Alex C. Telander's Blog, page 78
June 18, 2012
Faces of Publishing: An Interview with Brady McReynolds, publicist for Ace/Roc
Just finished updating the BookBanter site, where you can find a brand new Faces of Publishing interview with one entertaining and funny Brady McReynolds, a publicist for Penguin Putnam’s imprint’s Ace/Roc, a sample of which you can find below. You’ll also find the latest BookBanter column on Ray Bradbury Remembered, as well as the latest book news from Forces of Geek. I’ve also made it easier for you to download copies of my free ebooks: In that Quiet Earth and Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers, simply click on the covers and download the ebook in the format of your choosing. There’s also a guest post from TW Brown on the Zombie Summer Blog Tour. Finally, I’ve included links to the various BookBanter columns that I’ve published on the sidebar of the site. Enjoy!
Brady McReynolds grew up near Atlanta, GA and Asheville, NC, and he is the son of two high school teachers. Brady grew up reading and before long enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2010, he joined Penguin’s Ace/Roc publicity department and has been working there ever since!
Alex C. Telander: How did you first get started in publishing?
Brady McReynolds: Well my first gig in publishing was as an intern at Algonquin Books in Chapel Hill, NC. During my junior year at the University of North Carolina I knew that I should start looking for opportunities outside of academics and a friend who knew of my love of books recommended I start there. It was only a couple of hours a week (and consisted mostly of filing and mailing) but I thought it was fascinating to be a part of the book creation process.
Alex: Did you always want to work in publicity?
Brady: Well since I started working in publishing all I’ve ever known is the publicity side of things. It wasn’t until I landed my current job with Penguin that I began to see the other types of work (editing, marketing, agent-ing [?]) that people do. However, now that I am doing publicity there isn’t any other job I’d want to do. I really enjoy working with authors to promote their books once the editorial and promotion processes are finished.
Alex: Who are some of your favorite authors you’ve gotten meet and/or work with?
Brady: Well my auto-generated reply as a publicist is to say that “all my authors are my favorites!” but I feel like it wouldn’t make for interesting or enlightening reading. As someone who grew up reading science-fiction and fantasy, I’ve now had the privilege of working with a lot of the genre’s great contemporary authors. Charles Stross, Harry Turtledove, and Jim Butcher immediately come to mind. I also had a blast at last year’s New York Comic-Con working side by side with Taylor Anderson, Jack Campbell, and Myke Cole (all great guys) whose books I can’t recommend often enough.
June 13, 2012
“Ray Bradbury Remembered” Book Banter Column on Forces of Geek
Ray Bradbury Remembered
On June 5th, 2012, we lost one of the greatest writers of our time: Ray Bradbury. He lived to the impressive age of 91, and continued to write and do signings and readings well into his eighties. He is perhaps best known for some of the most important science fiction novels of the twentieth century, such as The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451, which continue to be read not just by fans, but by high school students across the country. One of the early pioneers of science fiction, up there with Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein, his short stories are unique and unforgettable. The short story was Bradbury’s true forte, with his incredible ability to encapsulate so much within a limited number of pages. His lyrical prose, compelling characters, and moving plots made him a writer not just to be categorized in the genres of science fiction and fantasy, but to be enjoyed by mainstream readers across the globe.
I got to meet Ray Bradbury at a signing and reading in the fall of 1999. It was at California State University Long Beach, where I was currently working through the second semester of my Bachelor’s. Coincidentally, it was also the first date with this new girl I’d met recently; that girl has been with me ever since, and this year we celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary. The reading took place in the university theater and my wife had been asked to control the spotlight, which was a great bit of hands on experience for her lighting class. As we sat there in the booth, watching and listening to the great Ray Bradbury talk, I can remember being torn between showing my interest in this new girl in my life, but also wanting to listen to this incredible writer talk. It was an intimate moment in every sense of the work. At the end of the reading, my wife got her book signed, as well as one for her dad, who had introduced this great author to her at a young age. It was a very special event I shall never forget.
June 12, 2012
Book Report: Book News for the Week of June 10th on Forces of Geek
Remembering Ray Bradbury:
This past week renowned author Ray Bradbury passed away at 91, and the world is now fondly remembering him in so many ways.
SF Signal in their tidbits post has pulled together all the tributes for him.
Neil Gaiman has written a heart-felt article in The Guardian.
Here is an interview with Ray Bradbury from 1990.
HarperCollins has announced it will be publishing a tribute book in July.
And to end on a funny note, here’s an entertaining Onion headline on Ray Bradbury’s passing.
