A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 130
September 21, 2017
Swift Six Character Interview – Sir Edric Greenlock – Fantasy
Name: Good evening. I’m Sir Edric Greenlock, also known as the Hero of Hornska.
Which book/world do you live in? I live in the city of Awyndel, mostly (obviously I have my estate in the country and some property in Amphios). Many of my adventures and heroic doings occur in far flung corners of the world, but the latest volume of my biography, cunningly entitled Sir Edric’s Kingdom, mostly takes place in Awyndel.
Tell us about yourself: (Name, race/species, etc.) I hope you’re not suggesting I’ve got any elven blood in me. Look at the roundness of my ears, the beard bristling like a lion’s mane. I’m a pure-blood human and I shall shoot any villain who claims otherwise. More importantly, I’m also a knight, and wealthier than half of Awyndel put together. You can’t buy class, you know. Can’t sell it, either, which is a bit of a shame.
I’m an adventurer – why should I recruit you to accompany me? You don’t recruit me. I recruit you. The only commands I take on the battlefield are from men with golden hats (although, obviously, I’m usually obedient to Corkwell’s commands in the boudoir).
Tell us about your companions? How do they see you? Dog is my trusty manservant, and companion for most of my adventures. I’m quite sure he’s filled with admiration for myself and contentment that a peasant could get to enjoy the exotic travels and daring deeds of a knight. Orff No-Balsac is a close friend. We have mutual respect for one another, despite the fact I massacred most of his countrymen a few decades ago (don’t feel bad, they utterly deserved it), and he has a bad habit of eating humans. But worry not, I have since led him to a gentler path. Now he only eats unimportant people.
What’s your most heroic exploit to date? The Battle of Hornska, saving the entire world of men and elves from enslavement (and enlunchment) to the Ursk. And yet, there are barely a dozen statues to me in Awyndel. Shocking ingratitude.
What’s your greatest failure? Undoubtedly, being cursed by the wicked witch of wedlock. In my defence, my options were to marry Esmerelda or be brutally murdered. And I have managed to evade the crone’s clutches for many a year.
Where do you think you’ll be in a decade? Hard to say. Prince Sarpellon will probably still be trying to murder me, but Lawrence might pop his clogs. Maybe he’ll name me heir to the throne. I don’t think he will, as he’s something of a moron, but it’s possible.
Do you have a great love? (This could be a person/trait/item) Certainly do. My stables. Must have over twenty horses now, of all varieties. Rounceys for baggage, coursers for long journeys, and that mad monster Moloch for when I’m going into battle. I do love horses. More trustworthy than women, more obedient than men. What would a knight be without his horse?
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0757PMR7F/
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0757PMR7F/
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/745328
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/sir-edric-s-kingdom
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sir-edrics-kingdom-thaddeus-white/1127041546
September 16, 2017
Book Spotlight – Path of the Traitors – Fantasy – New Release
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Title: Legends of Windemere: Path of the Traitors
Author: Charles E. Yallowitz
Genre: Sword & Sorcery, Fantasy
Main character description (short): This volume of the ‘Legends of Windemere’ series steps away from the main heroes and focuses on one of their oldest enemies. Queen Trinity of the Chaos Elves has decided to help the champions on the eve of their final battle and take what she feels is the first step toward redemption. She is a powerful caster and dedicated leader to her people, but she has also done many horrible things in the name of the evil Baron Kernaghan. Forced to work with other former agents of her master, Trinity must retrain her instincts from that of a deadly assassin to those of a hero.
Synopsis: Hated and distrusted, Queen Trinity must leave the shadows and reach for redemption.
With their final battle on the horizon, the champions are faced with a long-lost piece of the prophecy. Unable to search for the crests that are rumored to be the key to survival, they must turn to a band of their former enemies for help. Sinister desires and hopes for redemption collide as Queen Trinity of the Chaos Elves leads the hunt and struggles to keep her companions on the path of heroism. Monsters, traps, mysteries, and their own pasts will rise up to stand in the way of these people who have spent their entire lives committing sins. Throughout it all, another old enemy is lurking in the shadows and determined to claim her own delicious prize.
