C.N. Faust's Blog, page 23
May 13, 2013
Future Fantasy Quarterly – Still Open for Submissions!
Hello my darlings,
I have actually created a webpage for Future Fantasy Pub, so as not to make such a long, exhaustive post as last time. But here it is! The full submission guidelines. We have already gotten a few magnificent contributors so far, and it is going to be a great issue! The deadline for submissions is August 10th, so don’t hesitate!
Check out Future Fantasy Pub.’s webpage HERE!
Or by using this link: http://futurefantasypub.wordpress.com/submissions/
For inquiries and submissions, please email futurefantasypub@outlook.com .
Your most adored,
C.N.F.
Imaginary Friend Talk – Podcast
Hello my darlings,
So, remember when I said I wanted to start a podcast? Well, here it is – my first attempt. Let me know how you enjoy it!
Your most adored,
C.N.F.
May 11, 2013
Overbearing Mother’s Day
Hello my darlings,
So, Mother’s Day has gotten me thinking about how much I love my mother, and how awesome she is – and it also made me realize that my books are filled with really overbearing moms. I mean, a lot of my characters also have daddy issues – and those are perfectly reasonable. But what about all of these clingy, heartless, vicious, backstabbing, smothering mothers? Where do they come from?
I have no clue. But I decided that for Mother’s Day I would give you a peak into their lives, and maybe you can answer my question by the end of it all. WARNING: Probably some spoilers.
Ekaterini Mahtrador
What makes her such a gem: clingy, manipulative, controlling, cowardly, sneaky, crazy, bipolar, narcissistic.
Probably this way because… we could always defend Ekaterini by going with the whole “married too young and not for love” trope, but that is pretty much every woman in Dragoloth. You could also blame the rather scandalous affair(s) with both of her sons (Encarz AND Graeme, yikes!), or the “tragic” deaths of her five female children, or the strange disappearance/death of her third unwanted son, Parrin … yeah, there is a whole lot of crazy going on with this woman.
Eireann Turtem
What makes her such a gem: cold, distant, domineering, smug.
Probably this way because… well, you know, she WAS married to Jarian Turtem (for those of you unfamiliar, the words “boorish” and “unbearable” are an apt description of the man) and she WAS shadowed by Encarz for the rest of her life (not that you would see any of us complaining about that). Her two greatest accomplishments were also in her children Meridith Turtem (…so yeah) and Syme Turtem (you know, Encarz’s little Master Tormentor. We like to call him Igor).
Olympia Mahtrador
What makes her such a gem: smothering, possessive, coddling, doting, vicious, apathetic, and just … very unhealthy.
Probably this way because… to be fair to poor Olympia, Shrukian did leave Dragoloth to hide out in Avralaen for sixteen years. Olympia was left to raise her children all by herself and in a world that is as cold and cruel as Dragoloth – that is no small beer. You can almost justify ever single smothering, vicious, horrible thing she does. Almost.
Nerissa Ercole
What makes her such a gem: REALLY REALLY controlling, apathetic, heartless, cold, distant
Probably this way because… Nerissa’s family has a history of instability (mentally and politically) but her life isn’t in the pits. She has an almost equal partnership with her brother when it comes to presiding over the household. She has three very successful, clever, loyal children. She is one of the wealthiest women in the known world and she herself has all of the tools for success and gain at her fingertips. Conclusion? She’s just a terrible, terrible person.
Those are all that I can remember off the top of my head. Did I forget any? Let me know in the comments! Better yet, if any of them remind you of YOUR mother, let me know! xD
Happy mother’s day to you all!
Your most adored,
C.N.F.
Another Author Interview!
Hey guys! I have another author interview, check it out! http://booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/author-interview-c-n-faust.html?zx=da193d2ae5402ad
May 10, 2013
Future Fantasy Magazine – Open for Submissions!
Hello my darlings!
I always have to start out with a huge picture, don’t I? I know no other size!
So, I suppose all of you know about the publishing company that a friend and I are pulling together? Well, just in case it is news – ta-da! Our company is Future Fantasy Publications (we Googled it and nothing came up – seems a safe choice!) and our first endeavor of many is to start a literary magazine.
