Heidi Ruby Miller's Blog, page 35

RESEARCH: Pursuits after the MFA by Heidi Ruby Miller

RESEARCH

What happens now?


This is the outline and links from a module I teach at Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction MFA program for the final term students who are about to graduate. As the title suggests, it helps them to consider what lies ahead and what to expect from professional life after the MFA. The following are the 7 most common post-graduate (writing program) pursuits:

1. Pursue teaching job


A. Online listingsHigherEdJobs - http://www.higheredjobs.com/Academic Careers Online - http://www.academiccareers.com/The University Jobs - http://univjobs.com/B. Local listings            Craigslist - http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites            Newspapers            Word of Mouth            College/University sitesC. Letters of Recommendation/References
2. Pursue more educationA. Online listings            Poets & Writers - http://www.pw.org/mfa            Online Colleges - http://search.onlinecolleges.com/NewPages - http://www.newpages.com/creative-writing-programs/AWP - https://www.awpwriter.org/programs_conferences/guide_writing_programsB. Local schoolsC. Letters of Recommendation/References
3. Pursue publicationA. AgentAgentQuery.com - http://www.agentquery.com/Poets & Writers - http://www.pw.org/literary_agents            Query Tracker - http://www.querytracker.net/            Author Advance - http://www.authoradvance.com/agencies            Writer's Digest - http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/literary-agentB. PublisherRalan.com - http://www.ralan.com/            ITW - http://thrillerwriters.org/aboutitw/recognized-publishers/            Duotrope - https://duotrope.com/Dark Markets - http://darkmarkets.com/category/markets/book-publishers/            Individual sitesC. Self-PublishingAmazon KDP - https://kdp.amazon.com/kdp/self-publishing/signinLulu - http://www.lulu.com/Lightning Source - https://www1.lightningsource.com/default.aspxCreate Space - https://www.createspace.comNook Press - https://www.nookpress.com/Xlibris - http://www2.xlibris.com/
4. Pursue job in publishing industryA. FreelancingBloggingPro - http://www.bloggingpro.com/jobs/CraigsList - http://www.craigslist.org/about/sitesDuotrope - https://duotrope.com/Freelancewriting.com - http://www.freelancewriting.com/freelance-writing-jobs.phpFreelance Writing Jobs - http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/category/writing-gigs/JournalismJobs - http://www.journalismjobs.com/search_results.cfm?JobTypeID=4LinkedIn Jobs - http://www.linkedin.com/job/home?trk=hb_tab_jobs_topMediaBistro - http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/default.asp?gdsr=1&jbdr=3ProBlogger - http://jobs.problogger.net/Word of mouthB. EditingCraigsList - http://www.craigslist.org/about/sitesIndividual publisher sitesWord of mouthC. Marketing/PromotionCraigsList - http://www.craigslist.org/about/sitesIndividual company sitesWord of mouth
5. Pursue something else entirely
6. Pursue hybrid of options
7. Pursue extrasA. Professional organizationsThe Authors Guild - http://www.authorsguild.org/ITW – http://thrillerwriters.org/RWA – http://www.rwa.org/HWA – http://horror.org/MWA – http://mysterywriters.orgSFWA – http://www.sfwa.org/Pennwriters – http://www.pennwriters.org/prod/B. Local organizationsC. Seton Hill WPF Alum 

SFR Brigade Presents: STARRIE 2.1

STARRIE 2.1

Enjoy some Science Fiction Adventure from the Ambasadora-verse! I'm posting my novel Starrie in order starting from chapter one. This is post nine and we're already into chapter two. It has been edited for content and space per the SFR Brigade Presents guidelines. Read the rest of the story so far here.

And, check out other wonderful posts at the SFR Brigade .




STARRIE (FROM THE WORLD OF AMBASADORA) by Heidi Ruby Miller

Appropriate that memory would come to mind when she pushed past the sensory bombardment and realized the mind minstrel was repeating Stavros's words…Deep cuts or little slices, you choose.