By the end of their journey, those who survive will learn that being a hero is more than simply stepping into the light.
Brief Excerpt 250 words: A gurgling causes the two women to pause and look into the pit where the shadows are swirling among the jagged stones. Two black tentacles lance out of the ground and wrap around Yola’s waist, the ooze-dripping projections turning silver at the taste of her magic. Attracted to the stronger energy, the aura syphon yanks the immortal into its slime-covered maw and becomes a metallic beast. With its armored skin, the camouflaged predator is now visible and resembles a sea anemone with the body of a beetle. The jagged rocks are fused to the animal’s exoskeleton and there are six jointed legs that help it scurry out of the pit. Standing over Trinity, the creature opens a faint crease on its body to reveal a bulbous eye with a star-shaped pupil. It pauses to shove a few tentacles into its mouth and hit Yola with pulses of electricity to stop her from struggling. It changes from silver to gold when she attempts to break free, her efforts being quickly drained by the monster.
“Let the crazy woman go before you get killed,” Trinity whispers to the aura syphon. She creates a fireball in the hopes of getting its mouth open, but her spell is ignored. “No reason to have a snack when you have an eternal meal in your belly. Maybe we can have a trade. Can’t believe I’m trying to bargain with this thing. Well, I gave you a chance, so I’m going to blow you up before things get worse. Hope you heard that Yola and are bracing yourself.”
Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?
‘Path of the Traitors’ is filled with action, humor, and a lot of heart like the previous volumes of this series. With most of the cast being former villains, you get to see how each one works towards redemption and if they can even reach that goal.
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Links etc.
Amazon Sales Link- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075PDTSZM/
Social Media:
Blog: www.legendsofwindemere.com
Twitter: @cyallowitz
Facebook: Charles Yallowitz
Website: www.charleseyallowitz.com
September 10, 2017
Sunday Surprise
Here’s a character interview with Marden and Th’alia
creative barbwire (or the many lives of a creator)
Hi guys,
I’m Samantha and I come from another world – the original, old Silvery Earth, where people are immortal and never grow up. When I’m not switching bodies at will, I travel to other universes, especially books or movies. That’s how I met Rajveer the vampire, for example!
So, I’m taking over the interviews on this blog! And here I am, meeting people from other books/universes/whatever!
Soo! Tell me a little about yourself.
My name is Th’alia Erlis, Eltenda of the Elfkind – that’s scholar or Lorekeeper to you, human.
I come from Ilthendra, that’s a town in the Shimmering Forest. My age? I think I am about 25 summers.
My oh my… I’m 22 forever, so not really human, am I? *chuckle* Describe your appearance in ten words or less.
I have honey blonde hair, and elven features.
Do you have an enemy or nemesis? If so, who…
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September 9, 2017
To save. To guard. To heal. More Than Human Box Set by @libraryoferana #fantasy #SFF #books
Here’s a shiny spotlight for More than Human
POTL: All Things Books, Reading and Publishing
Title: More than Human – 11 e-book Box Set
Authors:
The Shining Citadel – https://bundlerabbit.com/products/detail/shining-citadel A. L. Butcher
Technological Angel – https://bundlerabbit.com/products/detail/technological-angel – Barbara G. Tarn
Needle-Green – https://bundlerabbit.com/products/detail/needle-green Debbie Mumford
The Cartographer’s Daughter – https://bundlerabbit.com/products/detail/cartographers-daughter Karen L. Abrahamson
Serpent’s Foe – https://bundlerabbit.com/products/detail/serpents-foe J.M. Ney-Grimm
The Crystal Courtesan – https://bundlerabbit.com/products/detail/crystal-courtesan Karen L. Abrahamson
The First Book of Old Mermaids Tales – https://bundlerabbit.com/products/detail/first-book-old-mermaids-tales Kim Antieau
The Guardians – Book 1 – https://bundlerabbit.com/products/detail/guardians-book-1 Don Viecelli
Love Apidae (A Recumon Story) – https://bundlerabbit.com/products/detail/love-apidae-recumon-story Michael R. E. Adams
The Flat Above the Wynd – https://bundlerabbit.com/products/detail/flat-above-wynd Alexandra Brandt
The Kitchen Imps and Other Dark Tales – https://bundlerabbit.com/products/detail/kitchen-imps-other-dark-tales A. L. Butcher
Genre: Fantasy/Scifi/Specfic
Book Blurb:
To save. To guard. To heal.
