Gryphonwood Anthology Dark Places 2 Available Free

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Darker Places 2, Gryphonwood Press's most recent horror/suspense anthology, is available for free download through the end of October 31, 2012 at Smashwords.

Here is the link: Dark Places 2 at Smashwords

Here is the code to use to obtain it for free: VY29G

It's also available at:
Kindle USA
Kindle UK
for its regular price (99 cents).

Enjoy stories from David Wood, Alan Baxter, John E. Baylor, Justin Macumber and me.

Hope you get a copy and enjoy the read!
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Dark Places 2 Anthology Released

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Dark Places 2, Gryphonwood Press's latest Halloween Anthology is out in ebook for the low price of 99 cents! You’ll get stories from Alan Baxter, Justin Macumber, John E. Bailor, David Wood, and me.

The ebook will be free at Smashwords on Halloween (October 31st), so drop back here (Up Around the Corner) or stop by the Gryphonwood Website/Blog for a free download code.

Or, if you don’t want to wait until then, what’s 99 cents?

Links:
     Kindle US    
          Kindle UK
               Smashwords
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Zombie Attack: A Caverns and Creatures (RPG Based) Short Story

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Zombie Attack is a short novella based in the Caverns and Creatures world created by Robert Bevan.

Here's my review:

Zombie Attack was my third delving into the 'gamers caught in a fantasy game world' created by Robert Bevan. It had exactly what I expected: action and humor. The plot isn't deep but it twists a few times. Someone who has been involved in RPGs might be able to guess a few of the plot twists, but might also enjoy the story a bit more.

Having read the novel this short novella is based on (Critical Failures) isn't necessary to follow the story here, but it'll help some in getting up to speed.

If you don't mind a bit of foul language and crude (gross-type) humor in your fantasy adventures, Zombie Attack is probably for you.

 

If Zombie Attack looks good, it and another story in the series, (Cave of the Kobolds) are currently available free via Kindle and Smashwords.

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Outlaws Book Trailer

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Outlaws, an action novel spiced with a bit of romance, by William Weldy is one I really enjoyed reading and recommend.

William Weldy recently released a video trailer for his debut novel. Take a minute or two to give it a look and see what you think.

The Next Big Thing Blog Chain

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I was tagged for this fun blog chain by Angie Lofthouse at Notes from the Writing Chair. I get to talk about my Work in Progress. So here goes!

What is the working title of your book?
The working title is Soul Forge

Where did the idea come from for the book?
It's the third in the First Civilization's Legacy Series that began with Flank Hawk and was followed up by Blood Sword.

The idea came from the involvement of two secondary characters (Supreme Enchantress Thulease and her daughter, Thereese) in Blood Sword's plot. Enchantress Thulease is now seeking a way to revive her daughter, having been drained by the Shard Staff while battling the healing goddess, Fendra Jolain, in Blood Sword's climactic ending. Enchantress Thulease hires Mercenary Flank Hawk to accompany her as she jouneys to find the Sleeping Sage in a bid to secure such knowledge.

What genre does your book fall under?
Epic Fantasy, technically Post-Apocalyptic Epic Fantasy

What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
As I am not fully up to date actors these days, I posted this question to Flankers (a Facebook fan-group for the First Civilization's Legacy Series). This is what they came up with and I think they're on target:


Krish/Flank Hawk
Ben Barnes
(shorter hair)

Lilly
 Evanna Lynch
(darker hair)

Supreme Enchantress Thulease
Kate Beckinsale
(taller)

What is the one sentence synopsis for the book?
Is there a cure for young Enchantress Thereese, her life's spark fading a little each day and, if so, can it be found in time?

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? 
Like the others in the series, I hope it will be published by Gryphonwood Press. Although I am fairly confident, sales of previous novels and the quality of Soul Forge will determine if it comes to pass.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I am still writing the first draft (a little over 40,000 words into it). I anticipate a little over a year.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Really, there's nothing out there that's exactly like it. If you enjoy works by Steven Brust, Roger Zelazny and Stephen R. Donaldson, I hope you'd like mine. Theirs are the works I studied when working to develop my writing skills.

