Phil Giunta's Blog, page 87
October 25, 2013
About This Writing Stuff...
This week, best-selling author Tony Conaway interviews his fellow members of the Main Line Writers Group on their debut anthology, Unclaimed Baggage. In her eloquent TED talk, fiction writer Elif Shafak discusses the role of fiction to reach beyond political and cultural circles. Jami Gold covers the appeal of, well, covers while Jody Hedlund talks voice. Mark O'Connell questions whether reading fiction makes a person more compassionate. Kristen Lamb finishes her series of writing advice posts based on James Scott Bell's LOCK system. All that and more. Enjoy!
Interview with the Authors of Unclaimed Baggage, Part One by Tony Conaway
Simon and Schuster to Launch Science Fiction, Fantasy Imprint by Jim Milliot
How Book Covers Appeal to Readers by Jami Gold
Why Voice is Becoming More Important in Today's Market by Jody Hedlund
15 More Tips for Helping Your Friend Promote their Book by Jan Yager
Elif Shafak: The Politics of Fiction via Robyn LaRue
How to Write Horror Fiction and Avoid Typical Horror Genre Cliches by Cris Freese
Does Reading Fiction Make You a More Empathic, Better Person? by Mark O'Connell
The Inside Scoop on Publishing by Kensington CEO Steven Zacharius via Writers in the Storm
Amazon Makes Life Easier for Writers of Historical & Literary Fiction by David Gaughran
Conflict-Giving LIFE to Your Fiction and Novels & The "Knockout" Ending by Kristen Lamb
Interview with the Authors of Unclaimed Baggage, Part One by Tony Conaway
Simon and Schuster to Launch Science Fiction, Fantasy Imprint by Jim Milliot
How Book Covers Appeal to Readers by Jami Gold
Why Voice is Becoming More Important in Today's Market by Jody Hedlund
15 More Tips for Helping Your Friend Promote their Book by Jan Yager
Elif Shafak: The Politics of Fiction via Robyn LaRue
How to Write Horror Fiction and Avoid Typical Horror Genre Cliches by Cris Freese
Does Reading Fiction Make You a More Empathic, Better Person? by Mark O'Connell
The Inside Scoop on Publishing by Kensington CEO Steven Zacharius via Writers in the Storm
Amazon Makes Life Easier for Writers of Historical & Literary Fiction by David Gaughran
Conflict-Giving LIFE to Your Fiction and Novels & The "Knockout" Ending by Kristen Lamb
October 22, 2013
Book Signing at Moravian Bookshop!
As a reminder, I will be signing copies of
Testing the Prisoner
and
By Your Side
at America's oldest book store, Moravian Bookshop in downtown Bethlehem, PA. You can purchase both books either during the signing or in advance from
Moravian's Online Store!
October 19, 2013
About This Writing Stuff...
This week, Sophie Curtis and Porter Anderson examine Kobo's removal of almost all UK self-published books due to a few pornographic titles. Neil Gaiman makes a case for libraries and allowing children to read the books they love. Amy Edelman and Orna Ross discuss paid reviews for indie authors. Kristen Lamb, Jodie Renner and Jody Hedlund offer excellent craft advice from plotting to characters to setting.
Friend, publisher, and fellow fiction author Steven H. Wilson provides his review of literary convention, Capclave, and shares some exciting news about his podcasting and upcoming publications.
That and a bit more...enjoy!
Kobo Porn Scandal: The End of Self-Publishing? by Sophie Curtis
Why Our Future Depends on Libaries, Reading and Daydreaming by Neil Gaiman
Plotting: How to Know Which Scenes to Include in Your Book by Jody Hedlund
Creating a Protagonist Readers Will LOVE and How to Create Clear, Interesting Character OBJECTIVES by Kristen Lamb
A Review of Capclave 2013 and I Am All These Things by Steven H. Wilson
Said the Online Retailer to the Entrepreneurial Author by Porter Anderson
7 Reasons Why Isaac Asimov is the Greatest Science Fiction Writer Ever by InkTank
Indie Authors & Paid Reviews by Amy Edelman with Orna Ross
Immerse Your Readers with Sensory Details by Jodie Renner
Friend, publisher, and fellow fiction author Steven H. Wilson provides his review of literary convention, Capclave, and shares some exciting news about his podcasting and upcoming publications.
