Richard Lee Byers's Blog, page 4
September 25, 2017
RIDE THE STAR WIND is now available
Hey, RIDE THE STAR WIND is now out and available for purchase! The Chulhu Mythos Meets Space Opera in all-new stories by terrific writers like Lucy A. Snyder, Tim Curran, and Cody Goodfellow, plus you get something from me. Check it out.
https://www.amazon.com/Ride-Star-Wind-Cthulhu-Cosmic-ebook/dp/B0747W4ZC9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506400244&sr=8-1&keywords=ride+the+star+wind
https://www.amazon.com/Ride-Star-Wind-Cthulhu-Cosmic-ebook/dp/B0747W4ZC9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506400244&sr=8-1&keywords=ride+the+star+wind
September 9, 2017
My collection THE THINGS THAT CRAWL is now available
As those of us in my little west-central Florida town wait to see just how bad Irma is going to be, I have some good news this morning. My collection THE THINGS THAT CRAWL is now available from Crossroad Press as an eBook (print and audio editions to follow.)
The cover may be slightly misleading. It makes it look like all the stories are horror, and indeed, there's plenty of horror. But there's also heroic fantasy, a bit of SF, and a little humor. Basically, what you're getting is a bunch of the best short stories I've written over the years conveniently gathered in one place.
I'm very pleased this book is now available. I hope you'll check it out, buy it if it looks good to you, and review it. Here's a link to it on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075H76Z1R/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504965886&sr=8-1&keywords=the+things+that+crawl+richard+lee+byers
The cover may be slightly misleading. It makes it look like all the stories are horror, and indeed, there's plenty of horror. But there's also heroic fantasy, a bit of SF, and a little humor. Basically, what you're getting is a bunch of the best short stories I've written over the years conveniently gathered in one place.
I'm very pleased this book is now available. I hope you'll check it out, buy it if it looks good to you, and review it. Here's a link to it on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075H76Z1R/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504965886&sr=8-1&keywords=the+things+that+crawl+richard+lee+byers
August 25, 2017
My 2017 Dragon Con programming schedule
In case you missed it before, here it is one more time:
-------------------Title: Social Media as an Effective Tool for AuthorsDescription: Navigating the ever-changing world of social media is a difficult job especially when combined with an active writing career. Panelists discuss the most efficient and effective ways of juggling the two.Time: Fri 11:30 am Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)(Tentative Panelists: Richard Lee Byers, Lucienne Diver, Bill Fawcett, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Tyra A Burton, S.M. Stirling)
-------------------Title: Tiles, Tentacles, Dice, and DreadDescription: From tabletop thrills to console chills, we'll discuss writing - and playing - games with a horror theme.Time: Sat 08:30 pm Location: Peachtree 1-2 - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)(Tentative Panelists: Richard Lee Byers, Bill Bridges, Kenneth Hite, David Boop)
-------------------Title: Collaborations, Critique Groups and Beta ReadersDescription: Today's writers find creative help in ways writers of the past didn't have access to. What's right for a writer depends on many things. This panel discusses whether a collaboration, critique group or beta reader is the perfect choice--and how to find them.Time: Sun 07:00 pm Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Jane Yolen, Jake Bible, David B. Coe, Mercedes Lackey, Richard Lee Byers)
-------------------Title: Social Media as an Effective Tool for AuthorsDescription: Navigating the ever-changing world of social media is a difficult job especially when combined with an active writing career. Panelists discuss the most efficient and effective ways of juggling the two.Time: Fri 11:30 am Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)(Tentative Panelists: Richard Lee Byers, Lucienne Diver, Bill Fawcett, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Tyra A Burton, S.M. Stirling)
-------------------Title: Tiles, Tentacles, Dice, and DreadDescription: From tabletop thrills to console chills, we'll discuss writing - and playing - games with a horror theme.Time: Sat 08:30 pm Location: Peachtree 1-2 - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)(Tentative Panelists: Richard Lee Byers, Bill Bridges, Kenneth Hite, David Boop)
-------------------Title: Collaborations, Critique Groups and Beta ReadersDescription: Today's writers find creative help in ways writers of the past didn't have access to. What's right for a writer depends on many things. This panel discusses whether a collaboration, critique group or beta reader is the perfect choice--and how to find them.Time: Sun 07:00 pm Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Jane Yolen, Jake Bible, David B. Coe, Mercedes Lackey, Richard Lee Byers)
August 21, 2017
Thank you, Gen Con 50!
