Darin Kennedy's Blog, page 8
January 4, 2015
Review – Aimee *just one more page…* from Goodreads
Received word of another review for The Mussorgsky Riddle this evening, this one from Goodreads, and went to check it out.
This particular review has some sparkle and I wanted to share it with the world. Special thanks to Aimee Landis, not just for the kind review, but for the extra bit of effort and elbow grease she put forth in presenting her thoughts in such a unique way.
All best,
Darin
January 1, 2015
“Flight of the Pegasus”
Jan 2015 – Curiosity Quills Press
In an alternate 1890, where airships rule the sky, automatons service
the brilliant and wealthy, and hard steam powers the world,
Captain Craig Carruthers stands in the breach.
The only survivor of a government experiment gone horribly awry,
Carruthers uses the strength and resilience granted him by Professor Lydon’s
hard steam infusion along with his keen intellect and honed reflexes
to battle the nefarious Klaus Behringer, the Butcher of Berlin.
December 28, 2014
The Qwillery – Guest Blog
Yesterday, my guest blog on “mountaintop experiences” in writing was on The Qwillery site. I have been invited to be a part of The Qwillery 2015 Debut Author Challenge, where their readers are challenged to read one debut author’s book per month for 2015. Go check out The Qwillery’s site and check out my little post over there if you like. Here is a link to my entry at The Qwillery.
Just a little motivational blog for all my fellow writers out there! Cheers!
Darin
December 15, 2014
Review – The Mussorgsky Riddle – Mallory Heart Reviews
So… this is the second review for The Mussorgsky Riddle, and again this was a new experience. NetGalley is a site that allows reviewers, both amateur and professional, to get free e-copies of a new book and leave a review. The fine people who come to NetGalley agree to leave honest reviews on sites like Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, etc. in exchange for the opportunity to read your book for free. This review from Mallory Heart Reviews is my first NetGalley review. I’m so glad they enjoyed the book, but even more so that the book led them to enjoy the original music, as that’s what led me to write the book in the first place.
Excerpt from the review:
What an enchanting story!! Educational, absorbing, paranormal, classical, mythical–with soul-stirring, soul-consuming depths, THE MUSSORGSKY RIDDLE Is lyrical, empathetic, literary; and because of it, I developed an affinity for the classical music at its heart–specifically Mussorgsky’ s PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION, and its contemporary reprisal, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer’ s version of it, also Mussorgsky’ s NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN. (Next, Grieg’ s IN THE HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN KING.)
Four weeks out today, and counting! The Mussorgsky Riddle is almost here!
Waiting not quite patiently (with fingers tapping),
Darin
December 9, 2014
First Review – The Mussorgsky Riddle – Bitten By Books
In writing, there are many firsts. Your first story. Your first novel. Your first query letter. Your first rejection. Your one-hundred-and-first rejection. Your first agent. Your first published short story. Your first signing. Your first publishing contract.
Your first review.
Just a couple hours ago, I received an email that the Bitten By Books review for The Mussorgsky Riddle was up. This came as quite a shock as I had been told it wouldn’t be ready till some time in January or February. With equal parts excitement and dread, I clicked on the link.
A five-star review, here is what Lori, the reviewer, had to say:
“Darin Kennedy is a literary genius. The Mussorgsky Riddle is truly like nothing that I have ever read before. Mr. Kennedy describes the fantasy world inside Anthony’s mind so vividly that it leaps off the page. The fast-paced story grabs ahold of you and does not let go until you have turned the very last page. I must admit that I did figure out who the villain was before it was actually revealed, but that in no way takes away from the brilliance of this book. The characters are well-developed and realistic. There is even a touch of romance. Mira Tejedor is a fascinating protagonist and I sincerely hope that Mr. Kennedy has more adventures planned for her.”
I may or may not have shed a tear.
There will likely be more reviews, and no guarantee they will be as positive as this one, but this review made my day, and I wanted to share the goodness with all of you.
All best,
Darin
First Review for The Mussorgsky Riddle – Bitten By Books
In writing, there are many firsts. Your first story. Your first novel. Your first query letter. Your first rejection. Your one-hundred-and-first rejection. Your first agent. Your first published short story. Your first signing. Your first publishing contract.
Your first review.
Just a couple hours ago, I received an email that the Bitten By Books review for The Mussorgsky Riddle was up. This came as quite a shock as I had been told it wouldn’t be ready till some time in January or February. With equal parts excitement and dread, I clicked on the link.
A five-star review, here is what Lori, the reviewer, had to say:
“Darin Kennedy is a literary genius. The Mussorgsky Riddle is truly like nothing that I have ever read before. Mr. Kennedy describes the fantasy world inside Anthony’s mind so vividly that it leaps off the page. The fast-paced story grabs ahold of you and does not let go until you have turned the very last page. I must admit that I did figure out who the villain was before it was actually revealed, but that in no way takes away from the brilliance of this book. The characters are well-developed and realistic. There is even a touch of romance. Mira Tejedor is a fascinating protagonist and I sincerely hope that Mr. Kennedy has more adventures planned for her.”
I may or may not have shed a tear.
There will likely be more reviews, and no guarantee they will be as positive as this one, but this review made my day, and I wanted to share the goodness with all of you.
