A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 145
January 6, 2017
Author Interview 124- Kim Padgett-Clarke – Romance
Welcome to Kim Padgett-Clarke
Where are you from and where do you live now? I live in Blackpool in the UK
Please tell us a little about your writing – genre, title, etc. Made Of Glass is a contemporary romance with a dark element
Where do you find inspiration? From absolutely everything. I can be reading a newspaper, watching TV, or from real people. An idea can come from anywhere.
Are your characters based on real people? They are not based on anyone in particular but the theme running through the story is one that most people can relate to such as control freaks, being overly protective and vulnerability.
In what formats are your books available? (E-books, print, large print audio) Are you intending to expand these and if not, what is the reason? Made Of Glass is available as an E-book and paperback. I am looking into other formats.
Do you self-edit? If so why is that the case? Do you believe a book suffers without being professionally edited? I do self-edit initially but then I send the book to a professional editor and copy-editor. It is a long time since I have been at school so my grammar and punctuation skills are not great. Sometimes you get involved with the story so deeply that you can’t see the flaws or you might go off-track so I feel an editor is very important. Unless you are top-notch at both of these skills it can result in a book that doesn’t look as professional as it could be.
Do you think indie/self-published authors are viewed differently to traditionally published authors? Why do you think this might be? Things are changing in the publishing world and I believe that indie authors are finally gaining respect. The vast majority of indie books with professional covers and content would sit beside any traditionally published book and I bet the buyer would not know which is which.
Do you read work by self-published authors? Definitely. I have come across some gems along the way which I would haven’t have read otherwise.
When buying a book do you read the reviews? I do read the reviews but if a book didn’t have any reviews I would still think about buying it if the storyline appealed to me. I wish more of the general public would leave reviews if they like a book even if it is a one-liner as getting feedback is so valuable to the author.
What are your reviews on authors reviewing other authors? It can be a good thing because they would look at the book in a different way. They would have more experience in pointing out areas that are strong and areas that are weak.
What experiences can a book provide that a movie or video game cannot? Movies and video games are developed from someone else’s imagination whereas with a book it is your own imagination that sees the scenes and what the characters look like so that’s limitless.
What three pieces of advice would you give to new writers?
Keep writing even if it is just for pleasure. Research outlets and markets if you intend to sell your book. Don’t give up even when it feels like an uphill battle.
What are your views on authors offering free books?
I have just finished a Goodreads Giveaway for Made Of Glass. Quite a lot of people entered the competition so it is great to know that all these people would have liked to read the book and it is a great way to get your book to a wider audience. It also increases the chance of getting that all important review.
Do you have a favourite movie? One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. I have seen it so many times that I could almost quote the script.
Do you have any pets? I don’t have any pets myself but I do cat and dog sitting and walking dogs. It’s the best of both worlds because I have the wonderful experience of having an animal without the vet’s fees etc!
Can you give us a silly fact about yourself? I like collecting skulls. Not real ones of course! I think it comes from my early teens as I used to watch an awful lot of horror movies and read horror stories. I have t-shirts, handbags, money jars etc with skull images. All my friends know what to buy me for Christmas and birthdays.
Book links, website/blog and author links:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32864582-made-of-glass
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00CUFR5HO
https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00CUFR5HO
January 5, 2017
What stalks the land cannot be, but is #
What stalks the land cannot be, but is #fantasy #stolentower #lightbeyondthestorm http://amzn.to/2ivJjeL
January 4, 2017
#Reader #Interview 21 Micah Goettl
Welcome to Micah Goettl.
Where are you from? United States
Please tell us a little about yourself. I’ve been playing violin for about 7 years; writing for about 8. I love ballroom dancing. I love sewing. Most artsy things are on my radar. I’m not good at math but am constantly looking to improve myself, so am reading educational books nonstop, though my true love is fiction.
On average how many books do you read in a month? I’m weird with this. Sometimes I can read a 400 page book in 2 days and then other times I’ve got a 150 pager and it takes me 3 months. I guess it would average at 1 – 2.
