Michael K. Rose's Blog, page 18

Is Your Novel "Long Enough?"

Books of Varying LengthsAs you may know, I've recently released Sullivan's War: The Complete Adventure . It collects three novellas (called Sullivan's War: Books I, II and III) which were released individually but make up one story line. Those novellas, usually priced at $2.99 apiece, have been selling fairly well. But The Complete Adventure's sales have been fantastic, selling in twelve days nearly as many copies as Book I, even though Book I's price was reduced to 99 cents near the beginning of the month.
I had suspected that I would see an increase in sales once I released The Complete Adventure, and here's why: I'd read long ago that many readers prefer to read only novels. They do not particularly care for short stories, and novellas? What the hell is a novella? The unimpressive sales of my collection Short Stories seems to support this idea. Even though Short Stories has a good number of positive reviews and I promoted it as heavily (if not more heavily) than Sullivan's War: The Complete Adventure, I sold nearly 7 times as many copies of Sullivan's War as Short Stories during July. And remember, Sullivan's War: The Complete Adventure was only available for the last twelve days of the month.
Now, I'm one who has always been a champion for short stories. I write them, obviously, and I even wrote a blog post called " Why I Love Short Stories ." Another post I wrote as a guest on ME Franco's blog is called " Short Fiction is Dead? " In it, I propose that the eBook revolution will see a reemergence of shorter fiction. One thought is that a short story or novella can be published without the concern of making sure a "book" is of a profitable length. Now that printing costs are not a factor, any length can be a profitable length, assuming the story is sufficiently attractive to readers. Well, the three Sullivan's War novellas have been profitable, as have a few of the short stories I released individually. But my experience these past two weeks with Sullivan's War: The Complete Adventure has convinced me that full-length novels are going to be even more profitable. And while profit should not be a writer's sole consideration, it is unavoidable if one wishes, as I do, to make a living at it.
So is your novel long enough? What is long enough? The dividing line between novels and novellas ranges from 40,000 words to 60,000 words or higher. Will readers be "unsatisfied" with a 40,000-word novel? Does the word novella scare some people away? And what can one reasonably charge for short stories, novellas, short novels, long novels? I've been publishing my fiction for less than a year, and I'm still trying to work all of this out. But the sales of Sullivan's War: The Complete Adventure have convinced me that, for now at least, I should probably not focus on writing short stories quite as much. Novels are what readers want, and I have about a dozen novels waiting to be written. I just hope I can make them long enough.
What do you consider to be a minimum length for a novel? If you prefer novels over novellas or short stories, why? I'd love to hear any thoughts on this topic; just leave a comment below.
Best,Michael K. Rose

SULLIVAN'S WAR: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURE Now Available!

Hello, all! I am very pleased to announce that Sullivan's War: The Complete Adventure is now live at Amazon. This edition collects all three Sullivan's War books into a single edition at a discounted price. If you haven't read the series, this is a great opportunity!

Get it at Amazon US , Amazon UK and all international Amazon Kindle stores.

On Earth, a powerful politician has been murdered. When he's assigned to the case, Agent Frank Allen soon discovers that the man responsible, Rick Sullivan, is not yet finished killing. But Allen will also discover that Rick Sullivan is not the man he appears to be, and the war he's fighting, a war to rid his home planet of its oppressive government, is not his only battle.

As Allen pursues Sullivan across the known galaxy, he begins to question his own beliefs and loyalties. Will Allen be able to stop Rick Sullivan before he kills again? Does he really want to? As their lives become increasingly intertwined, both men realize they must face truths about themselves that neither of them are prepared for. And some of those truths will have consequences that neither of them could have ever imagined.

