The Unlikely Otaku is going to come back to life!

I know what you're thinking: where the heck has Stephanie been? What, no more fanfiction? No more reviews? No more chatting in general about her manga obsession (which is still going strong, my friends; it's one reason I haven't had more time for blogging)?

Well, I heard your silent screams of despair and I have resolved to do better. I still love manga and anime. I still love talking about it. I still love interacting with people on my blogs. I might even come up with a bit more fanfiction if the mood hits me. We'll just have to see. So, though it's been languishing for far longer than I like to think about, expect to see me talking about all thinks otaku here in the near future.

And, yeah, that will still involve new releases, but brief and only for new releases. I won't be posting daily--got three blogs and a girl's gotta sleep--but I'll try to post something at least weekly.

For those who are still deeply interested in the writing itself, but don't like checking back on blogs and stuff, I'm starting a monthly newsletter. You can sign up on the right.

You'll get notifications of new releases and the single monthly newsletter and that's IT, but only to people who signed up, who actually want to know all that.

The newsletter will include some insight into my writing, why I love it, what I think about it and what I like or don't like, a handy reference for all my existing books and news about forthcoming events, and an original short story so my "fans" can get a first look on my stories. I want it to be fun and hope it will be because, though I hate "marketing" I love interacting with people and sharing things I hope they'll like.

If you're one of the people interested, sign up. I will not be using your email for any other purpose.

First Newsletter will go on next Friday, March 10.

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New Release: Saving Tessa

I just released my personal favorite of my novels (so far) today. You'll be able to find it at the compelling price of $4.99 at your favorite retailer.

Dylan Chroz, high school senior, had a reputation as the unchallenged king of the technical world, a genius with dozens of patents to his name. He also had a reputation for being as cold and calculating as the supercomputers he could design in his sleep.

So he was unprepared when Maxcomm discovered what really mattered to him: the spunky girl at the center of his existence. Or when they stole her away so they could use her against him.

It was a mistake, of course, to make an enemy of Dylan, even if he was hampered by his fear for Tessa. After all, people who threaten Tessa were definitely not going to come out unscathed.

And Maxcom didn't appreciate what those around Dylan will do to help him save Tessa.

But the real mistake they made was thinking Tessa was going to sit quietly by and get used. As if Tessa would stand for that!

That last mistake was really going to cost them

Contains some language and violence. You can find Saving Tessa on Smashwords

In the iTunes store

On Amazon.com

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

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Fourth book, third novel coming out September 15

I have another book, Nine Lives, available for preorder that will become available September 15. Right now, you can order it for $2.99 (price will go to $4.99 after it's released). You can preorder it now from Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Apple as well as Smashwords, which has available in all formats including Kindle. (It will be in on Amazon.com sometime on September 15).

That's three books already out, Conjuring Dreams (short stories),  Tarot Queen (adult novel), and  Beast Within (YA novel). 

"Trapped on a planet across the universe from their homeworld, more than a thousand youngsters, teachers and crew must make a new home for themselves in this beautiful and dangerous world. Some, however, are shapechangers, Bete, that many look on as demons, so they have more to fear than their new environment. At the same time, their powers have also saved all the refugees more than once. To protect themselves from the humans that fear or hate them, the Bete have started a separate colony from the rest.

With their little Bete colony going well with his foster brother, the intolerably perfect Xander, in charge, Laren, was feeling a trifle unnecessary, which didn't sit well with his pride. Or his temper. But when his arrogance nearly got himself and his best friend Rem killed, he decided to reign back his anger and deal with things with a little more thought.

He did so just in time because Xander became dangerously ill, hurting his mate, the healer, in his delirium. And, at nearly the same moment, the other colony was overrun with those that feared the Bete as demon-spawn. With an unknown disease in the camp and potential attack from outside, a level head was definitely needed. Who would have guessed that Laren would be the one to provide it?

Who knew this being in charge business was so troublesome?

Sequel to Beast Within. Contains some language and violence."

Unlike Tarot Queen, but like Beast Within, Nine Lives is a SF/Fantasy Adventure YA with an ensemble cast, so it's not as racy, not quite as violent and a bit more teen friendly. But, I do think it's quite interesting for adults as well. I make a point of not dumbing down language but letting context clues expand the vocabulary.

Links for all available books and pre-orderable books wills stay in the right hand column.

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Beast Within

So, two books all the way out, Conjuring Dreams and Tarot Queen, and now another book available at bargain prices for preorder: Beast Within

Update: Now it's been released, it's still available at the bargain price of $4.99

"When a ship of youthful refugees maroons on a strange and dangerous new planet, Xander had no choice but to take charge of his shapeshifting clan, the Bete, to protect the strange foreign healer, K'Ti, from humans as well as his own suspicious clan. Among humans, shapeshifting and magic were frequently equated with evil. The lives of the Bete and K'Ti would readily be forfeit if certain fanatical factions discovered their gifts.

