matter of Cascadia" is not going to be the cakewalk I always thought it would be.
Adding to the stress is the fact that my school studies are about to enter a more critical stage. There's too much on my plate.
So, after much consideration, I've decided to serialize Part II into several smaller volumes.
My first reaction to the idea of splitting up the book was a Darth Vader Vs. The Energizer Bunny-kind of "NOOOOO!!!!" But after thinking more about it, I found that there are several benefits to this kind of storytelling.
First of all, it will allow me to work on smaller chunks at a time. I'll be able to release a volume every few months or so.
Secondly, it will lesson the price tag, which has bothered me with "Geoduck Street" since I released it. If I could offer the book for half its list price, I would, but the truth is that the manufacturing cost for a 500+ page book is high.
A few weeks ago, I received a paperback galley proof of Part II-Volume 1 in the mail. The product was beautiful. Chapters 1-4 amount to about 110 pages, and tell a consistent story with a beginning, middle, and end. Upon analyzing the rest of the novel, I found that the plot divided rather nicely into groups of 3-4 chapters. I expect Part II to consist of 6 volumes in total.
Right now, the proof is being edited. It should be ready to go live by the end of summer. Stay tuned for more updates on its release :)
So I have some news about the sequel to "A Detective from Geoduck Street."
In terms of work and studies, this summer has just about murdered me. I finished rewriting/editing Chapters 1-4 of the sequel, but then caught myself taking short cuts with the subsequent sections. In looking at it now, I realize that preparing Part II of "The Matter of Cascadia" is not going to be the cakewalk I always thought it would be.
Adding to the stress is the fact that my school studies are about to enter a more critical stage. There's too much on my plate.
So, after much consideration, I've decided to serialize Part II into several smaller volumes.
My first reaction to the idea of splitting up the book was a Darth Vader Vs. The Energizer Bunny-kind of "NOOOOO!!!!" But after thinking more about it, I found that there are several benefits to this kind of storytelling.
First of all, it will allow me to work on smaller chunks at a time. I'll be able to release a volume every few months or so.
Secondly, it will lesson the price tag, which has bothered me with "Geoduck Street" since I released it. If I could offer the book for half its list price, I would, but the truth is that the manufacturing cost for a 500+ page book is high.
A few weeks ago, I received a paperback galley proof of Part II-Volume 1 in the mail. The product was beautiful. Chapters 1-4 amount to about 110 pages, and tell a consistent story with a beginning, middle, and end. Upon analyzing the rest of the novel, I found that the plot divided rather nicely into groups of 3-4 chapters. I expect Part II to consist of 6 volumes in total.
Right now, the proof is being edited. It should be ready to go live by the end of summer. Stay tuned for more updates on its release :)
May 18, 2016
Chapters 1-3 of new sequel draft finished
Klahowya, and Happy May 18th!
Today marks the anniversary of Mount St. Helens' eruption in 1980. There are Cascadia Day celebrations underway tonight. I believe that Vancouver (British Columbia) celebrated this past weekend, and that Seattle will celebrate this upcoming weekend. You can read more about Cascadia Day at http://www.cascadianow.org/.
I'm happy to report that I spent most of my free time today finishing Chapter 3 of the "Geoduck Street" sequel. A completed draft has been on-hand for a long time now, but drafts always require work and I'm not yet ready to release it. Since this past Christmas, I've written a brand new Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 from scratch. 80% of Chapter 3 (which used to be Chapter 1) needed rewriting as well. Considering that I'm holding down a full-time job and also maintaining straight A's as a full-time post-baccalaureate student, I'd say that's pretty good progress over six months.
I will still have to rework certain sections of the sequel, but most of the chapters can simply be edited from their current state, so the process ought to accelerate. Thanksgiving/Christmas of this year is still my target release date for the time being.
I hope you have a wonderful day, and that you're wearing blue and green! The contest for the free copy of "Geoduck Street" ends at midnight, so there are still a few hours (depending on your time zone) if you haven't entered it yet! Good luck!
