Dragon Shield Tour Visit With Dianne Gardner

Editor's Note: I am very excited to present a stop on Dianne Gardner's Dragon Shield Tour, presented by the wonderful folks at Jitterbug PR! To get you started, I'll share the trailer for Dragon Shield, and then we're featuring a brand new guest post from Dianne. She's an extremely talented author and artist, and we definitely encourage you to check her work out. She has some excellent titles out on Hydra Publications!
-Stephen Zimmer







First of all, thank you Stephen Zimmer and SSP for having me on your blog! What an honor.

I asked Stephen what he’d like my guest post to be about and this was his response:

"I would like to know how you select the right image to portray to represent a title as a whole. What goes into the composition to reflect the theme of the book?"

I’ve done the cover of all my novels as well as my short stories. I’ve also created a few book covers as commission work for other writers, and that is a completely different ball game, by the way, because usually the writer has their own idea of what they like their cover to look like.

So I’m going to talk about my own covers.

As a side note, may I add here that my painting style is impressionism, which is different than what you typically see for fantasy. That’s just the way I paint.

In Deception Peak, the story is about Ian and his dad entering this awesome Realm. It’s an absolutely beautiful place. That is until they near the mountain where sorcery separates the two and Ian’s father is lost in the caves. The ominous presence of the mountain, the dragon’s lair, is the title for the book, and of course a mountain needed to be on the cover. Not just any mountain either. It’s described as having tall slate pillars, blackened from lightning and desolate cliffs. It reeks of danger the closer you get to the peaks.

I kept the colors surrounding the mountain grays and teal, complimented by the orange hues of the foothills and along the shoreline where the Meneks live. That cover was fairly simple to design.

As far as the dragon on The Dragon Shield Cover, you need to know that painting was actually painted before the book was written. It did, in fact, inspire the series. As The Dragon Shield came closer to publication I realized that the story was more about a shield than it is about the dragon.

And I just happened to have a real shield! The gentleman who played Alex in the trailer actually made the shield that he carries in the short film. It’s a replica of the one that Alex gave to Ian in the book—the one with the rubies. I was thrilled to have it and I’ll bring it to book signings with me, by the way!

I had to put the image of that shield on my cover, even though it isn’t the magical Dragon targe that the children made. Still, Ian’s shield plays a big role in the story. The magical shield would, in fact have been too busy for the book cover.

Since the trilogy book covers are actually part of a triptych (a 9 ft 3 panel oil painting) they had their own unique process of becoming reality. The Four Wizard book covers are a little different and I think I can explain what Stephen is asking for a little better by using those for an example.

We have four individual wizards; all are patriarchs of a different part of the Realm, all with their own unique stories, and yet all related in some way. Silvio and the old tree stump have a connection. And without giving the story away, I wanted the reader to know that the tree stump is an extremely important part of not just Silvio’s story, but the Realm’s as well. Of course, Deception Peak is in the background of that book cover.

Meneka’s was a fun cover to do. He’s the dragon wizard, and I think you’ll find that his story has a fascinating twist as to why the Meneks worship the dragon. I choose one of the most climatic parts of the story, put a little artistic license to it (he’s not really on the beach when he performs this act but I wanted the beach in the painting because the water plays an important part in the story). His cover is brighter with the red dragon. Meneka is a fiery personality!

The most important scene in the story Kaempie was when he sacrificed his powers to the Northern Winds. It is the turning point for the entire history of the Realm. It was a stormy evening, the wind was blowing, and he was afraid. Those were the elements I wanted to convey in the title. Whether they work or not, or draw the reader in, you’ll have to tell me.

The final short story, which was just published, is the story of the wizard Reuben. This painting was actually a plein air sunset painting I did last summer with a few alterations. The story of Reuben is a romance. Reuben being rowed to the Island of Refuge by two gypsies while he longs for his true love is the scene portrayed here. I thought about doing a little more with the romance aspect in the painting, but I didn’t want to give the story away.

To me a good cover suggests the atmosphere of the story, and draws the-would be reader in, just like a hook would in the first line of your book. You cover is seen even before your first line. But you don’t want to tell your viewer everything…just a taste.

