tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17285979011392264422011-12-07T10:00:59.804-06:00The official blog of writer A. Christopher DrownA. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.comBlogger581100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-59875562649120524982011-12-07T09:55:00.001-06:002011-12-07T10:00:59.813-06:00

This past Saturday evening I met with the second of the two reading groups I'd snookered into taking the rough draft of my novel, A Sister to Butterflies, out for a spin. Unlike the first gathering of folks, who by design leaned a bit more toward a preference for fantasy and science fiction, this second group was comprised pretty much of straight and narrow mainstream readers — also by design,

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-15603820844600524542011-11-03T15:52:00.003-05:002011-11-09T08:58:43.457-06:00

Come take part in an experiment in terror called Virtual Con! November 11-13 will see an online gathering of writers and artists of all sorts and shades unlike the world has ever known! Well, at least unlike any I've ever seen before, so check out the website and register to attend. I'll be taking part in a round table discussion on Saturday, November 12 at around 9:00 a.m., and then at 11:30

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-80872080384117389192011-11-02T09:02:00.000-05:002011-11-02T09:02:05.162-05:00

Fantasy fans! The Fall of Dorkhun, the third book in D.A. Adam's terrific The Brotherhood of Dwarves series, is available for preorder from Seventh Star Press! Support small press and order your copy (or the whole series!) today.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-57041576231547612282011-10-05T20:22:00.002-05:002011-11-02T09:04:30.948-05:00

Steve Jobs died a little more than an hour ago. I can't tell you the number of Windows vs. Macintosh arguments I had between 1990 and 1995, the years when what platform you preferred placed you fervently in one camp or the other — on this side or that of a chasm that could not be easily bridged. The debate was even a good-natured point of contention between my father and me, who was for all

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-41402275538287956252011-09-28T14:41:00.000-05:002011-09-28T14:41:17.044-05:00

Not five minutes ago I signed the contract that will place my short story, "The Milkshake Story," in the forthcoming anthology, Sky-Tinted Waters. The book is being collected and edited by the Minnesota Speculative Fiction Writers, and is slated to be published by Sam's Dot Publishing in March 2012. A very satisfying notch on the belt.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-30228770638518897892011-09-15T09:31:00.002-05:002011-09-15T09:32:29.480-05:00

I'll be appearing at Bookstock, the Memphis Area Authors Fair on Saturday, October 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. Come by, say hello, let me sign for you a book or three, then stick around for a live taping of the Booktalk radio show with Mark Greaney, author of the bestseller, The Gray Man and, as it happens, brother of Trey Greaney, a high school

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-35675451801099928862011-08-31T11:09:00.000-05:002011-08-31T11:09:54.801-05:00

In my novel, A Mage of None Magic, there's a scene where the main character, Niel, receives a spellbook as a gift from another character, Arwin. The book once belonged to a dear friend of Arwin's and Niel is profoundly touched by the gesture. In a few lines of dialogue that fell to the editor's axe, upon realizing the significance of the gift, Niel stands, folds his hands as he bows his head,

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-16322294848991860632011-08-12T14:22:00.001-05:002011-08-22T14:33:24.841-05:00

So, yesterday, I finally finished the first draft of my second novel, A Sister to Butterflies. And, if I do say so myself, I think it's in pretty good shape as far as first drafts go. When I set out to write it, I decided on an approach similar to how Dickens published many of his works — as newspaper serials, printed one chapter at a time; my goal being to make each chapter as tight as possible

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-82926430638596738732011-07-06T13:53:00.000-05:002011-07-06T13:53:48.078-05:00

Slowly, and sometimes even surely, I've finally reached the home stretch in my first draft of my next book, A Sister to Butterflies. One more chapter, then an end cap that's already all but written, and then I can ... start all over again. Not before finding out the preliminary word count, though; that's my usual reward to myself for finishing a piece. And not before indulging in a drink or two

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-4918408204626406412011-06-04T10:12:00.006-05:002011-07-06T14:01:36.000-05:00

I just found out that my dear friend and mentor, author Joel Rosenberg, has died. I'm a bit stunned right now, a lot sad, and thus at the moment more than lacking in the way of offering any sort of memorial. So for right now, I'll simply rely on what Joel himself used to advise: Just say "thank you." Thank you, Joel.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-25145136773321479342011-03-27T20:19:00.007-05:002011-03-28T14:40:37.480-05:00

