Saying Goodbye

Many bloggers will probably talk about saying goodbye to 2013, and reminiscence on what they've accomplished or wanted to accomplish over the last twelve months.

I'm saying goodbye, too, but not for the same reason. This past week, I turned in what would be my final round of content edits for Exterminating Angel. Now all I'm waiting for are the line edits and the galley.

Non-writers may not understand what it's like to say goodbye to characters we've spent months or even years with. For over two years, Zaphkiel and Company were part of my life. I came to know their fears, desires, what made them angry, their regrets, and other nuances that make characters unique. I can't tell you how many different beginnings I wrote. Characters that appeared in one version were excised in the next. Certain scenes, even entire chapters, hit the chopping block. But through it all, the premise remained the same:

"An archangel who unwittingly unleashes a demon upon the city must enlist the help of  Lucifer to stop it."

For me, Zaphkiel is an archangel who truly believed in what he was doing, but didn't realize the repercussions of such actions. He isn't perfect. Hard-smoking and hard-drinking, he's lived with a lot of regrets over the centuries. His closest, perhaps only, friend, Raziel, a fellow Throne angel, does his best to support him, but understands there are some issues Zaphkiel needs to deal with alone, including the death of his lover, Caliel.

But is Caliel really dead? Or is he reincarnated in a young man, Sean, who not only looks like Caliel, but has many of his mannerisms?

It was fun writing Lucifer, who worked on a need-to-know basis, although he often drove the other characters crazy. The only character he confided in was Raziel, although he shared a sobering truth with Zaphkiel.

Even though I'm saying goodbye to these characters, there's still a chance they might appear in other stories, although I've no plans for a series. So I guess I'm not really saying "goodbye" but "later."

2013: A Retrospective

Can't say 2013 has been too shabby, writing wise. Didn't think I was very productive, but when I think about it, maybe my perception's a bit skewered.

I wrote three short stories and published one. I'm currently revising one of the short stories, and getting ready to submit it to a publisher. I also wrote a short novel, an angel urban fantasy, The Judas Dilemma. As for submissions, I submitted two short novels, and one, Exterminating Angel, was accepted by Lyrical Press. Sadly, I've yet to receive word on the other submission.

This was also the year I entered EPIC's E-Book Awards contest, and finaled in the Fiction Short Works category. The winners will be announced in March, so I'm trying not to obsess over it.

I'm also trying to not worry about winning the screenplay contests I've entered. Semi-finaling or finaling would be great. One contest in particular I stand no chance of winning, given the volume of entries. But I'm cool with that. If I can get my name out there, that's something.

One of my writing goals is to turn my screenplays into short novels, and vice versa, make them do double duty. Also have an idea for a couple of TV series, and I need to write the pilots. (These are part of my writing goals for 2014).

Not sure what next year will bring. I'll have a new book out and, hopefully, contracts for at least two books, hopefully more. I also want to focus on writing screenplays again.

Wishing you all a prosperous and happy 2014!

Tuesday Guest Post: Tera Shanley

Title: Love in the Time of the Dead

Author: Tera Shanley

Genre: Zombie/Dystopian Romance

Available in paperback and e-book.

Blurb 

Laney Landry has been fighting Deads alongside her brother and friends for three years. But she has a secret. She's immune to Dead bites and has to find the right people to trust with the information. Her team rallies around her to find a doctor who can extract a vaccine from Laney which could fight the virus that ended the world.

Sean Daniels leads a colony that provides her team with much needed shelter and supplies. He is obviously interested in Laney. The question is whether he's only intrigued by her as a source for the possible vaccine, or for something more. Tests for the cure might push her body beyond what it can endure, and just as she faces a ghost from her past, her longtime teammate Derek Mitchell hints at an interest in more than just her Dead slaying abilities.

Two honorable and alluring men - one colossal decision to make. Despite historically bad taste in men, can she rise above the chaos of the apocalypse and choose the one who deserves her heart? The right choice could mean the difference between surviving...and living.

Excerpt

Do you think you’ll ever settle down?” Laney asked a silent Mitchell. The words fell out of her mouth and as soon as they did, she wished she could swallow them back down again. They were out though, hanging in the air between her and Mitchell, breaking an unspoken rule that forbade them from talking about a future they likely didn’t have a chance at.

Mitchell chucked. “What? You want to go steady with me, Landry?”

“No, not like that.” She searched for a way out. “I mean, do you ever think of picking a colony? I don’t know. Jarren was always the fighter. I wouldn’t have left him for anything, so I became one too. But now he’s gone.” She swallowed hard. “He’s gone and I don’t know where I fit anymore.”

He kept working silently. His face was thoughtful but his lack of immediate response had said he likely wouldn’t give one. She closed her eyes against the pain and waited for Mitchell to bandage her wound.

“If it were the right colony, I think I could eventually settle down. I don’t think I could work in the gardens or anything. I’d need more action. After the way we’ve lived I don’t think we could be satisfied with a boring existence. Maybe I could be a guard or something. I know the wise decision would be to cash our chips in now, you know? We’re pretty lucky to have survived all of the impossible situations we have. Guist talks about picking a colony, so it’s been on my mind lately too.”

