R.B. Wood's Blog, page 31
June 24, 2012
Future of the Word Count
My podcast, The Word Count has been running for a year and a half at this point.
The show was originally conceived as a show for writers were I’d chat with industry professionals and chat about all aspect of the business.
Episode three of the show became something different, which I’ve run with ever since. It was the first holiday special and I asked for ‘scary stories’ from writers to place in the show.
The reaction was overwhelming. Writers, creating original short stories and recording said stories for the show. All free, all for the listeners.
There have been over 5,000 download for the show ever since this new direction.
But lately I’m noticing a drop-off of downloads as well as submissions. Other than a few diehards (Eden Baylee, Matthew Munson and Bill Kirton to name a few), the interest in this free ‘cast seems to have moved on.
So the question of the day is this. Is it time to retire the show, change the format, add a cohost or what?
I’ve ALWAYS maintained that the cast would be free with no adds. Ever. I’ve had two companies reach out to me to incorporate The Word Count into their cadre of programming. But the terms were never acceptable.
It’s not a money-thing. It’s a sell-out issue. And I won’t do it.
So what do you thing the next phase should be? Stay the same, Change or Close the Show down?
Comment below.
Peace
June 6, 2012
On the passing of Ray Bradbury
No question the passing of Ray Bradbury is a loss for the literary world.
There will be many-a-tome written in the next few days, weeks, even years about the marvelous works of the man described as “the writer most responsible for bringing modern science fiction into the literary mainstream”
To me, he was one of a handful of world-builders who breathed life in my desire to be an author.
The funny thing is, my introduction to Bradbury was via the somewhat cheesy television mini series The Martian Chronicles I saw back when it debuted in 1980.
Of course when I was a kid, I thought it was amazingly awesome. And I wanted one of those Martian gyro-copters!
But my older brother told me that the books were even better. So I read The Martian Chronicles.
Then I read Something Wicked This Way Comes. Followed by Fahrenheit 451, The Halloween Tree, Dandelion Wine and every short story I could get my hands on.
This lead me to Jules Verne, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke and a boatload of other writers I still read to this day.
My imagination was ignited all those years ago. It still burns bright today.
With any luck, it will burn until the day I turn to ashes.
We’ll miss you, Mr. Bradbury.
Peace
June 3, 2012
The Word Count Podcast Episode 25 is LIVE!
After a much longer wait than I'd anticipated, the next episode of The Word Count is now available for your listening pleasure!
Remember: The show is FREE and always will be...so download this episode and past episodes today! Oh, and tell your friends!
I've noticed since the rerelease of The Prodigal's Foole I've pick up a number of new readers. So indulge me for a second while I explain our game.
The Word Count is a show by writers, for writers and readers. Each show is based on a unique theme selected by readers of this blog, and writers scrambe to put together a short story based on the theme and record it for your listening pleasure.
They do this for the pure joy of the challenge and to entertain folks with thier words.
To find the latest show, or to find past shows, Find them here:
Direct: http://thewordcount.libsyn.com/webpage
iTunes (and remember, iTunes takes their sweet time in posting. If you don't see it yet, keep trying!): http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-word-count/id392550989
The theme for this week's show is: " A scene between you and your favorite fictional character.”
Our guests this week:
BILL KIRTON
Before taking early retirement to become a full-time writer, Bill Kirton was a lecturer in French at the University of Aberdeen. He’s written stage and radio plays, short stories, novels, skits and songs for revues, and five non-fiction books aimed at helping students with their writing and study skills. His five modern crime novels, Material Evidence, Rough Justice, The Darkness, Shadow Selves and Unsafe Acts are set in north east Scotland and his historical crime/romance novel, The Figurehead, is set in Aberdeen in 1840. The Darkness won the silver award in the mystery category of the 2011 Forward National Literature Awards and his spoof mystery, The Sparrow Conundrum, was the winner in the humor category.
He’s had radio plays broadcast by the BBC and the Australian BC. His short stories have appeared in many anthologies, including three of the CWA’s annual collections, and one was chosen by Maxim Jakubowski for his 2010 anthology of Best British Crime Stories.
Writing as Jack Rosse, he’s published a novel for children called The Loch Ewe Mystery.
He’s been a Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow at universities in Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews.
