S.K.S. Perry's Blog, page 2
August 31, 2015
Why no, I'm not Amish. Why do you ask?
We bought a new GPS a while back because I think the old one had developed Tourettes. (Guess which one I still get to use. Right. It’s not all bad though. I’m military, so it’s kind of like getting directions from an old army buddy.) Anyway, I hadn’t really had the opportunity to use the new one much until this weekend when we took Pen’s car to the U.S. for a bit of a holiday.
While the old GPS may have had a bit of a speech impediment, this one seems downright…pushy. Maybe it’s the upper-class British accent we’ve chosen for the voice, but I swear every direction it gives is followed by, “You bloody colonials!” Well, it is in my head, anyway. Whenever she tells me to “proceed on route” it sounds like she’s saying, “Proceed on foot,” and I end up yelling, “Not likely, you posh British tart!”
Of course then I realize I’m arguing with my GPS. Yeah, I know, silly, right? It’s not like it’s my toaster, that bread burning son of a bitch.
While the old GPS may have had a bit of a speech impediment, this one seems downright…pushy. Maybe it’s the upper-class British accent we’ve chosen for the voice, but I swear every direction it gives is followed by, “You bloody colonials!” Well, it is in my head, anyway. Whenever she tells me to “proceed on route” it sounds like she’s saying, “Proceed on foot,” and I end up yelling, “Not likely, you posh British tart!”
Of course then I realize I’m arguing with my GPS. Yeah, I know, silly, right? It’s not like it’s my toaster, that bread burning son of a bitch.
Published on August 31, 2015 15:08
August 13, 2015
Public Service Announcement
There are pirate sites out there with my books on them. That's part of the reality of the internet. But please, don't support the pirate sites. At best, you're taking money away from the artist who's probably not even breaking even to begin with. At worst, you're actually making money for the pirate site. So here's the thing:
If you love my books but for whatever reason really can't afford them, email me and I'll send you an electronic copy. All I ask is that you review them, and tell others about them. Hopefully some of those people will be able to afford them. :)
And remember, I donate 10% of the money I make from my writing to the Barrie Women and Children's Shelter.
If you love my books but for whatever reason really can't afford them, email me and I'll send you an electronic copy. All I ask is that you review them, and tell others about them. Hopefully some of those people will be able to afford them. :)
And remember, I donate 10% of the money I make from my writing to the Barrie Women and Children's Shelter.
Published on August 13, 2015 08:14
August 10, 2015
Priorities
Why is the secret to eternal life always in the "Lost City" of whatever? You'd think something that important, people would keep track of that shit. Most of these cities are "lost" because they were abandoded, but I don't care how much of a hurry I was in, I'd be sure to take the secret to immortallity with me when I left.
High Priest: "The Island is sinking! Flee for your lives."
Me: "Sure, be right with you as soon as I grab this photo of my dog, this cool watch my dad left me, and...oh, right...the secret to eternal life."
High Priest: "The Island is sinking! Flee for your lives."
Me: "Sure, be right with you as soon as I grab this photo of my dog, this cool watch my dad left me, and...oh, right...the secret to eternal life."
Published on August 10, 2015 09:00
August 6, 2015
Where's Chuck Woolery when you need him?
As part of my job, I'm developing lesson plans for the Engine Fire and Overheat System. (Yes, I'm thrilled to be part of this dynamic team!) I think the part I hate most is trying to think up the "developmental" questions. They remind me of those dumb questions they used to ask on those cheesy game shows:
Host: If you were a coffee maker, what kind of coffee maker would you be, and why? Let's see what you're wife has to say.
Wife: Hmm…Let's see. Well, it wouldn't be no drip. Maybe….instant?
Host: If you were a coffee maker, what kind of coffee maker would you be, and why? Let's see what you're wife has to say.
Wife: Hmm…Let's see. Well, it wouldn't be no drip. Maybe….instant?
Published on August 06, 2015 06:45
July 31, 2015
It's official!
