Jeffrey Kosh's Blog, page 2

Multi-Tasking And Writing - A Guest post by Armand Rosamilia

I currently have thirteen projects in varying levels of completion open on my laptop. My obvious goal is to get them all written, edited and submitted to publishers or self-published. Will I get to all of them? I hope. I figured out if I finished all of them within the approximate word count I thought they'd end up, I'd need to write another 152,000 words.
And that's if I don't add anything else to the pile… I currently have a list of nineteen more solid story ideas I haven't written a word on… yet. I'm sure if I looked deeper I could find another two dozen unfinished stories and notes on napkins with other great ideas. When will it end? When I'm done writing all of them, of course.
I took the liberty of asking a few writing friends how many projects they work on at one time. Here is my scientific study results, all on a bell curve, and all completely random and unscientific.
"I actually have four or five going on right now. One may end up being another novel… Hell, the other one may end up being a novel, too, along with a few short stories for anthology submission. I like to write more than one thing at a time just for sanity’s sake. If I get motivated to work on one story over another one, I can work on that one rather than forget what I was going to add to the other story by saying ‘No, you have to finish this one before you can work on that one.’ It would be akin to parents telling their kids they can’t have their veggies because they haven’t finished their meat. As for me, I’ve always been a fan of eating dessert first." - Suzi M., author of the Immortal War Series and many more tales of terror. Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Suzi-M/e/B003TTLGP2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
"Normally one. Although, I do have an electronic index card program to jot ideas down with for future possibilities." - Kat Yares http://www.katyares.com
"I work on whatever comes to me. The most I've ever had going at one time has been four." - Jaime Johnesee http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008D2VVXC
"Writing, I will sometimes work on two projects at a time and break up the sessions with editing work that acts as the palate-cleansing sorbet in between. As for why, it sometimes is as simple as I get an idea and do not want to let it die. If I do not work on it... it tends to fade and I lose it forever... sort of like dreams. You wake up and, if you do not take a moment to think about it... it vanishes." - Todd Brown http://twbrown.blogspot.com/
"Usually only one. I find if I write on more than one at a time I get too into one and lose track of the other." - Vincent Hobbes http://www.amazon.com/Khost-ebook/dp/B00AA46MJE/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1363636444&sr=8-1&keywords=khost
"Usually more than one. Most of my career I'd work on a novel and write short stories when I was invited or when an idea hit me. I still do that, but this year I'm working on two books at once, a new novel and my memoir. Plus short stories when ideas come to mind." - Billie Sue Mosiman http://www.amazon.com/MOON-LAKE-ebook/dp/B00B8H4TFQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1363280207&sr=1-1&keywords=moon+mosiman
"I tend to stick to one project at a time. Yet, I admit that’s difficult; sometimes a new idea invades my mind and I find myself struggling to keep it out, so I end up with a ‘Sleeping Tales’ folder with three or more half-written stories. Some will see daylight, others … never. " – Jeffrey Kosh http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0074F2VGU
So, what have we learned? Who knows. I just wanted to do another blog post with quotes from cool people I like who are great writers. You need to figure out what works for you. For me, it's a baker's dozen stories to hit at once. You might only be able to do one at a time, or maybe the magic number is fifty open. However you decide… good luck!
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Armand Rosamilia is quite possibly the sexiest man alive (although Tim Magazine sucks and won't recognize his write-in votes). You can find his brilliance and humbleness at http://armandrosamilia.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, New Myspace, etc. because he is a media ho. 

The ALEXANDRIA PUBLISHING GROUP

Since May 2012, I am a member of the Alexandria Publishing Group.The purpose of the group is to give quality writers a place to be recognized for the work and effort they put in to creating a good book, yet also to maintain high standards of professional behavior of Indie members on media communication.
For those who would like to join the Alexandria Publishing Group, please understand they have an invitation only submissions policy. To be considered for invitation to submit they ask first that:
a.) You have a completed manuscript
b.) Said completed manuscript will pass the scrutiny of their editors and formatters. (Typos and occasional errors might be overlooked, if the overall manuscript is generally well done. Consistent spelling errors will be not.)
c.) That said completed manuscript actually has a good plot, decent characters, and relatively good reviews
d.) That you behave in a professional manner the majority of time. If considered for inclusion you will be approached through direct message and asked if you would like to join. If you choose to accept, understand that there are no fees, although there may be joint expenditures for which you may be asked to contribute. Each member contributes what they can afford – some better for one expenditure, while money is tight at the next.
Responsibilities within the group – maintain good standards of writing, cross-promote by adding the logo to your new releases (and old if you wish), join promotional efforts within the group (blog tours, group free releases, within reason) and twitter/Facebook post your good reviews, new releases, etc.
It is NOT required that you use any of the service providers in the group, only that you get good help with covers, editing and formatting so your books look professional. Nor are any of the service providers required to provide discounts to members of the group. 
All members will treat each other with respect.
THE WRITERS
VALERIE DOUGLAS