I hope mine have that effect.

Thanks for asking Stephen. I hope it answers some of your questions!

Synopsis of Dragon Shield

Ian's Realm: The Dragon Shield
Available Now at Amazon.com

As a young man, Ian returns to the Realm to fight against the tyranny that has befallen his friends. But the Realm is a different place, the forest is dying, the Kaermperns have lost the shield that protected them from the dragon, and Ian has a hard time proving his allegiance when trouble follows him through the portal. His struggle to do right buries him in confusion, and he must fight his own will to prove his integrity.




Be sure to connect with Dianne at the following social media links:

Blog

Hydra Publications link

Facebook Ian's Realm link

Twitter @DianneGardner

Book Trailer Reveal: Gwen Perkins' The Jealousy Glass

Today I have the pleasure of sharing the brand new trailer for Gwen Perkins' new novel The Jealousy Glass, the follow-up to her indie press hit The Universal Mirror!  These titles are from a press we consider family here at SSP, Hydra Publications, a great indie press spearheaded by that maverick and all-around good guy Frank Hall.  Below you will find the brand new trailer, information on the book and author, an international giveaway, AND and excerpt!  So get acquainted with a great author from a wonderful press and enjoy!
-Stephen

About The Jealousy Glass

"We came to stop a war before it came to Cercia. And it seems the war has come to us."

Responsibility and patriotism spur Cercia's new leader, Quentin, to protect his beloved country at all costs and he assigns Asahel and Felix to serve as ambassadors and secret agents to Anjdur. Their journey quickly turns awry and Asahel and Felix barely escape a devastating shipwreck, walk a tightrope of political tension, and rescue an empress before they learn they must face an enemy closer to them than they thought.

Will they be able to uncover an assassin's plot before it's too late? Will Asahel be able to unearth a secret that is vital to their mission? Will Cercia survive its own revolution? In The Jealousy Glass, Perkins boldly continues a series of unforgettable characters and events that will leave you begging for more.

AMAZON PURCHASE LINKS:

The Jealousy Glass: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AFESVVQ

The Universal Mirror: http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Mirror-Gwen-Perkins/dp/0615596517



GIVEAWAY: (International prize)

In conjunction with the release of The Jealousy Glass, Gwen is running a giveaway for an autographed, first edition paperback of The Universal Mirror through Goodreads at: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/37726-the-universal-mirror

The giveaway officially ends on December 21, 2012—the author's birthday and supposed date for the oncoming apocalypse!




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gwen Perkins has always regarded the deep rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula as the one place that she feels most at home. Gwen grew up in small towns across the Pacific Northwest, going to slug races and strawberry festivals when she wasn't scribbling on any scrap of paper she could come by. She boasts the dubious distinction of going to a public school with only eight students, learning Irish sea chanteys from a man who sang with the Clancy Brothers, and catching tadpoles during classes.

Her adult life is generally just about as much fun.

She lives in the City of Destiny (better known as Tacoma, Washington). Her hobbies include wandering beaches, baking pies and lampworking. In between all of this, Gwen has written two novels in the Artifacts of Empire series: The Universal Mirror and The Jealousy Glass. The Universal Mirror has been nominated for a 2013 Endeavour Award.

She is presently at work on future novels in the Artifacts of Empire series while working on another series in collaboration with Wilson Fabián Saravia.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website & Blog: http://artifactsofempire.com
Twitter: @helleder
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gwen-Perkins/227456783969902
G+: http://gplus.to/gwenperkins

Excerpt from The Jealousy Glass

From Chapter 1

The white monster swooped down.

           

All that Asahel could see was a cloud of pale feathers as the Rukh lashed out at the cannon that had fired.  Screams throbbed around him as the Rukh lifted, golden talons now rusted with blood.  Broken bodies lay on the wood, ribs smashed by the weight of unearthly claws.  The men were too distant for Asahel to put faces to as he fell to the deck, heart pounding at the sound of the wings beating once more.