A “Copia” of Ebooks:
With Google Ebooks ending its role as source for buying ebooks for independent booksellers, a new company has arisen, Copia, which will provide the opportunity for independent retailers to offer ebooks to customers, as well as magazines and newspapers.
10 Great Google+ Hangouts for Book Nerds:
For the few people who still use Google+, as well as the rest of us wondering why we should bother going there, here are ten reasons for book nerds.
Tor/Forge DRM-Free Ebook Store:
With the recent announcement from Tor/Forge of their permanently making ebooks DRM-free, they have now announced they will have their very own ebook store on their site offering these DRM-free ebooks.
June 11, 2012
GUEST POST: TW Brown on the Zombie Blog Tour
TW Brown is the author of the Zomblog series (Zomblog, Zomblog II, and Zomblog: The Final Entry—Zomblog: Snoe is due this fall) and DEAD series (Dead: The Ugly Beginning, Dead: Revelations, Dead: Fortunes & Failures and, as of May 30th, Dead: Winter).
Dead: Winter begins the second arc in the 12 book series. The format is unique with a three chapter rotation: Steve’s Story, Vignettes, and The Geeks. Steve’s story is told in first person and follows a very ordinary man thrown into an extraordinary situation. He is cast as the unwitting leader of a growing band of survivors doing his best to keep them not only alive, but safe from each other. Vignettes are snapshots from all over the world. Some are absorbed by the bigger stories (Steve and The Geeks) and some by other vignettes. The Geeks revolves around a group of your typical zombie fans who believed that it would be so cool to live the experience of a zombie apocalypse…and discovered very quickly that they were wrong. It isn’t like the movies.
The DEAD series has built a loyal following simply because it is not a typical zombie story. As the author, I often struggle with the fact that an entire chapter can pass without a single zombie mentioned, seen, or otherwise involved. One of my fascinations with the genre has always been what happens after the initial onslaught. How would society survive…if at all? I think that most of those responsible for “protecting and serving (police, fire, medical, and military) would be wiped out that it would leave a huge vacuum in the world that allows for serious chaos. How would we react without law and order?
Some of my critics say that I paint a very pessimistic picture of humanity. I say watch the footage of people stampeding over each other for bargains on “Black Friday” and tell me we aren’t a “Me First!” society. Yes, we have done good…but what would people really be like if there was nobody left to tell them how to act or behave.
* * * *
All six of us – Todd Brown, Mark Tufo, Ian Woodhead, Armand Rosamilia, John O’Brien and Dave Jeffery – hope you’ll keep following us on the Summer of Zombie blog tour, and comment as we go along.
And… one lucky commenter for each blog will receive a Free eBook or Print book from one of the authors! Simply leave a comment with your e-mail address and we’ll pick a random winner each day! Simple as that!
June 5, 2012
Book Report: Book News for the Week of June 4th on Forces of Geek
The Future of Book Cover Design
Gizmodo looks at the future of the book cover and how, in the world of ereaders and ereading, it is changing and in many ways becoming obsolete. What will the future of book covers be with ereaders?
Authors Win Class Status Over Google Books
In a case that’s been going on for seven years, a judge recently ruled in favor of the author to take Google to court over their plan to digitize out of print books and other writings.
10 Great Science Fiction Books for People Who Don’t Read Sci-Fi
Flavorwire brings a short list of recommended science fiction books for people who’ve never considered themselves fans of the genre. Including Ender’s Game, The Handmaid’s Tale, and The Yiddish Policeman’s Union, these are books well worth checking out.
Why do Ebooks Sometimes Cost More?
In this interesting article, Forbeck.com explores the reasons why some ebooks cost more than the actual print hardcover book sometimes.
June 4, 2012
“A Game of Thrones the Graphic Novel, Volume One” adapted by Daniel Abraham, art by Tommy Patterson (Bantam, 2012)
For anyone familiar with George R. R. Martin, his work, and the books and authors he likes, it should come as no surprise that his good friend, Daniel Abraham of The Dragon’s Path, was the one chosen to adapt his bestselling first novel of his Song of Ice and Fire series, A Game of Thrones. In the introduction, Martin gives a brief history of how the epic fantasy series came to be and the various adaptations that have been done, including the now popular and successful HBO series. He also talks about their long search for the right artist to illustrate this graphic novel and how once they found Tommy Patterson; he was the right guy for the job.
