Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 94
January 21, 2015
Grab a Book - It's National Readathon Day
Load up your ereaders, pull that book you meant to read but never go to from the shelf. It's National Readathon Day.The National Book Foundation, Penguin Random House, Goodreads, and Mashable are partnering together to host the first ever National Readathon Day. You can get involved by joining readers across America in a marathon reading session on Saturday, January 24. From Noon – 4 PM in our respective time zones, we will sit and read a book in our own home, library, school or bookstore.
Join us and read a book on Saturday, January 24th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
More details can be found here.
~Till next time. Helen
Join us and read a book on Saturday, January 24th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
More details can be found here.
~Till next time. Helen
January 20, 2015
Storyline - Archaeology Gets Technical
Archaeology is not all Indiana Jones and a bullwhip. Modern technology has a place alongside maps and exploring in the jungle. Metal detectors have uncovered the secrets of battlefields yielding artifacts and insights into troop movements. Now x-rays are helping unlock the secrets of a scroll from what is called the Villa of the Papyri. The scroll is among hundreds retrieved from the remains of a lavish villa at Herculaneum, which along with Pompeii was one of several Roman towns that were destroyed when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79.
Some of the texts have been deciphered since they were discovered in the 1750s. But many more remain a mystery to science because they were so badly damaged that unrolling the papyrus they were written on would have destroyed them completely. Enter technology and phase contrast tomography. The process had previously been used to examine fossils without damaging them.
Phase contrast tomography takes advantage of subtle differences in the way radiation — such as X-rays — passes through different substances, in this case papyrus and ink. Using lab time at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France, the researchers found they were able to decipher several letters, proving that the method could be used to read what's hidden inside the scrolls.
More of the story at x-rays-unlock-secrets-ancient-scrolls-buried-volcano-160136061.html.
Just because the present works with the future, doesn't mean we have to eliminate the human. For myself, I'll take technology and Indiana Jones.
Till next time. ~Helen
Some of the texts have been deciphered since they were discovered in the 1750s. But many more remain a mystery to science because they were so badly damaged that unrolling the papyrus they were written on would have destroyed them completely. Enter technology and phase contrast tomography. The process had previously been used to examine fossils without damaging them.
Phase contrast tomography takes advantage of subtle differences in the way radiation — such as X-rays — passes through different substances, in this case papyrus and ink. Using lab time at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France, the researchers found they were able to decipher several letters, proving that the method could be used to read what's hidden inside the scrolls.
More of the story at x-rays-unlock-secrets-ancient-scrolls-buried-volcano-160136061.html.
Just because the present works with the future, doesn't mean we have to eliminate the human. For myself, I'll take technology and Indiana Jones.
Till next time. ~Helen
January 4, 2015
What's In A Cover - Pt 5, Hatchlings Curse
For an author-created cover, the production section provides more use than if using a designer cover. The designer would be the one to track the sources of the images they used.
However, if there are attributions that need to be made in the book or restrictions on the images use, the Cover Art Sheet could keep that information close at hand for you.Just because you filled out a Cover Art Sheet as a means to organize your thoughts, the detailed sheet does not necessarily have to be handed to your designer, a summary of the pertinent items could be sufficient. An example of a precise generated from a Cover Art Sheet is in the sidebar.
And now for the result, courtesy of Fantasia Frog Designs.
Drum roll please.
Thank you for following this series on creating book cover. And as a final reminder, a copy of a Cover Art Sheet can be downloaded at http://www.joycescarbrough.com/index.html. Just click on the writers resources tab.
And if you want to learn more about Hatchlings Curse, excerpts, buy links, and free read of the first chapter is found here.
~Till next time. Helen
December 26, 2014
Readers Poll Now Open
Vote for your favorite books, authors, short stories, artists, artwork, publishers, workshops, web sites and much more in the Critters/P&E Annual Readers Poll! Over 40 categories covering the gamut of genres and all aspects of publishing. Vote now for your favorites! If you like dragon shifter fantasy, consider voting for Hatchlings Curse in the science fiction novel category. The full list of entries is at http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelsf.shtml.
You can also vote for your favorite cover or author of 2014. Hatchlings Curse from the creative shop of Fantasia Frog Designs is in the cover contest and I'm among the entries in the author contest.
Although you can only vote once in each category, you can vote in multiple categories. Click here to vote for other genres, categories, and artists.
~Till next time, happy voting. Helen
December 16, 2014
What's In A Cover, Pt 4 - Dragon Destiny
At least once at every lecture, I'm asked about covers. I would like to say here that even if you are using a professional to design and create your print or ebook cover or have a publisher, it is helpful to have some knowledge of what goes into a cover design.
