Kim’s Comments (group member since Jul 29, 2019)

Kim’s comments from the Ephemeral Athenaeum group.

I've been working through The Fantasy Fiction Formula, and it's definitely worth a read. Everything is broken down into chapter lessons so you get enough information in a single chapter's sitting without overload, and a few matters, such as writing scenes, are split into about three separate parts to help with the variation.

My only real gripe with it is the author's pressing of personal opinion. Some of you may disagree, but I have never found the phrase 'so-and-so burst through the door' to be a particular problem throughout my reading life - it serves the purpose far better than 'so-and-so stepped through the door angrily'. The author, however, seems to prefer the more cumbersome second option and presses it upon you, but it just doesn't paint the picture as well, to my mind, and, as I said, it's a little more cumbersome and sterile to read.
Some may well disagree and judge the phrase from a literal stand-point, and everyone is, of course, welcome to. But it equally applies to phrases like 'slipping into a room' or 'storming out' and so on, and the author is adamant that these phrases should be avoided.

That aside, the book is certainly worthwhile no matter how long you've been writing, if just to get back to grips with the basics, which are easy to lose sight of after 16 years.
Writing is a learning process - all creative paths are - and applies to everyone no matter their age or experience level.

This is totally normal. Given that it's an easy option, a lot of people go for it. Just make sure you send your book out to bloggers and reviewers who specialise in your genre, otherwise you end up with a generic review written quite possibly by someone who doesn't appreciate any original twists you've put on your genre. Personally, I tried to go this route and either no one was interested, or the one person who appeared to be took the book and fled with it and I never heard from them again. It took a long time before I bothered trying again, and when I did, I sent it to a general reviewer on Instagram, and while it did get me lots of views, it resulted in no sales and a generic review because she and her following had really broad tastes.

Also, congratulations on your first book!! :D

Not a querying tip, necessarily, but this twitter thread by Liz Lawson shares what happens after you manage to bag an agent. It's definitely worth a read.
Knowledge is power - and, in this case, armour: https://twitter.com/LzLwsn/status/115...

Have any tips regarding querying lit agents or publishers? Or perhaps you've found a great resource website or book that other writers need to know about.
Share it right here!

Welcome to the group! Introduce yourself below - and be sure to check the different folders in the discussion board: Readers, Authors, Artists, Bloggers & Influencers. Every folder has a specific thread for connecting and social media - so if you have any fantasy-related social media accounts, websites, blogs or portfolios, feel free to add them to the appropriate thread!

Readers - Connect, Social Media & Website thread
Authors - Connect, Social Media, Website & Bibliography thread
Artists - Connect, Social Media, Websites & Portfolio thread
Book Bloggers & Influencers - Connect, Social Media, Websites & Blogs thread

I just started Michael Moorcock's the Elric saga. I'm enjoying it, but it's taken a while for personalities besides Elric's own to show through. I feel like I only hate Yyrkoon because I'm supposed to.

Sam wrote: "I'm about to start reading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan/Brandan Sanderson. (I've heard it's going to be made into a series, so I thought I'd give it a read first)."

Always the best path - experience the original before all else. Sometimes (it's taboo to say, I know) an adaptation captures things better!

M. wrote: "Rushing to finish the fourth book in a YA fantasy series of my own, I'm finding it rough to have any extra time. However, I've taken an interest to your book The Zi'veyn, and John Grisham's latest,..."

I know the feeling so well! I usually only find time for an hour in bed on a weekend morning
And that's awesome!! I'm honoured! :D

Share share share!
How is it so far? Slow start? Exciting? Kind of odd, but in a good way?

While not technically free, since it will cost you a copy of your book, one method is to contact cafés, coffee shops and anywhere else that have book lending corners and see if they'd be happy to include your book in their collection. The more local to you, the better - and independent places are even better, because their chain of command (and subsequently how far they may have to reach for permission) doesn't extend as far.

If you have any clever tips or tactics that have proven useful to spreading the word and raising interest in your work, share them here!
A particular hashtag event? Website? Instagram posting pattern? Do tell. The freer, the better.

#FantasyWIPAugust: https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Trl6hglfY/

I'm posting on both Twitter and Instagram with the #FantasyWIPAugust hashtag

Following a prompt list on Twitter or Instagram? These are so great for encouraging frequent posting with interesting and relevant content to your WIPs! Share your lists below, whether you made them or are following them!

Written a new bookish post? Share it here! Be it a review, an interview, a book haul, observations - go for it.

Looking for authors or artists to interview on your blog, website or social media? Awesome! They're great ways to help support indie/new/small authors and artists and doesn't really cost a thing to do - for either party! Don't underestimate the power of exposure.

Interviewers, please include in your post:
1. A link to where the interview will be posted
2. Whether it's a verbal interview, email, or simply a list of questions
3. Whether images will be required from the author and, if so, how many and of what.
4. Preferred contact format (via Goodreads, email, contact form, etc)

Authors & Artists should contact the interviewers by their preferred means if interested.

Everyone should learn, all the time. If you think you've learned everything there is to know about writing, then you're probably in particular need of learning something.
Share nuggets and gems in here, links to helpful and insightful articles, or hard truths you've been forced to face that you want other writers to be aware of, too. As long as it's related to books - writing, querying, publishing, marketing - it belongs right here.

My latest: The Zi'veyn, book one of The Devoted trilogy, and book two, The Sah'niir: The Devoted Trilogy, Book Two.
Adult audience, Kindle & paperback.

Blurb:
Magic is formed in the heart - specifically, in a fifth chamber tucked between the left ventricle and aorta. Like blood, it cannot form outside of a living body, and so the existence of magic loose in the world, raw and unshaped, is an absolute impossibility.

And so, when magic is discovered - raw and unshaped - loose in the forests of Turunda and tearing the land to shreds, the Order of Mages is accused of sabotage during an already tumultuous time.

With the Order under close scrutiny and wars raging all around them, only Rathen Koraaz, a banished mage and deceased by all official records, has the time and the expertise to handle it before the world collapses beneath itself. With the help of a renowned historian and an inquisitor of the Hall of the White Hammer, they set out on a search for answers and solutions, until desperation leads them to chase the legends of an extinct people and the original users of magic.

Harbouring secrets of faith, magic and vengeance, the group flee harpy attacks in the wilds, riots in the cities, and the eternal hunt of imperial assassins even into the harsh depths of the desert.
But is there any truth to the legend? And, if not, how far will their world crumble before they can find an alternative?

This is what you're after - I know, because it's the first thing I look for in book groups, too.
Promote your most recent work here. There's no point going crazy with it and posting thousands of times, once it's up, it's up. Post it then toddle over to another of Ephemeral Athenaeum's boards and discuss other wonderful book-related things. Because that's how you get interest: by being human and showing interest.

Use the 'some html is ok' link above your reply's text box for how to add images and links if it's outside of Goodreads, or for how to add your books if they are on Goodreads.

The official thread for book bloggers & influencers' connections.

Add your social media, websites, blogs etc here!

Author website: KimWedlock.com
Short stories: Wattpad
Twitter: @KimWedlock
Instagram: @KimWedlock
Facebook: Kim Wedlock