K.M. Alexander's Blog, page 78
October 14, 2014
Old Broken Road Is Out!
It has arrived. The wait is finally over. It’s October 14th. That means you can download a copy of Old Broken Road today! Yay! The trade paperback is available for purchase from the links below:
• Amazon • CreateSpace • My Store •
Barnes & Noble should have paperbacks soon. If you’d rather get Old Broken Road as an eBook you can download it from any of the following stores:
• Kindle • Kobo • iBooks • GooglePlay • My Store •
Make sure to mark Old Broken Road as the book you’re reading on Goodreads. If you’re tweeting about it or posting about the book on Facebook I’ve been using the hashtag #OldBrokenRoad. Don’t forget to tell your friends! Word of mouth is the best way for others to discover my books and allow me to keep writing.
Thanks everyone for your support. I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Enjoy!
Filed under: old broken road, writing Tagged: announcement, Book Release, iBooks, kindle, Kobo, self-publishing, writing
October 13, 2014
Tomorrow: Old Broken Road
I think this video sums up my feelings pretty accurately:
Are you also too excited to sleep? Here’s some ideas to pass the time until tomorrow:
Listen to the Old Broken Road soundtrack.
Download a new Old Broken Road background.
Tell your friends about Old Broken Road.
Preorder Old Broken Road from Amazon, Kobo, or iBooks.
See you tomorrow, roaders!
Filed under: old broken road Tagged: Book, can't sleep, excitement, Release
October 10, 2014
Friday Link Pack 10/10/14
The last Friday before the launch of Old Broken Road is upon us! That means it’s time to share a few interesting links I’ve found throughout the week. Some of these are mentioned 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:
Old Broken Playlist
Check out the music that helped inspire my upcoming book!
Pre-Old Broken Road Launch Giveaway
Need to get caught up on The Stars Were Right before the sequel drops? Enter my latest Goodreads giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy!
Old Broken Road Swag Packs are now in the store!
Three new Old Broken Road themed bookmarks, new set of stickers, and a rad button! All you have to do is pay for shipping. (You can also send a SASE, details are on the Free Stuff page.)
Writing:
The Exact Amount Of Time You Should Work Every Day
Did you know the absence of a proper lunch break can actually lower productivity? This University of Toronto study looks into what is the right amount of time to maximize your work.
19 Unintentionally Disturbing Moments From Kids’ Books
From Mister Dog to strange commands about murdering lambs, these made me laugh. So go on, touch the cow. Do it now.
The Genre Debate: ‘Literary fiction’ Is Just Clever Marketing
Elizabeth Edmondson of The Guardian argues that Jane Austen never imagined she was writing Literature. Posterity made that decision for her. Good stuff.
Random:
The Butterfly Effect, Literally
The Nerdwriter (one of my new favorite YouTube Channels) explores the butterfly effect, on, well… butterflies.
Rise And Shine – What Kids Around The World Eat For Breakfast
A New York Times photojournalism piece on the foods kids eat around the world. Really I am just repeating what the headline says, but click through, it’s fun.
Morbid Mondays: Maps Of The End Of The World
Atlas Obscura explore the maps of Revelations created by Baptist Minister Clarence Larkin in 1919. I remember seeing copies of these in my grandmothers house. Instant nostalgia for me.
The Problem With Wearable Technology, According To “Blade Runner” Designer Syd Mead
“Fashion is a temporary affectation. Fashion that’s timeless is actually a practical response to need. ” Loved reading about Syd Mead’s thoughts on the current state of wearables. Mead is an incredible artist and designer and it’s clear he put in a lot of thought when he created his vision of the future.
Lovecraft Story of the Week:
Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family
I’m featuring this again. Mainly because this is the story where I found the Old Broken Road epigraph. Also, it’s good.
Gif of the Week:
Filed under: Link Pack, old broken road Tagged: Blade Runner, breakfast, butterfly effect, free stuff, genre, Giveaway, kids books, Literature, lovecraft, music, productivity, revelations, Syd Mead
October 8, 2014
A Giveaway To Celebrate The OLD BROKEN ROAD Launch!
We’re in the final stretch. And to celebrate the coming arrival of Old Broken Road I am doing a giveaway! For the next two weeks (now through the 21st) you can enter to win one of five signed trade paperback of The Stars Were Right. (U.S. only, sorry!) This is the perfect way to get caught up just in time for Old Broken Road‘s arrival! All you have to do is enter to win on Goodreads! Just click the link below and then click the big “Enter To Win” button!
Enter The Stars Were Right Book Giveaway ≫
It’s that simple! Good luck to everyone who participates. While you’re on Goodreads make sure you add Old Broken Road to your To Read shelf and (of course) tell all your friends!
Filed under: Contests, old broken road, the stars were right Tagged: books, Free, Giveaway, goodreads, Paperback
October 7, 2014
Old Broken Playlist
Old Broken Road launches next Tuesday! We’re officially only one week away! So, to tide you over until it’s launch I have assembled a playlist of songs that helped inspire the book. It available to listen for free everywhere:
Check out the full playlist on Rdio ≫
Spotify | YouTube
Below is the full tracklist. Click on an artist name to find out more about that specific musician/band or click the song title to listen to that particular song on YouTube. I’ve tried to link to Wikipedia articles, but my taste is eclectic so if a band doesn’t have a Wiki page I tried to find the next best link.