Where is your favourite place to read? Anywhere with good lighting and a comfortable chair. I generally curl myself into the living room armchair next to the window.
*What genres do you prefer and why? Do you have any genres you avoid? I prefer mystery/thriller and fantasy. I like some dystopian too. I avoid erotica. I’ve read some romances with erotic elements (sex scenes) but if anything gets too steamy and graphic, I put the book down.
Why are books important to you and what does reading bring to your life? I think books teach you a lot about life, even crazy, out-there things that seem to have no base in reality. People are people and fiction portrays elements of their truth. Books provide a place to meet people without having to leave the house, so there’s a plus.
Do you have a favourite book or author? Why do you think you like this book/author so much? Favourite author would have to be Timothy Hallinan. He writes with such humor and genuineness. Many parts for his books (I love the Poke Rafferty thrillers) have moved me to tears. Every character, no matter how despicable, has a kernel of humanity in them. It’s wonderful. But, oddly enough, my favourite book, the one I’ve read over again and in which I’ve marked my favourite passages, is Howl’s Moving Castle. For some reason the story calls to me. I think the heroine finding her confidence is what does it. And the hilarious banter between characters. And the slow-building love story. Basically everything about this book is wonderful.
What medium do you prefer – e-books, audiobooks or paper books? Would you care to expand on this? I prefer paper. Nothing feels more precious in the hands than a good solid hardcover. E-books have their place though. For example, if I’m eating a taco while reading, just propping up my Kindle in front of me and keeping one pinky finger clean for swiping the screen is ideal.
How do you usually find the books you read? For example: recommendations from friends, promotion on social networks, your local library, following authors you already know? Recommendations come into play big time, but for the most part I just browse through the shelves of a subject I’m interested in and pick up the book that appeals to me most.
When choosing a book what makes you stop and give it a second look? What makes you turn away? A great cover pulls me in. Turns me away? Scanning the first chapter and getting a flat, average main character. Also, a good back-cover blurb is important. I don’t prefer the “excerpt” blurbs.
*Do you read reviews by others and if so do they influence your choice? If a friend has not recommended the book to me then I do read reviews to help me make a decision. I don’t want to waste money on something that won’t appeal to me. Just like I scan the Parents Guide before watching a questionable movie, I leaf through positive and negative reviews to garner whether or not the book might be up my alley.
Do you “judge a book by its cover?” Sometimes. But there are books I’ve read with kind of lame covers that are honestly good.
What do you think is the most important aspect of a book for you? Plot, world-building, strong characters etc.? What turns you off? I think all of these are important but character is paramount. No matter how cool the world, no matter what an awesome plot you have, if I don’t like your characters, the book is relegated to the unfinished shelf.
Does the behaviour of an author affect your choice to read one of their books? Not really. I may not approve of actors sleeping around and divorcing every few seconds, but I still watch their movies. Similarly, the dubious actions of authors don’t negate the fact that they write well.
What are your views on authors commenting on reviews on sites such as Goodreads? I don’t think it is necessary. One author can’t reply to every single review, so a thank you here and there or a flame on a bad review doesn’t make a whole lot of difference in my opinion. People know that an author is going to be thankful for a positive review and they also know they’ll be put out at a bad one. It goes without the author’s confirmation. Let people say whatever they’re going to say and read the reviews quietly from behind the computer screen.
If you had to pick three favourite books to take to a desert island what would they be?Well, Howl’s Moving Castle, of course. Austenland. Percy Jackson. (Oh, this is hard because I love Rick Riordan’s books; they are hilarious and it’s hard to pick just one.) The Lightning Thief. Start from the beginning I suppose.
Do you think bricks and mortar bookshops are in decline? Maybe the small ones, but places like Barnes and Noble will stick around. Like everything, though, I think the market will rise again, then fall again, then rise again. It’s a cycle. In the words of Stephen Fry: “Books are no more threatened by Kindle than stairs by elevators.”
