R.S. Guthrie's Blog, page 2

Serendipity: Not Just A Cool-Sounding Word

An author friend and fellow Read A Book, Make A Difference (RABMAD) member, Madonna Dries Christensen, is putting together a collection of short stories and poetry on Serendipity—any serendipitous event or moment in the writer’s personal experience (in fact, if you would like to contribute, the specifics are that the submission not be more than 1500 words (flexible); deadline for submission is May 15th, 2015; submissions are being accepted here; because Madonna donates her profits, there would be no compensation other than publication—which for a writer is pretty good all by itself.

And we could look at it this way: imagine the writer who has been looking for somewhere to have his/her poem on serendipity published; said writer could publish two pieces: the poem, and the serendipitous finding of Christensen’s project!

When I first saw her email detailing the anthology, the thought of writing something (much less submitting it) seemed impossible to me, as I have faced so much tragedy since 2008 I can hardly stand on two feet without wanting to walk to the edge of a cliff and find out how long it takes a being without the capability to fly to reach the bottom.

One of my favorite words (and my wife will back this up) is fortuitous. The definition of serendipity IS actually an unexpected, random or coincidental fortuitous event or happenstance. It was also the original name for Sri Lanka (Serendip). Madonna Dries Christensen included the follow (more expansive and literary) definitions in her email:

An unsought, unintended, unexpected, but fortunate discovery—

Looking for something specific; finding something better— (this is my favorite)

Combined happenings that might or might not be individually beneficial, but coming together, immediately or years apart, they produce a good or welcome outcome—

I started thinking about my own experiences and realized that I have fortuitous events all the time (ergo my wife’s playful criticism of my love for the word). So technically, each of those would be serendipitous, although I think “serendipity” (and most certainly a 1500 word piece for an anthology) implies a higher level of life significance to the event.

(Not very literary or monumental when the grocery clerk serendipitously asks if I need ice and it turns out the product was on my list but I had forgotten to pick it up.)

Fortuitous, though!

Perhaps not, however, serendipitous.

But I wanted to help my friend. Being at my core an optimist, a dreamer, and a hopeful man full of faith, I really wanted to think of something in my life that was truly serendipitous. And I recently turned 50 (I know; please, a moment of silence), so that is a lot of days from birth until now. None said the event or happenstance need have occurred recently.

So I have decided to 1) Blog about the anthology and give other writers the opportunity to participate, and 2) Try to put together a short story of something significantly serendipitous in my life, to include in the anthology.

Hey, at least I have now already accomplished 50% of my goal.

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The blank page is dead…long live the blank page.

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Can An Indie Afford A Truly Professional Cover?

Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve blogged. I spent some necessary time doing writing-related things that have simply consumed my every waking moment, it seems. I was able to release a book, convert two books, Blood Land and Money Land, to audiobook format with a tremendously talented producer, retool an entire series of covers, and (most crucially) make it through the holiday season and winter months without jumping off a tall building.

I figured it was time to get back to blogging, as I’ve missed it (and perhaps a few of you out there have missed me—if not, that’s okay; I forgive you). So what better way to start off Rob on Writing 2015 than to tell all you Indie authors about a gem of a discovery I made a few months back, when I really needed to!

My Denver Detective Bobby Mac Thriller series has long been in need of cover retooling. I made the three covers myself and, while I don’t think they were terrible, they really needed that professional look to them (I think most of you know exactly what I mean when I say “professional”—as if the book could be sitting there right next to any NYT Bestseller book and fit right in).

Problem is, I am still independent, paying for everything myself, living off sales and returning everything else back into the marketing, promotion, etc. of all my books. So I can’t afford to spend four figures on a cover. I do have a cover designer I use, that I know many writer friends use, and I have always been more than happy with his work. I just happen to be a believer in changing things up every once in a while.

Well, while I was working on my third James Pruett Mystery, Honor Land, I was doing my “social media cleanup”, accepting some connections on LinkedIn. One of the professionals with whom I connected sent me a “thank you” response and simply offered me his creed for what?

Designing book covers “on STEROIDS.”

Ahem. Well, I’m not the type to follow every link I’m sent—in fact, I’ll admit it: I am anti-soliciting, for the most part. It’s not unlike those friends we all have that send every—single—joke, via email or Facebook or Twitter. Everything.

I am the kind of consumer (of books covers as well as humor) who is particular about where I visit, what jokes I share (I am that guy, as many of you know, who—if you get a joke from me—you check it out. Why? Because I send/post them rarely). Also, when was the last time I promoted anyone or anything to you, dear reader? Rarely, if ever.

That said, I sensed something about this professional cover designer. Call it a gut feeling. Cops don’t have a stranglehold on the gut; writers have gut feelings, too! And I believe things happen for a reason. So I went to his webpage.

Hello, Alexander von Ness and Nessgraphica!

Holy cannoli. Wow. The quality I saw there had me both elated and totally disconcerted. I almost closed the browser window. I immediately thought—no, knew—“Not a chance I am going to be able to afford this guy.”

But I stayed. And how happy am I that I did?

Full cover price (Front, Back, Spine)?

$495.

Digital (front only)?

$345.

Did I mention how good the covers were? Oh, right, I have been including them throughout this post. That’s right—if you hadn’t already figured it, all the covers I put on here are covers designed by von Ness.

