Hello friends. :)
Well, it's official! School is out, and I have passed all of my classes! ;D And I had a job interview this morning which went rather well. Hopefully I also get that job.
In the meantime, I've been CRAZY busy. Which is a really good thing. I've been able to pick up work on the commissions that had to be set aside during finals time, and I've been making more jewelry too. I've also been able to finish reading some of the books that I've received to read and review and haven't had a chance to finish. So now that I've gotten back into reading, expect reviews on some pretty neat books!
I feel kind of bad for not being able to post a lot on the P&P though... Don't worry folks, I have some more meaningful posts coming up. I promise! This little blog needs some TLC and it will get it. ^_^
Right now, I'm still freaking out over the trailer that I saw this morning for the Hobbit. Yes, LOTR fans, the official movie trailer is out, and it totally rocks!!! *dreamy sigh* Do we really have to wait a WHOLE YEAR to watch the actual movie? That's going to be... painful.
I'll post more meaningful stuff later!!! Expect a review on Jill Williamson's newest book, "Replication", and a review on Wayne Thomas Batson's "Sword in the stars". Also, I'll be posting news soon on the new constellation contest Mr. Batson is hosting for his newest book in The Dark Sea Annals, "The Errant King". All coming up soon!!!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Updates and sparkly JEWELRY!!!! :D (Updated)
(Updates: The pendant and chain "The Birth of New Life" and the silver and blue earrings "Icicles" have been spoken for. Thank you! ^_^)
Hello friends!
What do you know! I made it on before the end of the month this time. lol!
Well, I told you I would post more to let you know what's been going on in my life. It's been kind of hectic, but in a winding down, School's-almost-over, pleasant sort of way.
Unfortunately I was forced to quit my part time job about a month ago because of a clashing schedule and not enough pay to make it truly worth it. It was a rather sad day, because I really, really liked that job... I was a writing consultant at my college. But, with that said, since I pulled the plug on it, my grades have picked up a little bit in my other classes. Now I'm looking for something to keep the bills paid over the holidays and next semester... putting in my application as often as possible, and picking up art commissions in between to help with gas and insurance. (I'll be posting pictures of the commissions soon. The latest is coming along very nicely... almost finished. ^_^) It's not a lot, but I'm SO grateful that people like my art enough to have me do artwork for them. :) I never dreamed I would get the chance before.
ANYWAY...
On the note of picking up the odd job here and there, I've started making jewelry.... again... <_< That is to say, I've made it before when I was younger, but back then it was only made for me, and it wasn't as good-looking or as complicated as it is now. :) Now, I make the jewelry under the "company" name "Personalities" (which was my mothers idea. ;) In fact, my mom and my sisters and I craft under that title now. ^_^) I started making the Jewelry for a craft fair here in central IL, and I got a lot of large compliments over it. So... I decided to offer it here on the P&P. I told you yesterday that I would put prices up with the pictures, if you are interested in buying any of the pieces. If you decide to buy a piece, thank you very much! The money will help keep me in a car over the holidays. ^_^ And I apologize in advance for the slightly blurry pictures. :P I was having trouble with the camera.
(note: Consider all pieces completely hand crafted from scratch unless otherwise noted. Pieces marked NA are not for sale. Please note, though, that some of the pieces can be replicated upon request, as I wrote down the patterns as I was creating them. All jewelry currently available was made entirely from scratch. Shipping and handling is not included in the prices listed below. Please consider about $3.00 for shipping and handling as you make your selection to cover packaging and shipping. I am currently accepting checks until the Paypal account for "Personalities" is set up. Packages will be shipped after payment is received. Thank you!)
Price: $16 SOLD
Price: $10 SOLD
And that's it for now. I hope you like the pictures!!! There will be more to come soon. And, if you are interested in buying any of the pieces, just let me know in a comment. First come first serve. I'll be setting up a paypall account soon so that things can be taken care of quicker and with less hassle.
In other news, Wayne Thomas Batson is hosting another contest to promote his latest book, "The Errant King". More word on that in a later post... Perhaps I'll get it up later this afternoon. For now, it's back to classes and finals! :P See you all later!!! ^_^
Hello friends!
What do you know! I made it on before the end of the month this time. lol!
Well, I told you I would post more to let you know what's been going on in my life. It's been kind of hectic, but in a winding down, School's-almost-over, pleasant sort of way.
Unfortunately I was forced to quit my part time job about a month ago because of a clashing schedule and not enough pay to make it truly worth it. It was a rather sad day, because I really, really liked that job... I was a writing consultant at my college. But, with that said, since I pulled the plug on it, my grades have picked up a little bit in my other classes. Now I'm looking for something to keep the bills paid over the holidays and next semester... putting in my application as often as possible, and picking up art commissions in between to help with gas and insurance. (I'll be posting pictures of the commissions soon. The latest is coming along very nicely... almost finished. ^_^) It's not a lot, but I'm SO grateful that people like my art enough to have me do artwork for them. :) I never dreamed I would get the chance before.
ANYWAY...
On the note of picking up the odd job here and there, I've started making jewelry.... again... <_< That is to say, I've made it before when I was younger, but back then it was only made for me, and it wasn't as good-looking or as complicated as it is now. :) Now, I make the jewelry under the "company" name "Personalities" (which was my mothers idea. ;) In fact, my mom and my sisters and I craft under that title now. ^_^) I started making the Jewelry for a craft fair here in central IL, and I got a lot of large compliments over it. So... I decided to offer it here on the P&P. I told you yesterday that I would put prices up with the pictures, if you are interested in buying any of the pieces. If you decide to buy a piece, thank you very much! The money will help keep me in a car over the holidays. ^_^ And I apologize in advance for the slightly blurry pictures. :P I was having trouble with the camera.
(note: Consider all pieces completely hand crafted from scratch unless otherwise noted. Pieces marked NA are not for sale. Please note, though, that some of the pieces can be replicated upon request, as I wrote down the patterns as I was creating them. All jewelry currently available was made entirely from scratch. Shipping and handling is not included in the prices listed below. Please consider about $3.00 for shipping and handling as you make your selection to cover packaging and shipping. I am currently accepting checks until the Paypal account for "Personalities" is set up. Packages will be shipped after payment is received. Thank you!)
(Pair of Earrings)
Title: Ring Around the Sun
Price: currently NA (pending)
Price: currently NA (pending)
(pendant and chain)
Title: The birth of New Life
(note: The chain is not hand crafted)
(Hand crafted chain)
Title: Frills and Lace
(more can be made upon request)
(more can be made upon request)
Price: $12
(pair of earrings)
Title: Christmas Cheer
(more can be made upon request)
Price: $10
(Necklace)
Title: Spring's Revelry
Price: $20
2 bracelets (1 child - 1 adult)
Title: Summer's Ice
(more can be made upon request)
Child's bracelet price: $5
Adult's bracelet price: $6
(Ring)
Title: Burning the Yule Log
Price: Currently NA (pending)
(pair of earrings)
Title: Icicles
(more can be made upon request)
(pendant and chain)
Title: The music of Christmas
Price: NA
(note: The chain is not hand crafted)
(necklace)
Title: Christmas Lace
Price: NA
(ring)
Title: Unity Ever Green
Price: $10
And that's it for now. I hope you like the pictures!!! There will be more to come soon. And, if you are interested in buying any of the pieces, just let me know in a comment. First come first serve. I'll be setting up a paypall account soon so that things can be taken care of quicker and with less hassle.
In other news, Wayne Thomas Batson is hosting another contest to promote his latest book, "The Errant King". More word on that in a later post... Perhaps I'll get it up later this afternoon. For now, it's back to classes and finals! :P See you all later!!! ^_^
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
CSFF Blog Tour: Corus the Champion (and rambling updates)
Hello Bloggy Friends!!! :D
It has honestly been way too long. I never meant to disappear for all of November, but that's exactly what happened, isn't it? Now I have so much I want to talk about! I went to a weapon's seminar thing that a friend of mine put on for our writer's group... he's what one might call an "expert" hobby-ist when it comes to medieval weapons. We worked on sword maneuvers and had mock sparing matches so that all of the fantasy writers in our group could get a taste of what their characters had to endure. Then we were able to pick a "weapon" (made with pvc pipe, Styrofoam, and duck-tape) from his stash of practice pieces, and he taught us all about our choice. My choice was the Glaive, which is similar to a spear crossed with an axe. It's a pole arm and can be used much like a quarter staff, or like a spear... and I've discovered that I like the feel of that weapon in my own hands even better than the grip of a sword. Don't get me wrong! Swords are awesome, and it was so cool to finally be able to wield one (even if it was fake), but the Glaive just feels right somehow. When I square up, it's like I already know what to do, and my moves feel smoother -- less jerky and hesitant than I am with a sword. :)
I've also been making a lot of neat jewelry lately. I took pictures yesterday, and as soon as I can figure out how to work my sister's camera to get the pictures from her SD card to my computer, I'll post them on the P&P. I plan to start offering the pieces that I'm making for sale, in case anyone is interested. Just in time for the Christmas season too... *wink, wink* I'm excited about it because I keep having people stop to ask me where I got my pendant or my earrings, and it's fun to tell people that I made them myself. ^_^ So, if you like what you see when I start posting pictures, let me know. I'll offer prices with the pictures. And perhaps it will make you feel better to know that with every piece of jewelry you buy, you help keep a poor College Student in a car over the holidays. lol! :D
But more on all that later. Right now I have a review to write. ^_^
Corus the Champion: Synopsis
With Nemesia's defeat, the Barlows have helped turn the tide in the Hidden Lands. An even greater evil stirs
in the north with a fierce new army bent on destruction. As the twins, Gabe and Garret, discover their own special powers, a thin thread of hope emerges: long ago, a fabled king was rescued from death on our world and hidden on Karac Tor. Who is he?
Each brother has their part to play. Hadyn must travel north to warn the land rulers, which leaves Ewan with a bitter choice. Will he sacrifice what is most precious to discover whether Corus lives? Even more important, if Corus is alive, can he wake the Sleeping King of legend... before it's too late?
My thoughts:
So far, I'm really enjoying this book. I say "so far" because I haven't quite finished yet. In fact, I'm not quite at the middle of it yet either, which is rather unusual for me, if I do say so myself. Usually I finish a book within maybe a week... perhaps two... of when I receive it, but this semester has been so crazy, I just haven't had much extra time in between classes, studying, working on commissions, and trying to find another job.
Anyway...
I've been looking into this series since I first heard of the first book, "The book of Names". The cover intrigued me to no end, and once I found out what it was about... boys traveling to another, parallel world... and learned about the connection these books include between pure fantasy and the stories of King Arthur, I knew that I would be reading them someday.
Unfortunately for me, "Corus the Champion" is the second book in the series... not the first. So of course, seeing as I haven't read the first book yet, I'm having a little trouble picking up on the back story. Not to say that this book isn't good on it's own. In fact, far from it! I could tell from the very first chapter that I would like reading this one. D. Barkley Briggs has quite the way with words. I love how he weaves in details and descriptions without being over flowery. When I read the words, I truly am transported into Mr. Brigg's world. And somehow, it feels very real to me... even with all of the elements of fantasy.