That was news to her. She had never once heard Guist talk about slowing down. She assumed he would be a fighter until he died. How sad that she was just then learning of her team’s wants for their futures. She didn’t know how to respond to such a candid conversation with Mitchell. “Guess all of our wants don’t matter anyway.” She grinned in an effort to lighten the seriousness of their talk. “We’ll probably die tomorrow.”

He gave a short laugh and put the medical supplies into his pack, then reached out his hand to help her up. “Better live today then,” he said in a velvet soft voice. Gazing down at her, his light brown eyes were full of indecision and hesitation. It was impossible to ignore his dark haired perfection when he was so close. He leaned forward and opened his mouth as if to say something but shook his head slightly and did an about face instead. His abrupt exit left her flustered, her lips throbbing for something she couldn’t quite understand.

Author Bio

Tera Shanley writes in sub-genres that stretch from Paranormal Romance, to Historic Western Romance, to Apocalyptic (zombie) Romance. The common theme? She loves love! A self-proclaimed bookworm, she was raised in small town Texas and could often be found decorating a table at the local library. She currently lives in Dallas with her husband and two young children and when she isn’t busy running around after her family, she’s writing a new story or devouring a good book. Any spare time is dedicated to chocolate licking, rifle slinging, friend hugging, and the great outdoors. For more information about Tera and her work, visit www.terashanley.com.

Author Links

Website: http://www.terashanley.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/terashanley

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terashanley.author?ref=hl

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7212904.Tera_Shanley

Blog: http://www.terashanley.blogspot.com/

Buy Links

Amazon Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Time-Dead-Tera-Shanley-ebook/dp/B00G2KFKMU/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1382500962&sr=8-8&keywords=love+in+the+time+of+the+dead

Amazon Paperback

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Time-Dead-Tera-Shanley/dp/162342058X/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_imgnr_2

Barnes & Noble Paperback

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-in-the-time-of-the-dead-tera-shanley/1117193723?ean=9781623420581

I'm a Finalist!

When I submitted "Family Tradition" in the fiction short works category of  EPIC's EBook awards earlier this year, I'd no idea if my short dark suspense story would even make it past the first round.

Given there was nothing I could do about it, like my other fellow entrants, I played the waiting and hoping game. The story had received positive feedback from editors and reviewers, which inspired me to submit it to the EPIC contest. As someone who's entered contests before, even placed second in one, I know how nerve-wracking it can be to wait for the results, only to be disappointed. I don't even know if I'll win my category. Sure, it'd be nice, but I'm trying to be pragmatic about the whole thing.

That said, congratulations to the other finalists and good luck!

Family Tradition Back Cover:

Artist Rick Stanton needs a commission. He faces eviction from his apartment and his latest project is on hiatus. Worse, his muse refuses to cooperate. A recent letter may contain the inspiration he needs. Inside is the photograph of a mysterious woman, her face hidden by an umbrella. But there’s no identification, no way for him to contact her. A month later, another envelope arrives, this time with a phone number. Realizing this may be his last chance, Rick calls her. The woman introduces herself as Elizabeth and tells him she wants him to paint her portrait.

Rick agrees, only to learn there are conditions. Elizabeth is a recluse who lives with her two servants in a Victorian manor. She never allows her face to be seen. Not only must he stay at Elizabeth’s residence while painting her, he can’t leave, nor can he ever tell anyone about the portrait.

Sensing something isn’t right, Rick is even more disturbed by the sinister undercurrent beneath the household’s genteel façade. It’s somehow connected to the family portraits hanging in Elizabeth’s living room. Could they be haunted? And why doesn’t Elizabeth’s housekeeper want Rick to finish the painting?

Available at:
MuseItUp Publishing
Amazon (Kindle)
B&N (Nook)

Night Risers Expo

Zombies roamed the streets of Elizabethtown, KY on September 27-29, during Night Risers, a film festival and expo presented by Izzy’s Little Creepers.

While the zombie walk wasn't new, the film festival and expo was. There’s always a risk when embarking on a new venture. Will people show up? Will the event go without any hitches? Will the vendors be happy and willing to return?

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I have to give kudos to organizers, John Thompsett and Terri Pfeiffer for organizing a well-run expo. They and the staff were knowledgeable and friendly, and the overall atmosphere was positive. Unless I have a scheduling conflict, I plan to return next year.

There were only two authors, me and L. Andrew Cooper. Although we weren't scheduled to, Andrew talked to John, and he let us read from our stories. Andrew read from his novel, Burning the Middle Ground (BlackWyrm Publishing) and I read from my published short stories, “Family Tradition” and “It’s in Your Blood” (Bites - Ten Tales of Vampires).

Entertainment included “Darshwood, the Conjuror Magic Show,” a “Brain Eating Contest,” and “MakeOff!” (a make-up artist turned her subject into the Invisible Man). 

I had an oracle reading. The intuitive  confirmed something I’d suspected, and told me I needed to be more confident and meditate more. I also had my aura photographed. Without going into detail, I’m happy to say my aura is balanced, and I’m a creative/artistic person. Like the intuitive, the aura reader said I needed to meditate more, among other suggestions.