Beloved people, precious things, and sacred spaces move our hearts and inspire us to defend them.
In these tales of redemption and rescue, more-than-human heroes stand forth as champions to protect all…
View original post 1,327 more words
September 7, 2017
September 4, 2017
Book Spotlight – The Greatest Anthology Ever Written
Title: The Greatest Anthology Ever Written.
Author: Shane Porteous and over 100 others
Genre: You name it, it’s there
Main character description (short). Over 100 of them, men, women and everything in between
Synopsis: Authors from Nigeria, United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Mexico, New Zealand, Hungary, Australia, Switzerland, Canada, Belgium, the trashcan down the street and possibly even the lost city of Atlantis have assembled to unite their individual talents into creating the Guinness World Record for the longest and of course Greatest Anthology Ever Written.
Brief Excerpt 250 words: There’s nothing brief about this anthology! It is as big as it brilliant!
Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?
Because it is brilliant (dur!)
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Links etc.
Greatest Anthology Ever Written
September 3, 2017
Sunday Surprise
Here’s my Curator interview for More than Human:)
creative barbwire (or the many lives of a creator)
And it’s a guest! As announced, our mighty curator A.L. Butcher is here to talk about her first bundle – More Than Human – and all those neat things happening in her writerly life! You may remember her from the WyrdWorlds Anthologies… Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back A.L. Butcher!
Where do you live and write from?
I am from the UK, born and raised in the South East and now residing in rainy Bristol (in the South West).
Why do you write?
Because I enjoy it, because it’s part of who I am and because otherwise all the people, ideas and voices in my head would drive me mad.
Writing is a release – and to me it is freedom. Nothing is impossible in fiction, unlikely yes, but not impossible. That’s one reason I like to read and write fantasy. Fantasy is the ‘what if’, ‘it can be’…
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World Record Attempt! Dirty Dozen Author Interview – Shane Porteous
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Today I am pleased to welcome Shane Porteous, who talks about this amazing world record attempt!
Author name: Shane Porteous
*Please tell us about your publications. I have over 50, but the one I am most excited about at the moment is an anthology called THE GREATEST ANTHOLOGY EVER WRITTEN. It is currently on track to being officially recognized by Guinness as the longest anthology ever commercially published. It is planned on being launched at the end of September. You can preorder it here: https://celenicearthpublications.wordpress.com/2017/09/01/submissions-for-the-guinness-world-record-are-officially-closed/
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you started your publishing journey? Don’t be selfish. At the end of the day the only way you are ever going to be successful, career wise as a writer is to have people go out of their way to buy, read and review your work. That means you really need to be doing the same as you can’t really expect anyone to do something you wouldn’t do.
Speaking of which, a great way to show how selfless you are is by pre-ordering a copy of THE GREATEST ANTHOLOGY EVER WRITTEN. Which you can preorder here. https://celenicearthpublications.wordpress.com/2017/09/01/submissions-for-the-guinness-world-record-are-officially-closed/
If you could have dinner with any literary character who would you choose, and what would you eat. Toriko, because that dude can find almost everything edible, I think his great appreciation of food would make having dinner with him all the better. Not to mention if someone annoyed you, he could just punch them in the face really hard, while screaming Knife! Or Fork! And who wouldn’t want to have a dinner companion like that?
