S.C. Mitchell's Blog, page 41
April 1, 2013
A new direction.
It’s time to take this blog in a new direction, and I’m going to do it with the help of the talented authors of Soul Mate Publishing some of my other author friends.
The party Starts Wednesday, right here.
Stay tuned.
February 24, 2013
Seeds of the Heavenly War
In writing Son of Thunder I created a whole new world for my characters to live, adventure and fall in love in. From time to time I plan to bring snippets of my world-building here to my blog. These are things that won’t probably appear in any Heavenly War book, but will bring some additional depth and understanding to the world and the war that rages in the heavens above it.
Seeds of War
August 1883:
The Egyptian god, Set, looked down on the arid lands below, lands that had once been his. The all too familiar knot of disquiet clenched his stomach. There was a time when Egypt had been the world…and the world had been his. Mortals bowed to him in his temples, gifts and sacrifices were left at his altars. He’d been powerful—worshiped.
Osiris, Isis and the others didn’t understand. They were happy with the freedoms that came with being mythical. Powerless, frolicking fools. Of them all, only Apep stood with Set. The others just didn’t understand.
A few simple plagues, wars and disasters would bring the mortals back into the abandoned temples. Worship would flow like the waters of the Nile, and with worship would come power once again.
In frustration, Set reached for the last of his power, energy stored up over the past five hundred years—mortals, reading the mythology and wondering, for even a split second, if it couldn’t be true. It was belief, in its own way, but it yielded so little power. Still, there was something to draw on. Set needed a grand gesture, and searching the Earth he found a small volcanic island near Java that was ready to blow.
It took only the merest nudge, yet required all the power Set had accumulated, to set the world on fire. Over 36,ooo people perished as a wide area rumbled with the explosion of the volcano. Two-thirds of the island of Krakatoa was destroyed and the shock waves were felt around the world.
“What have you done?” Ra said, as the chief Egyptian gods confronted him.
“What I had to,” he answered, but he wasn’t listening to their complaints. Through the fog another voice had reached out to him.
It’s about time!
Batara Kala from the Balinese pantheon had actually spoken across the barriers that separated the different mythic pantheons. It was unheard of, but it made Set smile. There were others, as dissatisfied as he.
February 20, 2013
A change in title.
No not Son of Thunder. That title stays the same, but as of today my title changes, from self-published author to published author.
Son of Thunder is here:
Launching today from Soul Mate Publishing (www.soulmatepublishing.com)
It’s available on their site at: http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/son-of-thunder/
It will also soon be coming up on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo. I will drop in the links as they appear.
Available in all popular ebook formats. Paperback coming soon.
February 18, 2013
The storm is coming!
The Heavenly War is about to begin!
A prophecy centering on a mortal woman, makes her the focus of events that could lead to Ragnarok, the Twilight of the Norse Gods and the end of the world.
Know this. The Son of Thunder and this daughter of Midgaard will venture to the lands of Svartalheim and Jotunheim, to the very bowels of Utgard Keep. The power of the three artifacts will be reunited and the old ways will pass. A secret from the past is the key to the future, but a life must be freely given if the golden city is to be saved.
From the icy wastelands of Svartalheim, land of the dark elves, to the towering peaks of Jotunheim, home of the frost giants, and right to the golden gates of Asgaard, the saga begins as war ravages the heavens.
Son of Thunder, coming this week from Soul Mate Publishing.
Get caught up in the storm…
February 17, 2013
Blogging today at Soul Mate Authors
I’m blogging today over on the Soul Mate Authors site about my upcoming release, Son of Thunder.
Stop by at: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/son-of-thunder/
February 2, 2013
Fab 5
This goes out to anyone who would like to be a published romance author:
Last year I entered Son of Thunder in the WisRWA Fab 5 contest. I didn’t win, I didn’t even show, but based on the input I got from the contest judges I ended up doing a complete rewrite. It made my story stronger and fixed some glaring problems. I don’t know if I would have sold it without the feedback I got from this wonderful contest. It was well worth the entry fee. Well, this year’s contest is in full swing, and if you have a work in progress you’d like to get in front of some very talented judges, think about entering.
Here’s all the info:
The Wisconsin Romance Writers of America’s Fabulous Five contest is still accepting entries!
This contest is available to writers unpublished in book-length romance fiction during the past five years. Self-published authors may also apply! Your entry must be limited to the first 2,500 words of your manuscript and must be submitted electronically. For an entry form and complete details regarding rules and eligibility, click the Contests link on our website: http://www.wisrwa.org/
Grab this opportunity for a critique of your work and the chance one of our final round judges may ask to see more of it. In last year’s contest, agents and editors requested eight full manuscripts and eight partials!
Inspirational writers: We’ve established a new category just for you!
Our fees continue to be among the lowest for contests of this type – just $18 for WisRWA members and $20 for all other entrants.
Deadline for entries is 11:59 CST, March 1, 2013. Categories are limited to thirty-five submissions each, so enter early to beat the rush!
