News Post 572

Have you checked out the Lost Genre Guild's member directory? It's wonderful to see all the names and fields of interest. Are you on it? If not, you should think about joining. Click the About tab for information on how to do that.

The Splashdown Books newsletter is out. Check it out here, and sign up for future updates if you want to keep up to date with exciting new stuff from the Lost Genre.

 

Updates from Laser & Sword ezine:

 

The Great Search, Part Fifteen (http://lasersword.adamsweb.us/the-great-search-part-fifteen/)  Against Revelator's adviace, the Sword and the Dark Mystic meet at last.

 

The Emerald Avenger v. The Corruptibles (http://lasersword.adamsweb.us/the-emerald-avenger-v-the-corruptibles-part-fourteen/): Two crooked police officers take a most unusual trip downtown.

 

Day of Dread, Part Seven (http://lasersword.adamsweb.us/day-of-dread-part-seven/) Kendall officers Snyder a way out.

New approach - lots of news!

Hi guys, and here we are back again by popular request. But it's not going to be the same-old same-old we've had before. I'll be moving back to one post a week with all the news, and hopefully some commentary on it as well rather than just dry links.

Without further ado, here is the amazing new trailer for To Darkness Fled by Jill Williamson - put together by several of her readers and members of the LGG. Well done guys!

Other news this week includes the release of the long-awaited Tales of the Dim Knight by Adam and Andrea Graham. Trust me, you don't want to miss this one. Check out their post on Top 10 Reasons to Love Tales of the Dim Knight. And be aware of the beverage ban, for your own safety!

Also newly appeared lately is War of Attrition by the legendary Frank Creed. This is an amazing book for sure, continuing right on from his award-winning debut Flashpoint. Plenty of heart-pounding action and heartfelt raw emotion in this one. Here's the link to grab it on Amazon.

Facebook News: Both the Lost Genre Guild and Speculative Faith have taken a new run at FB pages this week. The LGG one is here (or use the box at the left of the blog) and the Spec Faith one is here.

Both promise to be useful sources of updates and places to hang out and talk. Be sure you go over and "Like" them both - note that in the case of the LGG, this is a new page because the old one got overrun with spam and we couldn't remember who was the admin!

Diane Graham of the New Authors Fellowship has created an Anvil Review and Interview for Fred Warren, author of The Muse. Comment on either post for a chance to win one of two signed copies.

Bill McGrath announces the release of his novel Eretzel on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Eretzel-Sword-Fire-ebook/dp/B0046LU8II

Rick Copple got a new review for Transforming Realities: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6040268/transforming_realities_by_r_l_copple.html?cat=38

Sherry Thompson also got a review of Earthbow Vol. 2 at http://vantiltool.blogspot.com/2010/11/review-of-earthbow-volume-2.html by Forrest Schultz.

Guest Post, anyone?

If you'd like to write something for this blog, please get in touch! Make use of our wide readership and get yourself some exposure.

News for October 1, 2010

Guildie Chris Solaas has been interviewed at Examiner.com about the writing life:
http://www.examiner.com/christian-writing-in-memphis/the-unburied-talents-of-chris-solaas-1

This week's update from Laser & Sword ezine:

The Great Search, Part Four (http://lasersword.adamsweb.us/the-great-search-part-four/) Captain Justice meets up with an old friend--and a new rival.

The Emerald Avenger v. The Corruptibles, Part Three (http://lasersword.adamsweb.us/the-emerald-avenger-v-the-corruptibles-part-three/) The Emerald Avenger meets the Invisibility Master's missiles.

Countdown, Part Thirteen (http://lasersword.adamsweb.us/countdown-part-thirteen/): Snyder and Kendall pursue the mad Dr. Rawlings.

Podcasts from the Idahope Writers' Conference

Jon Colson: How to Critique

Podcast Adam Graham 5:00 am

Inspirational speaker and author Jon Colson provides insight on how to provide constructive critiques.

Click here to download.

Leave a Response »

Jill Williamson: Promoting Your Novel on a Limited Budget

Podcast Adam Graham 5:00 am

Author Jill Williamson provides her tips on how to promote your novel on a small budget. From our 2010 conference.

Click here to download.

Leave a Response »

Sherrie Lord: Let Your Characters Be Real 

Podcast Adam Graham 4:52 am

Author Sherrie Lord provides insights on creating realistic characters. From our 2010 writer’s conference.

Click here to download.

Leave a Response »

Donna Crow: Structure of a Novel

Podcast Adam Graham 4:48 am

Donna Crow, the author of more than 30 books provided her insights on how to structure your novel. From our 2010 conference.

