Why I Do What I Do
I have been asked several times in the last week alone about indie publishing. Before I talk about what I’m doing, and why, let me point out that I am relatively new to this. Vulcan’s […]
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Playing the Short Game: How to Sell Your Short Fiction (Part 22 in series)
But, But, But…You Bought My Last Story: What Your First Sale Really Means Welcome back to my series on marketing and selling short fiction. I’ve written these posts in a very specific sequence, with each […]
Marketing 101: Start with the Right Attitude
Marketing. Is there any other word that instills more fear in a writer? I don’t think so. When authors talk about marketing, here are the things commonly mentioned: I’m an introvert; I don’t want to […]
The Artful Collector: Vulgaris Triumphus? on Judging (SFWA) Magazines by Their Cover
Judge books by their cover? Everyone does it. That’s why – and despite the mis-marketing, agenting “horror stories” (both artist and author) and egregious lack of talent (cover-wise) – books and yes, magazines, still get […]
Playing the Short Game: How to Sell Your Short Fiction (Part 21 in series)
I Love Your Story. Now Change It: Working with an editor (conclusion) Welcome back to my series on marketing and selling short fiction. I’ve written these posts in a very specific sequence, with each entry […]
Publishing: Let’s stop comparing apples and oranges
Ever since the Taleist Report (a survey of 1,000 self-published authors) came out I see it everywhere. Online comments or articles saying most self-published authors don’t earn more than $500. When compared with the $5,000 average […]
A Commissioning Editor Speaks: David Moore of Abaddon Books
Britain’s Abaddon Books is a seething brew of villainous steampunk, sleek spaceships, cruel sorcery, and blood-soaked horror. I tracked their commissioning editor David Moore down to his lair, where I forced him to unravel a cracked and […]
FEMME FATALES: The Most Overused Device in Modern SFF?
Of late, I’ve been reading a lot of articles that hint at a simmering feud between men and women in Science Fiction & Fantasy fandom. Accusations of Sexism and Misogyny have been flying. Some very […]
Dopes To Infinity
This man is the biggest rock star who never became a big rock star, but deserves to. I had to find some excuse to write about my love of Monster Magnet and by golly, I found one! Read on to discover what writers should learn from Dave Wyndorf & co. in this brave new world.
Publishing is not a Lottery
If I had a $1 for every time I read online about how publishing is like the lottery, I wouldn’t have to write books any more. I’m not sure where this notion got started, but […]
ASM Blog Horde Interview with Felicity Savage
Welcome to the Amazing Stories BLOG HORDE INTERVIEWS! The ASM Blog Horde is a diverse and wonderful species. I have the privilege of talking with all of them, and I get to share those chats with […]
Have Literary Luddites Taken Over SFF Fandom?!
For the past year, I’ve been doing the indie thing- writing and self-publishing my own novels on Amazon, B&N, etc. During that time I’ve learned quite a lot and have come to the conclusion that […]
Follow-Up and Follow Through
Writing a blog about writing has led me to a lot of cool websites and other writing blogs. I’ve found more tools than I’ve ever had to help me get my stories written. As I’ve […]
Playing the Short Game: How to Sell Your Short Fiction (Part 20 in series)
I Love Your Story. Now Change It: Working with an editor Welcome back to my on-going series on how to market and sell short fiction. I’ve written these posts in a very specific sequence, with […]
Novedades abril-mayo
Como dije en el otro post, seguimos produciendo. He aquí de las novedades que me han comunicado de los meses de abril y mayo LIBROS “De monstruos y trincheras” de Ramón Merino Collado. (Espiral Ciencia […]
Interview with Michael J Sullivan
Hello all, I am back from my hiatus as I moved to Ohio. Now that I am settled, enjoying the weather in the southern part of the state, I will be able to post regularly. […]
In Defense of Digital Book Buying
Stephen King recently stirred up a bit of controversy with his announcement that his next book, Joyland, from Hard Case Crime, will not have an electronic edition. I’m glad he retained his electronic rights and […]
Pulling Back the Publishing Veil: Setting Expectations
One of the most difficult things to get a handle on is what to expect in the way of income from publishing. The first problem is there is a wide range. Some authors sell a […]
Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe
If you’re looking for a glossy, full-colour account of Marvel Comics, featuring classic artwork and covers from the company’s long history, this book is not for you. Rather, Sean Howe sets out to give an […]
Why I Don’t Like My Heroes
When I first started out as a published writer of science fiction in 1978 and sold my first novel in 1979, I started going to local and national science fiction conventions. Mostly I felt it […]
Fiction River Debuts
Fiction River WMG Publishing Six times a year Electronic $6.99 Trade Paper $15.99 I interviewed Kristine Kathryn Rusch two weeks ago about the experience of launching Fiction River via Kickstarter. Fiction River is a new […]
Life Cycle of a Novel
Some writers work from an outline, others just wing it. They start at page one and write one scene after another, with only a vague idea of where they’re headed. I know a guy who’s […]
Interview with a Reader
After a series of interviews with self-published authors, I thought I would interview a reader. Or rather, three of them, Sanford Begley, Joseph Capdepon II, and Jack William Finley. (Jack is also a writer.) They […]
Demystifying the Synopsis
A synopsis is a larger version of the book jacket blurb you see on the back of most paperbacks in the bookstore. You write a synopsis for the same reason: to sell a story idea […]
How American Airlines Helped Me Gafiate
Gafiate, for those whose Fannish Lexicon isn’t handy, is Fan Speak for the act of ‘Getting Away From It All’. Leaving Fandom. Putting conventions and fanzines and crazy projects and far-flung friends behind you. It […]
I am a Reader
Before I was a writer, I was a reader. My mother tells me I’ve been reading since I was four, and I accept that, because I don’t remember a time when I couldn’t read. By […]
50 Shades of Self-publishing
Okay, so maybe there aren’t fifty shades, but I’ve yet to do a “50-shades of gray” take-off in a blog post so this seemed like a good time to play that card. The fact is […]
Trials and Tribulations of the Publishing Game
As I put the finishing touches and edits on my latest novel, I am charged with the task of also creating the cover art. I consider myself to be a good photographer but for some […]
Marketing is Destroying the Science Fiction Genre
The other day I was listening to NPR as they ran a piece on the TOTALLY NEW! NOT SCIENCE FICTION! genre of Cli Fi or Climate (change) Fiction. A year or so ago I was […]
ASM Blog Horde Interview with Gary Dalkin
Welcome to the Amazing Stories BLOG HORDE INTERVIEWS! The ASM Blog Horde is a diverse and wonderful species. I have the privilege of talking with all of them, and I get to share those chats with […]
About Author
FRAN FRIEL is a two-time Bram Stoker Award Finalist and winner of the Black Quill Award. She enjoys life with her husband and her dog by the beach on the Central Coast of California, where she also serves as staff for Alice the cat. You can follow Fran’s latest antics here at Facebook or at Twitter, and Fran Friel’s Yada Feast.
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