Ryan Schneider's Blog, page 18

EYE CANDY is Now Available in Paperback

My latest novel
Eye Candy
is now availablein paperback!
Yay!




Hot new release!

Premiere science fiction from the mind of Top 20 Amazon seller Ryan Schneider, award-winning author of The Go-Kids series.

Imagine a world in which air pollution is a thing of the past, cheap renewable energy is commonplace, and robotics is a daily reality as ubiquitous as mobile phones are to us today.

In the future people still go to work and to the gym and to the sports bar to watch Monday Night Football. They still take the kids to school and pick them up in the afternoon and have to figure out what's for dinner. And they still fall in love and dream of living happily ever after.

Eye Candy is a story about all this and more. It is a story about what it means to be a human being, with characters so real you feel like you know them.


In this near-future Los Angeles, roboticist Danny Olivaw finds himself on a blind date with a beautiful robopsychologist named Candy. But the next day, strange things begin to happen. Little do they know what fate has in store for them. Brilliantly conceived and executed with delicate precision, Eye Candy is a complex, endearing tale for mature readers that’s as fast-paced and uplifting as it is fun.

The book has received entirely 4- and 5-star reviews on Amazon thus far.

You can grab your paperback (or Kindle edition) via Amazon* at the link below:
(*Note: other retailers/ebook formats ie iTunes, Kobo, B&N, Sony coming soon!)

  Eye CandyPaperback                  Kindle
        

10 Questions with Dark Fantasy Author Kate Jonez (@K8Jonez)

This Author SpotlightfeaturesDark Fantasy Author
Kate Jonez
author of Candy House

Kate Jonez writes dark fantasy fiction. Her debut novel Candy House published by Evil Jester Press is available at Amazon in print and ebook.
She is also chief editor at Omnium Gatherum, a small press dedicated to providing unique dark fantasy fiction in print, ebook and audio formats. Three Omnium Gatherum books have been nominated for Shirley Jackson Awards.
Kate is a student of all things scary and when she isn’t writing she loves to collect objects for her cabinet of curiosities, research obscure and strange historical figures and photograph weirdness in Southern California where she lives with a very nice man and a little dog who is also very nice but could behave a little bit better.
1. How did you get into writing and why do you write?
I originally wanted to be a painter, but for one reason or another that didn’t work out very well. A critique I received fairly often about my painting was that it seemed like I was illustrating stories. After hearing that so often, I realized that I did, in fact, want to tell stories. It took me a several years of hard work to get from that realization to actually producing a novel. I’ve always believed it’s better to be good than fast.

2. What do you like best (or least) about writing? 
I especially enjoy planning a novel. Nothing is more exciting than opening up a blank page and roughing in an outline. Anything can happen! The part I like least is the three quarter mark. This phase of writing is especially hard if what’s already on the page shows promise. This is the part where all the doubts creep in. What if I screw it up now? What if the ending sucks? What if I’ve dropped a thread? What if this and what if that? It’s torture.

3. What is your writing process? IE do you outline? Do you stick to a daily word or page count, write 7 days a week, etc? 
I always start with an outline. I like to move the story elements around as though they were note cards until I have a story structure that makes sense. Once the outline is in place I get to know the main characters as well as I can. I have a list of 60 questions or so that I ask about each one. Things like: What kind of relationship does the character have with her mother? What kind of car does he drive? What’s her favorite song? etc. I’ll often take a Myers Briggs personality test for the characters so I learn even more about how their particular personality types react to various situations. Myers Briggs tests are fun to give to your friends http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp

4. Who are some other writers you read and admire, regardless of whether they are commercially “successful?”
My favorite writers lately combine the darker tropes of weird fiction, dark fantasy or horror with a literary sensibility. I especially enjoy the recent releases of Caitlyn Kiernan, Paul Tremblay, Benjamin Kane Etheridge, Laird Barron, Cat Valente and far too many more to name. It’s an exciting time in fiction.

5. Should the question mark in the above question be inside or outside the quotes?
Outside for Brits; inside for Yanks.

6.What’s your stance on the Oxford Comma? 
I would like to know what Oxford has to do with this issue. I suppose I could look it up. In general I prefer as few commas as possible.

7. What is your book Candy House about and how did it come to fruition?
Candy House is the story of a brilliant young scientist who moves back home with his parents because his explosive temper has ruined his career. His neighbors, a family of witches, imps and demons, are charged with keeping science under control. They must, by using their debauched and twisted magic, stop Roland before he fulfills his destiny and makes a deadly discovery that will change the nature of humanity forever.

The folks at Evil Jester Press have helped to make my debut novel as good as it can be.

8. What’s your current writing project?
I’m putting on the finishing touches to my novella X. If all goes well, it should be coming out early next year. X is the story of two petty criminals who decide to do the right thing for once in their lives. Their decision unleashes some seriously messed up demon activity and turns out to be a really bad idea.

9. What book(s) are you currently reading? 
I’m working on reading this year’s Shirley Jackson Award nominees. I’m incredibly lucky that two books I edited (Delphine Dodd by S.P. Miskowski and Twenty-Eight Teeth of Rage by Ennis Drake) have been nominated in the novella category. I’m working on reading the competing novellas I’m Not Sam by Jack Ketchum and Lucky McKee, The Indifference Engine by Project Itoh and Sky by Kaaron Warren

Hopefully I’ll also be able to read the novels I haven’t read yet too, The Devil in Silver, by Victor LaValle, Edge by Koji Suzuki, and Immobility by Brian Evenson.

10. Who or what inspires your writing?
Writing isn’t really optional for me. A life lived without writing would be a life wasted. If I analyzed my motivation, I suppose it would be that I’m fulfilling the desire to turn my thoughts into tangible artifacts. I’m immortalizing myself the best way I can. Now that doesn’t sound like I’m full of myself at all.

Finally, is there anything you’d care to add? Please also include where people can read your published stories, buy your book, etc.
You can find me at:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/k8jonezauthorpage
Twitter https://twitter.com/k8jonez
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17905797-candy-house
website http://katejonez.com

Thanks, Kate, for visiting with us. I like the idea of giving characters a personality test. Thanks for that. And for citing writers you're enjoying, particularly Benjamin Kane Ethridge, as he's been featured HERE and HERE.

Check out Kate's new book and visit her website today!


Candy House
Kindle                       Paperback      

The Next Big Thing Blog Meme - Shadow & Steel by James A. West (@JWestBooks)

The Next Big Thing(Blog Meme)
James A. Westauthor ofbrand new epic fantasy novel
SHADOW AND STEEL



James states that he "will write for chips & salsa", but his fiction is worth a great deal more.

James is a talented writer of fantasy novels.

