Book Club discussion

Tells us what you are currently working on.

As for me...

I am in the early stages of my final novel in my Rainbow's Shadow Trilogy. It is currently title Rainbow's Shadow and the Other Side of Paradise.

I am having a ball with this one. It really brings everything full circle in my story line.

Here are the other two in the trilogy...

Rainbow's Shadow and the tablets of fate (Book 1 of 2)

Rainbow's Shadow And The Covenant Of Wisdom (Book 2 of 3)

http://www.RainbowsShadow.com

I have many stories that I am writing, but right now, I am focusing on my writing challenge story called Trespassing. It's a contemporary romance story.

Right now I'm working on the second book of the Artemis Lupine series Kiss of a Star, which I'm planning on self-publishing in early 2011. I'm also working on a new adult novel, which I am going to try to get published through the industry instead of self-publishing.

I'm in edits on my memoir, You Had to Be There: Three Years of Mayhem and Bad Decisions in the Portland Music Scene, and am writing In The Eye of The Storm, the sequel to In The Eye of The Beholder: A Novel of The Phantom of the Opera.

I'm working my online vampire novel, The Elite of the Blood, and Song of the Wind and Sea, the first book of my Song Mage fantasy series. I'm also slowly compiling some of my short fiction for a third collection.

My current work is about a D&D druid in the 20th century USA but since I'm working, I'm doing more editing than writing. Currently I'm editing Making of a Mage-King.

I'm working on another book in my Blackthorne, Inc. romantic suspense series. The first, When Danger Calls , came out in 2008, and the second Where Danger Hides, will be released in May of 2011.

I'm currently working on two novels both of them murder mystery thrillers, one "THE COLD CASES" and the other "THE PUZZLE MAN" my frist book- EXCERTS of "THE CROSS KILLINGS" are on my page now, should be available sometime this week or next week.

Right now I'm in the last stage of subbing 'The Keepers of Himal' to createspace, and hope to have it on amazon shortly.
It's already in eBook on smash: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...

It's had two 5* national reviews so far. Here's one:
The Keepers of Himal by j guevara
Five stars
Many have made the claims, but at last, a book that really does have something for everyone. The outdoor and nature lovers will enjoy it thoroughly; maybe even learn a thing or two. Travelers will learn of places the common tourist never sees. Those looking for social commentary will find it, wrapped in humor and biting wit ala Twain, Carlin, or Pryor. Those looking to improve their life and take command of its circumstances might just find the answers they seek. There's a bit of romance that defines an excellent example for the basis of a relationship, and enough action to keep even an action junkie like me happy, all told in a well-written, fascinating, cohesive story that draws the reader in, and carries him along at a fast moving, exciting pace.
Even though it shows India in a way I least expected, I greatly appreciated that j guevara's novel has no "sacred cows" when it comes to taking the mysticism and archaic nonsense out of religion, traditional beliefs, fakirs, science, or New Age pseudo-spirituality, bringing it down to Earth as nature intended, in a perspective that anyone can grasp.
I'd also add that although the book is always better than the movie, this book is the movie. Characters, scenes, and events are so perfectly described, it was as though I was actually watching a film.
The Keepers of Himal, is told through the eyes of Reid Fuhrman, a seeker looking to understand the whispered voice of what Nature is trying to tell him.
"Though Nature's voice was faint, I could not imagine being more content than when trying to decipher her message. Patience may have its virtue, but I now see that everything comes not to those who wait, but to those who are content. This same contentment is what brought it all on, for listening is what I was doing when this odyssey began."
Reid, a freelance writer by trade, cranks out just enough writing to finance his seasonal jaunts in the wilderness where he tries to hear nature's voice.
"I simply immerse myself into what might appear to be emptiness, a void. Yet, it could not be more complete, for this is where I listen to what Nature has to say."
On one of his solitude excursions deep in the woods of Northern Maine, a lost stranger happens by Reid's campsite one evening.
"... trout started jumping like they did every evening at dusk. In ten minutes, I caught three beauties, enough for breakfast, too. I got a fire going, tea steeping and put on a pot of rice. Suddenly, I felt that unmistakable sensation. Someone was coming. Spend enough time alone in the wilderness and sensing another presence is the first instinct that returns. I wouldn't call it a sixth sense. It's more as if all the other five senses are working together."
Through the course of the evening, the stranger tells Reid about a journey he must take to the Himalayas.
"...I have learned much from those who live there. Watching you sit this evening, I saw one who wants to learn. Near a village called Dhungla there is a man you must meet. His name is Sunam. What he knows of the natural world, you cannot imagine. He can teach you those things you wish to learn. I know he would welcome you."
After much soul searching, Reid undertakes the challenge. What transpires on this journey is the heart of the story. What he comes to understand by the end, which he shares with the reader in detail, is a revealing conscious awareness of who and what humanity is, the role we play in nature, and how to take it back. But you have to read the entire story for yourself, because the groundwork is carefully laid out so that the reader experiences the whole adventure exactly the same as Reid did.
You may never have the opportunity to travel to the Himalayas, but after reading The Keepers of Himal, you will be able to say in all honesty, "I have been to the mountains."
Some will get more out of it than others; most will keep going back to it. Regardless, from the blue collar workaday person to the white collar select, all will want to reread this time and time again, for everyone will find something they didn't catch before. Granted, it may seem to get deep towards the end, and will take some contemplation to fully understand. I still don't understand that part fully, but I'm working on it, for there is one convincing thread that runs through the entire story,
"...how simple mysteries can be… when the truth is finally known."
I read guevara's last novel, The Twain Shall Meet, and once again I have to ask: Is this really fiction?"

