I'm still having trouble believing that the oldest started the fourth grade last week. Even harder to believe is that the youngest (soon to be middle) started kindergarten. It seems like they didn't even have a summer vacation.
Next Saturday (the 21st) will be our baby shower. This also will mark our three month anniversary. It's hard to believe that we've been married for three months. It seems like we just said, "I do."
At the same time, however, tomorrow marks the start of the third trimester for our next little nerd, which means we still have 12 weeks until the due date. It seems like Rebecca has been pregnant for almost a year, and I'm sure it seems even more so to her...given how sick she has been through this whole pregnancy.
So, is time flying, or is it dragging? I really have no idea...
Friday, August 13, 2010
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Respect your editors and publishers
I've been working as an editor for more than a decade now, and there are some behaviors I've seen from writers that I consider disgusting. I'm not talking about not following guidelines, although that happens a lot. I've never edited anything that accepts horror, and yet I'm constantly inundated by it. I'm talking about things like sending nasty letters to an editor after they've rejected your work, trying to sell reprints as originals, slandering editors or publishers because they didn't want to accept your work, and anything else that might be similar.
It might seem hard to believe that writers can act this way, but they can, and believe me, they do! I used to comment on every piece I rejected, but at least once or twice a month I'd get a nasty e-mail back from a disgruntled author, and because of that, I rarely comment on author's work anymore, and that's a bad thing for authors. Feedback from an editor can be a real help to an aspiring writer, but because of a few childish people, fewer and fewer editors are giving feedback anymore.
In a sense, editors and publishers are something like a writer's employers and they should be treated as such. Most people aren't going to call their boss a jerk because their boss wasn't happy with their performance, but since the internet isn't face to face, people seem to have a lot more courage to act like fools.
One thing that writers don't seem to realize is that editors talk to one another, and if someone is misbehaving, there's a good chance that other editors will find out. If your work is rejected, and you're not happy with the rejection, then feel free to write a nasty rant to the publisher...but DON'T SEND IT!!!
Never try to sell first rights to a story that has already been published. It's simply a form of dishonesty, and no one likes dishonest people, plus when you get caught, a lot of other editors will find out, and it could end your career.
And whatever you do, don't go around posting nasty things about editors or publishers because they've rejected your work. You look foolish when you do it, and there's a good chance that other publishers and editors will read your rants, and they'll be much less likely to want to work with you...
It might seem hard to believe that writers can act this way, but they can, and believe me, they do! I used to comment on every piece I rejected, but at least once or twice a month I'd get a nasty e-mail back from a disgruntled author, and because of that, I rarely comment on author's work anymore, and that's a bad thing for authors. Feedback from an editor can be a real help to an aspiring writer, but because of a few childish people, fewer and fewer editors are giving feedback anymore.
In a sense, editors and publishers are something like a writer's employers and they should be treated as such. Most people aren't going to call their boss a jerk because their boss wasn't happy with their performance, but since the internet isn't face to face, people seem to have a lot more courage to act like fools.
One thing that writers don't seem to realize is that editors talk to one another, and if someone is misbehaving, there's a good chance that other editors will find out. If your work is rejected, and you're not happy with the rejection, then feel free to write a nasty rant to the publisher...but DON'T SEND IT!!!
Never try to sell first rights to a story that has already been published. It's simply a form of dishonesty, and no one likes dishonest people, plus when you get caught, a lot of other editors will find out, and it could end your career.
And whatever you do, don't go around posting nasty things about editors or publishers because they've rejected your work. You look foolish when you do it, and there's a good chance that other publishers and editors will read your rants, and they'll be much less likely to want to work with you...
Thursday, August 05, 2010
The Genre Mall
As many of you may know, I run an on-line "store" for small press genre titles. The site is called The Genre Mall and it has been around for quite a few years.
Traffic and sales have been increasing at the site, and I'm working on ways to try to maximize this. The most obvious reason for doing this is that I've been looking for a "real" job for a while, and haven't had any luck, so we need any extra income we can get.
We're using three different approaches to try to increase income from The Genre Mall. The first, and most obvious, is that we've added donation buttons to a number of the pages. I've heard mixed reviews on taking donations from a wide variety of genre sites, so we'll see how this goes.
