Tarl "Voice" Hoch's Blog
February 22, 2024
Back to Writing
So for the last 15 years, I slept on my lunches at work. It was nice, it was often refreshing (though sometimes I felt WAY worse afterwards), but I did it for a long time.
Recently, for about a month now, I have been writing on my lunches.
I had tried it before, but 15 years worth of habitual sleeping made it difficult. Even a month later now, I still find my body crashing around my lunch time. But here I am now, writing away on my lunches, two short stories finished and one on its way.
I love it.
I missed doing regular writing. I missed the way it gets my imagination going. I now work away through the day and sometimes my mind will start giving me story ideas out of the blue. It makes me feel creative again, makes me feel like I'm getting my grove back. I need to bring my idea book out so I can record the things that come to mind as keeping them in my head through the day is a bit difficult.
So yeah, that's where I am at right now. It's fun. I am enjoying myself. I'm getting stuff written. YAY!
Recently, for about a month now, I have been writing on my lunches.
I had tried it before, but 15 years worth of habitual sleeping made it difficult. Even a month later now, I still find my body crashing around my lunch time. But here I am now, writing away on my lunches, two short stories finished and one on its way.
I love it.
I missed doing regular writing. I missed the way it gets my imagination going. I now work away through the day and sometimes my mind will start giving me story ideas out of the blue. It makes me feel creative again, makes me feel like I'm getting my grove back. I need to bring my idea book out so I can record the things that come to mind as keeping them in my head through the day is a bit difficult.
So yeah, that's where I am at right now. It's fun. I am enjoying myself. I'm getting stuff written. YAY!
December 29, 2023
Writing is a lonely job
In a writer telegram group of writers that I am a part of, one of the writers was talking about how when they got their first story published, their parents got the cover of the book turned into a clock for them so that their son would never forget their first success.
It was a sweet idea. I applaud his parents for doing this, it's super sweet of them. But then I got thinking about my own journey, and it made me kind of depressed. When my father was alive, he would purchase every single one of the anthologies I was published in, and would even read the stories. It was super sweet of him, though we never talked about the stories, and never talked about the anthologies. That was the extent of his support.
My mother was always extremely supportive. She's never read my works, but will continue to cheer me on no matter what I do. Sadly, this kind of makes it feel a bit hollow.
Other than that, not a lot of people cheer me on when I get published. It gets kind of lonely. I get a couple people motivating me, which is much needed, but no one ever cheers on my successes, and I am not going to lie, it gets a bit depressing at times.
But I am not here to trauma dump on you, my followers. More so, to just give you the advise to cheer on those you care about for their successes. Remember that even the smallest gesture can mean the world to them, and keep them on their writing journey.
So if your child, spouse, friend, parent, whoever, gets published, congratulate them. Be it their first time, or their hundredth time, they will appreciate it!
It was a sweet idea. I applaud his parents for doing this, it's super sweet of them. But then I got thinking about my own journey, and it made me kind of depressed. When my father was alive, he would purchase every single one of the anthologies I was published in, and would even read the stories. It was super sweet of him, though we never talked about the stories, and never talked about the anthologies. That was the extent of his support.
My mother was always extremely supportive. She's never read my works, but will continue to cheer me on no matter what I do. Sadly, this kind of makes it feel a bit hollow.
Other than that, not a lot of people cheer me on when I get published. It gets kind of lonely. I get a couple people motivating me, which is much needed, but no one ever cheers on my successes, and I am not going to lie, it gets a bit depressing at times.
But I am not here to trauma dump on you, my followers. More so, to just give you the advise to cheer on those you care about for their successes. Remember that even the smallest gesture can mean the world to them, and keep them on their writing journey.
So if your child, spouse, friend, parent, whoever, gets published, congratulate them. Be it their first time, or their hundredth time, they will appreciate it!
March 25, 2022
Well then...
Soooo, it's been awhile.
Horray for Covid and it's ability to make it seem like not a lot of time has passed, when actually it has.
As you can probably imagine, I haven't been writing a lot. Mostly I have been working on Armoured Fox Press stuff, trying to get anthologies done, trying to get payments and contributor copies out, the usual.
This means I don't have a lot of time to write, and what time I have I tend to spend writing for Hentaidiaries.com, which I find enjoyable and it's nice to work in a different element than your standard short story or novel. But that doesn't mean I don't have the insane urge to write... just that when I finally have time, sleep or food takes the prerequisite.