That and a bit more...enjoy!
Kobo Porn Scandal: The End of Self-Publishing? by Sophie Curtis
Why Our Future Depends on Libaries, Reading and Daydreaming by Neil Gaiman
Plotting: How to Know Which Scenes to Include in Your Book by Jody Hedlund
Creating a Protagonist Readers Will LOVE and How to Create Clear, Interesting Character OBJECTIVES by Kristen Lamb
A Review of Capclave 2013 and I Am All These Things by Steven H. Wilson
Said the Online Retailer to the Entrepreneurial Author by Porter Anderson
7 Reasons Why Isaac Asimov is the Greatest Science Fiction Writer Ever by InkTank
Indie Authors & Paid Reviews by Amy Edelman with Orna Ross
Immerse Your Readers with Sensory Details by Jodie Renner
I Am The Salamander - A New Kickstarter Project by Michael Jan Friedman
Joining us today is New York Times bestselling author Michael Jan Friedman who has penned over 70 novels and comic books, both original and media tie-in over his impressive career.
I've known Mike for 20 years and I am excited to open my blog to his latest project, an original superhero novel called I Am The Salamander. Mike has launched a kickstarter project to fund production of the book.
Click here to watch Mike's brief presentation about the Kickstarter project and the novel itself.
See Thursday's press release and the novel's stunning cover art below.
LONG ISLAND, NY (October 17, 2013) -- The hero of veteran science fiction writer Michael Jan Friedman’s new young-adult superhero novel, I Am The Salamander, is a cancer survivor.
“I didn’t set out to make Tim Cruz a kid who had cancer,” Friedman said. “But when you read I Am The Salamander, you’ll see why it makes perfect sense for Tim to have beaten that disease, and why he’s in a position to offer hope to real teens trying to beat cancer themselves. And let’s face it, hope is what superheroes do best.”
I Am The Salamander is being funded by a Kickstarter campaign. “The publishing landscape has changed,” said Friedman, who has written 70 novels for major publishers like Simon & Schuster, Harper Collins, and Random House. “It’s harder than ever to get publishers to take a chance on a story, especially a quirky one like I Am The Salamander. And when they do, the book’s shelf life is shorter than that of a jar of half-sour pickles.
“I want I Am The Salamander to be around for a good long time,” he said. “That means I have to get it in the hands of readers on my own, and I have to keep it available to them.”
However, Friedman said, he wouldn’t ask anyone to donate to the I Am The Salamander campaign “just because it’s a worthwhile thing to do. I’m asking because it’s also the best thing I’ve ever written, and because I want to get it out to readers the most direct way possible.”
Friedman is asking his readers for $5,000 to cover the cost of book design and printing. The book’s cover was rendered by up-and-coming Brazilian talent Caio Cacau.
Those who wish to make donations to the I Am The Salamander campaign can do so at Kickstarter.com .
Media contact: ferrincolos@optonline.net
I've known Mike for 20 years and I am excited to open my blog to his latest project, an original superhero novel called I Am The Salamander. Mike has launched a kickstarter project to fund production of the book.
Click here to watch Mike's brief presentation about the Kickstarter project and the novel itself.
See Thursday's press release and the novel's stunning cover art below.
LONG ISLAND, NY (October 17, 2013) -- The hero of veteran science fiction writer Michael Jan Friedman’s new young-adult superhero novel, I Am The Salamander, is a cancer survivor.