I hope Night Risers takes place again next year. I met some wonderful people and had a great time. The Pritchard Community Center was easy to get to, and there was ample parking (always a plus). Thanks also to Amy McCorkle for this opportunity. I’m glad I took it. :-)

Play (Almost) "20 Questions" with Me

Hi Everyone,

I'll be one of the authors participating in the Long and Short Reviews 6th anniversary bash this August 26-30. I'll be featured, along with other authors, on various blog posts. Here's your chance to learn a little more about me. :-) Not only that, but there will be a chance to win one of four $100 Amazon gift cards, publisher gift cards, books, ebooks, and author swag.

The party starts Monday at:
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/category/guest-blogs/

Hope to see you there!  

Interview – Rayne Hall – Thirty Scary Tales – Launch/Cover Reveal 2013-08-12

What kind of horror stories are these?

Creepy, atmospheric, suspenseful, unsettling. My brand of horror is quiet and eerie, so you won’t get much violence and gore.

Some are about paranormal creatures (vampires, zombies, ghosts), some are about animals (seagulls, dogs) but most are about humans, and what could be more horrifying than the evil that lurks in the human psyche? What people do to themselves and to others is scary.

All these stories have been previously published in magazines, ezines, collections and anthologies.

This book is a compilation of volumes 1-5 of the Six Scary Tales books.

Will these stories scare me?

Some probably will, though I can’t predict which. It depends on your personal fear triggers are.

The same story may constrict one person’s chest and set their heart racing, yet send only a mild tingle down another readers’ spine. For example, someone with a fear of drowning will find I Dived the Pandora terrifying, while someone with claustrophobia will be terrified by The Bridge Chamber. 

Dog lovers may find Black Karma cute,  but if canines give you the creeps, you may read it and shudder.  I know you like cemeteries, Pamela, so you’ll probably feel comfortable in the graveyard setting of Take Me to St. Roch’s, while other readers may get creeped out.

Readers who like their horror gory, with disembowelled bodies and chainsaw massacres, may find my stories too tame. On the other hand, if you like subtle, creepy, psychological horror with plenty of atmosphere, you may get delicious shivers from reading this book.

Are they ok for young readers?

Most teenagers will be ok with this, but probably not children. Some stories contain graphic violence  - although not a lot – and there are allusions to adult matters, for example one story refers to a dominatrix. On the other hand, parents have written to tell me they use my horror stories to teach their children about things like racism,  good and evil not always being what they seem, and civil courage. So I’d say PG13.

How did you choose the cover?

I commissioned an artist, Xteve Abanto. I didn’t want the usual blood-dripping axe and gory grinning head so often seen on horror covers, because my stories aren’t violent and gory. Creepy, atmospheric, spooky, attractive, eerie, scary... that’s what I asked Xteve to convey visually. He came up with this head of which he says “It scared the shit outta me.”

Where can we see more art by this artist?

You can visit his online gallery here: http://sevkyo.deviantart.com/gallery. Xteve has also painted another cover for me, Six Quirky Tales Vol. 1. http://bookShow.me/B00DSCZJG2

If the artist was scared by his painting, I wonder if you were scared by your stories?

By some of them, definitely. The Bridge Chamber scared my while I wrote it. Several times, I was so frightened I had to stop writing for some days until I felt braver.

Sometimes I chose something that frightened me – a creepy place, a terrifying experience or a full-on phobia, and wrote a story about it.  Cowards like myself make great horror writers, because we know what it feels like to be afraid, and we never run out of ideas to write about. Once the story is finished, though, the fear is replaced by a sense of triumph: By fictionalising the fear, I've gained control over it. By writing about what frightens me, I can make it less frightening for myself.  Instead, I frighten my readers, which is fun.

Where can we get the book?

It’s an ebook and will be available from major bookselling sites. It’s being published at the moment, so the links may not be live yet.

Amazon: http://bookShow.me/B00EGFCS32  (This is a universal link which will open in the viewer’s regional Amazon.)

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/thirty-scary-tales

Barnes&Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thirty-scary-tales-rayne-hall/1116391850?ean=2940148652182

It will be on Apple and other sites as well, but I don’t have those URLs yet.

Lessons From FandomFest

BlackWyrm Authors

Next time I attend Fandom Fest, I'm bringing a GPS.

Having a few cons under my belt, one thing I've learned is to get there early and find where I need to be, such as panel rooms. And look for landmarks. It's easy to get turned around if you're not used to someplace.

Although, I'll admit the view of downtown Louisville from the skywalk was lovely.

This was my third year at Fandom Fest and my first year selling eBooks. My publisher had given me coupons with codes on them. When people bought the coupons, they were instructed to create an account and then input the code to download my story. Grand total of coupons sold: 2.

In contrast, my friend sold 33 print books. Now, granted, I was probably the only author there exclusively selling digital books, so I had an uphill battle. But, like the other two years, I had business cards and promo post cards with links to my site, including social media, to hand out.

For me, the con becomes more about networking than sales, at least at this point. Now, if I have print books will that change? Hard to say. Depends on how you handle it, and no, I never did the hard sell. Having worked in sales, I know that doesn't work. Well, it can, but it can also leave a bad taste in a customer's mouth. So, no.

My friend and I would engage people, ask them what they liked to read. If someone mentioned genres we wrote, we told them about our books, invited them to take postcards, and, in my friend's case, let them browse through her books before making a decision. And every time, whether they bought a book or not, we thanked them.

