Kyell Gold's Blog, page 33

GOOD ADVICE TIME

Yanked from my Confuzzled-GOH-pal Gab’s tumblr (you should go follow her, srsly) and originally from http://stridersknowbest.tumblr.com/po... …

(Replace “draw” with “write” and it still works. Try it at home!)

how do draw good



fill 14 sketch book


bad stuff is good stuff bc you made stuff


do you like sparkle???? draw sparkle


draw what make your heart do the smiley emote

(Read the full list.)

Things That Are Happening (and not happening)

Catching up on stuff that I haven’t talked about in a while, and what’s going on with them, and all that jazz…

- The Calatians novel, “The Tower and the Fox,” is still in limbo. It’s now three years since I’ve written it, and though a couple people have liked it, a couple others have said that I am a better writer now and it could be improved. I admit that I have had nagging-ish doubts about it, and the prospect of rewriting it from scratch is getting more and more attractive. One of my SF friends is basically rewriting a novel of his according to an editor’s feedback (without the promise of publication), so the fact that this is A Thing People Do makes me more interested to try it. I think, too, that it is a thing I have added pieces to over the years, and maybe a start-from-scratch, write it up as one whole new story as I would write a new novel approach might really benefit it. So that would be on the docket for later this year.

(It is totally going to be my “Summerhill,” and I hope it is as well received when it does come out!)

- The “Waterways” audio book. Well, the guy who was supposed to do it suffered several computer crashes, kept getting busy with “the work that pays the bills,” and, long story short, bailed on the project. I let it sit for a while, and then when I loaded some other books up and started getting offers to voice them, I found someone I might like for “Waterways.” Then I got another audition. So this week I’ll decide between them, I hope, and we can get that rolling again.

- Other audio books. “Bridges” is recorded and still being processed. Hopefully by sometime in July it will be done. “Out of Position” is also recorded and processed. I am listening to it to provide feedback before it goes live, so I expect that to be up this summer. And “Green Fairy” got interest from several people. I chose one who did a terrific job on the audition, and he thinks he can have it done by the end of July. So… fingers crossed, by the beginning or end of August, you guys should be able to pick up a bunch of audio books!

(The OOP one is…interesting to listen to while you’re walking around the neighborhood. It’s fun nodding at random people while there’s a tiger and a fox having explicit sex in your ears.)

- The “Regretrospective” pic. Keovi and I had some discussions about it and she feels better making it kind of a “YCH” auction to have your characters in the picture (which is reliably cute/hot from what I’ve seen). There was some hesitation because YCH pics have gotten a bad rap for whatever reason, but we both feel that with a story behind it, it’s almost like you’re getting your character put into the story, so hopefully that’ll work better. She felt it was more reasonable to ask people to bid on something so that everyone who ends up putting in money gets something (there are three slots) rather than asking people to toss in money just to contribute for a pic.

- Pride pins! I will have at least a few Fox Pride pins at the Sofawolf table at AC, and hopefully more than a few if we get the order in. I also have two new designs that I will be posting on FA soon, and those of you who know me and my books can probably guess the species…

- Other stuff. I don’t know when this will happen, but I am working on a couple t-shirt designs. Will post them on FA when they’re ready.

Um, I don’t remember what else I might’ve told you guys about. The books are chugging along, Red Devil and OOP4 both being beta-read. Cupcake will be edited this month, and I’ll talk to Fuzz about when to release it. Might be at MFF even though it’s looking more and more like I won’t be there. Conventions I’m planning to attend are at http://www.kyellgold.com/contact.html, and you know of course that Divisions and Winter Games will be coming out July 1 at baddogbooks.com (and you have all set up your accounts there, right?).

So if there’s anything I haven’t talked about that you’re curious about, ask! And have a great weekend!

AnthroCon Schedule

So yeah, I’m going to be at my first-ever AnthroCon and they have drafted me to sit on panels and yap at y’all now and again! Here is the schedule of when I will be talking and what about, to be updated as updates happen. As always, follow me on Twitter for live “I am paneling now!” during the con (when I remember; also follow @KitSilver because he often remembers when I don’t). These are taken from the full AC schedule, which is now online.

Friday at 1:30p, “Ten Ways To Improve Your Writing” – Self-explanatory.

Friday at 6:30p (according to the listing; 6 pm according to the grid), “Iron Author: Rules”

(Yes, I have been drafted to judge the Iron Author contest. Bring your terrible fiction! Bring it, I say! You cannot destroy me! I have READ SLUSHPILES.)

Friday at 7p, “From Amateur to Pro” – If you can’t make this panel, the short version is “don’t be a dick.”

(I am somewhat amused that my panel on being a pro is scheduled opposite the Ursa Major Awards Presentation.)

