November 2013 IWSG

Happy Wednesday everyone! And seeing that it’s the first Wednesday of the month, that means it’s time for another IWSG!

 The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a wonderful place where writers can share their worries and failures as well as their successes and advice. Led by our fearless leader Alex J. Cavanaugh, IWSG meets the first Wednesday of every month and you can join on his site here. There's also a brand new website now so be sure to check it out here.

So I’ve got something on my mind I want to ask all of you out there. I am almost finished with a short story that I have been working on for what seems like ages. I’m thinking it’s going to end up being somewhere around 10,000 words and it is a Science Fiction piece that is very close to my heart. Since I am almost done, I’ve been going back and forth on how I want to publish it; traditionally or self-publish. If I go with traditional publishing, I won’t have to worry about paying for a cover or the editing (I don’t think so anyways. Please correct me if I’m wrong). BUT I also don’t have anything else published yet which means that it could be a little bit more difficult to place than I’m anticipating. Since it is such a long piece for a short story, I’m also worried about where I would publish it, because it would be way too long for a magazine. Maybe an anthology, but I don’t know.

My second option which I’m leaning towards the most right now is self-publishing. If I self-publish, I will definitely need to spend the money to pay for a professional cover as well as an editor. I’m liking this option more because I will have more control of my work on this particular avenue, but here is the crux of the matter. I don’t have anything else out there yet so I am currently an unknown and I don’t have a decent work sample I can offer for free yet. Should I let this be my free piece or should I put a price on it? I’ve worked so hard on it and right now I could really use the money, but with paying for a cover and editing, I don’t know how much to expect or if I should expect any returns all. I don’t know.

What do you think? How did you publish your first piece and if, like me, you haven’t been published yet, what avenue are you planning to use?

 Thanks for stopping by and Happy Writing everyone! ^^ :D

Memory's Wake Book Reveiw

For many years I have been a huge fan of Selina Fenech's beautiful artwork and until recently, I had no idea she had any interest in literature. That is, until I realized she was writing and illustrating her own young adult novel. Her debut book, Memory's Wake, was well worth reading!
From page one, this book not only hooked me into the story, it grabbed me by the wrist, yanked me into it's pages, and demanded I pay attention until I'd read the very last few sentences. To say it was good, would be a gross understatement. It was amazing! The characters were all extremely well thought out, the imagery was absolutely delicious, and the writing was down right beautiful! Even the illustrations, which are done by Selina herself, are gorgeous!
Full of fairies, dragons, and just a bit of magic, this book is a satisfy read for any fan of fantasy.

Have I been gushing? Well you tell me! :)

My Rating (on a scale from 1 to 5): *****

"In a culture of cravats and corsets, a troubled sixteen-year-old stands out in her t-shirt and torn jeans. She takes the name “Memory” because hers are stolen, and she’ll do anything to get them back. Lost in a world not her own, where magic and monstrous fairies are real, Memory has enough to handle just trying to stay alive.

Chased by wizard hunters, hunted by a dragon, stalked by a strange, handsome savage, despised by the fae and wanted by the king himself – everyone is after Memory, and she suspects it’s not just for her eye-catching outfit. Her forgotten past holds dangerous secrets that will change everything.

Memory will fight to get back to a family and home she can’t remember but desperately desires, even at the cost of new friendships and romances. On the run with no name and no memories, she thinks she has nothing left to lose. She couldn’t be more mistaken."

Memory's Wake is a self published, young adult novel 300 pages in length(80,000 words), is suitable for ages 12 and up, and contains violence, alcohol consumption, kissing, light swearing and death.

You can find Selina's Website for her art and writing here. Or you may visit the official Memory's Wake website here.

(On blogs is it necessary to include that you do or don't own copyrights to images posted?)