The Volcano Lair discussion
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My second novel, 'The Coincidence Authority,' just hit the bookshops this month, and I'm anxiously waiting for the goodread reviews. Book Three, 'Not Forgetting the Whale,' is in manuscript and planned for a 2015 launch date. I'm reading a YA book, 'She is not Invisible' by Marcus Sedgwick (and loving it) because we share the same publisher, and we're planning an online conversation between the two of us on the subject of 'coincidence.'
Thanks for the invitation J.M.! Pleasure to be here :)I'm a writer, editor and designer for works of horror, sci-fi and fantasy. I have my own self-published works and also work with a digital publisher that produces digital "gamebooks" (Fighting Fantasy kinda gamebooks if you know those: if not, think choose-your-own-adventure books but with "Dungeons and Dragons" elements like dice and a character sheet). I'm also an IT developer (the day job) and have a background in entomology and statistics.
Current writing projects include finishing the editing/rewriting/design of a fantasy gamebook for release soon, a musical album based on my horror novel, producing the digital adaption of an iconic gamebook series from the eighties, and then a sequel to my sci-fi gamebook that was released last year...
Cheers,
Brewin (also known as Andrew Drage)
P.s. I'm pretty bad at getting around to spending much time on Goodreads, but I know I need to engage here more often!
Thanks for the invite, JM, though I can't help but wonder if you have a nefarious ulterior motive...oh, who am I kidding, of course you do.Ken Mooney, published my first book Godhead in March of this year, a dark fantasy about Greek gods in the present day. Currently working on the sequel, and a separate non-fiction book about thoughts and theories about the end of the world. I've a couple of short stories and pieces of flash fiction in the works and...yeah, currently in the process of getting my head around doing this a lot more seriously than I am now.
Hello, everyone! My name is Mahree Moyle. I am an accountant turned author working on my second true story. I actually started a novel and halted on that to write for some friends of mine that have a great story to tell. Side tracked, but actually have three books in the fire. My book "The Kennedy Half-Dollar" was just released the end of May. It's a true crime memoir of a murder that took place in Hawaii (all true). http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...
Hello, my name is Cassandra but I write under C.M. Johnson, because at the time I began writing in 2009 I was teaching and my books are not meant for children. I am currently working on my Tales of the Fifth Guardian series. I have five books available for ebook and am proof-reading the print copy of book five. The basis of the series is simple: The survivors of the descendants of Otland Iis (Atlantis to the regular humans they began trading with eons ago) live among us in modern times with all the Power and abilities of their ancestors. They have even continued the clan wars that began before the island was destroyed. Knowledge was cherished among the people of Otland Iis and Knowledge Guardians have been born to them before, in times of major change or upheaval that affect all the clans. The Fifth Knowledge Guardian has now been born and it is her destiny to reunite the clans but even her own clan does not believe she is who she claims to be.
What's up?!?!? My name is Chris Swinney and I use the pen name of C. L. Swinney. I'm an author, blogger, detective, and social media kinda guy. My first book, Gray Ghost, came out beginning of July of this year. I have 39 reviews on amazon so far. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET REVIEWS, BUT YOU CANNOT GIVE UP!!!!! If I can help you with anything let me know. I also have a Social Media 101 group here on goodreads with 166 members to help answer social media questions!
Thanks,
Chris
Thanks,
Chris
Thanks for the invitation J.M.!I'm known as just 'Charity' locally (to all my trivia teams). I write paranormal horror, but never skimp on the bad words or naughty bits. I figure life can be gritty and horrible, so why not a fun fantasy?
I am terrible when it comes to marketing... I always feel like I'm irritating people. I have 3 reviews here on Goodreads, and 3 on Amazon (with only one in common, so at least 5 people have read my book!)
What I lack in marketing I make-up for with mad photo-editor skillz. I'm planning to do all my own covers. The current one (I'm posting just so you can see my cover):
was hand sketched by me before I put it through a photo-editor to get the mad contrast. I'm proud of my cover :)
I also have a giveaway coming up in October. (I'll elaborate more on the correct thread) and I've made 11 very awesome quote memes... the funny part: they all look like Grand Theft Auto character profiles. But It fits and I can't wait to unleash them on the world!!!
