SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

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Members' Chat > Former Introduction Thread

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message 1851: by Sarah (new)

Sarah (wheatabix) That's just because you're used to long cold winters and long dark nights. Wouldn't the warm fire be oh so nice?


message 1852: by Jakob (new)

Jakob | 14 comments See, you take a rope, and wrap it around yourself and the pole, then close your eyes and make a wish."

Really? Well, if you're offering free wishes then i certainly can't refuse can I? :)


message 1853: by whimsicalmeerkat (new)

whimsicalmeerkat Ala wrote: "Pitchforks and Torches!"

Can't we just have a few feathers and some tar? Just this once?


message 1854: by [deleted user] (last edited Apr 13, 2011 07:48PM) (new)

Feathers and tar after we burn him at the stake let him make his 'wish'.


message 1855: by whimsicalmeerkat (new)

whimsicalmeerkat Fire? I want roasted marshmallows now, damn you!


message 1856: by [deleted user] (new)

Jakob wrote: ""J.R.R. Tolkien & C. S. Lewis have finally met their match!"

Now that's some praise! :P"


I know. I was somewhat overwhelmed and I know It's ludicrous to suggest but I promise you that neither I or my family wrote it. lol


message 1857: by [deleted user] (new)

Denae wrote: "/sigh I know I'm new here, but to me "hey go check out my site/book/facebook/Twitter/semaphore" counts as promotion and it is irritating me to a somewhat irrational degree. I just want to say hi to..."

I apologise for being 'irritating'. I merely followed the format of the previous contributor. Take or leave my comments as you see fit but please know that I had the best of intentions, even though I failed miserably.


message 1858: by whimsicalmeerkat (new)

whimsicalmeerkat Eh, don't mind me, I'm just a grumpy old lady who likes to stab at things with knitting needles and yell at kids to get off my imaginary lawn. And pet cats. Very difficult having the cats and the knitting. Maybe I can train the cats to chase the kids?

Ala, this fire isn't hot enough, I'm still cold and where are my damn marshmallows?


message 1859: by Sarah (new)

Sarah (wheatabix) Denae wrote: "Eh, don't mind me, I'm just a grumpy old lady who likes to stab at things with knitting needles and yell at kids to get off my imaginary lawn. And pet cats. Very difficult having the cats and the k..."

Forget the marshmallows; I want S'mores.


colleen the convivial curmudgeon (blackrose13) | 2721 comments Ala wrote: "This is the fifth time you've introduced yourself in this thread, Lee.

The Fifth time.

Come on, man. Stop it."


LOL

It's a shame we can't put a perma-link to "What NOT to do as an author" at the top of the page for the Intro thread.


message 1861: by [deleted user] (new)

It's just so tiresome when certain authors keep pulling crap like that.

Most may do it once as a mistake, and I can understand that completely. But when someone just says "screw it" and doesn't read the rules and just spams, it bugs the hell out of me.


colleen the convivial curmudgeon (blackrose13) | 2721 comments Well, ya know... we do have that bonfire...


message 1863: by whimsicalmeerkat (new)

whimsicalmeerkat Unless Ala/Grant's slacking on that too...forget the marshmallows, where's the damn bourbon? /mutters and pets cats


message 1864: by [deleted user] (new)

hey, HEY.

Why do I have to do everything?

Sheesh...some people...and people-like entities.


message 1865: by Tom (new)

Tom Wiseman | 2 comments Hello all,

I'm happy to be a part of this group and hope to talk with all of you soon.

Tom M. Wiseman


message 1866: by whimsicalmeerkat (new)

whimsicalmeerkat Welcome, Tom!

Ala, it's because you're such a nice young man. You and Grant both, I'm sure.


message 1867: by Al "Tank" (new)

Al "Tank" (alkalar) | 346 comments Ala wrote: "This is the fifth time you've introduced yourself in this thread, Lee.

The Fifth time.

Come on, man. Stop it."


Hi, I'm Joe Clueless. Please buy my self-published books.

Hi, I'm Joe Clueless. Did you know I have some book I've written? You can buy them here.

Hi, I'm Joe Clueless. . . .

Tacky.

If you're a writer with a book for sale (at least half the folks here probably are), please don't look on this as a billboard for your free ads. Be a real person. Participate in the topics of your choice. If you write, you probably read and that's what GoodReads is about.

