A.F.E. Smith's Blog, page 3
October 8, 2015
Reviewing the Voyager Digital Firsts: The Ark
This is part of a review series in which I take a look at some of the other books that were picked up by Harper Voyager at the same time as mine. For all the usual disclaimers, refer back to thefirst episode in the series:-)
Like last week'sThe Karma Booth,The Arkis a book that sells itself on the premise alone. (Now I see where I've been going wrong all these years.) The Earth is about to be destroyed and only a select few people will survive, given starpasses that will admit them to one...
Like last week'sThe Karma Booth,The Arkis a book that sells itself on the premise alone. (Now I see where I've been going wrong all these years.) The Earth is about to be destroyed and only a select few people will survive, given starpasses that will admit them to one...
October 4, 2015
Adventures in Publishing, vol. 7: three months later
Darkhaven came out at the beginning of July. It’s now the beginning of October. In publishing terms, that means it’s no longer a ‘new release’ but an established book – so this is the perfect time to take stock. Here are just a few of the many things I’ve learned about being a writer.
1. There is never a good time to be a debut author.
I submitted Darkhaven to Voyager when my first child was a few months old. It came out when my second child was a few months old. I’m pretty sure being the mo...
1. There is never a good time to be a debut author.
I submitted Darkhaven to Voyager when my first child was a few months old. It came out when my second child was a few months old. I’m pretty sure being the mo...
October 1, 2015
Reviewing the Voyager Digital Firsts: The Karma Booth
This is part of a review series in which I take a look at some of the other books that were picked up by Harper Voyager at the same time as mine. For all the usual disclaimers, refer back to the first episode in the series :-)
The Karma Booth has one of the most fascinating premises I’ve come across in ages: what if, by executing a murderer, you could bring his victim back to life? I’d have read this book no matter where I came across it, so the only question was whether it would live up t...
The Karma Booth has one of the most fascinating premises I’ve come across in ages: what if, by executing a murderer, you could bring his victim back to life? I’d have read this book no matter where I came across it, so the only question was whether it would live up t...
September 27, 2015
Schrödinger’s author
Do you have a writer in your life? Is she prone to swinging between wild optimism and bottomless despair about the level of her own talent?
If so, you may have a case of Schrödinger’s author on your hands.
Any artistic endeavour, by its nature, involves a large degree of subjective assessment on the part of the observer. Humans have collectively developed a set of guidelines about what makes a good book, or song, or painting. But that’s all they are: guidelines. Sometimes a piece of art can...
If so, you may have a case of Schrödinger’s author on your hands.
Any artistic endeavour, by its nature, involves a large degree of subjective assessment on the part of the observer. Humans have collectively developed a set of guidelines about what makes a good book, or song, or painting. But that’s all they are: guidelines. Sometimes a piece of art can...
September 24, 2015
Reviewing the Voyager Digital Firsts: Detective Strongoak and the Case of the Dead Elf
As long-time readers of my blog will know, my novel Darkhaven was picked up in an open door period held by Harper Voyager to find books for their new digital first programme. The UK branch acquired 15 novels altogether, the last of which was released earlier this month, so now seems like the perfect time to take a look at some of my fellow authors’ books.
Full disclosure: though I’ve never met any of my digital colleagues, I have connected with most of them online. It’s probably fair to say th...
Full disclosure: though I’ve never met any of my digital colleagues, I have connected with most of them online. It’s probably fair to say th...
September 17, 2015
Barren Island Books – Edward Ashton
Welcome to Barren Island Books, the author interview series that’s in no way related to a popular music-based radio programme. You know the rules by now: my guests are exiled to a remote island with only five books for company, selected from the categories I give them. It’s up to them to make sure they choose wisely, because they’re going to be stuck with those books for a long, long time …
My interviewee this week is Edward Ashton, author of new sci-fi thrillerThree Days in April.When he’snot...
My interviewee this week is Edward Ashton, author of new sci-fi thrillerThree Days in April.When he’snot...
September 10, 2015
Barren Island Books – Gerrard Cowan
Welcome to Barren Island Books, the author interview series that’s in no way related to a popular music-based radio programme. You know the rules by now: my guests are exiled to a remote island with only five books for company, selected from the categories I give them. It’s up to them to make sure they choose wisely, because they’re going to be stuck with those books for a long, long time …
My interviewee this week is Gerrard Cowan, author of The Machinery- out today from Harper Voyager!When h...
My interviewee this week is Gerrard Cowan, author of The Machinery- out today from Harper Voyager!When h...
September 6, 2015
I'm back!
OK, that turned into a three-week break rather than a fortnight. But with Small back at nursery school this week, and me back at work, it's all been rather busy.
This is going to be more of a round-up post than a proper article, so if that's not your thing, look away now. New release
The most important thing to have happened while I was gone was the release of the Alliance of Worldbuilders charity anthology. The Alliance are a group of SFF writers who first met on the writing site Authonomy...
This is going to be more of a round-up post than a proper article, so if that's not your thing, look away now. New release
The most important thing to have happened while I was gone was the release of the Alliance of Worldbuilders charity anthology. The Alliance are a group of SFF writers who first met on the writing site Authonomy...
August 16, 2015
On holiday!
Small is off nursery school for the next two weeks, so I'm taking a blogging break for the rest of August. But don't go too far! I'll be back in September with more interviews and a brand new review series as well. Plus I should be able to share more news with you about my next book, Goldenfire.Enjoy the last days of summer!
August 13, 2015
Barren Island Books – Stephen Moore
Welcome to Barren Island Books, the author interview series that’s in no way related to a popular music-based radio programme. You know the rules by now: my guests are exiled to a remote island with only five books for company, selected from the categories I give them. It’s up to them to make sure they choose wisely, because they’re going to be stuck with those books for a long, long time …
My interviewee this week is Stephen Moore, author of Graynelore- out today from Harper Voyager!When he’s...
My interviewee this week is Stephen Moore, author of Graynelore- out today from Harper Voyager!When he’s...
