Meet Adam Oster!

Right, Adam Oster. I kind of bumped into him by recommendation. I blame Mr. Chris Bostic, who said something along the lines of 'this guy's cool'. Not that I'll blindly believe everything Mr. Bostic says, but generally he has a very good instinct, you'll have to grant him that. So when Adam asked whether anyone would care to beta read his latest book, I raised my hand. Boy, am I happy that I did that. And now it's available, and you can read it, too. You'll like it. Promise.

That's Adam. Kinda cute, isn't he? 
Sorry. I have a soft spot for a lop-sided smile.

I tortured the poor guy with my usual set of boring questions. He was kind enough to answer them without yawning too much.

Who are you?
I am the author formerly known as, as well as still known as, Adam Oster. Too much? I just felt like I should fill the void here with as many words as possible.

So you are afraid of the void. Interesting. 
Which brings us to our next question: Where are you?
I am currently sitting at my desk, which just so happens to be located within a rather small room on the second floor of my home, which is located on a hill called the East Side Hill, which presides over the downtown area of a city called Eau Claire, that happens to be situated on the western part of a state known as Wisconsin that... okay, I think even the Germans know where I’m at now, right?


At least those Germans who know how to read a map. 
How are you?
I’m doing rather amazingly at the moment, as well as feeling quite chatty about absolutely nothing. It probably has something to do with the fact that I’m feeling quite procrastinatory toward work at the moment.

Which book do you want to talk about? Tell us briefly what it is about.
Oooh, promotion time already! The Agora Files is the book I’m here to speak with all of you lovely people about. It’s my new book, it’s young adult, it’s action-packed, and, if Angelika is putting this up on her blog on 11/29/2013, it comes out today!
I’m really bad at summing up my books, but in a nutshell, it tells the story about a boy who, while just doing his job, winds up being in the middle of a battle for power in the United States, while also having quite possibly the most awkward romantic entanglement ever put into prose. As far as a few additional details, it’s set in the near future, with a slight shift in history, and really just based upon the idea of running from something for a long time. Here’s the jacket info which does a whole lot better of a job explaining what I just failed at:


“Cyrus must run for his life, but can he run from love?

When dying alone on the hot sands of the Mohave Desert, Cyrus has no regrets. He loves a challenge. Being tasked with running from San Francisco to Boston in fifteen days, while the United States government and a host of bounty hunters hunt for him, sounds like fun. Being at death's door only a day into his trip doesn't faze him either. It's when he's joined by fellow runner Eve, bringing new emotions to the surface, his confidence cracks.”

Why did you write it?
There’s a few things that come into play as to why I wrote it. First, I had just realized that my first novel, THE LEGEND OF BUDDY HERO, had/has absolutely no mainstream appeal due to its subject matter (superheroes, although they are huge in every other medium, apparently no one wants to read about them) and the fact that it was technically written for adults (although I didn’t really have an audience in mind when writing it).
While thinking about what I could write that would fall in line with something that might be more appealing to the world at large, I had another dream in a series of dreams that I have had for ages, which basically involved me and someone else running from some unknown group that wanted to capture us for some unknown reason.
I had always liked these dreams because of the fact that they involved such varied locales. They would take place all over the world, both real world and fictional, as well as including some locations one could only find within cartoons. After waking, the thought of how to make this simple idea of running into a story kept running (see what I did there?) through my head. Finally I was in the shower and it all just fit together. In fact, I developed almost the entirety of the book within that not-too-long of a shower and was so inspired that I had the first draft completed within a month (which was not something I was trying to do, but just happened because of how much I was enjoying the act of writing it).


Tell us about your main character. What does he/she look like, love, hate, dream of? What qualities/flaws/principles does he/she have?
My main character, Cyrus, is my favorite of my own created characters. Since he’s technically a smuggler, one of the images I used early on to develop how his mind worked was Han Solo (from the Star Wars films, for those who are somehow uninitiated). The idea of having this character who, although technically motivated by money, really did everything he did based on emotion, just felt right for the story I was telling.
As far as more specific details about the character...He’s on the verge of his 18th, has red hair and is almost never seen without a hooded sweatshirt and a pair of Chuck Taylor shoes. He loves excitement, hates tunnels, water, and help; and dreams of a world where things never have to change. He’s a very selfish individual at a first look, but as you look deeper, you’ll see that more often than not, he’s ready at the drop of a hat to help others, even if he is absolutely resistant to receiving assistance in return. He’s a loner at heart, but has an amazing support system behind him, mostly in the shape of his brother, a 12-year old boy who calls himself The Geek.


