Sean Kavanagh's Blog, page 9
September 11, 2014
What next? Books from Sean Kavanagh
Hi.
I realize things have chopped and changed a bit recently - mainly due to things beyond my control - so as a few people have asked, here is a run down of my books.
> 'Fiction on Foreign Planets': (short story collection) Published on Kindle now /Kobo version TBC
> 'A Country Fit for Zeros':(short story collection) Published on Kindle now /Kobo version TBC
> 'The Human Incident':(short story collection) To be published 1st October 2014/ Kobo version 15th October
> 'The Handover': (novel) To be published on Kindle 15th December 2014
> 'White Lies for the Dead':(novel) To be published late spring 2014
cheers
SK
I realize things have chopped and changed a bit recently - mainly due to things beyond my control - so as a few people have asked, here is a run down of my books.
> 'Fiction on Foreign Planets': (short story collection) Published on Kindle now /Kobo version TBC
> 'A Country Fit for Zeros':(short story collection) Published on Kindle now /Kobo version TBC
> 'The Human Incident':(short story collection) To be published 1st October 2014/ Kobo version 15th October
> 'The Handover': (novel) To be published on Kindle 15th December 2014
> 'White Lies for the Dead':(novel) To be published late spring 2014
cheers
SK
September 3, 2014
New thriller 'The Handover' coming Xmas 2014
Hello
I've been forced to slightly change my publishing schedule due to the mighty God of Re-Writes, so my crime thriller "White Lies for the Dead" will now be published late Spring 2014.
However, I'm excited that I will still have a new full-length thriller publishing this year called "The Handover".
'The Handover' is an off-beat cold war thriller set in the early 70s. ( Fans of the TV series '24' and 'The Americans' will get a real buzz from it. )
more details soon, including the cover art...
cheers
SK
I've been forced to slightly change my publishing schedule due to the mighty God of Re-Writes, so my crime thriller "White Lies for the Dead" will now be published late Spring 2014.
However, I'm excited that I will still have a new full-length thriller publishing this year called "The Handover".
'The Handover' is an off-beat cold war thriller set in the early 70s. ( Fans of the TV series '24' and 'The Americans' will get a real buzz from it. )
more details soon, including the cover art...
cheers
SK
August 18, 2014
New Cover Art for "A Country Fit for Zeros"
Hello.
As it's been out for a couple of months, I thought it might be fun to refresh my second science fiction short collection with a new cover, courtesy of Richard Ellis (@bookartguy).
It follows the same theme as before - 70s textbook style - but with bolder colours ( as you can see below).
If you're interested, I've also included the Kindle links.
thanks for reading
cheers
SK
Kindle Links:
UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Country-Fit-Zeros-Sean-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00LMI4K6O/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404895694&sr=1-1&keywords=a+country+fit+for+zeros
USA
http://www.amazon.com/Country-Fit-Zeros-Sean-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00LMI4K6O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404896201&sr=8-2&keywords=sean+kavanagh
As it's been out for a couple of months, I thought it might be fun to refresh my second science fiction short collection with a new cover, courtesy of Richard Ellis (@bookartguy).
It follows the same theme as before - 70s textbook style - but with bolder colours ( as you can see below).
If you're interested, I've also included the Kindle links.
thanks for reading
cheers
SK
Kindle Links:UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Country-Fit-Zeros-Sean-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00LMI4K6O/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404895694&sr=1-1&keywords=a+country+fit+for+zeros
USA
http://www.amazon.com/Country-Fit-Zeros-Sean-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00LMI4K6O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404896201&sr=8-2&keywords=sean+kavanagh
August 13, 2014
The Death of the Short Story?
Short stories.
I've loved them since, well, since I could read. And growing up, they made a huge impact on me. I usually had a short story book on the go most of the time. Stephen King's 'Skeleton Crew', Clive Barker's 'Books of Blood' or some other short collection was always on my beside table alongside whatever novel I was reading.
But then, for a variety of reasons, they went out of fashion. Or at least they disappeared from the shelves of my local bookshops (before the bookshops themselves disappeared.). The magazines I also bought for their short fiction also dropped out view one by one.
When I first heard about e-books a few years back, my first thought (hope?) was: hey, maybe short stories will make a comeback! Thinking about it logically: people are busier, looking for ever quicker forms of entertainment. Surely, short stories fit that bill perfectly?
Seems not. Books have, against trend, been getting longer and longer sprouting series and spin-offs as they go. People seem to like big, complex books. That's where 'the market' is.