Praise for Sullivan's War:

“With sharp prose, delicate and—at times—stabbing dialogue, and scene setting that is on par with the best of the fiction writers of the past, Rose delivers a one-two punch to the gut that makes this reader want more and more.” - Benjamin X. Wretlind, author of Sketches from the Spanish Mustang

“The Sullivan’s War series is a must-read for science fiction fans. Mr. Rose delivers with a rock-solid plot, well-paced delivery, intriguing alien elements, believable worlds, and nonstop action.” - K. Wodke, co-author of Zeke

"With heart-stopping battles and a conclusion that took my breath away, Sullivan's War is a sci-fi thriller that definitely delivers! - Alexia Purdy, author of Reign of Blood

“Sullivan's War is so much more than typical science fiction...a very entertaining sociological and political thriller, set in the future, with top notch, well fleshed out characters, and great action scenes.” - Steve Umstead, author of the Evan Gabriel Sci-fi Adventure Trilogy

Free Weird Horror Story "The Tunnel" (July 14-15)

If you like horror or weird Lovecraftian fiction, please check out my story "The Tunnel," which is free this weekend, July 14-15.

Get your Kindle copies at:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
And all other international Amazon Kindle stores.

And if you like it, consider my collection Short Stories , which includes "The Tunnel," the popular sci-fi horror story "Sleep," "Sergeant Riley's Account," (the prologue to Sullivan's War ) and seven other stories.


Also, did you know that you don't need a Kindle to read and enjoy Kindle books? You can get a free Kindle app for your computer or device here .

Free July 12 & 13: Sullivan's War: Prologue

Hello, all. The prologue to Sullivan's War , Sergeant Riley's Account , will be free Thursday and Friday, July 12 and 13. It is a stand-alone story, so you don't need Sullivan's War to enjoy it, but should you go on to read Sullivan's War , it'll fill in a bit more of the back story. It has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars and I actually chose it to lead off my collection Short Stories as well.

Download it for free from Amazon:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
For all other international Amazon stores, links are here . Enjoy!

SLEEP: Free Today & Tomorrow (July 7-8)

Hello, all! My very popular short story "Sleep" is free today and tomorrow (July 7-8) at Amazon's Kindle stores. Get is here:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
All other international Amazon stores can be linked to from here .

If you enjoy "Sleep," you may also like  Short Stories . "Sleep" is just one of ten tales included in that collection.

Best,
Michael K. Rose

Launch of a New Speculative Fiction Site

Hello, all! I am very pleased to announce that my new speculative fiction blog, SpecFicPick, has today posted its first article, an interview with author Gary Val Tenuta. The goal of the site is to provide content of interest to speculative fiction readers such as interviews, Book Features and, eventually, articles and reviews. I have a whole weekend of Book Features scheduled so be sure to visit often:

SpecFicPick  (the main site)
Interview: Gary Val Tenuta

You can also like our Facebook page and follow on Twitter .

SHORT STORIES Book Launch Events

Hello, all! I'd like to just take a moment to let you know about a few great events that are taking place to promote the release of my collection Short Stories.

1. There is a Goodreads giveaway going on through July 6. Enter to win one of two print copies available. LINK
2. Alexia Purdy has three Short Stories Collector's Packs (a card signed by yours truly and bookmarks) to give away over on her blog. LINK
3. Dale Herring of The Geekdom of Gore is giving away an ebook copy of Short Stories to whoever writes the best story using a line from Short Stories as a prompt. LINK
4. ME Franco is hosting me for a guest blog post entitled "Short Fiction is Dead?" Check it out here .

Finally, today (Sunday, July 1) is the last day for my Facebook giveaways. Friend me on Facebook and like my author page then keep an eye out on those pages for a chance to win. Full details and links  here .

Short Stories has already received 5 glowing reviews on Amazon. If you would like to purchase an eBook version of Short Stories, it is available at the following stores:
Amazon’s U.S. Store: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008DWPEUS
Amazon’s U.K. Store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008DWPEUS
B&N's Nook Store: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/short-stories-michael-k-rose/1111753116?ean=2940014585989 

All Other International Amazon Kindle Stores are linked to from here: http://www.michaelkrose.com/short-stories

If you would like a signed print copy, order here:
http://www.michaelkrose.com/apps/webstore/products/show/3162997

For a limited time, all signed editions will come with a complimentary Short Stories Collector's Pack which includes a signed card and bookmarks.