           

The Rukh dove again, its beak rending the ship's prow.  The heavy timbers cracked like bones against the pressure.  A slow tearing sound cut through the haze of chaos settling over the ship as panic took hold.  Spice spilled out of the hold the beast had torn open.  Pungent scents of oil and cedar clouded the air as chests smashed against the bow, breaking apart into the water below.

           

Asahel crawled on his knees toward the heart of the battle, his eyes stinging red from the spices in the air.  The Rukh thrashed as another cannon fired its shot, black powder belching into the fading light.  Angry cries from the monster above filled his ears as it lurched down, plucking a sailor off the deck and squeezing its talons tightly around the man's midsection.  Another series of screams began as the ship's port side blazed into flames, but he kept moving toward starboard, trying to reach the first cannon that had been fired.

           

"Zuane!"  He called, hoping that the captain was near.  When that failed, Asahel shouted out for others.  "Felix!  Nicolas!"  His knee edged forward as he crawled, the coarse wool of his trousers suddenly damp.  He looked down to see the blood of the fallen pooling in the cracks of the boards.

           

He was near the side of the Serenissma.  Asahel stood, crouching each time the Rukh let out another shriek.  Black smoke surrounded him, choking his lungs as he turned.  The white beast had grown dim as the wall of fire leapt up, flames feeding on the ship's planking.

           

"Soames—" 

           

Asahel turned but did not see who could have called him.

           

"Where are you?"  He whispered, afraid to raise his voice.  He saw a pair of hands gripping the railing.  He reached out, his own strong fingers clutching them and pulling the man toward the deck.  He could feel Felix shudder as he came up over the rail, his thin body battered.  The older man began to cough almost immediately as Asahel helped him back to the deck.  They stared through the flames at the carnage.

           

The Serenissma wrenched sharply to the right.  The Rukh cawed as it rose, white wings blotting out what was left of the sun.  Water splashed across the wood, shooting up from the hold as the lower decks flooded.

           

"We've got to get out of here," Asahel said.

           

"There's no rafts." Felix coughed and leaned back against the rail.  His eyes were bright with a fear the other man had never seen. 

           

"Aye."  The fire was close enough to warm them both.  Which will it be?  Asahel thought.  Burning or drowning?

           

"I can't swim."

           

"Sure, and now you tell me."  Asahel steadied his expression for Felix's sake, more nervous than he let on.  The Soames family had been merchants and traders for generations.  Unlike Felix, Asahel had been raised at water's edge.

           

"I never expected it to come up."  Felix grimaced.  "I know.  We're on a boat.  Clearly, I was being an optimist."

           

"Ship," Asahel corrected gently, looking over his shoulder at the waves.

           

"Grave—if we don't do something shortly."  Felix inhaled, his body clenched as he turned his back on the flames.  The Serenissma was moving downwards rapidly.  The remaining sailors leapt from the deck, disappearing into the churning tides as they plummeted through the darkness.  He looked at Asahel, his mouth twisting into a crooked grin.  "No time like the present."

           

Felix climbed back up on the railing, sweat trickling down his forehead, his skin mottled with bruise and shadow.  Asahel followed, his own ungainly body slower to take action.  The two men looked at one another a last time, then back at the burning ship.

           

With one breath, they jumped.

*  *  *

You can find an audio-only dramatization of the entire first chapter for your use at: https://www.box.com/s/a997c064d4539c929739

Creating a Literary Franchise-A Visit With Dianne Lynn Gardner

Today we bring you a special holiday weekend visit from Dianne Lynn Gardner, whose Deception Peak, her debut novel, introduced YA Fantasy readers to the Ian's Realm Series. Dianne is also releasing short stories set in the same world as the Ian's Realm series, so we thought it would be fun to explore Dianne's approach to the development of a literary franchise. We hope you enjoy this special author interview!
-Stephen

For those who have not read Deception Peak, give us a little background on the book and the worlds it is set in. 

The series is titled ‘The Ian's Realm Saga’. The first book, ‘Deception Peak’ is a young adult adventure fantasy about a teenager, Ian Wilson, who follows his father through a portal that magically appears on their computer screen. They travel into a deceptively beautiful Realm, where horses run free, the wind sings prophetic melodies, and their computer avatars come to life.