His latest work is Shadow and Steel (Heirs of the Fallen Book 3).

I've read James' work and enjoyed it a great deal.
I read  Reaper of Sorrows (Songs of the Scorpion - Volume I) .

It was quite good. Great fantasy, with a strong hero reminiscent of Maximus from the film "Gladiator", great action, and some pretty effed-up dark magic.

Take it away, James!

1. Title of your book:Shadow and Steel
2. Where did the idea come from for the book:
My brain. Sorry, couldn’t resist! Actually I got the idea for this series 10 years ago. I love epic fantasy, but one day I thought to myself wouldn’t it be cool if the hero failed at saving the day? Or, even better, what if the world ends right at the beginning and there isn’t even a chance to save it? I have always been fascinated by survival situations. How would people survive? How would they cope with a destroyed world, and the aftermath that ensues? So, I started writing Heirs of the Fallen.
3. What genre does your book fall under?
Epic fantasy, because fantasy is awesome.
4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
This is the hardest question! I honestly don’t know. I will give it my best shot…
Leitos – I think Taylor Kitsch would be a good choice. Leitos is a warrior, and after seeing John Carter and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, I don’t think Taylor Kitsch would have any problem at all playing a warrior.

Ba-Sel  – Djimon Honsouj (because he is an amazing actor who can play any character!)
Belina – For Belina, the criteria is dark-haired, strong-willed, and feminine. She is beautiful, but also powerful and not afraid to speak her mind. I think Selma Blair would be great! 

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Former slave Leitos Valara has spent the last year in hiding, training for vengeance, but now destiny has forced him onto a treacherous path of shadow and steel; and the Faceless One is waiting.

6. Who is publishing your books?
That would be me! All of my books are self-published. I like taking the adventurous road in life, although some would say another name for that is doing things the hard way :)I don’t regret going the non-traditional way at all. I am having too much fun!
7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
It took 2 days and 15 cans of Red Bull. Just kidding! My brain would explode if I tried something like that. Shadow and Steel is about 70,000 words. It took me about 6 weeks, but that is just the first draft.
8. What other books would you compare this story to in your genre?
I tried really hard to make the setting and plot as different from other epic fantasy as possible. I mean no disrespect to “traditional” epic fantasy, I love that stuff! But I wanted something different. Instead of the medieval setting, mine has more of an ancient Mediterranean feel. There are no dwarves, dragons, elves or heroes that save the day. In terms of writing style, I’ve had people tell me it is similar to A Game of Thrones, and the Sword of Truth series. I hope that is true, because I love George R.R. Martin and Terry Goodkind! 



9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
In some ways a lot of my inspiration comes from Stephen King. I read The Talisman when I was 13, and it blew my mind! I wanted to write a series that dealt with an apocalypse, but I also wanted to capture the humanity of that struggle. How people cope, act, treat each other, etc. Stephen King does that so well in his stories.


10. What else about the book might pique a reader’s interest?
I am hoping to pique the interest of people that are looking for something a little bit different. It is fast-paced fantasy. The book is shorter than most epic fantasy books, but there is a lot going on. It is non-stop action. I wanted to write something almost like an action/adventure story but mixed with fantasy. I hope people enjoy it!
Shadow and Steel  is available now, so I invite you to give it a try. It just received a 5-star review on Amazon, which made my day :) I'm also excited to say this is now a best-selling epic fantasy series!

Finally, I am pleased to introduce the two writers I tagged for the Next Big Thing Blog Meme:

First, author Tom Bielawski.
Tom is an extremely talented science fiction and fantasy author.
I am currently reading  A Tide of Shadows , and I am enjoying this book immensely. I am really looking forward to reading more of his work.
Please go visit his blog to learn more about him and his work, and check out his Next Big Thing Blog Meme!








Last, but definitely not least, I tagged writer Wanda P. Smith.

Wanda is an exciting up and coming novelist, and Summer Winds is her debut.

I enjoyed reading about Sunshine, and I know you will as well.

Please go visit her blog to learn more about her, and be sure to check out her work!



Thank you so much everyone for taking the time to stop by! I hope to see you again soon.

10 Questions with EVERVILLE Author Roy Huff (@EvervilleFans)

This Author SpotlightfeaturesScience Fiction, Fantasy, & Young Adultwriter Roy Huff, MS, MAEdauthor of
Everville: The First Pillar





Roy Huff is the author of Amazon's #1 international bestselling epic fantasy novel, Everville: The First Pillar. This is the first installment in the remarkable Everville series which combines elements of epic fantasy and young adult fiction in a form that nearly anyone will enjoy reading, young or old. He is a man of many interests including but not limited to science, traveling, movies, the outdoors, and of course writing teen and young adult fantasy fiction. He holds five degrees in four separate disciplines including liberal arts, history, secondary science education, and geoscience. Roy Huff's background includes work in art, history, education, business, real-estate, economics, geoscience, and satellite meteorology. He was born on the East Coast but has spent more than half his life in Hawaii, where he currently resides and writes his epic fantasy sagas.


1.How did you get into writing and why do you write?
I have a lot of experience doing technical writing as part of my various degree programs. I’ve also had to do a limited amount of creative writing as well. The initial concept for the book came about as an assignment for a creative writing paper for an English class.
2.What do you like best (or least) about writing?
The thing I like most about writing is a combination of created something new as well as making a contribution to the world that influences others and leaves a lasting mark on society.
3.What is your writing process? IE do you outline? Do you stick to a daily word or page count, write 7 days a week, etc?
I don’t really have much of an organized approach. I write when I can in fits and starts. I don’t use an outline until later in the story, but I do take notes so I don’t forget certain elements or plot lines.
4.Who are some other writers you read and admire, regardless of whether they are commercially “successful?”
I have largely been influenced by the great science fiction and fantasy writers such as Tolkien, Orwell, J.K Rowling, Jules Verne, and the like.
5.Should the question mark in the above question be inside or outside the quotes?
It should go inside the quotation marks.
6.What’s your stance on the Oxford Comma?
When in doubt, use a comma.
7.What is your book Everville: The First Pillar about and how did it come to fruition?
It was the name of the world created for the initial paper, which later became chapter 1. The First Pillar was added as the story evolved and I decided to serialize it.
8.What’s your current writing project?
I’m currently writing Everville: The City of Worms, which I hope to have available in August.
9.What book(s) are you currently reading?
Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman.
10.Who or what inspires your writing?
Life inspires my writings as well as my hopes, dreams, and fantasies of the present and the future.
Finally, is there anything you’d care to add? Please also include where people can read your published stories, buy your book, etc.
I am currently running a signed paperback giveaway on Goodreads ending June 14th. http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/51905-the-first-pillar The audio book will also be released shortly on Audible, Amazon, and Itunes.
Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BCOQSSQ/Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BCOQSSQ/
Twitter @evervillefans Instagram @owensageblogFacebook Facebook.com/owensagefansGoogle plus https://plus.google.com/1063013670682... http://pinterest.com/owensage/Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/evervillefansYoutube http://www.youtube.com/user/Everville...
Blog http://www.owensage.com/blog.html
Thanks, Roy, for sharing Everville: The First Pillar with us. The cover art is fantastic and the book already has more than 80 reviews on Amazon.

