Patrick Rutigliano's Blog, page 21
October 10, 2013
The Wind Raider
I was fortunate enough to proofread the first book in Richard Finney's new series. As per usual, Mr. Finney does very good work. I recommend you all check The Wind Raider out when it's released. Heck, I'll even provide a link for you when it does.
Additionally, there is likely some very big news on the horizon which I look forward to sharing with you all soon. Seems one of my oldest and dearest creations may have found herself a home. I'll spill the beans once all the paperwork is cleared.
Additionally, there is likely some very big news on the horizon which I look forward to sharing with you all soon. Seems one of my oldest and dearest creations may have found herself a home. I'll spill the beans once all the paperwork is cleared.
September 5, 2013
Daryl Handy Is LIVE!
As you can see, links to the Untimely Deaths of Daryl Handy are now up on the list of links to the right. The book is up on Kindle and Nook right now, but it should be live on Kobo very soon. I'll include the link ASAP for your convenience. Happy reading to you all, and many thanks to anyone who picks up a copy and/or spreads the links around!
September 3, 2013
Some Bonus News
The Untimely Deaths of Daryl Handy will be out this THURSDAY!
It's been a crazy journey getting that book ready, but I am very pleased with how it turned out. I'll be posting the Amazon, B&N, and Kobo links as they come up.
Furthermore, Bestiary has already gone through its paces with the editrix and now is just waiting for me to scrape together the funds for a cover. That may take awhile as cash is always in short supply around here, but I will likely end up serializing the novella the same way I did with Daryl Handy.
In more unfortunate news, my novel has fallen on hard times. Due to some internal issues regarding the publisher I subbed it to, the whole submission process is starting again from scratch. Given a choice between withdrawing and waiting another five months, I've decided that I will almost certainly be withdrawing the book and releasing it independently. The good news is that the novel was already professionally edited and blurbed before I ever sent it out. So again, a cover would be enough to finish the job.
Needless to say, expect to see a lot more of my work over the next twelve months.
It's been a crazy journey getting that book ready, but I am very pleased with how it turned out. I'll be posting the Amazon, B&N, and Kobo links as they come up.
Furthermore, Bestiary has already gone through its paces with the editrix and now is just waiting for me to scrape together the funds for a cover. That may take awhile as cash is always in short supply around here, but I will likely end up serializing the novella the same way I did with Daryl Handy.
In more unfortunate news, my novel has fallen on hard times. Due to some internal issues regarding the publisher I subbed it to, the whole submission process is starting again from scratch. Given a choice between withdrawing and waiting another five months, I've decided that I will almost certainly be withdrawing the book and releasing it independently. The good news is that the novel was already professionally edited and blurbed before I ever sent it out. So again, a cover would be enough to finish the job.
Needless to say, expect to see a lot more of my work over the next twelve months.
August 27, 2013
Going Indie--Why and How
With my first independently published book creeping ever closer to the digital bookstore, I figured I'd address a few things.
Like why I decided to do it.
I've been writing professionally for awhile now (since 2007). Since then, I've managed to place my work with some quality publishers (i.e. Shroud Magazine and Permuted Press), and generally, the people I've encountered in the industry are a pretty awesome bunch. I placed my first full-length work with an up and coming publisher in 2010. Things were looking pretty good.
Then, to drag out an overused saying, shit happened.
The person heading the press ran into a number of personal problems right around the time of my book's release. As the issues got worse, his ability to run the operation quickly eroded, and before long, my book was dead in the water. No advertising/marketing muscle put into selling it. No effort to send the book to review sites. No publicity. Nada.
Now, I am really not blaming the guy. Because, well, shit happens, and one man can only do so much and handle so much before something has to give. That said, I knew then as I know now that the one person who wouldn't let my book be that "something" was me. But then, I was a writer. What the hell did I know about production or promotion? Soon, many of the small publishers I knew had closed their doors. The large publishers remained virtually untouchable without name recognition or an agent. Increasingly uncomfortable with the small press, I started putting all my work in the trunk.
While I was out of the game, I watched more and more of the writers (and publishers) in my circle slowly shift their attention to ebooks. I couldn't help but pay attention. Several of them were showing some pretty good numbers. A few people in my circle were even making a full-time job out of it and getting by. And they had control, real control, over what happened to their books.
I studied. As it turns out, ebook production isn't as hard as it looks. What it comes down to is editing, formatting, and cover art. I taught myself how to format my work (with a little extra tutelage from a friend and beta reader of mine). In the end, it turned out to be more tedious than difficult. One down. The other two weren't so easy. Editing and cover art frequently make or break a book. Half-assing is not allowed. I didn't (and don't) have a lot of money to spend. But I did know people. And I knew how to shop. When all was said and done, my expenses ran between $150.00 and $200.00. Not easy on my wallet, but hardly a monstrous bill by any means. And I was getting top-tier talent for what I spent.