With a jerk of his shaky hand, he nicked her abdomen.

Naela controlled the pain through her breathing by forcing in two more quick breaths after she had filled her lungs. Then she concentrated, working toward the trance, preparing for the trick that would save her.

Another cut—this time to her thigh and deeper. She couldn't keep her concentration. Doubt shadowed the back of her mind. With each little slice of Stavros's knife more of the darkness seeped into the illuminated portion of her consciousness.

The trick was taking too long.

Maybe that old woman from the desert just outside Palomin Canyon had had a trick of her own, fooling Naela into believing she could manipulate the world around her with only her mind. So much for Naela being a star pupil and mastering the technique so quickly. But those times had been without the distraction of a serial rapist and murderer slicing at her abdomen.

She tried one more time for that delicate connection to the Otherside.

~~~

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Starrie is a direct sequel to Greenshift . It follows the story of Ben Anlow (David's younger brother) and his team as they embark on a revenge mission to bring down serial murderer and rapist, Liu Stavros, at his fortress in the inhospitable mountains of Tampa Three. But contractor Naela Starrie already has her own kind of vengeance planned for Stavros. Even as a battle-hardened soldier, Ben's not prepared for the darkness he sees in the female assassin, nor the way she challenges his prejudices about contractors when she makes a sacrifice to save to his life.

This novel runs concurrent with Ambasadora Book 1: Marked by Light , the first book of the main space opera series. And we follow a thread of Starrie into Book 2: Scarred by Light.

Look for Starrie from Dog Star Books in July 2014 and Ambasadora Book 2: Scarred by Light in late 2014.

RESEARCH: Science Fiction Romance Lists and Links

RESEARCH

This is the reference section from my class on Science Fiction Romance, "Tomorrow's Kiss," which I recently taught for Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction MFA Program . Scroll down to find:
SFR PUBLISHERS
AUTHORS QUOTED
BOOKS MENTIONED
LINKS TO FIND SFR


SFR PUBLISHERS
Ace/Roc - http://www.us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/specialinterests/scifi/submission.html
Baen - http://www.baen.com/
Bantam Dell - http://bantam-dell.atrandom.com/
Berkeley/Jove - http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/
Carina Press - http://carinapress.com/blog/submission-guidelines/
Champagne Book Group - http://www.champagnebooks.com/
Crescent Moon Press - http://www.crescentmoonpress.com/
Desert Breeze Publishing - http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/
Dog Star Books - http://dogstarbooks.blogspot.com/
Eirelander Publishing - http://www.eirelanderpublishing.com/
Ellora's Cave - http://www.ellorascave.com/
Entangled Publishing, LLC - http://www.entangledpublishing.com/
Eternal Press - http://www.eternalpress.biz/
Grand Central Publishing - http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/publishers/grand-central-publishing/
Harper Voyager - http://www.harpercollins.com/imprints/index.aspx?imprintid=518005
HQN - http://www.harlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=949&chapter=0
Liquid Silver Books - http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/
Lyrical Press - http://lyricalpress.com/
Medallion Press - http://medallionmediagroup.com/
Mundania Press LLC - http://www.mundania.com/
Red Sage - http://www.redsagepub.com/
Samhain Publishing - http://www.samhainpublishing.com/
Sourcebooks - http://www.sourcebooks.com/
Tor - http://www.tor.com/
Uncial Press - http://www.uncialpress.com/
Whiskey Creek Press - http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/

AUTHORS QUOTED
Shelley Adina - http://www.shelleyadina.com/
Ann Aguirre - http://www.annaguirre.com/
Catherine Asaro - http://www.catherineasaro.net/
Jenna Bennett - http://jennabennett.com/
Lois McMaster Bujold - http://www.dendarii.com/
Sara Creasy - http://www.saracreasy.com/
Nina Croft - http://www.ninacroft.com/
Aubrie Dionne - http://www.authoraubrie.net/
Heather Massey - http://www.heathermassey.com/
Linnea Sinclair - http://www.linneasinclair.com/

BOOKS MENTIONED
After Dark by Jayne Castle
After Eden by Helen Douglas
Aftermath by Ann Aguirre
Agamemnon Frost by Kim Knox
Agent I1: Tristan (The D.I.R.E. Agency #1) by Joni Hahn
Alien Research by Gini Koch
Alien Tango by Gini Koch
Ambasadora Book 1: Marked by Light by Heidi Ruby Miller
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
Breath of Iron by Kate Cross
Brilliant Devices by Shelley Adina
Chained by Evangeline Anderson
Clockwork Heart by Dru Pagliassotti
COG by K. Ceres Wright
Corpus Chrome, Inc. by S. Craig Zahler
Corsets & Clockwork ed. by Trisha Telep
Fortune's Hero by Jenna Bennett
Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach
Gabriel's Ghost by Linnea Sinclair
Ghost Planet by Sharon Lynn Fisher
Greenshift (From the World of Ambasadora) by Heidi Ruby Miller
Grimspace by Ann Aguirre
