K.M. Alexander's Blog, page 47
October 27, 2017
The Worst Enemy
“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”
Filed under: Quotes Tagged: creativity, self-doubt, sylvia plath, Writing
October 25, 2017
Ranking American Horror Story’s Title Sequences
I have a love/hate relationship with the ultra-stylized American Horror Story. On the one hand, it has legitimized horror and has helped bring the genre to the small screen. But, on the other hand, I’ve tried watching it a few times, and it hasn’t yet drawn me in. So, while I’m not a ravenous fan, I do appreciate its existence, and I dig its style. Especially, its title sequences.
If you follow me on Twitter, you know I am a fan of title sequences. For years, I’ve been a Patreon supporter of Art of the Title—a site dedicated to the artform. (They do good work, and you should support them.) So, it will come as no surprise that I unabashedly love AHS main title sequence. Part of its draw is that it changes. It’s different each season. There are connections between each, most notably the amazing AHS theme music—the heavy notes remain constant as do the harsh buzzes that rasp as players get introduced. As a set, they’re remarkable, and a few stand out as truly great. Since it’s the month of Halloween, I figured it would be fun to rank the American Horror Story title sequences. Let’s start at the bottom.
7. Roanoke (Season 6)
Of course, this will be rated dead last. Roanoke had no title sequence. In her piece American Horror Story: 7 Seasons of Title Design for Art of the Title, Alexandra West asks AHS Executive Producer Alexis Martin Woodall and Title Designer Kyle Cooper why it was missing. (Go read the article. It’s good.) Their answer is interesting and valid, but since this is a list ranking sequences, Roanoke will remain an aberration and at the bottom of the list.
6. Hotel (Season 5)
Hotel lacks subtlety. It’s brash and over the top. It comes across as silly, and to me, it doesn’t set the mood the way other sequences do. The heavy-handed neon Ten Commandments do not help, although they are a neat visual juxtaposition. However, it’s the repeated thing-in-the-mattress motif that loses me. It’s creepy at first, but its impact falters after the third, fourth, or fifth flash. It’s not that it stops; it’s used at least nine times.
5. Cult (Season 7)
This year, AHS returned with Cult, and it doesn’t improve on Hotel’s failings. Americana interplays with odd and sometimes violent scenes that are common in the series. This, however, is less horror and more gore. Modern political instability is channeled and rightly so, and the classic AHS music mixes with a fife and drum sound that is reminiscent of national anthems. It’s a nice touch, which lifts it higher than Hotel.
4. Asylum (Season 2)
Building off the success of the first season, Asylum took the style from Murder House and turned it up a notch. It’s darker, it’s grittier, but it’s less nuanced. Some of the impact from Season 1 is lost, and it feels a little samey. Murder House works so well because it was unexpected. Especially for television. Horror isn’t about the “thing”; it’s the emotions and the anticipation, and I had anticipated Asylum’s title sequence well in advance.
3. Freakshow (Season 4)
The stop-motion stylization was a nice change of pace, and I think it sets the tone well for a series involving an evil circus. There is an evocation of a corrupted childhood at play here, toys behaving in a way that is unexpected which puts the viewer on edge. It’s was an excellent choice to move into a different direction, and it helped Freakshow stand out.
2. Murder House (Season 1)
The first opening title sequence for AHS channels a raw homemade style that works perfectly. I’ve never had high hopes for television horror, but this was a welcome surprise. Cesar Davila-Irizarry’s theme music stunned me and instantly became one of the most memorable themes. The visuals hint at the underlying concepts of the show without revealing too much, and it really nailed the mood.
1. Coven (Season 3)
Mood and tone abound in the season three opener: gritty black and white shots, strangely animated woodcuts, weird stop-motion, and the creepy hooded figures! (Which yes, totally remind me of the gargoyles from my Bell Forging Cycle.) A good story doesn’t ignore tropes. Instead, it bends them in new and exciting ways. You see that at play in Coven’s title sequences: all the expected visuals are there, but things are unusually bent. The quick cuts to uncomfortably close shots introduce story elements in a way that adds to the sequence: the revelations only help to enhance instead of detracting. I will admit that my design sensibilities lean in a similar direction, and there is a bit of bias. But to me, Coven is the gold standard, the perfected AHS title sequence.