All best,
Darin
December 8, 2014
Mussorgsky Mondays – One Month To Go!
Well, one month and four days, but who’s counting?
The twelfth of January is right around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited. Thought I would celebrate with my man Modest above. Not only did he have some mad composing skills, but he could rock a mullet and the lumbersexual look at the same time. One of many reasons he’s a hero of mine.
Tonight’s missive will be short, but I just wanted to say hi to everyone out there. The folks at Curiosity Quills and I are working hard to ensure that you get a quality book in your hand very soon as well as continuing to plan appearances out in the world. Keep an eye on the Events tab above for all the latest information on where to find me in 2015.
And now, I leave you with Sergiu Celibidache and the London Symphony Orchestra with one particularly kick ass rendition of Pictures at an Exhibition! Enjoy!
Darin
November 30, 2014
Darin Kennedy – 2015 Appearances (30 Nov 2014)
In case anyone is wondering where to find me in 2015, here is a list of my scheduled appearances. I plan to update this list as more are scheduled. Look forward to seeing you all out there!
Addendum 1 Dec 2014: Leaving this post up, but now there is an Events tab at the top and all future appearances will be updated there.
———
Book Launch at Park Road Books – Charlotte, NC
10 Jan 2015 – 2-4 pm
———
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble – Winston-Salem, NC
11 Jan 2015 – Time TBA, Awaiting Confirmation
———
Online Launch Event – Darin Kennedy – Author Facebook Page
12 Jan 2015 – 9 am – 10:30 pm
———
Bookmarks Moveable Feast – Winston-Salem, NC
31 Jan 2015 – 3-5 pm
———
MystiCon – Roanoke, VA
27 Feb – 1 Mar 2015
———
ConCarolinas – Charlotte, NC
29 -31 May 2015
———
ConGregate – High Point, NC
10-12 Jul 2015
November 14, 2014
A Big Day
A few weeks ago, I posted a reference to one of my favorite movie memories from The Jerk. Steve Martin’s character proclaims “The new phone book is here!” again and again as he tears into said phone book searching for his name. Seeing your name in print is a beautiful thing indeed.
When I arrived home from work tonight, there was a box on my front porch. There was a box last night as well, but that was the universe’s big fake out – a box full of Vistaprint swag for 2015 that got here REALLY fast. Definitely the dolphin from mine and Matthew’s Dolphin-Shark theory… but I digress.
Tonight, it was the real deal. My box of ARC’s for The Mussorgsky Riddle has finally arrived.
And they are beautiful.
It’s funny. Over the years, I’ve had several short stories published, held those books in my hands, felt the pride and wonder of the experience each time.
But to hold in your hands the novel you slaved over for months, nay, years? To see it in physical form, a real live book (Pinocchio, anyone?) is truly a miracle.
These are just the advance reader copies which I need to get to said readers in short order to get ready to put out the actual book, but it doesn’t diminish what I feel. To see your story on a screen as a PDF or a Kindle file is one thing. To feel the matte cover against your fingertips, to flip through the actual pages, to read words that once existed only in your head and find them now on paper for anyone to read? Incredible, and a little daunting.
This little story of mine is about to be let loose upon the world, and I can’t wait to see what happens.
But for tonight, I think I’m just going to curl up with a good book.
All best,
Darin
November 10, 2014
Mussorgsky Mondays – NaNoProMo!
As we speak, all over the nation and possibly the world, writers everywhere are doing their level best to produce 1,667 words a day for each of the thirty days of November and thus producing 50,000 words of fiction before midnight December 1st. That’s right boys and girls, NaNoWriMo is upon us. That’s National Novel Writing Month for the uninitiated. 50,000 words is a pretty short novel, unless you’re writing middle grade or relatively short young adult, but it’s definitely a start. As they say, you can’t edit a blank page.
The irony for me? It’s the first time in months that I haven’t been feverishly writing or editing in a LONG time. Nothing. Nada. Well, I’m still writing patient notes every day, but that’s not quite the same clump of neurons.
For me, this is NaNoProMo – National Novel Promotion Month.
The Mussorgsky Riddle comes out 12 Jan 2015 and I have right at 2 months and 2 days to be ready. This is really quite an exciting time. I’ve never geared up for a book release before. And as with all things as a writer – plot, characterization, editing, getting an agent, finding a publisher, negotiating cover designs – I’m having to exercise new muscles that haven’t been used before. Kind of like learning to swim a new stroke or play a new instrument.
So far, I’ve been fortunate enough to have several author friends offer to blurb my book (where authors or reviewer give a quote that goes on the book cover), found several reviewers willing to write about my book on their blogs/websites/publications, lined up a few live appearances to include conventions, signings, and even a “moveable feast”. The fine folks at Curiosity Quills couldn’t be greater. Between Clare helping line up my online marketing, Nikki working on my live appearances, and Eugene making sure the book itself is done just right, (and let’s not forget Lisa, who like the One Ring, rules them all), this whole process is really coming together.
So, during the month of November, I may not put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard as often as normal, but it’s a good thing. Funny thing, this doesn’t stop on November 30th, or even January 12th. I will write again, but for now, I’m still learning to ride this new bicycle.
Fortunately, I have a helmet.
All best,
Darin
