A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 58
April 15, 2022
Book Spotlight – A Court of Crows #Fantasy #RomanticFantasy
Basic Book Spotlight
Title: A Court of Crows
Author: Eliza Eveland
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Main character description (short). Eris Telari is a young and inexperienced queen whose city is under siege. She’ll do anything to save her city, which leads her to hire a group of mercenaries, The Crows to help.
Synopsis:
Nineteen-year-old Eris Telari was never supposed to rule Brucia. She’s always been more interested in swordplay than courtly intrigue.
After her brother’s assassination, however, Eris has no choice but to take up the crown and defend her city against an invasion led by an undefeated elven warlord.
With Brucia’s forces decimated, and a siege looming, Eris needs help. Who better to repel the elven invaders than a band of elven mercenaries?
Their leader, Ruith, is as charming as he is deadly, and used to getting what he wants. Six thousand swords strong, his Crows have a reputation for winning against impossible odds. He won’t take a fight he can’t win, and now he has his sights set on Eris…
Is it her kingdom he wants? Or her?
With assassins and traitors still lurking around every corner, and an army nearly twenty thousand strong at her gates, Eris cannot afford to turn away the Crows’ assistance. Even with their help, the battle for Brucia will be hard-won.
And the most dangerous threat may already be inside her walls and vying for a place at her side…
Brief Excerpt 250 words:
“I have six thousand Crows at my command. I am stronger than any man, better with my sword than all three of your queensguard put together, and faster than every human I have ever met. If I wanted your city, it would be mine. Whatever I want, I get.” He lifted his fingers from the table and brushed them against her cheek.
Eris’s heart skipped a beat.
She grabbed his hand. “You do not have me.”
The sound of his dark chuckle left her fighting a shudder.
“Not yet,” he said.
“If you ever touch me uninvited…”
“Please.” He wrinkled his nose, disgusted, and pulled his hand away. “I would never. I have no interest in bedding a woman who doesn’t wish it. If the touch is truly uninvited, then I apologize. But if it isn’t, and if these sultry looks you’ve been throwing me are more than just curiosity…” Ruith leaned down, lips hovering next to her ear. He smelled like warm leather with a sharp citrus bite. “I will touch you in ways no one ever has, or ever will again. I could give you more pleasure with one finger than you’ve ever known.”
Eris’s insides turned molten, skin prickling at the thought. She turned her head toward his, their mouths suddenly so close that they shared breath for a moment. “That’s a bold claim. I’m a queen. I could have anyone I wanted.”
He leaned back, his smirk returning. “I’ve seen the men in this city. I know what I’m up against, and I stand by my statement.”
Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?
This book is for readers who love their spicy romance to have intricate plots, well developed characters, and heroines who do their own rescuing. If you’ve read ACOTAR and FBAA and wished the books had more diversity, you’ll love this series!
Links etc.
Social media links:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorElizaEveland
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/616062436341571
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorelizaeveland/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elizaeveland
Website: https://www.elizaeveland.com/
April 14, 2022
Swift Six Character Interview – Johnny Lupul #Paranormal #UrbanFantasy
Character Name
Johnny Lupul, although I was McPherson most of my life. Lupul is my birth name before I was adopted in Romania and brought to the US.
Which book/world do you live in?
The Werewolf PI series. Book 1 is Johnny Lycan and the Anubis Disk. Book 2 (December 2022) is Johnny Lycan and the Vegas Berserker
Tell us about yourself:
I’m just an average 30- year-old mook from Chicago. I grew up in the burbs, then kicked around for a few years working construction and collecting debts for a bookie. Now I’m trying to get my own Location and Retrieval business going. Oh, and I’m a werewolf. Have been my whole life. That can make things a little tricky.
I spent my life thinking being a Lycan was like a learning disability—they kept me on Ritalin and thought I was just hyperactive. That led to a lack of self-esteem and a major problem with authority. Until lately, I was convinced the world was completely sane and I was the weirdest thing out there. I’m finding out that’s not true, and being a werewolf may be the most normal thing I have to deal with.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
You’d think that having a slobbering rage monster trapped inside you is a pretty big weakness and it can be. I’ve learned to tap into Shaggy—the other side of me—to sense danger and help me physically when I need it. It turns out I may be smarter than I’ve been led to believe, but my mouth keeps getting me in trouble. Also, I’m not the brightest bulb on the tree but God knows I try my best.
Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).
I’m not much for institutions. Schools, religion, even my adoptive parents have left me feeling adrift.
I have an adopted family—my best friend Bill and his Romani grandmother—that mean the world to me. Bill is gay but smarter than me and keeps me grounded. Gramma is a dirty old lady with more secrets than I’ve got.
I rely on my main client for steady employment I suppose. Oliver Cromwell is a creepy rich guy with a habit of collecting arcane relics and making me feel like an idiot most of the time. He’s not warm and fuzzy, but the checks don’t bounce.
The only relationship in my life that’s lasted or really helps is Shaggy. The Lycan inside me keeps me out of trouble or gets me into it depending on the time of the month and the stage of the moon.
What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?
Heroism? Hell, I don’t know. I guess it’s doing the right thing even when it can get you killed. Heroes are famous, good looking, morally upright people who defy the odds. I’m not heroic, I’m just the right combination of lucky and dumb. Sometimes it works out.
What do you think of your ‘creator’?
Wayne Turmel is okay for an old, cis-het, white guy. He cusses less than I do, and keeps inventing messed-up situations I have to get out of, which makes me wish he had less faith in me. He used to live in Chicago, where I’m based, but left for Vegas. How do people live there? Chicago’s a pretty good place to be if you’re a werewolf. Half the year the weather’s perfect for wearing a fur coat and there’s plenty of green space, even in town. You can find a deer when you need to kill something in a hurry to take the edge off.
Give us your favourite piece of advice:
Not a lot of 30-year-olds listen to classic rock, and people make fun of me for it, but I think Mick had it right… you can’t always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need.
Oh, and no matter how bad things get, never let Shaggy run the show.
Links to book
Johnny Lycan and the Anubis Disk https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KQHJQ7D
Wayne Turmel’s website www.WayneTurmel.com
Wayne’s Twitter @Wturmel
Book Spotlights – Charity Anthologies for Ukraine
With the recent terrible events in Ukraine, many people have been looking for ways to help. To that end, the team at Romantic Fantasy Shelf [https://romanticfantasyshelf.com/] has put together two massive limited-edition anthologies, Fierce Hearts and Adamant Spirits. Each volume is packed with over a thousand pages of short fiction, novellas, novels, and sneak peeks at upcoming works, from debut authors to international bestsellers. All proceeds from sales will be donated to the International Rescue Committee https://www.rescue.org/topic/ukraine-crisis (or to another similar charity should IRC become unavailable) to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering as a result of this war.
Fierce Hearts is devoted to romantic fantasy and fantasy romance set in “fantasy” worlds or fantasy versions of historical earth. Adamant Spirits contains paranormal romance, romantic urban fantasy, and science fiction romance. Both collections are available at multiple stores in ebook format, and will also be available in paperback and special-edition hardcover, coming soon!
Fierce Hearts: https://books2read.com/fiercehearts
Adamant Spirits: https://books2read.com/adamantspirits
Fierce Hearts authors: Bethany Adams, Amy Beatty, Claudia Blood, Elizabeth Briggs, Carissa Broadbent, Jessica M. Butler, Therena Carlin, Denali Day, Monica Enderle Pierce, Tameri Etherton, Eileen Fox, Lauren L. Garcia, Catharine Glen, Joan Grey, Kristina Gruell, Kyra Halland, Emma Hamm, Meredth Hart, Miranda Honfleur, Amelia Hutchins, Kelly N. Jane, Jaycee Jarvis, Clara C. Johnson, Jeffe Kennedy, Karpov Kinrade, Lisa Kumar, K.N. Lee, Kate LeFay, Constance Lopez, M. Lynn, Hollee Mands, Lisette Marshall, Daniela A. Mera, Sylvia Mercedes, C.A. Morley, Tessonja Odette, Monica Enderle Pierce, Joanna Reeder, Vanessa Roades, Vela Roth, Bernadette Rowley, Clare Sager, Anna Santos, Anthea Sharp, Marina Simcoe, R.A. Steffan, Shari L. Tapscott. Karen Tomlinson, Megan Van Dyke, Velora Venn, Charissa Weaks, & Olivia Wildenstein
Adamant Spirits authors: Maggie Alabaster, G. Bailey, Elle Beaumont, Katherine Bennet, Alexi Blake, Ella Blake, Claudia Blood, Jessica M. Butler, Demelza Carlton, Kel Carpenter, Alora Carter, Anna Carven, Debbie Cassidy, Eva Chase, Leslie Chase, Sarah M. Cradit, G.K. DeRosa, T.K. Eldridge, Tameri Etherton, Sara Fields, Grace Goodwin, Jen L. Grey, Miranda Honfleur, Hattie Jacks, Aurelia Jane, Alana Khan, Lea Kirk, Lisa Kumar, K.N. Lee, Jen Lynning, Ashley McLeo, Michele Mills, Chloe Parker, Vee R. Paxton, Honey Phillips, Candace Robinson, Rebecca Rode, May Sage, Veronica Scott, Tana Stone, Julia Vee, Maria Vermisoglou, Jade Waltz, Jenni Ward, Jessica Wayne, Calla Zae
The anthology organizers and participating authors are not affiliated or endorsed by the charity.
