Showing posts with label Frank Creed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frank Creed. Show all posts
Friday, March 19, 2010
TWCP Book makes BFS Long-List. ;D
The Writers' Cafe Press author Sue Dent has officially, (and with much surprise to Sue Dent, as she didn't think her book qualified,) has made the British Fantasy Society's long-list for 2010! You can read more here.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Pluto Award Nominations listed!
Not one but two are the numbers I see
Nominated authors from TWCP!
So go check out my blog post for the entire list! ;)
Sue Dent and Stephen Rice.
Of course last year was our own very special (cootie infested) Frank Creed! ;) Or maybe that was the year before last. Nevertheless, a TWCP author.
Nominated authors from TWCP!
So go check out my blog post for the entire list! ;)
Sue Dent and Stephen Rice.
Of course last year was our own very special (cootie infested) Frank Creed! ;) Or maybe that was the year before last. Nevertheless, a TWCP author.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Flashpoint: Adrenaline infuse roller-ocaster ride
An adrenaline infused, roller-coaster ride into a future where a belief can cost you a brain-washing and even your life, this science-fiction novel reminds me most of the best of the "Indiana Jones" movies in its pacing and level of excitement.
The belief that can cost you a `cleaned' mind is the Word of God, which has been outlawed. The Global Government has determined that `fundamentalism' has caused wars and misery. Therefore, it has decided to use war and misery to stop fundamentalism.
Elementary, eh!
In "Flashpoint", a Christian family and their like-minded friends living in an underground network are captured and herded off to a concentration camp of sorts. The son and daughter, however, are not caught, and are determined to rescue their parents with the help of an even more secretive and powerful league of Christian warriors.
If you should turn up your nose at the infusion of Christians in science-fiction because you aren't a believer, I encourage you to change your mind. Solid science-fiction is solid science-fiction whether it's about Christians or Klingons, and you'll only be denying yourself a bunch of rollicking fun.
If you should turn up your nose at the infusion of science-fiction because you are a believer, I encourage you to change your mind as well. Frank Creek's theology is sound, and riding on roller-coasters is allowed!
In particular, I like that Creed hasn't written one dimensional Christians, but has created an interesting ensemble of fully developed people who are as imperfect as the people who are trying to suppress them. He's also said exactly what he wished to without preaching; this is a real novel, not a sermon disguised as one.
In short, Creed has written a fast paced adventure novel that can and should be enjoyed by everyone. I can't wait for the second installation!
"Flashpoint"
(Book One of "The Underground")
by Frank Creed
$9.95, 190 pages
ISBN: 978-1-934284-01-8
Reviewed by Michael G. Lail at amazon.com
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
TWCP Book Hits an Amazon Bestseller List
Frank's publicist created this press release celebrating the #1 ranking event (and she had the good presence of mind to capture a screen shot of the event . . . I was overcome with nervous giggles and the idea of preserving this occasion escaped me altogether):
Contact: Frank Creed
Email: frank@frankcreed.com
For Immediate Release
“Flashpoint” is an Amazon Bestseller
Lafayette, IN May 13, 2009—Frank Creed's ground-breaking Christian cyberpunk novel “Flashpoint” (The Writers' Cafe Press, 2007) passed a major milestone yesterday. It was listed as the top selling religious science-fiction/fantasy book on Amazon.com, the world's leading online bookseller.
The rankings, which are updated hourly showed Creed's book leading sales of the popular “Dragonkeeper” series by Donita Paul and the “Left Behind” series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.
“I was at Amazon.com reading a new 5 star review and I nearly fell off my chair when I saw [the ranking],” commented Creed. “I am hugely happy about this especially in light of what's coming next.”
Creed is referring to the publication of “War of Attrition,” the second book in the Underground series later this year.
Flashpoint tells the story of a brother and sister living in the Chicago Metroplex of 2036 in a world where all religious devotion regardless of sect is considered terrorism. Taking the “street names” of Calamity Kid and eGirl, they join a “muscle cell” of the underground church tasked with protecting – within the limitations of the “Agape principle”- Christian believers from persecution through the use of non-lethal weapons and spiritually empowered cybernetic implants.
Email: frank@frankcreed.com
For Immediate Release
“Flashpoint” is an Amazon Bestseller
Lafayette, IN May 13, 2009—Frank Creed's ground-breaking Christian cyberpunk novel “Flashpoint” (The Writers' Cafe Press, 2007) passed a major milestone yesterday. It was listed as the top selling religious science-fiction/fantasy book on Amazon.com, the world's leading online bookseller.
The rankings, which are updated hourly showed Creed's book leading sales of the popular “Dragonkeeper” series by Donita Paul and the “Left Behind” series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.
“I was at Amazon.com reading a new 5 star review and I nearly fell off my chair when I saw [the ranking],” commented Creed. “I am hugely happy about this especially in light of what's coming next.”
Creed is referring to the publication of “War of Attrition,” the second book in the Underground series later this year.
Flashpoint tells the story of a brother and sister living in the Chicago Metroplex of 2036 in a world where all religious devotion regardless of sect is considered terrorism. Taking the “street names” of Calamity Kid and eGirl, they join a “muscle cell” of the underground church tasked with protecting – within the limitations of the “Agape principle”- Christian believers from persecution through the use of non-lethal weapons and spiritually empowered cybernetic implants.
For more information about Frank Creed or “The Underground series,” visit http://www.frankcreed.com/ or The Writers Cafe Press
Sunday, January 18, 2009
A Frank Review of Forever Richard, by Sue Dent
By Frank Creed
Horror newcomer Sue Dent’s 2006 vampire and werewolf novel, Never Ceese, nailed down a few accolades of which you may have heard: short listed for the coveted Bram Stoker award, and named American Christian Fiction Writers book club choice of the month in May of 2007. How does a novelist top that?