Somehow the writing... or perhaps it is the type of world... reminds me of Jeffery Overstreet's Auralia series. It's hard to explain why this is, because I find their styles to be quite different. And yet... I can't help but feel as if the two worlds were almost connected. Strange, I know... and probably very off course, as these are two separate authors we are talking about. But still.
What do I think of the characters? Well... at this moment I think I'm slightly in "reader's love" with the strange and mysterious Prince of Vineland. And I'm rather intrigued by Ewan's ability with music. The margins in my copy of the book are currently being filled with notes about the things that I like, or a particular use of style that is intriguing, or the writer's twist on a phrase... or a description. I don't usually mark up my books like this, but like I mentioned before, I keep finding myself inspired while I'm reading this.
On that note, I really, REALLY, wish I had read the first book first. I think the stories might stand well on their own, but I still feel like I'm missing something. I would like to know how the Barlows got to the Hidden Land, and learn more about this "Nemesia" that's mentioned in the book's blurb. Perhaps that's only my thoughts, though.
So far, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. When I actually get to the end of it, I would like to do an annalysis of the story as a whole. As of this moment though, I am thoroughly enjoying just taking my time with it. I keep having to stop, you see, and write a few notes down for SOTD. ;D
If you would like to know more about the book, though, you are more than welcomed to check out the other posts about it. A list of CSFF participants is posted below. Happy reading! :)
Gillian Adams
Noah Arsenault
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
CSFF Blog Tour
Carol Bruce Collett
Theresa Dunlap
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Christopher Hopper
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Marzabeth
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Sarah Sawyer
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Nichole White
Rachel Wyant
It has honestly been way too long. I never meant to disappear for all of November, but that's exactly what happened, isn't it? Now I have so much I want to talk about! I went to a weapon's seminar thing that a friend of mine put on for our writer's group... he's what one might call an "expert" hobby-ist when it comes to medieval weapons. We worked on sword maneuvers and had mock sparing matches so that all of the fantasy writers in our group could get a taste of what their characters had to endure. Then we were able to pick a "weapon" (made with pvc pipe, Styrofoam, and duck-tape) from his stash of practice pieces, and he taught us all about our choice. My choice was the Glaive, which is similar to a spear crossed with an axe. It's a pole arm and can be used much like a quarter staff, or like a spear... and I've discovered that I like the feel of that weapon in my own hands even better than the grip of a sword. Don't get me wrong! Swords are awesome, and it was so cool to finally be able to wield one (even if it was fake), but the Glaive just feels right somehow. When I square up, it's like I already know what to do, and my moves feel smoother -- less jerky and hesitant than I am with a sword. :)
I've also been making a lot of neat jewelry lately. I took pictures yesterday, and as soon as I can figure out how to work my sister's camera to get the pictures from her SD card to my computer, I'll post them on the P&P. I plan to start offering the pieces that I'm making for sale, in case anyone is interested. Just in time for the Christmas season too... *wink, wink* I'm excited about it because I keep having people stop to ask me where I got my pendant or my earrings, and it's fun to tell people that I made them myself. ^_^ So, if you like what you see when I start posting pictures, let me know. I'll offer prices with the pictures. And perhaps it will make you feel better to know that with every piece of jewelry you buy, you help keep a poor College Student in a car over the holidays. lol! :D
But more on all that later. Right now I have a review to write. ^_^
Corus the Champion: Synopsis
in the north with a fierce new army bent on destruction. As the twins, Gabe and Garret, discover their own special powers, a thin thread of hope emerges: long ago, a fabled king was rescued from death on our world and hidden on Karac Tor. Who is he?
Each brother has their part to play. Hadyn must travel north to warn the land rulers, which leaves Ewan with a bitter choice. Will he sacrifice what is most precious to discover whether Corus lives? Even more important, if Corus is alive, can he wake the Sleeping King of legend... before it's too late?
My thoughts:
So far, I'm really enjoying this book. I say "so far" because I haven't quite finished yet. In fact, I'm not quite at the middle of it yet either, which is rather unusual for me, if I do say so myself. Usually I finish a book within maybe a week... perhaps two... of when I receive it, but this semester has been so crazy, I just haven't had much extra time in between classes, studying, working on commissions, and trying to find another job.
Anyway...
I've been looking into this series since I first heard of the first book, "The book of Names". The cover intrigued me to no end, and once I found out what it was about... boys traveling to another, parallel world... and learned about the connection these books include between pure fantasy and the stories of King Arthur, I knew that I would be reading them someday.
Unfortunately for me, "Corus the Champion" is the second book in the series... not the first. So of course, seeing as I haven't read the first book yet, I'm having a little trouble picking up on the back story. Not to say that this book isn't good on it's own. In fact, far from it! I could tell from the very first chapter that I would like reading this one. D. Barkley Briggs has quite the way with words. I love how he weaves in details and descriptions without being over flowery. When I read the words, I truly am transported into Mr. Brigg's world. And somehow, it feels very real to me... even with all of the elements of fantasy.
Somehow the writing... or perhaps it is the type of world... reminds me of Jeffery Overstreet's Auralia series. It's hard to explain why this is, because I find their styles to be quite different. And yet... I can't help but feel as if the two worlds were almost connected. Strange, I know... and probably very off course, as these are two separate authors we are talking about. But still.
What do I think of the characters? Well... at this moment I think I'm slightly in "reader's love" with the strange and mysterious Prince of Vineland. And I'm rather intrigued by Ewan's ability with music. The margins in my copy of the book are currently being filled with notes about the things that I like, or a particular use of style that is intriguing, or the writer's twist on a phrase... or a description. I don't usually mark up my books like this, but like I mentioned before, I keep finding myself inspired while I'm reading this.
On that note, I really, REALLY, wish I had read the first book first. I think the stories might stand well on their own, but I still feel like I'm missing something. I would like to know how the Barlows got to the Hidden Land, and learn more about this "Nemesia" that's mentioned in the book's blurb. Perhaps that's only my thoughts, though.
So far, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. When I actually get to the end of it, I would like to do an annalysis of the story as a whole. As of this moment though, I am thoroughly enjoying just taking my time with it. I keep having to stop, you see, and write a few notes down for SOTD. ;D
If you would like to know more about the book, though, you are more than welcomed to check out the other posts about it. A list of CSFF participants is posted below. Happy reading! :)
Gillian Adams
Noah Arsenault
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
CSFF Blog Tour
Carol Bruce Collett
Theresa Dunlap
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Christopher Hopper
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Marzabeth
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Sarah Sawyer
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Nichole White
Rachel Wyant
Thursday, November 3, 2011
THE BIG SEVEN-ZERO!!!! and gory murder... but no blood... how does that work? ;)
You read that right people!!! The P&P has officially reached 70 followers!!! *does a little happy jig*
And as I promised, it's time to set up a giveaway in celebration. :) I think what I'm going to do is set up a poll, and see what YOU GUYS would like to see given away as the prize. Your options are at this moment:
1) a book (haven't decided which one yet... that decision will come later, if you guys decide you would like a book giveaway rather than anything else. ;D)
2) 1 black and white pencil drawing (finished) of one of your characters or favorite book characters...
3) an author page set up on the P&P for 1 month, and congratulations and links given over at SOTD's facebook page as advertisement.
There's a possible fourth prize, but I haven't decided on it yet. It would be one song composed by Jonathan Miaco. However, I have neither purchased this song yet, nor decided on which song exactly to choose (or whether to let you guys choose), nor have I talked to the composer. So we will have to wait and see on that one. ;)
Now... what does this have to do with gory murder without blood? How is that even accomplished?!?!
It's quite simple really. ^_^ I'm going to set up the poll a little later today, but in the meantime, you, my faithful followers, are charged to KILL THIS THREAD!!! No blood involved. No knives. But death... yes, death! lol!
That's right, people. Last person to post a comment on this thread for 24 consecutive hours is the winner of the prize that the P&P followers will choose by poll. Choose wisely, my friends... you may end up the receiver of whatever prize is chosen! :)
This very game has been done on several other blogs before. The one I remember the most was on author Wayne Thomas Batson's blog, "Enter the Door Within" and it lasted almost a year before Mr. Batson had to close the thread himself. lol! I doubt my version of the game will last nearly as long, but you never know. ;D
Comment away!!!
And as I promised, it's time to set up a giveaway in celebration. :) I think what I'm going to do is set up a poll, and see what YOU GUYS would like to see given away as the prize. Your options are at this moment:
1) a book (haven't decided which one yet... that decision will come later, if you guys decide you would like a book giveaway rather than anything else. ;D)
2) 1 black and white pencil drawing (finished) of one of your characters or favorite book characters...
3) an author page set up on the P&P for 1 month, and congratulations and links given over at SOTD's facebook page as advertisement.
There's a possible fourth prize, but I haven't decided on it yet. It would be one song composed by Jonathan Miaco. However, I have neither purchased this song yet, nor decided on which song exactly to choose (or whether to let you guys choose), nor have I talked to the composer. So we will have to wait and see on that one. ;)
Now... what does this have to do with gory murder without blood? How is that even accomplished?!?!
It's quite simple really. ^_^ I'm going to set up the poll a little later today, but in the meantime, you, my faithful followers, are charged to KILL THIS THREAD!!! No blood involved. No knives. But death... yes, death! lol!
That's right, people. Last person to post a comment on this thread for 24 consecutive hours is the winner of the prize that the P&P followers will choose by poll. Choose wisely, my friends... you may end up the receiver of whatever prize is chosen! :)
This very game has been done on several other blogs before. The one I remember the most was on author Wayne Thomas Batson's blog, "Enter the Door Within" and it lasted almost a year before Mr. Batson had to close the thread himself. lol! I doubt my version of the game will last nearly as long, but you never know. ;D
Comment away!!!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Nanowrimo 2011 and Publishing News
Well, it's that time of year again! Nanowrimo 2011 officially started yesterday at 12:00am, and I'm stoked. :)
Am I working on something for Nano? Why yes... yes I am. But it's not anything new. Not yet. I know the rules of Nano technically say that I'm not allowed to work on older pieces, but they are just going to have to make an exception for me. Because my plan is not to start a completely new story -- it is to MOVE FORWARD on SOTD.
That's right people. This is my Nanowrimo resolution! The rewrite of SOTD will FINALLY move forward again. No more going back and going over the chapters that I've already worked through: I've perfected them enough! Now it's time to move on. Chapter 4 is calling (and yes, that's right; I'm still stuck on "perfecting" the first three rewritten chapters. But I give up. They are good enough now; I have to move on!) I may not get the rewrite of the book completely done, but I will MOVE FORWARD. And right now, that's the most important part.