Swift Six – Character Interview – Barte #Fantasy
Character Name
My name is Barte son of Moshere. And no, there are no commas. That name, my friend is my title, though I believe my guardians should have included more surnames just to make it difficult for the common people to remember.
Which book/world do you live in?
I live in the books the author titles Sword of Cho Nisi. She really should have called it Sword of Casdamia as my empire is larger, stronger, and much more fitting than that tiny little island in the middle of the Nisi Sea. Did you know the natives walk barefoot on that island? I was there once but I don’t remember much. I was blind at the time—under the curse of that evil wizard Skotádi, the murderer of my parents. I’d rather not talk about it.
*Fiddles with his falcon’s breast feathers and kisses the leather helm over its head.
Too traumatic for me. Too much blood. They know I get sick at the sight of it, yet they made me go there anyway. *shudders.
Tell us about yourself:
I’m the emperor of the greatest nation in the world. Casdamia is my charge and someday I hope to conquer all the lands. Perhaps. Well, maybe not. Seems like such an effort. I would like to have Tellwater Valley within my borders though. No finer wine in all the land comes from Tellwater and I hate to say it’s ruled by Potamia and that young scallywag son of a king, Barin. He’s not an altogether rotten chap, but the commoners speak way too highly of him.
My father was the emperor Moshere. He was the grandest of all warriors and provoked fear throughout the land. Part of that was Skotádi’s doing. They were in cahoots for most of the battles, but something happened, and the dark wizard changed. He cursed my father and my mother and when I was an innocent young child barely out of my nightcap, he burned them to a crisp. Magic did it. A cruel inhumane bolt of magic. *He breathes a sigh and fans himself* I will never forget, nor forgive. And I trust no one because of it. Only my Allat. *Kisses the falcon again.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths? *He laughs and takes the falcon’s headdress off. Strengths, the man asks. Yes. Well, my strength is in my army. They’re a cruel lot. I’ve been working on them. You should see their black Armor and green plumage. One look and you’ll be quivering in your boots, my dear fellow. No one messes with the Dark Army!
As for weakness, well, I must admit I retch at the sight of blood, but that shouldn’t make any difference. I don’t really need to be on the battlefield, you know. That’s what soldiers are for.
Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).
Does me, myself and I count? Oh, I know. You’re looking for something beyond Rigelstaff.
I heard a rumour that Barin the king of Potamia, has a lover, the daughter of one of his barons he exiled. Seems that her father was slain in my kingdom. I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry about that one.
And his wizard Kairos made a pet of a skura. Had me fooled for months. I’m the one that taught him falconry and to think he took advantage of my blindness and tricked me into thinking he was training a falcon. No wonder the man stunk every time he came around.
King Tobias’ gods died with him. That’s what I’m told. They put a monument for them in the palace garden.
And the fool who married the Tobian Princess, the man who was once king of Cho Nisi? Gossip is spreading that he handed his throne to the village elders. Imagine that! A whole conglomerate of natives sitting on a throne. Barefoot, no doubt. *Snickers and kisses Allat. The Fool will lose the island.
What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?
Heroism is what Allat is to me. *He holds the falcon close to his heart. My hero. The only friend I have. The only creature I can put my trust in. Allat is my hero. He hears my deepest thoughts and keeps them secret. He does what he’s told. He even found the murderer of my parents for me, and nearly lost his life doing so.
