Launch Time for STRW FFWriting Contest and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Its Launch Time for STRW FFWriMo

Last week, we told you that November was National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo as its called and gave you all the links to the contest and the details. It goes on every November each year. Its for you or anyone who actually had the thought “hey, I wonder if I could write a story”. Write…50,000 words. In one month. Chart your progress. Meet tons of people on line just like yourself. The end goal? To complete a novel by 11:59 PM on November 30.

Well, maybe that’s daunting for some. And for others, a tad too late to get started this year.

So last week we came up with STRW FFWriMo. Starting today, write a Flash Fiction story. That’s a small, no micro tale…tiny fiction. You have until the end of November. That’s midnight, November 30th to get your flash fiction story into us.

What is Flash Fiction? Generally speaking its any fiction under 1000 words, although even that seems to vary with definitions from 1200 to 100 words. Its micro fiction. Here’s a couple of articles to help you all out:

Flash Fiction: What’s It All About? | The Review Review: I liked this one. It gave excellent advice on writing, tips on how to be concise. Definitely check it out.
Flash What? A Quick Look at Flash Fiction – Writing-World.com! Again more wonderful advice on how to use that red pencil and cut the extra wordage out of your story.

Earlier our reviewer, Paul B, read and reviewed Flight: Queer Sci Fi’s Third Annual Flash Fiction Contest (QSF Flash Fiction #2), an excellent anthology of flash fiction for science fiction lovers and those who love the short story format. Flash Fiction, while not new, is steadily gaining in popularity and here is your chance to try your hand at writing a flash fiction story of your own and perhaps make a comment on recent events.

I would love to get a flood of stories. Maybe enough in the future to put out a charity anthology of our own if the authors are agreeable. Its something to think about.

STRW FFWriMo Contest

What to write about? Last week I said we would choose topics but I’m throwing that out the window based on recent events. I’m leaving the subject matter up to each writer. It can be contemporary, science fiction, horror, supernatural…its up to you. It must be LGBTQIA. And it must be Flash Fiction. You must be over the age of 18. Those are our only restrictions other than the time constraint. Have your story in by midnight, November 30, EST.

Prizes: $25 Amazon gift card for the one chosen by our guest judge, and for the first 5 ppl getting in their stories $10 gift cards (their choice Amazon or Dreamspinner Press). Rights to these stories remain with the authors.

Again here are the rules for STRW FFWriMo:

Can be any topic and any genre as long as its LGBTQIA.
Must be flash fiction (under 1000 words, presumably 300)
Story must be finished and into us at scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com by midnight, November 30th EST.
The author must be 18 years of age or older.

So now get writing. You can do it. Inspiration isn’t far away these days. I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with. Lets hear you roar!

Now for this week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, November 13:

Launch Time for STRW FFWriMo
This Week AT Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, November 14:

In the Author Spotlight with J.R. Loveless and their latest release ‘You Belong With Me’ (author interview and excerpt
Amy Lane on Facebook for Dogs and her release ‘Freckles’ (guest blog and giveaway) (part of Riptide’s 2016 Holiday Charity Bundle series)
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Freckles by Amy Lane
An Alisa Release Day Review: Trust and Control by Remmy Duchene
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Heart & Soul by Shae Connor

Tuesday, November 15:

Check out ‘A Chance for Us (New Vampire Justice #2)’ by Jake C. Wallace (excerpts and giveaway)
In the Spotlight: Blank Spaces (Toronto Connections #1) by Cass Lennox (giveaway)
Montana Series Recap Tour: A Cowboy’s Home by RJ Scott (excerpt and giveaway)
Book Blast and Giveaway: Nobody’s Home by Dev Bentham
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Seven-Card Stud (Wild Cards #2) by Ava Drake
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Seven-Card Stud (Wild Cards #2) by Ava Drake

Wednesday, November 16:

Remmy Duchene on Trust and Control (Dreamspinner Author Guest Blog)
Release Blitz – Brina Brady’s Master Cleary’s Boys
A Caryn Release Day Review: Andre in Flight by Laura Lascarso
A MelanieM Release Day Review: When the Dust Settles (Timing #3) by Mary Calmes
A Paul B Review: Gyrfalcon (Taking Shield #1) by Anna Butler

Thursday, November 17:

Double Dealing by Nicole Colville Blog Tour and Giveaway
Release Blitz & Review Tour – Snow & Secrets by RJ Scott writing as Rozenn Scott
A Lila Audiobook Review: Counterpoint (Song of the Fallen #1) by Rachel Haimowitz and Narrated by Craig Beck
A Paul B Review: Heart Scarab (Taking Shield #2) by Anna Butler
A MelanieM Review: Murder Between The Pages by Josh Lanyon

Friday, November 18:

Laura Lascarso on Writing and Andre in Flight (Dreamspinner Press Author Guest Blog)
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Snow & Secrets by RJ Scott writing as Rozenn Scott
An Alisa Release Day Review: Why I Love Geeks by T.A. Chase
A Paul B Review: Makepeace (Taking Shield #3) by Anna Butler
A Jeri Release Day Review: The Playmaker by Andrew Grey

Saturday, November 19:

In the Spotlight:Learning to Want by Tami Veldura
Release Blitz & Giveaway- J M Snyder’s Not Another One Hit Wonder
A MelanieM Review: Not Another One Hit Wonder by J.M. Snyder
A Jeri Review: Double Dealing by Nicole Colville

An Alisa Audiobook Review: Lights, Camera, Cupid, the Bluewater Bay Anthology

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Cupid is visiting Bluewater Bay, and he’s leaving chaos in his wake.

Nothing’s been the same in this sleepy little logging town since Hollywood came to shoot the hit TV show Wolf’s Landing—especially Valentine’s Day.

In L.A. Witt’s Just Another Day, beloved actors Levi Pritchard and Carter Samuels have an announcement for their fans, while in Z.A. Maxfield’s I’ll Be There, actor Spencer Kepler and his boyfriend Nash Holly brave a blizzard and a fan convention to spend their first February the 14th together.

Of course, it’s not just TV stars celebrating the day. In Anne Tenino’s Helping Hand, an aspiring artist eager to escape Bluewater Bay decides he just might have a reason to stay: lust-inspiring logger Gabriel Savage. In SE Jakes’s No Easy Way, a local teacher reconnects with an old lover working security on the film set. And in Amy Lane’s Nascha, a Bluewater Bay elder recalls how his own unconventional family used to celebrate the holiday.

Real life may be nothing like TV, but when Cupid comes to town, there’s plenty of romance and drama to go around.

This was a nice collection of stories; it was nice seeing a few characters again along with a few new ones. These stories can mostly be read as stand-alone, but events from the characters books could be helpful and, after looking ahead, some of the other stories are kind of a pre-quel to some more books later in the series.

Just Another Day by LA Witt – 5 stars out of 5

It was great to see Levi and Carter again. Levi learns that Valentine’s Day isn’t always about a token expensive gift, but being with the one you love. Levi continues to struggle with being in an actual relationship, but can see everywhere he turns how perfect it is to have Carter in his life.

Nascha by Amy Lane – 4 stars out of 5

This was a nice, but very depressing. We get a look at the life of Nascha and his family. He gave up a lot to take care of his niece and her family, but in the end gets the chance to re-connect with his lover Raw. I loved Nascha and my heart broke when he had to give up his lovers and then the death of one after they had reconnected.

