K.M. Alexander's Blog, page 76

It’s OLD BROKEN ROAD Giveaway Time

Winter has settled in (if you can’t tell from the snow around here,) and there’s nothing better in the midst of winter than curling up inside with a good book. With that in mind I felt this was the perfect time to do an Old Broken Road giveaway!

Entering is simple, just head over to the Goodreads Giveaway between now and January 6th, click the big ENTER TO WIN button at the top, and… that’s it! It’s that simple. Click a button and be enter to win one of the five signed copies (plus some other cool stuff.) Click the link below and sign up.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER »

Winners will be selected on January 6th. Giveaway is open to anyone in the UK, Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Good luck entrants!

Filed under: Contests, old broken road Tagged: bell caravans patch, Giveaway, goodreads, swag pack

NaNoWriMo Is Over, Now What?

So NaNoWriMo has come to a close. You did it! You bested the holiday and fought through the distractions and emerged victorious! You probably learned a lot in the process: how you work, what time is best for you to write, and what it takes for you to power through a challenge like NaNo. It’s a good exercise. Now you have 40k words sitting there and it’s time to do something… but what exactly? Here’s six tips for moving forward:

1. Set Your Manuscript Aside

You just spent a solid month with your book. That’s a lot of time and often it’s difficult to pull away and see the whole picture. If you’re anything like me, odds are there’s a lot of work to go before your manuscript is ready to shop. Giving yourself time away from the manuscript will allow you to return with fresh eyes and a clear head. So what do you do in the interim? Start your next project (see point six), relax a bit, read someone you find inspiring: just get your mind off that manuscript so later you can really give it a solid and honest revision.

2. Think About How You’re Going To Expand

Unless you’re writing middle-grade most publishers won’t want a 40k word novel. Even YA tends to be around 50-60k minimum. Adult novels range around 80k-90k words, and sci-fi and fantasy can get into the 100-110k word range. (Check out Chuck Sambuchino’s great post on word count here.) None of these are hard and fast rules but it’s always good to shoot for the average range within the genre you’re targeting. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to expand and I’ll cover some of that in point three. If you’re going to publish independently you can ignore this completely. There are no set rules for independent publishing. Just make sure you’re telling the best damn story possible.

3. Revise, Revise, Revise

Stage one is done, you’ve let the manuscript rest for a time and now you’re ready for revisions. It’s time to go through your manuscript and tackle all those things you ignored to hit that word count by the target date. Trust me, they’ll be there. I tend to find that as I revise, my book grows and shrinks. As I mentioned in point two, odds are you’re going to need to expand. So, if you’re worried about your overall length don’t worry. As Tolkien said, “this tale grew in the telling.” He’s not wrong. I find that there’s usually a lot I left out in that first draft and I find it’s not difficult to find myself adding significant portions to a story. When you’re finished with your first revision, go through it again! There’s no set number of revisions, just make sure you get the book to a point where you’re comfortable sharing it with alpha/beta readers and eventually editors.

4. Get Some Eyes On That Thing!

Ask some friends who are willing to overlook your typos and grammatical errors to read your manuscript. This isn’t a edit pass. You want folks who can look past errors and focus on character development, plot, pacing, and world building. Listen to their feedback and incorporate or ignore it as you see fit. It’s good to gauge what works and what doesn’t. There’s a lot of good advice for finding and working with alpha/beta readers, three great posts I’d recommend:

5 Things You Should Know about Working with Beta Readers

by Joel Friedlander
Writing Excuses Podcast: Alpha Readers

by Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, & Dan Wells

and specifically for readers:

5 Things Beta Readers Should Know Before They Agree To The Task

by Lauren Sapala

5. Think About Your Go-To-Market Strategy

The manuscript is finished, it’s time to consider your choices. You can shop the manuscript to publishers or take the self-publishing road. Neither are bad decisions but you need to find what works for you.

Traditional Publishing

You’ll need to find an agent, which means synopsis and query letters and rejections. Once that’s done the agent will need to find a editor which means more rejections until you find one. However, once you find a publisher willing to take you on they’ll do a lot of the heavy lifting. They’ll handle promotion and cover design and provide you with an editor. They’ll also throw an advance your way as well.