This was also my third year being on panels. I think I'm getting the hang of it. :-) I was on three: Plotter or Pantster; Love and Sex for Geeks; and Screenplay Writing. Ironically, this past April, during ConGlomeration, I was on a panel, "The Love Connection." Is there a pattern emerging here? :-) Even more ironic, during Fandom Fest 2012, I was on a panel called "The Perfect Kill" with Cassandre Dayne (also writing as Bethany Halle) and Christian Jensen, and this year we were on the "Love and Sex for Geeks" panel. Talk about a contrast. LOL

In closing, I'd like to thank Amy and Missy for their help. Can't believe I forgot to get a picture of our table.

Next stop: Context.





 

Love for the Arthurian Tales (Guest Post)

For love of a tale

Why does anyone write? For philosophers and psychologists, this is prominent subject. The artist will tell you he paints because he is compelled to depict the world around him. The poet will tell you he pens his rhymes at the behest of his muse, to illuminate the beauty of life and love. The storyteller will tell you she had a burning desire to…well, tell such and such a story. Maybe some will even admit to having nattering characters in their heads.

For me, I suppose, it’s a little of all that. I’ve been a reader for a long time, even have a degree in literature to show for it. Now sometimes, I’ll wake up in the middle of the night, or reach for a pad and pen in the middle of a conversation. It’s just what I do; what I’ve always done. Yes, like many writers I have been a storyteller from a young age. Everything had a dash of fantasy here, a little bit of rhyme and music there, but in all forms, there was always a story in my mind—and in my house, the Hobbit, the Classics, modern day romance it was all there, even storytelling songwriters.

In the intervening years a burning love for the Arthurian tales always existed. When I think of a hero, those are the men (and women) I think of. So it seemed second nature when I sat down to write Passion’s Sacred Dance, my debut paranormal romance novel for The Wild Rose Press, that I might take my cue from the stories I’ve loved forever. These are stories that have stayed with us from the moment they were spoken by traveling minstrels in the fire-lit halls of the Middle Ages. Yes, love works into it too. If we didn’t love what we do, as writers, do you think we’d stay up ‘til all hours, agonizing about finding just the right word?

The lifelong love of these heroic tales, of the story of the Second Battle of Mag Tuired, tied up in knots in my mind with the current Urban Fantasies and paranormal romances I was reading and out walked a woman in a business suit, with a sword-wielding knight in jeans behind her. “Do we have a story for you!”

What could I do but what I’ve always done, and write it down? Would you like to know how the story turned out? Here’s a little taste.

Battling mounting debt, Stacy Macken is determined not to lose her historic art gallery. When Aaron Fielding appears and offers to help, she fights to keep the attraction sizzling between them from clouding her judgment. He may be her savior in disguise--but can she trust him?
Aaron intrigues her with tales of the Tuatha dé Danann, sworn warriors who protect humanity from the monsters seeking their destruction. If Aaron can prove what he claims, she would give up anything to help--even the gallery he claims is sacred ground. But with her property set to stage the next epic battle, she needs answers. An old family diary will confirm the ancient legend is true, if only they can find it in time.

If the battle is lost, the enemy will take control of Earth for the next five hundred years. Stacy and Aaron's budding love might only complicate things.

Excerpt:
Aaron planted his stance against the ground like the roots of a great oak tree, and pulled out his harshad. He flipped the handle over in his hand and two flail-like ends emerged. The ends cut through the glass wall, and snaked around the lawyer’s throat like metal ropes, before tightening.

The lawyer’s face began to turn red. Rendered immobile, he stumbled easily as Aaron gave the handle a hard tug. Stacy screeched as she tripped along with him. Aaron stepped through the wall, pried Bradley’s fingers from Stacy’s flesh, and shoved her protectively behind his back.

“Do me a favor,” he ground out between clenched teeth. “Call the number I gave you yesterday. They’ll  do us more good than 9-1-1.”

Stacy turned and ran for the hall as the lawyer  hissed out, “You should learn not to get involved,  unsavory one.”

Aaron swallowed his relief when he heard Stacy slam the door against the wall. He turned his attention back to the cackling lawyer.

“I would give you the same warning, human.” Aaron studied the man in earnest, his voice calm.

“You  have no idea what you’re involved in.”

“I should say the same to you.”

“Oh, I know the depths of their malevolence.” He tugged Bradley’s shirt collar down to reveal the glowing green eye tattooed on his chest. The lawyer’s breathing became more shallow, and sweat trickled from his temple.

“Do you know what you’re dealing with? Think long and hard about which side of the debtors’ line you’ll be on when the battle comes.” He slung the lawyer around, towards the back door. “Tell your masters this ground will carry my brand when all is said and done, or I shall gladly hound them to the ends of their unnatural lives!”

*sigh* I love a good warrior, don’t you? Would you like to read more? If so, Passion’s Sacred Dance is available now at Amazon and coming soon to The Wild Rose Press store and other retailers.

 

For more on these and other books visit Juli at: http://julidrevezzo.com/

And Juli’s Amazon page and author page at The Wild Rose Press.

I’m also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julidrevezzo

G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/111476709039805267272/posts
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/jewelsraven/

Shelfari:http://www.shelfari.com/authors/a1002694572/Juli-D-Revezzo/
twitter: @julidrevezzo

Thank you, Pam, for having me here today!

