At #Continuum16, #c16Reboot the Australian science fiction writers con, and the main, constant lament seems to be that it's so difficult to get any traction as a new author, either through small press or self publishing. There are so many books!
It's definitely a problem, and not just for new authors. One of my oldest friends has over 30 books out (disclosure: a few of which I've proofed and/or edited) and has gone from niche publishers (TSR/WOTC) to self-pub and now trying small press again. They're currently very much surviving on Patreon support and an occasional RPG book sale.
(Sidenote: Loving 'Cruel Provocations'! Will say more later - only six chapters in but it's got its hooks - or possibly threads - in me. 😉)
@NaraMoore
When words come together as a team,
A hyphen's the seam that holds the theme.
A dash is long, a hyphen's small,
But in a compound word, it stands tall.
In theory... photography while walking and hiking without my camera.
My cellphone is so good, I've stopped taking out my DSLR at all. It's not an excuse. 😋 Forgetting to take the photos because you're caught up in the moment, however, is a good one. 😢
Anyone who follows my timeline knows I'm deep into underground Japanese Idols. Neck deep or deeper. Shows, livestreams, Cheki (small polaroid-type photos), bromides (larger photos), autographs, you name it.
I also do rough camping and hunt ghosts. I know some folks think I'm batty but I've had a couple of encounters with them.
The fourth chapter of Stardust: Labyrinth is out! After the minor setback in the third chapter, the group ventures deeper into the eponymous labyrinth, and the sheer scale of the complex becomes apparent...
#wordweavers#Writing 16. If your characters were in a museum, how would they act?
Collections of wonders in 1700 did not usually have labels or placards explaining things, so Franz-Karl asks lots of questions and gets into long conversations with the custodians. Fritzel joins in.
(In a modern museum, Franz-Karl would be like me and my brother and annoy the rest of the party by reading ALL the information provided. Audio-tour headsets would be Heaven, but he would still read EVERYTHING.)
Alice Munro's death was announced yesterday. Her self-described "second oldest remaining friend and colleague," fellow Canadian author Margaret Atwood, has written this tribute to her on her Substack, In the Writing Burrow. It's meant for paying subscribers, but a substantial portion is free to read.
"Alice could be quite mischievous, and not only in her writing. Both of us had dark curly hair at one time. We were about the same height.
"Alice: I was standing on a train platform and a man came up to me and said, ‘You’re Margaret Atwood!' 'Yes,' I said, 'I am.' Then we had quite an interesting conversation about your working methods and where you get your inspiration.
"Turn and turn about: After we both had white hair, and after Alice had won the Nobel, people would come up to me and murmur, 'Congratulations.' 'For what?' I would say. 'You know. Winning that prize.' After a while I stopped trying to explain, and just murmured back, modestly, 'Thank you.' Though the Thank Yous were really for Alice."