Come back and visit with us again when The City of Worms is ready.

Be sure to visit Roy's website and follow him on Twitter.

And pick up your copy of Everville: The First Pillar at the links below:


Kindle                             Paperback         

10 Questions with SciFi Writer Thomas Manning (@thomasraymann)

This Author Spotlight features debut novelistand science fiction writer
Thomas R. Manning
author of Energize (From the Logs of Daniel Quinn)






Thomas R. Manning is an aspiring author from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a BFA degree in Musical Theatre and currently works as a Litigation Support Specialist at a law firm in the city. He’s a husband to a wonderful wife and a father to two amazing children. All Tom’s life he’s been fascinated with creativity and imagination, and hopes to bring his own to others with his first novel Energize (From the Logs of Daniel Quinn).

1.How did you get into writing and why do you write?
I got into writing because I love a good story. Whether  I’m watching TV, reading a book, or playing video games, I always get the most engaged when there’s a good story behind it. I love the plot twists, the character development, the revelations, etc.
I decided to write because I found that I have stories to tell. For years I’ve been building mental storyboards, characters, and scenes. Sometimes during the day my brain is literally on autopilot, brainstorming new ideas. So one day a few years ago I told myself that with all of these ideas, why not get into writing and see if I can create an engaging novel? It took a long time to finally decide on a story and character that I thought would be good enough to self-publish.
2.What do you like best (or least) about writing?
Seeing a story or even a character take shape and evolve throughout the process is amazing, just like a work of art. That’s definitely one of my favorite aspects. A runner up would be creating book titles. It might sound odd but I really enjoy coming up with book titles to my stories!
It’s tough to think of a definitive aspect I dislike about writing, but I think while the final read through and edits are necessary, they’re also tough. By this point I’ve read through my book so many times I could probably create an audiobook by memory. I know how the story goes and what happens in every chapter, but I still have to go through it one more time to make sure I caught everything. Hell, even now I’m paranoid I missed something!
3.What is your writing process? IE do you outline? Do you stick to a daily word or page count, write 7 days a week, etc?
After I come up with the character and the story, I tend to think of a good beginning, middle, and end. After that I write out an outline for myself to fill in the blanks. Once the story is set, I set a goal of 1,000 words a day, 7 days a week. It worked out really well for Energize and I look forward to trying to expand that goal for my second book!
4.Who are some other writers you read and admire, regardless of whether they are commercially “successful?”
There are so many authors I enjoy, but three top the list. George R.R. Martin had me hooked with his Ice and Fire series. Jim Butcher is an author who solidified my love for reading with his Dresden Files series, and Kevin Hearne is also wonderful. His Iron Druid Chronicles are fantastic!
5.Should the question mark in the above question be inside or outside the quotes?
It should definitely be on the “outside”. Why’s it inside anyway? It’s such a nice day out!
6.What’s your stance on the Oxford Comma?
I think it’s great, necessary at times, and overall a plus in my book! (See what I did there?)
7.What is your book Energize about and how did it come to fruition?
Energize is about one man, Captain Daniel Quinn, who is a less-than-reputable mercenary. Inadvertently stumbling upon a secret onboard an enemy starship, he feels he can turn his luck around and gain riches from it. Little does he know it will get him into more trouble than he bargained for. Before you know it he’s running from people on the ground and in the stars, forced to explore a new, mysterious planet, and feuding with an assassin sent to watch over him.
Honestly, Energize was a culmination of a lot of ideas I had over the years. I created the Energize universe about three years ago when I first made an attempt to write science fiction. I ultimately abandoned that story and moved on to others. Eventually I found my way back to it, tuned it a bit, and migrated supporting characters from other story ideas I was working on. I think the final product turned out great!
8.What’s your current writing project?
My current project is the second book in the Daniel Quinn series. I’m just beginning to work on it now and should have it ready for a late fall release. After that I’m going to dive into an epic fantasy story I’ve been working on.
9.What book(s) are you currently reading?
Right now I’m reading Knightfall by Robert Jackson-Lawrence. I’m really enjoying it!
10.Who or what inspires your writing?
It’s tough to say. I like to think that I’ve been interested in storytelling all my life, from the moment I received my first action figures and gave them their own storylines. In college I would write song lyrics and plays, though none of them ever saw the light of day. A few years ago, about the time I read through a handful of Jim Butcher’s books, I started to seriously consider taking these story ideas floating around my head and putting them to paper. When I learned that self-publishing was starting to take off, I decided to give it a shot! Like the many great titles out there that I enjoy reading, I aspire to create rich and amazing stories filled with a great cast of characters. I’m excited to see where this path leads!
Finally, is there anything you’d care to add? Please also include where people can read your published stories, buy your book, etc.
First I want to thank you for this opportunity! I’m so excited for the future of my writing career! Anyone interested in Energize (From the Logs of Daniel Quinn) can order it on Amazon Kindle. I’m also happy to announce that a print version will be coming soon, so look out for that!
My main website is http://thomasrmanning.com where you can find information about me, my social network sites, and my books. There are also a couple short stories there that I had fun writing! Additionally you can venture to my blog at http://thomasraymann.wordpress.com to read book reviews, personal opinions, and more!

That's great, Thomas. Thank you for sharing Energize  with us. It has a great cover and the story sounds equally fascinating. Best of luck with the sequel and come back when it's ready.

Be sure to visit Thomas's website and blog at the links above, and grab your copy of Energize from Amazon at the link below:

Energize (From the Logs of Daniel Quinn)

10 Follow-Up Questions with RomCom Novelist Elle Lothlorien (@ElleLothlorien)

This Author Spotlight features a return visit with Amazon bestselling authorElle Lothlorien.
Elle has appeared in TIME magazine, Writers Digest, and USA Today.