No Easy Way by SE Jakes – 3 stars out of 5

Cary has pretty much been just been existing since his boyfriend, Dylan, left. Dylan has been in the military for years and finally got the courage to come home and try to win Cary back. That Dylan was willing to take the verbal abuse from Cary for so long without explaining was a miracle. Though this was an interesting story, I had trouble connecting with the characters.

Helping Hand by Anne Tenino – 3 stars out of 5

Lucas cannot wait for the chance to get out of Bluewater Bay, he has nothing to keep him here. He feels like the outsider in his family and the town. It isn’t until after he is pretty much forced to come out to his family that he finds out he isn’t quite as different as he thought. When Lucas and Gabe connect and then Gabe pushes Lucas away my heart just absolutely broke for him. I am interested to see what happens to them when I get to their book.

I’ll Be There by ZA Maxfield – 5 stars out of 5

I loved Nash and Spencer in their book and it was great to see them again. They both need and love each other so much, it’s wonderful. I loved the look we got at Nash’s twin, Healey, too.

Nick Russo and Dorian Bane did a nice job narrating these story. They really brought the characters to life through the voices and emotions they portrayed.

Cover art by LC Chase is nice and follows the pattern for the series.

Sales Links: Riptide | Audible | Amazon | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Audiobook, 6 hrs 22 min
Published: September 26, 2016 (ebook first published February 9, 2015)
Edition Language: English

Series: A Bluewater Bay Story

An Anthology Special! Check out Contact (Gothika #5) by Kim Fielding , F.E. Feeley Jr. , Jamie Fessenden , and B.G. Thomas (guest post, special excerpt and more)

Contact (Gothika #5)
by Kim Fielding , F.E. Feeley Jr. , Jamie Fessenden , B.G. Thomas

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have F.E. Feeley, Jr. here today to talk about Contact (Gothika #5), an upcoming anthology from Dreamspinner Press. Welcome, F.E.

Hi! I’m F.E. Feeley, Jr., one of the authors in the upcoming anthology Gothika: Contact. This is the fifth installment in the Gothika series, which has featured androids, werewolves, voodoo curses, and ghosts! Contact is about encounters with extraterrestrials and alien abduction, and it includes four stories by me, Kim Fielding, Jamie Fessenden, and B.G. Thomas.

In my story, “My Final Blog,” I explored the idea of extraterrestrials establishing contact not by landing a spaceship in our backyard or making toy monkeys come to life (Why do we have those creepy things, anyway?), but by chatting with us online. We’ve already got a worldwide network where it’s possible—and expected—that people will communicate without revealing their identities. How easy would it be for an alien to establish contact with humans on social media, scope us out, and maybe even establish a form of relationship with us before revealing itself?

Here’s how I handled the idea of alien contact in “My Final Blog.”

Blurb

George is an average guy who’s led an average sort of life. Always fading in the background, he never garnered much attention. People seemed to pass him by or not notice him. Except, of course, in high school where he was tormented by his sexuality. Finding solace online, George developed a blog early on that helped him maintain his sanity. It was an anonymous link to the outside world to vent his frustrations and express his creativity. And he gathered quite an audience of similar spirits and allies who stayed with him for over the years.

Especially one commenter, Universal47. In the spirit of anonymity, George never pushed him to expose who he really was. And over a period of years, began to have feelings for this faceless person. When George finds himself in a horrible one sided relationship with an abusive and neglectful partner, Universal steps in to help George break up with him. Devastated by the outcome of his failed relationship, George threatens to withdraw from Universal47 as well unless he tells him who he really is. The answer may be more than George can handle.

Excerpt

We were wandering into dangerously choppy waters. I was defensive over my relationship. I mean, there were good times. Christmases and birthdays were great. But there were times when I could dry up and disappear and Joseph, I don’t think would have cared. As a matter of fact, it was sort of ‘go away, come back’ messages that I received from him that confused me. Which, I must say looking back, was sort of pathetic. But you know what they say about hindsight. It was always fifty/ fifty. I ended up saying goodnight and went about my evening. But his words haunted me.

Yet, fast forward to the night he told me his name, I sat staring at my computer screen as his name flashed in front of me. Elijah. I liked the name. I, of course, understood the biblical reference. Elijah was a prophet that once called down fire from heaven to consume a sacrifice to God. Or, it was the name of a really blue eyed actor who played Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings movies. I put those two things up for consideration in the chat box and was greeted with a great big LOL for my efforts.

Universal47: Neither. But that’s funny.

I tilted my head for a moment before typing: Will we ever meet?

Universal47: I believe so. Do you want to meet me?

Me: Of course.

Universal47: Why?

Me: To put a face with a name?

Universal47: Is that all?

Me: Sure. Isn’t that enough.

Universal47: And what would we do if we met.

I rolled my eyes hard at that.

Me: Well, you’re not getting laid if that’s what you mean. I could go on GRNDR for that.

Universal47: HAHAHAHA! I’m sure you could. And no, that isn’t what I’m after either.

Me: so you are after something?

Universal47: Companionship? Is that weird?

Me: No. I don’t think so. You must get lonely, too.

Universal47: You have no idea.

Me: Well, if it’s any consolation to you. At night, when I fall asleep, you’re not far from my mind.

Universal47: That’s really the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me. But you don’t know what I look like.

Me: No. I guess not.

Universal47: What do you think about when think about me before you fall asleep.

Me: Honestly? You’ve had many faces. But your arms are always the same. Strong. There. Just like you’ve been all these years. There. That’s what matters to me, Elijah.

He was quiet for a long time after that and before he could reply, I felt my eyes grow heavy. It had been a long couple of days. And since it was Friday night, I had a whole weekend’s worth of work to do. I bid him goodnight and logged out. I hoped I hadn’t said too much. I hope I hadn’t freaked him out. But my ability to bullshit was completely depleted by that time that truth sort of rolled out of me in waves. That night, as I lay in bed listening to the wind howling over the prairies it was so mournful and so lonesome sounding that I cried myself to sleep.

gothika-contact-5

Anthology Blurb

Since ancient times, humankind has looked into the night sky and wondered: Are we alone? Are there other civilizations beyond the stars? Will we ever encounter these beings? Who are they, what are they like, and what might they want with us?

These questions are about to be answered, but those who discover the truth might wish they had never asked. On the other hand, some might find salvation in visitors from other planets. For while some aliens are hostile, others are benevolent. Some have little in common with humans, but for others, the need for love and acceptance is universal. Lives will intersect and otherworldly passions will ignite as four acclaimed authors of gay romance explore first contact—and where it can lead.

Buy Links

Here’s Reading You ~ An Author’s POV! (Part III) This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Here’s Reading You ~ An Author’s POV! (Part III)

Last week Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words finished up our reader’s thoughts on eBooks, how they use them, where they find them and the authors that write them. This week, its the authors turn. From hardback and paperback or even the graphic novel to the eBook, what does writing and publishing eBooks mean to an author? Has it helped them find an audience? Made it easier to publish a novel? Made it harder to find time to write because they are so busy promoting themselves and their stories? And is the eBook industry changing?

I know…what a lot of questions to dump onto an author already burdened with so much to do these days. But I thought it might help us understand eBooks from their perspective and maybe let us appreciate those stories that we read just a little more when we consider the author’s point of view. Maybe you as readers have questions you want to ask our authors?

That’s why we are dividing our authors blog section into two parts, one this week and into the next. If you have questions, please comment below and all week long. If we use your questions? See the contest at the end of this blog for your answer!