While waiting on the people I'd hired, I researched and accumulated a list of review sites, in addition to ones that offered free promotions. I joined Twitter, made new pages, and started putting my new book online to drum up interest before its release. All things my old publisher never even suggested.
I can't say with certainty my first indie book will be a success. The market is incredibly fickle and there's a lot of competition from other people, just like me, who decided to take the reigns. But at least I'll be able to say that yes, my book is out there, and I tried my damnedest to give it the shot it deserved. And I'm still searching for new ways to do that even now.
Like why I decided to do it.
I've been writing professionally for awhile now (since 2007). Since then, I've managed to place my work with some quality publishers (i.e. Shroud Magazine and Permuted Press), and generally, the people I've encountered in the industry are a pretty awesome bunch. I placed my first full-length work with an up and coming publisher in 2010. Things were looking pretty good.
Then, to drag out an overused saying, shit happened.
The person heading the press ran into a number of personal problems right around the time of my book's release. As the issues got worse, his ability to run the operation quickly eroded, and before long, my book was dead in the water. No advertising/marketing muscle put into selling it. No effort to send the book to review sites. No publicity. Nada.
Now, I am really not blaming the guy. Because, well, shit happens, and one man can only do so much and handle so much before something has to give. That said, I knew then as I know now that the one person who wouldn't let my book be that "something" was me. But then, I was a writer. What the hell did I know about production or promotion? Soon, many of the small publishers I knew had closed their doors. The large publishers remained virtually untouchable without name recognition or an agent. Increasingly uncomfortable with the small press, I started putting all my work in the trunk.
While I was out of the game, I watched more and more of the writers (and publishers) in my circle slowly shift their attention to ebooks. I couldn't help but pay attention. Several of them were showing some pretty good numbers. A few people in my circle were even making a full-time job out of it and getting by. And they had control, real control, over what happened to their books.
I studied. As it turns out, ebook production isn't as hard as it looks. What it comes down to is editing, formatting, and cover art. I taught myself how to format my work (with a little extra tutelage from a friend and beta reader of mine). In the end, it turned out to be more tedious than difficult. One down. The other two weren't so easy. Editing and cover art frequently make or break a book. Half-assing is not allowed. I didn't (and don't) have a lot of money to spend. But I did know people. And I knew how to shop. When all was said and done, my expenses ran between $150.00 and $200.00. Not easy on my wallet, but hardly a monstrous bill by any means. And I was getting top-tier talent for what I spent.
While waiting on the people I'd hired, I researched and accumulated a list of review sites, in addition to ones that offered free promotions. I joined Twitter, made new pages, and started putting my new book online to drum up interest before its release. All things my old publisher never even suggested.
I can't say with certainty my first indie book will be a success. The market is incredibly fickle and there's a lot of competition from other people, just like me, who decided to take the reigns. But at least I'll be able to say that yes, my book is out there, and I tried my damnedest to give it the shot it deserved. And I'm still searching for new ways to do that even now.
August 6, 2013
Updates!
This blog was long overdue for an overhaul. New links have been added to the sidebar and whole defunct sections removed. Additionally, I have added a separate page for my forthcoming novella, "The Untimely Deaths of Daryl Handy." I will be posting a number of chapters for free in the coming weeks prior to its release. In the meantime, feel free to check out the (tentative) description and the book's first two blurbs.
July 28, 2013
Another Happy Client
I'm pleased to announce that I've had the pleasure of reading/proofreading THE Dave Dunwoody's latest novel. And man, is this one a corker. I have no idea as to the release date, but I highly recommend checking out Dave's other books in the meantime. The guy's a fantastic writer.
Dave's Amazon Author Page
Meanwhile, production on my first self-published novella is rolling along. The formatting is done and the blurb authors lined up. I've also commissioned a really awesome cover artist for the job at hand. In fact, I suspect a number of you small press fans have seen the man's work already...
Dave's Amazon Author Page
Meanwhile, production on my first self-published novella is rolling along. The formatting is done and the blurb authors lined up. I've also commissioned a really awesome cover artist for the job at hand. In fact, I suspect a number of you small press fans have seen the man's work already...
