Candice Bundy
I write dark things...
The Felt Tips Anthology is Here!
Yeah, you heard me right…
The Felt Tips Office Supply Erotica Anthology, edited by Tiffany Reisz, is now officially released, and you can pick up your copy at Smashwords, B&N, or Amazon today! All proceeds–yes 100%–of the proceeds go to a charity that helps underprivileged kids get school supplies, so your gift to yourself this holiday season helps out someone else. Isn’t that wonderful? (BTW I believe we’re not naming the charity online as this is an erotica anthology and the charity concerns kids, and we don’t want to bring undue attention to the charity. And by proceeds, I mean sales post the cut Amazon/B&N/Smashwords take as their due. None of the authors, the cover artist, editors, etc. are getting paid for this endeavor.)
I’m pimping this quality collection of smut because my short story, Open Rack, is included in the collection. Hey, I give to charity too! I do it personally, directly to organizations–sometimes with cash and sometimes with time. Remember me running that 5k for epilepsy? (I think I blogged/tweeted about the importance of prepping first. Hiking regularly does NOT compare! LOL I have no idea what I was thinking!) I also do donations through my winery to specific events we support throughout the year. Basically…I like to find ways to pitch in across the board. When the opportunity came up to take part in a charitable effort via my writing presented itself, it felt like a natural extension of my normal efforts to give back.
My story features IT Geeks in a server room, dealing with uh, underutilized server rack space. Thus the name. 
There are 43 other stories in the collection, rounding it out at just under 100k words, so your investment will be well spent. #didijustsaythat #yeahidid #movingon
Go forth, read erotica (if that’s up your alley, if not, gift it to someone you know who is so inclined). You’ll support kids who otherwise wouldn’t get the school supplies they need. My thanks in advance for your support.
Dying To Remember, Book Two of the Station Series, Blog Tour, Cover Reveal, and Giveaway!
When Trish asked me to help announce her new book, Dying to Remember, I was only too happy to oblige. She’s a bubbly, ever enthusiastic author who writes dystopian and apocalyptic YA books with a ghostly kick.
In addition to the cover reveal today, she’s also giving away two copies of her book and a HUGE pile of swag, just click here to enter (and you want to enter, trust me!).
If you can’t wait on a contest and you want to read it now, click here to get Dying to Remember from Amazon.
Good luck with the contest, and enjoy reading up on her new release below.
Here’s the blurb for Dying to Remember, and a look at the gorgeous cover!
Dying to Remember - Book 2 of the Station Series
The next installment in The Station series by Amazon Bestselling Author, Trish Marie Dawson, takes readers on another lively journey through the after-life adventures of eighteen year old Piper Willow.
Piper has new challenges to overcome, new names to learn and is faced with a new Station occupation. Did she make the right choice – choosing to stay at the Station and become a Volunteer? Does she really want answers to the questions that never leave her mind? How did the Station come to be? What lies beyond? Who is Andurush and what, exactly, does he want with Piper?
She must ask herself once again if she has what it takes…but this time it isn’t about saving lives, it’s about discovering what lies beyond death. Would you want to know?
Here’s an Excerpt from Dying to Remember:
If I thought the exceedingly happy mood that has me perched atop my favorite velvet throne would last very long I’m mistaken after I enter the Ones building. Niles is standing near the counter talking to Laney. I know the moment I see him that he is there to give me news about my volunteering status. Poof goes my throne.
“Hey, Piper. You really are a popular girl today,” says Laney with a tight smile.
“I guess so,” I try and laugh but it sounds more like a vocal seizure.
“Piper, I came to collect you,” Niles says, all business.
“Collect me?” I try and laugh again, but the sound is simply unpleasant so I snap my mouth shut to avoid any more verbal diarrhea, and nod a goodbye at Laney while moving back outside with Niles.
I allow my eyes a few seconds to readjust to the brightness around us. He places an arm loosely around my shoulders as we begin walking and says in a comforting tone, “Before I tell you where we are going and who we will be speaking with, I need you to understand you aren’t in trouble. You’ve done nothing wrong, okay dear?”
I don’t trust my voice so I only nod.
“I’m taking you to see the Mentors and…” he pauses to glance around us, and only when he seems satisfied that no one is close enough to hear, he continues, “…and the Keeper.”
I don’t know what this means. The look on my face must further establish my confusion but Niles only nods and continues to usher me around the fountain, which is currently teeming with teens of all ages, until we reach the Staff building.
