Cheers, Mates

All---

Among the many things that have lapsed by the wayside while I've been too busy to keep up with this blog, is the need to congratulate a lot of my writing friends on recent milestones, and to, at the same time, let you readers know about some great new reading opportunities.  In my defense, I also haven't had time to keep up with their blogs, and am still catching up on the news myself.

Here's my best attempt at some highlights.  If I've missed something, please let me know!  I will be happy to edit and modify.  Going in roughly alphabetical order by author's first name (arbitrary -- holla) . . .

Davin Malasarn just published an anthology of short stories entitled, Wild Grass (also available in Kindle format).  If you're not familiar with Domey's writing, he writes literary fiction, though he sometimes wonders why it's called that.  In his case it's clear: the mark of literary fiction is the painful attention to craft that goes into every word, phrase, sentence, and paragraph.  His writing is shot through with sharp details poke and prod the reader until, in the end, all the details fade away into some something more bigger and more true than you realized you were reading.

Jennifer Hillier's news may have me the most excited.  No offense to any of my other writing friends, but the fact that Jennifer's debut thriller Creep (also available in the UK) is about to hit the shelves (July 5th!) from Simon & Schuster has me bouncing up and down.  (In a dark, sinister, introspective kind of way, of course.)  I am so excited for my sister in the shadowy places of American genre fiction.  I can't wait to get my hands on her book, and I look forward to watching it explode onto the scene!  July 5th!  Can you believe it?  I can't!

Michelle Davidson Argyle is just full of writing news.  Her short story, "Signs," was picked up by Suspense Magazine.  ARC's are hitting the street for her September 2011 release Monarch, and the book is now available for pre-order.  Monarch is soft psychological suspense at its best; I cannot recommend this book enough.  As if that weren't enough, her self-published novella Cinders is having a $0.99 celebration event, and has had its best month of sales.  If you like literary fantasy with a dark, character-driven engine, you need to read Cinders.  After you have, we can argue about whether it has a happy ending or not.  (I vote yes.)  On top of all that, of course, she and JC Martin have just edited the Stories for Sendai anthology.

RJ Ellory's A Simple Act of Violence is now available in US markets.  If you're not tied down to US Markets, you should also know that the paperback release of Saints of New York (due in September) is now available for pre-order, as is the hardcover debut of Ellory's newest novel, Bad Signs (due in October).  If you're not familiar with his writing, RJ Ellory writes psychological suspense with an incredibly human voice and a deep investment in the humanity of humanity.  He and I write very differently, and from very different perspectives, but if I ever feel a kindred authorial spirit when reading another author's work in my genre, it's when I read Ellory.  He sets the mark of quality psychological suspense to which I aspire.

Ryan David Jahn's UK award-winning thriller, Acts of Violence is now available in the US, where is has been released as Good Neighbors.  I read the UK release and still, to this day, cannot shake this book from my head.  Told in a voice-rich, intimate third person POV, the brutal physical and emotional violence in this story is not for everyone.  It's worth the read, though, for its unlikely bleakness and its even unlikelier hope.

Tim Stretton, whom you may may remember I consider a master of fantasy world-building, has at long last published The Last Free City, the sequel to The Dog of the North, and it's available on Amazon.com in the US or Amazon.co.UK across the pond.  Shortly before time slipped completely through my fingers, I ordered an early LuLu release of the book.  Rose pounced on, devoured, and enjoyed the read, so even though I haven't had a chance to catch up with my TBR pile yet, she would attest to its quality.

If you have writing news that should be shared with the world, the only reason I haven't done so is that I missed it.  Please, let me know about it, and I'll be happy to update the post with your scoop.

Readers, if you've read any of these releases and would like to chime in about what you thought, please do so!  For that matter, readers, if you know about a new or upcoming release that you think plays well in the Nevets universe, let me know!

.Nevets.

The Searing of the Shire

All---

This post really has nothing to do with the searing of the shire, but at the end I'm going to announce the winners of some of the Hobbit's Birthday contests and so it just seemed like an appropriate wrap-up title.

Before that, though! Fellow author of psychological suspense and comrade in the darkness, Jennifer Hillier tagged me in a blog-post, and I thought it was about time I did one of these things again. So, here we go. Your chance to get to know the mind of Nevets.

19 Questions, and my 19 answers!


1). If you have pets, do you see them as animals, or are they members of the family?
I have a cat, and, of course she's an animal. In some ways she's also part of the family. In some ways, she's obviously not. I suppose I tend to insert myself into her kinship diagram more than I incorporate her into mine.

