Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Quotes of the Week

If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.
—Orson Welles

Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. 

—P.J. O’Rourke

It doesn't matter how many great book ideas you have in your head if you can't finish writing one.

—Joe Bunting

Writing is finally about one thing: going into a room and doing it.
—William Goldman

The blank page is yours. Cast aside worries over art and criticism. Imagine a land without rules.
— Chuck Wendig

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Relic by Roberta Worthington

My friend Roberta Worthington has published her Young Adult novel!

RELIC 

Twelve-year-old Samantha Whitaker isn’t too happy about her parents’ decision to fulfill their dream of opening a country inn. She despises the inn, calling it “the Ick.” And she’s not too fond of anything else in the small village either, including the antique shop, where she purchases a strange relic just to annoy her mother.

Her defiance comes to a head when she steals her parents’ car—and crashes it after almost running over a strange chestnut-haired girl. As she regains consciousness, she wonders what happened to the girl, who’d been staring at her so unsettlingly. Had Samantha managed to avoid hitting her?

Strangely, no one knows anything about the mysterious girl. Samantha’s search for answers leads her to learn about the history of the old inn, which was once inhabited by a local legend, a colorful woman who had been a benefactor of the town, inviting artists, musicians, poets, and great minds of the time to hold lectures and classes there. Some believe her spirit still haunts the inn.

Uncovering a paranormal puzzle with a few missing pieces, Samantha’s journey takes her to surprising new places in this middle-grade mystery inspired by a real historical mansion.

Buy this book! I made the acknowledgements.

--Available on Amazon!

Monday, October 26, 2015

Injuring Eternity

 The year is 2631 and a weapons designer with the help of a prisoner, invents what should never exist.

McDonald is a Senior Research and Development Engineer, Material Sciences and Artificial Gravity Specialist. His latest project will be a force that will change history, and he doesn't even know it. His ignorance will allow them to begin Injuring Eternity.

Click the image and get a FREE copy!

--A Solstice 31 Saga Short Story.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Star Wars

I was watching the new trailer for the next Star Wars movie. Science Fiction popularity is about to skyrocket again!



--It is going to be tough getting tickets...

Monday, October 19, 2015

Quotes of the Week

Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights...
—E.L. Doctorow

A bad book is as much of a labor to write as a good one, it comes as sincerely from the author's soul.
—Aldous Huxley

Monday, October 12, 2015

Readers

I got an email from a reader:

"I just finished The Broken Cage and I want you to know that the scene in the Flask and Anvil made me cry. I know that piece of music. Adagio by Albinoni. It's the saddest, most beautiful music I know. It's perfect for that scene. I hope people recognize it. Did you know is was used in the original scifi movie Rollerball. God I hope they make a movie of your books just for that scene." --Jennifer R.


--BTW, I did know it was in Rollerball. I never thought anyone would notice... Thanks.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Capclave 2015

This image is cool and has nothing to do with Caclave

From the website:

Capclave is a small relaxed literary convention with a program that usually focuses on the short fiction form. Our Guests of Honor and other notable authors, editors, artists, and fans of the short fiction form will explore the creation and enjoyment of short fantasy and science fiction genre stories.

Past Capclaves have hosted discussions with authors and fans; readings by authors; a dealer's room with books, magazines, artwork, crafts, and other science fiction and fantasy related items; exhibits by artists; space science presentations from NASA; a hospitality suite; room parties; interesting conversations with other fans and professionals; and a relaxed atmosphere for visiting old friends and meeting new friends.

I will be there all day on Saturday! See you there!

Location: Hilton Washington DC North/Gaithersburg,
620 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Short Stories Preview

I have outlines ready for a series of short stories related to the Solstice 31 Saga. The first three are already available for free via the links on the right.

Many of them are writings that were saved from the cutting room floor. All these will be released individually over the coming year. In the end, I will assemble them all into a single volume.


--I still need to create the cover for the final edition.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Book signing

Fall for the Book
I had a pile of fun last night at the Fall for the Book event.

I sold some signed books, talked to other authors and learned some stuff:
  • I need some signage. I will be doing this again.
  • I need small book stands.
  • I need to order more of the anthology. I sold out of it.
  • Plot cards that explain to overall plot of the Solstice 31 trilogy.
  • I need a better pen. My Sharpy was drying out!
  • I can now accept Credit/Debit Cards!
I need to figure out how to provide promo codes for the Audible book.

--Fun stuff! Thanks to everyone that stopped by!


Thursday, October 1, 2015

Reminder: Fall for the Book, Tonight!


I will be signing books and chatting with readers!
  • When: Thursday October 1st, 6:30pm to 9:00pm. 
  • Where: Hylton Performing Arts Center (10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA)
  • Who: Me and about 150 other authors! I'll be the guy in the Hawaiian Shirt!
  • Why: The Broken Cage was just released on Sept 2nd!
Check out the Fall for the Book website for details and events for the entire week!