Welcome to the SPARREW Newsletter!
The newsletter for Self-Publishers, Authors, Readers, Reviewers, Editors and Writers!
This month’s writing challenge clashed with another challenge I wanted to try to accomplish: Write 10,000 words in one day. I have been writing for a very long time, and for a majority of that time, I didn’t keep strict tabs on how many words I wrote in a day. My priority was and still is more about writing what needed to be written for the day. Even so, I was wondering if it was possible for me to write 10K words in a day.
This month’s KU book was a great opportunity to see if I could get there, because the book I was writing had 30 chapters! That’s a good chance of fitting in 10K words right there. But the most I got was a little over 5K words in one day, and even then, it was like I was writing all day long. That’s a little inconvenient for a busy mom like me, and it would be inconvenient for writers who also have full-time jobs and families to tend to.
It's a nice challenge to work towards, all the same. I will keep trying to get to 10K words in a day, just to see if I can! When you’re a writer, it’s not just your creativity you get to put to the test, but also just how much writing you can get done.
Happy writing!
Posts to Check Out:
Dawn Colclasure's Blog: "Got an idea? New book, THE IDEA WORKBOOK, offers tipson what to do with it"
It Got Cut: “Just the Facts”
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I welcome submissions from subscribers!
Are you a booklover who wants to have your book blog featured?
Are you a writer with news?
Are you an author looking for reviewers of your latest book?
Are you a book reviewer whose review just went live?
Are you a self-publisher with a new release?
Are you an editor who wants to share your thoughts on editing, complete with a bio advertising your business?
Please feel free to submit any of these notes to me at DMCWriter@gmail.com for the next issue of the newsletter!
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SELF-PUBLISHER CORNER
My March KU ebook, THE IDEA WORKBOOK: How to Choose and Use Your Ideas, is OUT NOW and it is LIVE on Amazon!
The world as we know it would not exist without ideas. Ideas are the building blocks of the future. From the moment someone is inspired to create something that would benefit humankind to the moment their idea is turned into reality, the steps we take on whether or not to grab hold of that idea all depend on you. It is up to you to pay attention to your ideas, grab hold of them, and do everything you can to make your idea come true. Believe in your ideas and what they can do. Your next big idea can be your next step toward building a better world.
Available as a free download on Kindle Unlimited. Print edition coming soon. Check it out here
Coming Soon!
April is National Poetry Month! That means it’s time for a poetry-related ebook – in this case, a book of quotes on poets and poetry! Or, rather, 101 Quotes on Poets and Poetry, which will be available in April on Kindle Unlimited.
News in Self-Publishing
"Fantasy Author Raises $15.4 Million in 24 Hours to Self-Publish" by Elizabeth A. Harris
"Annabel Wright on how self-publishing could empower women in business" by Annabel Wright
via Creative Boom
"Five Misconceptions About Self-Publishing (Your Own Unauthorized Sequel to Walden)"
by Adam Dietz
via McSweeney's
"This Is What It’s Like As A Self-Published Author" by Rachel Thompson
via Medium
AUTHOR CORNER
Author Interview with Christopher Stires
1. When did you start writing?
I began reading stories at an early age and I quickly decided that I wanted to be a storyteller, too. I loved the idea that people would read a tale that I created and, hopefully, get the same thrill I got from reading others’ stories and novels. So, there I was – writing stories on three-hole notebook paper with pencil. In 1997, I saw my first short story in print. It was a small press magazine that couldn’t afford to pay its writers even in a single copy of the issue. Oh, well, so be it. I was a printed writer. Now I have had more than 70 short stories and articles that have appeared in publications in the United States, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Greece, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
2. What was your journey towards becoming an author like?
I read and read more. When I was in fifth or sixth grade school, I started reading the Hardy Boys adventures. Read all 50 (at that time) in the series. In junior high, I was into Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey. Then I read The Carpetbaggers by Harold Robbins. I bought the book at a swap meet because I knew one section of the novel had become a Steve McQueen western movie. Boy, did that change some of the books I read. Still remember a visiting aunt saw the book laying out and asked my mother if she allowed me to read that kind of stuff. Mom had no clue, and I didn’t tell.
There were no creative-writing classes in high school, so I took journalism classes. In college, I took creative-writing courses. My work was routinely shredded big-time in class review. But I listened and learned. After college, I took some night novel-writing classes. I learned more and I liked being around others who wanted to write.
In 2003, The Inheritance was accepted for print by Zumaya Publications. I think it was my fourth or fifth completed novel. The earlier ones are in a box in the garage rafters and will never see daylight again. At that time, I was a big Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Robert McCammon fan. The Inheritance and my next two printed novels – Dark Legend and Starbeast – were horror novels.
Then I started writing alternative-history (Rebel Nation) and fantasy-adventure (Paladin’s Journey).