Finally, just as Niles opens the door in front of us, I find my voice, “What’s the Keeper?”
“I can’t tell you, but you will see, don’t worry, dear. Remember, you aren’t in trouble, okay?”
We walk down the empty hallway and go through a door into a room that looks nothing like the one where Mallory and I met for the first time in person. This staff room is shaped more like an oval, with no corners on the walls and there are no tables or chairs. The center of the floor dips down a good two feet, creating a sort of recessed bench that matches the curved shape of the room. This is where the Mentor’s sit in a circle. I get over my intimidation of them instantly as my eyes widen at the sight of the other person sitting with them. A man at least a good foot taller than anyone else stands and nods at me. His clothes appear to be all white but it’s hard to tell at first, because the man is glowing.
Additional information about Trish Marie Dawson:
Dreamer Trish Marie Dawson
Trish was born and mostly raised in San Diego, California where she lives now with her family and pets. She’s been writing short stories and poetry since high school after an obsession with Stephen King’s ‘The Stand’. After over fifteen years of crazy dreams and an overactive imagination, Trish began her first book ‘I Hope You Find Me’ in December of 2011. When Trish isn’t writing, she’s homeschooling her amazing daughter and mildly autistic son, reading whatever she can get her hands on, or enjoying the Southern California sun. As a strict Vegetarian, Trish holds a special place in her heart for animal rights and dashes into the backyard weekly to rescue lizards and mice from her mini-lab/cocker spaniel mixed dog, Zoey…who is always getting into some sort of trouble.
Trish’s Author page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterTrishMarieDawson
Trish’s Author page on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008CQGASU
Dying to Remember on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AMKGSP4
Trish’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Trish_Dawson
Trish’s Blog: http://writertrishmdawson.wordpress.com/
Indie Author Interview and Giveaway for Jen Kirchner’s Book Release: The Fourth Channel!
Author Jen Kirchner passed me some tantalizing interview responses just as her new book, The Fourth Channel, hit the presses! Now I, the lucky (and conniving) duck I am, have already read The Fourth Channel, and I can assure you it’s fantastic urban fantasy reading you haven’t seen anywhere before. A necromancer with funny, talking, sacrificial knives? Oh, have I mentioned Kari, said necromancer, doesn’t *kill* anyone? They get better!
Here’s the lovely cover to The Fourth Channel. Ohh and ahh appropriately! Then, check out Jen’s interview and enter the drawing below. In case you don’t win you may want to consider adding it to your shelf on goodreads so you don’t forget about it. (Not that I’m calling you senile, but I know how you get…) Enjoy!
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The Fourth Channel
1. What type of stories do you write?
The main goal of my stories is to make myself, and a few friends, laugh. I have written some very serious material, but I typically aim for slapstick Indiana Jones in an urban fantasy setting. The way I achieve that is by employing the idea of opposites—giving an important character a very negative impediment, as well as an opposing personality trait to combat it. For example, my main character in THE FOURTH CHANNEL is a necromancer. She gains insane magic power through sacrificing people, but she’s a pacifist. It makes defending herself incredibly difficult (and sometimes really funny).
Main characters who have to overcome challenges isn’t just funny, it makes them wonderfully real and three-dimensional. But yeah, your story is pretty darned hilarious.
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2. How do you kick back, relax, and recharge your batteries?
I’m sure everyone expects this answer: I love to read! It’s true, though. I do. I also play a lot of video games. Yeah, I’m one of those girls. Gaming is a big passion for me.
Anyone who reads your blog will discover this, as you do some awesome reviews on games. (Hint to the gamer nerds out there, BTW.)
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3. What’s your favorite wine?
I love reds, especially a great Shiraz.
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4. I’m always searching out music for my playlist. What are you grooving to this week?
Since the winter holiday is upon us and I’m in the middle of planning my big cookie bake, I’m listening to Christmas music. Coincidentally, my absolute favorite holiday song is playing: Marshmallow World by Johnny Mathis. Don’t let anyone fool you with that Dean Martin version. It doesn’t hold a candle.
LOL, noted…
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5. What’s your personal peak of rabble rousing instigation?
I’m not an overt rabble rouser. If anything, I prefer the subtle, behind-the-scenes approach. In fact, you should think of me as a rabble-rousing muse. If something I do or say inspires someone to break out of their box and do something new and brave, my work is done…or has it just begun?
