Nethereal Is now Half Price for Kindle

Nethereal Is now Half Price for Kindle

I'm running a special on Nethereal. For a limited time, the Kindle version is $1.99, half its original price. One of indie publishing's biggest advantages is versatility. I don't need approval from some marketing or accounting department to try new advertising strategies, change ad copy or covers, or experiment with…
October 3, 2015

Geek Gab: Skin Game

This week on Geek Gab, Daddy Warpig, Dorrinal, and I finally get around to discussing Skin Game by Jim Butcher. A lively conversation ensues, covering the origins of the Dresden Files, the geekish splendor in which Mr. Butcher lives, and the current novel's fan favorite villain (warning: possible spoilers). Give the episode…
September 28, 2015
The Long-Awaited Liberation of Rachel Griffin

The Long-Awaited Liberation of Rachel Griffin

It is with great enthusiasm that I report that my esteemed editor, L. Jagi Lamplighter, has regained all rights to her work from her former publisher, Tor Books. Jagi has stated that her rights reversion has been in the works for over a year. It had nothing to do with…
September 22, 2015
Disney’s Competence to Guide Star Wars Undermined in New Novel’s Aftermath

Disney’s Competence to Guide Star Wars Undermined in New Novel’s Aftermath

Unless you've been living on Mars, the buzz surrounding Disney's acquisition of the Star Wars franchise, and their plans to release a whole new series of films, has completely enmeshed you in an inescapable web of hype. The first wave of movie marketing has already arrived in a multimedia blitz incorporating everything…
September 19, 2015
How to build 3D Characters with the Maass Breakout Novel Exercise

How to build 3D Characters with the Maass Breakout Novel Exercise

I've been making final revisions to my next novel, and my editor recommended a few ideas from Writing the Breakout Novel by literary agent extraordinaire Donald Maass. One day, Maass set out to see if best selling novels had any significant common elements. His research consisted of reading 100 novels that had…
September 17, 2015
Nethereal Review at Yard Sale of the Mind

Nethereal Review at Yard Sale of the Mind

I'm greatly pleased to report that the redoubtable Joseph Moore has reviewed Nethereal with his customary insight and wisdom. Here's a sample: Nethereal is an exercise not so much in world-building as in universe-building. Niemeier creates a universe only superficially related to ours, and then explores the differences. This universe is…
September 12, 2015
Project Updates

Project Updates

I've been blessed with an abundance of projects lately, so I thought I'd update everyone on what's in store for the near future. First up, I'll be rejoining Daddy Warpig and Dorrinal tomorrow at 4 PM Central for a brand-new episode of Geek Gab, which made its highly anticipated and triumphant…
September 11, 2015
Review: Hard Magic by Larry Correia

Review: Hard Magic by Larry Correia

A friend was recently asked which novel is the best introduction to Larry Correia's work. She recommended Hard Magic: Grimnoir Chronicles Book I, and I was reminded that, although I've read and enjoy the book, I haven't reviewed it yet. This post is meant to correct that oversight. NB: I'll do my…
September 9, 20152 Comments
Amazon Stumbles Over Parody Book

Amazon Stumbles Over Parody Book

Regular visitors to this blog will have noticed my generally favorable disposition toward Amazon. I consider it a public service to refute the deceptive zombie memes spread by Amazon's less scrupulous detractors. These actions are rooted in my commitment to support what's best for readers and authors. In most cases…
September 4, 2015
Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

My SF education reached an important milestone this week when I finished reading Hyperion by Dan Simmons. Published 25 years ago to great acclaim, including the Hugo Award for Best Novel, Hyperion has had a long enough shelf life to obviate a formal spoiler warning. But this review won't shy away from…
September 2, 2015