So, why to I still write and publish short stories? Simply: I love them. I love the way they let you experiment. Sometimes, they're short and almost silly. And that is part of their charm. Plus, they don't outstay there welcome: an idea that needs only a few pages to bloom, should, only be a few pages long.
I'm not though a zealot or stupid (or that stupid). I've a finished long form crime novel "White Lies for the Dead" finished and being prepared for a launch at the end of the year - and I'm halfway through writing a second one "The Handover".
But I'll still keep putting out short fiction e-books from time to time, hoping that the other fans of short stories out there get a kick out of them.
cheers
Sean
I've loved them since, well, since I could read. And growing up, they made a huge impact on me. I usually had a short story book on the go most of the time. Stephen King's 'Skeleton Crew', Clive Barker's 'Books of Blood' or some other short collection was always on my beside table alongside whatever novel I was reading.
But then, for a variety of reasons, they went out of fashion. Or at least they disappeared from the shelves of my local bookshops (before the bookshops themselves disappeared.). The magazines I also bought for their short fiction also dropped out view one by one.
When I first heard about e-books a few years back, my first thought (hope?) was: hey, maybe short stories will make a comeback! Thinking about it logically: people are busier, looking for ever quicker forms of entertainment. Surely, short stories fit that bill perfectly?
Seems not. Books have, against trend, been getting longer and longer sprouting series and spin-offs as they go. People seem to like big, complex books. That's where 'the market' is.
So, why to I still write and publish short stories? Simply: I love them. I love the way they let you experiment. Sometimes, they're short and almost silly. And that is part of their charm. Plus, they don't outstay there welcome: an idea that needs only a few pages to bloom, should, only be a few pages long.
I'm not though a zealot or stupid (or that stupid). I've a finished long form crime novel "White Lies for the Dead" finished and being prepared for a launch at the end of the year - and I'm halfway through writing a second one "The Handover".
But I'll still keep putting out short fiction e-books from time to time, hoping that the other fans of short stories out there get a kick out of them.
cheers
Sean
August 3, 2014
People are Strange?
Hello
A few of the recent reviews and conversations I've had with people about my writing have hit on the buttons labelled 'strange' or 'warped'. Which, I think, is a compliment as it's better than saying your work is the product of a banal mind. Or maybe they just did think I was weirdo.
Truth is, I've always thought that the banality of day to day life - and my life is rather ordinary - pushed your mind into odd flights of fantasy. For me that started when I was a kid.
Sitting my English language exams at the age of 15, I remember being given the essay title 'The Last Bus Home". I dutifully scribbled out my 1500 words of imagination and scraped home with a 'C' grade. I remember afterward discussing what we'd all written in the exam. Most people had written fairly normal stories (no doubt with better grammar and structure than mine).
I wrote about being snowed into Croydon bus station with zombies. Of course, I didn't really know what zombies were back then - this is 20 years before they became fashionable - so my zombies were mutants from leaks at the local gas plant (which had exploded a few years earlier in real life).
I imagine the person from the exam board who marked my paper would probably have failed me on most days, but the story of a schoolboy evading zombies as a blizzard raged was probably a respite from the other essays about journeys to see grannie or going to the vet with a sick dog. I'm convinced that my early foray into weirdness probably got me through English and let me continue my education.
I'd love to get that essay back from the exam board one day. I know it would be awful, but that's OK.
Stay strange.
SK
A few of the recent reviews and conversations I've had with people about my writing have hit on the buttons labelled 'strange' or 'warped'. Which, I think, is a compliment as it's better than saying your work is the product of a banal mind. Or maybe they just did think I was weirdo.
Truth is, I've always thought that the banality of day to day life - and my life is rather ordinary - pushed your mind into odd flights of fantasy. For me that started when I was a kid.
Sitting my English language exams at the age of 15, I remember being given the essay title 'The Last Bus Home". I dutifully scribbled out my 1500 words of imagination and scraped home with a 'C' grade. I remember afterward discussing what we'd all written in the exam. Most people had written fairly normal stories (no doubt with better grammar and structure than mine).
I wrote about being snowed into Croydon bus station with zombies. Of course, I didn't really know what zombies were back then - this is 20 years before they became fashionable - so my zombies were mutants from leaks at the local gas plant (which had exploded a few years earlier in real life).
I imagine the person from the exam board who marked my paper would probably have failed me on most days, but the story of a schoolboy evading zombies as a blizzard raged was probably a respite from the other essays about journeys to see grannie or going to the vet with a sick dog. I'm convinced that my early foray into weirdness probably got me through English and let me continue my education.
