Adam Heine's Blog, page 24
July 11, 2012
First Impact: Haphazardly Implausible by Miss Jack Lewis Baillot
Time for another First Impact critique. Remember you are eligible to win $10 for Amazon/B&N OR a 20-page critique from me if you share your thoughts in the comments. Your critique doesn't have to be long, just useful!
Big thanks to Miss Jack for letting us take a look at the back-cover copy of his steampunk novel (we do love steampunk around here). My in-line comments are off to the right, with overall comments
at the end. Keep in mind that this is just my
opinion. If it doesn't feel r...
Big thanks to Miss Jack for letting us take a look at the back-cover copy of his steampunk novel (we do love steampunk around here). My in-line comments are off to the right, with overall comments
at the end. Keep in mind that this is just my
opinion. If it doesn't feel r...
July 9, 2012
A Steampunk Chart and Writing to Trends
This data comes from Wikipedia's list of steampunk works. I didn't see any glaring mistakes or omissions, so I ran with it. I've called out a few moments in steampunk history, though they are not meant to be comprehensive or even telling. Mostly, they're just some of the steampunk works that influenced me.
Data from Wikipedia, retrieved July 7, 2012.
You can glean what you like from that chart. Here's my (almost certainly biased) analysis:
TRENDS COME IN WAVES
Something new hits the...
Data from Wikipedia, retrieved July 7, 2012.
You can glean what you like from that chart. Here's my (almost certainly biased) analysis:
TRENDS COME IN WAVES
Something new hits the...
July 6, 2012
What Constitutes a Real Critique
This is primarily for First Impact, though I think it applies to critiquing in general. I offer the monthly prizes to encourage critiques, but I don't want you to think you have to work hard for it.*
Your critique does not have to be long. When I say only "real" critiques are entered for the prize, I mean useful critiques. Saying "This rocks!" or "This sucks!" is not useful.
However: "This rocks! I love how clearly you lay out the protagonist's choice at the end" is useful, and those 15 wor...
Your critique does not have to be long. When I say only "real" critiques are entered for the prize, I mean useful critiques. Saying "This rocks!" or "This sucks!" is not useful.
However: "This rocks! I love how clearly you lay out the protagonist's choice at the end" is useful, and those 15 wor...
July 4, 2012
First Impact: Averagely Extraordinary by Utsav Mukherjee
First Impact is where I critique first impression material: your query letters, back-cover copy, opening pages, etc. Details here.
You are encouraged to share your comments as well. Every (real) critique will be entered to win a prize at the end of the month. This month's prizes are: $10 for Amazon/B&N OR a 20-page critique from me.
A huge thanks to Utsav Mukherjee for being brave enough to submit the first query. His superhero sci-fi sounds intriguing, so let's get right to it. My in...
You are encouraged to share your comments as well. Every (real) critique will be entered to win a prize at the end of the month. This month's prizes are: $10 for Amazon/B&N OR a 20-page critique from me.
A huge thanks to Utsav Mukherjee for being brave enough to submit the first query. His superhero sci-fi sounds intriguing, so let's get right to it. My in...
July 2, 2012
Self-Pubbed vs. Traditional: Which is Better?
Someone asked me this recently and my answer got kind of long-winded insightful, and I figured why not inflict it on you guys? I'd save myself the trouble of writing another blog post you guys might be interested in what I think talking about it.
Although my personal neuroses have staunchly led me down the traditional path so far, the short answer is I don't think either path is objectively better.
Traditional publishing is harder to break into. You have to please more people (agents and ed...
Although my personal neuroses have staunchly led me down the traditional path so far, the short answer is I don't think either path is objectively better.
Traditional publishing is harder to break into. You have to please more people (agents and ed...
June 29, 2012
What To Do With a Bad Review
I once stated that I thought it was possible to respond to a negative review in a positive way (see the first footnote of this post). I am now rethinking that theory. Here's what happened to an author I know.
(Names and most specifics have been wiped, just cuz I don't want things to get worse):
1. A Reviewer posted a bad review of the Author's book on a popular book site.
2. In the comments, Reviewer picked out a couple users who liked the book (and had little or no other activity on their...
(Names and most specifics have been wiped, just cuz I don't want things to get worse):
1. A Reviewer posted a bad review of the Author's book on a popular book site.
2. In the comments, Reviewer picked out a couple users who liked the book (and had little or no other activity on their...
June 27, 2012
Want a Critique? Let's Talk
We're gonna start something new here on Author's Echo. And it pretty much involves only good things for you.
FIRST, you can get a critique. I will accept:
Query Letters
Back-Cover Copy
First Pages
1-page Synopses
Basically anything under 300 words that is used to answer the question, "Do I want to read this book?"
These are your first impressions. Agents look at query letters,
readers look at back-cover copy, and everybody will read that first
page. You want to make an impact right from th...
FIRST, you can get a critique. I will accept:
Query Letters
Back-Cover Copy
First Pages
1-page Synopses
Basically anything under 300 words that is used to answer the question, "Do I want to read this book?"
These are your first impressions. Agents look at query letters,
readers look at back-cover copy, and everybody will read that first
page. You want to make an impact right from th...
June 25, 2012
Books I Read: The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Genre: YA Science Fiction/Dystopian
Published: 2009
My Content Rating: PG-13 for violence
Cliffhanger Ending: YES
Thomas wakes up in a dark elevator with no memories of who he is or what he's doing there. He emerges in the middle of a giant maze, surrounded by boys who have likewise been stripped of his memories. They've spent the last two years trying to escape, while struggling against the creatures that live in the maze. But Thomas is differ...
June 22, 2012
Leviathan Fan Art
This is probably my favorite thing I've ever drawn for Anthdrawlogy, and not just because Scott Westerfeld posted it on his blog.
Okay, yeah, maybe it is because of that.
What's your favorite mythological monster? I think mine's the kraken, but I bet one of you can name one I like even more.
Okay, yeah, maybe it is because of that.
What's your favorite mythological monster? I think mine's the kraken, but I bet one of you can name one I like even more.
June 20, 2012
Blog Growth: 2012
About a year ago, I took a look at the growth of this blog, what I thought was working and wasn't. It looks like a heck of a lot has changed in a year.
WHAT GETS HITS
(1) Google Bait
I don't intentionally write Google bait, but the vast majority of daily hits come here from Google. They come looking for images of steampunk, board games, Lord of the Rings, Dune, and various classic novels (assuming those last two are students looking for an easy book report: let me know what grade I'm getti...
WHAT GETS HITS
(1) Google Bait
I don't intentionally write Google bait, but the vast majority of daily hits come here from Google. They come looking for images of steampunk, board games, Lord of the Rings, Dune, and various classic novels (assuming those last two are students looking for an easy book report: let me know what grade I'm getti...