Rabble-rousing muse… I’m loving it! Oh wait, you just planted an #earworm! Look at you go! Grr!
* * * *
Here’s the official blurb for The Fourth Channel
For years, Kari Hunter’s fooled the world into thinking she’s just an everyday girl. Sure, she’s the lead singer of world-renowned band Vis Viva, but outside of that, she recycles religiously, is an avid supporter of the environment, and a certifiable coffee addict. But Kari has a secret she keeps from her family, friends, and her fans.
Kari Hunter is a necromancer.
The rarest and most powerful of all magic-born, necromancers are notorious for leaving a trail of sacrifices in their wake. But Kari isn’t interested in hurting anyone. She works hard at being as un-necromancer-like as possible: everyone she stabs gets a bandage and a lollipop, and whenever her sacrificial knives get too excited at the prospect of violence, she puts them in time-out… in her lingerie drawer.
But when an agent of voodoo master Ruairi O’Bryne catches Kari using her powers, her secret’s out. And if Ruairi finds out who Kari is, he’ll stop at nothing to make her his next sacrifice.
Go ahead and enter the rafflecopter giveaway below, add it to your goodreads to-read list, or just go ahead and buy it from Amazon today!
Links to Jen Kirchner on the Web
Blog: http://jenkirchner.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenLKirchner
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jen-Kirchner/496072270406446
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16069007-the-fourth-channel
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Fourth-Channel-ebook/dp/B00AHRWCK2
If the Rafflecopter below won’t load, stop the page from loading and it’ll appear. Cheers!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Indie Author Interview – Keri Lake – Bonus Cover Reveal and Giveaway!
For today’s indie author interview we have a special treat. Not only is my friend Keri Lake, who writes edgy, dark, violent, paranormal romance series here today (can you guess why the two of us get along?), but she’s also doing a COVER REVEAL and an eBook GIVEAWAY!
The Cover Reveal is for SOUL AVENGED (Sons of Wrath, #1), and it’s at the bottom of this interview. Also, if you want to be entered for the FREE eBook copy of Soul Avenged 2 weeks before its released in either MOBI or ePub format, simply comment on this post and the all-powerful ME shall pick you at random to win! Bwahaha!
Yup, that’s how we’re gonna roll. So, without further ado, I give you: Keri Lake. 
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1) What are the underlying themes of stories you write?
I actually weave vengeance into a lot of my stories. It’s the common thread throughout my newest series. And love, of course.
Keri Lake, Pro-Supe Flygirl Handler
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2) How do you kick back, relax, and recharge your batteries?
I’m in love with the ocean. I’ve been vacationing to the beaches of North Carolina since I was young and I still look forward to these getaways. It’s where I do my best thinking (and plotting), staring off at fishing boats all day long.
However, if I can’t get away like that, music usually helps me unwind at home. I like sitting out on the deck in the evenings (uh, when it’s warm), listening to music while I write.
Water is wonderfully calming! I know a number of writers tune into music to get into the groove. I often wonder how authors, before the age of recorded music, how did they surround themselves with music for inspiration? Perhaps they didn’t.
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3) What’s your favorite wine?
Hmmmm. I don’t really have a favorite wine. **dodges swing** er, that is, until I get out to Colorado…
My favorite drink would have to be a margarita – I suspect this goes back to my college days. **coughs**
LOL, fair enough!
* * * *
4) I’m always searching out music for my playlist. What are you grooving to this week?
I just finished writing an anthology and needed some mellow (more than usual) music to go with it, so I’ve been listening to Birdy the past couple of weeks. Otherwise, my staples are NIN, Deftones, Paramore, Arctic Monkeys, Flyleaf, Muse, Blood Red Shoes, The Black Keys and The XX.
Wow, our musical tastes are so similar. I don’t think I’ve even met anyone else who’s even heard of Flyleaf. I’ll check out Birdy, because that one’s new to me.
* * * *
5) If you had a minion army, how would you use them?
Oooh. I could really use a minion army. And they’d all look like Gerard Butler. Like…the King Leonidas version of him. Le purr… I’m pretty sure world domination would be a piece of cake.
I can see you’re working up to big plans here… I’ll expect to hear more in the future. 
* * * *
6) When you rule the world, what style of dominion will you employ?