Look, I am a loyal guy. Almost to a fault. But as I mentioned before, I do believe in changing things up every few cycles. Otherwise, we can get stale. Our products can become tired and fade into the background. Here’s a message from Nessgraphica’s site:

Let me design your BOOK COVER. Let me design your SUCCESS. I am putting your book cover on STEROIDS and pushing you above your competitors!

It was that last part that got to me. It described the look of his covers (and matched exactly the definition I had previously held for “professional”-looking book covers).

They DO leap above the competition’s covers.

So why would I share? Because when I started out on this journey, a lot of Indie writers who were already “in the game” helped me. I learned that “writers helping writers” should be the Indie Golden Rule. I have also come to understand that there are enough readers for us all, even within the same narrowed-down genre. Books are not like cars, or washers & dryers, or houses. People don’t purchase them every five to ten years.

They read a book every few days—some, a book a day!

The monster must constantly be fed! Therein lies the beauty of it all. Still, marketing is a tricky, sticky business. Only those who take the time to make their product jump off the shelf will be consumed. That’s always been the rule. We all wish readers wouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but that’s ALL they do at first. If a cover looks plain, uninteresting, or even “okay”, it’s probably not going to be purchased. There are too many choices out there. Yes, our product is fairly disposable, but in this new age, readers have become very choosy. Even at just a few bucks—less than their morning Starbucks latte.

A book needs to scream out “READ ME!” It needs to yank the reader’s gaze off the other books on the page.

I honestly believe that is what Alexander von Ness (Nessgraphica.com) gives every single cover he creates. Here is more of his attitude toward partnering with the writer and helping him or her have great success:

Book Covers on Steroids

UNLIMITED changes + No stock image fees

You ONLY pay for the work when you are 100% HAPPY!

I have been working with Alexander for several months now. Below is a comparison of my three covers before and after. But that’s not the best thing. Well, it is, but there is something else: Alexander is the nicest professional I’ve met in the industry so far! What he said above? Unlimited changes, only paying when YOU are 100% happy with every detail? It’s true. Sometimes I think he cares more about my covers than I DO! And that’s what I want in a professional (especially one with undisputed talent).

Check out his page. Surf around; look at his portfolio, books he’s recently done, and covers currently under design. And if you decide you want to have him do a cover (or more), respond to the blog here and I will add your email address to a list of writer friends to whom I am mailing a special code later today to save $100 off a full cover and $50 off a front-only.

That’s $395 for a full and only $295 for a front-only!

If not, no worries. I get it. I’m loyal, and I don’t particularly care for change. I hate it when someone moves my cheese. But the point of my blog is to talk about writing-related topics, and more importantly it is to share things I find that I believe in my heart can help you as a writer.

I’m also going to do my part to help Alexander, because that’s how paying things forward works: we help those who are really talented become noticed, and they help us right back. In that spirit, I am going to give away a free copy of my book on writing, INK: Eight Rules To A Better Book. It’s a chiseled-down version of what I believe to be the eight most important things I’ve talked about on this blog when it comes to tightening up your manuscript and making it sing. If you use the deal to get a cover from Alexander, I will also send you the book. (BTW, no, Alexander didn’t make that cover; I did (and a collective WHEW is heard in the rafters).

So again, if you’re interested, comment here (I’m the only one who can see your email) and tell me if you want the comment live or not. I will make sure you’re added to the “deal” email and if you’re too late for that (because I am sending that later today), I’ll send it to you individually!

And if you don’t take advantage, I still wish each of you tremendous success. Because we can all have it.

And because I believe in you as writers.

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The blank page is dead…long live the blank page.

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My Box Set Co-Writer Renée Pawlish!

When Renée asked me to join a boxed-set collaboration, I must admit I felt trepidation at first, but when I saw the lineup of writers, I was more than happy to participate; I was honored. All four writers with whom I would be collaborating are successful, prolific, and talented writers. What writer would not join up with such a group?

This week I will be featuring one of my co-writers each day, Tuesday the 28th through Halloween Night. It’s a privilege to for me, as well as you, to get to know these writers as individuals. Too often we are caught up in the enjoyment of reading a novel that we forget there is a hardworking, dedicated writer behind the characters and plots and twists and turns.

First this week I am so pleased to introduce the lady herself, Renée Pawlish!

R.S.: So, tell me a little about YOU!

RP: I’ve told stories since I was a kid, and even won a county award for a short story I write in high school. I wrote my first novel right out of grad school. I’ve always wanted to ‘make my living’ writing, and although I’m not there yet, I’m on my way and loving the journey. I have two cats, Hugo and Harley, who are adorable – Hugo likes to sit on my papers while I write, which cracks me up. Both cats make me remember not to take life too seriously.

I love to hike, ride my bike, play guitar, and read (of course). When I’m on the trail I usually can work out what I’m going to write next. I also chase ballplayers for autographs (I have a huge memorabilia collections), and I love football.

R.S.: Do you write under your real name (or some form of it it, like R.S. Guthrie, the initials being my first and middle names) or a pen name? If a pen name, why your particular choice; if not, have you ever considered it and why?

RP: I write under my real name because it’s unusual enough that I hope people will remember it. It seems like an easy name to pronounce (it’s just like it reads) but people slaughter it all the time. I don’t know if I would ever consider a pseudonym – maybe if I decided to write in a completely different genre and wanted to target a different audience.

R.S.: Are you a pantser (write by the seat of your pants) or are your books first storyboards and then outlines? What is your process?

