A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 192
June 6, 2014
We must remember. D-Day 70th anniversary commemoration
This is not my usual type of posting but as this is such a monumental event I felt I had to mark the occasion. I am the daughter of Armed Forces parents, and although they did not fight in World War II, my father was wounded in action when he fought in a later conflict.
World War Two is a generation, or even two away, but still it shapes the world in which we live. Had the outcome been different Europe would have been unrecognisable and more people would have suffered. 2014 is a year in which we commemorate not only the outbreak of World War One, but today, the 6th of June is seventy years since the D-Day landings, possibly the turning point of the war which followed less than a generation later.
In the months leading up to D-Day, misinformation was given to the Nazis, hoping they would not realise what was really afoot. The amphibious assault was preceded by air strikes, and naval bombardment. The landing sites were Omaha, Gold, Sword, Utah and Juno, which have rightly gone down in history. The troops landed under heavy fire from the enemy and many perished, as they had in previous battles. The beaches were mined, and this was a journey into hell. Over 4000 men died, and double that number were wounded from an allied force of over 150000. This was just one side. Imagine that, 150000 people charging on those beaches! I cannot comprehend the numbers, or the danger. The town I was raised in did not have 150000 inhabitants.
This is, of course, a very brief account.
So why, seventy years later, should we remember? D-Day and the Normandy Landings, or Operation Neptune, was a great undertaking; the combined alliance of many armies, Free French, British, Canadian, Australia, USA, Free Greece, Free Belgium, Free Norway and many others. It was a feat unparalleled in human history. Called the Longest Day by Rommel it was decisive for the Allies and devastating for the Axis Powers. The bravery of those who fought on those beaches, those who died on that June day and those who returned, often changed men must never be forgotten. Sacrifice and heroism was in abundance on that sand. Such heroism must be recounted, recalled, so in our, largely, safe and free lives we can understand what was given and by whom. Most of those who survived and are still living are in their 90s so this is likely to be the last major commemorative event.
Heroism such as this is timeless, it defines us as nations and as a species.
The Last March of the Honourable.
© A.L Butcher
They stand abreast, so proud, so sombre,
Old men now, some blind, some lame.
Upon chests of valour medals gleam.
They reflect upon the past,
Comrades buried beneath the serenity,
They ran on, they fell and died for our future.
They charged into the mouth of hell,
Upon that summer day,
Numbers dwindling then as now.
Men of such honour,
Heroes of our time,
All time.
Then, now and forever.
If you want to learn more please visit the links below.
http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-ww2/d-day
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27700479
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27726722
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy_landings
June 4, 2014
Portals Release Day Blitz – Fantasy Anthology
This one isn’t mine but always happy to support other authors. This is a new anthology release in the fantasy genre. Please look out for the blog tour stop later in the month.
Happy Book Birthday to Portals!
Portals
Genre: Fantasy Anthology (mixed sub genres)
Release Date: June 5, 2014
Keywords: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Urban Fantasy, Steampunk, Short Stories, Picture Prompt
Description: No matter what world you call home, or what your station in life, there are just some paths that weren’t meant to be tread.
Ordinary World by Laurie Treacy
Imagine a new neighbor moves next door, a creepy guy who gives fifteen year-old Amy Silva the willies? Amy wonders what the stone archway in the backyard is for. Her life becomes even more stressful when her family reveals they’re witches.
Could Amy’s new neighbor have anything to do with a local girl’s disappearance or be a threat to her magical loved ones?
Maronda’s Quest by Christy Thomas
The Grand Wizard has decreed Maronda enter the Portal of Life to embark upon a quest of great importance, but despite her Ma’s claims it is a blessing, premonitions of danger persist.
Lenox works to prove his worth to wed her, his true love, but it appears a wizard plots to remove him from Maronda’s life forever. To secure their future together, Lenox decides to accompany her on the quest, even if forbidden. He must ultimately choose between using his dragon fighting skills which could lead to his death, or give Maronda her greatest desire.
In the end, it’s Maronda who must learn to live with the consequences of his decision
Mexmur, the Huntress by Anna Simpson
Long ago a dragonkeeper betrayed his charges. To bring back magic, to set things right, Mexmur is sent through the portal.
Can she succeed armed with only a poem, talon and blade.
Entrance of Lost Souls by Echo Shea
A guardian to the entrances between worlds, Gladys has been called to bring a little girl back from Fairyland. Passing through the Entrance of Lost Souls is no fun, neither is hunting down a deranged banshee, but what is a guardian to do?
And, is the banshee really kidnapping the girl…or saving her from something else?
Where Once were Hearts by Havva Murat
After losing both his parents, his entire fortune and his childhood sweetheart, Master Bartholomew Battlesby sets out into the wilds of Northern England to make the acquaintance of his only surviving relation, the landed recluse, Mr. Horatio Grimsby who has an eerie penchant for both tinkering and clockwork. But, on finding his relation dead, with a gaping hole in his chest, and the beautiful, but scornful, Miss Evangeline Witherop ruling in his place, Bartholomew learns there is more than one way to lose your heart.
