Rob Rowntree's Blog, page 3
March 9, 2014
New short story cover
I recently posted a cover for one of my short stories that will soon be available from Amazon. Here's the next one.
It's a story about obsession, lust and hot air balloons. Oh and did I mention Lycanthropes.
It'll be up soon.
It's a story about obsession, lust and hot air balloons. Oh and did I mention Lycanthropes.
It'll be up soon.
A Book Review
In the End - a small apocalypse. In the End is a small novel (only 218 pages Amazon) form Edward M Wolfe, following a limited number of survivors after an apparent nuclear attack on Denver. The writing is paced beautifully; in a clear, no nonsense style that pulls you along, tantalising with some lovely hooks as it goes. Once I was half way through, I needed to finish, because I was so wrapped up in the character’s situations. The plot felt realistic in its mechanics, resolving all the threads nicely in a finale involving them all. True, it was sign-posted and any seasoned reader might see it coming, but the read’s so enjoyable that I didn’t mind. It’s not Alas Babylon, Fail Safe or On The Beach, but it’s a very enjoyable way to spend a few hours getting to know these characters and their world. There are negatives, hence the four stars (I would really have given 3 and half, but don’t have that option. I ‘m a hard ass when it comes to reviews; 3 and half is good). The novel is too short. There’s a situation involving Mormons which should in my opinion have been longer. The characterisation is okay, but at the beginning, I felt they were a little flat – these two points are just nit picking because the issues didn’t detract from a great read. Also, some of the characters made choices which I felt were less than sensible under the circumstances. But that’s people right, making mistakes. A good read and I would read more of this guy’s work. Recommended.
March 8, 2014
Space Elevatos - don't pack your bags just yet...
Space Elevators have been a dream of SF enthusiasts and the space industry for quite a while and this article has sums up-to-date thinking on the subject.
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/176625-60000-miles-up-geostationary-space-elevator-could-be-built-by-2035-says-new-study
I think that the materials will certainly be available. The article points out that many big business and governments would be more than willing to fund such a project, and I agree there too.
But when you look at the world's pettiness, the constant political arguements, small wars and jealously protected borders, I don't see how we could ever reach a consensus that would allow the world to build such a wonder full mega-project.
Mores the pity. Because somewhere down the road, we (that's all of us) are going to need this.
March 2, 2014
New stories sneak peak at cover
I'll soon be publishing two short stories on Amazon's KDP. Naturally I needed some cover art work and here's a sneak peak at the the cover for John and Lee, Down by the G'star. It's a work in progress so comments are welcome.
Let me know what you think.
Let me know what you think.
February 24, 2014
Sad news - Harold Ramis dies aged 69
I love a good comedy film and during my youth I loved the films of Harold Ramis. He will be missed.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-harold-ramis-dead-20140224,0,2259309.story
"National Lampoon's Animal House", an all time favourite of mine, the little gem "Stripes" (1981), which I discovered long after it was released and "Ghostbusters" plus "Caddyshack" (1980), "National Lampoon's Vacation" (1983), "Groundhog Day" and "Analyze This."
Perhaps I look back on these movies with those old rose-tinted glasses of youth, but there's no denying he had an influence. Many a movie has tried to emulate his works but most fail in comparison.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-harold-ramis-dead-20140224,0,2259309.story
"National Lampoon's Animal House", an all time favourite of mine, the little gem "Stripes" (1981), which I discovered long after it was released and "Ghostbusters" plus "Caddyshack" (1980), "National Lampoon's Vacation" (1983), "Groundhog Day" and "Analyze This."
Perhaps I look back on these movies with those old rose-tinted glasses of youth, but there's no denying he had an influence. Many a movie has tried to emulate his works but most fail in comparison.
February 22, 2014
I took the plunge
Well, it's the end of Feb and after the Draft2Digital lost access to Amazon I had to do some quick thinking. I ended up doing it myself and joined Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), and was surprised how smoothly everything went. I had the mobi file already and the rest was pain sailing.
No sooner had I pressed the button and I had new sales - go figure?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IA4V8YA
What to do next. Amazon offer their KDP authors a service called KDP Select. I did some research and it looked like the bubble on this had burst. Lot of people tried it and not much happened. But hey what have I got to lose? Sales via nook, ibook and Kobo had dried up, so the exclusivity didn't really bother me.
The deal is simple: for exclusive distribution for 90 days, the book is entered into the KDP library, people that are prime members can borrow the book and the author gets a share of a pot of money. Hopefully the author will get some good reviews. During the 90 days there are some schemes to help sell your book.
I'll let you all know how things go.
What out for two new publications from me soon.
No sooner had I pressed the button and I had new sales - go figure?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IA4V8YA
What to do next. Amazon offer their KDP authors a service called KDP Select. I did some research and it looked like the bubble on this had burst. Lot of people tried it and not much happened. But hey what have I got to lose? Sales via nook, ibook and Kobo had dried up, so the exclusivity didn't really bother me.
The deal is simple: for exclusive distribution for 90 days, the book is entered into the KDP library, people that are prime members can borrow the book and the author gets a share of a pot of money. Hopefully the author will get some good reviews. During the 90 days there are some schemes to help sell your book.