3. What can you tell me about your latest book?
Desire and Witchery is the third novel in my Thurian Chronicles series. They do not need to be read in order. They all take place in the same medieval time period and in the same kingdom.
Along with my usual hard-boiled and fantasy reading, I had discovered the novels of Karen Robards, Monica McCarty, Elizabeth Hoyt, Julia Quinn, and Pamela Clare. I had this idea -- that would not fade away as so many others had -- for a historical romance.
D&W is a little different from the other two. It is only one story and is the only one told in first-person. The narrator is a primary character than I’d ever written before. To explain, below is the back-cover description:
I am witch’s animal companion, known as familiar by those with sorcery knowledge. I am in the legendary appearance of a male black cat. One can believe my words or not. I shall admit that I lie when it is convenient.
Milady Londyn is not witch nor sorceress. Never has been. She is human mortal and has no wizardry skills or aspirations. And she does not know about my true nature despite our time together. My mistress is a stunning, golden-haired beauty who had lived a most privileged life as the daughter of the most powerful lord in the kingdom’s northern realm.
Then her father led a rebellion against the king. And failed. Now Milady is hunted as traitor with bounty upon her. I vow to protect her from all who wish her harm. Alas, I may not be able to shield her from her own desires when the Captain comes into our lives.
4. What sort of methods do you use for book promotion?
I do wish when the novel was done, my part was done. It’s not. Publishing houses only have a certain limited advertising budget. I promote my novels on my Facebook page, Goodreads, and my writer’s homepage. On a few occasions, I have offered my novels as prizes on other sites. I also co-host (most times) a biweekly podcast about movie screenwriting.
5. Where do you get your ideas for stories?
Everywhere. The news, crazy family stories, a memory of something long in my past, a minor event I witness, a dream, song lyrics, a single line from a book. Often when watching a movie or television series I wonder what if the reverse had happened in that tale.
6. What are you working on right now?
While doing research and taking notes for the storylines of two future novels, I am currently working on a screenplay. Writing for the screen is completely different from stories and novels. New rules of structure. All must be visual with no inner thoughts or observations from a character. Of course, I’m taking a Zoom class on screenwriting. I so enjoy being around other writers again. One of my previous screenplays made the quarterfinals in a major screenwriting competition. Alas, it went no further but inspired me to write another.
7. Any advice for other authors?
I’ll quote Stephen King:
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot ... There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.”
You must write every day. Even if it’s for a brief period and you just write a single word or sentence.
About Christopher Stires: "I have written eight published novels and have had over 70 short stories and articles appear in print and web publications in the United States, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. My latest novel is Desire and Witchery released by Deep Desires Press."
REVIEWER CORNER
New Reviews
Points North: Discover Hidden Campgrounds, Natural Wonders, and Waterways of the Upper Peninsula at The New Book Review
Review: A Family of Strangers by Fiona Lowe at Book'd Out
Book Review: The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd (ARC) at Book, Blog & Candle
The Curfew by T.M. Logan at Books With Raven
Reviews: Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May, The Love Connection by Denise Williams at Du Livre
What I'm Reviewing Now:
Whispers From the Past: Vendetta (Book Three of The Actor's Guild Paranormal Mystery Series) by Charlotte Holley
I’d love to have my latest book, THE IDEA WORKBOOK: How to Choose and Use Your Ideas, reviewed. Please contact me at DMCWriter@gmail.com if interested.
News in Book Reviewing:
"18 Common Things In Book Reviews That Readers Are Sick Of Seeing" by Kelly Martinez
via BuzzFeed
READER CORNER
New Books:
Accidentally Perfect (The Hideaway Harbor)
By Marissa Clarke
Genre: Romance
Burning Questions: Essays and Occasional Pieces, 2004 to 2021
By Margaret Atwood
Category: Literary Collections
By Elaine Hsieh Chou
Genre: Literary Fiction
By Alicia Keys and Andrew Weiner
Genre: YA Graphic Novel
by Jill Gutowitz
Category: Biography/Autobiography, LGBT
Letter to a Stranger: Essays to the Ones Who Haunt Us
Edited by Colleen Kinder
Genre: Fiction/Travel/Biography & Memoir
By Kellye Garrett
Genre: Mystery
By Liz Scheier
Category: Biography & Memoir
By Rebecca Serle
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now
By Jeff Yang, Phil Yu, and Philip Wang
Category: Arts
The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America's Bird
By Jack Emerson Davis
Category: History/Animals/Nature
By Natasha Preston
Genre: Teen & YA Adult Fiction, Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure
The Other Dr. Gilmer: Two Men, a Murder, and an Unlikely Fight for Justice
By Benjamin Gilmer
Category: Biography & Memoir
By Jennifer E. Smith
Genre: Contemporary Romance
By Eloghosa Osunde
Genre: Fairy Tale/Urban Fiction/LGBT
News in Books:
"After Callouts for Ableist Tropes & Language, Author Thankfully Delays Book Release" by Alyssa Shotwell
via The Mary Sue
“The Many Uses (and Abuses) of Shame” by Jennifer Szalai
“Dutch Publisher of ‘The Betrayal of Anne Frank’ Halts Publication” by Nina
Siegal
"Readers and Writers: St. Paul author’s book about transgender P.I. is focus of ‘Day of Visibility’ program' by Mary Ann Grossmann
"10 women writers currently KILLING it in the YA fantasy genre" by Isobel Pankhurst
via Fansided
WRITER CORNER
News for Writers:
"The Writer’s Desk: Prepare to Celebrate National Poetry Month" by Laura Moe
via My Edmonds News
"How a Marine Vet Helped 'This Is Us' Writers Understand War" by JAMES LAPORTA
via Military.com
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New from Gypsy Shadow Publishing!