Laid. Back. Although I’d have a few directives in place. Things like, you MUST wear casual clothes to work everyday – bonus points for jeans. Anyone caught NOT vacationing four months out of the year will be incarcerated on some remote tropical paradise somewhere. HBO must include Quinn in the upcoming season of True Blood (honestly, aside from Alcide, he’s the only reason I bothered to get hooked on the show – WTF HBO?). Households must spend more time reading than watching TV. Things like that.
Yeah, the problem with book to tv/movie adaptations is they toss out and invent characters at will. Irritates me too, especially when they’re fun folks like Quinn. Meh!
I’m completely behind TV monitoring. People need to discover something besides Honey Boo Boo. I mean, What The Hell is that noise? It’s people forgetting they can spend time with other humans, have meaningful projects of their own, and well, do something other than let their brains seep out through their ears, that’s what. Ugh.
* * * *
7) What’s your personal peak of rabble rousing instigation?
Ha! It’s actually the quiet ones you have to watch out for…muahahahahaha!
Point taken. I’ll be keeping a closer eye on you from here on out.
* * * *
Who’s your favorite author? What about their work speaks to you?
You know, this question really depends on my mood. If you saw my bookshelf, you’d probably tip your head and begin the psychoanalysis. Sometimes it’s sexy and erotic, sometimes romantic, sometimes dark, sometimes dystopian. I guess if I had to narrow it down to ONE author though, it’d be Anne Rice. She’s kind of my ‘comfort’ read. Her words are so eloquent. Every time I crack one of her books for a ‘peek’, I end up getting sucked into her world.
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9) If you could hang out with someone famous for a day, how would you spend the allotted time?
I’d say Trent Reznor, but I’d probably be so damn nervous that I’d end up looking like an ass and remain mute the entire day. I’d need someone to break me out of my shyness. I think Kresley Cole or Larissa Ione would be cool to hang out with. We could whip up some margaritas and chat about sexy demon alphas! Tim Burton would be another one – would love to meet him.
On Reznor’s final tour the hubs and I got backstage passes. I grinned like a fan girl fool for my picture with him. He’s short, yet incredibly intimidating. I didn’t say much, which is completely unlike me, and I felt like a dolt afterwards. Oh well…now if you get the opportunity, you won’t feel so bad! (BTW, I’ll join you for margi’s with those gals anytime! )
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10) Tell me about the inspiration for your upcoming/current project.
My current project, Soul Avenged (Sons of Wrath, #1) is an entirely new series that sort of swept me away to the Land of Shiny. This one is set in Detroit – gothic Detroit. It’s dark, a bit more violent than my usual and has slightly steamier sex scenes. There are a whole lot of supes in this series – demons, lycans, ghouls, nephilim. I’m not sure what gave rise to it. Just sort of smacked me upside the head. I’ve always wanted to write about Detroit and as the plot progressed, it just seemed like the perfect setting. I mentioned before, the theme is vengeance and my main character, Ayden, is a very strong but broken female. It’s up on GoodReads right now for anyone who’d like to add it!
The best projects are the ones that knock you upside the head and demand to be written, IMHO. I’m looking forward to reading it.
* * * *
11) Finally, is there a flavor of ice cream you just don’t understand? One that, by all rights, simply should not exist?
Neapolitan. If you’re going to mix three flavors, at LEAST make them some variety of chocolate! Sheesh!
Psst: I was never a fan either. #highfive
* * * *
And now, the cover reveal for SOUL AVENGED (Sons of Wrath, #1)! This officially releases February 6th on Amazon, but go ahead and add it to your goodreads to-read list today! Remember, to be eligible to win the free eBook you must comment on this post. EBooks will be distributed January 23rd by the author but I’ll announce the winner December 8th. Good luck!
Soul Avenged - A Sons of Wrath Novel
The Official Book Blurb:
Ayden’s suburban home was invaded by a pack of Lycans.
The brutal attack is the only memory she carries of her former life.
Now, one motive burns in her soul:
KILL THEM ALL.
The Sons of Wrath—a brood of vengeance-dealing warrior demons—band with Ayden to hunt the Lycans on Detroit’s most deadly feeding grounds.
Kane Walker should’ve been her easiest kill.
Unfortunately, the newly bitten Lycan has something she wants—clues that may finally lay her past to rest. To reach them, she must be willing to submit to the sensual pleasures awakened by his touch.
Time is running out.
In seven days, Kane will become what Ayden despises most. She can halt his transformation but the antidote requires the ultimate sacrifice. As the beast takes hold, Kane becomes more of a threat.
Ayden must choose between her lust for revenge, or surrender to her enemy and discover a horrible truth.