So, the idea is that I will try to post the moving word count at least once a week, and perhaps post excerpts. Maybe. I just may go back over some of the newer parts and edit as I go, but that's just part of my writing process. If I don't go back and reread some of what I had before, for some reason I just can't move forward. So who knows. :D
In other news, I've been doing more and more research into the publishing business and the ins and outs of starting a small press. I'm hoping to get some interviews done within the next couple of months. Last night I read an article that was absolutely horrifying, about a small press that completely imploded. Believe me when I say, it was quite the scary deal.
Besides that, however, I've found a miniature library of advice given via the interwebz for people interested in starting small presses. I'm through as much of it as I can retain, and trying to put together a marketing strategy that will best benefit the authors of the company. I'm also considering changing the name. I LOVE the name "Magpie Publications" or "Magpie Eclectic Press", but just recently I discovered that there's quite a bit of folklore surrounding the magpie, and a lot of it isn't exactly positive... though it's not necessarily negative either. So I might be considering a new name for this venture I'm preparing to undertake. We'll have to wait and see.
Well, that's all the news I have for right now. I perhaps I'll have something more to post about tomorrow. I know this is a really short post, but I haven't had a whole lot of time lately. I hope to get up more soon.
Bye for now! :D
Nichole
Am I working on something for Nano? Why yes... yes I am. But it's not anything new. Not yet. I know the rules of Nano technically say that I'm not allowed to work on older pieces, but they are just going to have to make an exception for me. Because my plan is not to start a completely new story -- it is to MOVE FORWARD on SOTD.
That's right people. This is my Nanowrimo resolution! The rewrite of SOTD will FINALLY move forward again. No more going back and going over the chapters that I've already worked through: I've perfected them enough! Now it's time to move on. Chapter 4 is calling (and yes, that's right; I'm still stuck on "perfecting" the first three rewritten chapters. But I give up. They are good enough now; I have to move on!) I may not get the rewrite of the book completely done, but I will MOVE FORWARD. And right now, that's the most important part.
So, the idea is that I will try to post the moving word count at least once a week, and perhaps post excerpts. Maybe. I just may go back over some of the newer parts and edit as I go, but that's just part of my writing process. If I don't go back and reread some of what I had before, for some reason I just can't move forward. So who knows. :D
In other news, I've been doing more and more research into the publishing business and the ins and outs of starting a small press. I'm hoping to get some interviews done within the next couple of months. Last night I read an article that was absolutely horrifying, about a small press that completely imploded. Believe me when I say, it was quite the scary deal.
Besides that, however, I've found a miniature library of advice given via the interwebz for people interested in starting small presses. I'm through as much of it as I can retain, and trying to put together a marketing strategy that will best benefit the authors of the company. I'm also considering changing the name. I LOVE the name "Magpie Publications" or "Magpie Eclectic Press", but just recently I discovered that there's quite a bit of folklore surrounding the magpie, and a lot of it isn't exactly positive... though it's not necessarily negative either. So I might be considering a new name for this venture I'm preparing to undertake. We'll have to wait and see.
Well, that's all the news I have for right now. I perhaps I'll have something more to post about tomorrow. I know this is a really short post, but I haven't had a whole lot of time lately. I hope to get up more soon.
Bye for now! :D
Nichole
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Guest Post by Janice Hardy
Hello Bloggy Friends!! ^_^
I know it's been a while since I posted last. It's been a while since I've had any extra time! But at long last I'm here to post again. And today is special, because today marks the P&P's first Guest Post! :)
My guest today is Janice Hardy, author of "The Healing Wars" trilogy. You can read my review of her first book, "The Shifter" here: http://theravenquill.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-day-feels-untitled.html
I know it's been a while since I posted last. It's been a while since I've had any extra time! But at long last I'm here to post again. And today is special, because today marks the P&P's first Guest Post! :)
My guest today is Janice Hardy, author of "The Healing Wars" trilogy. You can read my review of her first book, "The Shifter" here: http://theravenquill.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-day-feels-untitled.html
Janice also runs a blog that is very informative as far as the writing process goes. I often find her posts very inspiring.
So without further delay, I give you Janice Hardy!! :D
Going Both Ways: Outlines for Plot, Pantser for Character
Going Both Ways: Outlines for Plot, Pantser for Character
I realized something recently. I’m an outliner all the way when it comes to crafting the plots in my stories. But for my character arcs, I’m a total pantser. I always know where my characters are going, but rarely how they’ll get there.
To me, this is the best of both worlds, especially since I write science fiction and fantasy, which tends to be fairly plot-focused. I can devote as much time as I need prepping my story framework, then turn my characters loose and see what happens. Not only does it allow me to spend more time developing those characters as I write, it keeps the story fresh for me. I never know how things are going to unfold.
Sometimes this does get me into trouble, but that’s half the fun. In my recent teen fantasy, Darkfall, I knew my heroine Nya had to somehow become the leader of a rebellion. The problem? It just didn’t seem plausible for a 15-year-old-girl to find herself in such a position of power and authority. Being part of a rebellion, sure, but leading it? How could I make that plausible?
The plot needed this, so I took a hard look at Nya and tried to figure out what she would do in this situation. The answer was pretty easy—I told her what to do and turned her loose. She’d figure out how to get there.
For three books, Nya has always done what she felt was right to protect those she loves. She’s also quick to jump into trouble, and has one or two hot-button issues that steal all reason right out of her head. So…
Nya’s loved ones in trouble + hot-button issue = Nya acting without thinking.
If she had to end up leading a rebellion, she just had to find herself in a situation that made her act without thinking to save those she loves. I had to put the pressure on her and see how long it took her to crack and try to take over. Because she would do that eventually. That’s just who she is. She’s learned to rely on no one but herself.
Naturally, I finagled a little with the meaning of “leader” to fit the story better and still fulfill my plot vision. Nya as a general in an army didn’t work, but she could very easily be the driving force behind a rebellion, or be the inspiration for one. And considering how much Nya hates to be the center of attention, putting her in the spotlight made for a lot of writing fun for me.
If you’re an outlining panster, (or think you might be) here are some tips on crafting a story with the best of both worlds:
1. Outliner: Pick a few goals for your characters that set the direction you want the story to go in. That’ll give you a framework in which to write.
Pantser: Think about the motives or emotional states of your characters and why they might go after those goals. How a character feels about something will determine how they approach a problem or how they might go about getting what they want.
2. Outliner: Look for the big turning points in the story. Where do your characters need to be when those moments happen? Where do they need to be going forward after that?
Pantser: Look at where your character has come from, who they are at that point in the story, and who they might become in the near future? How might their past affect how they act? What past fears might be affected (or affect) what’s to come in the plot?
3. Outliner: What are the major surprises in the story? The big reveals or secrets? When are they revealed?
Pantser: How blindsided might your characters be? Do they spot the hints or do they miss them? How do they react to the surprises that surprise you? Is there anything in their past that can shake things up even further?
For the pantser half, most of these things you probably won’t know until you get there, but they’re fun things to think about as you write or after you’ve gotten that first rough draft down on paper. And one last extra outliner/panster tip:
4. Keep asking yourself how your character feels about what’s going on. Where are they at emotionally and mental when they start a scene? Where are they during the scene? Where do they end up at the end of the scene, and how does that affect their choices moving on? You might be following the plot, but it’ll help you develop rich characters to go with that plot.
If you like a little structure to keep you on track, but relish the discovery of an unfolding story, a combo outline/pantser style might be for you.
What’s your style? Why does that style appeal to you? Is there anything about it you’d like to change?
Janice Hardy always wondered about the darker side of healing. For her fantasy trilogy THE HEALING WARS, she tapped into her own dark side to create a world where healing was dangerous, and those with the best intentions often made the worst choices. Her books include THE SHIFTER, BLUE FIRE, and DARKFALL from Balzer+Bray/Harper Collins. You can visit her online at www.janicehardy.com or chat with her about writing on her blog, The Other Side of the Story. blog.janicehardy.com.
About Darkfall
War has come.
Nya’s the one who brought it. And the people love her for it.
With Baseer in shambles and Geveg now an impenetrable military stronghold, Nya and the Underground have fled to a safer location—without Tali. Nya is guilt-ridden over leaving her sister behind and vows to find her, but with the rebellion in full swing and refugees flooding the Three Territories, she fears she never will.
The Duke, desperate to reclaim the throne as his own, has rallied his powerful army. And they are on the move, destroying anyone who gets in the way.
To save her sister, her family, and her people, Nya needs to stay ahead of the Duke’s army and find a way to build one of her own. Past hurts must be healed, past wrongs must be righted, and Nya must decide: Is she merely a pawn in the rebellion, a symbol of hope—or is she ready to be a hero?
Nya’s the one who brought it. And the people love her for it.
With Baseer in shambles and Geveg now an impenetrable military stronghold, Nya and the Underground have fled to a safer location—without Tali. Nya is guilt-ridden over leaving her sister behind and vows to find her, but with the rebellion in full swing and refugees flooding the Three Territories, she fears she never will.
The Duke, desperate to reclaim the throne as his own, has rallied his powerful army. And they are on the move, destroying anyone who gets in the way.
To save her sister, her family, and her people, Nya needs to stay ahead of the Duke’s army and find a way to build one of her own. Past hurts must be healed, past wrongs must be righted, and Nya must decide: Is she merely a pawn in the rebellion, a symbol of hope—or is she ready to be a hero?
Sunday, October 16, 2011
The Importance of Branding
Hello blogging friends.
In my last post I mentioned that I was reading some interesting articles and that I hoped to be able to post on a few of them soon. Well, it would seem that I’ve come to a point of inspiration. Not that it’s a point that hasn’t been covered well before by other writers, but I want to write about this particular point now because of the fact that for independent companies as well as aspiring authors and artists by themselves, this is a most important subject.
It is the subject of branding.
Look around you. Check out your favorite websites or blogs online. Look into your most well-known local businesses. Everywhere you turn you will see an example of branding. Every entrepreneurial spirit, every college kid out trying to make a name for themselves, and every person looking for a job in this economy is actually trying to sell themselves off of some type of brand… their own.
It is the subject of branding.
Look around you. Check out your favorite websites or blogs online. Look into your most well-known local businesses. Everywhere you turn you will see an example of branding. Every entrepreneurial spirit, every college kid out trying to make a name for themselves, and every person looking for a job in this economy is actually trying to sell themselves off of some type of brand… their own.
Their names. Their records. Their accomplishments.
They put these into a bundle of information that they present to the public. And it would seem that the more the public sees the good in that information and the more people look into that person’s or company’s accomplishments and decide to buy from them or follow them, the better known their “branding” becomes.
Think of it this way: consider your favorite brand of clothing, or your favorite type of cereal, or even your favorite publishing company. Now ask yourselves the question, why is it your favorite? Chances are that for the reason you buy that particular product from that particular company, other people are buying the same product for the same reasons from the same company.
Branding. The company is making its mark. People notice them because of their products. They are getting seen, they are getting attention, and they are growing a reputation as they sell their products.