I am still reading a lot of light novels, mostly because with the state that the world is in, it's nice to read something escapist. Much like readers back in the day would read about Conan and other pulp heroes, light novels are very much today's pulp for youths and young adults. (though I am hardly a young adult at this point)
I still have a novel in my brain I need to get out, as it is a tribute to my father (who passed on a few years ago) and honestly, I am not getting any younger. It's a light novel and an isekai, though I am not sure how much it will appeal to people. (not that that matters much, as it is more of a tale for me)
In the end, it's good to be back on here, updating this blog, and hopefully I do a better job at maintaining this. Take care everyone!
Horray for Covid and it's ability to make it seem like not a lot of time has passed, when actually it has.
As you can probably imagine, I haven't been writing a lot. Mostly I have been working on Armoured Fox Press stuff, trying to get anthologies done, trying to get payments and contributor copies out, the usual.
This means I don't have a lot of time to write, and what time I have I tend to spend writing for Hentaidiaries.com, which I find enjoyable and it's nice to work in a different element than your standard short story or novel. But that doesn't mean I don't have the insane urge to write... just that when I finally have time, sleep or food takes the prerequisite.
I am still reading a lot of light novels, mostly because with the state that the world is in, it's nice to read something escapist. Much like readers back in the day would read about Conan and other pulp heroes, light novels are very much today's pulp for youths and young adults. (though I am hardly a young adult at this point)
I still have a novel in my brain I need to get out, as it is a tribute to my father (who passed on a few years ago) and honestly, I am not getting any younger. It's a light novel and an isekai, though I am not sure how much it will appeal to people. (not that that matters much, as it is more of a tale for me)
In the end, it's good to be back on here, updating this blog, and hopefully I do a better job at maintaining this. Take care everyone!
March 31, 2020
Considering Webnovel.com?
I admit, I was considering Webnovel as a potential site to post a serialized work. It had a pretty good interface and a TON of works uploaded to it. Some of them I had even seen on Amazon.com and are reading now. (based off the article I reference later on, this seems to actually be illegal based off the contract they signed with Webnovel...)
So what turned me off about it and why am I writing about it here?
Well, the first thing is, when I was reading a bit about how one signs up to make money off the site, there were a few red flags that came up. The first one was that when you sign up with them, you hand over your copyright to them. I posted this to a publisher group I am a part of and a lot of them thought this was pretty sketchy.
The second was that to make any sort of money, you have to have a premium membership and then you have to write a fairly high word count each and every day for at least 30 days to make any sort of money. And at that, it looks like it tops off at $200usd, which to some would be amazing, but to others it's next to nothing. (it depends on the author)
But then I read an article by Whatsawhizzer and came across things like:
"The contract that authors who want to earn money on Qidian must sign is ridiculous. I’ve looked into the contracts myself, and while I won’t get into details, basically Qidian takes all rights to the author’s work. The author can not post it anywhere else, and this includes bonus content they may be offered on Patreon-like sites to donators and supporters. Basically, if you choose to take money from Qidian, your work ceases to be yours. It should be no surprise that they sign their contract under Chinese law… because many of their contract points would be illegal in a western country."
This is just one of the multitude of things that Whatsawhizzer has to say in a very long article about Webnovel.com.
They do have a lot to say on the positives, and they themselves still use the site to publish some of their own works. But they also do so to keep others from stealing their work and just posting it to the site themselves and getting all the glory that Whatsawhizzer should get for their own work.
You can find a link to the article by Whatsawhizzer HERE.
So much to be said, this has given me a hell of a warning. That's not to say that I may not casually write something and post it up there. But I will be doing so with a wary eye now and whatever I post will not be my best work, and since apparently there is very little linkage to a writer's platform, it won't much matter either way.
So if you are an aspiring webnovel or light novel writer and have been considering using Webnovel, please watch yourself. Know what you are getting into and watch whatever contracts you sign with them as you could effectively lose the rights to your work...
So what turned me off about it and why am I writing about it here?
Well, the first thing is, when I was reading a bit about how one signs up to make money off the site, there were a few red flags that came up. The first one was that when you sign up with them, you hand over your copyright to them. I posted this to a publisher group I am a part of and a lot of them thought this was pretty sketchy.
The second was that to make any sort of money, you have to have a premium membership and then you have to write a fairly high word count each and every day for at least 30 days to make any sort of money. And at that, it looks like it tops off at $200usd, which to some would be amazing, but to others it's next to nothing. (it depends on the author)
But then I read an article by Whatsawhizzer and came across things like:
"The contract that authors who want to earn money on Qidian must sign is ridiculous. I’ve looked into the contracts myself, and while I won’t get into details, basically Qidian takes all rights to the author’s work. The author can not post it anywhere else, and this includes bonus content they may be offered on Patreon-like sites to donators and supporters. Basically, if you choose to take money from Qidian, your work ceases to be yours. It should be no surprise that they sign their contract under Chinese law… because many of their contract points would be illegal in a western country."