Too cool, eh? Got me excited. A REAL review, which is a tip I'd like to share with the group. Try and get pre-pub reviews by nationally recognized reviewers. It takes more time, but worth it. And it makes for better back-cover copy.

j
www.jguevaranovels.com

I sent my "Deuces Wild" manuscript to the publisher & I'm waiting to hear from the editor. In the meantime, I'm editing other authors and working on the start up of Beta Lamda Gamma, a literary sorority w/my sister authors, Destiny Carter & TL James.
http://www.BLGSorority.com

1. Currently working on a sequel to Dead On Arrival
OVER HER DEAD BODY is a comical murder mystery surrounding a tenant in the apartment building where the heroine from DEAD ON ARRIVAL lives with her superintendant fiance Gerry. In between dodging car sabotage and flying watermelons and helping Detective Gibbons, Laura and Gerry are trying to plan a wedding and solve a murder before the killer gets them.

This time of year I'm still working, so this time of year I edit more than write. I can do that in smaller bites. When I write, I want to do so for a few hours at a crack if possible. Distractions are such a pain. Just now I'm editing a girlfriend's ms.

I'm not focusing on one particular thing right now. I'm trying to edit one of my novels, and I'm also working on two realistic fiction novels, one sci-fi, and one fantasy. I'm also outlining too many stories to count!

I'm working on another mixed genre novel that is sort of based in science fiction, but mainly alternate history. Another man is elected POTUS in 1976, has NASA build a Moon Base by 1976 and wants a Mars Base by 1990. The Soviets decide to one up the US, by building an interstellar ship to go to another solar system. Eventually, the ship loses contact, the USSR fails, and the US end up with a successful colony on Mars. A century later, the Russians and the Americans go on a joint interstellar mission, not even remotely thinking about the failed Soviet mission a century earlier...

I am working on writing books 6, 7, and possibly 8 of the Morrigan's Brood Series. My co-author, Heather Poinsett Dunbar, and I generally write a 1,000 + page manuscript, lay it out, and then cut it into two or three books, depending on the layout length and plot arcs. We then have to add content to each of the books to re-introduce setting, character descriptions, and other details one typically finds near the beginning of a book.

I am also waiting on our editor to complete her edit of book 3 and half of book 4 of the same series. Our artist is already designing the cover for us, so once I get the edited manuscript back, it will be time for final edits, layout, and copy edit. Fun, fun, fun!

Cheers!

Christopher Dunbar

Doing research for a book about the American Revolution (from a new and interesting perspective). Can't provide details yet, but I am making steady progress and I hope it will be out late next spring or in the early summer.

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I am working on final edits for my book A Snake in Paradise to be released November 15th. It's going well, partly thanks to my great writing program, Scrivener, and my husband Daryl for doing the line editing. Fun to see what everyone else is working on.

