Backlist Stories, New Anthology

To my surprise, I have a backlist.

Some writers shed short stories the way long-haired cats shed fur. I am not one of them. I am more like one of those freaky-looking skin-only cats. Novels are my preferred length.

Let’s face it, though, it takes less time to write a short, and it is also easier to get it published. (Though harder, I think, to earn any money on it.) So, somehow or other, I have rubbed a handful of stories off on the couch pillows. It’s come to my belated attention that a number of these are now — well, “out of print” doesn’t describe it, because most of them were published online — out of circulation. A bunch of these are flash fiction, a few are longer.

So I have two or three dozen stories hanging around. In some cases, the rights have reverted back to me. Others, I wrote as entries for my blog. A few I meant to shop around, but after the obligatory reject from Azimov’s and Fantasy Magazine, put them back on the shelf and concentrated on my novels, which are my real love.

Let me get to the point. I’m thinking of taking a handful of these stories and publishing them as an anthology through Amazon’s Create Space program. I’m curious to know how it works, how difficult it is to use, and whether it is a possible venue for my novels. Yes, I admit, Michelle Davidson Argyle has inspired me! Before I take that step, however, I want to make sure I know what I am doing. Starting with a short story anthology could be fun.

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As I think about these questions, I’m finding Jamie DeBree’s advice on self-publishing helpful. Hat tip to Michelle for leading me to the link.

Fallen – Book Trailer of the Day

This one is good, but…

This one is AWESOME.

And here’s the music. Just for the hell of it, ’cause I love that song.

A Writer Defects

Seth Godin “defects” from traditional publishing. Ouch!

In a significant defection for the book industry, best-selling marketing author Seth Godin is ditching his traditional publisher, Portfolio, after a string of books and plans to sell his future works directly to his fans.

The author of about a dozen books including “Purple Cow” said he now has so many direct customer relationships, largely via his blog, that he no longer needs a traditional publisher. Mr. Godin plans to release subsequent titles himself in electronic books, via print-on-demand or in such formats as audiobooks, apps, small digital files called PDFs and podcasts.

…One of his many concerns about the current publishing market is that the process often takes 12 months or more to get a new title into the hands of his readers.

…Mr. Godin said he would hire a top-quality editor and someone to format the work for electronic distribution. “After those fixed costs, your idea is packaged as you want, and it can then be put on sale next to other potential best-sellers on Amazon and elsewhere,” he said. “The business race is on to have the relationship with the reader.”

Godin also said that the main people who need publishers are writers who don’t know who their audience is yet, or who need a platform to connect with their readers.

Notice the paradox? The publishers are turning away more midlist authors who have no platform, and banking on big names to keep them afloat. But it is really only the midlist authors with no platform who need publishers.

And Falling Fly – Book Trailer of the Day

Here’s a trailer that works entirely on the strength of just three things: the title, the artwork and the song.

The title and the artwork are already there, in the book. And that goes to show you the incredible importance of beautiful art and an awesome title. And falling, fly. Man. I love that.

The song fits just perfectly.

The book trailer tells us very little about the book or the plot or any of that stuff, but it conveys a mood, and I think that’s enough to intrigue. Anyway, it worked on me. Check out Skyler White, her website, and the sequel.

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Do you have or know of a breathtaking book trailer? Let me know!

Fins – Interview with Ashley Knight

Time for a review of Fins, by the lovely Ashley Knight The gorgeous cover is by Ken Koberlein.

Mermaids. I love mermaids.

In this young adult novel, Morgan discovers that her parents have been keeping secrets from her. Morgan’s mother has a new husband. And a new baby. And an ancient curse. Oh, and by the way, honey — you’re a mermaid!

Thanks for the head’s up, mom!

This is a fun, frothy novel, with likable characters and a gorgeous mer hero, Thayde. I happen to think that male swimmers have the finest bodies in the world. I fancied the hero probably looked like Matthew Mitcham:

Yum.

While Morgan is still trying to deal with her new family, Akin, a snotty bastard from a rival family, assaults and tries to rape her. Akin’s half-brother, the gorgeous Thayde, rescues her and beats back Akin. However, Thayde’s own family cast judgement on him, and, because he is honorable, he lets them strip him and tie him to a pole. One by one, they take turns torturing him….

It is now up to Morgan to rescue him.

This was my favorite scene in the book. I love torture scenes! What does that tell you about me? Let’s not dwell on that. Moving on….