“I didn’t set out to make Tim Cruz a kid who had cancer,” Friedman said. “But when you read I Am The Salamander, you’ll see why it makes perfect sense for Tim to have beaten that disease, and why he’s in a position to offer hope to real teens trying to beat cancer themselves. And let’s face it, hope is what superheroes do best.”
I Am The Salamander is being funded by a Kickstarter campaign. “The publishing landscape has changed,” said Friedman, who has written 70 novels for major publishers like Simon & Schuster, Harper Collins, and Random House. “It’s harder than ever to get publishers to take a chance on a story, especially a quirky one like I Am The Salamander. And when they do, the book’s shelf life is shorter than that of a jar of half-sour pickles.
“I want I Am The Salamander to be around for a good long time,” he said. “That means I have to get it in the hands of readers on my own, and I have to keep it available to them.”
However, Friedman said, he wouldn’t ask anyone to donate to the I Am The Salamander campaign “just because it’s a worthwhile thing to do. I’m asking because it’s also the best thing I’ve ever written, and because I want to get it out to readers the most direct way possible.”
Friedman is asking his readers for $5,000 to cover the cost of book design and printing. The book’s cover was rendered by up-and-coming Brazilian talent Caio Cacau.
Those who wish to make donations to the I Am The Salamander campaign can do so at Kickstarter.com .
Media contact: ferrincolos@optonline.net
Chapter Ten of By Your Side is Available on Audio!
A new chapter of
By Your Side
is now available for your FREE listening enjoyment.
Chapter Ten – Suspicions Raised
Detective Denny Teelko is called to a cornfield beside Elias Gray’s house to identify the body of his best friend, Frank Knedlhans. Miranda and her team meet with Elias to reveal the results of their investigation and Miranda confronts the ghost of Nancy Vernon.
Click here to listen!
Chapter Ten – Suspicions Raised
Detective Denny Teelko is called to a cornfield beside Elias Gray’s house to identify the body of his best friend, Frank Knedlhans. Miranda and her team meet with Elias to reveal the results of their investigation and Miranda confronts the ghost of Nancy Vernon.
Click here to listen!
October 14, 2013
Chapter Nine of By Your Side is Available on Audio!
Monday night brings with it another FREE audio chapter of By Your Side!
Chapter Nine – Victims
Jeff Vernon's ghost visits Miranda in the middle of yet another dream about her brother’s death. He shows her his side of the story and the reasons that drove him to madness. Before leaving her, Jeff asks for her help to find his son, Adam.
Click here to listen!
Chapter Nine – Victims
Jeff Vernon's ghost visits Miranda in the middle of yet another dream about her brother’s death. He shows her his side of the story and the reasons that drove him to madness. Before leaving her, Jeff asks for her help to find his son, Adam.
Click here to listen!
October 12, 2013
UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE - Voices of the Main Line Writers Group
Congratulations to friend and fellow writer, Susanna Reilly, on her first published short story for a new anthology called UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE. The book is a collection of tales written by members of the
Main Line Writers Group
based in King of Prussia, PA. They will be holding a
book launch on Sunday, October 27
at Nestology at the King of Prussia Mall from 1-3PM.
October 10, 2013
Upcoming Events - October/November
You can catch me at a few writer and book events in the Lehigh Valley over the next month. Stay tuned for more details over the coming weeks.
Saturday, October 26 : Monthly meeting of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group at the Palmer Library in Palmer, PA. Guest speaker: Katherine Ramsland .
Saturday, November 2, 6PM to 8PM : Signing copies of my paranormal mystery novels, Testing the Prisoner and By Your Side at the Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, PA. The signing coincides with the final night of the Bethlehem Ghost Tour.
Saturday, November 16, 10AM to 5PM : I will be a guest at the Allentown Comic Con at the Merchants Square Mall in Allentown, PA.
Saturday, October 26 : Monthly meeting of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group at the Palmer Library in Palmer, PA. Guest speaker: Katherine Ramsland .
