David Sloma's Blog, page 13
August 6, 2016
Tips for being a writer
From time to time I get asked for writing advice; I’m sure every writer who’s been doing it professionally for more than a few years does.
Read and follow Heinlein’s Rules. Not as easy as they seem! Check out the book about them by Dean Wesley Smith and read his blog, too.
Also, read Hugh Howey’s blog and in particular this post “So You Want to be a Writer…”
Stephen King’s book On Writing is another good resource of information and inspiration.
I think a lot of what these folks say is good advice, and I follow most of it.
July 15, 2016
Christmas in July Promo
There’s over 80 titles on sale. Yes, one of mine, too! Sale runs until July 17, only: http://stacyclaflin.com/promo/
July 1, 2016
Wormwood: D.U.M.B.s (Deep Underground Military Bases) – Book 5 Published
The prophecies call the returning planet “Wormwood” and it’s making an orbit near Earth after thousands of years, trailing asteroids that will cause mass destruction. A secret military group prepares to launch a counterstrike to avert the catastrophe in space before it reaches Earth. Meanwhile, an ancient alien threat comes back to life deep below the Earth’s surface, deeper than even the deepest D.U.M.B.s. This is Book 5 in the continuing series, so be sure to start with Book 1: Greyland
Wormwood: D.U.M.B.s (Deep Underground Military Bases) – Book 5 by David Sloma.
Release date: June 30, 2016.
Ebook live now (paperback coming soon):
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/wormwood-d-u-m-b-s-deep-underground-military-bases-book-5
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/611686
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/wormwood-d.u.m.b.s-deep-underground/id1080195111?mt=11
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wormwood-david-sloma/1123637060?ean=2940152794038
June 21, 2016
Lewis Vella’s Change of Cosmic Address
Lewis Vella’s Change of Cosmic Address
By David Sloma
June 21, 2016
I just found out that Lewis Vella died. Over two years later.
I was just thinking about him the other day. Now, I find that he’s another local writer who died suddenly at a young age, another friend passed on.
I prefer to say Lewis has passed on, or changed his cosmic address…those terms seem more fitting for his artistic soul, and I don’t think it’s the end when our soul departs from this plane, anyway.
The terms we use to describe what has happened to him are not that important. A friend, and an inspiration has moved on from this life, leaving us missing him. It was a shock to me to learn he was gone.
I’m glad that some of his family and friends have left messages on his on Facebook page (which is how I found out), talking about their memories of him, and even still wishing him a happy birthday years after he’s gone—some of them are even now departed themselves, like Nik Beat. If that’s not love, and missing someone, I don’t know what is!
Here’s something of my memory of him.
I saw an orange VW bus the other evening parked in downtown Toronto while walking with a friend, enjoying the warm June weather, and it made me think of Lewis Vella. I wondered if it was his bus. I had lost touch with him over the last couple of years, and he had often crossed my mind, certainly every time I saw a similar bus.
I had remarked to my friend that the VW looked like one a writer I knew had, and I recounted how Lewis would sell his own books out of his camper at the side of the street. That we were walking around some of the neighbourhoods that Lewis used to frequent made his memory in my mind even more vivid.
I hoped that I would run into Lewis again now that the summer weather was here; a good time for sitting in the VW with the door open, his books on display, talking to who might pass by and dispensing his unique perspectives on life that were like medicine for a world gone insane in many ways.
I first met Lewis in the Annex many years back, when he was sitting in his VW parked by the side of Bloor Street outside Lee’s Palace. I was intrigued by this character and his books, and by his spirit. I got the feeling of artistic and life freedom from him, this unique soul in his bus with his books, going where the winds of inspiration would take him next, then writing it down for us to ponder later.
I got some of his books and enjoyed them (Mutant Migrant is a favourite, and with a title like that you can’t go wrong!), and it was a great thing to be able to buy them right from the author in his bus and get them signed! Where does that happen? Back then, as an aspiring writer myself looking for a way to get published, Lewis was a revelation and an inspiration. We had interesting conversations, both on the bus and in local cafes, about writing and everything under the sun.
I listened to his tales about how he had left the advertising world behind because his heart was no longer in it, to live his life on his own terms and to be a writer. That he self-published and sold his work himself sent a clear message to me that there was another way to artistic fulfillment than begging on the doorsteps of the traditional publishing industry with my manuscripts in hand, hoping to win their lottery.