Can Bartholomew reignite the spirit of love and mercy within Miss Witherop, or will he suffer the same fate as his poor, heartless cousin?
The Lunatic Queen by Michael Siciliano
The land of Mershinka has been thrown into perpetual night. Their King is dead and a moon witch, known as The Night Queen, rules from the royal palace in Grosnov. An endless fog shrouds the land, killing crops and starving the populace. Cold-eyed enforcers put down rebellions while volksa, twisted wolf-creatures, roam the mists looking for prey. Many have given up hope and wait for the inevitable end. All seems lost.
Two teenagers, Pavel and Tamara, devise a plan to kill Vazya the Night Queen when the moons Kainsk and Seresnya are down, end the stifling enchantment, and bring the sun back to their dying land. But, they need a watch to tell time, a compass to guide them through the mists, weapons to fight off Vazya’s minions, and all the courage they can muster.
Purchase Links:
Will be sent as soon as they’re available
Tour Schedule
Book Blitz and Tour-wide Giveaway
Paperback copy of Portals and a $10 Amazon gift card.
Ends 7/03/2014
June 2, 2014
Reviewer Interview Number Nine – Rebecca
Welcome to Rebecca from the Literary Connoisseur.
Please tell us a little about yourself. Well! I am an eighteen year-old American book reviewer. I read anything and everything from YA (young adult) to Biographies to Fiction. My blog will be turning a year old next month on June 28th (YAY!) and this is my dream. I am loving every single minute of blogging, I have had so many opportunities open up because of it, and I couldn’t be happier! (Unless maybe if I interviewed J.K. Rowling.)
On average how many books do you read a month? What genres do you enjoy? I read on average a book every three days. That averages to about ten books per month, or depending on my schedule, eight to twelve books per month. I have set my reading goal to 150 books this year! I read absolutely everything and enjoy them all. I used to be skeptical about Sci-Fi books, but I have fallen in love with a few of those recently as well!
Where do you tend to review? (links etc.) I review on my blog, http://www.Theliteraryconnoisseur.com, every few days, and occasionally Amazon and Goodreads as well. (As per request from the author.) If it’s a mind-blowing book, I post EVERYWHERE about it!
Why do you review – for other readers, for author feedback, for yourself? For myself! I always wanted to discuss the books I read with my friends, and I wanted to get them to read all of the wonderful books I was reading. This was my solution, and it worked! I do it for myself, but I’ve heard that my blog has helped many readers find their perfect book.
Are you influenced by other reviews when choosing a book? What other factors influence your choice? Mostly friends, magazines, word of mouth, etc. If I hear wonderful things, I want to read it. If I hear terrible things, I want to read it also. Basically if I get wind of a book, I put it on my TBR (to be read) pile!
When reviewing what are the important criteria? Editing? Plot? Which factors do you overlook? I overlook writing, unless it really bothers me and I cannot concentrate. I mainly pay attention to character progression, how much I like the female characters (I’m really critical when it comes to female characters), how easily the book grabbed me, and stereotypes. I like books that defy the norm.
What are your opinions on authors commenting on a review – negative and positive? I love hearing what the authors think of my reviews. And my favorite- which is terrible – I love it when my reviews affect an author so much, they cry. I’ve gotten a lot of, “Your review was so beautiful, I’m crying right now!”s. That makes me feel really good. Authors deserve wonderful reviews.
Do you feel it is appropriate to discuss author behaviour in a review, is this a factor which influences your choice? I typically don’t incorporate authors’ personalities, habits, personal views, etc. into book reviews. I like to stay on track and only cover the author’s story in my criticisms.
A lot of readers comment about a book with all 4 or 5 star reviews and nothing below as being suspicious? What do you think about this? Well, authors love good reviews. I completely understand if they’d rather stay away from three and below stars, so I don’t find it suspicious. I’m sure eventually they’ll come across that one, or those few people who dislike their book and give it less stars. I’ll probably end up reading the book anyway!
Do you give negative reviews? I do. I don’t like to, but sometimes they help people pick up the book! There are only a few books I have disliked, and I do write reviews for them, but I always find something positive with the book, and I NEVER badmouth. That can ruin an author’s reputation, and it can crush them like that. I respect all books and authors.
Do you read reviews by others and if so do they influence your choice? I surprisingly do not! I like to avoid others’ opinions before I read the book (which is ironic since…well, that’s my job!), but I do like to read reviews after I read the book and form my own opinion.
What medium do you prefer – e-books, audiobooks, or paper books? Would you care to expand on this? I LOVE paper books! I love the flexibility, I love the smells, the weight, the feel, and I love the way they look on my bookshelf. Although ebooks sure do come in handy sometimes. They have their purpose as well!
