How to Take Criticism

How to Take Criticism

Writers tend to be introverts. Most of us also crave external validation. Add in the fact that naturally shy authors seek approval by submitting deeply personal works for public consumption, and it's no mystery why many authors--and creative people of all kinds--are averse to criticism. This aversion to criticism amounts…
August 19, 2015
Souldancer, Soul Cycle Book II

Souldancer, Soul Cycle Book II

Image courtesy of Jeff Stachnik I'm pleased to announce that Souldancer, book 2 of the Soul Cycle, has been delivered to my editor. An unexpected phenomenon surrounding Nethereal's release was the feedback I got from readers; not just its unanimously positive nature--I didn't expect comparisons to John C. Wright and Brandon…
August 18, 2015
How to Make Your Self-Published Novel Reader-Friendly

How to Make Your Self-Published Novel Reader-Friendly

The twin revolutions in digital book distribution and self-publishing have forever changed how we obtain, market, read, and produce books of all kinds. Today I'm going to explain a bit about the production end, focusing on novels. Technology, largely driven by Amazon, has overthrown the old publishing model that had…
August 17, 2015

Do Self-Published Authors Bear a Stigma?

I came across this article by indie author Liz Long wherein she laments the stigma attached to self-published writers. My local media (newspaper, TV, radio) won’t review my books because they don’t have a Big 5 publisher name attached. My own alma mater, Longwood University, told me they won’t feature…
August 14, 2015
Return to Drunken Zombie

Return to Drunken Zombie

I recently made my second appearance on the Drunken Zombie podcast for the second time in three weeks! Have I finally overstayed my welcome? Find out as Bryan, Dave, Randy,Wes, and I comment on the Universal Pictures classic Bride of Frankenstein. There are also lengthy discussions of comics, anime, science…
August 13, 2015
Amazon Obviates the Gatekeepers

Amazon Obviates the Gatekeepers

At this point, the second biggest reason (after Stockholm syndrome) that authors shun Amazon in favor of legacy publishing is a lack of information. Two recent articles at Mad Genius Club have helped inform authors about the risks and rewards of tradpub vs. indie; thus helping them make better decisions.…
August 13, 2015
Millennials Don’t Live in America

Millennials Don’t Live in America

We talk about generations as if they're clearly defined categories, but in reality the gaps between generational cohorts are pretty ambiguous. Because I straddle the line between Generation X and the Millennial Generation, and my parents are Baby Boomers, my perspective on current intergenerational conflicts is as close to objective…
August 11, 2015

More Reasons to Choose Amazon over Traditional Publishing

As if Amazon's better potential for earnings and freedom from draconian contract clauses weren't enough to make authors flee traditional publishing, the disintermediation of gatekeepers should tip the scales in favor of going independent. The power of editors and marketing departments to decide what gets published--and therefore what audiences get to read--has…
August 10, 2015

Author Cleve Sylcox Praises Nethereal

While checking to make sure that Nethereal has been removed from every online retailer but Amazon so I can qualify for KDP Select, I happened upon this review by Cleve Sylcox. The cover promises epic space opera and galaxy-bestriding conflict. The book delivers. There’s no higher praise. Nor can I think…
August 7, 2015

Hugo Livestream Saturday

I just can't seem to stay off of podcasts lately. This Saturday, August 1 at 3:00 PM EDT, I'll be joining the Superversive SF team for another live hangout. The topic this time will of course be the upcoming Hugo Awards. Should be a rousing conversation. Keep checking the link…
July 30, 2015