R.A. McCandless's Blog, page 50

Five Star Review for HELL BECOMES HER

And she loves steampunk too!Seregon O’Dassey is one of those people you can’t make up.  I “met” her after she reviewed TEARS OF HEAVEN and her insight was very enlightening.  I’m not certain if you can overestimate O’Dassey, but you underestimate her at your own peril.  Actress, model and writer, she reads voraciously, thinks deeply, and I was honored that she read, and reviewed my work.
Of course, I offered her first shot at HELL BECOMES HER, and I wasn’t disappointed (thankful...

Author Signing Excitement

Needs more Scotch!There are many trappings of the Writing Life that can make an author smile.  Getting that first email of actual interest.  Signing the contract with your publisher.  Seeing the draft for the cover art.
I’ve done all these, and they still make my heart go pitter-pat.  Maybe someday, they’ll be more rote and can be taken for granted, but currently they’re still fresh and fun and exciting.
Author signings are also thing.  A thing that I haven’t done befor...

Boys and Mountains

Last night (after tears, time-outs, and songs) Xavi, with a very serious and mature face said:
“Daddy, I want to talk to you about my hiking mission.”
Yep, those are Xavi Tears.My boys were off from school yesterday (and again today) and their sitter took them up Mt. Rubidoux.  It has a very nice, wide, paved pathway that meanders around the very short mountain to the top.  I used to run it as part of my training, and if memory serves, it’s just under two miles to the peak.  From...

Nooks and iPads and Kobos—OH MY!

They're big, and they're . . . big.Amazon is the 800 pound gorilla in the room, so a lot of attention is paid to them over any other book retailer.  It can’t be helped.
Or can it?
For those of you bucking the tiger, standing against the rising tide, and otherwise playing Rebel Alliance to the Evil Empire, you my friends are in luck.
Nook readers, here's your Barnes& Noble link.iPad users, your iTunes link is this way.Kobo, love you guys.  Here's your travel orders.PC/Other readers,...

Hell Becomes Her - Available Today!

Be careful what you wish for.  You wanted more Del.
Del is back.
You already know that angels should be a human’s worst nightmare. Del didn’t think there was anything worse than angels, or their fallen kin, demons. She and her partner Marrin helped to keep the world safe from the horrors of escaped demons for generations. But when Del’s daughter is kidnapped by a shadowy group, she’ll find that the world is even more dangerous than she suspected.
There are worse things than angels and demon...

Another HELL BECOMES HER Excerpt

When something goes bump in the night, Del bumps back.Angels should be a human’s worst nightmare. Del didn’t think there was anything worse than angels, or their fallen kin, demons. She and her partner Marrin helped to keep the world safe from the horrors of escaped demons for generations. But when Del’s daughter is kidnapped by a shadowy group, Del will find that the world is even more dangerous than she suspected.
There are worse things than angels and demons.
Excerpt
The doors slid back exact...

Passing the Voight-Kampff Test

Rutgar Hauer made doves cry before it was cool.Philip K. Dick (PKD to most fans) was wrong.
Dead wrong.
Right before he passed away, a loss to the science fiction and fantasy community, PKD predicted that Blade Runner would be a commercial success.  It was crushed beneath the science fiction juggernauts of E.T. and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.  It barely covered its own creation.
Now, of course, it’s regarded as a science fiction, neo-noir classic with depth of world and characters...

In the Wake of Tragedy

This was supposed to be the week that Hell Becomes Her received a full court press of marketing and effort.  After events around the world were punctuated this weekend, I can only summon up sorrow and heartache.
If you think Paris is bad, looking around the world will ruin your day a little more with Lebanon and Kenya , just to name a few.
Just to name a few.
What a horrible sentiment.
There are so many tragedies around the world and in our own backyard that it’s nearly impossible...

Traditional v. Self-Publish—TLDR Version

So, you wanna be an author?  Alright, here the first thing you do.  Open your front door, place your hand on the jam and then slam it six or seven times.  That’s the kind of pain you’re about to embark on, only every day, every rejection, every missed opportunity, every hour spent writing and not with your friends.Advice I Never Got, R.A. McCandless

Still with me?  Groovy.  Now let’s talk some publishing—traditional versus self-publishing. Presidential Flash Cards!&nbsp...

One Week - Hell Becomes Her

It's been one week since you looked at meCocked your head to the side and said, "I'm angry."Five days since you laughed at me saying,"Get back together come back and see me."Three days since the living roomI realized it's all my fault, but couldn't tell youYesterday you'd forgiven meBut it'll still be two days 'til I say I'm sorry“One Week” Barenaked Ladies
One week.
One week to glory.  One week to failure.  One week to nail-biting angst. She's gonna need a bigger sword.
Ultimately, it...