H.L. Reasby's Blog, page 3
May 23, 2012
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chrishemsworth:
Florence + The Machine - Breath...
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Florence + The Machine - Breath Of Life (Official Music Video)
May 11, 2012
Shomu
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I’m incredibly proud to announce that my third novel and the culmination of the Sekhmet’s Light Trilogy, Shomu, has gone live in Kindle format. For those of you that have been reading for the last couple years, it means finding out what I’ve been keeping to myself for a while now: how Nicole’s story ends.
It’s kind of surreal knowing that her story has been told, but gratifying at the same time to know that I’ve actually completed the trilogy. I hope that you’ll agree that the ending fits nicely with the mythology I’ve established.
As of right now, I’m looking forward to what comes next. There will be one last touch on the SL universe, possibly before the end of the year. A collection of stories that I’m titling The Days Upon the Year to continue the calendar theme of the titles.
As readers will know, Ancient Egyptians had a three-season calendar, each containing four 30-day months. That 360 day calendar, however, leaves us with 5 rogue days unaccounted for. These are the epagomenal days, or Days Upon the Year. Each of these days is said to be the ‘birthday’ of the most powerful gods in the panthon (Osiris, Horus the Elder, Isis, Set, and Nephthys). They’re also said to occur outside of normal time and people believe that strange things happen on them.
For my purposes, each “day” will present a story that ties in with the Sekhmet’s Light trilogy or was touched upon in the novels, but wasn’t shared in its entirety to avoid bogging down the main narrative. You’ll get to see things like the story of the first NuruSekhmet, Aramair’s story, and others. They’re things that add flavor to the universe, but aren’t absolutely necessary to Nicole’s story.
I’ve also plotted out my next novel, the first in my as yet untitled supernatural thriller series and was blessed with the idea for the second of that one as well. I’m also producing some short stories for the next Talaria Press Founder’s Anthology which has a fairy tale theme to it which should be fun, in addition to helping with proof-reading/editing my husband’s second novel.
Factor in my efforts to find a new day job and I’m on massively busy girl!
Ahem.
So, I hope that you’ll pick up Shomu, if you’ve been reading along. If you haven’t, I have a treat for you. In celebration of the completion of the series, I’m offering the first novel, Akhet, for your kindle this weekend. This is a great opportunity to grab it and start on the series, knowing that the whole story is there just waiting to be read!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to break out the ‘tasty adult beverages’ to celebrate!
April 25, 2012
SyFy’s Sci-Fi Resurgence?
Yesterday afternoon, SyFy Channel published a press release on their Blastr news feed, announcing the various projects they’re developing for the coming year. Anyone who knows me is well aware that SyFy has been a source of frustration, consternation, and downright infuriation for me.
Since it debuted (as the Sci-Fi Channel, back in the day), it’s gone from exclusively science-fiction and fantasy oriented programming (reruns of classic shows, movies, miniseries…) to a channel that features wrestling and tons of reality programming. Like many fans, I’ve lamented this change in orientation, and have come to largely ignore the channel I once adored.
In the last few years, there have been bright spots: Battlestar Galactica, Eureka, and Alphas, I’m looking at you! However, BSG ran its course,Eurekahas been cancelled, and we have no word on when the new season of Alphas will start airing again.
Now, that said, this new press release gives me a glimmer of hope that they’re starting to come back to the sort of programming that I, and other sci-fi fans want to see.
The full content of the article can be found here, but here are the items I’m actually interested in:
New Scripted Series
Defiance - 2013 -Defiance is in collaboration with Trion Worlds, with the Syfy series and Trion’s multi-platform shooter MMO poised to debut simultaneously. The series stars Grant Bowler, Julie Benz, Stephanie Leonidas, Tony Curran, Jaime Murray, Fionnula Flanagan, Mia Kirshner and Oscar-nominee Graham Greene. Set in the near future, Defiance introduces a completely transformed planet Earth, inhabited by the survivors of a universal war. Forced to co-habitate, the disparate group struggles to build a new society among the devastation. The dramatic tapestry of the series and the intense action of the game will exist in a single universe where their respective narratives will inform one another and evolve together into one overall story. Defianceis directed by Scott Stewart (Legion, Priest) and written/executive produced by Rockne O’Bannon (Farscape), Kevin Murphy (Desperate Housewives, Caprica, Hellcats) and Michael Taylor (Battlestar Galactica). Kevin Murphy serves as showrunner. Defiance is produced by Universal Cable Productions.
Scripted Development/Drama
Rewind - Rewind revolves around a team of military field operatives and civilian scientists who must use untested technology to travel back in time to alter events and change the future—and avoid a devastating terrorist attack. Shane McRae stars as Sean Knox, ex-Special Forces who ranks as a field operative in a special division of the Department of Homeland Security. The pilot also stars Jennifer Ferrin, Academy Award nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider), Robbie Jones and Keon Mohajeri, and is currently in production inToronto. Jack Bender (Lost, Alphas) is directing the pilot, written by Justin Marks (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li), who will also executive produce with Tom Spezialy, Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein. A production of BermanBraun and Universal Cable Productions.
