Monthly Archives: September 2013

FETCH GRAND GIVEAWAY!

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Newcomers, read the posts linked below  to know what I’m talking about-

 

http://talkinganimaladdicts.com/taa-cares

http://talkinganimaladdicts.com/kickstarter-success-stories

http://talkinganimaladdicts.com/fetch-got-funded

Today, I’m both updating the giveaway I initially began prior to FETCH getting funded on Kickstarter.

 

In honor of the donations for being reached, I’ve extended the deadline from this Sunday, to September 30th, 2013, before MIDNIGHT, EST. 

 

  • E-mail me at taury-AT-talkinganimaladdicts.com.
  • Write “T.A.A. CARES (FETCH)” in the subject line.
  • Enter Your First Name, Last Name Initial, and what state (U.S.) or province (Canada)/city you live in.
  • Tell me who your favorite dog character is. (Books, comics, movies, television,etc. Please mention series and author or creator) 

 

Winners will be announced on the site, our Facebook page (facebook.com/talkinganimaladdicts), and Twitter (@TAA_Editor).

DON’T send your contact information (Other than the name and email address, of course, which will never be shared) until I contact you. Contest ends September 30th, 2013, at Midnight, EST. (Eastern Standard Time)

Due to shipping costs, I must limit the prizes to those in the U.S (INCLUDING Hawaii and Alaska) and Canada.

 

Thanks in advance for those who donate, and even if you can’t spare the money, please spare some time and spread the word. 

Until next time,

May the Fantastical Fauna be with you.

FETCH is 100% Funded!

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dogwitharmsout

 

 

I’ll be back to regular blog posts soon but I have an announcement that can’t wait-

Earlier this month, T.A.A. launched it’s newest initiative, “T.A.A. CARES” as a way to highlight projects that need support, whether financial or simply word of mouth, and our debut project spotlight was for FETCH, a picture book written by Adam Glendon Sidwell.

He needed considerable funds to get the book to publication. Learn more about the book and it’s author at the link below-

 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adamsidwell/fetch-an-illustrated-book?ref=category

 

I’m happy to say that with just over 2 DAYS to spare, FETCH reached it’s funding goal of $22,000.00 USD. 

 

Congratulations Adam, and thanks to everyone who donated alongside me.

 

Since the project met it’s minimum goal, the giveaway prizes will be awarded, and if you haven’t entered yet, GET TO IT! Here’s how-

 

-E-mail me at taury-AT-talkinganimaladdicts.com

-Write “T.A.A. CARES (FETCH)” in the subject line

-Tell me who your first name and last name initial (i.e. Taurean W.) favorite dog character is. (Books, comics, movies, television, etc. Please mention

series and author or creator)

 

In honor of the project meeting it’s target goal, I’ll be including more prizes I’ll announce tomorrow, I’m also

extending the deadline from Midnight 9/22/13 to-

 

September 30th, 2013, at Midnight EST. 

 

Finally, since the minimum funding goal for the project’s been reached, I’m now

opening the giveaway to non-donors in the U.S. and Canada. Winners will be

announced on our Facebook page (facebook.com/talkinganimaladdicts),Twitter feed

(@TAA_Editor), and on the site.

 

Check back tomorrow for updated details for the giveaway.

 

Until then,

May the Fantastical Fauna be with you

Time To Give A Watchmaking Mouse His Due

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Letter From The Editor

-SEPTEMBER 7th, 2013–

Time To Give A Watchmaking Mouse His Due

The Hermux Tantamoq Adventures

One Author’s Retrospective

Hermux Tantamoq Adventures

I discovered these books at a time when I feared what I loved reading and writing was no longer being published and appreciated. When I say that, I’m saying this in the context of the author I was trying to become, and what I fiercely hope am starting to be.

When I made the decision to do book reviews on T.A.A., I promised myself that while I will not be a snob about books (Something more dangerous for authors than lay readers), I HAD to also shed light on books that may not sell the millions (As both authors and publishers would like that to be the case) they MATTER to the readers who do buy them and read them.

This isn’t a review of the series , but rather one writer’s commentary on what it means to me, proper reviews will come in time, and as such, I avoid any and all plot spoilers.

Back in 2008-ish, while I was working on version 3 of GABRIEL (My forthcoming debut novel), I was feeling highly discouraged when I came across “Time Stops For No Mouse” and gave it a go. This will sound an exaggeration to anyone who does not know me well, but this book saved my life as a writer, for I came to it at a time I most needed two vital things a writer cannot live without-

A book to love And a book to learn from. While my writing mentors at the time, made the wise (Though HARD to live up to) suggestion to study the books. As someone who had  a far from ideal school experience, the LAST thing I wanted to do was analyze books in my genre, because it took away the solace I NEED from books and their characters, something I VIOLENTLY needed that I could not get from family, and had no friends offline, and my e-pen pals only help so much from what I felt then, and still do sometimes, but I have better resilience now.