This is a follow-up interview, but for people who are not already familiar with your work, tell us what kind of books you write.
Currently, I write what has been described as “smart contemporary romantic comedy.”
As you can probably tell by the titles, all of my novels are modern retellings loosely based on fairy tales and children’s stories: The Frog Prince , Sleeping Beauty , the “alternate-ending version” Sleeping Beauty WAKES UP! and Alice in Wonderland . Yes, it’s difficult to drop them into one specific sub-genre of romance—at one point I thought “mysterious, contemporary romantic-hoot” would work swell but was told that the category didn’t exist—but it keeps things interesting for both writer and reader since the stories are very different from each other.
What these stories have in common is that they’re definitely stories for grown-ups, not children! Despite being categorized on Amazon in the adult fiction section, every once in a while a review will pop up by a disgruntled reader who bought one or the other of them for their kids or grandkids!
Whoops.
What should readers expect from your stories?
Readers can always expect unique love stories with fun, funny and interesting protagonists, lots of humor, and, of course, romance. Since my books are all “loose riffs” on children’s stories and fairy tales, I try to infuse the adult, modern versions with the flavor of the source material. As a result, The Frog Prince is magical and royally fun and Alice in Wonderland is delightfully disorienting (at first anyway). 


Rather than using the “cleaned-up” Grimms Brothers or Perreault versions of what we now know as “Sleeping Beauty,” I elected to go further back to Giambattista Basile's account “Sun, Moon, and Talia.” And trust me: the originals were nothing that Disney would recognize. Instead of a beautiful princess being awakened with a kiss, Basile’s version tells of a nobleman who takes advantage of a beautiful princess while she sleeps (or is even dead, in some retellings). As a result, my version is equal parts funny and dark; formulaic and daring; a hint of sexy with a pinch of erotic.
I read on GoodEReader.com that you were working on an enhanced content project. Can you tell us anything more about that?
It’s done! In fact, if your readers are interested in seeing what the fuss is all about they can download a copy of Sleeping Beauty which is FREE in the Kindle Store today. (Today is the last day so snap it up.)
Here’s how I describe the project to those who haven’t heard of enhanced content: Imagine you’re reading a book where all the characters are gathered around to watch a memorial service video and that this video not only contains a photograph montage of the deceased but also impromptu eulogies from two friends—all of it synched to the song. Like anyone can tell you who’s been to a memorial service in the last ten years, video montages of the deceased are all the rage…rightly so. There’s a reason that “a picture is worth 1,000 words.”
Of course, you’ve probably read this type of scene in a book before and I can tell you that as an author it’s one of the most difficult types of scenes to write. Why is that? Well, describing one photograph is simply a matter of one or two sentences of prose. When you’re talking about describing twenty-five photographs that flash by, one after the other in a video montage, what’s an author to do? You can’t very well expect a reader to choke their way through multiple paragraphs of photograph descriptions.
And as for music, well, you know what they say about that: “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.” Prose simply can’t capture the emotion, the essence of music.
But imagine that instead of reading a description of the video, you are able to watch the video and hear the music with everyone else at the memorial service. This isn’t like any other enhanced content you’ve seen before (if you’ve even seen it before, though there has been precious little to compare it to with the exception of “how-to” nonfiction books).
This past December, I decided that, given the improvements in tablets and e-readers—and especially with Amazon’s announcement that it will soon release updates for the Kindle Fire that will enable video to play within the e-book itself—it was time. I found the best directors, producers, and musicians and pulled them all together for an experience that will, I think, surprise you.
Of course, there are readers who are not excited about the prospect of anything besides the written word invading their reading experience, and I get that—I really do. Fear not, because I’ve anticipated the needs of those readers as well. If a reader would rather not access the enhanced content, they can simply click a link that skips the video and allows them to go on and read the prose version of the video. The reader misses no part of the story by skipping the interactive content and everyone wins.
What is your latest novel, Rapunzel, about?

Rapunzel, which comes out later this month, is about Amberlie Fairfax, a ward of the ultra-wealthy wig magnate, Dame Gothel. Now in her late 20s, Nima yearns to escape her Jane-Austen-in-training lifestyle and create her own life, preferably one without a single wig in sight. When she finally works up the courage to confront her, her guardian’s rage is severe. Still, Amberlie thinks that “the Damn Dame” took it rather well…until the next morning. That’s when she finds she’s being held prisoner in one of Dame Gothel’s elaborate re-creations of the year 1770, complete with Julius Cavendish, a man who looks like he wandered off a Hugo Boss photo shoot to take part in the farce. Amberlie plays along with the ruse even as she plots an elaborate escape. But when it’s time to put her plan into action, she finds that there may be something besides her guardian’s insane machinations or her feelings for Julius keeping her from leaving Gothel’s eighteenth-century fantasy world.
What was the duration of the writing process for Rapunzel ?
Rapunzel was a longer process than Alice in Wonderland. The latter was completed in a whirlwind thirty-seven days (literally—the last few chapters were written in New York City, where I got trapped by Hurricane Sandy!). I started Rapunzel in the fall of 2011 and meant it to be my third book. However, I got sidetracked, first by Sleeping Beauty Wakes Up, and then by Alice in Wonderland, which I was inspired to write after a two-week trip to Australia in August 2012. As a result, the novel has been in progress on and off for over a year-and-a-half! I am confident that it will be out this month.

When Rapunzel is adapted to film, and the producers ask for your dream cast, what will you say?

Ah, hell, I’ll share all of them with you if you want. My fans have always been very generous with suggestions (even for books that haven’t come out yet).

The Frog Prince (from top left)Roman Habsburg von Lorraine: Colin EgglesfieldLeigh Fromm: Ashley GreenKat: Candice AccolaPrincess Menen Salassie: Judith ShekoniPrincess Isabella of Denmark: Olivia WildeJason Stiebler: Ian SomerhalderElfriede Habsburg von Lorraine: Frances Conner


Sleeping Beauty (left to right)Claire Beau: Hayden PanettiereDr. Brendan Charmant: Jamie BamberDavin Wibbens: Kevin ZegersWest Beau: Chord OverstreetLt. Colonel James “Gray” Grayson: Dove MeirRevnor “Rev” Carlin: Tyler Cook


Alice in Wonderland (left to right)Alice Faye Dahl / Marilyn Monroe “Munny” Dahl / Marlene Dietrich “Dee” Dahl: Emma StoneLapin “Rabbit” Montgomery: Alex Pettyfer Souris “Mouse” Montgomery: Jennifer LawrenceHaimeko “Queenie-baby” Tanaka: Isabella LeungClark Gable “Gabe” Dahl: Kellan Lutz


Rapunzel (left to right)Amberlie Fairfax: Amanda SeyfriedJulius “Jules” Cavendish: Taylor KitschDame Gothel: Dame Judi DenchCosmo: Lindsay Lohan (if she can stay sober and stop getting freaky stuff injected into her face; luckily it’s a small part)


I love actors who are able to show chemistry and also really portray whimsy because there are a lot of hilarious things going on in these novels. Being a gorgeous face and figure just isn’t enough.
Stephen King often makes a cameo in films adapted from his work. Stan Lee is also enjoying doing so these days. What supporting role would you like to play in the film adaptation of Rapunzel ?
Oh, wow, I don’t know. Maybe I could be one of the dancers at the ball hosted by the Duke of Devonshire in Rapunzel. I love ballroom dancing! As long as it’s a role without a whole lot of talking, I’d be fine with it.
For a writer, word of mouth is everything. What was the last book you read that you enjoyed so much that you wanted to share it with everyone you know?