Talking About Serial... Books

Athena’s Oracle by J.D. Brown

Hi, I’m J.D. Brown, your guest author for the day (or night). I’d like to invite you all to check out my online book serial Athena’s Oracle.

What’s a book serial? It’s a book that is published in small chunks, such as one chapter at time. This unique format (once popular in the 1800s) allows the reader the rare experience of enjoying the story as it is being created by the author. A daunting task for me, but very cool for you!

A new chapter of Athena’s Oracle is posted every month on my blog, completely free to the public, and will continue to do so until the story reaches its conclusion.

About Athena’s Oracle:

Leena’s ‘gift of sight’ secures her place as the next great oracle of Athena. Instead of being groomed for wifehood like other girls, Leena spends her days within the walls of the Acropolis, shuffled around by the clergy and doomed to be a virgin forever. Before her ascension, Leena decides to take matters into her own hands. With the help of her father’s book of alchemy, she casts an incantation calling forth her own personal hero. But when that hero turns out to be a rogue vampyre prince with a haunted past, Leena begins to question if her feelings for him are the work of divine intervention, or a love spell gone horribly wrong.

Athena’s Oracle is a prequel to the novels Dark Heirloom and Dark Liaison, also by J.D. Brown. Set in 4th century B.C.E., Athena’s Oracle chronicles the romance between Leena and Jalmari during the very early trials of their immortal lives. 

Begin reading Athena’s Oracle here.

About J.D. Brown:

J.D. Brown writes Urban Fantasy for MuseItUp Publishing, as well as a monthly “how-to” newsletter column for PDMI Freelance Publishing. She graduated from The International Academy of Design and Technology with a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts and currently lives in Wisconsin with her two Pomeranians. J.D. loves paranormal characters; from vampires and werewolves, demons and angels, to witches and ghost. She is a self-proclaimed expert in vampire and Greek mythology. Her writings are often a combination of suspense and romance. J.D. enjoys helping her fellow writers and interacting with her fans and leads an active life on the web.

Follow J.D. Brown on her website, facebook fan page, and blog.

Literary Louisville: FandomFest 2013

The literary track of FandomFest is now live. This weekend, authors will share their expertise on various panels, discussing the world of writing and publishing from craft to marketing. I'll be on three panels: Plotter or Pantser, Love and Sex for Geeks, and Screenplay Writing.

If you're in the Louisville, Kentucky area, FandomFest is this weekend, July 26-28. Celebrities include Adrian Paul, Gene Simmons, William Shatner, Gillian Anderson, and Stan Lee, although this is only a partial list. For more information, check out the FandomFest website. Literary Track information is here.

Below is a list of panels and participants. And a special thank you to Stephen Zimmer for bringing this together. You rock. :-)

FandomFest
2013 Literary Track Panels, Times, Descriptions, and Participants:

Friday Panels

2:00 pm

Meet the Panelists
An informal meet and greet, where attendees at Fandom Fest can get an idea of who’s who on the Literary Track! 

3:00pm

The Art of Being a Good Panelist

This special session is for those new to being panelists at conventions, those with little experience, or even those with many conventions under their belt who might want to gain some further insights into what makes for effective panel participation.   A great orientation on participating on panels!

Featuring:

Lee Martindale (M)

4:00 Panels

Crossing Genres A Forum

There will always be readers of particular genres, whether it be steampunk or epic fantasy, but many storytellers are having wonderful experiences bringing in elements of many genres.  This panel will explore some examples of cross-genre fiction, and also discuss why cross-genre fiction is growing fast in popularity.

Featuring:

John Allen

J.H. Glaze

T.Lee  Harris

Christian Jensen

Bethany Halle

Joy Ward

Dynamic Dialogue

What are some approaches to writing effective dialogue? This panel will contain a few surprises, as our panelists will demonstrate how dialogue that might look correct on the page can be very different on the ear. Be sure to catch this panel for some moments that are both instructive and entertaining!

Featuring:

Marian Allen

L. Andrew Cooper

Scott Sandridge

Missy Goodman

Ian Harac

Ren Garcia

Developing A Good Query

Whether looking for an agent, or perhaps a publisher, writing a concise and engaging query letter can often prove the difference in whether your work is taken into consideration.  This panel will break down query letters and offer advice on how to write an effective one.

Featuring:

Ginny Fleming

Eric Beebe

Sean Taylor

Becky Hollada

5:30 PM Panels

Effective Social Media

So many social media outlets and so little time.  What is an author to do?  This panel will feature several individuals who are savvy and effective when it comes to social media, to offer their insights on how to approach some specific social media outlets, as well as what not to do.   There is an art to being effective with social media, and this panel will shed some light on that area.

Featuring:

Alicia Justice

Tony Acree

Marian Allen

RJ Sullivan

Missy Goodman

Jennifer Malone Wright

Urban Fantasy Today

The definition of urban fantasy has changed over recent years, and it is the focus of this panel to explore the realms of urban fantasy and where the genre is at today.  What’s popular in urban fantasy now?  What kinds of themes are being explored in today’s urban fantasy.  This will be a fun panel for all who love this genre.