What do you think of your ‘creator’?
Hmpf! Poor choice of main characters.
Give us your favourite piece of advice:
Stay to yourself. There’s not a soul on this planet you can trust, not even the trustworthy ones. Unless of course they have some fashionable Armor to sell you or some delicacy for your kitchen. Still, don’t trust them.
Links to book
https://books2read.com/ap/nBvawn/DL-Gardner
April 11, 2022
Swift Six Author Interview – Nathan Tudor #Fantasy
Name: Nathan Tudor
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
Hello, I’m Nathan Tudor! I’m a new author, having just published my first two books in early 2022. I write fantasy novels that blend epic scope with intimate character moments. Ancient beliefs and ideas have always interested me, so I take lots of inspiration from myths and archaic texts—philosophical, religious, magical, you name it!
I knew I wanted to be a storyteller pretty much my whole life, and I’m so excited to finally put my work out there for people to enjoy. The response from readers has been encouraging, and I look forward to writing and publishing many more books in the future.
Besides reading and writing books, I spend my days exchanging memes with friends on Discord, gaming (tabletop RPGs and video games), and hunting down great stories to devour! I tend to think in archetypal patterns and symbols, so I’ll often pace around late at night pondering whatever I’ve taken in most recently—whether it’s a superhero movie, a romance manga, or a Russian tragedy. My interests are all over the place, so I love talking to people about what they’re into and then taking those recommendations to fuel my own creative work. Speaking of which, I’m very fortunate to have a coterie of artistic friends, who help fuel my own passion by sharing their creations. Having comrades in this line of work is essential, since so much of the work itself is solitary.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
I have two books out right now, both in my epic historical fantasy series The Imperial Adept. The Empire’s Lion is book one, a 220,000 word doorstopper full of action, intrigue, and awesome magic.
Adept Initiate is the prequel, which I give away for free to all my newsletter subscribers; it tells the story of how Reiva, the protagonist of the series, trained to become the lethal arcane warrior we see in The Empire’s Lion.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
When I was six or seven, I wrote a short story based on my favorite video game at the time. Ever since then, I’ve had an urge to write—I told all my friends back in third grade that I was working on a book, even though each ‘chapter’ was only a couple of paragraphs! As I grew up and read more, I developed a love for epic fantasy, studied the craft of writing, and got more and more possessed by the need to write a full novel and send it out into the world for others to read. That day has finally come!
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I have plenty of plans for after I finish the Imperial Adept trilogy! They’re all pretty much fantasy books (though I have some sci-fi ideas), but I don’t want to get pigeonholed as just writing historical fantasy. I hope readers will enjoy seeing the ways my different series share some common DNA despite occupying different subgenres.
What do you like to read?
I read epic fantasy for the most part, though I tend to hop around a lot. At any time I’m working my way through three or four books, usually a mixture of fantasy novels, a classic (maybe mythology or philosophy), and then some wild card that happened to catch my interest. Reading widely is important to me, as I often find inspiration in books that occupy different genres than my writing.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
I wish I had internalized the importance of regular discipline and habit. I published at twenty-three, which I suppose is relatively young, but I know I could have published sooner if I had stopped waiting for inspiration to strike and just buckled down to do the work!
Author bio and book synopsis
Bio:
Nathan Tudor has researched ancient religion at Oxford, traveled the seven continents, and mastered the art of speaking in the third person. His debut novel The Empire’s Lion tells an epic story filled with action, identity, and the struggle to do what is right in an upside-down world
When he’s not writing or reading, Nathan can be found debating matters of no particular consequence with his friends, falling down research rabbit holes, and fiddling with a hand-crank coffee grinder that’s been stuck for the last few months.
Allegations that he hired an alchemist to give him the tread of a cat and the ears of a fox are categorically false.
Synopsis for The Empire’s Lion:
She left a slave. She returns a conqueror.
As an Adept, Reiva blasts fire from her hands and leaps over walls. But when her first solo mission leaves her half-dead amidst a heap of massacred allies, she gets just one chance at redemption.
The Empire orders her to crush the one kingdom she thought she would never see again: Talynis, the land of her birth, the land she left in chains.
Standing in her way is the Wolf, a vicious assassin hellbent on killing Adepts—and a single cut from his cursed blade will destroy Reiva’s magic forever.