Oh, my God, I loved, Loved, LOVED The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

It is one of those works of art that everyone wishes they could create. This book is going on my literal bookshelf, it’s that great. Normally, when I finish reading a paperback novel, I will give it away so someone else can enjoy it. This time, I’m selfish enough to keep the book for myself.


In fact, here is the review I wrote for it (on Goodreads):



"The circus arrives without warning."
This is the first line of Erin Morgenstern's truly magical book THE NIGHT CIRCUS, and I don't know whether to cry tears of joy that a story this exquisite and wondrous exists in the universe or scream with envy that however gifted a writer one may be, there is always--ALWAYS--someone better than you, and you must simply accept that however you might further develop your talent and craft in the coming years, you will likely never reach the heights that this artist has reached in her debut novel.

Would YOU like it? That's hard to say. I am a child of fantasy, a dreamer, a Rêveur, raised on Through the Looking Glass and nursed on Lord of the Rings. Anyone with a Chronicles of Narnia heart, a Dragonriders of Pern mind and a Harry Potter soul will adore this book. Everyone else should probably just keep on browsing...

Oh, how I wish someone would invent Le Cirque des Rêves! I would become a Rêveurs as quick as you can say, "Would you please hand me my red scarf?" If you decide to take a chance, you may just decide that magic is real and everything else in the world is the illusion. As the last line of THE NIGHT CIRCUS reads: "You are no longer quite certain which side of the fence is the dream."
Indeed.

As of this writing, the trend in publishing is toward series novels as opposed to stand-alone books. Is Rapunzel part of a series? If not, do you have a series you’ve written or plan to write, and if so, what is it?

Series work out well for many authors. I find that I tend to prefer a more direct story and a satisfying finish—all wrapped up in one book. My novels are sometimes erroneously referred to as a series because of the “loose riff on a fairy tale” theme, but they’re not. Each novel is a standalone story with new characters. However, I did recently decide to begin two unusual projects (for me, anyway) after Rapunzel:

1. Turnabout is fair play.Since The Frog Prince was published in July 2010, I’ve received hundreds of requests for a sequel but I’ve always believed that no sequel is better than a bad sequel. Frankly, I just couldn’t think of an original plot or conflict for a Book 2 that would be worth writing about.
That’s when a fan on my Facebook page suggested that I do a Midnight Sun-like project for The Frog Prince. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Midnight Sun, it’s the Twilight story…told from Edward’s point of view. Stephanie Meyers abandoned it about half-way through after one of her friends leaked it on the internet but she put it on her website so you can still read as much as she wrote before she quit. I actually enjoyed Midnight Sun far more than I did Twilight. Reading about the man’s motivations in courting the woman was far more interesting to read about than the other way around.

2. Miror, Mirror, on the Wall
After I finish the Frog Prince re-telling, I plan to write (gasp!) a sequel to Alice in Wonderland called (naturally) Through the Looking Glass. I hope to have it out by the end of the year. I really had a great time writing Alice in Wonderland and since there was a sequel to Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland, it doesn’t feel contrived, just natural—like planning a reunion with old friends.



Saul Bellow said “You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.” Where do ideas for your books come from, and where are you and what are you typically doing when inspiration strikes?
Strangely enough, the very first book I ever started to write (but never finished) was a literary novel. I woke up in the middle of the night while I was living outside Aspen, Colorado with an idea that was so clear and an urge that was so powerful that I got up, wrapped myself in a down comforter, opened up my laptop and started writing it right then. That turned out to be a one-time thing and there were plenty of things about that novel (including the part I wrote in the middle of the night) that needed to be changed.
My ideas come to me mostly when I’m driving, believe it or not. I was listening to a story about Sleeping Beauty Syndrome on NPR while driving home from work one day when I came up with the idea for Sleeping Beauty.
For Alice in Wonderland, I remember I had just dropped my daughter off at some high school away game and was driving home when I came up with the idea for it. I was just kind of daydreaming and began thinking of playing cards, which made me think of the playing cards in the Disney animated movie Alice in Wonderland—which made me think of poker! Voila! A plot.
I was dating a guy who lived in Boulder a couple of years ago and was on Highway 36 to meet him when I thought of the idea for Rapunzel. I’d just watched the movie “The Duchess” at home a few days before and I was recalling those enormous wigs the women wore then, which got me to thinking about wigs today and boom! By the time I reached Boulder, I had a main character and the beginnings of a plot.
I think the reason ideas come to me while I drive is that my mind is in more of a passive, receptive mode, especially if I’m driving on open highway. It’s very much like that extremely lucid state you are in the micro-second before you fall asleep.
Saul Bellow said, “You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write”? Well, Elle Lothlorien says, “You never have to change anything you plot while driving.”

Brett Easton Ellis once said, “Do not write a novel for praise. Write for yourself; work out between you and your pen the things that intrigue you.”
Indie publishing phenom Amanda Hocking has said that it messed with her head a bit when she realized so many people were going to read the books she’s now writing.
Now that Elle Lothlorien is rapidly gaining recognition in the publishing world, has an established fan base anticipating her next novel, and is being talked about in the highly-reverent third person, will reader expectation influence how and/or what she writes? Or will she hold to Ellis’ suggestion?


Speaking only for myself, the difficulty with self-publishing is that once you get a taste of full creative control, it’s really—really—hard to give it up. Of course, like any author, I want readers to enjoy my novels, but I can’t do anything but purge the stories from my head in the most honest way I know. Do I think about what readers might or might not like as I write the next one? Hell, no! If I did that, the books would never be finished. Like a good author friend of mine once posted on his Facebook page: “People think that I’m not working because I’m just sitting here staring at the computer screen. In reality, I’m just trying to figure out what the @#$% happens next.” Agreed! Look, it’s hard enough to relax enough to let the story flow through you and trying to decide what a majority of tens of thousands of readers might like.

The world of self-published authors is the new slush pile. What are you going to say/do when a traditional New York publisher and/or agent contacts you and asks for a meeting?