The authors participating this week are Parker Williams (Of Love and Corn Dogs), Wulf Francu Godgluck (Tooth, Claw, and Horn Chronicles), and Jay Northcote. Thank you all for participating and taking time away from your busy schedules to answer my questions.

~ Authors On Ebooks~

Parker Williams

✍From Parker Williams, author of Haven’s Creed, Of Love and Corn Dogs (Of Love and… Book 1),Protector of the Alpha (Shifting Needs #1) and more:

As an author, what has your experience been publishing ebooks? Especially self published ebooks? Did you start off that way? Was a traditional publishing house not the answer? Or if it was, why?

No, I started out being published by Harmony Ink (the YA arm of Dreamspinner Press.) A friend encouraged me to try it, and even helped me get the book ready to submit. Hitting that ‘send’ button was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, because I grew up thinking that writing wasn’t for me (thank you, Dad!)

How has the ebook industry changed since you started publishing? How do you view these changes?

I’m not sure how much the industry has changed since I started in it. Self-publishing has been a terror for me, because I’m not sure what the heck I’m doing. I pay a company to format my books, because the rules for each site are wide and varied.

Have you as an author benefited, are indifferent, or has it made your job more difficult to get your books out there?

I’ve had to be more creative to get my book noticed. My saving grace was running Pride Promotions, because I had a list of bloggers who I already worked with who were willing to help me. So to them, I am exceptionally grateful.

What things would you change if you were starting over?

If I were to start over, I would be less hesitant about some things that I thought would turn people off. Haven’s Creed, for example. I was so certain no one would buy it, and even more certain that I would get pilloried for publishing it. As is the came with most books, it has some who loathed it, but surprisingly a lot of people seemed to enjoy it. It gave me the courage to explore some other things I might not have done otherwise.

What has been your biggest challenge? And biggest victory as an author – other than publishing that is? Is it see your genre expand?

My biggest challenge is not knowing what I’m doing with self-publishing. I wish I could understand it, or find an easier way to format, because I feel silly having to ask for help. My biggest victory? The very first letter I ever got that told me my writing made a difference to someone. Knowing that even just one person thought my story was worthwhile.

And I would *LOVE* to see the genre expand. I think too many people see M/M or F/F literature, and automatically shuffle it off to the side without even giving it a chance. There are some stellar storytellers out there that they’re missing out on.

Where do you see ebooks and yourself in the future?

I hope to be writing until the day I die. When I go, I want to have my collection of books buried with me, so I have something to read while I wait for eternity to pass.

Wulf Francu Godgluck

✍From Wulf Francu Godgluck, author of the Neon White, and the Tooth, Claw, and Horn Chronicles and more:

As an author, what has your experience been publishing ebooks? Especially self published ebooks? Did you start off that way? Was a traditional publishing house not the answer? Or if it was, why?

I have self-published all my books and don’t think I would change that anytime soon, you have more freedom as a self-published author but you also have to carry the cost and the risk thereof: Publishers already have an established readership, whereas if you are an author just starting out and self-publish your first book, you need to build that readership first, you also run the risk of plagiarism and piracy, where unfortunately you don’t have a legal team to back you up. But again you would earn more royalties on each individual copy sold, you determine the price of your book but you also run the risk of loss if you do not sell enough copies to compensate for the cost of getting your book published.

I guess it all depends on where and with what you are more comfortable. The only reason I self-published in the first place is publishers tend not to like my books because of the tone of my writing, as it tends to be a bit on the dark side.

How has the ebook industry changed since you started publishing? How do you view these changes?

In my honest opinion a lot, and not for the better, new books pop up every day now and the problem is the writing of these books is becoming poorer and poorer. Because the problem we are facing today is the lack and misunderstand of literacy, I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the number of authors and readers that still does not get the concept of showing and not telling, the difference of just simply reading what is actually written and then to thinking about what was said in that sentence as to what is actually conveyed, then there’s lack of using beta readers, and yet these books still sell? And more often than not it’s self-published books. So the bigger question we need to ask ourselves is; can readers really differentiate between a well-written book and a poor one, in all honesty, it seems that the poorly written books these days are the ones selling. Why? Because readers deem this poor quality of literature acceptable.

Why readers? Because it’s a vicious endless cycle – poorly written books are read by readers- reader becomes authors- produces poorly written book because of reading poorly written books.

Have you as an author benefited, are indifferent, or has it made your job more difficult to get your books out there?

Assuming this question is based on the previous answers, yes it has made my job more difficult: anyone can tell a story, not everyone can write a novel. It took me five years to even feel ready to show my first novel to readers, and that’s not from reading a lot, that came from writing, learning how to write, learning the difference between showing and not telling a story, learning how to convey the right words in the right way to paint the picture I want to portray inside the reader’s mind and the emotions I want to invoke inside the reader’s heart. It came from endless rewrites- first drafts, second drafts, and third drafts. From taking a step back and thinking about what I am writing, and from working very closely with my beta readers and editors and mentors who have been in the industry for years. And lastly evaluating myself and my writing as to how much I, as an author, has grown from the first piece I wrote to the current piece I have published.

Now, I, and many other authors have to compete with books, that are almost in a sense mass produced and that are deemed acceptable pieces of literature. That does make an author feel a bit dejected, that does make us question ourselves and whether or not the time, effort and blood placed into a manuscript is even worth it. Reader so easily voice, that we don’t write fast enough or that a particular author is only capable of publishing a novel once a year: And there is a very good reason for that, good things take time, we want to make sure we don’t push out something that’s going to be flat, one dimensional and unemotional.

And we are in the losing side here, because I see it so often when a really good book gets bashed down and really bad one gets praised. There are so many authors out there both new and experience that does not get the praise their work deserve.

It’s like a very good friend of mine said, “good writing should be like a movie for blind people.”

But we are also pressured against reader’s demand: Am I going to risk losing readers, and take the time to produce a novel to the best of my abilities, however long that may be- or am I going to give into the demand of the industry and produce something flat, quick and easy, with no flavor or substance?

What things would you change if you were starting over?

Not a lot, I would for one spend more time establishing a readership and interacting with more readers before I released my first book, but again it comes back to time. Writing a novel takes up a lot of time, establishing a readership and maintaining that readership via social media is a whole job in itself, so where do you draw the line, where do you find the balance? Authors are still people, they still have families, jobs and responsibilities outside of the writing world. Even as a full-time author I find this very difficult to balance. So now as the industry has changed; it crucial for any new author to establish a readership before they have their first book out in the publics’ hands.

What has been your biggest challenge? And biggest victory as an author – other than publishing that is? Is it see your genre expand?

Biggest challenge: Making sure my next book exceeds the one before it, Good, great, I’ve written a good book I can be proud of, now comes the next novel. Reader’s expectations. This always guts me during the writing process. The fear that this new book might not live up to the hype of its predecessor. And it’s both real and healthy, it encourages me to strive for better, to work harder, not to have the plot run away with me and high-jack the story to a point where it can’t be saved, and lastly writer’s block and writer’s burn out.

Biggest victory as an author: I’m discovering who I am, learning more about myself and what I am capable of, how talented I am and recognizing myself worth, but still be able to stay humble throughout this process because trust me, it can go to your head.

Where do you see ebooks and yourself in the future?

To grow more as a writer, to one day hopefully become a full-time writer in the horror genre and be successful in it.