Valerie Douglas is a prolific writer and a genre-crosser, much to the delight of her fans. A fan of authors of almost every genre from Isaac Asimov to Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, she writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and as V.J. Devereaux, erotic romance. Who knows what will pop up down the road!Happily married, she’s companion to two dogs, four cats and an African clawed frog named Hopper who delights in tormenting the cats from his tank.You can find more information at www.valeriedouglasbooks.com
D KAI WILSON-VIOLA


AKA – Sabrann Curach, Jaden Trinsic, Lady Fayth C. Reeves, Kai Viola, Donna Wilson, Brittany Harkness (Britta Harkness).
D Kai Wilson-Viola, or Kai is a veteran writer with a career that spans print, blogging and ebooks. Moderating on various sites for writers, she spends her time playing with code, editing, writing and offering social media advice.You can always tell someone’s been writing a long time when she shakes her head and says ‘and that’s not all of them’. Kai’s been writing so long, she swears her pen names have pen names, and she’s only listed a few of them.At 33, she’s been writing for close to 30 years, and published for nearly 20.Whether you consider her loony, or someone that you’d really like to get to know more, her books are available in various places and she’s always got her fingers in *something* to do with Indie writers.
DONNA K. FITCH


Born in Huntsville, Alabama, the “Rocket City,” Donna K. Fitch grew up hearing the sound of rocket testing at Redstone Arsenal and graduated from a high school named for Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, the astronaut who died in Apollo 1. She also heard tales of the ghost of Sally Carter and the “old Grizzard Mansion” near her home, said to be haunted. This background, when mixed with an early diet of Dr. Seuss, the reference section of the Oak Park Public Library, 1930s mystery stories and the Gothic novels of Victoria Holt, set her to writing her own stories at age 13. Later literary influences spilled into Donna’s writing–Ambrose Bierce, Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft and Tim Powers–to give it more than a tinge of paranormal and the macabre. Her love of research led her to a Master’s in Library Service, and her fascination with HTML led her to switch careers from academic librarian to web designer. For fun, she visits cemeteries–the older the better–and plays roleplaying games.Her books include Second Death, The Source of Lightning and The Color of Darkness and Other Stories.Learn more at www.donnakfitch.com.
PAUL KATER


Paul Kater was born in the Netherlandsin 1960. He quickly developed a feel for languages but did not pursue a career in those as his native language, Dutch, did not offer many options in that time.After learning far too much about computers he started to make a living with them. During all that time he always wrote short stories, little things to entertain family and friends and also himself with.Since 2003 he’s been writing more seriously, first posting his scribblings on an amateur writer’s mailing list, and then publishing shorter and longer stories on the internet. Due to the international character of the Internet, all Paul’s stories so far are written in English.Paul currently lives in Cuijk, in the Netherlands, with his books and the many characters he’s developed in the past years, who claim he is a figment of their imagination.You can learn more about him at his website.
MARY ANNE PEDEN-COVIELLO


Mary Ann was born in Northern Virginia, outside Washington, D.C., in 1948. She has lived in five states, all below the Mason-Dixon Line.She has been married to the same man since 1976 and, somewhat to everyone’s surprise, there are no bodies in the back yard (no human ones anyway) and no permanent hearing loss from the shouting.Mary Ann and her husband have two sons, one daughter-in-law, and one who might as well be a son, all of whom are the very apples of Mary Ann’s eye. She is owned by any number of animals–dogs, cats, the occasional rodent, you name it.Mary Ann has been creating stories since she was a little girl. Back then, her mother called them–depending on her mood–tall tales or lies. Now she writes horror and paranormal short stories and novels, all with a little bite of humour. (Yes, she likes British spellings. Too many imported Agatha Christie novels in her impressionable youth.)She also does freelance editing. Her strength is in copy editing. Grammar, spelling, punctuation–all those sneaky, tricky snares the English language sets for the unwary.She reviews books, too, sometimes on Amazon, sometimes on her own website.
TERRY C. SIMPSON