Do you mainly stick to your preferred genres, or would you consider reviewing outside your comfort zone? I have read books out of my comfort zone before, and I ended up adoring some of them! Never judge a book by its genre. You never know what you’ll find!
What are your opinions on paid reviews? (not including a copy of the book for review purposes only). I think it’s appreciated, but not necessary. I mainly get paid for one on one publicity work, and that tends to be easier and more beneficial to both the reviewer and the author. I have yet to be paid for a review!
Do you deal with reviewing Indie books differently to how you review a mainstream book? Well, the big difference is that there’s an enormous chance that the Indie author will in fact read your review. Mainstream authors will most likely not. When it comes to reviewing books, for me, it isn’t any different. But when it comes to the authors reading my reviews, yes! There’s a big difference!
Do you “judge a book by its cover?” Yes if it’s a nice cover, no if it’s a bad cover. The authors typically have no say over the cover, so if it’s a “not-so-appealing” cover, I look past it and read the synopsis. But if it’s an intriguing cover, I will most likely pick it up/buy it.
If you had to pick three favourite books to bring to a desert island what would they be? Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (my favorite of the series!) by J.K. Rowling, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, and Doctor Sleep by Stephen King. Weird variety, I know!
Where is your favourite place to read? Oh, I do not know! I can honestly read anywhere. I’d have to say…probably at home, with my mom, with a nice cup of coffee, and my cat curled up in my lap.
Feel free to add your blog/website etc.
You can follow my blog at Theliteraryconnoisseur.com, you can find me on Facebook as The Literary Connoisseur, and on Twitter at @LitConnoisseur, and you can email me for review requests at Fangirl1695@gmail.com. Thank you so much for interviewing me! I had a blast!
May 31, 2014
Editor Interview Number Eight – Scott Sandridge
Hi, welcome to the Library of Erana and thank you for talking to us today.
A pleasure to be here, and thanks for having me.
Please introduce yourself. My name is Scott M. Sandridge. I’m both a writer and an editor, and sometimes a reviewer. I have close to thirty short stories published and over sixty reviews. I was a slush reader for Ray Gun Revival from 2006-2007 and then the managing editor of Fear and Tembling Magazine from 2007-2011. I currently edit freelance.
I also recently edited three anthologies for Seventh Star Press: the two-volume A Chimerical World anthologies (Tales of the Seelie Court and Tales of the Unseelie Court) and Hero’s Best Friend: An Anthology of Animal Companions.
How did you get into this line of work? I kinda got sucked into it. After publishing a couple of my short stories, the Overlords at Ray Gun Revival asked me if I’d like to be a slush reader for them. And I’ve always had a hard time saying no to anything. Later, when Fear and Tembling Magazine was launched by Double-Edged Publishing, the same company RGR was under, I was asked to do some slush reading for F&T. A couple months after launch, the managing editor had to step down, so I took up the reins (which I originally had planned to be only temporary until a new editor was found).
I still consider F&T to be one of the major highlights of my editing career, due to me (at that time an untested managing editor) and a ragtag bunch of very talented slush readers and assistants (all of us volunteers) managed to take an online zine seemingly destined to die at infancy and transformed it into a zine so awesome that it ended up being part of a featured article in Rue Morgue.
Are there genres you refuse, if so why is that? Do you have any you love? I love anything involving Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. I’m also okay with the occasional Mystery or Thriller. I’ve never yet been asked to edit a Romance. *shrugs*
Are you also a writer? If so do you self-edit or do you use the services of another editor? I self-edit because I’m one of the rare writers who actually can edit my own work. Although, when not pressed by deadlines, I’ll go through beta readers and such.
What are your opinions of self-edited work by authors? If you can, do it. If you can’t, don’t. But if you do, make damn sure you can.
Have you ever refused a manuscript? Only once. I expect manuscripts to be in standard manuscript formatting. While I’m forgiving of minor variances, one time I had to say no simply because the whole entire manuscript was such a complete and utter mess that it would have taken me twice as long to format it before I could even start to edit.
Have you ever had an author refuse your suggestions/changes? If so how did you deal with it? A few times. Most authors are very professional about it, even when they refuse. And yes, while it’s the author’s right to refuse an editor’s suggestions, there is a right way and a thousand wrong ways to go about doing so. Only twice have I encountered a writer who was a total jerk about it. I’ve never bothered to work with those two since.
Editors often receive a bad press in the writing community, what are your thoughts on this? Whatever you’ve heard about us, we’re a million times more evil. MWAHAHAHAAAA!!!
Nah! Editors are people too, unlike corporations….
Please could you tell us about the process involved with editing for, say, a 100k word Manuscript. Similar to editing shorter works, but takes longer and is much more involved. The first thing I’ll do is read a few pages in order to get a good grasp of the author’s voice, so as to avoid ruining his/her voice in the later stages. Next I’ll go through and edit for content (what scenes work, what scenes don’t, which characters need more development or just plain suck and need removing), paying extra attention to the beginning and end. As I edit for content, I’ll note any typos etc. I come across. Once the content editing is done, I then concentrate on proofreading (remember the notes I took on typos? Helps the proofreading part go faster when you’ve already tackled half of them). After that, I’ll do a final skimming once-over before sending it back to the author.