In the first volume, the events take readers from the welcoming of King Baratheon to Winterfell, to their return to King’s Landing with their new King’s Hand, one Ned Stark, who was reluctant to take the position, but also is honor-bound to do what his king asks of him. It is here that he learns from his wife, Catelyn, who he didn’t expect to see for some time, that the horrible accident that befell their son Bran was in fact cruelly intended, and shortly after an assassin was sent to finish the job. The question now is who is behind this and why would this person wish such ill will against the Starks?
After the success of the HBO TV show, it was important that this graphic novel not just copy what had already been done, but come out with a new style and look, and Tommy Patterson certainly does this, with sharp detailed lines and glossy colors, giving the story both the grit and harshness, as well as the beauty and grandeur. Abraham does a good job of adapting the story so far, condensing many hundreds of pages into just a couple hundred illustrated pages. This first volume will be a delight to fans and a welcome introduction to people new to the series.
Originally written on May 14, 2012 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of A Game of Thrones the Graphic Novel Volume One from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
June 1, 2012
“Wyrd” Progress Report XIX
WORDS WRITTEN: 2361
TOTAL WORDS: 90,065
REASON FOR STOPPING: Finished a big scene and did some setup for the next; also hit 90,000 words!
It’s been a while since I did a Wyrd progress report. The novel is going along great, and I can feel myself closing in on the end of this massive “book” within the manuscript I’ve been writing, called “Pictland.” I’m on target to hit my annual goal of page 500, as I’m now on page 422. One thing I do continue to realize as more scenes get written, and characters think of more things to say and talk about, is that this is going to be one bastard of a book. I expect to hit page 500 some time before the fall, and I have this strong feeling that it might just be at or close to half of the book. We shall just have to see. I find it very exciting though, as I’ve never written anything quite this long. But I have a lot of story to tell, and my characters have a lot of say, whether to the reader or to each other. Also hit the 90,000 word mark today, which felt great. It’s going to be interesting once I crack 100,000 words for the first time, since my longest manuscript has been 97,000. It’s going to feel like walking on the moon . . . traversing across a whole new world that I’ve never been before.
Going to take a brief break through the month of June to work on editing and putting finishing touches on Kyra: The First Book of Enchantus, to get it ready for release hopefully in July or August. But as soon as I’m done with that last “checkup,” I’m coming right back to Wyrd. Can’t wait!
Also once I hit that 500 page mark I will reassess the word counter and likely update it to the 200,000 mark.
May 31, 2012
BOOK REPORT: Book News for the Week of May 27th
Possible Under Heaven Movie
Bestselling author Guy Gavriel Kay is pleased to announce a development agreement between Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and her management company Mosaic Productions and the author for a possible movie adaptation of his bestselling book, Under Heaven, with Ziyi to star and produce.
20 Famous Rejection Letters
Pay witness to twenty famous rejection letters from bestselling and well-known authors like Ayn Rand, Frank Herbert, Edgar Allan Poe, Tim Burton and many more.
10 Fantasy Novels by Female Authors
Kirkus Reviews presents a list of ten fantasy novels written by female authors that everyone should read, inspired by the recent release of N. K. Jemisin’s The Killing Moon.
Your Dream Bookstore
Google Play has a released a unique app called BookAnd where you can create your own virtual bookstore with your favorite books.
May 30, 2012
GUEST POST with Kathryn Jones: “Cheap-skate Marketing for the Self-Published Writer”
Folks might consider me a cheap-skate. Heck, I use coupons, pay cash for almost everything, and frequently peruse the dollar store for inexpensive gifts. When it comes to marketing as a self-published writer? Well, I’ve just got to save a few bucks.
Used to be I didn’t want people to know where I shopped (thrift stores) or how I got so many freebies in the mail (I just signed up online) but there came a day that I didn’t even care if my neighbors knew how I was furnishing my home (from garage sales and furniture sales).
It didn’t matter because I was getting a lot more for less and having some fun doing it.
Saving money takes skill, but it also takes having the knowledge of where to look in the first place. Allow me to get you started. If you’ve just finished your self-published book, or you are almost finished (many writers begin marketing at least six months before their book is in print) then you’ll want to listen up to the next few tips.
Get some postcards made up with your book cover on one side and a synopsis and your contact information on the other. Even before your book comes out in print you should be talking about it and doling out the cards. I keep a stack in my purse and hand them to people I meet (instead of the standard business card). I leave postcards at restaurants. Hand them over when I’m at a social networking group. Give them out whenever someone asks about my book. Postcards really help, especially if you’re of the shy nature. (I’m not, but many writers are. Postcards are pretty cheap, too).
