Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Epic- The Ultimate Fantasy Bundle

Check it out! This is an anthology I'm a part of. For only .99 you get a ton of really cool stories from some of the top Hybrid and Indie authors on the planet.

Amazon

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Voice Arts Awards




I am thrilled to announce the Derek Perkins has been nominated for Audio Book Narration – Fiction and Fantasy, Best Male Voice,  for his narration of The Godling Chronicles - Madness of the Fallen (Book Five).

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

It's Live!

At last The Godling Chronicles : The Reborn King (Book Six) is live! I hope you enjoy it! And don't forget, there is a sample of the new series "Dragonvein" included.






Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

Amazon AU

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Book Six Preorder

Dear reader,

Unforeseen circumstances beyond my control, has forced release date to Sept 10th. However due to a recent change in Amazon policy, Book Six is available for pre-order. For those who have been waiting patiently I am offering in the way of an apology a preview of the new series - Dragonvein. Email me through this site and I'll send it to you this Sat. Thank you for your understanding. 

Sincerely,
Brian D. Anderson

Pre-order Link US

Pre-order link UK

Friday, June 20, 2014

Hi everybody,
I thought I give an update on progress. I know many of you are wondering when the final installment of The Godling Chronicles will be released, and I'm sorry it has been taking so long. But I promise I'm working hard to get it out as soon as possible. 
I wanted you all to know that my wonderful agent has returned from NY with great news. Thanks to you, there is much interest within the NY publishing community in my upcoming series, The Dragonborn Saga. That being the case I am currently working on both Book Six and Book One simultaneously. But don't worry. I am not letting the workload hinder my efforts. I will definitely be releasing The Godling Chronicles : The Reborn King (Book Six) this Summer.
Thanks again for your patience. I hope you enjoy reading the final installment as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I love you all.

Brian D. Anderson

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Get Started

Often I've been asked what I did to build a fan-base and get the attention of the reading public. For a long time I didn't really have the answer. And though I still haven't figured it all out, after the past two years, I am beginning to narrow it down.

First-COVER!!! And not just any old cover made at your PC from cheap stock art or a picture your husband or wife came up with. If you want attention, this is the first thing people will see. If your cover screams "amateur", the reader will assume you are one of those people who doesn't bother with editing, proofing, or beta reading. They imagine themselves sifting through page after page of double words, misspellings, plot holes, and grammatical errors. A professional cover tells the reader that you care about your work and that you might be worth taking a chance on.

Second-Editing-Once you have your cover, you need a good editor. I don't mean a over-priced proofer. I mean a real editor. And so you know - a real editor costs real money. Your English teacher at your old high school is NOT an editor. An editor is an editor. And be certain you understand the type of editing you need. I recommend two. A developmental editor and a line editor. This can get pricey. But then you must ask yourself if your work is worth the expense. Especially if you intend to publish and sell to the public.

Third-Proofing. Editing is not proofing. Proofing is proofing. Use at least three GOOD proofers. Pay them! If you don't, you'll get what you pay for. 

Fourth-Send your book to five beta readers. Be sure they read books in your genre. That may seem to go without saying. But I've read several critiques from beta readers that began with "I don't normally read in this genre." Once you get your feedback, look to see if three betas agree about the same issue. If so, you should take it seriously. If not, still pay attention, but you may decide to ignore the advice.

Now you're ready to begin. Yes. You've only just begun. But you will certainly be off to a good start.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Live! March 31st Monday 7PM Central
HUGH HOWEY, MICHAEL SULLIVAN & BRIAN D.ANDERSON
These 3 successful authors will be on The Writers Lounge to discuss their books and what it means to them to be an author. They will share their tips and experiences in the writing and publishing world and we hope you will join us for this very special 2 hour show!
If you have questions for the authors a chat room will be opened during the show. Phone calls will be taken but they will be limited because of the volume of calls expected.
Please visit the authors at their sites:
BRIAN ANDERSON:
MICHAEL SULLIVAN:
HUGH HOWEY:
PLEASE JOIN US & LET THE STORY BEGIN!

