Where Did The Summer Go...

I mean seriously, where in the hell did it go. To be brutally honest with you all, I am nowhere near where I expected to be with the third book. I'm just not, and that has me quite upset with myself. I'm only nine chapters in. I should be a lot further along.

The unfortunate truth is that this summer has been a nightmare, fueled solely on Murphy's Law for my family.

But you're not here to hear me complain so I will throw some best guess dates at you and hope for the best.

I am still hoping to have A Walk Beyond The Breach done this year. Maybe even a holiday release (if I had an editor I'd be in trouble). Keep your fingers crossed, and offer up a small sacrifice to whichever deity you hold favor with (not really but you know what I mean ;-)

As for The Eldritch Life of Leopold Torpid, I will get to it as soon as I'm finished with the one above. I gave up trying to write both at the same time as soon as the poop hit the fan in my little slice of the universe. Believe it or not though I actually have nearly the entire first chapter written for it. And every couple of week I read through it just to keep the ideas flowing around it. I really can't wait to get back to it as it is just so twisted and beautiful in my eyes. An indulgent depravity that sets my short hairs a tingling.

Anyway, just trying to keep you abreast of the situation on my end. I hope everything in your world is running smoother than mine.
Catch ya later.
Steve G.

Fine, No More Teasing...

I have teased you enough. The title of the third book is "A Walk Beyond The Breach".

Breach:

  1. An infraction or violation, as of trust, faith, or promise.

  2. A Rift, Fracture, Schism, or Hole.

I'll let you marinade with that for a while as I continue writing.

If anyone else has any idea's about how I can tease you with information just let me know, and I'll see what I can do.

Hope ya'll have a great day.

Steve G.

And The Title Of The Third Book Is...

... on the bottom of the stack. Oh darn. It would have been so much easier to read if it had been on the top. Oh well.

Marketing... With No Lube...

I was asked recently, "How do you market your books."
The simple answer I gave them was, "I don't".

"Why the hell not?" they asked me.
"Because I can't stand marketing." I replied.

And in all honesty, it's the truth. Marketing has always felt dirty and a bit dishonest to me. I fully understand that I am probably missing out on making a boat load of money, but money was never the reason I started writing in the first place.
I started writing because I had a story that wanted to be told, not because I had some grand delusion about being able to wipe my butt with hundred dollar bills.
I mean I did the usual, and setup a Facebook page. Which garnered me likes from relatives and such, but I'm not a real social person (massive introvert right here).
Then I was told I needed to get a Twitter page, so I begrudgingly made one. I quickly discovered that Twitter for authors is more of a circle jerk than anything else. Other authors like you, you like them back and you get pelted by advertising in return. I post the odd quip here and there, but mainly it's just a sea of incoming "I'll drink bleach if you read a chapter of my book." Which really doesn't make me want to read that book. It makes me want to send that person a link to a support group. It also made me realize that I didn't want to do that to people. I didn't want to harass them every five minutes with a post that is basically begging people to read.
I was even told to try the "I'll market, post, and talk about your book for $5" route. So I did, as an experiment. Frankly I wished I would have spent the money on a value meal at a burger joint instead, but your mileage may vary.

So at the end of the day, I'm happy with the trickle of people who stumble across my books. For me at least it's not about how many stars I can get, or reviews. It's just about those adventurous few who took a chance on the unknown.

Thanks for reading,
Steve G.

Potato...

My brain is mush, but luckily the semester is almost over.
I want to go on such a rant right now about the job market and college, but I shall hold my tongue. You're not here for that.

You're probably here to find out what's taking so long on the third book. The first sentence of this post is your answer.

I really have been trying, but it feels too much like I'm forcing it, and honestly I don't want to do that. It's not fair to you or the book. So until I can get gram stains, Freud, and staphylococcus aureus out of my head I'm not going to get much done besides filling up my "idea's file". It's as simple as that.

So, I just wanted to let you know what was going on, and to say that as soon as this semester is over I'm going to pound some furious keys.

Hope you have a great day,
Steven G.

There is just not enough time in the day...

Wanted to share a few things with everyone and let you know that I am still working hard on the novels (and everything that goes with it).

First, I thought I'd share something I started on a while back and am just trying to find the time to finish it up. Above is a full 3D model of the Guardian from the "A Walk Beyond" series. I created it using a program called Blender for those interested. As I said, when I can find the time I will finish it.

As for the books, The first chapter of Leopold Torpid is starting to take shape. It's a story I find that I become quite immersed into and have to keep putting it down, mainly due to how messed up it is. It's very dark, and I have to force myself to step away from it. I'm not sure how else to explain it, so there it is.

"A Walk Beyond" Book 3 (sorry still no title yet) is gelling more and more inside of me, and my idea file is growing bigger and bigger. All of which are wonderful things.

So as you can see things are moving along at the pace life is allowing me. Between 3 kids, college classes, and everything else adult life has to offer it is moving I promise.

And again I can be found on Facebook and now Twitter so if you want to chat send me a message.

I hope everyone has a great day,

Steve G.

We Have A Winner...

The sharp/clean look seems to have won out in this one. So there you go. A more finalized overall look with a slight font tweaking to boot.

I have even setup a book page for Leopold on the site here.