Nirvana – Where Did You Sleep Last Night?
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Beat The Devils Tattoo
Future Islands – Spirit
Family Wagon – Hard Times
The Avett Brothers – Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise
Steve Earle – I Feel Alright
Shearwater – Breaking the Yearlings
Dead Man’s Bones – Lose Your Soul
The Black Angels – Evil Things
Papa Mali – Sugarland
Mourning Ritual – Bad Moon Rising
Woodkid – Stabat Mater
Royal Blood – Out of the Black
The Cave Singers – Dancing on our Graves
Okkervil River – The Valley
Townes Van Zandt – Nothin’
Matthew and the Atlas – I Followed Fires
Karen Elson – Stolen Roses
The Mountain Goats – Psalms 40:2
Mark Lanegan – Gray Goes Black
Buck 65 – Who By Fire
Louis Armstrong – Life is so Peculiar
Bruce Peninsula – Crabapples
Jake Bugg – Lightning Bolt
Johnnyswim – Don’t Let It Get You Down
The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow
TV on the Radio – Wolf Like Me
The Eels – Fresh Blood
The Dead Weather – So Far From Your Weapons
Jace Everett – Burn for You
The Stray Birds – Heavy Hands
As with the playlist for The Stars Were Right, I had a blast putting this together. It is interesting for me to listen to them side by side. I think each does a good job in carrying the tone of the book. You don’t have to take my word for it. You can find out what I mean when Old Broken Road drops next week. ;-)
What do you think? Don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below or shoot me an email and let me know. I would love the feedback!
Filed under: old broken road Tagged: music, Playlist, rdio, spotify, the stars were right, youtube
October 4, 2014
Free Stuff Update! Improving The SASE Experience
I give away con swag for free, and I want to give it to you. For a while now many of you patient readers have been sending me little folded envelopes with a stamp in the mail. I’m happy to get them, but the process has bothered me. It seems a little slow and antiquated. Surely there is a better way to harness the power of the wondrous internet to get this stuff to you!
So, today I launched a swag section in my store. I’m currently charging a $1.00 to ship swag packs anywhere in the US. That should cover everything and expedite the process significantly. For now, only The Stars Were Right swag packs are live, but on the 14th when Old Broken Road launches, I’ll have Old Broken Road swag packs available. (I’m really excited about that one, new button, three new bookmarks, and new stickers. It’s very cool.)
Keep in mind, any time you buy my books direct from me, not only do I sign it, I also include a full swag pack. I might not be as cheap as Amazon, but I do include a lot of fun stuff.
So, yeah, I think the swag section is a pretty solid improvement. If you don’t have a credit card, I’m still happy to accept SASEs (address is on the Free Stuff page.) Just trying to get as much free stuff into your hands as quick I can!
Filed under: old broken road, the stars were right Tagged: Bookmarks, Buttons, Cons, Free, old broken road, Stickers, Swag, the stars were right
October 3, 2014
Friday Link Pack 10/03/14
THUNDERCLAP! It is Friday. That means it’s time to share a few interesting links I’ve found throughout the week. 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:
Old Broken Road Is Coming October 14th!
The wait will finally be over. In a little under twelve days Old Broken Road arrives!
Check Out The First Old Broken Road Print Proof
In case you missed it. Last night I received my first print proof. I was able to take a few photos to show some of the details.
Writing:
Ask Kami: How Do I Deal With Writer’s Block?
As authors we all face times where we struggle with writing. Often those struggles are lumped together under the banner of “writers block.” But the reasons are often more complicated. Author Kami McArthur (@Kami_Marynda) delves into common causes that form the brick wall. Good advice.
Famous Writers On The Creative Benefits of Keeping a Diary
I don’t keep a diary, but perhaps I should. Brain Pickings explores the concept around the “elusive art of solitude” with thoughts from everyone from Woolf to Thoreau to Plath. Maybe in 2015, I’ll start small with The Standard Memorandum.
Banned Books That Shaped America
Last week was Banned Books Week a time when we reflect on all the amazing piece of literature frightened people try to censor. This is a great list of incredible books that have been banned/challenged but have still had an incredible impact on American society.
The 12 Weirdest Reasons For Banning Science Fiction And Fantasy Books
io9 examines some of the strangest reasons that famous sci-fi and fantasy books have been challenged. My favorite was the reason behind banning, The Wizard of Oz, why? Theologically impossible. What?
Little Free Libraries Add Charm To Neighborhoods
If you have followed me for any length of time you know I’m a big supporter of Little Free Libraries. I think the idea is swell and I’d encourage everyone to get involved. Swapping books with neighbors is a great way to build community.
Art:
Twilight In Arcadia 2013 – 2014
The work of Adam Miller harkens back to a classical approach to painting, but the tone, and subject matter holds a mirror to modern society. Love this stuff. (Thanks to Kari-Lise for the submission.) Oh, Miller’s work contains naked people. Consider yourself warned.