I've long had mixed feelings when it comes to the idea of sci-fi/fantasy conventions. I enjoy the exuberance and imagination on parade, but I'm not crazy about crowds. I enjoy shaking hands and meeting new people, but self-promotion isn't my cup of tea — more like my spoon of tonic. MidSouthCon 29 was very much that seesaw of experiences for me, though I'm happy to say it tipped much more toward

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-2817138289532355762011-03-09T08:42:00.001-06:002011-03-09T08:42:38.066-06:00

I think I was twelve, though I may have been eleven, when my father handed me his well-worn copy of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonflight and told me he thought I'd really like it. And, boy, was he right. The novel was not only my first foray into science fiction literature, but the first grown-up book I ever read. It set my mind to spinning with a momentum that still endures, and is a cornerstone in the

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-46203614245290879192011-03-01T09:32:00.001-06:002011-03-01T09:32:56.422-06:00

Well, as of this morning I am an official Professional Guest of MidSouth Con 29. Right now I'm slated to appear on four panels over three days, though that could possibly change. I'm very excited about attending, even if I'm only one of 150 such guests, and even if they idea still seems kinda silly that anyone would sit and listen to anything I had to say about writing. On purpose, I mean.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-26296410205113329262011-02-12T14:22:00.000-06:002011-02-12T14:22:05.762-06:00

For the past few years I've been trudging through the rough draft of my next novel, whose working title is A Sister to Butterflies. I'd hoped to have it finished by the beginning of this year, though all the while knowing I'd likely fall short — and, well, I did. However, I only have a few chapters to go, and am very much on track to having it done by early spring, if not sooner. While this

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-47811662137936563162011-02-08T14:03:00.021-06:002011-02-11T15:26:33.602-06:00

Heading out to Clarksville Friday morning was a treat unto itself, because I didn't have to leave the house in pre-dawn darkness; I got to take my time, see the kids off to school, and ease myself leisurely into the trip. The counter-weight came when the drive itself turned out a bit more harrowing than previous ones, given how a little more than an hour into it, snow began falling. Shortly

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-82052874309934545752011-02-01T11:08:00.000-06:002011-02-01T11:08:56.126-06:00

This weekend I'm headed to Clarksville, Arkansas for the Redgunk Festival at the University of the Ozarks. Friday evening I'm slated to give a reading, and Saturday morning I'll be heading up a workshop for writers on how to professionally present their work. It just recently occurred to me that I could load these poor folks up with really bad advice and maybe improve my chances in the market

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-28443633417938195212010-12-19T10:05:00.005-06:002011-02-09T14:47:44.497-06:00

Vicksburg is an easy drive—straight down I-55, hang a right at Jackson. Which makes sense, really, since it's literally just downstream on the banks of the Mississippi, more or less halfway between Memphis and the ocean. More importantly, though, Vicksburg is a really neat town that I intend to visit again when I have more time to explore. Particularly the battlefield, and then downtown, which

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-31391695491571950292010-11-07T10:47:00.002-06:002011-02-01T11:12:05.011-06:00

I'm in the process of converting this blog from one dedicated specifically to A Mage of None Magic to my overall writing blog. I've changed the name to Incessantly Derstandable; the word derstandable came my way in sixth grade, on a swing set, when a friend of mine said that's what I was, because everyone else she knew was understandable. I like the header image, though, and will keep that for a

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-68282945123205775912010-10-17T21:36:00.003-05:002011-02-01T11:14:29.895-06:00

So, Saturday was a long day. A good day, mind you, but long. I headed out to Hot Springs, Arkansas a little after lunchtime for a 5 o'clock book signing and reading at the Artchurch Studio. Soon afterward I drove right back, getting home a little after 1 in the morning. That's not a complaint, just so you know. Not at all. It was a perfect day and the Ozark foothills were gorgeous. Artchurch

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-72541158506735464372010-09-26T20:23:00.001-05:002010-09-30T08:38:44.997-05:00

I spent a beautiful Saturday in downtown Louisville, Mississippi, yesterday, taking part in a book signing event at the Winston County Library. I hit the road about 4:30 in the morning, watched the sun come up over some truly lovely farmland while zipping over tidy county highways, and in general had a very nice time there. Although I'm told the turn out was fairly low, I thought the flow of

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-76857273842559778432010-07-02T11:06:00.002-05:002010-08-23T10:18:44.326-05:00

I'm giving away a few copies of Mage over at my Facebook page! Hurry over! (Why the cover image? I'm using that for the giveaway, that's why.)