When doing the work for a publisher, I’ll also format the manuscript so that it’ll be ready for publishing as soon as the author approves the proofs. Whether or not I insert page numbers, etc., depends entirely on how the publisher wants it done (and that often depends on the technology/software being used to publish the book).
What is the difference between proof-reading and editing? Proofreading is when your main concern is spelling and grammar. It often involves minor corrections and, rarely, a reworking of phrases or entire sentences. Editing is where you do full content editing, and is often a process you do with the author. After all, when you need whole paragraphs removed or the entire first chapter changed, it’s best to make those as suggestions to the author than to just do them yourself. A good writer will take your suggestions and come up with something even better than what you had originally suggested.
Do you have part of the process you really enjoy? Is there a part you don’t? I always enjoy seeing the finished product. J
But the process itself often leaves me feeling like, “Blaaah! Why is this taking me so loooooong!??” But then, if I didn’t feel that way at some point during the process, I’d start to worry that I’m doing something wrong. Lol!
Outside of your work as an editor do you read for pleasure? What genre do you enjoy the most? When not reading as an editor, I’m usually reading as a reviewer, so I rarely read just for pleasure anymore. And even then, it’s hard to shut down Editor Brain in order to do so. There’s even been days when I’ve forgotten what pleasure reading can even feel like.
If so do you find yourself editing the work as you go or are you able to “switch off?” Sometimes I can switch off. Most of the time, though, I can’t. And all it takes to switch it back on is just one glaring typo….
What advice would you give to someone starting out as an editor? Develop a thick skin, ‘cause haters are gonna’ hate.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to self-edit? You can’t go wrong with Strunk & White’s Elements of Style. Read it. Religiously.
Tell us a silly fact about yourself. I’m a Gemini, which means that everything I said above I am in support of and in complete disagreement with all at the same time. No I’m not! Yes I am!
Please add any links to your blog/website etc.
A Work in Progress/SpecMusicMuse blog: http://smsand.wordpress.com
FB Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/smsandwrites
Twitter: @scottmsandridge
I’m at a few other places, but the above three are where I’m at most often.
Oh, and you can find me on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Scott-M.-Sandri...
May 30, 2014
Character Interview Number Twenty-Two – Carter James
Tell Us About Yourself.
Name (s): Carter James
Age: 32
Please tell us a little about yourself. I’m in security. I own a security firm. My brother, Ben, is my partner, although he doesn’t really do much other than shmooze the clients. Which I suppose is necessary because I’m not really good at that sort of thing. Like this. Not my thing. I’m not a fan of being in the spotlight.
Anyway, we started J&J Security about seven years ago in Dallas, which is where I’m from. About, oh, two years ago, I was given the opportunity to move up here to northern Michigan to oversee security for The Resort. It’s this exclusive resort where the wealthy and sometimes famous go to basically hide from the rest of the world. My job is to make sure they’re kept safe and hidden for as long as they want to be.
Describe your appearance in 10 words or less. Yeah, this is kind of awkward. Can we move on to another question? …Okay, fine. My girlfriend Allison says I’m sort of like James Bond. I mean, that’s cool, if it’s true, but I don’t know. I just try to take care of myself and those I love and do the best I can, you know?
Would you kill for those you love? This is a loaded question because my sister was killed during a random shooting at a nightclub about ten years ago. That’s actually what inspired me to get into the security business because that club had shit for security. If they’d had someone like me or someone on my team there, that shooting never would have happened and my sister would still be alive. So would I kill for someone I love? Used to be not a day went by that I didn’t imagine killing the asshole who shot my sister.
What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses? My weakness is definitely my girlfriend, Allison Bell. I don’t know why but that woman got under my skin the very first time we met, and my affliction just get worse every day. If she knew that I would figure out a way to pull the moon from the sky for her, well…She probably wouldn’t believe it (laughs), which I guess is part of what makes her so damn irresistible.
In the same vein, I think Allison is my strength too. She is so caring and loving and smart. She inspires me every day. Which is also funny because she truly has no idea about that either. In case you haven’t noticed, she’s a little naive too. But I guess that just adds to the overall package.
Do you have any relationships you prize above others? Why? Definitely my relationship with Allison. Despite the fact that she keeps trying to spread her wings or whatever bullshit she comes up with when she picks a fight just so she can be “free”for a little while. But the thing about Allison is, she needs someone to watch over her, to protect her, mostly from herself. Remember when I said she was naive? Well, that naivety tends to get her into hot water all too frequently. I spend half my day worrying about whether or not she’ll inadvertently get caught up in some stupid crap that she shouldn’t. And with Allison, it’s never easy to disentangle herself from whatever the hell she got mixed up in.
