R.S.A. Garcia's Blog, page 14
March 13, 2015
In memory: Sir Terry Pratchett
A very good friend wrote a beautiful piece on Terry Pratchett and what he meant to her. That final line…so say we all…
Rest in Peace and Eternal Memory, Terry.
Originally posted on Anna Kashina:
In the past year and a half, I lost too many loved ones. Today’s news of the very untimely death of Sir Terry Pratchett, one of my all-time favorite authors, made me re-live those losses and cry for a person I barely knew. Or, did I?
My first introduction to Sir Terry’s works was nearly accidental. Back in late nineties, I — at the time an aspiring fantasy author — decided to attend an author’s event at Vroman’s bookstore in Pasadena, to see a bestselling author with my own eyes. Terry Pratchett.
Waiting for his appearance, I picked up one of his books from a stand, attracted by the promise of witches and elves. I opened it on a random page near the beginning and read one phrase: “You could bounce rocks off her pride.” Those of you familiar with Sir Terry’s Discworld series may recognize the description of young…
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March 3, 2015
Celebrate “Read an Ebook Week” with Dragonwell Publishing!
Great, cheap books need a new home!
My book is only $1.50 if you buy it from my publisher’s site, Dragonwell Publishing. And there are other deals too, including a free book! Go ahead and spend a little change and feel free to spread the word.
Originally posted on Dragonwell Publishing Blog:
To celebrate “Read an Ebook Week” (March 1-7), Dragonwell Publishing is offering one title for FREE and discounted six others to only $1.50. The deal will run from now until March 7th. Don’t miss it!
Just click on the title to go to the download page, and feel free to spread the word!
A historical fantasy/mystery/adventure.
“Lex Talionis” by R. S. A. Garcia
A fast-paced science fiction thriller with a starred review by Publishers Weekly.
“Mistress of the Solstice” by Anna Kashina
An award-winning dark fantasy based on Russian fairy tales.
“Nine Planets” by Greg Byrne
A pre-apocayptic dystopian fantasy, highly critically acclaimed.
“The Garden at the Roof of the World” by W. B. J. Williams
A medieval romantic quest with spiritual elements.
“The Loathly Lady” by John Lawson
An Arthurian tale of chivalry and dark magic.
“Wishes and Sorrows” by Cindy Lynn Speer
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March 2, 2015
Guest Blog: Limits of the Imagination
I have a new guest blog post up on my friend Tonya’s awesome Spec Fic Genre Love website.
You can check out the Limits of the Imagination by clicking here.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Tagged: authors, blogging, blogs, editing, publishing, Science, scifi, speculative fiction, Star Trek, writing
February 19, 2015
GIVEAWAY: ‘The Blackwell Family Secret: The Guardians of Sin’ by Jonathan L Ferrara
A new writer is on the scene! Welcome, Jonathan!
Originally posted on Dragonwell Publishing Blog:
To celebrate yet again the release of the YA fantasy novel, The Blackwell Family Secret: The Guardians of Sin, by Jonathan L. Ferrara, Dragonwell Publishing is offering another giveway. Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win an ebook copy of this novel, which keeps garnering rave reviews, or a gift certificate to shop at the publisher’s bookstore.
The winner will be announced the 5th of March on this blog.
Please help launch the work of this talented young author and share this post with your social media!
This the latest one from Portland Book Reviews:
“[The Blackwell Family Secret: The Guardians of Sin] twists biblical scripture into the current era while sending the reader back to a place as close to Hell as can be, and is an exciting read during the whole ride. Not only is it impressive to see small parts…
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February 10, 2015
You Haven’t Seen Snowpiercer Yet? Say It Ain’t So!
Because that movie rocks. It literally rocks. When did you last see a movie that uses horror to highlight social injustice in an entertaining and thoughtful way?
South Korean and Australian cinema, particularly the thrillers and horrors, have become my new favourite source for good movies. When I saw the trailer for Snowpiercer I knew I was going to see it. I even posted it on here as one of my must-see trailers. But the movie itself turned out to be far better than I expected. It was one of the best I saw last year. I reminded me of some of the other great South Korean movies I’ve seen, like ‘The Host’, and those I plan to see, like ‘Mother’.
I started thinking about the movie again today because I came upon this article which mentions the scientific concept used to such great effect in Snowpiercer. It nicely breaks down the premise and it’s possible effects. Which is damn scary, frankly. Especially since China is doing this already.
Was also explaining 3D printing to my Dad on the way to work this morning. He was fascinated by it, and totally got how much the method would strengthen certain constructs, like spaceship parts.
Some days I’m just struck by how much future-world we’re living in. Mostly, it’s not the one we expected. But I think that’s because growing up alongside technology makes it seem much more mundane than it really is. I love that about life, actually. In my writing, I like trying to capture how tech is just no big deal to the world now, while at the same time being pretty amazing. I mean, think about trying to explain the stuff we use today to someone born 100 years ago. Insane, right? In one hundred years, the advances we’ve made have been incredible in some areas. Sadly, once you step out of the arena of technology, we still have a lot of stuff to work on. Right, Emma Watson?
But yeah, this is a strange and wonderful future we live in. Hope we make the right choices so we can advance together from here. Some days, I’m not sure we will. Other days, I think it will all work itself out somehow.
Either way, I think we’re all in for a wild ride.
And much like the residents of Snowpiercer, we’d better make sure we’re on a train we can all live with.
Tagged: 3D printing, cinema, climate change, climate science, Emma Watson, film, Mother, Mother Jones, movies, Science, science fiction, Snowpiercer, South Korea, The Host
February 9, 2015
Carnival Time Again
It’s Carnival time here again in Trinidad and Tobago and if you know me, you know I love to talk about my country’s biggest festival. It literally sweeps everything from our mind and gets the body moving to the music. It’s just one week away, with this Friday being Fantastic Friday and I’m looking forward to the long, long weekend as I’ve taken vacation for the entire week! I might even go to town and chip with the bands on Carnival Tuesday this year because I’ve got time to rest and recover.