As for ebooks in the future, one can only hope that we find some way to better protect our work against piracy and plagiarism, as with the advance of technology, there are its disadvantages; illegal distribution of books and selfishly stealing others work is a threat to both writers and the industry. With ebooks being so easily distributed as they are in the numerous ways they can be scattered throughout the big web. It’s hard to keep track of where they end up and how to protect

them.

Jay Northcote

✍From Jay Northcote, author of Nothing Serious and the Housemates series and many more:

My first experiences in publishing were with Dreamspinner Press almost three years ago. They published in paperback and eBook format, but the vast majority of my sales were eBooks.

I made the switch to self-publishing about a year into my career as an author. With it being so easy to self-publish eBooks in particular (although it’s also easy to publish paperbacks through Createspace) I didn’t see that there was much benefit for me to stay with a publisher once I had a readership.

Even in the relatively short time that I’ve been publishing, the industry has changed a lot. The market for our genre is growing, but is also getting exponentially more crowded. It’s hard for authors to get noticed. Kindle Unlimited and the huge number of indie authors have driven prices down—which has a knock on, negative impact on author earnings. However, the rise in popularity of eBooks has allowed me to have a career as an author that I would otherwise never have had. I don’t believe that I would ever have considered writing as a full-time job if it hadn’t been for the boom in the e-book market and the subsequent growth of small presses and Indies. I count myself extremely lucky to have found my readership and to be able to do this as my job. I’m grateful to all my readers for making this possible.

It’s hard to predict the future in such a volatile and rapidly changing market. Ebooks are here to stay, and I think subscription services like KU are too. Personally, I would like to see more consistency in eBook pricing across the industry. The 99c novels that dominate the charts are making it harder for authors to earn a living. But I’m hopeful that as long as I work hard and stay focused, I will be able to keep writing full-time for the foreseeable future.

As you all can see, their experiences run the spectrum, from self publishing to working with established publishers to using both methods of getting their stories to their audience. All see the ebook as a format that’s here to stay. But how will the market change? And how will the authors and publishers have to adapt to the changing market? That remains to be seen.

More authors next week. Do you have questions for these or any authors? Send them in. I will forward them on and use them in our blog next week or the week after.

Giveaway: From the readers leaving comments I will be choosing 3 more winners to receive $10 gift certificates from Dreamspinner Press. Contest ends at midnight, November 3rd. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

And now for this week’s schedule.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 23:

Here’s Reading You ~ An Author’s POV! (Part III)
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
A Paul Review: The Beginning (Sirius Wolves #6) by Victoria Sue

Monday, October 24:

Release Blitz & Review Tour – Con Riley’s Must Like Spinach
Riptide Blog Tour: Change of Address by Jordan S. Brock
Alisa Audiobook Review: Corey: The Atherton Pack 3 by Toni Griffin
A Free Dreamer Release Day Review: Changing World by Cari Z
A Paul Review: Germ by April Kelly

Tuesday, October 25:

Reclaiming Hope by Shell Taylor Tour with Guest Post
Riptide Blog Tour and Giveaway: Interborough by Santino Hassell
A Stella Review: Different Names for the Same Thing by Francis Gideon
A Caryn Review: Interborough by Santino Hassell
An Alisa Review: His Scar by Erin E. Keller

Wednesday, October 26:

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: The Closet Boy by Sean Michael
Blog Tour and Giveaway: Full Circle by Victoria Sue
Contact, Gothika Volume 5 Tour with Guest Post and Giveaway
An Alisa Review: Night Train to Orleans By Carolina Valdez
A Paul B Review: Full Circle by Victoria Sue

Thursday, October 27:

Cover Reveal – Alpha Barman by Sue Brown
In the Spotlight:On Fire by Alicia Nordwell (Guest Post)
An Alisa Review: Open Omega and His Bitter Bear By Susan Laine
A Free Dreamer Review: 18% Gray by Anne Tenino
A Release Review: Touchdown (Game Day Book 1) by T.S. McKinney

Friday, October 28:

In the Spotlight: Make Someone Happy by Hank Fielding (Guest Post)
A Stella Release Day Review: Murmuration by TJ Klune
An Alisa Review: Of Paws and Pet Rocks by J.D. Walker
A Lila Review: A Sip Of Rio by Teodora Kostova
A MelanieM Review: Too Many Cases by Julia Rancourt

Saturday, October 29:

A MelanieM Review: Shield of the Dragon by Megan Derr

About the Authors:

Parker Williams can be found at his Goodreads blog

Wulf Francu Godgluck

They come to me in the night, creeping into my head. Their voices are all different, their stories all dissimilar, but they keep saying the same thing…

“Show us, tell us to the world. Bring us into yours, and make us known.”

Then I sit and they take over. They tell their tales of love, loss and sinister misfortune, not all of them get a happy ending, but they are pleased when their part is written.

I sometimes find myself lost in my own mind; a world very similar to our own yet so different. Things don’t go bump in the night—they squeal, and crawl under your skin, making you grind your teeth, and your stomach turn over and put your nerves on edge. Then there’s the drama. Oh, the drama!

I write because I must! There is so much inside of me that needs to get out. So many stories to tell, characters that want to be heard, and hearts lost and won. Words and art are my way of bringing my world to others. I enjoy telling tales of the human condition but working in elements of the supernatural. Werewolves, Vampires, Zombies, Witches and the unexplainable all set against the human world or worlds of their own.

I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, grew up in a working class family and enjoy writing, cooking and spending my husband’s money! Yeah I’m a cocky little brat too 🙂 (and proud of it, spankings included.)

You can find Wulf at his website

Jay Northcote

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. Jay has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and he also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.

Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.

Contact Jay at:

Website http://jaynorthcote.com/
Twitter jay_northcote

A Caryn Review: One Pulse Anthology

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

one-pulse-anthology Since the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016, people worldwide have donated a total of more than 23 million dollars to the OneOrlando Fund set up to benefit the victims and their families. It seems like a lot of money, but between the number of people affected, and the severity of their injuries – mental and physical – that money will be exhausted fairly soon. Also, after the initial outcry and horror that such a thing could have happened, and for such a reason, the shooting has faded out of the headlines. But for those who were directly affected, and for all people in the LGBTQ spectrum, the shooting is still at the forefront of their thoughts, and fears, and worries. So I was very pleased to see Dreamspinner Press put out this anthology to raise money for various LGBT organizations in central Florida, and I jumped at the chance to review it. Dreamspinner also has another anthology coming out in time for the 2016 holiday season, that will also benefit the same charities.

At first, I planned to do a short review on each story individually, but at a total of 31 stories (and almost 200,000 words) that just wasn’t possible. The stories are written by a combination of well known and lesser known authors from Dreamspinner’s ranks, and run the gamut of genres. There are contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, historical, and sci-fi works. Most are romances, but some are not. Most are M/M pairings, but there was also one F/F and one M/M/M/M. Some stories were extremely good, some less so, but there was only one that I had to DNF. My favorite was The Tithe by K.C. Burn, which was one of the fully original stories, but there were several that were in the various universes created by the authors in other published works (like Edmond Manning’s They Danced which tells another tale of the Lost and Founds, which would not have made much sense to me if I hadn’t read one of them first). The stories ranged from1 star to 5 star ratings, and overall the anthology really is more of a 3 star read, but I give it an extra star because of the generosity of the authors and the other people from Dreamspinner involved in putting it together. I looked at the call for submissions, and they were due only a month after the shooting itself, which is an incredibly short period of time to write something really good, so I actually expect the next anthology to be even better.