Sons of Wrath
Never gamble with vengeance …
Website: http://www.kerilake.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeriLake
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/
Opportunity Travels Under Many Guises
November filled me with frustration and heartache. As predicted in my Juggling Priorities post, my time for NaNoWriMo stolen away, the opportunity slipping through my fingers, and thus I didn’t hit the 50k word count. I didn’t even come close. I hit 23k, well under the goal. Instead I spent my time in the first half of the month dealing with my father’s memorial and throughout the month dealing with heavy pressure at work to finish a project by an end-of-month deadline.
Memorial Flower Petals on Echo Lake
For work, because this specific project was business-critical, I skipped many lunches to make it happen. Time I normally scarfed down a quick bite and wrote or edited, I worked instead. I almost completed the project on time. It’s a few days shy of alpha roll-out.
Even in my evenings, which I’d normally spend writing with abandon, my energy was tapped out. Drained. I’d write a little, and then capsize, rolling into bed well before my usual hour. Yes, I got halfway to the goal, but I know I’m capable of so much more.
When the end of the month hit, I got some news from work. My job had been eliminated. Thinking about it, I’m not too surprised. I’m guessing it’s financial, everyone is tightening their belt these days, and I certainly don’t take it personally.
I’ve worked for a mortgage company that shut its doors, quite literally, overnight, and I’ve been laid off from a large corporation that went from 4,000 employees to 800 in the space of a year. Business happens, and it’s all a numbers game.
What do I love about writing? It’s not about the numbers. It’s about the connections, the characters, the meaning of it all. When done well, it brings the author and reader together on a field of suspended disbelief, and transcends the empty, emotionless accounting and focuses on the ruthless honesty of the moment.
Yeah, that. That shit is pure magic.
In this moment I’m evaluating my options. Yes, I’m looking to replace my day job. Likely with something a bit different. It may take some time, but I’ll find a great fit, not just a OMG I’m desperate please I’ll take anything job.
In the meantime, I’ll write, knowing I’m absolutely blessed with the time this opportunity has brought me.
Women Out Loud Appearance
I know this is short notice, but Tuesday night, 11/27, at 8pm MST, I’ll be featured on ~LetHer Shine, a radio show brought to you by Women Out Loud. I’ll read from and discuss, The Daemon Whisperer as this week’s ~Behn’s Book.
Women Out Loud is a weekly broadcast that spotlights women through words, writing, reading, and wit. They capture a glimpse of our world every week through four unique segments.
Feel free to send questions for me to answer to: beabehn@gmail.com. I know you have them in you, just…be reasonable people!
The music of the fantastic band Dear Marsha will also be featured on the show, FYI.
You can listen or watch the show, where I’ll ramble incessantly until Shawn Marie (the host) cuts me off. It’s one of my many skills. Tune in and check it out.
Indie Author Interview – R. Brennan
I ran into R. Brennan when we both became involved in Tiffany Reisz’s Felt Tips project – a Charity Anthology of Office-Supply-Related Erotica, due out 12/12/12, see more on goodreads here. All proceeds go towards buying kids school supplies and down-on-their-luck parents will get work clothes they couldn’t otherwise afford. Nifty, yes?
R. Brennan has a quick wit and a snarky sense of humor, so you can imagine we get along quite well. When I heard she had a an indie release, Blood and Fire, coming out in December 2012, I needed to pin her down with some questions. She happily obliged, because she’s fairly agreeable — at least with me. Read on, her answers might surprise you.
* * * *
1) What are the underlying themes of stories you write?
I tend toward the darker side of things with my stories, or at least what some might consider dark. My stories seem to center around BDSM and the D/s lifestyle. Sometimes, they even contain aspects of fantasy or horror, and on occasional romance. I’m a mixed bag sorta girl… probably because I have a short attention span.
I’ll keep this in mind, although your attention span did pretty well, I mean you made it through my list of questions.
Saucy Pirate Author R. Brennan
* * * *
2 ) How do you kick back, relax, and recharge your batteries?
It really depends on the time of year. In the summer, I spend as many weekends as possible at our camp I’ve dubbed Tortuga. It’s just a camper on a seasonal site about an hour from home, but I just love the peace and quiet — not to mention the people. In the winter, it gets harder, since I hate the cold. Winter is for writing, reading and restocking the iPod with new music.