Even if she can survive, victory may come at a price too high to pay…
The Empire’s Lion is an epic military fantasy filled with action and intrigue set in a war-torn, magic-filled world perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson, Guy Gavriel Kay, and Steven Erikson.
Links/Social media
The Empire’s Lion: https://books2read.com/u/3n2GLP
Website/Free Book: https://nathantudor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NathTudorBooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathantudorauthor
Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/author/nathantudor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nathan-tudor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22106843.Nathan_Tudor
April 10, 2022
Swift Six Author Interview – D. L. Gardner #Fantasy
Name: D.L. Gardner
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
Hi, I’m D.L. Gardner, a fantasy author and screenwriter. I live in the Pacific Northwest USA and am a nature lover, hiker, and painter. I have seven adult children, sixteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. I love epic fantasy and believe stories should last from one generation to the next.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
Darkness Holds the Son, a noblebright epic fantasy which is a stand alone spin-off novel to the Sword of Cho Nisi series.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
I began writing novels in 2011 and have 16 titles published. I began writing Darkness Holds the Son last year shortly after I finished the Cho Nisi Saga. It’s hard to leave a fantasy world once you start building it, and it seems the construction is never quite finished, nor are the characters completely fleshed out. I wanted to do another book in the series that had nothing to do with the completed arc of the first three books, but still kept us in the world with the same adventurous atmosphere.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I want to complete another stand alone book to the same series, and then finish Ian’s Realm and somewhere in between do a sequel to Hoarfrost to Roses, which is a Victorian era mystery/romance with a touch of the occult.
What do you like to read?
I like long involved sagas such as Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings, but I also enjoy magical realism like Night Circus and historical fiction. I suppose any book with an exciting plot and endearing characters.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
Begin while you’re young and keep going. I waited far too long to do this. I have so many books in me! Time is valuable.
Author bio and book synopsis
I’m D.L. Gardner – Author, screenwriter, storyteller.
I write Noble-bright fantasy fiction for those who like a tall tale and fast-moving adventure. I’ve written ever since I was a youngster and have led an unusual life after that, having grown up in the sixties, lived in the desert for nearly 30 years in a mud hut, raising horses, sheep, goats, chickens, and seven children.
Much of my life experience has morphed into my stories in the form of other worlds accessed through portal travel. I’ve released twelve novels spanning all sub-genres of fantasy and one historical fiction based on a relative’s WWII letters.
Winner of two Book Excellence Awards for my series, Best Urban fantasy at Imaginarium Convention, and a host of screenings, trophies for my historical fiction screenplay Cassandra’s Castle, and six Screenplay awards for my story Dylan.
Storytelling is my passion and I especially love to collaborate with other artists in the Indie Film making realm. I believe a story should endure time and be good enough to hand down from one generation to the next.
Darkness Holds the Son
Darkness Holds the Son takes us to a small village named Tuluva where Jareth, an unemployed mercenary, and his wife and two children are raising goats to sustain themselves. Things go well for them until the land-baron of Ogress raises their taxes, forcing Jareth to pick up his crossbow and return to the battlefield. Jareth has an even more pressing problem than keeping his family out of debtor’s prison, though. His son Crispin has seizures that are caused by magic and if Jareth doesn’t find the source soon, it could be fatal as the boy hears voices instructing him to kill his father. On Jareth’s quest, he discovers that the same affliction is haunting all the children in the kingdom.
Join Jareth, his wife, and King Barin in this new adventure as they search the Neverworld and half of Casdamia to find and destroy that which has taken the youth of their world captive.
Links/Social media
https://diendrial.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DianneLynnGardner
Tweets by DLGardner2https://www.patreon.com/DLGardner
April 8, 2022
Guest Post – 7 Reasons Why Short Stories Help You Grow as a Writer
Short stories have often been tragically overlooked by new writers in their ambition to get their first novel published. This is a shame, because short stories are a craft of their own. Learning how to write a good short story is an important step in understanding what it takes to tell a story: with only a limited space, you must learn to still convey the story’s key elements while making it gripping and emotionally touching. What more of a challenge could a writer want?
These are seven of the key reasons to practice short story writing. Hopefully you’ll feel inspired to start your own short story by the end — you’ll love the way your writing changes after you get a few under your belt.