What are we asking for? Poetry, short stories, art – pretty much anything you can think to submit so long as it falls into the categories of fantasy or science fiction. Horror is also allowed, but it has to be cross-genred with one or both of the above. Preferred length for short stories is under 10,000 words. Poetry should be between 1 – 3 pages.
WE WILL ALSO ACCEPT NOVEL EXCERPTS THAT FALL INTO THE SAME WORD LIMITS. It’s a great way to promote your novel!
Where is it going? We are going to have online editions (available for purchase) as well as some print editions available. More venues will pop up as we grow.
You have me hooked, how do I submit?
Writing – should be in proper format (double-spaced, TNR or Courier font, preferably 12 point, author’s name / page numbers on every page, etc. Sent in .DOC or .PDF format). Be sure to include your name, the genre, and the word count. Title your email with something like “Future Fantasy Magazine – Writing Submission” so we will know to open it posthaste! If you are submitting a novel excerpt, please include any information you might wish the reader to know (such as where it might be bought) and the cover art!
Art - submit with artist’s name and medium as a high quality .JPEG (by “high quality” we mean “not pixelated or blurry”) with the subject line “Future Fantasy Magazine – Art Submission”.
Submissions for the first issue are open until August 10th. Submit by email to glitzkriegking @ yahoo . com or send further inquiries to me through my contact page!
I look forward to hearing from all of you!
Your most adored,
C.N.F.
Catching Up
Hello my darlings,
It has been a long week, but hopefully once it is over I will be back on track with my writings / promotions! The Hollow Living is well underway. (My previous post has an excerpt and a preview of the first cover mockup, check it out and let me know what you think!)
I know it is kind of ridiculous to be all about some Hollow Living when The Heretic Priest isn’t even out yet… but I can hardly help it! I am so excited. Meanwhile, I am trying to build some hype for The Heretic Priest. So spreading the word helps tremendously!
Other than that… I am just looking for some locals who are interested in taking them on as inventory. And I am trying to get a job / find ways to earn some income. I will touch base with you when more fascinating things are occurring. But I have finally moved out of my college dorm, and I am back home for the summer!
See you soon, lovelies.
Your most adored,
C.N.F.
The Hollow Living – Sneak Preview AND Cover Mock-Up Preview!
The Hollow Living Excerpt
Copyright © Sarah Carraway and Future Fantasy Inc.
“Meridith,” a puff of breath against Meridith’s neck was all the warning he had that his cousin and former ally was standing behind him. He hadn’t even heard Pharun arrive; but then again that wasn’t so unusual.
“Pharun,” Meridith breathed. He didn’t turn around or in any way acknowledge his cousin other than that. He knew what Pharun was here for, and he wasn’t just going to hand it to him on a platter.
Pharun giggled, though the sound was more menacing than mirthful. He slid soft ebony hands over Meridith’s shoulders and used his thumbs to stroke the baron’s cheek. “I came back for you. But you knew I would.”
“I knew,” Meridith whispered, chill bumps raising alarm on his skin at his cousin’s touch. “I just didn’t think it would be so soon.”
“Oh, you though I would wait until after the war?” Pharun twisted his fingers up in Meridith’s tunic and lowered his chin until his lips were resting by the baron’s ear. “Why would I wait so long to woo such a valuable ally back over to my side?”
Meridith sighed and bit his bottom lip. He didn’t know what to say. He knew Pharun was only toying with him – and that any moment he might expect death.
Pharun didn’t seem interested in striking his traitorous cousin down right away. Rather, his fingers released Meridith’s tunic and traveled up his neck to his face. They finally touched the strip of black silk that had been wrapped crudely around the baron’s ruined eye. Pressing his lips to Meridith’s ear, Pharun pulled on the silk strip and let it fall to drape around his cousin’s neck. He could see that Malhii had ruined Meridith’s right eye. It was a pity and a shame, for Pharun had been almost as fond of those near-colorless eyes as he was of his own.
“I see Malhii has kept you well,” Pharun said dryly, abandoning his post to walk in front of his cousin, sapphire robes brushing against the stone floor.
“He would never have gotten information from me so easily if he hadn’t resorted to this.” Meridith reached up and touched the knotted flesh that surrounded the savaged cavity. He flinched at the touch but couldn’t seem to pull away. “It doesn’t hurt so much anymore. I just can’t believe it.”