Click here to listen.

Leave a Response »

Ray Ellis: Writing About the Police

Podcast Adam Graham 4:43 am

Ray Ellis, a veteran police officer and aspiring writer provides in-depth insights on how to write about the police, and what police culture is like. From our 2010 writer’s conference.

Click here to download.

Leave a Response »

Adam Graham: Future of Writing

Podcast Adam Graham 4:41 am

Adam Graham discusses the future of fiction writing in the era of the Kindle and the I-pad and what lessons he draws form his career of writing political columns.

Click here to download.

News for March 15th, 2010

Laser and Sword Magazine Updates: 
March 11, 2010 - Farewell Jirel, Part Four, the latest installment of the Rise of the Judge web serial.

A juvenile delinquent caught meting out vigilante justice gets inducted into a dystopian Army under threat of a noose. Can a double agent get Snyder back on track? Will Snyder survive to discover his destiny?

March 9, 2010 - Powerhouse Carries on, Part seven,  the latest installment of the Tales of the Dim Knight web serial.

A mild-mannered janitor discovers a symbiotic alien cylinder that brings his dreams of being a superhero true. One question haunts: can there be such a thing as a good Symbiot, even if he isn't black tar?

March 8, 2010 - The Fifth Column, Part Nine, the latest installment of the Order of the Sword web serial.

A comic book CEO seeks to defeat terrorism as the Sword by uniting the world's greatest superheros. Will he learn bad guys masquerade as good guys before the traitor in their midst sends the heroes to their doom?

Updates from Mindflights Magazine:

"Balance of Power"
 by Lindsey Duncan
As a mediocre Lightweaver and a former swordswoman, Tanasdra is entirely expendable as a stand-in for the Eye, the most gifted foreteller in centuries. But the ruse won't be enough.


"Patience" by Rosalind Casey (A Student Contributor)
She comforts herself in the waiting

"The Never-People"
 by Douglas Kolacki
How do you tell people about heaven when they never die?

Announcing the Idahope Writers' Conference 2010

February 27 @ 8:30 a.m. at Grace Bible Church at 4262 North Eagle Road in Boise

Want to become a better writer? Would you like to meet other Treasure Valley Christian Writers? Come to this year’s mini-conference.

We have two fabulous keynote speakers this year:

• Donna Fletcher Crow is the author of more than thirty books, including Christian romance, historical fiction, and non-fiction. Her most famous book is the epic, Glastonbury: A Novel of Christian England. Her latest book, an ecclesiastical mystery entitled A Very Private Grave will be released later this year.
• Jill Williamson is the author of By Darkness Hid, a Christian Fantasy novel. She will be representing Marcher Lord Press. She is a former editor for Wild Rose Press. She also writes the Novel Teen Book Review blog. Jill has just signed a movie option for her Blood of the Kings Trilogy.

Also speaking at the conference are:

• Jon Colson is a professional author and speaker from Meridian, Idaho.
• Ray Ellis is a member of ACFW and Idahope Writers. He is a 20-year veteran of law enforcement and lead investigator for the city of Meridian in crimes against children.
• Sherrie Lord is “a Christian Biker Writer” who writes full throttle Christian Romance. She has two published books. More information on Sherrie is available at her websitesherrielord.com
• Adam Graham is President of Idahope Writers and was published in the 2007 Anthology Light at the Edge of Darkness along with his wife Andrea. He and his wife, Andrea collaborate on Laser and Sword Magazine. He is a columnist for Pajamas Media and has been quoted in the Los Angeles Times, and the New York Times Best-seller Do The Right Thing.

The cost of attending the 2010 conference is $20, which includes a one year membership in the Idahope Christian Writer’s group (normally $10.) NNU students are elligible for a special $10 rate. Your membership will help you to continue to grow as a writer through regular meetings which provide opportunities for learning and fellowship. Please note this does not include the $50 membership dues of our parent organization, ACFW.

News for August 26th, 2009

Coach Culbertson and Maurice Broaddus recently caught up for an interview. Maurice says: "I had a chance to catch up with the uber-busy Coach Culbertson of Relief: A Christian Literary Expression as well as, of special interest to me as a horror writer, Coach's Midnight Diner." Read the interview here.

Adam Graham says: We are excited to announce we have the long awaited issue six of Laser & Sword now available, and a cool cover courtesy of my brother-in-law:

Your Favorite Laser and Sword Characters are back with exciting new Adventures: Small Packages seeks to root out the traitor who is eliminating members of the Order of the Sword, while avoiding becoming the next victim. A trip home turns deadly as Private A.L. Snyder finds himself battling eco-terrorists at 30,000 feet. After the death of a local Pastor, Powerhouse must carry on the fight against drugs and crime, but is he up to the challenge? All this and more is available in this edition of Laser and Sword Magazine.

