Heidi Ruby Miller's Blog, page 72

MGOC Contributor News: Lee Allen Howard's Severed Relations and The Sixth Seed

Many Genres, One Craft contributor Lee Allen Howard has two new releases.

Severed Relations is a duo of deadly stories that brings you the best in matrimonial butchery. Everyone has experienced a choppy relationship. But just wait until you read these two tales of horror...

In "The Butcher's Reunion," a cuckolded butcher slaughters his wife and seeks her lover only to find he cannot escape dire prophetic justice. WHAM!

Equally dark and suspenseful, in "Almost Betrothed," a timid woman unlucky with love finds the courage to break what her daddy thinks is a promising engagement and discovers her boyfriend is Mr. Wrong. Dead wrong.


The Sixth Seed is a dark paranormal fantasy fraught with suburban Pittsburgh horror.

Believing a vasectomy will prevent another unplanned pregnancy, 34-year-old Tom Furst--Melanie’s loving husband and the father of their five children--wants more than anything to dig himself out of the fiscal hole he’s mired in and become financially secure. However, during the procedure, mysterious Dr. Prindar Krakhil secretly implants a worm-like alien seed in Tom’s vas deferens that not only ensures that Melanie gets pregnant, but plants in her womb a child half alien.

Their children are abducted. Melanie becomes gravely ill. When Tom loses his job, their home, and the sixth seed is born, will he be able to accept the child for what it really is--and conquer the temptation to exchange it for the money Krakhil offers?

Meet the Contributors of Many Genres One Craft: Timons Esaias

At the Many Genres site, read an excerpt of Timons Esaias 's essays in our new writing guide MANY GENRES ONE CRAFT .

Meet the Contributors of Many Genres One Craft: Maria V. Snyder

On the Many Genres site, you can read an excerpt of Maria V. Snyder 's essay "Dumping the Info Dump" from our new writing guide MANY GENRES, ONE CRAFT .

Heidi's Pick Six Interview with Kayleen Reusser

HEIDI'S PICK SIX


Kayleen Resusser

1. Which of your characters is your favorite?

2. Tell me about your travels.
I’ve been to Europe, Mexico, and most US states. My love for travel assists me in writing travel articles and my book, Recipe and Craft Guide to Indonesia.

3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
Milk, cappacino, Chai

4. What else can you do besides write?
I work in a middle school library so I can recommend good reading material for that age group.

5. Who are you reading right now?
Female mystery writers like Mary Higgins Clark

6. Pop culture or academia?
7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?

8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
My inspirations are all around me in every person I meet. I love to interview people and believe every person has a story to tell. My goal as a reporter/author is to find the story and present it well.

9. Food you could eat everyday.
Anything chocolate

10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?
12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
13. Celebrity crush.
14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
15. Do you still watch cartoons?

Kayleen Reusser has written nine children’s books, including biographies on Taylor Swift , Selena Gomez , Leona Lewis ; three books on the Greek gods ; and titles Celebrities Giving Back , and Recipe and Craft Guide to Indonesia (Mitchell Lane Publishing).

She is a regular contributor to the Fort Wayne (IN) News-Sentinel and has written articles for Chicken Soup books. She writes a weekly column for the Ossian Sun Riser and is co-founder of a writing group in Bluffton. She speaks to children and adults on various topics and works at a public middle school where she finds inspiration and joy among students. Visit her online at www.KayleenR.com .

Heidi's Pick Six Interview with William O'Brien

HEIDI'S PICK SIX


Peter: A Darkened Fairytale

1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
I am fond of all the characters in some way, even the evil ones. If I was forced to choose… hmmm… the elf ‘Slip’ – she is sweet!

2. Tell me about your travels.
My travels are generally through my own mind and into other dimensions. I love anywhere remote, quiet and rural.

3. Coffee, tea, or milk?
Coffee – black, no sugar.

4. What else can you do besides write?
I have a strong scientific background, with a BSc (hons) in Geosciences, a PGCert in Occupational Health and Fitness, and an MSc in Science Communication.

5. Who are you reading right now?
Ernest Hemingway - A Moveable Feast.

6. Pop culture or academia?
Academia.

7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
Peter: A Darkened Fairytale CH XIV – 402 – The middle to end sections.

8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
To completely disassociate and wander – up into the ether!

9. Food you could eat everyday.
Cheesecake

10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
Used to be a fitness addict – although, I have calmed down considerably. I sometimes go jogging.

11. What kind of music speaks to you?
Most kinds of music – depends on my mood. Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata springs to mind.

12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
I tend to have to have some sort of outline (must be the scientist in me) but when the pen starts scrawling the framework can go anywhere.