“I would have never done anything so awful to you,” Pharun crooned, slipping a hand under Meridith’s chin to tilt his head up. “Was it worth your spoiled beauty?”
Meridith snorted but didn’t reply.
Pharun dropped his cousin’s chin and turned away, hands clasped behind his back. “I feel obliged to kill you,” he said with only a tinge of sarcasm.
“I would deserve it,” Meridith replied.
“Yes, you would.” Pharun turned back to him, and from the depths of his sleeves drew a knife. “I will never understand why you did it.”
“I don’t understand, myself.” Meridith admitted, his one good eye unable to leave the knife’s shimmering oiled blade. “I never meant to malign you. I didn’t intend to tell them anything at all. And I know I said that it doesn’t hurt now, but…” he spread his hands. “It sure hurt a lot when they first did it.”
“I suppose I can’t blame you,” Pharun said begrudgingly. He lifted his free hand to reveal a tiny glass vial that had not been there before. “More than likely, I would have done the same.”
“What is that?” Meridith tilted his head slightly.
Pharun smiled. “It’s a choice for you to make.”
“What choice?” Meridith narrowed his eyes incredulously.
“I am on increasingly good terms with my heavenly father,” Pharun said. “He has provided me with a small … incentive to put towards your good behavior.”
“Well, I know what that is for,” Meridith indicated the dagger. “I assume that my ‘choice’ is between death and what else? A new eye? I don’t think I could turn that down for anything.”
“It is something infinitely more precious to you,” Pharun held the vial aloft, and Meridith could just make out a faint, pulsing blue light in its center. “It is the soul of a certain indigo-haired infatuation of yours.”
Meridith stared, uncomprehending at first. “Ravenel’s soul? How-?”
“Never mind how, that is not important. Right now I need you to make a decision. You can either choose death, and suffer the consequences of betraying me, or you can choose to live once more in my service, and you can give life to someone else in the process.”
“This isn’t right,” Meridith said. “There has to be a catch, a vessel is needed…?”
“Don’t worry about a vessel,” Pharun said flippantly. “I can take care of that. Make your choice.”
“I don’t trust you,” Meridith said narrowly.
“I can’t get anymore straightforward than this, Meridith dear. This is as direct as I will ever be.” Pharun extended his arm further until the vial was almost touching Meridith’s nose.
Meridith looked up at Pharun, scanning his cousin’s face for any sign of craft that would cost him his dignity in addition to his life.
“You were the first I ever called brother,” Pharun said, his voice carrying a hint of poison. “You may not remember that, but I do. I never cared for Shrukian, or Raul – the gods forbid that Encarz ever had anything to do with me. I never knew companionship until I met you. Do you think that I am so eager to throw you to the underworld?”
Meridith hesitated for only half a second longer, then he snatched the vial out of Pharun’s hand.
Pharun smirked and slid the dagger back into his sleeve. “I knew I couldn’t lose you,” he said victoriously.
May 5, 2013
To Honor One’s Mother: A Mother’s Day Promotion
Hello my darlings!
Hopefully, you and your mother get along a lot better than Encarz and Ekaterini! But whether or not this is the case – Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and on that day (and that day only) The Dragon’s Disciples will be completely free on Amazon!
Whether it’s for your fantasy and/or vampire loving mother (for that new Kindle you just bought her, because you are a good child) or for you (a little treat for yourself because dammit, you’re the best kid you know) you can’t go wrong with an epic fantasy novel rich with intrigue and fascinating characters. Sink your teeth into this morsel and drain it dry.
Promotion starts May 12th and ends May 12th. Don’t hesitate!
Your most adored,
C.N.F.
The Great Createspace Battle – and a Press Release
Hello my darlings,
So, I went onto Amazon to install the new covers for Dragon’s Disciples, I did not think it would be such a big deal.
Wrong.
I have had a straight FOUR DAY BATTLE with Createspace (and it wouldn’t have taken four days if they were more efficient with their cover review, it’s not like I’m uploading any new written material every time) because they refuse to be satisifed with my cover format. It’s been days of chopping, resizing, re-making altogether, repositiong, praying, crying, raging, and changing the (fucking DPI!) format. Finally, I thought I had won last night (I got the blasted thing to fit, thank the heavens!) and I realized that I had left the automatic author name addage (I had left the box checked “visible” to make certain my spine aligned correctly because I formatted the entire cover myself this time) and so then this afternoon I had to go back and fix it. Again.