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

YA Fantasy

The other day I was asked if I had considered write adult rather than YA fantasy. I replied that I did, in fact write adult fantasy, but I also take into consideration that children read my work as well. Over half of my readers are adults who enjoy my stories without the inclusion of explicit sex or excess profanity. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a prude and have no problem with mature subject matter. But I choose to write for a broader audience. This usually gets my books classified as YA or Teen, and to tell the truth, I don't mind at all.

When I think about the first fantasy novels I read as a youngster, most of them would be considered YA by today's standards. I fell in love with the genre during a time that good versus evil was not thought to be an old fashioned concept, and it shows in my work. And from what I can tell from the response to my books, I'm not alone when I say it's a theme that will never become outdated or uninteresting.

Fantasy has come a long way since the days of Tolkien. Brilliant authors such as G.R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, and many others have taken it to levels unimagined in my youth. Their skills rival that of the greatest writers in literary history. Martin, in particular has captured popular culture with the way he has integrated Tolkiensque world building with edgy, brutal, and often over the top situations and plot twists. Such fantasy did not exist for me as a young reader. And though I would not want my son reading it (for obvious reasons) I enjoy his work very much. Still, there seems to be room enough in the world for writers like me who don't take content so far.

I suppose as long as there are people who like a good ole fun romp through the world of heroes, elves, wizards, and monsters, and love it when good triumphs or evil, I'll still have a job. I'll keep plugging away and hoping that I can continue to entertain yet another generation of reader ready to discover to the magic that lives within the pages of a genre I love dearly and has brought me so much joy.








Monday, March 17, 2014

Anonymity, Privacy, and Freedom

Anne Rice certainly has stirred up a storm. In case you haven't heard, the best selling author has started a petition with the goal of forcing Amazon.com to ban anonymous reviews. Her claim is that it will prevent the bullying of authors, some of which have received threats and unwarranted attacks on their character. At first I was in favor of it, though I didn't go as far as to sign the petition. I simply hadn't had enough time to consider the arguments to do so. Now that I have, my position has been altered.

As a writer, I am in favor of free expression. And though some use the cloak of anonymity to hide the fact that they are truly horrible human beings who derive pleasure from saying reprehensible things to undeserving people, most do not. There are many reasons to want to remain anonymous and the majority of them are understandable and completely valid. To deny someone the ability to say what he/she thinks without fear of retribution is wrong. And as wrong as it is for someone to threaten and harass an author, I don't see where two wrongs make a right.

Indie authors, for the most part, are a bit up in the air about how to feel about all this and have become somewhat divided on the issue. Most of us have experienced personal attacks and have had to deal with people who would like nothing more than to harm our careers. But typically it's someone we know - not an obsessed fan whose cheese has slid off their cracker and could possibly carry out their threats.

This debate rages during a time when people are increasingly in fear of their privacy being violated. In the wake of the U.S. domestic spying program being revealed, it is little wonder that this seemingly minor issue is touching nerves and flaring tempers. It makes me think that perhaps this has more to do with an intrusion upon our rights more than it is about anonymous reviewing. We are slowly seeing our right to privacy eroded by faceless, soulless government agencies, all in the name of freedom.

I for one, believe in freedom. But it seems as if the price of freedom, is freedom...and that's more than I'm willing to pay. So therefore I will not be signing Ms. Rice's petition.






Friday, March 7, 2014

Women and Fantasy Addendum

I posted the link to Women and Fantasy to a discussion board I frequent the other day. The site (at least the area I visit) is mostly populated by other writers from every imaginable genre. I had little doubt that there would be opinions posted regarding what I had written, but I was not prepared for what happened - or for what I would learn as a result.

