Leon Stevens's Blog, page 47

Weekend Wrap-up May 18: Writing Milestones

Do I make money from my books? A bit. Do I turn a profit?

[rolls on floor laughing]

Let me wipe the tears from my eyes. Seriously, If I didn’t spend any money on marketing and I sold the same amount of books, sure, I’d be in the black, but the reality is that I wouldn’t have been able to reach the amount of readers that I have.

So why keep writing? It’s a good feeling when a reader tells you they enjoyed one of your creations, and you know what else?

It’s kinda fun.

In case you missed it:Weekend Wrap-up May 18: Writing MilestonesFree Book Friday May 17: The Final Indie April In Conversation With – Heather ChambersWeird Wednesday May 15Tuesday Top Ten: Short StoriesMusic Monday: 1996Looking for reviewers who want to receive an advance copy of my latest book!Sign up here

Hope you enjoyed the recap! Feel free to share it with others.

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!

Oh, pick me! C’mon, space stuff!

Free Book Friday May 17: The Final Indie April In Conversation With – Heather Chambers

Indie April might be over, but you can still see all the interviews and check out the books, although some prices may have changed. Click to visit!

Here is the last interview from the Indie April promo:

In Conversation With: Heather Chambers

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with author Heather Chambers. Before we start, although I suppose we already have, let’s get the required question about your last name out of the way: No relation to Becky, right?

Haha, hi! Sadly, no relation. One day, I’d love to meet her. Maybe we could come up with a tale of long-lost relatives with superpowers to explain away the connection, just to mess with people.

Second required question: How often are you asked?

This is the first time, actually! It’s an honour. It’s curious, though, how two Chambers from different countries managed to get into science fiction. If a third shows up, I’m going to begin to wonder which of our ancestors made a deal with a deity, haha!

Thanks for clearing that up. Oddly enough, I had to ask a similar question in two previous interviews, one with Dane Cobain (no relation) and R.K. King (no relation, either).

Part of me hopes that R.K. King also writes horror, just to cause more chaos.

Can I offer you anything to drink?

Oh, If you’d feed my coffee addiction that’d be lovely. Thank you.

What was the first book that you remember reading on your own?

I started reading at an early age. Being raised by bookworms who take you to the library every weekend will do that. So it’s a little foggy, but I remember devouring the Warrior Cats series by Erin Hunter as a kid. It’s about four clans of cats living in a warrior society, finding the right way to lead their people through tentative alliances and times of trouble, and overcoming conflicts of self on the path to achieving their dreams while fighting the evil that threatens to corrupt intentions along the way.

There’s a surprising amount of moral lessons in a children’s stories about cats.

(Yet, ironically, I’m a dog person.)

What book got you interested in science fiction?

Like many young adults in 2010, I got sucked into the dystopian worlds of the Hunger Games and Divergent. The world-building and impossible, morally-grey scenarios are what really sealed the deal. It makes you wonder, if you were in their place, would you pick the same choices? Could you live with the results? (looking at you, Hunger Games) And for the worldbuilding, just look at how thought-out Divergent is. It blows my mind that each faction has their own culture, their own rules. I just want to go exploring!

From there, I had to find more rich, dangerous worlds. What better place than science fiction, where nothing is impossible?

Do you have a favorite book?

Kelley Armstrong’s the Reckoning, the final book in her Darkest Powers trilogy. The character arcs completing and the conclusion to the love triangle question was so much fun. It’s a comfort read.

What authors influenced you?

Definitely Kelley Armstrong. She’s a fellow Canadian author, with irreverent humour similar to mine that I just clicked with, and throws the love triangle trope on its head in such a satisfying way every time. She not afraid to blur genres, either. Her stories are perfect to introduce fantasy readers to sci-fi, and sci-fi readers to fantastical elements. For example, her series The Darkest Powers that got me hooked on her, featured a group of teenagers who were genetically modified into becoming fantasy creatures like necromancers and werewolves.

My own series, Earth Sucks, mixes fantasy and sci-fi as well: having to befriend the invaders, alien with witch-like fantasy powers, to survive the dystopian apocalypse. Can you say enemies-to-lovers, anyone?

Tell me about your inspiration for your book, Earth Sucks.

