Fair warning, this blog is probably going to ramble a little bit. Don't say I didn't warn you.
The biggest news that I have is that Carrier is now available in ebook, chapbook and audiobook form. The audiobook is available on iTunes, Amazon and Audible. Jeffery Fellin did the recording and did an outstanding job.
That's great, but what the heck is a chapbook? I'm glad you asked. A chapbook is essentially a thin book. The kind that would fit in your back pocket. They used to be very popular with kids.
I learned a new term last night. Commuter fiction. The idea is that readers, particularly ebook readers, enjoy buying short, inexpensive works that will last a train ride, bus trip, flight, etc. something that can be read anywhere from minutes to hours. I don't know how true that is but I do know that I keep anthologies of short stories on my phone to read while my wife tried on clothes.
I stumbled on this while I was looking up tips for writing novellas and short stories. I've long since accepted that shorter works are where my strengths, such as they are, lie. I've always marketed my short stories as coffee break material but I really like that term. Commuter fiction. Something that fits the go go go lifestyle of modern America.
Once upon a time there was a large market for shorter books like novellas or even novelettes. Pulp books filled the market for easy consumption. Print costs kinda killed that market. Ebooks have resurrected the short form. What does all this have to do with anything? Well, short form is where Stewart performs best as we've said. Unfortunately, I'm still struggling to break into the market. I'm not particularly worried. These things tend to take time.
I've been working steadily on volume 2 of By the Fire. I'm about 60% of the way through. I've got Chapter 2 of Walk With Me and Freedom Sun roughed in as well as a short story titled Change For $100. I'm a little over halfway through Thy Judgement Come. As soon as that's done I'm going to begin on the next installment of Thorn in the Side. I was hoping to make that a two parter and then combine the two sections into one ebook the next month. It's looking like it will wind up being a three parter. Ah well, such is life.
Issue Three will have at least one short that follows up on the main character from Carrier. In considering two shorts and then a longer story independent of By the Fire. I've been bouncing around a few ideas but none of them seemed capable of carrying a longer piece. And then at church, I know I should have been paying attention, an idea smacked me in the face that I think will have legs.
I've decided to enroll issue 1 in the KDP program on Amazon. It will be tied to Amazon for 90 days. There has been zero movement on it sadly. So, to that end I'm making it free from 2/18-2/22. Go pick up a copy. Tell all your friends. Leave rave reviews. Help me give up this life of crime!
See, I told you this was going to ramble on a bit. I'm sorry I'm not more focused. I'm typing as I watch Elementary. Great show! Really makes me want a Single Stick. Anybody want to be my fencing partner? Ok, ok , I'll shut up now. I'm going to hit the gym and then try to do some writing. Later this week I'll put up some more scenes from Thy Judgement Come. I promised to put the whole story here first and I intend to keep my word.