Saturday, November 2, 6PM to 8PM : Signing copies of my paranormal mystery novels, Testing the Prisoner and By Your Side at the Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, PA. The signing coincides with the final night of the Bethlehem Ghost Tour.
Saturday, November 16, 10AM to 5PM : I will be a guest at the Allentown Comic Con at the Merchants Square Mall in Allentown, PA.
October 7, 2013
Chapter 8 of By Your Side is Now Available on Audio!
Another chilling chapter of By Your Side has been posted for your FREE listening pleasure. Just remember to keep the lights on...
Chapter Eight – The Fate of the VernonsDuring the investigation of Elias Gray’s house, Miranda falls into a trance and witnesses the grim and bloody fate of the Vernon family.
Click here to listen!
By Your Side is available in trade paperback and eBook from Amazon , B&N.com , and tons of other online booksellers!
Chapter Eight – The Fate of the VernonsDuring the investigation of Elias Gray’s house, Miranda falls into a trance and witnesses the grim and bloody fate of the Vernon family.
Click here to listen!
By Your Side is available in trade paperback and eBook from Amazon , B&N.com , and tons of other online booksellers!
About This Writing Stuff...
This week, Michael Jan Friedman finds himself inspired by Ray Bradbury while Darla McDavid shows us how to be Writers of Steel! Legendary speculative fiction writer Harlan Ellison discusses his 50-year career and his personal beliefs about working for free, sentiments which are echoed by Phil Hensher. Janice Hardy offers valuable pointers on POV while Jodie Renner talks proper phrasing. David Vinjamuri and James Scott Bell examine the state of self-publishing. Kristine Kathryn Rusch opines on when (and when not) to use pen names. All that and a bit more. Enjoy!
Q&A: Harlan Ellison by Damien Walter
Mike Friedman Finds Inspiration in Ray Bradbury's Words by Michael Jan Friedman
Super Writer: 5 Man of Steel Powers to Claim Your Writing Life by Darla McDavid
4 Tips to Solve 99% of Your Writing Problems by Janice Hardy via Jami Gold
Is Publishing Still Broken? The Surprising Year in Books and Is Self-Publishing Creating a New Underclass? by David Vinjamuri
What is Literary Value? by Henry Baum
Phrasing for Immediacy and Power by Jodie Renner
The State of Self-Publishing at This Moment in Time by James Scott Bell
Philip Hensher Stirs Debate Among After Refusing to Write for Free by Liz Bury
Neil Gaiman Novel Banned by New Mexico School After Mother Objects by David Barnett
"You'd think it gets easier to write a book after the first two or three have been published, wouldn't you? Well, it doesn't. Ask any writer - each book throws up a whole new set of problems and headaches and makes you feel as if you've never written anything remotely sensible or insightful in your life." --Meg Rosoff, author of How I Live Now
Q&A: Harlan Ellison by Damien Walter
Mike Friedman Finds Inspiration in Ray Bradbury's Words by Michael Jan Friedman
Super Writer: 5 Man of Steel Powers to Claim Your Writing Life by Darla McDavid
4 Tips to Solve 99% of Your Writing Problems by Janice Hardy via Jami Gold
Is Publishing Still Broken? The Surprising Year in Books and Is Self-Publishing Creating a New Underclass? by David Vinjamuri
What is Literary Value? by Henry Baum
Phrasing for Immediacy and Power by Jodie Renner
The State of Self-Publishing at This Moment in Time by James Scott Bell
Philip Hensher Stirs Debate Among After Refusing to Write for Free by Liz Bury
Neil Gaiman Novel Banned by New Mexico School After Mother Objects by David Barnett
"You'd think it gets easier to write a book after the first two or three have been published, wouldn't you? Well, it doesn't. Ask any writer - each book throws up a whole new set of problems and headaches and makes you feel as if you've never written anything remotely sensible or insightful in your life." --Meg Rosoff, author of How I Live Now