Friday at 10p, “Adult Writing – Basic Mechanics” – Mechanics of WRITING. Sheesh, people.

Saturday at 2p, “Reading and Q&A” – I will read from something I haven’t published yet and then will answer questions!

Saturday at 9p, “A Novel Idea” – Come prepared with questions about how to write a novel!

Sunday at 3p, “Submit and Publish” – Also self-explanatory.

Sunday at 4p, “Iron Author: Judging” – DO YOUR WORST.

When I am not on panels, I will likely be in the dealer room signing books. There are a couple performances I want to attend (Fox Amoore and Matthew Ebel’s concerts) and I do have family in the area I will probably spend one morning visiting (likely Sunday), but I will work with the Sofawolf guys to set up times when I will definitely be around. I would say that Friday at the opening of the room I will be there, probably until my 1:30 panel. Going to AC is almost like going to a con in another country for me; I know that a bunch of you ask me every year if I’m going, and so this is the first time I’ll get to meet you. If you want to get books signed, here are the things you should know:

* You can bring as many books as you want, including books you have already bought. If there are a lot of people waiting for a signature, please limit yourself to the books you REALLY want signed and come back later in the weekend for the rest. I certainly don’t mind signing a pile of a dozen books (I have done it before), but the people waiting might, and by Saturday afternoon I’m sure most people will have the books they want.

* If you can’t make it to the dealer’s room, you can catch me after a panel to have a book signed. Usually I have my pen with me.

* Don’t be afraid to ask for a signature or just to say hello! I am a nice fox.

I’m really looking forward to meeting all you guys there! I love doing panels and talking with people, so it should be a really fun weekend.

Divisions E-book!

Okay, you guys can stop asking about this and refreshing www.kyellgold.com/pubdates.html and posting wistful sighs to Twitter about how you would LOVE to read Divisions IF ONLY it would be out as an e-book…it’s coming in less than a month, on July 1, 2013.

But that’s not all.

I announced that in the newsletter that went out earlier this week. Since then, I’m happy to say that I’ve made a slight change in the planned release. Divisions will NOT be coming out on July 1 on Amazon. Nor on Barnes & Noble, nor Apple, nor Kobo, nor Google. It will be on those sites on August 1, 2013. If you want to get it in the month of July, in either MOBI (Kindle*) or ePub version, you will have to go to baddogbooks.com.

(*) Consult your Amazon help for how to load MOBI files onto the Kindle. It works for me as a Personal Document, but I have an older Kindle and I use the iOS App more anyway.

If you don’t know what that is, it is a brand-new furry-owned and operated e-book site. I talked about this around the time Amazon pulled Bridges from their store; their POD arm, CreateSpace, also pulled some of FurPlanet’s books, and Fuzzwolf and I had a couple conversations about having an e-book store where furries could buy books without worrying that some over-eager random person could just suspend any title they liked. By the end of those conversations, Fuzz was convinced that FurPlanet could host such a site and went about making it happen.

And now, thanks to Fuzz’s determination and business skills (huge props to him), it is happening. baddogbooks.com is open for a soft release, so you can go and set up your account now in preparation for July 1. And why not shop a bit while you’re there? One of the really nice things about BDB.com is that, in addition to our titles being more secure than they are on any other site, most of your overhead money goes to the furry fandom. The only outside expense is the payment processor–otherwise the sale price is being split between FurPlanet and the artist at industry-standard rates. You’re not supporting Amazon or Apple–not to say you shouldn’t, but personally I’d rather give my money to someone I can meet at cons and shake hands with, who’ll listen to my feedback. And on that note, June is kind of a “beta period” for the site, so Fuzz wants to hear your feedback. This is our store.

So Divisions and Winter Games will be exclusive there for the month of July, and all my other titles are either up already or will be up soon. Check out the site, let Fuzz know what you think, and get those accounts ready for July 1. Dev and Lee are coming at your e-readers in just a few weeks.

Back From Europe

Well, I’m back on California’s sunny shores after nearly two weeks in Europe. It is kind of good to be home, but Kit and I both would happily have stayed another three or four days in London. We left them enough sunshine to keep them happy for a bit even though we couldn’t stay ourselves.