The Adjustment Bureau - In this drama, based on the hit movie starring Matt Damon, guardian angel-type agents work to keep the world according to The Plan. They create everything from plane crashes to coffee spills in order to steer people to realize their true destiny. But there is one thing the operatives and their Chairman can’t control—free will. Writers: Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer (Melrose Place, Smallville). Executive producers: George Nolfi (The Adjustment Bureau, The Bourne Ultimatum), MRC, Slavkin and Swimmer. A production of Universal Cable Productions.
High Moon - Based on the novel, The Lotus Caves, by John Christopher, this imaginative, out-of-this-world series explores a world where the countries of Earth have established colonies to mine the Moon’s resources. When a new life form is discovered, chaos erupts as various factions race to uncover its powerful secrets. Executive producer: Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Pushing Daisies). Co-executive producer: Jim Danger Gray (Pushing Daisies). Writers: Bryan Fuller and Jim Danger Gray. Executive producer: Granat Entertainment. A production of Universal Cable Productions.
Untitled Booster Gold Project - Based on the best-selling DC Entertainment Comic, this is the story of a washed-up athlete from the future who travels back to the present in hopes of becoming the greatest superhero of all time. But instead of chasing criminals, his main priority is chasing fame and money. Booster Gold discovers that being a hero takes more than just a megawatt smile. Writer: Andrew Kreisberg (Arrow, Warehouse 13). Executive producers: Greg Berlanti (Green Lantern, Arrow) and Andrew Kreisberg. Producers: Greg Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television. The Booster Gold comic book series is published by DC Entertainment, which will also act as an executive producer.
Grave Sight - From the best-selling author of True Blood, this Charlaine Harris book series follows Harper Connelly—a young woman with a unique gift. After being struck by lightning as a teenager, Harper can sense the location and last memories of dead people. She teams up with her protective stepbrother, Tolliver Lang, to help find a missing teenage girl—only to uncover a network of lies and murders throughout a small town in the Ozarks. Writer: Kam Miller (Law and Order: SVU). A production of Universal Cable Productions.
Seeing Things - Based on the comic Grey Legion from Platinum Studios, after a cop meets his violent demise, he returns as a ghost to close his last case. But the only person who can help him is a socially awkward man who is realizing for the first time that his hallucinations may not be all in his head. Writers: David Slack (Person of Interest, Lie To Me) and Gabrielle Stanton (Haven, The Vampire Diaries). Executive producers: David Slack, Robert Cort and Scott Mitchell Rosenberg. A production of Fox Television Studios.
Defender - In the aftermath of an intergalactic war between humans and transhumans, the starship Defender, populated by a combustible mix of former enemies, is sent on a seemingly simple goodwill mission, which turns into a fight for their lives and for the safety of the Universe at large. Executive producer/writer: Robert Hewitt Wolfe (Alphas). A production of Universal Cable Productions.
The Family - For generations, an alien family has hid amongst humans in plain sight using their advanced intellect to carve out a life for themselves as their family grew. But when the family patriarch that kept peace amongst the factions dies, a war begins to brew with some members believing the time has come to reveal themselves, and their superior power, to the inferior human race. Writer: Dan Harris (Superman Returns, X2). Executive producers: Neal Moritz (21 Jump Street, Total Recall), Mark Verheiden (Falling Skies, Battlestar Galactica). A production of Sony Pictures TV.
Longform Scripted Development:
Eyes Of The Dragon - Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel. A kingdom is in turmoil as the old king dies and his successor must battle for the throne. Pitted against an evil wizard and a would-be rival, Prince Peter makes a daring escape and rallies the forces of good to fight for what is rightfully his. Writers: Michael Taylor (Defiance, Battlestar Galactica) and Jeff Vintar (I, Robot). Executive producers: Michael Taylor and Bill Haber. A production of Universal Cable Productions and Ostar Productions.
Darkfall - When, without warning, modern forms of power and technology become a thing of the past,Los Angeles, and the world at large, becomes a place where magic rules and life as we know it is turned upside down. Writers: Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris (Kung Fu Panda, Sleeper Cell). A production of The Jim Henson Company and Universal Cable Productions.
One Mile Straight Down - When a powerful earthquake hits California and opens up a chasm bigger than the Grand Canyon, it reveals an enormous hidden ocean lying deep beneath the earth’s crust. Billionaire adventurer James Exeter works with the government to take an advanced nuclear submarine down to explore it and discovers more than he ever could have imagined. Writers: Skip Woods (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Naren Shankar (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) and Deran Sarafian (CSI: NY). Executive producers: Skip Woods, Naren Shankar and Deran Sarafian. A production of Universal Cable Productions.