By writing a superior sequel. Everyone knows that sequels have a bad reputation for falling short of an original concept. Especially for a new novelist, proving you’re not a fluke, that you can do it again, is a load on one’s back. Truly talented authors start strong and get even better, of which J.K. Rowling is a case study. Sue Dent is one of those writers. Never Ceese showcased her natural gifts for fun characters and suspenseful plot. Forever Richard is all that and more.
Synopsis without spoilers . . .
The saga of redemption and spiritual triumph that readers enjoyed in Never Ceese continues in Forever Richard. Cassie Felts, graduate student and reluctant believer of such things as vampires and werewolves, couldn't be happier for Richard and Ceese Porter. Their curses lifted and after hundreds of years apart, they can now celebrate being brother and sister once more. Even Rodney, Cassie's college roommate and former nemesis, shares Cassie’s relief. But will the faith that saved Richard and Ceese be enough to defeat the new evil that threatens them all?
Cassie learns that Dr. Clayton Henderson, the corrupt stem-cell researcher, has acquired the vampire's curse and has managed to transfer it to Rodney's troubled, drug-addicted buddy Josh. Addict or vampire, Cassie can see Josh isn't handling his new cravings for blood any better than he did his old habit. Their best hope seems to be taking Josh to Richard's isolated country estate in England. There, Josh can learn to temper his desire to curse another while they try to figure out how to deal with the impossible-to-kill Dr. Henderson.
Plans twist when they find a new vampire inhabiting Richard's castle, and a malevolent werewolf stalking Ceese. A long-lost relative shows up packing a sawed-off shotgun and an ancient knife which he claims has supernatural powers. Will the faith that redeemed two lost souls before be enough to overcome the wicked forces that now threaten to destroy them all?
Sue Dent’s creativity and sense of humor sparkle in Forever Richard. The plot twists and turns, surprises popping at readers from around corners. Items and people are usually not as they appear. Sue should be proud of having crafted a fun and entertaining read for all levels of readers that is still fully a horror novel.
Forever Richard’s bio-ethics theme is strong. What humankind can do always runs in advance of what we ought to do, and stem-cell researcher Dr. Clayton Henderson leaps moral bounds quick as a buck clearing a picket fence. His breaches of ethics aren’t about curing sick people at the expense of others’ lives, but the black-and-white mad scientist type of villainy. Henderson is an antagonist without depth, but is a common enemy whom many can unite to oppose—the kind of bad-guy a reader hopes to see destroyed as quickly as Parkinson’s disease.
Like Dracula, Forever Richard is respectful of the Christian worldview, and I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t drive stakes through the hearts of even more literary awards than did Never Ceese.
Horror newcomer Sue Dent’s 2006 vampire and werewolf novel, Never Ceese, nailed down a few accolades of which you may have heard: short listed for the coveted Bram Stoker award, and named American Christian Fiction Writers book club choice of the month in May of 2007. How does a novelist top that?
By writing a superior sequel. Everyone knows that sequels have a bad reputation for falling short of an original concept. Especially for a new novelist, proving you’re not a fluke, that you can do it again, is a load on one’s back. Truly talented authors start strong and get even better, of which J.K. Rowling is a case study. Sue Dent is one of those writers. Never Ceese showcased her natural gifts for fun characters and suspenseful plot. Forever Richard is all that and more.
Synopsis without spoilers . . .
The saga of redemption and spiritual triumph that readers enjoyed in Never Ceese continues in Forever Richard. Cassie Felts, graduate student and reluctant believer of such things as vampires and werewolves, couldn't be happier for Richard and Ceese Porter. Their curses lifted and after hundreds of years apart, they can now celebrate being brother and sister once more. Even Rodney, Cassie's college roommate and former nemesis, shares Cassie’s relief. But will the faith that saved Richard and Ceese be enough to defeat the new evil that threatens them all?
Cassie learns that Dr. Clayton Henderson, the corrupt stem-cell researcher, has acquired the vampire's curse and has managed to transfer it to Rodney's troubled, drug-addicted buddy Josh. Addict or vampire, Cassie can see Josh isn't handling his new cravings for blood any better than he did his old habit. Their best hope seems to be taking Josh to Richard's isolated country estate in England. There, Josh can learn to temper his desire to curse another while they try to figure out how to deal with the impossible-to-kill Dr. Henderson.
Plans twist when they find a new vampire inhabiting Richard's castle, and a malevolent werewolf stalking Ceese. A long-lost relative shows up packing a sawed-off shotgun and an ancient knife which he claims has supernatural powers. Will the faith that redeemed two lost souls before be enough to overcome the wicked forces that now threaten to destroy them all?
Sue Dent’s creativity and sense of humor sparkle in Forever Richard. The plot twists and turns, surprises popping at readers from around corners. Items and people are usually not as they appear. Sue should be proud of having crafted a fun and entertaining read for all levels of readers that is still fully a horror novel.
Forever Richard’s bio-ethics theme is strong. What humankind can do always runs in advance of what we ought to do, and stem-cell researcher Dr. Clayton Henderson leaps moral bounds quick as a buck clearing a picket fence. His breaches of ethics aren’t about curing sick people at the expense of others’ lives, but the black-and-white mad scientist type of villainy. Henderson is an antagonist without depth, but is a common enemy whom many can unite to oppose—the kind of bad-guy a reader hopes to see destroyed as quickly as Parkinson’s disease.
Like Dracula, Forever Richard is respectful of the Christian worldview, and I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t drive stakes through the hearts of even more literary awards than did Never Ceese.
Christian Cyberpunk Novelist to Speak
For Immediate Release:
Award-winning Christian Cyberpunk author Frank Creed will be appearing in Second Life, Tuesday, January 20 at 7 p.m. For Second Life residents the direct link to the location is slurl.com/secondlife/North%20Bound%20Marina/226/25/24 (or you can become a Second Life resident by going to www.secondlife.com and downloading the software).
This will be an informal discussion in which Creed will share about his writing, his life and the state of Christian speculative fiction. Questions will be entertained by Creed. Afterwards, plans include virtual surfing and socializing.
Creed is the founder of the Lost Genre Guild, a group of writers, editors and publishers of different types of speculative fiction with a Christian worldview.
