Robin Burks's Blog, page 18

I’ve been busy writing stuff!

In spite of an upcoming vacation and the beginnings of a cold (I’m viciously attacking it with Zinc and Vitamin C), I’ve done quite a bit of writing these past few weeks, in addition to continuing work on the next novel. So I thought I would link to the various articles that I’ve done that I’m particularly proud of:

FanGirlConfessions.com

Untitled Web Series Wednesday: NOT Inspector Spacetime interview

Doctor Who: Asylum of the Daleks Review (Spoilers)

RantGaming.com

Subscription MMO’s Should Not Be Dead

The Secret World continues to promise game updates in spite of lay-offs

DVICE.com

14 futuristic crime-busting technologies just around the corner

Zeus, Inc. blurb featured on Teaser Tuesday

Zeus, Inc. is out there circulating amongst bloggers and reviewers and turns up now and again. Today, I found a blurb from Zeus, Inc. on Hooked In A Book.

I’m looking forward to reading a review there soon, too!

Go check it out.

State of the author

I just thought I would write a little update as there’s a few things going on in my life and with the writing. I have been busy working diligently on The Book of Revelations: Prophecy, but as several people are asking me about a sequel to Zeus, Inc., I’m considering taking a break in November (if BOR isn’t complete) and spending time on the sequel. I already have ideas for it and Alex Grosjean is never far from my thoughts. Why November? Why, NaNoWriMo, of course! I wrote the first book during NaNoWriMo, so it only seems appropriate the sequel comes out of that, too.

Also, if you’re bored this Labor Day weekend (unfortunately, I’ll be working), go stop by Dragon*Cant. It’s an online convention set up for those who could not attend Dragon Con. Zeus, Inc. is actually part of the Merchants Circle there!

I have been writing a lot for RantGaming.com, as well. So here’s a full list of what I’ve covered so far.

I also did an interview with Jason Chen from StoryBundle for DVICE.

There’s a new review or two posted about Zeus, Inc. on Amazon. I have a few blog reviews coming up soon, too – I’ll post them when they’re live. Being a self-published author is certainly not easy (as I’m discovering), but it’s very rewarding.

Oh, and I’m going to Paris in a week. I’ll probably be posting here every day while I’m there, with photos of food I’m eating (so you can all be extremely jealous), as well as little things that come along that interest me. This will be my third trip there and my fourth trip to Europe, but I’m still as excited as the first time I flew overseas. I will also being taking a great amount of notes as I’m pretty sure part of the Zeus, Inc. sequel will take place there. Like I said, I have ideas!

I hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend. I hope to squeeze in some time to play The Secret World myself. Because all work and no play makes Robin go crazy.

LABOR DAY SALE! Zeus, Inc. available for just $0.99 on Smashwords. Use coupon code FY62Q

Zeus, Inc. part of Dragon*Cant Merchants Circle

While some of you are getting ready for Dragon Con, many of us are not able to attend. But never fear, because there’s Dragon*Cant, an online con for those of us who can’t make it to Atlanta, but still want to be a part of the con experience.

And Zeus, Inc., will be available as part of the Dragon Cant Merchants Circle.

Check it out here.

Another blog post about Zeus, Inc.

A huge thank you to my fellow RantGaming.com writer over at Android Dreamer for putting up a blurb about Zeus, Inc. Check it out here:

http://androiddreamer.wordpress.com/

Interview at Rai29 Book Read N Review

Be sure to stop by the Rae29 Book Read N Review Blog today and see the promotion for Zeus, Inc. And don’t miss the interview I did for the site, too.

Also, be sure to check out the latest great reviews of Zeus, Inc. on Good Reads.

Ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog (and a Duranie)

I spent Friday night in Memphis with my cousin and friend to see our favorite band of all-time (and the staple of my formative teen years): Duran Duran. Thanks to a great deal via the Priceline Negotiator (insert image of William Shatner doing a karate chop here), we ended up with a hotel room for the night at the world famous The Peabody hotel. For a not-so- world-famous price.

Now growing up, we thought The Peabody Hotel was the creme de la creme – the place where celebrities and presidents slept when they were in town.

I have to admit that it didn’t disappoint. In a world of modern black and white hotels with minimal design, The Peabody stands out as an old Southern charming classic.

