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!!!
Monday, March 30, 2009
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.)
* 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.)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Here and there
In the immortal words of a former colleague of mine ...
Many mini thoughts ...
The large publisher considering my series still hasn't responded, which probably isn't a good sign. I feel like someone trying to sell a house that you know is well-designed and in great condition but that no one can afford to buy.
The other night, I got got carded while buying a six-pack of beer. I'm 51. Before showing the cashier my ID, I asked her how old she thought I was. She said 32. My oldest daughter is 25.
Is it just me, or can Nov. 4 come not a moment too soon? That is going to be a sweet night. Go Obama!
Speaking of young looking, my youthful Tampa Bay Rays are in the ALCS. I am so proud of that team. The last time I was at Tropicana Field was in 2003. I left the game in the fifth inning with the then-Devil Rays losing big. And while walking through the concourse, I heard a roar and then a thumping sound. Hopping down the stairs was a shiny white baseball, and it jumped right into my hand. Turns out, it was a home run hit by Rocco Baldelli that had flown into one of the exits and bounced down into the concourse. The ball is autographed and on my mantel right now.
Ever since buying an extremely expensive Tempur-Pedic mattress, I have had zero lower back pain. This comes on top of having had lower back pain for most of my adult life. Awesome.
Since starting my job at the Greenville (S.C.) News five months ago, I haven't written a single word of fiction. But the News' online site, which I help to run, has set three consecutive months of record traffic.
I'm watching Saturday Night Live again after years of paying it no attention. My guess is, you know why.
I have an obsession with Diet Coke, but only between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Otherwise, I only drink water, orange juice, and light beer.
I have a best friend who is a born-again Christian, conservative Republican, and a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. I am none of these things. Yet the friendship remains.
I am such a fanatic about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I cannot watch the games live. Instead, I record the games and watch them only if the Bucs win. I even put a towel over the TV so that I can't sneak a peek as I walk by. My family knows better than to mess with that towel.
Did I mention that I haven't written a word of fiction in five months? Man, do I miss it.
Many mini thoughts ...
The large publisher considering my series still hasn't responded, which probably isn't a good sign. I feel like someone trying to sell a house that you know is well-designed and in great condition but that no one can afford to buy.
The other night, I got got carded while buying a six-pack of beer. I'm 51. Before showing the cashier my ID, I asked her how old she thought I was. She said 32. My oldest daughter is 25.
Is it just me, or can Nov. 4 come not a moment too soon? That is going to be a sweet night. Go Obama!
Speaking of young looking, my youthful Tampa Bay Rays are in the ALCS. I am so proud of that team. The last time I was at Tropicana Field was in 2003. I left the game in the fifth inning with the then-Devil Rays losing big. And while walking through the concourse, I heard a roar and then a thumping sound. Hopping down the stairs was a shiny white baseball, and it jumped right into my hand. Turns out, it was a home run hit by Rocco Baldelli that had flown into one of the exits and bounced down into the concourse. The ball is autographed and on my mantel right now.
Ever since buying an extremely expensive Tempur-Pedic mattress, I have had zero lower back pain. This comes on top of having had lower back pain for most of my adult life. Awesome.
Since starting my job at the Greenville (S.C.) News five months ago, I haven't written a single word of fiction. But the News' online site, which I help to run, has set three consecutive months of record traffic.
I'm watching Saturday Night Live again after years of paying it no attention. My guess is, you know why.
I have an obsession with Diet Coke, but only between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Otherwise, I only drink water, orange juice, and light beer.
I have a best friend who is a born-again Christian, conservative Republican, and a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. I am none of these things. Yet the friendship remains.
I am such a fanatic about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I cannot watch the games live. Instead, I record the games and watch them only if the Bucs win. I even put a towel over the TV so that I can't sneak a peek as I walk by. My family knows better than to mess with that towel.
Did I mention that I haven't written a word of fiction in five months? Man, do I miss it.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Picking up the pieces
It's Day seven or so of post-Rain, and I still find myself depressed over it. I had gotten more used to the idea of being a published novelist with active books on the table than I had realized. Now I feel as if I'm starting from scratch, which I guess I am.
Still, I'm in better shape than many. My agent has agreed to begin resubmissions, despite having had nothing to do with my signing with Rain. So in the long run, I might well end up with a larger house, anyway. But in publishing parlance, "long run" means 12-36 months ... or more. Sigh.