The second thing we're doing is contacting the publishers that have been with us for a while that we haven't had any recent updates from. We're hoping that they'll decide to stay with The Genre Mall, and that they'll have a lot of new titles to add.
The third thing we'll be doing is making a big push to sign up some more publishers.
All of this is a lot of work, and it really needs to pay off, or we may be forced to pull the plug because I can't invest a lot of time in something that doesn't pay off if I should happen to find a real job.
If all of this does pay off, then I'm hoping to make some changes to the site...mostly cleaning it up, and if it pays off big enough than I'm planning on setting up some kind of store front, because the current site is just too clunky right now, and I haven't been happy with it for quite some time...
Traffic and sales have been increasing at the site, and I'm working on ways to try to maximize this. The most obvious reason for doing this is that I've been looking for a "real" job for a while, and haven't had any luck, so we need any extra income we can get.
We're using three different approaches to try to increase income from The Genre Mall. The first, and most obvious, is that we've added donation buttons to a number of the pages. I've heard mixed reviews on taking donations from a wide variety of genre sites, so we'll see how this goes.
The second thing we're doing is contacting the publishers that have been with us for a while that we haven't had any recent updates from. We're hoping that they'll decide to stay with The Genre Mall, and that they'll have a lot of new titles to add.
The third thing we'll be doing is making a big push to sign up some more publishers.
All of this is a lot of work, and it really needs to pay off, or we may be forced to pull the plug because I can't invest a lot of time in something that doesn't pay off if I should happen to find a real job.
If all of this does pay off, then I'm hoping to make some changes to the site...mostly cleaning it up, and if it pays off big enough than I'm planning on setting up some kind of store front, because the current site is just too clunky right now, and I haven't been happy with it for quite some time...
Monday, August 02, 2010
A busy few weeks ahead of us
The next few weeks are going to be quite crazy around here. In addition to Rebecca working her usual hours, and me trying to find a job at the same time that I'm writing, editing, and doing game design, we have a lot of other things on our calendar.
Tuesday we're taking a tour of the hospital where the baby is going to be born. Immediately after that, we're going to back to school night at the girls' school. On Wednesday the oldest starts the 4th grade, and then the next Wednesday, the youngest starts Kindergarten (Where does the time go?)
At Rebecca's work, they're getting ready to do inventory, which means there's a lot for her to do, and she may even pick up a few extra hours if she can handle it. We certainly need the money, but I'm worried about her pushing herself to hard. Their official inventory date is the 19th. The day after that, we have a doctor's appointment, and this is for the glucose test, which I know any woman who has ever had a baby knows exactly what I'm talking about. Then on the 21st, we have a baby shower that one of Rebecca's friends has put together for her.
So, it will be a crazy few weeks...let's hope we make it through with whatever is left of our sanity...
Tuesday we're taking a tour of the hospital where the baby is going to be born. Immediately after that, we're going to back to school night at the girls' school. On Wednesday the oldest starts the 4th grade, and then the next Wednesday, the youngest starts Kindergarten (Where does the time go?)
At Rebecca's work, they're getting ready to do inventory, which means there's a lot for her to do, and she may even pick up a few extra hours if she can handle it. We certainly need the money, but I'm worried about her pushing herself to hard. Their official inventory date is the 19th. The day after that, we have a doctor's appointment, and this is for the glucose test, which I know any woman who has ever had a baby knows exactly what I'm talking about. Then on the 21st, we have a baby shower that one of Rebecca's friends has put together for her.
So, it will be a crazy few weeks...let's hope we make it through with whatever is left of our sanity...
Sunday, August 01, 2010
A July recap
Since I seem to be blogging so much more than I used to, I figured I'd start doing recaps...just in case someone might have missed something important............
Seedlings Makes a Bestsellers List
It's About Time
Independence Day
Our Plans for the Day
An e-book Sale
Do you have a Sony e-reader?
Exhaustion creeps in
Writing short fiction again
Christmas in July
Got Nook?
Another Dr.'s appointment
A question for writers
Wedding pictures
The story is done
Seedlings Makes a Bestsellers List
It's About Time
Independence Day
Our Plans for the Day
An e-book Sale
Do you have a Sony e-reader?
Exhaustion creeps in
Writing short fiction again
Christmas in July
Got Nook?
