Jennifer Brozek's Blog, page 67
May 3, 2012
Newest book cover
(Crossposted from Jennifer Brozek)
Cover design by Ivan Ewert
Industry Talk is a collection of two previously published columns by Jennifer Brozek, Dice & Deadlines and The Making of an Anthology. The collection also contains brand-new content including step-by-step instructions on how to pitch an anthology and advice on managing a freelance career.
Published by Apocalypse Ink Productions.
April 26, 2012
Guest Blog
(Crossposted from Jennifer Brozek)
I'm over at editor Gabrielle Harbowy's blog talking about Five Truths About Publishing that Nobody Told Me.
My life would have been better had I known them.
Productive
I am also working a lot on Apocalypse Ink Productions. We have our regular "get on the same page" meeting on Wednesdays. And things are moving in multiple projects. I'm pleased and not yet overwhelmed.
I have enough to do that I am working to a specific schedule these days. It's wonderful and busy but not yet to the juggling chainsaws stage. Though, I can see it in the distance.
I have contracts for four anthologies (Beast Within 3, Beast Within 4, Coins of Chaos, Dangers Untold) with a couple more floating in the "in progress" ether. I can already tell you that the month of September is going to be crazy. But I'm looking forward to it.
April 21, 2012
The Hole Behind Midnight Review
(Crossposted from Jennifer Brozek)
The Hole Behind Midnight by Clinton J. Boomer is best described as a fist fight between Richard Kadrey, Warren Ellis, and Neil Gaiman. It is brutal, profane, magical, surreal, and entertaining. Did I mention profane? And vulgar. Sometimes too much so for my taste but not in a way that is completely gratuitous. I enjoyed the book immensely. It’s worth buying as long as you are thick-skinned about bad language, gross descriptions upon occasion, demonic she-males and goat boys. There is a neat little mystery mixed up in it all that comes to a satisfying end—even if it is clear there is a sequel to a dangling plot.
April 17, 2012
Avoiding Con Crud
(Crossposted from Jennifer Brozek)
Some days, working in the publishing industry is tougher than others. What’s an author to do when that happens? Blog, of course. Today, I thought I would talk about why I rarely get sick during or after conventions.
Why I don’t get sick anymore comes from three bits of advice. The first is from Seanan McGuire, a good friend whom I shared a hotel room with in Australia for Worldcon and discovered her secret. The second is from someone I read on the internet… unfortunately I just can’t remember who but this person has some spectacular convention germ avoiding advice. The third is one I picked up while my best friend was in the hospital. A nurse told me about it.
Tip #1: Start taking Sambucus a couple days before the convention and take a dose of Sambucus every morning and night you are in the hotel. Made with a base of elderberry extra and virologist tested, Sambucus is a miracle. I haven’t been sick during or after a convention since before August 2010 and I’ve gone to a LOT of conventions. Heck, any time I start to feel ill, I take this awesome elixir and I either feel better immediately or my cold is shortened.
Tip #2: I really wish I could remember who posted about this but the first thing you should do every single time you enter your hotel room while at a convention is to wash your hands well. I’m talking warm water, lots of soap, and a minimum of half a minute. This gets the grim off your hands before you relax and touch your face and accidentally infect yourself with whatever is lingering on your hands.
Tip #3: Keep your hands as clean as possible when you are in public. Cleaning your hands frequently with a sanitizer helps. It may only last a bit but it kills a lot of what is already on your hand especially after handling something like a hotel menu. Avoid touching door handles and elevator buttons. I’ve found that I tend to use the outside of my sleeve for those jobs.
And that’s it. Sambucus, wash your hands, protect your hands. Your body will thank you and all of the people you don’t get sick will thank you.
April 9, 2012
Apocalypse Ink Productions
(Crossposted from Jennifer Brozek)
Blog: New small press - Apocalypse Ink Productions - http://t.co/8cwCqL6w @apocalypseink
Just announced the new small press company owned and operated by me and the Husband. The website is live. It is a brand new shiny. I hope you'll come along for the ride.
March 27, 2012
Norwescon Schedule
(Crossposted from Jennifer Brozek)
I am not manning a table this year. So, if you want to meet up with me, ping me before the convention or give me a call/text during the convention. Do not be afraid to come say hello or to ask me questions.
Thursday 8 pm Cascade 11
Big Press, Small Press, or Self-Publishing?
Each publishing method has pros and cons. Come find out what they are and share your experiences.
Patrick Swenson (M), Jennifer Brozek, Donna Barr, Bruce Taylor
Thursday 9:30 pm Cascade 1
Jennifer Brozek reads The Lady of Seeking in the City of Waiting
Crossed genre fantasy-horror Rated PG
Jennifer Brozek
Thursday 10 pm Cascade 7
Writing Tie-In Fiction
Many video games today have accompanying fiction which often provides a more detailed storyline of current events as well as past or future action. Many role-playing games have companion novel series expanding their worlds with characters, cities, and events that become canon. Join our panelists as they discuss how a game’s setting is translated into a novel that, in turn, gives back to the game.
James L. Sutter (M), Jennifer Brozek, Erik Scott de Bie
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Friday 8 pm Cascade 7
Gamers are Saving the World...