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-88083529809578409932010-06-30T13:17:00.000-05:002010-07-02T11:18:21.790-05:00

I had a lot of fun on the Channel 24 midday broadcast. I think the interview went really well. Terrance Bates was very friendly, and went out of his way to make me feel welcome. Hopefully, I'll be able to post some video soon. And, I got to meet H David Blalock in person, finally. We talked a bit before the show about his work with Imagicopter and their upcoming events. I think some interesting

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-84080497969020927092010-06-16T11:24:00.000-05:002010-07-02T11:25:10.905-05:00

Christina Meek, my contact at Davis-Kidd Booksellers, sent a note asking whether I'd be interested in appearing on the midday broadcast along with fellow author H David Blalock on Channel 24 to help promote DK Con. I informed her I was far too important and much too busy to be bothered with such a thing. Kidding.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-79517886604607559922010-06-14T15:14:00.000-05:002010-07-02T11:50:44.581-05:00

Well, with the release of their flyer, DK Con is officially official. I'll be at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Memphis signing copies of Mage on Tuesday, July 6, beginning around 6 pm. Stop by and say hola, por favor.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-68638076345511048972010-05-19T10:11:00.001-05:002010-07-02T12:14:02.172-05:00

A Mage of None Magic is now available for Kindle!

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-18467619683732529112010-04-20T22:01:00.002-05:002010-07-02T13:05:12.290-05:00

I had a very terrific time hanging out with the folks from the Southwest Tennessee Freelance Writers Guild, and highly recommend writing your own novel so you can get invited to a meeting of such nice people and be made a big deal of, too. Thanks, everyone!

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-34403476620320903732010-03-29T13:09:00.000-05:002010-07-02T13:10:01.135-05:00

I've accepted a very kind invitation from the Southwest Tennessee Freelance Writers Guild to speak with them at their April 20 meeting about writing and my experiences in publishing. It's an open meeting. Everyone's welcome. So feel free to drop on by and join the chat. Tuesday, April 20, 2010 6:30 pm to 8 pm Admiralty Suites and Inn 8181 Hwy 51 N Millington, TN 38053 (901) 872-8181

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-30085238505603830762010-03-29T09:15:00.002-05:002010-03-29T09:15:56.299-05:00

Shortly after this year's Darrell Awards banquet, I received a very kind invitation for an interview from blogger and fellow writer Madison Woods. Check it out, and be sure to browse the rest of her site, too. Pretty cool stuff.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-60046837004318478892010-03-15T10:21:00.000-05:002010-03-15T10:21:25.107-05:00

I won! Over the weekend, Mage received the 2010 Darrell Award for Best Novel! Tammy and I had a terrific time at the MidSouthCon 28 banquet, and met some very nice folks — though I cleverly managed to forget my handy-dandy bookmarks to pass out to interested inquirers. Ah, well. Lesson learned. Nonetheless, I'm truly grateful and honored for this recognition, and wish to reiterate my deep

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-85455322723449705892010-03-04T09:41:00.001-06:002010-03-15T09:43:39.383-05:00

Word just came that A Mage of None Magic is a finalist for the 2010 Darrell Award for Best Novel! The winner will be announced Saturday, March 13 at this year's MidSouthCon in Olive Branch, where I've been asked to do a brief reading. Unfortunately I can't make it to the con itself, but Tammy and I are definitely planning on attending the dinner. I've just enough time, I think, to polish my

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-15797034186906638332010-01-15T16:14:00.000-06:002010-03-15T09:33:20.049-05:00

Mage gets a very kind mention in Episode 24 of BookBanter. Be sure to listen to the whole thing, but my few moments in the spotlight begin at 28:20. The text version of the review is here.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-40460052248687232682010-01-10T10:25:00.000-06:002010-03-15T09:28:35.694-05:00

Here's a thoughtful, fair and all-in-all favorable critique from the BookBanter Blog by Alex Telander.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-44434963435881457862010-01-02T09:22:00.000-06:002010-03-15T09:23:56.356-05:00

It's been a very long while since I've updated, mostly because a seemingly endless parade of tasks and troubles have kept me hopping here and jumping there. Which, as the song says, is what it's all about. Coupla things: I've been asked to attend a signing at Davis-Kidd Booksellers this June as part of their week-long science-fiction and fantasy event, which I think will be lots of fun. Also,

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-47284219650308594862009-11-18T12:52:00.003-06:002009-11-18T12:57:56.898-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I gave away my last two ARCs through GoodReads. I had such a nice response I decided to do it again, only with final versions of the book. So, hop on over and sign up to win a copy of A Mage of None Magic!