While lay readers can love what they love without questioning themselves, those of  us in publishing (Myself included) have so much more to consider.

Before I go further, I need to stress something critical: Writers HAVE to think of the here and now of books, and not let the great books of the past intrude too much. Readers are increasingly more impatient and easily bored if you drag on too long.

Even though I didn’t learn to love books for pleasure until high school (I still could read technically mind you, I just didn’t do it for fun like many authors in their own youth had) I do tend to love books (or films and television, for that matter) published in the past, either from my own childhood (The 90s), or as far back as the early 20th Century.

As writers, we not only have to consider what we loved/not loved reading, but how it’s written, and annoying as it is sometimes, WHEN it’s written.

Books published during the writer’s childhood aren’t necessarily reflective of what’s published today, and writers need to keep today’s readers in mind, and this is something I still STRUGGLE to make peace with.

Not that there aren’t books written now I don’t enjoy, after all, the series I’m highlighting was NOT published in my childhood (Though the first book was originally published on the tail end of my teen years) though I wish I’d known of it then.

It wasn’t until I pursued writing as career that I discovered this book in one of my many searches for new voices, as you know from this site’s

focus, that animal fantasy is my primary genre as a writer, though I do read more broadly.

 

As fellow series loyalists know (However few of us there are at the time I write this), Hermux keeps a notebook where he writes his blessings amidst moments of mystery,  tragedy, and joy. Hard earned. Hard Won.

In closing, I’ll (Lightly) emulate this style in my final

words on the series, and of its author-

Thank you for authors like Michael Hoeye, who had the courage and jaunty zeal to self-publish at a time when the practice was all but unheard of, and considered social death to authors and publishers alike.

Thank you, Michael, for being just as daring as Ms.Linka Perflinger. I’m glad your courage was

rewarded, if not monetary fortune, in a grateful “literary rat” such as myself.

Of course I thank your wife, too, who convinced you to keep moving forward on that first book of what would be a literary quartet to be proud of.

Thank you for reminding a frazzled literary rat of an author like me, that what I love reading and writing (Despite setbacks and dealing with ignorant comments on animal fantasy) STILL gets published, and I’m glad you never gave up on Hermux, and I LONG for a new installment, or something new.

Your books helped me stay the course as I toiled the last decade to bring my debut to press.

Thank you for Michael’s literary agent, Elizabeth Harding, who saw what I saw in these books, and why I sent her a query. Even though at the time I was told via her assistant she wasn’t looking for new clients, I love we share similar interests in authors, sorry if it sounds like pandering (Should Elizabeth or anyone who knows her reads this) but I do mean it with utmost sincerity.

Ditto the “Thank You” for Penguin-Putman (Before the merger with Random House)

for bringing the hardcovers to the U.S.

Thanks to the actor Campbell Scott, for being the perfect narrator for unabridged audiobook version of the series. (Well, up to Book 3, anyway…)

Thank you to “The Bookbeat.”  The last known indie bookstore in my home state of Michigan, at least that’s the easiest for me to get to via the convience my grandmother’s Volvo (I don’t have a Driver’s License, nor can I afford a cat and it’s mandated insurance if I did) for having a SIGNED edition of “No Time Like Show Time” I was willing to pay over twice the MSRP ($14.95 USD) to obtain.

 

And Thank You for writing the books I WISH I could’ve written.

In fact, your series inspired my current novel in progress, and the hero of that book while not a mouse but an otter, I think he and Hermux would get on famously. I would love to have my hardcovers the other three books signed while you’re still on this Earth.

Many of my cherished authors are dead, most recently Bernard Waber. (How grateful I am to have obtained a signed copy of “Lyle and the Birthday Party” also obtained from “The BookBeat” before prices go sky high, but only in absolute desperation will I EVER sell it) I pray I won’t be too late for you.

 

Until next time,

Turean

-Your sometimes grumpy, still hopeful, and always persistant, Literary Rat

Kickstarter Success Stories That Went The Distance

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I hope those of you who’ve been loyal to T.A.A. through it’s various ups and downs, and longer than I’d like downtime, will spread the word of FETCH (No, not the PBS Kids show, though I’d think Ruff would support it, despite the book “borrowing” his show’s name…)

For those of you who need further convincing, here are a few Kickstarter success stories that tie into what this site’s all about.

One of the issues I had with my early attempt at a welcome video for T.A.A. was no one knew what an “Animal Fantasy Activist” was. In truth, I didn’t know how to explain it at the time, but perhaps these successfully funded Kickstarter projects best shows the meaning of that term I coined-

 

Pilot Tails

“Pilot Tails Flying Adventures for Kids!” 

by Michael Badger

If you’ve got kids addicted to the Disney Jr. show “Octonaunts” they’ll likely find lots to love in this charming book.