They teach you to be conciseStop me if I’m stating the obvious, but the great thing about short stories really is that they’re short! Unnecessary words and clichés have to go. Cut down scenes that drag on — or cut them entirely if they don’t serve the story. Editing is your best friend, now more than ever.
It’s a great skill to master, because if you graduate to longer works, you’ll have a deeper knowledge of balancing pacing so that readers remain engaged throughout the novel. You can say exactly what you need to, in the fewest amount of words possible. Consider Ernest Hemingway and his famous short sentences. Reading his work, you know exactly what you need to, nothing more and nothing less, and it works perfectly.
You learn how to build a gripping plotWhether you’re a planner or a pantser, as you write a short story you have to figure out which plot points matter and which don’t. You have to look at the scope of your story, everything needs a purpose. You might think of a great scene that develops your characters, but if it doesn’t do much for the story, or it’s too much of a diversion, you probably need to cut it.
Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to cut chunks of your story out at one time! I was editing a short story the other day, and in one satisfying click I deleted a third of my word count — my story is much better for it. Of course, if you think you can use that content in a later story, it’s always useful to have a notes document where you can paste anything useful you cut.
You can create lovable characters with lessAs you write short fiction you’ll learn to accurately discern what readers need to know, what they don’t, and what you need to know. You’ll still need to know your characters well — their origin story, what they want in life, what they need, and whether or not they’re going to get it. In a novel, a lot of this information would eventually come to light, but in a short story, the reader should only know what they need for the scope of that story. If your character is an adult who has just moved to a new city, you might explain that they moved a lot as a kid, but readers don’t need to know about their childhood dog and the bond they had.
They let you experiment and find your voiceWriting short stories helps to find your writer’s voice before diving into a longer work. If you start writing a novel, but you’re not really sure what your voice is, you’ll have a lot of editing to do along the way. But the great thing about short stories is that they’re often one-offs, each one standing alone. You can play around with different tones or moods or genres without muddying a longer work. If you find something works really well, feel free to stick with it!
You can potentially get published quickerPublishing a novel takes a long time. You either have to find an agent and a publisher, or find an editor, a proofreader, or a cover designer (and that’s a relatively small team!) all the while worrying about marketing your book — the list of tasks goes on.
Publishing stories is a different game. You can submit short stories to any of the thousands of online and print journals, magazines, or anthologies. While they might work with you on editing your story, it’s far less time and effort in comparison to how much it builds your credibility as an author — which will look great to agents when you’re ready to publish and market a novel.
They’re easier to get feedback onGetting feedback on a novel can be hard because of the sheer length of the work. Whereas, with a 20 page short story, you’re far more likely to find people willing to give feedback. Whether you’re in a local writing group or part of an online writing community, a short story should be feasible for people to take the time to review — and it’ll be less money out of your pocket if you decide to ask a professional editor to look over it.
You can build up a portfolioAs a final point, writing and publishing short stories is a great way to build a portfolio. For example, it’ll look good in a book publisher’s eyes if you’re already published in multiple journals or magazines. Even if you decide not to publish your short stories, it’s great to have writing samples prepared for future jobs or collaborations down the road. These stories show that you understand the fundamentals of creative writing, that you’re passionate about your craft, and that you’re willing to put the practice in. You never know what opportunities might come your way, so it’s great to be prepared and have something to show.
—
Feeling inspired yet? The benefits to writing short stories certainly outweigh any negatives, so I hope you’ll take a little time out of your week to practice this often overlooked format. I can’t wait to see what you make!
Rose Atkinson-Carter is a writer with Reedsy , a marketplace that connects authors with the world’s best self-publishing resources and professionals like editors, designers, and ghostwriters. She lives in London.
April 6, 2022
Swift Six Author Interview – Abigail Manning #Fantasy
Name: Abigail Manning
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
Hello! I’m Abigail Manning and I’m a wife, nanny, and romantic fantasy author of a sered of retold fairy tales. I began writing in July of 2021 and have since fallen in love with it. When I’m not writing, I enjoy spending time with my quirky pets and baking horrifically unhealthy (but delicious!) treats. Although it feels like writing is my full-time job, I actually have worked in childcare for over eight years now and have the priveldge of spending my mornings caring for an adorable set of siblings. Life is certainly never dull between toddler wrangling and story crafting, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
Currently, I have three books available for order/pre-order that are a part of The Emerald Realm Series which is a set of romantic fairy tale retellings based in a fantasy realm.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
I only started officially writing in July of 2021, but always had ambitions to write stories someday. The final inspiration that stirred my ambitions to life was actually reading children’s fairy tales to the kids I nanny and wondering if I could rewrite them for an older audience. As the time the kids were reading the story of goldilocks and I just felt inspired to try and retell it from new eyes.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I am currently working on my second and third romantic fantasy series simultaneously! I hope to continue producing books for as long as I have stories to bring to life.