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-83033680172635824732009-11-17T11:28:00.004-06:002009-11-18T11:35:59.078-06:00

Another favorable write-up, this one from Bulgaria by way of Harry Markov at Fantasy & SciFi Lovin' News & Reviews. I think Harry's comments are quite fair, though I would have liked to see that more of the subtleties and undercurrents in the story had reverberated with him. Nonetheless, I'm very pleased the broader strokes of what I've set out to do made their intended impact.Someone pass the

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-44216861118985595862009-11-06T10:48:00.001-06:002009-11-18T10:56:07.659-06:00

So, the plan is to line up some more book signings, but to do so I've first had to gather proper supplies. First was a blow-up of Mage's cover, courtesy of my littlest sister as a birthday gift. Then, I ordered a box of nifty little book marks as giveaways. I've included a low res sample of what they look like.I'm gonna practice flicking them ninja-style across the room, just hard enough to embed

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-15349232184855372432009-11-03T09:52:00.000-06:002009-11-18T10:10:07.987-06:00

Here's another very nice review, this one from Karen Brooks-Reese with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, through the School Library Review Journal.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-11191458679957866902009-10-12T18:34:00.002-05:002009-10-12T18:38:47.214-05:00

Another terrific (though very short) review from the folks at Midwest Book Review. Five stars on Amazon, no less!

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-82502290788929212532009-09-23T10:10:00.005-05:002009-09-23T10:30:36.004-05:00

Here's another very complimentary review of Mage, this one by Charles Gramlich, author of the Talera Cycle series.I had the privilege of sharing space with Mr. Gramlich in the first Beacons of Tomorrow anthology, in which his excellent story, "Slugger's Holiday" appears.In other words, this is high praise, and is greatly appreciated.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-13655028785357162042009-09-17T09:10:00.003-05:002009-09-17T09:12:24.910-05:00

Here's a nice little review from John Enzinas at SF Site. Short, sweet, very fair, and as it happens, more perfect than I'd wager Mr. Enzinas could know.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-57544634501232334332009-09-01T14:57:00.003-05:002009-09-01T15:02:04.145-05:00

Well, this is it. Today's the official release date for Mage. Now all there's really to do is let the thing toddle off on its own and see where the heck it goes. Not that I subscribe much to the whole publishing-a-book-is-like-giving-birth analogy. Because I don't think I do. Although, it's made a good excuse to be moody and eat anything I want.Thanks to everyone who's expressed encouragement and

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-39794234182261561322009-08-31T15:54:00.000-05:002009-09-01T14:56:55.996-05:00

Marc Schuster with Small Press Reviews was kind enough to interview me about Mage. You can check it out here.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-47775535900005657912009-08-20T13:24:00.001-05:002009-08-20T13:27:27.611-05:00

For ages cartography in the Lands has been much more art than science. As a rule, modern sailors—their attentions turned toward profit rather than exploration—content themselves with obsolete maps, filling in whatever gaps that may exist in the guidance offered by their charts with anecdotal knowledge and other lore.Among the most legendary mapmakers is Farbdonnel Erlonis, renown not for his

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-74037326177648272522009-08-10T17:47:00.008-05:002009-08-11T09:45:08.213-05:00

Today in the mail I received my shipment of author's copies of Mage—the final, finished, completed book. So now, as they say, it belongs to the ages.All in all the books look great. I've a minor quibble with how the artwork turned out, but I have to admit I doubt it's something anyone else would notice.The book's popping up in pre-sale lists on vendor sites all around the internet, which is

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-68774658776391510052009-07-08T10:43:00.003-05:002009-07-08T10:52:01.393-05:00

Coupla neat things: A book-signing is tentatively scheduled for September 3, 2009, at Burke's Book Store in Memphis. A very nice early review was posted at GoodReads. And a review blogger has asked me to participate in an interview about Mage.Like I said, Neato.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-14097421816809953502009-06-20T10:31:00.001-05:002009-07-08T14:22:16.102-05:00