Upon arrival (after a hefty hike from the parking lot – thank goodness for wheeled baggage), we were greeted with a smile and settled into our room to get ready for the concert. We caught the tail end (pun intended) of the ducks marching back up to the roof (the ducks are a Peabody tradition – they swim in the fountain every day in the hotel lobby) and then headed out to the venue where Duran Duran were playing.

The venue was the Memphis Botanic Garden. A few things about this place ROYALLY sucked. First, parking was nearly 1/4 of a mile away. Secondly, if you’re a fan of the band and actually want a decent seat – forget it. Those tables that are up front are bought in advance by those people and corporations who support the garden. And let me tell you, there weren’t a lot of Duranies amongst those people. I mean, really, WHY COME TO A CONCERT OF A BAND THAT YOU DON’T EVEN LIKE?

And we were told that even empty tables would just stay empty – they wouldn’t be up for sale later. You know, like at a REAL concert venue.

To be honest, I was a little irked about that situation. And guess what? When the band started playing, they picked up on the fact that the loudest screamers and most lively dancers were those behind the fence behind the tables. Lead singer Simon LeBon commented on it and pretty much told us that we were the ones they were performing for. And they did. They performed for us. Even their back-up singer told those in the front to get off their butts and onto their feet and DANCE. Ridiculous.

Those of us on the lawn? We were dancing and singing our hearts out. And we were recognized by the band throughout the show. They dedicated “All You Need Is Now” to us. Also, when the fuddie-duddies up front began to leave, Simon literally said, “Now this is a real Duran party!”

Yes, yes, it was.

We met some lovely girls from Louisville. They told me they saw me dancing up near the fence and wanted to come hang with us because we looked like we were having fun. They were so sweet. Their mother (who is now deceased) was a Duranie and passed it onto them. This was their first Duran Duran concert. This was, literally, a dream come true for them. THIS, this reminded me of why I loved this band so darn much (besides the fact that they brought the house down in spite of the boring folks up front).

The show was great. I got yet another Duran Duran t-shirt. And we hiked the 1/4 mile back to the car after it was done to go freshen up at the hotel. Freshen up = change shirts and shoes.

And then we hit Beale Street, which was PUMPING, thanks to it being Elvis Week in Memphis. We ended up at the Hard Rock, starved and needing beverages. And that’s where we saw all the Elvis impersonators doing karaoke. It was AWESOME. And another lesson in fandom. Elvis is the ONLY musician, who has inspired such ardor so long after his death. He truly is a legend. People from all over the world are in Memphis to celebrate the life and music of this one man who touched them.

And we had come to Memphis to pay tribute to the band that had touched us. It sort of fit to see that after the concert.

But wait! It gets better! After a margarita and way too much food, we went back to the hotel, only to see Lisa Marie Presley hanging out in the lobby.

At that point, chalk it up to being a perfect night. Even if it all feels completely unreal right now.

Oh, and look at the cute little ducks! We got to see them march to the fountain this morning.

A good time was had by all is an understatement. But now, I believe I need to sleep.

And yes, it’s true: Elvis has left the building.

Interview with Literary Plus

Hey, everyone! My interview (my first!) is up over at Literary Plus. Be sure to go check it out. I also have a new 5-star review over at Smashwords and on Good Reads. Here’s just a little snippet:

“The author’s writing style is crisp and realistic. To avoid giving away any plot spoilers, all I can say is everything isn’t what it seems. If you’re a fan of fantasy, you’re going to enjoy this book.”

Also, I’m still waiting for Zeus, Inc. to be processed over at Google Books. Apparently, it’s going to take awhile. I’ll keep you updated on when that happens.

Operation eBook Drop

I am very happy to announce my participation with Operation eBook Drop. This program’s mission is to have independent authors offer their ebooks for free to coalition troops deployed overseas. Currently, over 1,400 authors are participating, myself included.

So in supporting me and my writing endeavors, you’re also helping me support our soldiers who are stationed all over the world. It’s just my small way of giving back and I hope to be able to do this with every book I publish in the future, too. It’s a great cause and I’m very proud to be supporting it.

For more information on Operation eBook Drop, check out the blog post on Smashwords or visit the Operation eBook Drop Facebook page.

Zeus, Inc. now available for iBooks

I am proud to announce that Zeus, Inc. is now available for download in the iBookstore. So those of you with an iPad, iPhone or other i devices can now download directly through Apple via the link below:

Zeus, Inc. for iBooks