RP: I am definitely a pantser – I don’t typically know the ending of a novel (or sometimes the middle) before I start. I usually think a few chapters ahead, but part of the fun is seeing where the story will go. Now, in order to write faster, I outline chapters before I write, but it’s all very loose.

R.S.: Is your entire process using a keyboard or do you hand-write during any phase of your creative stages?

RP: I type faster than I can write longhand so I typically type out my stories.  However, I do think the mind works differently typing versus longhand, so when I’m thinking through a story or if I’m stuck, I will sometimes jot questions or thoughts on paper in order to spur a different part of my brain into action. Yes, I’d agree with you. I’m sure you love pleasing your fans as much as I do, and the collection we all put forth is a doozy! So we all write for a variety of reasons. How would you prioritize your own reasons for turning to the pen?

R.S.: Are you a big reader? Do you read in your genre, outside it, or both? And why?

RP: I am a huge readers, generally reading over 50 books a year. I have a collection of first editions that take up a lot of space in my house but I love it. Seeing all the books feels cozy to me, and it also inspires me. I mostly read mysteries and thrillers, but I also read biographies and other non-fiction, and some horror, and I try to read classics as well. Reading is exploration to me and I love being taken into a different world, or learning new things. I can’t imagine a day without reading.

R.S.: Well, it’s been a great pleasure having this little chat—two Coloradans—and I want you to know that I am honored to have been asked to join “The Crime Collection” box set collaboration.

And for all you readers, check out Renée; she ROCKS!!

 

Also, here is the author’s website, and also a few social links to find Renée:

My Box Set Co-Writer, Emily Kimelman!

When I was asked to join a boxed-set collaboration, I must admit I felt trepidation at first, but when I saw the lineup of writers, I was more than happy to participate; I was honored. All four writers with whom I would be collaborating are successful, prolific, and talented writers. What writer would not join up with such a group?

This week I will be featuring one of my co-writers each day, Tuesday the 28th through Halloween Night. It’s a privilege to for me, as well as you, to get to know these writers as individuals. Too often we are caught up in the enjoyment of reading a novel that we forget there is a hardworking, dedicated writer behind the characters and plots and twists and turns.

First this week I am so pleased to introduce the extraordinary EMILY KIMELMAN!

R.S.: So, Emily, tel me about yourself. From what I’ve heard through the grapevine, you’ve led an impressive life of overcoming obstacles that makes mine look like a helping of dry mashed potatoes!

EK: I was born in Philadelphia but moved to Texas within weeks. My Dad was a correspondent for the Philadelphia Inquirer and after only two short years in Texas (a State still close to my heart and where my younger brother currently resides) we moved again, this time to Moscow.

My first memories are from that time. My older brother and I shared a fairytale like existence completely oblivious to the turmoil and danger around us. I’ve never felt so safe as when wondering the streets of Moscow.

I learned English and Russian at the same time but neither of them particularly well. I couldn’t say my R’s or my L’s in either language. Both alphabets remained a mystery. We returned to Philadelphia when I was 6 and it didn’t take long for my parents and teachers to realize I was severely dyslexic.

Luckily for me we lived near the best school in the country for kids with problems like mine, Benchmark. The school was intense. It was learning to read boot camp. We weren’t even allowed to talk during lunch, they read to us. And with my Dad reading to me every night at home it didn’t take much for me to fall in love with books. My young heart yearned for those jumbles of squiggles to make sense.

One day when I was 10 or 11 it just clicked for  me and I could read. My f’s no longer faced the wrong direction, I could tell the difference between a b and a d, and I was flying through Agatha Christie novels. Mystery novels quickly became my genre. My parents fueled my addiction with their large collection of P.D James, Dorothy L. Sayers, Raymond Chandler and other greats.

I didn’t believe that I could write crime fiction until I was in college and I read this really terrible mystery where cats figure out the puzzle and it turns out to be aliens. I decided right then to write my own.

I dedicated my collegiate studies at NYU to the history of forensic science, homicide, and detective novels. I wanted to understand what these books did for us, how they veered from reality, and what gave them such importance in our culture.

I was walking dogs at the time which is a very strange profession. I would go into all these people’s houses and take care of their pets but we never met. I saw pictures in their house so would recognize them but they had no idea what I looked like. This strange anonymity seemed perfectly suited to a murder investigation.

My dog, Nova, became the inspiration for Sydney’s dog, Blue, and they both grew in my mind until the story was down on paper. It took 6 years to publish UNLEASHED from tip to tail. I love the cover by the amazing Autumn Whitehurst, my good friend and a super talented illustrator.

Now I’ve published five Sydney Rye novels in total and the sixth is up for pre-order. It kind of amazes me. Without the support of my family, my incredible husband and my readers, the adventure filled life I lead would be impossible. I’m very grateful for all the support that I have. To learn more about my adventures with my husband and dog (Kinsey Milhone, pup detective) you can read my blog. I’ve written from India, Costa Rica, floating aboard my trawler, OUR WAY, on the hudson river, and now am in Woodstock, Ny, where bears and birds are out to get me.

R.S.: Okay, I have to start with your books. Dogs. They are to me (and my wife) the most amazing creatures on the planet, and your Sydney Rye book series centers around (among other things) the relationship between your protagonist and a K-9 (Blue). Tell me briefly about the series.

EK: The Sydney Rye series of mysteries feature a strong female protagonist and her rescue dog, Blue. It is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, don’t mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery! UNLEASHED is the first book in Emily Kimelman’s best selling Sydney Rye series of mysteries.