Ha'ven's Song (Curizan Warrior #1) by S. E. Smith
Her Sky Cowboy by Beth Ciotta
Hot & Steamy: Tales of Steampunk Romance ed. by Jean Rabe and Martin H. Greenberg
Ice Red by Jael Wye
Irresistible Forces by various
Keir by Pippa Jay
Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina
Love and Rockets ed. by Kerrie Hughes and Martin H. Greenberg
Many Genres, One Craft ed. by Michael A. Arnzen and Heidi Ruby Miller
Morgan's Return by Greta van der Roll
My Lady Quicksilver by Bec McMaster
New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb
Nights of Steel (The Ether Chronicles) by Nico Rosso
Odd Men Out by Matt Betts
Outcasts (The Safe Lands #2) by Jill Williamson 
Progeny (The Endure Series, Book 3) by Starla Huchton
Seduce Me in Dreams by Jacquelyn Frank
Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews
Song of Scarabaeus by Sara Creasy
Soulless by Gail Carriger
Sovren's Pawn (The Blackwing Chronicles) by J.C. Cassels
Steamed by Katie MacAlister
Tales from the SFR Brigade ed. by J.C. Cassels
Thankless in Death by J.D. Robb
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook
The Lancaster Rule by T. K. Toppin
The Machines of Bellatrix (The Girls from Alcyone II) by Cary Caffrey
The Mammoth Book of Futuristic Romance ed. by Trisha Telep
The Ruby Dice by Catherine Asaro
The Star Prince by Susan Grant
The Watchmaker's Lady by Heather Massey
The Worlds of Philip Jose Farmer Portraits of a Trickster ed. by Michael Croteau
These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner 
True (New Species #11) by Laurann Dohner
White Christmas by Ros Baxter

LINKS TO FIND SFR
Alien Romances - http://aliendjinnromances.blogspot.com/Amazon Best Sellers SFR - http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/digital-text/6401744011/Backward Momentum - http://backwardmomentum.blogspot.com/Broad Universe - http://broaduniverse.org/
Fantasy, Futuristic, & Paranormal Romance Writers - http://www.romance-ffp.com/
Girls, Guns, Grimoires - https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/55293-girls-guns-and-grimoires
Goodreads SFR - https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/science-fiction-romance
Goodreads New SFR - https://www.goodreads.com/genres/science-fiction-romance
io9 - http://io9.com/
Pink Ray Gun - http://www.pinkraygun.com/Romantic SF & Fantasy Novels - http://www.romanticsf.com SF Signal - http://www.sfsignal.com/SFR Brigade - http://sfrbrigade.webs.com/Smart Girls Love Sci-Fi - http://smartgirlsscifi.wordpress.com/Spacefreighters Lounge - http://spacefreighters.blogspot.com/The Galaxy Express – http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/The Intergalactic Bar and Grille - http://www.linneasinclair.com/barngrille.html

EVENT PHOTOS: Seton Hill Residency June 2013

EVENTS


The June 2013 Residency at Seton Hill University for their Writing Popular Fiction MFA Program always coincides with the WPF Alum-sponsored In Your Write Mind Conference . That means hundreds of writers on campus for an incredible summer event. This year was even more celebratory as we had two film crews on property. The Popular Romance Project was filming students, faculty, and alum for the documentary Love Between the Covers , and I was there with Matthew D. Dowling and the GoingLIVE TV show to do interviews. Here are a few photo memories.


Chocolate Lovers' Booksigning     GoingLIVE Mobile Set









The Annual WPF Ball - This year it was themed The Princess Bride












Graduation Day

SFR Brigade Presents: Starrie 2.0

STARRIE 2.0

Enjoy some Science Fiction Adventure from the Ambasadora-verse! I'm posting my novel Starrie in order starting from chapter one. This is post eight and the beginning of chapter two. It has been edited for content and space per the SFR Brigade Presents guidelines. Read the rest of the story so far here.

And, check out other wonderful posts at the SFR Brigade.




STARRIE (FROM THE WORLD OF AMBASADORA) by Heidi Ruby Miller

Naela's ears rang as music blasted through the mind minstrel's speakers. Its turquoise laser danced in erratic waves over her head and naked torso. The leather straps lashing her to the bed sliced into her wrists, her ankles, and her throat with each movement. She had always hated the smell of wet leather. She hated it more as it mixed with the pungent scent of her blood.

Stavros still jumped around the stone bedroom like a dosed-up fragger, screaming and pounding his fist against his head and his chest in repeated rhythm. He was spotlighted in one of the minstrel's mind-scanning beams. The blue green light strobed in contrast to the magenta flames which burned in a double row of wall sconces and illuminated the perimeter of the spacious boudoir. The heat and the sweat from their bodies made the air thick and humid with the musky spice of Stavros's scentbots. It pervaded every breath she took.

As Stavros mounted the bed, the music pitched lower with a droning voice superimposed over whole beats in a minor key. She clenched her teeth in response to the eerie dirge, It reminded her of a death chant she'd heard as a child.