It’s great to see a series play so much with the opening title sequence and elevate the art. I know that the fans appreciate it, as well. (The reactions to Roanoke’s missing sequence were…uh, vocal.) So! Now that I’ve finished my list, why not tell me what you think? How would you rank the AHS title sequences? What did I get wrong? What did I get right? The comments are open! Let me know!
to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to make sure it’s not spammy and full of interesting and relevant information. SIGN UP TODAY →
Filed under: Random Tagged: alexandra west, alexis martin woodall, american horror story, art of the title, bell forging cycle, cesar davila-irizarry, gargoyles, horror, kyle cooper, title sequence
October 20, 2017
Signed Paperbacks! Free Shipping!
Don’t forget, all month long you can pick up signed paperback copies of any of my books and receive free shipping from my store. (US only, sorry.) Just use the code: BFCMONTH at checkout. Free shipping expires Halloween at midnight.
Along with books, I also have some new Bell Forging Cycle gear: hoodies, mugs, and new die-cut stickers. I think you’ll dig ’em.
Paperbacks not your thing? eBook copies are always available from a variety of stores. See the full list at any of the following pages:
The Stars Were Right • Old Broken Road • Red Litten World
Want to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to make sure it’s not spammy and full of interesting and relevant information. SIGN UP TODAY →
Filed under: The Bell Forging Cycle Tagged: ebooks, free shipping, halloween, hoodie, mug, my store, sticker
October 17, 2017
The Gatekeeper
“I will never read a normal novel. I just can’t. I won’t. I mean, I keep saying ‘where’s the body? Kill someone. Let’s get out of here. Let’s move this along.’”
While the Bell Forging Cycle novels aren’t specifically Crime/Mystery, they do have elements that would be familiar to readers of those genres. (Murder!) Hence my interest. I found Stasio’s thoughts on character-driven fiction vs. puzzle/plot-driven stories were interesting ones. Especially on how she feels it relates to a book’s length. I don’t this shift is specific to novels within Mystery. Her same complaint could be leveled on some of the current trends happening within speculative fiction.
It’s a quick listen. I found this to be a fascinating glimpse into the working of a prolific reviewer. Big thanks to Kari-Lise for encouraging me to check out this episode of Criminal. I really enjoyed it and think you will as well.
Find out more Marilyn Stasio’s thoughts on crime fiction in her column:
www.nytimes.com/column/crime
Criminal is a production of Radiotopia from PRX. Subscribe and learn more at:
www.thisiscriminal.com
Filed under: Writing Tagged: crime, criminal, marilyn stasio, mystery, podcast, reviewer
October 14, 2017
Happy Birthday to OLD BROKEN ROAD
Today marks the birthday of the second book in the Bell Forging Cycle and the most divisive: Old Broken Road. I say divisive because it gets a lot of interesting reactions from readers, some folks love it, some do not. It’s certainly the creepiest and most “Lovecraftian” of the three. It also won’t be the last time we see Waldo Bell adventuring beyond the levels and warrens Lovat. Book Four (whose name is out there for those bold enough to look) promises to take us into parts beyond, but probably not in the way you’re imagining.
Divisive or no, 2017 has been a good year for Old Broken Road. Earlier this year, and thanks to a BookBub sale it was propelled to the Amazon Best Seller list, and I ranked among Amazon’s Most Popular Authors in Science Fiction and Fantasy for a brief time. It was a good month, February.
So Happy Birthday, Old Broken Road and thanks for a great year. Remember! All month long you can pick up a signed version of any of my books and receive free shipping from my store. (US only, sorry.) Just use the code: BFCMONTH on checkout. The code expires Halloween at midnight.
If you’ve missed it, I’ve been posting a lot of Bell Forging Cycle related content this month. Make sure you check out some of the following posts:
Revisiting the Bell Forging Cycle Playlists
Wherein I look back at the music that inspired the series.
Now Available: New Bell Forging Cycle Goodies
Wherein I release a new round of gear! Mugs! Hoodies! New Stickers!
You Do the Talking
Wherein we celebrate the birthday of Red Litten World and look back at some of the reviews left by you. (Thank you!)
October Begins: A Month of The Bell Forging Cycle
Wherein we celebrate the publication date of The Stars Were Right and October.
Filed under: Old Broken Road, The Bell Forging Cycle Tagged: amazon, anniversary, bell caravans, bestseller, free shipping, lovat, waldo bell 
October 12, 2017
Trip Report – Scotland
Last week, Kari-Lise and I returned from a two-week trip to Scotland. It had been over a year since our last holiday, and between work, Coal Belly, and multiple gallery openings a vacation was welcome. Once again we ended up taking a long road trip through the country. Starting and finishing in Glasgow and taking us all over Scotland. I’ve driven in Ireland and Australia, so the shift from left to right wasn’t a big deal. After a few weeks, it felt completely normal.