Today marks the anniversary of Mount St. Helens' eruption in 1980. There are Cascadia Day celebrations underway tonight. I believe that Vancouver (British Columbia) celebrated this past weekend, and that Seattle will celebrate this upcoming weekend. You can read more about Cascadia Day at http://www.cascadianow.org/.
I'm happy to report that I spent most of my free time today finishing Chapter 3 of the "Geoduck Street" sequel. A completed draft has been on-hand for a long time now, but drafts always require work and I'm not yet ready to release it. Since this past Christmas, I've written a brand new Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 from scratch. 80% of Chapter 3 (which used to be Chapter 1) needed rewriting as well. Considering that I'm holding down a full-time job and also maintaining straight A's as a full-time post-baccalaureate student, I'd say that's pretty good progress over six months.
I will still have to rework certain sections of the sequel, but most of the chapters can simply be edited from their current state, so the process ought to accelerate. Thanksgiving/Christmas of this year is still my target release date for the time being.
I hope you have a wonderful day, and that you're wearing blue and green! The contest for the free copy of "Geoduck Street" ends at midnight, so there are still a few hours (depending on your time zone) if you haven't entered it yet! Good luck!
May 15, 2016
May 18th
Klahowya!
Just a reminder, this upcoming Wednesday the 18th is Cascadia Day. Remember to wear some combination of blue and green! :)
Just a reminder, this upcoming Wednesday the 18th is Cascadia Day. Remember to wear some combination of blue and green! :)
May 2, 2016
More about Cascadia Day
In addition to my post yesterday, I almost forgot another important suggestion for May 18: the Cascadia tree.
If you happen to own a plastic Christmas tree, dig it out of your garage and set it up. DON'T DECORATE IT - then it would be a Christmas tree. Just let it stand on its own, sans ornaments, sans lights, sans tinsel.
As most plastic Christmas trees are modeled after the Douglas fir (the Pacific Northwest's most prolific evergreen) you'll have a little piece of Cascadia right there in your living room. Enjoy!
If you happen to own a plastic Christmas tree, dig it out of your garage and set it up. DON'T DECORATE IT - then it would be a Christmas tree. Just let it stand on its own, sans ornaments, sans lights, sans tinsel.
As most plastic Christmas trees are modeled after the Douglas fir (the Pacific Northwest's most prolific evergreen) you'll have a little piece of Cascadia right there in your living room. Enjoy!
May 1, 2016
Cascadia Day Giveaway Contest!
Klahowya! Cascadia Day is almost here!
May 18th is the anniversary of Mount St. Helens' 1980 eruption. Wherever you are in the world, join us in celebrating the Pacific Northwest and its magnificent landscape by wearing a combination of green and blue (like St. Patrick's Day but with an extra color). Yes, a Seahawks, Canucks, or Mariner jersey counts.
For Cascadia Day, I'm holding a contest for a free paperback copy of A Detective from Geoduck Street here at Goodreads. The contest runs until May 18th at midnight. Good luck, and Happy Cascadia Day!
May 18th is the anniversary of Mount St. Helens' 1980 eruption. Wherever you are in the world, join us in celebrating the Pacific Northwest and its magnificent landscape by wearing a combination of green and blue (like St. Patrick's Day but with an extra color). Yes, a Seahawks, Canucks, or Mariner jersey counts.
For Cascadia Day, I'm holding a contest for a free paperback copy of A Detective from Geoduck Street here at Goodreads. The contest runs until May 18th at midnight. Good luck, and Happy Cascadia Day!
April 4, 2016
March 6, 2016
New Giveaway is Up and Running
Win a free hard copy of A Detective from Geoduck Street here at Goodreads!
The contest is open to readers in Canada, the United Kingdom, United States, India, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Korea, New Zealand, Chile, Bermuda, Norway and Greenland.
The contest is open to readers in Canada, the United Kingdom, United States, India, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Korea, New Zealand, Chile, Bermuda, Norway and Greenland.
February 28, 2016
Ebook version is available!
Klahowya!
The ebook version of A Detective from Geoduck Street is now available for purchase on Amazon!
Check it out at:
Amazon.com
The ebook version of A Detective from Geoduck Street is now available for purchase on Amazon!
Check it out at:
Amazon.com