~C
P.S. J.M, A tank of squids? Squids aren't frightening. Big, inky and squishy maybe, but not frightening. What about a tank of sharks, piranhas, or even jelly fish? (Finding Nemo taught me that I sooo don't want to be thrown into a tank of jellyfish.)
Brewin wrote: "Thanks for the invitation J.M.! Pleasure to be here :)I'm a writer, editor and designer for works of horror, sci-fi and fantasy. I have my own self-published works and also work with a digital pu..."
So you... counted bugs? ;)
Hi all, I'm Jacob Whaler. Glad to meet you. By day I work as part of the capitalist economy that enslaves the masses, what I call the "Complex". By night I morph into my second identity as a writer and freedom fighter against the Complex. About three years ago, I got the bug to write a novel that had been kicking around in my head for years. Once I got going, I couldn't stop and ended up writing four long books in a series. It's my honest attempt to explain how the world works, the meaning of life and my theory of everything. The first one in the series, Stones (Data), is recently out on Amazon. The second book, Stones (Hypothesis) is currently in the hands of my editor and should be out in a couple of months. The other two are close behind.
And just the other day, I started working on another, different novel that approaches the mystery of life from another angle. At this point, I'm not sure whether it wants to be a stand-alone or the beginning of another series.
I have too many ideas for novels and not enough time to write them all.
What I am discovering is that writing is the easy and fun part of this game. Getting the attention of the masses is not so easy. I'm happy to hear about marketing ideas that work. I have a suspicion that marketing one's book to other writers can only take one so far. Pats on the back all around don't seem to do a lot for sales. But you have to start somewhere, and it's good to have a group to share ideas.
Does anyone have a close connection with Peter Jackson? My novel is crying out for him to make it into a movie . . .
Jacob Whaler
Thanks for the invitation J.M. My name is Kyra Dune and I write fantasy fiction (adult and YA). I also make cover art and video book trailers. Right now, I'm working on six novels. Two high fantasy, two urban fantasy, and two YA fantasy.
Greetings and thanks for the invite!Am presently knee deep in my sequel to Vampsov 1938, a vampire hunting novel set in the USSR. My heroine is an agent of the KGB. I also write SF, fantasy and a bit of horror too.
Oh, and I'm published by Omnium Gatherum who have an awesome roster of writers. Do check them out!!
Thanks for the invite! My name is Danelle Smith...aka D.J Smith. I write in the Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Horror and Erotica Genres. Currently i'm outlining and i'm planning on writing my first novel (urban dark fantasy) in November for NaNoWriMo. Outside of writing i'm a single mother who will be working for the government starting late October.
Thank you for the invite. My name is Lori Meckley (same as my author name) I write dark erotica, suspense and romance. I have two novels out. Morgan's Diary and The Butterfly House. I work a real job as well as write. I am currently working on books to tie in with both my published work as well as another set.
Since publishing The Butterfly house a few weeks ago I have been dealing with book pirating so much I feel like I'm on kill zone mode. If anyone has any advice or help dealing with this scum please let me know.
Happy to be here :)
J.M. Thank you for inviting me and not the federal authorities. (Checks over shoulder) I swear not to tell them and look forward to hanging with you all. That is hanging out ok? I write frill-less historical romance, I call it smexy, have two books out this year with Etopia Press, a third to come, am busy on two others and am thrilled to meet you all.
Thanks for the invite, JM!My name is SG Night. I'm 18 years old, hailing from the Northern Virginia/DC area. I've been a writer for as long as I can remember, and just recently I published my debut fantasy novel "Attrition: the First Act of Penance" through CreateSpace and Kindle Direct Publishing.
Thanks for the invite :)I'm fantasy author Deborah Jay - riding on a high as just sold my 1000th copy of my debut novel, only 10 weeks after publication.
THE PRINCE'S MAN http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18...
is epic fantasy, and my next novel, an urban fantasy is due out in December.
Exciting times!