Web: http://bill-kirton.co.uk/
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EDEN BAYLEE
Eden writes erotica incorporating all her favorite things: travel; culture; and sex. She enjoys weaving together stories with edgy themes, and sex is but one way to do it. Her first book, Fall into Winter, a collection of four erotic novellas, is currently available on Smashwords, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other sites located on her website.
She is now working on her follow up anthology entitled Spring into Summer.
Connect with her via her Website, on Twitter, and on Facebook.
MATTHEW MUNSON
Matthew had his debut novel (Fall From Grace) around the same time as RB, and was also very fortunate to be a beta reader on the Prodigal's Foole (which, by the way, is awesome - buy it now!). Matthew is British and lives in a small town you've probably never heard of, but loves it all the same.
Aside from eating his own body weight in chocolate, his hobbies include reading, plotting ways to make a regular enough income from writing, and learning British Sign Language.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/matthewmunsonauthor
Blog: http://vikingbay.blogspot.com/
Website: www.writeordie.co.uk and http://vikingbay.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @mnwjm1981
May 21, 2012
Dark Dealings
DARK DEALINGS
by Karen Victoria Smith
Four Stars
Dark Dealings is the beginning. Be fore-warned as you'll fall for these characters. Hard.
Smith introduces us to the world of Macaela O'Brien, a druid who has turned her back on her legacy. From the opening chapter, we are thrown into a search and rescue, and from there the reader travels around the globe from New York to Brussels, Boston to Ireland. Murder, mayhem and plot twists abound as challenges force Macaela to choose between her old life and new, friends and foes and make sacrifices along the way.
This is an engaging story, well thought-out and plotted. Rich in detail with characters who will resonant with the fans of fantasy, this is good old-fashioned storytelling.
One nit (and there is always one, isn’t there?) is that the beginning was a bit confusing and unfocused. All became clearer shortly thereafter, but I found myself initially confused by all the names thrown at me. Your experience may vary.
All in all, on small critique aside, a marvelous weekend read.
Karen Victoria Smith grew up with an Irish grandmother who tried to teach her the old ways and watched horror movies with her in the dark. KV lives in New Jersey with her family who patiently allow her to believe that in a 24-hour world the monsters are real.
Visit her at Storyteller's Grove, where you can read excerpts of Dark Dealings.
Karen Victoria Smith grew up with an Irish grandmother who tried to teach her the old ways and watched horror movies with her in the dark. KV lives in New Jersey with her family who patiently allow her to believe that in a 24-hour world the monsters are real.
Follow her on Facebook at K. Victoria Smith and on Twitter at @kvictoriasmith
May 6, 2012
Submissions are now OPEN!
The Word Count Podcast Episode 25.
An interesting choice for the next Word Count theme. Based on some of the creepier selections for previous podcasts, I’m please to announce that the readers choice for the next show is:
" A scene between you and your favorite fictional character.”
Submission guidelines below. I’m looking forward to whom we are going to meet!
Submission Guidelines (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
PROMPT: “A scene between you and your favorite fictional character.
GENRE: Any.
DEADLINE: I must receive your submission by MIDNIGHT (Eastern Time) Friday 18th May 2012
THE DETAILS: The work must be an original of yours. It could be a poem, short story, song---anything really as long as you write something based on the stated theme (“A scene between you and your favorite fictional character.”) Do NOT exceed ten minutes. As this is a podcast, I need to receive a file of YOU, a friend or multiple friends reading (singing or otherwise performing) your work. MP3 FORMAT ONLY, and please attach your MP3 file to an e-mail. The e-mail should also contain the following:
Your pen name
Your latest bio
Links to your websites
Your Twitter name (if you have one)
A photo I can use for the show notes
Permission to use your recording in the podcast
At the end of the recording, please add the following: “The is <YOUR NAME> author of <YOUR WORK(s)> and you’re listening to The Word Count Podcast”
Send your file to me@rbwood.com by Friday the 18th of May. You can also e-mail me with questions before hand. I do reserve the right NOT to post your submission, but will communicate that to you should it be the case. I add the ‘Explicit’ tag to the ‘cast, so if your story uses adult themes or language that’s ok—but it should be necessary for the story.
Peace
May 4, 2012
Flame ON!
UPDATE: At 7:07 PM Eastern, the Fighting Gravity troupe posted the following on thier Facebook Page:
"Fighting Gravity
To Leah Peterson and her fans: Disregard the cease and desist letter that was issued by our lawyers. Although imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, some people have taken that too far and we have had to deal with it. By no means is Leah Peterson one of those people, our lawyers were just doing their jobs and trying to protect our name and trademark. We wish the best for Leah and hope her book becomes a great success!"