"Christians own the copyright to demons and angels and spiritual warfare," notes Creed. "Yet, the bookshelves of Christian bookstores are almost totally devoid of speculative fiction except for some fairly sanitized young adult fantasies. Nevertheless, there is a small, but growing, group of writers and independent publishers using modern technology to make quality Christian speculative fiction available."
Creed is the author of Flashpoint and War of Attrition, both published by Writer's Café Press. Set in a future where fundamentalist Christians are considered terrorists, these books follow the exploits of a group of supernaturally cyber-enhanced resistance fighters using nonlethal weapons in an attempt to protect members of the underground church from the "Neros" or agents of the government seeking to crush the resistance and "re-educate" their members.
"I guess I created the first Christian Cyberpunk novel identified as such," says Creed. "There was a series of books published in the 1990s which might qualify as the first, but they were never marketed as cyberpunk."
In addition to writing the novels, Creed also helped co-author a role playing game based on the stories.
"I'm a gamer from way back. So, it was only natural for me to want to create an RPG where my readers could enter the world of The Underground," Creed explains.
Flashpoint has received critical acclaim and won several awards including: Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year (Elfwood 2006), CFRB Impress Award for best novel toured (2007), finalist for the Pluto Award for the Best Science Fiction Novel Reviewed, and was nominated for the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Clive Staples award.
"Jesus understood the power of the story to communicate in his world. We are creating the parables of a new generation," says Creed.
For more information email Terri Main at webservant2003@ yahoo.com
Award-winning Christian Cyberpunk author Frank Creed will be appearing in Second Life, Tuesday, January 20 at 7 p.m. For Second Life residents the direct link to the location is slurl.com/secondlife/North%20Bound%20Marina/226/25/24 (or you can become a Second Life resident by going to www.secondlife.com and downloading the software).
This will be an informal discussion in which Creed will share about his writing, his life and the state of Christian speculative fiction. Questions will be entertained by Creed. Afterwards, plans include virtual surfing and socializing.
Creed is the founder of the Lost Genre Guild, a group of writers, editors and publishers of different types of speculative fiction with a Christian worldview.
"Christians own the copyright to demons and angels and spiritual warfare," notes Creed. "Yet, the bookshelves of Christian bookstores are almost totally devoid of speculative fiction except for some fairly sanitized young adult fantasies. Nevertheless, there is a small, but growing, group of writers and independent publishers using modern technology to make quality Christian speculative fiction available."
Creed is the author of Flashpoint and War of Attrition, both published by Writer's Café Press. Set in a future where fundamentalist Christians are considered terrorists, these books follow the exploits of a group of supernaturally cyber-enhanced resistance fighters using nonlethal weapons in an attempt to protect members of the underground church from the "Neros" or agents of the government seeking to crush the resistance and "re-educate" their members.
"I guess I created the first Christian Cyberpunk novel identified as such," says Creed. "There was a series of books published in the 1990s which might qualify as the first, but they were never marketed as cyberpunk."
In addition to writing the novels, Creed also helped co-author a role playing game based on the stories.
"I'm a gamer from way back. So, it was only natural for me to want to create an RPG where my readers could enter the world of The Underground," Creed explains.
Flashpoint has received critical acclaim and won several awards including: Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year (Elfwood 2006), CFRB Impress Award for best novel toured (2007), finalist for the Pluto Award for the Best Science Fiction Novel Reviewed, and was nominated for the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Clive Staples award.
"Jesus understood the power of the story to communicate in his world. We are creating the parables of a new generation," says Creed.
For more information email Terri Main at webservant2003@ yahoo.com
Friday, October 24, 2008
The UNDERGROUND October '08
If anyone is interested in reading October '08's The UNDERGROUND newsletter/ ezine, I now place it directly on my website (no downloads or pdfs). You can get to it either by clicking the link above or going to FrankCreed.com and clicking on the Ezine banner.
This month:
Writing tips (using metaphors, word count, locating "geek" specialists to help research sci-fi stories, and creating book titles);
This Fall in Spec-Fic: Lost Genre Guild authors release 4 new books;
How to Get Book Reviews: Tips and submissions guidelines to the top journal reviewers plus a link to a nice list of on-line review sites (with links);
Spec-Fic Genres and Sub-genres: a pretty comprehensive list of everything spec-fic
and more . . .
Feedback is welcomed and you can post your thoughts in the October '08 UNDERGROUND board at FrankCreed.Proboards52.com.
Faith,
f
This month:
Writing tips (using metaphors, word count, locating "geek" specialists to help research sci-fi stories, and creating book titles);
This Fall in Spec-Fic: Lost Genre Guild authors release 4 new books;
How to Get Book Reviews: Tips and submissions guidelines to the top journal reviewers plus a link to a nice list of on-line review sites (with links);
Spec-Fic Genres and Sub-genres: a pretty comprehensive list of everything spec-fic
and more . . .
Feedback is welcomed and you can post your thoughts in the October '08 UNDERGROUND board at FrankCreed.Proboards52.com.
Faith,
f
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tagged by Becky and the Cap
*
*
Another game of tag in the blogosphere?
DrAt! I’m IT!
DrAt! I’m IT!
Christian spec-fic associate-compadres of mine, Caprice Hokstead and Rebecca Miller, who blog at Queen of Convolution and A Christian Worldview of Fiction respectively, picked on a slow-moving handicapped guy, and tagged me.
8-/
Here are the rules for those I’m tagging. Check the list after my 6 GROOVY HIFALUTIN' THINGS to see if you’ve been tagged.
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six-ish people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know he or she has been tagged.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
As sans tech-savvy as they come, methinks even I can manage six Random things.
1. I married my sweetheart of an editor whom I met ONLINE! (The secret is out, Frank Creed mosied on into the 21st century and became a really hip guy)
2. My twelve-year old daughter is the most adorable kid on the planet. Don’t even think about debating this point.
3. I’m founder of the Lost Genre Guild for fans and writers of Christian and Biblical spec-fic, and head literary critic at The Finishers.