My first novel The Sharing Moon is a story that involves two teens, the complexity of depression and receiving second chances. There is a lot of mystery and I classify it as fantasy-romance-suspense. The Sharing Moon is available in eBook and paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo. The Google Playstore is very, very slow. So is Apple. Great to meet everyone! The Sharing Moon
Hi! Thank you for the invitation to join this group, J.M.
I look forward to checking out this group.
I look forward to checking out this group.
Hi, thanks for the invite. I'm D.C., I write m/m romance, I have several titles out on Kindle, and I recently had a novel accepted by MLR press and am in edits.
Thanks for the invite J.M. Nice to meet a super villian and thumbs up on the Cash4Corpses ideas. I don't have any lying around at the moment but give me or day or two. They tend to pile up quickly. During the day I am a Behavior Analyst and like most writers my nights and weekends are filled with writing and editing and banging my head on my desk.
I love to read anything M/M romance. I am reading some great stories for the Rainbow Awards. I am also listening to Kindred Hearts by Rowan Speedwell for the second time (I highly recommend this M/M historical novel).
My first M/M paranormal novel will be coming out after the beginning of the year with Rooster and Pig Publishing. It will answer the question of how Curiosity Killed Shaney (yes,that's the title)
I have a couple shorts coming out in anthologies as well. The next one is "Waiting for Snow" which can be found in the Christmas anthology coming out Dec 1st at Love Lane Books.
Hi,I'm Diana Anderson. I write southern suspense, mystery, romance, all with a dab of humor. In other words... southern Gothic. I'm originally from Oklahoma, but now live in north Mississippi. I'm a photographer and portrait artist. I have five novels available now. My latest was released last week, Famous in a Small Town.
I'm looking forward to getting to know each of you and wish everyone the best in their career in writing.
"Brewin wrote: "Thanks for the invitation J.M.! Pleasure to be here :)I'm a writer, editor and designer for works of horror, sci-fi and fantasy. I have my own self-published works and also work wi..."
Charity wrote: "So you... counted bugs? ;) "
That I did! Even considered going back to doing a PhD next year, but that would have meant putting a few writing projects on ice (including commitments to publishers) so maybe in a year or two's time ;)
Mod
Man. I'm always a touch envious when I read about writers such as yourself. My path has been Indie all the way, and, of course, the grass always looks greener.
Good luck to you!!
Mod
I'm a writer, editor and designer for works of horror, sci-fi and fantasy. I have my own self-published works and also work with a digital pu..."
You DO need to engage here more often!!
Game design is my thing, most all of my stories started as games. I would be very interested in hearing more!
Do you know of gamebooks? Like Fighting Fantasy? (If not think of choose-your-own-adventure books but with "Dungeons and Dragons" elements like dice and character sheets)...Well I write, edit and design for Tin Man Games that produces the digital Gamebook Adventures series (available on iOS, Android, PC and Mac), which also has the digital license for Fighting Fantasy, among other series like Grailquest.
I could go on, but if you're interested have a look at www.gamebookadventures.com or my own site www.thebrewin.com to get more of an idea about some of the things I do :)
Mod
Behavioral analyst, Huh? It's always good to have a secret Identity....
Mod
I'm fantasy author Deborah Jay - riding on a high as just sold my 1000th copy of my debut novel, only 10 weeks after publication.
THE PRINCE'S MAN http://www.goodreads.com/..."
I'm struggling there. I am constantly told I've written wonderful things- but getting the world to hear about that has been a different story altogether.
I'd love to hear more about what you did.
Mod
..."
There is no such thing as a "Creativity Siphon", and even if I did have one in your house, It would take me like 20 minutes to download all the brilliance during which you would probably catch me.
Mod
I am a HUGE believer in the power of stories to change the world. That's part of why I created this group- I'm looking for folks who share my philosophy. Probably the best place to read about you and your awesome world changing power is here.
I'm really hoping we can make this a place where we can help each other, trade reviews, and all decide to join my army of despair.
Hi all. Thanks for the the invitation to join, J.M. A little about me - I write dark fiction, horror, whatever you want to call it. By day, I write and design in the corporate world and manage eCommerce.
I'm new to the published side of fiction, a few short stories appear in recent and upcoming anthologies. And I'm currently finishing my MFA in Professional and Creative Writing.