~~~

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Starrie is a direct sequel to Greenshift . It follows the story of Ben Anlow (David's younger brother) and his team as they embark on a revenge mission to bring down serial murderer and rapist, Liu Stavros, at his fortress in the inhospitable mountains of Tampa Three. But contractor Naela Starrie already has her own kind of vengeance planned for Stavros. Even as a battle-hardened soldier, Ben's not prepared for the darkness he sees in the female assassin, nor the way she challenges his prejudices about contractors when she makes a sacrifice to save to his life.

This novel runs concurrent with Ambasadora Book 1: Marked by Light , the first book of the main space opera series. And we follow a thread of Starrie into Book 2: Scarred by Light.

Look for Starrie from Dog Star Books in July 2014 and Ambasadora Book 2: Scarred by Light in late 2014.

SFR Brigade Presents: Starrie 1.8

STARRIE 1.8

Enjoy some Science Fiction Adventure from the Ambasadora-verse! I'm posting my novel Starrie in order starting from chapter one. This is post eight and the beginning of chapter two. It has been edited for content and space per the SFR Brigade Presents guidelines. Read the rest of the story so far here.

And, check out other wonderful posts at the SFR Brigade.




STARRIE (FROM THE WORLD OF AMBASADORA) by Heidi Ruby Miller

Naela's ears rang as music blasted through the mind minstrel's speakers. Its turquoise laser danced in erratic waves over her head and naked torso. The leather straps lashing her to the bed sliced into her wrists, her ankles, and her throat with each movement. She had always hated the smell of wet leather. She hated it more as it mixed with the pungent scent of her blood.