But when father and son are separated, Ian is abducted by a tribe of dragon worshipers and is forced to find his courage. As he struggles for his freedom and embarks on a perilous search to find his father, Ian meets the true peacekeepers of the Realm. It's then that he learns he has a greater purpose for being there.”

The Realm itself is pristine countryside. Colorful forests, vast prairies, a turquoise blue ocean and a foreboding mountain range that reaches far to the east, hinting at lands beyond. We only see a section of the Realm in the Trilogy (Deception Peak, The Dragon Shield, and Rubies and Robbers) but there is more of the world to explore in the series such as the Island of Taikus where wizards and sorceresses battle for power, Alisubbo, the technologically advanced kingdom of man, and the legends of a people that live north of the fjords.

Ian and his father Alex Wilson stumble into the Realm through their computer. But they aren't the first from our world who have arrived.

Did you originally envision writing a series, or was that something that evolved as you conceived of the story?

It evolved. The first book I wrote wasn't Deception Peak. It was actually The Dragon Shield. But being a new author, I had many professionals look at my story and one editor had so many questions about the world and what Ian was doing there, that I knew I had to write the prequel first, and that's how Deception Peak came to be. When I designed that book, I outlined a three book story arc hence creating the Trilogy.

How many books are planned in the Ian’s Realm Series?

I'm not sure. I have two other novels drafted after the Trilogy (which by the way are already written). It seems like I could go on forever because there are new characters showing themselves constantly, and their stories beg to be told. I keep thinking I need to write the grand finale after Cassandra's Castle, but it might not happen that way. The more book six unravels in my mind, the more I'm seeing another series arc developing.

When did the idea of short stories associated with the worlds of your series happen?

After I wrote Cassandra's Castle and began editing Deception Peak, I realized so much of the magic of the Realm had yet to be explained.--neither had the culture and the religion been illustrated. Those elements are very important influences in the characters and events in the Realm. The Tale of the Four Wizards are four short stories that package the 'why' questions that readers will, and should have. And since I've finished writing those shorts already, I've been able to add some additional gems in The Dragon Shield and Rubies and Robbers that weaves the stories even tighter together.

Are the various short stories stand-alones or are they connected?

You can read them as stand alones. They make nice little 'legends' as they have a folk-lore feel to them. But the stories are about four wizards who leave their homeland together in a little skiff. Fate separates them. So it seems natural that as we follow Silvio, we would question what happens to the others. Each story tells the tale of one of the wizards and the part that he plays in the history of the Realm. I think you'll lose some of the meaning if you don't read the whole series.

Tell us a little about the first short stories and a few ways in which they relate to the novel series?

The Tale of the Four Wizards is subtitled Patriarchs of the Realm. Here is the initial event:

On the island of Taikus the Sorceress Queen Hacatine overthrows the reign of the wizards. She robs its inhabitants of their power, harvesting magic from every source. Her goal? To defeat the Winds of the North and conquer the land of men. With only four more young wizards from which to draw power, Hacatine nears her goal of supremacy.

Silvio, Meneka, Kaempie and Reuben flee in the dark of night to escape the witch queen. When fate leaves the youngest of the wizards, Silvio, alone, and as a decoy, he has to either outrun the queen, or out-smart her.

Without giving you too many spoilers, Silvio ends up gaining much wisdom, though he pays a painful price. He is a crucial character in both The Diary of a Conjurer (book 4), and Cassandra's Castle (book 5). Some of my beta readers tell me he is their favorite character.


What lies ahead on the release schedule for both the series and the short stories?

The Four Wizard short stories will come out one by one as eBooks once a month until February. The Dragon Shield is scheduled to be released mid-February. We're talking about releasing Rubies and Robbers in possibly April. Sometime between the two novels we'll be releasing an anthology of the Tale of the Four Wizards for print. The Diary of a Conjurer and Cassandra's Castle are still waiting release dates.


What are the primary differences or challenges that you find in writing a novel versus a short story?

Actually I didn't think, after having written five novels that I'd be able to write a short story. But now that I have, I found it's really fun! Novels are of course harder and more time consuming. Outlining and character arcing are crucial but they also remind me of putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle. Only you not only get to piece them together, but you get to build the pieces.

