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Friday Morning Ramblings

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So the good folks at Tor, one of the largest publishers of science fiction and fantasy literature, have a Readers’ Choice Awards that is open to any author.  However, despite it being an open contest, there has been a lot of grumbling about my good friend, Stephen Zimmer, receiving so many votes because he’s an “unknown” author, and the implication has been that he has been faking the votes himself to garner attention.  The reality is that Stephen has built a pretty strong readership through hard work and networking and, through Seventh Star Press, has built a street team of supporters that help promote his works.

Somehow, this offends the defenders of the status quo.  How dare this upstart from Kentucky write a better book than an “established” writer at a major house!  Doesn’t he know that “real” writers can’t come from small presses or self-publishing?  To me, this represents where we are as a nation as a whole right now.  The ones who favor maintaining the status quo revile those of us who still believe in ingenuity and entrepreneurship and go to great lengths to keep us out of the party.  I wonder why they are so afraid of true competition and free market enterprise?

The publishing industry is at a crossroads, like the rest of our nation.  The outdated business models that reward the few and disenfranchise the majority are dying, but those in power are fighting with all their might to preserve their status.  New business models are emerging that don’t need the old infrastructure for success.  Via the internet, a publisher no longer needs a central distribution channel through New York to reach an international audience.  With print-on-demand and e-book technology, a publisher no longer needs warehousing and distribution through New York to reach bookstores.  But as in all revolutions of industry, the old powers will fight to prove their relevance for as long as they can.

For my readers, I ask you to follow the link below and nominate The Fall of Dorkhun if you believe it worthy.  I know I have virtually no chance of winning because I don’t have a large enough audience, but I would like to make a little noise myself and let the old guard know that just because we follow the new business model and are changing the industry forever, we are just as valid as and probably offer a superior product to the status quo.  Support small press and independent business!

http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/01/vote-in-the-torcom-2011-readers-choice-awards

General Posts

Thursday Morning Ramblings

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Today begins a new semester of classes, and even though I’m prepped for all my courses and have been through it hundreds of times, I always feel nervous on the first day.  I’m not certain why, either.  I could teach these courses in my sleep and know my material as thoroughly as I can.  Still, each new course brings the butterflies.  Once I get through the first meeting with each class, I’m always fine, but for some reason, the first meeting makes me anxious.  After nearly 14 years, you might think that would pass, but so far, it hasn’t.

Last semester renewed my passion for teaching, and I hope that carries over into this semester.  While I still want to leave education and write full-time, I like feeling passionate about my job again.  It makes the long, tedious chore of grading a little less painful, and not dreading each day is refreshing.  I’m good at what I do, and even though I can’t always see the immediate results of my labor, I know deep inside that my efforts do make a difference in people’s live.  That’s a rewarding feeling that not everyone gets from their day-to-day work.  I’ve learned to appreciate that and be thankful for it.

On the writing front, books one and two should be available very soon.  All of the artwork for book one is complete and will be posted on here as soon as possible.  The art for book two is nearly finished, and the prelims are awesome.  I can’t wait to share them.  Once all three books are live, we’re going into a full court press with the series.  In terms of writing, I’m knocking out a short story for an anthology and should have it complete by the end of this week.  Once it’s done, I’ll dive back into book four and get my momentum rolling with it.  I hope to get into the routine of writing every night throughout this semester so the manuscript is ready for polishing by mid-summer.

That’s all for now.  Be on the lookout for the artwork for books one and two in the very near future.

General Posts

Wednesday Morning Ramblings

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I wanted to work outdoors today, but so far, the rain is making that impossible, so I’m sitting here thinking about my series.  Now that I’ve survived the fall semester, I want to get back to work on book four.  I’m a grinder, a slow-plodding writer who moves slowly through each scene.  In order for my process to flourish, I need to write at least 5-6 days a week.  Otherwise, the narrative becomes choppy and disharmonious.  With dual enrollment and the volume of grading involved, I simply can’t write on a book in the fall.  However, spring is more relaxed, so I plan on pouring a lot more energy into the book.

I’ve been thinking about success a lot lately.  My definition of success for me as a writer is to be able to earn a living solely from my books, and right now, I’m still a long way from achieving that goal.  My biggest frustration is feeling uncertain of how to expand my readership.  I’ve gotten a lot of support from the new publisher, and once they release their versions of books one and two, I’m confident there will be a boost in reviews and buzz, but right now, everything feels like limbo.  I don’t know what more I can do to get the word out there.

I feel like the books are solid, so I’ve got a reputable product.  Most of my readers respond with positive feedback, so I’m fairly certain the word-of-mouth is strong.  But I don’t know how to expand up to the next level.  I want to travel to more conventions, but right now, that’s not a viable option.  I feel like at this point, the internet is my most powerful ally, but how do I expand my readership through this medium?  How do I reach a broader audience?  I believe the central message of the series is compelling, that relationships and camaraderie should trump materialism and greed.  I believe the absence of profanity and adult content are strong selling points, but how do I get those messages out to more people?

I know my audience is out there.  I know there are people who have been craving the kind of adventure the series tells.  I know it because I feel it.  People still love to read, and people still love heroic tales.  I know there are readers out there who will love my books, but how do I reach them in this age?