After Xander convinced the captain to let them be the first to set up camp outside, the healer's extensive magical skills quickly became key to survival. When K'Ti discovered the Bete's shapeshifting abilities, Xander defied his clan to let her live.

To defend themselves, and the humans, from the vicious predators like the man-sized Klixit, of the new planet, the Bete will need every skill, shred of knowledge and capability they possess. Xander will have to weigh the needs of his clan with his trust of humans, the risk from the dangers all around them, and those that lie within his fellow refugees. "

Unlike Tarot Queen, Beast Within is a SF/Fantasy Adventure YA with an ensemble cast, so it's not as racy, not quite as violent and a bit more teen friendly. But, I do think it's quite interesting for adults as well. I make a point of not dumbing down language but letting context clues expand the vocabulary.

Note also that Beast Within is the first of the Bete series. Nine Lives, the second of the series, will come next.

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Another book available for pre-order!

I know what you're thinking: "I haven't even finished the first one (which was free)." True, but, if you do finish Conjuring Dreams and are jonesing for something else from my talented brain, you're in luck because you can get a deal on the next novel that takes up where the short stories stop.

Update: It's now out and $4.99.

 This one's not free, but you can get a deal on it since you can preorder it for $2.99 - it and will go to $4.99 after it's published on May 15 (which coincidentally is my 25th anniversary as a Rocket Scientist since I started working at Johnson Space Center in May of 1989). This novel is a grown up story, but fun and hopefully thought-provoking.

Announcing Tarot Queen.

After nearly four hundred years as the Tarot Queen, Roxell might still appear young and beautiful on the outside, but inside she was bored and jaded. Reading fortunes and conjuring futures was no substitute for an adventure of her own, a life of her own. Instead, she felt a prisoner, exiled within the confines of her cottage, growing more and more contemptuous of the supplicants who came to ask for her insight. And, for four centuries, not one person had given her heart the slightest romantic flutter . . .
Until Dante stepped in and turned the life she knew upside down. Handsome, intelligent, capable, he was everything she'd ever dreamed up . . . except that a tryst with a succubus had left him a demon and therefore soulless. The cards said he was definitely her destined lover, but Tarot Queens only get one lover and she had no plan to become a demoness.

For love, she abandoned her self-imposed exile and set out with her ardent suitor on a quest to find a solution to their thorny problem. Turns out, Dante's demonic venereal disease was only the tip of the iceberg when it came to their problems and Dante's mysteries. And Roxell was going to have to depend on her wits and her magical talents far more than she'd ever envisioned when they first ventured out.

And she loved (nearly) every minute of it.

Contains some sexual situations (not erotica) and a modicum of violence.

You can preorder at Smashwords and should shortly be able to preorder from a number of distributors.

A note about Smashwords - they distribute to most of the major ebook distributors like Barnes and Noble, Sony, Kobi, Applestore, etc. But, I don't know when they'll show and there's a lag. You can preorder from Smashwords right now in all of those applicable formats. If you're struggling with how to get the downloaded Smashwords files to work with your application or device, you can get insight into how to do it here.

Naturally, no one is required to read my stuff, but, for those of you who might be interested, I wanted you to know it was out there.

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My first BOOK!

At long last with a self-crafted book cover, I have self-published my first e-book: Conjuring Dreams And it's FREE!

"Magic-wielders, shape-shifters, mermaids, empaths and diviners and even teddy bears and computer programmers wander through 26 stories, written into life for situations thought-provoking, compelling or absurd. It's a collection of diverse stories, from the first one written when Stephanie Barr (then Beck) was13-14 years old to the last ones finished last year. The tales show off not only Stephanie's eclectic imagination but the growth of her story telling as she taught herself to write (in the way she wanted to) through writing. So it's all fiction and totally autobiographical at the same time. "

Smashwords: Conjuring Dreams

Hopefully soon it will also be distributed at Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, etc. Will post links when I have them. There are, however, formats available for most if not all readers/computers already available at the Smashwords link. There's also an interview of me.

I've also put it on Amazon but they wouldn't let me do it for free so it's 99 cents: 

Amazon: Conjuring Dreams

My suggestion is to go ahead and download it for free on Smashwords since they have Kindle format there.

More books (namely novels) are coming so "stay tuned".

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I think I might have finally figured it out.

I liked manga and even yaoi, even before my husband left me, but I've been pretty consumed by it the past two years or so since he's been gone. I'm open-minded and all but even I was a little stumped as to why it (Boy's Love manga) was so fascinating to me, why I've all but ignored my regular novels and the like, why even the shoujo mangas (I'm stilling buying new volumes of to finish the series) were languishing while I read and reread my favorite yaoi.

What is it?

(For those of you who think this is better suited to my Rocket Scientist blog because this is all about me rather than the manga, fear not, I'm cross-posting it).