I had a fantastic time at Gen Con. Thanks to everyone who worked on it and made it possible and to all the attendees. Everyone I met brought friendliness and enthusiasm to the event.
Thanks to everyone who worked to make the Writer's Symposium happen, to all my colleagues who participated, and to everyone who came to hear us speak.
And thanks to the folks who ran the terrific LARPs I got to play in. That's the Elder Entertainment group with their Cthulhu-themed games, the Brew City Gamers with their Batman Villains game, and the Crawlspace people and their Supernatural game. I had a blast in all their stuff.
Thanks to everyone who worked to make the Writer's Symposium happen, to all my colleagues who participated, and to everyone who came to hear us speak.
And thanks to the folks who ran the terrific LARPs I got to play in. That's the Elder Entertainment group with their Cthulhu-themed games, the Brew City Gamers with their Batman Villains game, and the Crawlspace people and their Supernatural game. I had a blast in all their stuff.
August 12, 2017
I'm writing a novel for Cohesion Press
I'm proud and delighted to announce I'll be writng a novel for Cohesion Press (the first, I hope, of many.)
August 7, 2017
How not to talk to writers at SF conventions
I see my fellow writers making "How to deal with me at Gen Con" posts. In keeping with the fundamental negativity of my attitude, let me list a few things you should avoid saying to a writer if you want him or her to regard you as congenial company.
1. "I never heard of you (or read your books.)" (99% of the time, it's perfectly understandable if you haven't. Few of us are superstars, and we don't assume you're familiar with us and our work until you let us know you have. You don't have to rub our noses in our relative obscurity.
2. "Here's what I didn't like about such and such a book..." It's already published. I can't change it now. You're certainly entitled to hold and express your opinion, but if you want the writer to enjoy the conversation too, maybe focus on something a little more positive?
3. "Here's how your book violates the established continuity of the shared world..." The comments on 2. apply here as well.
4. "I read your books, but I don't buy them. I download them from a pirate site." If you do this, you're cheating writers out of their royalties. Which you shouldn't. But if you can't resist doing it, telling us is like stealing from us and then taunting us because you got away with it. It's adding insult to injury.
1. "I never heard of you (or read your books.)" (99% of the time, it's perfectly understandable if you haven't. Few of us are superstars, and we don't assume you're familiar with us and our work until you let us know you have. You don't have to rub our noses in our relative obscurity.
2. "Here's what I didn't like about such and such a book..." It's already published. I can't change it now. You're certainly entitled to hold and express your opinion, but if you want the writer to enjoy the conversation too, maybe focus on something a little more positive?
3. "Here's how your book violates the established continuity of the shared world..." The comments on 2. apply here as well.
4. "I read your books, but I don't buy them. I download them from a pirate site." If you do this, you're cheating writers out of their royalties. Which you shouldn't. But if you can't resist doing it, telling us is like stealing from us and then taunting us because you got away with it. It's adding insult to injury.