Short stories are a step past the outline. Voice is really important in a short story. You character has to have character from the very beginning.

Is there anything you’ve discovered as a result of doing short stories associated with the novels? Have they lead to a broader development of your worlds?

Most definitely. They've helped me to understand the Realm better, and to realize how people's habits and cultures form simply through their beliefs systems. Knowing the origin of their cultures, I can better understand the conflicts and tensions that are rumbling under the surface.


You have created short stories based in your worlds, so what are your thoughts of basing other full series of novels in your worlds?

I know I'll be writing more novels and more short stories about the Realm. A short story can tell a lot about individuals as well as cultures and there are some individuals that have emerged that need their stories told. I think taking these kind of details and elaborating on them really enriches the series. I'm discovering things I didn't know! As far as novels go, we haven't seen the last. There are lands unexplored, and people needing to grow up. And even after five novels, there is still a conflict that has yet to be resolved.


Give us some links where readers can find your work and connect with you.

I want to first introduce everyone to my blog. I do progress reports of both my writing and illustrating. I do research reports with photos I've done a page on the filming of the trailer, how to build a yurt, I've introduced the models I use for the illustrations, and any other colorful thing I can think to put on there. Plus I keep my followers up to date on launch dates, book signings, tours and interviews. So if you want to know what's going on in the Realm, that's the grand central station!

Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Amazon Author Page

Goodreads

Deception Peak Paperback

Deception Peak Kindle

Sylvio Kindle

SSP Feel the Fire Contest Begins!

Welcome to Seventh Star Press' Feel the Fire Contest!  Easy to enter, easy to get a lot of entries, and you can win a Kindle Fire, Amazon.com gift cards/certificates, signed books, eBook bundles and much more!

Here are the parameters of this contest.   All eBook, book, poster art, and art card prizes relating to Seventh Star Press authors directly, as well as the Kindle Fire, and the Amazon.com gift cards will be fulfilled by Seventh Star Press .  eBooks from non-SSP authors featured in the bundles of the first three prizes (Grand Prize and prizes #2 and #3) will be fulfilled by the authors themselves.  These authors assume all responsibility for fulfillment and delivery of their titles to the prize winners. They have been asked to deliver their eBooks in the week following the close of the contest at midnight on September 19th.

Grand Prize limited to US/Canadian residents only. Prizes #2-15 eligible for international entries.

Also, this promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability.

This contest uses the RaffleCopter system where you can earn extra entries merely by liking the Facebook pages or following the Twitter accounts of various authors and some bloggers.  We encourage you to get as many entries as possible and discover from wonderful new authors in the process!

And now for a description of the available prizes:

Grand Prize:  Kindle Fire, plus 10 SSP eBooks of your choice (choose from any title in our catalog from authors Jackie Gamber, Michael West, Stephen Zimmer, H. David Blalock, D.A. Adams, R.J. Sullivan, and Steven Shrewsbury), as well as eBook bundle from participating non-SSP authors, including titles from Apex Book Company, Hydra Publications, Blackwyrm Publishing, LocoNeal Publishing, and more! (total of 29 eBooks, 10 from SSP and 19 in non-SSP bundle)

Participating Authors and Titles (other than SSP):  Total of 19 eBooks in this bundle.

J.H. Glaze: 5 pack including The Spirit Box, Northwest, Forced Intelligence, and The Horror Challenge Volumes I and II.

James R. Tuck: Hired Gun:The Culvert City Crime Files and That Things at the Zoo: Deacon Chalk e-novella 1

Rachel Hunter: Empyreal Fate

Dianne Gardner: Deception Peak

Gwen Perkins: The Universal Mirror

Sara Harvey: Penemue Trilogy  (The Convent of the Pure, The Labyrinth of the Dead, The Tower of the Forgotten)

J.M. McDermott: Last Dragon

Georgia L. Jones: Legends of Darkness

Christopher Kokoski: Dark Halo

Sheila Deeth: Divide by Zero

Ren Garcia: Sands of the Solar Empire

Aaron Drown: Path of An Arrow

Prize # 2: $25 Amazon.com gift card/certificate, plus 5 eBooks of your choice from the SSP catalog, and full bundle of non-SSP authors (as described in Grand Prize).  Total of 24 eBooks in this prize package.