THE MOONLIGHT WAR launches today, available in paperback and/or eBook format at most online retailers.AmazonBarnes & NobleSmashwordsiTunes
Three caravans have vanished traversing the Cowcheanne Way and are never heard from again. Despite rumours of native uprisings, bandit armies, and worse, a new caravan is outfitted to travel the Way. As an ancient evil is unleashed upon them, can a group of heroes band together for survival, or are they doomed to join the ranks of lost souls claimed by the cursed Cowcheanne Way?
Three caravans have vanished traversing the Cowcheanne Way and are never heard from again. Despite rumours of native uprisings, bandit armies, and worse, a new caravan is outfitted to travel the Way. As an ancient evil is unleashed upon them, can a group of heroes band together for survival, or are they doomed to join the ranks of lost souls claimed by the cursed Cowcheanne Way?

Published on July 31, 2015 06:36
July 29, 2015
It's eaiser than waiting for inspiration to strike.
I'm constantly asked (mostly by my therapist) where I come up with the names and characters in my books, so here's a rundown:
James Decker – he's mostly me, with a little of my son thrown in (because we're so much alike). But he's named after my brother.
Bear – my dog growing up. It's a pretty accurate description of him, too, except for the ghosty parts.
Josh – the character is based on my brother, the description was pretty much made up.
Alex – my daughter.
Sabrina –the character is mostly my wife, the description is just an older Alex.
Leanne – probably an amalgam of the best parts of every woman I ever dated. Hey, this is fantasy, right?
Charlie – Charles Coleman Finlay – one of the smartest, nicest people I know.
Greg – a friend since childhood.
Grin – my son
Winky – a fan, and beta reader.
Dr Jodie Snowden – someone I met on Second Life, she used to DJ at a dance club there.
Olie – a military co-worker from my early days.
Julie – a witch (Wiccan?) I used to know.
Michelle – my first real girlfriend.
Mr. Sinha – another fan.
Daylight – my most awesome friend and fan,
Various names you might see throughout my work, (or probably will, eventually) such as Gibson, Snider, Boyle, Dominey, Taylor, Grant, Turner, Kent, Ennis, Bryant, and Goldberg are all childhood friends.
Names to be added to the list: Morisseau, Gaynor, Glover, Hoak, Flatness, Cox, Singh, Street, Szego, Jemin, Cooke, and Hall, to name a few. Don't worry, I'll get around to you.
Anyone nasty I totally made up.
James Decker – he's mostly me, with a little of my son thrown in (because we're so much alike). But he's named after my brother.
Bear – my dog growing up. It's a pretty accurate description of him, too, except for the ghosty parts.
Josh – the character is based on my brother, the description was pretty much made up.
Alex – my daughter.
Sabrina –the character is mostly my wife, the description is just an older Alex.
Leanne – probably an amalgam of the best parts of every woman I ever dated. Hey, this is fantasy, right?
Charlie – Charles Coleman Finlay – one of the smartest, nicest people I know.
Greg – a friend since childhood.
Grin – my son
Winky – a fan, and beta reader.
Dr Jodie Snowden – someone I met on Second Life, she used to DJ at a dance club there.
Olie – a military co-worker from my early days.
Julie – a witch (Wiccan?) I used to know.
Michelle – my first real girlfriend.
Mr. Sinha – another fan.
Daylight – my most awesome friend and fan,
Various names you might see throughout my work, (or probably will, eventually) such as Gibson, Snider, Boyle, Dominey, Taylor, Grant, Turner, Kent, Ennis, Bryant, and Goldberg are all childhood friends.
Names to be added to the list: Morisseau, Gaynor, Glover, Hoak, Flatness, Cox, Singh, Street, Szego, Jemin, Cooke, and Hall, to name a few. Don't worry, I'll get around to you.
Anyone nasty I totally made up.
Published on July 29, 2015 09:51
Asked and answered.