That’s why I think that one of the hardest parts of starting a new company is creating and marketing a brand for your company. Whether you are starting out as an independent author, as many people have (consider Joe Konrath or Rachael Starr Thompson) or you are creating a brand spankin’ new company (Like Marcher Lord Press, Flaming Pen Press, and the Spearhead Guild), good branding becomes the life blood of your establishment. Good branding comes with/from a good reputation, which means people looking at your product, which means people buying your product. On the other hand branding that comes with/from a bad reputation means people passing over a product and the company ultimately drowning.
You’ll notice I mention reputation a lot. It’s true that reputation and branding walk hand in hand in this world of business. People trust brands because of good reputations, and likewise, they shun brands because of bad ones. If you wanted to get technical, you could say that reputation is everything… it’s even more important than branding is, which is true to a degree. However, one has to think of how they present their reputation to the public, and that’s where branding comes in.
Let’s look up the definition of branding, shall we? The very definition of branding is:
1) commerce product or manufacturer: a name, usually a trademark, of a product or manufacturer, or the product identified by this name
They put these into a bundle of information that they present to the public. And it would seem that the more the public sees the good in that information and the more people look into that person’s or company’s accomplishments and decide to buy from them or follow them, the better known their “branding” becomes.
Think of it this way: consider your favorite brand of clothing, or your favorite type of cereal, or even your favorite publishing company. Now ask yourselves the question, why is it your favorite? Chances are that for the reason you buy that particular product from that particular company, other people are buying the same product for the same reasons from the same company.
Branding. The company is making its mark. People notice them because of their products. They are getting seen, they are getting attention, and they are growing a reputation as they sell their products.
That’s why I think that one of the hardest parts of starting a new company is creating and marketing a brand for your company. Whether you are starting out as an independent author, as many people have (consider Joe Konrath or Rachael Starr Thompson) or you are creating a brand spankin’ new company (Like Marcher Lord Press, Flaming Pen Press, and the Spearhead Guild), good branding becomes the life blood of your establishment. Good branding comes with/from a good reputation, which means people looking at your product, which means people buying your product. On the other hand branding that comes with/from a bad reputation means people passing over a product and the company ultimately drowning.
You’ll notice I mention reputation a lot. It’s true that reputation and branding walk hand in hand in this world of business. People trust brands because of good reputations, and likewise, they shun brands because of bad ones. If you wanted to get technical, you could say that reputation is everything… it’s even more important than branding is, which is true to a degree. However, one has to think of how they present their reputation to the public, and that’s where branding comes in.
Let’s look up the definition of branding, shall we? The very definition of branding is:
1) commerce product or manufacturer: a name, usually a trademark, of a product or manufacturer, or the product identified by this name
2. recognizable type of something: a distinctive type of something.
So there you go. A lot is said within the definition of a word. A brand is ultimately a product or company that is identified (for good or ill) by its name.
Now, as far as building a brand that people trust… that’s the hard part. That’s the trouble that most companies have when they first get started. And that’s where most companies either succeed at the beginning of their journey and thrive, or fail, struggle, and possibly drown in the end.
Consider Marcher Lord Press, now a company whose list is large and still growing, and whose books have won awards in the past. By the time Jeff Gerke decided to take on his project, he already had some experience in the market. His brand was there as his name and his reputation as an editor was already solid. All he had to do was get the word out and his company thrived. Now, I’m sure that’s not exactly what he felt would happen at the time of opening. I’m sure he had his doubts, and I’m sure MLP might have struggled right up front. But main point to consider is the fact that MLP is no longer struggling like they might have been at the beginning. They’ve gone from being an idea, to being a small company, to growing into the premier Indie Christian Speculative Fiction company out there.
Why? How has this happened?
It all came about through persistence, growing a good reputation, and marketing a solid and trust worthy brand.
Now we have Spearhead coming out: a collaborative project put together by Christian Authors whom many Christian readers already know, trust, and love. Spearhead plans to bring its own brand into the mix by combining author brands that have been made and have thrived over the years. The Guild will draw in readers through the four separate brands of their founders’ names, and in return, readers will be introduced to Spearhead as its own brand or publisher.
Branding is everything.
But, you say, these are all examples taken from people who have already been in the publishing business for several years at the very least. How does this apply to authors who have not been published, or who have not worked in the publishing industry before? How does this apply to those High-schoolers and college students just starting into their careers who want to make a name for themselves? How does it all come together?
So there you go. A lot is said within the definition of a word. A brand is ultimately a product or company that is identified (for good or ill) by its name.
Now, as far as building a brand that people trust… that’s the hard part. That’s the trouble that most companies have when they first get started. And that’s where most companies either succeed at the beginning of their journey and thrive, or fail, struggle, and possibly drown in the end.
Consider Marcher Lord Press, now a company whose list is large and still growing, and whose books have won awards in the past. By the time Jeff Gerke decided to take on his project, he already had some experience in the market. His brand was there as his name and his reputation as an editor was already solid. All he had to do was get the word out and his company thrived. Now, I’m sure that’s not exactly what he felt would happen at the time of opening. I’m sure he had his doubts, and I’m sure MLP might have struggled right up front. But main point to consider is the fact that MLP is no longer struggling like they might have been at the beginning. They’ve gone from being an idea, to being a small company, to growing into the premier Indie Christian Speculative Fiction company out there.
Why? How has this happened?
It all came about through persistence, growing a good reputation, and marketing a solid and trust worthy brand.
Now we have Spearhead coming out: a collaborative project put together by Christian Authors whom many Christian readers already know, trust, and love. Spearhead plans to bring its own brand into the mix by combining author brands that have been made and have thrived over the years. The Guild will draw in readers through the four separate brands of their founders’ names, and in return, readers will be introduced to Spearhead as its own brand or publisher.
Branding is everything.
But, you say, these are all examples taken from people who have already been in the publishing business for several years at the very least. How does this apply to authors who have not been published, or who have not worked in the publishing industry before? How does this apply to those High-schoolers and college students just starting into their careers who want to make a name for themselves? How does it all come together?
Well, first of all, I’m not going to say that giving Magpie Publications a good reputation and brand won’t take work. It will. Whether you want to be published traditionally, self publish, start your own company, or be hired on by an established company as an intern or editor, it’s always going to take work and lots of it. It will take research. It will take time. It will take persistence when the going gets tough, because I can assure you, the going WILL get tough… there will be times when you think that your dream will never find wings and will sit in a desk drawer and gather dust for the rest of your life. I guarantee there will be moments when you want to quit… but you can’t. Not if you want to see your dream actually fly. It’s going to take studying and interviews and passion. Oh, but it will be well worth it in the end!!! If you are determined not to see your dream fall and fail, then you will find ways to make it thrive.
You want an example?
The first one that comes to mind is Flaming Pen Press. As I understand it, Scott Appleton had been a writer for several years and had some of his short stories published in online magazines. He’d been working on the Song of the Dragon series for several years as well, and had tried to sub it to several different publishers, all of which answered his query with rejections. He kept seeking advice, he kept working to improve, and he kept trying. At long last he decided that it was time to take his book public, and he created Flaming Pen Press… a small company on which to establish a big dream. With persistence and drive, he managed to sell over 3,000 copies of his book in one year, and the first book in his series, “Swords of the Six”, was picked up and published through AMG publishers. Now AMG has contracted him for the rest of his series. And as far as Flaming Pen Press goes, it went on to sell over 3,000 copies of 19 year old Jacob Parker’s award winning book, “Kestrel’s Midnight Song” since its release date in September of 2010. Now it’s taking on another young author’s project, “Out of Darkness Rising” by Gillian Adams, and I have no doubt that it will continue to succeed with this book as well as with others.
Other examples of note within the Christian Fiction field are Port Yonder Press and Splashdown Books. As this post is getting rather long, I won’t go into a whole lot of detail about them here and now, but those presses and brands have similar stories… starting out small and unknown, slowly growing into a brand recognized by a few, and their recognition is spreading. Hopefully in future days I will be able to do blog posts on these as well as other small companies as my research progresses.
Why am I talking about brands today?
Well, with the work and research I’m doing for Magpie Publications, I started to realize the influence that branding has on people and how it affects the market. Good branding could make the company into a success, while bad branding could plunge the company to its death. However, because I am a relative “unknown”, and because my foundation is not based on past work records in the industry but instead is based on a dream, ambitions, some passion, and the college degree and career choice that I’m currently still working towards, what Magpie really needs at its starting point is a solid (if small) foundation to launch from. With God’s help, I plan to give this company everything I have. I absolutely plan to pour myself into it, and I know that, with help, it will be a success. And if it’s going to succeed, it’s going to need a good brand name and a good preceding reputation that moves it forward.
You want an example?
The first one that comes to mind is Flaming Pen Press. As I understand it, Scott Appleton had been a writer for several years and had some of his short stories published in online magazines. He’d been working on the Song of the Dragon series for several years as well, and had tried to sub it to several different publishers, all of which answered his query with rejections. He kept seeking advice, he kept working to improve, and he kept trying. At long last he decided that it was time to take his book public, and he created Flaming Pen Press… a small company on which to establish a big dream. With persistence and drive, he managed to sell over 3,000 copies of his book in one year, and the first book in his series, “Swords of the Six”, was picked up and published through AMG publishers. Now AMG has contracted him for the rest of his series. And as far as Flaming Pen Press goes, it went on to sell over 3,000 copies of 19 year old Jacob Parker’s award winning book, “Kestrel’s Midnight Song” since its release date in September of 2010. Now it’s taking on another young author’s project, “Out of Darkness Rising” by Gillian Adams, and I have no doubt that it will continue to succeed with this book as well as with others.
Other examples of note within the Christian Fiction field are Port Yonder Press and Splashdown Books. As this post is getting rather long, I won’t go into a whole lot of detail about them here and now, but those presses and brands have similar stories… starting out small and unknown, slowly growing into a brand recognized by a few, and their recognition is spreading. Hopefully in future days I will be able to do blog posts on these as well as other small companies as my research progresses.
Why am I talking about brands today?
Well, with the work and research I’m doing for Magpie Publications, I started to realize the influence that branding has on people and how it affects the market. Good branding could make the company into a success, while bad branding could plunge the company to its death. However, because I am a relative “unknown”, and because my foundation is not based on past work records in the industry but instead is based on a dream, ambitions, some passion, and the college degree and career choice that I’m currently still working towards, what Magpie really needs at its starting point is a solid (if small) foundation to launch from. With God’s help, I plan to give this company everything I have. I absolutely plan to pour myself into it, and I know that, with help, it will be a success. And if it’s going to succeed, it’s going to need a good brand name and a good preceding reputation that moves it forward.