Is gaming becoming a positive force in the world? Dr. Jane McGonigal thinks so, in her book “Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make us Better and How they Can Change the World”. How is this so? Recently video-game players solved a molecular puzzle that stumped scientists for years. The Child's Play charity donates toys and games to hospitalized children around the world. Join our panelists in discussing how gaming encourages us to make a difference and make the world a better place.
Julie Haehn (M), Jennifer Brozek, Satyros Phil Brucato, Joshua Howard
Friday 9pm – Midnight Presidential Suite Friday Night Theme Party
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Saturday 11 am
Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading
Come hear a wide range of Broad Universe women read from a selection of their work.
Saturday 1 pm Cascade 7
The Horror Short
In books and movies, what is the difference between a novel and short story, and a feature and a short film?
Eric Morgret (M), Jennifer Brozek, Steve Holetz
Saturday 2 pm Evergreen 1&2
Women in Gaming
Our all-female panel discusses gaming concepts that attract girls, what girl gamers are looking for in games, and how to get more girls into games. They will also discuss the growing presence / awareness of women playing and designing games, and their struggles with working in the industry. If you are a woman interested in working in this industry, our panelists want to encourage you!
Julie Haehn (M), Jessica "GiGi" Blair, Jennifer Brozek, Claire Hummel
Saturday 1:30-3:30pm Fairwood Writer Workshop Social – Presidential Suite
Saturday 9pm – Midnight Presidential Suite Spotlight Publisher Party – DAW Books
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Sunday Noon Cascade 7
Independent and Small Press Publishing
Thinking about starting up a small press? What do you need to know? Where do you find authors and artists? What niche do your books fill? Do you need a million bucks, or will a couple hundred do? How do you get what you publish into stores? Are independent small press projects financially viable in today's market?
Sandra Damiana Buskirk (M), Jennifer Brozek, Patrick Swenson, Scott Gable
March 20, 2012
Admiration of Ken Scholes
(Crossposted from Jennifer Brozek)
Occasionally, I talk about people I admire. Today, my admiration goes to author Ken Scholes. Ken is the author of two fabulous book collections, the Psalms of Isaak novels, and numerous other fiction stories and non-fiction articles. He is also father to two lovely girls and husband to a lovely woman.
Ken has been through a number of tragedies in the last couple of years. These tragedies have affected him as a person and as an author. It was rough going for him but he was still always a kind and considerate man.
That is not the only reason I admire him.
I watch his posts and one thing Ken does so well is to do “a little bit every day.” He does this in his writing, his exercise, and caring for his girls. (Well, okay, the girls keep him very busy.) It is this determined consistency that I prize and admire.
He had serious physical injury that laid him up for a bit. However, when he was able to start exercising again, he did. A little bit every day. I follow him on Facebook, I am used to his posts where he said things like, “Got 2.5 miles on the stationary bike today.” He doesn’t run marathons or bike incredible amounts but what he does is get up on that bike and exercise regularly, consistently, and persistently.
Ken also does this with his writing. During some of the rougher times in his life, he was not able to write. However, when he was well enough to start writing again, he did. 300 words here. 600 words there. 500 words there. This is not a huge amount of words. I can drop 500 words in an hour when I’m writing. But, again, he has been consistent. As he’s gotten better, his word counts have gone up. But I still see the occasional 700 or 800 word day and all I can think is “You go, Ken.”
It’s this consistent determination to succeed in all that he does that I admire. He works hard for his words, his family, and his health. This is something I notice every single time he makes a post.
March 19, 2012
Nothing to see here...
(Crossposted from Jennifer Brozek)
This is not the post you are looking for.
Move along.
(Blog crossposting test.)
March 12, 2012
Travel
While we do acknowledge the elopement right around the time of it, we only really celebrate it on leap years. Otherwise, we stick to the formal wedding ceremony date. (And celebrate on April 1st,too, because it is halfway in-between the two dates—any reason to celebrate our love is a good one.)
This year, Jeff planned a short trip to Orcas Island. It was lovely from what I remember. Problem was, I got sick on the way to Orcas, and things just got worse. We basically had one queasy day there, and then I was out for the count with a stomach flu that had symptoms too yucky to detail. By the next day, I asked to go home. I then spent the next three days in the comfy chair in Jeff's office watching him play SW:TOR or napping. That got me well enough for my next trip.
The Rainforest Village Writers Retreat is always the start of my convention season. 38 authors, 5 days, writing, 2 daily panels, writing, socializing, and more writing. It is absolutely a wonderful, productive time. I love it. This year, I was one of the speakers and, of course, I spoke on all things anthologies related. Which is good because I've just signed contracts for four more semi-pro anthologies this year.
I also wrote about 7700 words (66 pages) on The Ghost's Talisman, the script for the photo graphic novel that Amber Clark and I will be producing later this year. Officially, I have Draft Zero of the first three issues and will finish the final issue this week. Then, I will let it stew while I complete Alpha Reader edits on YA novel #1.
By the end of March, I want to be back on the graphic novel to make it Draft One and then hand it off to Amber for her thoughts.
Also, April brings with it Norwescon where I will be a panelist. And you can find my schedule here.
