Phil Giunta's Blog, page 80
September 16, 2014
About This Writing Stuff...
This week, Dayton Ward offers a gentle reality check for those looking to break into media tie-in writing. Tom Chalmers prefers quality over quantity when it comes to self-publishing. The latest round of the Amazon-Hachette battle sees Authors United drafting a letter of rebuke to Amazon's Board of Directors. Jeremy Greenfield, Clay Shirky, Mike Shatzkin, and of course, Joe Konrath weigh in on the situation with links to many others.
Jami Gold suggests methods for looking at our stories objectively and fixing problems in our manuscripts. Jody Hedlund clarifies the art of character description and questions the idea of writing only when inspired. Michelle Mueller likens writing to music and Marcy McKay delves into the writer's fears.
All that and a little more. Enjoy!
When Dreams Meet Reality by Dayton Ward
Starting From Zero by David Gaughran
Quality Not Quantity for Self-Published Writers by Tom Chalmers
Authors Target Amazon's Reputation in Latest Salvo in Amazon-Hachette Battle by Jeremy Greenfield
Amazon, Publishers, and Readers by Clay Shirky
Big Publisher Bashing Again with Fictional Facts by Mike Shatzkin
Nonsense United by Joe Konrath
Too Close? 5 Techniques to See Our Story Objectively and Feedback: Finding Problems vs. Fixing Problems by Jami Gold
Describing Characters: Moving Beyond Hair and Eye Color and Is Writing Under Inspiration Just a Huge Myth? by Jody Hedlund
Why Every 1st Novel Should Be a Ghost Story by Siobhan Adcock
3 Reasons to Think of Your Writing as Music by Michelle Mueller
5 Facts About Fear for Writers by Marcy McKay
Jami Gold suggests methods for looking at our stories objectively and fixing problems in our manuscripts. Jody Hedlund clarifies the art of character description and questions the idea of writing only when inspired. Michelle Mueller likens writing to music and Marcy McKay delves into the writer's fears.
All that and a little more. Enjoy!
When Dreams Meet Reality by Dayton Ward
Starting From Zero by David Gaughran
Quality Not Quantity for Self-Published Writers by Tom Chalmers
Authors Target Amazon's Reputation in Latest Salvo in Amazon-Hachette Battle by Jeremy Greenfield
Amazon, Publishers, and Readers by Clay Shirky
Big Publisher Bashing Again with Fictional Facts by Mike Shatzkin
Nonsense United by Joe Konrath
Too Close? 5 Techniques to See Our Story Objectively and Feedback: Finding Problems vs. Fixing Problems by Jami Gold
Describing Characters: Moving Beyond Hair and Eye Color and Is Writing Under Inspiration Just a Huge Myth? by Jody Hedlund
Why Every 1st Novel Should Be a Ghost Story by Siobhan Adcock
3 Reasons to Think of Your Writing as Music by Michelle Mueller
5 Facts About Fear for Writers by Marcy McKay
September 8, 2014
Book Review: Robert Silverberg's Nightwings
In the distant future, during the Earth's "third cycle of civilization", a group of guardians known as Watchers use portable machines to project their minds into space in search of potential threats from other worlds. One elderly Watcher in particular has been devoted to that duty since his youth, yet has never found even a hint of the invaders who, according to prophesy, would arrive to conquer Earth at the end of days.
The Watcher's companions include a stocky, bipedal changeling named Gormon who appears as a lizard, and Avluela, a graceful, lovely flier whose wings expand only at night, for the "pressure of solar winds would crush them" should she attempt flight during the day.
Together, the three make a pilgrimage to the ancient city of Roum, once considered the capital of Man in an earlier cycle of civilization, long before the oceans rose to reshape the continents. Although they hoped to settle there, the trio is unable to find lodging. The Watcher is advised to seek the mercy of the Prince of Roum.
Inciting Gormon's wrath, the Prince takes Avluela as his consort before granting quarters to them in the Royal Hostelry. While there, Gorman reveals to the Watcher his love for Avluela and swears revenge on the Prince. Later, the three visit a structure that houses a massive globe depicting present-day Earth. The Watcher and Alvuela each find their birthplace and describe the events that led them to meet one another. When Gormon is asked to the do the same, he indicates that his birthplace is not on the globe, but says no more.
Afterwards, they enter a giant sphere in which they find the Mouth of Truth. The mouth, lined with rows of sharp fangs, is actually that of a stone serpent carved as high relief into one of the walls. Each person must place his or her hand into the mouth and answer a question truthfully...or else A round-robin between them forces the Watcher to admit that his life has been a waste. Avluela confesses her love for Gormon, and Gormon reveals that he was not born on Earth, but is a member of the promised enemy race that is right now on an attack course for Earth!
Through his instruments, the Watcher confirms the approaching fleet and sounds the alarm. Will Earth's defense forces rally in time to defeat the enemy or will the city of Roum fall once more? What of Avluela and Gormon? Will the changeling avenge himself upon the prince and steal away with the beautiful night flier?
Nightwings is essentially a story of love, revenge, and betrayal set in a future dystopia when life on Earth has regressed to primitive times, yet has managed to preserve a certain level of technological advancement including the Watcher's machine, energy weapons, and even space combat fighters. The world-building is exceptional for such a short tale, not just for what is prominently featured in the story, but also for what is merely mentioned (such as Guilds and Rememberers), and what is left to the reader's imagination. The version I read was a graphic novel published by DC Comics in 1985 with gorgeous, lush artwork by Gene Colan and Neil McPheeters. Fast-pacing and strong characters make this an enjoyable SF tale from the legendary Robert Silverberg.
