Publishing – Page 2 – K. M. Alexander

Page 2 of 5

This is the most detailed map yet of our place in the universe

September 5, 2014September 15, 2014

Friday Link Pack 09/05/2014

First Friday of September! That means it’s time to share a few interesting links I have found throughout the week. Some of these I mention on Twitter, if you’re not already following me there, please do! Have a link I should feature in the upcoming link pack? Let me know!

Old Broken Road:

The sample chapter of Old Broken Road is now available to read for free! Simply hit up: oldbrokenroad.com. Enjoy! Expect a release date announcement any day now. You heard it here first.

Writing:

Book Publishing, Not Fact-Checking
Here’s something that will probably not come as a surprise: most non-fiction books are not fact checked. Well, maybe it should come as a surprise, but are we really surprised by stuff like this anymore?

Let’s Talk About Margins
Many publishers ignore the layout of books but layout is important. In my opinion it is as important as a good editor and a good cover. In this article, Craig Mod explains why you need to pay attention to the margins. (Thanks to Gus for sharing this.)

Generative eBook Covers
A lot of early books didn’t have covers. Not in the way we think of them today. New York Public Library has embarked on creating generative eBook covers. Obviously, these won’t replace a custom cover, but the result are pretty cool.

The Future Library
What if you could contribute a book to a library that won’t be available for one hundred years? You’d never know what people thought. You’d be writing for writings sake. Well, it’s happening, and Margaret Atwood is the first contributor.

The Creative Process
Self-doubt is something every author struggles with, but pushing past it is what separates the successes from the failures.

Art:

500 Years Of Female Portraits In Western Art
Found this video showing the progression of the female portrait very fascinating. Really appreciate the work that went into this. It’s interesting to see history presented this way.

2014 Burning Man Photoset
Stunning imagery from this year’s Burning Man snapped by photographer John K. Goodman. (It’s Burning Man, so I’ll assume you know these probably aren’t totally safe-for-work.)

Art Is A Way
Do yourself a favor and check out these beautiful paper-cut sculptures from artist Elsa Mora. Really fun, detailed work.

Random:

This Is The Most Detailed Map Yet Of Our Place In The Universe
So the Milky Way is our galaxy. But did you know we’re apart of a supercluster of galaxies? Meet Laniakea, our local supercluster containing more than one-hundred thousand galaxies.

Seven-Foot Wide House For Sale In London
Looking to move to London? Need a small place to call your own? How about a narrow place? How about a REALLY narrow place?

Mystery Of How Rocks Move Across Death Valley Lake Bed Solved
Remember those strange rocks that move across the desert? Well, science has discovered how that crazy phenomenon happens!

Lovecraft Story of the Week:

The Hound
A pair of grave robbers choose the wrong grave. Fun fact: this is the first mention of Arab Abdul Alhazred and the Necronomicon.

Gif of the Week:

May 30, 2014

Friday Link Pack 05/30/14

It’s time to share a few interesting links I have found throughout the week. Some of these I mention on Twitter, if you’re not already following me there, please do! Have a link I should feature in the upcoming link pack? Let me know!

Writing:

Bring Reading Rainbow Back for Every Child, Everywhere
Reading Rainbow—the single most influential show in my young life—ended in 2009. Levar Burton, with the help of Kickstarter, is bringing it back! Donate, even a buck helps and goes a long way.

Eisler & Konrath Vs. Hachette
Indie publishing powerhouses Barry Eisler and J. A. Konrath teardown the Hachette memo in their typical snarky style. Regardless of where you stand on the debate, in my opinion the real loser in the Hachette/Amazon fight is the authors and their readers, not the giant publishing company or the giant tech company.

95k Words Later… Red Litten World is finished!
I finished a manuscript! I am excited about it. Now back to work.

Art:

Letter To A Young Artist # 1
Fantastic and candid letter from a talented older artist to young artists everywhere. Very much worth a read for any creative. Thanks to Kari-Lise for sending this my way.

The 2013 Winners Of The Nature Conservancy’s Annual Photo Contest
Stunning nature photography, my favorite is the bear on page 2. Beautiful.

Random:

Arcade Font Writer
This is way too much fun, write… well, whatever you want in the font/style from your favorite 8-bit video game. Thanks to Steve for the tip.