What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
Dark Elves modelled after those in Norse Mythology play a part in the story.

= = =

Now to tag some others!

William Weldy at Cop Writer
Cher Green at Footsteps of a Writer
Dean Sault at Inside a Writer's Mind--enter at your own risk
Debra L. Martin at Two Ends of the Pen

(And anyone else reading this who wants to participate)

Well-written and Compelling (Flank Hawk's most recent Amazon review )

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"Author Terry W. Ervin II gives us a fast-paced exciting adventure. The book follows Flank Hawk's transition from an unsure village militiaman to a skilled, veteran fighting at the heart of world-shaking events. The characters are engaging and well-developed, and the book compels the reader to turn the page to find out what happens next. Some of the action sequences where Flank Hawk and allies battle NAZI stukas and legions of undead are extraordinarily well done make this an exciting read. If you like fast-paced adventure, a touch of humors, and characters you care about, don't miss this one."

Rated 4 Stars by R.S. Kimsey
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The Highwayman: Poetry to Music

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Often while teaching, I strive to relate similar creative elements, including figurative language, are found in both poetry and music.

A solid example is The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes, first published in 1906.

The Highwayman

PART ONE

I

THE wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees,
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
And the highwayman came riding—
Riding—riding—
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.

II

He'd a French cocked-hat on his forehead, a bunch of lace at his chin,
A coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe-skin;
They fitted with never a wrinkle: his boots were up to the thigh!
And he rode with a jewelled twinkle,
His pistol butts a-twinkle,
His rapier hilt a-twinkle, under the jewelled sky.

III

Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard,
And he tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred;
He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Bess, the landlord's daughter,
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.

 

...the rest of the poem can be found here:  The Highwayman by Noyes at PoemHunter.com

 

In addition to the written form, Loreena McKennitt recently put the poem to music:

 

  

 

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Reivew of Blood Sword at Brianwfoster.com

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Here's a link to what reader, writer and blogger, Brian Foster had to say about Blood Sword:

Link: Review of Blood Sword
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Interview over at Morgen Bailey's Writing Blog

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Had a fun interview over at Morgen Bailey's writing blog.

Some great questions and discussion. And hey, I bet you'll never guess what three people from any era I'd like to invite to dinner--and what I'd cook (okay, maybe my wife and daughters could guess at the second part with some accuracy).


If you've got a few moment to spare, click on over and give it a read.

Link: Daily interview no.518 with writer Terry Ervin
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Is it just me with 30 second advertisements?

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I've noticed a trend online when I click on a news story or article, especially when it includes a video clip. I get an advertisement--nothing new. I can understand that. It means revenue for the news source or website. But the the advertisements are getting longer. Doubling in length.

Ten or fifteen seconds? Not a problem. But when the advertisement is 30 seconds, I don't bother. I just click to somewhere else.

Maybe that shows impatience on my part. Nevertheless, there are other sites, other places to visit. I could just open another window while it runs, but I guess it's my little protest. Intrude too much with the visitor to your article or website, lose those eyes--or at least mine.
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Where Does a Writer's Ideas Come From?

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Cher Green posed this question over at her blog and asked me along with several other authors for our input.

At her blog I discuss where I get my ideas and specifically where the notion for "Accelerated Justice" originated. It's near future science fiction story that is part of the upcoming release of a collection of my short stories titled Genre Shotgun.

Click on over to see how and where I and other authors get our ideas.

Link:  Voices of Fiction - Where do you get your ideas
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My Article on Crit Groups over at brianfoster.com

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Here's an updated version of my take on joining crit groups, if you might be interested.

Link: Five Areas to Consider before Joining a Writing Critique Group
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