The highlight of the trip, we both agreed, was the many wonderful people we met. An exhaustive list is rather impossible, but everyone we talked to at Confuzzled was really a pleasure to meet. Special mention to people we spent a lot of time with: Gab, the other GOH, and her partner Fault, who are wonderful people and whom we will happily see at RMFC later this year–you should all go to http://www.dangerouscute.com/ to check out Gab’s stuff as she is a talented artist and knows her chops writing-wise too; foozzzball the hacksaw rat whom we finally met in real life and who is a good guy to hang out with (and also, needless to say, knows his chops writing-wise); Nightfox, Tani da Real, Jaryic and EosFoxx, and Cheetah, whom we already knew to be great people and so were happy to get more time with them this con (they bring the party with them! we forgive you for the durien candy); Fox Amoore and Alector, whose work we knew and now are delighted to find that they too are fun and awesome people to hang out with; Pinky, who took us to one awesome dinner and almost another; Fabi and Mike, who came down to London to hang out and show us around the city for a very pleasant post-con evening; Srice, who always turns up in the oddest places and makes them more fun; my non-furry friend Jim, who felt maybe not right at home, but at least had a great time…I could go on and on. I know I am leaving people out. I’m sorry all of you who aren’t mentioned, Kaspian and Canis Rufus and Kyyanno and my Geordie mates and all the others! I loved you all! Washu did an AMAZING job as GOH liaison making sure that everything was in order for me and Gab, and Twll put together one of the most beautiful conbooks I’ve ever seen as well as co-writing the Pawpet show and emceeing half the con events (it seemed), and Matt held everything together as chair, and security was on top of everything without being obtrusive, and the rooms were all ready for the events and the food at the barbecue was tasty and plentiful and the events all started pretty close to on time (Pawpet show aside). I judged my second Fursuit Dance Contest (which didn’t get any easier) and led a team in a game of Fursuit Charades (guessing, not acting), and read an unpublished story, and podcasted live to the world (including singing on my podcast which I don’t think I ever did before) and stayed up until sunrise at a room party (but the sun rises like at 4 am so that wasn’t as impressive as it might sound) and oh my gosh you guys I had SUCH a good time, can you tell? I signed books until a pen DIED and met old fans and new fans and made so many friends. Seriously, I know you guys might not get to go as a Guest unless you are very lucky, but you should go to Confuzzled. England is delightful and the people at Confuzzled are super-nice and I promise that you will leave with a whole stack of new friends to fur out at on Twitter and such.

See? You’re already tired of me going on about it, aren’t you? And I haven’t even talked about the great relationship the con had with the hotel–they claimed they were lucky to find such a great hotel, but you know, you don’t luck into relationships like that. You might be lucky to find people receptive to it, but having a hotel love a convention as much as this one did speaks volumes about the quality of people at the convention making the hotel comfortable with them. Confuzzled is moving to a new hotel next year and I am sure they will get along fabulously with the Hilton as well. Still, I do think this hotel was special. The tearful good-bye during closing ceremonies, the six hotel staffers brought out to the stage, the standing ovation from the convention–I’ve never ever seen anything like that before.

And it gets back to what Kit and I said. It’s the people that made this trip special. All you guys, if you talked to me this weekend, you made it a little bit better. I wish I had time and space to thank everyone individually, but I think that would take me most of June, and I am back at work now and the writing calls. But look: Kit and I will be back at Confuzzled, we promise. We’ll hug you or shake your paws then and we’ll pick up right where we left off.

(And you Stateside people who didn’t go this year: I expect to see a bunch of you there when we go back. Yes, you.)

Australian E-Books

One of the consequences of the whole Amazon-Bridges thing was that I found out about a furry in Australia who is running his own e-book site. It’s called Jaffa Books, and after some negotiating and time for me to make e-books (mostly the MOBI files, which I didn’t have), my books will now be offered on his site (as of this weekend sometime)! I guess it doesn’t make much difference, but if you’re Australian and want to buy in Aussie dollars from an Aussie business, well, now you can! You can follow them as @Jaffabooks on Twitter if you want to keep up with their new releases and all.

Writing What You Can’t Know

Got this question in the e-mails:

I thought of this when you said you were going to do a Cupcake with lesbians in an Agatha Christie – like style. It made me think about the process of writing an intimate scene between two women. I have tried writing something like that before but have not been able to. The same goes for something between a man and a woman. My main problem I guess I don’t really have the experience or the feel of how to write something like that. How do you write for intimate scenes like that? Do you have any tips for me?

I have often said that there is no substitute for experience, and the realm of adult fiction is no exception to that. Firsthand experience is invaluable because it allows you to feel and process the sensations yourself, to focus on the details that are important to you or might be important to your characters, to try to sum up the experience in your own words. That said, I also do not necessarily advocate unrestrained promiscuity in the name of research, and there are certain scenarios (the above-mentioned gay female relationship) in which no amount of research will give you (if you are a male-type person like me) that firsthand knowledge (invert the genders if you are a female-type person).

However, the next best thing in this case is to read a lot of accounts from people who are relating their firsthand experiences. There is a good amount of lesbian erotica written by very talented women, and reading that will give you an idea of (a) how those things go, and (b) what different women value and focus on.