As for what I would eat, in the world that Toriko comes from they have a food, so spectacular they call it God. It is said to be so delicious that it actually started a world war in order to find it. I would love to eat what is considered by a food lover like Toriko to be the greatest food ever.
Speaking of greatest ever things. There is an anthology called THE GREATEST ANTHOLOGY EVER WRITTEN. A very accurate title indeed. It is available for preorder from this link. https://celenicearthpublications.wordpress.com/2017/09/01/submissions-for-the-guinness-world-record-are-officially-closed/
What are your views on authors offering free books? Do you believe, as some do, that it demeans an author and his or her work? Authors are free to do what they want, which includes giving away free books. But honestly, I wouldn’t really recommend it. Considering a lot of readers will download a free ebook, but won’t read it, they will just add it to the pile. I think in order to get readers reading your book, you need to get them to pay for it. It just makes them more invested in your work as a product as people use products they have some investment in.
S peaking of which, THE GREATEST ANTHOLOGY EVER WRITTEN is available for preorder at the very low cost of less than $25 U.S dollars. That also includes shipping, talk about value for money, an incredibly wise investment of a product indeed! https://celenicearthpublications.wordpress.com/2017/09/01/submissions-for-the-guinness-world-record-are-officially-closed/
How do you deal with bad reviews? Two ways, the first is try and get something constructive out of the negative review, that’s not always possible but do try. I honestly suggest to just read it a single time no more than that, if you find any merit in such criticisms take them on board, if not move on and focus on other things.
The second way is to distract your mind with positive outcomes of the writing process, such as reading, reading a good book does honestly get your mind away from negativity.
For further proof of my second point why don’t you get yourself a copy of THE GREATEST ANTHOLOGY EVER WRITTEN. Available for preorder now! https://celenicearthpublications.word...
How influential is storytelling to our culture? Tremendously so! Storytelling goes back to the days when cavemen would paint on cave walls, wanting their great deeds and dreams to live on long after they’re dead. I can easily imagine a caveman father trying to teach his sons how to correctly craft a spear and in order to get his sons to pay attention he would regale them with stories of how this simple piece of wood and sharpened stone would allow a mere man to best a mighty mammoth. I don’t know if that actually happened, but it certainly is an interesting story!
Also, stories allow cultures to come together and find common ground, they can bridge cultural divides and really allow for magnificent melting pots of ideas to inspire people worldwide.
Speaking of people being inspired worldwide. THE GREATEST ANTHOLOGY EVER WRITTEN features over 100 authors from all across the globe coming together to form a collection of stories from many different cultures, it is guaranteed anyone would feel cultured after reading it. Available for pre-order now! https://celenicearthpublications.wordpress.com/2017/09/01/submissions-for-the-guinness-world-record-are-officially-closed/
What’s the best advice you’ve received about writing/publishing? The best piece of advice I ever got was from Neil Gaiman. He told me never to name drop.
The second-best piece of advice was, never turn down an opportunity to promote your work. Speaking of which, THE GREATEST ANTHOLOGY EVER WRITTEN is available for pre-order. https://celenicearthpublications.wordpress.com/2017/09/01/submissions-for-the-guinness-world-record-are-officially-closed/
What’s the worst piece best advice you’ve received about writing/publishing? Never put your book up for preorder. Which is just nonsense, if that was true than why would they have THE GREATEST ANTHOLOGY EVER WRITTEN available for preorder from the following link? https://celenicearthpublications.wordpress.com/2017/09/01/submissions-for-the-guinness-world-record-are-officially-closed/
If you could be any fantasy/mythical or legendary person/creature what would you be and why? Either that most mythical of beasts, a sober Australian or a shapeshifter. That way I could transform myself into every main character of every story featured in THE GREATEST ANTHOLOGY EVER WRITTEN. Which coincidentally is available for preorder from this link. https://celenicearthpublications.wordpress.com/2017/09/01/submissions-for-the-guinness-world-record-are-officially-closed/
Which authors have influenced you the most? Well like every single fantasy writer after the Hobbit was published, Tolkien of course! (whether people want to admit that or not, it’s true.) But I also would cite Kentaro Miura and David Gemmell as major influences in what I write.
