The objective of writing science fiction, fantasy, (and fiction in general) is to explore the world of what could be, what should be, what should never be — to challenge your own assumptions, to discover, uncover, or invent new ways of thinking about life and new ways of seeing the world, humanity, and life, to expand beyond what is. Standing … Continue reading →
I chose one of my funnier articles on writing fiction and turned it into both a video and a podcast. I’m testing new software that I hope to use for a number of different applications, including workshops, and I’d like to know how these two formats work for you. VIDEO TEST: AUDIO TEST YOUTUBE LINK: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTAksz1NFyc … Continue reading →
Book covers…GOOD book covers, anyway—are a big flying pain in the ass on a good day, and they are so very much easier to get wrong than right. And blithe comments about hiring a professional cover designer don’t help. A BIG DIGRESSION ON THE FINANCIAL END OF SELF-PUBLISHING, AND HOW YOU STAY SOLVENT The Longview stories are, right now, low-margin. … Continue reading →
I think both readers and writers will find this a simply brilliant idea. A group of writers has banded together to create a series fiction advent calendar. Each of the writers has done a series story, and different parts of it will be posted throughout the advent season. You go to the calendar, click the links as they become available, … Continue reading →
The How NOT to Be an EVIL Marketer chat went well today, after the usual rocky start. This time the poll and the link to the free Boot Camp/Ugly Baby sign-up page that I’d set up in advance didn’t show up, and I had to rebuild them live. No pause once you’re live. But here’s the workshop: And if you’re … Continue reading →
I did that interview with Simon Whistler… http://rockingselfpublishing.com/author/simon/ (link opens in new tab) …that went live last Tuesday, and from doing that interview I bumped into Hugh Howey, and from doing that, I encountered an entire series of links to writers who have done the HARD math on self-publishing. I’m only giving you two. There are many, but these two are CRITICAL … Continue reading →
I put together a fun, but also useful, three-minute writing lesson for you. I’ve thrown in a free printable PDF lesson with built-in worksheets about how to escape the single worst problem ALL writers face, which you can get if you enjoy the video. Make sure your sound is on. I figured this would be fun for Friday. http://howtothinksideways.com/how-to-fix-the-worst-mistake-writers-make-in-3-minutes/ … Continue reading →
The content is the same—only now you can see, read, and print off (use pdf, it works better) every single line, clause, and sub-sub clause that pertains to you. DO print off and save every bit of it. Every page, every sub-page, every page that is marked as part of the agreement. When these clauses are updated—any of them—B&N must … Continue reading →
The short version: I have removed my books from sale on iBookstore because Apple has included a clause in software I don’t use and wouldn’t have used anyway a clause claiming the right to refuse publication on its platform of works created with this software (which is fine and I applaud their right) and further stating that if they reject … Continue reading →
My position is that slavery is alive and well in the US and everywhere else in the world, that most people are in favor of it and actively working for its furtherance, and that most of them would deny fervently that they are doing anything of the sort. I will support my position, and if you disagree with me you … Continue reading →