As I've said before, I count myself extremely lucky that I've been able to get to know and converse with a great many accomplished and upcoming authors.  These are my friends, advocates, and support system.  They help lift me up when I'm feeling down, and they also enrich my life by allowing me to get lost in the worlds they create.  So I'd like to take this opportunity to help give a few of them (and their recent news) the props they deserve.

AMANDA HOCKING

I consider myself quite lucky that I've gotten to know this wonderful, talented, and supportive woman.  She's a great author and an even better person.  If ever I need advice or simply to shoot an idea off of her, she's quick to reply and assist, even though she's busier than hell.

As for news, Amanda's Trylle Trilogy series has been optioned to be converted into screenplay by Terri Tatchell (she of the team that wrote District 9, quite possibly the best movie of 2010).  What, you say?  An independent author having an Oscar Nominated Screenwriter converting her work?  This is fantastic news, and I'm super-pumped about it.  Amanda deserves every iota of success she gets, and I hope she gets tons more.

To read this announcement in Amanda's own words, visit her blog.

DANIEL ARENSON

Recently I had the privilege of reading his book, The Gods of Dream.  Dan is an author I've come to know well over the last year.  I love all his work.  Even if it doesn't completely mesh with me, I can still see the natural ability he has as a writer.  He's another one of the most supportive folks I know, and his talent needs to be out there.

As for The Gods of Dream, I reviewed it on my blog, Journal of Always.  Go check it out, and then buy it.  It's a fantastic book, and I put my reputation as a reviewer on the line in saying I guarantee you'll get something out of this special work of fantasy that you might not have expected.

E.J. STEVENS

E.J. is another talented and compassionate writer.  She runs a very popular blog dedicated to everything paranormal, From the Shadows.  She is an ally to all writers, constantly filling her site with author interviews and book reviews - something very time-consuming, especially for one with their own books to write and promote.  She's also a super-sweet person, and yet another willing to take time out of her busy schedule to answer my questions or be an ear if I need one.

Her good news is this:  E.J.'s publisher recently discounted the ebook versions of first two books in her series, She Smells the Dead and Spirit Storm, to $2.99 and $3.99, respectively.  I can personally vouch for both books (I read SStD, and am almost finished with Storm).  They are beautiful bits of escapism and innocent, otherworldly charm.  And at that price, they're a bargain.  I suggest them to anyone with a soft spot for paranormal romance or young adult fiction.  Good work, written by a spectacular person...and one who needs our support.

Well, that's all for now.  Look out for more shout-outs on this blog next week, 'cause I'm thinking of making this a staple feature of the TRO blog.

Peace!

RJD

Amanda Hocking, on whose site I wrote an article that was posted at the beginning of this month, has a book out called "Hollowland", a post-apocalyptic zombie tale, which is obviously a genre I adore.  Well, I read the book, and it's fantastic. 

Read the review at the Journal of Always

I apologize to anyone who frequents this blog for my overall lack of updates.  It's been a busy last couple months, and honestly, whenever I sit down to write up a post, my mind goes blank.  I think I'm using up all my abilities finishing up book two and trying like hell to figure out this marketing game.

As far as the second installment of The Rift goes, it's coming along quite nicely.  I have two more chapters to go in the third round of rewrites.  Then, it's off to my editors while Jesse cranks out his contributions.  Then it's the (dreaded) act of putting everything together, going over proofs, and finally releasing it live, which as I said should be some time in December.  I'm looking forward to this greatly, as Dead of Winter is my favorite installment of the series.  It'll be here soon, folks.

In other news, I plan on releasing a compilation of short stories this coming November tentatively titled He Is The Gate and 8 Other Odd Tales.  Hopefully, this will be a nice addition to our catalog (seeing as Jesse's artwork will once again adorn the cover, and that image is the subject of the title piece).  I just have to decide whether I want to go with simply a Kindle release or go full-out with a digest version, as well.

Also, sales have picked up immensely this month - digitally, that is.  We've been averaging two sales a day for the month.  Print book?  Not so much, but that's okay.  We never planned on making our money through paperbacks, anyway, though it'd be nice.  The plan from here on out is, once the other books get out there, to start perhaps a blog tour with Pump Your Books or maybe a local signing tour.  I'm not sure about that.  It's still a ways away right now, so there's time.

One last thing:  Very soon, after we finish up Dead of Winter, I'm thinking of running a contest, either here on the site or at kindleboards.com.  The subject of this contest?  The title of book three.  Right now, it's working title is The Rites of Spring.  I'm not too hot on that.  This has been, honestly, the most difficult book to name.  It's also the strangest one in the series.  It's all...well, you know what?  I'll leave that for when I run the contest.

Well, that's all for today.  And just a reminder, drop by Amanda Hocking's Zombiepalooza before October 28th.  Post a comment beneath the article for a chance to win a paperback of The Fall, signed by both Jesse and myself. 

Zombiepalooza: Robert Duperre article - Facing the Beast

Or, if you wish to buy a book after seeing this, check out my author page on Amazon.

Peace, folks.

RJD