Only as the title implies, these adventures take to the wild blue yonder, as opposed to the seven seas of Earth. Unlike the other books highlighted, this book needed a bit more But they BIG ambitions for the funds they asked for. In addition to the book proper with quality illustrations that rival any traditionally published book you can name, the funds would also cover an iPad app that ties into the book.

 

Pilot Tails (APP)

 

 

Rhoda's Ocean

 

“Rhoda’s Ocean”

Written and illustrated by Betty Abbott Sheinis

To think this GORGEOUS book was a diamond in the rough that never saw publication in the author’s lifetime, but managed to see the light of day thanks in part to the Kickstarter platform, and in LARGE part by the project’s creator, Annette James who discovered this buried gem hidden in an antique bed of all places, and those of you who know my tastes in books can understand how moved I was by the story behind the book, and I WILL be getting a copy and review it soon. (If you’re interested in the book, it’s available now,  just click the cover image to read an except and buy it yourself!)

 

 

Larry and Friends

“Larry and Friends”

by Nat Jaspar and Carla Torres

 

For those of us in publishing (Myself included), the persistent lack of genuine, non-stereotypical diversity in books at large is just as concerning as it was half a century ago, but while (At the time I type these words) we may be stuck in neutral at best right now, we HAVE made some strides, and this book is a prime example.

I was immediately drawn in by the art style of this book. After seeing the pitch video, I can see why this book got the funding needed, I’ll keep you posted when it’s available.

There is one thing all these Kickstarter projects have in common, apart from the fact they met the funding goals to see to project to completion and in readers hands, they came from authors, illustrators, or a combo of the two who in some cases (As noted in the pitch videos) they had near final versions of the book, and needed help earning funds to print, one of the biggest hurdles for any indie author is getting the needed art (If you are not the illustrator) alongside printing costs, ISBN numbers if the book will be available in print (Though you will require an ISBN to sell in some major ebook retailers like Apple’s iBookstore), and this is also part of why it will be a long time before I can create such a Kickstarter project of  my own.

My debut took 10 YEARS of effort and time on my part, and I will need to do a LOT of careful thought and planning to propose a project that has the best chance of being approved, and I’ve mapped out as much of the expenses as possible. It’s never easy to ask for money, even from people you know and who love you, never mind strangers who are connected by a shared love of the project you’re proposing.

Many authors I know (Personally or from their work online) don’t have this problem, or at least can hide it well, this will be HARD for me, as I’m not an entrepreneur at heart.

Note that I said “This WILL be hard for me.” as I recognize there are projects that I know I’m better off taking the indie route. Not just for creative control, but also because since starting T.A.A. three years ago, I slowly started to see I CAN do what these authors and illustrators I highlighted today. It will take me longer, but it is in reach, and I have to remind myself that often.

Though my  debut middle grade novel Gabriel will be published by a publisher, I’m working on early PR and making connections with people who will support the book as I have more launch details to share and as publication nears.

Part of my extended absences from the blog this summer was spent planning out a strategy. It’s not totally worked out yet, but the bones are coming together.

While I still want to get an agent and work with more traditional publishers (Ideally ones that offer some kind of advance to help PR and the like on my end) my views on self-publishing  in general have changed. It can lead to great things when done right, and we all know “doing it right” in this business doesn’t come cheap. Or happens overnight (That said, not all authors have DECADES between projects either…)

But until I have something at the level these projects were at, the least I can do is support the projects I find that I believe are good and sound, that speak to me as any book already out there, and that I get to review and share with you on this blog.

I was not afraid to put my money where my heart is. “Fetch” won’t be the first book project I back with either my money or efforts to get it in the hands of readers, and it will NOT be the last. IF you can’t spare the money, spare some time and spread the word

(If you shout it out on Twitter, please use the hastag #taacares so people know you learned of the project through this site)

Only 15 days are left before the donation period ends, and Adam has yet to even reach HALF his funding goal. I DON’T want to see this book go the way of Amelia Earhart. I want to see it soar like a proud eagle in flight.

Finally, keep in mind that I’ve got a cool giveaway in conjunction my “Countdown to Fund FETCH”, if you donated to the project, email me at taury-AT Symbol- talkinganimaladdicts.com, write

“T.A.A. CARES (FETCH)” in the subject line, and tell me who your favorite dog character is. (Books, comics, movies, television, etc. Please mention series and author or creator)

If you you tweet about this project, please use the hashtag “#taacares” so people know you learned of the project through this site.

*If the project is funded, I’ll select three winners at random who will win one of the following-

1 Grand Prize Winner will receive  A signed copy of the “FETCH” + a signed edition of my upcoming debut novel, GABRIEL (Pub. Date TBA) published by G8Press.