Today, as I'm wiping away tears reading a manga I've read before (single volume: Dekichatta Danshi by Mikagi Tsubaki), I think I finally figured it out, not just why I'm focused on manga, but focused on yaoi in particular. The tears, by the way, were only slightly because the story was touching (though it was) - mostly I was jealous because the touchy hard-case main character had someone who loved him desperately, unequivocally, with everything he had. I just loved Yu and I'd love to have him for myself.

Not Yu specifically (since he's way too young for me and I'm not doing that again, not to mention he's in love with someone else, oh, and fictional), but someone who loved me, treasured me. I used to believe I'd have someone like that in my life.

Now, of course, not so much; I'm pretty much sure that ain't gonna happen. But, for a long time after Lee left, I was starting to question if it EVER happens, if it's ever real. I mean, I love my children with everything. I cherish and treasure them (yes, not the same, but that notion that someone means more to you than yourself, that is the same) so I know that kind of love exists. And, intellectually, I know couples for whom that kind of thinking is part and parcel of their relationship, even if there are little strifes here and there. That devotion to one another remains at the core of their lives.

But I'd lost my faith in that magic. My faith in people who lay it all on the line (as I once did), who strive and struggle because there is someone in their lives they just can't lose no matter what. My faith in the happy ending.

And that was a serious concern for me. Not so much for how I live my life - I can survive the rest of my years as a bitter cynic, probably still even be a good mother if a little extra sarcastic, which probably won't bother my remaining children (the ones that live at home) until/if they start talking.

But it kept me from writing anything new fiction-wise and that was becoming a serious concern. When I write, I have to feel it or it won't come across genuine, won't come across real. It's not enough to tell myself it's true intellectually - I have to believe it.

Now, of course, I could write novels without any hint of romance, but I don't want to. I've almost always had some sort of romantic mush in my novels because I like it, I like reading it, I want to write it. I want to write novels that still believe in magic and romance and overcoming the nigh impossible. I don't want to be a cynical writer.

(For those of you who think I should publish this on Rockets and Dragons, since that's about my writing, fear not, I'll be cross posting it there).

So, Stephanie (the person) had to recapture her belief in the wonder of romance in a life deprived of same (and an argument could be made it always was) or she could never be Stephanie (the writer) again. Hence, mangas, where words and characters have more power because, hey, pictures. And yaoi because, hey, most are only a volume or two, the diversity in stories and scenarios is staggering, and the romance (in the good ones) is in your face - immediate and urgent because, on the whole, the romantic partners have a great deal more on the line, and stand a greater chance in losing everything just by mentioning their interest.

There are many other things in yaoi that are rather in your face (so be warned), but that's not why I read it (and the really smutty ones that are all sex/violence and nothing else don't interest me at all). I need that romance, I need to believe in it again.

I've read Dekichatta Danshi before and I didn't cry, I didn't feel it the same way. But this time, I did. I think that means I'm getting it back.

Yay, me.

Also, I know which manga I should review next. 

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Stepping out from the manga for just a sec

Thing is, I don't just write blogs (in fact, one could make an argument I don't even write those given how I've let my blogs go fallow) or fan fiction or reviews of various manga.

I have and have always written fiction and I'm pleased to make note that one of my short stories was recently published in SQ's anthology Star Quake 1, available as both a paperback book and an ebook format. I don't know everywhere it's available, but I know it's available at both Barnes & Noble and at Amazon.

It's not a big thing, as real writing goes, but it's big for me.

More news, I'm gearing up to take my rather large backlog of novels and short stories and self-publish in ebook form (some of many different flavors of electronic book at once). Not because I don't believe in it, but because I do. I don't want to get rich. I want to tell stories.

One way or another, that's just what I'm going to do.

Stay tuned.

(Oh, and I'm still reading manga, one reason I've been so lax with work on the blog). I'll share more of what I've found charming later. No, really!

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Poetry Seed - Winter Wind

Because, hey, I don't have any questions (and Jeff mentioned the top ten inventions of all time, but how to choose?). So, for entertainment value, I thought I'd start a poem and see if someone else wants to add their bit. One rule - try to keep with the same rhyme/rhythm scheme. 'Cause I'm OCD that way.


Listen to the winter wind, that blows along the lane,
Reminding me of wishful thoughts that I had dreamed in vain:
Adventures I would never have, loves that came to naught,
Knowing how to do things that I was never taught.

The wind, it sings of might-have-beens, of paths I never tread,
Of sports I never learned to play and teams I never led
It sings of lost potential and things I'd never do.
Listen to the winter wind and what it means to you...

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Story Seed Challenge - Shakespeare's idea

I remember reading about the story circle in a book when I was a kid. Someone would start a story and pass it to someone else to continue. Unfortunately, the attempts I've done before at "writing exercises" haven't gone well. However, I'm always ready to try again. I know I enjoy doing them.

