When I was re-listening to the audio for The Business of being an Author from Balticon 47, I was reminded of an issue that I had started to address a while ago, but then I got sidetracked and let it slide by the wayside. And that issue is branding. No, not the kind of branding made popular by cowboys marking cattle as part of their herds… Or maybe I do mean that kind of branding, just not as applied with hot irons on tender, living flesh. At least not mine. [click to continue…]
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Our last episode focused on the business of being a writer, but this episode is focused more upon the skills needed in writing. No, we’re not talking about typing skills or penmanship. What we are talking about is the techniques that different authors use in constructing their stories. This is actually an age-old debate about which method is better for plotting out and writing your first draft: creating a detailed outline, or just sitting down and writing? [click to continue…]
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This post was inspired by a conversation I had on Facebook this weekend with a fellow writer who has had a difficult time of late. It was also inspired by many, many conversations I have had with other friends who have expressed their gratitude and their respect for all the work I have put into being an author and a voice actor. At first, I didn’t understand where that respect was coming from… [click to continue…]
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If it is Monday, then it must be time for another episode of the Balticon 47 Wrap up, courtesy of Balticon and Swimming Cat Studios. Today’s episode covers one of the most important subjects for any writer who wants to make the transition and become a professional Author: How do you set up your business. Most authors are sole proprietorships, and without a little business savvy, they can find themselves becoming victims in the marketplace. As an author you make your living selling rights to your stories. While you can have someone else run that part of the business for you, you need to have enough business knowledge to know when they are doing a good job, and when you need to get someone else. As a new author, you usually can’t afford to hire someone to do the business end, so you have to hire yourself. [click to continue…]
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One of the cool things about being a writer, even a writer who is still starting out, is that you get to meet so many talented people. And because you are a fellow writer, sometimes you get a chance to get a sneak peek at their next creative effort. I’ve had the opportunity in the past to talk to you about Maven, and about Nemesis by Starla Huchton, but this time, I’ve got a special preview of a new work by Lauren Harris, her novella “Exorcising Aaron Nguyen”. [click to continue…]
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Even on a holiday weekend, the Balticon 47 Wrap up rolls on! While most folks are enjoying some time off, or an intense retail experience, Swimming Cat Studios is bringing you another installment from Balticon. This episode continues the our look at the BBC’s Doctor Who series as we approach the 50th anniversary of the series coming up later this year. This week we are looking at our Favorite Villains from Doctor’s 2, 3, and 4. Lady Ozma, aka Jacalyn Stanley, returns as our moderator and her son Caramon Stanley, Author Alicia Goranson, and myself filled out the rest of the panel as we examined the various villains from classic Doctor Who with a little help from our audience. [click to continue…]
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A lot can change in a week. And it can change in ways you don’t really expect. If you read last week’s #WriterWednesday post, you’ll recall that last week I had signed on for a voice work contract for a property that I am really excited about doing. Well, that hasn’t changed. What has changed is that I can now say that I’m going to be part of the cast of P.C. Haring’s Slipspace: Harbinger podcast novel. Those sharp-eyed visitors to this site will notice that on my Voice Work page I already have Slipspace: Harbinger listed, and have had it there for a while. Well, that is because P.C. approached me about this role quite a while ago, but events on both our sides of the equation have delayed things from going forward until now. Now, we’re finally getting started with production! But there have been more changes… [click to continue…]
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Greetings, friends! Time to kick off another week with an episode of the Balticon 47 Wrap up. This week we’re taking a look at the history of the BBC Science Fiction serial Doctor Who, and what it has meant for each of us. Doctor Who is coming up on its 50th year anniversary, but has managed to keep hold of the minds and imaginations of viewers in increasing numbers from year to year.
Our panel for this week is Growing up Who, a look at how Doctor Who has affected each of our lives and the lessons we have learned from watching it. Moderating the panel is Lady Ozma, aka Jacalyn Stanley, and filling out the panel are her son Caramon Stanley, Larry Reclusado, and myself. The panel takes a look at what it was like for each of us to grow up watching Doctor Who, both the classic series for most of the panelists, and the new series for Caramon. We look at how the series influenced our outlooks on life, and how those changes have shaped our lives, and how the series itself has changed over time.
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It feels like I’ve been able to get a lot done this past week. I’ve got a contract for a new voicework project, although I’ve not been given leave to identify the project yet. And that has gotten me back behind the mic again for something more than the Balticon 47 Wrap up. This weekend I recorded auditions for three new Audio Drama. Well, actually I think one of them is a continuing project that was in need of new cast members. [click to continue…]
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The Perils of Prague (The Adventures of Crackle and Bang, #1)