This is just one of the multitude of things that Whatsawhizzer has to say in a very long article about Webnovel.com.
They do have a lot to say on the positives, and they themselves still use the site to publish some of their own works. But they also do so to keep others from stealing their work and just posting it to the site themselves and getting all the glory that Whatsawhizzer should get for their own work.
You can find a link to the article by Whatsawhizzer HERE.
So much to be said, this has given me a hell of a warning. That's not to say that I may not casually write something and post it up there. But I will be doing so with a wary eye now and whatever I post will not be my best work, and since apparently there is very little linkage to a writer's platform, it won't much matter either way.
So if you are an aspiring webnovel or light novel writer and have been considering using Webnovel, please watch yourself. Know what you are getting into and watch whatever contracts you sign with them as you could effectively lose the rights to your work...
March 26, 2020
Covid-19 and an Interesting Year
It has been an interesting year so far, as I am sure all of you can attest to. Thankfully I haven't lost my job, nor have I been forced into isolation. But given how things are going, it is almost inevitable that I will get Corvid-19, and quite frankly that thought bothers me.
Why?
Well, it has to do with the fact that I have lung damage and am susceptible to pneumonia. I have had it a few times in my life and really don't want to experience it again, especially with the fact that with the virus it could be far, far worse, if not fatal.
So I am practicing staying safe and staying at home when I am not at work. But I have to say, even being an introvert, I can tell that it's affecting my mental health. I am easily aggravated, listless, and generally have less patience.
This means I haven't been doing a lot of writing, though I have done a fair bit of reading. I have picked up some interesting things which I will talk about here on a later date. I have also discovered WebNovel, an online serialized novel site, much like the ones in Japan that a lot of light novels are picked up from.
I have picked up a couple books from this site that the website has 'published', and I am curious as to how they are. (so far, not so good to be frank) But there are some others I am interested in reading and they even have a 'how to write' book which I am curious about as it tackles webseries from a Chinese perspective. (as Webnovel is owned by a Chinese company)
But for now, I just wanted to say keep safe, keep healthy, and don't touch your face! :P
Why?
Well, it has to do with the fact that I have lung damage and am susceptible to pneumonia. I have had it a few times in my life and really don't want to experience it again, especially with the fact that with the virus it could be far, far worse, if not fatal.
So I am practicing staying safe and staying at home when I am not at work. But I have to say, even being an introvert, I can tell that it's affecting my mental health. I am easily aggravated, listless, and generally have less patience.
This means I haven't been doing a lot of writing, though I have done a fair bit of reading. I have picked up some interesting things which I will talk about here on a later date. I have also discovered WebNovel, an online serialized novel site, much like the ones in Japan that a lot of light novels are picked up from.
I have picked up a couple books from this site that the website has 'published', and I am curious as to how they are. (so far, not so good to be frank) But there are some others I am interested in reading and they even have a 'how to write' book which I am curious about as it tackles webseries from a Chinese perspective. (as Webnovel is owned by a Chinese company)
But for now, I just wanted to say keep safe, keep healthy, and don't touch your face! :P
December 28, 2019
Closing of a Year and the end of a Decade
2020 is right around the corner, and I am hopeful it will be a good writing one for me.
As I am sure anyone who actually reads these posts knows, I don't write much anymore. Armoured Fox Press takes up a LOT of my time, as does writing for Hentai Diaries. (an online dating sim game I suggest you go and check out) This means I don't have a lot of time to write for myself, which is a shame. No looking at calls for short stories, no working on the novella I have wanted to write since my father passed away, no nothing.
I am still working hard on getting projects from Armoured Fox Press finished and out the door so I can concentrate on my own works. This has meant hiring help, which means I won't see any profit from the projects I am working on, but that is to be expected as we have such a small library currently.
Still, I am enjoying it, which is the good part. (well, not the not writing part I have to admit) There is a certain level of joy that comes in getting the proof copy of a book and finally hitting that 'publish' button as it were. There is a certain joy in talking to writers and listening to them pitching their works, or helping them to find a publisher that may be better for them if their works don't fit within what AFP publishes.
So anyway, here we are, the last days of 2019. The last decade has seen a lot of changes for me, it also saw me start my writing career and the fulfilling of a lifelong dream. It also saw me become an editor and start my own small publishing company. (Oh, and also getting married and buying a house. :P)
What is the next year going to bring about? Hopefully my own published novel, more stuff for Armoured Fox Press, and hopefully my work in a number of anthologies. (cause only getting one or two a year kinda sucks for me) Other than that, I hope to read more books, try not to waste my time on bad books (I have a nasty habit of not stopping once I realize I am not enjoying a novel), and reading more manga as I am finding I really do enjoy them and now own a small collection.
