Dreamspinner Press discussion

Meet Jackson Cordd, author of the new book "Raven Feathers" this Saturday, May 10th from 1-4pm Eastern/10am-1pm Pacific right here!

Howdy All,

Jackson Cordd here, very excited about the release of "Raven Feathers", the third in my sci-fi novella series.

*waves*

Jackson wrote: "Howdy All,

Jackson Cordd here, very excited about the release of "Raven Feathers", the third in my sci-fi novella series.

*waves*"

Good afternoon! Question for you - how do you choose your titles?

Hey Andrea,

Typically, there'll be an object or phrase in the book that inspires the title. For instance with this one, the necklace is significant to Rourke's part of the story, so it seemed pretty obvious to me.

For some of my other works, i did struggle a bit more over titles. For instance, the 1st draft title for "Shamrock Green" was actually, 'magical steam', which got changed about half a dozen times before i settled on naming it after the location where all the action takes place.

Thanks for the great question Andrea

Jax

Just out of curiosity, how many of you have read "Duanta Beads"?

Jax

Jackson wrote: "Just out of curiosity, how many of you have read "Duanta Beads"?

Jax"

I have to confess that I haven't read any of your work yet but I just read the Duanta blurb and it sounds fascinating.

Thanks, i'm rather proud of it. Even though it's a post-apocalyptic sci-fi, I stayed focused on the 'human' side of the story, really delving into how Evan feels about everything and his thought process as his whole perspective of the world changes.

Jax

Hello there Like andrea I have not read any of your books but they seem to be interesting going by the blurbs.

How many books do you have planned for the Quantinum series?

Thanks Roger :) Most people automatically assume that because it's post-apoc, then it must be all dark and angsty.

That's not really my style though... I have more of a breezy, light-hearted tone, like Robert Heinlein, but the strange plot complexities of Kurt Vonnegut.

Jax

Well Andrea, if I continue with the 'novella' format, it will take about 3 more to finish. But after attending the Dreamspinner conference in April and having some planning sessions, I'm thinking it might be best to bundle the last part of the series together into one full novel.

So once I finish the new novel I started, I'll return to the future (lol) and complete the story.

Jax

Jackson wrote: "Well Andrea, if I continue with the 'novella' format, it will take about 3 more to finish. But after attending the Dreamspinner conference in April and having some planning sessions, I'm thinking i..."

Now I'm curious - what are you working on now?

Well... my working title so far is "Deke's Destiny", and its a contemporary story, involving a gypsy singer with a gift for love songs, a guy who's turned his back on his rich and prominent family, and a young, insecure man scarred by a nasty childhood. It's been a great deal of fun so far :)

Jax

Jackson wrote: "Well... my working title so far is "Deke's Destiny", and its a contemporary story, involving a gypsy singer with a gift for love songs, a guy who's turned his back on his rich and prominent family,..."

Which one is Deke?

Deke, (which is a nickname taken from his initials D.E.K.), is the guy from the powerful family.

Jeremy is the young guy, and he's an avid Whovian (Dr. Who fan) that loves to cosplay.

The story is about them and their budding relationship.

Speaking of fandom and cosplay, do any of you enjoy attending conventions?

Jax

Jackson wrote: "Deke, (which is a nickname taken from his initials D.E.K.), is the guy from the powerful family.

Jeremy is the young guy, and he's an avid Whovian (Dr. Who fan) that loves to cosplay.

The story i..."


Never been to a book related convention - how do you like them? Any favorites?

Well, I had a blast at Rainbow-Con in Tampa a few weeks ago. It's always fun to hang out and meet readers/ other writers in a fun, party atmosphere.

I also like the more sci-fi/fantasy related conventions, and try to visit either Dragon*Con or Bent-Con every year. This year I will probably do Bent-Con (in Burbank)

Jax

Jax

So I keep looking at all the banner ads, and I have to ask, what's the deal with all the zombies lately?

Jax

Jackson wrote: "Thanks Roger :) Most people automatically assume that because it's post-apoc, then it must be all dark and angsty.

That's not really my style though... I have more of a breezy, light-hearted tone..."

I know I usually avoid Post Apoc for just the reason you mentioned, while I don't mind a little dark and a little angst -- a full length book of it would drive me crazy.

Jackson wrote: "So I keep looking at all the banner ads, and I have to ask, what's the deal with all the zombies lately?

Jax"

Gah probably my biggest turn off -- Zombies. I just don't get the attraction the writers and readers have for them. Give me a nice sexy vampire and I am happy but a zombie ugh!!!