The Bella Lakeside Ghost
By John Charles Unger
The burned-out, Oscar-Nominated actor Chase Derrick thinks he is getting away from it all but instead, walks right into it the day he enters the gorgeous B&B known as Bella Lakeside. His saving grace is meeting the gorgeous Jenna, someone he never expected to find on a small island in the Canadian Great Lakes. As he reads the thick old book given to him by his lovable British housekeeper Maggie, a story begins to unfold that explains why he is seeing and hearing horrible things, why he’s been drawn there, and why he is falling madly in love with this one-of-a-kind Pittsburgh girl.
Word Count: 58000
Now AVAILABLE
SMASHWORDS LINK
BARNES & NOBLE LINK
AMAZON LINK
Terror Times Three
By Stephen M. DeBock
Three tales testify to horror’s presence in varied venues of time and place.
NIGHT SWEATS: Geoff has covered over a horrible crime he committed as a youth. But sometimes the past just won’t stay buried. MAYA: An exotic Latin beauty brings her American lover back to her Mexican village to receive her family’s blessing. His welcome exceeds his expectations. But it includes something he never expected. SEED: When all the women in the pre-colonial village become pregnant overnight, the only explanation is that a witch lives among them. The village pastor, son of a witchfinder, is tasked to find her. Multiple accusations and executions follow. But when all the babies are born deformed on the same day, and die that same night, the panicked villagers demand an accounting for their pastor’s failures.
Word Count: 18,000 words
Now AVAILABLE
SMASHWORDS LINK
AMAZON LINK
Poison Ivy
By Violetta Antcliff
After Sally has lived in care for over twelve years, someone has come forward and says she would like to be Sally's foster mother, and Sally can’t be happier. It was the young and prettiest who got chosen as a rule. Sally has never been called pretty but she knows how to look after herself, that is until Ivy Webster comes into her life. Being told to go to her room whenever she has been disobedient is one thing, but a backhanded slap for no reason is another. Sally wants to run away, but there's no place to go... until a boy called Adam comes into her life.
Word Count: 10417
Now available on Smashwords
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Feature Article
Write Without Limits
By Dawn Colclasure
Some writers feel that they should only write one thing. Mysteries, commercial writing, horror novels or short stories. However, as a “writer of all trades,” I feel it is important for writers to flex their writing muscles, so to speak, and try writing other things which they do not normally write.
When we write only one thing, we are doing what we have always done. There’s no variety, no challenge and no new writing styles to explore. We keep churning out the same old kind of material day after day, and after a while, it will get old.
But when we take a break from writing the same old thing and try writing something different, it snaps our muse to attention. We get to exercise our creativity and see if we can even write a poem, a romance novel, a short story or even something like a play. It can be fun, challenging and even surprising to see just how far we can go with our writing ability and just how creative we can be.
Taking a break from writing the same thing can also give us a chance to see what it is like to write that particular thing. Writing something different than what we are used to writing can put us into a whole ‘nother state of mind and open doors to other methods of writing.
A writer should be able to write without any limitations on what they choose to write. When we write without limits on what we write, we are giving our brain something “new” and unexpected to work on. This will be a good mental exercise and it will sharpen our skill with words. We also stretch our creativity in a way we have not used it before, or for a long time.
Some writers may not be comfortable doing this. They may feel that writing something outside of what they normally write will mean it will take too much work to get a footing into that particular market or that they just aren’t very good at it. However, if you focus more on just writing something different for the pure educational value it can present to you, as well as just as a fun break from your normal writing routine, it could be a fun diversion to take part in every once in a while.
It may seem intimidating to try writing something you have never written before, but if you get an idea for such a thing to write, give it a try. See where it takes you. You just might surprise yourself with this experiment in writing.
It's really not a good idea to limit what you write or what you even try to write. Don’t dismiss an idea for something to write just because you don’t write that kind of thing; play around with that idea and see where it takes you. In fact, tear away the limitations you have on your writing and start writing without limits. You just may discover that you are actually good at writing something that you never tried writing before.
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Thanks for reading! See you next month!
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