Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Interview and Book Review

Several people have done some cool interviews with me in the past, but the great Hart Johnson just posted both an interview and a book review of my first novel, and I just love the questions she asked and her review is awesome. If you don't follow Hart, you should!

Interview with Hart Johnson

Also, here is an interview that came out yesterday at Lupa Mysteries.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Publication Day!

So today is my official publication day! You may be tired of seeing my cover already, but I can't NOT write about the publication day, right? It feels good to finally be able to call myself an author rather than just a writer. I see that it is #12 on Amazon under Cyberpunk new releases. That's a decent start.
Cover Illustration © Stephan Martiniere
I had a note this morning from a potential reader who said the book intrigued her, but she won't buy something without reviews. I wrote back that Amazon wouldn't allow reviews until the book went live. I do hope that some of you who have already read some of it may be willing to post reviews, since that will really help.  Actually, any sort of publicity can help a book with its launch. Word of mouth really does work! The most exciting part was getting a note this weekend from the great Hugh Howey, letting me know he loved the cover and blurb and had purchased a copy!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Writer versus Author

I've spent the past eight years writing seriously, and I never dared call my self an author. I was a writer. My definition of what it takes to be called an author wavered a bit, mainly because I couldn't quite pin down whether I would only consider a traditionally published writer to be an author or include self-published writers. It shouldn't be a surprise that the line wavers, because the stigma of self-publishing has itself wavered over these past few years.

I can't say that I have come to a definitive definition even now that I am finally being published. I see some truly excellent self-published books out there, certainly worthy of their author being called an author...but I see many, many more where even if the writer has true talent, they haven't produced the best product that they could have. Perhaps it was not having the money to afford hiring a professional editor. Perhaps it was a rush to get their book into print. I've learned to be patient over the years. I finished my first novel in 2009 and have yet to publish it, though I believe it is very good. I just think it isn't quite good enough yet.
copyright Stephan Martiniere
I do know one thing, though, and that is how I feel after publishing my debut novel. It's a palpable feeling that I can't deny--I feel different than I did. I feel like an author, and now I will call myself an author. It doesn't matter if most people ignore my book. I've already seen, in my brief couple weeks of marketing, that most people--even those who love science fiction--will not even take a glance at the book of an unknown author, regardless of quality, so it is truly difficult to get a good book out before the eyes of the buying public.

But I feel like an author, so I'm happy and I'll keep working at it. There is one thing I do wish readers would be more willing to do. It is so easy for them to help unknown writers gain some notice. If they like a story, why not write a quick review for it? Even a single paragraph, if a few minutes of thought is put into it, on Amazon and Goodreads can add important support for a newbie author.

What are your publishing experiences? If you have self-published, do you feel like an honest-to-goodness author?

p.s. Has anyone tried Ingram's Advance Catalog? Have you found it to be worth the money?

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Published!

Today is an exciting day for me! Breakwater Harbor Books is publishing my debut sci-fi thriller The Immortality Game, and today is the first time that I could go to Amazon and see my book (available for pre-order) and author page.

So far this is only the ebook edition. More ebooks will be available shortly at B&N's Nook store, Apple's iTunes store, Kobo, GooglePlay, and others. And the print edition will hopefully be available soon as well.

It's really something to see yourself on Amazon for the first time!

Friday, November 7, 2014

Cover Reveal -- The Immortality Game

I'm very happy to reveal the cover to my forthcoming technothriller The Immortality Game. Most likely the ebook will come out first sometime later this month, and then the paperback will become available. I hope you like the cover! (click to enlarge)
Cover Illustration © Stephan Martiniere
Anyone willing to help me spread the news once the book is published is very welcome! The cover can be used as long as it credits the artist as you see here. Watch this space or my Facebook page for updates.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Cover Art for The Immortality Game

I've very excited about the final version of the cover art done for my upcoming sci-fi thriller The Immortality Game. Stephan Martiniere is tied as my favorite living artist, along with Alan Lee, and he did just what I needed him to do here. Click it to enlarge!
Cover Illustration © Stephan Martiniere
The pyramid and twin curving hotel towers represent the home base of the antagonists in the novel, and it is where the climax takes place. The white floating stuff that looks a little like snow is called 'pukh' in Russian. It is actually poplar seeds, and it flies around like snow each summer in Moscow (and plays a symbolic role in the story).

The cover itself with all the typography is close to finished, thanks to some help from Bradley Wind. It is very difficult for a book, no matter how good, to gain any notice these days, so I hope this cover art will help draw attention to my novel once it comes out.