So, here goes. I have no plan. I'm just going to start writing and see what happens...See what you can do with it.

Lotha didn't know this place. Even before he opened his eyes, he sensed the difference, the scents, burning his nostrils with unfamiliar fumes that covered the smells he was used to like earth and plants and the animals, even himself. Beneath his back, the ground felt unnatural: cold, smooth, hard. Nor did the air feel right. The air flowed, but not as he was used to and there was a staleness to it.

He opened his eyes to the stillness, the blackness. This was a new darkness - no moons, no stars, just the emptiness of all he knew. His hands searched the ground. No dirt, no plants, no roots. It was unbroken and smooth like a river worn pebble, only flat. And it seemed to go on and on until he found another surface the same standing from it, like a tree, only with the same lack of texture, the same flatness.

There were no smells except the foreign ones that filled his head and choked his throat. Tears flowed unnoticed down as his cheeks as he searched for an escape from the unassailable smoothness, the featureless sameness, the absolute emptiness of where he was. In desperation, his hands scrabbled over his own face, to ensure it's known features were his own, were the ones he knew.

They felt like his features, felt like what he knew as himself, what he'd seen in the reflecting pool, only the hair he knew was gone, his chin strangely smooth like the space around him. And his hands and body smelled different, as if his odor had been covered by the strange smells.

Was he done, gone to the land of the Gods? Was this horror the afterlife, one that not even the greatest elders had predicted? He threw back his head and cried, only to hear his voice echo unnaturally in this strange place.

And then there was light.

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For Jeff King: Chapter Headings

Jeff asked: When you write, do you add chapters and name them as you go? or go back and add them later?

Good question. I tend to break things up in chapters as I go, though, with rewrites, I might break them up in different places, add a chapter here, cut sections from one chapter to somewhere else, etc. It's only as I'm getting to a fairly final form that I do two things to the chapters:

• I name them with something key
• I add something witty and pertinent beforehand.

Why? Not sure why I name them though I like that better. Perhaps it's to remind myself what's about to happen because I like my own stuff.

But the "wise saying" at the head of each chapter is a more serious take on the habit by the Myth Adventures by Robert Lynn Asprin where he heads off every chapter with a hilarious pseudo-quote like "Is everybody happy?" - Marquis de Sade.

Mine are rarely funny like that, but they're meant to come across as ancient wisdom and proverbs that fit with what's going on in my book.

Here are some examples from Curse of the Jenri (Sword and Sorcery)

• One should never make an enemy for gold. Gold will eventually disappear, but an enemy can be forever. Chapter 1 - Introductions
• One covets nothing so much as something lost. Chapter 12 - Inauspicious Beginning
• Prison is a state of mind. The means of escape are always there; you must only have the mindset to notice them. Chapter 14 - Another Rude Awakening
• Humiliation can be salutary, but only if taken in small doses, else it leads to self-doubt. Chapter 15 - Relative Hardships
  
• Dangerous individuals make better friends than enemies. Chapter 18 - Truce and Enlightenment
• In your efforts to overcome your greatest obstacles, do not forget the smaller ones. Many a would-be hero has triumphed over impossible odds only to be destroyed by the slightest mischance. Whatever may be your primary problem; it is not likely to be your only one. Chapter 27 - Escape and Rescue
• It is not the moments of greatest danger that one remembers best or finds most exciting, but those moments when one’s world opens up. Chapter 38 - Jenri, the Next Generation

Ditto for Beast Within (Science Fiction/Fantasy)

• If the bridge burns behind one, it is a sign the fates have chosen your path. Chapter 1 - Slight Detour
• Many of the deadliest plants are beautiful. Chapter 6 - New World Anyone who craves power but forgoes responsibility is a danger to the tribe. Chapter 9 - Fly in the Ointment
• The worst thing a parent can do is teach a child to question has his sense of self. Chapter 16 - Xander
• Nothing is impossible to believe if you have no choice. Chapter 20 - Explanations
• Those who control via fear always feel vulnerable. Epilogue - External Threats

So, now you know.

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For Jeff: Said I or I said?

Jeff King asked: When should I use Jeff said or said Jeff? I use Jeff said when adding an adverb after, like so. "I am right" Jeff said reassuringly. And when I am not I use this “I am right” said Jeff. Does it matter either way? Is there a rule of thumb to follow?

Jeff, I have no idea. Fortunately, there's at least one wonderful copy editor who follows this blog who might chime in.

However, here's what I do. Generally, I use XXX said (and, yes, I use saidisms if I think they work better). For some reason, it generally works for me better. However, there are times when it doesn't, when it doesn't flow right.

To date, this has often corresponded to times when someone is speaking a bit more formally or, if someone consistently speaks formally, I might make it the norm for that particular characters. It feels more traditional to me, a little more distanced.