I admired his freedom, attained by following his own path and having control over how his writing was published and distributed. Nowadays, self-publishing is not nearly the dirty word it was back then, but back then he was one of the few writers I had met who had the guts to put out their own work. It was also way before the rise of ebooks and the Internet sites to sell them on, so then it was either go the traditional publishing route (and hope) or do-it-yourself and spend the money to do so; it was not easy.
But here was someone self-publishing and making a go of it! It was possible! And right in front of my eyes. In short order I began self-publishing my own writing, placing it for sale in local bookstores (it sold!), and inspired by Lewis, no doubt, even taking a spin at selling my books on the street—and I even sold some there, too! (I’ve yet to get a VW bus, but you never know…)
Lewis Vella was one-of-a-kind in the best sense. He had wisdom about life and art that was gained by hard experience. He shared that wisdom freely when you asked for it. His thoughts will live on in his writing, and I’m glad we have his art.
Thank you, Lewis, for being an inspiration and a friend. I wish I could have seen you again and spent more time talking with you. I guess I’ll see you around, eh? Because we’re still in this big, wild, universe together, whatever form we’re in…so I’m sure I’ll see you again. Maybe you’ll even get to read my writing. Tell me what you think? Do you like what those writers Forrest Ackerman and Phil Dick are doing, sending messages from the Other Side? Maybe you’ll do the same one day? (See the books An Atheist In Heaven, and Philip K. Dick: The Dream Connection.)
Perhaps it’s fitting that I found out about Lewis’s change of cosmic address today, one day after the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, as now the days are getting shorter again, and we are going back into the dark time of the year. But when I thought of Lewis the other evening, after spotting that orange VW bus, the days were still growing longer and filling with more and more light—I’d like to remember him that way.
I was blessed to have met Lewis and to have read his books, bought right from him and autographed in his bus. You can still read his work and be blessed too, by his wit, insight, life-lessons, and heart.
For the last few years whenever I’ve seen an orange VW bus I’ve thought of Lewis Vella, and I know I’ll continue to do so.
Goodbye Lewis, see you around.
-David Sloma
June 20, 2016
The Science Fiction Summer Shorts Bundle
I’ve got a story in this great new bundle. Get it while it lasts!
On sale June 21st to July 5th, 2016: https://bundlerabbit.com/science-fiction-shorts
June 3, 2016
Over 100 FREE Science Fiction and Fantasy ebooks – June 4 and 5, 2016
Get some free Science Fiction and Fantasy ebooks on June 4 and 5, 2016. Go to: http://pattyjansen.com/promo/
June 1, 2016
EARTH PLAN Published
Click for LARGE version and see the great details! Art by Tania Marie.
EARTH PLAN by David Sloma
An epic tale of the battle between good and evil, ranging from Earth’s distant past to the far reaches of the future in other galaxies. The Dark One’s servants, the Greys, have been tampering with human DNA since dinosaurs walked the Earth. But the Watchers, with their human Guild, are fighting back, and they’ve got powerful allies who have installed an energy barrier around Earth to keep the evil -and the battle- contained. If the Dark One pevails, all life on Earth could perish.
The pieces have been put into place for the Dark One’s takeover of Earth, centuries from now, as in the vast universe, eons for the god-like beings are like the blink of an eye.
But there are other probe ships visiting the early Earth, those sent by benevolent beings who watch over the universe and help its development. These are the Watchers, energy-based, highly-developed spirits of light who send their robot-staffed ships to Earth to sample and catalog the life forms there, but not to harm; only EARTH PLAN is an epic science-fiction/fantasy novel of over 100,000 words, unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. Take the ride!
It features a wonderful custom-cover illustration by Tania Marie (www.taniamarie.com) with lots of incredible details, just click the cover image to see a larger version! The creation of the cover is a story in itself! Read about it here: https://taniamarieartist.wordpress.com/2016/03/05/earth-plan-by-david-sloma-a-story-of-perfect-timing-co-creation/
Release date: June 2, 2016 for Amazon and Kindle Unlimited, going wide to the other ebook stores in September. A paperback edition will also be available from Amazon, and signed editions will be available directly from me.
The Kindle ebook is available on Amazon now! http://amzn.to/1Twtwv4
(Kindle ebooks can be read on most any device with the free Kindle reader software from Amazon.)
May 6, 2016
150 Novel Mega-promo May 7 & 8, 2016
The weather is getting warmer here, and it’s time for some hot ebook deals! Stock up now for summer!