Tipping my hat to the folks over at FG for doing the right thing and overruling thier lawyers.
Look.
I know here in the United States we are a very litigious society these days. Back when I was a kid, if I slipped and fell in front of the neighbor’s house, my dad would pick me up and say “Watch where you’re going!”
Today, people sue for stupid crap all the time.
“I put hot coffee between my legs while driving and burned my nether region!”
Sue.
“He stood me up for the prom!”
Sue.
Pictured: Attorneys
Where am I going with this? Recently, my dear friend Leah Petersen received a “Cease and Desist” order from lawyers representing a modern performance art troupe called “Fighting Gravity.”
Yes. Fighting Gravity is the title of Leah’s first book.
Apparently, the legal whiz-kids representing the dance group feel that a small press published Science Fiction novel about a brilliant young physicist and the Emperor whom he loves infringes on their trademark.
The interesting thing of course is that there have been past books (and a rock group from the 90’s) with the same title. Since they pre-date the dance troupe, I wonder who is suing who in the background? And by the way, Leah’s book title was announced in 2009, which also pre-dates the Dance Troupe-- who’s own website states their copyrite is 2010.
Now, I’m no attorney…so I’m not an expert or anything, but I would think that logically, a ‘book’ and an ‘entertainment service’ would be different classes entirely (BTW, They are. Entertainment is service class 41 and Printed Matter is 16. But that’s beside the point).
In my very humble opinion, this is a bullying tactic by attorneys of a group that were made famous in part due to the internet. This situation has already begun to go viral as Cory Doctorow has already posted about it on BoingBoing and is an article over at The Passive Voice.
Methinks they are about to find out that the Internet is a double-edged sword.
Peace
Pick up FIGHTING GRAVITY (The "book" not the "dance company") at AMAZON
May 2, 2012
The Word Count Episode 25: Select the theme!
It's been a while since I've put out a podcast, so I thought I'd kick-start the next show by posting a brand new poll to have y'all vote on the next theme for the show!
Off to the LEFT are FIVE choices. Pick your favorite and click 'Vote.' It's that simple.
Vote once a day and I'll announce the winner on the morning of MAY 7th.
Here are this week's potential themes:
A scene between you and your favorite fictional character.
A day in the life of a homeless person.
Your boss at work is blackmailing you…
In a Chinese Restaurant, you open a fortune cookie that says “Your life is in danger…tell no one…”
It was not the birthday gift I was expecting...
I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Peace
April 20, 2012
Re-Launch Day!
Re-Launch Day!
So, after a short break, the first book of The Arcana Chronicles is back on the virtual shelves.
The Prodigal’s Foole has a brand-spankin’ new cover drawn by the talented Kip Ayers. Take a look at some of his other work and you’ll see why I chose this up-and-coming artist.
And next month he’ll begin work on the cover for book two!
But today is for book one, and there are a few goodies for you my fine sinners! To wit:
There is a giveaway (pending approval) of three copies via Goodreads .
I’m hosting a virtual event over on Facebook where the drinks will be flowing all day
Later today, the interview I gave to the wonderful folks The Drunken Mermaid will be posted (in the meantime read the past interviews they’ve done, inclusive of there latest with author Leah Petersen)
SPEAKING of Leah, later this morning my guest post on her site goes live
On Twitter, I’ll be commenting and answering questions via the #THEPRODIGALSFOOLE hash tag
So reach out via twitter, or comments on the site. I’d Love to hear from you!
THE PRODIGAL’S FOOLE ON AMAZON
RAVE REVIEWS FOR THE PRODIGAL'S FOOLE:
“GREAT RIDE! Loved reading it. Couldn't put it down!” —Patricia Tallman, Writer, Stunt Woman and Actress, Babylon 5
“Demons and magic, shotguns and explosions - Great read!” —Steve Umstead, author of The Evan Gabriel Trilogy
“It started with the bang (the first line is absolutely gripping) and ended with fireworks!” —Mercedes M. Yardley, Shock Totem Magazine
“The Prodigal’s Foole is a ripping good action tale.” —Deviant Art Review
“R. B. Wood has filled every inch of his vast canvas with gripping reverses of fortune and a narrative that blends the most disparate elements with great skill and verve.”—Bill Kirton, author of the Jack Carston Series
April 18, 2012
Guest Post: The Meaning of Life and Other Minutia
42.