My good friend and writing buddy, Adele Treskillard and I were talking about how this might be accomplished in a community sort of fashion. Since nothing is set in stone as of yet, I won’t go into detail about our ideas at this moment. When things become more clear and solid, then I might write an informative post on the matter. For right now, continue to keep this idea in your prayers. It won’t drown, by God’s grace. He doesn’t just put an idea or thought on someone’s heart to have it fall apart entirely. I’m just so grateful to Him that He has given me the opportunity to meet and get to know so many young writers out there whose ambitions and dreams parallel my own. Honestly, it’s a pleasure and an honor to know you all, even it’s only online. Without your support in this idea, it might never have gone beyond the dream stage to the stage of ambition. It might never have become a goal. I thank you all! Thank you so much! ^_^
(Stay tuned for a Guest Post by Janice Hardy to be up within the next week. :D)
(Stay tuned for a Guest Post by Janice Hardy to be up within the next week. :D)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The Dual Aspects of an Euntrepreneurial Spirit... God Help Me!!!
Hello my dear bloggy friends. I’m sorry that it’s taken me so very long to post anything new.
Many of you dropped in for the post I did in August that highlighted the idea I’ve been harboring over several years of launching a new independent Christian Press for Speculative Fiction. (If you haven’t read it yet, you can read it here: http://theravenquill.blogspot.com/2011/08/which-way-should-we-turn-ushering-in.html ) In that article I gave my reasons and passions for taking on such a project and how I would strive to make it grow.
Since then, I’ve started researching the process of starting a company, and looking into possible avenues of printing. I’ve been looking for and comparing marketing strategies and the ins and outs of print distribution vs. digital distribution. I’ve been narrowing down my options for a mission statement and have been considering values and principles on which to build this company’s morals. I’ve been considering the cost and preparation time involved with publishing a quality product, marketing it, and actually selling it. I’ve also been talking to friends of mine who are or have studied certain aspects of the publishing world, who are in the publishing world already, and who are working towards careers that could parallel with book publication. And in between all of that, I’m planning out how I will take a business class (hopefully next semester) to help me better understand the business and financial needs of such a company.
This is a dream, yes… but it’s one dream that (along with eventually having SOTD and Eldrei published) I plan to see into its reality (by God’s grace).
The scariest part of all? I have NEVER done anything like this before. :P My experience level in this area is basically zilch, and besides that I’m still pretty young. Twenty-three is not that impressive a number when it comes to age, and it seems that the older you are, the more experience you have. All I have right now is my dream, my research, a bit of passion, and a dash of drive/motivation. Is that enough? I have no idea.
Truthfully, people, I’m terrified. What does this mean, to take on such a large responsibility and see it into fruitarian? I’m only one person… one small dreamer in a vast sea of dreamers. I try desperately not to look at the impossible, but it seems to be staring me right in the face. How can I do this? How can I even try? It seems almost unattainable, yet I feel completely, utterly drawn and bound to the idea; I can’t fight it and I can’t shake it. Eventually something will need to be done.
I guess I’m writing this blog post as a sort of therapy. In truth, I feel like I’m trying to boost my own courage… trying to tell myself that “hey, it’s ok; you know you can do this with God’s help,” when half the time my mind is telling my mouth that those words are bold-faced lies. How can I really do this? It’s so BIG! I’m so small. Can I really pull it off?
Well, not right now and not by myself. “As iron sharpens iron(…)” so the Bible says, and the story of David and Goliath comes to mind. The publishing world is often times cruel and harsh… like a gigantic evil Philistine that wants to rip the heads off of unsuspecting writers. :P I haven’t been around too awful long, but I’ve seen a few small publishers come and go, many dashed to pieces by financial troubles. I don’t plan for Magpie Publications to be one of those… this venture must last and must grow; it’s not just a onetime thing that some upstart girl decides to tackle on her own just because she can. However, the publishing world is now changing: expanding. It’s not as cruel as it used to be, but it’s still a tough little nut to crack. It’s still a rock that stands in the doorway and breaks many young, noble writers who deserve better. I don’t know how one company can make that much of a difference, but there’s no hurt in trying. The more opportunities there are out there for writer’s who deserve them, the better chances those writers’ stories will have of finding a home.
But you see, that’s one of the reasons why I can’t start Magpie Publications right now, and why I can’t handle it alone. Strong businesses last; strong strategies endure; strong missions bring aid. The idea needs time to mature, to grow legs and learn to stand… It’s sort of like giving birth, only in a backwards sort of fashion (in the metaphorical sense, of course). Instead of the baby being born and then learning to stand, I sort of want to make sure that my baby will be able to stand before I give birth to it. Make sense?
The biggest part of the whole idea is that I know that this is not just my dream. I don’t even want it to be ‘just my dream’. Magpie Publications is not an endeavor I’m willing to undergo only for myself; if it were, I’m sure it would never get off the ground. There are so many people out there who have similar ambitions, who strive for parallel goals. I even know some people like this, but I also know that there is strength in numbers. I don’t want to be a single parent!!! I will need help… I will need support and I will need a team. Only then, when there is a group of us working together, can Magpie Publications actually be made into a success. Only then can one dream see the birth of its reality.
So, in keeping with this post’s title, what exactly are the duel aspects of an entrepreneurial spirit? Quite easily enough, “dread” and “drive”. I know lots of people who think I’m crazy for wanting to do this. (Come on writers, how many people do you know who think the same thing about your status as an aspiring author? It’s not such a new thing. ;D) There are plenty who think that I’m way too young to even attempt handling something this big, and I don’t doubt them. Right now I know that I am too young… too young to do everything I want to do, and too young to make this company a reality. I’m scared stiff (there’s your ‘dread’, people) but I’m absolutely determined (and there’s your ‘drive’. :P) In a couple of years, I will hopefully be better prepared. By 2013 or 2014 I will have much more research under my belt than I do now along with the tools I need to see this dream take flight. And hopefully I will have the right people alongside me willing to help.
Though nothing is set in stone just yet, I’m thinking to set the company launch date sometime in late 2013 to early 2014. That gives me around two years to prepare. I can’t explain the feeling very well, but there is an urge in me warning that I shouldn’t delay too long or the opportune moment will be missed and the door closed. At the moment, I believe that two years is a good amount of time to wait. I would be almost 25 by then… still rather young, but hopefully old enough that it matters. And I would have more education and experience under my belt while (hopefully) shopping around a few manuscripts as well.
In the meantime, I will try to keep everything updated around here while I’m working to gather a team and learning all I can about the business. I want to do more author interviews, and hopefully start some publisher interviews as well, both of which will be posted on the P&P, of course (starting with a guest post from Janice Hardy, author of “The Healing War” trilogy, which will be posted within the next couple of weeks, followed by an interview with Port Yonder Press.)
And book reviews!!! Lots of book reviews. After all, one must study the industry in order to join it… right? Right?
Ok, I admit, that may just be my way of saying, “I love to read”. *shrugs* The new CSFF blog tour is on Stephan Lawhead’s “The Bone House”, and I’m also reading through several other good books including Ross Lawhead’s “The Realms Thereunder,” Rick Riordine’s “The Son of Neptune”, and Jill Williamson’s “To Darkness Fled”. That’s not even touching the books I’ve read but have yet to report on. ;)
The main point being, this is no longer just an idea that I’m playing around with… now it’s turning into a goal, which is much more tangible and less fleeting. As I learn things, I will post about them. I’m currently reading several interesting articles and surfing through publishing interviews as well. As always, thoughts and advice from readers are welcomed. Never ever think that what you have to say is not valuable; sometimes its comments on blog posts that I learn the most from. I’m always curious about what readers think of the mad ramblings I sometimes post here. I’m sure that half of the time I must sound like a lunatic. Lol!
God Bless,
Nichole
Many of you dropped in for the post I did in August that highlighted the idea I’ve been harboring over several years of launching a new independent Christian Press for Speculative Fiction. (If you haven’t read it yet, you can read it here: http://theravenquill.blogspot.com/2011/08/which-way-should-we-turn-ushering-in.html ) In that article I gave my reasons and passions for taking on such a project and how I would strive to make it grow.
Since then, I’ve started researching the process of starting a company, and looking into possible avenues of printing. I’ve been looking for and comparing marketing strategies and the ins and outs of print distribution vs. digital distribution. I’ve been narrowing down my options for a mission statement and have been considering values and principles on which to build this company’s morals. I’ve been considering the cost and preparation time involved with publishing a quality product, marketing it, and actually selling it. I’ve also been talking to friends of mine who are or have studied certain aspects of the publishing world, who are in the publishing world already, and who are working towards careers that could parallel with book publication. And in between all of that, I’m planning out how I will take a business class (hopefully next semester) to help me better understand the business and financial needs of such a company.
This is a dream, yes… but it’s one dream that (along with eventually having SOTD and Eldrei published) I plan to see into its reality (by God’s grace).
The scariest part of all? I have NEVER done anything like this before. :P My experience level in this area is basically zilch, and besides that I’m still pretty young. Twenty-three is not that impressive a number when it comes to age, and it seems that the older you are, the more experience you have. All I have right now is my dream, my research, a bit of passion, and a dash of drive/motivation. Is that enough? I have no idea.
Truthfully, people, I’m terrified. What does this mean, to take on such a large responsibility and see it into fruitarian? I’m only one person… one small dreamer in a vast sea of dreamers. I try desperately not to look at the impossible, but it seems to be staring me right in the face. How can I do this? How can I even try? It seems almost unattainable, yet I feel completely, utterly drawn and bound to the idea; I can’t fight it and I can’t shake it. Eventually something will need to be done.
I guess I’m writing this blog post as a sort of therapy. In truth, I feel like I’m trying to boost my own courage… trying to tell myself that “hey, it’s ok; you know you can do this with God’s help,” when half the time my mind is telling my mouth that those words are bold-faced lies. How can I really do this? It’s so BIG! I’m so small. Can I really pull it off?
Well, not right now and not by myself. “As iron sharpens iron(…)” so the Bible says, and the story of David and Goliath comes to mind. The publishing world is often times cruel and harsh… like a gigantic evil Philistine that wants to rip the heads off of unsuspecting writers. :P I haven’t been around too awful long, but I’ve seen a few small publishers come and go, many dashed to pieces by financial troubles. I don’t plan for Magpie Publications to be one of those… this venture must last and must grow; it’s not just a onetime thing that some upstart girl decides to tackle on her own just because she can. However, the publishing world is now changing: expanding. It’s not as cruel as it used to be, but it’s still a tough little nut to crack. It’s still a rock that stands in the doorway and breaks many young, noble writers who deserve better. I don’t know how one company can make that much of a difference, but there’s no hurt in trying. The more opportunities there are out there for writer’s who deserve them, the better chances those writers’ stories will have of finding a home.
But you see, that’s one of the reasons why I can’t start Magpie Publications right now, and why I can’t handle it alone. Strong businesses last; strong strategies endure; strong missions bring aid. The idea needs time to mature, to grow legs and learn to stand… It’s sort of like giving birth, only in a backwards sort of fashion (in the metaphorical sense, of course). Instead of the baby being born and then learning to stand, I sort of want to make sure that my baby will be able to stand before I give birth to it. Make sense?