As you know, I love worldbuilding. I ate up the nature-apocalypse in the video game The Last Of Us, and the tv show The 100, where nature’s most innocent phenomena was mutated. So, keeping those vibes in mind, I took the predictions of climate change a century from now and cranked the dial to 11. Acid rain. Lighting storms and coal-infused snow. Three-headed animals the size of trucks. How would humanity react? I thought about the societal segregation in my childhood dystopian novels and the news headlines across the world. The Walled Cities were born.

As for the aliens, I thoroughly enjoyed a concept explored on Tumblr called Humans are Space Orcs. It begged the question, what if an invasion happened and aliens realized humans were the scary ones? Objectively, we are a terrifying, predatory species. I wondered what an alien society would be like if it grew up on cautionary tales of us.

Did you plan on writing a series?

I initially planned on a trilogy. Simply because once the ball got rolling, the ideas wouldn’t stop. Plotting it all out feels like digging up a dinosaur. I keep brushing away dirt to find more plot points and stories to be shared.

Once I fleshed out the rebellion fighting for inter-special peace and the anti-alien factions, I realized my human antihero mercenary, sidekick, and alien healer love trio would need four books to ensure everybody had a satisfying arc. Then I realized the survivors my angsty mercenary antihero met on job gathering information on his missing family after the invasion had far more importance than planned. If anyone’s read Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series, you’ll know that characters in the prequel are integral to the final book. Her past comes back, if you will, and readers who want to learn more about the world needed that prequel book showing her past to learn it. I found myself doing the same, writing some of those jobs my mercenary took to reveal more of the rich world, what made him so morally-grey. It’s not necessary for reading order, but if you’re a hungry reader like me, you’ll be glad to know it’s on the writing list.

In other words: no. Haha!

Who does your cover art?

Isn’t it gorgeous? An incredible freelancer going by the user Ckid made it! Do check her out, she’s absolutely amazing! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckid_art/ website: https://ckidart.com/#home

Let’s pivot to music. Many great bands have come from Canada. Which ones are your favorites and which ones do you wish never made it out?

This is gonna cause some controversy with Canadian reader, but I actually love Nickleback! Three Days Grace and Billy Talent, as well. You can’t go wrong with rock. As for ones I wish never made it out, I feel like it’s my national duty to apologize for Bieber.

Are you ready for the lightning round?

Cracking my knuckles! Let’s do this!

Favorite place in Canada?
The dojos I’ve trained and taught at!
Most northernly place on the planet you have been?
Vancouver island in British Columbia or Thunder Bay in Ontario!
Do you like gardening?
Yes! Professional dirt thrower, here!
Favorite city?
Montreal!
Last book you have reread?
Heaven Official’s Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu!
Scariest animal you have encountered?
Moose! A herd of them crossed the road and stopped traffic for ten minutes. They’re huge!

This has been a pleasure. Thanks for chatting. Any links you want to share?

Thank you so much for this opportunity, you have brilliant questions and made this so much fun!

You can find all my socials including instagram, tiktok, tumblr and all places to find my books on my biotree link: https://bio.link/heatherc_author along with the link to my free novella The Mercenary and the Hissing Woods. “𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝘕𝘰 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘍𝘦𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭.”

Looking for reviewers who want to receive an advance copy of my latest book!Sign up hereReview Copies (These are free!)

Review copies: Like reviewing books? Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book (poetry or science fiction or both): Leon’s Newsletter

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!

Oh, pick me! C’mon, space stuff!

Weird Wednesday May 15

Anything can be cute when you add googly eyes, right?

-Leon

My newsletter goes out every Wednesday: Lines by Leon Super Newsletter Extravaganza

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!

Oh, pick me! C’mon, space stuff!

Tuesday Top Ten: Short Stories

What’s the definition of a short story?

A short story is a work of prose fiction that can be read in one sitting—usually between 20 minutes to an hour. There is no maximum length, but the average short story is 1,000 to 7,500 words, with some outliers reaching 10,000 or 15,000 words.

My earliest memory of reading on my own were science fiction short stories. I credit my father for instilling in me the fascination of the genre. I don’t remember exactly, but I suspect that anthologies like Amazing Stories and Analog were where I found them.

There are many stories to choose from but here are a few that immediately come to mind.