August 3, 2017
My 2017 Dragon Con programming schedule
My Dragon Con programming schedule:
Title: Social Media as an Effective Tool for AuthorsDescription: Navigating the ever-changing world of social media is a difficult job especially when combined with an active writing career. Panelists discuss the most efficient and effective ways of juggling the two.Time: Fri 11:30 am Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)(Tentative Panelists: Richard Lee Byers, Lucienne Diver, Bill Fawcett, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Tyra A Burton, S.M. Stirling)
-------------------Title: Tiles, Tentacles, Dice, and DreadDescription: From tabletop thrills to console chills, we'll discuss writing - and playing - games with a horror theme.Time: Sat 08:30 pm Location: Peachtree 1-2 - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)(Tentative Panelists: Richard Lee Byers, Bill Bridges, Kenneth Hite, David Boop)-
------------------Title: Collaborations, Critique Groups and Beta ReadersDescription: Today's writers find creative help in ways writers of the past didn't have access to. What's right for a writer depends on many things. This panel discusses whether a collaboration, critique group or beta reader is the perfect choice--and how to find them.Time: Sun 07:00 pm Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Jane Yolen, Jake Bible, David B. Coe, Mercedes Lackey, Richard Lee Byers)
Title: Social Media as an Effective Tool for AuthorsDescription: Navigating the ever-changing world of social media is a difficult job especially when combined with an active writing career. Panelists discuss the most efficient and effective ways of juggling the two.Time: Fri 11:30 am Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)(Tentative Panelists: Richard Lee Byers, Lucienne Diver, Bill Fawcett, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Tyra A Burton, S.M. Stirling)
-------------------Title: Tiles, Tentacles, Dice, and DreadDescription: From tabletop thrills to console chills, we'll discuss writing - and playing - games with a horror theme.Time: Sat 08:30 pm Location: Peachtree 1-2 - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)(Tentative Panelists: Richard Lee Byers, Bill Bridges, Kenneth Hite, David Boop)-
------------------Title: Collaborations, Critique Groups and Beta ReadersDescription: Today's writers find creative help in ways writers of the past didn't have access to. What's right for a writer depends on many things. This panel discusses whether a collaboration, critique group or beta reader is the perfect choice--and how to find them.Time: Sun 07:00 pm Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Jane Yolen, Jake Bible, David B. Coe, Mercedes Lackey, Richard Lee Byers)
August 2, 2017
My Gen Con schedule one more time
With Gen Con fast approaching, here's my programming schedule one more time.
You'll notice I don't have any signings scheduled, but I'm always happy to sign for anyone who catches me before the start of a panel or after one ends. Or when I'm just wandering around aimlessly, for that matter.
All my seminars are in the Westin.
THURSDAY
11 AM – Novel Craft: Writing a Synopsis - Caucus
2 PM – Worldbuilding: Magic Systems that Won’t Break Your Story - Chamber
3 PM – Story Craft: Are You Overthinking the Story? - Caucus SPOILER WARNING: In my case, the answer is almost certainly no.
FRIDAY
10 AM – Worldbuilding 101 – Chamber
11 AM – Character Craft: Writing True Leaders - Chamber
1 PM – Writer’s Life: An Introvert’s Guide to Interacting with the Public - Cabinet SPOILER WARNING: I'm planning to spend this one staring down at the tabletop to avoid eye contact and mumbling inaudibly.
SATURDAY
10 AM – Fantasy Fiction: Dark Fantasy - Chamber
1 PM – Character Craft: Good People Doing Terrible Things - Chamber
4 PM – Writer’s Craft: The Art of Adding Details - Caucus
You'll notice I don't have any signings scheduled, but I'm always happy to sign for anyone who catches me before the start of a panel or after one ends. Or when I'm just wandering around aimlessly, for that matter.
All my seminars are in the Westin.
THURSDAY
11 AM – Novel Craft: Writing a Synopsis - Caucus
2 PM – Worldbuilding: Magic Systems that Won’t Break Your Story - Chamber
3 PM – Story Craft: Are You Overthinking the Story? - Caucus SPOILER WARNING: In my case, the answer is almost certainly no.
FRIDAY
10 AM – Worldbuilding 101 – Chamber
11 AM – Character Craft: Writing True Leaders - Chamber
1 PM – Writer’s Life: An Introvert’s Guide to Interacting with the Public - Cabinet SPOILER WARNING: I'm planning to spend this one staring down at the tabletop to avoid eye contact and mumbling inaudibly.
SATURDAY
10 AM – Fantasy Fiction: Dark Fantasy - Chamber
1 PM – Character Craft: Good People Doing Terrible Things - Chamber
4 PM – Writer’s Craft: The Art of Adding Details - Caucus
July 30, 2017
RIDE THE STAR WIND available for pre-order
RIDE THE STAR WIND is available for pre-order. This is an all-new anthology in which the Cthulhu Mythos Meets Space Opera. A bunch of fine writers have series in it, and I've got one, too. Check it out here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0747W4ZC9
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0747W4ZC9
July 16, 2017
New eBook edition of DARK FORTUNE available
For those who might be interested, a new eBook edition of my early horror novel DARK FORTUNE (about a cursed Tarot deck) is now available from Macabre Ink.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073YM9DSC
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073YM9DSC