I also hope that there will be a little more detail of which organizations the money will be going towards in the next anthology. Overall, I do recommend this collection, especially for those who like to read shorter stories. I plan on buying the next anthology when it’s available.

The cover art, by Paul Richmond, really fits with the title of the anthology and the reasons it was written. I like the symbolism of one pair of hands holding and caring for another, checking a pulse as a nod to the name of the nightclub, and the rainbow coloring for Pride.

Sales Links

Book Details:

ebook, 574 pages
Published September 19th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
Original TitleOne Pulse
ISBN139781635330984
Edition LanguageEnglish

A MelanieM Review: Changing On the Fly Anthology

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

changing-on-the-fly-anthology Changing on the Fly is a celebration of romance, featuring six M/M stories about hockey players falling in love on – and off – the ice. All proceeds from the anthology will be donated to a charity that supports inclusiveness in athletics.

The anthology will be available starting in October, 2016, for a limited time only.

It includes the following stories:

Even Strength by Cherylanne Corneille
Next Season by Avon Gale
Going Home by Heather Lire
On Broadway by V.L. Locey
The Brother and the Retired Player by Mary Smith
Take a Shot by Samantha Wayland

As a hockey lover, I couldn’t be happier to see an entire collection of stories that focus on hockey players and love. Changing on the Fly includes six stories of hockey players or people associated with hockey players finding romance and forever love. I have to admit I had my favorites. They included Even Strength by Cherylanne Corneille, Next Season by Avon Gale, and Take a Shot by Samantha Wayland. I would buy this entire anthology to read Take a Shot, a 5 star story in my opinion. Chris and Tim absolutely stole my heart. They will steal yours as well. And a least favorite in Going Home, a truncated story that’s a prologue for another longer story.

But that’s a tremendous ratio, and you make love that story. Each has well developed characters, and a different take on the game of hockey. I readily admit I enjoyed each and every one.

Plus I was unfamiliar with Samantha Wayland and now get to going looking for more stories she’s written. Another win.

Love hockey? And romances?

Grab up this charity anthology. Its only here for a limited time!

Sales Links

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 368 pages

Expected publication: October 12th 2016

ASIN B01M1LCRDW

Edition Language English

Skate into Love with Changing on the Fly- M/M Hockey Charity Anthology Tour (excerpts and giveaway)

bt_banner

AboutTheBook

TITLE: Changing On The Fly – M/M Hockey Charity Anthology

AUTHOR: Avon Gale, V.L. Locey, Cherylanne Corneille, Mary Smith, Heather Lire, Samantha Wayland

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

COVER ARTIST: Jen Needles

LENGTH: 368 Pages

RELEASE DATE: October 12, 2016

BLURB: Changing on the Fly is a celebration of romance, featuring six M/M stories about hockey players falling in love on – and off – the ice. All proceeds from the anthology will be donated to a charity that supports inclusiveness in athletics.

The anthology will be available starting in October, 2016, for a limited time only.

It includes the following stories:

Even Strength by Cherylanne Corneille

Next Season by Avon Gale

Going Home by Heather Lire

On Broadway by V.L. Locey

The Brother and the Retired Player by Mary Smith

Take a Shot by Samantha Wayland

Excerpt

V.L. Locey’s On Broadway:

“You’re about as far from being just a guy as I am from being able to play “Rocket Man” on harmonica.”

“Is that the song your mom named you after?” I fell back to the bed, feet dangling to the floor and hands clasped behind my head.

“Good guess.” He appeared behind me after a moment. I tipped my head back to look at him. His green eyes were darker now, smoky jade and hot with desire. “You’re really sexy in a Toby McGuire Spider-Man kind of way.”

“I don’t have any superpowers,” I replied as he leaned over and placed his hands on either side of my head.

“Not true,” Rocket whispered before covering my mouth with his. My eyes drifted shut as my fingers knotted up the bedding. His mouth was hot and wet, his tongue skilled, his taste a subtle blend of Korean buffet. “You’re Riley Zeally,” he murmured between nibbling kisses that made my heart pump faster, “the face of professional hockey.”

I reached up from the duvet to push my fingers into his hair. “I want you,” I panted between his short, maddening sweeps of my mouth.

Samantha Wayland’s Take a Shot:

“There already is someone who loves to spend time with you, who loves hockey and your friends and their ridiculous pranks. Who gets that you have to travel and that you’re tired!”

Tim blinked, appearing utterly bewildered. “Who?”

“Me, you asshole! Me.”

Tim threw his hands in the air. “What about you?”

“I appreciate you exactly as you are. I love our life. Our friends. You. Even the super fucking irritating things, because apparently there is something wrong with me. I love that you can’t hide what you’re feeling, almost ever. And that you say what you’re thinking, even when I can’t do the same. I like living with you, a fucking neat-freak nudist, and working with you, and there’s never been a time, not once, that I was tired of being around you. You’re gorgeous and you’re kind and you’re the best person I know. So shut up about there not being someone who can appreciate everything about you. There already is. And unfortunately for you, it’s me.”

Heather Lire’s Going Home

“What the fuck, man?” Blake growled at Dex.

“What?” he asked, innocently. Too innocently. “I was just making conversation with an old friend from high school. One who helped both of us graduate.”

If he’d known when he started this trip down memory lane that he’d be running into the person who’d had a staring roll in the epic disaster that had been his last night in town, he’d never have started it. Micah had also held a staring roll in every single one of his sexual fantasies back then as well.

“Fuck you, Dex.”

“Think about it like this…this is a new start for both of us. A chance to fix the things in our lives that we fucked up. Me with my career and you with Micah.”

Cherylanne Corneille’s Even Strength

He took a few laps around their end of the rink to loosen his legs. On his fourth pass around the net, he picked up a stray puck and carried it on his stick before shooting it into the net. Boone bumped his shoulder and nodded toward the glass as they rounded their end of the rink again.

What the hell? He glanced in the direction his teammate indicated. Two men around his age wearing New York’s jerseys held up a brightly colored sign that said simply, “Thank you, Nate.” He puzzled on the meaning until he made another lap. One of them also held a small rainbow flag.

Mary Smith’s The Brother and the Retired Player

Our lips touch, and the spark is struck. He pulls me closer and grips my hips. I can feel his hardness already, and my dick twitches at the contact. Our kiss intensifies as our tongues touch. I hold him closer, and the light scruff of his pale beard tickles me. I never want to leave this spot, but finally, I pull back.

Avon Gale’s Next Season

Nick stopped as Sparrow went to get into his Escalade, which he’d somehow remote started the second they got out of the building. Nick drove a 2002 Ford Focus and was lucky if it started when the key was in the ignition.

“So, uh,” Nick said, not wanting to just walk off but still as uncertain as he’d been in the locker room about what to say. “See you in Philly, I guess.”

“Yeah,” Sparrow muttered, yanking the door to his luxury SUV open with too much force. “See you in Philly, kid.”

Nick managed to get his own car door open, grabbed his ice scraper, and turned the car on so he could blast the heat. He watched Sparrow drive away, leaving tire tracks in the snow.

BuyLinks

AuthorBio

V.L. Locey

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a flock of assorted domestic fowl, and two Jersey steers.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand. She can also be found online on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and GoodReads.