The biggest part of the whole idea is that I know that this is not just my dream. I don’t even want it to be ‘just my dream’. Magpie Publications is not an endeavor I’m willing to undergo only for myself; if it were, I’m sure it would never get off the ground. There are so many people out there who have similar ambitions, who strive for parallel goals. I even know some people like this, but I also know that there is strength in numbers. I don’t want to be a single parent!!! I will need help… I will need support and I will need a team. Only then, when there is a group of us working together, can Magpie Publications actually be made into a success. Only then can one dream see the birth of its reality.
So, in keeping with this post’s title, what exactly are the duel aspects of an entrepreneurial spirit? Quite easily enough, “dread” and “drive”. I know lots of people who think I’m crazy for wanting to do this. (Come on writers, how many people do you know who think the same thing about your status as an aspiring author? It’s not such a new thing. ;D) There are plenty who think that I’m way too young to even attempt handling something this big, and I don’t doubt them. Right now I know that I am too young… too young to do everything I want to do, and too young to make this company a reality. I’m scared stiff (there’s your ‘dread’, people) but I’m absolutely determined (and there’s your ‘drive’. :P) In a couple of years, I will hopefully be better prepared. By 2013 or 2014 I will have much more research under my belt than I do now along with the tools I need to see this dream take flight. And hopefully I will have the right people alongside me willing to help.
Though nothing is set in stone just yet, I’m thinking to set the company launch date sometime in late 2013 to early 2014. That gives me around two years to prepare. I can’t explain the feeling very well, but there is an urge in me warning that I shouldn’t delay too long or the opportune moment will be missed and the door closed. At the moment, I believe that two years is a good amount of time to wait. I would be almost 25 by then… still rather young, but hopefully old enough that it matters. And I would have more education and experience under my belt while (hopefully) shopping around a few manuscripts as well.
In the meantime, I will try to keep everything updated around here while I’m working to gather a team and learning all I can about the business. I want to do more author interviews, and hopefully start some publisher interviews as well, both of which will be posted on the P&P, of course (starting with a guest post from Janice Hardy, author of “The Healing War” trilogy, which will be posted within the next couple of weeks, followed by an interview with Port Yonder Press.)
And book reviews!!! Lots of book reviews. After all, one must study the industry in order to join it… right? Right?
Ok, I admit, that may just be my way of saying, “I love to read”. *shrugs* The new CSFF blog tour is on Stephan Lawhead’s “The Bone House”, and I’m also reading through several other good books including Ross Lawhead’s “The Realms Thereunder,” Rick Riordine’s “The Son of Neptune”, and Jill Williamson’s “To Darkness Fled”. That’s not even touching the books I’ve read but have yet to report on. ;)
The main point being, this is no longer just an idea that I’m playing around with… now it’s turning into a goal, which is much more tangible and less fleeting. As I learn things, I will post about them. I’m currently reading several interesting articles and surfing through publishing interviews as well. As always, thoughts and advice from readers are welcomed. Never ever think that what you have to say is not valuable; sometimes its comments on blog posts that I learn the most from. I’m always curious about what readers think of the mad ramblings I sometimes post here. I’m sure that half of the time I must sound like a lunatic. Lol!
God Bless,
Nichole
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
CSFF Blog Tour Day 3: Book Review -- "The Monster in the Hollows" by Andrew Peterson
Well I did it folks! I actually blogged for all three days during the book tour!!! *does a happy dance* Usually I end up blogging on the first and third days. Sometimes just on the third day. But this time I really did it and made it all the way to the end. ^_^ Perhaps it's because it's about books that I truly am inspired by, not to mention the absolutely epic music that's written and sung by the author... or perhaps it's just the illustrations. *shrugs*
You know, when I first heard about Andrew Peterson the author, I didn't realize that he was also the song writer that I loved to listen to. And when I finally made that connection, then I was astounded by the fact that he was also an artist. This just blew me away.
I'm not trying to blow my own horn or anything, but I know that I can write well and I love Christian fantasy (you can read a sample of my writing on the "read an excerpt" page of my blog); I know that I can sing well and I am fairly adept at playing the guitar (I'm now learning the piano) and I've written quite a few songs of my own (started working on an album but had to stop when the guy who was helping me moved out of town; I'm also an artist (check out the links to my art galleries at the top of the page). I do all of these things (and several others) and I know that I'm good at them because I love them so very very much. I know this sounds like I'm trying to be proud, but honestly I'm not. I'm just stating facts.
But here's another fact for you: there just aren't that many people out there who can do all three of these things at the same time and be good at them... and many of the people who can do all of these things only focus on one of them.
However, I don't want to focus on just one of my favorite pastimes; I want to expound on all of my talents and succeed at the same time... not just at one of them, but at every one of them.
So just for one moment, imagine the thrill I got when I realized that my new favorite author was also a singer/songwriter who played guitar and drew gorgeous illustrations for his own books. Not to mention the fact that he published his last book "The Monster in the Hollows" through Rabbit Room Press which is his own company! Not only were there others like me out there, but those others like me were making money and getting known for what they did, while at the same time (and most importantly) turning out genuine exemplary products in all three areas!!
Do you hear me?! I'm not a freak of nature!!! And I'm not alone!!! ^_^ *does another happy dance.*
So now I'm going to post a review of "The Monster in the Hollows", since I've finally gotten that out of my system. lol!
Janner Igiby has always wanted to sail over the Dark Sea of Darkness... ever since he found that old drawing of his father standing in the prow of a ship, he's wanted to know what it feels like to roll over the waves of the sea. He used to dream about it, looking out over the cliffs of his home on Dragon Day, but it just wasn't quite the same thing as doing it.
Now however he gets his wish... he's on a ship sailing far over the Dark Sea of Darkness... and he can't even get out of bed to see the waves!!!
Of course it's all Tink's fault. If his little brother hadn't decided to go off and grow a tail... not to mention grey fur all over his body and long, vicious canines... Janner wouldn't be in this position. But then again, perhaps Tink's change is partly Janner's fault... after all, if he had been looking out for his little brother like he was supposed to, Tink probably wouldn't have run away and gotten himself in trouble in the first place.
But what does it matter now? What's done is done, and the Igiby family is sailing away from Skree far over to the Green Hollows where Nia's mother came from, hoping to escape Skree and Gnag the nameless' awful namelessness. Not to mention the Fangs of Dang. The Hollows folk are said to be a simple people but harsh fighters, and they've driven off Gnag's armies several times in the past. Surely they will take in Nia, who is of their own kin, and her family.
But the Hollows aren't entirely safe in themselves. There is a dark forest there where many evil creatures are said to reside... monsters, the Hollow's folk call them. To the simple folk of the hollows, Tink's change makes him looks like a monster too. And monsters must be killed.
While Tink works to prove himself to the hollows folk, something else is as at work. Creatures from the forest are coming out and wondering through the hollows. Livestock stalk starts going missing, and strange tracks are left near houses and barns. There is definitely a monster in the Hollows... but who is it really?
My Thoughts:
Ok, let me just pause a moment to catch my breath. *catches breath*
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK. It's the best one in the entire series, in my opinion. Tink's change challenges not only him but his entire family, as the Hollow's folk are suspicious of him and anyone who would bring such a creature with them. Tink tries to keep his new self in check and prove that he is not the monster everyone believes him to be, while all around him things seem to be falling apart. The dynamics in this book are far more engaging in my opinion than the other two books (although I can't complain too much about the dynamics of any of these books... I can only say that the ones in TMITH are stronger than the other books.)
AND THE ENDING!!!
*gasps again*
I had to catch my breath on that one. It totally caught me by surprise! I absolutely refuse to give out spoilers (and some of the blog tour participants may have notices that I have left out one specific surprise that happens in the first book every single time I write a review... but you see, the surprise is very powerful and important to all three books and I don't want to ruin it's epicness for anyone who hasn't read the series. ^_^) However, let me just say that my heart literally skipped a beat when I read the end (or almost the end) and I jumped up and shouted "YES!!!" in the middle of the second to last chapter (I believe it was). And then I cried in the last chapter. Couldn't help it. If you read the book you will totally understand.
The characters in these books definitely change over the course of the series. It's like you can actually see the kids mature... grow up and become young men and women who understand responsibility and consequences. It's not just that they are kids anymore... they actually have to learn about their world and the important roll that they play in it, and it effects them... deeply. It makes me think that as a father, Andrew almost wrote his books to help his own kids learn valuable lessons for life and about their faith... and in doing that, he's also teaching those lessons to every kid who reads his books.
I admire him for that. I want to write like that. I definitely aspire to accomplish that with everything that I attempt to do.
For those of you who are interested in his music, first of all, you must know that I absolutely ADORE his music. It's just as simple as that. In fact, the first time I listened to his album "Far Country" I was like, "OH MY WORD!!! This guy writes songs like I write. Wow!!" I mean, the subject matter... the genre... the type... it's all there! I love Christian contemporary music, but I'm also a huge fan of folk music with a celtic taste thrown in. And lyrics... lyrics are so, so, SO important to me. If the lyrics are strange or just seem meaningless, I'll usually end up hating the song.
Well, while I didn't notice any real celtic flair to these songs, they are all definitely Christian contemporary with a sort of folk-like twist. They are write up my alley... just what I like to write and sing. A friend of mine calls them "mellow". I'm not sure if that's how I would title them, but I guess the word does fit.
If you are interested in this album, check out this page: https://store.rabbitroom.com/music/the-far-country
AND
(this is important)
READ THROUGH THE PAGE BEFORE YOU BUY THE ALBUM.
While I'm absolutely 100% for supporting this amazing and talented man and artist, I also know that if you read closely you'll notice that you can actually download the album for free if you want to. Andrew even provides a link. But if you are anything like me, once you listen to his music, you'll be back for more. In this way, he's not actually loosing money but gaining money... because the free album is only a sample - a small taste - of the rest of his work.
Now, in other news, I noticed that Andrew recently posted this video on Facebook and it's totally epic!! ^_^ It really reminds me of myself in many ways. Fantasy writers can TOTALLY relate. I was laughing through the entire thing!!
And at long last I'll close out this Review with three new pictures of the man himself. :) If you haven't been able to tell up to this point, I'll be blunt: I am a huge fan of his. But if you check out the other blogs on the CSFF Blog Tour (linked to below), you can find out more about why I admire him so much. ^_^
Goodbye!!! And I hope you enjoyed the tour! Check out Andrew Peterson's website at http://www.andrew-peterson.com HAPPY READING!
Gillian Adams
Red Bissell
Jennifer Bogart
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Cynthia Dyer
Amber French
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
* Eve Nielsen
Joan Nienhuis
Donita K. Paul
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Tammy Shelnut
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Rachel Wyant
You know, when I first heard about Andrew Peterson the author, I didn't realize that he was also the song writer that I loved to listen to. And when I finally made that connection, then I was astounded by the fact that he was also an artist. This just blew me away.