My eldest daughter finally got around to asking me about this new book, so I told her the ideas I have been writing down. She just stared at me with her mouth open when I got half way through. After I had finished she simply said, "Oh my god, that is messed up. Are you sure you can put that in a book?" I reassured her that I could. She was so disturbed by what I had told her, she couldn't even slug me in the arm. She just shook her head and mumbled, "God, my Dad is so weird."

So I'd say that's a good start.

Catch ya later,
Steven G.

Experiementing...

Needed to clear my head and focus on something, so naturally it's art. Specifically, it's two possible cover idea's for a new book. A book that is not related in any way to the "A Walk Beyond" series. I am working on it along with the still untitled (and constantly asked about) Book 3.

Anyway "The Eldritch Life of Leopold Torpid" came about due to a request for me to write a monthly series for a website (which will not be named). I decided against writing for the website, for reasons I will not get into, but the idea stuck with me. And as such I have been coming up with ideas for two books at once (which is not advisable unless you enjoy chaos). This book though, is going to be much darker in contrast to my "AWB" series. And I do mean darker, in every way possible.

So here I have two possible covers, and would like to know which you like better. The one with the lamp post, or the one with clouds. Drop me a line and let me know. I would really like to hear what you think.

Hope you have a great day,
Steve G.

How To Edit And Master An Audio Book (or at least how I did it)

One of the things that has always irritated me when it comes to working with audio (of any flavor) is how when you ask someone or go looking for information about a specific subject, all you seem to find are vague responses about the theory behind this or that. Never anything really concrete or substantial. It truly is annoying as hell. And so help me, if I get told one more time that "you need to find a professional to do it for you", I am going to hurt someone.

This is how I felt when I was researching the ins and outs of audio book production. It's infuriating to say the least, but as a person who has worked with audio, off and on, since the mid 90's I knew that audio books were a different type of beast from what I was used to. Audio books are a lot more intimate than the standard songs you hear on the radio. There are no drums or guitars playing behind the vocalist that cover up minor vocal fluctuations, or a less than perfect noise floor. With audio books, it's just the narrator and the listener. So any misstep in the production process can be detrimental to creating that intimate moment.

When I was finally fed up with all the vagary, I went back to what I knew. When it comes down to it, audio is audio regardless of the format or genre. I listened to a few audio books to get a sense of what others were doing acoustically, and I went for it.

This resulting very long guide is "my work flow" on how I created the audio book for "A Walk Beyond The Realm". An audio book that passed the ACX quality control checks without a hick-up.

Am I saying that "this guide is the correct way of doing things"? No.
In fact, there will probably be many people who will disagree with the way I do things, or the equipment I use, or any number of a million different points they will want to nit-pick over. But frankly, I don't care. The proof is in the pudding on this one, and I like pistachio.

So without further ado...

Oh, Happy Day...

I am quite giddy at the moment, as "A Walk Beyond The Realm" is now available on Audible.com as a full on audio book.

That's right now you can listen to me, read you, the novel. I even do the character voices. All 30 some-odd voices (I don't remember the exact number at the moment, but it's close).

So if you are not a "reader", then this is a perfect opportunity for you. As you can listen to it on your phone, in the car, in the bathroom, or even during those boring business meetings (just don't get caught, cause I'm not taking the fall for you).

And within the next few days it should also show up on Amazon and I-Tunes.

I hope everyone is having a great day,
Steve G.

Over Half Way...

Working on Chapter 18 of the audio book (over half way there)
I also wanted to let everyone know that Books 1 & 2 are now available as E-books from the following,

Barnes&Nobles,
A Walk Beyond The Realm
A Walk Beyond The Graves

Apple ITunes,
A Walk Beyond The Realm
A Walk Beyond The Graves

Kobo,
A Walk Beyond The Realm
A Walk Beyond The Graves

Scribd,
A Walk Beyond The Realm
A Walk Beyond The Graves

Inktera,
A Walk Beyond The Realm
A Walk Beyond The Graves

Oyster,
A Walk Beyond The Realm
A Walk Beyond The Graves

As well as Amazon,
A Walk Beyond The Realm
A Walk Beyond The Graves

The paperback version can be had through Amazon or Barnes & Noble for those who love a physical copy.

And as always, I hope everyone has a great day.
Steve G.

"A Walk Beyond The Graves" Now Available...

You heard right. Book 2 of the "A Walk Beyond" series has been released. "A Walk Beyond The Graves" is now available at Amazon.com in e-book format. Paperback is available here.

Catch ya later,

Steve G.

Principal writing on Book 2 Complete as well as other stuff...

As the title states, principal writing on "A Walk Beyond The Graves" is complete (at long last). Starting work to wrap it all up soon, and get it published.

What is really scary is the fact I have already been filling a text file with ideas for a third book. I don't have a name for it yet, but I am expecting that any day now my brain will start oozing out of my ears, as more and more of my thought processes are taken over by stories.

I am also on the verge of digging out all of my audio gear in order to work on the audio book version of "A Walk Beyond The Realm". I've even been tossing around the idea of two versions of said audio book. An unabridged version read by yours truly, and an edited version read by my eldest daughter. She is "like" super excited and stuff about it.

Well that should give you a quick over view of what's going on, as well as what's coming.

Catch y'all later,
Steve G.