David A. Riley's Blog, page 145
August 19, 2010
Small Presses and Wordsworth Books
There's an interesting thread just started on the Vault of Evil. Although it began as a discussion about the latest issue of Prism, it very soon moved on to that marvellous publisher, Wordsworth, who have brought out some of the very best collections of single-author ghost stories at unbelievably cheap rates. They specialise, of course, in publishing writers who have been dead so long their works are now out of copyright. This naturally saves them any royalty payments. It also means that we, ...
August 18, 2010
Prism - September Issue Sent to the Printers
The next issue of Prism has been posted to the printers today, so it should be available for distribution to members by early September, well before FantasyCon.
One bit of good news is that the print run has gone up by 50 copies since the last issue, which shows that the BFS is doing okay at the moment. Let's hope its membership continues to climb. Of course, one important job to ensure that this happens isn't only by gaining new members but by ensuring that existing ones renew their membershi...
One bit of good news is that the print run has gone up by 50 copies since the last issue, which shows that the BFS is doing okay at the moment. Let's hope its membership continues to climb. Of course, one important job to ensure that this happens isn't only by gaining new members but by ensuring that existing ones renew their membershi...
August 17, 2010
A Fascinating Interview with Jonathan Maberry
On Strange Horizons there's a really fascinating interview with horror author Jonathan Maberry, discussing zombie fiction.
Hellfire and Damnation by Connie Corcoran Wilson
A very nice, slim collection of short stories (114 pages) published by Sam's Dot Publishing in the States. I received a signed copy in the post from the author as a member of the HWA. It has a very complimentary introduction by William F. Nolan - which is quite something - and some good and lengthy comments on the back cover from the likes of Gary A. Braunbeck and Lisa Mannetti. And I must admit I'm not surprised. This is a very good book, excellently well written, which moves at a brisk pace...
August 16, 2010
Bloody Barbarity - Couple Stoned to Death
The Taliban showed its true face in Afghanistan when it arranged the stoning to death of a young couple in an area they controlled. Barbarities like this are an utter disgrace. If this is Sharia Law, it has no place anywhere in the world - least of all in the West, as some would have it.
Self Publishing and E-Books
There is quite a lively debate on the BFS Forum over the small press, self publishing, etc.
One excellent idea put forward was the suggestion that an ideal array of formats for a book to be brought out in the small presses would be a limited hardback edition for collectors (or keen fans of the writer) of 100-150 numbered copies, and a paperback version published via POD, which will therefore be available constantly at a reasonable price, topped off with a e-book version. Using the same cover ...
One excellent idea put forward was the suggestion that an ideal array of formats for a book to be brought out in the small presses would be a limited hardback edition for collectors (or keen fans of the writer) of 100-150 numbered copies, and a paperback version published via POD, which will therefore be available constantly at a reasonable price, topped off with a e-book version. Using the same cover ...
August 14, 2010
Prism - September 2010
The next issue of Prism is now ready to go off to the printers in time to be posted out to BFS members early September, before FantasyCon.
This is its cover: (by Bryan Talbot)
This is its cover: (by Bryan Talbot)
Self Publishing and E-Books - Further
There's been a recent debate on the Horror Writers Association boards about self publishing and POD - something that was anathema there until recently. How times are changing!
Anyway, this was my contribution to the debate:
"I have begun to believe that certainly with collections of short stories POD may be the only answer for most writers, since mainstream publishers have little interest in short story collections for anyone outside a small circle of big name writers. The only alternative till...
Anyway, this was my contribution to the debate:
"I have begun to believe that certainly with collections of short stories POD may be the only answer for most writers, since mainstream publishers have little interest in short story collections for anyone outside a small circle of big name writers. The only alternative till...
August 13, 2010
Under the Dome
Just finished reading Stephen King's recent epic, Under the Dome. It's the first novel of his I've been able to finish for several years. I gave up on Cell after two tries, getting as far as 100 pages into it. Under the Dome, though, was a rollicking ride from beginning to end, with characters that really engaged me, the good, the bad and the changeable. It's a long book, but unlike Dream-Catcher, never for one page seemed to have been padded out. There's a lot of detail in it, and character ...
August 12, 2010
Self Publishing
There's an interesting discussion on Shocklines, with writers like Brian Keene participating, on the issue of self-publishing. Leisure Books, which have published most of Brian's books so far, is likely to turn to ebooks only in the near future. As a result Brian is looking towards self publishing. How many other writers of his ilk will do the same?
My own experience with the collection of my short stories that have been due for publication for several years is leading me to wonder whether I s...
My own experience with the collection of my short stories that have been due for publication for several years is leading me to wonder whether I s...