SHORT STORIES: "Official" Release Day

Well, I know it's been available for about a week now, but since today is the "official" release day for Short Stories , I thought I'd take the opportunity to blog about it again.

This collection consists of ten short stories, five previously available and five brand new. The previously available stories include "Sergeant Riley's Account," the prologue to Sullivan's War  and the very popular sci-fi/psychological horror story "Sleep." The new stories range from hard science fiction tales, such as "The Vast Expanse Beyond," to Lovecraftian tales of terror in deep, dark places like "The Tunnel."

Short Stories has already received 5 glowing reviews on Amazon. If you would like to purchase an eBook version of Short Stories , it is available here:

Amazon’s U.S. Store: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008DWPEUSAmazon’s U.K. Store: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008DWPEUS
B&N's Nook Store: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/short-stories-michael-k-rose/1111753116?ean=2940014585989

All Other International Amazon Kindle Stores are linked to from here:  http://www.michaelkrose.com/short-stories
If you would like a signed print copy, order here:http://www.michaelkrose.com/apps/webstore/products/show/3162997
For a limited time, all signed editions will come with a complimentary Short Stories Collector's Pack which includes a signed card and bookmarks.

I do hope you pick of a copy of Short Stories . I am extremely proud of this collection and confident that it will be well-received.

Best wishes to you all!
Michael K. Rose

NEW RELEASE: Sketches from the Spanish Mustang by Benjamin X. Wretlind

With the release of Castles: A Fictional Memoir of a Girl with Scissors , Colorado Springs author Benjamin X. Wretlind asked what madness really was. Now, with Sketches from the Spanish Mustang , Wretlind asks if we can learn to see with broken eyes.

In this literary exploration of the lives of seven people in the mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado, a woman must come to grips with the failings that cost the lives of her husband and child. Bestselling author Michael K. Rose says: "Mr. Wretlind has penned a tale of such emotional and literary depth it will haunt the reader long after the last page is turned."

With a pencil, a sketchbook and a keen eye for the details of the soul, the woman's lines and smudges, curves and tone reveal the stories behind her subjects. Life emerges on the page — vengeance, salvation, love and death. The artist's subjects fight for survival, only to be saved in the sketches of a woman with a gift . . . and a curse.

International Book Award winner Gregory G. Allen calls the book a "unique journey that rips away the outer layers of people allowing us to stare into their souls where humanity is universal: no matter the genre of writing."

Sketches from the Spanish Mustang is available now at all major online retailers for $14.95. It is also being presented in an electronic format (e.g. Kindle, nook) for $5.95.



Purchase eBook editions from:
Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Purchase a print edition here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1477531580/

For more information about Sketches from the Spanish Mustang , please visit http://bxwretlind.com/blog/sketches-from-the-spanish-mustang/ or contact Benjamin X. Wretlind, e-mail: bwretlind@gmail.com.








About the Author

Benjamin X. Wretlind, the author of Castles: A Fictional Memoir of a Girl with Scissors and Sketches from the Spanish Mustang , has been called "a Pulitzer-caliber writer" with "a unique American voice." Aside from novels, he has been published in many magazines throughout the past 10 years.

Giveaways All Week Long!

To celebrate the release of Short Stories , (officially launching on the 29th but available now!) I will be posting giveaways on Facebook all week long! Friend me on Facebook and from now through Sunday, July 1, keep an eye out for my contests, because it'll be first-one-to-reply-claims-the-prize. Also like my Facebook author page. I'll be posting some of the giveaways there. For more info about Short Stories , please visit this page .

My Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000670152582
My Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-K-Rose-Author/291149020948554

Best of luck!

Note: All prizes will be sent the same day if electronic prizes (eBooks) or within three days if physical prizes. Only one prize per person. Please do not enter another contest if you've already won.