I'll let you all know how things go.
What out for two new publications from me soon.
January 26, 2014
Romance for SF readers - take a chance.
For the month of February I'll be selling Unbound Brothers at just $1.99. It's a real bargain and will make a great gift for the SF lover in your family.
It's still getting great press. Join the ride and see what all the fuss is about.
It's still getting great press. Join the ride and see what all the fuss is about.
January 16, 2014
Alien movies
Okay, so it's been a while since I blogged. Christmas, New Year, blah, blah, I know, no excuse right?
Anyhow, after some discussion with my wife we decided that our oldest boy could watch the Alien movies with us (there was no real need to worry, because as he said, he's okay with monster films). The results were interesting...
We watched them in sequence, Alien and Aliens, followed a few days later with Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection.
I remember being blown away by Alien at the cinema when it was first released, enjoying Aliens for managing to continue the series and expand upon the original without losing quality. Alien 3 took some time to get into and Alien Ressurection being enjoyable up until the last 20 minutes - we won't talk about the last twenty minutes.
Naturally I enjoyed them all again. But this time I came away liking the first and third film better than the other two. For me Aliens has dated badly, the effects are poor and there's an 80's vibe to the script, which somehow cheepens the movie. Alien Resurrection was okay until the last 20 minutes. But Alien and Alien 3 stood up well, both as cinematic specticle and stories. The scripts were good and tight and they had stories to tell.
My son thought the whole series was good, but when I asked him which he liked best, thinking he was going to say Aliens, he surprised me, he thought Alien 3 was the best, more atmosphere, more scary and a good story.
Kids, who'd have them.
They are all worth a watch though. Hope if Ridley Scott does another Prometheus movie that he manages to make it consistent and better than the first.
Anyhow, after some discussion with my wife we decided that our oldest boy could watch the Alien movies with us (there was no real need to worry, because as he said, he's okay with monster films). The results were interesting...
We watched them in sequence, Alien and Aliens, followed a few days later with Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection.I remember being blown away by Alien at the cinema when it was first released, enjoying Aliens for managing to continue the series and expand upon the original without losing quality. Alien 3 took some time to get into and Alien Ressurection being enjoyable up until the last 20 minutes - we won't talk about the last twenty minutes.
Naturally I enjoyed them all again. But this time I came away liking the first and third film better than the other two. For me Aliens has dated badly, the effects are poor and there's an 80's vibe to the script, which somehow cheepens the movie. Alien Resurrection was okay until the last 20 minutes. But Alien and Alien 3 stood up well, both as cinematic specticle and stories. The scripts were good and tight and they had stories to tell.
My son thought the whole series was good, but when I asked him which he liked best, thinking he was going to say Aliens, he surprised me, he thought Alien 3 was the best, more atmosphere, more scary and a good story.
Kids, who'd have them.
They are all worth a watch though. Hope if Ridley Scott does another Prometheus movie that he manages to make it consistent and better than the first.
December 1, 2013
Talking of novels...
My first novel is on sale for Christmas at just $0.99 and £0.77 respectively.
It continues to get great reviews and will make an ideal stocking filler for the SF lover in your life. Let them see what all the fuss is about.
On sale at this price until 14/12/2013. (PS. If you are quick you might find that Amazon have reduced it further in one of their mad sales promotions.)
It continues to get great reviews and will make an ideal stocking filler for the SF lover in your life. Let them see what all the fuss is about.On sale at this price until 14/12/2013. (PS. If you are quick you might find that Amazon have reduced it further in one of their mad sales promotions.)
November 27, 2013
A funny thing happened on the way to my next novel...
So, I'm writing my next novel, Refugium. It's going well and at 12k I'm feeling pretty good, then I hit a bump, not a just a bump, but a bang and it derails me. What to do?
You'll here authors tell you that you should work through problems, write past the awkward section and it will come together, not necessarily then, but later in rewrites, editing as so on. It's a sound plan that I'd go along with, but something was niggling away at the back of my mind. I'd try something different.
So, here I am, 20 thousand words into another project, The Narrows. It's a multi-genre novel, blending fantasy, Sf and steampunk. A quest, artificlial worlds and galactic revelations. And it's coming along better than I'd expected.
I've not lost Refugium. It's still waiting patiently for me to return and perhaps one day I will. For now though, The Narrows has my full attention until it's finished. Hopefully around September 2014, when I'll start work-shopping it before submitting to major publishers.
I'll post some content later, as the project gains momentum.
You'll here authors tell you that you should work through problems, write past the awkward section and it will come together, not necessarily then, but later in rewrites, editing as so on. It's a sound plan that I'd go along with, but something was niggling away at the back of my mind. I'd try something different.
So, here I am, 20 thousand words into another project, The Narrows. It's a multi-genre novel, blending fantasy, Sf and steampunk. A quest, artificlial worlds and galactic revelations. And it's coming along better than I'd expected.
I've not lost Refugium. It's still waiting patiently for me to return and perhaps one day I will. For now though, The Narrows has my full attention until it's finished. Hopefully around September 2014, when I'll start work-shopping it before submitting to major publishers.
I'll post some content later, as the project gains momentum.