Do you have any phobias? Fear of losing Allison. Is that a phobia?
Please give us an interesting and unusual fact about yourself. I’m just a guy. A guy who loves a girl and runs a business. Seriously. I’m not really all that complicated, despite what Allison thinks.
Tell Us About Your World
Please give us a little information about the world in which you live. I live in this tiny town in northern Michigan. The winter population’s around five hundred. During the summer months the tourists’ll push it up to a thousand, maybe fifteen hundred. I’m from Dallas, so you can imagine the culture shock I experienced when I first moved here. For the first few months, I admit, I thought a lot about moving back. But if I’d left, I’d never have met Allison, so it was definitely worth staying. Even if everyone in this damn town knows your business practically before you do it.
Do you travel in the course of your adventures? If so where? Once a month, back to Dallas, which is where my company’s main office is located. Before I took on this contract with The Resort, I used to travel all over the country to meet with other clients, but managing security for The Resort is a full time job, so my brother does most of the traveling now.
Name and describe a food from your world. (Laughs) Well, I’m from Texas, and we have the world’s best Tex Mex, hands down. And now that I’m living in northern Michigan, I can tell you, there is nothing like a good Tex Mex restaurant. It’s just about the only thing I miss about Texas, to tell you the truth.
Does your world have magic? If so how is it viewed in your world? If I were some other kind of guy I’d make a crack about the magic happening in my bedroom. But I’m not that guy.
What form of politics is dominant in your world? (Democracy, Theocracy, Meritocracy, Monarchy, Kakistocracy etc.) Oh, this place is like a world of its own. Gossip is their politics. Small towns are like that, I’ve learned. You want to know anything about anybody, just go hang out at the local ice cream parlor. These people have turned gossip into an art. In the wintertime, it’s all they do. Seriously. That’s why I don’t like doing this publicity type stuff. I don’t like to be the one they all talk about.
Name a couple of myths and legends particular to your culture/people. This is a small town. These people probably believe the loch ness monster lives out there in Messenger Lake.
Is that it? Well, thanks for asking me to do this interview. What’s this for again? You aren’t going to make me look like a sap in Allison’s eyes, are you? I mean, not that I buy into her whole James Bond theory (nervous laugh), but you have to admit that’s a nice stroke for a guy’s ego. So just make sure I sound Bond-like, okay?
Okay?
Author notes:
Book(s) in which this character appears plus links
The Resort: http://www.amazon.com/The-Resort-Tami-Lund-ebook/dp/B00AXD8CGI/
The Resort – Artist’s Obsession: http://www.amazon.com/Artists-Obsession-Resort-Tami-Lund-ebook/dp/B00C45BTBS/
The Resort – Holiday in Dallas: http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Dallas-Resort-Tami-Lund-ebook/dp/B00DPN3Z5G/
The Resort – Valentine’s Day at The Resort: http://www.amazon.com/Valentines-Day-at-The-Resort-ebook/dp/B00HO2YMT2/
Coming in May, 2014: Summertime at The Resort!
Author name: Tami Lund
Website/Blog/Author pages etc.
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTamiLund?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/TamiLundAuthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5169798.Tami_Lund
May 29, 2014
Book Review: Tales of Erana: Myths and Legends by Alexandra Butcher
Yay what a great book review for Tales of Erana
Originally posted on J.P. Wilder:
I must start this out by saying that this book was not what I expected. I really don’t know what I expected, but this wasn’t it. I had heard online good things about the author so I decided to try her out. This was the first of her books that I’ve read. I intend to read more.
This book is exactly as billed in the title: a group of short myths and legends. It is a cool book.
What is so cool about it, you ask? Well, let me add a little color to the statement:
It can be surprisingly dark.
Each story is written differently, some in very different styles and feels, which demonstrates this author’s incredible versatility.
There are very personal stories, and stories that are written with an almost biblical/mythical distance, which is both full of deep emotional meaning and cold, hard lessons of truth.
There are myth stories…
View original 168 more words
May 28, 2014
Character Interview Number Twenty-One – Olek – Fantasy
Tell Us About Yourself
Name (s): Olek Marison, the Shadowdancer and the Watcher from the Shadows.
Age: about 40, I think, although I could not say precisely.
Describe your appearance in 10 words or less. Black hair, red and gold streaks, half-elf male, ivy-leaf tattoo.
Do you have a moral code? If so what is it? Ah yes a moral code. I expect mine is not the same as yours, morals are for those with the luxury of freedom. The morals I have are not the ones society says I should have.
If I must choose it would be loyalty to my master, to my lady and his and to our cause. If I am your friend I will remain so, if I am your enemy then beware the shadows for they have eyes.
I do what needs to be done to protect us, and those we help. I am a thief and an assassin. I have killed more times than I can remember but there are worse than I in this dark world. There are those who take freedom and life and pretend they do so in the name of law; these are the slavers and Witch-Hunters and those I kill without guilt. For they have chosen that profession and they bring such sorrow to the world. There are those who simply to not see what is staring them in the face, or turn away and it sometimes they need to be reminded about reality.
