You’ve got the first sentence to make someone want to read your first paragraph (and the first paragraph to make them read the first page, and the first page to make them read opening chapters). Actually, you have the book or story title to get them to read the book/story description, then that description to […]
WRITING OPENINGS TO GRAB A READER, AGENT, EDITOR Read Post »
BEHOLD! A short, funny fantasy story about a gelatinous cube named Rümba! As a fan of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams I promise it’s as good as every book shelved just below theirs at the Thrift Store! Buy it now! Rate it when you’re happy, or possibly drunk!Please and thank you This story was inspired
RPG-Inspired Laughs: Brief Awakenings Read Post »
I am excited to be playing in an “actual play” DnD livestream on GenCon’s Twitch channel as a member of the Dungeon Scrawlers! Our group is called The Dungeon Scrawlers because we are a group of professional fantasy authors, and DnD game and novel writers. A lot of my time the past couple of months
Adventures in DnD Streaming! Read Post »
In celebration of Independent Bookstore Day and inspired by a recent debate on the interwebs, I’ve compiled some thoughts on the role of bookstores: how they are (and aren’t) changing, the conflicts between profit and discovery, physical versus online sales, and their future. STOCKING WHAT SELLS VS PROMOTING NEW VOICES
THE VALUE OF BOOKSTORES AND DISCOVERY PART 1: READER EDITION Read Post »
Here are some things I’ve learned as an author giving readings of my work: Do not select a piece that fills your entire reading time. If your reading slot is 30 minutes, PREPARE A 15 MINUTE PIECE (with a 5 minute extension prepared in case you end up rush-reading it and are left with extra
Tips for Writers doing a Reading Read Post »
Easter. There is a real chance for celebration and creating a modern miracle here by not forgetting where this day comes from, and by celebrating that in a very real way.
Easter as Opportunity Read Post »
Norwescon is awesome. Let’s just make that clear right up front. This is not about them. I was invited to be a panelist this year and I politely declined for “me” reasons. I want to talk about those, I guess in case it is helpful for others. I have been blessed to participate in Norwescon
Why I am Not Paneling at Norwescon This Year Read Post »
Genre Cons like Norwescon have to me always been a celebration of fandom, of the genres and content we love. You do not have to be a “pro” or PhD or celebrity to do that, on or off panels. I do see participating as a “pro” to be a humbling responsibility, and to be taken
What Being a Convention Panelist Means to Me Read Post »
I made a thing, just for fun. I got a copy of the book for Pretty in Pink that has the original Duckie Wins ending, and provide some commentary, analysis and trivia on the movie, the pros and cons of the possible endings, and then read the original ending. Enjoy!
Pretty in Pink Original Ending Read Post »
I was recently asked for recommendations for “entry books to fantasy.” Well, different people like different things of course, and there are many subgenres of fantasy so for this list to be of manageable size I will limit myself to the more classic second-world sword and magic type fantasy (and we will just assume
A Foundational Fantasy Reading List Read Post »