C. Gockel's Blog, page 114
July 8, 2014
WARRIORS ... Blurb Critique, Pretty Please?
So this is the tentative blurb for my second to last installment in the I Bring the Fire series … Would love some thoughts on this blurb.
When science meets Chaos, what could possibly go wrong?
Bohdi Patel is keeping the revelation that he is Chaos incarnate a secret … and handling the revelation about as well as one would expect. He’s in a downward spiral, trying to keep everyone he cares about at arms length.
Veterinarian Amy Lewis is wondering what happened to the funny, flirty, curious Bohdi she knew in the land of the Norns. He’s become moody and sometimes cruel. She is definitely glad she didn’t become romantically entangled with him. Most of the time.
When tragedy strikes Amy’s beloved mutt Fenrir, and Odin strikes Bohdi’s best friend Steve they have to work together again. Amy’s skills in science, Bohdi’s skills in theft, and both of their skills in survival are put to the test … and the stakes might just be the apocalypse.
July 7, 2014
neimhaille:
fabricatedgeek:
Women’s Leather Armor- Blue...
Women’s Leather Armor- Blue Jayby SavagePunkStudio
I’m loving the practical female armor that’s also just flat out gorgeous!
So what makes this practical for the ladies? or in general in fact? The nipping in at the waist and flaring over the hips means you can bend sideways! This is really important. It also helps anchor the armour as waists are the squishy bit between ribs and pelvis.
The upper armour being separate from the lower torso allows forward and backward flexing.
Being all leather makes it comfortable. Better traction for stunt falls as well- at least less liable to skid off a surface.
And I think the aesthetic value speaks loudly and clearly too :)
No, no, no! This is wrong! In order for the Valkyrie’s to fly the wings need to be larger!
IF I WROTE EROTICA, THIS IS WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE:
She wakes at dawn … and realizes she has somehow managed to sleep until eight. How did this happen? She sits up with a start. Her husband is still asleep. The house is quiet. She runs quickly from her bed, fearful that her son has once again started to pull apart the components of the light socket, or her daughter has found an old tube of lipstick and decorated the mirror. Again. But no! Her children are in their room, sound asleep.
She takes a step back. Except for her gasp of wonder and pleasure, the house is quiet and still.
She goes to the bathroom, completely expecting banging on the door at any moment. It does not come. Tentatively she flushes and washes her hands. The sound of water doesn’t summon tiny feet.
Carefully, quietly, she creeps out to the kitchen. She starts her tea, being careful to set the kettle not to whistle. While the water boils she checks her email, then makes her cup of tea. She has three more minutes to check her email. Tea brewed, she adds milk to her tea, sits down by the window, and gazes out at the morning. Lifting the tea to her lips, she sighs. She takes a sip, and then moans. It has been years since she’s known such ecstasy.
…
This is what I lust for … I can’t be the only one!
July 6, 2014
The Rehabilitation of a Snob: a True Confession
From a traditionally published author moving into the self-publishing world:
My name is Linda, and I am a snob.
For years, I have defended traditional publishing as the only true route to success in this business. I have held disdain for those who rushed to provide the public with works that may not be quite ready, because they have found the traditional route discouraging or the vanity route faster. I have argued that self publishing is a recourse for those who don’t want to pay their dues, those who don’t want to put the work into their manuscripts that is required to polish and perfect their stories.
I think there are good reasons to try for a traditional publishing contract:
If you are writing a single story not a series
You’re writing a YA novel or children’s book. Children’s books are expensive to produce if they need a lot of illustrations. Children reading YA novels have less money to spend, and might rely more on mom or dad or the public library. Of course, if you can get libraries to stock your books …
You’re looking at it as a loss leader. Statistically speaking, traditionally published authors who later go the self-publishing route make the most money. There are probably a lot of reasons for this … but if you only make it $30,000 on a book, but it leaps to the USA top 100 you can put “USA TODAY Bestselling Author” on all of your book descriptions for life.
I never thought of trying to go the traditionally published route. I realized that my book was just a little too far off in left field. But I am so glad I did it. There definitely still is a stigma against self-publishing, and some people will turn up their noses … but I’ve had people who are dying say I’ve taken them away from their situation with my writing. And well … that trumps “this is obviously a self-published book” any day.
July 5, 2014
254 Followers, How Did That Happen?
Thanks everyone!
"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."
- Benjamin Franklin (via feellng)
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF SCIENCE … and since I’ve...
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF SCIENCE … and since I’ve reviewed vampire books positively on this blog twice, something I need to know.
I Bring the Fire just hit 245 reviews on Amazon U.S. I have the...
I Bring the Fire just hit 245 reviews on Amazon U.S. I have the best readers … I know going back and leaving reviews can be a pain in the tuckus, and I really appreciate the time it takes to leave one. It’s great to hear that people have enjoyed my story. Knowing that you’ve managed to take someone out of this world for a little bit makes this whole business worthwhile.
More than that, reviews help convince readers that it is safe to take a chance on a self-published book about Loki with dinosaurs on the cover! Also, reviews help advertisers take a chance as well. I really appreciate everyone who takes the time to leave a kind one. So thank you so much for your reviews Tammy Ashley, Kindle Customer (Chaos and Mischief!), scott wormwood, Cheryl Horncastle, Ricki Gross, Rebecca Rahn, Lori Asen, scott wood, Jan Niblock, Amazon Customer (Montana), MARVIN, E, Michelle H, Tara O., lindah, Paul Sanguinetti “coffee lover”, and Karen.
Thank you also Michael Glen and StumpyB on Amazon UK, Melanie Gopfert on Amazon Germany, and the four Anonymouses (is there a plural for that) on Barnes and Noble. Also, thanks Sheila Pace, Richard Barber, Santam Chakraborty, and Beverly Miller on Google Play … and the 48 anonymous ratings leavers on Apple, thank you too!
P.S. The dinosaurs are REALLY important at the end of the series. They aren’t just in on a whim, even if they are whimsical.
July 4, 2014
FOR THE 4TH OF JULY — a Norse Myth inspired short story...
FOR THE 4TH OF JULY — a Norse Myth inspired short story rec. Thor meets Captain America was the first story I read that made me rethink the Loki as antagonist paradigm. It was as important in shaping I Bring the Fire Loki as the more scholarly, but still very readable, Trickster Makes this World by Hyde. Thor Meets … points out pretty clearly how sometimes the “good guys” are the bad guys, and how the person who thinks a little different, and doesn’t quite fit can be the savior.
Oh, and human tech “magic” is awesome in Thor Meets Captain America.
99 CENTS on Amazon. Get it >