But purely in terms of prose, purely in terms of how I tell a story. The single biggest influence on me is Robert Holdstock. Just the way he would so cleverly interweave world building into his stories without shutting the plot completely down is marvellous. His world building always comes at the perfect time in the plot. I very much try to echo him in this regard. Reading any of his work always puts me in the mood of good storytelling. I think every writer should have an author they look up to like that. I honestly can’t think of anything better for a writer to have. Except having over 100 authors to look up to! Speaking of which.
THE GREATEST ANTHOLOGY EVER WRITTEN available for preorder. https://celenicearthpublications.wordpress.com/2017/09/01/submissions-for-the-guinness-world-record-are-officially-closed/
What is the last book you’ve read? Stephen King’s Different Seasons. A truly great read. The Shawshank redemption definitely deserves all the praise it has gotten over the years. But for me the best tale in the collection is Apt Pupil. A spectacular story that not only deals with the evils men commit, but the fascination with evil that men have. It is truly a great collection of stories.
Speaking of great collections of stories. THE GREATEST ANTHOLOGY EVER WRITTEN is available for preorder from the following link. https://celenicearthpublications.wordpress.com/2017/09/01/submissions-for-the-guinness-world-record-are-officially-closed/
Is this the age of the e-book? Are bricks and mortar bookshops in decline? Obviously not! If that were the case than why would THE GREATEST ANTHOLOGY EVER WRITTEN be available for preorder in both paperback and ebook from this link. https://celenicearthpublications.wordpress.com/2017/09/01/submissions-for-the-guinness-world-record-are-officially-closed/
Tell us about your latest piece? Finally, I thought you would never ask!
In all seriousness ladies and gentlemen, the anthology I’ve plastered on every answer is a legitimate attempt at trying to break a world record. The organizer Shaun Jooste of Celenic Earth Publications has worked tirelessly in communicating with Guinness World Records to have the attempt officially recognized. He has set up an official launch event that will take place in South Africa in September. He’s worked many long hours to get over 100 great stories from all across this world together to publish in one volume. We have the authors and the enthusiasm. Guinness World Records is ready to validate our attempt. The last road block we have is we need to sell at least 1000 copies, 500 of which must be paperback.
The reason for this is because we need to prove that the anthology is commercially viable and not just a gimmick to break a record. Because most publishers these days only print to demand, we essentially need 1000 preorders in paperback because another part of the attempt is to have 1000 printed, again as proof that the anthology is a commercial endeavour.
So please, it would mean the world not to only me, but the other 100 plus authors if you could purchase a pre-order paperback copy. Those who do preorder will be counted as an official sponsor. Again each book costs less than $25 American dollars, that includes shipping in the price. It truly is a bargain. So again, please help us break this record. Preorder link.
Bio
Shane Porteous is a mastery of the legendary 77 donut devouring technique. He lives in a place of strange dreams and even stranger reality. A lifelong writer, he has an immense passion for the fantastical and prides himself on being alternative and if possible original with his storytelling. He has been published both traditionally and independently. The single guarantee he gives with his novels is not whether you will like or hate them but he guarantees you will remember them.
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August 27, 2017
More Than Human: e-Book Boxset Stuffed with 11 Amazing Stories!
I wonder why I recognise this:) Thanks Melody!
To save. To guard. To heal.
Beloved people, precious things, and sacred spaces move our hearts and inspire us to defend them.
In these tales of redemption and rescue, more-than-human heroes stand forth as champions to protect all that is worthy of protection.