Leon’s Top Ten Short Stories

10. The Tell-tale Heart – Edgar Allen Poe
9. The Yellow Wallpaper –  Charlotte Perkins Gilman
8. I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream – Harlan Ellison
7. The Lurking Fear – H.P. Lovecraft
6. The Lottery – Shirley Jackson
5. The Nine Billion Names of God – Arthur C. Clarke
4. Any of the stories in I, Robot – Isaac Asimov
3. Arena – Fredric Brown
2. Harrison Bergeron – Kurt Vonnegut
1. To Serve Man – Damon Knight

My shortest published story clocks in at a whooping 79 words. Here are a few of my own:

Short Stories

Looking for reviewers who want to receive an advance review copy of my latest book!ARC sign up here!

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!

Oh, pick me! C’mon, space stuff!

Music Monday: 1996

There is a radio show on CBC here in Canada that occasionally does a feature called SYNTH: Songs You Need To Hear.

Now, I can’t say to someone, “You’ll like this song” (or book for that matter) because I can’t presume that others will share my taste in music (or books), so it is safer to say, “You might like this” and if they don’t like it, so be it.

Maybe you will find a new favorite.

CBC MUSIC, Central · Mornings with CBC Music

Although Alanis Morrissette already had released two albums, Jagged Little Pill was a juggernaut of hits, like You Learn, Ironic, Head over Feet, Hand in My Pocket.

The Spice Girls exploded onto the music scene amid all the boy bands, and we all hate to admit it, Wannabe was pretty catchy.

I think this is one of my favorite Hip songs:

Jann Arden was at the top of her game.

Amanda Marshall is the 1995 debut album by Canadian singer Amanda Marshall. The album peaked at number four on the RPM Albums Chart and has also been certified Diamond by the CRIA with over 1,000,000 copies sold in Canada, making it Marshall’s best-selling album of her career.

The Barenaked Ladies released their third album, Born on a Pirate Ship, and true to their comedic roots, the title and front cover photo refers to a joke that was popular around the time the band members were children. One kid would instruct another to pull back the corners of their mouth with their fingers (but not stick their tongue out) and say, “I was born on a pirate ship.” The result would sound like, “I was born on a pile of shit.”*

What do you get when a fiddler from Cape Breton Island plays over a funky rhythm track and adds vocalist Mary Jane Lamond singing Gaelic?

-Leon

*You tried it, didn’t you?

Want to read more music blogs? Here are some of the ones I follow: Mostly Music Covers, Take it Easy, Beetley Pete, A Sound Day, PowerPop… An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture, SuperdekesVinylReviews

Want to receive and review an advance copy of my latest book?Sign up here

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!

Oh, pick me! C’mon, space stuff!

Weekend Wrap-up May 10: In Case You Missed It

If I can’t think of anything to write in the morning, I often delay posting my Saturday post until later, and hopefully I have something to say.

Nope.

In case you missed it:Weekend Wrap-up May 10: In Case You Missed ItFree Book Friday May 10: In Conversation With – Amy Marie AyresThursday Thoughts: Lookin’ Out for #1Tuesday Top Ten: Slang I Just Can’t UseMusic Monday (Part II): Wild RiversLooking for reviewers who want to receive an advance copy of my latest book!Sign up here

Hope you enjoyed the recap! Feel free to share it with others.

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!

Oh, pick me! C’mon, space stuff!

Free Book Friday May 10: In Conversation With – Amy Marie Ayres

Indie April might be over, but you can still see all the interviews and check out the books, although some prices may have changed. Click to visit!

In Conversation With:  Amy Marie Ayres

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with author Amy Marie Ayres. Can I offer you anything to drink?

Do you have a Margarita on hand? If not, I’ll settle for a Sangria.

It’s a little early, but what the heck. I can do a Margarita. Oh, and you’re getting it on the rocks, because, well, it’s the only way.

 I read that you have done some voice acting. Where might I have heard you?

Oh no, not at all. I used to do some acting in my younger years, I did radio and I did a few radio shorts, one where I created a cast of superhero characters who all had personality disorders and were named as such like Anti-social boy and Histrionic girl. It was just a fun passion project with friends. I’ve done voice over for tiny unknown B movies, like overdub and things like that. I’m not a professional voice actor! But I have acted with my voice.  I have one friend Mike Sanguinetti who is starting to get his feet wet in the voice acting world. He’s on https://www.voices.com/profile/energyman83 if other authors want to check him out.

Any other memorable acting roles?