R.S.: Okay, I don’t usually talk about myself in these interviews, but we used to have a Blue Heeler mix, Maggie, who I think bears a striking resemblance to your Blue (single blue eye and everything! So just because I can, and because I miss her, I’m going to share a pic of her here and see if you agree.

R.S.:So what kind of expectations did you have joining a multi-writer, multi-book collaboration? Writers can be a fickle bunch.

EK: This is my first time in a box set. I choose to include my first book, UNLEASHED, because, well, starting at the beginning always makes sense However, I believe that each of my Sydney Rye books can stand alone. My series features a strong female protagonist and her canine best friend, Blue. Sydney Rye is defiantly on the darker side of the mystery thriller spectrum but I love the entire genre which is one of the reasons I wanted to be in this box set.

R.S.: Your series is right up my alley, Emily. The darker, the better! Do you write under your real name (or some form of it it, like R.S. Guthrie, the initials being my first and middle names) or a pen name? If a pen name, why your particular choice; if not, have you ever considered it and why?

EK: I write under my maiden name, Emily Kimelman. My full name, Emily Joy Caroline Kimelman Gilvey is just way too long. But it also means that if I want pen names I am hooked up. E.J Kimelman is what I’m thinking I’ll use for my new urban fantasy series which I’m releasing at the end of the year. I kind of like the name Caroline Gilvey for writing sweet romance (not that I’ll ever write sweet romance, Sydney Rye would kick my ass, but, still, it’s a good pen name for it).

R.S.: Pen names are a great way to explore other genres without losing your brand! I asked you for a couple of photos from your life and why the mean something to you.

EK: I’ve attached two photos. One is of myself with my husband, Sean, brother, David, his husband, Kevin and my best friend, Mette. It was our first night in Istanbul at the beginning of a trip to Turkey and we were having so much fun. I think this picture really captures our relationship. Just tons of big smiles. I feel incredibly lucky to have such adventurous, supporting, exciting people in my life.

The next one is of my husband and dog, Kinsey, on our boat, OUR WAY, at sunset. Sean is grilling up some food and Kinsey is just enjoying the view. We lived on OUR WAY for two years and it was romantic and scary and I’ve never slept better in my whole life

R.S.: I’ve always wanted to live on a boat (in the harbor, docked, tied, and far from stormy seas)! Great group shot, too; nothing better than family and friends having a great time. Speaking of family and friends, what do your friends and family (and co-workers, if you still hold down a “day job”) think about your writing? Do they take you seriously or wave it off as a “hobby” or worse?

 

EK: My brother, David, and best friend, Mette, are the ones who convinced me to take up writing seriously. I dedicated UNLEASHED to them. My father, who was a professional writer for decades, now does the final edits on all my books. I’ve never had a normal j.o.b. I’ve bartended and waited tables, I even owned a glassblowing studio and gallery for awhile. But the point is no one in my life ever thought I was going to follow a prescribed path so were not surprised or disappointed when I announced my plans to become a self published author. Since my books have made a couple of best seller lists I even come off well at cocktail parties. And really, isn’t that what it all comes down to? How well you can defend your life choices to strangers over canapés.

R.S.: HA! Amen. What elements tickle your muse and make you really want to write? (The great outdoors; music’ a particular mood or day of the week; etc.)

EK: For me it’s music and travel. I’m on the road a lot and that’s because I find new places totally inspiring. When I come back from months away it changes how I see my home too. I love that. Also, rocking out to some awesome music while writing an insane action scene is so freaking fun!

R.S.: So what are you working on currently?

EK: INVITING FIRE (Sydney Rye #6) which comes out 11.28.14 and is available for pre-order now.

R.S. Have you gone (or always been) digital or do you still use a typewriter?

EK: I started digital and the computer is still the most important tool I have but I recently got a typewriter and love it.  I don’t write fiction on it but letters. I’ve started a wonderful correspondence with Autumn Whitehurst, who does my covers and is a close friend.  it’s very funny to hear our thoughts expressed in the slow, no backspace, world of the typewriter. I also write letters to readers on it. If anyone wants to get a letter they should enter our giveaway. Then they too can get a glimpse into my mind via typewriter.

R.S.: Well I have to give a shout out to Autumn because your covers are really something special. One final, “off the wall” question: Did you ever wish you could change your name? If you actually did it—legally changed your name—what would your new identity’s moniker be? One name, like Madonna, or multiple like Edward James Olmos? Middle name?

EK: When I was in middle school I really wanted my name to be Starburst, or Starfish. Something with Star in it. That didn’t work out.

R.S.: The good news is, there’s always time! I think “Starbust” is an excellent choice. Well, Emily, it’s been a pleasure both working with you and doing the interview. I hope we can collaborate in the future and I wish you nothing but great fortune in your future writing endeavors.

Thanks much for the interview AND for joining in the “A Crime Collection” boxed set, which I believe is still FREE, FREE, FREE!!!!!

You can find Emily in the usual social media hangouts:

My Box Set Co-Writer Simon Jenner!

When I was asked to join a boxed-set collaboration, I must admit I felt trepidation at first, but when I saw the lineup of writers, I was more than happy to participate; I was honored. All four writers with whom I would be collaborating are successful, prolific, and talented writers. What writer would not join up with such a group?

