Tuesday, September 16, 2014

My "Real" Book is Really Here!

Paperback copies of Giantkiller have arrived and I'm thrilled with how they turned out. I'm aware some folks say we'll all be pleasure reading exclusively on our Kindle or Nook within the next few years (and I know some indie author friends who only publish digital editions of their books), but I really hope it doesn't work out that way. There's nothing more satisfying than leafing through a real, honest to goodness book, imo. Even more so when your name is on the cover. :)

What do you think? Am I a dinosaur in this regard? Have you gone all digital?

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Giantkiller (Leonard the Great, Book 2) is Now Available

After years of writing and years of editing, my book Giantkiller (Leonard the Great, Book 2) is finally available! To quote my author pal, Keith Robinson:
"At last! And I really mean that. At. Long. Last!" 
Yup. It's taken far too long to get this Dragonfriend sequel up and running (life and laziness intervened on a consistent basis) but now it's here and I couldn't be more excited.

I hope you'll like it and if you do will consider leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads (or anywhere else). You wouldn't believe how much this helps.

Here's the back cover desciption:
 Several seasons have passed since Leonard went on his last great adventure and battled a sinister force that had taken over Camelot. Since then he’s settled into a comfortable life as Lord of the Green Valley. But when his beloved Glennys is threatened by a cruel giant from a kingdom in the clouds, Leonard and his best friend Hubert must team up again with Merlin, the half-giant Ham, and a young dragon named Taddy to save her before it’s too late.
Sounds exciting to me!

The Details:

Giantkiller is available as a paperback and a digital download on Amazon.com. Obligatory links:

Kindle Version (US)

Paperback Version

Giantkiller and Dragonfriend are also available, worldwide (UK, IN, DE, FR, ES, IT, JP, BR, CA, MX, AU), through KDP Select so check your "local Amazon store" if you live somewhere outside the US (at this time, both books are English language only).

BONUS: Amazon's offering a cool feature where you can get the Kindle edition for FREE when you purchase the paperback. Not too shabby, I say.

Now, on to Book 3 (which, hopefully, won't take me as long to finish)!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Littlest Pet Shop Episode: Feud for Thought

My latest Littlest Pet Shop episode "Feud for Thought" is streaming for a limited time on the Hub's website.

Check it out HERE if you want to see the Biskit twins and two adorable koalas engage in some professional grade feuding.

Click HERE if you enjoy pictures of soybeans.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

I've Got Physical Proof!

Uh, I mean I've got a physical proof. Copy, that is. A physical proof copy, Of my book...Giantkiller. It just arrived the other day and is being given a final check. So far, so good.

(cue mini squee)

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Saturday Question: Getting an Illustration Agent

From Herb:

Q: I recently completed illustrating my first children's book which is due out later this month. Should I begin to look for an agent to represent me for more work in this field?

A:  First, it's good that you're pursuing this kind of work as once an illustrator catches on, the gigs pour in. I once heard of a very talented illustrator who had some 5+ years of book assignments awaiting his attention. Nice problem to have. That said, you may want to wait to see if the book is a success before beating the bushes for an agent. If it is, then it'll be much easier to get an agent's attention. In the meantime, I would suggest building up a portfolio specifically designed to get book illustration work (scout around on the web to find out what would be in this kind of collection as opposed to other fields such as animation). One way to add to such a portfolio would be to find an old public domain fairy tale or the like and illustrate your own version of it -- with a humorous twist or not. If you have a good book illustration portfolio then you'll be in a much better place when the time comes to seek out an agent. They'll ask for one anyway. That's my non-illustrator take on it.

Illustrators:  You folks (obviously) have a lot more experience in this field and I would welcome any corrections or advice for Herb. Please share your thoughts in the comments.

**

Got a question for a self/traditionally published author and TV animation writer (who'd be perfect for that show you're staffing)? I thought so. Leave it here in the comments and I'll try to answer it on the following Saturday.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Giantkiller Cover Reveal

My designer Mike Wykowski worked diligently over the weekend and came up with a real winner. The framing of the giant's face makes him look both mysterious and menacing and I love it. Thanks for your great work, Mike, and thanks for the feedback, folks! It really helped!

Here now, the cover for Giantkiller: Leonard the Great, Book Two.

Woo hoo!

Eater of the Dead: A Dragon Friend Excerpt

Just in time for Halloween! Check out a featured Dragon Friend excerpt on the BestSelling Reads blog: "The spooky season is upon us! H...