Apparently, I was born a few years too soon and in the wrong part of the country, because as the posts accumulated, I became astounded by the passion and knowledge of fantasy shown by the women there. They explained to me in no uncertain terms that not only were they lifelong fantasy enthusiasts, but were into comics, D&D, gaming, etc. In a way, it verified my earlier blog, being that I am a bit older and many of the books they love weren't around in the late 70's and early 80's which is when I first discovered the genre (though some of them were). But, that aside, I couldn't help feeling that I had missed out on some awesome people as a kid - particularly when I hit my late teens and early twenties. Perhaps if I would have opened my eyes, I would have noticed that they were there all along.

One thing that struck me was that a lot of the women felt mistreated by the male fans. When in comic shops and fantasy gatherings they said that men would act in extremely inappropriate ways. I'll not go into specifics, but what was being said and done was reprehensible.This behavior is inexcusable and anyone who exhibits it should feel ashamed. Furthermore, should you see someone doing it, you should step in and make it known that it will not be tolerated.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Women and Fantasy

For years fantasy fans have been primarily male…and for good reason. What woman or young girl would want to read about a weak, weepy, damsel in distress, in constant need of rescue by the male hero? It's insulting and frankly, uninteresting. Even the cover art was geared toward men; half-naked, buxom maidens, clinging desperately to the arm of her sword wielding champion. Though this image may appeal to young boys or forty year old adolescence, it is not exactly the type of material you could imagine a teenage girl rushing to the local bookstore to purchase. I mean come on…is it the way a girl would want to imagine herself; needy, dependent and weak? Let us not forget, the main reason people read fantasy is to escape their daily lives and immerse themselves in a world of wonder, magic and adventure. You see yourself as the hero or heroine, battling demons or weaving spells, saving the world from evil. With that in mind, why would anyone read a genre that tends to portray their gender in ways that are demeaning and inaccurate? The answer is, they would not, and until recently, in large, they have not.

Fortunately, things have changed. With the popularity of books such as The Hunger Games, Eragon, The Harry Potter Series, The Twilight Series, and many more, fantasy is becoming far more appealing to the avid female reader. Fantasy writers are cluing in to the fact that wimpy, unrealistic portrayals of women do not equal book sales. And in an industry where there are literally thousands of products to choose from, that's what it really boils down to anyway...sales. Combined with the fact that women tend to be more prolific readers, this change in the genre has brought fantasy from basement bookshelves of a handful of fantasy fanatics (mostly men), to the forefront of the literary world.

I first noticed this change while researching my own fan base. Nearly 60% of my followers were female, mostly ranging in age from young teen to early fifties (though some were much older). I became curious about this, and began making inquiries. What I found made an profound impression. The majority said that what they enjoyed most was the relationship between Gewey and Kaylia, two of the main characters. They also mentioned that they very much liked the strength and determination exhibited by Celandine, another primary character. None of them made mention of any of the male characters. That was when it occurred to me that the reason my work was enjoyed by so many women was due to the way I had depicted females. Though I had not done this specifically to attract a female audience, the result was undeniable. From there, it wasn't difficult to connect the dots and see the current trends.

As a life-long fan of fantasy, I am very happy to see the genre that I love become accessible to a much broader audience. With stronger, more realistic female characters, the stories have become far more interesting and have gained a new depth that has captivated readers who had never considered fantasy as a true literary form worth consideration. As a fantasy writer I am thrilled to have become a part of this new dynamic and I look forward to introducing the genre to a whole new generation of fantasy lover.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Indie Rising!

As an indie author, I am often asked if I would rather be with a large publisher. The fact is, being that I am published through small press as well as self-published and have no experience in the matter, I cannot say for certain. All I know is what it would take for me to give up my independence. I mean let's face it - we all have a price - but whether one of the Big Six would meet my demands remains in question. So perhaps I'll never know.