Another Dr.'s appointment
A question for writers
Wedding pictures
The story is done
Saturday, July 31, 2010
The story is done
I finished the YA SF story I've been working on and sent it off to a potential market. This is the first story I've finished in a couple of years, since most of my focus has been on finishing two novels, and writing material for the Ephemeris RPG, and I think it shows a little of the rust...but what do I know? I've always been my harshest critic. I guess we'll know what the publisher thinks in a couple of months.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wedding Pictures
I've posted quite a few pictures from our wedding on my Facebook page. If you're interested, you can check them out at http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=188377&id=684032160
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
A question for writers
I know there are quite a few writers that read this blog, so I wanted to ask you what your opinion on e-book publishers are. I'm not asking for recommendations, but rather I want to know what people think about having their books released solely as e-books.
I know that I like the idea of having an actual print book, but then I'm a little old fashioned. I still do all of my revisions on paper. As a writer, how many of you would be willing to sell your work to a publisher that only does e-books?
I know that I like the idea of having an actual print book, but then I'm a little old fashioned. I still do all of my revisions on paper. As a writer, how many of you would be willing to sell your work to a publisher that only does e-books?
Another Dr.'s appointment
We had another Dr.'s appointment today. Everything is progressing well with the baby so far. Rebecca grew more than expected, but actually lost a couple of pounds, so they're going to give her something stronger to fight the heartburn she's been having. Overall, things still look really good, and we're heading for that Nov. 6th due date.
Speaking of due dates, don't forget about our baby game that we're hosting...
http://jalanerwine.blogspot.com/2010/06/baby-game.html
Speaking of due dates, don't forget about our baby game that we're hosting...
http://jalanerwine.blogspot.com/2010/06/baby-game.html
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Got nook?
If you're fortunate enough to have one of Barnes & Noble's Nooks, you can now purchase two of my titles for it...and the third, Seedlings on the Solar Winds should be available soon.
For now, you can order:
The Opium of the People: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/e/2940011061851
Marionettes on the Moon, and other stories: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/e/2940011056727
For now, you can order:
The Opium of the People: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/e/2940011061851
Marionettes on the Moon, and other stories: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/e/2940011056727
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Christmas in July
A couple of sales involving some of my stuff that you might be interested in checking out, but these sales only last through Monday...
You can get 25% off any of the Ephemeris products by going to http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/dt_xmas_in_july.php?manufacturers_id=2805#selectpub
Or, you can get the top 20 selling Seedlings on the Solar Winds for 25% off by going to http://scifi.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=65440
You can get 25% off any of the Ephemeris products by going to http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/dt_xmas_in_july.php?manufacturers_id=2805#selectpub
Or, you can get the top 20 selling Seedlings on the Solar Winds for 25% off by going to http://scifi.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=65440
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Writing short fiction again
Over the last couple of years I haven't written any short fiction. My focus instead has been on the two novels that I recently finished and writing material for the Ephemeris RPG. As all of that is very time consuming, I haven't had the time to write short fiction.
Tonight, however, I finished the rough draft of a new short story, and surprisingly, it's a YA science fiction piece (kind of a departure for me). I still have a lot of revisions to do on the story, as my short story skills are a bit rusty, but it feels good to be writing in the short form again, and hopefully I'll have something ready to submit in the next week or two.
Tonight, however, I finished the rough draft of a new short story, and surprisingly, it's a YA science fiction piece (kind of a departure for me). I still have a lot of revisions to do on the story, as my short story skills are a bit rusty, but it feels good to be writing in the short form again, and hopefully I'll have something ready to submit in the next week or two.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Exhaustion creeps in
I haven't been sleeping much of late. There's just so much going on, and I seem to be having trouble keeping up with it. Rebecca is still not feeling good, so I basically don't let her help around the house anymore...and since she feels so bad, she let's me get my way (this time). That leaves just about everything to me, although the kids do help some, but unfortunately it can be more work getting them to do what needs to be done than it would be if I just did it myself.
In addition, the oldest starts 4th grade in two and a half weeks, and the youngest (soon to be middle) starts kindergarten in three and a half weeks, so we've had to get them new clothes and get all of their school supplies. Add to all of this the fact that I'm STILL trying to find a "real" job, while still trying to write, edit, and work on new products for Ephemeris, and it all starts to wear on me.
