GATEWALKER goes live!

Several months ago, RC came across a craigslist ad for a nifty-sounding literary website called JukePop Serials. Their goal was to revive the age-old tradition of serialized fiction on the web (ironically, only a few months before Amazon/Kindle had the same idea).

JukePop invited writers to send in the "starts" -- ie. first chapters -- for their proposed serial novels, and if accepted, they would be paid for that first chapter. After that, each subsequent chapter would have the potential to earn cash prizes every month. 

Since I was just starting to poke and prod at my prose writing again for the first time in years, she threw this ad at me and said, "SUBMIT!" And, since I submit to just about anything RC demands of me, I dusted off an idea I'd been slow-cooking since 1999, and gave it a go. 

It was accepted, and this week, it went live.

Cover art & layout by Kerry Ellis.

Heir to a legacy he never imagined, hunted by an enemy he cannot see, one boy’s only hope for survival rests in the hands of a powerless wizard and the blades of a master assassin.  

GATEWALKER 

Brian Donovan never knew his real parents. He’s never seen his true home. He leads the life of an ordinary New York teen; riding subways to and from school, exploring worlds of fantasy through books and art, and trying to muster up enough courage to talk to that one girl...  

When a random act of violence brings that reality crashing down around him, the veil is lifted and Brian’s true destiny is revealed. Now on the run from an otherworldly threat, Brian must endure physical, emotional, and psychological trials as he uncovers the secrets kept from him his entire life. 

For in this new world of danger and magic, sacrifice is only the beginning.

You can read Gatewalker for free HERE. 


But that's not all! 


RC also submitted a story, and she was also accepted!

Cover art by Kuroi-kisin, 

Layout by Kerry Ellis.

TO EMBRACE THE SUN 

Taj has been a slave for as long as he can remember. He dreams of something more, and through his adventures and YOUR choices, he may learn the hidden truths behind who and what he really is.

You read that right; it's a Choose Your Own Adventure-type story. At the end of each chapter, she will present you with several possible choices the main character can make. The readers have one week to cast their vote in the comment section (which is not the same as clicking the "+ Vote Chapter" button -- more on that later). 

At the end of the week, the winning choice decides the direction the story takes next... and these choices could change EVERYTHING. The character's relationships, successes and failures, even the resolution of his story, are all at the whim of the readership. You don't want to miss this. 

You can read To Embrace The Sun for free HERE. 


...but THAT's not all!!! 


Our buddy KC ALSO submitted a story and was ALSO accepted!

Cover art & layout by Miranda Taff.

DAGGERS 

A dark fantasy saga of revenge and redemption unfolds as the children of the Blackstone - born with otherworldly gifts, stolen from their homes, and schooled in the art of killing - seek to break the bonds that hold them in captivity.

Remember two years ago, I wrote a post about the D&D game my friend was running that was so immersive it traumatized us all and became one of the most rewarding creative experiences of my life? 

This is that story. Only told now in KC's own world, with characters loosely based on the ones we played in the game. This is a story thirty-some-odd years in the making, and it's damn exciting to think that other people will finally be able to experience it. 

You can read Daggers for free HERE. 


...BUT THAT'S NOT okay yes that's all. 


Ain't that enough? 

Now, a word on voting: 

It's your civic duty.

Now, a word on voting on JukePop: 

You can read all of these stories for free, without having to sign up for anything. But you're only able to vote them up and leave comments if you register. 

I usually hate having to register with a website or social network just to interact with it, but at least with JukePop, there's a good reason for it.

Infographic courtesy of JukePop Serials' About page. 

You see, every time you click the "+ Vote Chapter" button at the bottom of the story page, you're boosting that story's chances of winning the money at the end of the month. You can up-vote as many stories as you want, but you can only up-vote a particular chapter once. Which is only fair.

Infographic courtesy of JukePop Serials' About page. 

So, by making everyone register to vote, the top 30 stories can be rewarded based on their actual merit, rather than how often a person can click the vote button in an hour. 

Signing up is a quick, painless process, and casting your vote will help us continue to be paid for our writing, which is always a nice thing. 

So, read to your heart's content, vote to ours, and enjoy this new adventure in serialized fiction!

Cheat Week #4

No, I haven't forgotten the blog exists, we've just been so wrapped up in... well... wrapping up our time in California that there's hardly been any time for anything else. I know I promised to update at least three times a month but I figure under the circumstances my loyal readers (all four of you) (hi, Mom) will forgive me a bit of lag.

Okay, enough groveling, I've got something for you!

BLOG!!!

Patrick Rothfuss is the writer of a novel called The Name of the Wind. It is a fantasy novel, which will make some people balk, but those people are poo-eaters, because it is one of the best stories I have ever read. Ever. The dude is a natural storyteller and his book is packed with humanity, humor, mystery, suspense, joy, sadness, and a realism that should easily help anyone overlook the fact that it takes place in a fictional world.

Seriously, go read it.

Also, read his blog.

He updates once weekly and always writes with humor and honesty. He is an unabashed geek, and he loves talking about the art of storytelling and how bizarre it is to be "All Of A Sudden" a well-respected writer (TNOTW was his first book). Dude is as interesting as the stories he tells. Give 'im a looksee.

Geeks of Doom Article: A Game of Thrones vs. The Walking Dead

The article I wrote for Geeks of Doom about the upcoming A Game Of Thrones and The Walking Dead, from HBO and AMC respectively, just went up!

Geek shows have gotten more recognition in recent years than they ever did in the past. Once upon a time the height of genre television was the Star Trek franchise, which, while always intelligent and ambitious, was still shunted by society into that niche of fandom reserved for the obsessive and the dateless. Thankfully, with the success of shows like Lost, Battlestar Galactica, and True Blood (and we’ll just ignore the unjust deaths of shows like Firefly, Dollhouse, and The Sarah Connor Chronicles for the moment), genre television seems to have entered into a new golden age, much like comic book movies did ten years ago.

Two of the most recent — and, it could be argued, most anticipated — such shows share a unique mission statement, despite their vastly differing subject matter. Both are adaptations of decidedly adult material, from mediums often given the short shrift in live-action television. Both will attempt to subvert genres that come heavily burdened with the preconceived notions of the common audience. And both feature a surprising pedigree of creators who are dedicated to their success. Those two upcoming shows are AMC’s The Walking Dead and HBO’s A Game Of Thrones.

Read the full article HERE!

Farewell to a Legend

Frank Frazetta passed away this morning, leaving a hole in the heart of an entire industry.


I wish that I could say I followed his career as closely as it deserved to be followed, but mine was always a peripheral appreciation. His art was a constant in my life, but I never took that time to learn about the man. I often find myself saying this when a beloved creator passes, and it's something I hope to fix in myself one day. I want to know what I've got before it's gone.


Frazetta was an icon, but like so many icons, the weight of his presence was easy to take for granted. Like the shadow of a building or the touch of a loved one, it was easy to think he'd always be there.


I'm glad that he received the recognition for his work that he so richly deserved, both from his peers and fans of the characters he helped to define. His legacy is one of inspiration, which is perhaps the greatest legacy anyone can leave behind. And wherever he is now, I hope he takes with him the pride of a job well done.

Enjoy your well-deserved rest, sir.