That’s right y’all, you can listen to the audio from the panel on Fantasy Writing I was a part of on September 1.

http://magicofeyri.com/2009/09/fantasy-writing-panel-podcast/

The panel featured Jim C. Hines (Goblin Quest series, Stepsister Scheme, Mermaid’s Madness), Phil Kline (Curse of the Kitsune) and myself.  It runs about 49 minutes and is worth a listen–especially when Jim starts talking about his werewolf-muppet story.

The audio quality is not on par with my normal episodes, as I just set up a recorder on the table and let it go, but I did what I could in GarageBand to make it a little better (tried to cut out some of the long pauses too).

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

This Sunday, instead of the next (exciting) episode of the Magic of Eyri Podcast (”Double Trouble”) I shall be running the audio from the panel discussion about fantasy writing I was a part of at the Delta Township District Library on September 1st.

Joining me in splendid 64 kps glory are Jim C. Hines and Phil Kline.  I haven’t listened to the audio yet, but I’m sure it turned out just fine (or fine enough for this purpose).

I’m curious how this will turn out and if people will like it or not. This will not be a regular feature, but I know people do enjoy this sort of thing (listening to writers talk about writing)–otherwise no one would ever attend any of the panels I’m on. I keep meaning to record non-podcast stuff to have at the ready if I ever need filler in case I don’t have an episode ready or something comes up (illness, vacation, pirate-ninjas).

Regular transmission of episodes will continue on September 27th.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

Yes, the latest episode of my free podcast is online kids: http://magicofeyri.com/2009/08/magic-of-eyri-011-the-trial/

Starting with the next episode, things really start kicking into high gear, action-wise anyway.  And we’ll meet some new characters too.

Event this Tuesday: I’m going to be part of the Fantasy Author Panel at the Delta Township District Library. Join Jim C. Hines, Phil Kline and myself as we rap about writing fantasy fiction. FREE. 6 PM to 8:30 PM.

We will be signing and selling books afterwards…well, I won’t be selling books, but I’ll be giving out free podcast CDs.  I may only put the first few episodes on there and make them audio CDs instead of .MP3s. We’ll see.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

Monday night I had the pleasure of meeting author Michael Beres at the Delta Township District Library.

He was there to sell books and to talk about his experience as an author (he writes mysteries), and due to the nasty weather cutting down on attendance that night it ended up being a casual discussion. Great for me, not so great for Michael who had driven from Northern Michigan for this event. But that's the nature of events like that. I've had a few where the only other person (or persons) at the event was the other author (or authors). It happens.

But as I said for me, it was great. I love talking to writers and authors of all genres. His claim to fame, as he put it, is that he had an agent who ended up selling all of Grishms first novels. Michael had this agent first, but (I think) the agent was unable to make any sales for him--but was able to sell Grishms books. Michael said that he hasn't had much luck with agents over the years, but stated that everyone is different and that getting one certainly helps.

He also said that timing is a factor with your books/stories. He had a book he wanted to sell about Chernobyl back in the '90s, but then the Soviet Union fell and none of the publishers wanted to touch anything relating to the USSR for awhile. Interesting stuff.

I just realized that I forgot to ask him specific questions about writing mysteries, since that's what I'm working on right now (albeit a fantasy-horror-comedy-steam punkish-mystery...say that five times fast). But he did have great general writing tips and even gave those of us in attendance 'cheat sheets' with his advice on it. I loved hearing him talk about going to conventions and book shows. He said he went to a book show in Washington, D.C. (I think...) and when he walked in, he saw that his publisher had popped for a huge banner with his book on it. He said that banner is rolled up under his bed right now.

He also talked about how having a 'cool background' story of your own can be helpful with not only your writing but in getting people to notice you. Michael used to do top secret work for the Atomic Energy Commission.  Neat.

At the end of the night, while saying our good-byes he even gave those who stuck around a free copy of his novel, Grand Traverse. He said it was going out of print anyway, so he had a bunch of copies. Very cool. And he signed it for me too.  All in all it was a fun and informative evening.

My little introduction to National Novel Writing Month at the Delta Township District Library last night went great.  We had (I think) around 20 people show up, and of all ages too.  Hopefully I made sense and wasn't just rambling the whole time.  I was told I did good job and the audience asked a lot of questions, which was good.

There was a bit of a technological snafu, we had planned for me to show people the nanowrimo.org website but the Internet at the ol' Library was on the fritz--so I had to wing it, but that was fine.  We tried my iBook and a PC laptop and neither worked--and using the PC laptop caused me to stumble a bit when I opened Word '07 and it looked nothing like I've used before (I'm still running Word '04 or something on my Mac).  Ugh, I hate Word.  But I'm sure if I had used it before or just had time to get accustomed to the new layout I would have been fine.

I was interviewed for a piece on Novel Writing Month last night as well (by the same gent who interviewed me for a piece on Self-Publishing a few weeks ago).  I believe that the Novel Writing Month piece will run tomorrow in the Delta Township community newspaper, I think it is just one of those free community papers but I'm not certain.  I'm getting my picture taken tonight for the piece on Self-Publishing, over at Everybody Reads Bookstore--I'm glad I got that haircut last week...

Going over last night again in my head, there were a few things I may have done differently--but overall I had a fun time and was happy to see all the people who showed up.

Photos:


"Read my lips--no new zombie attacksez."



"And then she says, 'Yeah but this one's eating my popcorn!'...Hello?  Is this thing on?"

I received an email this weekend from someone at Lansing Area Capital Gains, and they want to interview me about Self-Publishing. Turns out they were pointed in my direction by the folks at the Delta Township District Library, so I'll have to send them a Thank You ham (or at least an email).

I'm looking forward to this, as I look forward to any kind of press or even just a chance to share my experiences with others. Speaking of sharing experiences, I have an event at the Delta Township District Library on Monday, Oct. 27th. It is a kick-off event for National Novel Writing Month (which beings begins November 1st.). I'll be there talking about NaNoWriMo starting at 6:30, so come on by if you're at all interested in this yearly attempt at self-torture.  This reminds me that I have to start promoting that event a bit, put up a few fliers, post it on craigslist, etc.

I think this Capital Gains thing will be Internet only, but obviously I'll let everyone know about it when it is released.