Well, my self-publishing successes have already led to agent offers. Janet Reid (aka “the Query Shark”) with Fine Print Lit was my agent from September 2011 through December 2012 when we amicably parted ways (I love her to pieces and she actually took the trouble to query her agent buddies on my behalf to find me a new agent!). In January of this year, I signed with Kim Lionetti at BookEnds, LLC. The books are all out on submission and we’ve already heard positive things from one Big Six Publisher.
The strange thing is that five years ago I would’ve sold my soul (or at least pawned it) for a Big Six traditional publishing deal. Now, after having successfully self-published for almost three years, I no longer have a Day Job (also known among authors as “backup income”). It’s a little difficult to just walk away from your income stream to sign a traditional contract that is unlikely to cover your living expenses until the time you pay out your advance. Additionally, once you sign a contract the publishers own your e-book rights and they will immediately remove your e-books from Amazon and every other retailer it may be for sale on until they’ve worked the novels over, changed the cover, etc. That can take over a year! In that time, a self-published author runs the enormous risk of their fan base simply melting away.
Ideally, I hope to negotiate a print-only deal, which will allow me to retain my e-book rights but will give me access to the distribution channels via a Big Six publisher that will get my books into brick and mortar bookstores.
Where do you want your writing career to be in five years’ time?
Once upon a time, I spent a long, hot summer locating underground utilities. The grandfatherly man who trained me said something that has stuck with me until this day: “Plan your work and work your plan.” Although my business plan changes (sometimes daily!) as the world of publishing undergoes a revolution, in five years I hope to be one of the self-published authors leading the way for other authors to retain, manage and monetize not just their print and e-book rights, but their extremely valuable subsidiary rights –foreign, audio, entertainment and merchandising—rather than signing them away once their books become bestsellers.
Finally, because no artistic endeavor is a solo flight, would you care to share the names and contact info for your supporting players, namely your cover designer, editor, proofreader(s), research assistants, hairdresser, dog groomer, chauffer, maid, butler, etc?


Cover designer:

Me. Turns out I’m pretty good at it (and it’s hella fun).
Editor(s): The Picky Editor (Kristi Yanta):  picky.editor@gmail.com Michele Winkler: mew57@cableone.net Jami Good JamiGConsults@gmail.com Proofreaders:

See editors above. Oh, and you forgot beta-readers. I ask five random friends or fans who I can trust to criticize to beta-read each novel before it makes it to my editors.
Research assistants:

Me. You can pry my research out of my cold, dead fingers. It’s the main reason I love to write!
Hair dresser:

I’ve cut and colored my own hair since I was 20 years old. I’ve had too many unfortunate mishaps, even at high-end salons, to take any more chances.
Dog groomer:

I own a miniature, short-haired red dachshund named Bacon Bourgeois, Legendary Wiener. He is a hero on my Facebook page. I bathe him and cut his nails myself. I leave the expressing of the anal glands to the vet. (Hey, I can’t think of a better use of $18 than that.)

Chauffer:

Me and my 2001 Honda CRV
Maid:

Elle Lothlorien (infrequently); her son, The Boy (even less frequently) and Elle’s mother (who cleans more than the two of us put together, bless her heart).
Butler:

No thanks. When I see creepy semi-strange men lurking around the doorways of my house, I think “restraining order” not “man servant.”

Thanks, Elle!

Great work on your novels and congratulations on your success. Continue planning your work and working your plan.

Best of luck with Rapunzel. I'm sure it will be a success.


Be sure to follow Elle on Twitter, check out her website, and read the first interview we did together HERE. 

And purchase her books in both Ebook and paperback below:

Note: Sleeping Beauty and Sleeping Beauty WAKES UP! are FREE for Kindle through Tuesday 6/4/13. Download your free copies now.

     
                

EYE CANDY is On Sale for $0.99 This Weekend

Just a quick note to let everyone know Eye Candy  is on sale this weekend. Only $0.99.

Grab a copy if you've not yet done so.


Here are a few excerpts from reviewers:

"This is a book that delivers on everything promised in the title and on the cover. And a whole lot more. ...this is a professionally written book, properly edited, and a pleasure to read. I recommend it to all SF readers..." 4 STARS ~Gordon A. Long (Delta, British Columbia) (via Amazon.ca)

"The writing is often humorous and flows, making it a pleasure to read. I enjoyed this book and didn't want it to end." 5 STARS ~Digidude700 (Amazon UK)

"If you love your robot novels, you want to read Mr. Schneider's EYE CANDY. You will fall in love with the robots in this book. They are naive, cocky, flamboyant, sexy, serious, curious! They learn, they feel, they try hard to live by the laws even when the laws are what didn't let them live. If you had never read a book about robots, you HAVE to READ Mr. Schneider's EYE CANDY." 5 STARS ~valruspines (via Amazon.com)
Regular price ($3.99) goes into effect on Monday.

Thank you!