Sure, you can mention your product occasionally. But you'll look a heck of a lot less like a nitwit if you do it in passing and only when "on subject".

There are as many ways to market a book as there are "experts" to tell you how. Our author blog at AKW Books has a number of articles and we have some advice in our Authors Korner (look for the marketing tab). Feel free to access the info even if you aren't published with us.

BUT the best ways to sell books (IMHO) is to start with a great cover to attract the buyer's eye and an intriguing hard-hitting title. Add a good sales pitch on the book's sales page (you can change your pitch on Amazon if you don't like the one you started with). Then MOST IMPORTANT, a "grabber" start complete with solid writing, plotting, and "can't put it down" interest throughout the book. Hopefully, you've allowed buyers to browse at least 20% of the book before they buy it.

Do all these things and you MIGHT sell some books. The public's taste is still fickle.

But for everyone's sake, don't make a pest out of yourself in places like this.


message 1868: by Jakob (new)

Jakob | 14 comments M wrote: I know. I was somewhat overwhelmed and I know It's ludicrous to suggest but I promise you th..."

hehe no worries :) I just think it's funny when critics try to compare writers to Tolkien, whether or not it is deserved you just can't contend with someone who pretty much created an entire genre.


message 1869: by Jakob (new)

Jakob | 14 comments Ala wrote: "Feathers and tar after we burn him at the stake let him make his 'wish'."

I'm getting this image in my mind of a roasted bird on a stick... hmm :P


message 1870: by [deleted user] (new)

That's two for Tom.

There should be a rule: If you're an author and the only posts you make are in the intro thread and the author folder, you're banned.


colleen the convivial curmudgeon (blackrose13) | 2721 comments Jakob wrote: "hehe no worries :) I just think it's funny when critics try to compare writers to Tolkien, whether or not it is deserved you just can't contend with someone who pretty much created an entire genre"

I think the comparison to Tolkien is a lose-lose situation.

Fans of Tolkien will see it as something of an affront, or it could raise expectations to almost unreachable heights.

People like me who find Tolkien a bit over-rated and wouldn't really see the comparison in a favorable light. (i.e. I give him props for what he created, but his writing was so boring... Talk about needing an editor! LOL)


message 1872: by Kent (new)

Kent McDaniel I've been a lover of Fantasy and Science Fiction longer than I care to admit. I like Vance, Zelazny, Asimov, Laumer, Bradbury, Sheckley, Leiber, Howard, Vonnegut, Burroughs, De Lint, Meiville, and Bacigalupi, among others. Also very much like the Harry Potter books; I've read them all twice so far. Last fantasy I read was, The City and the City, which I finished last week.


message 1873: by [deleted user] (new)

Hi again, Kent.

Don't worry, I'm not stalking you.




yet


message 1874: by Kent (new)

Kent McDaniel That's very reassuring. I think...


message 1875: by [deleted user] (new)

Hey, be glad I'm not the cannibal in the group.

If she starts stalking you, run :P

Also, what did you think of The City and The City?


message 1876: by Kent (new)

Kent McDaniel I liked it. I think that it must've been pretty tough to combine surreal fantasy with hard-boiled noir and that meiville pulled it off pretty well. All the exposition right after the opening scenes turned me off briefly, but once the book got flowing again it was pretty hard to put down.


message 1877: by Kent (new)

Kent McDaniel I gotta take off fhere, and get some supper. But I'll be back.


message 1878: by [deleted user] (new)

Enjoy your meal :)







Now I feel like a waiter...


message 1879: by Al "Tank" (new)

Al "Tank" (alkalar) | 346 comments Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "Jakob wrote: "hehe no worries :) I just think it's funny when critics try to compare writers to Tolkien, whether or not it is deserved you just can't contend with someone who pretty much created an..."

Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "Jakob wrote: "hehe no worries :) I just think it's funny when critics try to compare writers to Tolkien, whether or not it is deserved you just can't contend with someone who pretty much created an..." but his writing was so boring...

I call the series "Bored of the Rings". Interesting world and characters, but "traveling" books that plod along just don't ring my chimes. Have a similar problem with Eddings' Malloreon series, though not quite as bad.


colleen the convivial curmudgeon (blackrose13) | 2721 comments Al - Did you know there was a parody book actually called that? Bored of the Rings: A Parody of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings by Henry N. Beard.

