An Experiment, Where You’re the Subject

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Alan wrote me probably an eon ago when I offered a deal on Night’s Favor, saying something like (and I paraphrase), “How about a deal on something else?” I’ve been ruminating about this for a while. What’s the best way to run a sale? How do I give something to the fans, while also offering a good series starter price? It’s maddening running a deal on, say, book 3 in a five-book series; no one cares, especially if they don’t have book 1, and first-in-series books are often discounted — where’s the shine? Let’s try to fix that. Starting today is a grand experiment (because I love me some science). Enter: [My Cr4zy Deals Page] I’m aware that I’m doing this on April Fool’s Day, but this is legit (…assuming all the store fronts updated, FML). The basic idea is Read More …

Boundless, Wikis, and RPGs

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I’m considering keeping track of Boundless information in a wiki, because after writing 7 Ezeroc Wars novels, 5 novellas, 6 short stories, and 3 mid-range books, I’m losing track. I know, I know, #hardfail, but it is what it is. Then I got to thinking: should I make the wiki based on a point of relevance, like D&D? If there are, say, orcs (…not telling, yet), do I adjust character bios to include stats? Would that be cool? Would it be confusing? Would Chuck Wendig approve? *loads unpopular opinion shotgun* Tried to read LOTR a bunch and couldn’t get through it. Worldbuilding is not plot. Your book shouldn’t read like an RPG manual but should also make me wish someone made your book into an RPG. The Chosen One is a tiiiiired narcissistic trope. https://t.co/1oF8tVFuvK — Chuck Wendig (@ChuckWendig) March Read More …

Chromed: Rogue Just Went Wide

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ICYMI, Chromed: Rogue is now available pretty much everywhere. You can get it whether you’re on a Kindle, iDevice, Nook, or Kobo. Go nuts. It’s 2150AD. Syndicates fight on the streets. Company enforcer Mason Floyd and rockstar Sadie Freeman share an uneasy truce in a city buried beneath company sin. As the rain lifts for the first time in what feels like forever, they are hunted. Mason’s employers sent their best to take them out. Betrayed from within, walking away would be the simplest choice. But Sadie and Mason aren’t known for taking the easy path. They owe someone who gave everything so they could be free. They must get back to the world, save a lost friend from a reprogramming facility, and escape into the night. Megacorps. Cyborgs. AI. Gene-spliced monsters. Syndicate enforcers. Off-grid illegals. Supersoldiers. Rock music. Violence. Read More …

Releases, a giveaway, an interview, and a partridge in a pear tree 🦜

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The latest of my world-famous emails, originally sent Tuesday, 19 March 2019. You can get on the list here. I was a little quiet last week. This is because the new job is all-consuming; I’m working in a tibanna gas mine, minting fuel for hyperdrives.This week: The latest and last two Empire’s Rogues stories; An interview with Aethon Books; Getting the word out for John; and A giveaway. And who says nobody gives you anything anymore? Let’s roll. The Empire’s Rogues Ganymede Plague released last week without fanfare, because ^^ as I mentioned I’d been sucked into a vortex of horror, otherwise known as working for a living. This week Ganymede Plague’s joined by the fifth story, Dragon’s Rescue. These are the finales for the six-part series. You might notice a fancy cover ⬅️ over there. This is because of Read More …

Scrivener, OneDrive, and Terrible Lies

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This is a for-writers post. If you use Scrivener, have iOS devices, and wonder how to get more work done on the road, read on. Since I’m back in the office regularly, I need a solution to writing during lunch breaks. I tried lugging my laptop in, but when your employer issues you a device, that’s two laptops you’re dragging around. I am not, despite my weights-training regime, The Hulk. I figured I’d just use my Kindle Fire; it’s an Android tablet, and tablets are basically computers, right? If by “basically computers” we mean “basically useless,” then we’re about right. Microsoft Word on mobile devices doesn’t support RTF (seriously, Microsoft?). Scrivener’s folder sync feature only does RTF (…and TXT, but daddy needs his italics), so we’re kinda fucked there. There’s about 300 RTF editors on Android, all of which hard Read More …

Libby

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There are three things I make sure I have: A fitness plan (e.g. gym membership); Health insurance; and A library card. This last seems surprising, right? But when you think about libraries as a great societal equalizer, providing free knowledge to everyone, it makes sense to pack this in your life’s arsenal. Many people don’t know libraries have gone digital, or that you can get newspaper, audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, and online training courses without paying a cent. This is important: people write to me, claiming they can’t afford books (despite paying significant coin for a digital reader to read ’em). They only want free books, or use Kindle Unlimited. I’m here to tell you you’re missing out. Let’s meet Libby. Libby In a recent conversation with a friend, we talked about the differences between traditional and independent publishing. On the Read More …

We’re Alive, but Far from Cool

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You might have heard what happened in Christchurch yesterday. If you’re unaware, here’s our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, speaking for us. I popped a brief note on Twitter yesterday: Racism needs to be stamped out. Terrorism has no place in my home. @TaikaWaititi called NZ racist as fuck, and he wasn't wrong. If you share the video and give these motherfuckers a platform, it's not free speech. You're a nazi and should die in hellfire. https://t.co/omHPDKrQkx — Richard Parry 👾 (@ParryForte) March 15, 2019 I wanted to pen a longer note here as quite a few of you dropped me a line about this. Thank you for your thoughts, and your empathy for what we’re going through. Yes, we’re alive. No, we’re not “good.” Rae and I live in Wellington, which is only an hour from Christchurch by plane (…pretty Read More …

Honest Work (and an excerpt)

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I’m moonlighting with a great team at one of NZ’s premier government departments. They’re good people, doing excellent work, and made me feel right at home (despite my transitory nature and hobo stubble). I’ve kept the writing up a couple days this week too. Can I keep up the target of 5,000 words/day on the days I’m not at a Real Job™? I’m there three days a week, leaving two for lying writing. It turns out, yes. Yesterday, I minted over 5,600 words, and Today’s allotment was just under 4,900. I’d like to try writing during the Real Work™ days too, but things are too busy right now. Let’s see if that’s achievable once things settle down some. Since you’re here, how about a small excerpt? Here’s Chad and Saveria, at a megaplex in San Francisco. No idea if this Read More …