June 28, 2013
A Few Kind Words From My First Client (Richard Finney)
"...anyone who has a story or novel that is ready for the work of a professional proofer...or if your work needs an editor...Patrick is your man! He's going to be working on my next project which I believe is always the best endorsement...but perhaps the best endorsement is this--I felt that Patrick was working on my writing as if it would be his name on the cover...that it would be his embarrassment if the story didn't read in a professional way. Hard to find people like that...and Patrick Rutigliano is one of those kind of people. We all know published writing is a team effort...well, I'm glad to have Patrick on my team!"
June 27, 2013
The First of Many
Hey there!
It's been rather awhile, hasn't it? Sorry about that. I've been busy at work on a number of things, one of which has just been released by the awesome Richard Finney!
Black Mariah: A Calling
Richard was a true pleasure to work with and the book was one hell of a fun read.
Now, as to the future of this blog, I have a few plans.
First, I am going to be doing some reformatting and using The Third Eye Opened as a bit of a showcase and advertising tool for the books I've worked on in addition to the ones I write.
Second, I am gong to start updating a fair bit more often than I have been, possibly weighing in on certain publishing/writing issues along the way.
Oh yeah, and you can expect two new books from me by the end of the year. Just so you know.
It's been rather awhile, hasn't it? Sorry about that. I've been busy at work on a number of things, one of which has just been released by the awesome Richard Finney!
Black Mariah: A Calling
Richard was a true pleasure to work with and the book was one hell of a fun read.
Now, as to the future of this blog, I have a few plans.
First, I am going to be doing some reformatting and using The Third Eye Opened as a bit of a showcase and advertising tool for the books I've worked on in addition to the ones I write.
Second, I am gong to start updating a fair bit more often than I have been, possibly weighing in on certain publishing/writing issues along the way.
Oh yeah, and you can expect two new books from me by the end of the year. Just so you know.
May 7, 2013
Proofreading Services
Hey folks,
I just wanted to let all you writers/publishers/editors out there know that I am now offering proofreading services. If any of you are interested, you can drop me a line at prutigli@gmail.com with an offer and we can negotiate from there.
I just wanted to let all you writers/publishers/editors out there know that I am now offering proofreading services. If any of you are interested, you can drop me a line at prutigli@gmail.com with an offer and we can negotiate from there.
April 3, 2013
Interview Tag!
Greetings, gentle readers!
It’s been a busy, busy few months preparing Surviving the Crash for submission and working with beta readers on some new projects. However, when fellow writer, Doug Murano, requested my participation in a little online chain interview, how could I say no?
Oh, and you can find Doug here: http://muranofiction.blogspot.com/
What are you working on right now?
I just subbed out my first novel, Surviving the Crash.
How does it differ from other works in its genre?
Well, the time period is unique for one. The book is set in the aftermath of the stock market crash of 1929. The story is also different from the classic pulp tales I drew inspiration from as I relished twisting around a lot of the stereotypes present in those tales. And while an apocalypse has occurred, there are no zombies in sight.
What experiences have influenced you?
Reading H.P. Lovecraft’s stories in college made me interested in taking up writing. People can badmouth his prose style as much as they want, but few creators can match the scope of his vision. As to more practical matters, the blue-collar jobs I’ve held have been very informative in creating characters and writing dialogue.
Why do you write what you do?
I’ve loved horror since a tender age and that affection has only grown as I’ve gotten older. The genre is very therapeutic for the imagination. You can bend reality and do all the crazy things you can’t include in stories set in a normal world.
How does your writing process work?
Usually, an idea just slaps me upside the head. I start brooding over it, making a kind of mental outline. After that, I write a minimum number of words per day until the rough draft is finished. Then, the copious self-editing and beta reader work begins.
What is the hardest part about writing?
Probably the uncertainty that comes with it. It’s always tough pouring your heart into a story and having no idea if readers or publishers will connect with your work. I’ve also always found going through peer and professional edits a hair-pulling (but necessary) process.
What would you like to try as a writer that you haven't yet?
I think I’d like to try writing a screenplay at some point. I love movies and we are in dire need of some good ones right now, especially genre films.
Who are the authors you most admire?
Clive Barker (my favorite), Robert E. Howard, H.P. Lovecraft, Joe Hill, and Rod Serling. I’m also getting into Nate Kenyon and Rick Hautala.
Who are new authors to watch out for?
D.L. Snell, Richard Finney, and Dave Dunwoody are all relatively new and extremely talented.
What scares you?
Not much, but there are a few things. I think everyone finds the thought of eventually losing their loved ones extremely distressing. As to more unique issues, I hate extreme heights (flying is intensely nerve-wracking for me), and the prospect of being in a situation where I can’t move/care for myself.
Well, enough about me. Go check out these fellow writers a week from now and see what they have to say:
Kody Boye William Todd Rose
Ben Eads
