Anyone can call in and ask questions: At the appointed time, dial 1-218-862-7200 (long distance charges may apply, depending on your phone plan). Enter the Conference Code: 245657. To raise your hand and ask a question, dial 5*.To Mute yourself, dial4*.
Tonight for the second call of 2013, Farland's Authors Advisory was proud to welcome artists Ben McSweeney and Isaac Stewart. Ben and Isaac discussed at length how integral a well done layout and both exterior and interior artwork can be in enhancing the impact of an author's novels. They also answered questions such as:
How is an artist selected by a publisher to work with a certain author or group of authors?
What artists or comics or cartoons inspired you to become professional artists?
Are you allowed to read parts of books you're contracted to do artwork and layouts for, or just scenes from the books before you draw anything?
For an hour-long interview that answers the above questions and more, press "Play" below!
Tonight for the first call of the 2013 edition of Farland's Authors' Advisory, our sponsor David Farland spoke with us at length about the art of short story writing. David took us step-by-step from the "Eureka!" elation of that first idea, through discussions of evocative language to propel your reader into the world you've created for them, to what makes a "good" ending. He also talked about why the so called: "Twilight Zone" ending is best left there.
If you love a well-constructed short story and have always wanted to know how to write one well, press "Play".
Jessica Day George has written many Middle Grade books, three of which are based on fairy tales: PRINCESS OF THE MIDNIGHT BALL is a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses. The sequel, PRINCESS OF GLASS is very loosely based on Cinderella. SUN AND MOON, ICE AND SNOW is a faithful retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon. She's currently writing another book in her princess series that is based on Little Red Riding Hood.
We discussed the origins of fairy tales, how to use them well, whether people are getting sick of them, and all sorts of other things.
The way you retell the story depends on what you want to do with it. Do you want to just retell the story, filling in the parts that might not be as fleshed-out as they ought to be? You can do that. Or you can tell your own story and just incorporate elements of your favorite fairy tale.
Our guest tonight writes as J. Scott Savage, mainly because "Jeff Savage" was already taken (by another Middle Grade author who writes about sports--not fantasy). He goes by Jeff, but answers to just about anything now. He is friends with James Dashner and Nathan Bransford. They have a podcast together, called WordPlay Podcast.
Jeff is amazingly knowledgeable about the Middle Grade genre, and shared with us his tricks of the trade. Among these are:
Middle Grade spans from about 3rd grade to 7th grade, and the protagonist should be at the upper end of those ages
Short chapters equals happy kids who might get mom to read "just one more" (1500 words or less)
Each chapter should be a complete story
Kids are fanatical about the rules of the worlds they play in, so you better get it right ALL THE TIME or they'll call you on it
You have only a few paragraphs to catch a kid's interest... and you can lose it just as fast
Girls and boys are much more similar at that age... but girls still like a bit of romance
Kids like scary stuff, but make it safe scary
He has a new series coming out in 2013: CASE FILE 13, starting with ZOMBIE KID.
For about an hour and a half, Jeff shared his wisdom with us. You can download the MP3 here, listen to it below, or subscribe to the Authors' Advisory podcast here.
Steven Savile writes religious political thrillers (SILVER), Germanic and Celtic fantasies, projects for Sci-Fi TV series (including Stargate, Torchwood, Primeval and Dr. Who), Golden Age Sci-Fi (TAU CETI in collaboration with Kevin J Anderson), "Fabulist Victoriana," Arthurian Historical novels (BLACK CHALICE), YA Paranormal (THE MOONLAND DIARIES), Horror, and "Weird Western." He describes himself as: ".. the bestselling author you've never heard of". Part of that is because he lives in Europe, but part is because he's like a magpie when it comes to genres. He likes bright, shiny new things, and can't stay put in just one.
Steven told us about his drive to genre-hop, why he doesn't use a pseudonym, why he's an agent's worst nightmare, and why he's able to defy the odds as an author. He's planning to take a couple of years building a brand in a single genre, but he'll inevitably return to... whatever strikes his fancy next.
If you've ever wanted to write in more than one genre, this is the call for you.
Tonight for the first call of the official Second Season of Farland's Authors Advisory Conference Calls, we had the distinct pleasure of welcoming two time World Fantasy Award and Philip K Dick Memorial Award winning author Tim Powers as our guest. Tim is the author of such award winning novels as: The Anubis Gates, Last Call, The Stress of Her Regard and On Stranger Tides. Tim shared with us a literary concept that has been in existance for a long time and has become connected with his works. The concept of "Secret Histories", which is defined as a " revisionist interpretation of either Fictional or real (or known) historical events which claim to be deliberately supressed, forgotten or ignored by established scholars".
Tim answered such questions as:
What makes real world history a good starting point for writing a Fantasy novel?
How much of your historical research is used in your novel?
How would you accurately portray an historical figure and have them as a character in your novel?
For over an hour of answers to these and even more intriguing and insightful audience questions, press "Play".
Tonight we heard from four amazing, enthusiastic, and very knowledgeable newly published authors. They're fresh from the querying/submission trenches and have all sorts of advice.
Tyler Whitesides is the author of JANITORS, a middle-grade fantasy book inspired by his own experience as an elementary school janitor. Unsurprisingly, the janitors help the kids battle the creatures who suck kids' smarts out and make them sleepy in class. JANITORS came out in August, and Tyler is currently on an extensive tour, courtesy of his publisher Shadow Mountain.
Amber Argyle is the author of WITCH SONG, a YA high fantasy about the last untrained witch standing against an evil witch who has steadily taken over all the other witches. Amber's magic system, uses singing to help the witches manipulate the forces of nature. WITCH SONG launched September 1, and Amber has been busy presenting at local conferences. She is published through Rhemalda.
Michelle Davidson-Argyle is the author of MONARCH, a spy thriller involving a framed spy, a lost love, and lots and lots of butterflies. MONARCH launched September 15, also through Rhemalda. She has one coming out next year and an anthology coming out in 2013.
Robison Wells is the author of VARIANT, a YA sci-fi with dystopian elements. Published by Harper Collins, VARIANT launched early on October 4 to accommodate Barnes & Noble's promotion schedule. It deals with a foster kid who goes to a strange new boarding school, which turns out to be more like Lord of the Flies meets Maze Runner. Rob, whose day-job is in marketing, suggests that you should promote our books in ways you enjoy. For example, he does a podcast with Sara Eden and Marion Jensen called The Appendix.
In other news, this 'cast marks the end of our first season here at Authors' Advisory. It's been an amazing ride, full of such powerful, informative guests and loyal callers. Thanks to everyone who has helped make Authors' Advisory a success!