Website: http://vlloceyauthor.com/

Avon Gale

Avon Gale was once the mayor on Foursquare of Jazzercise and Lollicup, which should tell you all you need to know about her as a person. She likes road trips, rock concerts, drinking Kentucky bourbon and yelling at hockey. She’s a displaced southerner living in a liberal midwestern college town, and she never gets tired of people and their stories — either real or the ones she makes up in her head.

Website: https://www.avongalewrites.com/

Cherylanne Corneille

Cherylanne Corneille has been writing almost as long as she has loved the game of hockey, so it was inevitable that she would eventually combine two of her favorite pastimes into one hobby. She will watch almost any game but prefers to cheer on the Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Tyler Seguin.

When not writing or watching hockey, she enjoys running and has completed 18 half marathons. She also loves Stars Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Captain America.

Cherylanne lives in Central Florida with her cat, who was almost called Puck or Hanifin but sometimes answers to the name Phasma.

Website: https://cacorneille.wordpress.com/

Heather Lire

Heather has traveled all over the world, speaks several languages, collects romance books like they’re going out of style, and has multiple book boyfriends. Ok, she hasn’t been all over the world, except in her mind. She does however speak multiple languages and collect romance books. Her long-suffering husband and sons roll their eyes at all her book boyfriends. When she’s not busy on her next novel she can be found in her classroom where teaches one of those many languages, at one of her sons many sporting events or on twitter talking about what else, romance books.

Website: http://heatherlire.com/

Samantha Wayland

Samantha Wayland has three great loves in life; her family, writing books, and hockey. She is often found apologizing to the first for how much time and attention is taken up by the latter two, but they forgive her because they are awesome and she clearly doesn’t deserve them.

Sam lives with her family—of both the two and four-legged variety—outside of Boston. When she’s not locked away in her home office, she can generally be found tucked in the corner of the local Thai place with other socially-starved authors and an adult beverage. Her favorite things include mango martinis, tiny Chihuahuas with big attitude problems, and the Oxford comma.

Website: http://www.samanthawayland.com/

Mary Smith

Best Selling Author, Mary Smith, has been coming up with stories her whole life. She has written A HOCKEY TUTOR and THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BEARS SERIES along with numerous other titles, as well as co-authored THE PENALTY KILL TRILOGY, OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN SERIES, and THE NINTH INNINGS SERIES with Lindsay Paige. When not busy writing or rooting for the Chicago Blackhawks you can find her with her nose stuck in her Kindle.

Website: http://www.authormarysmith.com/

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Winner’s Prize: $20 Amazon GC

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TourSchedule

October 10: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

October 11: Joyfully Jay

October 12: MM Good Book Reviews

October 13: Gay Book Reviews

October 14: Open Skye Book Reviews

October 17: RJ Scott

October 18: Diverse Reader :: Bayou Book Junkie

October 19: BFD Book Blog

October 20: MM Book Escape

October 21: Molly Lolly: Reader, Reviewer, Lover of Words :: Alpha Book Club

Here’s Reading You! Readers on eBooks! This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Here’s Reading You! Part I

Readers on eBooks!

Today we are starting to look at ebooks from a number of perspectives ~ that of the reader, the author, and the publisher! Remember when the eBook was a startling new format? And the eReader? Oh my! Some people railed against them both! Calling them the demise of the book world, saying print would be forgotten, the bookstores demolished…fish falling from the skies, dimensions colliding…well, uh hem…you get my drift. Did that happen?

Nope.

Were there some adjustments to be made? Certainly. But other factors were at large too. Big box stores were giving way to internet sales, niche bookstores were on the rise and ebooks? Establishing themselves as a format. No longer an experiment…sales were rising! eBook publishers were being founded to meet demands of the readers in all niches. eReaders from different sources were coming on the market to meet the demand. ! I still have my first generation Kindle. Guess what? Works just fine. ‘Course its long been replaced by a new one with fancy lighting that’s easier on my eyes. Or maybe you are reading on a notebook now…so many options. All this is my way of saying the ebook is here to stay. Its just another format now, along side the printed form, and the audiobook. Its no longer the “new” guy in town. And predictably the sales demonstrate that as well. Its audiobooks that demonstrate the greatest growth in numbers.

So I was curious. For our readers, authors and publishers. What’s the take on ebooks these days? Where are we finding them? How do we feel about them from many angles and where do you think we are going from here?

Last week, I started to ask our readers for some answers to the questions, where do you find your ebooks? Where do you go to find that next story or next new author? It used (and maybe still is) to be the NY Times Best Seller List for the hardback and softcover, but for the eBook the answer is a variety of places I was happy to see:

From Suze 294:

I get my read recommendations from a number of review blogs I subscribe to, including Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words! I have gradually whittled them down to about 6-8 whose reviews seem to match my reading wants.
I also subscribe to a few favoured authors newletters and/or follow on wordpress to get both their new releases and those they have enjoyed.
I also get the newsletters/updates from ARe, Pride Publishing, Dreamspinner, Riptide (think there is more too) to pick up new releases and deals!!!
On GR I check the feed from friends to see what they are reading but I dont get so many new reads there. The New Releases/Deals and Steals threads are handy too though it does rely on us posting what we see elsewhere.

From Tex Reader:

Thanks for the offer and the inquiry. I mainly have 3 sources, and I mainly search for gay-themed books across a number of favorite genres. Most recently I’ve usually used GR – I’m a member of several glbtq groups and follow their posts, as well as have several fav authors, and I find books on various “best of …” lists. Initially, I mainly looked at library and Amazon “best” lists and various award nomination lists, like Lambda, Rainbow, etc. Finally, I’m a member of a gay men’s book group in Chicago, and our discussions can lead me to some authors of interest.

From Monica:

I tend to find my authors from a variety of sources. I get recommendations on Amazon based upon books I’ve already bought. I have discovered a few that way. I also participate in Goodreads M/M Group’s Don’t Buy My Love program and discover a lot of new authors/books. Also just general recommendations on Goodreads. I’ve recently subscribed to Scribd and have discovered a couple of new authors there. I still have my old standby of favorite authors but every now and then I like to break away and discover something new.

From Ana:

I find them mostly on goodreads, by friend’s recommendations, or in post on goodread’s groups when other reader mention them. I also find some in reviews from reviewing blogs i like. If the book sounds interesting I’ll go to goodreads to check it out and if i liked it i buy it. Also by suggestions from authors i follow on twitter, facebook or their blogs. I’ve found some great authors that way. I read either from publisher or independent authors, i don’t really have a preference there, if the book sounds good, i’ll read it.

From Natalie:

I get lots from friending authors and bloggers on FB. I check Amazon lists but probably most from GR friends, and their friends, in reviews and comments. I follow all my authors on GR and most on Amazon. I usually know about new books faster from GR and FB than from notifications from Amazon. I buy direct from publishers or/and ARe as often as I can.

From Fehu:

I use Scribd, it a subscription service for ebooks mostly, if there is a book I want to try but am uncertain if I’d like it I’ll use my credit there to get the book. Some of their books are unlimited and thats also a good way to get a new author/book to get noticed, since one only has 3 credits per month. When looking for things to chose for the credits on Scribd, I use the monthly lists of new releases at Goodreads or themed lists if I am looking for some particular genre/theme.
Especially for new independent authors its important that the book are shelfes correctly, since a lot of people use the Goodreads lists for reading challenges. A nice cover and a good summary are also a must. Drawn covers get more attention at least its that way for me, a leftover from my manga reading days. Reviews are nice especially if its been around a few month.
I buy my books where its convenient for me, like ARe and Amazon but also Kobo. Sometimes the publishers website but its inconvenient to have a lot of accounts. KU is also a good way to get noticed, again it should be shelfed, the author might think about joining the GR M/m KU group, add the book to the upcoming list there and shelf it on the bookshelf of the group.