I've never read it, but I've heard it's pretty funny.


message 1881: by Al "Tank" (new)

Al "Tank" (alkalar) | 346 comments Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "Al - Did you know there was a parody book actually called that? Bored of the Rings: A Parody of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings by Henry N. Beard.

I've never read ..."


Nope, but may have heard of it (in passing) in the dim, dark past and plagiarized the title to my own use. I have a strange memory for trivia (keeps some stuff and forgets other). And I'm getting old enough that to stuff new things in the top, something has to drop out the bottom.


message 1882: by Sarah (new)

Sarah (wheatabix) Al wrote: "Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "Jakob wrote: "hehe no worries :) I just think it's funny when critics try to compare writers to Tolkien, whether or not it is deserved you just can't contend with someo..."

I LOVED the Mallorean series. Eddings is/was one of my favourite writers, although his Dreamers series was really repetitive.


message 1883: by Filippo (new)

Filippo Bia (orsogoloso) | 2 comments Hi everyone, here's Filippo Bia from Verona, Italy. I'm a lawyer and a SciFi and Fantasy lover. I've checked your group in the past days and i like very much the atmosphere (ala's comments are fun and always enjoiable). In Italy SciFi is not really popular, so THANK GOD, for the invention of ebooks... now I can read the books I love - yet in english, damn yankees you all ;-).
Reading now: The Dragon's Path of D. Abraham and loving it.
Ciao a tutti.
Filippo


message 1884: by whimsicalmeerkat (new)

whimsicalmeerkat Welcome!


message 1885: by David (new)

David Ivester (superdave08) | 7 comments I am a mechanical engineer who, at 57 years old, can't buy a job. Been unemployed for over 2 years, and have read a ton of books in my "spare" time, of which I now have a lot. I like science fiction, always have, but got into contemporary fiction by way of a book club at the local library a couple of years ago, so also like Alexander McCall, some Jodi Picoult, and others. In SF, I like mostly classic "golden age" stuff, but recently read the Old Man's War series by Scalzi and liked it very much. I like this group, it doesn't seem to be too judgmental and acidic like some SF discussion groups on the net. Thanks for reading (listening?)
-Dave


message 1886: by Carol (new)

Carol (sojutu) | 3 comments Salutations and Greetings Fellow Fans,
I broke into the air of this world in 1961. For me Sci-Fi & Fantasy has always been a beautiful and favorite genre for me to enjoy reading. To me it is the harbor of creativity that ships varying communications of passion, enlightenment, reason, realization, fear, and many other contributors to what shapes us into beings that thrive on this planet. It stimulates our minds and aids our growth of character.

I cannot list every book that I have read but I do have an open-mind and read across the board. I had been on hiatus from just pure reading because I found sudoku and have too much fun with the samurai, 25x25 and killer variations. Now that I am back to reading, I find myself again.

It is good to be amongst page flippers and share opinions. I read some of the introductions and noticed many played or still plays WoW. I used to play but found that it got annoying when I wanted to quest at lvl 60 and I don't like the farmers. It helped my blood pressure when I stopped. I found that I was spoiled playing for years on Asheron's Call and my most enduring passion is reading.

See you folks in the discussion groups and please forgive if I lurk from time to time. I am a bit shy and sometimes very opinionated. I am looking forward to joining your ranks and making new friends.


message 1887: by [deleted user] (new)

Welcome Filippo, David and Carol! Glad to have you join the group. :)

Feel free to chime in on any of the discussions going on, or just sit back and lurk if that's more your style. ;)


message 1888: by Carol (new)

Carol (sojutu) | 3 comments Thanks bunches, Ala. :)


message 1889: by A. (new)

A. Rosaria | 5 comments Hi,


I'm Alex. I'm a writer. 32 y/o, a man and I do love reading, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, actually everything.

I'm currently reading A Game of Thrones and loving it. Reading it sucks out my time I should be writing, but I just can't help it. I'm looking forward seeing the series and I hope to have finished the book before it airs. Reading it know got me stuck with the image of Sean Bean every time Eddard appears in the story.

I write horror but my recent WIP is my first try in writing a Sci-Fi story. I put the first three chapters to be read on my blog:
http://tinyurl.com/6dqo7w6


message 1890: by [deleted user] (new)

Heyas Alex, welcome to the group.

Feel free to post your work over in our Author's forum. And also make yourself at home chiming in on any of the other discussions we've got going, including our reread of Game of Thrones.


message 1891: by A. (new)

A. Rosaria | 5 comments Thank you Ala, and I did follow you suggestion, my post is now being displayed at the Author's forum for all to see.

