Christopher Stocking's Blog, page 20

Oliver

“Do you ever look at the stars and wish you could snatch them out of the sky?” Oliver asked. “You know, to keep in a box a for yourself?”

“What would you do with a box of stars, Oli?” Jane asked.

Oliver shrugged.” I don’t know; change the world?”

Jane smiled. “Come on, Oli; we’d better hide if we’re going to sneak onto this train.”

Oliver and Jane rolled off the train tracks and ducked behind the bushes. The chug of the train grew louder as it neared. The black smoke was nearly invisible against...

Fighting Self-Publishing Stereotypes

I had to write a column piece for my Newswriting class, so I decided to write it about how self-publishing is often looked at as bad because it’s so easy, and this is what I came up with. It’s not a particularly lengthy piece, but I think it gets the point across.

Image via Createspace.com

The general public has taken it upon themselves to deem self-publishing less than acceptable than standard publishing. Self-publishing was created so that any one person can upload their manuscript for free a...

Steampunk Monday

Sorry about not posting this Saturday! My internet has returned to its old habit of barely working. Anyway! Today’s steampunk-inspired post is pretty important to me, because it’s about what discovering steampunk has done for me.

I discovered steampunk back in February and immediately fell in love with it. The time period, the elegance, and the cluncky, steam-powered technology fascinated me in a way similar to fantasy when I discovered it many years ago. But, it made me want to explore this n...

London Darkness: War of the Devices Description Reveal

I was planning on saving this for a Steampunk Saturday, but I’m too excited not to post it. This is, essentially, the back cover description for “London Darkness: War of the Devices”:

Fifteen years have passed since the events with Caiden and the forces of Partum Chaos transpired, and the League of Inventors is flourishing with Ryker and Adelina as Head Inventors. London’s defenses are at peak performance, and all seems well for Ryker; his wife, Celia; and Lance, their fifteen-year-old son.

But...

Goodreads, Why Dost Thou Disappoint?

I like Goodreads, I really do. It’s a good way for authors to make their books known, to interact with other readers and writers, and to discover and keep track of books from every kind of writer out there. However, I fear it is turning into an I’m-going-to-spam-everyone’s-inbox-with-promos-events-and-groups-about-me website. Just about every time I log into Goodreads I have at least one notification waiting for me telling me about some book event that I don’t care about. I can’t remember the...

Goodreads, why Dost Thou Disappoint?

I like Goodreads, I really do. It’s a good way for authors to make their books known, to interact with other readers and writers, and to discover and keep track of books from every kind of writer out there. However, I fear it is turning into an I’m-going-to-spam-everyone’s-inbox-with-promos-events-and-groups-about-me website. Just about every time I log into Goodreads I have at least one notification waiting for me telling me about some book event that I don’t care about. I can’t remember the...

Steampunk Saturday: Guest Post: Deb Howell

Today’s Steampunk Saturday post is by my good writer friend Deb. I’m very pleased to have known her for close to a year now, and she has helped me learn a lot about the craft of writing. So, take it away, Deb!

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Hey yo!

So, I’ve been a long time follower of our dear friend Chris, here, and when he said he was running a series of Steampunk Saturdays, I thought I’d jump in there. I’ve been dabbling on the fringes of Steampunk for a long while, which either means I have no idea what I’m talking a...

End of Creation

Today I’m sharing a poem I wrote a few days ago. It’s in a bit of a lyrical style.

Enjoy!

_______________________

Until the very end.

The bitter taste of sorrow

Will stain my lips.

Crimson is the blood.

The color of pain;

Of death.

Until your demise,

I won’t be satisfied.

Until the end comes,

It would be wise to run.

Your soul is a pit.

Black as the night;

So dark.

Like a venemous snake,

You pierce the skin;

I choke.

Until your demise,

I won’t be satisfied.

Until the end comes,

It would be wise to run.

So h...

A Street Team of Sorts

First of all, I’d like to welcome all my new followers. Welcome! It’s great to have you here!

Now, down to business. I had this idea that is still in its pre-production stage, and I’d love to hear some feedback. So, here goes:

You know how some bands have street teams? They get some people together to help spread the word about their music in exchange for merchandise. That got me thinking, why can’t authors do that? Fans can help an author market their book, and in exchange they can get first c...

Steampunk Saturday – Steven Bell Interview

To kick off Steampunk Saturday-the new weekly column before my next steampunk book is released-we have a wonderful interview with steampunk writer Steven Bell. Steven is one of my favorite bloggers, and I consider him a close personal writing friend. He creates wonderful steampunk worlds, and I’m very excited to have him here.

Enjoy!

1. What is the first piece of steampunk you read?

If you discount the compter gameArcanum (of Steamworks and Magick Obscura) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcanum:_...