This week I will be featuring one of my co-writers each day, Tuesday the 28th through Halloween Night. It’s a privilege to for me, as well as you, to get to know these writers as individuals. Too often we are caught up in the enjoyment of reading a novel that we forget there is a hardworking, dedicated writer behind the characters and plots and twists and turns.

First this week I am so pleased to introduce Simon Jenner!

Simon has always enjoyed writing stories, especially those intended to shock (mainly his teachers as a youngster!). He didn’t take it seriously as a career choice until much later in life though, having trained to be a civil engineer and then an accountant in between. Luckily these careers, unlike lion tamer, pilot, brain surgeon etc, provided time forhisy mind to wander, and that wandering over the years turned into about twenty incomplete novels. Some of the better of these ideas are now coming to fruition, just far slower than he’d like (I think all we writers can relate to THAT)!

Outside of writing, Simon loves to watch tennis and follow the ATP and WTA tours as much as he can. His wife and son aren’t so keen, so it’s a constant battle for the remote control.  He also love a good film, and a weekly trip to the cinema with his son is a cherished event (same with me; and I am actually a closet tennis fan from the days of Borg and McEnroe and Connors; so I have a feeling Simon and I would get along famously). Movie theaters across the pond must be different, because for Simon, the promise of the pic’n’mix sweet stand helps convince him to keep coming! I’m going to assume that means the candy and popcorn!

So because of the great distance between us, I couldn’t invite Simon into the RoW Studio for a proper inter view (proper interview being defined as “serving cold coffee, stale donuts, playing at least 3-4 unnecessary and completely uncomplimentary pranks”).

Lucky him; he just gets the straight interview!

I figured since we really met because he, like me, decided to join the collaborative effort of the boxed set, I would begin there and see where it went—however:

R.S.: Okay, before we get started, I am a fanatical dog-lover (we have four), and I heard you had a pretty special one in your life. Not to pry, but could you tell me a bit about your K-9 companion, Spencer?

Spencer

SJ: This is my favorite photo of late and was taken a couple of weeks ago just before Spencer, our faithful 15-year-old German Shepherd, went to sleep forever. We originally bought him to give Mac, our Black Labrador, some company as my wife and I were out at work all day.  After an initial hour of trying to hide himself in the overgrown grass in our garden, he drove Mac nuts, constantly jumping on him, hanging from around his neck and never giving him a moment’s peace.  As a puppy, Spencer was a nightmare, chewing through electrical wires, staircases, carpet and our wedding album.  As he grew, we bought a training video and wrist protectors so that we could train him to act, as well as look, the part of a hard-as-nails guard dog. But it never happened.  Apparently we had bought the softest dog on the planet, the most wonderful companion any family could have.  When we lost him, we cried like babies. We miss him more than we could ever have imagined.  I have already written a poem in his honor – crap but touching – and I plan to immortalize him in a future novel.

R.S.: Okay, I don’t usually get choked up (I’m more the “laugh at a funeral” kind of guy, but your story of Spencer. I am shedding a few tears right now. We have a sign in our kitchen that says “The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs.”

Gotta change the subject; you winged me with that one, Simon. So, ahem, what kind of expectations did you have joining a multi-writer, multi-book collaboration? Writers can be a fickle bunch.

SJ: This is my first collaborative venture and I am highly honored to be included. I’m hoping that we all manage to expand our readership and can help each other out in the future too.  It’s a tough and ever-expanding marketplace out there and if collaborating can help get us noticed, then it’s got to be worth a try.

R.S.: Fair enough. You certainly are right about writers needing to help other writers. I’ve rung that bell more times than I can count! How did you go about choosing which of your bestselling books to include?

SJ: The choice of book to include was easy – the “Ethan Justice” series being my only one so far! That being said, I think “Origins” sits well amongst the other four inclusions and while all are different, as a collection, they seem to be a pretty damn good offering, even if I say so myself!

R.S.: Yes, I’d agree with you. I’m sure you love pleasing your fans as much as I do, and the collection we all put forth is a doozy! So we all write for a variety of reasons. How would you prioritize your own reasons for turning to the pen?

SJ:

1.       To vent anger and make bad people suffer. I love to brandish my own form of justice.

2.       To avoid a proper job. I realise now though that my years working a real job were far easier and more sociable. Good thing I love writing!

3.       Enjoyment – it was all supposed to be fun. Damn you marketing, damn you.

4.       Money – ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

R.S.: Oh, boy, and I with you on the first one, brother! And my mantra since I started writing has been “writing the book is the easy part.” 75-80% effort into marketing and branding I’d say. I always say I don’t write for the money, but isn’t that what all struggling writers are supposed to say? What do you do in order to jumpstart your muse when you just don’t have that creative urge?

SJ: I get a lot of inspiration from movies, other books, life, news items, my wife and son (although most of his ideas are just crazy –what imaginations 13 year olds have – he loves to help though).  I enjoy basing some of my less likeable characters on people that have annoyed me. I tend to rename them, disguise them, and then have them bumped off by my antagonist.  It’s highly therapeutic!

R.S.: HA! Amen. What was the line from the Heath Ledger movie, from the actor playing Geoffrey Chaucer after being made naked and humiliated “I am a writer. I will eviscerate you in fiction. Every pimple, every character flaw. I was naked for a day; you will be naked for eternity.”

(There is a long pause as I can only guess Simon contemplates the power of the writer some more.)

R.S.: So what are you working on currently?