Stavros still jumped around the stone bedroom like a dosed-up fragger, screaming and pounding his fist against his head and his chest in repeated rhythm. He was spotlighted in one of the minstrel's mind-scanning beams. The blue green light strobed in contrast to the magenta flames which burned in a double row of wall sconces and illuminated the perimeter of the spacious boudoir. The heat and the sweat from their bodies made the air thick and humid with the musky spice of Stavros's scentbots. It pervaded every breath she took.

As Stavros mounted the bed, the music pitched lower with a droning voice superimposed over whole beats in a minor key. She clenched her teeth in response to the eerie dirge, It reminded her of a death chant she'd heard as a child.

~~~

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Starrie is a direct sequel to Greenshift . It follows the story of Ben Anlow (David's younger brother) and his team as they embark on a revenge mission to bring down serial murderer and rapist, Liu Stavros, at his fortress in the inhospitable mountains of Tampa Three. But contractor Naela Starrie already has her own kind of vengeance planned for Stavros. Even as a battle-hardened soldier, Ben's not prepared for the darkness he sees in the female assassin, nor the way she challenges his prejudices about contractors when she makes a sacrifice to save to his life.

This novel runs concurrent with Ambasadora Book 1: Marked by Light , the first book of the main space opera series. And we follow a thread of Starrie into Book 2: Scarred by Light.

Look for Starrie from Dog Star Books in July 2014 and Ambasadora Book 2: Scarred by Light in late 2014.

BOOK: Only Human by Mike Mehalek

“Dragons do not cry. They control their emotions. That is what all dragons were taught, but I am now the only one alive to remember this lesson.”   [image error]   Only Human  by  Mike Mehalek Cover Art by  Allie Raines
Now for sale at Amazon

What does it mean to be a human? 

Meet Vincent, a most unusual dragon who has been trying to avoid answering that particular question for thousands of years, ever since his kind banished him and forced him to spend the rest of his life as a human. When a new love arrives unexpectedly, Vincent discovers that the only way to find happiness is to revisit his violent past and to confront his uncertain future. Haunting, heart-felt, and sometimes funny, Vincent discovers that even through tragedy, the things we most often try to avoid are those that make us whole.


What others have said

ONLY HUMAN takes you on a journey through Vincent's past lives and loves as he navigates his present incarnation and the darkness that follows him throughout the ages. - Heidi Ruby Miller , author of Greenshift

There's lots to love about ONLY HUMAN: action, mystery, secrets revealed and redemption. Add to that dragons (who doesn't love dragons?), wicked bad guys and an all-too-human narrator who will win your heart...the strongest element of this book is the love story...This is an epic, timeless story and a small intimate one at the same time. Dip your toe in, I don't think you'll be disappointed. -Jennifer Barnes, editor at Raw Dog Screaming Press
Purchased and enjoying!!...AND I had a dream I was a flying dragon last night! It was awesome!-Amazon Reader
Watch the trailer below


For fun
Who would play the characters in the movie version?

About Mike
Mike Mehalek writes fast-paced lyrical books that can be enjoyed with one reading but have enough substance for re-reading. He brings stories to life that demand to be told, regardless of the hopes/dreams/fears/desires of his characters-the Story first-always the Story. 
He'd love for you to visit him at his blog, Writing is Tricky or on Twitter @mikemehalek
If you'd like to join his email list, please email mike.mehalek@gmail.com with like to join in the subject line.

EVENT: Uniontown Mega-Author Signings

EVENTS


On Saturday, December 14 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM, Bradley's Books at the Uniontown Mall will host a book signing for 13 authors from Raw Dog Screaming Press, Dog Star Books, and Headline Books, including Michael Arnzen, Jennifer Barnes, Matt Betts, Leland Pitts-Gonzalez, John Edward Lawson, Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Jack Miller, Diane Turnshek, Matthew Warner, Albert Wendland, D. Harlan Wilson, K. Ceres Wright, and Stephanie Wytovich.