In any case, as with every year, there are new tunes out for the season. I haven’t done a music post for a while so I thought I’d treat you to a few of the more popular Carnival tunes this year. See which you think will be the most popular and win the people’s award–the Road March!
(Hint, it’s the first one up lol.)
Enjoy and stay thirsty, my friends.
Tagged: Carnival, Destra, Fadda Fox, Machel Montano, Music, Olatunji, Soca, soca music, Trinidad and Tobago
February 6, 2015
SFWA opens doors to small press- and self-published authors
Exciting news for self-published or indie authors!
Originally posted on Anna Kashina:
The voting has ended in January, with the striking count of 6:1, in favor of admitting small press- and self-published authors as full members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). These coveted memberships have previously been open only to traditionally published authors with sales to a particular and rather small list of book and magazine publishers.
By the new rules, the list is far more open, and anyone can be considered for membership with one very big stipulation: this person has to earn $3000 or more per single title within a 12 month period. From what I know, this number is fairly steep for most small presses and self-published authors. Still, this is a huge step in the recognition of the current publishing trends.
I have seen many discussions about the exclusiveness of SFWA. Unlike the Romance Writers of America, who accept everyone interested in the…
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January 28, 2015
In Which She Has A Little Laugh At Game Of Thrones
I love that graphic. Freaking love it. I have yet to finish A Game of Thrones, far less the others, but I do love the television series and I’m determined to read the books after the series is done. So yeah, George, love you and all and love you more when you’re writing.
And yes, I know the writers of the show know all. Which, by the way, should be a clue to some people constantly grumbling about why they aren’t seeing some character or plot-point they love from the books (because they probably don’t matter/die before the end, or it’s a red herring). But I’d like to have the books to read before the show ends, so sue me.
Also, yes, I don’t read the books before the movie/tv show anymore if I can avoid it. That’s because except for a few instances (I’m looking at you Circle of Friends, and Shining Through), the book is better than the film. I’d like to have the best experience last please. Because I tried it the other way around for Star Wars and let me tell you, that did NOT work.
Anyway, I was puttering about in my Pinterest and thought, why not put up a few of my favs for fun? So here they are. Some of my Game of Thrones laughs.
You’re welcome.
Oh, and feel free to follow me at https://www.pinterest.com/rsagarcia/
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Tagged: A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire, books, Game of Thrones, George RR Martin, jokes, Pinterest
January 22, 2015
An Announcement for the Trinis
Hey! I’ve been a bit too tired this week to blog, but I thought I’d just make a little announcement.
LEX TALIONIS is currently available for sale at RIK Bookstores Limited in Trinidad. I’m in my local bookstores!
I know right? Crazy!
Anyway, if you’re a Trini, or you plan to be in Trinidad any time soon, please feel free to head on down to your local RIK and pick up a copy of my science fiction mystery, LEX TALIONIS. It’s already sold out in some locations, but there are still copies to be had at Trincity, Price Plaza, Gulf City and Port-of-Spain.
If you go to a location and there aren’t any copies, please let the staff know you want a copy so that they will order more. I’d appreciate that simple act because it will help support a local author (me!) by making it more likely that RIK will bring in another shipment. Also, if you really want your copy now, you can ask the staff to tell you where copies are available so that you can purchase the book at another branch.
Thanks in advance for all the support, and if you do buy a copy, be sure to let me know in the comments. Who knows? I might just make arrangements to autograph it for you! Just drop me a line in the comments.
Tagged: debut novel, editing, Lex Talionis, mystery, novels, publishing, reading, RIK Bookstores, science fiction, scifi, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago, writing
January 15, 2015
In Which We Meet The Heroine & Hero Of Our Tale
A bit from THE NIGHTWARD again, because I just wrote a nice section with Viyella and Dagen and thought you should all be introduced to each other. Most words of the week so far on the one day I really didn’t want to do anything. Woot for me!
He checked the rest of the balcony swiftly, but to no avail. The Princess was not there. He stood frowning at the top of the stairs, wondering if she’d somehow slipped past him. No, that’s impossible. The stairway is too narrow. But where else could she be? In his mind’s eye, for an endless, stomach twisting second, he saw a tiny body falling off the balcony. He darted back to the stone ledge, warped with the cool, slick stems and slightly furry leaves of vines. But only the faded abstract pattern of the courtyard cobbles looked up at him, red and yellow in the gathering dusk.
If she did not fall, then…
Behind him, he heard a tiny sound–the silvery jangle of bracelets. The little beast. He turned, held out his right palm to the top of the stairway and circled it clockwise, muttering the counterspell Erwyn had taught him under his breath. A thin mist filled the opening, pearl and coral strands wrapping around itself, coalescing into the tip-toeing form of the Princess. Dagen grabbed her by the back of her vest and yanked her back, ignoring her gasp of shock.
“The Princess will refrain from using her concealment spells in my vicinity from now on, or I will talk to the Dowager Mother about several unpleasant alternatives to her magic lessons.”
Viyella made a little screech of disgust as he started down the stairs and clawed at his hand, kicking desperately. “I only wanted to see the caravan!”
“Be that as it may, you have inconvenienced the entire household, and using magic to evade your responsibilities is not something the Queen would look upon lightly. Also, if you want to be put down any time soon, you had better stop kicking my legs.”
And now I’m off to dinner.
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Tagged: books, Dagen, editing, excerpt, fantasy, novels, publishing, science fantasy, The Nightward, Viyella, Work-in-Progress, writing