I'd love to get that essay back from the exam board one day. I know it would be awful, but that's OK.
Stay strange.
SK
July 31, 2014
Reviews for "A Country Fit for Zeros"
Hello.
Thought I'd share some reviews for my new collection "A Country Fit for Zeros" which is averaging about 4.75/5 on Amazon across their sites.
From Amazon UK
"I liked everything about this collection. From the dark tone of the stories to the pop culture references hidden in the text (spot the Pet Shop Boys reference if you can. I heartily recommend this book. Only problem is it is too short, want more good sci-fi now"
"A good little collection of short stories. Fog of Wharr and Old boys network were in my opinion both excellent reads making this book easy to recommend to others. Based on those two stories alone I rate this book 5 stars as they certainly highlight the imagination of this upcoming author. "
From Amazon USA:
"These were some of the strangest, most odd stories I've come across in a while. I think I liked them! Mr. Kavanagh seems to be a slightly warped individual! By the way, that last story about the suicide note? Yeah, it totally cracked me up! Yep, I'd recommend these stories and this author. "
From Book Blogger - Sean Smith:
Very like Sean Kavanagh's previous effort, Fiction on Foreign Planets, (also reviewed on this blog) this is a collection of very witty, very sharp, very short short stories.
Kavanagh's style of writing is excellent and perfectly suited to this genre. The brevity of the pieces is also perfectly aligned with the subject matter, as there is no wasted set-ups, or superfluous dialogue.
Each story is unique, and straight to the point. This is certainly an advantage here as the book can, and probably will, be devoured in one sitting.
As with Kavanagh's previous effort, highly recommended
Kindle Links:
UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Country-Fit-Zeros-Sean-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00LMI4K6O/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404895694&sr=1-1&keywords=a+country+fit+for+zeros
USA
http://www.amazon.com/Country-Fit-Zeros-Sean-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00LMI4K6O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404896201&sr=8-2&keywords=sean+kavanagh
cheers
SK
Thought I'd share some reviews for my new collection "A Country Fit for Zeros" which is averaging about 4.75/5 on Amazon across their sites.
From Amazon UK
"I liked everything about this collection. From the dark tone of the stories to the pop culture references hidden in the text (spot the Pet Shop Boys reference if you can. I heartily recommend this book. Only problem is it is too short, want more good sci-fi now"
"A good little collection of short stories. Fog of Wharr and Old boys network were in my opinion both excellent reads making this book easy to recommend to others. Based on those two stories alone I rate this book 5 stars as they certainly highlight the imagination of this upcoming author. "
From Amazon USA:
"These were some of the strangest, most odd stories I've come across in a while. I think I liked them! Mr. Kavanagh seems to be a slightly warped individual! By the way, that last story about the suicide note? Yeah, it totally cracked me up! Yep, I'd recommend these stories and this author. "
From Book Blogger - Sean Smith:
Very like Sean Kavanagh's previous effort, Fiction on Foreign Planets, (also reviewed on this blog) this is a collection of very witty, very sharp, very short short stories.
Kavanagh's style of writing is excellent and perfectly suited to this genre. The brevity of the pieces is also perfectly aligned with the subject matter, as there is no wasted set-ups, or superfluous dialogue.
Each story is unique, and straight to the point. This is certainly an advantage here as the book can, and probably will, be devoured in one sitting.
As with Kavanagh's previous effort, highly recommended
Kindle Links:
UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Country-Fit-Zeros-Sean-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00LMI4K6O/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404895694&sr=1-1&keywords=a+country+fit+for+zeros
USA
http://www.amazon.com/Country-Fit-Zeros-Sean-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00LMI4K6O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404896201&sr=8-2&keywords=sean+kavanagh
cheers
SK
July 29, 2014
Cover Art: "White Lies for the Dead"
Hello.
My new full length crime thriller "White Lies for the Dead" is now complete - and is currently being edited and formatted for an autumn launch. But here is a sneak of possible cover art, done by the brilliant Richard Ellis (@bookartguy) for the Kindle edition.
cheers
Sean
My new full length crime thriller "White Lies for the Dead" is now complete - and is currently being edited and formatted for an autumn launch. But here is a sneak of possible cover art, done by the brilliant Richard Ellis (@bookartguy) for the Kindle edition.
cheers
Sean
July 9, 2014
A Country Fit for Zeros - OUT NOW ON KINDLE!
Hello
It's a couple of weeks late, but "A Country Fit for Zeros" is now out on Kindle! You can pick it up using the links below.
It's price at just 77p or 99cents. Hope you enjoy it.