Independent Publishing

To me, this is a lot more than just throwing your manuscript online and letting it go. I think doing independent publishing properly requires a small business mindset. You need to start thinking like a publisher. You need to be honest with yourself about your skillset. Most folks will need to hire an editor. You’ll also probably want to hire a designer for the cover and perhaps figure out how to do layout for your printed publication. There’s some services to help you: Amazon’s CreateSpace has layout and cover design packages and recently Nook has launched their own line. It’ll require some initial investment but your readers will appreciate the attention to detail. Once that’s decided you’ll need to consider marketing. With independent publishing you’re essentially deciding to become a small business and that is daunting to some people. There’s a lot to that, but I think it’s best saved for a future blog post.

6. Start Your Next Project

If you want to be a writer you have to keep writing. So start your next story! Maybe it’s a sequel, perhaps it’s something completely different, maybe something you left out or something you didn’t have the ability to explore might work better as it’s own stand alone book. It’s important to keep working and honing those skills. Live every month like it’s National Novel Writing Month.

Finally, and most important, congrats on finishing. Forty-thousand words is an immense accomplishment and you should be proud! You have done what a lot of people only dream of doing. You’re a writer! Now get out there and share your work with the world.

What advice would you give your fellow NaNoWriMo participants? Has anyone ever shared some advice that has stuck with you? Leave a comment and let us know!

Filed under: publishing, writing Tagged: beta readers, independent publishing, NaNoWriMo, revisions, Traditional Publishing

Schultzian Lovecraft

I stumbled across these reinterpretations of Lovecraft’s stories done Charles Schultz style by illustrator Julien Bazinet and I had to share them. They’re terrifyingly adorable. I don’t know about you, but I’d watch this holiday special.

See more of Julien Bazinet’s work at his DeviantArt page.

Filed under: Art, Random Tagged: charles schultz, charlie brown, Comic, cthulhu, julien bazinet, peanuts, snoopy

Update: Signed Copies Of OLD BROKEN ROAD Are Sold Out

Just wanted to post a quick update. If you visit my store you’ll notice that signed copies of Old Broken Road are currently sold out! Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I really do appreciate everyone’s excitement and support, it makes me wish I ordered more initially. Luckily there’s more inbound. Since the Thanksgiving holiday is this coming Thursday here in the US so I won’t see that shipment until next week.

Until then, ebooks are (obviously) still available and I still have plenty of signed copies of The Stars Were Right and the Bell Caravan Patches. If you’re hankering to get your hands on a copy of Old Broken Road and cannot wait, they’re still readily available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Filed under: My Books, old broken road Tagged: books, old broken road, the stars were right

Not The Automobile

“A good science fiction story should be able to predict not the automobile but the traffic jam.”

― Frederik Pohl

Filed under: Inspiration, Quotes Tagged: Frederik Pohl, Plot, Science Fiction, worldbuilding, writing

Friday Link Pack 11-21-2014

Friday, Friday, FRRRIIIDDDAAAY! That means it’s time to share a few links I’ve found over the last few days. Some of these I mention on Twitter, if you’re not already following me there, please do! Have a link I should feature in the upcoming link pack? Let me know! All right, let’s get to it.

Tanzania:

Community Starts With You

My friend Brandie Heinel is moving to Tanzania to build an orphanage, foster home, and community center. She needs your help. Instead of buying that coffee or a beer today, please take time and donate.

Writing:

Burying The Coin By Setsu Uzume

Do yourself a favor and listen to the latest short story from my friend Setsu Uzume over on PodCastle. If you’re looking for a steampunk romp with a little more punk, then you won’t be disappointed. Not only is the writing great, Amanda Fitzwater does an excellent job with the reading.

‘Am I Being Catfished?’ An Author Confronts Her Number One Online Critic

Strange tale of an author seeking her biggest Goodreads critic. This was making the rounds for a while, but it’s worth a read if you missed it. Thanks to J. Rushing for suggesting I add it. Oh, and I should add, never, never, never do this.

The Book That Writes Itself

In which Hugh Howey asks the question: when will machines start writing books? Don’t think it could happen? Think again. It’s an interesting exploration on the advancement of artificial intelligence and humanities future.

Grimm Brothers’ Fairytales Have Blood & Horror Restored In New Translation

You’re probably aware that the old fairy tales were much different than the ones we know today. In the mid 19th century they were cleaned up for children and deviated significantly from the original stories. Well, good news! In the latest edition, those tales have been restored to their terrifying glory, and now I know what’s going on my Christmas list.

Art:

Thierry Cohen’s Darkened Cities

In this series photographer Thierry Cohen explore landscapes we rarely see. Modern cities usually alive with artificial light, lit only by the stars.