I'm not trying to blow my own horn or anything, but I know that I can write well and I love Christian fantasy (you can read a sample of my writing on the "read an excerpt" page of my blog); I know that I can sing well and I am fairly adept at playing the guitar (I'm now learning the piano) and I've written quite a few songs of my own (started working on an album but had to stop when the guy who was helping me moved out of town; I'm also an artist (check out the links to my art galleries at the top of the page). I do all of these things (and several others) and I know that I'm good at them because I love them so very very much. I know this sounds like I'm trying to be proud, but honestly I'm not. I'm just stating facts.
But here's another fact for you: there just aren't that many people out there who can do all three of these things at the same time and be good at them... and many of the people who can do all of these things only focus on one of them.
However, I don't want to focus on just one of my favorite pastimes; I want to expound on all of my talents and succeed at the same time... not just at one of them, but at every one of them.
So just for one moment, imagine the thrill I got when I realized that my new favorite author was also a singer/songwriter who played guitar and drew gorgeous illustrations for his own books. Not to mention the fact that he published his last book "The Monster in the Hollows" through Rabbit Room Press which is his own company! Not only were there others like me out there, but those others like me were making money and getting known for what they did, while at the same time (and most importantly) turning out genuine exemplary products in all three areas!!
Do you hear me?! I'm not a freak of nature!!! And I'm not alone!!! ^_^ *does another happy dance.*
So now I'm going to post a review of "The Monster in the Hollows", since I've finally gotten that out of my system. lol!
Janner Igiby has always wanted to sail over the Dark Sea of Darkness... ever since he found that old drawing of his father standing in the prow of a ship, he's wanted to know what it feels like to roll over the waves of the sea. He used to dream about it, looking out over the cliffs of his home on Dragon Day, but it just wasn't quite the same thing as doing it.
Now however he gets his wish... he's on a ship sailing far over the Dark Sea of Darkness... and he can't even get out of bed to see the waves!!!
Of course it's all Tink's fault. If his little brother hadn't decided to go off and grow a tail... not to mention grey fur all over his body and long, vicious canines... Janner wouldn't be in this position. But then again, perhaps Tink's change is partly Janner's fault... after all, if he had been looking out for his little brother like he was supposed to, Tink probably wouldn't have run away and gotten himself in trouble in the first place.
But what does it matter now? What's done is done, and the Igiby family is sailing away from Skree far over to the Green Hollows where Nia's mother came from, hoping to escape Skree and Gnag the nameless' awful namelessness. Not to mention the Fangs of Dang. The Hollows folk are said to be a simple people but harsh fighters, and they've driven off Gnag's armies several times in the past. Surely they will take in Nia, who is of their own kin, and her family.
But the Hollows aren't entirely safe in themselves. There is a dark forest there where many evil creatures are said to reside... monsters, the Hollow's folk call them. To the simple folk of the hollows, Tink's change makes him looks like a monster too. And monsters must be killed.
While Tink works to prove himself to the hollows folk, something else is as at work. Creatures from the forest are coming out and wondering through the hollows. Livestock stalk starts going missing, and strange tracks are left near houses and barns. There is definitely a monster in the Hollows... but who is it really?
My Thoughts:
Ok, let me just pause a moment to catch my breath. *catches breath*
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK. It's the best one in the entire series, in my opinion. Tink's change challenges not only him but his entire family, as the Hollow's folk are suspicious of him and anyone who would bring such a creature with them. Tink tries to keep his new self in check and prove that he is not the monster everyone believes him to be, while all around him things seem to be falling apart. The dynamics in this book are far more engaging in my opinion than the other two books (although I can't complain too much about the dynamics of any of these books... I can only say that the ones in TMITH are stronger than the other books.)
AND THE ENDING!!!
*gasps again*
I had to catch my breath on that one. It totally caught me by surprise! I absolutely refuse to give out spoilers (and some of the blog tour participants may have notices that I have left out one specific surprise that happens in the first book every single time I write a review... but you see, the surprise is very powerful and important to all three books and I don't want to ruin it's epicness for anyone who hasn't read the series. ^_^) However, let me just say that my heart literally skipped a beat when I read the end (or almost the end) and I jumped up and shouted "YES!!!" in the middle of the second to last chapter (I believe it was). And then I cried in the last chapter. Couldn't help it. If you read the book you will totally understand.
The characters in these books definitely change over the course of the series. It's like you can actually see the kids mature... grow up and become young men and women who understand responsibility and consequences. It's not just that they are kids anymore... they actually have to learn about their world and the important roll that they play in it, and it effects them... deeply. It makes me think that as a father, Andrew almost wrote his books to help his own kids learn valuable lessons for life and about their faith... and in doing that, he's also teaching those lessons to every kid who reads his books.
I admire him for that. I want to write like that. I definitely aspire to accomplish that with everything that I attempt to do.
Well, while I didn't notice any real celtic flair to these songs, they are all definitely Christian contemporary with a sort of folk-like twist. They are write up my alley... just what I like to write and sing. A friend of mine calls them "mellow". I'm not sure if that's how I would title them, but I guess the word does fit.
If you are interested in this album, check out this page: https://store.rabbitroom.com/music/the-far-country
AND
(this is important)
READ THROUGH THE PAGE BEFORE YOU BUY THE ALBUM.
While I'm absolutely 100% for supporting this amazing and talented man and artist, I also know that if you read closely you'll notice that you can actually download the album for free if you want to. Andrew even provides a link. But if you are anything like me, once you listen to his music, you'll be back for more. In this way, he's not actually loosing money but gaining money... because the free album is only a sample - a small taste - of the rest of his work.
Now, in other news, I noticed that Andrew recently posted this video on Facebook and it's totally epic!! ^_^ It really reminds me of myself in many ways. Fantasy writers can TOTALLY relate. I was laughing through the entire thing!!
Goodbye!!! And I hope you enjoyed the tour! Check out Andrew Peterson's website at http://www.andrew-peterson.com HAPPY READING!
Gillian Adams
Red Bissell
Jennifer Bogart
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Cynthia Dyer
Amber French
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
* Eve Nielsen
Joan Nienhuis
Donita K. Paul
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Tammy Shelnut
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Rachel Wyant
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
CSFF Blog Tour Day 2: Book Review -- "North! Or Be Eaten" by Andrew Peterson
At the end of the first book in the series, Janner Igiby and his family are forced to leave their beloved town of Glipwood and hide out out in the dangerous forest where their half demented protector, Peet the Sock Man, has made his home. Janner finally has found out the truth about his family -- and his father -- and there is far more to their family history than Janner every thought even possible! Now the fun and games have ended and the adventure truly begins. Gnag the Nameless is still determined to find the Jewels of Anniera, and he has reason to believe that they are being hidden in Glipwood. With the furious Fangs of Dang pouring into the little town in search of the jewels, Janner and his family leave Glipwood behind in a desperate attempt to reach the Ice Praries before Gnag can find them and discover the powerful secret of their family line -- a secret that could do more than help Gnag take over the world... it could help destroy the world as well.
As they travel they are constantly in danger. Pursued by Fangs with every step, Janner and his family must escape the jaws of the dreaded Gargun Rock Roach, evade the knives of Stranders, hide out in hidden tunnels, avoid the terrible teeth (not to mention the awful breath) of Bomnibles, and out run the unbearable beaks of the hideous flesh-eating Snickbuzzards. It's going to take a lot of courage to get them to the ice prairies... all in one piece, that is.
And with Tink thrown into the mix, one can never be too grateful for the words "all in one piece". Who would have thought that little brothers could be so much trouble? Who would have thought that Tink's protection would fall squarely on Janner's shoulders, or that Tink would go off and grow a tale? Literally? And who would have thought that a Quilldiggle could taste so good, or that a Fork Factory could be so dreaded?
As they travel they are constantly in danger. Pursued by Fangs with every step, Janner and his family must escape the jaws of the dreaded Gargun Rock Roach, evade the knives of Stranders, hide out in hidden tunnels, avoid the terrible teeth (not to mention the awful breath) of Bomnibles, and out run the unbearable beaks of the hideous flesh-eating Snickbuzzards. It's going to take a lot of courage to get them to the ice prairies... all in one piece, that is.
And with Tink thrown into the mix, one can never be too grateful for the words "all in one piece". Who would have thought that little brothers could be so much trouble? Who would have thought that Tink's protection would fall squarely on Janner's shoulders, or that Tink would go off and grow a tale? Literally? And who would have thought that a Quilldiggle could taste so good, or that a Fork Factory could be so dreaded?
Besides that, Grandpa is hiding yet another secret... a secret that he's never even told his daughter Nia... a secret that just might have the whole family in pieces by the end after all.
My Thoughts:
I will never forget the day I first started reading this book. I was sitting in my bedroom, talking to my little sister, and telling her about this book I just borrowed that I was excited about reading. She asked me to read a bit to her. So I flipped open the first cover, admired the hand drawn maps, and then went to read the first chapter...
"Toothy Cows!!"
No, literally... those are the first words.
My sister and I both fell into hysterical laughing. "What did that just say?" She asked me. So I read it again and we both doubled over.
Wow. Now that's one way to draw a reader's attention. Especially if that particular reader hasn't read the first book in the series yet.
It didn't take me long after that to understand the seriousness behind the words "Toothy Cow". I shall never look at a toothy cow the same way again. Don't be fooled by their similar appearance to normal cows... while it would seem the toothy variety taste just as good as the normal variety (ask the stranders, if you don't believe me) they also tend to think that people taste good.
I will never forget the day I first started reading this book. I was sitting in my bedroom, talking to my little sister, and telling her about this book I just borrowed that I was excited about reading. She asked me to read a bit to her. So I flipped open the first cover, admired the hand drawn maps, and then went to read the first chapter...
"Toothy Cows!!"
No, literally... those are the first words.
My sister and I both fell into hysterical laughing. "What did that just say?" She asked me. So I read it again and we both doubled over.
Wow. Now that's one way to draw a reader's attention. Especially if that particular reader hasn't read the first book in the series yet.
It didn't take me long after that to understand the seriousness behind the words "Toothy Cow". I shall never look at a toothy cow the same way again. Don't be fooled by their similar appearance to normal cows... while it would seem the toothy variety taste just as good as the normal variety (ask the stranders, if you don't believe me) they also tend to think that people taste good.
See what I mean? Terrifying creatures. :)
Personally I loved this book as well if not more than I loved the first one. However, starting in the middle of the series was a little difficult, so no... I don't recommend starting with the second book. At first I really didn't understand what was going on (you sort of need to read the first book for that.) After a while I caught on. And once I caught on, the pace just picked up.
Personally I loved this book as well if not more than I loved the first one. However, starting in the middle of the series was a little difficult, so no... I don't recommend starting with the second book. At first I really didn't understand what was going on (you sort of need to read the first book for that.) After a while I caught on. And once I caught on, the pace just picked up.