Prize #3:  $25 Amazon.com gift card/certificate, plus 5 eBooks of your choice from the SSP catalog, and full bundle of non-SSP authors (as described in Grand Prize).  Total of 24 eBooks in this prize package.

Prize #4:  Your choice of 1 limited edition hardcover version from the following titles: Poseidon's Children or Cinema of Shadows.  Signed and numbered by author.

Prize #5: Your choice of 1 limited edition hardcover version from the following titles: Redheart, Overkill, or The Fall of Dorkhun.  Signed and numbered by author.

Prize #6: Your choice of 1 limited edition hardcover version from the following titles: Angelkiller or Haunting Obsession.  Signed and numbered by author.

Prize#7:  Softcover of your choice from SSP Catalog

Prize#8:  Softcover of your choice from SSP Catalog

Prize#9:  Softcover of your choice from SSP Catalog

Prize#10:  Poster Art from Matthew Perry and Bonnie Wasson:  includes the  "Kissing Image" from Poseidon's Children, and the "Elf Woman" from The Fall of Dorkhun.  Posters are 14X20 and sent in cardboard tube.

Prize#11:  7 eBooks of your choice from SSP Catalog

Prize#12:  7 eBooks of your choice from SSP Catalog

Prize#13:  7 eBooks of your choice from SSP Catalog

Prize#14:  Sets of 5X7 art cards from Poseidon's Children, Angelkiller, Overkill, Redheart, and The Fall of Dorkhun plus 2 SSP eBooks of your choice from the SSP catalog .

Prize#15:  Sets of 5X7 art cards from Poseidon's Children, Angelkiller, Overkill, Redheart, and The Fall of Dorkhun plus 2 SSP eBooks of your choice from the SSP catalog.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The War Has Begun: Amazon vs. B&N

The War Has Begun
by Frank Hall

The War has begun!

Barnes and Noble drew a line in the sand, and an all-out war came into being. They decided that they would not carry Amazon's publishing house titles. This proclamation was felt at the headquarters of Amazon.com.

The building shook with the power of this decision.......actually it was just the people on the top floor falling out of their chairs and laughing their collective asses off at the stupidity of Barnes and Noble and the other Independent stores that followed their lead.

This is how I see it.

Amazon: We have a publishing house. We are going to not only sell books, but make them too.
B&N: WHAT!!!!! You can't do that! We wont stand for that!
Amazon: .....
B&N: We will not carry your books from your press in our store. If any of our customers want that book, they will need to get it from you.
Amazon: ....OK!

Seriously, does B&N not realize that by refusing to stock books from them they are only going to make their customers go to Amazon.com to buy the book? And hey, while they are there, why not just buy that other book they were wanting? Heck, who needs to go to B&N anyway, especially since they are not going to have the book I want?

And what is up with these small independent bookstores following along this line of stupidity. They are always complaining about losing customers, and here they are REFUSING to carry books.

Hell that is what they are there for. TO CARRY BOOKS!!!!!!

You can damn well believe that if I owned an independent bookstore and my competition said they would not be carrying a line of books, i would have all sorts of advertizing going.

Hey, come here! We have the books that you are looking for...unlike them -->

Hey wait! I DO own an independent bookstore. I also own a small press. So does that mean that B&N is not going to stock my books. Oh..wait...I am a small press that uses a POD to print my titles. I am just starting out, and have only a few titles out. They are not going to stock my books anyway. Yet on Amazon, several of them have several 5 star reviews....and ONLY 5 star reviews. Amazon sells my books. They have no problem with me owning a bookstore also.

This "WAR" that B&N is trying to create is only going to hurt them and strengthen Amazon.