There are various reasons. One is so that you can recognize a bad cover. Another, more important, is so that you as the author can provide the necessary information to the designer. They may know the genre and have the artistic ability to blend images, but you are the creator and the person who knows the book the best.
This series is not about what goes into a good cover for an ebook or a print. There are entire books written on the topic. And if you are with a publisher, you probably won't have the final word as to the cover design.
What I am trying to do is to help you the author organize your thoughts and provide a tool for the cover design. For those on the indie-published route or whose publishers don't provide such a form, a Cover Art Sheet is available at http://www.joycescarbrough.com/index.html. Just click on the writers resources tab.
The inset shows the thoughts generated by the form for Dragon Destiny as envisioned by Fantasia Frog Designs.
And the result?
Drumroll please.
And if you want to learn more about Dragon Destiny, click here for buy links, excerpts, and a free read of the first chapter.
Bye till next time when I'll unveil the cover for Hatchlings Curse. ~Helen
There are various reasons. One is so that you can recognize a bad cover. Another, more important, is so that you as the author can provide the necessary information to the designer. They may know the genre and have the artistic ability to blend images, but you are the creator and the person who knows the book the best.
This series is not about what goes into a good cover for an ebook or a print. There are entire books written on the topic. And if you are with a publisher, you probably won't have the final word as to the cover design.
What I am trying to do is to help you the author organize your thoughts and provide a tool for the cover design. For those on the indie-published route or whose publishers don't provide such a form, a Cover Art Sheet is available at http://www.joycescarbrough.com/index.html. Just click on the writers resources tab.
The inset shows the thoughts generated by the form for Dragon Destiny as envisioned by Fantasia Frog Designs.
And the result?
Drumroll please.
And if you want to learn more about Dragon Destiny, click here for buy links, excerpts, and a free read of the first chapter.Bye till next time when I'll unveil the cover for Hatchlings Curse. ~Helen
December 13, 2014
Sneak Peek Sunday - Fly with Dragon Destiny
Sneak Peak Sunday - Six paragraphs from Dragon Destiny. Book one of the Dragshi Chronciles from Helen Henderson.
Available at Amazon.com, Smashwords and elsewhere.
~ * ~
Anastasia caught her bottom lip between her teeth.
After a few minutes, the noise level dropped and Elem continued. “There is a tie between Uaine and Anastasia. One hundred ten points each.”
Applause echoed toward the setting sun. Uaine led Anastasia to her uncle to receive their reward which had been increased to three coppers each. After the well-wishers returned to their tasks, Anastasia led Uaine off to the side. “There is one more prize to be awarded,” she said. “A private wager.” Untying the yellow scarf from her upper arm, she balanced it in her hand. With a flourish she presented it to Uaine. “Fairly won. This is yours, as promised.”
Uaine took the scarf and strung it through his belt. His lips worked into a smile. “And my other prize?”
Anastasia looked into Uaine’s mischievous gaze. Despite the coolness of the evening, heat filled her cheeks.
Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoyed this brief excerpt and want more. For more sneak peeks, continue to the next stop in the blog by selecting a name from below.
~Till next time. Helen
December 11, 2014
Xpost - Social Media Monday
2015 is just around the corner. Time for the initial planning of your promotion, your releases, and your social media world. Stop by the Write Conversation at thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/2014/12/social-media-mondayhow-facebook-changes.html for insights into how proposed changes can affect you as an author.
~Till next time. Helen
~Till next time. Helen
December 6, 2014
The latest newsletter from MFRW is now available at http:...