SJ: I’m currently dabbling my toes into the young adult market with a sci-fi/action adventure/mystery called “The Evolved”. The premise is:

Imagine you are a 17-year-old boy. A boy whose memory and backbone were stolen seven years ago in a hit and run accident. A boy who can’t cope … with anything. A boy whose only friends are now pushing him to take an impossible leap of faith. Now imagine the last seven years were a lie and you have the power to do almost anything. Good or bad. What would you do?

I’m about two-thirds finished and have beta-readers providing feedback chapter by chapter as I go, which is crazy pressure but immensely helpful. If any of your readers love this genre and fancy signing up to give me their valued opinion, please can they get in touch!

R.S.: How about your current series of books? Don’t be modest; I know they have been selling like shovels after a snowstorm, and for damn good reason!

SJ: If your readers enjoy “Origins” from the box set, they can catch up with Ethan and Savannah in their next adventures when they go head to head with a psychopath dark to the point of hysterical in “Relentless” and must overcome their greatest challenge yet by taking down an ambitious crime boss in “Incendiary”.

Here are a few reviews for “Relentless”:

“The villain is a depraved sociopath and the author has written him in a way that makes you just want to bury him up to his neck and run him over with a lawn mower.”

“… the story plows through four days in time like an express freight train. It doesn’t stop; it doesn’t slow down; it is, to the end – RELENTLESS.”

http://www.amazon.com/Ethan-Justice-Relentless-Simon-Jenner-ebook/dp/B00DSDLYOM/

And “Incendiary”:

“Another Hum Dinger of action-filled suspense, couldn’t put it down!!”

“Incendiary is a wild and thrilling ride from start to finish, with that rare balance between nerve-wracking action and snarky humor.”

http://www.amazon.com/Ethan-Justice-Incendiary-Simon-Jenner-ebook/dp/B00HWZYRKA/

R.S.: Well I have to tell you, I wish we could have met in person in the studio, but this is the next best thing. I love your books and you seem like my kind of fellow—platonically speaking, of course. And since this would be the point where I attempt to embarrass you with a totally childish, asinine prank, I think I will throw you a curve-ball question (or, as they say in tennis circles, a question with some wicked backspin): Did you ever wish you could change your name? If you actually did it—legally changed your name—what would your new identity’s moniker be? One name, like Madonna, or multiple like Edward James Olmos? Middle name?

SJ (completely nonplussed): I never gave it much thought but what a great idea.  I think my new moniker would be Wolfgang Maelstrom or something equally outlandish.  Shame Dirk Diggler and Forrest Gump have already been used. I have actually written a non-fiction book under a pen name but it’s even more boring than my real name so for that, and legal reasons, I won’t clue you in. Hopefully I made that sound far more interesting than it is. The truth is I wrote an autobiography detailing my boarding school days and didn’t exactly wax lyrical about our treatment as it was all a bit “Tom Brown’s Schooldays”. It seemed safer to keep my name and others out of it – a protect the guilty sort of thing!

R.S.: Well-played, sir. Continuing the analogy, I think you matched by backspin and put one right down the line (of course I am very much like McEnroe, so I must bid adieu whilst I rage uncontrollably at the moronic line judge who called that shot IN—no offense, Simon).

Thanks much for the interview AND for joining in the “A Crime Collection” boxed set, which I believe is still FREE, FREE, FREE!!!!!

Take care, my writer friend. Maybe next time I will be able to afford to fly you over for an interview in person (and some really top-notch pranks)!

My Boxed Set Co-Writer Betta Ferrendelli!

When I was asked to join a boxed-set collaboration, I must admit I felt trepidation at first, but when I saw the lineup of writers, I was more than happy to participate; I was honored. All four writers with whom I would be collaborating are successful, prolific, and talented writers. What writer would not join up with such a group?

This week I will be featuring one of my co-writers each day, Tuesday the 28th through Halloween Night. It’s a privilege to for me, as well as you, to get to know these writers as individuals. Too often we are caught up in the enjoyment of reading a novel that we forget there is a hardworking, dedicated writer behind the characters and plots and twists and turns.

First this week I am so pleased to introduce Betta Ferrendelli!

Betta has been an award-winning journalist since 1989, having worked at newspapers in Denver, Seattle and Albuquerque. She continues to write professionally today for magazines.

In July 2012, she published The Friday Edition, the first in a mystery series featuring newspaper reporter Samantha Church.

The second book in the series, Revenge is Sweet, published in November 2013.

Betta is presently writing Dead Wrong, the third book in the series, with a publication date set for late 2014.

The Friday Edition has enjoyed early commercial success: It was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2013, and was a 2014 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Winner for Fiction, Mystery, Sleuth.

Born in Trinidad, Colorado, Betta grew up in Denver. She earned more than a dozen writing awards, including the Guy Radar Award, which recognized best medical reporting in the state. I won the award for chronicling a man’s battle with breast cancer.

Returning to Denver in 1992, just four years before yours truly, she worked for a group of community weekly newspapers covering the west side. She moved around a bit, garnering another dozen journalism awards. She returned to Denver in 2007 to work for the same community weekly newspapers covering Denver’s west side—this time as editor! In 2008, she left the papers, yet, as mentioned earlier, continues to write professionally for magazines ( One being O&P EDGE magazine, a niche healthcare publication in Northglenn, Colorado)

Do yourselves a favor and check out this fabulous writer’s books:

The Friday Edition:

A beautiful, young district attorney tumbles to her death on Christmas Eve.