I'm not complaining, not in the least. I wouldn't trade my family for anything, but I wouldn't mind a day where all I had to do was lay around and read...that would be SO nice...and I can't remember the last time it happened.
With all of this stress, plus the severe financial stress we find ourselves in, things are just weighing on me, and it's cutting into my sleep...plus it's been pretty damn hot, and I don't like the heat!
Just so you don't think I'm doing nothing but bitching, a lot of good things have been happening. All of our baby check-ups have gone really well, which is the best news in the world. I've also started writing short fiction again, which I'm very excited about.
E-book versions of my works have also been doing pretty well. Seedlings on the Solar Winds is still in the top 20 at DriveThruSciFi, and several of my titles are now available at Smashwords...with a couple of them on sale for the rest of July.
So, think of this not as a vent, but an update...yeah, that's what it was...
In addition, the oldest starts 4th grade in two and a half weeks, and the youngest (soon to be middle) starts kindergarten in three and a half weeks, so we've had to get them new clothes and get all of their school supplies. Add to all of this the fact that I'm STILL trying to find a "real" job, while still trying to write, edit, and work on new products for Ephemeris, and it all starts to wear on me.
I'm not complaining, not in the least. I wouldn't trade my family for anything, but I wouldn't mind a day where all I had to do was lay around and read...that would be SO nice...and I can't remember the last time it happened.
With all of this stress, plus the severe financial stress we find ourselves in, things are just weighing on me, and it's cutting into my sleep...plus it's been pretty damn hot, and I don't like the heat!
Just so you don't think I'm doing nothing but bitching, a lot of good things have been happening. All of our baby check-ups have gone really well, which is the best news in the world. I've also started writing short fiction again, which I'm very excited about.
E-book versions of my works have also been doing pretty well. Seedlings on the Solar Winds is still in the top 20 at DriveThruSciFi, and several of my titles are now available at Smashwords...with a couple of them on sale for the rest of July.
So, think of this not as a vent, but an update...yeah, that's what it was...
Monday, July 05, 2010
Do you have a Sony e-reader?
If you do, two of my titles are now available through the Sony store. You can pick up Marionettes on the Moon or Seedlings on the Solar Winds at http://ebookstore.sony.com/search?keyword=Erwine. At some point in the future, The Opium of the People should also be available from Sony.
An e-book sale
Smashwords currently has my novel, The Opium of the People, and my short story collection, Seedlings on the Solar Winds on sale for 25% off. Simply go to http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/nomadicdelirium and click on the title for ordering information.
Jim Baker's novel The Poet is also available at 25% off.
Jim Baker's novel The Poet is also available at 25% off.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Our plans for the day
I spent the morning watching the Tour de France, and now I'm trying to get some work done, but the kids are pretty wound up because they get to see fireworks tonight, so it's a bit difficult at this point.
Rebecca is going to get off early tonight. She hasn't seen fireworks with the kids because she always seems to be working on the night of the 4th, and the last two years the kids were in Texas visiting Grandma, so I haven't gotten to watch them with the kids either. When she gets home from work I'm going to fix the traditional American dish of hamburgers and french fries. After dinner, we'll pop up some popcorn and then head out to our balcony. We have a great view of the Aurora fireworks, so we don't have to leave the house and deal with the crowds.
So, Happy Independence Day everyone. Please be safe!
Rebecca is going to get off early tonight. She hasn't seen fireworks with the kids because she always seems to be working on the night of the 4th, and the last two years the kids were in Texas visiting Grandma, so I haven't gotten to watch them with the kids either. When she gets home from work I'm going to fix the traditional American dish of hamburgers and french fries. After dinner, we'll pop up some popcorn and then head out to our balcony. We have a great view of the Aurora fireworks, so we don't have to leave the house and deal with the crowds.
So, Happy Independence Day everyone. Please be safe!
Independence Day
I've spent part of the morning trying to explain Independence Day to the kids. I want them to understand that it means a lot more than just blowing shit up. The nine year old seems to be getting it a little, but the five year old is just kind of shrugging her shoulders...which is what five year olds do when you tell them just about anything.
