I was just breezing by my Dark InSpectre story on the blog where it's published (I like to do that every now and then), when much to my astonishment, I saw somebody had left a comment at the end of Episode 4. I couldn't believe it. It was left by a woman who said she found my story after Charles sent out that spot advertising it from his "Horror Happenings" email list. So, A) the ad worked, and B) I got a very nice comment, my first one!
And get this, someone even signed up as a "follower" of the story. I think that means they get automatically notified when a new episode goes up. Unbelievable! I sort of assumed this was all going up in a vacuum. I really had no idea if anyone was actually reading it. I know there are those rolling statistics on the side of the page, but I don't really know how to interpret those, and I generally don't trust them anyway. But now I know there are at least two people out there who I'm not related to who actually read it. Amazing!
In other news, I sent off my short story The Devil You Know to an anthology that's collecting submissions right now. We'll see what happens. No word on the Wolfsongs II anthology, I'm just hoping the author/editor is working on it.
Also, next wednesday, guest author Lily Kleiman will be here discussing her various writing projects. And then two days later on Friday, Oct. 16, I'll be on her blog discussing my various writing projects. Should be cool!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Blog hopping
I may have mentioned this before, but next week I'm "guest blogging" at the blog of one of my fellow Damnation Books authors, and she's doing the same in this space. She'll be here on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and I'll be there on Friday, Oct. 16.
Here name is Lily Kleiman, and she's a former graphic designer turned author who has written a couple of books. This whole guest blogger thing has been a fascinating exercise. When Lily first offered her site to the other Damnation Books authors, I automatically said yes because it sounded fun and interesting. But I had absolutely no idea how to proceed. Would we be writing each other continuously and posting for each other throughout the day?
Now I see that a good way to go about this is to do a sort of interview format, where the "guest" answers a bunch of questions in advance, and then it's all posted along with relevant links, plugs, etc.
At least that's how we're doing it. If anybody has any other suggestions, feel free to comment. So stay tuned for next week.
Here name is Lily Kleiman, and she's a former graphic designer turned author who has written a couple of books. This whole guest blogger thing has been a fascinating exercise. When Lily first offered her site to the other Damnation Books authors, I automatically said yes because it sounded fun and interesting. But I had absolutely no idea how to proceed. Would we be writing each other continuously and posting for each other throughout the day?
Now I see that a good way to go about this is to do a sort of interview format, where the "guest" answers a bunch of questions in advance, and then it's all posted along with relevant links, plugs, etc.
At least that's how we're doing it. If anybody has any other suggestions, feel free to comment. So stay tuned for next week.
Friday, October 2, 2009
The reviews are in!
Well, just one anyway. But it's good! The reviewer had very nice things to say about my short story The Killer Within. So that's way cool. This is only the second review for a short story I've ever had, the first one being for Devil May Care way back in October of 2006. Here's the full text of the new one, along with a link:
The Killer Within, by Jason Kahn, was sent to me by the author as a review copy.
4 1/2 Stars
Overview: 4 3/4 Stars
The plot was enjoyable and original. The story is of good short story length and has two good twists. The character development was well done, causing the reader to be shocked and empathize with the main character in turn.
At one point, the narrator, which was the policeman, referred to something his partner was feeling as a fact instead of adding a caveat, such as “she appeared to be.” It gave the view an omniscient feel for a moment and made me wonder if viewpoints had changed suddenly.
The writing was excellent with tight, concise sentences and minimal descriptions. The story had the feel of being the first few chapters of a novel, yet worked well as a short story. If there were a full novel, I would certainly be interested in purchasing it.
Editing: 4 Stars
There were a few editing errors, mostly just misplaced or missing commas.
Rating: PG-13 for Violence
———————————
Here are some comments from the author, Jason Kahn:
Jason Kahn lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn , with all the other young families who fled Manhattan for more space. By day, he works as a medical editor for a New York-based cardiology research foundation. Jason’s hobbies include rooting for his University of Michigan Wolverines and chasing after two mischievous gnomes who claim to be his children. Jason’s most recent fiction, The Dark InSpectre series, is currently running at blogspot.