The past month or so has been filled with pestering everyone and anyone I can find who keeps a blog and reviews fantasy novels to take Mage for a spin. For the most part, I'm pretty pleased with the rate of response, even if it's a "No Thanks." At the very least, that's one more person aware the book exists.While I do have a modest stash of bound copies, I'm initially offering a printable PDF and

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-14405950618014879672009-05-13T17:05:00.003-05:002009-05-18T09:04:00.609-05:00

The first of the ARCs have arrived, and they look great. Can't wait to start showing them off. Or selling them on eBay for hundreds of dollars a piece.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-48248731848920476602009-05-08T07:57:00.001-05:002009-05-08T08:09:32.251-05:00

Well, rats. Yesterday whilst perusing the book block for no real reason I came across a word that should have been replaced long, long ago but has somehow through the editing process clung like a hair to the proverbial shower tile. Worse, the word means exactly the opposite of what its paragraph describes—a remnant from way back, when that particular passage had been written the other way

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-41949830332896772512009-04-24T10:13:00.000-05:002009-04-29T13:42:08.335-05:00

Had a last-minute add to the Acknowledgments list—not an afterthought by any means, just an oversight. Luckily, the galley hadn't been approved yet, and the change won't be a problem.Later on I got a call from Bret, the editor, who asked if I'd found any other mistakes. I said no, he said he hadn't either, which we both agreed probably meant the thing was riddled with them.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-77519284879327496482009-04-23T16:28:00.000-05:002009-04-29T13:35:15.816-05:00

Final tweaks on the cover layout are being made. All in all, I think it looks pretty darn spiffy. But, you be the judge. (Look! It's got a bar code and everything!)

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-61474696344311680952009-04-13T16:41:00.000-05:002009-04-29T13:26:29.993-05:00

Real quick-like: Submitted the final version of the back copy (well, mostly final, I suspect) which in lots of ways was harder to write than the book itself.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-16164232749054718372009-04-05T20:41:00.000-05:002009-04-29T10:10:11.924-05:00

Well, today is one of those watershed, milestone, landmark kinda days I suspect few writers get to enjoy. Today, I received from Joel Rosenberg the cover quote for my novel:"Okay, I give: Drown's book hooked me. I want to see what he does next."I first read Joel's book, The Sleeping Dragon, back in 1985, and came away transformed. That was the book that spoke to me, that resonated pitch-perfectly

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-22764602503642419022009-04-04T16:10:00.000-05:002009-04-29T10:32:56.693-05:00

Just saw the ARC cover for Mage. And, well, now so have you.Can't wait to get my mitts on one. And maybe dance around with it for a while.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-77292090061044513352009-04-02T10:25:00.000-05:002009-04-30T09:25:24.067-05:00

The book now has an official release date: September 1! So, start saving your nickels, boys and girls.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-2790428992530177162009-04-01T22:43:00.000-05:002009-04-29T11:12:41.123-05:00

Today A Mage of None Magic has it's very own official and jen-you-ine ISBN and LCCN numbers. So, I'm listed. I'm in print.Things are going to start happening to me now.

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-30931972543168074642009-03-27T17:38:00.000-05:002009-04-29T13:28:32.719-05:00

The book is ready for a galley proof!

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-11840308639821418842009-02-02T10:49:00.000-06:002009-04-29T11:12:22.707-05:00

Got a look at the initial book block for the novel. And, frankly, I was a little disappointed. The text itself looked fine (Bookman Light, for those of you playing along at home) but some of the layout decisions weren't what I'd hoped. Fortunately, though, the folks at TPress are very accommodating and open to suggestion, though I wonder if they know what they're in for, dealing with an author

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1728597901139226442.post-37661124366093540712008-12-08T19:21:00.000-06:002009-04-28T21:47:45.025-05:00

This past May, Tyrannosaurus Press, a small speculative fiction publisher (formerly out of New Orleans but recently Katrina'd into Baton Rouge) offered to publish my first novel, A Mage of None Magic. After a brief and amiable period of negotiation, I very happily signed on the dotted line and became officially under contract.Over the summer the book has undergone a careful and lengthy line edit

A. CHRISTOPHER DROWNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754847717159293517noreply@blogger.com0