Stephen Cox's Blog, page 4

Avoiding the Sludge State, Using Feedback

My latest newsletter is out.

I commissioned some human art.

Fire Jays by Paul Humphreys, Inkycovers

A reminder

I have two novels out I am truly proud of. Our Child of the Stars and Our Child of Two Worlds. They are widely available including from me in the UK.

I have some Free Fiction on my website (Tab, free fiction). I also offer creative services – including MS assessment and media skills/confidence. (Tab, Services)

Bung me a question or comment. Post below or privately here. Is anyone interested in a Zoom chat on all things writing and fiction?

Sludge State

There’s a wonderful point in the creative life where you reach a flow state – maybe for minutes, maybe an hour, maybe a few days. In this state you write with ideas fizzing and the words (or worlds) flying onto the page.  It’s this state which means I could never write a book by hand, I could not write fast enough, and it would be illegible.

I think I have been in sludge state, where things move very slowly, and trying to speed up can just increase the resistance.

And I write about how to use feedback constructively.

Two recent posts

I ask whether I have become an AI Art Addict. In some ways, my little experiments have made me more pessimistic not less.

I also have a walk on part in the scandalous story behind Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife on Netflix. I have some insight on consent for emergency treatment, consent for publicity, and so on. My newsletter has details.

Happy New Year #1 – refilling the creative well

I am a very wordy person, but I’m not good making visual art. I like music but don’t create it. I have the same hopes every New Year, but one is to get out more. I think writers need to fill the well of creativity, and that means more than reading novels and watching TV.
I’ve taken a fortnight’s break from the novel, I’m progressing the novella instead, and I’ve also been exploring AI art in a sandbox. It’s kind of a know-the-enemy thing, a bit sleeping with the devil, but it is an interesting exercise in semi-creation. I’ll talk more in a future post. Before denouncing me, perhaps read my AI commentary here.

From today’s newsletter

My latest newsletter looks at a brilliant human creation – the work of Ethopian Elias Sime, mud huts, and why I don’t just stick to words in books.

Will my AI experiment change my mind?

My newsletter is out = you should subscribe. In it I discuss a newsletter dilemma, look into whether AI is the solution, throw a few things around the room – sorry, have a reasoned debate on AI – and call for more understanding of the Luddites.

AI made, boo

What’s right and wrong about this is a part of the problem.

The Splendid Novel,

Stephen is wondering why you haven’t subscribed to his newsletter.

I’ve launched a newsletter post on my novel and my novella. The good news is that it is good news, so read the post here. And subscribe as the best way to keep getting updates.

Photo S Dodgson. Me at York Art Gallery. The Lamp by Amy B Atkinson is poetic and evocative – she was a female artist who did quite well (exhibited RA at 17), unmarried, and toured Europe with her female ‘room-mates’ for many years.

The late Victorian, mystical, possibly sapphic vibe means I really like this although it doesn’t represent anyone in this book. Maybe the next

Newsletter – What Genres Can Mix and Why?

Some thoughts on what genres can mix and why. Subscribe (free) to my substack and get regular updates on my work – opportunities, special offers, chat, etc.

https://stephencox.substack.com/p/what-genres-can-mix-and-why

I’m going to keep this website and

Make it easier to buy my books on itPrepare for having more works to sellTidy up the free fiction section

Moving my regular free author newsletter

If you’re subscribed, you should have received one.

If not read the first post here

I’m working on changing all subscription links on this site. The old newsletter archive is here and gives a solid taste of what I have been saying for the last few years.

Our Child of Two Worlds review

Just to say that it’s still out there, for sale, and getting the odd review like this:

Ben Jeapes gave Our Child of Two Worlds five stars

Carries on the story of Cory the alien from the first book, OUR CHILD OF THE STARS, with barely a falter in momentum. All the things that made the first book so charming and so strong are there: the golden age science fictional setting, updated with present sensibilities; the compassion and decency of the main characters; and above all, the intrusion of reality into the best-laid plans, making this feel like a story that is firmly set in the real world. Soon after the events of the first book, a new normality has just about asserted itself, people are getting used to it … And then the rug is pulled right from under their feet. There is no guaranteed ending, and whether the actual ending we do get can be called happy is a matter of perspective. I cannot recommend this or its predecessor highly enough.

My BristolCon 2023!

Back in my home town and you can specifically find me at BristolCon – I believe you can book in advance or come to a panel on the day. The full programme link will be added when up probably 16th or so. It’s at the Hilton Double Tree Hotel, in central Bristol.

Friday 20th October

Launch of The Green Man’s Quarry by Juliet McKenna. The latest in the brilliant Green Man series which put a fairly ordinary bloke (except, he sees weird stuff others don’t) into a world where folklore is real and bloody.

Saturday

15:00 – SG1 Interview skills for authors and other creatives – a workshop helping you be confident in interviews, dealing with media, identifying stories. Me! And my 30 years in PR!

16:00 – Room 2 “Point of View” – First, second, third person? Stories told in emails, or in stream of consciousness. Endlessly fascinating topic, actually.

(Yes, one panel after the other is going to be fun)

Stephen Cox Media Masterclass

Last couple of months, I’ve been talking to authors and poets about book publicity. (Broadly, the stuff that promotes the book which you don’t pay for.)

I’ve spent 30 years working in publicity – small organisations, individuals, big household names. I’ve done difficult TV interviews, I’ve taught plenty of people how to do them.

The main things that came up from authors of all types were as follows.

How can I be interesting talking about my book?

I’m frightened people will ask me horrible questions and I will look like an idiot.

What does a publicist do?  How do I work with them, or could do it myself if I haven’t got one?

What value does publicity add? Should it be a priority?

Photo by Edmond Dantès on Pexels.com

Many people are worried about talking about their book – whether at events, on video, or talking to a journalist. They don’t think they’re important enough or interesting enough. They are paralysed with fear of looking stupid or not being able to answer questions. Even people who are confident in other contexts can be stressed by promoting their work.

You wrote a book. You can be as interesting as you need to be! I build confidence in dealing with these events. Simple preparation tools will help answer questions.

Book marketing is in some measure, about you as well as the book. People are worried they’ll be dragged into talking about things they don’t want to. How do you keep good boundaries?

I assure you, and I will show you, that you have far more control than you think -Including freedom to decide what events you do!

Many people don’t know how book publicity works – and what it can and cannot do. The basic information is straightforward – although experience and contacts and some tricks of the trade make a big difference.

I explain how it works, how you can work with a publicist if you have one through your publisher, and whether and when it’s worth hiring one…

What works? What’s a good use of your time?

Most people buy books based on more than one mention of the book. A few paid for activities deliver measurable results.  I’m optimistic I can help you, particularly with how you feel about doing this. Publicity won’t sell 100,000 copies. On the other hand, it is more people who know about your book.

What are the stories in the book

What are the stories about the book

What are the stories about me and my writing

And how can I use the ones I want to promote it.

My Media Masterclass

I run two different types of workshop.

A one-hour group introduction to book publicity which gives you the basics. It’s on Zoom. There’s some opportunity for questions. I welcome contacts from existing groups. This is currently free although I circulate a tip link!

I also run an in-depth 1-2-1 focusing on your personal needs and questions. Currently this is £50 an hour (by Paypal) and includes some handy factsheets.

Email me about either.

I’m open to doing these face-to-face. Additional cost to be discussed. I like doing this convenient for British time, and also, I know the UK market better than elsewhere. But I’m open to wider engagement.