Memorable to you? I would love to say yes. Everything was so indie and low budget they were never picked up by big studios, but I’ve played a fair share of characters both on stage and in front of the camera. I’ve always looked young for my age and because of child labor laws and since I did a lot of comedy I was often cast as a teen or a kid when I was in my 20’s. It was interesting. Ironically people find out I’m a writer and suddenly I’m cast, but I’m suddenly also AD, or script-supervisor, or doing on set re-writes. I have supervised many-a-script. Also the overdubbing came out of “hey you can say this better, since you helped write it.”

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I think I can honestly say that as a kid I loved reading but had no concept of what it meant “to be a writer/author.” But when I was in 5th grade I met Judy Blume at a special event my English teacher said I should go to. She gave a very kid-friendly talk about using her life in her stories and a light switched on inside me. I then started looking at the backs of books and seeing –oh yea there’s a real person behind these characters and story. Then I thought, I might have characters and a story and even a life journey to tell about someday. As I got older I started journaling and the rest was history.

Since then I always fell into groups of musicians, comedians, creatives,  people who think out of the box, even in academic settings. I feel that a necessary part of being a writer is not just seeing things people miss, but also seeing things differently. And I know that for me part of reaching my potential was being brave enough to break the rules that a lot of academic writing sets while still knowing what the rules are.

I also read about authors’ and poets’ lives in college and they fascinated me. Really awful stuff sometimes, but still, there was something about their personalities that felt familiar.

So, for me it goes beyond “I always wanted to be that”.  It was something I learned about myself over time. I consider myself a creative person who loves the arts so I’ve wanted to do it all (so to speak) and I have, but I always come back to writing because it feels like the deepest most authentic side of myself.

What is your biggest challenge as a writer?

I think I used to suffer from overwriting and procrastination and sitting on projects and not having the confidence to share or subject myself to an outside edit. I know—so naive! That took years to get over. I know that sounds odd that I would be “shy”, but I always felt my writing was so personal I was afraid to be vulnerable in that way. But the more I do, the easier it gets. I think that’s true of anything.

Now I have a whole new set of problems. I tend to easily connect with other writers and creatives, but I still think I struggle with finding people who consider themselves “just readers” and knowing exactly how to pitch myself and my writing to them. Only in the last year have I really tried to throw myself into the act of marketing myself.  It’s been a tough learning curve and I tend to still play small.

What books or authors influenced you?

Octavia Butler and Ursula De Guin are my sci-fi idols. Female sci-fi writers I think are the epitome of rule-breakers. But my inspiration for writing started young though so I have to say my writing sometimes feels like a cross between (L Frank) Baum and Lewis Carroll and Roald Dahl. I’ve read a lot of poetry too and that’s probably why I started out as a poet. My influences come from many different places. I even have many playwriting and cinematic influences.

  You’re a poet. Did you know I’m a poet too? Would you like to share one?

You first. No, I have a couple of old blogs floating around. I used to use a lot of pen names. I’m thinking of going back and putting something together to self-publish, just so more if it is out there. Poets’ Digest (A subsect of Writer’s Digest) published three of my poems in one of their Anthologies years ago. I also used to enter lots of contests and did pretty well with it, but that was another part of my former life. I’m old. The anthology  is here if people are curious: https://www.amazon.com/Prompted-International-Collection-Ketover-Prilik/dp/1907375945

On that note, I recently met the author Wendy Van Camp who introduced me to the concept of speculative poetry. She writes what she calls astropoetry and scifaiku and it’s like –Hello! Where has this been all my life?

In my first sci-fi collection I included some post-apocalyptic poems. Not sure if it was/is a thing, but it was a way to bridge the gap between my two genres.
What’s the best part of living outside of Philadelphia other than the fact you don’t have to live in Philadelphia?

I actually sometimes wish I lived closer to the city. Where I am now, if you want to go to the city you have to make a day of it and parking is a nightmare. But if you live in the suburbs, you can kind of escape the bustle, and there are a lot of cool spots to hit that aren’t touristy. I think being on the edges of the city is almost better than the city itself.

Let’s switch gears and talk about music. Do you have any favorite bands?