<Scanning the comments for people who got the reference.>
OK, silliness aside, it’s a good thing to ponder. It’s a thing I doubt anyone will ever NOT ponder. Isn’t that what religion, science, and philosophy have been about for the last however long it’s been since mankind first had a rational thought in its collective head? (Though there remains some doubt as to whether this has truly ever happened or not.)
So it’s not like I’m going to present you with an answer here. But I’ve been musings on the subject recently as the release of my debut novel, FIGHTING GRAVITY got closer and closer.
I was never a terribly ambitious person. I liked life and I was relatively good at it, so I just enjoyed it as it came and didn’t put much thought into why. I had things and people that were important to me, sure. But beyond getting married and having kids, my life goals pretty much amounted to maintaining the status quo and being happy along the way.
Being a published author wasn’t even a consideration. I wrote, but only because I liked doing it. I didn’t share it with anyone else.
Until I did. Somewhere along the way, a few years ago, I discovered that I had a story that I really wanted to share with others. I wanted them to read it and be as excited about it as I had been while creating it. The way to achieve this was to get it published. So with that in mind, I started the research and the work that brought me here, to the release of my first book. I don’t regret this at all.
But it’s made me think about all that time I was happy enough without this in my life, and how important it’s become to me now. How it drives my feelings of success and failure as I hit the ups and downs of this journey. And the huge buildup of anticipation leading to this day.
I think it, ultimately, is going to be a big letdown soon.
Let’s face it, after all the work you put in and all the anticipation of your first book launch, it’s simply got to be a letdown when the high passes, whether your expectations were met or not.
(This may not be true for people who hit the bestseller list on day one. I don’t ever expect to be in a position to speak from experience on that.)
I’m bracing myself for the fall. I’m not complaining, I’m just trying to be prepared. But it’s making me philosophical, not just about my writing career, but about everything.
What’s the point of it all? What does it mean? What’s it for? And why do I use so many parentheses?
I may never know. But 42 is a good enough answer for me.
You can find Leah online at http:www.leahpetersen.com, on Twitter at @leahpetersen or pickup her first book, Fighting Gravity at AMAZON
April 14, 2012
Review: Pleasure Thresholds by Patricia Tallman
Review: Pleasure Thresholds by Patricia Tallman
5-Stars.
I’m a movie and television nut.
And I eat up ‘behind the scenes’ books like there is no tomorrow.
I’m also a crazy Sci-Fi fan—yes, I’m one of those.
So when the lovely and talented Patricia Tallman released her memoir from Babylon 5, I just had to have a copy. Called Pleasure Thresholds (from one of her character, Lyta Alexander’s most famous quotes from the show), the book is full of behind–the-scenes goodness of one of my favorite shows of all time.
But there is so much more.
There are hundreds of candid photographs (seeing the late Richard Biggs, Andreas Katsulas and Jeff Conaway brought tears to my eyes), an enclosed DVD with photos, videos, audio commentary and an interview with Pat conducted by series creator J. Michael Straczynski (Both Pat and Joe sign each copy of the book, by the way).
Beyond all the extras, there is Pat’s story. Written as if you joined her for a few pints in a pub, the conversational tone she takes with the reader is comfortable, witty and heart-felt. The business of Hollywood is daunting, tiring and certainly has its seedier side and Pat pulls no punches. You get her story, warts and all.
Some of my favorite highlights:
Pat’s son is truly her pride and joy.
You understand how good a man JMS is despite the powers-that-be.
Her account of the reaction by Pat’s family to her first nude scene.
All about her Night of the Living Dead role and how she became Barbara.
The camaraderie and tensions on the set.
I could go on for hours. This 362 page book is chock full of all things Hollywood. And all things about one of my favorite redheads.
I highly recommend the read…I’ve gone through Pleasure Thresholds four times now. This is a wonderful tome for fans, Hollywood historians and industry followers alike.
I just wish all stars were this honest.
Thanks for sharing it all with us, Pat. Next time you’re in Boston, there is a dinner and drinks waiting.
LINKS:
PICK UP a copy of PLEASURE THRESHOLDS
“You mentioned wondering what my pleasure threshold is. I recently found out…I don’t have one.” --Lyta Alexander
Peace.
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