So, in short, hopefully by tomorrow late afternoon / evening sometime, my files will have gone through review and be APPROVED, and the paperback can go back up for sale. I wanted to go in there and make a hardcover, too, but damn, this has taken a lot of energy and tears and I don’t know if I am up for it again before I have to (i.e. with Heretic Priest).
Not to mention that Goodreads has CRAZY INEFFICIENT service. I couldn’t change the cover for my book on their website (for some reason, though it has let me do so before) and then I had to email the librarians, who haven’t gotten back to me and it has been a week. On one hand, I am not surprised. On the other hand – come on, Goodreads.
In other news. The Hollow Living is going very well. I know I have been promising a sample chapter over and over (and I have been running behind on a lot of things, including my newsletter which I didn’t send out last month. Oops.) and it will happen once I stop having so much to do.
I am sorry for the rant, I just needed to get that off my chest. The only reason I have been so anal about the paperbacks at all is that I am going to start consigning them and The Heretic Priest at a store next year (hopefully) and I want them to be in pristine condition for selling.
Speaking of consigning – what do you guys think of paperback vs hardcover? Should I have some HC’s to sell? Your opinion is highly valued, and I would like to know if you could buy one over the other (without too much difference in the price or the size) which would you pick up?
One more moment – there is a press release now for The Dragon’s Disciples – check it out! 
Here is the raw link: http://www.author-alliance.com/the-dragons-disciples-intrigue-power-struggles-and-a-new-breed-of-vampire/
Your most adored,
C.N.F.
May 2, 2013
Heron Rising Spiritual Services
Hello my darlings,
This is the section of my blog where I do a feature for Heron Rising Spiritual Services, run by Michelle Puckett Jenkins. As of the date of the this posting (05/02/2013) Michelle offers her skills as a priestess, teacher, reiki master, clairvoyant, witch, and mehndi artist. What are some of those, you ask, aside from a giant bundle of awesome?
Reiki: a form of therapy in which the practitioner is believed to channel energy into the patient in order to encourage healing or restore wellbeing.
Clairvoyance: having the power of seeing objects or actions beyond the range of natural vision.
Mehndi: the art or practice of painting elaborate patterns on the skin with henna.
I have personally taken part in her lessons and mehndi services, and I can testify that they are first-rate!
The full list of services and rates are on her Facebook page. Don’t live anywhere near Greenville? She is available for travel, as well!
How do you get in contact? Email, phone ((252) 758-7656) , Facebook, or her official website are good places to start!
Raw links: (email): michelle@thesojo.com
(facebook): https://www.facebook.com/HeronRisingSpiritualServices
(website) http://www.thesojo.com/
Description(s) of services (from the FB page):
Past-Life Psychic Readings with Reiki: Utilizing clairvoyance, empathy, Reiki and a form of shamanic journey, I can link with my client and while in trance state bring forth information about their past-lives and the lessons they hold in the current life of my clients. Sessions last an hour and will include Reiki healing, tarot divination and a crystal to keep. $60
Spiritual consultations, healing and ceremonies: Offering all my skills as priestess, witch and reiki healer to work with my clients to create the beneficial changes they need, also conducting rites of passage ceremonies. This could include Reiki healing, divination, magickal work, and religious service. $30/30 minutes.
Teaching and Presentations:
I’m available to travel to offer intensive workshops and training on many topics pertaining to Modern Witchcraft as an art, science and religion, training the Witch to take the role of spiritual leader, diviner, healer, magickian, and walker between the worlds. I can also give introductory, academic lectures on the history and religion of Modern Witchcraft and neo-paganism in universities or the inter-faith community. Rates vary.
Heron Henna Tattoos: by appointment, private parties, events and festivals. I use all-natural henna paste and body glitter. I can free-hand temporary tattoos with henna that last for several weeks, or glitter tattoos that last for a few days. My prices in private appointments begin at $5 and increase by size and complexity of design. For travel for corporate/ community functions, or weddings, $100/hour plus travel expenses. OR for privately hosted parties that are local I can offer the host/ess free mehndi with a $50 set-up fee and $20/guest, minimum of 5 attendees. These are perfect for bridal or baby showers, birthday parties, etc.