I’ve tried a few different wines, and there aren’t too many I’ve liked, frankly. I did enjoy a Wildhurst Reserve Merlot I tried recently, but I’m a RUM girl. Love anything with rum in it, especially Malibu. I’m sure that is just the pirate in me trying to get out.
I have a pretty eclectic playlist, Eminem, Pink, Tori Amos, Kelly Clarkson, some classical, Top 40 – but at the moment I’m a bit obsessed with a new song my bo-hunk introduced me to: Madness by Muse — Good stuff.
If I had a minion army I would never paint my own toenails again, wouldn’t touch laundry, and my annoying, ever-growing lawn would always look like a golf course. Yes, I have lawn OCD. Wanna make something of it?
Oh geesh…I’m a submissive by nature, darling. I have absolutely no interest in ruling the world. However, if you know an ambitious, world ruling Dominant with great shoulders, a sense of humor, and a Daddy Dom fetish, I’m all ears.
I’m not even sure I know what that is…I’m a sarcastic wench, so I tend to cause some rabble that way on occasion. Oh, and I enjoy stalking people I admire on Twitter. Does that count at all?
It’s cute. Who’s your favorite author? What about their work speaks to you?This is going to sound weird coming from a writer of erotica, but my all time favorite author is C.S. Lewis. I grew up on the Chronicles of Narnia and I can’t tell you how many times I checked my closet growing up to make sure there wasn’t a world buried in the back of it. When I got older, I read to my kids from his books. Great times and even better memories.
You know, these are tough questions… Hrmm… I would love to spend a day with Randy Ortin (WWE fame). Why? Because I could happily stare at that man for 24 hours and not only never get bored, but would be on cloud nine. If he spoke to me…. well… *melts*
I’m not sure what the real name of it is, but my oldest daughter LOVES it. It’s that Ben and Jerry’s flavor that has like potato chips, chocolate and pretzels in it. Besides have way too much “stuff” and not enough ice cream in it, I just don’t “get” how any of that put together can taste good.
Thanks, R. Brennan, for answering all of my questions! You can read her book Blood and Fire in December but for now please consider adding it to your to-read list on goodreads.
And don’t forget about the charity anthology, Felt Tips. It’s out on 12/12/12, so you’ll want to pick it up, as both R. Brennan and I both have short stories featured included.
R. Brennan
Erotica Writer/Book Reviewer
My Website: http://rbrennan.weebly.com
Connect with me on Twitter: @bexbrennan
Blog: http://bexbooknook.wordpress.
Juggling Priorities – An Update
First, I give you a video of the Daemon Baby, a gift from my dear friend Joseph. It’s creepy as hell! He gave it to me because I wrote a book about daemons, and therefore I needed it, or something. Yeah uh, nobody else send me any more creepy baby things. Correction: no more baby things. Kthxbai.
Anyway, since releasing The Daemon Whisperer at the beginning of October my life has zipped by in a series of still frames. Everyone’s response to my daemons and the world of the Liminals has been wonderful, and I want to thank you for your support (and at times dubious gifts). Your consistent demands for more of the story and expressed disappointment over the next installment not yet being available is music to my ears. (If sadistic to you, my apologies!) I will tell you the story arc consists of five books in total, so there’s more to come, never fear.
I spent a good amount of my free time in October finalizing my nitpicks on The Dream Sifter before handing it over to my editor at the end of the month. Content edits are due back today or tomorrow, and hopefully I can work through her first pass while continuing my forward momentum on The Madness Path. (Let’s not discuss the many passes of edits, never-ending in their nature.) My aim is to release Dream Sifter this Winter, i.e. by February-ish, but I’m not putting a hard date on it yet.
I’ve tried to focus on NaNoWriMo this month, but it’s been a rough go for me. I started out the month with my dad’s memorial on the 4th, and then what would have been his next birthday on the 14th, and instead of being able to feed my writing, I floundered. My energy has refocused and the words are flowing again, but as I’m only at ~17k and I’m aiming for 110k for Madness Path, my guess is I’ll wrap up the first draft around January.
There’s a few other projects in the works, but now I’m trying to mainly focus on these top two. Definitely let me know if you have any questions.
Cheers, and have a Happy Thanksgiving this week, everyone.
Indie Author Interview – Alan Edwards
Today I’ve got author Alan Edwards under my microscope, and happily the normally shy fellow candidly responds to my grueling questions. I was lucky enough to meet Alan through twitter, where I caught his hilarious blog postings (Walking Dead recaps, anyone?) which in turn piqued my curiosity to read his first book, The Curse of Troius. But I wasn’t sure it was my sort of book — zombies in a fantasy milieu? I was skeptical at best.