I have a short story on the horizon which looks like it will really get cooking soon. I am so eager to see how it turns out. It is always very exciting at the early stages of a story before you've stared at the pages so many times. The characters are new and their world is like that first snowfall of the season. You haven't yet grown tired of shoveling the walk and it's still novel to see the flakes coming down and putting a new layer of white on everything.

Also, there is the first of a three-novel series called THALO BLUE which I am looking to finish drafting and continue editing. This trilogy involves a young man on the brink of adulthood but there's more to it than that: are people coming back from the dead? As usual with my stuff, there's a bit of the nuance of everyday life mixed with some amped reality tweaked so the laws of the world as we know them are bent out of recognizable shape. This story has some weirdness to it but that's expected from me, isn't it?

Lastly, I have begun on the next chapter in the Night Walk Men saga. This is a longish set of stories that involve the mythical beings first seen in my short story, "The Night Walk Men", which is proving popular on Smashwords right now. If you haven't read it yet, check it out. It acts as a bit of a primer on the Nightwalkers and a prologue to the stories yet to come. I've gotten a lot of reviews and word-of-mouth on this story which mention a desire for more so I'm taking that as a cue that I should go ahead with my original plan and keep writing about Sparrow, Fallow and their Next In Lines.

Keep in touch to learn more about these projects as I have more to share! I can't wait for you to read them!

j. //

http://www.thefarthestreaches.com

I'm busy working on the final drafts of what will be the second mystery to feature private investigator Dylan Scott mystery. The first, PRESUMED DEAD, was published in July by Carina Press.

I'm in the planning stages for my NaNoWriMo 2010 book. I've "won" NaNoWriMo the past two years and plan to three-peat this year.

Good for you, Dan! Best of luck for a three-time championship! (not an easy feat, I'm sure)

j. //

http://www.thefarthestreaches.com

Jason wrote: "Good for you, Dan! Best of luck for a three-time championship! (not an easy feat, I'm sure)

j. //

http://www.thefarthestreaches.com"

Thanks. The first time was by far the hardest.

I'm editing...a lot. I went on a creative binge and now I have a few manuscripts that need some polishing and I promised myself I'd finish before moving on to something new.

My writing time is split between DEAD OF NIGHT, a standalone zombie thriller for St. Martins Griffin (scheduled for a fall 2011 release) and CAPTAIN AMERICA: HAIL HYDRA, a 5-issue series for Marvel that launches in January.

And I'm doing edits on DUST & DECAY, my second YA zombie novel for Simon & Schuster, also scheduled for a fall 2011 release.

Right now I'm working on a short story with a Valentine's theme, set in Florence.

I'm working on my third collection of short stories and my fourth novel. My novel is a fantasy/paranormal, which is unusual for me. It's fun to write!

Maria, I am echoing you -- Demo Tapes: Year 3 is in the works. I was hoping to have it ready for my big charity gig in November and December, but it's not looking likely. Probably after the first of the year.

The Demo Tapes are my short story anthologies, for anyone who doesn't know.

And yep, there are novels in the works, as well.

I have just finished submitting my second thriller, U-TURN KiLLuR, to my publisher. I am currently tweaking the pitch for it, "about the book," etc... It should be available in early 2011.


T D
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I'm putting the finishing touches on book 3 of my YA fantasy series due out Spring of 2011. The ms is completed, it's all the 'promotion stuff' - website, video, bookmarks, cover design, etc. that takes the time. My husband, daughter and I do ALL the work. Doesn't cost us anything. Go to the website and check it out.

http://www.allonbooks.com

Hi everyone!
I'm currently working on book 5 of my venomous vampire series ALMOST HUMAN.

I also wanted to let everyone know that I'm sponsoring a "Spooktacular" giveaway contest for free sets of the First Trilogy of the ALMOST HUMAN series.

Along with the contest is posted a fun interview with the CAST of the series. I hope you'll all stop by and check it out. Leave a comment and don't forget to fill out an entry form to win!!!

http://www.MelanieNowak.com

Thanks and happy reading ~ Melanie

Right now, I'm finishing up the final approval of my editor's edits for my third book in the Of Witches and Warlocks series, before it goes to print. As soon as I'm done with that I will be back to working on the fifth book in the series. I also have a couple of other stories I'm working on, but this one is in the driver's seat right now. :)
http://ofwitchesandwarlocks.com

Well..I'm working on a couple right now. A autobiography and a novel. I haven't really came up with an idea for the title of the novel. But some ideas are Left On Earth, The Remaining Five and Life Is Easy, Surviving Is Hard.

