Michael K. Rose's Blog, page 10

The Sullivan Series: "A Must Read for Any Science Fiction Fan"

I'm honored by reviews like the one you see quoted in the title of this post. When I first set out to write Rick Sullivan's story, I had no idea that it would be so enthusiastically received. But my journey with Rick Sullivan will soon be coming to an end. The final book in the series, Sullivan's Watch, will be out this summer, so now is a great time to catch up on the first two books, Sullivan's War and Sullivan's Wrath. Just click on the links below to be taken to the Amazon or Barnes & Noble store of your choice to purchase eBook copies for your Kindle or Nook. Sullivan's War is also available in print, and you can order a signed copy here . Thanks again to all my readers, especially those who have taken the time to review.
Get Sullivan's War at: Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon Germany Amazon Canada Barnes & Noble
Get Sullivan's Wrath at: Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon Germany Amazon Canada Barnes & Noble
Praise for the Series:
"[A]n exciting and fast moving story, that will delight science fiction readers." - Review of Sullivan's War
"A must read for any Science Fiction fan." - Review of Sullivan's War
"A very worthy sequel and a Hell of a story." - Review of Sullivan's Wrath

101 Thoughts on Self-Publishing -- 004: Build a Website

In Thought 002 , I recommended that you write a blog. Your blog is where you write articles to stay connected with your audience, announce new releases, hold contests, etc. However, I would also recommend an "official" website. The information on your website will be more static that your blog and will, first and foremost, showcase your books and provide easy-to-find links where a reader can buy them. It's a good idea to have this information on your blog, too, but your website will be your professional web presence.
Let's begin with a domain name. If it is available, get a .com domain name with the name you publish under. My domain name is MichaelKRose.com . If your name is already taken, try to get something that represents you and your work and, most importantly, is easy to remember and easy to type.
Once you get your domain name, you'll want to create an engaging home page. Have a look at my website here . Right away you'll see my major works prominently displayed with banners. There are many ways you can organize the information on your website's home page, but I would strongly recommend that the information be visual, as with my banners, or with the full covers of your books. Let readers be compelled not just by the words but by the images as well.
You'll also notice that I have visible, accessible links to my social media outlets: Facebook, Twitter and my blog. Give readers an easy way to not only click over to your books but stay connected with you as well. I've seen some author websites with very confusing or limited links. On some I could not find direct links to Amazon product pages, on others I could not find any way to contact or connect with the author. Make it easy for your readers. Make sure links are clearly distinguishable from the rest of the text by making them a different color. Use the widely-recognized Facebook and Twitter icons to draw your readers' attention toward them.
Finally, you'll see a list of products available in my web store. If your website package has the capability, I'd recommend setting up a store. Lots of readers like signed copies; give them the option to put a permanent, physical reminder of you and your work in their homes.
Let's look a little more at my website. If you click on any of the banners on my website's homepage, you'll be taken directly to a page dedicated to that book. Here is the page for Sullivan's War . Again, you will see that I have put something visually interesting--the book cover--on the page. I have also included the official book description that you will find on the Amazon and Barnes & Noble product pages as well as easy-to-click buy buttons. Finally, I have included some quotes from reviews of Sullivan's War. When you do this, I think it is important to link to the actual review so readers can see the rest of it. If the review appeared on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, this has the added benefit of taking readers to a site where they can buy the book.
The rest of my site has what you would expect: An "About" section with a brief bio and links to some interviews I've given, plus a page dedicated to reviews of my work. I need to update the interviews and reviews section, but you can look at them and get an idea.
Now, I'm far from being an expert on web design, and I'll reiterate that these are self-publishing thoughts, not tips. Still, I think that if your website has these basic elements, it'll give you a solid, professional-looking home on the internet. What else do you think should be included on an author's website? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Just leave a comment below.
If you're enjoying the series so far and would like a single page to bookmark, I'll be adding each of my 101 Thoughts on Self-Publishing here . Also be sure to subscribe by email (see the box in the sidebar) to be automatically notified about my new posts.
All the Best,Michael K. Rose

New Release: The Human Body, a Psychological Horror Short Story

Hello, all! This is just a short update to let you know that I have a new story out called The Human Body. I think you will find it to be similar in tone to "The Tunnel" and "Pedro X." from the collection Short Stories .
The Human Body
The human body is highly resilient, but what happens when a man's own body decides to betray him? Ted, after struggling with weight issues his entire life, is about to find out.
This psychological horror short story contains language and situations which may not be appropriate for some readers.
Available at: Amazon US Amazon UK and all other Amazon Kindle stores.