Would you kill for those you love? Without a doubt, and I have.
Would you die for those you love? Oh yes, my life belongs to my lord, my friend and my master, and I would die for him without regret.
What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses? Strengths: I am loyal, I am talented and the shadows are mine to command.
Weakness: I tend to see the worst in people. Experience has taught me that.
Do you have any relationships you prize above others? Why? Archos, he is my lord, my friend and as close to brother or father I have ever known. He saved me from the gallows, but more than that he has shown me kindness, friendship and he does not treat me as a slave. Elves and half-elves have no rights in Erana, you understand, but with him I have wealth, I have freedom to come and go as I please, I have been educated and I have been loved. He trusts me I make sure I do not disappoint that trust. I was a street urchin, with nothing, and now I have so much more, he is a remarkable man and it is my honour to serve him.
My lady, Ozena. There have been other women, but none like her. She is brave, and she speaks her mind. Even after this time there is an innocence about her which I love. She has such a wild spirit. Ozena is a good person, far better than I.
Do you like animals? Do you have any pets/animal companions? I tend to prefer animals to people. We have many horses, my favourite is my gelding, Shadow, but they all serve us with love and loyalty. The manor has various goats and fowls for food, although they are generally cared for by the housekeeper. Animals do not judge, nor do they care if one is an elf or a human and they love unconditionally. There is a Spirit Raven which is the familiar of my mistress Dii’Athella, but I don’t suppose it counts as an animal.
Do you have a family? Tell us about them. I have no blood family – my mother died giving birth to my still-born sister and I do not know who my father was. My mother was a whore, and it could have been any one of the human men she entertained at that time.
Archos, I’ve mentioned. He is family to me, and Ozena, my woman and Dii, Archos’ lady.
Can you remember something from your childhood which influences your behaviour? How do you think it influences you?Elves have no rights, my mother, as I’ve said was a whore. That was not her choice. I would supplement our income by removing the trinkets of her clients. When a man is otherwise engaged his mind is not on his purse. As the child of a slave I was also a slave but the Madam who controlled us would also get me to steal for her. When my mother died I was expected to pay her debts… by any means. How does it influence me? I suppose you could say I will do what needs to be done. I despise slavers and I will fight to my last breath to free any woman forced to do what my mother did.
Do you have any phobias? Losing those I love.
Please give us an interesting and unusual fact about yourself. I will eat pretty much anything, when one has to survive in the Enclave and is always hungry, one eats what one can. I have eaten, rats, cockroaches, snails, maggots, rubbish, rotting food, snake and salamander. I used to know a great recipe for rat stew.
Tell Us About Your World
Please give us a little information about the world in which you live. My world? Ah yes Erana. Once it was glorious, once it was mighty but now it is dark, it is full of corruption and hatred. War and Plague will bring even the greatest low. There are those who think they run the land, the Order of Witch-Hunters, but they control it for their own gains. They rule by fear, and division and I must admit they are very successful in that. However they do not have everything their own way, there is resistance. Not that I know anything about that at all…
Does your world have religion or other spiritual beliefs? If so do you follow one of them? Please describe (briefly) how this affects your behaviour. If I am honest I am a little too cynical to put much faith in the gods, but I know the mages follow them more than I. Oh they exist, of that I have no doubt, I have seen their work first-hand but whether they help the likes of me, that is another question. The Witch-Hunters do not encourage the old beliefs, the gods and the demi-gods, the magical creatures are anathema to them. How do they affect my behaviour? I hedge my bets and toss a prayer their way when I need it.
Name and describe a food from your world. As I’ve said, rat stew… yummy. Well not really but meat is meat when you are hungry. With some pilfered veggies, and bread which is not mouldy there is a meal which will keep you alive and will not kill you. Usually anyway.
Does your world have magic? If so how is it viewed in your world? Of course. Although if the Witch-Hunters have their way it will be eradicated. They have not been successful thus far. Magic is magic, it has many forms and it will not yield to the laws of men. Officially magic and its practitioners are illegal. Mages and adepts can be executed, simply because they are magical, if they are caught. Mages live in hiding, or disguise their skills and apothecaries, or wise folk. Poor Dii, my kind and gentle mistress, was tortured and raped by the Order, because she was an elf and a mage. Were it not for Archos she would not have survived. Even adepts, like myself, are not safe although our skills are easier to hide. I can command the shadows, I can walk in silence and I can fight like few other men can. Archos always tells me magic demands a price and sometimes that price is freedom, pain or even death.
Does your world have different races of people? If so do they get on with one another? There are elves, half-elves, humans and trolls. Elves and half-elves are generally slaves to the humans, they certainly have no rights. Many humans blame the elves for the Plague, although whether this is the truth I have no idea. Archos is the man to ask on that. Trolls tend to keep themselves to themselves; they live in the mountains and remote areas and trade among themselves. They are magical and far nobler than the other races if you ask me, although they do like to war, so I’ve been told. I have only encountered the Trollkind recently but they are decent folk.
