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Month: September 2015

Announcement: Balance of Power, by Amelia Faulkner

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Balance of Power

QSFer Amelia Faulkner has a new paranormal book out: The vampire Ellis O’Neill has weathered more attempts on his life in a year than most people suffer in a lifetime. His continued survival is down to a collection of facts he prefers to keep closely-guarded secrets: his lover is a werewolf; he’ll break whatever laws he has to; and he’s willing to become a monster to protect those he loves. Werewolf Randall Carter is settling into his new role as Alpha. For a man used to a lifetime of bullying and abuse this is a terrifying change, and it’s taking … Read more

Discussion: Using Really Foreign Languages

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Language Word Cloud

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Ruff Bear: I just started a story in which a character is called l’bkh!’dar, which is close to “bright light” in Marathi, a language spoken in western India. The exclamation mark is used to mark a clicking sound common in southern African languages. How do people feel about hard to pronounce names for characters? How do people feel about using non-Latin writing systems and non-English languages (with or without translation)? I’ve used Italian in a couple of my stories, but of course it’s still fairly similar to English – same basic character set, many similar … Read more

Author Interview and Announcement – M.A. Church, Nighttime Wishes

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Nighttime Wishes

Today, author MA Church is stopping by to talk about writing and the re-release of her sci fi book Nighttime Wishes. QSF: Let’s start with you telling us a little bit about yourself: MA: I’m forty-six, been married for over twenty years (to the same man no less, lol) and have two grown children who live on their own. No, I didn’t suffer empty nest syndrome. Didn’t have a chance to, lol. I see them more now than when they lived at home! I’m a huge football nut (go Steelers!). Don’t get between me and the TV during a game. … Read more

Angel’s Bits – All the Little Details

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Who out there already knows I’m something of a luddite? Yeah, yeah, put your hands down. It’s no big secret. I come from a time when most of us still wrote term papers on typewriters and only engineers learned about computers because they needed to talk to them in complex languages. I learned the basics (though not Basic) and enjoyed interacting with the new electronic friends to some extent, but I still wrote stories out longhand. Fast forward several years *cough cough decades cough* and I manage, but I’ll never be one of those people who always needs the newest, … Read more

Announcement: Drama Queens and Adult Themes, by Kevin Klehr

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Drama Queens and Adult Themes

QSFer Kevin Klehr has a new paranormal book out: Adam’s about to discover how much drama a mid-life crisis can be. He’s obsessed with Mannix, the nude model in his art class. But Adam has been married to Wade for nearly two decades, and they don’t have an open relationship. Little do they know that Fabien, a warlock from the Afterlife, has secretly cast a spell of lust on Adam and his potential toy-boy. As things begin to heat up, Adam’s guardian angel, Guy, steps in. But what’s the best way to save the relationship? Should Guy subdue Adam’s wandering … Read more

Discussion: Running a Great Author Blog

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blogging

I just started up my own author blog in late June as my first two stand-alone novellas were about to come out. I’m trying to accomplish a few things – create a headquarters where readers can find me on the web, provide information on my available stories, and to provide unique content to entice people to come back and to sign up for my mailing list. I’d guess that most authors here have their own personal websites, so here are my questions for y’all: What are your tips and tricks for creating great blog content? If you have a blog, … Read more

“Spirit Sanguine” by Lou Harper

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Genre: MM Paranormal Length: Novel   GABE LEAVES eastern Europe to return to his old stomping grounds in Chicago USA, and to rough up some vamps, like the good slayer he is. Fortunately, before he can make too much of an ass out of himself, he stumbles upon Harvey, an understanding vegetarian vampire, who explains to Gabe that not only are his ideas of vampires old fashioned, but they’ll get him in trouble in both the human and vampire community. Gabe isn’t sure what to make of that, but he tentatively accepts Harvey’s offer of friendship, and lurks around him, … Read more

Announcement: Blood and Dirt, by Lloyd Meeker

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Blood and Dirt

QSFer Lloyd Meeker has a new paranormal mystery book out: Family squabbles can be murder. Psychic PI Russ Morgan investigates a vandalized marijuana grow in Mesa County Colorado, landing in the middle of a ferocious family feud that’s escalating in a hurry. Five siblings fight over the family ranch as it staggers on the brink of bankruptcy, marijuana its only salvation. Not everyone agrees, but only one of them is willing to kill to make a point. Russ also has a personal puzzle to solve as he questions his deepening relationship with Colin Stewart, a man half his age. His … Read more

Discussion: The Art of Redrafting

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Second Draft

Today’s topic comes from QSFers Kelly Jensen and EJ Runyon: I learned the art of redrafting. Rewriting. Sometimes it’s easier to let go of a few paragraphs or even a whole scene, than to try editing it to make it work. Better to start fresh–convey the idea you want to express in a completely new way. That scene is almost always being cut/edited because it doesn’t work or it’s unnecessary. Trying to make it work will just make it stick out like a broken thumb. I just finished the second draft of a novella I’ve been working on for about … Read more

Announcement: Gnomon, by Luchia Dertien

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Gnomon

DSP Publications’ Luchia Dertien has a new Mystery book out: Emile Delaurier is a beautiful militant revolutionary, a living beacon of righteous justice for the world. For Renaire, an artist in a constant battle against the demons in the bottle, it was obsession at first sight. His devotion led to two years of homicidal partnership as Renaire followed Delaurier in his ruthless quest for equality through the death of the corrupt, like a murderous Robin Hood. Then Delaurier breaks his pattern, leading Renaire into Russia to kill a reporter with no immoral background, and gives no explanation for his actions. … Read more