Walk with these elves, imps, wizards, dryads, gods, and guardians as they subdue demons, free the enslaved, preserve the world, comfort the exiled, and cross swords with the dark. Read and revel in their triumphs and tribulations.
More Than Human features 11 different stories, including:
The Shining Citadel – A. L. Butcher
Technological Angel – Barbara G. Tarn
Needle-Green – Debbie Mumford
The Cartographer’s Daughter – Karen L. Abrahamson
Serpent’s Foe – J.M. Ney-Grimm
The Crystal Courtesan – Karen L. Abrahamson
The First Book of Old Mermaids Tales – Kim Antieau
The Guardians – Book 1 – Don Viecelli
Love Apidae (A Recumon Story) – Michael R…
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August 25, 2017
Swift Six Author Interview – Prakash Vir Sharma- short fiction #meetanauthor #swiftsix #Hindilanguagebook
Name: Prakash Vir Sharma
What attracts you to the genre in which you write? I have self-published two short stories books by now. The reason behind writing fiction is my passion for social work. The evils I have observed in the society, inspired me to write on those. I conveyed my thoughts through my characters on various social, political and religious issues.
What piece of writing advice do you wish you’d known when you started your writing adventures? Writing has always been my hobby since 1990. Initially, I started writing for newspapers. I have written two novels that time but couldn’t publish due to lack of knowledge and resources. As of now, I have around half a dozen rough drafts which I wanna publish as soon as I can.
If you could have dinner with any famous person or character who would you choose? I would love to have dinner either with Big B “Amitabh Bachchan” or American President Donald Trump because I found their life struggle very much inspiring.
Who has been the greatest influence on your own work? The greatest influences on my work are social issues.
Do you think the e-book revolution will do away with print? I don’t think so because both have their own significance. While carrying ebooks is easier, it’s more comfortable to read a print edition. But, ebooks are selling more and more because of cost factor too.
Which 3 books would you take to a desert island and why? I would love to carry all three books of Rhonda Byrne – “The Secret”, “The Hero” and “The Magic” because I love to read and write something motivational.
Author bio and book synopsis
The author is a management and engineering professional as well as an educationalist by qualification. He is best known for his impartial and analytical opinions on political, social and religious issues. He is also a passionate social thinker. The books “Pratibimb” and “Mahakte Panne” were published by Yuvraj Prakashan which consist of his prominent works.
His first book ” Kathputli”, which was published in March 2017, made news for two months right from social media to print media. ”Kathputli was his first independent venture and was self-published.
Prakash started working for newspapers as a freelancer in early 1990s. Starting from Hindi weekly ”Shrambheri”, he has continued to display his skills in the form of articles, poems and stories in various newspapers and magazines till date.
At present, with 24 years of technical experience in steel industry, he is working at a senior management position in Bhushan Power & Steel LTD in India. Although a native of Moradabad (India), he stays currently in Kolkata.
Synopsis of recent book
“Life In Shackles” is a collection of great social stories based on the plight of women in different situations of life. The book is pure fiction but these situations are real as these are stories of various women at distant places. The author tried to give a clear-cut message to the community as a whole that if this is the scenario, our women deserve to live a happy life beyond these Shackles.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
1. Kathputli – A short stories book in Hindi language.
2. Life In Shackles – A short stories book in English language.
Upcoming Titles – Two motivational books are coming in October’17 and May’18 respectively.
1. Mindset And Passion – The Psychology Of Success (English language)
2. Uth Jaag Musafir Bhor Bhai (Hindi language)
Links
Social media
E-mail: prakash2484@gmail.com
https :// www.pvsharmablog.wordpress.com
https :// www.amazon.com /-/e/B072PCYJL1
https :// www.amazon.co.uk /-/e/B072PCYJL1
https :// www.goodreads.com /author/show…
https :// www.facebook.com / prakaash.sha …
https :// twitter.com / Prakaashsharma
https :// www.pinterest.com /prakash2484/