The latest newsletter from MFRW is now available at http://issuu.com/mfrw/docs/12-14/0. Check out the new releases and the interview with the featured author, historical romance author, Jessica Cale.Till next time ~Helen
December 3, 2014
Tuesday's Title - A Holiday Anthology Vol. 2
A Holiday Anthology Volume 2 A Collection of Winter Holiday Tales by the talented authors at Exquisite Quills
The calendar on the wall says 2014 but the holidays are a magical time where anything is possible when it comes to romance. Prepare to travel through snow or to a tropical setting with a little dash of fantasy sprinkled in to make your holiday reading enjoyable. This heart-warming collection of all new, very short stories is our way of saying happy holidays to you
A tropical beach, a snowy ride home, or a little travel through time these stories will take you there. All you need is a few minutes for these short stories. These are complete stories, not teasers, and they are perfect tiny romances to put you in a holiday mood. And as a special bonus -- IT'S FREE.The Exquisite Quills is proud to present to you: THE GIFT OF TIME by Rose AndersonFRANKIE’S WISH by Jennifer GarciaA KISS AT MIDNIGHT by Lily BishopA NIGHT TO REMEMBER by Dee Ann Palmer MARJA'S VICTORY By Barb CaffreyCHRISTMAS TRADITIONS by Beverley BatemanGINGERBREAD DREAMS by Victoria AdamsCHE GELIDA MANINA by M. S. SpencerROMANCE VALLEY by Kaye SpencerTHE CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT by Janis Susan MayTROPICAL CHRISTMAS by Gemma JulianaA KISS AND A PROMISE by Lyndi LamontA COWBOY’S HOLIDAY by E. Ayers
Available at: Smashwords
The calendar on the wall says 2014 but the holidays are a magical time where anything is possible when it comes to romance. Prepare to travel through snow or to a tropical setting with a little dash of fantasy sprinkled in to make your holiday reading enjoyable. This heart-warming collection of all new, very short stories is our way of saying happy holidays to you
A tropical beach, a snowy ride home, or a little travel through time these stories will take you there. All you need is a few minutes for these short stories. These are complete stories, not teasers, and they are perfect tiny romances to put you in a holiday mood. And as a special bonus -- IT'S FREE.The Exquisite Quills is proud to present to you: THE GIFT OF TIME by Rose AndersonFRANKIE’S WISH by Jennifer GarciaA KISS AT MIDNIGHT by Lily BishopA NIGHT TO REMEMBER by Dee Ann Palmer MARJA'S VICTORY By Barb CaffreyCHRISTMAS TRADITIONS by Beverley BatemanGINGERBREAD DREAMS by Victoria AdamsCHE GELIDA MANINA by M. S. SpencerROMANCE VALLEY by Kaye SpencerTHE CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT by Janis Susan MayTROPICAL CHRISTMAS by Gemma JulianaA KISS AND A PROMISE by Lyndi LamontA COWBOY’S HOLIDAY by E. Ayers
Available at: Smashwords
December 2, 2014
Tuesday's Title - The Labryinth of Time
Can Jade restore the Firestone's powers before the First Men return to judge humanity?
The Labryinth of Time by T. W. Fendley
Date of Release: Nov. 7, 2014
Genre: Young Adult contemporary fantasy
Publisher: Silent Partner Publishing
Buy Links:
Amazon (print & ebook)SmashwordsBarnes & Noble (print & ebook)
BLURB:
Spending spring break in Peru with her grandmother isn't sixteen-year-old Jade's idea of fun. She'd much rather be with her friends at Lake of the Ozarks. Then she meets Felix, a museum director's son. Jade discovers only she and Felix can telepathically access messages left on engraved stones in the age of dinosaurs.
Following the ancient stones' guidance, they enter the Labyrinth of Time and--with a shapeshifting dog's help--seek a red crystal called the Firestone. But time is running out before the First Men return on the night of the second blue moon.
Author Bio:
T.W. Fendley is an award-winning author of historical fantasy and science fiction for adults and young adults. She began writing fiction full-time in 2007 after working twenty-five years in journalism and corporate communications.
She fell in love with ancient American cultures while researching story ideas at the 1997 Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop. Since then, she’s trekked to archeological sites in the Yucatan, Peru and American Southwest. When she’s not writing, T.W. explores the boundaries of consciousness through remote viewing and shamanism. She currently lives near St. Louis with her artist husband and his pet fish.
You can find T.W. online at:Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
The Labryinth of Time by T. W. Fendley
Date of Release: Nov. 7, 2014
Genre: Young Adult contemporary fantasyPublisher: Silent Partner Publishing
Buy Links:
Amazon (print & ebook)SmashwordsBarnes & Noble (print & ebook)
BLURB:
Spending spring break in Peru with her grandmother isn't sixteen-year-old Jade's idea of fun. She'd much rather be with her friends at Lake of the Ozarks. Then she meets Felix, a museum director's son. Jade discovers only she and Felix can telepathically access messages left on engraved stones in the age of dinosaurs.
Following the ancient stones' guidance, they enter the Labyrinth of Time and--with a shapeshifting dog's help--seek a red crystal called the Firestone. But time is running out before the First Men return on the night of the second blue moon.
Author Bio:
T.W. Fendley is an award-winning author of historical fantasy and science fiction for adults and young adults. She began writing fiction full-time in 2007 after working twenty-five years in journalism and corporate communications.
She fell in love with ancient American cultures while researching story ideas at the 1997 Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop. Since then, she’s trekked to archeological sites in the Yucatan, Peru and American Southwest. When she’s not writing, T.W. explores the boundaries of consciousness through remote viewing and shamanism. She currently lives near St. Louis with her artist husband and his pet fish.
You can find T.W. online at:Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