It took me ten pages to be sold. Perhaps less. Afterwards I almost bought myself a shovel for future zombie-fighting adventures. Yeah, you gotta read it to understand. Have I mentioned I’m a pacifist?
Before we begin, you should know his newest book, The Storm of Northreach, releases today, and it’s amazing. It’s the second book in the Northreach Saga, so if you haven’t read The Curse of Troius, you’ll want to give that a go first.
Anyway, on to the interview! Grab a tasty beverage, this is a long one!
1) What are the underlying themes of stories you write?
A Peckish Alan Edwards
That’s a really cool question. It’s self-examination time! I seem to be drawn to protagonists who are fairly grey in nature, rather than heroic, anti-heroic, or downright villainous. They seem to exist in that moral grey area for the most part. Also, I’m drawn to the idea of the Man with No Name, the Clint Eastwood archetype, and in my fantasy stuff I tend to add a dash of his High Plains Drifter aspect, where there seems something supernatural to the character that is relatively undefined. I’ve written/writing 3 novels, and in each case the “main” protagonist either never identifies his name or uses a false one. “Daevan” in the Northreach novels, for example, is referred to by name only by one character in dialogue, and different character via internal perception. He’s a Stranger, and that seems to be a theme I gravitate towards. Nobody really knows what’s going on in the mind of another, and I have fun blending perspectives and perceptions to make things a little off-kilter and ambiguous.
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Very subtly. I would have them get jobs and give me most of their income so I didn’t have to work anymore. I would also lease them out to other supervillains for additional income, so I wouldn’t have to work anymore. Any leftover minions would be tasked with building me a castle. I would also use that army to coerce people to buy my books. Then, I’d invade and conquer Switzerland. The way I figure it, they stay neutral all the time, so they can’t really have that many friends.
You’re going to be richer than J.K. Rowling with this plan. Can I come and vacation in your castles in Switzerland?
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6) When you rule the world, what style of dominion will you employ?
Lackadaisical Benign Neglect.
Again, the subtle approach. Nice theme you’ve got going. 
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7) What’s your personal peak of rabble rousing instigation? (Conversely, if you haven’t started a rabble, what’s holding you back?)
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Right now I’d say it’s Steven Erikson. His Malazan series is a fantasy series, but the characters he uses are very realistic, from motivation to capabilities, and can still blend magic and realism into a very cohesive and amazing world. The depth of the world he created is rivaled only by Tolkien in my eyes, and he is also adept at blending humor and horror and drama and conflict into any story. If I could demonstrate 10% of his ability in my own writing, I’d be ecstatic.
Has anyone out there guessed that the only reason I’m doing these interviews is to update my play list and to-be-read list? No? Good.
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9) If you could hang out with someone famous for a day, how would you spend the allotted time?
If I could choose a dead person, it’d be Christopher Hitchens, and I would spend that time drinking and listening to one of the most eloquent critical thinkers of my lifetime. If it had to be someone currently alive it would Penn Jillette, and I’d just listen to him say whatever came into his mind. Or Milla Jojovich, and I would spend the time staring dreamily.
Alternatively, we could go to a Puscifer concert and watch her sing with Maynard from Tool. *even cooler and hotter*
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10) Tell me about the inspiration for your upcoming/current project.
Waiting for the Dead was inspired by the current Zombie Diary trend. It’s always some ex-soldier or cop or somebody who is equipped and trained to survive. Most of the time they read like gun porn. So after I found my voice on my blog – sarcastic, foul-mouthed, and infuriated by things of no consequence – I decided that I wanted to hear what some slacker with that attitude and outlook would perceive and comment about when the apocalypse comes. I also really wanted to blend humor and horror into one story. Basically, it’s the guy who reviews the Walking Dead Season 2 on my blog inserted into a classic zombie tale.
I cannot *wait* for this book. Like what I did there? No? Too bad.
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11) Is there a flavor of ice cream you just don’t understand? One that, by all rights, simply should not exist?
Chocolate. Blasphemy, the world cries. Sorry. Plain chocolate ice cream is nasty. My mother used to buy Neapolitan ice cream all the time when I was a kid, and just getting a smear of chocolate mixed with the vanilla or strawberry was enough to make me weep in agony. I still can’t understand how people can eat chocolate ice cream. Mix it with coffee or caramel or, I dunno, stuff that tastes good, and it’s all right, but chocolate ice cream is the worst.