The Watcher's companions include a stocky, bipedal changeling named Gormon who appears as a lizard, and Avluela, a graceful, lovely flier whose wings expand only at night, for the "pressure of solar winds would crush them" should she attempt flight during the day.
Together, the three make a pilgrimage to the ancient city of Roum, once considered the capital of Man in an earlier cycle of civilization, long before the oceans rose to reshape the continents. Although they hoped to settle there, the trio is unable to find lodging. The Watcher is advised to seek the mercy of the Prince of Roum.
Inciting Gormon's wrath, the Prince takes Avluela as his consort before granting quarters to them in the Royal Hostelry. While there, Gorman reveals to the Watcher his love for Avluela and swears revenge on the Prince. Later, the three visit a structure that houses a massive globe depicting present-day Earth. The Watcher and Alvuela each find their birthplace and describe the events that led them to meet one another. When Gormon is asked to the do the same, he indicates that his birthplace is not on the globe, but says no more.
Afterwards, they enter a giant sphere in which they find the Mouth of Truth. The mouth, lined with rows of sharp fangs, is actually that of a stone serpent carved as high relief into one of the walls. Each person must place his or her hand into the mouth and answer a question truthfully...or else A round-robin between them forces the Watcher to admit that his life has been a waste. Avluela confesses her love for Gormon, and Gormon reveals that he was not born on Earth, but is a member of the promised enemy race that is right now on an attack course for Earth!
Through his instruments, the Watcher confirms the approaching fleet and sounds the alarm. Will Earth's defense forces rally in time to defeat the enemy or will the city of Roum fall once more? What of Avluela and Gormon? Will the changeling avenge himself upon the prince and steal away with the beautiful night flier?
Nightwings is essentially a story of love, revenge, and betrayal set in a future dystopia when life on Earth has regressed to primitive times, yet has managed to preserve a certain level of technological advancement including the Watcher's machine, energy weapons, and even space combat fighters. The world-building is exceptional for such a short tale, not just for what is prominently featured in the story, but also for what is merely mentioned (such as Guilds and Rememberers), and what is left to the reader's imagination. The version I read was a graphic novel published by DC Comics in 1985 with gorgeous, lush artwork by Gene Colan and Neil McPheeters. Fast-pacing and strong characters make this an enjoyable SF tale from the legendary Robert Silverberg.
The Cake from the Middle of Eternity
I'm battling a head cold that trying to escalate to bronchitis, but over the weekend, I hosted a party to celebrate the new anthology. Good times!
We even had a photo cake of the book cover!
We even had a photo cake of the book cover!
September 3, 2014
Somewhere in the Middle of the Science Fiction Section...
Our anthology is on the shelf at Barnes and Noble at Rowan University! Flanked by Phil K. Dick' books, no less. A true place of honor!
September 1, 2014
Somewhere in the Middle of Amazon!
Our new anthology, Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity , is now available in paperback on Amazon! Kindle version coming soon!
August 26, 2014
Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity - Goodreads Giveaway!!
From now until September 24, you can enter to win one of ten copies of our new anthology! Our publisher, Firebringer Press, has kicked off a giveaway on Goodreads.
Click here to read more about Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity and enter to win!
Click here to read more about Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity and enter to win!
August 25, 2014
Somewhere in the Middle of Barnes & Noble!
Our new anthology,
Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity, is now available in paperback from Barnes & Noble's website
! NOOK version coming soon.
The book should also appear on Amazon later this week AND we will be kicking off the Goodreads giveaway shortly. More updates to follow!
The book should also appear on Amazon later this week AND we will be kicking off the Goodreads giveaway shortly. More updates to follow!
August 24, 2014
A Slight Delay on Our New Anthology
We've had a bit of difficulty with the distribution on Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity. A clerical error at Ingram delayed it from going out to Amazon, B&N, and some other resellers on time, but it's coming! It's actually available from several foreign resellers now such as Russia, Germany, Norway, and Finland.
Ebook versions will also be available from Amazon, B&N, iTunes, Sony, Kobo, etc.
And right now, you can get it on Smashwords! Plus, we're about to go live with a giveaway on Goodreads, so stay tuned!
Ebook versions will also be available from Amazon, B&N, iTunes, Sony, Kobo, etc.
And right now, you can get it on Smashwords! Plus, we're about to go live with a giveaway on Goodreads, so stay tuned!
August 21, 2014
Michael Jan Friedman's LOST DAYS Kickstarter Campaign
Veteran writer pal and NYT Bestselling author Michael Jan Friedman is initiating a new Kickstarter campaign to publish his latest fantasy novel, Lost Days. It's a truly original and unique story about...the Gregorian calendar. Really? Yep!
You can listen to Mike tell you all about it and read more details here...
You can listen to Mike tell you all about it and read more details here...
August 14, 2014
Welcome to our "Can't Make it to WorldCon" Sale!
For those of us who cannot attend WorldCon, fear not! Firebringer Press publisher and writer, Steven H. Wilson, has partnered with fellow author Don Sakers and a cadre of other august scribes to bring us several fantastic new eBooks at extremely affordable prices ranging from 99 cents to $3.99.
You can purchase our wonderful new anthology, Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity , from Smashwords in various digital formats for 99 cents using the coupon code: HN84Y
Click either of the links below to check the entire list of titles on sale from August 14th through the 20th, and thank you for your support!
Sale Announcement: Steven H. Wilson
Sale Announcement: Don Sakers
You can purchase our wonderful new anthology, Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity , from Smashwords in various digital formats for 99 cents using the coupon code: HN84Y
Click either of the links below to check the entire list of titles on sale from August 14th through the 20th, and thank you for your support!
Sale Announcement: Steven H. Wilson
Sale Announcement: Don Sakers