Andrew seems to have a way with words and humor that just flows over the page. And when I say humor, I don't mean like the riddle kind, or like knock-knock jokes. He simply slips every day simple humor into the pages and when you catch it, it's like a little jewel of laughter... or perhaps like an inside joke. Guys will especially enjoy the humor, but even girls with a few brothers in the family or a silly father could easily catch on and would get a chuckle or two out of it. It's so worth reading.
I refuse to give away any of the amazing adventure in this book. You simply have to read it for yourself to understand. :) But I will say that the ending left me so on edge that first I gasped, then I went back and reread it three times, and then I started to cry and I couldn't pick up the third book for two days until the amazement had finally worn off enough to leave me literate again. No I'm not joking. I couldn't even think of starting the first book until my awe of Andrew Peterson's way with words and plot twists came back down to a somewhat normal status.
I don't think I need to say it again; you should already know by now that you absolutely HAVE to read this book. If you are Christian and a fantasy lover, then it is practically a required thing. :D (not really... but EXTREMELY recommended.) Again, this book gets a 5 out of 5 stars.
But just wait until you read my review on the third book. *rubs hands together gleefully* That one is by far the best book of the series in my opinion. At least up to this point.
Now, yesterday I mentioned that I would talk more about Andrew's other amazing talents. I told you that he was a recording artist, but I forgot to mention that he was also an illustrator. Illustrations from his own pencil are scattered throughout the book, and (as an artist myself) I just have to say that I love his cartoon animation style. I could totally see movies being made from these illustrations... perhaps in the style of Focus on the Family's Adventures in Oddesy series. You just have to love it when you find someone this talented... I mean, seriously... how much more awesome can this man get?
Oh wait... he's a father and a husband as well? Did I mention that he was born in IL... not too terribly far from my area. Yeah, my esteem just went up another notch. ^_^
Here's some of his artwork which you can also find here... http://wingfeathersaga.com
Now, yesterday I mentioned that I would talk more about Andrew's other amazing talents. I told you that he was a recording artist, but I forgot to mention that he was also an illustrator. Illustrations from his own pencil are scattered throughout the book, and (as an artist myself) I just have to say that I love his cartoon animation style. I could totally see movies being made from these illustrations... perhaps in the style of Focus on the Family's Adventures in Oddesy series. You just have to love it when you find someone this talented... I mean, seriously... how much more awesome can this man get?
Oh wait... he's a father and a husband as well? Did I mention that he was born in IL... not too terribly far from my area. Yeah, my esteem just went up another notch. ^_^
Here's some of his artwork which you can also find here... http://wingfeathersaga.com
1) Glipwood Township:
2) A map of Skree:
3) Peet the Sock Man's Castle:
4) A ferocious Fang of Dang:
5) A terrible flesh eating Snickbuzzard:
6) A Bomnible:
7) A Chorkney (from the Ice Praries):
And now I shall leave you once again with a picture of Andrew himself. This time he's playing the guitar. :D Gotta love it!
Gillian Adams
Red Bissell
Jennifer Bogart
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Cynthia Dyer
Amber French
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
* Eve Nielsen
Joan Nienhuis
Donita K. Paul
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Tammy Shelnut
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Nichole White
Rachel Wyant
Monday, September 19, 2011
CSFF Blog Tour Day 1: Review of Andrew Peterson’s “On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness”
Wow… *double checks header* I do believe that that is one of the longest titles I’ve ever had on a blog post. O.o
Today is the first day of the September CSFF Blog Tour and we have been reading through Andrew Peterson’s book “The Monster in the Hollows”. That book is the 3rd book in the Wingfeather saga (originally dubbed “The Wingfeather trilogy”, but that now consists of four books instead of three… thus the change.)
I’ve had the pleasure of reading all three books and of actually getting to meet Mr. Peterson in person (and singing with my church worship band to open his recent concert in IL. ^_^). However, I haven’t posted any reviews on his books yet. And so, I thought I would do something a little different and actually review the whole series during this tour… three days for three books. ^_^ What do you think of that? :)
I’ve had the pleasure of reading all three books and of actually getting to meet Mr. Peterson in person (and singing with my church worship band to open his recent concert in IL. ^_^). However, I haven’t posted any reviews on his books yet. And so, I thought I would do something a little different and actually review the whole series during this tour… three days for three books. ^_^ What do you think of that? :)
Janner Igiby is tired of always having to watch over his younger brother and little sister. After all, he's already 12! Practically an adult. He should be able to decide what he wants to do with his own time.
And what he wants is an adventure... the kind he only gets to read about. The kind in the stories told to him by his ex-pirate grandfather about the sea and foreign lands. However, in the town of Glipwood which is run by the furious Fangs of Dang -- large lizard-man things with venomous teeth -- who report back to Gnag the Nameless himself, "adventure" often get's one in trouble.
When Janner tussles with a Fang in order to save his little sister and her dog nugget from a toothy and poisonous death, events turn dangerous. The children get thrown into the jail and are threatened with a trip in the Black Carriage, a nightmare out of fireside tales and children's rhyms about a carriage driver who comes and steals kids from their beds in the night. However, before the children are sent off, their mother Nia comes to rescue them with some secret jewels she had stashed away. She manages to bribe the head fang and get her children out of jail, but now Janner is curious where his mother kept the jewels and how come he never knew about them before.
And what he wants is an adventure... the kind he only gets to read about. The kind in the stories told to him by his ex-pirate grandfather about the sea and foreign lands. However, in the town of Glipwood which is run by the furious Fangs of Dang -- large lizard-man things with venomous teeth -- who report back to Gnag the Nameless himself, "adventure" often get's one in trouble.
When Janner tussles with a Fang in order to save his little sister and her dog nugget from a toothy and poisonous death, events turn dangerous. The children get thrown into the jail and are threatened with a trip in the Black Carriage, a nightmare out of fireside tales and children's rhyms about a carriage driver who comes and steals kids from their beds in the night. However, before the children are sent off, their mother Nia comes to rescue them with some secret jewels she had stashed away. She manages to bribe the head fang and get her children out of jail, but now Janner is curious where his mother kept the jewels and how come he never knew about them before.
And then there's Janner's brother, Tink. Tink is always getting into mischief. When he "borrows" a map from the local book store that leads to an old, abandoned house on the edge of Glipwood forest, Tink and Janner decide to go exploring. They know that Glipwood forest itself is said to be dangerous, but the house isn't actually in the forest... But instead of the relatively safe adventure they expected, they get chased by the terrible Horned Hounds and discover a hidden weapons chamber filled with all sorts of dangerous objects forbidden since the great war when Gnag the Nameless took over the land of Skree. What is it doing there? And what did the owner of the bookstore, the fat old Oskar N. Reateep, have to do with it?
Besides that, why does the local psychopath, Peet the Sock Man, seem so intent on protecting the Igiby children? And why is Gnag the Nameless suddenly so set on capturing them?
Janner knows that his Mother and Grandfather are hiding something from him -- a secret that probably has to do with his father who was lost in the Great War -- but what could that secret be? And what about these Jewels of Anniera that Janner keeps hearing about? There was even something about them written on the map that Tink had borrowed. Were those the jewels that his mother had given the fangs? Was that what Gnag really wanted?
My Thoughts:
Besides that, why does the local psychopath, Peet the Sock Man, seem so intent on protecting the Igiby children? And why is Gnag the Nameless suddenly so set on capturing them?
Janner knows that his Mother and Grandfather are hiding something from him -- a secret that probably has to do with his father who was lost in the Great War -- but what could that secret be? And what about these Jewels of Anniera that Janner keeps hearing about? There was even something about them written on the map that Tink had borrowed. Were those the jewels that his mother had given the fangs? Was that what Gnag really wanted?
My Thoughts:
I actually started reading the series with the second book, but to be quite honest, I think starting that way helped me to appreciate the first book all the more.
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness pretty much stayed around the small town of Glipwood, which sits right up against the Glipwood forest, up until the very end. Usually I have some trouble with stories that aren't moving about -- it's not so much the stories fault as my attention span's fault. I just want to see things change... I want to see dynamics. (I suppose all readers do.) Well I didn't have those problems with this story. It had enough going on and it asked enough questions that I was curious and content with staying in one place.
My favorite character by far was Peet the Sock Man. He's so crazy, but there's something so likable about him. You just have to pity him, and you wonder constantly about what put him in such a state. And then of course you have little Leeli's dog, Nugget... if you haven't read the book, I won't try to spoil it for you, but let me just say that something happens to Nugget that, in my own opinion, is totally epic. ^_^
Andrew Peterson writes in a very unique style that utilizes the "story teller" style rather than the "Story shower" style. I found it a little distracting at first, but by the end of the first chapter, I'd completely forgotten about my distraction. The rhythm of the writing flows well and keeps the reader engaged. It's not just what happens in the book but the pacing that counts, and in my opinion this book has just the right mixture of pacing and action. In fact, Andrew keeps his own unique style very consistent throughout the entire series... even though I did note improvements from one book to the next. And a reader should take nothing for granted in these books either... even small details may come back throughout later chapters in very big ways.
As far as this book goes, I give it a 5 out of 5. It's absolutely family friendly, and it's the start of what is now one of my favorite Christian Fantasy series.
Just for fun, here's a picture of another version of the cover:
My favorite character by far was Peet the Sock Man. He's so crazy, but there's something so likable about him. You just have to pity him, and you wonder constantly about what put him in such a state. And then of course you have little Leeli's dog, Nugget... if you haven't read the book, I won't try to spoil it for you, but let me just say that something happens to Nugget that, in my own opinion, is totally epic. ^_^
Andrew Peterson writes in a very unique style that utilizes the "story teller" style rather than the "Story shower" style. I found it a little distracting at first, but by the end of the first chapter, I'd completely forgotten about my distraction. The rhythm of the writing flows well and keeps the reader engaged. It's not just what happens in the book but the pacing that counts, and in my opinion this book has just the right mixture of pacing and action. In fact, Andrew keeps his own unique style very consistent throughout the entire series... even though I did note improvements from one book to the next. And a reader should take nothing for granted in these books either... even small details may come back throughout later chapters in very big ways.
As far as this book goes, I give it a 5 out of 5. It's absolutely family friendly, and it's the start of what is now one of my favorite Christian Fantasy series.
Just for fun, here's a picture of another version of the cover:
And here's a picture of the author himself. Not only does he look good (I mean, he does look good... his features remind me a bit of Steven Curtis Chapman...) but he seems very kind hearted as well. Also note that Andrew Peterson is a Christian recording artist. Perhaps I'll devolve more on that later. Right now I will tell you that his album "Far Country" is one of my absolute favorites. :) I listen to it all the time as I'm working on homework or commission projects.
I shall now leave you with his smiling face. :D
I shall now leave you with his smiling face. :D
Gillian Adams
Red Bissell
Jennifer Bogart
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Cynthia Dyer
Amber French
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
* Eve Nielsen
Joan Nienhuis
Donita K. Paul
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Tammy Shelnut
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Rachel Wyant
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