I don’t even remember the last time I had plain chocolate ice cream… I don’t know if it’s the *worst* for me too, but yeah, I’ll agree it’s boring.
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12) What do you consider to be the stupidest fashion trend ever?
Wikipedia associates parachute pants with breakdancing, but not any one person, per se, FYI. You could, uh, write that into your books. Just saying.
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How to keep track of Alan and his Zombies:
Blog: Me and My Shovel – aravan.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Goodreads: http://www.
The Next Big Thing Blog Hop
I’m SO awesome, I got tagged twice in one week. LOL. Once by Steven Montano, and once by Keri Lake. They must really want me to talk about my WIP, which at the moment is The Dream Sifter. In case you’re wondering, this blog hop started on She Writes, and will likely continue until every single writer’s been tapped. Oh yeah…
Before you read my post, take a look at both Steven’s and Keri’s. They both have exciting projects underway. Well, I’ll be reading them. If you want to be cool like me, you will too.
Now, for MY next big thing…
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1. What is the working title of your book?
The Dream Sifter – The Depths of Memory, Book 1.
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2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
The Depths of Memory series came from an odd amalgam of ideas. I was inspired by elements from C.S. Friedman’s The Coldfire trilogy, Sheri S. Tepper’s Mavin Manyshaped series and her book Grass, which combined with some very odd dreams and a wide variety of other tidbits, have led to the overall story arc. Now I have to kill you all, lest you figure out what I have planned. But no, I haven’t given you quite enough clues. Not yet…
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3. What genre does your book fall under?
Not much of what I write falls under just one genre–it’s all dark, but otherwise it’s a free for all. I suppose I never got the single-genre memo. Anyway, The Depths of Memory series is a blend of the sci-fi, mystery, fantasy, and horror genres.
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4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
This is an easy one, as I already have a pinterest board dedicated to the characters. Not all of the characters are cast yet, I mean, there are a ton of them. But the main four are all set. I’d cast singer Hayley Williams from Paramore as Rai Durmah, Sienna Guillory as Matriarch Bauleel, Michael Fassbender as Guardian Graeber, and Jesse Spencer as Technician Rilte.
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5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Rai Durmah seeks to regain her lost memories despite her recurring nightmares which hint at the unspeakable horrors of her past, and as she gets closer to the truth, she risks facing the death which haunts her dreams.
How’s that for a run-on sentence? Boo-yah!
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6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
The entire trilogy will be self-published.
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7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I wrote the main bulk over about 4-5 years. This is slow for me now, but it was my first manuscript. Then I realized I had one and a half books of content and re-segmented the material. It took a while to restructure things into the new format, but then book one was a standalone and I was able to wrap up book two. I took a ridiculous amount of time editing book one, and then submitted it to an indie publishing house. It was accepted but sat in the queue for over a year with no traction. When I learned it would be at least another six months before it would see an editor, I exercised my termination clause deciding to self-publish the trilogy instead.
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8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I’d say this series has similarities to books by Sheri S. Tepper and C.S. Friedman’s The Madness Season.
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9. Who or What inspired you to write this book?
Due to my epilepsy I have brief periods (a minute or two) of amnesia which have always haunted me. They’ll fade, but in the moment I’m utterly lost, frustrated, and panicked.
The idea of a character with deliberately induced amnesia and the challenges they’d face intrigued me. Why take away their memories? What latent body memories and skills would remain? When you lack your memories, what remains of your personality?
Around all of this I placed humans in a languishing colony on another world, under threat of a devastating plague, with an alien species just waiting to pounce on them when they fail. The theme of missing memories continues throughout the trilogy, on multiple levels.
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10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
If readers have read my others works, they know I tend towards dark subject matter. This story has suspense, action, complex world building, characters with depth and drive, and a particularly unusual set of monsters the colonists have to deal with.
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The rules of the game:
If I tagged you, your blog post needs to go up next week, between Nov 4 – Nov 10. You answer the above questions for yourself, and you tag five other writers. If you are on She Writes you can put your post there too. Your Blog post should be labelled: The Next Big Thing Blog Hop.
I’m tagging the following authors. Once you’ve posted your blog feel free to come back by here and post a link to your Hop.
Also, I’ve been tagged now, and thus I’m out. Done. No tag-backs! Cheers!
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