My novel, The Bridge Club (giveaway on right now!), was published last month. I feel like I'm back at university (as a VERY mature student) as I learn all the social media 'stuff'. I've started an outline for my next book and am doing research in between tweeting, blogging, Flickring, etc, etc. Need more hours in the day!

At the moment I'm preparing for NaNoWriMo. :)

Poet in the Dark wrote: "At the moment I'm preparing for NaNoWriMo. :)"

I've registered for that too. Have you done it before?

I am currently working on a Novel called Frost Bitten and it's about this girl who has just turned into a vampire and no not the Twilight type of Vampires but like Dracula and stuff like they can't go in the sunlight. And she has to live through being a New Born and she develops Love to the one who turned her but also to a Half Vampire half Fallen Angel. And she has to choose between on or the other, and there is a battle coming. Bigger than you could ever imagine, between the Fallen Angels and the Vampires. But only one will win.

Sierra Kittycoogles wrote: "I am currently working on a Novel called Frost Bitten and it's about this girl who has just turned into a vampire and no not the Twilight type of Vampires but like Dracula and stuff like they can't..."

Sierra,
Sounds like my kind of read. I'd love to read it when you get done.

Thank you (:

Shawn,

I looked at most of your website and Briana's too. How wonderful to be working on projects as a family while each of you is also growing in your own artistic specialties! I loved seeing Briana's character drawings and costume designs!

With your pool of complementary family talents, the possibilities are unlimited. Bravo and Brava!

Thank you, Jeanne. It has been a blessing being able to work together as a family.

Shawn, I spent a long time on your amazing website as well. Ditto to Jeanne's remarks. I wish you all continued success and will be following with interest!

Doing research about and taking lots of photos of Sinai, the topic of my next nonfiction children's book, An ABC Safari through Sinai.

Right now I'm working on expanding an idea that I've recently had. It's about a girl with psychic powers who can see future events in order to protect herself and others. But there are others not of this world that have been assigned to eliminate people with her abilities in order to continue taking people's souls. They do this by implanting false predictions. One "demon" in particular is assigned to said girl. Can he go through with his elimination after getting too close?

Any critiques? Sound too corny?

Patricia wrote: "Shawn, I spent a long time on your amazing website as well. Ditto to Jeanne's remarks. I wish you all continued success and will be following with interest!"

Thanks, Patricia.

Greetings and Salutations;
I'm working on the sequel to my 2008 release, Sands of Time -- the second one promises to be every bit as gripping and twice as exciting!

In the second novel, Sam is sent to hell to redeem himself and his virtue! I'm not done... but it won't be long!

I have a question for everyone.

I have a new collection of short/true stories coming out in December. I have mixed feeling about adding a couple poems to my book. I have written the poems and they all have to do with something in my new book.

I have a cowboy poetry CD coming out with these poems on it and thought a few poems in the book might spice it up a little.

So my question is: do you think that adding a few of the best poems to this book will affect the books performance in the market? If so, how and why?

I thought this to be a good topic as to what I am doing. I spent the first five months promoting Living Beneath the Radar. It paid off and I even gave many copies away. Because of the response I have decided to re edit the book; because it needs it, and get help with that process. Being in such a hurry to get the book out with a self publisher made me hurry.

Lesson learned. Never be in a hurry when it come to editing. Second book, Things Ive Obeseved While Living Beneath the Radar will a look at America from the time I returned to the states in book one,1979, to the present. Telephones and the communication systems have gone wild and computers are our connection to the outside world without leaving the house. It should be a fun read.

Ps. I will be adding readers comments or stories to the book so If you have a story that you feel would fit into this book of change in America from 1980 until now, send it to me. The funnier the better.

Hi all!

I'm finishing up the third book in the Charley Davidson series, Third Grave Dead Ahead, then I'm going to work on a new YA series and work on PR for my first release in February, First Grave on the Right.

~D~

Dawn wrote: "I have a question for everyone.

I have a new collection of short/true stories coming out in December. I have mixed feeling about adding a couple poems to my book. I have written the poems and ..."

On the last page of my book is a poem written by my husband. I can't begin to tell you how many uplifting comments I have received for that one poem.