4. I’m convinced that the USA is currently like the British Empire in its decline, and that we’ve had, since the 1960s counter-culture, all five signs of a failing culture noted by Edward Gibbon in his Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
5. We have six cats, and are currently feeding and attempting to cat-burgle a large white neighborhood stray.
6. A rabid Packer fan of 32 years, I’m really angry with the IdIoT mopes in the front office of my beloved Green Bay Packer’s front office who let the NFL’s greatest QB ever go for a FOURTH ROUND DRAFT PICK!!! Therefore, I’m now a New York Jets fan until the aforementioned mopes (president and personnel director), have either been assassinated, spindled, and/ or mutilated.
Here are the bloggers too slow to outrun a tagged cripple:
1) M.L. Tyndall Cross and Cutlass But I refuse to take up my favorite living author’s fiction time with silliness, so I’m not notifying MaryLu, and I need a seventh.
2) Grace Bridges Graces' Blog Sweet mother of squirrel, Grace has already been tagged—I need eight!
3) Karina Fabian DragonEye PI Dang, Karina’s been tagged too, I need an NINTH! Grrrr . . .
4) Robi Ley Robi's Blog
5) Sherry Thompson) Narentantales
6) Deb Kinnard) Just Tell the Story
7) Terri Main Wayfarers Journal
8) Paulette Harris Writing by Faith
9) Karri Compton Fiction Fanatics Only!
10) Scott Sandridge A Work in Progress
11) Jeff Gerke Where the Map Ends boards
Oops—too many. ShUtUp: I’m a writer not a mathematician.
8D
8-/
Here are the rules for those I’m tagging. Check the list after my 6 GROOVY HIFALUTIN' THINGS to see if you’ve been tagged.
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six-ish people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know he or she has been tagged.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
As sans tech-savvy as they come, methinks even I can manage six Random things.
1. I married my sweetheart of an editor whom I met ONLINE! (The secret is out, Frank Creed mosied on into the 21st century and became a really hip guy)
2. My twelve-year old daughter is the most adorable kid on the planet. Don’t even think about debating this point.
3. I’m founder of the Lost Genre Guild for fans and writers of Christian and Biblical spec-fic, and head literary critic at The Finishers.
4. I’m convinced that the USA is currently like the British Empire in its decline, and that we’ve had, since the 1960s counter-culture, all five signs of a failing culture noted by Edward Gibbon in his Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
5. We have six cats, and are currently feeding and attempting to cat-burgle a large white neighborhood stray.
6. A rabid Packer fan of 32 years, I’m really angry with the IdIoT mopes in the front office of my beloved Green Bay Packer’s front office who let the NFL’s greatest QB ever go for a FOURTH ROUND DRAFT PICK!!! Therefore, I’m now a New York Jets fan until the aforementioned mopes (president and personnel director), have either been assassinated, spindled, and/ or mutilated.
Here are the bloggers too slow to outrun a tagged cripple:
1) M.L. Tyndall Cross and Cutlass But I refuse to take up my favorite living author’s fiction time with silliness, so I’m not notifying MaryLu, and I need a seventh.
2) Grace Bridges Graces' Blog Sweet mother of squirrel, Grace has already been tagged—I need eight!
3) Karina Fabian DragonEye PI Dang, Karina’s been tagged too, I need an NINTH! Grrrr . . .
4) Robi Ley Robi's Blog
5) Sherry Thompson) Narentantales
6) Deb Kinnard) Just Tell the Story
7) Terri Main Wayfarers Journal
8) Paulette Harris Writing by Faith
9) Karri Compton Fiction Fanatics Only!
10) Scott Sandridge A Work in Progress
11) Jeff Gerke Where the Map Ends boards
Oops—too many. ShUtUp: I’m a writer not a mathematician.
8D
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Book Signing Mt Vernon, OH
Grab your babies and kittens, Mt Vernon, Ohio
Frank Creed and Flashpoint are coming to town.
Frank Creed and Flashpoint are coming to town.
If you happen to be near or in or around Mt Vernon
Saturday, October 4, from 11AM (man that is EARLY) to 3 PM,
mosey on over to Sips Coffee House and
Meet the Authors:
Brenda Nixon
Stephanie Reed
Cindy Thompson
Janice McCament
and
me!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Flashpoint: Pluto Award Finalist
Alas, Flashpoint, Book one of the Underground didn't win the 2008 Pluto award, but I am still chuffed that it finaled. Congratulations goes to Jana Oliver for her book Virtual Evil.
Read the press release below for more details.
Source: PRLog.Org - Global Press Release Distribution
By KitchenSink Entertainment Group
Dated: Sep 02, 2008
Jana G. Oliver's Virtual Evil made the cut to become the winner of the 2008 Pluto Award given out by Yellow30 Sci-Fi Review of Books
RADFORD, VA-Yellow30 Sci-Fi, an online speculative fiction review, is proud to announce the winner of the second annual Pluto Award. This year's award goes to the second book in the Time Rovers Series by Jana G. Oliver. Ms. Oliver's Virtual Evil is a masterfully crafted book about time travel that intertwines a good gothic mystery thread throughout.
Mark Randell, the new editor at Yellow30 Sci-Fi, states the award committee had a hard time this year as the contenders for the award were some of the best books reviewed in the past year. Frank Creed's Flashpoint and Christopher Hopper's The Lion Vrie made the judges job very difficult to say the least.
Ms. Oliver can be proud of the fact that this is the second time she's won the Pluto Award. Perhaps we're seeing the rising of a new star in the science fiction writer's world.
Virtual Evil won an Honorable Mention in the ForeWord Awards for science fiction and tied for the Gold Medal in the Independent Publishers Award for science fiction.
###
Y30 Sci-fi is a speculative fiction review site that highlights books respectful of Christian values, and their authors. The online journal emphasizes new names in the publishing world, but it also reviews works from established authors.