Talking to the characters I imagine has become an intriguing experience especially when they disagree with me. – Terry Simpson.Terry grew up on the tiny Caribbean island of Barbados. He always had a love of writing for as long as he can remember. His genres of choice are fantasy, either epic, dark, or urban.Somehow, he grew to love fantasy more than any other although his early days were spent reading his father’s books from Louis L’amour’s westerns to Don Pendleton’s Executioner series.When Terry moved to New York in 1986 to live with his mother, his love for books developed into him reading and loving fantasy authors such as Robert Jordan, Jim Butcher, Terry Goodkind , Brandon Sanderson, George RR Martin, Brian Lumley, Laura K Hamilton and quite a few others.Terry began building the world for what is now called the Aegis of the Gods series in 2001. At first, it was just a hobby because of his love for fantasy and the written word. Slowly, it became a part of his life. Finally, in 2010, Terry decided to sit down and pen the first book based in his world.When he isn’t writing, Terry enjoys reading, movies, gaming (especially MMORPGS), working out, watching sports, and playing with his beautiful daughter Kai.
Blog: http://terrycsimpson.wordpress.com/
JONATHAN GOULD


Jonathan Gould has lived in Melbourne, Australia all his life, except when he hasn’t. He has written comedy sketches for both the theatre and radio, as well as several published children’s books for the educational market.He likes to refer to his stories as dag-lit because they don’t easily fit into recognisable genres (dag is Australian slang for a person who is unfashionable and doesn’t follow the crowd – but in an amusing and fun way). You might think of them as comic fantasies, or modern fairytales for the young and the young-at-heart.Over the years, his writing has been compared to Douglas Adams, Monty Python, A.A. Milne, Lewis Carroll, the Goons, Dr Seuss and even Enid Blyton (in a good way).
STEPHEN H. KING


A Mississippinative, Stephen H. King was moved in high school entirely against his will from the small town of Corinth to a large city he ended up loving in southern California. After, a series of mostly unexplainable decisions led him through a strange sequence of events beginning at the United States Military Academy, where he double-majored in physics and electrical engineering, through a fairly short career as an Infantry officer and then an electronics technician, a product engineer, a carpenter’s helper, and an elementary school janitor, to ultimately finding himself on the faculty of a small college in Anchorage, Alaska.During those years, he learned that reading science fiction and fantasy allowed him to escape the strangeness into the more understandable worlds crafted by Isaac Asimov, Piers Anthony, Marion Zimmer Bradley, and many other great writers. As time went on he began to mold his own worlds.
Important Links:
Web site: http://www.theotherstephenking.com
JEFFREY KOSH
Well … you know me.
Have a look at the official website:http://alexandriapublishinggroup.com/

My second time in an anthology.HAUNT, one of my scariest ...

My second time in an anthology.

HAUNT, one of my scariest and weirdest stories is here, in 'From Beyond the Grave'




