By W. J. Howard » reading

Writer Wednesday Blog Hop #24

W J Howard — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:00:29 +0000

Every week I weed through over 100 blogs, looking for writing advice and new and interesting books to read. Considering how time consuming this is, I share the posts I find the most interesting here every week. If you’d like me to add your blog to my feeder or a link from my weekly tour, leave a comment on the most current tour or send me a link via Twitter @by_wjhoward.

All About Writers

On Dance on Fire, Hitting 50 …and more, James Garcia Jr., on his four month journey through publication.

All About Books

On Overbury Ink, Number 38, part 7 – by Ian Eliot LeWinter
On Farm Lane Books Blog, White is for Witching – Helen Oyeyemi
On Fantasy Literature’s Fantasy Reviews, Who Fears Death: A book I will never forget
On Bookgasm, Strip AND Blood Guts & Whiskey
On Marissa Farrar’s blog, The Strain by Guillermo del Toro & Chuck Hogan

All About Writing & Publishing

FAV! On Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors, Use All 5 Senses to Bring Your Setting to Life
FAV! On Copyblogger, Charles Bukowski and the Secret to Immortal Writing
On Vamplit’s Library, Artwork A Personal Story of Jekyll and Hyde
On the Wicked Writer’s blog, Internet Writers Resources – free for the taking!
On Rachelle Gardner’s blog, How to Become a Better Writer
On a Newbie’s Guide to Publishing, The Difference Between Sales and Fans
On Wylie-Merrick Literary Agency’s blog, Has Your Ship Sailed?

Weekly Features

Literary Agent, Nathan Bransford’s This Week in Publishing
Win on Wednesday on All Things Urban Fantasy
This week’s Where Stories Are Made: Paul Magrs over at Book Chick City
On Book Lovers Inc., Around the Bookish World: News Week-in-Review

Blogging Events

July 16 – 18, Book Extravaganza
September 13 – 17, Book Blogger Appreciation Week

Join the Hop

Are you highlighting writers and books in your blog for Writer Wednesday? Then add your blog to my new blog hop link group. Powered by Linky Tools Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…

Filed under: Weekly Blog Tour Tagged: books, fiction, publishing, reading, writers, writing

Writer Wednesday Blog Hop #23

W J Howard — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:00:25 +0000

FYI… Bloodleggers begins today. In honor of our first release, we’re holding a drawing to win a free eBook published by eBookUndead. Leave a comment and you’re entered to win. Hope you’ll drop by Blood Reads to read.

All About Writers

FAV! On A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing, Konrath Kindle Stats
On Kiki Hamilton’s blog, Inspiration, Advances and How to Write the Breakout Novel

All About Books

On the Overbury Ink, Steampunk Novel Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger
On Fantasy Literature, reviews of Killswitch: Even more exciting than the first two books!
Also on Fantasy Literature Thoughtful Thursday: Reading is not a spectator sport
By The Cajun Book Lady, Review: Firefly Island by Daniel Arenson
FAV! On Bitten by Books, 45 Plus FREE Books! FREE Friday! Woot!
Over at Something Wicked This Way comes, Marissa’s Top Ten Horror Novels AND Nicole’s Top Ten Scariest Reads!

All About Writing & Publishing

On Pub Rants, One Possible Peril Of A Multi-book Deal AND Talk About the Money
In the Wicked Writer’s blog, From One Medium to Another
On Fangtastic Books, The Popularity of Vampires with Tom Olbert and Unholy Alliance Giveaway
On Wordplay: Helping Writers become authors, Should Stories Be Soapboxes?
On Mysteries and Margtaritas, Mary’s Rants – Take the whine out of writing
On Writers Gone Wild, Thoughts on Editing by SarannaDeWylde
Thank you Rachell Gardner for Short and Not-Always-Sweet Answers AND Really Not That Complicated
FAV! On Writing in the Crosshairs, How Can We Know talks about the buzz about agents charging for readings.

Four Kinds of People

W J Howard — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:39:15 +0000

With the end of the first half of 2010 rapidly approaching, I’ve decided to change my mindset for the remainder of the year. So first of all, I’m setting new goals for the next 6 months. Second, I’m pulling out the inspirational books to give myself a much needed pep talk. The first book I pulled off the shelf is Miracles Happen by Mary Kay Ash. No I’m not a Mary Kay Lady. I had used their products for years until my soy and gluten allergies got worse. Enough said. Anyways, the first thing you read in chapter 1 is this:

There are four kinds of people in the world:

those who make things happen

those who watch things happen

those who wonder what happened

those who don’t know that anything happened!