10 Questions with Legendary Science Fiction Writer David Drake

This Author Spotlight features masterof the Science Fiction genreDavid DrakeandRedliners, Second Edition.
The Army took David Drake from Duke Law School and sent him on a motorized tour of Viet Nam and Cambodia with the 11th Cav, the Blackhorse. He learned new skills, saw interesting sights, and met exotic people who hadn’t run fast enough to get away.
Dave returned to become Chapel Hill’s Assistant Town Attorney and to try to put his life back together through fiction making sense of his Army experiences.
Dave describes war from where he saw it: the loader’s hatch of a tank in Cambodia.
His military experience, combined with his formal education in history and Latin, has made him one of the foremost writers of realistic action SF and fantasy.
His bestselling Hammer's Slammers series is credited with creating the genre of modern Military SF. 
He often wishes he had a less interesting background.
Dave lives with his family in rural North Carolina.
1.How did you get into writing and why do you write?
I got into writing because I've always loved to tell stories. My 11th grade American Lit teacher was a professional writer on the side (and since then has become a full-time freelance writer under the name Brad Steiger). That showed me that ordinary kids from Iowa could write professionally.
Why I became a fulltime writer, however, is that writing provided therapy for me when I got back to the World after service with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Viet Nam (and a couple months in Cambodia).
2.What do you like best (or least) about writing?
My prose is the only thing in life that I can fully control. Everything else comes with strings or rules. With the prose, I don't have to let go of it until it's what I want it to be.
One side effect of my focus is that I don't complain about covers or promotion or any of the other things that many writers worry about. So long as the publisher doesn't screw with my prose, I'm fine.
By the same token, I go way over the top when a copyeditor, say, regularizes the use of pronouns when I've varied them according to the background and education of the viewpoint character in a given section. Stuff that's trivial (although stupid) can really light my fuse.
3.What is your writing process? IE do you outline? Do you stick to a daily word or page count, write 7 days a week, etc?
I write a complete scene-by-scene breakdown, usually running about 7,500-15K words per book. Then I write the book, chunking away at it every day until it's complete. I shoot for 1,000-1,500 words per day (of rough). Then I edit the hardcopy, key in the changes (usually 10-20% of the original wordage), and run off another copy which I edit further for polish. I key in those changes and send it off to my editor.
4.Who are some other writers you read and admire, regardless of whether they are commercially “successful?”
Oh, gosh. Kuttner and Clark Ashton Smith. Kipling. Tacitus. Ovid (and I know, he wrote verse; but almost anybody can learn things about line-by-line writing from reading Ovid in the original). Many others.
5.Should the question mark in the above question be inside or outside the quotes?
Outside, but I don't really care.
6.What’s your stance on the Oxford Comma?
It slows the reader down. I don't use it. Grammarians get bent outa shape about that sort of thing (and consistency generally), but a writer ought to be more concerned about telling a story.
7.What is your book Redliners about and how did it come to fruition?
I picked Redliners because it's the one thing I've written that is more than just a book. I finished it and immediately felt that somebody'd lifted off the twenty-ton weight I'd had on my shoulders for the 25 years since Nam.
But I hadn't intended anything major. I was writing an action/adventure book with a strong military component. I wound up putting a lot more of myself and what I felt about military service into the book than I was aware of doing until I'd finished it.
Redliners wasn't a great sales success initially, though it's continued to bring in royalties each period. It's a very tough book, and it isn't generally for civilians.
It's the one that people who've been in hard places write me about, however. It's helped a lot of them; but it helped me more than it did anyone else, because I'd been in some hard places too.
8.What’s your current writing project?
I'm in the home stretch of the next Republic of Cinnabar Navy space opera, The Sea without a Shore. These (AKA the Leary/Mundy series) aren't pablum, but they're far less harsh than much of what I was writing before I did Redliners and made peace with myself.
9.What book(s) are you currently reading?
Idylls of the King by Tennyson; The Last Galley by Doyle; and An Amiable Charlatan by Oppenheim. (I'm travelling in Italy at the moment, which affects the time I have to read and the selection.)
10.Who or what inspires your writing?
As long as I'm working, I don't have to think about the nature and future of mankind. I'm better off not thinking about that sort thing. I think I've known the answers ever since Nam; but if I don't dwell on the subject, I'm okay.
There's no other 'who'. It's just me and the keyboard.
Finally, is there anything you’d care to add? Please also include where people can read your published stories, buy your book, etc.
My publishers are Baen Books and Tor Books. My work can be bought wherever books are sold, and electronically from the publishers.
Thank you, Mr. Drake, for visiting and sharing your work with us. It's been and honor featuring you here and learning more about your work and your life.
Be sure to visit David-Drake.com to see more of Mr. Drake's work.
Purchase your copy of Redliners now:


Redliners (2nd Edition- Kindle)            Redliners (Mass Market Paperback)                                    

The Next Big Thing Blog Meme - EYE CANDY by Ryan Schneider

Thriller writer and writer friend Rob Guthrie tagged me recently to participate in The Next Big Thing Blog Meme. 

It's a blog chain in which writers tag fellow writer friends to answer a list of standard questions about their current or forthcoming novel.  Thanks, Rob. (Visit Rob at rsguthrie.com and read his books. Seriously.)

So here we go.

1. What is the title of your book?

Eye Candy .

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

I can't answer that without revealing a spoiler. So let's see if I can dance around it while still providing some semblance of an answer.

I had an idea for what I thought was a powerful scene, and which had a powerful concept behind it. I wanted to write to arrive at that scene. So I began at the beginning, and finally got there about 60% of the way into the story.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

Science fiction. Though at its heart it is a love story. Boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets all his friends together to kick some serious ass and gets girl again.

4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Tough question.

I've been asking myself this for some time, particularly when my cover designer Rahzzah and I discussed how the two main characters, Danny and Candy, should appear on the cover.

For Danny, my criteria were that he be handsome, something along the lines of George Clooney or Hugh Jackman.

For the scene showcased in the cover art, Danny needed to look strung out (read the book to see why!).

I found this image of Hugh Jackman which was perfect. A long way from Wolverine.

But actors love to showcase their range.

For Candy, the criteria were tall and blond, but also classy and elegant.

Not overly glamorous; attractive, but the kind of woman who is generally liked by other women.

I pictured her with great hair, too. I think Rahzzah nailed it.

Claire Danes is one possibility.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

In a near-future Los Angeles, roboticist Danny Olivaw finds himself on a blind date with a beautiful robopsychologist named Candy, and the next day, strange things begin to happen; little do they know what fate has in store for them.

6. Who is publishing your book?

All my books are self published. Back in 2008-2009, I spent a year querying agents regarding my novel The Go-Kids, an epic science fiction thriller starring five lovable teens tasked with using high technology in a battle of spiritual warfare.
The more I re-wrote my query letter and re-submitted it, I confronted the reality of selling one's novel. To do so would truly mean selling it. Akin to selling your car. It's gone. Bye bye. No longer yours. The new owner gets to do whatever they want with it, and they are not interested in and do not care if the wheel shimmies slightly at 71 miles per hour, or that the car tends to leak coolant so check it regularly, or that you've driven it and loved it every day for 13 years and aren't even sure why you're selling it.
Your book is precious like that.
At least, mine was to me.
So when I heard about self publishing, it was really a no brainer. I would handle everything myself. Whatever happened, I would be fully responsible. And I haven't regretted it for a second.
7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

About a year. A bit too long, in my opinion. But it is 460 pages.
8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Readers will notice references to and inspiration from Isaac Asimov's robot novels Robots and Murder: The Caves of Steel/ The Naked Sun/ Robots of Dawn, as well as some of his short fiction such as I, Robot .

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
This relates to the scene I mentioned in Question 2. The title was also an inspiration.

Also, as I read (and often re-read) Asimov's work, I took copious notes whenever something in one of his stories inspired a new invention or a new take on technology which I could employ in my book. I filled most of an entire notebook. Those notes informed the story outline immensely, and proved invaluable during the process of getting to know Candy and Danny, and in bringing their characters to life. I believe character is paramount and solid characters we know and love are a must.
10. What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

Reviews for Eye Candy  are beginning to accumulate, and thus far the response has been very positive; 4- and 5-star reviews.

Here are a few excerpts from reviewers:

"This is a book that delivers on everything promised in the title and on the cover. And a whole lot more."

"...this is a professionally written book, properly edited, and a pleasure to read. I recommend it to all SF readers..."