#Book Spotlight – Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island – Michael P Cash #Paranormal
Author: Michael Phillip Cash
Synopsis:
Paul Russo’s wife just died. While trying to get his family’s life back in order, Paul is being tormented by a demon who is holding his wife’s spirit hostage on the other side. His fate is intertwined with an old haunted mansion on the north shore of Long Island called Stillwell Manor. Paul must find clues dating back hundreds of years to set his wife’s soul free.
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Chelshire, Inc.
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January 2, 2017
Tales of the Golden Mask – Preorder #Erotica #Fantasy #GoldenMask
Today I am showcasing new erotica/fantasy novella Tales of the Golden Mask.
This steamy novella by Alexa Lynsey and Belle De Ver is on pre-release (release date 31 Jan 2017). It’s a tale of sex, desire and magic in a fantasy land. Currently, it’s only available on Amazon, but should be appearing on Smashwords and the associate stores in due course.
Most definitely adult rated for sexytimes;)
Synopsis:
Sultry and sensual adventures to warm your cold winter nights or steam up your long summer days. Set in a fantasy world where nothing is quite what it appears, an old book and a strange golden mask bring power and pleasure.
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Who’s Who on a Film Set? Part 1
Behind the Scenes of ‘We Can Be Heroes’, filmed in Bristol
As an SA (Supporting Artist) there are key crewmembers that you will meet during your day on a film set. The AD (Assistant Director), Make-up and Costume personnel are the main departments that you will work with, but there will be other people who you will come across.
If you were thinking that they would be the Director and Main Artists, well, you’d be wrong. The director will have no interaction with SAs as his focus will be on the main actors, the scene, telling the story and a whole host of other, technical aspects of making the film. Likewise, the Main Artists will also be similarly focused on their roles, lines and directions.
To help you better understand the roles of the crew that you will come across, we have given you an idea of the job roles of the…
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Dare you hear the tales of old from a land of forbidden magic? #Talesoferana
Dare you hear the tales of old from a land of forbidden magic and deadly rumour? #Talesoferana[image error] #fantasy http://ow.ly/bkWt30760M1
Fantasy Raffle #Booknest
Yay Booknest are running a raffle until 10th Jan 2017. Lookee here for futher details
http://booknest.eu/index.php/component/k2/item/287
One hundred Authors have pledged a signed and dedicated copy each, which you can win by joining (donating) our lottery, or later, our auctions. The money that we will manage to raise will then be donated to Doctors Without Borders (aka Médecins Sans Frontières).
You can join the lottery by donating £1 or more (£1 = 1 ticket. If you want to use another currency, feel free to do so. The conversion will be automatically done. £1 = 1.2€ = 1.2$).You have two weeks ahead of you before we draw the winners* on Tuesday 10th January**.The following day we will hold the auctions*** and keep them running for one week.