“See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories. Ask for no guarantees, ask for no security.”
— Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
For this post, I’m going to take a little time hitting the significant places we stayed and share a few photos from the trip. One resource I cannot praise enough is Atlas Obscura. Many of the strange places we visited were featured on their site, and I recommend checking them out anytime you travel. Proper research can make any trip significantly more enjoyable.
Okay! To the report! This is going to be a long post, so consider yourself warned.
Loch Lomond & Kintyre Peninsula
I can’t sleep on planes. Not sure why. Probably a combination of being both a big guy and a light sleeper. So we arrived in Scotland exhausted. Thankfully, we were traveling with our friends Kelcey Rushing and Jim Rushing. Since this was a road trip and I just got off from roughly 24-hours of travel, Jim volunteered to take the first shift driving. Thank goodness.
We didn’t have far to go for the first night, so we had a leisurely breakfast then made a pitstop at Buchanan Castle in Stirlingshire, just outside of Glasgow. It’s an incredible manor house that has slowly been overtaken by nature. The resulting ruins are nothing short of spectacular.
[image error]Kari-Lise captured this photo of me (still awake after twenty-six hours) among the ruins
We stayed overnight and the next morning, hit up Finnich’s Glen (also known as the Devil’s Pulpit) before we headed off to the Isle of Islay. Fans of the Outlander series will recognize this deep sandstone gorge as the Liar’s Spring from Season 1. Since it was an early Monday morning in September, we had the place to ourselves.
Islay
[image error]Port Ellen, Islay
I love the ritual of scotch. The sound as it hits the bottom of a glass. The scents it carries that evokes the landscape from which its made. The complex layers of flavor inherited from the barrels in which it was aged. Few foods or drinks are as reflective of their history and heritage like scotch. Islay in a way was a pilgrimage and its hills and bogs holy ground for the scotch enthusiast. It’s the home of smokey malts that taste of brine, salt, and peat. It’s my favorite region.
The ferry to Port Ellen was long, a few hours but we arrived and quickly established a home base in an apartment. The following day, thanks to Jim’s planning, we began our scotch experience with a peat cutting for Laphroaig (my favorite Islay malt) which we followed with a tour of their facility. I have been a Friend of Laphroaig for nine years, and I collected the rent on my 1’x1′ piece of sod, and promptly set out to plant my flag in the bog north of the distillery.
My piece of Laphroaig was past a hillock and just beyond a depression, and while much of the field was solid, hidden springs lay everywhere sometimes many feet deep. I found my ground and turned to call to Kari-Lise stepped back and sank into what looked like a bunch of grass. It wasn’t grass. The grass had abandoned me, and I tumbled backward into a deep pool of cold, muddy water—it was a memorable cap on our visit to the distillery.
Thankfully, it was only a mile walk back to our apartment, and I changed into drier clothes, and we continued on, visiting Lagavulin (my 2nd favorite distillery) and Ardbeg before the day was over and wrapping up our visit to Islay. (I could have spent a few more days there. But there was more of Scotland to see.)
Since I know people will ask here are the scotches I added to my collection:
Clynelish 14 yr. (Highland)
Dalmore 15 yr. (Highland)
Ardbeg Uigeadail (Islay)
Ledaig 10 yr. (Island – New favorite)
Edradour 2002 (Highland – 14 yr. Sherry Cask)
Lagavulin Fèis Ìle 2017 (Islay – My ultra-special bottle)
Skye
[image error]On the northeastern side of Skye is The Storr
The trip to Skye was beautiful taking us through Glencoe and Glenfinnan. (Both would deserve their own section had we spent more time there.) But Skye itself was a wonder. Our cabin was off the beaten path far in the north, and it was here we spent time in the mountains and glens of the countryside. It also poured rain. Which was fitting for Scotland.
The Fairy Glen was stunning. The Storr was amazing. The Fairy Pools had become Fairy Torrents after all the rain. But the countryside was vast and open and made one feel small and insignificant. Skye is a draw for many reasons, and all of them are good.