Featuring: 

John Allen

Chris Brown

Eric Garrison

S.H. Roddey

Georgia L. Jones

Brick Marlin

Putting Together a Winning Anthology

Join a group of authors and editors with plenty of anthology experience, as they talk about what goes into the assembly of a solid anthology project.   There’s more involved than just picking some good stories, and if you’ve ever wanted to know how editors think in approach to an anthology project, then this is the panel for you.

Featuring:

T.Lee Harris

Lee Martindale

J.L. Mulvihill

Michael West

Becky Hollada

Writing a Series

Whether a trilogy or fifteen books in length, a series involving several installments is very prevalent in the world of speculative fiction.  There are things to keep in mind when creating and developing a series. This panel will involve a discussion with several authors with active series, offering suggestions and approaches to writing effective installments in a solid series.

Featuring:

Terry W. Ervin

J.H. Glaze

Mark Wandrey

Lisa Morgan

M.B. Weston

S.B. Knight

 

7 PM Panels

Choosing the Right Path In Publishing

A special extended forum exploring the options of self-publishing, small press, and major press.  The pro’s and con’s of each avenue of publishing will be discussed by panelists who are personally experienced with one or more of those choices.

Featuring:

Janet Harriet

Lee Martindale (M)

Eric Beebe

M.B. Weston

SB Knight

Georgia L. Jones

The Writing Business:  A Forum

Yes, as much as writing is a creative endeavor, it is also a business.  Bring your questions on the business of writing, ranging from contracts to sensible ways to planning your year of activity as an author.  Business can be a dry topic sometimes, but this panel promises to include some wild tales and anecdotes that will illustrate the importance of taking a serious approach to the business of writing.

Featuring:

L Andrew Cooper

Charlie Kenmore

Sean Taylor

Brick Marlin

Michael West

Kayelle McClive

Writers Guide to Drinking

What’s the easiest place to find authors at a Con?  Just go to the bar!  Yes, authors have been known to have a drink or two, and we thought we’d include a fun panel featuring authors talking about the topic of drinking!  What they like, whether they drink when writing, and more!   Should be a fun, light-hearted addition to the track!

Featuring:

Tony Acree

Mariah Allen

Chris Brown

Christian Jensen (M)

Scott Sandridge

Neil Sayatovich

Pitch the Publisher Session One

Come and pitch your manuscript/project to an established publisher.  Grimoire Books is the featured publisher for this first session of a popular Fandom Fest Literary Track activity!

8:30 PM Panels

Author Karaoke

Just fun, informal Karaoke featuring Fandom Fest authors!  Who knows who else might be there?  Rumor has it that Selah Janel and John F. Allen will be dazzling the audience with their hosting and singing talents!

Pitch the Publisher Session II
Pitch your manuscript/project at the second scheduled session at FandomFest, featuring the amazing Dave Mattingly of Blackwyrm Publishing!

Saturday Panels

10 AM Panels

The Changing Landscapes of Publishing

This session explores how much publishing has changed in recent years, where it is now, and what is just ahead.  What kinds of adaptations have publishers undertaken to survive, and even thrive, in today’s climate?  What challenges are looming?  Come and examine trends and speculation in regards to the world of publishing.

Featuring:

Janet Harriet

Christian Jensen
Eric Beebe

Bethany Halle

Sandy Sullivan

What’s Involved with Publishing a Quality Title

 This panel will give you a nice overview of the steps of the publishing process, ranging from the editing phase all the way to the marketing and publicity phase.  This panel will give authors a better appreciation of what publishers have to do on their end, as well as provide a clear perspective for authors pursuing self-publishing on how to do it right.

Featuring:

John Dawson Jackson

Charlie Kenmore

Travis Surber

Sean Taylor

Mike Patton

Becky Hollada

Approaches to Character Development

What is involved in developing compelling, realistic characters?  This panel discussion will explore the elements of character development that apply to all genres of writing.  Make your characters live, breathe, and grow over the course of your story arc!

Featuring:

John Allen

Terry W Ervin

Mark Wandrey

Brad Parnell

Shon Jason Medley

Dave Creek

Cheap Easy Cosplay

Are you an author that likes to “look the part” at conventions, perhaps suiting up as one of your own characters?  Are you simply interested in learning more about Cosplay?  This session takes a look at Cosplay in the kind of light that does not require big budgets or high expertise! 

Featuring:

Selah Janel

J.L. Mulvihill

11:30 AM Panels

Authors Interviewing Authors

Yes, the title says it all!  Authors will be interviewing Authors in this new addition to the track!  See 3 authors ask questions of three others… and then the table will be turned!

Featuring:

L. Andrews Cooper

Selah Janel

Lee Martindale

Michael West

Georgia L. Jones

J.H. Glaze

Book Blogging

Book Blogs have become quite a force in today’s publishing climate.   Book Blogs have propelled self-published authors to the heights of the sales charts, and major presses now place a great focus on the book blog community.   This forum will discuss the world of book blogging and why it has become so important for today’s authors.

Featuring:

Alicia Justice

Rachel Smith

Alexx Miller

Bethany Halle

Mike Patton

Evolution of Steampunk

Steampunk has become a very popular area of speculative fiction, and has crossed over into film, games, and much more in the mainstream consciousness.  This panel will offer you an overview of steampunk, but it will also explore the directions that steampunk is evolving, and what kinds of new elements are making their way into steampunk literature now that it is fairly well established.  