So thank you for being with me on this site over the last couple years and being interested in what I am writing. For any author starting out it is always a blessing when someone reads something you have done and recommends it to their friends. It helps get the word out there, and that's important for authors who aren't world famous, and for small publishers as well who don't have the marketing money that the big pubs do.
Thank you for everything, and hopefully I can surprise you with a few neat things in the years to come.
As I am sure anyone who actually reads these posts knows, I don't write much anymore. Armoured Fox Press takes up a LOT of my time, as does writing for Hentai Diaries. (an online dating sim game I suggest you go and check out) This means I don't have a lot of time to write for myself, which is a shame. No looking at calls for short stories, no working on the novella I have wanted to write since my father passed away, no nothing.
I am still working hard on getting projects from Armoured Fox Press finished and out the door so I can concentrate on my own works. This has meant hiring help, which means I won't see any profit from the projects I am working on, but that is to be expected as we have such a small library currently.
Still, I am enjoying it, which is the good part. (well, not the not writing part I have to admit) There is a certain level of joy that comes in getting the proof copy of a book and finally hitting that 'publish' button as it were. There is a certain joy in talking to writers and listening to them pitching their works, or helping them to find a publisher that may be better for them if their works don't fit within what AFP publishes.
So anyway, here we are, the last days of 2019. The last decade has seen a lot of changes for me, it also saw me start my writing career and the fulfilling of a lifelong dream. It also saw me become an editor and start my own small publishing company. (Oh, and also getting married and buying a house. :P)
What is the next year going to bring about? Hopefully my own published novel, more stuff for Armoured Fox Press, and hopefully my work in a number of anthologies. (cause only getting one or two a year kinda sucks for me) Other than that, I hope to read more books, try not to waste my time on bad books (I have a nasty habit of not stopping once I realize I am not enjoying a novel), and reading more manga as I am finding I really do enjoy them and now own a small collection.
So thank you for being with me on this site over the last couple years and being interested in what I am writing. For any author starting out it is always a blessing when someone reads something you have done and recommends it to their friends. It helps get the word out there, and that's important for authors who aren't world famous, and for small publishers as well who don't have the marketing money that the big pubs do.
Thank you for everything, and hopefully I can surprise you with a few neat things in the years to come.
September 13, 2019
Light Novels and Me
For those that follow the books I am reading, you’ve no doubt noticed that over the last year and a half, give or take, I have been reading a lot of Japanese Light Novels. I have also talked about them on more recent episodes of Fangs & Fonts and often use them as examples for writing techniques that do or do not work. I have also read a number of Original English Light Novels (OELNs) as well, though not nearly as much as Japanese ones. One question that keeps coming up from fans and friends who notice this trend is: Why?
I didn’t expect to get this into Light Novels when I started reading a couple of them. I figured it would be a quick couple books and that would be it. But there was something that grabbed me, hooked me, and made me start consuming them faster and more often than I do books in other genres or of other types. Series like Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash: Volume 1 I can sit down and read the entire series, while I am struggling to get into book two of Dragonlance, which I read as a child. Something pulls me, entices me to keep buying more series as they come out, and makes me want more.
I guess the first thing is that the books are easy to read. Part of this is the fact that they are translated, and I find that the language used isn’t as complex as other, heavier novels. This is also attributed to Light Novels being aimed more towards tweens and teens, rather than adults. This is one of the reasons book series like Harry Potter are also super popular. Though while they may tackle some more adult material (death, etc), their language is still simpler than adult books, and things happen a certain way you don’t find too often in more complex works. Basically they are just easier to read. Popcorn fiction, as much as I loathe that term.
They also have a lot more ‘anime’ to them. This may seem a bit weird, especially to those who don’t care for anime or anything to do with it. Don’t worry, that’s fine, and if anime isn’t your thing, don’t stress out about it. But if anime is your thing, you know some of the tropes it brings to the table, and Light Novels cater to those tropes pretty well. Harems, various –con romances, mecha, fantasy, isekai, over the top fight scenes, etc. You find them all in Light Novels to a varying degree, and as a fan of anime, it fills a certain spot inside you. (Much like Pumpkin Spice opens all your chakras when fall hits :P)
The protagonists also tend to be average people with one or two special skills. Yes, generally those skills tend to make them over powered, but that is part of the appeal. Much like Conan and other such tales enticed boys in the past where they could imagine being a muscle bound warrior who always got the women and could do no wrong, so too are teens (mostly boys) drawn to Light Novels where they can live out certain fantasies of being all powerful and have beautiful women fawning over them. And every person has a day job, which most people dislike (I actually love my job), so often people seek escapes. For those that read, often it’s some kind of fantasy they can flee to and be someone else for a couple hours if they are lucky. As a meme I saw once said: Conan: Because we all have day jobs. That all said, I will point out that a LOT of Light Novels are aimed towards boys. I have read a couple geared towards girls, and to be frank, they are actually better than a lot of the male-centric ones out there.
