Bennett R. Coles's Blog, page 2
May 20, 2015
Rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated...
Date: May 19, 2015
It's been a long time since my last article - nearly two years, according to my own blog's reckoning. Well, a lot of neat stuff has happened to this little author in those two years. That is, if signing a three-book deal with a major publisher, quitting my day job to become a professional author and joining the battle for the future of publishing can be considered "a lot".
First off, the book deal. Shortly after I saw my second novel published by Promontory Press, it so happened that one of the biggest names in fantasy, Steven Erikson, wandered into a high-end bookstore looking for a good SF read. He saw my first novel, noted it was an award winner, and picked it up. He loved it, promptly bought Book II, loved it, and then Facebooked me out of the blue. As we happened to live in the same city, he wondered if I had time for a coffee.
Um, yeah... I have time for Steven Erikson.
So we meet, hit it off, get chatting about books, writing, life, the universe and everything, and he winds up introducing me to his agent. This leads to a lovely little bidding war in New York for the rights to my books, and I eventually signed a three-book deal with the awesome Titan Books of London.
My first book, Virtues of War, is being re-published by Titan (and distributed in North America by Random House) on 30 June 2015. Book II, with the great new name Ghosts of War, is following in March 2016. Book III, March of War, is coming in January of 2017. It's all very fun and exciting stuff.
I was able to quit my day job - the dream of every author - but I did so not only to focus more on the writing. I was also able to turn my attention to growing what had been up until then more or less a hobby into a full-fledged business: my own publishing company Promontory Press. Still thinking very much as an author, I've built Promontory with authors in mind, even though we still publish, distribute and sell through the established, traditional channels. The publishing world is ripe for change, as the Establishment is threatened on all sides by ebooks, Amazon, self-publishing, POD and a general, growing awareness by authors that they have options. Not that I think the Wild West of self-publishing is the answer - not unless some serious quality controls can be universally enforced - but without doubt the times they are a-changing. And I believe in being right there at the leading edge.
I promise to not go another two years before blogging again. And something tells me there is going to be an awful lot to talk about moving forward.
June 8, 2013
Star Wars: The Next Generation
Date: June 8, 2013
No, that isn’t a typo. I’m aware of all the hype flying around about that other vintage sci fi series and its hot-shot new movie, but right now I couldn’t care less. Why? Because I just enjoyed one of the wonderful little moments that we fathers born in the early seventies can cherish: I just sat down and watched the original Star Wars (Episode IV) with my young son for the first time.
To read more, please visit Life as a Human.
May 21, 2013
Morality in War
Date: October 4, 2012
What moral obligation do soldiers have in war? This is a tricky question, and one which I considered more than once during my fifteen years in uniform. There are many perspectives, and some can be equally valid even when they diametrically oppose one another. But is there a single, undeniable answer that applies to all? Is there a fundamental truth behind the morality of war?
To read more, please visit Life as a Human.
Earthquake "Gang of Seven" Get Six Years
Date: October 24, 2012
I am stunned. I learned of some news yesterday and it’s taken this long to even be able to put my thoughts down in coherent sentences. Here’s the news: a group of Italian scientists were put on trial for not correctly predicting a 2009 earthquake that killed 309 people. Yesterday they were found guilty. And what were they convicted of? Manslaughter.
To read more please visit Life as a Human.
Remembering what's important on Remembrance Day
Date: November 11, 2012
Today is November 11th, which is Remembrance Day in Canada, the day we take time to remember the men and women who served in the Canadian military in the past and those who serve today. The focus is generally on remembering the sacrifices they made, as it should be.
As a veteran of 15 years myself, at the parade and service today I actually spent some time remembering something else. I stood there in the cold and the light rain, trying to still my fidgety 3-year-old who was more interested in picking at the wreaths lined up next to us than listen to the prayers and poems. He certainly took my focus away from where it "should" have been, but I really didn't mind. Because by spending that extra time with my son I was able to remember something just as important on Remembrance Day: what we have today.
I have a wife and two children whom I love. I have a house that keeps me warm and dry, a job that puts food on the table, a car to get me around in bad weather, and friends who support me. When I was overseas in uniform I sometimes had none of these things, although the cold and the rain were always eager to show up. I remember Christmas Eve in the Golan Heights, standing watch as a UN Peacekeeper, hoping that on that frigid night, of all nights, the Israelis and Syrians would not take shots at each other and thus my Norwegian OP mate and I could stay safely in our hut.
The men and women who made such sacrifices for us did so in order that we could have the safe and comfortable lives we enjoy. The petty concerns we wrestle with are, for the most part, insignificant compared to what many veterans endured and - just as important - what many civilians in troubles countries even today endure. We have it good, and that is something I took time to remember today.
We remember. Lest we forget.
I've finished my new novel! Or have I...?
Date: November 25, 2012
The End.
Ahh… how satisfying; how fulfilling; how triumphant! I’ve just finished my book. This isn’t a theoretical scenario – my name is Bennett R. Coles and I just recently finished writing my latest novel Casualties of War. Or, to be more specific, I just finished getting the whole story down on the page. And this is what I want to talk about today. It’s a very common error that first-time authors make: thinking you’ve finished your book when in fact what you’ve done is finish the first draft.
To read more, please visit Life as a Human.
How to make a New Year's Resolution and keep it!
Date: December 31, 2012
New Year’s Resolutions. How many have we made and how many have we broken? If you’re anything like me, it’s a sad, sorry tale over the years. But last year I set out to actually keep my New Year’s Resolutions, and 365 days later I’m happy to report success. What was different this past year? Just a few simple things that I’d like to share just in case anyone else out there is gearing up for the idea that 2013 is going be different...
To read more, please visit Life as a Human.
New Year's Resolution #2: Losing Weight and Getting Healthy
Date: January 7, 2013
My New Year’s Resolution in 2013 is to lose weight.
Great – now what?
In my previous article I talked about the importance of setting a goal for your resolution which is both clear and realistic. In my case I said that I wanted to lose 25 pounds (just over 11 kilos) in 2012. In addition I described how successful it was when I set monthly milestones to keep track of my progress on a regular basis.
To read more, please visit Life as a Human.
New Year's Resolution #3 - Healthy mind and spirit
Date: January 19, 2013
New Year’s Resolutions are most often made to improve one’s physical health. But our bodies aren’t all that needs to be healthy; especially in this busy, bustling, modern world we need to take care of the rest of ourselves. One section of my 2012 New Year’s Resolutions was to do with another kind of health from the physical. Some might call it emotional health, or mental health, or spiritual health – it’s all of these things, and I just referred to it casually as my Morale. In this article I’d like to offer some advice to anyone who wants to improve their quality of life in 2013.
To read more, please visit Life as a Human.
New Year's Resolution #4 - The end of January shouldn't be The End
Date: January 26, 2013
It’s the end of January. Most New Year’s Resolutions are forgotten, abandoned or causing a great deal of angst. But they can succeed, and you will feel so awesome with the sense of accomplishment that comes. In this final article I’d like to share a few nuggets of wisdom I gained in 2012.
To read more, please visit Life as a Human.
