Phil Giunta's Blog, page 109
February 20, 2012
Farpoint: So Say We All!
My finacee and I couldn't have asked for better driving weather both to and from this year's Farpoint SF Media Con in Timonium, MD. Farpoint was founded in 1993 by Beverly Volker and her son-in-law Steven H. Wilson, who also happens to be my publisher (Steve started Firebringer Press in 2005).
For 19 years strong, Farpoint has brought a more cozy fan-oriented atmosphere to its annual conventions, which started in October but moved in February around 2002 or 2003. I began attending in 1995 and have missed only two in all of these many years.
This year brought in Michael Hogan and Kate Vernon, Colonel Saul Tighe and Ellen Tighe, respectively, from the successful reboot of Battlestar Galactica. We were also joined by the beautiful Kristen Bauer from True Blood. On Friday evening during the opening dinner, Steve Wilson's Prometheus Radio Theatre troupe performed a live episode of "Waste of Space", a creepy comedy about four evil geniuses living together. The cast included Steve Wilson, his sons Ethan and Christian, as well as Cindy Woods and John Scheeler (and one other actor whose name escapes my addled brain). Joining them in the performance were Kate Vernon and Kristen Bauer. Had Michael Hogan not missed his connecting flight, he would have performed as well. Nevertheless, it was an excellent, hilarious episode that will be podcast soon on the Prometheus Radio Theatre feed.
Also joining us for her first Farpoint was YA author Kieryn Nicolas. I had learned of Kieryn on the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group Yahoo forum and then met her in person last summer, albeit only briefly, at my local library when she visited for a booksigning event. Since then, we kept in touch (I interviewed Kieryn on this blog in June 2011) and Steve and I agreed that she would make a great addition to the author line up at Farpoint. Kieryn and her mom had a wonderful time at the con. They sold some books, Kieryn spoke on a YA writing panel along with writer Don Sakers, and attended a crowded Doctor Who panel.
Friday night at 10PM also saw a book launch for Steve Wilson himself. His third novel, Unfriendly Persuasion, is based on his award winning SF podcast series, The Arbiter Chronicles. It was a very successful launch, selling nearly 20 books in an hour. It will hit the market in March in paperback and all eBook formats.
Other writers in attendance at Farpoint included Peter David, Bob Greenberger, Michael Jan Friedman, Howard Weinstein, Aaron Rosenberg, Glen Hauman (collectively known as Crazy 8 Press), Kelly Meding, Dave Galanter, Bob Jones, Helen Madden, Nobilis Reed, and...oh yeah...ME!
Saturday morning started of well for both Kieryn and me. Not 10 minutes after setting up our tables, we started selling. A gentleman from the USS Susquehannock chapter of Starfleet invited both Kieryn and me to their annual sci-fi event in September. Hey, if NYT Bestseller Greg Cox can go, I'll be more than happy to attend as an author guest!
Kelly Meding also arrived on Saturday and while she was visiting my table, I bought all five of her books in one shot from Constellation Books as their dealer table was directly across from me. Kelly was kind enough to sign all of them and take her picture with Kieryn and me. Later in the day, I attended Howard Weinstein's 2-hour Writer's Workshop that was co-hosted by Kelly as well as Bob Jones, Dave Galanter, and the inimitable Bob Greenberger. Kelly then also joined musician Jonah Knight and me at 3PM for a discussion panel on Supernatural in Science Fiction which had excellent audience participation. At4PM, the Crazy 8 team assembled for their panel to discuss their status and updates since their launch exactly one year ago. And I will say that they are doing exceptionally well, having launched a variety of SF, Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy novels and novellas.
Saturday also saw face time with the actors. My fiancee and I, along with Kieryn, met Michael Hogan and Kate Vernon. Both were incredibly outgoing and friendly. We got autographs and took pictures with them. Michael was so gregarious and fun to be around. He never stopped smiling and joking with the fans. A truly positive convention experience.