Lastly, it’s the interior art. Not only are Light Novel covers beautiful works of art (some more than others), but they also do something that is quite brilliant in my mind. Instead of the usual teaser blurb that all novels have on their first page for people to read and go: “Ooo, I want to read that!” Light Novels do the same with art. Often most Light Novels have three or so pictures that depict something that happens in the novel, and through that, entices the reader to want to read that scene. Often, it’s some kind of fan service scene, but not always. You also have interior art, which is something that doesn’t happen too often in novels these days, often due to cost reasons or printing issues, so it’s refreshing.
In the end, I am enjoying Light Novels simply because they are fantasies, and escape from everyday life. I also enjoy seeing the animes that come out of the Light Novels, and see what happens after the animes end. (as often the light novel keeps going) I find the pictures of Japanese book stores crammed with Light Novels to be amazing and it makes me wish I read Japanese. (something I am slowly trying to learn) There is just so much of it! And sure, at some point it may burn out and the concept of a Light Novel may fade away, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
So to anyone who has ever wanted to read something that was anime-esk, I would recommend picking up a Light Novel. There are a TON of them out there, and I am sure after a book or two you will be sold on them. Sure, they can be a bit pricy, especially if you want just hard copies, but I find them to be well worth the cost. (I get ebooks, and if I love the book, then I consider getting the hard copies) Do I think I will ever get sick of Light Novels? Probably not. The diversity of them is staggering, and with the popularity of isekai novels (a personal favorite), I am sure I have more than enough to last me a lifetime. So go out there and take a read, perhaps you too will get hooked on Light Novels like I have…
I didn’t expect to get this into Light Novels when I started reading a couple of them. I figured it would be a quick couple books and that would be it. But there was something that grabbed me, hooked me, and made me start consuming them faster and more often than I do books in other genres or of other types. Series like Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash: Volume 1 I can sit down and read the entire series, while I am struggling to get into book two of Dragonlance, which I read as a child. Something pulls me, entices me to keep buying more series as they come out, and makes me want more.
I guess the first thing is that the books are easy to read. Part of this is the fact that they are translated, and I find that the language used isn’t as complex as other, heavier novels. This is also attributed to Light Novels being aimed more towards tweens and teens, rather than adults. This is one of the reasons book series like Harry Potter are also super popular. Though while they may tackle some more adult material (death, etc), their language is still simpler than adult books, and things happen a certain way you don’t find too often in more complex works. Basically they are just easier to read. Popcorn fiction, as much as I loathe that term.
They also have a lot more ‘anime’ to them. This may seem a bit weird, especially to those who don’t care for anime or anything to do with it. Don’t worry, that’s fine, and if anime isn’t your thing, don’t stress out about it. But if anime is your thing, you know some of the tropes it brings to the table, and Light Novels cater to those tropes pretty well. Harems, various –con romances, mecha, fantasy, isekai, over the top fight scenes, etc. You find them all in Light Novels to a varying degree, and as a fan of anime, it fills a certain spot inside you. (Much like Pumpkin Spice opens all your chakras when fall hits :P)
The protagonists also tend to be average people with one or two special skills. Yes, generally those skills tend to make them over powered, but that is part of the appeal. Much like Conan and other such tales enticed boys in the past where they could imagine being a muscle bound warrior who always got the women and could do no wrong, so too are teens (mostly boys) drawn to Light Novels where they can live out certain fantasies of being all powerful and have beautiful women fawning over them. And every person has a day job, which most people dislike (I actually love my job), so often people seek escapes. For those that read, often it’s some kind of fantasy they can flee to and be someone else for a couple hours if they are lucky. As a meme I saw once said: Conan: Because we all have day jobs. That all said, I will point out that a LOT of Light Novels are aimed towards boys. I have read a couple geared towards girls, and to be frank, they are actually better than a lot of the male-centric ones out there.
Lastly, it’s the interior art. Not only are Light Novel covers beautiful works of art (some more than others), but they also do something that is quite brilliant in my mind. Instead of the usual teaser blurb that all novels have on their first page for people to read and go: “Ooo, I want to read that!” Light Novels do the same with art. Often most Light Novels have three or so pictures that depict something that happens in the novel, and through that, entices the reader to want to read that scene. Often, it’s some kind of fan service scene, but not always. You also have interior art, which is something that doesn’t happen too often in novels these days, often due to cost reasons or printing issues, so it’s refreshing.