I occasionally get questions and fan mail about my work, and to the best of my ability I try to respond personally to each and every one. Here are some of the answers I've given to various questions in the past month or so:
No, Drat is not based on a real person.
Yes, Detective Greg McMillan is.
No, I don't know where you left your car keys. (Did you check under the cushions of your sofa?)
No, I have never met a vampire in real life. (That I know of.)
No, I don't know why your Kindle won't connect to Amazon. Have you tried turning it off, and then on again?
No, Drat is not based on a real person.
Yes, Detective Greg McMillan is.
No, I don't know where you left your car keys. (Did you check under the cushions of your sofa?)
No, I have never met a vampire in real life. (That I know of.)
No, I don't know why your Kindle won't connect to Amazon. Have you tried turning it off, and then on again?
Published on July 29, 2015 06:40
July 28, 2015
I am what I am.
What are the criteria for calling yourself an author?
Some people say that to be called a legitimate author you should be vetted through a traditional publisher. After all, anyone can just press “upload” nowadays and find themselves published on Amazon or Smashwords.
So, fair enough. Just exactly how big does this publisher have to be? How big of a print run? If you’re published by a small press with a print run of a few hundred, does it still count? Does it count more than the person who self-published at Amazon and sold 3000 copies?
What if you’re published by one of the big publishing houses, but no one buys your book. It’s a dismal flop. Does that still count?
What if you’re book is pirated, and everyone reads it but no one pays for it?
What if a publisher buys your book, but goes under before they get the chance to publish it? Or is being a publisher kind of like being the Pope, and as long as they bless you with the publisher holy water you’re good?
Does it count if other people call you an author, and not just your mom and your friends, but…say…fans? People you’ve never met, who might live on the other side of the world, and who write to tell you how much they loved your work?
I’m guessing it all depends on who you ask, but in my experience as a self-published author, don’t expect most of the traditionally published authors to think of you as one of them. You may be an author, but you’re not an AUTHOR. And if that hurts your feelings, well, get used to it.
Some people say that to be called a legitimate author you should be vetted through a traditional publisher. After all, anyone can just press “upload” nowadays and find themselves published on Amazon or Smashwords.
So, fair enough. Just exactly how big does this publisher have to be? How big of a print run? If you’re published by a small press with a print run of a few hundred, does it still count? Does it count more than the person who self-published at Amazon and sold 3000 copies?
What if you’re published by one of the big publishing houses, but no one buys your book. It’s a dismal flop. Does that still count?
What if you’re book is pirated, and everyone reads it but no one pays for it?
What if a publisher buys your book, but goes under before they get the chance to publish it? Or is being a publisher kind of like being the Pope, and as long as they bless you with the publisher holy water you’re good?
Does it count if other people call you an author, and not just your mom and your friends, but…say…fans? People you’ve never met, who might live on the other side of the world, and who write to tell you how much they loved your work?
I’m guessing it all depends on who you ask, but in my experience as a self-published author, don’t expect most of the traditionally published authors to think of you as one of them. You may be an author, but you’re not an AUTHOR. And if that hurts your feelings, well, get used to it.
Published on July 28, 2015 11:59
July 27, 2015
I think it's a right hand/left hand thing.
According to Amazon.ca, the paperback version of DARKSIDE: DAMNED IF YOU DO is "Out of stock." No kidding. It's print on demand through Createspace (which is owned by Amazon).
Amazon.com knows better, and lists it as in stock.
So don't fall for their lies. Just order it. I promise you, they'll print one special just for you. :)
Amazon.com knows better, and lists it as in stock.
So don't fall for their lies. Just order it. I promise you, they'll print one special just for you. :)
Published on July 27, 2015 08:00
July 25, 2015
Pre-order THE MOONLIGHT WAR!
Um...so apparently THE MOONLIGHT WAR is available on pre-order as a Kindle eBook, for those of you who just have to have it before you can have it?
Yeah, I don't get it either.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012IVZQAM
Yeah, I don't get it either.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012IVZQAM
Published on July 25, 2015 12:40