Oh and there are the Fae, but WHAT they are I have no clue. They came from one of the lost magical realms, nasty bastards they are as well. Or at least the one we found was, he is….no longer a problem.
Name a couple of myths and legends particular to your culture/people. Hmm, well let me see. There is a nymph in a magic glade in the Shimmering Forest, she is one of the old forest folk, a magical creature and guardian of the sacred places. My Ozena found her from a childhood story and her lover is a toad, an elven prince cursed by wicked magic.
A troll goddess guards the route to the Temple of the Sky, and it is her whim, or not that one may pass the sacred waterfall. Her daughter is a flower….
What is the technology level for your world/place of residence? What item would you not be able to live without?Technology? We have iron or steel swords, armour of the same, for those who can afford it and people get about on their own feet or horseback. Archos has a magic powered hot water urn, and there are magic powered lights. What do you have?
What could I not live without? As I have lived with next to nothing I can make do with my own bare hands. What would I WISH not to live without? My drake-metal swords – iron magic-forged with drake’s blood. They are strong, they are sharp and they give me an edge…well two as they are paired…Apologies, bad joke. Ozena laughs at my humour but I am sure she is just being polite.
Does your world have any supernatural/mystical beings? Please tell us about some. As I’ve said there are a few, although they are rare and generally live in hiding. Archos is a Skychild, and an Archmage. I think he is the last of his kind, although I doubt they were ever common. There are gods, and demi-gods but they rarely show themselves. Being ruled by the Order does that. We found an Avi-tam, an air elemental, recently but aside from the fact she is a creature of magic and serves a goddess I could not say WHAT exactly she was.
Author notes:
Author name: A. L. Butcher
Website/Blog/Author pages etc. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6430414.A_L_Butcher
Twitter:@libraryoferana
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarkFantasyBeyondTheStorm
Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alexandra-Butcher/e/B008BQFCC6/
Book Links
http://www.amazon.com/Light-Beyond-Storm-Chronicles–ebook/dp/B0088DQO9C
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-light-beyond-the-storm-chronicles-alexandra-butcher/1114796078
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/light-beyond-storm-chronicles/id615134765?mt=11
http://www.amazon.com/The-Shining-Citadel-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00D4CF6W8
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/352783?ref=ALB123
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-shining-citadel-alexandra-butcher/1116863431
May 26, 2014
Guest Post: Karen Commins on Marketing Audiobooks – Part One
Hopefully my audio book will be done in a couple of weeks. Here’s a good post about marketing them.
Originally posted on Audiobook Creation Exchange Blog (ACX):
Audible Approved producer Karen Commins is a prolific audiobook narrator who has completed over 20 titles on ACX. She is also a skilled audiobook marketer, working independently and with ACX rights holders to drive sales of her productions. Today, she joins us to share the first installment of her thoughts on audiobook marketing and some of the tactics that have brought her success.
A Narrator’s Look at Audiobook Marketing – Part One
ACX Producer Karen Commins
After picking and performing a great royalty-share title on ACX, the next question many narrators and producers have is: “How do I market my audiobook?” Others ask: “Why do I need to market the audiobook? Isn’t marketing the job of the rights holder?”
Let me answer the second question first. Whether I’m paid per finished hour (PFH) or on a royalty-share (RS) deal, I always publicize my audiobooks because:
I want the world…
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May 24, 2014
Character Interview Number Twenty – Kero the Westie.
Name(s): “My name is actually Keroberous, but my human and I decided to just write it as Kero for my books. We figured it would be easier for people to say if they were reading it out to someone. It’s what I get called most of the time anyway; unless I’m in trouble.”
Age: “I’ll be ten years old on May 23rd 2014.”
Describe your appearance in 10 words or less. “A small white dog with pointed ears.”
Do you have any relationships you prize above others? Why? “I love my human more than any other human or animal in the whole universe! I’ve known her since I was a tiny puppy with my furmama and we have a strong bond. Being with her makes me feel safe.”
Do you like other animals? Do you have any pets/animal companions? “I love all other animals. Well, all except birds. I always try to make friends with any animals I meet in my day to day life. I’ve had several adopted siblings of different species over the years: a budgie, cats, degus, other dogs, fish, gerbils, a guinea pig, hamsters, and a rabbit. I’ve loved them all, though I’ve gotten on better with some than others. Charlie – the budgie – I only tolerated though; if there’s one kind of animal I don’t like, it’s birds. I might not have had bird issues, but after a scare I had thanks to Charlie, I really don’t like birds much.”
