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Month: June 2012

Men Writing Women

Post Views: 1,392 “You’re a man. You cannot possibly understand what it is like to be a woman. You don’t have the same social pressures, you don’t have the same physiology, you don’t have the same hormones, you don’t have the same emotional wiring. It’s impossible for you to understand what it is like to be a woman!” — feminist debator, Dalhouse University, Halifax, Circa 1991. I remember this quote fairly well, because it came out of an otherwise quiet coffee chat in the Student Union building. One of the chaps at the table, possibly myself, commented that we empathized/ understood the current state of affairs on women’s issues. The resulting slap down was both sharp and swift. While I will not be so trite as to claim…

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The Sauder Diaries On Six Sunday – 24 June 2012

Post Views: 254 From “The Sauder Diaries — By Any Other Name“: She stopped at the edge of his table and gave a polite tip of her head to him before she spoke. “Excuse me, sir. Was that your Galvanotaur?” she asked in the same sort of voice one might expect to use to order tea and crumpets. Hans nearly snorted his beer. “Pardon?” “The rather short and stout fellow I entered the Public Room with.” If you’re not familiar with “Six Sentence Sunday”, swing over to http://www.sixsunday.com/ and take a look. Its a great idea; dozens of authors submitting the punchiest six lines out of existing or soon-to-arrive stories. Browse them; see what hooks you. Hit the “Six Sunday” tag either at the end of this post…

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Can you sign my e-reader?

Post Views: 160 So we all love our e-readers, regardless if they are dedicated devices, or software piggy-backing on our tablets or smartphones. You can carry your favorite books with you anytime, all the time, and never a gram of added weight. However, this does have the unfortunate side-effect of killing one of those visceral delights book-lovers seem to universally have: getting a cherished book signed by the author. It’s not like they can sign the screen on your Kindle or Kobo; well, I suppose they -could- but it would limit it’s usefulness somewhat. At Steamcon last year, one author panel on electronic publishing talked about this. Some ideas were cover-art postcards, book plates, or even double-sized business cards featuring a QR code-block on them to help your…

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Book Trailer – “The Sauder Diaries – By Any Other Name”

Post Views: 173 One of the latest tools in inventory of both authors and publishers for promoting a book is the “Video Trailer” or “Book Trailer”.  Essentially, it’s an A/V presentation of the book’s back cover and sales pitch. Some of them are quite impressive pieces of work, approaching mini-movies with CGI and/ or live-action   Others are more like well polished slide shows. I figured I’d try my hand at this new promotional medium.  Let me know what you think!

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Signed Paperback Contest – “The Sauder Diaries – By Any Other Name”

Post Views: 815 So as I posted a few days ago, we’re in the review process for the “proof copies” of the Trade Paperback format of  “The Sauder Diaries – By Any Other Name”, Lazarus Edition.  So, the first thing I want to do is give away two signed copies to fans.    Here’s the details: a Rafflecopter giveaway The contest starts on the 2nd of July and runs to the 23rd of July.  I’m using Rafflecopter to host and manage it. Have fun and good luck!

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The Sauder Diaries On Six Sunday – 17 June 2012

Post Views: 203 From “The Sauder Diaries — By Any Other Name“: Hans nodded slowly, finished pulling the shirt on, and then the richly embroidered vest. He was still somewhat discomfited at wearing the clothes of a dead man. It somehow seemed wrong, in spite of the evidence presented. He suspected his life for the next few weeks would be a constant balance of this kind. He pulled the blue-grey flight coat over top and fastened two of the buttons. The flight goggles were shoved in a coat pocket. If you’re not familiar with “Six Sentence Sunday”, swing over to http://www.sixsunday.com/ and take a look. Its a great idea; dozens of authors submitting the punchiest six lines out of existing or soon-to-arrive stories. Browse them; see what hooks…

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“The Sauder Diaries – By Any Other Name”, Lazarus Edition, available for sale on Amazon

Post Views: 183 “Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it’s been.” – Truckin’ by Grateful Dead I am very pleased to announce that the “Lazarus Edition” of “The Sauder Diaries – By Any Other Name” is finally now available for sale on Amazon at the price of $5.65. As I say on the “Dedications” Page: To the fans, for understanding why it was important that this be the “Lazarus Edition” and who patiently waited for the pirates & friends of the Bloody Rose to get back under sail. The current release is being advanced under Amazon’s “KDP Select” program.  That means that for now, the electronic copy will only be available on Amazon until September 09, 2012.  In exchange, it’s part of their lending library, they do a…

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When a “prop” character becomes “real”

Post Views: 265 “…once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.” — Skin Horse, “The Velveteen Rabit“ For those of us who recall the wonderful children’s story, the quest to become “real” is something that is a very tricky thing to manage for characters. Sometimes, a character that is planned to be “real” never quite makes it there in the eyes of the reader. In other cases, a character who is really just a “prop” — walks in, delivers a few lines, then fading to plot obscurity — takes on a life of their own. They become “real” wether that’s what the author wanted or not. “I am Doctor Alexi Koblinski; I have been the ship’s doctor for two years now. You will…

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