The Killer Within, by Jason Kahn, was sent to me by the author as a review copy.
4 1/2 Stars
Overview: 4 3/4 Stars
The plot was enjoyable and original. The story is of good short story length and has two good twists. The character development was well done, causing the reader to be shocked and empathize with the main character in turn.
At one point, the narrator, which was the policeman, referred to something his partner was feeling as a fact instead of adding a caveat, such as “she appeared to be.” It gave the view an omniscient feel for a moment and made me wonder if viewpoints had changed suddenly.
The writing was excellent with tight, concise sentences and minimal descriptions. The story had the feel of being the first few chapters of a novel, yet worked well as a short story. If there were a full novel, I would certainly be interested in purchasing it.
Editing: 4 Stars
There were a few editing errors, mostly just misplaced or missing commas.
Rating: PG-13 for Violence
———————————
Here are some comments from the author, Jason Kahn:
Jason Kahn lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn , with all the other young families who fled Manhattan for more space. By day, he works as a medical editor for a New York-based cardiology research foundation. Jason’s hobbies include rooting for his University of Michigan Wolverines and chasing after two mischievous gnomes who claim to be his children. Jason’s most recent fiction, The Dark InSpectre series, is currently running at blogspot.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The R word
Was feeling good yesterday. I finished the short story I've been working on. It's called Music and Magnetism, and I even did some revising of it. I'll continue that today and print it out for my wife to read before posting it for the Baen's Universe slush editors to read. I also got another person to review The Killer Within.
Then I got an email saying that my story The Devil You Know got another rejection. It's been a long journey for that story. It's the sequel to Devil May Care, my first pro sale to Baen's Universe. Thing is, I think The Devil You Know is actually a better story than the first one. Oh well, I will suck it up and continue to try and find a home for it.
Then I got an email saying that my story The Devil You Know got another rejection. It's been a long journey for that story. It's the sequel to Devil May Care, my first pro sale to Baen's Universe. Thing is, I think The Devil You Know is actually a better story than the first one. Oh well, I will suck it up and continue to try and find a home for it.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Two tidbits
Couple of very interesting items. First off, the author/editor who has had one of my stories for a looooong time waiting for her to consider it for an anthology said on her blog that she is going to start working on said anthology! Yay! The theme is wolves, and the title of the antho is Wolfsongs II. (there was already a Wolfsongs I).
And I've learned that there will be a review of my short story The Killer Within on Friday by a reviewer of Kindle fiction. Yes, that's what I said. I know, far out right? So fingers crossed on that one too!
And I've learned that there will be a review of my short story The Killer Within on Friday by a reviewer of Kindle fiction. Yes, that's what I said. I know, far out right? So fingers crossed on that one too!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Back from San Fran; Episode 5
I got back from San Fran on Saturday. Very successful trip business-wise. Also completely exhausting. Then I had Yom Kippur services last night and this morning. I'm completely beat and will need time to recuperate. Fortunately, work should be fairly low key for the next few weeks.
Oh, did I forget to mention? Episode 5 of my Dark InSpectre series is now up.
Here's an excerpt:
Warm, chalky liquid slid down my throat and after a minute I grew more sleepy. Growing sense of alarm. Try and fight the sleep. Stay awake. No good. Darkness descends on my consciousness. Sounds of panic emanate from my throat. A hand presses tight over my mouth.
Oh, did I forget to mention? Episode 5 of my Dark InSpectre series is now up.
Here's an excerpt:
Warm, chalky liquid slid down my throat and after a minute I grew more sleepy. Growing sense of alarm. Try and fight the sleep. Stay awake. No good. Darkness descends on my consciousness. Sounds of panic emanate from my throat. A hand presses tight over my mouth.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Off to San Fran
It's my workplace's annual meeting, so I'm off to San Fran tomorrow for a whole week. Probably will not be able to blog too much till I get back. See ya!
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