The authors are also guests at Share the Spirit that evening at the State Theater Center for the Arts in downtown Uniontown. The Share the Spirit Author Mix and Mingle begins at 6:00 PM.
Both events are free and open to the public.
Hope to see you there!

PATHS TO PUBLICATION: Edward Cote

PATHS TO PUBLICATION Let's see, path to publication: In a word, "rocky".
I first got the idea for this project a long time ago but didn't start seriously working on it until relatively recently. Even then I had trouble working to a point where I had both the time to write and the resources to get a cover (which does look great BTW, thanks to Tara) editing, formatting, and other services. Right now I'm very busy. I've gone back to school and I'm going through some changes in my personal life that while are in themselves difficult, will give me more clarity, tranquility, and independence, and hopefully make it easier for me to write.
I've had a productive year and I'm looking forward to another. I want to get Book Two published next fall. If I have it ready in time I might even take it to Gen Con! I've learned a lot but I have a lot left to learn.
I wouldn't have it any other way.--Edward L. CoteDecember 2013 

Edward L. Cote grew up in Kansas and went to college in Lawrence, where he still lives. He likes to travel, cook, have good conversation with good friends and have a D&D game with friends that meets every other week.

He grew up on science fiction and fantasy in a time when Return of the Jedi was in theaters and Star Trek TNG seemed like the coolest thing on television. In his school years he read the entire Dune series, Ender's Game and all the sequels, as well as Orson Scott Card's Homecoming series, and several others. In college he discovered Roger Zelazny's Amber and Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, and more recently George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire.

This year Edward finished his first book, a fantasy/YA novella called Violet Skies.


http://www.amazon.com/Violet-Skies-Ed...

SFR Brigade Presents: Starrie 1.7

STARRIE 1.7

Enjoy some Science Fiction Adventure from the Ambasadora-verse! I'm posting my novel Starrie in order starting from chapter one. This is post seven.  Read the rest of the story so far here. 

And, check out other wonderful posts at the SFR Brigade.


STARRIE (FROM THE WORLD OF AMBASADORA)byHeidi Ruby Miller


It was damn uncomfortable being buffeted by stronger and colder winds the higher they rose.

Ben thought he discerned strains of muffled beats and human voices. He caught Matt's gaze long enough to confirm the occasional echo of music traveling on the icy wind. A warning to outsiders? Or nonchalance, proof that Stavros felt secure in his compound?

By the time they reached the underhang and activated their boots' crampon extensions, the music flowed freely, almost vibrating through the rock. The quickening tempo and building beat spurred Ben onward as he climbed and reminded him of training exercises and a few of the kill-on-contact missions Dreadfire Team had executed. When face-to-face lethal measures were necessary, it took a bit more pumping up, usually with frenzied music like this.

His crampon slipped. He engaged the co-com and said, "Double time. I think Stavros has a victim up there right now."

"The music," Char said. "I knew it. I say that Order of Abduction just changed to an Order of Execution."
Several affirmations came across the coms, but it was Ben's "shoot to kill," which resonated in every ear as the com clicked off. ~~~

BOOK DESCRIPTION: 
Starrie is a direct sequel to Greenshift . It follows the story of Ben Anlow (David's younger brother) and his team as they embark on a revenge mission to bring down serial murderer and rapist, Liu Stavros, at his fortress in the inhospitable mountains of Tampa Three. But contractor Naela Starrie already has her own kind of vengeance planned for Stavros. Even as a battle-hardened soldier, Ben's not prepared for the darkness he sees in the female assassin, nor the way she challenges his prejudices about contractors when she makes a sacrifice to save to his life.
This novel runs concurrent with Ambasadora Book 1: Marked by Light , the first book of the main space opera series. And we follow a thread of Starrie into Book 2: Scarred by Light.

Look for Starrie from Dog Star Books in July 2014 and Ambasadora Book 2: Scarred by Light in late 2014.