Once I'm finished reading A Game of Thrones I'll surely join the discussions.


message 1892: by Chris (new)

Chris Kelly (darkcell) | 35 comments Robin wrote: "Ala, think Heavy Metal, but with Accordians, Violins, Bagpipes etc. Songs about Vikings, Pirates, battles and drinking.

If you're really intrigued check out Korpiklaani, Eluveitie, Ensiferum, Ale..."


I'm in the same boat with Foundation. I picked it up for the first time nearly twenty years ago, but was scared away by the fact that the first character we meet is a mathematician. I'm about 30 pages from finishing and I can't believe that I've waited so long. I suppose that I wasn't quite ready to understand the book's heavy political and social themes at that time.

Lovecraft is great, too - I've read all of his stories (except for some of his collaborative efforts) and the Watchmen is something I return to again and again. What a layered story!


message 1893: by whimsicalmeerkat (new)

whimsicalmeerkat Welcome, other new folks!


message 1894: by [deleted user] (new)

Jeff - What an incredibly brave thing to do. I admire you for backing your own talent and will be really interested in how it works out for you. I'm new on here and have fell foul of the rules already a couple of times but this seems to be the place to learn about the genre and what's expected/hot. Lots of book recs on here and knowledgeable folk who love reading books so good on ya. Best wishes.


message 1895: by [deleted user] (new)

Welcome M and Jeff :)

Jeff, sometimes it helps to have that extra pair of goggles handy, even if they do nothing :P


message 1896: by Chad (last edited Apr 16, 2011 05:23PM) (new)

Chad Huckabaa Robin wrote: "Ala, think Heavy Metal, but with Accordians, Violins, Bagpipes etc. Songs about Vikings, Pirates, battles and drinking.

If you're really intrigued check out Korpiklaani, Eluveitie, Ensiferum, Ale..."


Wow, thanks for the heads up, I'd never heard of any of these bands, but I bought all of Alestorm's stuff immediately - awesome :D


message 1897: by Valerie (last edited Apr 16, 2011 09:46PM) (new)

Valerie (versusthesiren) Robin wrote: "Ala, think Heavy Metal, but with Accordians, Violins, Bagpipes etc. Songs about Vikings, Pirates, battles and drinking.

If you're really intrigued check out Korpiklaani, Eluveitie, Ensiferum, Ale..."


Homg yes. Folk metal = awesome. I recently saw Eluveitie live and they were fantastic. *__*

Also, Moonsorrow, quite possibly *the* most epic band in existence.


message 1898: by Sarah (new)

Sarah (inklingsread) Hi All! So happy to have joined this group! What a great resource.

If you are interested, stop by my blog for an interview with L.A. Shaw and a chance to win a SIGNED copy of her debut book, The Advice Girl.

Looking forward to participating often!!

Thanks,
Sarah
Inklings Read


message 1899: by Al "Tank" (new)

Al "Tank" (alkalar) | 346 comments Jeff wrote: "Hi, all. I'm a novelist and new publisher trying to build a small press, Gallivant Books, for thrillers, SF & fantasy and horror, which believe me, tosses you into alternate dimensions and wormhole..."

Hi, Jeff.

Been there, did that. However AKW Books wasn't formed to publish my own stuff (and we've been very scrupulous about that). I publish under a different name, elsewhere.

Now, as someone who's been in the game for over 3 years with a partner who's been in publishing for God only knows how long, let me give you a tip or two.

-Only publish the absolute best.
-Edit everything, both for story line and English rules.
-If you don't know how or aren't good enough, hire someone who is.
-Only publish the very best.
-Don't compromise on cover art.
-Make sure your hired editors do the job right. If not, dump them immediately. There are a lot of people out there who think they're editors, but don't have a clue as to what makes a yarn good.
-Did I mention, "Only publish the really good stuff"?


message 1900: by Al "Tank" (new)

Al "Tank" (alkalar) | 346 comments And now the good news.

I've created a "discussion" topic for all you folks who want to advertise your new SF/Fantasy book (or found a new one you want to promote).

Please read the rules in the first post.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

Maybe this will take some of the load off this and other topics.

So, authors and publishers, go there to announce your new book.

Readers: go there to see what's new in SF and Fantasy.

I've started it off. Now it's your turn.


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