But then, as I watch the self-publishing world develop, maybe that's for the best. Recently, author Hugh Howey has been on a crusade in favor or independent writers, and to tell you the truth, his numbers and statistics are impressive. Our sales are up. Our reader satisfaction is stellar. And the readers don't appear to care who published the book as long as the story is good. In fact, the lower prices of indie works are becoming more and more appealing to consumers living in a world of financial uncertainty. Self-published authors are forcing the industry in a direction that favors the writer and his/her readers over the publishing houses and their profits. In other words the lunatics are stealing the keys to the asylum.

But even without Mr. Howey's efforts I had already discovered that I have been breaking all the rules of publishing without even being aware of it. I release at the wrong times (according to what I've been told). There is very little lead up to each new book. I charge a reasonable price for my work. But mostly, I control my own content. I write the stories I think my fans will enjoy reading and that I enjoy writing. That in itself would be hard to give up.

For me, the indie world's greatest accomplishment is that it's bringing to light a vast number of wonderful talents that would have otherwise gone unnoticed - ignored by agents and publishers alike. Sure there's plenty of "not so great" work out there. But if you had to sift through  a bucket of sludge to find a big shiny diamond, wouldn't you? I would.   

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Can I Borrow Some Talent?

Today I woke up determined to write. I had it all mapped out. So after seeing my son to the bus I finished my coffee, took a shower and sat in front of my computer fully prepared to spend the next several hours working. I opened up the Book Six file and skimmed over what I had already written... and that was enough to drain the life right out of me. I hated it. This is nothing new, however. I often dislike what I write. But this time the level of importance has exceeded my tolerance for my own shortcomings.

For two years The Godling Chronicles has been a crucial and often all encompassing aspect of my life. From humble beginnings the series has elevated me to levels of achievement reserved only for my fantasies. In my dizziest daydreams I never thought that so many people would read and enjoy what started out as a simple father and son bonding project. But it has become far more (though it did bring us very close and for that I am eternally grateful).

With the release of new audio books and the continued success kindles, I am finding that as the series is about to end, I desperately want the final installment to be far and away the best of the lot. This has become an obsession that is driving me to the brink of a nervous breakdown. The fact is, regardless of what I do, I can only write within the confines of my own talent. I cannot magically become Tolkien...and it's killing me.

Though I have the entire story mapped out, I am struggling to write more than a few hundred words per day. I know that I can finish the book in about eight to twelve weeks, but my self doubt and anxiety twists my stomach in knots and causes me to wonder if I can finish it at all.

I tell you this because I want my people to know that in spite of my personal weaknesses, the one thing that drives me to overcome is my fans. They want to read how it all ends and I owe it to them to move forward. I will bear down and hopefully end The Godling Chronicles in a way that I can be proud of.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Wrapping it up

As I wrapped up The Godling Chronicles: Madness of the Fallen (Book Five), and began the sixth and final installment, I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. It's been such an incredible journey; with many ups and downs, victories and defeats, thrills and frustrations. In fact the process itself has been an epic adventure worth a tale or two. The people I've met and the lives I've touched have made every word worthwhile and thinking about waking up and not writing the adventures of Gewey, Kaylia, Lee, and the rest is quite unsettling. Though I have another series already in the works, nothing will compare to The Godling Chronicles - at least in my heart.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Moving Forward

New releases can be, and usually are, extremely stressful. This one in particular gave me fits. But, as with anything else, as time passes and tensions subside, life gets back to normal. The nagging questions...well, they stop nagging you. Feelings of acceptance and inevitability begin to replace anxiety and self-doubt. And now that my mind is more able to focus, I can get back to the business of being me. Unhindered and motivated, I am ready to throw myself into my work. I think I have crossed a threshold and on the other side a new and exciting time awaits.

Of course there is no harm in looking back and appreciating the past. In two years, I have seen more change and growth than I ever thought possible for a man of my age. And that I can still grow is comforting and quells my fears. I look at the good I have done and realize that it far outweighs any missteps or bad decisions. And in my wake, I have left the places I've been far better than when I arrived.

Sunday, February 9, 2014