Both Kieryn and I had a few more sales on Saturday before breaking for dinner at the local Chipotle. Afterwards, Kieryn and her mom returned to their hotel and my fiancee and I went back to the con. Unfortunately, that was when I began to feel the tendrils of the beast known as the common cold putting the choke hold on my sinuses. We crashed in our room where I ended up remaining for the night and completely missed the 10 Forward dance party that jammed from 10PM to 3AM. Luckily, our room was well removed from the music this year so we heard none of that and were able to sleep. Normally, I enjoy the dance party and social time but I was far too drained.
Sunday morning kicked off with a panel on Copyright Law at 11AM that was very informative. Kieryn and her mom departed and noon with hugs and then at 2PM I packed up the table. Despite festering illness, I gave a reading at 2PM, one scene from my upcoming novel, By Your Side, and a first draft scene from a short story in progress, "Water to Share". Steve Wilson then rescued my voice and stopped in to read from Unfriendly Persuasion.
Before the con ended, I stopped by to see Michael Hogan one last time to give him a copy of my first novel, Testing the Prisoner. "I'll read it on the plane!" he said. I wished him a safe flight home. My publisher, Steve Wilson, struck a deal with Constellation Books for them to purchase two copies each of his books and mine so a few more sales were scored on Sunday.
The USS Farragut, a group of Star Trek fans and filmmakers, provided the convention with a replica of an original Star Trek series Captain's Chair for fans to take a seat and have their photo taken. That was a nice addition to the con.
All told, it was a fantastic convention, one of the best ever, despite my insidious head cold. Some pictures below.
With Michael Hogan (left) and Kate Vernon (right) at Farpoint 2012.
With Kieryn Nicolas (left) and Kelly Meding (right) at Farpoint 2012.
Phil in command at Farpoint 2012.
The writers of Crazy 8 Press (above). From left to right: Aaron Rosenberg, Peter David, Glenn Hauman, Bob Greenberger, and Michael Jan Friedman at their Farpoint 2012 panel.
February 14, 2012
About this Writing Stuff...
A slightly abbreviated list this week as I am buried in work and getting ready for Farpoint . Among today's selections, Joe Konrath vows that Amazon will destroy you. Dean Wesley Smith reviews the cost of indie production while Jody Hedlund discusses the importance of book covers in this digital age. From Writer Unboxed, Ann Aguirre asks what makes books magical and Joanne Baggot advises us to just breathe. PC Magazine accuses self publishers of overloading eBooks with porn. I found PC Mag's article to be an insulting blanket statement and biased against self publishers, but that's just my not so humble opinion.
On lighter notes, Harlan Ellison makes an appearance to discuss...well...anything. And a slightly belated congratulations to Kelly Meding on the release of the fourth book in her Dreg City series!
Amazon Will Destroy You by JA Konrath
What Indie Production Actually Costs by Dean Wesley Smith
Book Covers: Are They Important in the Digital Age? by Jody Hedlund
What Makes A Book Magical? by Ann Aguirre
The Trick is to Breathe by Julianna Baggot
Self Publishers Stuff Nook, Kindle Comics with Porn by Sascha Segan (via Steven H. Wilson)
Harlan Ellison, Lunatic Genius by Paul T. Bradley
Release Day: Wrong Side of Dead by Kelly Meding
February 13, 2012
Book Review: Ben Bova's MARS
Jamie Waterman, part Navajo, geologist, Mars explorer and hero. The latter two almost did not happen but for a few serendipitous events that promoted Waterman from backup geologist to primary team member. He is eventually chosen to be among an international crew of 25 scientists, astronauts, and cosmonauts who embark on an eighteen month round trip to Mars and spend 60 days on its surface gathering rock samples, recording climate changes, searching for water...and life.
In doing so, the scientists, astronauts, and cosmonauts find themselves battling more than the planet's harsh conditions and treacherous terrain. Waterman finds himself in hot water with the bureaucrats on Earth when he fails to recite his rehearsed speech upon arrival on Mars, lapsing into a brief Navajo greeting instead.
Days after their arrival, a micro meteor storm damages their inflatable domicile, and causes another issue that comes back to haunt them later in the story. A few weeks later, when one of the Japanese scientists working on Deimos has a stroke, the media goes into a feeding frenzy, swarming Alberto Brumado, the public face of the mission and it's most ardent supporter. Is Mars too dangerous for us to explore? Is it worth risking human lives? Brumado's daughter Joanna is among the scientists on the planet, working closely with Waterman. At times, a bit too closely perhaps.