An Excerpt from CHRYSOPTERON

My novel Chrysopteron is the story of a generation ship sent to colonize a distant planet and the mission, hundreds of years later, to learn the fate of those colonists. This small excerpt will give you just a taste of what they find.
***
ANDREW DAVIS PEEKED out through the window. The area immediately in front of Harold Wilkes’s house seemed clear. He eased open the door and stepped out, closing it quickly behind him. After a few quick paces to get himself away from the door, he paused, looked around and smiled. There was no one in sight.   He’d arrived at Harold’s house in the evening. Now, in the daylight, he wasn’t sure in which direction lay the center of town—and the temple—and in which direction lay the road heading out to the cliffs where he was supposed to meet the others.   He depressed the talk button on his radio. “John, I’m a little turned around. And the streets around here are like a maze. Even if I just head west, I don’t know that I’ll come out where I want to.”   “We’re just on the outskirts of Warrensville, Andy. Try to find a friendly-looking local to direct you to us.”   Davis turned the corner. Ahead of him, a street curved to the right. He followed it down until he could see an intersection. Once there, he looked in both directions but saw no one.   He was ready to pick a direction at random when a sound reached his ears. It was the sound of a crowd, coming from the street to his left. That’ll probably be people congregating at the temple, he though. Davis knitted his brow. If he went left, he guessed he’d arrive at the center of town. The main thoroughfare through Warrensville ran right past the temple. That would be his most direct route. But he didn’t know if he wanted to expose himself to so many people. If he went right, he could get lost in the warren of streets and would be quite alone if he encountered anyone who held animosity toward the visitors.   He decided to go left. As he neared, the sound of the crowd grew louder. There was one strident voice rising above the rest. That voice would speak for a moment, and the crowd would answer in what sounded like rage. Davis’s steps faltered. He stood in the street, unsure of what to do next. His decision was made for him. From the direction of the crowd half a dozen men rounded the corner. They spotted Davis, studied his strange clothes for a moment and let out a cry. Before Davis could understand what they were saying, they were running at him. He turned on his heels and ran in the opposite direction. He paused at the street that led to Harold’s house and looked back. A mob had joined the men and were in pursuit.   Davis sprinted down the street, back to Harold’s house and threw open the door. He looked for a bolt or lock, but there was none. He risked a quick glance outside to see if anyone was near the door, but all he saw was a small child sitting on the steps opposite. Davis moved to the back of the room, out of sight, but where he could still see out the window.   As the mob came into view, they slowed to a walk. One man leaned over with his hands on his knees and addressed the child. Without looking from the man’s eyes, the child raised her arm, extended her finger and pointed right at Davis, through the window.   Davis cursed and moved into the bedroom. He began pulling on the bed and had it against the door just as the front door was slammed open. The next instant, the bedroom door handle was turning.   Davis took up his radio. “John, I’m at Harold’s house, and there’s a mob after me.”   “Andy? Stay calm; we’re nearly at the temple. We’ll find Harold.”   “I don’t have time for that, John!”   Davis reached into his shoulder bag and withdrew a handgun. He chambered a round and waited as the door began to shudder and the bed started sliding away from it.   “I’m armed with a deadly weapon!” he called out. “Move away from the door, and we can settle this without violence. Please, we can talk about this!”   A head poked through the gap in the door. The next thing that appeared through the gap looked like the tip of an arrow. Davis raised his weapon and fired. A spray of blood exploded against the wall next to the door and the head slumped down.   A new frenzy of yells erupted from the people on the other side of the door. Another firm shove pushed the bed farther away from the door. Davis fired at a hand that reached around and grabbed the side of the door but missed. To his left, the bedroom window shattered. He had time enough to fire off three shots before he was overpowered by the men leaping through the window. Something struck his head, and he went down, black spots clouding his eyes.
***
Chrysopteron is available as an eBook at Amazon and Barnes & Noble:
Amazon's US Kindle Store Amazon's UK Kindle Store Barnes & Noble's Nook Store
Praise for Chrysopteron
"Chrysopteron is a 'golden-winged' gem of a novel and one that cements worlds imagined into the conscious dream of worlds yet seen. When I'd finished, I wanted more and not because the novel was lacking; I wanted more because I want to live in Rose's world longer." (Link)

"Chrysopteron is an epic book with a wide scope. In a way, it reminded me of The Mote in God's Eye by Niven and Pournelle. (But I liked Chrysopteron more.) Even though the cast of characters is huge, spanning several generations, I was never confused about who was who. The scenes are vivid, and Michael K. Rose has a keen sense of pacing. He knows just when to do a quick cut to the next scene to keep the story moving quickly. This is very, very well-written." (Link)

"This tale is woven expertly, filled with intrigue, suspense, and grips onto you to the very end. If you have not read any of this author's work, you are missing out! This is a definite must read." (Link)

Win a Signed Copy of SULLIVAN'S WAR -- One Week Left!

