James Stanson/ Jamie Hershing--Minifiction Volume One: Marouflage

James Stanson lives and writes in Vienna, Austria. He is currently working on his first novel, as well as a second volume of minifiction with Jamie Hershing. He has worked in the boreal forests of the Canadian north, served in a foreign army, and claims to have a rudimentary knowledge of things past – as evidenced by a piece of a paper from an accredited university.

Jamie Hershing also lives and writes in Vienna, Austria. Apart from working on a second volume of minifiction with James Stanson, Hershing dabbles in journalism. He claims to have produced the first European academic study on Latin American minificción – a probable fallacy that he will nevertheless repeat until proven otherwise. He is currently conducting doctoral research on the same topic.


Minifiction Volume One: Marouflage contains 90 carefully crafted stories and fictions that open up 90 new worlds in less than a page each. Each piece explores the limits of conventional story telling, the extremes of parody and the absurdity of fictional advice. It is the short short form like nothing you have read before.


What will e-readers like about your book?
The unexpected twists and turns on each page. The shifts in style and language, in structure and subject matter. The fact that you can read a story or two riding the subway in the morning half asleep, or on your smoke break, or while you wait for those tedious afternoon meetings (and during the meeting too if you can pull it off).


Why did you go indie?
We had an agent who, despite her valiant efforts, was informed by the major publishers that minifiction was unclassifiable and therefore unmarketable, and that maybe minificition was ‘just’ something for the Facebook generation. Well, we hope so!


Who are your favorite authors in your genre?
Aside from the Latin American pioneers of the short short form (Borges, Cortázar, Monterroso) and a dead Greek named Aesop, we would have to include: wikipedia articles, billboards, and the CNN news ticker.


Minifiction Volume One: Marouflage

Derek Prior-- The Resurrection of Deacon Shader

Derek Prior read Drama, Classics and History at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. He studied Mental Health Nursing at the University of Sussex and read Theological Studies at the University of Notre Dame, Western Australia. He is the founder of the online discussion community Mysticism Unbound. He works as a Personal Trainer and author.

The Resurrection of Deacon Shader: “Plague strikes at the heart of Sarum and flesh-eating mawgs have been seen in the sewers.
As Governor Gen struggles to save the populace, the Abbey of Pardes is attacked by an army of undead and a piece of the legendary Sun Stone is stolen from the Grey Abbot. The holy knight, Deacon Shader, is sent to the plague-city to retrieve it, but he is a man with conflicts of his own, and a destiny that will test his faith to the limits.
If Shader should fail, the Sun Stone will fall into the hands of a being from the mists of pre-history who will harness its power to unweave all of Creation. “

Q: What will e-readers like about your book?
The Resurrection of Deacon Shader is a fantasy epic in the tradition of David Gemmell & R.E. Howard. It features memorable characters, sword and sorcery action and themes of suffering and redemption.


Q: Why did you go indie?
Independent publishing offered me total creative freedom to tell stories as I see fit. It’s been more fun than I’d expected. There are great communities of indie writers offering all manner of support and advice; plus I’ve had the chance to work with some fabulous artists and editors.

Q: Who are your favorite authors in your genre?
I was brought up on the works of R.E. Howard, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Lin Carter, Michael Moorcock et al and still feel their influence in my writing. I’ve learned a lot from Stephen Donaldson, Joe Abercrombie and Stephen King, but my biggest influence is probably David Gemmell.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble
Smashwords

Tracy Falbe--Union of Renegades

Tracy Falbe believes that if you are going to go through the trouble of writing a novel it should have magic, love scenes, and definitely sword fights. She is the author of the complete four-part fantasy series The Rys Chronicles that begins with the novel Union of Renegades. Tracy always knew that she wanted to write series fiction and spent six years writing the series. When not writing and editing, she enjoys gardening, baking, and canning because a writer has to get food somehow. Despite her highly domestic hobbies, her fiction tends to pursue lofty themes, military action, and the challenges of epic landscapes. She seeks to make her escapist fun good entertainment for others.

About Union of Renegades: The Rys Chronicles Book I

This character-rich adventure follows the warrior Dreibrand Veta. He joins the powerful rys Shan, whose race possesses magical powers. The wicked tyranny of the rys Queen Onja disgusts Shan, and he desires to overthrow her. The third renegade is Miranda. After escaping from her abusive slave master, she becomes a crucial player in Shan’s bid for power. To weaken Onja, Shan raises rebellion among her human subjects and gathers allies to his cause. For over two thousand years Onja has ruled, but now, not even fear of her ability to enslave souls will stop her ambitious enemies.

Q: What will e-readers like about your book?