I usually follow a variation of the hero's journey model, which doesn't call for much angst. Most of the angsty stuff is in the character's history. I'm an optimist at heart, and that hopefulness tends to color my writing more than anything else.

Jax

Yeah Roger, i agree with you totally with the zombies. I even tried watching 'Walking Dead' because everybody talked it up so much, but after about 3 episodes, it just seemed gross and silly, and i quit the series.

Jax

So, we've got a vote for sexy vampires... what about werewolves / shifters? Who enjoys those?

Jax

Jackson wrote: "So, we've got a vote for sexy vampires... what about werewolves / shifters? Who enjoys those?

Jax"

Love all of them but vamps are my favorite.

Andrea wrote: "Jackson wrote: "So, we've got a vote for sexy vampires... what about werewolves / shifters? Who enjoys those?

Jax"

Love all of them but vamps are my favorite."

I love Shifters and Vampires but leave the Zombies in the graveyard I don't want them crashing my party.

LOL Roger

Well, I haven't had any inspiration for a vampire story yet. I *do* have some werewolf notions, but I several other projects to tend to before I can think about that one.

Jax

Let us know when the werewolf stories come up. I think both Andrea and I would be interested.

Well, i'll be sure to have a release party about it :)

Roger wrote: "Let us know when the werewolf stories come up. I think both Andrea and I would be interested."

Yes!

But Andrea, you don't think the market is too flooded with vampires and werewolves right now?

Jax

You can never have to much werewolves and/or Vampires. I know you asked Andrea but I have to put in my comments.

Jackson wrote: "But Andrea, you don't think the market is too flooded with vampires and werewolves right now?

Jax"

Not really but I read an awful lot and cycle through contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, suspense. It's difficult to find enough suspense or paranormal. I lump vamps, shifters, ghosts, etc in the paranormal category.

Roger wrote: "You can never have to much werewolves and/or Vampires. I know you asked Andrea but I have to put in my comments."

Amen!

I apologize Roger, I actually meant that question for both of you :(

I'm curious, do you also consider love spells, or fairies/sprites with a magical portal to be paranormal? Or do you think of magical things more as fantasy?

Jax

Jackson wrote: "I apologize Roger, I actually meant that question for both of you :(

I'm curious, do you also consider love spells, or fairies/sprites with a magical portal to be paranormal? Or do you think of ma..."

I consider them to be fantasy but that's just my classification system.

I think they fit in both categories, and I love both categories. granted I could see a book with a magic portal say that I would only categorize on way or the other. It would depend on how it is used in the story.

Then I wonder if I shouldn't reclassify "Cleats" as fantasy instead of paranormal, since it has to do with psychic premonitions. But then again, that might create a whole 'nuther set of unintended expectations for readers.

Roger, then I would say "Shamrock Green" fits best with the fantasy genre, since the whole structure is like the old fantasy-adventure stories.

for me it is if you have a magic portal in an otherwise modern setting that would be paranormal but if you have it in somewhere that is clearly not earthly or where the whole plot of the story is obviously fantasy setting it is fantasy. but don't forget the whole urban fantasy category which I feels meshes with the paranormal setting.

Urban-Fantasy is the class Dreamspinner put it in, i guess because of the contemporary elements.

and for me psychic premonition are usually considered paranormal while magic based one are more likely to be fantasy. an exception would be the heraldic mind magic of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar setting.

:) Oh, such a *great* universe, definitely what I would call "high fantasy"

Hey all, looks like my chat time is about up. Any last minute questions for me?

Jackson wrote: "Hey all, looks like my chat time is about up. Any last minute questions for me?"

Is there a discount code for any of your books?

Yep, there sure is, Dreamspinner gave me the code

Cordd0510

It's case sensitive, so keep that in mind when entering it. It'll give 25% off all my works for today :)

Jackson wrote: "Yep, there sure is, Dreamspinner gave me the code

Cordd0510

It's case sensitive, so keep that in mind when entering it. It'll give 25% off all my works for today :)"

Thank you! It's been nice chatting with you this afternoon. Have a wonderful evening.

You too Andrea.

And Roger, it's been great having you stop by.

Everybody have a good evening,

Jax

Jackson wrote: "Yep, there sure is, Dreamspinner gave me the code

Cordd0510

It's case sensitive, so keep that in mind when entering it. It'll give 25% off all my works for today :)"

Thank you! I will use it to get Raven Feathers
:))))