Republished...

So, in the excitement of formatting and publishing my book, I completely forgot to add my dedication and acknowledgment pages. I know, most readers probably couldn't care less about those, but the people who stood by me and helped me out while I was writing and editing definitely deserve some credit.

Since my realization, I've gone ahead and updated to a new revision that contains those glaringly missing sections. Anyone who bought the original version can obtain the latest revision from Smashwords for free. From this point forward, any new purchasers will only have access to the latest revision.

Get it here: A Warrior's Path

Published!

Okay, so after approximately an eternity, I've returned to let anyone who might read this know that I am now published! I decided to self publish through Smashwords.com. It was pretty easy. Anyone looking to publish some work with little stress should check them out. Here's the link to my book:

A Warrior's Path

It's a fantasy novel with lots of action and martial arts. Here's the brief summary:

When tragedy befalls Urietsin's scouting party, he is nursed back to health by a mountain hermit. He soon realizes that there is more to this old man than meets the eye as his new master reveals ancient secrets of mystical combat. The two warriors are soon called to join their kinsmen and their new elven allies to defend their lands against a threat the like of which they have never imagined.

One Down...

A few thousand more to go...

Well, I got my response back from the publisher. It basically said that due to difficult economic times they decided it might be unwise to invest in an unknown author, especially when they didn't think my book would be a "commercial success". The wording of the letter sounds a lot like the one they sent to my friend Elgon, who also sent his book to them. I don't feel too terrible about it because they didn't take the time to specifically craft a letter telling me not to quit my day job. Really, if I were going to craft a generic letter to politely let down an aspiring author seeking my resources in the incredibly competitive world of publishing, it would sound a lot like DAW's.

Anyhow, the thing that kind of stresses me out about this is that not too many recognized names in publishing make open submission as easy as DAW. I knew that when I set out, so I was really hoping they would pick it up. The battle only goes uphill from here. I think my next course of action will be to query Tor. Their process is a little more complicated, but they still take open submissions.

While the first three chapters of my manuscript swims through the treacherous slush pile at Tor, I think I'll be actively searching for an agent. After Tor, I'm not really sure who else in the fantasy genre I would trust to send my book to as an open submission. It would be really great if someone like Del Rey would pick me up, but I won't hold my breath. I know you take what you can get in this business, so we'll just have to see what turns up.

I'm not discouraged, though. Admittedly, I was a little sad to see the box containing my manuscript returned to me so quickly, but after that moment of sore disappointment, my resolve was strengthened even further. I'm going to get this thing published, damn it. Come hell or high water, by hook or by crook, someday you're going to walk into a bookstore and pick up the latest J.A. Goguen, with those letters in big, embossed script.

Get What you deserve...

This is really a random post. My intention is to provide those who are about to give up on coming here a tantalizing hint that I am, as I always insist, still alive and working. I suppose there will be a common theme, hence the title, but a cannot guarantee complete lucidity, so please bear with me.

So, what's been going on lately? Well, first of all, my retarded ass earned itself a speeding ticket the other day. Plus I didn't have my most recent insurance card, so I got a ticket for that. I'd like to say that I had a good reason for speeding, like the posted limit was lower than I thought it was (wich it was) or I was on my way to the emergency room (which I wasn't), but really, I was just pissed off at traffic. The second I found an opening, I got a little overzealous on the accelerator. The cop happened to be in the right place at the right time. I totally admit that I deserved to be pulled over.

On the other hand, I wish other things I deserved came to me so quickly. I specifically mean the good things. Did you ever notice how you can do magnificent things, or even just a really good job at something you do all the time, and no one will notice...but the minute you screw up, everyone is all too happy to point it out to you and chew you out. I know I'm hardly the first to notice, but it's a common lament for a reason. Just because something is cliché, doesn't mean it isn't true.

I don't want to give the impression that I believe the world owes me a living, because I know the parts I've had to play in my lack of success in life, but sometimes I think it's the ease with which people ignore my "good" work that discourages me. It's a major flaw of mine; I am easily discouraged. Unless, of course, I am really passionate about something.