Is there a song you'd associate with your book?
This is a hard question to answer for this book as it comes complete with it’s own soundtrack. Since the book really revolves around the topic of running, I tried to incorporate as many aspects of the running culture as possible. Those familiar with the culture should recognize terminology cropping up throughout the text. One of the things I realized would be important was the need to incorporate music to the story telling. I know very few runners who do so without music in their ear. This also felt important as it would be an easy way to create a mood during long periods of time where characters would be running in silence, without getting bogged down in detailing the experience.
However, if I were forced to choose one song that I feel really captures the feel of the book as a whole, I’d go with The Who’s Teenage Wasteland, even if there are parts of it in which The Proclaimers‘ I’m Gonna Be would be a better fit, not to mention a much better ear worm.  :-)


Sorry to interrupt at this point. I only do it because I feel the need to correct you. You know, the one song that really haunted me after reading your book, was this one: Jack and Diane. Actually, it is still haunting me. My poor family, forced to listen to it over and over again...
Anyway, back to our questions.
If you could have a superpower, which one would you choose?
Since I’m the author of a book about superheroes, I‘m asked this question often, and I have to admit that I still haven’t quite gotten to the point where I have just one power I could settle on. I find myself leaning toward telekinesis more often than others simply, but that usually comes up when I find the television remote or my kindle is just out of reach. I think teleportation or time-travel are the two that really stand out for me. I love exploring and these two powers seem to be the epitome of that idea. If I had to choose just one, I’d probably have to go with teleportation, as time-travel would feel rather pointless if I were stuck just exploring the future and history of one single area.


Anything else to say?
I just wanted to say thanks to Angelika for giving me the opportunity to come on here and let you all know about my new book. I’m so incredibly excited about it finally getting released. I am proud of the story that is hiding within those covers and I can’t wait for all of you to get to read it!

Read more about The Agora Files

Meet James Cassidy!

James Cassidy is another one of the many authors I've so far met on the authonomy website, and one of the site's greater mysteries. For quite some time, I didn't know whether James really was his name, or whether he really was a man, or a woman. I know all that now. But I'm not telling.

I asked him to send me an author pic.

In line with his personal mystery, 

this is what he gave me. 

He's probably on there, somewhere, 

hiding behind a tree.

Ready for some questions, James? Right, here we go...

Who are you?

James Cassidy.

                    Where are you?

                    Britain

                             How are you?

                             Good!

Which book do you want to talk about? Tell us briefly what it is about.

The Obvious. It's about a girl trying to get on in life.

Tell us about your main character. What does he/she look like, love, hate, dream of? What qualities/flaws/principles does he/she have?
Sammy. I always pictured her as average looking. She wants to be normal. She's a bit confused as to what love is but she will do what she thinks is right, whatever the cost.

Which actors would you cast for the movie?
Christian Kane and Jensen Ackles. Not because they'd be good for the roles, though. Hehehehehe. I don't think there should be one of the plastic, super-sexy women playing Sammy. It's a story about people and it needs an ordinary person.

What are you currently working on?
Sweet-pea's Thief and another still to be given a title.

Who is your favorite author?
Terry Pratchett. Dude is a genius.

If you could have a superpower, which one would you choose?
All of them.

Read more about The Obvious

Meet Michael David Matula!

I first met Mike in April 2013 on the authonomy website, where he's running two critique groups, one for fantasy, one open for all genres. Since then, I've beta read three of his books, and bought another two. That's probably some indication that I like his writing style...ok, it's a dead giveaway. However, I asked him a few questions. Here are his answers.

Who are you?

Mike Matula, a novelist and a story writer. My first published novel is Try Not to Burn, and I’ve had stories published by Sci-Fi Short Story Magazine and DarkFuse, and also in Wrapped in Red, a new vampire anthology from Sekhmet Press. 

Where are you?

Just outside of Chicago.

How are you?

I’ve been better, but I’m doing okay, all things considered. You?

Which book do you want to talk about? Tell us briefly what it is about.

Try Not to Burn. It’s a paranormal thriller with sci-fi and fantasy elements, featuring characters who are all haunted by their sins, and struggling to make up for the things they’d done in the past. Here’s a quick summary:

Shot to death in the line of duty, rookie cop Brandon Morales awakens in a much darker world than the one he left. Trying to make sense of it all, Brand stumbles across Sam and Jane, two women simply struggling to survive. With their souls hanging in the balance, and eternal damnation never more than one wrong turn away, these three strangers will need to put their trust in one another in order to stay one step ahead of the flames of Hell. But when enemies pose as trusted friends, when lost loves crumble the will to continue, and when hidden desires threaten to tear allegiances apart, it will take more than faith and determination to pass God's final test. It will take a miracle.

Tell us about your main character. What does he/she look like, love, hate, dream of? What qualities/flaws/principles does he/she have?