Blogs and Online Happenings

Today, Wednesday January 14th, from 7-9 PM EST, Karina Fabian will be interviewed on The Writers' Jungle. They're going to talk about editing, anthologies and DragonEye, PI stories. There is a call-in number, so you can ask your questions, too! (646) 929-1455 or http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Lea-Schizas

Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz wrote a review of Terri Main's writing prompts book, Creative Calisthenics. Penny said: "If you are like many writers, you often find yourself at a loss for words..." (more)
She also interviewed Terri about the book at this post.

Deborah Cullins Smith wrote a review of Infinite Realities by R.L. Copple. She says: "The journey was so profound I didn't want it to end..."(more)

The Laser & Sword Magazine of Adam and Andrea Graham now has a Facebook page. It's easy to become a fan and follow the updates this way as an alternative method of subscribing.

Jennifer AlLee hosted guest blogger Grace Bridges with a post about dreams. Here you can leave a comment if you want to be in to win a copy of Faith Awakened. In virtual stasis to escape a deadly virus, an ex-slave finds far more than just survival...

Stuff to read - Sci-fi ezines galore!

Wayfarer's Journal has a new edition out and includes the following stories: Code Seven by Karina and Robert Fabian, The Death Experiment by Vincent Scarsella, Blueprints by A. G. Elrod; plus new poetry by Cindy Emmet Smith and Jack Willard. Also look out for Brandon Barr's essay The Masters: Walter Miller.

Then, just in case you missed it, there's Issue 49 of Raygun Revival with the usual wide range of stories from many authors.

And Frank Creed takes you behind the scenes for a personal introduction to Adam and Andrea Graham, publishers of the Laser & Sword ezine.

I reckon these folks deserve a rousing round of applause for all their hard work putting together these amazing collections of terrific stories for the reading public. Yay for ezines!

New to this blog? Read Welcome to our world to find what we're all about.
News to submit? Yes please! Check out the Submission Guidelines.

Audiobooks: a new kind of reading

Today we'll be highlighting some sites where you can listen to stories online. Have fun!

Bill McGrath says: The first chapter of the audio version of my fantasy novel Asulon is
now on YouTube. I've divided the 27 minute chapter into seven segments so they will be easy to download. Each segment is paired with a different illustration from the novel. The audio is done by veteran British actor James Brinkley.
You'll find the first segment of Asulon here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNS69i_VncM&feature=related
The other parts can be found in the Related Videos list on that page.

Also check out The Spirit Blade Underground Podcast - A weekly 30 minute podcast including reviews and conversation about comics, sci-fi and fantasy in all their incarnations, along with a "non-churchy" but truth-centered Bible study.

Don't miss out on a listen to Chion by Irish author Darryl Sloan. It's worth it just for the accent :) And once you're finished with the section available on audio, you can download the e-book free to read the rest. Trust me - you'll want to!

And going back a year or two, but just as hot as ever: the Light at the Edge of Darkness podcast featuring ten short stories by Lost Genre Guild authors as recorded by Adam and Andrea Graham. Just click the Download button for each story.

New Books for Christmas Shopping!

Congratulations to Adam and Andrea Graham on reaching the one-year mark for their zine Laser and Sword! Newly released: the first Annual Edition containing all four issues is available here, or check Adam's storefront to see individual issues.
Stories include The Sword - Sword Comics owner Jesse Miller seeks to defeat terrorism by uniting the world's greatest superheros; Snyder - A juvenile delinquent living in the 78th Year of the Empire, loathes Earth’s dictator; and Mild Mannered Janitor Dave Johnson discovers an symbiotic alien and this superfan’s dreams of being a superhero come true with hilarious results.

David Gelber announces the release of his book ITP Future Hope. What's ITP, you ask? Interdimensional Transport Protocol, of course! Brash astropilot David Sanders travels through interdimensional space to a world he could never imagine and a destiny he could never expect.

Elena Bowman's The Telepaths of Theon, Book 2 of Sarah's Landing, is also now available. Joshua teleports to Earth to inform his Earth family of the desperate decision he must make to ensure their
safety.

And Rick Barry's new book Kiriath's Quest is released today! When King Jekoniah of Xandria is kidnapped by evil Grishnaki, Prince Kiriath resolves to undertake a secret mission into the Grishnaki's valley.