Category Entertainment, Publishing, Books
Email Click to email author
Phone 540-921-7619
Address 203 Berkley Street
Radford, VA 24141
City/Town Radford
State/Province Virginia
Zip 24141
Country United States
Read the press release below for more details.
Source: PRLog.Org - Global Press Release Distribution
Jana G. Oliver Wins 2008 Pluto Award
By KitchenSink Entertainment Group
Dated: Sep 02, 2008
Jana G. Oliver's Virtual Evil made the cut to become the winner of the 2008 Pluto Award given out by Yellow30 Sci-Fi Review of Books
RADFORD, VA-Yellow30 Sci-Fi, an online speculative fiction review, is proud to announce the winner of the second annual Pluto Award. This year's award goes to the second book in the Time Rovers Series by Jana G. Oliver. Ms. Oliver's Virtual Evil is a masterfully crafted book about time travel that intertwines a good gothic mystery thread throughout.
Mark Randell, the new editor at Yellow30 Sci-Fi, states the award committee had a hard time this year as the contenders for the award were some of the best books reviewed in the past year. Frank Creed's Flashpoint and Christopher Hopper's The Lion Vrie made the judges job very difficult to say the least.
Ms. Oliver can be proud of the fact that this is the second time she's won the Pluto Award. Perhaps we're seeing the rising of a new star in the science fiction writer's world.
Virtual Evil won an Honorable Mention in the ForeWord Awards for science fiction and tied for the Gold Medal in the Independent Publishers Award for science fiction.
###
Y30 Sci-fi is a speculative fiction review site that highlights books respectful of Christian values, and their authors. The online journal emphasizes new names in the publishing world, but it also reviews works from established authors.
Category Entertainment, Publishing, Books
Email Click to email author
Phone 540-921-7619
Address 203 Berkley Street
Radford, VA 24141
City/Town Radford
State/Province Virginia
Zip 24141
Country United States
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Steampunk, Hmmm?
The Junkbots of Stéphane Halleux*
I’m a lifelong cyberpunk fan and those novelists who have influenced my own writing are the likes of Nyx Smith, Mel Odum, and Michael Stackpole. Of course, the gaming I’ve done over the years has informed my writing as well. Following last year's publication of FLASHPOINT: Book One of the Underground, I’ve just finished the second book of the Underground (War of Attrition, due for release sometime in 2009) and already have the outline of book three. Cyberpunk and its possibilities fascinate me, however, recently I’ve considered writing Steampunk or clockpunk.
Steampunk, for anyone unfamiliar with the genre, is essentially cyberpunk that takes place in the past and utilizes technology available at the time but not used to its potential—what an article at wired. com refers to as retro-futuristic. As the name indicates, the technological inventions use steam-power.** The punkish attitudes of the protaganists towards authority are evident in Steampunk while the stories are set in less-extreme dystopian societies (—though a trend has developed to set Steampunk in utopias).
Some well known examples of Steampunk: H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine, Jules Verne’s 20000 Leagues Under the Sea, William Gibson and Bruce Sterling’s The Difference Machine, Alan Moore’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and the Will Smith movie, The Wild Wild West (previously a tv series).
The whole premise of steampunk is fascinating—and certainly worth more research and consideration for a new novel or series.
* The Junkbots of Stéphane Halleux
The work of Belgian sculptor Stéphane Halleux gets described as "Tim Burton meets Jules Verne." Halleux uses lots of found objects and pieces of junk to create exquisitely detailed, surrealist mashups of organics and machinery that are simultaneously humorous, dark and filled with fairy-tale charm.
Steampunk, for anyone unfamiliar with the genre, is essentially cyberpunk that takes place in the past and utilizes technology available at the time but not used to its potential—what an article at wired. com refers to as retro-futuristic. As the name indicates, the technological inventions use steam-power.** The punkish attitudes of the protaganists towards authority are evident in Steampunk while the stories are set in less-extreme dystopian societies (—though a trend has developed to set Steampunk in utopias).
Some well known examples of Steampunk: H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine, Jules Verne’s 20000 Leagues Under the Sea, William Gibson and Bruce Sterling’s The Difference Machine, Alan Moore’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and the Will Smith movie, The Wild Wild West (previously a tv series).
The whole premise of steampunk is fascinating—and certainly worth more research and consideration for a new novel or series.
* The Junkbots of Stéphane Halleux
The work of Belgian sculptor Stéphane Halleux gets described as "Tim Burton meets Jules Verne." Halleux uses lots of found objects and pieces of junk to create exquisitely detailed, surrealist mashups of organics and machinery that are simultaneously humorous, dark and filled with fairy-tale charm.
**Although many people include inventions using clock mechanism within the SteamPunk subgenre, purists set it apart as ClockPunk.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Gotta Love it: another FP review
Good evening.
I don't know if you will remember me, but we met briefly at MoCon not too long ago. I received a copy of your book Flashpoint.
I have recently finished your book, and wanted to give you a quick rave.
I greatly enjoyed the whole story. I found the characters to be very engaging and likeable. I thoroughly enjoyed the story being written from CK's vantage point, as if we were reading a diary. I felt it brought a lot more perspective to the circumstances. Nicely done.
But I also enjoyed the spiritual aspects of it. Although it was set in the future, I caught many instances where our present-day spiritual faith and relations with Christ were reflected in Ck's actions and "responses" from the Spirit. Namely, the way he would fail at something when he relied on his own self instead of walking in the Spirit. It made me think of the times in my life when I think I can do something and stop trusting in the Lord to get me through things.
I am anxiously awaiting getting book two.
Your brother in Christ,Drew Rub (aka AncientAlex)
I don't know if you will remember me, but we met briefly at MoCon not too long ago. I received a copy of your book Flashpoint.
I have recently finished your book, and wanted to give you a quick rave.
I greatly enjoyed the whole story. I found the characters to be very engaging and likeable. I thoroughly enjoyed the story being written from CK's vantage point, as if we were reading a diary. I felt it brought a lot more perspective to the circumstances. Nicely done.