The Missing Scarf
Just watch it. It’s incredible. George Takei narrated the hell out of this short. (Thanks to Peter for the submission.)
What Rot: A Look At The Striking “Transi” Corpse Sculptures
Atlas Obscura explores the strange “transi sculptures” which depicts the body in transition after death. Fascinating stuff.
Random:
Floating Drone Lamps Would Be Freaking Amazing
One of the coolest projects I have seen in a while. Lamps attached to drones. (Thanks to Lola for sharing this with me.)
Emma Watson: Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too
It’d be nice to think gender equality is universal. The stark fact is: it isn’t. Often modern society puts on blinders and goes about believing it’s not a big deal. Which hurts far more than we realize. Thankfully, folks are working to change that. Emma Watson’s speech in front of the UN is both brave and incredible. As a man and a feminist, I completely side with her, and I have joined her #HeForShe movement. Everyone should read this speech it’s smart and poignant. Be the change you want to see in society.
All The Comments On Every Recipe Blog
This is true. This is all so very true.
Iconic Portrait Photos Throughout History Recreated With John Malkovich As The Subject
I love the internet.
Lovecraft Story of the Week:
Nemesis
This week, instead of highlighting a story. Let’s visit one of Lovecraft’s most well known poems. Thro’ the ghoul-guarded gateways of slumber…
Gif of the Week:
Filed under: Link Pack, old broken road, writing Tagged: Adam Miller, banned books, diary, gender equality, John Malkovich, little free libraries, lovecraft, writer's block
October 2, 2014
Behold, The First Print Proof For Old Broken Road!
If you’re not following me on Instagram you probably missed the news. Today, the first print proof for Old Broken Road arrived! I didn’t have time to record a video like I did when The Stars Were Right print proof arrived, but I did take some time to snap a few photos.
It turned out looking fantastic. Yet again, I am blow away by how good the cover look. The lettering—illustrated by Jon Contino—works perfect. Nails the mood. Check it out below sitting next to The Stars Were Right. Starting to look like a series!
I’m also introducing some fun little details in this go-around. There’s a new symbol leading each chapter and on the spine. Also there are some star illustrations, drawn by Sean Cumiskey, separating sections within chapters. They look fantastic. Add a nice level of polish, don’t you think?
All in all, it’s turned out pretty swanky! What do you think? Leave a comment below, or drop me a line on Twitter or Facebook. There’s a lot more to come, new swag, new free backgrounds, and even a new giveaway all leading up to the launch of Old Broken Road on October 14th!
Filed under: old broken road, publishing Tagged: jon contino, Paperback, Print Proof, Sean Cumiskey, the stars were right
September 30, 2014
Old Broken Road Is Coming Tuesday, October 14th!
That’s right, October 14th! Grab your keff and lace up your boots. Two weeks from now you’ll be able to join Waldo Bell on his next adventure: Old Broken Road.
That Tuesday the novel will be available digitally from Kindle, Kobo, iBooks, with Nook coming shortly afterward. Paperback copies are already in the works. I’m hoping they’ll be ready by October 14th, but if I can’t hit that date don’t worry, they’ll be coming soon. More on that as it develops.
Along with this announcement I have lowered the eBook version of The Stars Were Right to $2.99 pretty much everywhere. If you haven’t had a chance to read the first book now is a great time to grab it and start reading.
Get excited! There’s more to come. Check back often and make sure to add Old Broken Road to your to-read list on Goodreads, and tell you friends!
Filed under: old broken road, publishing, the stars were right Tagged: announcement, iBooks, kindle, Kobo, Nook, Release Date
September 29, 2014
Fear is the mind-killer.
Around this time last year I wrote a post titled “I’m scared.” It was a candid take on the feelings I was dealing with while I was on the verge of releasing The Stars Were Right. You’d think with one book under my belt that it would be easier, that publishing Old Broken Road would be more relaxing. Yet, here I am staring at another final manuscript and those same fears are hurdling through my head yet again.
Saying and understanding are two separate things. I now understand: the fear never goes away. It’s like the tide of the ocean. Sometimes its waters are distant and easily ignored and sometimes it hammers us. I don’t care who you are or how successful you’ve been. It’s always there. It pokes at us. It causes self-doubt. I think a lot of writers struggle with this fear. It’s why they rewrite and rewrite and rewrite. It’s why they never submit or never publish. But, for any of us to be successful, we need to push past that fear.
The Bene Gesserit‘s litany against fear always comes to mind at a time like this:
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
So, how do we push past this fear? How do we let it pass over and through us? Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t have a good answer. This fear isn’t something that has three quick steps or a handy online tutorial. Yet, thousands of authors get past it. If they can do it so can you. My solution: I just do. I swallow that fear, hit publish, and I let the work free. Maybe that’s enough.
Big announcement tomorrow.
Filed under: old broken road, publishing, writing Tagged: Bene Gesserit, Dune, Fear, Self-Doubt, the stars were right, writing