Police suspect suicide, but the DA’s sister, newspaper reporter Samantha Church, isn’t buying it.

Samantha discovers evidence linking her sister to a drug smuggling case and quickly learns she has stumbled onto a major news story. She must summon the courage to not only face a cartel of criminals, but her own fears and shortcomings when she is confronted by the inescapable specter of a far greater enemy—her addiction to alcohol. Samantha’s dependency has not only cost her job at a major metropolitan daily, but, worse, custody of her daughter, April.

Samantha pursues her sister’s killers, maneuvering through a minefield of intrigue deliberately set out to divert her from the truth. Despite being betrayed, physically beaten and facing the possibility of sharing her sister’s fate, Samantha refuses to stop her investigation. However, when the killers threaten to harm April, Samantha realizes that, for her daughter’s sake, she can no longer continue the investigation on her own. She knows she must swallow her pride and turn to her ex-husband and police detective, Jonathan Church, for help.

Can Samantha ultimately prevail—find her sister’s killer, write the story of her career, confront her drinking problem, and finally begin to change her life, or will she and April become the killer’s next victims?Revenge is a dish best served with blood…

Revenge is Sweet:

In Revenge is Sweet, the sequel to The Friday Edition, Samantha Church is back and the stakes are higher than ever.

In a sinister quest to settle the score, the drug dealers she thwarted are no longer motivated by money or politics, they want one thing and one thing only: Revenge…

Snow swirls on a cold February night when reporter Samantha Church and her publisher Wilson Cole Jr. are kidnapped. Days following the kidnapping, Sam wakes up in a hospital bed, dazed, bruised and confused. Why did they let her go? It makes no sense. It is only when the kidnappers make their next move does she realize why they let her go.

The kidnappers want to hurt Sam by harming those she loves most, her best friend and coworker, Wilson Cole Jr., and worse, her daughter, April. They taunt Sam, wanting to break her down mentally, physically and emotionally—pretty little April, watch her bleed, pretty little April, now we’ll have some fun. Say bye-bye, pretty little April will die before your eyes.

Revenge doesn’t come any sweeter. Or does it? Is all hope seemingly lost? Or is revenge a two-way street? Does Sam have a plan of her own for the kidnappers—one that will finally settle the score?

Do Writers Hear THEIR Biological Clock Ticking?

Most of us are familiar with the outdated, cliched saying regarding a female hearing some phantom biological clock ticking (implying, of course, that all women want children, that there is a shelf life on eggs, and, well, you can calculate the rest of the math on your own). Clearly not all women (or men) wish children, but medically speaking there is a very real cliff over which the parade of eggs will one-day fall, and for those women who do yearn for a baby (or babies), it’s entirely likely that the minute hand doth tick.

I know some of you are questioning my choice of analogies. Wanting children versus beginning a writing career? Writing a book versus having a baby? Well I’ll concede that the creation process for pregnancy trumps that of a work of literature. But let’s examine the other facts surrounding having babies:

Everyone seems to believe, contrary to the evidence, that they can do it and will be good at it. (Hmm. Check)
There is no criteria, no quality assessment, no license required, not even a training class mandated to create one, nurture it, and eventually release it upon the world. (Mmm hmm.)
Those who probably shouldn’t be doing it, seem to be the ones producing the most. (Yep.)
It just seems like the “new generation” doesn’t have that same pluck and quality of those before it. (Ohhhh, yeah.)
Once the decision has been made and the process begun, one is consumed with joy, a sense of purposeful fulfillment, and the glorious, promised end seems to ardently justify a means profoundly connected to the soul itself. (Check)
A few months in, however, realization sets in, hard, that the process is more work, stress, pain, and utter confusion, than ever we could have known. (Oh, baby.)
And for which no one who isn’t going through the ordeal exudes a sliver of sympathy. (Double check.)
Near the end of the gestation, the mind is not a blissful place but rather one consumed by a single thought: BE O-V-E-R. (Y-E-S.)
NOW. (YES)
Once the bundle of joy is released to the world, however, all really does become roses, compliments, celebrations, and proud, proud parents. (Oh, the happiness.)
Quickly, though, after countless nights with no sleep, constant worry if your new one is all right and if you are doing everything you can (and are supposed to), stress over every bad sign as if it might mean the end of everything, and money flowing in the wrong direction, one can’t help but wonder what was I thinking? (Big YEP.)
Finally the grace period, lasting longer and longer, where things take a turn for the better; there are fewer and fewer sleepless nights, success seems almost second nature, and one is lulled into the welcome satisfaction that it really might be possible to know what you are doing. (Thank God.)
The teen years. A transformation of apocalyptic proportion whereby our wonderful, doting, dependent offspring transform into silent, sloth-like, unmotivated, uncaring, zombie-like, spiteful creatures (only they can’t be zombies because zombies aren’t pithy with sarcasm and they don’t talk back).

(Well, since books can’t smack you down verbally, empty your fridge and cupboards sans gratitude, “forget” to pickup up the moldy dishes in their rooms for weeks on end, or acquire a driver’s license, I guess writing a book may have one-upped child rearing on this one.)

Regardless of such comparisons, and where you may fall on either spectrum, I think we can all agree that both acts are labors of love and that, as life truly is shorter than we’d wish, the time is never better than when one has the desire and is able.

As of late (and after just turning the big Five-Oh), I’ve been confronted with the ticking of my own Tell-Tale Heart, sounding off subtly beneath the floorboards of the cottage in which my muse spends most of its time.