http://www.amazon.com/From-Beyond-the-Grave-ebook/dp/B00BR0P8O0

Feel the Thrill

TO MY FAITHFUL READER

Stephen King calls his fans ‘Constant Readers’. I call mine ‘Faithful Readers’.Oh, I’m not copying the King, far from that; I just use that nick to identify those people who really care about my writing, not just my good-looking (?) face on a picture or my lame jokes.These people love the way I write, and have faith in me, buying all the stories I put out knowing I will not betray them, that everything I do is done with passion, not marketing.
After more than one year in this new, wonderful venture, I feel the need to say thank you to all my Faithful Readers. When I started this gig, I didn’t expect so much success, no, really.It is unbelievable the amount of love and feedback I received and I still can’t believe it.I want to thank some of them I had the opportunity to interact with on various social networks.
I’ll start with Mallory Anne-Marie Forbes.She was my first reader. I still remember her post on Facebook stating she had just bought a copy of ‘Feeding the Urge’. It chilled and thrilled my blood at the same time. Here it was a complete stranger, reading my stuff, who could send me back to Oblivion just with one word (Meh!) or fly me to the Empyrean with another (Nice!) And she wrote a review. My first one.Five stars!I kept pacing back n’ forth in my tiny hut down here in Thailand, unable to take off my eyes from the pc’s screen. I called my wife to show her I wasn’t dreaming. It was for real.Mallory became my first Faithful Reader.
Then others came, mostly other writers, and I thank all of them, because without their support I won’t be here, turning a successful short tale into a 40.000+ words novel. But I thanked them already before Christmas. This time it’s all for readers.
The second one is Jennifer Thomas.This Georgian gal loves so much my Axel J. Hyde’s character she’s gonna kill me should I pull off one of his hair. She told me she read my novel four times, and even read it to her dad while he was at the hospital. Now, that’s great, folks! I will never thank enough Jennifer for supporting my writing so much. Jennifer is an acute reader and loves to immerge herself in the stories we, authors and storytellers (I’m more of the last and less of the first, as you know), create. She cries and laughs with our characters. She feels their angst and their successes. I call her, an ‘empathic reader’.
The third is Lori Wolfe Safranek.She can be a pain in the ass, for this strong woman can lift you to heaven with a smile or knock you down to hell when she’s pissed. But she’s honest. You take her by her face value. Doesn’t she like what you wrote? She will tell you, even in a harsh way. And I need that to keep my feet on the ground.
The fourth is Vix Kirkpatrick.This Faithful Reader has a typical Brit wit. She is also one of the most professional reviewers I met and can analyze your writing to the last comma. She’s honest and doesn’t like putting up fake reviews. She pointed to me what she didn’t like about one of my books. And she was right.I want to get all my books reviewed from this woman.
The fifth is Lorraine Arndell.I met her just recently. In truth, we had been friend by a long time, but she had never read anything from me. She started with my erotica, but soon moved to my horror. Well, this French lady reads with a passion, chugging down books like I swallow coke in this darn-always-hot place. Yet, she also savors them, and can tell you all the nuances she felt from a chapter to the other.
I know there are many more out there. Some I never spoke to, some are authors themselves. And I’m surely neglecting one or two, but you must forgive this old man, for he has good memory for the farthest events, and a bad one for the closest ones.
I think my next book (Dead Men Tell No Tales – Warped Edition) I will dedicate it to you:My Faithful Reader.

In February 2012, I was working on a new story based on ‘...

In February 2012, I was working on a new story based on ‘Black Schooner’ (now released free as Black Brig), when a small publisher offered me the opportunity to be part of an anthology. The deadline was very short and it required a zombie tale set in an alternate universe. So, working hard for three weeks, I turned ‘Curse of the Black Schooner’ into ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’. It never made into the anthology, but I self-published at Amazon, offering it as a freebie in two instances. Well, this small jewel has been my most successful story of ever, with more than 2.000 downloads and it even became known as the ‘most pirated pirate tale of the web’. I had to send so many letters for copyright infringement I could fill a book. Amazon threatened to suspend distribution more than once, as their staff found my story was available free on more than one ‘sharing’ site.
Honestly, I felt honored. Even today, I find Dead Men standing alongside books from Barker, King, Ketchum, and other big ones inside torrent bundles.
Yet, I was never satisfied with the result.
Because of word limits, I had to cut so many scenes and descriptions that every time I read it I feel a sense of emptiness.
So, you know what? I’m going to rewrite it.
Yes, I’ll put all my experience to expand this baby and offer it to you as the story it was meant to be. Captain Drake was intended as a flamboyant, Errol Flynn-like pirate, but due to space restrictions, he came out as a dour and depressed individual.
And what about the Black Gull (a tavern in Port Royal), the sword duels, the Risen horde, and other horrors?
You’ll read about them in ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales – Expanded Edition’.

To celebrate my debut as an author: I offer the seco...

To celebrate my debut as an author: 
I offer the second edition of Feeding the Urge (only at Smashwords) at $ 2.00 (instead of $ 4.99). All you have to do is follow this link and type the following coupon when prompted:
Promotional price: $2.00 Coupon Code: FK53B Expires: January 21, 2013
Get your discount here

FEEDING AXEL’S NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. I’m going to ask Dr. Axel J. Hyde what are his top New Year’s resolutions. Jeff: Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Work shouldn't always come first.So, do you plan on spending more time with your loved ones?
Axel: I don’t think so. I have no one to care about, being a solitary and barely social individual. I’d like to find someone ‘special’, someone like … me, but, honestly, who would live with a weirdo like me. I just plan to simulate my affection for my … what’s that word? Ah, girlfriend.Yeah, I have one, but it’s just a way to distract people attention. Morena is a woman with issues toward men, so perfectly fits with me. We are more like playmates than lovers.Yet, I feel …Forget it, I don’t feel. I can’t.