Here’s our lineup of categories and final round judges for 2013:
Historical : Amanda Bergeron, Harper Collins
Inspirational: Natasha Kern, Natasha Kern Literary Agency
Paranormal/Fantasy/
Futuristic/Time Travel: Latoya Smith, Grand Central Publishing
Romantic Suspense: Katherine Pelz, Berkley
Series Contemporary
(Long/short): Dana Hopkins, Harlequin Enterprises
Single Title: Nalini Akolekar, Spencerhill Associates
Women’s Fiction: Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary
Young Adult Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency
January 28, 2013
An internal dialog.
Some days I open my blog and get ready to post, and can’t think of a thing to say. It’s a dangerous time, when my mind is prone to wonder off along uncharted paths. Today was one of those days. I have no idea where the following came from. Maybe I just needed another cup of coffee.
A writer and an editor walk into a bar.
Writer: “It’s a dark and stormy night.”
Editor: “Never start with the weather.”
Writer: “I sold my first novel.”
Editor: “So you finally won one.”
Writer: “I’m going to write a second book.”
Editor: “I agree that you should move to two, too.”
Writer: “I’m just not sure what to write.”
Editor: “What do you really want to do?”
Writer: “I don’t want to do nothing?”
Editor: “Now you’re just being double negative.”
Writer: “Okay, how big of a book should I write?”
Editor: “You need to let your weight wait until you have your subject.”
Writer: “I’d like to write something historical.”
Editor: “Well, you’re going to want your yore correct.”
Writer: “What do you mean?”
Editor: “Historical readers are finicky. They’re going to want their there.”
Writer: “So I need to get my facts straight.”
Editor: “Yes, you need to write right.”
Writer: “But there are some things I don’t know. No?”
Editor: “That’s when you need to ask your grammar.”
With great apologies,
Steve
January 25, 2013
Publication date – Son of Thunder
Woot! I was just informed by my publisher, Soul Mate Publishing, that my novel, Son of Thunder will be released on February 20th as an eBook!
The paperback version will be available 3 to 6 months later.
Also remember: The Redeem a Templar promotion is still on, through Sunday. Get your free copy of The Forsaken Templar here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081S8LPO
January 24, 2013
My next ‘Next Big Thing.’
I have been tapped by author Aria Bellamy for the Next Big Thing Blog Tour. She’s a new friend of mine and you might want to stop by her blog and check out her steamy upcoming release Alexa Stone Top Ten List.
Now, I’ve already done a hop on the Next Big Thing Blog Tour. You can find that post here: http://scmitchell.wordpress.com/2012/12/19/the-next-big-thing-blog-tour/
Looking back on that I realized that I have finished that ‘Big Thing’ but I could use this as a way to share my next ‘Next Big Thing’ with you. So, here goes:
What is the title of your next book?
The working title is Hearts in Orbit
Where did the idea come from for the book?
Probably from my love of Science Fiction/Space Opera
What genre does your book fall under?
Science Fiction Romance
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I’m right at the beginning of the writing process and my characters haven’t solidified in my brain yet, so I don’t have a clear picture.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
A woman, doing what she knows is right, ends up on the wrong side of the law and is pursued and captured by a relentless bounty hunter.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I am hoping Soul Mate Publishing will be interested in it, otherwise I plan to shop it around.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It’s far from done. I’m only a few chapters in. It should occupy the next two to three months.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I would say it’s similar to the books by Linnea Sinclair, though she writes in 1st person and this is in 3rd.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
The way things rumble around in my brain, it’s sometimes hard to tell where an idea comes from, but I would say it’s a combination of Star Wars, Linnea Sinclair, and too little sleep.
What else about your book might pique the reader interest?
I’ve created a new race of aliens called the blarmings. In this universe all the cats and dogs were wiped out by a virus and people are looking for a new type of pet. The blarmlings are adorable furry creatures, highly intelligent and pacific. A ruthless galactic corporation has started trapping and caging the blarmlings and my heroin decides she has to take a stand. She needs to show the galaxy that the blarmlings are people, not animals.
So there you have it. My next Next Big Thing.
Steve
January 23, 2013
Redeem a Templar.
From The Forsaken Templar:
With a crack of thunder the doorway to purgatory slid open, ripping the bonds of reality. Through the mist a gaunt, old man stepped between the world of the living and the world of the damned. Nathan Gray was seeking a soul.
His crisp black suit and clean white shirt seemed an ordered contrast to the chaos around him. His stilted walk was slow but purposeful. It was not his age that he felt, but rather the weight of humanity resting on his shoulders.
A thousand voices cried out in hope – so many souls, doomed to spend eternity in torment. Nathan hardened his heart against the assault on his senses. He knew the one he sought. Geoffrey le Court had never once called out to him. Yet, of them all, Geoffrey was the most deserving of redemption.
Well, the souls are piling up in purgatory, and the place is in complete disarray, but you can help. Yes, right now we are featuring our Redeem a Templar Promotion. Thousands of crusty old dead knights are lining up at the gates of purgatory, and ready to fly to your Kindle device or Kindle reader. Just like Nathan Gray, you can redeem your own Templar Knight, and the best part is, it’s FREE, FREE, FREE!!!
Yes, through Sunday, January 27, you can get The Forsaken Templar (Kindle edition) Free.
There’s a tortured soul just waiting for you right here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081S8LPO
Show them you care.
Steve