Do you have a family? Tell us about them. “I’m from a litter of 3 males and a female, but I don’t really remember my biological siblings and my Furmama that well. I haven’t seen them since I was a couple of months old, and all I know is that my Furmama’s name is Serena Snowflake and they’re all Westies like me. I don’t remember my Furpapa at all. Since I was a couple of months old I’ve lived with the human I live with now, except for one time when I was with someone else for a lot of sleeps for a reason I don’t understand. As I said, we’ve had several other animals in the house in that time too; some stayed only a very short time, others stayed for a few years. Right now my adopted siblings are all rodents, and all male. I’ve got four degu brothers named Jacob, Jasper, Jenks and Joshua, and a pair of gerbil brothers named Bilbo and Baggins. The degus have a couple of books called ‘The Degu Days Duo’ if you want to read a bit more about them. The gerbils don’t have any books out yet, but I heard they’d like to have one at some point in the future. They’re all just copying me; I’m famous and they want a part of it. But that’s how it always goes, isn’t it? One family member gets a bit of fame, and the rest want a bit of the action!”
Do you have any phobias? “I’m afraid of a lot of things. My biggest fear is being alone though; I suffer from severe separation anxiety. I’ve suffered from it since I was a puppy, and any time my human has to go somewhere I have to have a doggysitter. Even with the sitter though, I’m always terrified my human won’t come back, and so relieved each time she does. My biggest phobia is that one day she won’t come back.”
Please give us an interesting and unusual fact about yourself? “I’m a terrier, and terriers are supposed to be rodent catchers, but I’m friends with rodents; I always look out for my rodent siblings, and have never attempted to harm one in my whole life. Even when one of the hamsters got out of his cage once when I was a puppy all I did was stay near him and yap for the humans to get them to come and get him. In fact, I never even tried to hurt the rat one of the cats brought home and let loose in our place once. I’m a good boy!”
Please give us a little information about the world in which you live. “My world is your world, but viewed from a lot lower down. I’m only a foot high at the shoulder, and the world looks a lot different from down here!”
Do you travel in the course of your adventures? If so where? “I go for walkies most days; though not if it’s raining, because I don’t like to get wet. We go to the park, to the beach, and in to town. Sometimes the humans also make me go to the vet, which I really don’t enjoy. You can read about some of the places I visit in ‘Kero Goes Walkies’ and ‘Kero Goes To Town’ if you want. There’s also a bit about one of those vet trips I hate in ‘Kero Gets Sick’ if you want to read about that.”
What form of politics is dominant in your world? (Democracy, Theocracy, Meritocracy, Monarchy, Kakistocracy etc.) “I don’t know what any of those are, but as far as I’m concerned I’m in charge.”
Does your world have different races of people? If so do they get on with one another? “We see lots of different races of people around where we live; most of them are nice. I try to be friends with them all, and my human will willingly talk to any of them who are interested in talking to either me or her. I hear a lot of people in the world don’t try and be friends with everyone though, which sounds strange to me; I think everyone should be friends! There’s a lot of wildlife around too. Some of our neighbours are foxes, squirrels and badgers, not to mention the giant birds that live around here; my human says they’re called seagulls.”
What is the technology level for your world/place of residence? What item would you not be able to live without? “My world is your world, so I have access to the same technology as you. I can’t use it, but it exists. The thing I couldn’t live without is the fridge-freezer, because that’s where the meat and cheese live.”
Within your civilisation what do you think is the most important discovery/invention? “The most important invention is cheese! I have no idea who came up with the idea of making cheese, but that person deserves a medal! I love cheese!”
***
Author notes:
Book(s) in which this character appears plus links:
Kero’s World, book 1: Kero Goes Walkies – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/312873
Kero’s World, book 2: Kero Celebrates His Birthday – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/319037
Kero’s World, book 3: Kero Gets Sick – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/324875
Kero’s World, book 4: Kero Celebrates Halloween – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/342194
Kero’s World, book 5: Kero Goes To Town – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/344560
Kero’s World, book 6: Kero Celebrates Christmas – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/344566
Author name: Victoria Zigler
Website/Blog/Author pages etc:
Website: http://www.zigler.co.uk
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/toriz
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/toriz
Blog: http://ziglernews.blogspot.com
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-Zigler/424999294215717
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/victoriazigler
May 21, 2014
Author Interview: Kyra Halland
Great author interview from Kyra Halland.
Originally posted on Coffintree Hill:
Beginning with the Prydain books by Lloyd Alexander and the Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula K. Leguin, Kyra Halland has always loved fantasy. She has also always loved a good love story. In 1990, as a new stay-at-home mom with a young baby, she finally decided to combine those two loves – like chocolate and peanut butter! – by writing the kinds of romantic fantasy novels she wanted to read.
Kyra Halland lives in southern Arizona. She has a very patient husband, two less-patient cats, and two young adult sons. Besides writing, she enjoys scrapbooking and anime, and she wants to be a crazy cat lady when she grows up. You can find out more by visiting kyrahalland.com
Tell us a little about your latest book.
My latest release is Sarya’s Song, a dark romantic fantasy set in a world where music is magic. The heroine, Sarya, is a disgraced musician…
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