Jeff: Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape?
Axel: Me? I can’t get bigger and stronger than this. I practice kayaking in the swamps, love hiking on Seminole trails and hunting. Yes, hunting. I hunt a lot. So, that’s a worthless resolution, and to be honest, I’d like to develop a big bulge on my belly and spend more time watching TV as most do. But it won’t happen …
Jeff: Over 66% of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Why would wish something for like that?

Axel: Being overweight would mean having a normal and peaceful life to me. No needs, except rushing to the nearest fast food for a greasy meal and some carbonated beverage. For as much as it may sound weird … yes, I wish I were a big fat ass.

Jeff:  Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. Just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa.
Axel: As I said, I practice a lot of sports, so that’s out of question. A new hobby? Nah, I have too many … none pleasant to Joe/Jane Average.
Jeff: I can’t ask you to quit smoking because you don’t. To pay back your debts because you have none. Help others? Learn something new? In short, Axel, what are you resolutions?
Axel: I don’t know. I never plan things like those. I don’t even understand this practice. I remember my uncle Angus doing that every year - may he burn in Hell - and regularly ignoring his vows from day one. Same thing happens to a lot of people. No, I’ll be more realistic, being a tidy and organized … being. Here’s a list of what I want to do next year, but please, keep it secret.
Jeff: Mouth’s sealed.
Axel: First thing first, I want a brand new vanadium-reinforced chainsaw. One of those shiny ones that never get rusty teeth. Next, I want to understand more this ‘thing’ inside me, this ‘urge’ I’m feeding. For that, I’m planning a trip to New Orleans, my work schedule permitting. Want to pay a visit to a Houngan who used to commune with spirits in Grassy swamp last year and having some illicit fun with little gals on the side. I never met him, but one of those poor little bodies we fished out of Lover’s point gave me some … clues about his whereabouts. I’ll ask him a couple questions before … saying him goodbye.My last one is about Morena, my … bestfriend? Nah, girlfriend – heck, I hate that word. I want her to find someone else. I think she deserves some lovin’. After all, she’s human, unlike me.
Jeff: Sweet, thanks for the interview. Now, would you please untie me? This darn slab is chilling my ass …


HAPPY 2013, FOLKSStay away from troubles and have a look at the new version of ‘Feeding the Urge’.What’s new?A wonderful cover, some minor tweaks (edited by Natalie G. Owens) making it flow better. An introduction by Kat ‘Vengeance is Mine’ Yares and one from me. Maps of Prosperity Glades – you can even pinpoint it on map of Florida now – and some funny pictures.

Suck me dry! 10 Free copies of 'Spirits and Thought Forms'

I'm a bit 'Scroogeish' when it comes to my stories. I don't like giving them out for free. I mean, I worked hard on them, so I deserve a little gratification. But ...
This was my work Christmas of ever for personal motives, and even aborted one of my stories after the Connecticut tragedy. I'm not feeling the spirit of Christmas all around me, so ...
What the heck, suck me dry! Grab all copies you can of 'Spirits and Thought Forms' before I change my mind.
Bah!REDEEM HERE

Dear Santa ... Scary Letters from Scary People.

FREE for Christmas!


May-December Publishing offered me and many of my author friends the opportunity to write a letter to Santa from a special horror character.
ALL PROCEEDS GENERATED BY THIS PROJECT WILL BE DONATED QUARTERLY TO AREA FOOD BANKS. 

Most of us have written letters to Santa. However, what would Jason Voorhees, a vampire, a zombie, or Medusa ask for? The call went out, and as usual, the horror community stepped forward with some fun, entertaining, tongue-in-cheek letters to the fat man up north. Share some of these with your little goblins and keep the spirit of giving alive year round. 

Do you want to know what Nyarlathotep would ask to Santa?
Well, you can find out in my little letter in:


DEAR SANTA