That’s just a small sampling of the replies so far. But the trend is clear. When searching out for that next book or author, there is no one source. As a reader, we are looking everywhere. That includes myself. I love that! To me, it means we are open to new possibilities, new authors, new stories! That the new author has a better chance of finding a audience for their voice, their story, because readers are searching through a multitude of venues for their next book. And yes, if that author wants it, perhaps they have a better chance of finding a publisher. The internet and its various communities has become our book and author hunting ground and we are putting it to good use.

We also follow those authors we like through a number of sources as well be it Goodreads or their own blogs or their publishers. Let us not forget we follow them on Twitter, Pinterest, FB, Snapchat and various other media too. I wonder if writers these days wish they could just write and not worry about the rest. We will hear from them later on.

There is one week left to get your comments in before our reader winners are chosen. Next week we will finish up with our readers perspective and be on to how our authors view ebooks and writing.

Contest Reminder:

Readers, tell me how you find your independent authors. Buy randomly? Pick them out from Goodreads? Already follow them? Or maybe you don’t? Maybe you only buy books from a publisher or a author linked to a publisher. I want to know that too. 3 winners who leave comments will get a $10 gift certificate (Dreamspinner, or Amazon, or Riptide…your choice). This contest will end quickly as I need the answers to use in in my blog, so think about them. Contest ends Oct 15th, midnight. Make sure you leave your email address where you can be reached. More winners maybe chosen if the comments are extra wonderful. Thanks.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 9:

Here’s Reading You! Readers on eBooks!
This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, October 10:

Spotlight Tour and Giveaway – Pansies by Alexis Hall
Changing on the Fly- M/M Hockey Charity Anthology Tour
A MelanieM Review: Changing On the Fly Anthology
A Stella Review: Defenseless by AJ Rose
A Melanie Review: Reading the Signs by Keira Andrews
A VVivacious Review: The Alpha’s Revenge by Shane Keleher
A Paul Review: Eternal Circle (Sirius Wolves #3) by Victoria Sue

Tuesday, October 11:

Book Release Recap: A Cowboy’s Home by RJ Scott (giveaway)
New Book Blitz & Giveaway –Crazy Joe (Tales From The 77th Precinct) by A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly
Release Blitz – Breaking Hell’s Rules – Lyssa Dering (excerpt and giveaway)
An Ali Releases Day Review: Breaking Hell’s Rules by Lyssa Dering
A Melanie Release Day Review: Ben and Shiloh (The Belladonna Arms #4) by John Inman
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Enjoy the Dance (Dancing #2) by Heidi Cullinan

Wednesday, October 12:

Riptide Tour & Giveaway – Wolf’s Clothing by EJ Russell
In the Spotlight:A Rancher’s Son Recap Tour by RJ Scott (excerpt and giveaway)
An Alisa Release Day Review: Chase this Light by Francis Gideon:
A Lila Review: Prince of Land and Fire by Emily Carrington
A Jeri Review: THIRDS Beyond the Books: Volume 2 by Charlie Cochet
A Caryn Review: Morning My Angel by Sue Brown

Thursday, October 13:

Jessie G’s His Premier Blog Tour and Giveaway
A Caryn Review: Pictures of You (’90s Coming of Age #1) by Leta Blake
A Paul Review: To Catch His Mate by JD Walker
An Alisa Review: Amen To Love by Carolina Valdez
A Stella Review: A Selfless Man by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Friday, October 14:

Blueprint by RJ Jones Blog Tour
Release Day and Review Blitz for Suncatcher – Smilodon Pride Book 2 by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus
Overly Dramatic -Series Recap Tour & Giveaway- Treading The Boards Series – Rebecca Cohen
Release Blitz Tour – Annabelle Jacobs – All Hallows’ Eve
Storming Love: Tsunami Tales are Here with Nic Starr’s Sebastian & Owen (exclusive excerpt)
A MelanieM Review: All Hallows’ Eve by Annabelle Jacobs
An Alisa Release Day Review : Sunchaser by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus

Saturday, October 15:

In the Spotlight: The Captain’s Promise by T.J. Land (excerpt)
A MelanieM/Barb the Zany Old Lady Joint Review: The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker
A MelanieM Release Day Review: Suddenly Yours by Jacob Flores

Of Reading and Writing Books ~ A World of Choices! This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Of Reading and Writing Books ~ A World of Choices!

Last month, our topic was focused on the audiobook as all market trends are pointing to that as the new hot book market. What? Not ebooks? I can remember when (yes, not that long ago) when the ebook was being held up as both the savior of reading and the demise of the printed form. Neither has happened. The printed form continues to survive simply because there will always be people who love the feel of a book in their hands and who savor the experience of turning a real page. I know as I’m one of them. I treasure my old print favorites that line my bookshelves. Simply glancing over can bring up a phrase or a memory as I look at a binding. A ebook can never do that. But the eBook gave me other choices while bolstering the careers of authors old and new. It enlarged our options of the types of books available, the genres often described as niche are maybe less so, and now when I think books…its anything is possible. Libraries have ebooks, bookstores carry M/M paperbacks, and I can get audiobooks through a number of sources including Dreamspinner Press, Riptide Publishing, Less Than Three Press, Amazon…so many choices. What’s next? And how did we get here?

When I go somewhere local, its my Kindle that goes with me and not a dog-eared paperback as in a the past or a heavy hardbound copy of the latest mystery. I love that convenience and the light weight. (However, if I’m heading to some place where I know the wifi will disappear like this morning’s Krispy Kreme? Out comes the paperback.) The eBook made other things happen however, authors were able to get their stories out to readers who wanted to read them. Niche publishing like M/M romances or just plain M/M or LGBT fiction established itself and grew from a few publishers into a variety publishing houses offering now a number of formats from print to ebook and yes, audiobook versions and in a number of languages. But there are some authors who prefer to do it themselves, they go the self publishing route. I often wonder about them…how hard it is for them to find an audience for their stories, a following for their particular outlook on writing. How do you, the reader, find an independent author? How do you buy your books? Authors! What’s your experience like as a writer? Did you first publish in print? Or eBook? At a publisher? Or self publish? I want to hear from you! I’ll also be reaching out to several authors and publishers in search of answers and insight. I’ll let you know what I find.

So, that’s going to be our focus for my Sunday rambles. A look at books..ebook from a reader’s, author’s and hopefully, a publisher’s point of view. How its changed, how its remained the same and where we think its going. I hope you will stay with us all month long. I’ll be throwing in a Spooky Reading Contest or two as well because of Halloween.

Contest Time!

My first contest? Readers, tell me how you find your independent authors. Buy randomly? Pick them out from Goodreads? Already follow them? Or maybe you don’t? Maybe you only buy books from a publisher or a author linked to a publisher. I want to know that too. 3 winners who leave comments will get a $10 gift certificate (Dreamspinner, or Amazon, or Riptide…your choice). This contest will end quickly as I need the answers to use in in my blog, so think about them. Contest ends Oct 15th, midnight. Make sure you leave your email address where you can be reached. More winners maybe chosen if the comments are extra wonderful. Thanks.

grateful-54-audiobooks

Meanwhile here are our winners of the audiobooks from Joel Leslie. Congratulations!