2). If you can have a dream come true, what would it be?
I don't prioritize one dream over another, really, and I live with the intent to do everything possible to realize all my dreams.

3). What is the one thing most hated by you?
People who sneak-attack the self-esteem of others and undermine their dreams and their belief in themselves.

4). What would you do with a billion dollars?
Move to a country house somewhere I wasn't allergic to. Live, write, support family members and friends.

5). What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
The necessity to act on behalf of someone else.

6). Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
Something about this question bothers or annoys me.

7). What is your bedtime routine?
Shower, brush my teeth, annoy my wife while she's making the bed, maybe read a little.

8). If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?
I met my wife through a mutual friend. I had recently sworn off women. Rose had recently sworn off mine. Our friend said, "Hey, you've gotta meet. You'll love each other!" We did. :)

9). If you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be?
The creative process of other people really, really, really bores me to tears.

10). What kinds of books do you read?
Thrillers, mysteries, sci fi, fantasy, wu xia, historical fiction, westerns, literary fiction, and others. And that's just the fiction.

11). How would you see yourself in ten years time?
If I think to much about this I'll get ill. So I'm gonna pass.

12). What's your fear?
Well, I already opened this can of worms elsewhere today, so I'll try to avoid a repeat fiasco, and just say, "living an unfulfilled life without having met my purpose, whatever that may be."

13). Would you give up all the junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit space?
I don't do questions that hypothetical. They don't make any sense to me.

14). Would you rather be single and rich, or married and poor?
Married and whatever. What with loving my wife and all.

15). What's the first thing you do when you wake up?
Feed the cat...

16). If you could change one thing about your spouse/partner, what would it be?
Pfft. For those of you are still single, here's some advice: find someone you love because of, not in spite of.

17). If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
I'll let you know after Yat-Yee's had some time to cook something up for me.

18). Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
I'll forgive just about anything. I can't forget anything at all, no matter how much I may want to.

19). If you could only eat one thing for the next six months, what would it be?
Speaking of hypothetical questions that don't make any sense to me....

haha

So now that I've spoiled the fun of the tag by being a curmudgeon, here's some news about prizes!

The winner of the signed copy of my story, "I Need this," the piece that got me into Notes from Underground is Jennifer Hillier! Jennifer, e-mail me your address, and I will get this out to you!

The winner of her choice of either Tim Stretton's Dog of the North or R. N. Morris' A Razor Wrapped in Silk is... Misha! Misha, take a look at the books and then send me an e-mail at c dot n dot nevets at gmail dot com, letting me know your choice and whether you want a print a copy or an eBook and then we'll work out the details on getting it to you!

Now, don't forget! You have until tomorrow to add me as a friend on Facebook maybe a week or two to comment on author profile pieces for the remaining two contests.

.Nevets.

Hobbit Birthday's Eve

All---

As we all know, on their birthdays, Hobbits hand out presents to their party guests.  Tomorrow's my birthday, and so I'm going to hand out presents.  Seriously cool presents.

But, hey, tomorrow is more than my birthday.  It's also the birthday of writing and blogging friend Frances Garrood, author of Dead Earnest and The Birds, The Bees, and Other Secrets.  When we found out we shared a birthday, Frances suggested we throw a blog party -- and we are!  So be sure to stop at Frances' blog and join the fun on the 18th.  Come and your favorite literary character and give us a brief reading!  Join the fun!

Now for the presents!


First of all the winners of the prizes from my Reader Feedback contest!

The winner of an item from the Cafe Press Store is... Summer Ross!  Summer, I know you had mentioned liking the bear once before, so I thought I'd send that you, but if you have an alternate choice, just let me know!  We've e-mailed before, so just drop me a line with a shipping address!

The winner of the Nevetsized Aesop's fable, printed and signed is... Domey Malasarn!  Domey, just let me know know either in comments or e-mail or whatever what Aesop's fable you'd like me to Nevetsize for you!

But what kind of birthday presents would they be if the only presents were prizes from a contest that was already established?  That would be ridiculous.

So there's more!

Way more!

I randomly selected one of my blog followers... The mice were with us.  The number that popped up was Number 42.  I counted back that number of followers, and.... Anthony Pacheco, you've won your choice of items from the Cafe Press Store.  Take a look, see what suits your fancy, and then drop me an e-mail with your choice and a shipping address!

But that's not all either.

Four more prizes!