Like any first novel of a series, Union of Renegades has to set up a fantasy world, characters, and plot, but I made sure to pack it with action. Something is always going on. I wanted readers to have fun while working toward something bigger. I also think that readers who like gray characters more than gleaming white goody good guys will appreciate my fiction. My main characters aren't exactly innocent people, but they are much better people than the bad guys.

Q: Why did you go indie?

It's hard enough to get one book deal, but try selling four novels when you're an unknown writer. Not going happen. Furthermore, I've always been attracted to business and I felt a natural inclination to build a business around my creative pursuits.

Q: Who are your favorite authors in your genre?

I fell in love with fantasy the usual way by reading J.R.R. Tolkien although I don't write like him. I also always adored some of the old school writers like Robert E. Howard, Michael Moorcock, and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Currently, I find George R.R. Martin to be very impressive. His characters are captivating and the cultures he creates feel very nuanced and real.

Readers interested in epic fantasy can easily sample The Rys Chronicles by downloading the first novel Union of Renegades as a free ebook from her website www.braveluck.com

Margaret Lake-- Catherine and the Captain

Margaret Lake: I spent my childhood on the beach in New Jersey; a great way to grow up. Notice I only mentioned a summer activity. I was never much for winter which is why I now live in Florida.

Reading has always been my favorite activity. I've been downsizing and have probably donated 5,000 books in the past few years. I still have seven book cases crammed full and probably hundreds on my Kindle. My other passion is history, especially English and Egyptian. I think my interest really began when I read "Catherine" by Anya Seton. When the inspiration came to write my first book, I naturally gravitated to the Wars of the Roses because of that book. My favorite author is Susan Howatch, my favorite book is "Outlander" and my favorite series is Harry Potter. I lead a Harry Potter book club at the elementary school. I'm still waiting for the rescue kitty lady to find me a kitty I can rescue.

Product description:

The King is dead. Long live the King. Catherine Neville has no idea what these events will mean to her. Though of the nobility herself, she lives under the thumb of her cousin, the Duchess of Gloucester, until Captain Kyle Fallon reminds her that she once led a very different life

She fears him as the man who shattered her secure world so many years ago, but her memory of those events may be playing her false.

Captain Fallon does not recognize her as the young girl who changed the course of his life. All he sees is a beautiful woman ensnared by the tyranny of the weak. All he wants is to show Catherine that she doesn't have to give in to her demanding cousin. He didn't count on being ensnared himself by her kind and caring nature.

When the Duchess becomes Queen, Catherine is drawn into a web of political and personal intrigue. Can Fallon rescue Catherine in time or will she throw herself into danger by choosing duty and honor over love.

Q: What will e-readers like about your book?

Catherine and the Captain spans the turbulent and controversial reign of Richard III beginning with the death of his brother, Edward IV. The novel is historically accurate including archaeological discoveries revealed just weeks before publication (see Author's Note at the end). Balancing the historical fiction aspect of Catherine and the Captain is the romance between Catherine Neville and Kyle Fallon. These are two mature and responsible people who know nothing about relationships. It takes Gavin and Gael, the younger couple in the novel, to guide them through the rocky road to love. Catherine and the Captain will appeal to both romance readers and historical fiction readers.

Q: Why did you go indie?

I was an indie long before the term came in to general use to describe everything from movies to music and now books. Even if I had been able to secure a contract with a traditional publisher, I would never have been able to deal with their restrictions or dictates about my work. I bought my Kindle before I even thought of publishing my first novel, Ariana's Pride. After joining Kindleboards and posting for six months, a remark by Jeff Hepple put the idea in my mind. With his encouragement I uploaded my book to Amazon. I was stunned by the number of people who not only bought Ariana's Pride, but loved it. That encouraged me to write Catherine and the Captain, and a novelette, Of Love and War. Another historical romance is in the works as well as two more novelettes.

Q: Who are your favorite authors in your genre?

Anya Seton and Susan Howatch. Not everything Susan Howatch writes is historical fiction, but she is my favorite author.

Link to Amazon

A.J. Braithwaite-- The Roman and the Runaway

A. J. Braithwaite is an Englishwoman who now lives in Canada on a small farm where she is striving to be as self-sufficient as possible. She started writing 'The Roman and the Runaway' in 1985 (when she was still at school herself) and finally got around to finishing it in 2009.

The Roman and the Runaway: In with 'the wrong crowd', Luke Brownlow's schoolwork is suffering and his parents take drastic action: banning him from seeing his friends and making him change schools. Luke falls out with
his family completely and escapes by forming an friendship with their neighbour, Ned Kelly.

Luke plans to get expelled from his new school, but has to reassess the situation when he discovers that his new headmaster is the neighbour he has been getting to know over the summer. An antagonistic fellow student and the arrival of a runaway teenage girl make it harder to avoid confrontations with Ned than Luke had hoped. By the end of the school year he is in imminent danger of expulsion and is sure that he has lost the respect of the man he most admires.