But I don't do it consciously, I don't think, and I don't know about a hard and fast rule.

Anyone else have some input on this?

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Twofer: Writing, Jeff and Cardiogirl

Since two of you wanted to know about writing, I'll make another Two-fers. I've done a lot of tarot reading today (Halloween and my anniversary); bear with me.

Jeff King asked: Can you give me a reading about the prospect of my book or my writing success? Thx

Past - Knight of Wands (reversed) - since this question is focused on writing, I'm going to say this card is saying that, up until recently, the writing you've done and thought about, Jeff, has been more talking than action, more dream than reality.

Present -XVII The Star - this card is all about what your writing is bringing you: optimism, satisfaction, fulfillment, enlightenment. More than telling stories, you are finding more about yourself and what you want your world to be. It has expanded your horizons and added real magic to your life.

Future -Queen of Cups (reversed) - This card, in the reversed position, speaks of self-pity and self-indulgence, melodrama. Not sure how it answers the question so I'll ask for some clarification.

Cups IV- This is not a propitious card with regards to publishing success - depression, disppointment, lethargy. However, along with those characteristics are balance, pleasure and honesty. I can't say the cards seem to be hopeful with regards to short term publishing success; however, clearly the pleasure and insight you're gaining by writing, by telling the stories, is not lost. What you learn by doing so makes you a better person and, thereby, a better writer. In time, the one may change the prospect of the other. Good luck!

Cardiogirl said: I'm participating in NaNoWriMo in a mere three/four days depending upon your timezone. I'm super geeked and I think I have a winner with this idea. I plan on writing it and editing it crazily so I can find a publisher. And I'm talkin' a real publisher like Harper Collins not Lulu. There's nothing wrong with Lulu per se, but I want a traditional publishing deal. The question: how will I fare with this goal. And the cards are intent on crushing my spirit, so be it. I am very confident and I will not take no for answer. Well, I will take no from the tarot cards but not from the publishers. I'll query 1,000 publishers if I have to.

Again, the subject is writing so I'll bear that in mind when I interpret this.

Past - XI Strength (reversed) - Lack of faith, mixed messages, blank mind. From this, I'd get that past endeavors into writing have either led to dead ends or have not lived up to what you'd first imagined. Or, when it did come through, you didn't have enough faith in what you built to see it through.

Present - Wands X (reversed) - there's an interpretation of this that suggests seeking happy work, working before a harvest, enjoying what you do and a potential that needs to be tapped. That could very well mean that you have an idea well worth plumbing and happy work to make it so - but it looks like a great deal of work.

Future - King of Cups - Once again, not sure how this card relates to the question. It seems to describe a person: manipulative, charming, friendly, sensitive., generous A very multi-faceted creature. Perhaps a character? I need some clarification.

XII The Hanged Man (reversed) - There are two interpretations that come to mind for me on this card in the reversed position. One is a failure to give of oneself, a preoccupation, a failure to make a sacrifice. In that case, it would not seem propitious. However, the card can also mean that sacrifice pays off, humiliation falls by the wayside and a test is passed.

The bottom line for both of you is that you are doing something that makes you happy, that fulfills you. Your perseverance (and there's nothing more important for an aspiring author) and your hard work will be the key to your successes. Good luck to both of you.

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A request

OK, I know I have some more questions and I'm still going to do that, but I'm going to digress for today. Today, it's because I've got a request. I also am doing something new - putting this on both blogs.

See, here's the thing. I have a fairly large backlog of short stories I've written, almost all in the fantasy, science fiction or, in one case, I don't know what to call it. I'd like to market some of these, get some visibility, some interest going, perhaps even some money. And the short stories are already written.

So, what's the problem? Well, I wrote most of these years ago and, though I like them, I'm not objective about them. Many are overtly feminist and violent - I was young. Most are exercises in swift character building, effective description, surprise endings. Many are old ideas I wanted to play with. And I have too many of them to effectively try to market them all at one time. I'm just not that organized.

What I need are objective eyes to look at some of these short stories (or all of them) and tell me (a) which ones are just too immature to be publishable (or that there's not enough there for publishing), (b) which ones seem publishable and, (c) of the publishable ones, which ones do you like best or think are the best bet for getting a publisher's attention.

So, I'm asking you all, would any of you be interested in reading all or some of the short stories? You don't have to read them all, but I do want to know what you think about whatever you read.

I know most of you are quite busy. I know you all have lives. It isn't a short turnaround situation, because I'll be going back over these (given that many of them haven't been touched in years or longer). But I could use some help if any of you could spare it. Do note that all of the sword and sorcery include violence.