What do you like to read?
Unsurprisingly, I enjoy reading fairy tale retellings! It’s always fascinating to read another author’s take on the original tale, I never seem to tire of it!
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
Don’t keep it to yourself! When I first started I was too shy to tell anyone other than my immediate friends and family, and found out later that I would have really benefited from sharing about my stories even before publishing them.
Author bio and book synopsis
Abigail Manning is a wife, nanny, and author of YA romance. She resides with her husband, Marcus, in the beautiful state of Tennessee. In school, she studied both Early Childhood Development and Theatre Arts, both of which aided in the development of her Emerald Realm series, based off of retold fairy tales. Abigail has always adored working with young children and drawing inspiration from their creativity. Her stories are geared towards young adults, but inspired off of children’s tales. She greatly enjoys the challenge of reinventing stories that most readers grew up with. She has only recently begun her career in writing, but already has growing ambitions revolving around her blossoming stories.
Synopsis- Poisoned Heart:A Retelling of Snow White
Princess Arabella is truly the fairest in all the land, and she knows it. With her pretty face, elaborate ball gowns, and glorious castle, she truly lives the perfect royal life. That is, until she is forced out of her home by a mysterious assassin.
With only the clothes on her back and the tiara on her head, Arabella flees from her castle in the dead of winter. As a last resort for shelter, Arabella takes up work in a laundry mill with seven other women. The once adored princess is now subjected to sleeping in piles of dirty laundry, but at least she is hidden. Well, she hopes so…
In the midst of her deadly game of hide-and-seek, she discovers that her kingdom is endangered by her absence. With the help of a dashing captain, a quirky noble, and her seven new companions, she must protect both her life and her kingdom. Will Arabella learn what true beauty is as she navigates her new life as a nameless commoner? While evil builds and secrets unfold, there may be more than her heart that’s poisoned.
Links/Social media
Abigailmanningauthor.com
https://www.instagram.com/abigailmanningauthor/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074816973438
April 4, 2022
Swift Six Character Interview – Sidney Stanley #ScienceFiction #Timetravel
Character Name
Sidney Starley
Which book/world do you live in?
The Lazarus Taxa, by Lindsey Kinsella.
Tell us about yourself:
I am a world-renowned field mechanic. You might not have heard of me, not yet at least, but I’m the best in the business at what I do. Any terrain in the world—I’ll keep your expedition on the move. I grew up on a small, isolated Scottish island, so naturally I couldn’t wait to get out and see the world. Everyone said I couldn’t do it, my own father even said so, but I’ve proven them wrong. I’ll keep proving them wrong.
Recently I’ve been hired by a secretive billionaire who claims to have invented time travel and requires my services. First man to set foot in another time? To walk around in the time of the dinosaurs? Now, that has a nice ring to it.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths? Well, we’ve already covered that I’m a fearless explorer and a master mechanic, but what are the qualities that drive those? Determination—you don’t get as far as I have by giving up when the going gets tough—and sheer, unfiltered bravery. Some have called it stupidity, but what do they know?
Weaknesses? Now, this is just between us, right? I have a reputation to uphold, after all. I can’t read especially well. I know now that I’m dyslexic, but as a child, my peers had another name for me—stupid. I guess you could say that gave me some self-doubt and maybe I over-compensate, but when a teacher tells a young boy that he’ll never succeed in life, that sticks with him. I’ll show them they were wrong about me. I’ll show them all.
Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).
As far as my personal life goes, I’ve always been somewhat of a loner. The closest I have to a friend is my buddy Ed. If I’m being honest though, I think he holds me back. He means well, but I can’t always play it safe—I’m more ambitious than that.
Neil Armstrong is my inspiration. The first man to walk on the moon—that will always be incredible. I mean, can you imagine? He was a hero, a rock star. I used to stare up at them moon and then back down at the muddy old farm of my youth. God, how I wished to be up there instead. I want to do what he did. I want to be the first.