As you can see, there are some really interesting ideas that they’re looking to develop and that, I hope, will turn into some great programming. The thing we as fans need to remember is that high quality science-fiction and fantasy programming ain’t cheap to produce and channels like SyFy are businesses. If they don’t get ratings (and advertising dollars that accompany those ratings), they aren’t going to produce the sort of programming we want to see.
What we need to do is prove to them that there’s an audience for these shows, movies, miniseries, etc. When they premier, we need to tune in. We need to tweet about them. We need to blog about them. And when we do that, we need to tag SyFy, include their twitter handle, and hashtag them so we get them trending.
I believe that we can reclaim SyFy for SciFi, but we have to put in the effort. And hey, if they want someone with tons of great ideas, they can send me and my husband an email! We’d love to get some of our stories up on the screen.
That’s it for now. Happy viewing!
April 11, 2012
ECCC Post-Con Update*
Hello, everyone!
EmeraldCityComiCon is in the books and it was a rousing success! To all of you who came out to visit and support us at the convention, we're all incredibly grateful to you… and to our new friends that we made during the convention, you guys ROCK!
For those of you who didn't get to see us, here's a picture of our awesome table in the Artist's Alley, courtesy of the inimitable Ren Cummins!
We also had the chance to go on stage in the big panel room at the convention, following Adam Baldwin's panel, and preceding the Phelps twins (Fred & George Weasley from the Harry Potter movies for the uninitiated!). In front of a packed house of 3000+ sci-fi and fantasy fans, Ren and I got to give brief explanations of our books and invited people to visit us… and they did! I'm hoping to get a copy of the footage, and will post it here when I have it in hand.
The winners of our Talaria Press Complete Library Giveaway have been drawn and I will be emailing the winners in the next day or two to inform them of their incredible luck. If you didn't win, we all still thank you all for signing up for the newsletter. We look forward to keeping you up to date with our new releases, author appearances, and other cool stuff!
Again, thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting your local and independent artists. We're both humbled and incredibly gratified by the positive responses we got!
*This post originally appeared on the Talaria Press website. You should check it out for more cool stuff!
March 27, 2012
What's Going On This Weekend?
Hey, folks. I just wanted to pass along a couple of links about this weekend's activities. My Talaria Press compatriots and I will be appearing at Emerald City ComiCon and there are lots of great things in store. Come on down and see us if you're in the area. We'll be in Artist's Alley, Table C-22!
If you are on Twitter, follow us at @TalariaPress as we'll be tweeting frequently throughout the weekend with all the cool haps at the convention.
Here are postings on the Talaria Press website with details of what you can expect:
Founder's Anthology Free Download Weekend
Talaria & Operation Paperback Book Drive
March 20, 2012
Happy Birthday to ME!
That's right, tomorrow, March 21st, is my birthday, but I'm giving you guys the present this year! Tomorrow, you can download my first novel, Akhet, for your Kindle for the low, low, low price of… FREE!
March 17, 2012
Talaria Press Complete Library Giveaway
We're giving away a complete set of our Talaria Press books! WOOHOO!
March 14, 2012
Shelfari Review
A nice 4-star review of Akhet was posted on Shelfari earlier today.
March 10, 2012
A Game of Thrones
My husband and I just finished a marathon of Season One of HBO's impeccable adaptation of George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones. We were literally up until 4am this morning, watching all ten episodes and would've probably powered through ten more if there'd been additional episodes!
I read the book A Game of Thrones (A Song of Fire & Ice, Book 1) about a year ago now and I absolutely loved it. The characters and the intrigue presented in the novel were so lush and amazing that I didn't want to put it down. That translated so perfectly to the screen I was astounded.
The casting was spot-on. Peter Dinklage, in particular, is a standout to me as Tyrion Lannister. Tyrion was my undisputed favorite character in the book (with Arya Stark as my second favorite and her father Eddard close behind) and Peter knocked his performance out of the park!
Sean Bean was a fantastic choice for Lord Stark. I was highly pleased to see that not only had he kept his Lord of the Rings sword skills, but he seems to have improved on them.
Lena Headey was beautifully evil as Cercei and the casting of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as the handsome but wicked Jaime Lannister was a coup as well. Sophie Turner turned in a great performance as Sansa, maintaining the level of foolish naivete that had me wanting to crawl into the book and smack the crap out of her in the novel. And then there was young Jack Gleeson who was perfectly horrible (in a good way, in terms of acting) as Joffrey.
I could easily go on about the book and the series for hours, and there will, no doubt, be some lively discussions in the Reasby household… particularly as my husband has okay'd us picking up books two and three for our kindles to hold us over until the next season comes out on dvd!
HBO has another winner on its hands and I can't wait to see what happens next!
March 5, 2012
Anthology Question
I expect to have the first draft of my Red Riding Hood story completed by the end of this week, or the beginning of next. As I need one or two more fairy tales to adapt for an anthology I'm contributing to, which ones would you like to see me tackle next?
Cinderella (aka, the Little Cinder Girl)
Rapunzel
Sleeping Beauty
Puss in Boots
The Snow Queen