List:

• Charley - Story about a teddy bear
• Time of Change - Science fiction exploring the notion of parallel universes (going at different time scales or directions).
• Captain of the Guard - Sword and Sorcery playing off the Phoenix legend Graphic violence
• Backseat Driver - Science Fiction - AI
• Dark of Night - Dark Fantasy - Graphic violence
• Seeds of Tomorrow - Fantasy
• Windmaster - followup to my favorite Windrider - Fantasy
  
• Tryst on the Balcony - my only foray into vampires
• King of Swords - first of the Tarot Queen stories - Fantasy
• Intemperate Sword - Sword and Sorcery - crude humor
• Stormmistress - Fantasy
• Precipice - Fantasy (mermaid)
• Castles of Sand - Fantasy
• Masks - Fantasy
• Echo - Fantasy

Just let me know if you're interested in reading some or all. I would really appreciate it. Please leave a comment and I'll figure out how to get back with anyone interested

Update: Check here to read stories. Let me know, though, so I know how long to keep the webpage up.

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Jeff King: Dream Job

Jeff King asked: if you could pick your dream job, what would it be?

Paid novelist.

There are the practical reasons. I can hang around at home with my kids and choose my own hours (which works because I'm a serious night owl). Vacation and time off are at my own discretion.

But the real reason is that I would get to paid to do what I'm going to do anyway: tell stories. It's what I've always wanted to do and always will. It's what I make many sacrifices to slice out time to do now, because I need to write. Of course, if I was paid, I'd have to spend more time promoting books and worrying about the market and suchnot, which isn't my bailiwick. And I might lose that absolute autonomy I have now of writing what I want and (and only that) instead of what might sell better.

But it's what I'd like to do profession-wise more than anything.

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Jeff King: Tell Us About Your Novels

Jeff King asked: how many novels have you written, and would you mind posting up some of the synopsis with genre and word count...

I have complete a draft of at least three novels.

The first one I wrote was called An Unknowing Vow and it was a Regency romance intended to follow the style of the incomparable Georgette Heyer. It only ran about 60K words and involved what all romances involve. Naturally, it had cats, a friend who was hilarious (for our hero) and seven aunts pushing our hero into marriage. It also had an evil doer, a ridiculous "standard Barbara Cartland" hero and an idiot heroine to go with it as a contrast to my main characters. It was a learning experience and did a great deal to help me work on characters and dialog. The plot, however, stunk and it's in desperate need of a rewrite. I know what I want to do, but it hasn't been a priority.

The first novel I feel I've "finished" is The Curse of the Jenri, which was based, loosely, on a short story I got published in the now defunct PLOT magazine, "Code of the Jenri." This novel, which is a true sword and sorcery fantasy novel, involves a loose organization of women and their mates, the Jenri, who cannot have male children, have ties to their founder hundreds of years before, have a rigid code of ethics. They also have a mystique where I combine aspects of Amazons, ninjas and Native Americans because, hey, I'm like that. I wanted to turn the tide on the hackneyed damsel-in-distress concept and challenge many of those old stereotypes. And I wanted it to be funny. I think I succeeded at least in that. It's ~130,000 words.

The last novel I finished (which still needs polishing) is Beast Within, a combination science fiction/fantasy combining elements of both, but also a castaway theme, except there's a great bunch of them. Again, I like to play with societal stereotypes and mores and address not just prejudice but the fear of prejudice and how the fear of being viewed as a monster can make you one. It's about 93,000 words.

I have perhaps another ten or so novels in various states of completion, at least have a dozen or so with more than ten chapters. I have a screenplay that I completed that could also use a revamp (or trash heap), some plays based on original fairy tales I've written, some fairy stories I've written and a large number of short stories.

So, there you have it.

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For Jeff King: Literary Agents

Jeff King asked: Does getting a literary agent help with the odds of getting published? And would you recommend getting/using one?

Again, as I've mentioned before, I have not been published (and don't have an agent at the moment), but I feel comfortable in saying, yes. Why?

First, having an agent opens up markets that are not available to the unagented writer. Publishers that accept unagented submissions are flooded with (no offense) a great deal of garbage. Because of this, several publishers don't even look at a submission unless it comes from an agent. Why?

Because most agents are nearly as selective as publishers (and are also looking for salable clients and work), an agented manuscript is effectively "screened." When a publisher receives a manuscript from an agent, he should be confident that the caliber of the submission will be a few steps above the bulk of the slush pile. Additionally, especially if he's worked with the agent before, he should have some expectation that the work he's been forwarded is appropriate for his publishing imprint and market. So, not only is the publisher more likely to look at the manuscript, he is also more likely to expect something and might, perhaps, give it a more thorough or open reception.

The agent also brings her contacts and expertise into play by only sending accepted manuscripts to markets he think are a good fit, reducing wear and tear and increasing the chances of making a sale. In my experience, an agent is a little more likely to work with a prospective writer with promise to fine-tune their work or at give a little feedback if they reject it (though certainly not always).