"The writing is often humorous and flows, making it a pleasure to read. I enjoyed this book and didn't want it to end."
I'll make a deal with you: if you promise to post a review on Amazon (and it can be brief), I'm happy to provide a complimentary review copy. Contact me HERE via my Contact page and we'll arrange the details. I have both Kindle and Epub available.
The book also has a slew of Easter eggs in it. For anyone not familiar, Easter eggs are little treats or surprises hidden in a text or very often a video game. So I invite you to read the story and see if you can find the Easter eggs.

So that's Eye Candy .

I invite you to click the link and give it a read. I had an absolute ball while writing it. You'll have fun reading it.
Finally, allow me to introduce the two writers I've tagged on The Next Big Thing Blog Meme:
First, James A. West.

James states that he "will write for chips & salsa", but his fiction is worth a great deal more.

James is a talented writer of fantasy novels.

His latest work is Shadow and Steel (Heirs of the Fallen Book 3).

And it's FREE this weekend at Amazon, so click the link above.

I've read James' work and enjoyed it a great deal.

I read Reaper of Sorrows (Songs of the Scorpion - Volume I) . It was quite good. Great fantasy, with a strong hero reminiscent of Maximus from the film "Gladiator", great action, and some pretty effed-up dark magic.

James' Next Big Thing Blog Meme is Friday, June 14, 2013. So be sure to visit his blog to see what he's cooking up.

When deciding which authors to tap, Chris Jackson came immediately to mind.

Chris is an award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction, including the novel Weapon of Flesh .

His latest novel is Pathfinder Tales: Pirate's Honor .

Chris's Next Big Thing Blog Meme is Tuesday, June 25, 2013.

Visit his website at http://jaxbooks.com/ to see what he's up to.

Thank you.

I hope you've enjoyed The Next Big Thing Blog Meme and you will grab a review copy of Eye Candy right now!

10 Questions with Science Fiction Novelist Peter Laurent (@petes117)

This Author Spotlight featuresScience Fiction novelistPeter Laurentauthor ofThe Covert Academy (Volume 1).


Author Peter Laurent was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. He studied 3D animation in Auckland, then worked full-time in Mount Maunganui.

Peter then formed his own company, Indiana Games Limited, and has been freelancing art and animation back in Auckland ever since.

The Covert Academy (Volume 1) is his first novel, borne of a passion for creative storytelling.


1.How did you get into writing and why do you write?
My introduction to writing came out of the blue. I literally said to myself, “I’m going to write a book.” So I did! I have had no formal training in writing, though English was my best subject in school. I have always been a visually creative person, which led me to study and work in 3D animation for ten years before attempting a novel. I think the experience from those years of being an artist strengthens my writing. Anyway, I had some downtime during my animation work when I struggled to find a new contract, so I began writing to fill my time.
I write because I have all these stories and characters in my head that need to get out. I bet every author says that!
2.What do you like best (or least) about writing?
Research is what I like the best and the least. It’s a double-edged sword. It can be fun to discover interesting facts and slip them into your writing or have it lead to new ideas, but it takes a lot of time and patience.

Other than that, seeing your characters come to life on the page is a huge thrill.
3.What is your writing process? IE do you outline? Do you stick to a daily word or page count, write 7 days a week, etc?
I write around ten pages of notes before I jump into writing the book itself. I outline character bios, locations, props, backstory and a brief plot summary. They’re more guidelines than rules, just to get me going. Getting started is the hardest part of any job, especially writing!
On my first book I averaged around 1500 words a day, 4-5 days a week. I’m going slower on my current project. I’d take quality over quantity any day. As long as I’m consistent, I’m happy with my process.
4.Who are some other writers you read and admire, regardless of whether they are commercially “successful?”
My all-time favourites are J.R.R. Tolkien, Isaac Asimov, and Bernard Cornwell.


But the author I admire most is Hugh Howey, author of the Wool series. He is paving the way for independent authors everywhere, and he writes a great story, too.
5.Should the question mark in the above question be inside or outside the quotes?
Outside. But it still looks awkward on the page even outside the quotes, doesn’t it? I avoid those situations by re-wording the sentence if I can.
6.What’s your stance on the Oxford Comma?
We have to pick sides? I use it when I need to depending on the context, so I guess that means I’m pro Oxford Comma!
7.What is your book The Covert Academy (Volume 1) about and how did it come to fruition?
My debut novel The Covert Academy (Volume 1) is about a young street urchin who discovers a powerful device that could shift the balance of power among the world leaders. He becomes swept up in an on-going struggle between those who seek it, the omnipotent authorities and an underground resistance.It came into being from the simple concept of a ninja school. I wanted to put a unique spin on it by incorporating elements from the science fiction and young adult genres. The story grew from there!
8.What’s your current writing project?
I’m writing the sequel to The Covert Academy (Volume 1) , which I aim to complete around August-October 2013. I’ve learned a lot from my debut novel, so it’s bigger and better from here on out.
9.What book(s) are you currently reading?
I’m re-reading The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn as inspiration for parts of my sequel. I actually find it difficult to read anyone else’s work while I’m writing my own. My head becomes lost in the world I’m creating and another story would be distracting. I churn through books at any other time!













The last book I read was CyberStorm by Matthew Mather, an excellent indie author.

10.Who or what inspires your writing?
Living in New Zealand I am lucky enough to have stunning scenes of nature outside my window. Taking a walk through the bush clears my head. Besides that, I take inspiration from all sorts of places. I grew up reading the adventures from Uncle Scrooge comics and watching Ducktales and Batman.

I love the uniquely creative stories of Tim Schafer and Ron Gilbert’s video games such as Day of the Tentacle, Monkey Island and Grim Fandango.
Last but not least, there is also a special lady in my life who inspires me every day.
Finally, is there anything you’d care to add? Please also include where people can read your published stories, buy your book, etc.
I’m amazed at the generosity and kindness within the indie author community. It’s humbling and gratifying. I’d like to thank anyone who took the time to read my book, post a review or contact me with feedback. I hope the sequel will be worth the wait!

Thank you Ryan for inviting me to do this interview, it was a lot of fun!
My book can be found on Amazon in eBook and Paperback format:
The Covert Academy (Volume 1)
Kindle                          Paperback        
It will also be published through these stores in May:Barnes and Noble Nook StoreSony Reader Store (coming soon!)Apple iBooks (coming soon!)Kobo BooksScribdGoogle BooksBookTango
More information on my upcoming project can be found on my Goodreads blog:http://www.goodreads.com/petes117Or Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/petes117
Thank you!

Thanks, Peter. The Covert Academy (Volume 1) looks great. I recently saw it at #6 on the Amazon Top 100 in SciFi list. Well done!

Be sure to check out The Covert Academy (Volume 1)  and visit Peter's Goodreads blog, and follow him on Twitter. And grab your copy of The Covert Academy (Volume 1) now!

The Covert Academy (Volume 1)
Kindle                          Paperback