Hello, all! Just a reminder that you still have a week to enter the contest to win a signed copy of my novel Sullivan's War. To enter, all you have to do is go here and leave a comment with your contact information. If you don't want to leave your email address, a link to your Facebook or Twitter profile works. 
I'm giving away three copies, so your chances of winning are good! Be sure to go here and enter before the end of the month.
Also remember that the sequel, Sullivan's Wrath, is available as an eBook. Click here for links to purchase it from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Win a Signed Print Copy of SULLIVAN'S WAR

To celebrate the release of Sullivan's Wrath , I am giving away three signed print copies of the first book in the Sullivan series, Sullivan's War. Entering is easy:
Just leave a comment below with a way for me to contact you should you win (valid methods are an email address or a link to your Facebook or Twitter profile). Please do not leave more than one comment.
Non-US residents can enter, but due to the high cost of shipping packages overseas, international entries will instead receive an eBook copy of Sullivan's War plus a Collector's Pack: a signed 4in.x6in. card featuring the cover of Sullivan's War and bookmarks.
The contest will run through February 28th, 2013, and I will randomly select the winners on March 1, 2013.
For more information about Sullivan's War, please click here . For information about Sullivan's Wrath, click here .
Good luck!Michael K. Rose

New Release: SULLIVAN'S WRATH, the sequel to SULLIVAN'S WAR

Hello, all! After some serious setbacks and three days of seemingly-endless rewriting and revision, I have managed to get Sullivan's Wrath out on time. And astonishingly, Barnes & Noble published it overnight, when they usually take several days. 
Get Sullivan's Wrath at:
Amazon's US Kindle Store Amazon's UK Kindle Store Barnes & Noble's Nook Store and all the other international Kindle stores.
And if you don't yet have Sullivan's War, get it at:
Amazon's US Kindle Store Amazon's UK Kindle Store Barnes & Noble's Nook Store and all the other international Kindle stores.
Please note: Sullivan's Wrath's estimated length of 180 pages is incorrect. The actual length, based on the upcoming print edition, will be around 250 pages.

Now Available: The Somnibus: The Complete Edition by Craig McGray

Michael Black struggles to master a power forced upon him after the callous murder of his mother. She left him in possession of a mysterious stone, a trace, which contains powers more volatile and dangerous than anything he’s ever imagined.
The Somnibus, vile creatures previously restricted to tormenting Michael in his dreams, have found a way to send one of their own into the physical world. Now, they search for six powerful stones that will unlock their rotting prison, releasing them to unleash hell on the living as retribution for their imprisonment. Michael's trace is the last piece of the puzzle.
Lost in a maze of death and betrayal, Michael finds himself alone and fighting not only to save his own life, and that of the woman he loves, but the last man standing in a desperate battle to preserve the fate of mankind.
Buy it on Amazon US Buy it on Amazon UK
About the Author
Craig McGray lives on the east coast of Florida with his wife and two daughters.His newest release, The Somnibus: The Complete Edition, includes both Books I and II of the paranormal thriller, The Somnibus. His stories range from dark horror to paranormal, and he's currently working on a dystopian novel.
In addition to spending time with his family, Craig enjoys triathlon and endurance training. Many of his thoughts and story ideas come to him during those quiet times while running, biking, or swimming.
You can follow Craig on Twitter and Goodreads.You can also visit his author pages at The Independent Author Network and Amazon. Follow his blog My Adventures in Writing.

On the Other Hand... (SULLIVAN'S WRATH Update)

I posted yesterday that I would have to delay the release of Sullivan's Wrath. But after two days of incredibly exhausting rewriting and revision, I think I have saved the book. Tomorrow, I will have one final look-through of some of the troublesome parts, prepare my eBook files and submit them to Amazon and Barnes & Noble. There's even a chance it will be available for sale by the 8th, as originally intended. However, I cannot control the length of time Amazon and B&N will spend approving and publishing it, so I'm not making any promises just yet.
Watch this space!

SULLIVAN'S WRATH Will Be Delayed

Some issues have come up with Sullivan's Wrath. Put bluntly, it is not working and does not live up to the standard set by Sullivan's War. The feedback from my Beta readers indicates that I made some serious missteps in the direction I took the story. To correct this, I am going to strip out large sections of the novel and rework several others.
Unfortunately, this means that it will not be released on February 8, as I had originally announced. It is not an easy decision to delay release, but it is preferable to putting out an inferior novel. I know that a lot of readers are looking forward to continuing the adventures of Rick Sullivan and Frank Allen, and I simply will not do anything less than my best to meet their expectations. 
The delay, however, will not be a long one. I am going to work tirelessly to get Sullivan's Wrath out later in the month. I'm now looking at a release date of February 15, but I may be able to get it out a bit sooner than that.
Thank you to all of my readers for their continuing support, and a special thanks to my Beta readers whose honesty has kept me from disappointing the rest of you. I have a lot of work to do, so you probably won't be hearing from me too much over the next week or two.
All the Best,Michael K. Rose