~Frank Hall


Owner of That Book Place and Hydra Publications

Visit the sites for That Book Place and Hydra Publications:

www.thatbookplace.com
www.hydrapublications.com

An Emerging Issue With Online Book Ratings: The No-Review Review, and Non-Book Related Rating

An Emerging Issue With Online Book Ratings: The No-Review Review, and Non-Book Related Rating
by Frank Hall

There is an increasing problem that needs to be dealt with soon. Unfortunately, I am not sure what to do about it. It's been happening for years, but now that ebooks are really coming into the fold, it's becoming more and more of a problem.

Stephen King's newest book just came out. Now, this is Stephen King I am using as an example, so I know that he is not going to be hurt by bad reviews. As of right now there are 10 reviews that are 1 star reviews on Amazon. Of those, 9 are just complaining about the price of the ebook.

We license people to drive cars. If you don’t have a license, you can't drive a car. We do this because if you can't drive, you can hurt yourself or others. Maybe we need to license people to use the internet. Now this has been a running joke for a while, but I think it is something that might need to be done. Maybe not a license for the entire internet, but maybe websites like amazon should put a hold on people's accounts like most forums do. For the first 6 months, everything you post will be reviewed before it is actually posted.

Like I said, Stephen King is not going to get hurt by a bad review. But what about all of the indie authors out there that only get a small amount of reviews? What about someone who is not reviewing the book, but making a comment about how Amazon took three days instead of two to ship them their book, or the fact that the Publisher has set the ebook price at 8.99, and that is way too much to pay for an ebook. A single bad review wont kill someone like getting behind the wheel of a car might, but it will damage an indie author's sales and their ability to make a living.

The world has gone digital. We are a digital society, and we need to start putting common sense, and at least some guidelines in place in cyberspace, like we would in real life. Like I said, I am not sure what the solution is, but we need to work on finding one.

UPDATE (as I finished this blog post): There are now 14 reviews of Stephen King's book, 3 of which have actual reviews of the book.

--Frank Hall
Owner of That Book Place and Hydra Publications


Visit the sites for That Book Place and Hydra Publications:

www.thatbookplace.com
www.hydrapublications.com

A Look at Small Press Publishing in Hydra's First Year

A Look at Small Press Publishing in Hydra's First Year
by Frank Hall (Publisher, Hydra Publications, and owner of That Book Place in Madison, IN)

Over the years my family of antique dealers acquired a large number of books. After I left college I decided I would try selling them online. A little over five years ago, my girlfriend at the time, now my wife, and I decided to open a used bookstore. Last year we decided to step it up again and add a small press to the mix. Thus Hydra Publications was born.

The past year has definitely been interesting. Borders has come crashing down, e-book sales have gone wild, authors have had to boycott their own publisher when they stopped sending royalty checks. There is no doubt about it: the publishing world is in flux.

I see a lot of change coming, some voluntary, some not so much. The big houses are so entrenched in their ways it is hard for them to change. That is why this is a perfect time for Small Presses to take over. We are more willing to adapt to change. We are more willing to take a risk.

The glory of having your book published is a wonderful feeling. I see the look in authors when they are at their first signing, or when they see the copy of their book for the first time on the shelves of a store. At a store like mine, we have the advantage of being able to display local authors, or ones from a local small press. If you are lucky enough to get your title in big chain store you will be fighting for space with tens of thousands of other titles. Is that worth it? The odds of someone finding your book is pretty low. Indie bookstores are where you should be focusing. You will get more exposure there than in a chain.

That is where publishers need to focus. That and online. As a bookstore owner I really hate Amazon. As a small press owner I love Amazon. Anyone, anywhere in the world, can get your book from Amazon. It is the best venue for small presses.

We as small presses need to work on honing our online marketing skills. Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook will lead to more sales in the long run then anything else we will be able to do. Through our own marketing efforts and working with our authors to make them marketing experts online, sales can only increase.

As much as it pains me as a bookseller, ebooks are the future for a publishing house. They are outselling print books around 3 to 1 currently. This doesn’t mean that physical books are going away. Sales have been steady for them. It just means that more then ever, more books are being sold, a majority of them ebooks. That is a good thing.

More people are writing, more books are selling, and more people are reading. So the outlook is good in my opinion for small presses and for indie bookstores.




Want to try out some Hydra Publication books? Here are a few to look at:









Or a Hydra eBook!