In the end, I am enjoying Light Novels simply because they are fantasies, and escape from everyday life. I also enjoy seeing the animes that come out of the Light Novels, and see what happens after the animes end. (as often the light novel keeps going) I find the pictures of Japanese book stores crammed with Light Novels to be amazing and it makes me wish I read Japanese. (something I am slowly trying to learn) There is just so much of it! And sure, at some point it may burn out and the concept of a Light Novel may fade away, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
So to anyone who has ever wanted to read something that was anime-esk, I would recommend picking up a Light Novel. There are a TON of them out there, and I am sure after a book or two you will be sold on them. Sure, they can be a bit pricy, especially if you want just hard copies, but I find them to be well worth the cost. (I get ebooks, and if I love the book, then I consider getting the hard copies) Do I think I will ever get sick of Light Novels? Probably not. The diversity of them is staggering, and with the popularity of isekai novels (a personal favorite), I am sure I have more than enough to last me a lifetime. So go out there and take a read, perhaps you too will get hooked on Light Novels like I have…
July 26, 2019
Post Fur-Eh! 2019 Con Report
For those that don’t know, I have attended Fur-Eh! for a number of years, first as a guest, then as staff, and then as a dealer/staff on 2018.
I wrote about that experience last year and I wanted to go back to it for 2019 to see if any of my discoveries have changed. For those that don’t know, I run a small publishing company called Armoured Fox Press. We specialize in furry and anime works, as well as distribute a variety of other furry publisher’s works. (FurPlanet, GOAL Publications & Howl Publications) This year we had two of our works present. Purrfect Tails & This Book is Cursed.
Last year we took 10 books, 11 copies of each. This year we took what was remaining from last year, and added to it another 10 books. CLAW volume 1, Tales from the Guild – World Tour, Indigo Rain, The Necromouser and Other Magical Cats, This Book Is Cursed, Symphony of Shifting Tides, The Daily Grind, Prisoners of War, The Complete Red Vixen Adventures, Prisoner of Midnight, and In Flux.
Last year, I expected furry erotica to sell out. That did not happen. Instead InFurno, Bleak Horizons, and Windfall took the cake. (Horror, Sci-Fi Horror, and Romance/horror respectively) There was also a large outcry for all ages books, which had surprised me and I had told myself I would prepare for that in 2019.
So how did that all turn out?
Well, I had gotten a number of all ages books for this con, as well as a number of other ones I thought would interest Canadian readers. I also picked up a three self-published books from an author I have enjoyed a lot of: Royce Day. He, like me, was interested to see how his books would sell. What happened surprised me a lot.
Our top sellers for the con were: Claw Vol 1, which sold out completely, with even the display copy ended up going home with one of the staff.
Next were Prisoner of War (and Prisoner of Midnight hotly behind) and Necromouser were tied for second place.
I admitted that I expected Claw to do well, just not that well. This is the first time I have had a book sell out.
Prisoner of War surprised me, mostly because it was Fem-dom and Non-Con. But this actually seemed to be a draw for readers rather than a detriment. A couple writer friends of mine had a discussion about this a few days ago and we have some theories, but I am not going to share them here. And Necromouser just went to show that people still love animals stories and that things don’t need to be erotic to sell.
What was very interesting is that I had one copy of InFurno left over from last year, and it took almost the entire con to sell.
This selling experience was a lot more fun than last year, mostly because I think I was in a better position when it came to doing sales. I had a square reader so I could do debit and credit, I had a better table set up, and I had more titles to sell. My location this year was also better, as I was near a gathering open area rather than tucked away at the end of a dead end.
I also had a lot of return customers, which was pleasant to see. Most came back to tell me how much they enjoyed the books I had sold them the previous year and there was a lot of discussion about the sexual tension in Windfall. This just helped to generate more energy around the booth and helped to pass the time when sales were slow. Our main sale day was the Friday, which caught me off guard. Saturday was slow, and then Sunday picked up a bit with that being the day for people making large orders, but nowhere near the traffic that happened Friday.
In the end, Fur-Eh! 2019 was a blast for Armoured Fox Press, as well as myself. I enjoyed myself a lot, had a ton of good conversations, and even had a novel pitch or two which got me interested. I am looking forward to 2020 and hope to have a great selection for Canadian furs to add to their collection.