Edinburgh
From Skye, we drove down to Edinburgh, pausing for castles and stopping at the Edradour Distillery. It was here we eventually split from Jim and Kelcey but not before we spent some time exploring the city. Many people often say Edinburgh ranks as a favorite and I can understand why. The mixture of medieval and modern creates a fascinating place of winding alleys and layered roads. Space is at a premium and nothing goes to waste. We were there only two days and just saw a fraction of the place. We climbed the Scott Monument, visited the National Gallery, toured Edinburgh Castle, explored Old Town, played in the Camera Obscura, had tea near the University, poked around Dean Village, and late at night we located the oldest Masonic Lodge in the world. All that and I feel like we barely scratched the surface. The city is impossible to grasp in a single visit. I have unfinished business in Edinburgh.
Northern Highlands
As the city faded behind us, we hoped we’d find something special in the far reaches of the Northern Highlands, and we were not disappointed. There is a vast wildness along the North Coast: tall mountains, twisting rivers, and expansive vistas that are difficult to capture on camera. Ancient castles perch above lochs that stretch to the horizon. Peaks and valleys fold into one another, and the roads that cross these spaces are windings and narrow. (See the video above.) We spent several days in the Northern Highlands exploring the coast, visiting castles, checking in on a few distilleries, eating cheese, seeing wonders, and experiencing much of the North Coast 500. In the end, we returned to Glasgow tired but fulfilled.
I cannot recommend Scotland enough, it was easily one of my favorite trips. A huge thank you to Kelcey and Jim joining us for the first week. We had an absolute blast, and it was an honor to experience Scotland alongside two of the best people I know. (Don’t be surprised if they don’t show up in photos on future trips.)
One other unexpected takeaway: outside of uploading a few pictures to Instagram I stayed off the internet for the most part, and it was grand. It really allowed me to absorb the experience and thoroughly lose myself in the rich history of the land. Standing in castles a thousand years old and seeing landscape and towns that are older than most cultures in the western hemisphere put a lot of things into perspective. It made a lot of the news happening in America (the reaction to NFL players protest in particular) look incredibly petty. I recommend taking an internet diet. The echo chamber is dumb, and the internet is not as important as we all like to pretend. Go out. Travel. Meet people. Listen to them. Get uncomfortable. (This is where I quote Mark Twain again.)
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
I’m a firm believer in travel and allowing yourself to get lost in someone else’s culture. (Important aspect there, as G. K. Chesterton once said, “The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.”) I think travel is important for the writer as well. As I said in the trip report from California: a cleft of rock can inspire a thousand tales, a family of marmot running across a subalpine meadow can spark ideas for plots, and meeting interesting people along the way can usher forth a whole civilization of rich characters.
So that’s our trip! Coming back to work Monday was tough, but I was excited to reestablish a routine. By now, I feel like I have conquered my jet lag and its time to dive back into work. I finished a manuscript before this trip, and I have pages to edit. Also, it’s nearly time to start writing the fourth book in the Bell Forging Cycle.
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Filed under: Travel Tagged: ardbeg, atlas obscura, buchanan castle, edinburgh, edradour, fairy glen, finnich's glen, highlands, hiking, islay, jim rushing, kelcey rushing, lagavulin, laphroaig, north coast 500, outlander, roadtrip, scotch, scotland, skye, the storr, uk
October 11, 2017
Revisiting the Bell Forging Cycle Playlists
My taste in music is… uh, eclectic. It’s not uncommon for me to be listening to southern gothic country, switch to hip-hop, move to bluegrass, then pivot to classical. I like variety. Often, songs serve as an inspiration for a setting or a character, more often I’ll find a song that captures the mood I am trying to evoke in a difficult scene. Over the years, I’ve created and shared playlists of songs that have inspired the books in the Bell Forging Cycle. I’ve posted them below (with new album artwork!) for your listening pleasure.
[image error]The Tunes Were Right
[image error]Old Broken Playlist
[image error]Red Litten Tracks
As I’ve begun preparations to write the fourth book (yep, it’s happening), I’ve been going back and listening to each playlist. It’s fascinating how each captures my emotional state while writing the individual novels. Introspection and discovery abound in The Tunes Were Right, there’s a root-inspired personal darkness that’s explored in the Old Broken Playlist, and the songs in Red Litten Tracks carry a frenetic punk-like energy that nails the dread that hangs over Wal. Of course, all of three have an undercurrent of jazz that runs like an artery through the soul of the Bell Forging Cycle.
How does music inspire you in your creative pursuits? Do you enjoy listening to playlists from authors? Which of these three are your favorite? Leave a comment below and let me know!