Meet the Ragtag Vigilantes at War With Mexico’s Cartels
A side to the fight in Mexico we don’t usually see. Fascinating and terrifying stuff, someone should write a book about these guys.

U.S. Measles Cases at 20-Year High
Yay. Thanks vaccine deniers. This is just what we always wanted: more preventable disease. Nothing beats putting a society in risk. Thumbs up.

Lovecraft Story of the Week:

Winged Death
One of Lovecraft’s ghost written works. I honestly haven’t read this one, and this is a note to myself to rectify that over the weekend.

Farewell Gif of the Week:

Nature is Crazy

April 14, 2014

Some Old Broken Road News

Work is getting done and miles continue to roll past on Old Broken Road. There’s a lot of little things going on and it’s kept me from being as active as usual. (Sorry!) For my dedicated readers that’s not a bad thing! It means we’re getting close. Here’s what’s been happening:

As of last week the cover for Old Broken Road was finalized. That means the cover reveal is just around the corner. I’ll have an official date soon. As always people who subscribe to my newsletter get the first peek. So if you haven’t subscribed just hit this link and sign up. I rarely send emails, but when I do it’s usually for pretty awesome reasons. This is one of them.
You might have missed it, but there’s a teaser site now living at OldBrokenRoad.com. The looping animation comes from the 1926 Faust and sets the perfect atmosphere for the story. The line: “Some roads should stay less traveled.” is a reference to Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken and hints at things to come.
Oh! If you’re not caught up, you can get the eBook versions of The Stars Were Right for only $2.99! So if you’ve held off on purchasing a copy now is a great time to do it. Tell your friends!

That’s it for now. Stick around, there’s a lot more exciting things to come.

March 21, 2014

Friday Link Pack 03/21/14

Writing:

The Apartheid of Children’s Literature
Poignant article from Christopher Meyer’s discussing the noticeable lack of non-white protagonists in children’s literature. (Thanks to Sky for letting me know about this.)

List of Animal Sounds
A comprehensive list of animal sound in the english language. Handy resource.

Publishing is a Lottery & Publishing is a Carny Game
Barry Eisler and Joe Konrath analyze and discuss the state of the publishing industry. It’s a long and thought provoking article and I highly recommend every writer indie or otherwise giving it a read.

Honest Tolkien Covers
Because really…

Art:

Amazing Illustrations from the Russian Edition of the Hobbit
Such an awesome style. Really love the take on all the characters. I agree with the article’s title: best gollum. Easily.

Rod Ruth – Creatures From “Science Fiction Tales and More Science Fiction Tales” 1973-74
Great assembly of Rod Ruth’s amazing vintage monster illustrations.

Random:

FieldCandy’s “Fully Booked” Tent
Because who doesn’t want a tent that looks like a book? (Thanks to Sky for sending this in me, he was on a roll this week.)

Americans – why do you keep refrigerating your eggs?
Answers to a fascinating question that I’d guess most American’s didn’t even know existed.

Rear Window Timelapse
Footage from the 1954 Alfred Hitchcock film Rear Window spliced together into one awesome timelapse.

Lovecraft Story of the Week:

Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family
Fun fact, the first line from this creepy little tale will be the epigraph for my next novel: Old Broken Road. Madness is scary.

Farewell Gif of the Week:

buwah!? ear-ear-ear-earthquaaaake!

December 5, 2013

Paperbacks are here!

That’s right! They’re here! Finally! The Stars Were Right trade paperbacks have landed and are currently available on Amazon. Have at ’em! Tell your friends!

370 pages of action, adventure, chases, cults, murder, mysteries, and monsters in your hands for only $13.99! (Actually a bit under right now.) Buy it for yourself today or give it as a gift to family and friends!

That’s not all there is more exciting stuff coming. Stay tuned!

November 23, 2013November 23, 2013

Print Proof #2!

The second print proof of The Stars Were Right has arrived, and it looks great. I made some minor adjustments to the interior which significantly thickened the book, but the biggest change is the new matte cover which has a really nice soft velvety feeling when held. I’m really please with how well these are turning out. Here it is (on the left) next to the old glossy proof:

I’m still shooting for a late November or early December release. I’ll have more firm dates soon, and I’ll do a big announcement when these are available. I also have plans for some giveaways and some other cool stuff! Thank you to those who are patiently waiting, it’ll be worth it. If you can’t wait until then, don’t worry The Stars Were Right is still available for all eReaders.