13. Celebrity crush.
Today… Eva Green

14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
Lewis Carroll and Oscar Wilde

15. Do you still watch cartoons?
Sometimes – they make me giggle!

Living in a small village in Lancashire, England, William O'Brien has written his first book, Peter . In the 1990s, he had twenty-one articles published, both nationally and internationally. After gaining an honours degree in Geosciences, doing post-graduate study in Occupational Health and Fitness, and earning a masters degree in Science Communication, he developed an interest for simple communication. A passion for writing again emerged, and combining various interests in fine art, museum exhibition display, biology, geology, poetry, and the mystical led to the story of Peter: A Darkened Fairytale . William retains a childlike vision of the world, which is conveyed throughout the book.

Meet the Contributors of Many Genres One Craft: Gary A. Braunbeck

On the Many Genres site, you can read an excerpt of Gary Braunbeck 's essay "You Have to Start with Something, So It May as Well Be Something Like This" from our new writing guide MANY GENRES, ONE CRAFT .

Meet the Contributors of Many Genres One Craft

In a new series on the Many Genres site, you can read excerpts from the articles in our new writing guide MANY GENRES, ONE CRAFT . We're introducing contributors in the order they appear in the table of contents. Michael A. Arnzen is up first for "Putting Our Heads Together," "Tuning Up Your Writing," "Genre Unleashed," The Element of Surprise," "Making Modern Monsters," "Working the Workshop," and "Persist!".

Workshop: Many Genres One Craft Pennwriters All-day Intensive

Workshops


PENNWRITERS ONE DAY INTENSIVE WORKSHOP
Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

Who: Writers at any level interested in furthering their writing skills and business prowess

What: Contributors to the new, comprehensive writing guide Many Genres, One Craft , based on the Seton Hill University Writing Popular Fiction Graduate Program , will offer six workshops for craft and career. The three morning sessions focus on plotting with Victoria Thompson , character with Timons Esaias , and setting with Heidi Ruby Miller and Jason Jack Miller . In the afternoon, sessions focus on pursuing publication with Natalie Duvall and Matt Duvall , building a brand with Mary SanGiovanni , and investing in your writing with Michael A. Arnzen .

When: Thursday, May 12, 2011 – 9 AM to 4 PM

Instructors: Michael A. Arnzen is Chair of the Humanities Department at Seton Hill University, as well as a Bram Stoker Award winning author. His first novel Grave Markings also won the International Horror Critics Guild Award for Best First Novel. Other projects include a spoken word CD called Audiovile and the novel Play Dead. Selections from his 100 Jolts: Shockingly Short Stories have been made into the film Exquisite Corpse, produced by Jim Minton. Mike’s latest release is the collection Proverbs for Monsters. He haunts the Internet at http://www.gorelets.com .

Matt Duvall was a professional wrestler who appeared on national TV shows and was included in Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine’s Top 500 wrestlers for 1996. He completed his MFA at Seton Hill University, which is also where he met his wife, Natalie. His short fiction has been published in a number of venues, including Chizine, The Ultimate Unknown, and Eye Contact. When he’s not teaching high school students, Matt practices Krav Maga, runs half marathons, and tries to avoid mowing the yard.

Natalie Duvall lives in a big old house in a little town in Central Pennsylvania. She enjoys walking as much as possible. Unless it's cold out. She is married to Matt Duvall and has cats (three of them -- Albert, Chun Lee and Eliot). During the day she's an 11th grade English teacher. At night, she writes Regency-set historical romances. In what free time is left, she trains in Krav Maga and is a lackadaisical triathlete. She blogs at http://dirtythirtytridea.blogspot.com .

Timons Esaias is a satirist, poet and short fiction writer, living in Pittsburgh. His fiction has appeared in fourteen languages, and his poetry has been translated into Spanish, Swedish and Chinese. His poetry chapbook The Influence of Pigeons on Architecture is in its second edition. He has also been a finalist for the British Science Fiction Award, and won the Asimov's Readers Award. He is Adjunct Faculty at Seton Hill University. His website is www.timonsesaias.com .

Heidi Ruby Miller is adjunct faculty at Seton Hill University, where she graduated from their Writing Popular Fiction graduate program the same month she appeared on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Her novels include Atomic Zion and Ambasadora. She is a member of The Authors Guild, Pennwriters, Science Fiction Poetry Association, and Broad Universe. Visit her at http://heidirubymiller.blogspot.com .

Jason Jack Miller is a writer, photographer and musician. An outdoor travel guide he co-authored with his wife in 2006 jumpstarted his freelancing career; his work has since appeared in newspapers, magazines, literary journals, online, and as part of a travel guide app for mobile phones. He received a Master’s in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill where he is adjunct creative writing faculty and he is an Authors Guild member. When he isn't writing, he's on his mountain bike or looking for his next favorite guitar. He is currently writing and recording the soundtrack to his novel, The Devil and Preston Black. Find him at http://jasonjackmiller.blogspot .

