Thanks everyone for the excellent feedback on my last post. Most folks did not like the first paragraph of the possible back cover blurb. The blurb, btw, is for a collection of my short heroic fantasy stories called Bitter Steel. I’ve talked about it before, back when I was putting together the introduction and organizing the contents of the volume. I think the points made on my post were good ones and that the opening paragraph sounded more like something for an introduction rather than a back cover “come hither.” I’ve revised that while leaving the second paragraph largely the same. Thanks everyone.
In other news, I just got my latest shipment in from this new fangled inter-net thingie. I’m now the proud owner of three books that readers of this blog may recognize. First up is Arkansas Smith, by Jack Martin. How could I pass up a western novel named after my home state? Second we have Pallid Light by William Jones. I’ve been looking to read about a good zombie holocaust. Third, there is Heroes of the Fallen by David J. West. This is heroic fantasy, in the same vein as the stories in Bitter Steel. It’s obviously a genre I love very much.
Much as I would love to read and review all three of my new acquisitions tonight, that will not be happening. Although I did not want the blogosphere to find this out, I am only human. My reading card is pretty full. Unlike my dance card, which is limited just to the Lovely Lana.
I did actually finish a book by some blogsphere friends. This was Then Comes the Child by Christopher Fulbright and Angeline Hawkes. Wow, it rocked! This is the true horror, the down and dirty stuff. If you’ve got a strong stomach and like your gore with style, you’ll love it.
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I now feel like I can begin tackling my humongous TBR pile now that I'm almost done with the semester! 3 more papers to go til freedom!!!!
ReplyDeleteSomeday I will read half the books I buy.
ReplyDeleteSomeday I will read half the books I buy.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEllo, ahh, the wonderous feeling. Wonderous!!!!!
ReplyDeletePattinase, I say that too.
Charles, sorry i didn't participate in the reading thing. Been busy myself! You, human? Nahhhhhhh...
ReplyDeletePallid Light sounds like Salad Fingers' favorite novel.
ReplyDeleteI like gore.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading more books as of late but not as many blogs. If only the there were more hours in the day.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to Bitter Steel and thanks for the mention.
ReplyDeleteHorror isn't one of my regular genres, but maybe I'll check out Bitter Steel, or would you recommend another of your books?
ReplyDeletelook forward to reading 'bitter steel' asap
ReplyDeletelast book i read was gaiman's 'neverwhere'...
My bi-annual Amazon shipment should start its journey to these distant shores in the next month or so. I may just declare a holiday when the crates arrive... :)
ReplyDeleteWhat's the time frame on BITTER STEEL? Looking forward to it. How are you distributing it?
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling about being behind with the TBR pile. Mine seems to be growing and growing.
ReplyDeleteI suspect it's because I haven't had enough CAKE in my diet recently. I should probably fix that.
Happy reading!
jodi,well no more than half human really.
ReplyDeleteArtSparker, I fear I have no idea who or what salad Fingers' is here.
Alex J. Cavanaugh, then you would like my book Cold in the Light. I like me some good gore myself. I'm pretty proud of some of the gory scenes in that one.
Travis Erwin, I know. blogging does take up a big chunk of time.
David J. West, no prob.
sage, bitter steel is more fantasy than horror. It's a collection of short stories of heroic fantasy, mostly sword & sorcery. I think Cold in the Light is probably my most accessible book. It's more thriller than horror, although there are some gory parts to it.
laughingwolf, I've only read American Gods by him. Nothing else yet.
Steve Malley, I know. I feel like taking a week off JUST to read. Maybe I will if I get some of my goals met first.
Richard Prosch, it'll be out from Borgo Press. Could be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, but I should get specifics soon. It'll probably be only in print format for now, distributed through Amazon, B&N and other online stores.
Travis, eat cake while reading, man. Problem solved!
I feel like reading something rather dark, so thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDeleteMy reading card is pretty full too. I'm still waiting for UPS to bring me my sixty books I shipped to myself from Ohio. *sigh*
No, no, no, seriously? You? Only human? I don't think the word "only" applies to you.
ReplyDeleteI can never keep up with my TBR list. I try not to let it guilt me, though.
have fun with the books! Pallid Light looks cool, i'd never heard of it before.
ReplyDeleteMy TBR pile fights all the time with my WTRA (Want To Read Again) pile - which includes the Talera books.
ReplyDeleteChristina,yeah, the dark side is pretty fun to explore at times.
ReplyDeleteNatasha Fondren, that's one reason I don't agree to "do" many reviews. I don't like the pressure of feeling like I have to read a particular book "now." I've got enough pressure in my life.
Greg Schwartz, It'll probably be the first of the three I read since I haven't done a zombie book in quite some time.
Bernita, and that's one reason I seldom reread books. There are so many new ones to get to. But occassionally one of my shelved books calls to me and I cannot resist.
come, join the partay, methinks you'll dig this guy:
ReplyDeletehttp://rolandyeomans.blogspot.com/
Laughingwolf, I'll check it out.
ReplyDeleteIt's a heckuva a time keeping up with things, no doubt. Keep fighting the good fight, man'
ReplyDeleteTried to comment here 2x, but the page won't load. We might have to contact Wildblue about our problem. I'll still search for any known issues online, anyway.
ReplyDeleteI love your new blurb, btw. That's a FINE blurb.
Oh look...I finally successfully posted a comment!
ReplyDeletehe's quite the talent, charles :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you kept the second paragraph but I thought the first was a pretty decent lead in. Are you going to show us the finished blurb?
ReplyDeleteIm withsage. Horror isn't one of my regular genres, though I must admit I do have a character killed every so often.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere you're not a writer until you have somebody killed in one of your stories.
So, goldurn it, in my first short story for Ryersoon Press over here int Toronto, I have a guy kill his wife.
My poor son, years later, said, Lucricia Borgia? Was that wishful thinking? Dad, you could be a monster.
Ah. Negative capability as Keats may have said. Believe truth/Believe fable at the same time.
This is such a great blog on so many levels. Writing, nature, life: your engaging view on it all...I always try to check in and see the comments you make to our comments...
ReplyDeleteGlad to be back, Missed Ya!
Aloha from Hawaii
Comfort Spiral
Bitter Steel - only an awesome inspiring writer could come up with a name so alluring and yet so appropriate.
ReplyDeleteErik, yes, not enough hours in the day or days in the year.
ReplyDeleteLana, I've been having some trouble with blogger in general doing that.
laughingwolf, gotcha
BernardL, I think the first paragraph works well for an introductory kind of note, but maybe not so well for the back cover. I'll put up the final version as the book gets ready to go to print.
ivan, I guess I've killed someone in just about every story I've ever written. I'm a bloodthirsty kind of guy.
Cloudia, thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you are enjoying your visits here.
Ocean Girl, I'm blushing. I do kind of like the title, though.
I don't know how you manage to do it. My plate is always full, with little time for blogging. Still, I'm trying to catch up on my favs.
ReplyDeleteI read you possible back cover blurb, but did not read the comments about it. I'm not sure about "That’s because they lack imagination." You never want to offend future readers.
Hey Charles,
ReplyDeleteHappy end of the semester! You seem superhuman to me with all you do. Hope you and Lana are gearing up for a VERY relaxing summer.
JR, I did decide to revise the first paragraph, so that line will be gone. I'm taking off weekends these days from blogging too, so that eases the pressure.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, we had a nice day today. Got up early and went to the wildlife preserve. got some great pics. Then had a nap!