I wrote about that experience last year and I wanted to go back to it for 2019 to see if any of my discoveries have changed. For those that don’t know, I run a small publishing company called Armoured Fox Press. We specialize in furry and anime works, as well as distribute a variety of other furry publisher’s works. (FurPlanet, GOAL Publications & Howl Publications) This year we had two of our works present. Purrfect Tails & This Book is Cursed.
Last year we took 10 books, 11 copies of each. This year we took what was remaining from last year, and added to it another 10 books. CLAW volume 1, Tales from the Guild – World Tour, Indigo Rain, The Necromouser and Other Magical Cats, This Book Is Cursed, Symphony of Shifting Tides, The Daily Grind, Prisoners of War, The Complete Red Vixen Adventures, Prisoner of Midnight, and In Flux.
Last year, I expected furry erotica to sell out. That did not happen. Instead InFurno, Bleak Horizons, and Windfall took the cake. (Horror, Sci-Fi Horror, and Romance/horror respectively) There was also a large outcry for all ages books, which had surprised me and I had told myself I would prepare for that in 2019.
So how did that all turn out?
Well, I had gotten a number of all ages books for this con, as well as a number of other ones I thought would interest Canadian readers. I also picked up a three self-published books from an author I have enjoyed a lot of: Royce Day. He, like me, was interested to see how his books would sell. What happened surprised me a lot.
Our top sellers for the con were: Claw Vol 1, which sold out completely, with even the display copy ended up going home with one of the staff.
Next were Prisoner of War (and Prisoner of Midnight hotly behind) and Necromouser were tied for second place.
I admitted that I expected Claw to do well, just not that well. This is the first time I have had a book sell out.
Prisoner of War surprised me, mostly because it was Fem-dom and Non-Con. But this actually seemed to be a draw for readers rather than a detriment. A couple writer friends of mine had a discussion about this a few days ago and we have some theories, but I am not going to share them here. And Necromouser just went to show that people still love animals stories and that things don’t need to be erotic to sell.
What was very interesting is that I had one copy of InFurno left over from last year, and it took almost the entire con to sell.
This selling experience was a lot more fun than last year, mostly because I think I was in a better position when it came to doing sales. I had a square reader so I could do debit and credit, I had a better table set up, and I had more titles to sell. My location this year was also better, as I was near a gathering open area rather than tucked away at the end of a dead end.
I also had a lot of return customers, which was pleasant to see. Most came back to tell me how much they enjoyed the books I had sold them the previous year and there was a lot of discussion about the sexual tension in Windfall. This just helped to generate more energy around the booth and helped to pass the time when sales were slow. Our main sale day was the Friday, which caught me off guard. Saturday was slow, and then Sunday picked up a bit with that being the day for people making large orders, but nowhere near the traffic that happened Friday.
In the end, Fur-Eh! 2019 was a blast for Armoured Fox Press, as well as myself. I enjoyed myself a lot, had a ton of good conversations, and even had a novel pitch or two which got me interested. I am looking forward to 2020 and hope to have a great selection for Canadian furs to add to their collection.
July 24, 2019
New Website
Good morning all,
I just wanted to reach out and introduce a website that recently came to my attention:
http://www.originalenglishlightnovels...
They are a website working to collect all the OELN information in one spot, which I commend them for. It's not only a great resource for authors looking to see who their peers are, but also for publishers looking for new material to publish.
It's small now, but I am more than certain it will grow as time goes on.
So go and check it out!
I just wanted to reach out and introduce a website that recently came to my attention:
http://www.originalenglishlightnovels...
They are a website working to collect all the OELN information in one spot, which I commend them for. It's not only a great resource for authors looking to see who their peers are, but also for publishers looking for new material to publish.
It's small now, but I am more than certain it will grow as time goes on.
So go and check it out!
March 15, 2019
Updates and Light Novels
Looks like I have fallen behind in blog posts, mostly so that I can keep call for submissions visible until I can get a website for them. That way I will be able to leave this open for my own thoughts rather than using it half for Armour Fox Press.
It's been an interesting few months since I last wrote. Armoured Fox Press has another anthology under its wing, though edited by someone else. We've also gotten some reviews, some good, some pointing out areas that need work. It's a learning progress and one I will have to just work through and learn from. (like all things)
I've been trying to read more furry fiction, as well as Japanese (and English) light novels, as these are the bread and butter for Armoured Fox Press. The furry fiction has mostly been novella sized works, and mostly erotic. As weird as it is for me to state it, I am actually a bit tired of erotic works when it comes to furry fiction. There's just so much of it, but that's not going to change as it is one of the top sellers in the fandom.
Light novels on the other hand are predominantly Isekai. (Transported to another world) This is a far more appealing genre for me and one I could have easily gotten behind as a younger me. (I even wrote some back in the day, before I knew what it was) The novels have been light and enjoyable, which shouldn't come as a surprise as they are for young adults and are distinctly lighter in tone than most 'adult' works.