I suppose the succinct question is, “What, if any, is the shelf-life on a writer’s (talent/readership/creativity/brand/market share/_______)?”

In other words, if the writer senses the proverbial iron is reaching that orange-ish state of pliability, should the scribe feel compelled to strike (lest fate, time, and ultimately opportunity pass him or her by)?

Age, of course, as with all things, figures into the equation, but the upside of being a writer is that writing—even more so than golf, checkers, shuffleboard, or gin rummy—is an activity into which a person may participate even as old age arrives unwelcome and unwanted (assuming, of course, lucidity, a functional memory, continued creativity, and a few other critical elements that do, after all, begin at some point to fail each of us, remain intact).

Hence my reference to reaching the milestone of 50. My Poe-adoring heart did begin to tick a bit louder the day after the passing of that particular anniversary. I noticed it. I even grieved a little.

As I mentioned, cliche or no, life is short. Any of us might meet the Reaper around any corner, at any moment of the day or night, in any state of health, and regardless, too, of age. But time will forever hold claim as the greatest hunter; the insatiable carnivore with instincts to dominate completely all its prey.

You may survive a few hunts—dodge the expertly loosed arrow; feel the air disturbed by its nearness to your jugular—but sooner or later, our opponent awaits the sure take down (surer, even, than taxes). None of us can turn the clock backwards; time travel and fountains full of youth are still the stuff of novelists and children and dreamers.

All this said, I do happen to buy into the adage that we are as only as old as we feel (though no one told that to the tumor they found inside me in 2002). Regardless, I feel younger now than at almost any time past my seemingly invincible twenties. Still, I am wont to ponder.

The dream of the writer—to give up the unfulfilling day job and write full-time.

A dream not exclusive to writers, of course. And dreams, well, they are perhaps the most life-sustaining, ever-elusive, fantastical carrot dangling just far enough before us to beg the chase, though illusion also whispers around the blindness of each corner, as the carrot disappears for but a moment.

Yet what a rush and a promise of something better and happier.

The dream is child of our failures and parent to hope.

The snake oil promise of a second half to life.

So I’ve clearly revealed my hole card; the answer to the big question:

You JUMP.

Life is like the TGV Lyria—one of the fastest trains in the world—is said to be one of the most spectacular journeys, at high speed, one could ever enjoy. And to leap from such a train—at any point— would range from idiocy to death.

What pursuit of greatness ever lacked sacrifice, and what venture ever became great without profound, unrelenting courage?

Jump. Forget the comparisons and the reasons and the emotion of it all.

Fear is only power, given unwillingly to the unknown.

And a dream transforms to life’s wonder once fulfilled.

Think. You don’t have to leap when the magnificent ride is flying at top speed; it will reach a station. They always do. Just make yourself get off, regardless of the logic in remaining on the ride, no matter the promise of more thrills to come—and see about that dream. It won’t ever be very far away.

Make it your choice; your reality.

And you can finally stop that infernal ticking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The blank page is dead…long live the blank page.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author known to use spontaneous satire, sarcasm, and unannounced injections of pith or witticisms which may not be suitable for humorless or otherwise jest-challenged individuals. (Witticisms not guaranteed to be witty, funny, comical, hilarious, clever, scintillating, whimsical, wise, endearing, keen, savvy, sagacious, penetrating, fanciful, or otherwise enjoyable. The Surgeon General has determined through laboratory testing that sarcasm can be dangerous, even in small amounts, and should not be ingested by those who are serious, somber, pensive, weighty, funereal, unsmiling, poker-faced, sober, or pregnant.) For those who enjoy and/or revel in the utterance of profanity, the author reserves the right to substitute “fish” for “fuck” without fear of repercussion, mental reservation, or purpose of evasion.

A FREE Boxed Set; A Party; Prizes—What More Could You Want?

Launching “A Crime Collection” Box Set

 

 



 

 

I’ve been working with four best-selling mystery authors to combine our five first-in-a-series novels into a FREE box set, and today is the official launch day for “A Crime Collection”.

 

Five murders

 

Five mysteries

 

Five first-in-a-series novels

 

FREE

 

These spellbinding stories, filled with twists and turns, murder, intrigue and suspense, feature captivating and unforgettable characters and have been reviewed more than 1,600 times and have earned more than 750 five-star reviews.

 

Did I mention the box set was FREE? So what are you still doing here? Head over to Amazon (or other major retailers) and grab your copy today.

 

These five full-length heart-pumping mystery thrillers are available in this very special bundle for a limited time only. They include:

 

THE FRIDAY EDITION – Betta Ferrendelli

 

BLOOD LAND – R.S. Guthrie

 

ETHAN JUSTICE: ORIGINS – Simon Jenner

 

UNLEASHED – Emily Kimelman

 

THIS DOESN’T HAPPEN IN THE MOVIES – Renée Pawlish

 



Do You Want To Party?

Looking for a change of tempo this Saturday (25th October 2014), then put 1pm EST/6pm UK in your diary and pop along to our Facebook launch party for fun and games and to chat with the authors.

 

 



 



Win Cool Stuff

Finally, to celebrate the launch, we are giving away lots of cool stuff, including hand marked manuscript pages, personal letters, a gift card, and of course, books – audiobooks, paperbacks, and ebooks!

 

So download your FREE copy of the box set from Amazon, let us know on the entry page once you’ve downloaded and you’ll be entered to win. It’s that simple!