When he is convinced that a formation in a cliff wall of Tithonium Chasma might be the remains of an ancient civilization, Waterman pushes against authority to have the mission planned changed to allow a return to the area. However, a mysterious illness and a crash of their Mars rover prevent Waterman from reaching his target. Against orders from mission control to evacuate the base, two of the Russian cosmonauts and the base's British chief medical officer set out to rescue Waterman's team in another rover only to find themselves unable to cross a massive sand filled crater. It's up to a sick and weakened Waterman to take charge by leaving his stranded rover and walking miles around the crater with a steel cable to connect the two vehicles.
All was not lost, however, as lichens are discovered in the rocks at the base of Tithonium Chasma. Life on Mars!
Bova does an exemplary job of chronicling an expedition to Mars in a scientifically sound story. This is a solid "hard SF" tale that does a fair job of exploring the human element in each of the main characters but only Waterman truly has any depth. In his usual style, Bova will pull the readers out of the storyline every so often to spend a brief chapter describing the background of a particular character. These days, some people call that "info dumping" and would prefer to see characters develop and reveal their backgrounds as the story progresses. I'm not particularly bothered by it, however, as these flashbacks are only about a page and a half long.
Bova tends to gloss over some of the hardships and temptations that might exist when two dozen people are cramped in a small living space in rough conditions for two months. There are the occasional arguments, lustful desires, plotting and scheming, fears, and backstabbing, but they are superficial and often dwindle away as the story progresses. Exploration and science are at the forefront of Bova's MARS.
Bova returns Jamie Waterman to Mars with his sequels Return to Mars and Mars Life. I think he did a better job on the human elements in those stories. I reviewed Mars Life previously. You can read it here.
February 8, 2012
About this Writing Stuff...
Today, Robert Lee Brewer lists some of the best blogs for writers. Rob Eagar reveals three reasons why some books just don't sell while Peter Selgin offers 10 ways to avoid the dreaded cliche' in our writing. Dean Wesley Smith opines on the concept of blindly following just any old advice. It seems that Jonathan Franzen and Ewan Morrison are bit sour on eBooks but Konrath responds! Shelli Johnson advises us to stop looking at the numbers as a basis for success. Juliet Marillier discusses editors while Donald Maass offers his observations on research.
Best Blogs for Writers to Read in 2012 by Robert Lee Brewer
3 Reasons Why Some Books Never Sell by Rob Eagar
10 Tips to Avoid Cliches in Writing by Peter Selgin
The New World of Publishing: Following by Dean Wesley Smith
Jonathan Franzen Warns eBook are Corroding Values by Alison Flood
The Self-epublishing Bubble by Ewan Morrison
Franzen and the Ebook Bubble by JA Konrath
Why I Stopped Looking at the Numbers by Shelli Johnson
The Role of Editors: A Writer's Viewpoint by Juliet Marillier
Research vs. Observation by Donald Maass
February 7, 2012
Farpoint Schedule
The Super Natural in Science Fiction - Saturday 3:00 PM in Dulaney 1 (4:00PM per the main schedule)
Phil Giunta - Reading - Sunday 2:00 PM in Dulaney 2 (1:00 PM per the main schedule)
I have an email into the writers liaison about the conflicting info and will update this post as soon as the times are confirmed.
Other writing panels and workshops at Farpoint include:
Writing Humor in Science Fiction with Aaron Rosenberg, Keith RA DiCandido, and Don Sakers
What to Do with a Finished Novel with Kathleen David, Aaron Rosenberg, and Don Sakers
Two Hour Writers Workshop on Saturday with Howard Weinstein and Bob Greenberger
Writing Young Adult Science Fiction with Kieryn Nicolas and Don Sakers
Farpoint: February 17-19, 2012 at the Timonium Crowne Plaza, Timonium, MD
February 2, 2012
Farpoint is Near!
For the third year in a row, I will be a writer guest at the show and I am proud to announce that fellow YA writer and GLVWG member Kieryn Nicolas has accepted an invitation to her first FARPOINT as a guest.