[image error]Jimmy Pesto Jr. is feelin’ it.
Want to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to make sure it’s not spammy and full of interesting and relevant information. SIGN UP TODAY →
Filed under: The Bell Forging Cycle Tagged: jazz, music, old broken road, playlists, red litten world, spotify, the stars were right, youtube
October 10, 2017
Now Available: New Bell Forging Cycle Goodies
I’m in the throes of editing Coal Belly, but that doesn’t mean I’m completely ignoring the Bell Forging Cycle. After hitting up some conventions earlier this year, it became apparent I needed some fresh stuff in my store. Since its October, the month of the Bell Forging Cycle, I figured now would be the perfect time to announce some new goodies! What do we have? Well, let’s take a look…
[image error] Bell Caravans Hoodie
I’m happy to offer an official unisex Bell Caravans Hoodie using the logo designed by illustrator Sean Cumiskey. The full logo is on the back, while the small wheel-and-bell symbol resides on the front. Perfect for those chilly fall mornings, caravan guard duty, upper-level weddings, or funerals.
[image error] Cedric’s Eatery Mugs
“An in-between place for in-between folks.”
I’ve had this idea for a while and figured it’d be fun. Now you can have a mug from Waldo Bell’s favorite diner. Perfect if you’re the type who “draws one in the dark” or maybe you prefer tea. Either way, drink up!
[image error] Bell Caravans Die-cut Stickers
I have loads of stickers already. But I wanted to make something a bit more substantial. When I set out to make stuff the goal isn’t to sell more books instead I want to expand the world of the series. I won’t make swag I wouldn’t use myself, and I’m delighted how well these turned out.
I’m excited to bring these new items to the store. I’ve been kicking around some other ideas as well. Have an idea? Let me know! I’m always happy to try new stuff. Is there a specific product you want? A feelie you think would fit the Bell Forging Universe? Hats? Teeshirts? Tote-bags? Leave a comment, let me know.
Filed under: Shop, The Bell Forging Cycle Tagged: bell caravans, bell forging cycle, cedric's, hoodie, mug, sticker
October 6, 2017
You Do the Talking
Today marks the 2nd birthday of Red Litten World, the third book in The Bell Forging Cycle. I tend to talk a lot about my books. So to change things up, I figured it’d be fun to celebrate the anniversary of Red Litten World by letting you speak. Below is a collection of reviews written by readers. I pulled these today. All of the selected reviews are all public, and I’ll link to their location. Since it’s Red Litten World’s birthday, let’s work backward from there…
[image error]Red Litten World
“…weird fantasy fiction at its finest.”
— Review of Red Litten World on Amazon
“It is pretty rare that I like the third book in a series as well as the first, but I do. The third book in this series is just as well-paced, suspenseful and intriguing as the last.”
— Review of Red Litten World on Amazon
“Reasonably entertaining Lovecraftian trilogy.”
— Review of Red Litten World on Amazon
“Thank the sweet little baby lord above that I had Red Litten World to keep me company! And I finished it in one day! And it was glorious!”
— Review of Red Litten World on Goodreads
“Red Litten World is the best so far. Loved being back in all the rich texture and detail of Lovat.”
— Review of Red Litten World on iBooks
[image error] Those reviews sound interesting?
Buy Red Litten World, the third novel of the Bell Forging Cycle, in eBook or paperback today!
[image error]Old Broken Road
“…one of the few male written dark fantasies with some extremely well-written female characters.”
— Review of Old Broken Road on Amazon
“K.M. Alexander knows how to craft an interesting story and I can’t wait to devour the rest of his works.”
— Review of Old Broken Road on Amazon
“Well written and deftly plotted with great character development and plenty of thrills and action.”
— Review of Old Broken Road on Amazon
“Wish I could rate this one at six stars.”
— Review of Old Broken Road on Amazon
“A delightfully creepy journey into uncharted lands of imagination and dread.”
— Review of Old Broken Road on Goodreads
“Actually a 3.5.”
— Review of Old Broken Road on Goodreads
“Amazing followup to The Stars were Right! Love the exploits of Wal and his crew!”
— Review of Old Broken Road on iBooks
[image error] Dare to travel the Broken Road?
Buy Old Broken Road, the second novel of the Bell Forging Cycle, in eBook or paperback today!
∙ Learn More →
∙ Buy Now →
[image error]The Stars Were Right
“The book never lulls. It’s hard to put down. The characters are likable, and the plot is well written.”
