Monday, March 30, 2009

From beginning to end

While waiting to (hopefully) hear great news from a large publisher, I have spent the last few months doing another full edit on my six-book series. Though I revised each book in the series about a dozen times, this was the first and only time that I have done a revision from the start of book 1 until the end of book 6, as opposed to one book at a time. This was very helpful to me, and I made a lot of nice changes and even a couple of crucial catches.

Also, in this last edit I approached the series more as a reader than as the writer, and I found myself enjoying the process. Overall, I reaffirmed my confidence in the series and was quite proud of the final result. There's nothing wrong with patting yourself on the back, especially in the privacy of your own mind.

Now, I've decided to take on a couple of short stories. This should help take my mind off the waiting.

Anything to take my mind off the waiting!!!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Thoughts ...

Things I really like:

* Our new president.
* The Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
* People who are able to accept the beliefs of others.
* Tempur-Pedic mattresses.
* The tickle of inhalations and exhalations on the tip of my nostrils.
* The last sentence of a really good book.
* Diversity.
* Beautiful landscapes.
* Did I mention our new president?



Things I really don't like:

* Rush Limbaugh.
* The Dallas Cowboys.
* People who feel their religion is the only religion.
* Any other kind of mattress.
* Lack of awareness.
* The first sentence of a really bad book.
* Lack of diversity.
* Beer cans swarming with ants.
* Take a hike, Rush. (Okay, so I'm failing on the "beliefs of others" bit.)

Synopsis

The Death Wizard Chronicles is a sexy, action-packed six-book epic fantasy series: Book One (Forged by Death), Book Two (Chained by Fear), Book Three (Eve of War), Book Four (World on Fire), Book Five (Sun God), Book Six (Death-Know).

The DW Chronicles is not for children and teenagers -- or the faint of heart. But if you like graphic fantasy that is bursting with excitement yet still has a lot going on between the lines, I think you'll love my series.

In a groundbreaking paradox, the Death Wizard, a champion of good, derives his power from a source traditionally seen as negative -- death. His nemesis, an evil sorcerer, derives his power from the sun, the benevolent source of all life. Their struggle to control the fate of the planet Triken will take your breath away.

In an original twist never before seen in this genre, the Death Wizard is able to enter the realm of death during a "temporary suicide." Through intense concentration, he stops his heartbeat and feeds on death energy, which provides him with an array of magical powers.

The series also is a love triangle involving two desperate characters attempting to come together despite the machinations of an all-powerful psychopath with incestuous cravings.

Graphic and action-packed, spanning a millennium of turmoil, The DW Chronicles carries readers on a journey they will never forget.

Do you fear death? The Death Wizard does not. Find out why.

-- Please go to www.jim-melvin.com for more details.

About Me

My photo
Clemson, SC, United States
I was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., but grew up in St. Petersburg, Fla. I graduated from the University of South Florida (Tampa) in 1979 with a B.A. in Journalism. I now live in South Carolina near the Blue Ridge Mountains, a pleasant setting for writing, to say the least. I was an award-winning journalist at the St. Petersburg Times for twenty-five years and I currently work at the Charlotte Observer. I am married with five daughters.

The author

The author
Jim Melvin, a veteran journalist, debuts as novelist.