I really want them to understand that this holiday really means more than getting drunk and lighting off fireworks (which is what most Americans seem to think it means.) I've never been what you would consider a hardcore patriot. Even though I think the US is great, and I'm happy to be living here, I also think that we have a lot of problems that needed to be fixed a while ago. I also think that the longer we go with politics as usual, the worse those problems are going to get. I do not, however, think that the exploits of the Tea Party are a way of solving our problems. Even though I do think the US is a great place, I think that in the last decade we've seen a definite rise in racism and classism, and I think these could be the ultimate downfall of our country. We've also seen a huge turn back towards fundamental religions, which is the opposite direction of where we need to be headed.
So, while you're enjoying your fireworks tonight, please take a few moments to remember what it was that made this country great...and hopefully we can rediscover that in our country and in ourselves very soon...
I really want them to understand that this holiday really means more than getting drunk and lighting off fireworks (which is what most Americans seem to think it means.) I've never been what you would consider a hardcore patriot. Even though I think the US is great, and I'm happy to be living here, I also think that we have a lot of problems that needed to be fixed a while ago. I also think that the longer we go with politics as usual, the worse those problems are going to get. I do not, however, think that the exploits of the Tea Party are a way of solving our problems. Even though I do think the US is a great place, I think that in the last decade we've seen a definite rise in racism and classism, and I think these could be the ultimate downfall of our country. We've also seen a huge turn back towards fundamental religions, which is the opposite direction of where we need to be headed.
So, while you're enjoying your fireworks tonight, please take a few moments to remember what it was that made this country great...and hopefully we can rediscover that in our country and in ourselves very soon...
Saturday, July 03, 2010
It's about time
The Law Enforcer's Sourcebook for the Ephemeris RPG was finally released today. This supplement took me a long time to write. It wasn't that it was long, or that the subject matter was difficult to write about, but rather, life has just been so damn crazy. With the wedding, the approaching baby, the kids being out of school, looking for a real job, finishing a novel, and all of the other things that have been going on, this one just kind of got pushed to the back burner, but it's out now.
The Law Enforcer's Sourcebook
Next on the agenda for Ephemeris will be The Diplomat and Explorer's Sourcebook. It hasn't been decided for sure, but it looks like we'll put the two character classes into one supplement...but we'll have to see how things develop.
We'd still like feedback on what materials people would like us to release once the character sourcebooks are done, so please feel free to let me know.
The Law Enforcer's Sourcebook
Next on the agenda for Ephemeris will be The Diplomat and Explorer's Sourcebook. It hasn't been decided for sure, but it looks like we'll put the two character classes into one supplement...but we'll have to see how things develop.
We'd still like feedback on what materials people would like us to release once the character sourcebooks are done, so please feel free to let me know.
Seedlings makes a bestsellers list
My short story collection, Seedlings on the Solar Winds has reached the top 25 at DriveThruSciFi. This is an e-book market, and I'm very excited to see this book reach such heights...although I wouldn't mind seeing it rise even higher (hint, hint).
To see the complete Top 100, go to http://scifi.drivethrustuff.com/top_100.php. You'll also find Marionettes on the Moon on this list as well.
To see the complete Top 100, go to http://scifi.drivethrustuff.com/top_100.php. You'll also find Marionettes on the Moon on this list as well.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
A busy month of blogging
I tend to not be a very active blogger. I usually post 5-10 entries a month, but June was different. In June, I posted 16 entries. Apparently there was a lot I had to talk about. In case you missed anything, here are links to all of my June entries...
I'm no longer an Amazon Associate
Working, working, working
Seedlings on the Solar Winds is an e-book
Opium of the People as an e-book
A menagerie of links
Red Moon Rising has been delivered
A reminder about The Martian Wave
Marionettes on the Moon is now an e-book
A discount on the e-book version of The Opium of the People
An Ephemeris update
Catching up on life
Revamping the blog
An end of June wrap-up
Second Ultrasound
The Baby Game
Wondrous Web Worlds Vol. 9
I'm no longer an Amazon Associate
Working, working, working
Seedlings on the Solar Winds is an e-book
Opium of the People as an e-book
A menagerie of links
Red Moon Rising has been delivered
A reminder about The Martian Wave
Marionettes on the Moon is now an e-book
A discount on the e-book version of The Opium of the People
An Ephemeris update
Catching up on life
Revamping the blog
An end of June wrap-up
Second Ultrasound
The Baby Game
Wondrous Web Worlds Vol. 9
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