For this later half of the year, I will be one of those people who makes things happen.

Filed under: Question of the Week Tagged: books, inspiration, reading, writing

Writer Wednesday Blog Hop #22

W J Howard — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:00:01 +0000

Spotlight

Over on Fools & Sages, a personal friend of mine struggles with her love/hate addiction to the Twilight series in They Sparkle
I also chuckled when I read The Spork Theory on Jim C. Hines blog

All About Writers

On Blood Reads, Interview with C.J. Ellisson, Author of Vampire Vacation
On Lexington Vampire Examiner, Interview with Mike Duran, Christian vampire author part 1

All About Books

I’m seeing a lot of the same books over and over again, so I don’t have much to add here this week. I also need to clean out my book review feed folder. Too much paranormal romance and I’m slowly giving up on this genre.

In Vamplit’s Library, a review of Drawing Blood by Poppy Z. Brite A Review

All About Writing & Publishing

On Working Stiffs, Let’s Play — The First Five Lines
On A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing, The Time Is Now
FAV! On Wordplay, Why No Writer Knows What He’s Doing
Loved R.J.’s post, Crunch Time on our Bloodlegger’s blog.

Weekly Features

Literary Agent, Nathan Bransford’s This Week in Publishing
Win on Wednesday on All Things Urban Fantasy
This week’s Where Stories are Made: Keri Arthur over at Book Chick City
On Book Lovers Inc., Around the Bookish World: News Week-in-Review

Join the Hop

Filed under: Weekly Blog Tour Tagged: authors, publishing, reading, reviews, writing

Writer Wednesday Blog Hop #21

W J Howard — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:00:35 +0000

All About Writers

On Guide to Literary Agents, 7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Holly Schindler
We’ve been blogging about our characters on Bloodleggers. By co-writer R.J. Robyn, Searching for Billy Knox… and by me, two part interviews with Regina Todd
On Dark Faerie Tales, Author Interview & Giveaway: 13 to Life by Shannon Delany

All About Books

On Bitten By Books, How Honest Is Too Honest In A Review?
On Book Junkie, Bookswim Book Rentals

Book reviews that caught my eye this week, and the books that got added to my GoodReads to-read list:

On Fangtastic Books, A Review of Dark Oracle by Alayna Williams
On Darkly Reading, Review of The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells
On Fantasy Literature’s Fantasy Book Reviews, The Etched City: Dark and decadent
On Farm Lane Books Blog, Red April – Santiago Roncagliolo

All About Writing & Publishing

That Author Ecopy Comes With A Hefty Price Tag on Pub Rants

Weekly Features

Literary Agent, Nathan Bransford’s This Week in Publishing & The Rejection Letter of the Future Will Be Silence (And Why This is a Good Thing)
Win on Wednesday on All Things Urban Fantasy
This week’s Where Stories are Made: Thomas Emson over at Book Chick City
On Book Lovers Inc., Around the Bookish World: News Week-in-Review
On Overbury Ink, Number 38 – Part 6, by Ian Eliot LeWinter
NEW On Dark Faerie Tales, Publishing News

Blogging Events

September 13 – 17, Book Blogger Appreciation Week

Join the Hop

Filed under: Weekly Blog Tour Tagged: novels, publishing, reading, reviews, writing

Writer Wednesday Blog Hop #20

W J Howard — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:00:50 +0000

WHOO HOO!

20 Blog Hops

All About Writers

On Biting Edge, Start Saving Your Pennies… mentions that James Bond’s car from Goldfinger is for sale and expected to sell for over $5 million. There’s also some news on a future Bond book, as well as a link to a website with pictures of some really COOL bookshelves of the non human kind.
Here’s an review of Jaws, by Peter Benchley. It’s always fun to run across modern day reviews of older books.
On Fangtastic Books, Welcome Guest Author Yolanda Sfetsos

Books I Want to Read

Book reviews that caught my eye this week, and the books that got added to my GoodReads to-read list:

On Bitten by Books, Ouroboros by Michael Kelly and Carol Weekes
On Book Lovers, Inc., Review: Shades of Gray by Caitlin Kittredge & Jackie Kessler
On Book Whisperer, Review: Blood Song by Cat Adams & Review: Blood Song by Cat Adams
On The Cajun Book Lady, Review: The Second Coming by David H Burton

All About Writing & Publishing

On 1st Turning Point, Pointless Networking ain’t so pointless when you make those accidental connections
On the Wicked Writer’s blog, Long live the book… A view on the publishing industry
On Jim C. Hines blog, Reading Reviews
On The Journey is Everything, The Five Stages Of Author Booksignings

Weekly Features

Literary Agent, Nathan Bransford’s This Week in Publishing
Win on Wednesday on All Things Urban Fantasy
This week’s Where Stories Are Made: Jaime Rush over at Book Chick City
On Book Lovers Inc., Around the Bookish World: News Week-in-Review
NEW On Fantasy Literature, World Wide Wednesday by another reader, like me, scanning the blogsphere for great interesting reads.

Join the Hop

Filed under: Weekly Blog Tour Tagged: book reviews, fiction, novels, publishing, reading, writing

Weekly Whine: Morning Coffee’s a Must

W J Howard — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:01:26 +0000

I don’t really have anything to whine about today. I’m over my latest bout of anemia as of yesterday and actually had the energy to get out of bed at 3:50 A.M. this morning. Still had to head to the Keurig brewer first thing and watched the strongest brew stream into the cup. Ahhh…the aroma of morning coffee.

I got a bunch of yard work done yesterday. I love yard work! Really gives you the time to be productive and ponder, all at the same time. My poor backyard garden was seriously neglected after being ill the last couple years, so getting it back in order really makes me happy and peppy too . It was pretty hot yesterday though, and I HATE the heat–there’s a tiny whine. Can’t wait until we move up to the mountains full time. House in the mountains looking out on Longs Peak, where you see snow for most of the year, is the definition of heaven.

I have a confession. I missed the cutoff date for the contest. I worked my ass off editing The Courier and pulling my hair out with the synopsis, and it was nothing but painful. When the anemia got bad last weekend, I gave up and used my “lack of energy” as an excuse not to finish. The deadline came and went last Tuesday, and I didn’t care. In fact, I was relieved I didn’t enter. What it all came down to is that I lose my enjoyment for writing when I enter contests. So, NO MORE CONTESTS!

Off to add this week’s forum topic to Vamplit Writer’s. This week’s question is about the vampires we’d choose to be in literature, movies or television. The question came to me while watching Ultraviolet for the 20th time this weekend. Another movie I loved that no one else seemed to enjoy. So it’s, no contest. I’d be Violet.

Oh, another movie we watched over the weekend that I thought was awesome, even after my son warned me young people really hated it was Gamer with Gerard Butler. Michael C. Hall plays another psycho in the movie. The man sure has talent for such roles.

WOW! I may not of had a lot to whine about, but I sure had enough to natter through.

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme, hosted by Sheila at One Person’s Journey Through a World of Books where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Currently Reading: Road Trip of the Living Dead by Mark Henry & God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert

Listening to: Blood Trail by C. J. Box

Just Finished: Moonshine by Alaya Johnson & Small Favor by Jim Butcher (LOVED IT!!)

Next up: Dance on Fire by James Garcia Jr.

Powered by Linky Tools Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…

Filed under: Weekly Whine Tagged: coffee, Colorado, contests, Gamer, gardening, mountains, publishing, reading, Ultraviolet, vampires, writing

Writer Wednesday Blog Hop #19

W J Howard — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:05:22 +0000

All About Writers

On Enchanted by Books, Guest Author Carolyn Crane & Giveaway! discusses the “Top 6 cool things about being a series author that I never expected”

Books I Want to Read

Book reviews that caught my eye this week, and the books that got added to my GoodReads to-read list:

On Bookgasm, Decoding the Heavens: A 2,000-Year-Old Computer — and the Century-Long Search to Discover Its Secrets AND I Am Not a Serial Killer AND Tooth and Claw
NEW FAV On Book Lovers, Review: Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane +Giveaway
Looks like a pretty good list on Farm Lane’s Book Blog in The Best Literary Science Fiction Books?