Featuring:

Eric Garrison

J.L. Mulvihill

Shon Jason Medley (M)

World Building 101

World building plays a key role in all kinds of speculative fiction, from steampunk, to epic fantasy, to science fiction and urban fantasy.   How do you go about creating an interesting and compelling world to set your story in?  There are so many considerations, from geography, to sociology, to technology, and much more.  What world-building elements can be used in developing a story set in our world?  Come and explore the exciting topic of world building with our expert panelists.

Featuring:

John Allen

Terry W. Ervin

Scott Sandridge

Mark Wandrey

Brad Parnell

Ian Harac

 

1 PM Panels

Contracts An Overview

We can’t offer official legal advice, but we can explore the common clauses to publishing contracts, and what to keep in mind when evaluating whether a contract is fair or not.  This panel discussion will also give you some insight regarding red flags to look out for. 

Featuring:

Janet Harriet

Lee Martindale

Charlie Kenmore

Eric Beebe

Young Adult Fiction: A Forum

YA is without question one of the strongest and hottest areas of the publishing world, with many popular books series taking off as major film franchises.  Come and discuss YA fiction, including what it is, what kinds of changes it has gone through, and even how highly mature themes are worked into YA literature.

Featuring:

Ali Justice

Brad Parnell

Terry W. Ervin

Mark Wandrey

Brick Marlin

Plotter or Pantser

When writing a short story, novella, or novel, there are some who heavily outline, and some who largely go with the flow, as well as all levels in between.  This discussion will explore the development of plot in regards to a new writing project, as authors discuss what kind of approach they take.

Featuring:

Chris Brown

Jennifer Malone Wright

Giny Flemming

K.B. Miller

Pamela Turner

Lisa Morgan

2:30 PM Panels

Working Well With Editors

What do editors expect?  What’s the right etiquette when working with a professional editor?   What are the editor’s expectations of an author?  This discussion will give you insights that will help you improve your approach to editors as well as your experience working with them.

Featuring:

Janet Harriet

Scott Sandridge

Sean Taylor

Shon Jason Medley

Dave Creek

Becky Hollada

Episodic Fiction

The explosion of eBooks has brought along with it a great potential for publishing stories as episodic fiction.  This panel will give an overview of episodic fiction, and also discuss why the digital media world makes episodic fiction increasingly attractive for many authors.

Featuring:

Jennifer Malone Wright

J.H. Glaze

K.B. Miller

RJ Sullivan

Travis Surber

 

Genre Fiction as an Effective Aid for Those With Disabilities

From special literary programs, to themes in stories, science fiction and other genre fiction has long been of help and comfort to those with special needs or disabilities.  This panel will explore some of the ways in which genre fiction plays a wonderful role in helping many who are contending with disabilities.

Featuring:

T. Lee Harris

Lee Martindale (M)

J. L. Mulvihill

Joy Ward

Marian Allen

 

4:00 PM Panels

Exploring Horror

Explore the realm of creating compelling horror with a cross-disciplinary group of panelists!  Panelists with backgrounds in books, movies, and games will participate in this special forum to examine what elements go into the foundation of effective horror, in a way that’s relevant to all types of creative expression.

Featuring:

L. Andrew Cooper

Selah Janel

S.B. Knight

Michael West

Brick Marlin

John Mulhall

Alternate History

Alternate History is a very exciting genre that challenges writers to explore the big “what ifs?”  What if a different side won a battle or war?  What if a different president was elected?  What if a different choice was made at a critical juncture in history?   All kinds of scenarios are explored by writers of alternate histories, and this panel will take a look at the unique challenges and considerations when writing in this genre.

Featuring:

Eric Garrison

J.L. Mulvihill

John Dawson Jackson

Shon Jason Medley (M)

Ren Garcia

Neal Sayatovich

Game of Thrones

Be prepared for spoilers!  A panel discussion comparing the highly popular HBO series adapting George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire Series.  What do you like and not like about the television version?   Perhaps the television version has some things that you liked better than the books?  This promises to be a fun panel for fans of the show, books, or both!

Featuring:

Tony Acree

Lee Martindale

Ian Harac

Lisa Morgan

Fan Fiction

A panel focused on writing fan fiction, including the reasons why it can be a useful endeavor for some writers, and why other writers advise strongly against it.  An honest discussion of a very popular pursuit in the world of creative writing today.

Featuring:

Marian Allen

Alicia Justice

Kayelle McClive

S.H. Roddey

 

5:30 Panels

Improv Storytelling

A fun and entertaining session that will feature a number of our author guests collaborating in a live, improve storytelling session!  Sure to be one of the most popular features on the literary track!  Don’t miss this one!

Featuring:

Tony Acree

L. Andrew Cooper

Selah Janel

Christian Jensen

Lee Martindale

J.L. Mulvihill

Susan Roddey

Avoiding Scams in Publishing

There are more scams than ever, looking to prey upon new authors.  This panel will discuss what to look for, in terms of red flags, when it comes to possible scams in the publishing industry.   Don’t be suckered into a bad situation, especially when it involves the rights to your work!