Despite my grand ambitions, I do have some humbler pursuits. When I do have some down time I like to unwind with my trusty VW Beetle. It’s a simple machine, but it helps me to relax. I could take the whole thing apart and rebuild it in a couple of hours which is oddly therapeutic—as is the burble of its flat-four boxer engine.
What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?
To be a hero is to be successful. Most people’s heroes are so because they’re the best at what they do. They’ve reached the top, they are rich, famous, and respected. They’ve made it.
What do you think of your ‘creator’?
He’s pretty unambitious, really. Writing a book? It’s been done—nothing special. I bet it doesn’t even get made into a movie. Come back to me when he’s spent three months in Antarctica.
Give us your favourite piece of advice:
Never back down, never quit, never wait for tomorrow. Success doesn’t wait for anyone, you have to take your chances, no matter the cost.
Links to book
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NP1M1S9/
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60043780-the-lazarus-taxa
Barnes & Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lazarus-taxa-lindsey-kinsella/1141049864?ean=9798765533536
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindseyKinsellaAuthor
April 3, 2022
Swift Six Author Interview – Elizabeth Morris #Fantasy #YoungAdult
https://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/
Name: Elizabeth Morris
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so): Hi! My name is Elizabeth or Liz for short. I currently am 23 years young and I love to write. I grew up all over northern Virginia but now I will be traveling from Texas to Wyoming to live and work temporarily. I have three siblings, two older than me and one younger, so I am the middle child. I have four handsome nephews whom I adore. I also have four cats at my Virginia home, one of which is my fur baby and I miss him dearly. My hobbies include (besides writing) reading, playing on my Nintendo Switch, going on nature walks, and scrapbooking. I love to listen to music and play board games. I graduated from an online high school when I was 16, then started college at 17. I graduated from Southern New Hampshire University in 2020 with my Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and English. My favorite season is winter, favorite color is purple, and favorite food is sushi. One thing people might not know about me is that I am schizophrenic and have been since I was a teenager.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short): My books are called Tiger’s Blood and Rise of the Rebels. They are a young adult-teen fantasy series about shapeshifters called Bloods.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it? I started my writing adventure when I was in middle school. I was around 12 when my English teacher told me that my writing was amazing and I could write a book. Around that same time I had a dream that I was a human who could shapeshift into a white tiger which is my favorite animal. I took that dream and created my first character, Kira. A lot of the inspiration for my first book Tiger’s Blood came from dreams and the people who I surrounded myself with like friends and family.
What writing plans do you have for the future? I plan on finishing my Blood of the Beast series, currently on book 3 out of 5 for my series. I would like to do a prequel to the series after I finish book 5. I would like to branch out and write more books involving the universe that is set in my current series. I’d also like to write a children’s book when the time comes.
What do you like to read? I mostly like to read fantasy books. I’m starting to read more indie books so I can support other indie authors like myself. My favorite book series is A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. I have one of his book quotes tattooed on my arm.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure? A piece of advice I wish I had is “write first, edit later.” I was so caught up in trying to make my book perfect that I lost touch with my writing. That’s why I always write my story first then edit when it’s complete. If you’re not enjoying what you are writing then you are doing it wrong.
Author bio and book synopsis
Bio: Elizabeth Morris graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University in 2020. Her first book Tiger’s Blood she self-published in 2016 when she was 17 years old. She loves her cats and her family. She is currently working on the Blood of the Beast series and finds inspiration through music, nature and traveling.
Synopsis: In the world of Bitotem live mysterious creatures called Bloods. Bloods are half animal and half human shapeshifters. After the death of her younger sister and disappearance of her father, a young White Tiger Blood named Kira sets off on a difficult journey to the Lion Blood Kingdom to murder King Andrew Kingsley for killing all of the Tiger Bloods left on Bitotem. She remains the last living Tiger Blood. On her expedition, she befriends Noah, a Wolf Blood, Ethan a Lion Blood and Chase an Eagle Blood.
Links/Social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.morris.1401/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizlovestowrite/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizlovestowrite
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18473321.Elizabeth_Abigail_Morris
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lizlovestowrite
Tiger’s Blood: https://books2read.com/u/49lR7d
Rise of the Rebels: https://books2read.com/u/mKRRBB