— Review of The Stars Were Right on Amazon
“One of the most imaginative action/suspense fantasy horror/thrillers I’ve ever read.”
— Review of The Stars Were Right on Amazon
“A great new spin on Lovecraftian themes, and definitely worth a read!”
— Review of The Stars Were Right on Amazon
“This is like reading for a book by Jack Vance in his prime for the first time, a Jeffrey Thomas’ Punktown story, or one of Gene Wolfe’s New Sun novels.”
— Review of The Stars Were Right on Amazon
“It is very rare to run across a Lovecraftian inspired tale that grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let go.”
— Review of The Stars Were Right on Amazon
“A gritty adventure through a city rich with life and death, in the style of a tale told over some cheap whiskey at a dusty dive bar on the outskirts of a bizarre Lovecraftian town.”
— Review of The Stars Were Right on Goodreads
“Alexander does a fantastic job evoking a tangled, towering city of hidden alleys, bustling markets, colorful inhabitants, and plenty of those hole-in-the-wall diners with the best local cuisine you’ve ever had.”
— Review of The Stars Were Right on Goodreads
“I fell in love with the protagonist Waldo from the start. Almost as much as I love the world in which he lives.”
— Review of The Stars Were Right on Goodreads
“The world is explained as needed by the main character and neither leaves us guessing about important story elements nor bores us with a world-history.”
— Review of The Stars Were Right on Powell’s
“If you are a hp Lovecraft fan then this book is for you. (Even if you arnt you should give it a read!) What a fantastic book!”
— Review of The Stars Were Right on iBooks
“This book changed the way I look at fantasy as a whole. It was also loaded with a ton of what I’d consider mystery as well. I read straight through the night and couldn’t put it down.”
— Review of The Stars Were Right on Barnes & Noble
[image error] The Firsts are stirring…
Buy The Stars Were Right, the first novel of the Bell Forging Cycle, in eBook or paperback today!
Huge thanks to everyone who has taken the time and left reviews on my books. Reviews (both positive and negative) are vital to the success of a novel and its future promotion. Without a minimum number, a lot of promotional houses won’t let someone like me submit special offers on their work. Likewise, new readers won’t know what to expect before they make a purchase. So if you like a book (or a series of books) be sure to leave a review.
I know a lot of readers get stressed about reviews, but they tend to overthink them. Reviews don’t need to be an extensive book report, and you’re not writing an article. (Unless you want to of course.) Just write up a few quick sentences saying why you liked or loathed a particular novel. It helps a lot.
Want to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to make sure it’s not spammy and full of interesting and relevant information. SIGN UP TODAY →
Filed under: Red Litten World, The Bell Forging Cycle Tagged: amazon, barnes & noble, books, goodreads, iBooks, powell's, reviews
October 1, 2017
October Begins: A Month of The Bell Forging Cycle
Hey! I’m back from the green hills of Scotland and look: it’s October 1st—the start of the best month. Here in Seattle that means the nights grow longer (more time for reading), summer is behind us (more time for jackets), and the days are getting cooler (more time for uh… coffee).
This October 1st also marks the fourth anniversary of the arrival of The Stars Were Right. For those who somehow found their way here without knowing the details, Stars is the first novel in my dark cyberpunk post-post-apocalyptic dystopian weird-western cosmic-horror urban-fantasy adventure series: The Bell Forging Cycle. (It’s hard to pin down, okay.) Since the launch, it has been my most successful book, and I’m still really proud of it. I’ve sold thousands of copies and garnered hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. (I could always use a few more if you’re feeling particularly generous.)
If you’re looking for a new book, you can pick up eBook copies for only $2.99! It’s the perfect companion to the cool fall evenings (or warm spring mornings for those in the Southern Hemisphere.) Links to purchase can be found right here.
For those who prefer reading paperbacks, all month long you can pick up a signed version of any of my books and receive free shipping from my store. (US only, sorry.) Just use the code: BFCMONTH on checkout. The code expires Halloween at midnight.
October is a big month for The Bell Forging Cycle series, and I’ll have more fun stuff to post throughout the month. So stick around there is more to come, and for the long-time roaders out there who are itching for more, I still suggest you: Look West.
Want to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to make sure it’s not spammy and full of interesting and relevant information. SIGN UP TODAY →
Filed under: The Bell Forging Cycle, The Stars Were Right Tagged: amazon, anniversary, free shipping, goodreads, october, reviews