Featuring:

Ginny Flemming

Janet Harriet

Eric Beebe

Charlie Kenmore

Sandy Sullivan

Heavy Metal and Its Relationship With Speculative Fiction

Dio, Iron Maiden, Nightwish, Black Sabbath, Rush … the list goes on and on of hard rock and heavy metal bands who have incorporated fantasy and science fiction themes into their music and artwork.  This panel will explore the relationship of hard rock and heavy metal with speculative fiction,

Featuring:

Chris Brown

Scott Sandridge

Brick Marlin

Stephen Zimmer

Neil Sayatovich

Paranormal Explorations

From the popularity of paranormal investigations, to the popularity of paranormal-themed literature, the realm of the paranormal is certainly at the forefront.  Come and join in a discussion of the paranormal as it applies to literature and investigations!

Featuring:

K.B Miller

RJ Sullivan

Eric Garrison

Joy Ward

 

7:00 PM Panels

Book Publicity

This session, featuring Jitterbug PR, will take you through a survey of book publicity in all its forms, including traditional PR and campaigns involving New Media.   Publicity is a critical component to book sales, and authors of all levels would be wise to gain an understanding of the art of publicity!

Featuring:

Alicia Justice

Rachel Smith

Alexx Miller

Missy Goodman

John Mulhall

Mike Patton

Love and Sex For Geeks

A panel of an adult-themed variety, led by Alexandra Christian, exploring the topic of sex in the context of writing.  Should be a highly entertaining and informative panel if you are looking to write more effective romance, erotica, or spice up other genre fiction.

Featuring:

Christian Jenson

Kayelle McClive

Pamela Turner

Bethany Halle

Sandy Sullivan

Pitch the Publisher Session III

Come and pitch your manuscript/project to an established publisher at the third session of Fandom Fest’s Pitch the Publisher.  This session will feature none other than Post Mortem Press! 

Sunday Panels

9 AM

FandomFest Church Service

Come join us for a non-denominational worship service co-hosted by the Christian Gamers Guild and Fans for Christ. We'll read scripture, sing familiar hymns, hear a sermon, and offer an optional communion. Stick around afterwards to meet fellow Christians and learn more about the ministries.

10 AM Panels

Effective Ebook Marketing

Explore the ways that authors with success in eBook sales promote and market online.  There are things specific to different platforms such as Kindle and Nook, and there are very cost-effective techniques for getting the word out there.  Find out about things that are good to do, and also what is a waste of time and money. 

Featuring:

Jitterbug PR

Chris Brown

J.H. Glaze

Amy McCorkle

 Bethany Halle

Sandy Sullivan

Beta Reading

What is beta reading?  Why is it so important to an author?  What is involved in being a good beta reader?  This panel will explore the world of beta reading, from panelists with experience! 

Featuring:

Terry W. Ervin

Eric Garrison

S.H. Roddey

RJ Sullivan

Alexx Miller

Screenplay Writing

Come and find out what’s different about writing a screenplay as compared to a novel.  This panel will show you why the movie and the book will inevitably have significant differences.  The approach to writing a screenplay entails some special considerations and is an art in itself.  You might even find yourself inspired to begin writing one!

Featuring:

Ginny Fleming

Pamela Tuner

M.B. Weston

Lee Martindale (M)

Dave Creek

 

11:30 Panels

Successful Self pub

Self-publishing does not carry the stigma that it used to, but those who have bought many self-published titles know that it can be quite a minefield in terms of the range of quality offered.   Self-publishing successfully involves some key elements, and this panel will explore them.

Featuring:

Janet Harriet

Amy McCorkle

John Dawson Jackson

Travis Surber

Lee Martindale (M)

John Mulhall

Challenges of Co-Authoring

Co-authoring a book has many unique aspects, and this panel features authors familiar with the co-authoring process.  What should you expect?  How do you develop an effective collaboration?  How can you keep organized during a project?  Methods and tips on the dynamics of co-authoring will take center stage in this session.

Featuring:

Jennifer Malone Wright

K.B. Miller

Bethany Halle

Christian Jensen

Selah Janel
Susan Roddey

Animals in Fiction

This panel will explore the topic of animals in fiction, including animals that are characters and the use of animals in stories.  Some of the most heartwarming stories in literature have involved animals who have been main characters (Watership Down, for starters), or important parts of the cast (Shadowfax in LOTR).  Join this panel for a fun and interesting overview of the use of animals in fiction.

Featuring:

JH Glaze

T. Lee Harris

Scott Sandridge

J.L. Mulvihill

Brad Parnell

Ren Garcia

 

1 PM Panels

The Future of Physical Books

In a realm increasingly dominated by eBooks, physical books and bookstores still have a very viable place in the literary world.  This panel will explore the reasons why physical books will continue to survive, and perhaps even thrive!

Featuring:

Eric Garrison

Janet Harriet

T.L ee Harris

Shon Jason Medley

 M.B. Weston

Writing Good Book Reviews

Whether you are leaving a few sentences on Goodreads or Amazon, or run a regular book blogging site, good book reviews are an art in their own right.  This panel will explore insights and techniques for writing engaging and effective book reviews.

Featuring:

Alicia Justice

Scott Sandridge

Rachel Smith

Alexx Miller