Mini-Announcements
Last Saturday, KB and I went up to Between Books In Claymont Delaware, for a book-signing party by the Liar's Club. The L's C consists of about 13 authors who write a variety of narrative--mystery, SF, historical fiction, YA, Fantasy and Horror.
We arrived about ten minutes after 3 and with the presentation already in progress. The Liar's Club is very practiced at holding these kinds of events. They provided food, self-deprecating autobiographies, banter, a contest, a chance to buy signed books and a Q&A period. The official event probably lasted about an hour and a half but the authors and the rest of us tended to stay somewhat longer.
I stayed because I wanted to talk to Greg, the owner of Between Books, about stocking Seabird (and eventually Earthbow, its sequel). As it turned out, the store was so busy that Greg did not have two minutes to rub together until practically 6 o'clock.
So that's when I gave my spiel. KB kindly introduced me and I mentioned that we were both part of the local writers' group, Written Remains. I gave Greg two copies of the book. I told him the premise for Seabird -- i.e. a person of Earth is snatched to the planet Narenta where she is hailed as a champion sent to do away with some sorcerers. I explained that DaveW, my publisher at Gryphonwood Press, intends to bring out a two volume version of Seabird in the next couple of months, and that volume one of Earthbow would appear before the end of the year.
Greg wanted to know details like about ISBN's and the exact dates of publication for each volume. Up until that point, DaveW hadn't suggested any particular dates of publication to me, so I told Greg I'd email him with the information.
Anyway, Greg took the two copies, and expressed interest in stocking the 2-volume version as well as stocking Earthbow vols. 1 & 2 as they arrive. Hurrah, Greg!
I came home tired--make that very tired--really pleased and greatly relieved at how well the "interview" went.
Later I emailed DaveW and asked him about those publication dates. To quote him exactly from his email:
> Seabird- An Invitation 8/11
> Seabird- Three Tombs 9/1
> Earthbow 1- depends on when you're ready to let go of the manuscript.
The title for the first part of Seabird may change-- It's changed about three times in the last few days, based largely on DaveW's thoughts abut the cover art to be used. Amongst other titles, I recommended The Amulet, The Isle, and The Isle of the Chosen. I'll post here when I learn what Seabird volume 1 will be called. The infomation had better be soon, given the publication date. ;-)
As for Earthbow, Volume 1, I can't really let go of the manuscript until my editor and I finish going through the first 33 chapters of its total 65. Complicating matters at the moment, is the fact that my editor has a personal project he is working on over the next couple of weeks. I'm in the process of going through chapters 15-33 again-again, in hopes of catching any errors, before I send those chapters off to him. NOTE: I am still open to beta readers who would like to read through the first half of Earthbow over the next 2 months (max) and offer any opinions about the manuscript.
In any case, I very much want to have Earthbow volume 1 out in time for PhilCon, which is held in Philadelphia in mid-November. I am hoping that my good buddy, Demaris will get permission from her husband to go with me to the con. We haven't been to a con together is at least ten years. This would be an especially nice one for us to attend.
We arrived about ten minutes after 3 and with the presentation already in progress. The Liar's Club is very practiced at holding these kinds of events. They provided food, self-deprecating autobiographies, banter, a contest, a chance to buy signed books and a Q&A period. The official event probably lasted about an hour and a half but the authors and the rest of us tended to stay somewhat longer.
I stayed because I wanted to talk to Greg, the owner of Between Books, about stocking Seabird (and eventually Earthbow, its sequel). As it turned out, the store was so busy that Greg did not have two minutes to rub together until practically 6 o'clock.
So that's when I gave my spiel. KB kindly introduced me and I mentioned that we were both part of the local writers' group, Written Remains. I gave Greg two copies of the book. I told him the premise for Seabird -- i.e. a person of Earth is snatched to the planet Narenta where she is hailed as a champion sent to do away with some sorcerers. I explained that DaveW, my publisher at Gryphonwood Press, intends to bring out a two volume version of Seabird in the next couple of months, and that volume one of Earthbow would appear before the end of the year.
Greg wanted to know details like about ISBN's and the exact dates of publication for each volume. Up until that point, DaveW hadn't suggested any particular dates of publication to me, so I told Greg I'd email him with the information.
Anyway, Greg took the two copies, and expressed interest in stocking the 2-volume version as well as stocking Earthbow vols. 1 & 2 as they arrive. Hurrah, Greg!
I came home tired--make that very tired--really pleased and greatly relieved at how well the "interview" went.
Later I emailed DaveW and asked him about those publication dates. To quote him exactly from his email:
> Seabird- An Invitation 8/11
> Seabird- Three Tombs 9/1
> Earthbow 1- depends on when you're ready to let go of the manuscript.
The title for the first part of Seabird may change-- It's changed about three times in the last few days, based largely on DaveW's thoughts abut the cover art to be used. Amongst other titles, I recommended The Amulet, The Isle, and The Isle of the Chosen. I'll post here when I learn what Seabird volume 1 will be called. The infomation had better be soon, given the publication date. ;-)
As for Earthbow, Volume 1, I can't really let go of the manuscript until my editor and I finish going through the first 33 chapters of its total 65. Complicating matters at the moment, is the fact that my editor has a personal project he is working on over the next couple of weeks. I'm in the process of going through chapters 15-33 again-again, in hopes of catching any errors, before I send those chapters off to him. NOTE: I am still open to beta readers who would like to read through the first half of Earthbow over the next 2 months (max) and offer any opinions about the manuscript.
In any case, I very much want to have Earthbow volume 1 out in time for PhilCon, which is held in Philadelphia in mid-November. I am hoping that my good buddy, Demaris will get permission from her husband to go with me to the con. We haven't been to a con together is at least ten years. This would be an especially nice one for us to attend.