Mod
A little about me - I write dark fiction, horror, whatever you want to call it. By day, I write and design in the corporate world and manage eC..."
LOVE Dark fiction! Pleased to meet you!
Mod
My debut novel is Hand of Chaos. It's about a bu..."
Hand of Chaos looks like something up my alley! I'll have to check it out!
Hello, everyone. (Thanks for the invitation, J.M.!) My name is Leah St. James. I write a blend of romance/suspense and have four published novels, including a children's book. (Yeah...the whole stick-with-a-genre thing has escaped me.) I write about good vs. evil in some form, whether it's FBI agents battling terrorists, or a man and woman battling physical temptations. I would describe my work as usually gritty, sometimes dark, but with some kind of happy/happier ending. Still, I tell readers, "If you're looking for fluff, don't buy my books." :-) I'm interested to see how this is going to work!
Happy to have gotten an invite to the group :) My name is Dawn J. Stevens and I've just published my first fiction novel in the fantasy genre. I've always been an avid reader, and have a strong preference to indie publishers (mainstream is so hyped and full of pre-sell fluff... sparkly vampires and billionaire romancers need not apply). Looking forward to building my bookshelf and connecting with other authors!
Thanks for the invitation. My name is Jan Scarbrough and I write romance. However, I have a new paranormal Gothic romance out in ebook formats that happens to be the best book I've written to-date. It's called Timeless and set in Louisville, Kentucky, now and in the past. I am finding it hard for my paranormal to be "discovered" because as an author, I'm better known for contemporary romance.
Thanks for inviting me! I'm the author of a book of poetry, prose, and drama, Gods of Water and Air, two books of poetry, Earth Lessons and Femme au Chapeau, and a spoken word CD, A God You Can Dance. I'm working on a play, The Impresario of Ecstasy, a time travel romance involving the great Baroque sculptor, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and also a time travel novel, Ethereal Archaeology. Delighted to be part of this interesting group!
Thanks for the invite~! I completed my first novel Finding My Way. I am currently trying to put together a plan for a full series of books. I also teach a writing class in my spare time. I have a couple of really talented students that i am sure you will all hear of later! :)
I homeschool my children and keep a blog. http://findingmywayinfo.wordpress.com
I also work with a great group of writers, readers and editors on a website designed to help Indie Authors. They offer critiquing, editing and marketing services. It has been great fun as I get to read a lot of great authors works! Also its fun because I really enjoy editing. Most people don't however its my thing. I cannot edit my own writing though. I cant stop myself from skimming. :)
http://indieauthorsassistant.wordpres...
I am an avid reader and have many favorite authors.
So thats me.... :)
I live in Kansas City. I have 18 works on Goodreads with 79 ratings and a 4.29 average. My works are all over the genre map from one political comedy, to dark (very dark) suspense, literary, dystopia, coming of age, sci-fi. Oct. 7 Curiosity Quills will publish two of my stories in their anthology, Prime Time. Oct. 25, they will publish "Tortured Truths," the first of two books in a mystery/suspense series with the second, "Heart Chants," coming out Dec. 20. I'm at work on two projects just now. One is set in the near future, "Stop Time" and the other, "The Fat Cat," is a contemporary hard boiled mystery featuring a tough female protagonist who manages a strip club.
Thanks for the invite! I wandered over from /r/fantasy.I'm Scott Marlowe, fantasy author of The Alchemancer novels and the Assassin Without a Name series of shorts. When I'm not writing, I'm playing software engineer or just playing.
The next (second) book in The Alchemancer series is due to arrive December 2013, so I've been busy putting wraps on that of late. Next, I'd like to get back to my Assassin series. The shorts are told in the first person and they're a lot of fun to write.
Looking forward to meeting others in the group!
Hello all! Thanks for inviting me, JM. My name is Jaeme and I'm an indie writer. As a native Floridian, my view of life is always skewed towards southern sensibilities. Fortunately, the deep south is full of stories. I think of myself as a mystery/adventure writer but I use a touch of the paranormal now and then. My first novel Groundfog went online at the beginning of 2013, followed by a collection of travel essays in April. I'm working on another adventure novel Goldhead and I hope to have it ready by February of 2014.