I started Book One of my six-book series in September 2003 and finished Book Six (including revisions) in January 2008. All those months in between, I wrote virtually seven days a week. It became a very large part of how I defined myself. Since the Rain collapse, I find myself unable to write. So I guess that for a time, at least, I am redefining myself.
During the time period that I wrote the series, I was not working, except to play the role of house-husband with three young children. But as of April 14, I am rejoining the workforce as multimedia editor of the Greenville (S.C.) News. It's going to be an exciting but demanding job that will require a huge portion of my creative juices, if I'm to do it justice. Will I have any juices left to write another novel? I have a great idea for a very scary ghost story. So we'll see.
In the living vicariously department, my good friend Dave Scheiber's co-written book entitled Covert: My Years Infiltrating the Mob is doing extremely well. Bob Delaney, the undercover police officer turned NBA ref who is the subject of the book, hit a grand slam today on the Jim Rome show. You can hear this amazing interview here.
Covert is a big-time book that is close enough to best-seller status to taste. Maybe the appearance on Rome's show, which attracts more than 2-million listeners per week, will push Covert over the top. I certainly hope so.
Still, I'm in better shape than many. My agent has agreed to begin resubmissions, despite having had nothing to do with my signing with Rain. So in the long run, I might well end up with a larger house, anyway. But in publishing parlance, "long run" means 12-36 months ... or more. Sigh.
I started Book One of my six-book series in September 2003 and finished Book Six (including revisions) in January 2008. All those months in between, I wrote virtually seven days a week. It became a very large part of how I defined myself. Since the Rain collapse, I find myself unable to write. So I guess that for a time, at least, I am redefining myself.
During the time period that I wrote the series, I was not working, except to play the role of house-husband with three young children. But as of April 14, I am rejoining the workforce as multimedia editor of the Greenville (S.C.) News. It's going to be an exciting but demanding job that will require a huge portion of my creative juices, if I'm to do it justice. Will I have any juices left to write another novel? I have a great idea for a very scary ghost story. So we'll see.
In the living vicariously department, my good friend Dave Scheiber's co-written book entitled Covert: My Years Infiltrating the Mob is doing extremely well. Bob Delaney, the undercover police officer turned NBA ref who is the subject of the book, hit a grand slam today on the Jim Rome show. You can hear this amazing interview here.
Covert is a big-time book that is close enough to best-seller status to taste. Maybe the appearance on Rome's show, which attracts more than 2-million listeners per week, will push Covert over the top. I certainly hope so.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
One-year anniversary of my blog
One year ago today, I created this blog and wrote the first item. Here it is, in its entirety:
Coming Sept. 2007: Book One, The Pit
This is my first-ever posting. I recently signed a contract with Rain Publishing Inc., to publish my six-book epic fantasy series, The Death Wizard Chronicles. Book One, entitled The Pit, will debut September 2007, followed by one book a month after that until February 2008.
You've heard this many times, I'm sure, but for me this is the culmination of a lifelong dream. Now comes the business of getting people like you to read my series. In future blogs, I'll publish details on when and how to buy!
The DW Chronicles is not for children and teenagers -- or the faint of heart. But if you like graphic fantasy that crackles 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 briefly 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 millenium 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.
So ...... what has changed between then and now?
* My blog has received 8,774 hits. This is no world record, of course. Some blogs receive more hits than that in a single day. But it's not terrible, either.
* Four of my six books are in print, with book five due to come out within two weeks and book six not long after that.
* There have been festivals; conventions; book signings; reviews; video, audio, and print interviews; and a virtual tour of the blogosphere, among other promotional events.
* I've received hundreds of emails, comments, and words of encouragement from pleased readers.
* I've met a lot of writers and readers, both in-person and online.
But I have to be honest. Despite all this, sales have been disappointing. The bottom line is, you can market until your head falls off, and if you're not either a) a big name, or b) with a mega-publisher, then the odds of achieving large sales are heavily against you.
My publisher has tried real hard. I've tried real hard. And neither of us has any plans of not continuing to try real hard. In so many ways, this series deserves better. But in the immortal words of Clint Eastwood: "Deserve's got nothing to do with it."