Speaking of things I'm passionate about, I sent my manuscript out into the wild...hopefully it comes back with a hardcover and distribution. My friend Elgon mentioned that DAW Books takes open submissions, so I formatted the thing, printed it, shipped it, and now I'm waiting. It'll be another three or four months before I hear about it, so...

But, man, I really hope the universe sees this as one of those "good things" I deserve. I did work very hard on it, and I am completely willing to invest more time and energy to get it out there. Is it magnificent? Probably not. Is it really good? I hope the editor will think so. The only thing I can say about it for sure is that it is my vision and I love it. I want to spend my life expanding upon it and sharing it with as many people as are interested.

Writing Books Is Hard...

You know, I really like to think of myself as modest. I am, perhaps, a bit self conscious about even the things I know I do well. That said, I think I'm pretty proud of this blog overall. Whenever I come here to express what I happen to be feeling, I almost always come away feeling satisfied. Even if nobody pays attention, I've said what's on my mind just about as well as I think it could be said. Sometimes I need to add a few things here and there, but in general, I'm happy with it.

At this juncture, I should probably mention...writing a blog post...a whole lot easier than writing a book. When I write to my blog, I don't have to keep track of all these interdependencies for continuity. I don't get supremely disheartened when I know I have to change something that's going to have to be propagated throughout. I don't have to worry about whether or not secondary characters are overshadowing the main character. I don't have to go through this whole process of creating an entirely new world with elements that are familiar enough for the audience to be comfortable but different enough for them to be excited. I don't have to edit each blog post four, five, six times on my own before a professional editor gets a hold of it.

It's a damn good thing I've invested over six years in this book. Otherwise I might scrap the whole thing. That's a little harsh. Actually, I really like the story as it is for the most part. I really like most of the characters, especially the potential they have to be great characters. I like all the ideas I've had for continuing this as a series, including a prequel.

Here's a piece of advice for those of you blessed and cursed with inspiration. Don't be disillusioned. If you think you really have something, stick with it, even if the tweaking you still have to do looks daunting. Take a step back and look at the big picture. Think of your vision manifested in this world in all its glory. If that doesn't get you going again, well, sometimes you just need to start over from the beginning. Just remember, nothing you create is a complete waste.

Don't you just love giving yourself little pep talks?

Progress

Well, as the time between posts grows wider and wider, I begin to wonder how many things I think I can keep track of at once. It's difficult to make the blog a high priority, seeing as how I have so few visitors. But then, the more attention I pay to it, the better my chances are of attracting traffic. Thus, I find myself caught a vicious cycle. Not quite a catch 22, but close.

So, the only thing I can do is plow along and do what I can when I can. I believe I mentioned somewhere, perhaps in my intro, that I have recently completed a novel. That's the major thing that has dominated my time lately. I've been doing some major revisions after feedback from some close friends, slowly molding it into a form that a wider audience might appreciate as literary art.

Really, that novel is the reason I have this blog. Well, one of the main reasons. I wanted to be able to showcase my writing and generate interest in the book. To that effect, I offer the following summary. I tried to make it as short as possible. It's something like what you might read on the back cover...when it is published, of course.


Emperor Geilo has foreseen danger!

General Etrusin has precious little time to rally the forces of the fledgling empire of Kesi'itul and find out what he can about their unknown foe.
In the mountains the young soldier Urietsin, separated from his imperial scouting party, finds Kiusu, a wise old hermit who instructs him in skills that transcend the physical. The young warrior and his master rejoin their people who, allied with the Shionen elves of the forest, stand ready to defend the Eastlands against imminent doom.
Meanwhile, far over the mountains, the wicked King Orbein sits in his Dark City and plots revenge for the millennia old injury upon which his city was founded. Calling upon the mysterious and dubious race of shapeshifters to the west, Orbein sets his plans in motion.