Deconstructing Stereotypes: A+E 4ever by I. Merey

Recently I was given a copy of YA graphic novel a + e 4ever by Ilike Merey from Lethe Press. I am not a graphic novel reader habitually, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I read it in one sitting, and by the end of it two words came to me that described the experience. Heartbreaking....

At the Crossroads

Recently I was given a copy of YA graphic novel a + e 4ever by Ilike Merey from Lethe Press. I am not a graphic novel reader habitually, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I read it in one sitting, and by the end of it two words came to me that described the experience. Heartbreaking. Beautiful. I found the art to have just the right level of impressionism to it – emotions exaggerated almost crudely, perhaps from a …

James Femmer says:
It didn’t feel like too long. I really really liked it. I heard a lot of... more
Ilike Merey says:
Thank you for a nice, thoughtful review. Though it’s kind of long for one... more

Some writers love the revision/rewrite process. Some loathe it. Some grow too big for their britches and skip it altogether, then shit all over the Amazon.com comment pages when called out on it. But most will say that rewriting is a necessity. No matter how brilliant your first draft may feel, how effortlessly it poured from your fingers as if the Muse herself were manipulating your hands upon the keyboard, there will be something wrong with it you’re just not …

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2011 sucked in so many ways, but for one area: new books to read! After getting a Kindle last Christmas, I began collecting more and more new books to read, since I no longer had to worry about shelf space. Here, in no particular order, are the four books of 2011 that stuck most with me. In no particular order, and with the warning that I probably forgot another gem or two along the way – my brain holds nothing …

Kenneth Bennett says:
James, thank you for including The Gaia Wars here and for the generous reviews... more
James Femmer says:
Thanks for putting it together! :D more

Well said.

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I believe in vogons

If you’d asked me two months ago what the worst thing about unemployment would be, I may have answered with ‘economic uncertainty’, ‘shame’, or ‘lack of health insurance’. After a month of unemployment, I can honestly say the worst part is the paperwork. I’ve lost track of how many forms I’ve had to fill out. The latest one, unemployment insurance on a medical loan I took out in 2008, is a blessing in disguise – if that disguise was put …

 

I can read!

Lately I’ve been caught up in the same rage as a lot of my friends and acquaintances, regarding the National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2012 which has been making the rounds in the US Congress. Even Wil Wheaton has been weighing in in his own fashion. The word on the interwebs was that this bill would turn US soil into combat soil and allow the military to detain civilians for any reason, for any amount of time, without …

 

The Hell You’re In vs. The Hell You Fear

In writing my Young Adult novel, Terra Paradox, I have reached into my own past, trying to uncover what little I do remember of being young. It hasn’t been an easy process, as much of my past remains a mystery even to me. But there is one thing that I’m pretty sure of: I never believed myself flawed. I don’t know how many kids out there buy into the eternal damnation bullshit they’re fed, and actually fear that they may …

 

The Gaia Wars, by Kenneth G. Bennett

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of The Gaia Wars eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including a Kindle Fire, Amazon gift cards up to $100 in amount, 5 autographed copies of the book, and 5 autographed copies of its recently released sequel, Battle for Cascadia. Be sure to …

 

Funemployment

As I told my dad, I kicked my own ass for five minutes on Wednesday, then proceeded to start getting my shit together.  DON’T PANIC being the cheerfully printed bold letters on the back of the Guide, I knew I couldn’t let misfortune slow me down. And then, something altogether magical happened. After realising that I didn’t have to panic about my loan payments, and looking forward to a trip to the Surplus Outlet tomorrow to stock up on seriously …

 

Will Write For Food

A few months ago I published this blog, back when I was excited about a new employment opportunity. I called it "a new job that’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before" and it turned out to be the wrong fit. I still believe in the agency and what it stands for, but I wasn’t qualified to lead it. The whole attempt ended badly and now I don’t have a job. While trying not to panic I’ve done a bit of …

 

Farsighted, by Emlyn Chand

I was given the opportunity to read and review Farsighted, the breakthrough YA novel by Emlyn Chand. What first caught my interest about this book was the narrator, Alex Kosmitoras, a blind teenager who discovers he has a gift of second sight. I knew writing from a blind person’s perspective would have to be a challenge, so I approached the book expecting to either find the narration lacking, or be blown away. I’m happy to say that I was impressed. …

 

Farsighted, by Emlyn Chand – Chapter 1

Today I’d like to share an excerpt from Emlyn Chand’s hot new paranormal novel, Farsighted (it just released on 10/24). Before diving in, check out this teaser for the book: Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t.  When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider. Okay, now that you’re caught …

 

Re: Evil

Between my last update and getting back to work on my YA novella, I began to think about evil. As a general rule, genre fiction is driven by the need to overcome an antagonist. The nature of evil has been explored ad nauseam. As a writer, I tend to lean more towards an antagonist who isn’t so much evil as he is a victim of his own background and circumstances, just as the protagonist is. The conflict occurs when their …

 

So, I have a blog

Even though I seem to have forgotten that fact. Instead of trying to compose some eloquent prose this time, I’m voting for expediency in getting you caught up to speed. So, in no particular order, here’s a list of this summer’s memorable and noteworthy events, minus whatever I end up forgetting.   I have a puppy. Please meet Merlin. He may make more appearances in this blog. I have become altogether too amused by feeding certain trolls. There is this …

 

The Casey Stratton Blog » Blog Archive » Spotify: How Do Indie Musicians Survive in the Digital Age?

Spotify: How do indie artists survive in the digital age? The wonderful Casey Stratton blogged about streaming and the digital age and its impact on independent musicians. Apropos of similarly themed conversations in indie writing circles.

 
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    The Vacant ThroneThe Cracked ThroneThe Skewed ThroneAfter Hours: Tales from Ur-BarWell of SorrowsSugar Moon

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