Surreal Pencil Drawings Of Lips By Christo Dagorov

Switzerland-based illustrator creates fascinating imagery and landscapes within the texture of human lips.

The Weather Diaries

A book and short film made to celebrate Norwegian Fashion Week that goes above and beyond. Surreal and haunting imagery that is stunningly beautiful. Thanks to my own favorite painter, Kari-Lise (who else), for sharing this.

Random:

Norway’s Sleek New Passports Contain A Surprise Design Feature

As I said on twitter, I think Norway is going to win “Best Looking Passport.” Is that a thing? We should make it a thing.

Cory Doctorow: Information Doesn’t Want To Be Free

I debated putting this in writing, and opted here, because information is much broader than just the written word. Anyway, Doctorow makes a case that digital locks are worthless and access is better in the long run (and people will pay for it.)

Ancient Egyptian Handbook Of Spells Deciphered

Here’s your fascinating archaeology news of the week, a 1300 year old manuscript deciphered. They claim it contains spells to cure possession by spirits and various ailments, or to bring success in love and business but let’s hope no one conjures up a First, eh?

Lovecraft Story of the Week:

The Book

“As I hurried home through those narrow, winding, mist-choked waterfront streets I had a frightful impression of being stealthily followed by softly padding feet.”

Gif of the Week:

Filed under: Link Pack Tagged: archaeology, catfished, charity, Community, donation, DRM, egypt, goodreads, grimm's fairy tales, information, lovecraft, Norway, robots, setsu uzume, steampunk, tanzania, thierry cohen

Community Starts With You

Hello friends and readers! Today I’m asking you to join me in taking part in something pretty extraordinary.

My friend Brandie Heinel is moving to Tanzania to build an orphanage, foster home and community center. The construction of these buildings will help create over 100 new jobs, educate over 600 new students and leave a positive impact in both of these communities for generations. Brandie is overseeing the construction and working alongside the school’s administration to ensure that the project is completed and the community’s needs are met with utmost care and support.

I’ve been following her progress via http://mamahope.brandieheinel.com, and the partnership between her and the community is inspiring. I want to spread that inspiration. She’s already raised over $8,000 of her $40,000 goal, but she needs your help!

The holiday season is a time to give thanks – a time when we show others how grateful we are for our own great fortune. What better way to begin the season of giving than to give the infinite gifts of health and education?

So please, visit her fundraising page at http://mamahope.brandieheinel.com. Please DONATE there and help her give the children of Tanzania the opportunity to live happy and healthy lives in a campus that is dedicated to their future. The $10, $20 or more you might spend on a shirt, lunch, or beer this week could instead go towards sustainable and necessary community-created care for brilliant children. Help to be part of a community building an orphanage, foster home and community center. Brandie only has 42 days left to reach her goal of 40k. What could be better? Please donate and tell your friends!

Filed under: Random Tagged: charity, Community, donation, tanzania

M. R. James On Reticence

Reticence may be an elderly doctrine to preach, yet from the artistic point of view I am sure it is a sound one. Reticence conduces to effect, blatancy ruins it.

—M.R. James, “Some Remarks on Ghost Stories”

In the Halloween edition of the Friday Link Pack I linked to a fantastic article that explored the influence M. R. James had on the work H. P. Lovecraft. Ever since that article I have been exploring Mr. James’ work, and this quote stuck out to me. I wanted to share.

Okay, back to writing. Good luck with your own creative endeavors!

Filed under: Quotes Tagged: Link Pack, m. r. james, reticence

Friday Link Pack – 11/14/14

Friday is here! That means it’s time to share a few links I’ve found over the last few days. Some of these I mention on Twitter, if you’re not already following me there, please do! Have a link I should feature in the upcoming link pack? Let me know! All right, let’s get to it.

Old Broken Road:

Happy One Month Birthday Old Broken Road!

My latest novel, Old Broken Road, is now one month old and it’s getting great reviews. Pick up your copy and tell your friends!

What Are Readers Saying About Old Broken Road?

Reviews are starting to come in and they’re looking really good. In this post I highlight some of my favorite quotes. I’m flattered and really happy to hear everyone is enjoying it so much.

Writing:

Amazon & Hachette End Dispute Over Online Book Sales

Finally! Let’s all get back to writing rad stuff now. Okay?