You can also, if you know any women (whether gay or not), ask them to talk about sex with you. Not necessarily embarrassing details, but things like “what’s your favorite part” or “what does it feel like when…” You should be prepared to talk about your own experiences for them as well; even if they aren’t writers, they are probably interested in hearing a guy talk about sex without the aim of getting them to participate in it. One of my friends spent an hour explaining erections to women the other day, for example(*). I know, I know. We male-type people who have lived with them all our lives are thinking, “How can they NOT know?”

*I’m reminded of the “Seinfeld” episode in which Jerry and George are trying to explain “shrinkage” to Elaine, and she says, “I don’t know how you guys walk around with those things.”

So anyway. Firsthand research when you can, secondhand when you can’t. Read erotica, talk to actual people, and maybe even let some of those people read your early drafts and tell you what’s wrong with it(*). Dan Savage’s column is another good place to go to listen to people talk frankly about sex, but if you want your own specific questions answered, you’ll need to do some work.

* And it goes without saying that you do NOT respond to their critique with defenses or “you don’t understand.” You smile and you say “thank you so much for helping me out,” and you go make the changes you agree with.

Upcoming conventions (surprise!)

Travel is in the process of being finalized, so hey, why not! Here are a few conventions I will be hitting this summer. Info, as always, is at kyellgold.com/contact.html and is updated there.

The big surprise on the list is, yes, ANTHROCON. For the first time ever (yes, ever), I will be attending furry fandom’s largest convention and will be on a few panels as well as signing in the dealer’s room at the Sofawolf table–all times TBA, watch this space for updates. I’m pretty excited about this as there are a whole bunch of people year after year who ask me “are you going to be at Anthrocon?” and who don’t go to any other cons, and so finally I will get to see them and sign books for them. You guys may totally bring your old books, and of course I would love if you’d pick up the new ones–Divisions at Sofawolf and Winter Games at FurPlanet, as well as the “What Happens Next” anthology at FurPlanet and the latest Heat from Sofawolf.

Not to overlook the other additions to the list–I will be at San Diego Comic-Con and Rocky Mountain Fur Con once again, and while the former is more of an Experience, RMFC is the better bet to hang out with some cool people and have a more furry time.

So that’s where to see me this summer! More details as events come into focus…

Choosing Artists

Someone asked me “How do you choose artists to work with?” and I figured the answer might be of general interest.

First off, the thing to remember is that when I’m putting together a book, I am in some respect putting on my business hat (it is the black fedora) rather than my author hat. Yes, I want to pick a “good artist,” but I am really looking for someone who will (in no particular order) bring a fanbase to the work (i.e. help promote it), deliver work on time, and work well with the author (this is when the author hat–the newsie flat cap–goes back on)–oh, and of course, they generally have to be okay illustrating adult work. Now, honestly, the only thing I have to judge people before I’ve worked with them is the first (and sometimes last) one, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to go run after the artists with the biggest fanbases. I’d worked with Blotch and gotten to know them for a couple years before I tentatively broached the idea of illustrating “Out of Position.” I knew they produced good work on a schedule, and what’s more, they work really well with me-the-author. Sabretoothed Ermine, who did the art for “Winter Games,” I knew only from a commission she’d done for me at a con. But I liked her work and style, and she seemed to be reliable as far as I could judge from her FA history, so I approached her and she turned out to be wonderfully professional and a real joy to work with as well. And for “Green Fairy,” I was writing it to release at the FWA where I was going to be a GOH, and it made sense to work with my fellow GOH Rukis–but I wouldn’t have done that if I didn’t already know her and respect her as an artist and a person.

Usually I also try to make sure the style will fit the story, but I know many artists with a variety of styles at this point, and if I have a lighthearted story that calls for something cartoony, or a grittier story, or a period piece, I have a pretty good idea of what names I can reach out to first. I also have good relationships with those artists, so now the “will we work well together” and “will they deliver on time” questions are pretty settled.

And last, if I’m working in an established world, the artist who first worked with those characters gets first crack at the art. For the Argaea story in “What Happens Next,” I went first to Sara Palmer, who illustrated the first four Argaea books, and she was happy to provide an illustration.

So that’s more or less how it goes.

Reblogged: On Mega-Popular Authors

John Scalzi has smart things to say about Dan Brown in particular and uber-popular authors in general (it’s the part after he talks about his book tour, obviously).

Pullout quote, although you should really go read the whole thing:

Being cranky about a Dan Brown book not being high literature is like yelling at a cupcake for not being a salad; it’s really missing the point. You don’t want the cupcake? Don’t eat the cupcake. Apparently lots of people like cupcakes. They don’t care that you want them to eat salad. You eat salad, if it’s so important to you.