Again showing my age, but I will never turn down a chance to listen to any kind of Punk, Reggae, Hip Hop, Ska, (or any combination thereof)  I love bluegrass/folk/irish-themed music. I’ll take another left turn and sometimes listen to Twenty-One Pilots, 80’s New Wave, the Smiths. I’m pretty open minded. On that note–

She’s so little known but for a LONG time I was obsessed with Laura Marling (a Brit-folk singer songwriter who sometimes has a backup band). If you look into it you’ll find she used to play with Marcus Mumford before Mumford and Sons were a thing, and I feel like she helped him get his break. Her talent is so underrated in my opinion. The music is lovely but her lyrics are just–chef’s kiss!

I’ll have to check her out.
Are you ready for the lightning round?

Let’s go!

Ebook or physical?
Physical- I like to make notes and underline things.
Favorite outdoor activity?
Swimming
Food you like but others might think is just weird?
Oysters, tamale, putting avocado on everything or eating heart of palm
Favorite city?
Toss between Denver and San Diego
One item on your bucket list?
Visit UK (again)/Europe/Asia
Farthest from home you have been?
Ireland
Scariest animal you have encountered
Bear

This has been a pleasure. Thanks for chatting. Any links you want to share?

Sure I’m excited to share the ARC of my prequel to Star Sick,  Star Lost and people can fill out this form if they wish to participate:  Sign up here.

Find me on insta: https://www.instagram.com/amyayreswrites/

My website: amyayreswrites.com

Looking for reviewers who want to receive an advance copy of my latest book!ARC sign up here!The story behind Free Book Friday:

I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?

Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. Therein lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.

Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.

Reads From StoryOrigin and BookFunnel

StoryOrigin and BookFunnel allows authors to advertise their books to each other’s audience. I hope you have been able to discover a new favorite!

Free books and a prize? Whoo-Hoo!

Review Copies (These are free!)

Review copies: Like reviewing books? Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book (poetry or science fiction or both): Leon’s Newsletter

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!

Oh, pick me! C’mon, space stuff!

Thursday Thoughts: Lookin’ Out for #1

Where do the downloads come from?

It’s always hard to say for sure where people are finding your book and where the sales are coming from, so I decided to give my book away for free on Amazon and only notify my newsletter subscribers.

Before I sent it in the morning, I noticed there was already a free download, so obviously, someone was looking at my book, so that’s a good sign, right?

The link in my newsletter received 36 clicks and my book was downloaded 44 times yesterday and 5 more today, which resulted in the #1 ranking. Nice. Now I just have to wait to see if the rest of my trilogy sees some sales.

Not to leave anyone else out, I extended it for one more day:

Today only free on Amazon

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!

Oh, pick me! C’mon, space stuff!

Tuesday Top Ten: Slang I Just Can’t Use

It was always embarrassing when parents tried to use our slang, usually improperly, but I suppose now I’m old enough that the current slang doesn’t feel right when I say it.

I could, but it’s not drip or slap when I do. So I won’t.

Leon’s Top Ten Slang He Can’t Use

10. Hella
9. Sus
8. Fire
7. Bae
6. No cap
5. Bruh
4. Cheugy
3. Moot
2. Bussin
1. Rizz

-Leon

Looking for more reviewers who want to receive an advance review copy of my latest book!ARC sign up here!

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!

Oh, pick me! C’mon, space stuff!

Music Monday (Part II): Wild Rivers

There is a radio show on CBC here in Canada that occasionally does a feature called SYNTH: Songs You Need To Hear.

Now, I can’t say to someone, “You’ll like this song” (or book for that matter) because I can’t presume that others will share my taste in music (or books), so it is safer to say, “You might like this” and if they don’t like it, so be it.

Maybe you will find a new favorite.

CBC MUSIC, Central · Mornings with CBC Music

Every so often I hear a song I like from a band I don’t think I’ve heard of, then realize I have enjoyed several more of their offerings.

Wild Rivers is a Canadian folk band from Toronto, Ontario. It consists of Devan Glover, Khalid Yassein, and Andrew Oliver. The band released their self-titled debut album in 2016. Their second studio album, Sidelines, was released on February 4, 2022

-Leon

Want to read more music blogs? Here are some of the ones I follow: Mostly Music Covers, Take it Easy, Beetley Pete, A Sound Day, PowerPop… An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture, SuperdekesVinylReviews

Looking for reviewers who want to receive an advance copy of my latest book!Sign up here

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!

Oh, pick me! C’mon, space stuff!