Q: What will e-readers like about your book?

It's fast-paced and quietly funny, with believable characters and
situations, addressing some real-life issues about teenagers' relationships
with authority figures, family and friends. Plus: no vampires!

Q: Why did you go indie?

I don't have enough free time to spend chasing elusive agents and
publishers. Sharing my story with people has always been my first priority
and the Internet makes that possible to do that with very few hurdles. Going
indie fits in well with my general drive towards self-sufficiency. It's been
a great experience and it's wonderful to get direct feedback from people who
have enjoyed the book.

Q: Who are your favorite authors in your genre?

Diana Wynne Jones is my all-time favourite children's/YA writer. I like
Terry Pratchett, Eoin Colfer and Megan Whalen Turner, too.

Smashwords link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4970
Feedbooks link: http://www.feedbooks.com/userbook/10587

JM Pierce-- Failing Test

I am just a simple Midwestern man wanting to provide the world with a break from the madness!



You know him, but you can't remember his name. He is the one that is always there, in the background, all but invisible to those roaming the hallways. What if he had a secret? What if it was a secret that even he didn't know?

Test Davis has always been a blur to those around him. He's a shadow like a million other kids--not smart enough for the academic team, not beast enough for the football team, not stuck on himself enough for the drama crowd. In all things Test is just...not, which is why no one ever notices him.

But what happens when someone does notice him-- Nicole Paxton, a cheerleader, no less? What happens on the night that Test finds out there's nothing average about him and that a powerful gift has been hidden within, secretly waiting to be set free and alter his life forever? The question is, will that power save him and those he loves or tear them apart?


Q: What will e-readers like about your book?

I wanted to tell a story that most people would be able to relate to on some level. Beyond the fantasy aspect, Failing Test is a very typical Midwestern high school setting. Everyone has either been the low man/woman on the totem pole, been the innocent by-stander, or has even been the bully. I wanted to give the low man his day in the sun, and maybe even make a kid smile while imagining that he himself could be Test in another world.


Q: Why did you go indie?


I sent out query letters for months and ended up with an agent that I was very dissatisfied with so we parted ways. After the “divorce”, I read everything, trying to get points of view from both sides of the fence; independent vs. traditional. Originally, I was one of those people shunning indie publishing; not because of the writing quality, but because I fell into the trap of believing that if you self published, your chances of becoming traditionally published get flushed away. Now, after the many success stories in this community, I can chuckle at how my thought process was skewed. I am so glad that I have taken this route. The independent author community is so generous and supportive of one another, it really makes me proud to be a part of it.

Q: Who are your favorite authors in your genre?


Most of the indie authors that I know cringe when I say that I really like Stephenie Meyers. Is she the most technically sound writer? No. Does she tell a story that has connected with millions of people spanning all ages and genders? Yes. It is also no secret that I am a big fan of Stan Lee of Marvel Comics fame. I feel that he has had a tremendous influence on the world of Fantasy. I am also a big fan of Michael Crichton and Dean Koontz.

Failing Test at Amazon

Dawn McCullough-White-- Cameo the Assassin

Dawn McCullough-White writes mainly dark fantasy and horror. Her novels tend to favor the use of anti-authority anti-heroes as the main characters. 

Product description:

Cameo the Assassin is a dark fantasy set in the pseudo 18th century. In a world of corrupt royals, charming libertines and the supernatural, sometimes the anti-hero is the only hero you can find.


With a foiled revolution dividing the land, the royal family enlist the aid of assassins to keep things in order. The townsfolk entertain themselves regaling in stories of the undead said to walk the graveyards at night. . . and of Cameo the killer with corpse-like eyes.  Scarred and jaded, Cameo is one of the most formidable assassins in the employ of the Association. Moving from one mission to the next, she meets two dashing highwaymen who unwittingly throw in with the dangerous and otherworldly Cameo. But that's where the story really begins...



Q: What will e-readers like about your book?

There's a strong female protagonist/anti-hero, who possesses a certain, otherworldliness. The novel is set in a dark, gritty world where very few truly good characters exist, although she happens to befriend one. The book is very character driven and includes vampires, highwaymen and witty banter. The format is clean and it's been professionally edited.



Q: Why did you go indie?

I really hate the “machine” that traditional publishing has become. I don’t want someone to determine whether or not I should be heard and I don’t want someone to tell me what to write. I want to have the freedom of my own creativity that all artists yearn for.



Q: Who are your favorite authors in your genre?

I actually don't read within my own genre.



Cameo the Assassin- http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/16637



Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QCIQ3M