To any and all of you who have purchased any or all of my books, I offer my most sincere appreciation. It means the world to me, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
It's still early. It's not over yet. Rain and I have a lot of fight left. We believe in The Death Wizard Chronicles. In our opinion, it ranks with the best epic fantasy available anywhere from anybody.
But convincing the masses ain't easy, I can tell you that. Come on, Clint ... doesn't deserve count for something?
Coming Sept. 2007: Book One, The Pit
This is my first-ever posting. I recently signed a contract with Rain Publishing Inc., to publish my six-book epic fantasy series, The Death Wizard Chronicles. Book One, entitled The Pit, will debut September 2007, followed by one book a month after that until February 2008.
You've heard this many times, I'm sure, but for me this is the culmination of a lifelong dream. Now comes the business of getting people like you to read my series. In future blogs, I'll publish details on when and how to buy!
The DW Chronicles is not for children and teenagers -- or the faint of heart. But if you like graphic fantasy that crackles 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 briefly 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 millenium 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.
So ...... what has changed between then and now?
* My blog has received 8,774 hits. This is no world record, of course. Some blogs receive more hits than that in a single day. But it's not terrible, either.
* Four of my six books are in print, with book five due to come out within two weeks and book six not long after that.
* There have been festivals; conventions; book signings; reviews; video, audio, and print interviews; and a virtual tour of the blogosphere, among other promotional events.
* I've received hundreds of emails, comments, and words of encouragement from pleased readers.
* I've met a lot of writers and readers, both in-person and online.
But I have to be honest. Despite all this, sales have been disappointing. The bottom line is, you can market until your head falls off, and if you're not either a) a big name, or b) with a mega-publisher, then the odds of achieving large sales are heavily against you.
My publisher has tried real hard. I've tried real hard. And neither of us has any plans of not continuing to try real hard. In so many ways, this series deserves better. But in the immortal words of Clint Eastwood: "Deserve's got nothing to do with it."
To any and all of you who have purchased any or all of my books, I offer my most sincere appreciation. It means the world to me, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
It's still early. It's not over yet. Rain and I have a lot of fight left. We believe in The Death Wizard Chronicles. In our opinion, it ranks with the best epic fantasy available anywhere from anybody.
But convincing the masses ain't easy, I can tell you that. Come on, Clint ... doesn't deserve count for something?
Thursday, March 20, 2008
You live, you learn
Things I find comforting:
* Train whistles.
* Warm blankets.
* Good-natured laughter.
* Purring cats.
* Long back scratches.
Things I find disturbing:
* Smokers.
* Rude teenagers.
* Ultra-conservatives.
* Bad tippers.
* People who litter.
* Train whistles.
* Warm blankets.
* Good-natured laughter.
* Purring cats.
* Long back scratches.
Things I find disturbing:
* Smokers.
* Rude teenagers.
* Ultra-conservatives.
* Bad tippers.
* People who litter.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Meme time
Michael Southard, editor of the popular online fantasy magazine Tower of Light, tagged me with this meme.
1. Grab the nearest book of 123 pages or more.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the first five sentences and write them down.
4. Invite five friends to do the same.
I chose Chris Stevenson's Once Upon a Goddess.
"Mason went to his bungalow and found Augustus and Felicity seated on the edge of the bed, engrossed with a wrestling Smack Down event. The volume had been turned up unusually high and when Mason glanced around he saw that the furniture had been upended,m and the pillows and bedspread had been flung about. A decorative planter had broken and lay on the floor along with a spray of fertilizer and shards. Augustus had a sleeve missing from his shirt. He and Felicity looked winded."
Okay, I'll tag ... well, Chris.
1. Grab the nearest book of 123 pages or more.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the first five sentences and write them down.
4. Invite five friends to do the same.
I chose Chris Stevenson's Once Upon a Goddess.
"Mason went to his bungalow and found Augustus and Felicity seated on the edge of the bed, engrossed with a wrestling Smack Down event. The volume had been turned up unusually high and when Mason glanced around he saw that the furniture had been upended,m and the pillows and bedspread had been flung about. A decorative planter had broken and lay on the floor along with a spray of fertilizer and shards. Augustus had a sleeve missing from his shirt. He and Felicity looked winded."
Okay, I'll tag ... well, Chris.
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About Me
- Jim Melvin
- 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
Jim Melvin, a veteran journalist, debuts as novelist.