The quick version:

1) Comment here for a chance at, "I Need This."
2) Comment on author profile stories for increased chances at Notes from Underground.
3) Friend me on Facebook for a chance at Genre Wars.
4) Comment here and at Frances Garrood's blog during the party on the 18th for a chance at The Dog of the North and/or A Razor Wrapped in Silk!

The details:

In honor of the upcoming Notes from Underground anthology, including my story "Terminal Instar" and a whole lot of other, excellent pieces, every one who comments on this post between now until the end of the weekend will be entered in a drawing for a signed, printed copy of "I Need This," the story I wrote which won my inclusion in the anthology.

Anyone who has commented on any of the author profiles in overcoming will be entered to win a copy of the Notes from Underground anthology, signed by me, once it is released in early March.  One entry for every story you've commented on!  In case you've missed any, check out the list:  RJ Ellory, Gary Corby, Marilyn Meredith, RN Morris, Michael Malone, Ryan David Jahn, Deborah Swift, Jennifer Hillier, and Aliyah Whiteley.  You want to have read these anyway!

Trying to catch my breath here.  It's not easy being a Hobbit.

Okay, two more!

Anyone who friends me on Facebook (or is already a friend) by a week from my birthday will be entered to win an electronic copy of Genre Wars, the first Literary Lab presents anthology which included two of my stories, "The Best Medicine" and "Death, Be Not Me."

And finally.

Anyone who comments on this post or joins the birthday at Frances Garood's will be entered to win either electronic or new print copies of  Tim Stretton's Dog of the North or R. N. Morris' A Razor Wrapped in Silk, because I just think it's insane that more of the world doesn't know these books.  Comment in both places and if you win you will win both books!

Quick recap:

1) Comment here for a chance at, "I Need This."
2) Comment on author profile stories for increased chances at Notes from Underground.
3) Friend me on Facebook for a chance at Genre Wars.
4) Comment here and at Frances Garrood's blog during the party on the 18th for a chance at The Dog of the North and/or A Razor Wrapped in Silk!

And now this Hobbit is worn out.  Happy Birthday Eve, everyone!

.Nevets.

Soundtrack for this crazy party has been provided by Metallica, because that's how Hobbits roll.

I Wish My Fantasy Fiction Turned Out Like This

All---

Tim Stretton's The Dog of the North is, in many ways, a fantasy novel I wish I had written. It is the story of two men, Arren and Beauceron, and their struggle as individuals trying to carve out their own places in a world whose personal intrigues and political statecraft entangle and threaten to choke them.  The book takes place in the world of Mondia whose geography and cultures are quite foreign to ours but which is described with such clarity and sympathy that it feels as comfortable and familiar as any story of Arthurian England or Medieval Germany.

This is a difficult book to talk about without spoilers, but I will do my best, because while the action moves quickly and the dialogue pulls the reader along, the story is intricate enough to lend itself to a close reading, savoring the minutiae of the many compelling mysteries which are told or implied.  The two primary story lines revolve around Arren and Beauceron.  The former, a young man growing up in a world he never quite understands. The latter, a man trying to punish the world for not being what he thought it should be.  It is a story of individuals searching for moral justice, social equanimity, and individual contentment.  More than anything, it is the story of transformation, growth, and corruption.  Every single person in The Dog of North has a vision of how the world should be, and how they should fit into that world.  The book chronicles their ploys to  make that happen, focusing most intimately on Arren and Beauceron.

It is, in those respects, very like much like the type of fiction I like to write.  Unfortunately for me and fortunately for the reader, Stretton is able to pull of several things I have never been able to when crafting my own fantasy.  His world of Mondia is at least as well if not better developed than any fantasy world I ever created, but rather than setting his story within the world, Stretton manages to use to the story to deliver the world.  No lengthy, digressionary passages describe the land, the politics, the religion . . . But Mondia is vivid in my mind, because  its richness is conveyed through crackling prose that integrates description and context deftly with action and character.

Likewise, Stretton's characters, while not unidimensional, are clearly understood by readers the moment they walk on stage.  First impressions, so important in life, are difficult to communicate in fantasy fiction, where so often personality and psychology are lost in the trappings and flourishes of a far away place.  In The Dog North, personality and psychology are readily apparent through the dialogue and behaviour of the individuals.

In short, The Dog of the North not just a good fantasy book.  It's just a good book.  Just the kind of fantasy that I've never been able to pull off.  Good there's more Stretton to read and more on the way!

.Nevets.