Mary SanGiovanni is the author of the Bram Stoker nominated novel The Hollower and its sequel Found You, both from Leisure Books, and Thrall from Thunderstorm Books. Over the last decade, various periodicals and anthologies have published her short fiction, some of which was collected in Under Cover of Night. She co-edited the GSHW anthology Dark Territories. Mary received a Master’s in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. Find Mary at http://marysangi.wordpress.com .

Victoria Thompson writes the Edgar-nominated Gaslight Mystery Series, set in turn-of-the-century New York City and featuring midwife Sarah Brandt and detective Frank Malloy. Her latest book in the series is Murder on Lexington Avenue. She is also the author of 20 historical romances. A popular speaker, Victoria has taught at Penn State University and currently teaches in the Seton Hill University master’s program in Writing Popular Fiction. She is online at http://victoriathompson.com .




Tuition: $125 PW members (includes a copy of Many Genres, One Craft)
$165 non-members (includes a copy of Many Genres, One Craft)

Registration: Online at Pennwriters

Endorsements:
“Finally! A book on writing category fiction, presented by those who do it every day. Choose a genre and jump right in.”
--Mike Resnick, Nebula and Hugo Award-winning author

"Many Genres, One Craft is a brilliant and insightful must-have book for any writer, from newbie to working pro. Highly recommended!"
--Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of The King of Plagues and Patient Zero

Many Genres has everything you need to write and sell the book of your dreams. It is jam-packed with practical information, clear examples and brilliant insights, all delivered with clarity and wit. Skip the writers’ conference and read this gem from the masters of genre fiction!
--Suzanne Forster, New York Times bestselling author

"Speaking from experience, I can tell you there isn't a muse and if there is, she's already dating someone else." If there isn't a muse, as you'll read in this invaluable book for writers, MANY GENRES ONE CRAFT is surely the next best thing. No matter what you want to learn--from choosing the point of view for a scene, from getting the most out of a critique group to fine-tuning your final draft, from approaching a literary agent to promoting your published book in print or electronically or both--it's all there. The contributors know their stuff, and what they're teaching applies to writing at any age. MANY GENRES ONE CRAFT covers all the bases superbly, including issues I haven't seen addressed anywhere else in today's rapidly shifting publishing landscape.
--Renni Browne, co-author of SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS

Check out our site at http://manygenres.blogspot.com !

MGOC Extra Essay about Promotion on Twitter by Sally Bosco

We all know that Twitter is potentially a good self-promotion tool for writers, but how can you do that without seeming obnoxious and self-obsessed? I’ve put together a few thoughts:

1. The purpose of Tweeting isn’t really to sell books, it’s to build relationships, have a dialogue with writers and readers, to pique potential readers’ curiosity about you, and to gain their interest. They’re gaining access into your secret world. Make that a place people want to visit.

2. If you’re new to Twitter, start by following your friends. They know people who know people, and this will widen your circle. Do the same for any writers your know or writers’ associations that interest you.

3. Make sure to have the URL of your web page displayed in the profile that appears when people access your account. This seems like a no-brainer, but some people forget to do it.

4. Increase your blog readership: If you used WordPress to create your blog or web page, there is a feature that will automatically publish to Facebook and Twitter a snippet and link to anything you publish on your blog. If not, you can write a quick summary of your blogpost with a link. Twitter is searchable, so if you write a review of a (for example) Stephanie Meyers book, people who are searching for Stephanie Meyers may have your blog come up in a search. Increased traffic to your blog is always a good thing. This helps you to build your brand.

5. With that in mind, you might offer a freebee on your blog like a short story or writing article and post a quick summary and link to your Twitter account.

6. Speaking of freebies, many successful authors post giveaways of their novels on Twitter. Kelly Armstrong has weekly book giveaway contests and calls them Freebie Fridays.

7. Find groups who hit your target market and friend them. Just Google "Twitter + your subject matter." You may want to do this gradually so it won’t appear that you’re spamming people.

8. Go to search.twitter.com and search for subjects that interest you.

9. Follow people and organizations who are relevant to your writing. If you are writing a novel about, oh, I don’t know, cross dressers, try to make contact with people who are interested in that subject matter. A simple Google or Twitter search will yield that info.

10. Don’t Tweet obsessively or people might delete you. (Unless you’re Kim Kardashian, then you can Tweet as much as you want.)

11. Comment on other people’s postings so your Tweets don’t seem like one-sided conversations.

12. If you’re interested in certain publishers, agents or writers, follow them. Here is a link to publishers’ Twitter accounts: http://www.highspotinc.com/blog/2008/12/a-directory-of-book-trade-people-on-twitter

13. Get to know the book bloggers. They are the new powerhouses of online promo. Google terms like “litblogs” or “book reviews” + your particular genre or author who writes novels similar to yours.