What I haven't been reading a lot of is horror. Much like erotica, I am feeling pretty burned out with that genre. (as well as Lovecraftian horror, which as many of you know, I love) This doesn't mean I won't go back to reading it, as I am sure I will cycle back to it. But for now, I would rather concentrate on another genre.
Which brings me to what I am reading (while trying to finish the 80 something books I am in the middle of), which is fantasy. Not just normal fantasy mind you, but D&D fantasy novels. Dragon Lance and Forgotten Realms specifically.
I used to read these a LOT when I was younger, and here I am twenty-something years later and I have the itch to revisit them. I have already read Dragons of Autumn Twilight and found that it hadn't aged very well from when I was younger. I am hoping that as I get further into the series this changes, but even reading Dragons of the Dwarven Depths (which was written far later) isn't helping matters. It still feels very... YA.
And the Forgotten Realms is far different than I remember it, as I read the more recent Brimstone Angels. Things have changed in the realms, and nothing looks familiar to what it was when I read Azure Bonds and Pool of Radiance. It also reads a bit more like... urban fantasy, if that makes sense. It's the style of writing, and it shows the influences of a more modern time. It is fantasy that doesn't take itself as seriously as previous works did, and the characters feel more modern than anything.
Which is saying something, as the light novel Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash: Volume 1, though for young adults, takes the fantasy trope and adds an amount of realism to it that makes you have to take a step back and thing: "Yeah, that's right, orcs and goblins are living creatures fighting for their lives as well".
*ahem* That went off the rails pretty quickly.
Anyway, it's good to be back and thank you for reading this far. Armoured Fox Press should have a website up in the next month or so, as well as a few new books on its shelf.
And if you are going to Fur-Eh! this year, I look forward to seeing you there. (and selling you books!)
Until next time, take care and keep on writing!
It's been an interesting few months since I last wrote. Armoured Fox Press has another anthology under its wing, though edited by someone else. We've also gotten some reviews, some good, some pointing out areas that need work. It's a learning progress and one I will have to just work through and learn from. (like all things)
I've been trying to read more furry fiction, as well as Japanese (and English) light novels, as these are the bread and butter for Armoured Fox Press. The furry fiction has mostly been novella sized works, and mostly erotic. As weird as it is for me to state it, I am actually a bit tired of erotic works when it comes to furry fiction. There's just so much of it, but that's not going to change as it is one of the top sellers in the fandom.
Light novels on the other hand are predominantly Isekai. (Transported to another world) This is a far more appealing genre for me and one I could have easily gotten behind as a younger me. (I even wrote some back in the day, before I knew what it was) The novels have been light and enjoyable, which shouldn't come as a surprise as they are for young adults and are distinctly lighter in tone than most 'adult' works.
What I haven't been reading a lot of is horror. Much like erotica, I am feeling pretty burned out with that genre. (as well as Lovecraftian horror, which as many of you know, I love) This doesn't mean I won't go back to reading it, as I am sure I will cycle back to it. But for now, I would rather concentrate on another genre.
Which brings me to what I am reading (while trying to finish the 80 something books I am in the middle of), which is fantasy. Not just normal fantasy mind you, but D&D fantasy novels. Dragon Lance and Forgotten Realms specifically.
I used to read these a LOT when I was younger, and here I am twenty-something years later and I have the itch to revisit them. I have already read Dragons of Autumn Twilight and found that it hadn't aged very well from when I was younger. I am hoping that as I get further into the series this changes, but even reading Dragons of the Dwarven Depths (which was written far later) isn't helping matters. It still feels very... YA.
And the Forgotten Realms is far different than I remember it, as I read the more recent Brimstone Angels. Things have changed in the realms, and nothing looks familiar to what it was when I read Azure Bonds and Pool of Radiance. It also reads a bit more like... urban fantasy, if that makes sense. It's the style of writing, and it shows the influences of a more modern time. It is fantasy that doesn't take itself as seriously as previous works did, and the characters feel more modern than anything.
Which is saying something, as the light novel Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash: Volume 1, though for young adults, takes the fantasy trope and adds an amount of realism to it that makes you have to take a step back and thing: "Yeah, that's right, orcs and goblins are living creatures fighting for their lives as well".
*ahem* That went off the rails pretty quickly.
Anyway, it's good to be back and thank you for reading this far. Armoured Fox Press should have a website up in the next month or so, as well as a few new books on its shelf.
And if you are going to Fur-Eh! this year, I look forward to seeing you there. (and selling you books!)
Until next time, take care and keep on writing!