Get some online reviews. Yes, this takes effort, but it shouldn’t cost you. If an online reviewer asks you for money, don’t accept the trade. There are plenty of reviewers that will do it for free, and others that will do it for free if you send them a copy of your book (or gift them an Amazon e-copy). Reviews are not only posted on the reviewer’s site, but often, they distribute the review to sites like Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com.
Get some courage. Okay, you may feel like you’re a pretty good writer, but a speaker? Yes, speaking at a writers group, or a book group, or at a conference takes guts (and they may not even pay you) but this is a fine opportunity to hone your skills as a speaker and to talk about and sell your book. Don’t let this opportunity fly by you because you’re scared.
Get some blogs written. Like this one. Not everyone is going to say yes to your idea, but many blog owners will, and this gives you another chance to share something about what you know and get the word out there that you’re a writer. (All of the blogs I’ve written for have allowed me to put a bio in at the end of my article).
Get some interviews. Most of those I’ve gotten so far are blog interviews. What happens is you answer some questions that the blog owner has and send your answers back along with your photo and book cover. That’s it. They post your interview online. Don’t forget to try radio interviews. I have two set up for the next two months. All this takes is a short note to the blog owner telling him/her about your book. If he/she decides to interview you, you may be sent a list of questions that he/she will be asking beforehand. On the specified day, you call in and the radio blogger interviews you either live or through a recording that is edited and placed on his/her site later.
Get some contests happening. People LOVE contests! And many blog owners offer contests to get the word out about your book. Sure, you’ll need to send the winner your book, but what better way to get someone talking about your book from across the country?
Get some people reading the first chapter of your book. Some sites offer placement of all or part of your first chapter with links to purchase the book. Take advantage of this opportunity to promote your book for free!
Give away an e-copy on Amazon. Map out some specific days you’d like to give away your book for free. I’ve already offered two different days for people to get my book free. The first giveaway was just after my book’s release. The second giveaway I used tax day. We all hate tax day, so why not offer something soothing to read?
When it comes to marketing, you really don’t need to spend a royal mint to get people interested in your book. All you really need is a bit of creativity and some never-ending perseverance, yes, even when you’re shaking in your boots.
Kathryn has been a published writer since 1987. She has published various newspaper stories, magazine articles, essays and short stories for teens and adults. She is the author of: “A River of Stones,” a young adult fiction novel dealing with divorce published in 2002, and “Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones,” a Christian novel published in January of 2012. Her newest creation, a “Conquering your Goliaths—Guidebook,” was published in February of 2012.
Kathryn graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Mass Communication and a minor in Creative Writing. Her studies included work in creative writing, public relations and journalism. Recently, she has opened the doors to Idea Creations Press, a publishing services company that caters to writers and their writing, publishing and marketing needs.
For more information, visit A River of Stones.
May 29, 2012
“Lucky Bastard” by S. G. Browne (Gallery Books, 2012)
The bestselling author of Breathers and Fate returns with another entertaining and funny book that is well keeping in the style of one S. G. Browne. Readers who have come to enjoy Browne’s particular style, humor, and characters will be delighted in this latest offering with Lucky Bastard.
Nick Monday is not your usual private detective, by any means. He’s what you’d call a luck poacher. Yep, that’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Since he was a young child, he knew he’d inherited the “family gift,” and then went on to make a business out of it, as so many luck poachers do. All he has to do is shake the lucky (and soon to be less than lucky) person’s hand and the luck is magically transferred into him. He’s not sure exactly how it works, it just does. The person isn’t necessarily unlucky from them on, he or she is simply no longer lucky. As to how Mr. Monday can tell whether a person is lucky, it’s sort of like sensing someone’s midichlorian count and the strength of their force, like an aura in a way. There are several gradations of good luck, from some good fortune on up to easily picking those winning lottery numbers. And just as there is good luck out there, there’s also bad luck, but Nick does his best to stay from that.
Except bad luck seems to keep finding him wherever he goes. He lives in San Francisco, after having to leave another state for some shady business, but soon finds himself getting on a number of people’s bad sides, including the supposed daughter of the mayor of the city, Tuesday Knight, who offers him $100,000 to get back her father’s stolen luck. (Yes, Nick was the one to steal the luck originally; and no, it’s pretty much a one way thing when you take someone’s luck.) He also finds himself mixed up and seriously pissing off a Chinese mafia kingpin.
Lucky Bastard is over the top and fast-paced, taking you all over the wonderful city of San Francisco, but Browne does a great job of suspending the reader’s disbelief, creating a character that isn’t perfect by any means – in fact he gets quite annoying – but remains true to the writing and the character, keeping readers hooked to the very last page.
Originally written on March 13, 2012 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of Lucky Bastard from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
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