But I also enjoyed the spiritual aspects of it. Although it was set in the future, I caught many instances where our present-day spiritual faith and relations with Christ were reflected in Ck's actions and "responses" from the Spirit. Namely, the way he would fail at something when he relied on his own self instead of walking in the Spirit. It made me think of the times in my life when I think I can do something and stop trusting in the Lord to get me through things.
I am anxiously awaiting getting book two.
Your brother in Christ,Drew Rub (aka AncientAlex)
Friday, August 1, 2008
And the finalists are . . .
The three finalists . . .
The Winner will be annnounced September 1, 2008
Congratulations Frank
Monday, June 16, 2008
Some Nice Words for Flashpoint
Thought I'd share this with you: I received this note in email this morning.
It is such a pleasure to hear from readers and special notes like this make everything worth the effort and lets me know I am glorifying Him through my writing.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Chicago Tribune's Printers Row Book Fair 2008
This past weekend, the Lost Genre Guild and Catholic Writers Guild shared a booth at the Chicago Tribune's Printers Row Book Fair. We had a great time networking with each other and many writers who stopped by our tables. Some folks even bought books!
Check out the Underground Message board to view more photos of the event: look for the board titled "News in the Christian Publishing Industry" and the "General Board."
Check out the Underground Message board to view more photos of the event: look for the board titled "News in the Christian Publishing Industry" and the "General Board."
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Challenge: 70 Questions about You
I'd like to challenge the other TWCP Authors to complete this Questionnaire!
Eye-Popping Qs [not really]
Do you have any pets? yes
What color shirt are you wearing? green t shirt
Name three things that are physically close to you: The computer, cup of coffee and cat bed
What is the last book you read? Jill Elizabeth Nelson's Reluctant Smuggler
Were you a good student? Yes, 'cept in Math.
What's your favorite sport? NFL football: Go PACK Go
Do you enjoy sleeping late? Yes
What's the weather like right now? Dark and 80 degrees.
Who tells the best jokes? Jerry Seinfeld
What was the last thing you dreamed about? One of my wheelchair nightmares
Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed? Yeah. A head-on highspeed collision in 1999 (hence the wheelchair nightmares).
Do you believe in karma? Not in the eastern religion sense of the word. I believe in the Golden Rule.
Do you believe in luck? No, I believe in providence.
Do you like your eggs scrambled or sunny side up? both
Do you collect anything? Besides kitties? author-signed books
Are you proud of yourself? no, bad time to ask that
Are you reliable? In intent, yes. My conditions preclude this lately.
Have you ever given money to a bum? yes
What's your favorite food? Chicago-style stuffed pizza
Have you ever had a secret admirer? Not a real one
Do you like the smell of gasoline? Yes, but I really love diesel fumes!
Do like to draw? yes
What's your favorite invention? the laptop
Is your room messy? no
What do you like better: oranges or apples? oranges
Do you give in easily? well, okay
Are you a good guesser? hmmm
Can you read other people's expressions? I don't know
Are you a bully? No
Do you have a job? Yes
What time did you wake up this morning? 8:50
What did you eat for breakfast this morning? coffee
When was the last time you showered? yesterday
What do you plan on doing tomorrow? Work then showering.
What's your favorite day of the week and why? Any day I don't hurt.
Do you have any nicknames? Scooter, Blackbeard, Twisted Sister, Scottie
Have you ever been scuba diving? no
What's your least favorite color? I get in the mood for any color
Is there someone you have been constantly thinking about? Yes, my sweetie.
Would you ever go skydiving? Not by choice
What toothpaste do you use? CloseUp (cinnamon)
Do you enjoy challenges? Too vague; it can mean too many different things
What's the worst injury you have had? High-speed headon collision
What's the last movie you saw? Hannibal Rising
Who was the last person you spoke over the phone to? Cathi
What's your favorite school subject? Literature
What's your least favorite school subject? math
Would you rather have money or love? love
What is your dream vacation? Middle East
What is your favorite animal? cat
Do you miss anyone right now? My dad
What's the last sporting event you watched? Superbowl
Do you need to do laundry? Nope . . . well, I do have clothes that need to be put away :)
Do you listen to the radio? No
Where were you when 9/11 happened? sleeping
What do you do when vending machines steal your money? Rock the machine
Have you ever caught a butterfly? Yes
What color are your bed sheets? White
Who was the last person to make you laugh? Cynthia
Do you have any obsessions right now? life
Do you like things that glow in the dark? yes
What's your favorite fruity scent? orange
Do you watch cartoons? Not any more
Have you ever sat on a roof? yes
Have you ever been to a different country? yes
Name three things in the world you dislike: sweet potatoes, hitting my head really hard and cold showers
Has a rumor even been spread about you? yes
Do you like sushi? yes
Do you believe in magic? no
Do you hold grudges? no
Eye-Popping Qs [not really]
Do you have any pets? yes
What color shirt are you wearing? green t shirt
Name three things that are physically close to you: The computer, cup of coffee and cat bed
What is the last book you read? Jill Elizabeth Nelson's Reluctant Smuggler
Were you a good student? Yes, 'cept in Math.
What's your favorite sport? NFL football: Go PACK Go
Do you enjoy sleeping late? Yes
What's the weather like right now? Dark and 80 degrees.
Who tells the best jokes? Jerry Seinfeld
What was the last thing you dreamed about? One of my wheelchair nightmares
Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed? Yeah. A head-on highspeed collision in 1999 (hence the wheelchair nightmares).
Do you believe in karma? Not in the eastern religion sense of the word. I believe in the Golden Rule.
Do you believe in luck? No, I believe in providence.
Do you like your eggs scrambled or sunny side up? both
Do you collect anything? Besides kitties? author-signed books
Are you proud of yourself? no, bad time to ask that
Are you reliable? In intent, yes. My conditions preclude this lately.
Have you ever given money to a bum? yes
What's your favorite food? Chicago-style stuffed pizza
Have you ever had a secret admirer? Not a real one
Do you like the smell of gasoline? Yes, but I really love diesel fumes!