Our 10 winners are in no particular order:

Ardent Ereader at ardent.ereader@gmail.com
waxapplelover (at) gmail (dot) com
alexjoujou@gmail.com
tdblomander AT yahoo Dot com Mail bouncing back…please contact us!
DawnD at dmdkindle at Gmail . Com
jbst at strive4bst(AT) yahoo(dot)com
sadanna sxswann@gmail.com
susana at toimuharta@hotmail.com
lisa44837 at legacylandlisa@gmail.com
suze294 at Littlesuze at hotmail dot com

Joel will be in touch with each of you about choosing and receiving your audiobooks. Happy listening. For all our other listeners and readers? New contests for ebooks starts this week. Don’t forget to leave your comment and email address, plus more is sure to come. Hmmmm, meet us back here to find out. Meanwhile this week’s schedule at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.

~~~

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 2:

Of Reading and Writing Books~ A World of Choices!
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, October 3:

A Paul B New Release Review: Unsafe Exposure (Hidden Wolves #4) by Kaje Harper
A VVivacious Review: Immortal Watch by Olivia Helling
An Alisa Audiobook Review: A Shot at Forgiveness by Cardeno C. and Robert M. Clark (Narrator)
A Free Dreamer Release Day Review: Dinner at Jack’s by Rick R Reed
A Paul B Release Day Review: Warrior’s Pledge by EE Montgomery

Tuesday, October 4:

Spotlight Tour: Investigating Julius Drake with Daisy Harris ( Riptide Publishing giveaway)
A Free Dreamer Review: Pendulum by LC Davis
An Ali Audiobook Review: Alaska Hunt by Shelter Somerset and John Solo (Narrator)
An Alisa Review: Smoke and Spots By Deirdre O’Dare

Wednesday, October 5:

Cover Reveal: Line Drive by Sloan Johnson
Can’t Hide From Me blog tour with Cordelia Kingsbridge (giveaway)
Release Day Book Blast and Giveaway for Engineering Love by Jackie Nacht
In the Spotlight: Soaring Hearts by A.L. Boyd (giveaway, excerpts)
A Caryn Review: Silences of Fallen Stars by Vivian Dean
An Alisa Review: A Little Blood by Aimer Boyz

Thursday, October 6:

Re-Release Day Blitz & Giveaway for Settling the Score by Eden Winters
In the Spotlight: A Pirate’s Honor by Tricia Owens ( excerpt and giveaway)
Audiobook Spotlight: Opposites (Opposites #1) by T. M. Smith and Greg Boudreaux (Narrator)
An Alisa Audiobook Review: Opposites (Opposites #1) by T. M. Smith and Greg Boudreaux (Narrator)
A Stella Review: God of Jazz: Fugue, Concord by Varian Krylov
A MelanieM Audiobook Review: Fear of Frogs (Brimstone #2) by Angel Martinez and Narrated by: Vance Bastian

Friday, October 7:

Release Day Tour and Giveaway: Surviving Elite High: The Next Generation by John Ames
In the Spotlight: The Ghost in the Mirror by Faith Gibson (excerpt and giveaway)
Coffee Sip and Book Break with Turn The Page…. release blitz Charity Anthology
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: A Kind of Honesty by Lane Hayes *
A MelanieM Review: Rain and Whiskey (Stormy Weather #1) by B.A. Tortuga
A Jeri Review: The Ghost in the Mirror by Faith Gibson
A Alisa Review: Model Bodyguard by Lissa Kasey

Saturday, October 8:

Book Blitz for The Wolves of Daos 5 by Rebecca James (excerpt and giveaway)
A Lila Review: Bitter Legacy by Dal Maclean

A Paul B Review: Flight Anthology by Queer Sci Fi

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

flight-anthology Can you write a complete story in 300 words? That was the challenge set forth by the Queer Science Fiction group to over 100 authors. The topic chosen for the authors was flight. The subjects were as varied as the authors. Most of the stories I found entertaining while a couple left me flat.

The stories themselves are divided into different genres within the field of science fiction. General science fiction and fantasy dominate the anthology but there are also sections for those interested in horror and the paranormal.

In this anthology, you will also find a full range of emotions. While many of the stories feature some type of happy ending (whether for the moment or what appears to be ever after), there are those stories that are tragic or bittersweet. Probably what one would expect in such a tome.

Besides the award winning stories selected by the editors (as I think they should be), my personal favorites include some favorite authors and some new ones to me. I thought Alexis Woods’ Zero-G was especially unique in adapting current sports to futuristic technology. Andrea Speed has a unique take on the rapture in Flight of the Buttheads. Tam Ames has a warm family story in When the Fur Flies. Kirby Quinlan has a unique take on superheroes in Wings. Paul Stevens has a friends-to-lovers story on a space ship in Resupply. Other stories I particularly loved were by Jo Tannah, Jennifer Lavoie, Christina Mary Franics, Ginger Struesel, M.D. Grimm, Nicole Dennis, and Alicia Nordwell. Overall, if you would like some quick reads with a nice variety in the stories, I would highly recommend picking up this anthology.

The cover art and illustrations throughout the book by Mila May are simply breathtaking. The illustrations depicting the winning stories are perfect.

Sales Links

Mischief Corner Books

Book Details

ebook, First, 262 pages
Published September 21st 2016 by Mischief Corner Books, LLC
Original TitleFlight: Queer Sci Fi’s Third Annual Flash Fiction Contest (QSF Flash Fiction, #2)
Edition LanguageEnglish

SeriesQSF Flash Fiction #2

Its Launch Time for STRW FFWriMo

STRW FFWriMo Contest

Now for this week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, November 13:

Monday, November 14:

Tuesday, November 15:

Wednesday, November 16:

Thursday, November 17:

Friday, November 18:

Saturday, November 19:

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Contact (Gothika #5) by Kim Fielding , F.E. Feeley Jr. , Jamie Fessenden , B.G. Thomas

Anthology Blurb

Buy Links

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Here’s Reading You ~ An Author’s POV! (Part III)

~ Authors On Ebooks~

Parker Williams

✍From Wulf Francu Godgluck, author of the Neon White, and the Tooth, Claw, and Horn Chronicles and more:

Jay Northcote

✍From Jay Northcote, author of Nothing Serious and the Housemates series and many more:

And now for this week’s schedule.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 23:

Monday, October 24:

Tuesday, October 25:

Wednesday, October 26:

Thursday, October 27:

Friday, October 28:

Saturday, October 29:

About the Authors:

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Here’s Reading You! Part I

Readers on eBooks!

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 9:

Monday, October 10:

Tuesday, October 11:

Wednesday, October 12:

Thursday, October 13:

Friday, October 14:

Saturday, October 15:

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Of Reading and Writing Books ~ A World of Choices!

Contest Time!

Meanwhile here are our winners of the audiobooks from Joel Leslie. Congratulations!

~~~

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, October 2:

Monday, October 3:

Tuesday, October 4:

Wednesday, October 5:

Thursday, October 6:

Friday, October 7:

Saturday, October 8:

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Contact (Gothika #5)
by Kim Fielding , F.E. Feeley Jr. , Jamie Fessenden , B.G. Thomas