J.M. wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Thanks for the invite :)I'm fantasy author Deborah Jay - riding on a high as just sold my 1000th copy of my debut novel, only 10 weeks after publication.
THE PRINCE'S MAN http://ww..."
What did I do to get those sales? Only what we as Indie writers are told we should do - blog, facebook, tweet, goodreads.
In some ways maybe I have a small head start as I'm a trad published non-fiction author, and I'm used to pushing my own books - I have no shame when it comes to getting someone to buy my products because I believe in them!
So I blogged and fb'd and tweeted all about my excitement in the lead up to the release, paid for a cover reveal, held a fb release party and gave away some copies, and then tried some small (cheap) ads in various places (fb, blogs, newsletters) - nothing over $20 max, most less.
And I've kept up the excitement in the same way. I think the best tactic was going for it on release, because I got into the Hot 100 New Releases, and the sales keep coming. Tailing off a bit now, so just about to go on a blog tour....
It's social media and small ads all the way :)
Hi, thanks for the invite. I'm Raine Watling and I write both erotic and contemporary romance. I just self-pubished my first erotic romance Taming Alyssa. Currently, I am working on a western. By day, I am a customer service manager, by trade I'm an IT tech. I'm always looking for advice and input on pimping my work.
Thanks for the invite J.M. We are Rhea and Rory James, mother and daughter scifi/fantasy writers. We are building a brand new website for our blog, writing efforts and our geek culture interests and hobbies. Looking forward to connecting with other readers and writers through this group!
I'm giving away 3 paperback copies of my paranormal Gothic romance TANGLED MEMORIES on Goodreads to promote my ebook TIMELESS, also a paranormal Gothic romance.
Brewin wrote: ""Brewin wrote: "Thanks for the invitation J.M.! Pleasure to be here :)I'm a writer, editor and designer for works of horror, sci-fi and fantasy. I have my own self-published works and also work w..."
Brewin wrote: ""Brewin wrote: "Thanks for the invitation J.M.! Pleasure to be here :)
I'm a writer, editor and designer for works of horror, sci-fi and fantasy. I have my own self-published works and also work w..."
Please tell me that you incorporate bugs into your stories! I've always thought the creepiest stuff comes from those that know what they're talking about ;)
Gonna have to keep an eye out for you...
~C
Charity wrote: "Please tell me that you incorporate bugs into your stories! I've always thought the creepiest stuff comes from those that know what they're talking about ;)Gonna have to keep an eye out for you...
~C "
Believe it or not I haven't yet (though I deal with a very different sort of bug as an IT developer haha)
I would like to do a fantasy one day based on warring ant tribes though, i.e. something kinda like Game of Thrones say but with ant colonies and communal minds... That'd be different wouldn't it?
p.s. It's 1am over here in the land downunder so I'm about to crash, but I'm keeping an eye on this thread (about the only one I'm across at the moment on Goodreads)
Hi all and thanks JM for the invite. My name is Stephanie Brooks and I write urban fantasy with occasional dips into the sci-fi realm. I have two ebooks out right now and am proofing the print edition of the second and editing a sci-fi manuscript right now.
Hello, all,William Stacey here. Former soldier, lover of adventure and horror books.
I've just published my first novel, Black Monastery, a Vikings versus the supernatural historical fantasy.
Now, I'm working on wrapping my head around marketing and social media, but, admittedly, it's slow going.
Personally, I think it's time to move on to the next book, a pulp-type novella and short story collection.
Deborah wrote: "J.M. wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Thanks for the invite :)I'm fantasy author Deborah Jay - riding on a high as just sold my 1000th copy of my debut novel, only 10 weeks after publication.
THE PRINCE'S ..."
Deborah,
did you work off a list of effective market sites for your small ads? If so, could you share that list?
By the way, I saw your book and bio and market plan on skill shares. Glad to hear it's been working out well for you.
The Volcano Lair
Books mentioned in this topic
Embers & Ice (other topics)Rouge (other topics)
The Face Stealer (other topics)
Light in the Gloaming (other topics)
The Midnight Carnival: One Night Only (other topics)
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I'll be back on later, and write out one myself.