All About Writing & Publishing

Platform, Shmatform on A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing shows you don’t have to be an established author to be a top seller.
NEW BLOG On Guide to Literary Agents, 7 Tips on Book Publicity. I also watch Livia Blackburne’s blog and she provides excellent advice. On her blog, How to Get (and Keep) People’s Attention was a great read this week
On 1st Turning Point, Marketing Before Publication? How About Before It’s Written?
On Biting Edge, Writers and Readers…what we owe each other
Fear was a focus on Copyblogger in Is F.E.A.R. Holding You Back? AND 7 Quick-Start Techniques for Fighting the Fear to Write
On Editorial Ass, How to Throw an Awesome Book Launch
On Passion on Paper by Gina Leigh Maxwell, Terrible Twos-day: Word Count vs. Words That Count
On Wordplay, 8 Ways Longhand Writing Frees Your Muse
On Richard Dansky’s blog, Seven Things You Should Always Ask A Writer. We used the question about which book you wished you’d written this week on Vamplit Writers
On Leterary Agent Rachelle Gardner’s blog, Getting People to Read Your Book

Weekly Features

Book Blogger Hop at Crazy for Books
Follow Friday for blogs at Parajunkee’s View
Literary Agent, Nathan Bransford’s This Week in Publishing is a blog tour of sorts. I also enjoyed What Makes a Great Setting
Win on Wednesday on All Things Urban Fantasy
This week’s Where Stories are Made: Keri Arthur over at Book Chick City
NEW On Book Lovers Inc., Around the Bookish World: News Week-in-Review
On Overbury Ink, Number 38, part 5 by Ian Eliot LeWinter

Join the Hop

Filed under: Weekly Blog Tour Tagged: authors, novels, publishing, reading, writing

No Whine Zone

W J Howard — Mon, 31 May 2010 12:00:51 +0000

In honor of Memorial Day, there will be no whining today. Instead, I will reflect on my own time serving our country and thanking God that since WWII my close family members who have served during wartime have all returned home safe.

In addition, I’m starting a new section, joining What Are You Reading?

Currently Reading: Moonshine by Alaya Johnson & Small Favor by Jim Butcher

Just Finished: To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip Jose Farmer & White Plague by Frank Herbert

Next up: Road Trip of the Living Dead by Mark Henry & Dance on Fire by James Garcia Jr.

Powered by Linky Tools Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…

Filed under: Weekly Whine Tagged: publishing, reading, writing

Writer Wednesday Blog Hop #18

W J Howard — Wed, 26 May 2010 14:00:22 +0000

All About Writers

On Fantastic Book Review I really enjoyed the questions asked in, Sensational 7 Q & A with Jennifer Murgia!
On Enchanted by Books, Guest Author Michelle Rowen & Giveaway!
On Paul D. Brazill’s blog, Guest Blogger: Author & ex -cop Johnny Russell.

Books I Want to Read

Book reviews that caught my eye this week, and the books that got added to my GoodReads to-read list:

In Damian Kane’s blog, Book review: A Stir of Echoes, by Richard Matheson
On Fantasy Literature, Wolfsangel: Fine heroic fantasy
On Bookgasm, Neverland
On The Neverending Shelf, Book Review: The Line
On Taliesin Meets the Vampires, Dance on Fire – review
On Writers Gone Wild, How To Spot A Bastard By His Star Sign

All About Writing & Publishing

eBook Royalty: Another Way To Protect on Pub Rants
On Rachell Gardner’s blog, What if My Agent Doesn’t Like My Next Book?
There are some interesting comments over on the Wicked Writer’s Blog this week on muses
On Criminal Minds, Taking a Whiz on Book Marketing . . .
On Jim C. Hines blog, Saying No to a Publisher
On WOW, Women on Writing, Metaphors Are Fun, Creative and Therapeutic
On Vamplit, Loving the Undead
On A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing, DRM Free
On Haunted Dreams, Dark Destinies, Why I Write About Angels and Demons

Weekly Features

Book Blogger Hop at Crazy for Books
Follow Friday for blogs at Parajunkee’s View
Literary Agent, Nathan Bransford’s This Week in Publishing is a blog tour of sorts, and my favorites in his blog this week are Every Writer Gets Rejected and How to Write a One Sentence Pitch
Win on Wednesday on All Things Urban Fantasy.
This week’s Where Stories Are Made: MD Lachlan over at Book Chick City

Filed under: Weekly Blog Tour Tagged: authors, blogs, publishing, reading, writers, writing