Brandon Morales is inherently a good man. He did something in his past which he never atoned for—something which the courts acquitted him of—and it haunts him. That experience has defined his life. It’s what led him to become a cop, but it’s also what makes him try to keep people at arm’s distance.

In terms of appearance, I always imagine him with dark hair and rugged looks. His personality, though, is based largely on my own. We’re both weighed down by guilt and regret, we’ve both had quite a few of the same experiences, and we both dream about zombies more often than is probably healthy.

Is there a song you'd associate with your book?

Can I pick two? Get Ready to Die by Magic Dirt, and Dragway 42 by The Pretenders are two of my favorites, and always make me think of Try Not to Burn whenever I hear them.

Is there a message in your book? Do you want your readers to take something home?

No matter how horrible things get, no matter how hard you landed when you hit rock bottom, there’s always a chance to pick yourself and push on, if you want it badly enough.

All that matters is the climb up. The fall down is what tests you, but it’s not what makes you who you are.

If you could have a superpower, which one would you choose?

A healing factor (like Wolverine from the X-men) would be pretty great. It’s not particularly flashy, and the power of flight would probably be more fun than simply healing quickly, but to be able to live for a couple hundred years, without worrying about getting injured or growing old...sign me up for that one.

Read more about Michael David Matula

On literary readings and the blessings of being cursed with the best beta reader in the world

Last night, I attended a reading by YA fantasy author Jonathan Stroud. You probably know his stuff. Bartimaeus. Need I say more? No? Thought so.
The first book of his new series Lockwood & Co is now published, and he graced my humble town with his presence to do what every author is loath to do: advertising. Really. I'm not saying that I have a huge wealth of experience, but so far I've yet to meet a writer who doesn't cringe at the thought of doing marketing. Let someone else do it. Let us just stay safely behind our little screens and write. Please.
Admittedly, Mr. Stroud made a pretty good job of it. And when he asked for a volunteer from the audience, guess whose hand flew up faster than anybody else's. Instant fun ensued. For the next ten or fifteen minutes, I had the questionable honor of getting dressed up as a teenage ghost hunter, complete with salt bomb, sword, sunglasses and a tube of magnesium flare (do not use indoors). It was a nice opportunity, too, to practice my language skills on a living object with a beautiful British accent.
Yes, the temptation was there. Hey, you, famous writer, I'm a bit of a writer, too, fancy taking a look at my pathetic efforts? 
I did not do that. The things you believe me capable of, really.

Mr. Stroud read the introduction to his new book, The Screaming Staircase, which appears to be a very fine tale. So, yes, this is a recommendation. He looked pretty happy reading it, too.
And I sat there and couldn't help wondering...is he still mentally editing?
You write. You re-write. You edit. You pass it on to some friends. You edit again. You pass it on to yet more people. You re-write. You edit some more. Until you come to the point when you just can't edit anymore. That's when you publish.
But, if you go on a book tour, and are forced to read the same chapter, again and again, night after night, do you flinch? Do you silently curse yourself, stumbling upon a sentence which you might have phrased better, or which could do with another comma?
Because, you see, the horrible, horrible truth is, editing is never done. If you think it's perfect, let your manuscript lie for a few weeks. Bet you'll find some new errors, inconsistencies and typos then.

Er...and yes, this is also some sort of apology. Or maybe I'm making excuses. Someone called me a slacker already, because I'm still not done with brushing up the sequel to Ratpaths. 
Guess why.
Editing.
And re-writing.
And all because I have the best beta reader in the world. This most amazing woman throws my chapters right back into my face, together with some variant of the phrase:
You can do better.
Her merciless belief is what keeps me going, until I can provide yet another book I can be proud of.

On googling yourself and being hauntingly beautiful

A few weeks ago, a fellow writer stated that amongst all the depressing, silly things a young writer could possibly do, googling yourself comes out on top. Why? Because he found a couple of negative vibes, one of them being his book tied to the question "Why does my book not sell?"
Ugh. 
Thus, the rule apparently is "Thou shalt not google yourself."
Of course, the first thing I did was go break that rule.
What fun.
So what did I find?
First of all, an amazing ten pages of google hits. Pictures of myself, my book, my trailer. Two illegal platforms selling my book at an inordinate price. I asked them to stop. Guess what. They complied! I have the power! Or, more likely, the words "copyright infringement" have.
What else?
Reviews. Pages of other writers, who have linked my page or my book, and I hadn't even begged them to do it.
And an excerpt of my book, chosen "Bubble of the Week" on Pinterest, with a side note describing it as - dig this - graphic, heartbreaking, haunting and beautifully written.
(Click here if you want to read it)

So. Silly and depressing? Not at all. Useful? Undoubtedly. Uplifting? You bet.