But, aside from increasing the chances of making a sale, they also bring expertise in making sure you get the best sale possible, best terms, best options for you. Truth is, being even an exceptional writer doesn't make you an expert in the publishing business and, having someone knowledgeable in your corner can make a difference.

But it costs you in terms of some of your profit and it's yet another hurdle on your way. There are ways of "becoming your own literary agent," but, if you're confident you have a publishable work, an agent can definitely increase your chances of getting published.

As for where to find them, I can't improve on Richard Perkins' article here . He's giving precisely the sort of advice and links I would give you.

One word of caution (and you'll find them in links to reputable agent sites). Do not use any agent that charges you up front. Time after time, prospective writers find out, to their sorrow, that it's all a scam. A good agent will get the payoff when you do, by making sure you get a sale.

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For Shakespeare: Why Is Publishing So Hard?

Shakespeare asked: Why is publishing one's writing so difficult (i.e. impossible), and what is the best way to improve the publishing industry?

Again, this is not an area where I'm an expert. I know a couple and they might wander in to put in their two cents, but, since you asked me, I'll give you mine.

There are several problems that make it hard for people to get their writing published and, the first problem, and, in my opinion, the worst problem is that most of the people who want to get something published have no business getting published. That probably sounds harsh, but it's a huge factor in how hard it is for quality first-time literature to be published and, ignoring that, doesn't do us any good. The bottom line, many more people think they have something that's worth publishing than actually do.

It is very hard to be objective about one's own work and many people can't do so effectively. Some think personal recollections will appeal to the masses (unlikely, but find out with a blog, why don't you), think they've got a "brand new" idea (which if they'd done their research, they'd see had been done to best or done definitively), think a spellchecker is all the editing necessary (Heaven help us!) or have no real understanding of how their work really comes across. What they write is so personal, so compelling to themselves that they are completely blind to all the things that are wrong with it. Some join writer's groups and that's certainly an advantage over working in a cave for objective opinions, but even they can become so focused on filling out the checklist (No "saidisms"-check) that they're still clueless about what makes a story compelling and successful or what makes a nonfiction book readable or accessible to the general public.

The truth is that a substantial proportion of the work offered to publishers and fielded to agents is pure dreck. It's not called a slush pile for nothing. Sometimes, there may be moments of brilliance, but their buried in so much clumsy dialog and painful description, that an editor, swamped with a pile of incredible proportions of stuff that is likely mostly garbage, is unlikely to sift through the nonsense to see if there's anything worth saving.

The problem for would-be authors who have reviewed and crafted their work, who have painfully excised favorite passages because they just didn't fit, who something original or thoughtful to say is that, unless they are incredibly lucky, they're in the pile with the dreck and, with expectations painfully low, it's hard for it to shine from the muck. The editor expects it to be garbage and it better impress early on or he'll never see it. Add to that the notion that even a fantastic writer can be a terrible marketer, and editors will often see little gems that might be snapped up if they had been sent to an editor that favors that sort of thing.

But it's more than having good writing - it has to be marketable. The editor is in business to sell books. The golden opus of perfection isn't going to make him a red cent if no one wants to read it. They aren't out to do beginning writers a favor; they are out to sell books and they don't want any manuscript, no matter how well it has been crafted, unless they think it will appeal to a market sufficiently to recoup losses. Lack of reknown for a new author makes this a bad bet under the best of circumstances.

And part of the problem also lies with the reading public. While books can appeal to a number of people for a number of different reasons, the truth is there is always a market for certain types of dreck under certain "genres" - romance is particularly prone. Additionally, people often gravitate to something that titillates rather than something with substance (i.e. Paris Hilton's tell-all biography vs. the magnificently written memoirs of a nameless Concentration camp prisoner.) And, of course, people can be fickle. Two books with similar stories or concepts and quality writing, but one will tickle the public's fancy and the other will languish. Some readers can fall in love with characters in a novel and ignore plot holes. Another segment of the reading populace will relish the detailed plotting and shrug at the cardboard characters. Perfection is rare, but finding the right combination is a real art. Predicting what will work and what won't probably gives many a publisher gray hair. But it's more than the quality of the writing.

What can be done to improve this situation? I'm not sure.

Can't change the public - I know people have tried, but we can spread the word on quality work we've encountered. We can try not to be part of the problem.

Can't change the editors here - if they are looking at unpublished authors, they're going to be slogging through the slush and their expectations aren't high.

But we can make sure our work is as good as we can make it. We can read it out loud to ourselves and be ruthless with things that stutter. We can have trusted friends or, even better, people we don't know in the target reading audience look it over critically and tell us what works and what doesn't. We can accept that sending garbage in desperation over and over won't buy us anything and just makes it that much harder for good stuff to get seen. We can resolve to be part of the good stuff. We can do our research to send it to the best possible editors for our work. We can look for agents that know the market better than we do. We can be patient. In fact, we have to be.