2 runners-up will win a signed copy of GABRIEL (pub. date: TBA)

(If you wish your copy to be personalized for you or who you may gift it to, let me know in your entry)

*NOTE: Prizes will only be awarded if the project is funded at the minimum amount.

Winners will be announced on the site, our Facebook page, (http://www.facebook.com/talkinganimaladdicts) and via Twitter (@TAA_Editor). DON’T send your contact information (Other than the email address, of course, which will never be shared) until I contact you. Contest ends September 21st, 2013, at Midnight, EST. (Eastern Standard Time) Due to shipping costs, I must limit the prizes to those in the U.S. (INCLUDING Hawaii and Alaska) and Canada.

Thanks in advance for those who donate, and even if you can’t spare the money, please spare some time and spread the word.

Next time,  I’ll take a break from convincing you to support FETCH and offer another installment in my new Weekly Readings segment.

Until then,

May the Fantastical Fauna be with you.

 

 

 

 

 

T.A.A. CARES

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Last week, told the story of how I met a kindred spirit on Kickstarter, a site where authors and

other creative entrepreneurs to earn funds needed to create projects that might not otherwise

come to pass, the catch is that you must earn the minimum of the funds you request, so anyone

who uses Kickstarter needs to really budget out what the project you’re proposing.

 

You can earn more than the minimum, but you MUST meet the minimum target price you set or any

 

 

funds earned with return to their respective donors (Called “Backers” on Kickstarter).

 

The reason for this distinction is because Kickstarter isn’t a charity (As they say here) but a way for people to fund their dream projects, and in return for the funds and believe in the project, you give the backers incentives that are possible by funding the project in question. I was But there are countless other projects that need championing, and while

Given the niche of this site, I feel it’s important to support new voices that for whatever reason can’t be via traditional means. So, I’m launching an initiative that will shed light on projects I believe need to come to pass, and if money’s the only (or most glaring) barrier to entry-

 TAA_CARES 2

I’ve wanted to do this for some time, and now’s the right time to start, and my first project being highlighted through T.A.A. CARES t is the prime example of what this site’s about. 

Learn more about the project (And incentive rewards should the project be funded) here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adamsidwell/fetch-an-illustrated-book?ref=category

And watch the pitch video below-

I know for many of you money’s tight, and I’m no different, but I also know how it feels to have the drive, passion, and perseverance to bring to a project, but lack of money or connections gets in the way. I often say to my writer friends that , as much as I want (and continue to search for) an agent for my long term career. But there are always some projects that I want full creative control over, and platforms like Kickstarter make it possible to get the money needed to pay our partners (Illustrators, cover designers, print costs, etc.) what they are worth, without mortgaging your place of residence (If you have that option…) to do it.

While I’m not ready to self-publish, I have nothing but respect (And some envy…) for those who are betting on their passion and perseverance, it’s not an easy thing to do, and our current economic issues (Global or individual) don’t help ease the pressure. I ask those of you who can donate, do so, and if you can, spread the word to those who can.

Donate funds before the project deemed “Failed” and I don’t want to see these free-wheeling canines stuck at the start line before they even start their engines.

Writers, share this blog post to anyone you know who sees in this project what I do, I ask parents and loyal readers to T.A.A. to do the same. If you choose to donate, please e-mail me at taury-AT-talkinganimaladdicts.com, write “T.A.A. CARES (FETCH)” in the subject line, and tell me who your favorite dog character is. (Books, comics, movies, television, etc. Please mention series and author or creator)

If you you tweet about this project, please use the hashtag “#taacares” so people know you learned of the project through this site.

*If the project is funded, I’ll select three winners at random who will win one of the following-

1 Grand Prize Winner will recieve: A signed copy of the “FETCH”  + a signed edition of my upcoming debut novel, GABRIEL (Pub. Date TBA) published by G8Press.

2 runners-up will win a signed copy of GABRIEL (pub. date: TBA)

 (If you wish your copy to be personalized for you or who you may gift it to, let me know in your entry)

*NOTE: Prizes will only be awarded if the project is funded at the minimum amount.

Winners will be announced on the site, Facebook (facebook.com/talkinganimaladdicts) and Twitter (@TAA_Editor). DON’T send your contact information (Other than the email address, of course, which will never be shared) until I contact you. Contest ends September 21st, 2013, at Midnight, EST. (Eastern Standard Time) Due to shipping costs, I must limit the prizes to those in the U.S. (INCLUDING Hawaii and Alaska) and Canada. 

Thanks in advance for those who donate, and even if you can’t spare the money, please spare some time and spread the word. 

UPDATE (9/19/13): You no longer have to donate to enter the giveaway!

Please click the link below for the updated giveaway rules-

http://talkinganimaladdicts.com/fetch-giveaway

Until next time,

May the Fantastical Fauna be with you.