Do like to draw? yes
What's your favorite invention? the laptop
Is your room messy? no
What do you like better: oranges or apples? oranges
Do you give in easily? well, okay
Are you a good guesser? hmmm
Can you read other people's expressions? I don't know
Are you a bully? No
Do you have a job? Yes
What time did you wake up this morning? 8:50
What did you eat for breakfast this morning? coffee
When was the last time you showered? yesterday
What do you plan on doing tomorrow? Work then showering.
What's your favorite day of the week and why? Any day I don't hurt.
Do you have any nicknames? Scooter, Blackbeard, Twisted Sister, Scottie
Have you ever been scuba diving? no
What's your least favorite color? I get in the mood for any color
Is there someone you have been constantly thinking about? Yes, my sweetie.
Would you ever go skydiving? Not by choice
What toothpaste do you use? CloseUp (cinnamon)
Do you enjoy challenges? Too vague; it can mean too many different things
What's the worst injury you have had? High-speed headon collision
What's the last movie you saw? Hannibal Rising
Who was the last person you spoke over the phone to? Cathi
What's your favorite school subject? Literature
What's your least favorite school subject? math
Would you rather have money or love? love
What is your dream vacation? Middle East
What is your favorite animal? cat
Do you miss anyone right now? My dad
What's the last sporting event you watched? Superbowl
Do you need to do laundry? Nope . . . well, I do have clothes that need to be put away :)
Do you listen to the radio? No
Where were you when 9/11 happened? sleeping
What do you do when vending machines steal your money? Rock the machine
Have you ever caught a butterfly? Yes
What color are your bed sheets? White
Who was the last person to make you laugh? Cynthia
Do you have any obsessions right now? life
Do you like things that glow in the dark? yes
What's your favorite fruity scent? orange
Do you watch cartoons? Not any more
Have you ever sat on a roof? yes
Have you ever been to a different country? yes
Name three things in the world you dislike: sweet potatoes, hitting my head really hard and cold showers
Has a rumor even been spread about you? yes
Do you like sushi? yes
Do you believe in magic? no
Do you hold grudges? no
Friday, February 29, 2008
Frank's new desk & steampunk mouse!
Have you read Flashpoint: Book One of the Underground? It is very strange to see gadgets that I imagined for the near future actually come into being!
Check out the brain-wave tech headset. I'm a visionary!
Emotiv brain-scanning headset
The headset is able to translate a variety of human responses into data a computer can use, from facial expressions to thought, and sends the information wirelessly to a USB dongle.
My new desk
Han Solo desk makes a statement about your skills as a boss.
If you want that message to say "I'm a gigantic nerd!" then you really can't do much better than a desk made to look like Han Solo frozen in carbonite.
My new steampunk mouse
If you want that message to say "I'm a gigantic nerd!" then you really can't do much better than a desk made to look like Han Solo frozen in carbonite.
My new steampunk mouse
Steampunk mouse adds a twist to traditional steampunk
What makes this steampunk mouse different is that it was designed with more in mind than just copper and pipes. This mouse's steampunk theme is around a furnace.
from the website: DVice
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Todd Michael Greene and I
Todd Michael Greene and I first met mid-summer of '06 because of Daniel I. Weaver's anthology project. I joined Weaver's Christian and Biblical spec-fic critique group bearing the improbable name of: Christian_Fic_WRE_Crit_Group. I believe the unwieldy title makes this genre specific critique group the Web's best kept secret for Christian & Biblical spec-fic authors.
Eleven months later Weaver's anthology project became Light at the Edge of Darkness, edited by Cynthia Mackinnon, (June, 2007: The Writer's Café Press). That brings back great memories, literally sweating the late summer's heat, while mentally sweating through the other contributors' critique rounds. Whose fiction would make the grade?
Sidebar: Light at the Edge of Darkness made the Top Ten for Antholgies in this year's Preditors and Editors Readers Poll.
Todd's submission was a short story--I can't recall if the Work-in-Progress was yet titled "The Novelist's Child." In the second of three critique rounds, Greene announced he was pulling his submission from consideration because the story he had to tell had grown to novel-length proportions. I've respected Greene's writing instincts ever since.
Out of the blue, Todd contacted me this week, informing me he'd feature Flashpoint and yours truly *wave* on his blog: A Place Called Fiction. Please do me a favor and smack Mr. Greene's hit counter for me--he's a great guy. Leave a comment and you may win an autographed first edition of Flashpoint.
8D
Eleven months later Weaver's anthology project became Light at the Edge of Darkness, edited by Cynthia Mackinnon, (June, 2007: The Writer's Café Press). That brings back great memories, literally sweating the late summer's heat, while mentally sweating through the other contributors' critique rounds. Whose fiction would make the grade?
Sidebar: Light at the Edge of Darkness made the Top Ten for Antholgies in this year's Preditors and Editors Readers Poll.
Todd's submission was a short story--I can't recall if the Work-in-Progress was yet titled "The Novelist's Child." In the second of three critique rounds, Greene announced he was pulling his submission from consideration because the story he had to tell had grown to novel-length proportions. I've respected Greene's writing instincts ever since.
Out of the blue, Todd contacted me this week, informing me he'd feature Flashpoint and yours truly *wave* on his blog: A Place Called Fiction. Please do me a favor and smack Mr. Greene's hit counter for me--he's a great guy. Leave a comment and you may win an autographed first edition of Flashpoint.
8D
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The UNDERGROUND Fiction Contest
NEW YEAR’S EVE TERRORIST ATTACK ANNOUNCED
Seattle-Portland Metroplex Terrorist Webwire DEC.31,2036—Panic has taken hold of Seattle residents as they flee the city in response to the FBT’s terrorist alert early this morning. The Security Advisory System isused a RED ALERT at 4:20am (EST) after a Peacekeeper sting operation uncovered what appeared to be plans to detonate an undisclosed type of weapon in the vicinity of the Seattle Space Needle.
An as yet unconfirmed report from a source within the FBT states that the BoC (Body of Christ) terrorist organization is believed to be behind this latest terrorist threat . . .