Different kinds of mermaids have different colored tails (I love that!) and different powers. Because Morgan is a half-human, her powers should be weak, if she can even phase to mer form at all… yet not only can she phase, she has extremely strong powers.

Unfortunately, even if she can rescue Thayde from his own family, there is still a sea witch type character lurking in the background, who’s curse means that Morgan and Thayde might be forced to relive the same tragedy that once separated her mother from her true love.

***

Ashley was also kind enough to answer some of my questions.

Is this your first book? Tell us a little about what inspired it, how long it took you to write and what your writing process is like.

This is my first published book. I’ve had my poetry published before. I’ve loved mermaids ever since I saw “Splash!” in the early 80’s – Thom Shouse did such a remarkable job with Darryl Hannah’s tail that I knew they were real! I’ve written about them ever since. The last few years though, I’ve been more focused on my family & the bills than writing. In October of last year, I came across a picture of a mermaid & merman locked in a passionate kiss & it made me remember how much I loved them. I began writing that same day. I wrote from October to April.

My writing process is strange – I get an idea & I have to write or I lose it. Sometimes hours will fly by & I’ve written three chapters. Then there are days I’ll go for weeks with nothing. I never know where the story will go. I write & everything falls into place.

I loved her tail in that movie too! You have a toddler, am I right? How do you balance the demands of family and writing?

I have a six year old, Emma & an 18 month old, Belle.

I have to write when an idea hits – even if I’m cooking eggs with Belle on my hip while doing the laundry & making sure Emma’s doing her homework. Suddenly I’ll grab a pen & paper & write the idea down. When the kids are down for their nap or asleep at night, that’s when I finish up. My hubby’s been neglected as of late, the poor guy!

I can understand that. I have three kids of my own, all below the age of four. Whew! How did you connect with Chalet? Can you talk about the advantages of working with a small press?

I grew up on a ranch in New Meadows, Idaho & our neighbors were John & Karen Brees. Karen’s a published author & when we connected on Facebook, I asked her how she did it. She kindly introduced me to the Chalet Family.
I’ve not had my novels published before & I’ve only worked with Chalet. But I have both of my publishers home phone & cell phone numbers! I call them at all hours & they always answer. I doubt that happens very much with the larger publishers. I’m the type of person that doesn’t like anything to be sugar coated, & I love that they give me their honest, candid opinion. It means that when they say it’s good, they are telling the truth. Both of my publishers are kind, caring, thoughtful people & I just love them.

Thank you for stopping by, Ashley! Check out her website, where you can read the first chapters and find the book at Chalet Publishers.

Fins

Time for a review of Fins, by the lovely Ashley Knight

Mermaids. I love mermaids.

In this young adult novel, Morgan discovers that her parents have been keeping secrets from her. Elan’s mother has a new husband. And a new baby. And an ancient curse. Oh, and by the way, honey — you’re a mermaid!

Thanks for the head’s up, mom!

This is a fun, frothy novel, with likable characters and a gorgeous mer hero, Thayde. I happen to think that male swimmers have the finest bodies in the world. I fancied the hero probably looked like Matthew Mitcham:

Yum.

While Morgan is still trying to deal with her new family, Akin, a snotty bastard from a rival family, assaults and tries to rape her. Akin’s half-brother, the gorgeous Thayde, rescues her and beats back Akin. However, Thayde’s on family cast judgement on him, and, because he is honorable, he lets them strip him and tie him to a pole. One by one, they take turns torturing him….

It is now up to Elan to rescue him.

This was my favorite scene in the book. I love torture scenes! What does that tell you about me? Let’s not dwell on that. Moving on….

There were a few places where I felt the book kept to the shallows instead of swimming deeper. Elan’s father dies at the beginning of the story, for instance, but this hardly figures in the plot. Morgan and Thayde meet in dreams before they do in real life. I don’t mind this device in and of itself, but the danger is that it can shortchange the development of love between the hero and the heroine. It is already a given they are in love, so we are not shown how and why. I would have liked to spend more time with Thayde and Elan growing to know each other.

Different kinds of mermaids have different colored tails (I love that!) and different powers. Because Morgan is a half-human, her powers should be weak, if she can even phase to mer form at all… yet not only can she phase, she has extremely strong powers.

Unfortunately, even if she can rescue Thayde from his own family, there is still a sea witch type character lurking in the background, who’s curse means that Elan and Thayde might be forced to relive the same tragedy that once separated her mother from her true love.

I wonder if we can expect a sequel about Elan’s little sister?