Amazon Beats Google & Wins Rights To The New gTLD .Book

Amazon now controls the generic top level domain .book and I’m curious to see what they do with it. It’s an interesting turn of events, but not that surprising based on Amazon’s positioning.

Who Said It, James Joyce Or Kool Keith

My friend Evan shared this with me and it’s not only hilarious but way more challenging than I expected. I ended up getting 6/10, my friend Dawn got 9/10! How’d you do?

Killing The Sacred Cows Of Indie Publishing: I Have To Sell Books Quickly

In this article author Dean Wesley Smith talks about book sales and speed and expectation vs. reality. Totally agree with him but it’s nice to be reminded. (Thanks to Lauren for sharing.)

Art:

The Work Of Christian Rex Van Minnen

Take a dash of realism, a bit of Salvador Dali, and part Pablo Picasso and you’d be close to describing the work of Christian Rex Van Minnen. It’s very very cool, and somewhat disturbing. (Thanks to Kari-Lise for the tip.)

Beauty

This animated video from Rino Stefano Tagliafierro takes classical paintings and adds subtle pans and animations. The result is… well, beauty.

Illustrated Famous Movies With One Letter Removed

Illustrator takes famous movies, removes a single letter, and illustrates the results. The result is fantastic visions of cinema like Obocop and Aging Bull.

Random:

Rosetta Photo Gallery

This week humanity landed a probe on a comet, which itself is an incredible feat. Now we’re just now starting to see what a comet looks like up close. The Rosetta mission has this incredible photo gallery showing what the Philae probe is seeing.

The World’s Worst Playgrounds Are Where Fun Goes To Die

Ummm… so these are terrifying.

Ghostly Ship Graveyards From Around the World

Last year io9 gathered these haunting and eerie photos of ship graveyards from around the world. After looking through these images I feel like I need to re-up my tetanus booster.

10 Commandments For Con Men

Lists of Note shares notorious con man “Count” Victor Lustig’s advice for the up and comer. (Thanks to Steve who shared this with me forever ago.)

Lovecraft Story of the Week:

The Descendant

This story fragment follows the “harmlessly mad” Londoner who is confronted with a copy of the Necronomicon.

Gif of the Week:

Filed under: Link Pack, old broken road Tagged: amazon, Book, Christian Rex Van Minnen, comet, con men, Hachette, indie publishing, james joyce, kool keith, lovecraft, playgrounds, Reviews, rosetta, ship graveyards

What Are Readers Saying About Old Broken Road?

Old Broken Road has been out for nearly a month, and reviews are starting to appear! Yay! What are readers saying? Check out some of my favorite quotes below:

“A smoldering delight!”

— Steve, on Goodreads

“…do as the roaders do, and let yourself be swept along to the edge of the map, where uneasy cartographers turned back and wrote ‘Here There Be Monsters’.”

—Sky, on Amazon

“New characters, new landscapes, and new horrors make Old Broken Road a worthy effort, and expand on the universe Wal, Wensem, and their crew inhabit. Loved every moment of it.”

—Sabih, on Amazon

“The dread will weigh heavily on you as you flip each page. But you won’t want to stop.”

—Justin, on Goodreads

“The strange journey across the Broken Road really put me in mind of some of my favorite Dark Tower novels… I found myself pretty well creeped out at times!”

— Raedia, on Amazon

“The spookiness and plot twists keep you on the edge of your seat. Great balance between an alien world and humanity as we know it.”

—Vanessa, on Amazon

Huge thanks to everyone who bought the book, and left a review. I really appreciate it and I am glad so many people are enjoying the book.

Have you finished Old Broken Road? Do me a favor and please leave an honest review. Goodreads is always a good choice, or leave one through the channel which you purchased the book. Reviews let me know what you loved/liked/disliked/hated, and they help out your fellow readers as well.

Haven’t picked up a copy of Old Broken Road? There’s plenty of places to purchase the book and most retailers have it on sale. Just click on one of the links below and you’ll soon be back in the Territories with Wal and the gang:

Buy a paperback copy of Old Broken Road through:

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • CreateSpace • My Store

Buy an eBook version of Old Broken Road for:

Kindle • Kobo • iBooks • Nook • GooglePlay • My Store

Enjoy your journey! Thanks again for all your support and encouragement. There’s a lot more to come and I can’t wait to share it with all of you.

Filed under: old broken road Tagged: amazon, ePub, goodreads, GooglePlay, iBooks, kindle, Kobo, Nook, Paperback, Reviews