The above "news headline" is fictional of course! It is the premise for the December issue of The UNDERGROUND newsletter's writing contest. And, there are just 2 weeks left before the fiction contest submissions close.
For more details, check the most recent edition of The UNDERGROUND newsletter.
The above "news headline" is fictional of course! It is the premise for the December issue of The UNDERGROUND newsletter's writing contest. And, there are just 2 weeks left before the fiction contest submissions close.
For more details, check the most recent edition of The UNDERGROUND newsletter.
On another note, you can help us out here at The Writers Cafe Press Authors blog by clicking on the Technorati Profile link below:
Technorati Profile
Technorati Profile
Thank you!
Can't wait to read the fiction contest entries!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Controversy: Author self-promotion
Part I
I've broken this down into a couple of parts so that the post isn't overly long . . .
Promotion is a reality of the Christian publishing industry.
Most authors detest this part of the job.
Most publishers wish they didn't have to spend so much money on marketing.
But we don't always get what we want!
Publishers take risks when putting out a new title. All the background work before a book appears in print on the shelves of your local store or on amazon.com takes months -- and that doesn't even include the author's time writing the book.
Putting books on shelves, whether virtual or pine, costs a lot of money. A lot. 1000s and 1000s. Do publishers and authors not have the right to recover some of that expenditure? Not to discount divine intervention, there is only one way to recoup the cost -- marketing.
Book Awards/ Polls
(The quality and reliability of book awards and polls is a subject of much debate . . . and for discussion in Part II)
There have been many solicitations for votes on SL, on author blogs, in email, on mail groups over the past 7 days. It's that time of year again!
It is good to see authors being brave enough to come out of their writing dens and promote. People do not realize how difficult a task that is for most novelists. It is a necessary part of the job that I, for one, detest. But, it is also my responsibility to self-promote. I created the Media Room for Literary Art on Shoutlife and founded the Lost Genre Guild to help authors with this aspect of their job.
Is there a problem with authors informing their "fans" that their novel or article or blog or . . . has been nominated for an award or in a poll? and, that it is something that they can vote on to show support for a favorite book or author or indicate that they enjoyed a well-written article or well-designed book cover?
I don't think so. I've never once assumed that authors' posts are saying "vote for me even if you haven't a clue about my book or website or article or writing in general; vote for me 'cuz I am lots of fun or because I have a cute cat in my author pic or because I am very attractive or because I recite Scripture in my SL posts."
On my website there is a meter installed that tells my publisher daily hits, pages viewed, referring sites, etc. Interestingly, over the past 7 days my hits have spiked, big time. The majority of these hits come from one referring site: the Preditors and Editors poll. No one can read my entire book on the site, but they can read the article and view the book cover and read the short stories and my review blog. This indicates to me that voters are more honest than some have given credit.
The P&E poll is well-established. It is meaningful despite what a few critics contend. Unlike some other polls/ awards, it is a two-step process with email address verification. Unlike some others, the winners votes are carefully scrutinized. It is no more open to corruption than awards in the Christian publishing industry are open to subjectivity and bias.
In the end, it is up to you. Vote. Don't vote.
As for those who say marketing is "unChristian" -- I'd like to see the chapter and verse. Remember, marketing takes on all sorts of faces. The interview with the author of your favorite book is as much marketing as is a blog announcing to you that the same author is up for an award or in a poll that you can support.
I've broken this down into a couple of parts so that the post isn't overly long . . .
Promotion is a reality of the Christian publishing industry.
Most authors detest this part of the job.
Most publishers wish they didn't have to spend so much money on marketing.
But we don't always get what we want!
Publishers take risks when putting out a new title. All the background work before a book appears in print on the shelves of your local store or on amazon.com takes months -- and that doesn't even include the author's time writing the book.
Putting books on shelves, whether virtual or pine, costs a lot of money. A lot. 1000s and 1000s. Do publishers and authors not have the right to recover some of that expenditure? Not to discount divine intervention, there is only one way to recoup the cost -- marketing.
Book Awards/ Polls
(The quality and reliability of book awards and polls is a subject of much debate . . . and for discussion in Part II)
There have been many solicitations for votes on SL, on author blogs, in email, on mail groups over the past 7 days. It's that time of year again!
It is good to see authors being brave enough to come out of their writing dens and promote. People do not realize how difficult a task that is for most novelists. It is a necessary part of the job that I, for one, detest. But, it is also my responsibility to self-promote. I created the Media Room for Literary Art on Shoutlife and founded the Lost Genre Guild to help authors with this aspect of their job.
Is there a problem with authors informing their "fans" that their novel or article or blog or . . . has been nominated for an award or in a poll? and, that it is something that they can vote on to show support for a favorite book or author or indicate that they enjoyed a well-written article or well-designed book cover?
I don't think so. I've never once assumed that authors' posts are saying "vote for me even if you haven't a clue about my book or website or article or writing in general; vote for me 'cuz I am lots of fun or because I have a cute cat in my author pic or because I am very attractive or because I recite Scripture in my SL posts."
On my website there is a meter installed that tells my publisher daily hits, pages viewed, referring sites, etc. Interestingly, over the past 7 days my hits have spiked, big time. The majority of these hits come from one referring site: the Preditors and Editors poll. No one can read my entire book on the site, but they can read the article and view the book cover and read the short stories and my review blog. This indicates to me that voters are more honest than some have given credit.
The P&E poll is well-established. It is meaningful despite what a few critics contend. Unlike some other polls/ awards, it is a two-step process with email address verification. Unlike some others, the winners votes are carefully scrutinized. It is no more open to corruption than awards in the Christian publishing industry are open to subjectivity and bias.
In the end, it is up to you. Vote. Don't vote.
As for those who say marketing is "unChristian" -- I'd like to see the chapter and verse. Remember, marketing takes on all sorts of faces. The interview with the author of your favorite book is as much marketing as is a blog announcing to you that the same author is up for an award or in a poll that you can support.
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