*There will be six lucky winners, with each one of them winning a random bunch of 10 signed, dedicated, numbered and with special reference to the Fundraiser, books. (6 winners x10 books = 60 books)
The 100 amazing authors that pledged a book to our cause are :
A. Stuart Williams ~ Rat-A-Tat: Short Blasts of Pulp
Aderyn Wood ~ The Raven
Adrian Tchaikovsky ~ TBA
Afe Smith ~ TBA
Al Robertson ~ TBA
Amanda Bouchet ~ A Promise of Fire
Andy Remic ~ TBA
Anna Smith-Spark ~ The Court of Broken Knives
Anne Nicholls ~ Music From the Fifth Planet
Anthony Ryan ~ The Waking Fire
Ben Galley ~ TBA
Benedict Patrick ~ They Mostly Come Out At Night
Ben Jeapes ~ Time’s Chariot
Betsy Dornbusch ~ Exile
Blair MacGregor ~ TBA
Brandon Draga ~ The Summerlark Elf
Brian Barr ~ TBA
Brian Lee Durfee ~ TBA
Brian O’Sullivan ~ Fionn: Defence of Rath Bladhma
Charles F Bond ~ TBA
Charles Phipps ~ TBA
Christian G. Cameron ~ TBA
Courtney Schafer ~ The Whitefire Crossing
Dale Triplett ~ Halcyon’s Wake: Faith
Daniel Polansky ~ TBA
Daniel Potter ~ Off Leash
Dave de Burgh ~ TBA
David Benem ~ What Remains of Heroes
Deb E Howell ~ Healer’s Touch
Django Wexler ~ TBA
Dominick Murray ~ Red Season Rising
D. Thourson Palmer ~ Ours Is the Storm
Dyrk Ashton ~ Paternus
Edward Cox ~ The Relic Guild
Elena May ~ Nightfall
Elspeth Cooper ~ Songs of the Earth
Emma Newman ~ Between Two Thorns
Gary Compton ~ TBA
GR Matthews ~ Silent City
Graham Austin-King ~ Fae – The Wild Hunt
J.P. Ashman ~ Black Cross
James A. Moore ~ TBA
James Downe ~ Grim Drifts of Sand & Fate
Jane Johnson ~ TBA
Jen Williams ~ TBA
Jenn Stark ~ Getting Wilde
Joanne Hall ~ TBA
Jonathan French ~ The Grey Bastards
Josiah Bancroft ~ Senlin Ascends
Julia Knight ~ Swords and Scoundrels
Juliana Spink Mills ~ Heart Blade
K. A. Krantz ~ Larcout
Kate Coe ~ Green Sky & Sparks
Kenny Soward ~ TBA
Laura Lam ~ Pantomime
Laura M Hughes ~ Danse Macabre
Lucy Claire Hounsom ~ Starborn
Luke Scull ~ TBA
Marc Turner ~ Dragon Hunters
Mark Lawrence ~ The Wheel of Osheim
Martin Owton ~ Exile
Mazarkis Williams ~ The Emperor’s Knife
Michael J. Sullivan ~ Age of Myth
Michael Miller ~ The Dragon’s Blade: The Reborn King
Michael R. Fletcher ~ Beyond Redemption
Mitchell Hogan ~ A Crucible of Souls
Myke Cole ~ TBA
Nathan Boyce ~ Ascent of the Unwanted
Olivier Delaye ~ The Forgotten Goddess
Peter McLean ~ Drake
Peter Newman ~ The Vagrant
Phil Tucker ~ TBA
R B Watkinson ~ The Cracked Amulet
Richard Morgan ~ TBA
Rob Hayes ~ It Takes a Thief to Catch a Sunrise
Robert Brockway ~ The Unnoticeables
Sammy HK Smith ~ In Search of Gods and Heroes
Scott Oden ~ A Gathering of Ravens
Sebastien De Castell ~ Traitor’s Blade
Simon Morden ~ Down Station
Snorri Kristjansson ~ TBA
Stan Nicholls ~ Orcs: Forged For War
Stephen Aryan ~ Battlemage
Steve Mchugh ~ TBA
Steven Kelliher ~ Valley of Embers
Steven Poore ~ Heir to the North
Sue Tingey ~ Marked
Susan Boulton ~ Hand of Glory
T L Greylock ~ The Blood-Tainted Winter
T.o. Munro ~ The Medusa’s Daughter
Teresa Frohock ~ Los Nefilim
Timandra Whitecastle ~ Touch of Iron
Tom Gaskin ~ Search of the Lost
Tom Toner ~ TBA
Ulff Lehmann ~ Shattered Dreams
Vic James ~ Gilded Cage
Victor Milán ~ The Dinosaur Lords
Wade Garret ~ Genesis
Will Panzo ~ The Burning Isle
Zachary Barnes ~ Avengarde
January 1, 2017
Happy New Year and Sod Off 2016
Happy New Year and Welcome to 2017