14. Use hash tags in your Tweets to make them searchable in Twitter. i.e. #werecats

15. To the right of your Twitter feed are two columns. One has a listing of trends and the other has a list of recommendations of whom to follow. Consider adding some of the resulting people/profiles. Again, use caution in following too many people at once, because it can look like spamming and Twitter can kick you out for that.

16. Consider retweeting others’ posts. When you place your cursor over the person’s post, a Retweet link activates. This lets you retweet that message to your own followers.

17. Offer some of your own pearls of wisdom/writers advice. Make up some quotable quotes. One of mine is, "It takes a lot of procrastination time to be able to write for one hour."

18. Make sure to reply to posts that mention you. To find them, check the @YourName on the right side of your Twitter screen.

19. Reply to other messages of interest that are posted by other Tweeters.

20. Pimp other authors’ books, too. Many of them will reciprocate.

Remember that this is all for the purpose of entertainment. Have fun Tweeting, and your readers will catch your enthusiasm.

Check out Sally's books, blog and other writing at http://sallybosco.com and follow her tweets at http://twitter.com/SallyBosco . Watch for her young adult paranormal romance, The Werecat Chronicles, to be published in May.

Heidi's Pick Six Interview with Jeff Young

HEIDI'S PICK SIX


Jeff Young

1. Which of your characters is your favorite?
Right now I would say it is Kassandra Leyden, the spiritualist from the series of steampunk stories that I’ve written recently. She’s smart, observant and dangerous in a very common sense sort of way. In other words, she quickly evaluates a situation and plans ahead whereas most of her compatriots tend to charge right in. But favorite characters are like favorite music to me- it’s more of a du jour type thing.

2. Tell me about your travels.
3. Coffee, tea, or milk?

4. What else can you do besides write?
I’ve done some acting as well as scriptwriting. Friends and I did a black and white short, The Space Stone, that was shown at Balticon and we’re working on the follow up. I’m also a teacher for a summer camp called Step Back in Time that prepares kids for their first time at the Renaissance Faire.

Dreamwrights Youth and Family Theater calls on me occasionally for props and costuming.

5. Who are you reading right now?
I’m catching up on some Bruce Sterling that I somehow missed: Heavy Weather, Distraction and Globalhead. On the nonfiction side I finished Moby Duck not too long ago, which was an odd look at the fate of 28,880 plastic toys lost in the Pacific.

6. Pop culture or academia?

7. What is the toughest scene you ever wrote?
That’s actually not an easy question. To me the scenes usually aren’t tough to write, the tough part comes in when I am going back over it again to make sure that it flows, makes sense and that it really achieves what I want. I think that action scenes are probably the toughest because I tend to look at things from a very theatrical angle and get caught up in trying to show the reader the complete picture that’s in my head. You simply can’t do that unless you are filming it and you’re losing the opportunity to have the reader co-experience the moment by adding his or her own interpretation to things. I wrote an action scene in a cyberpunk story called “Brought Down Under Heaven” where a person was in a pool at the top of a building. One side of the pool had a glass wall and an aircraft was flown into the wall spilling out all of the water and people in the pool while the main character tried to escape. I could see the whole thing in my imagination and it was a struggle to decide what to keep and what to remove. It still remains the one scene I would love to find a way to film.

8. Where do you find your inspirations to write?
9. Food you could eat everyday.
10. Are you into sports or other physical activities?
11. What kind of music speaks to you?

12. Do you outline your stories or do they just take you along for the ride?
Stories I typically let take me for the ride, but I won’t write them until I have enough of the pieces to reach a critical mass. So I do have to take notes in order to keep the pieces together. As for novels, I tend to put together a list of chapters and try to make the working names evocative enough so that I remember the main crux of the action and then of course tack notes onto each chapter.

13. Celebrity crush.

14. Who are the biggest influences on your work?
Iain M. Banks - for his amazing large-scale imagination that still never loses sight of humor.

Larry Niven - another creator who works in epic proportions and does a fantastic job of imagining alien life.

Edgar Rice Burroughs - for sheer ability to entertain without concern for the absolute ‘whys’ of the way things might work.

15. Do you still watch cartoons?

Jeff Young is a bookseller first and a writer second – although he wouldn’t mind a reversal of fortune.

He received a Writers of the Future award for "Written in Light" which appears in the 26th L.Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Anthology . He’s been published in: Realms, Neuronet, Trail of Indiscretion, Cemetery Moon and Carbon14. Jeff contributed to the anthologies By Other Means , Clockwork Chaos and In an Iron Cage: The Magic of Steampunk, all to be released in early 2011. Jeff has led the Watch the Skies SF&F Discussion Group for ten years.