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Country-Fit-Zeros-Sean-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00LMI4K6O/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404895694&sr=1-1&keywords=a+country+fit+for+zeros
US: http://www.amazon.com/Country-Fit-Zeros-Sean-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00LMI4K6O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404896201&sr=8-2&keywords=sean+kavanagh
(cover art courtesy of Richard Ellis - @bookartguy)
It's a couple of weeks late, but "A Country Fit for Zeros" is now out on Kindle! You can pick it up using the links below.
It's price at just 77p or 99cents. Hope you enjoy it.
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Country-Fit-Zeros-Sean-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00LMI4K6O/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404895694&sr=1-1&keywords=a+country+fit+for+zeros
US: http://www.amazon.com/Country-Fit-Zeros-Sean-Kavanagh-ebook/dp/B00LMI4K6O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404896201&sr=8-2&keywords=sean+kavanagh
(cover art courtesy of Richard Ellis - @bookartguy)July 6, 2014
Reviews for Fiction on Foreign Planets
Hello.
I haven't really been posting reviews for my first collection, but it's been getting 4.5/5 on average on Kindle - so if you're thinking of picking the collection up, hopefully these might be useful to you.
From Amazon Australia:
"At turns high concept, satirical and frivolous.
Full of the promise, wit and ambition of the early Iain M Banks short collection.
Looking forward to more from Sean Kavanagh"
From Goodreads
"A short story collection where the word 'short' really does not do it justice. Very short, snappy slices of sci-fi, and very funny in places. The stories all follow a similar pattern, a standard sci fi set up, alien setting, or alien characters, or both, with a quirky twist at the end of each, all of which are very satisfying in their own way.
My personal favourite is one which tries (hilariously) to blame global warming on tge Roswell landings. Another about a sentient android spreading disease throughout the galaxy is intelligently written.
Overall a very quick, enjoyable read. Recommended."
From Kindle UK
"An excellent collection of imaginative and well written short stories.
It's fair to say that this stands up well against any of the recent bookshop titles I've purchased in this genre and I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
Great value for money and highly reccomended! "
UK Kindle Link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fiction-Foreign-Planets-Quick-Reads-ebook/dp/B00JOTG5BG/ref=la_B00KDM3PMU_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407429239&sr=1-1
US Kindle Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Fiction-Foreign-Planets-Quick-Reads-ebook/dp/B00JOTG5BG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407429275&sr=8-1&keywords=Sean+Kavanagh
I haven't really been posting reviews for my first collection, but it's been getting 4.5/5 on average on Kindle - so if you're thinking of picking the collection up, hopefully these might be useful to you.
From Amazon Australia:
"At turns high concept, satirical and frivolous.
Full of the promise, wit and ambition of the early Iain M Banks short collection.
Looking forward to more from Sean Kavanagh"
From Goodreads
"A short story collection where the word 'short' really does not do it justice. Very short, snappy slices of sci-fi, and very funny in places. The stories all follow a similar pattern, a standard sci fi set up, alien setting, or alien characters, or both, with a quirky twist at the end of each, all of which are very satisfying in their own way.
My personal favourite is one which tries (hilariously) to blame global warming on tge Roswell landings. Another about a sentient android spreading disease throughout the galaxy is intelligently written.
Overall a very quick, enjoyable read. Recommended."
From Kindle UK
"An excellent collection of imaginative and well written short stories.
It's fair to say that this stands up well against any of the recent bookshop titles I've purchased in this genre and I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
Great value for money and highly reccomended! "
UK Kindle Link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fiction-Foreign-Planets-Quick-Reads-ebook/dp/B00JOTG5BG/ref=la_B00KDM3PMU_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407429239&sr=1-1
US Kindle Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Fiction-Foreign-Planets-Quick-Reads-ebook/dp/B00JOTG5BG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407429275&sr=8-1&keywords=Sean+Kavanagh
Cover Art Competition
Hello
I'm looking at different covers for my crime novel which is being published in the autumn. My wonderful designer Richard Ellis is coming up with 3 or perhaps 4 alternatives, and I'm going to hold a poll on my twitter feed @bookishchap - so keep an eye out on the blog, and on twitter, and let me know which cover you like best.
cheers
SK
I'm looking at different covers for my crime novel which is being published in the autumn. My wonderful designer Richard Ellis is coming up with 3 or perhaps 4 alternatives, and I'm going to hold a poll on my twitter feed @bookishchap - so keep an eye out on the blog, and on twitter, and let me know which cover you like best.
cheers
SK