It isn't easy. I've never done it myself. But I believe I can do it. I hope I'm part of the good stuff, that I've done my homework, that I've written something that appeals. I'll do my best to learn and improve until it is if it's not.

One thing I'd LOVE to be adopted by the publishing business: A checklist rejection letter that would, by checking boxes, help a would-be author figure out what killed that particular offer.

A list that included grammar/syntax/spelling errors, or dull language, or clumsy wording or has potential but needs polishing, etc. All of these things can really make an author look at the aspects he or she hadn't realized were lacking. Or perhaps move on to something he or she is better suited to do. Or just self-publish.

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For Jeff King: Why Blog?

Jeff King said: I would love to hear way you decided to make a blog, and what drives you in your every day life. what dreams fill your eyes when you think about the future...

It's kind of complicated.

I've been writing fiction for nearly as long as I can remember. Poetry (narrative), short stories, novels... But not non-fiction except for some technical articles. I've never written a journal. I wrote essays only when required for class (some time back) and requirement documents don't have a lot of personality.

In 2007, my sister told me about a contest on Gather.com for the first chapters of a completed "first" novel. So, I joined and tried it. In theory, Gather was a forum for writers, photographers and the like where they could interact and critique work. However, I found the crowd I started out with (largely other contestants) weren't really my cup of tea. They seemed (to me) to be far more interested in getting published rather than creating quality writing.

I was becoming disheartened and nearly left when I stumbled across a wonderful satirist who I will watch out for going by the moniker of "Peter Whimsy" - who is, coincidentally, the star of the only written mysteries I really like. I hung back because I liked Peter Whimsy and, through him, I got introduced to a whole different group at Gather. The discussion was often politics or philosophy or humor.

Gather, however, kept making changes with the apparent intention of making Gather a social site more like facebook or myspace. The idea did not appeal to me and, truthfully, there seemed less and less effective writing and more and more whining and games and photos and nonsense, which is fine in moderation, but I was falling distinctly out of love with Gather, as was a friend I made there, flit.

Meanwhile, last year, my sister, shakespeare, began a blog. As flit and I were discussing alternatives to Gather, the notion of blogs came up and we both decided to start blogs with Today.com (where my sister was). Actually, she did it with two blogs and browbeat me until I started one. She ended up with like three blogs there, a couple of blogs elsewhere (including my website where gave her a corner) and never entirely gave up Gather because of the friends she made there. I ended up with two blogs on Today.com and found it suited me. I actually liked writing my thoughts and philosophies, interacting with my commenters (who are some of the best people), meeting more incredible people in the blogosphere that I had never wandered through before.

When Today.com screwed a friend over (after a number of other troubling signs), I high-tailed it out of there and here I am, still blogging, pretty much daily, still interacting with my favorite fellow bloggers and commenters.

Most of the folks I knew and liked best on Today.com have done the same (many involuntarily).

What drives me? I like people (though I'm generally uncomfortable in crowds). I love writing.

And, since I'll always love writing, whether I ever am successful at it or not, I'll just keep on with it.

Thanks for asking.

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For MA Fat Woman: Agent or Editor?

MA Fat Woman asked: I'm been shopping around trying to get an agent to represent me and my proposed MA Fat Woman book, should I continue that or try what you are doing, perhaps to find an editor? What do the cards say?

There's an element of uncertainty in every question like this. Some people are successful without the "middle-man," many people aren't. But that's true of those with an agent as well.

I don't write non-fiction and I know the markets are different. I'm also unpublished (at least with books), so I'd take anything I say with a grain of salt. I urge you to get advice with some of the folks down at Agent Query or Writing World or Writer's Digest. I'm a relative amateur.

I think there is a distinct advantage, when trying to sell an idea or a finished work, to having an agent. Publishers tend to see you as prescreened. Some editors won't even look at unagented work, so you have more options. But there are still editors out there that will look at unagented work, or so I've heard. Marketing is sadly not my strong suit.

I will ask the cards for their opinion, though. Since this is a specific question, I'm changing things a bit.

Where you are now - 0 The Fool - Don't be fooled by the name. This card is all about beginnings, naivete rather than stupidity, innocence, great potential. It's a card that talks about taking chances and making changes, starting off on an adventure. Really, a propitious card.

Best course of action - Coins VIII - Coins VIII is all about craftsmanship and skill, building your work effectively. It also clarifies with leadership and career knowledge. What this argues to me is that searching for an agent is a good course for you, not only for their expertise in marketing but to provide you with the tools you'll need to write your best book.

End Result - Wands III - trade negotiations, agreement, travel, contracts. Clearly, the cards are thinking this path is the path that is most likely to lead you to what you seek. It's a path you're already on.

Ironically it mirrors my own advice (that should be taken with a grain of salt, remember) - keep looking for an agent, use reputable information and, when you find one, you'll have your best possible chance of success.

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