Other writers include familar faces Peter David , Keith RA DiCandido , Howard Weinstein, Michael Jan Friedman, Bob Greenberger, Aaron Rosenberg, Kelly Meding , Don Sakers, and more including Marc Okrand, developer of the Klingon language for the Star Trek films.
Actor guests include Michael Hogan and Nancy Vernon from the new Battlestar Galactica and Kristin Bauer from True Blood and Once Upon a Time.
I don't have a schedule yet. I expect that will show up in my inbox in the next week or so and I will post it here.
January 31, 2012
About this Writing Stuff...
And Steven H. Wilson provides a preview chapter of his upcoming SF novel, Unfriendly Persuasion. Enjoy!
5 Attitudes Toward Publishing You Should Avoid by Jane Friedman
My Favorite Writing Advice: Failing on the Page by Shelli Johnson
The New World of Publishing: Pen Names by Dean Wesley Smith
What is the Goal of Ranting? by Jami Gold
Multiple Personality Disorder? No, I'm a Writer by Jami Gold
The Great Social Media Flim-Flam by Susan Kiernan-Lewis
Is All The Hard Work Ever Going to Pay Off? by Jody Hedlund
At Home with the Sixes by JA Konrath
The Business Rusch: Readers by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Unfriendly Persuasion - A Preview by Steven H. Wilson
January 24, 2012
About this Writing Stuff...
Let me start with congratulations to friend, publisher, and writer, Steven H. Wilson on the upcoming debut of his third SF novel, Unfriendly Persuasion. Click HERE to read my review of the book in December 2011. The book launch for Unfriendly Persuasion will occur next month at Farpoint, a long-running SF media convention in Timonium, MD co-founded by Steve in 1993. Farpoint is a weekend loaded with actor guests, artists, writers, and podcasters with programming for adults and children alike.
In this week's round of articles, we have a double shot from JA Konrath as he questions the value of publicity and tackles the myth of the bestseller. We get two "How To's" from Jody Hedlund as she tells us how to make our books read like movies and how to find original ideas when you've run dry. There's been talk lately about "authors vs. writers" and Jami Gold weighs in on that. Sophie Masson covers covers while hubby and wife Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch talk about distribution, bestsellers, and other thoughts. Enjoy!
But Why Would You Not Publish to All Bookstores? by Dean Wesley Smith
The Value of Publicity by JA Konrath
The Myth of the Bestseller by JA Konrath
Do You Call Yourself a Writer or an Author? by Jami Gold
How to Make Your Book Play Out Like a Movie by Jody Hedlund
How to Find Original Ideas When You Have None by Jody Hedlund
Cover Story by Sophie Masson
Bestseller Lists and Other Thoughts by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
January 17, 2012
About this Writing Stuff...
However, I know I'm well overdue for my weekly list of articles culled from the information superhighway. Anne Kreamer presents some compelling reasons why even the most corporate types should pick up a novel now and again. Dean Wesley Smith differentiates writers from authors and discusses investing in your future. JA Konrath responds to comments about his success with a reality check. Jody Hedlund talks about getting your book into bookstores and those walls on the way to publication. Kristine Kathryn Rusch wants to smack some writers in the back of the head and Ann Aguirre offers five productivity tips. Enjoy!
The Business Case for Reading Novels by Anne Kreamer
Investing in Your Own Future by Dean Wesley Smith
Writer vs. Author by Dean Wesley Smith
Reality Check by JA Konrath
Why Not? by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Five Productivity Tips by Ann Aguirre
How Can Authors Get Their Books into Bookstores? by Jody Hedlund
Walls on the Path to Publication by Jody Hedlund
The Cover Revealed! Star Trek: The Complete Unauthorized History by Bob Greenberger
January 14, 2012
Update on my Second Novel
As my final exercise before submitting By Your Side to the publisher, I'm reading the entire manuscript aloud. Although I'm confident that the proofreaders have caught 99% of the typos, the benefits of reading out loud are two fold.
It's good practice for when I record the audio version later, but more immediately it allows me to find awkward phrasing that can be changed or excess words to be trimmed that might not catch the eye but could trip the tongue.Once I've completed that, then it's off to the publisher which might just happen as early as this weekend! Wish me luck!!
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