My novel Greyland: D.U.M.B.s (Deep Underground Military Bases) – Book 1 is part of a mega-promo going on May 7 and 8, 2016. You can get Greyland and about 150 other novels for only $0.99 each!
To buy Greyland on Amazon, please use this link as it contains my affiliate code (there are no codes used on the promo page): http://amzn.to/1IUmZTw
To go to the promo page with all the other ebooks on sale: http://pattyjansen.com/promo/
May 1, 2016
Book Bundles
I have two different books in a couple of bundles running now. Get these great deals while they last!
The Science Fiction May Day Bundle is on sale May 1 to May 14, 2016. You can get up to $52 worth of great science fiction for only $9! But only while the bundle lasts. Get it at: https://bundlerabbit.com/scifi-may-day
The Chills, Thrills and Spills Bundle $62 worth of Paranormal, horror and unsettling fiction for only $12. Available from May 1st to May 21st, 2016. Get it at: https://bundlerabbit.com/chills-thrills-and-spills
April 1, 2016
My Public Speaking in Front of Millions on the Radio! Coast To Coast AM March 27, 2016
I’ve heard that public speaking is the biggest fear of many people. It does make me a bit nervous too, but I’ve been getting over it by putting myself out there in front of millions of people, live on the air! I’ve done radio interviews about my books in the past, but the other day I called into the talk show Coast To Coast AM that has millions of listeners–and I got on the air!
Coast To Coast AM (or Coast, or just C2C), is the largest overnight talk show in its time slot. It deals with paranormal subjects and the unexplained, “things that go bump in the night”, reaching hundreds of affiliate stations (600 and more) from its home base in L.A., and also the world via online streaming. The number of listeners is into the multiple millions. So, when you call into this show, and you are able to get on the air, the heart starts racing and the adrenaline begins to flow!
C2C was started in 1984 by Art Bell, broadcasting to the world live from his home studio in a small town in the Nevada desert, not all that far from Area 51. Art’s show was the first I had ever known to discuss topics like aliens, UFOs, Bigfoot, ghosts, spirituality, prophesies, astral projection, secret military bases, remote viewing, life after death, bottomless holes in the Earth, and all sorts of other strange and wonderful things!
He was carrying on the tradition of a small number of talk radio hosts of the past who dealt with such subjects (though they were few and unknown to me at the time), but he took the subjects and the medium much further in his masterful style. Not only was he a pioneer in the use of technology in having his home studio, but his show was one of the first with a Web site, and it was often updated with pictures and links from guests and listeners while he was on the air. Sometimes his site even had a live video feed of him in his studio! Also, he had audio steaming when most had never heard of that, never mind video streaming!
The “Art” of talk – Art Bell, the radio host master in his home studio.
The reason I called into C2C late at night on March 27, 2016 was to ask the guest a couple of questions. He was Tom DeLonge of the bands Blink 182 and Angels and Airwaves, being interview by the esteemed George Knapp. Tom’s new projects involve books and movies, both fiction and non-fiction on the subjects of aliens, UFOs, and secret high-technology. Once I heard what he was talking about I knew I had to call in, as my novel series on D.U.M.B.s (Deep Underground Military Bases, Book 1 Greyland, Book 2 Oceandeep, Book 3 Rescueplan, and Book 4 Moonbase – more coming soon) touches on a lot of the same factual information Tom was mentioning. I weave the information that has been made public about these topics into a fictional story that goes off in new directions, producing novels that might not be all that fictional…
I had to wait on hold for nearly an hour to have my call taken on the air. This wasn’t so bad, as I was listening to the show on my phone. I had to shut my radio off as it was getting picked up in the background, the caller screener told me. Also, live radio is on a delay of several seconds to give a safety buffer in case anyone needs to get bleeped for swearing or saying something that shouldn’t go out over the air. I would have turned my radio off as soon as my call was on air, but since they had the show coming through my phone there was no need to keep it on. It’s safer that way, as the last thing you want to hear while on C2C is to “turn your radio off!”, as Art often had to scold callers.
I was the last caller on the show, and Tom gave some of the most interesting answers to my questions! You can hear the entire show at this link, and I appear at the 2:34:34 time mark: https://youtu.be/vkQHSO-T9hk
My D.U.M.B.s series on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback: http://amzn.to/1IUmZTw
The ebook direct from me via Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/wls
Also on iTunes, Google Play, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and many more.
Book 5 in the D.U.M.B.s series is now on pre-order in most online bookstores.
Sign up to my Reader’s List and get informed about discounts on new books: http://eepurl.com/PH44z
