I love the streamers picking up the colors and weaving through the nebula. It helps that the colors themselves are so nice. Again, this doesn’t need a planet to help the composition. The nebula carries it all on its own.

____________________

J.A. Marlow

A planet-wide [...]]]> Drustan’s Nebula WS by ^casperium

I love the streamers picking up the colors and weaving through the nebula. It helps that the colors themselves are so nice. Again, this doesn’t need a planet to help the composition. The nebula carries it all on its own.

____________________

J.A. Marlow

A planet-wide conspiracy is waiting at Grandmother’s house…

“Always wear the red hood and cape while you are in the forest,” Grandma admonished.

For a teen with purple and red hair, and an attitude to match, the small claustrophobic city of Oburos grows ever smaller with Uncle Travis’s attempts to take over her and her mother’s life.

An invitation to visit Grandmother’s house, nestled among the giant trees filling the planet, gives Kate a welcome respite. But, there is no time for rest. A conspiracy among the forest inhabitants, moving trees, and other mysteries await her at Grandmother’s house.

Kate learns just how little she knew of the forests, much less its animals. To survive she must learn fast, and that includes trust and teamwork.

And just where was Grandma, anyway?

A Science Fiction 83600 word stand-alone novel retelling of the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” by J.A. Marlow.

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It’s a subject I would love for Dean Wesley [...]]]> A little bit of a rant here about the advice to authors, especially Indie authors, that have been making the rounds online since, well, forever. To the point of feeling as if I’ll get beat over the head if I don’t pay attention and follow it.

It’s a subject I would love for Dean Wesley Smith to tackle directly as one of the new-and-upcoming myths of the new Indie publishing business. Really. I would love his viewpoint.

Just for kicks, let’s start this off DWS-style.

The Myth: Your online presence should be all about selling your books. That means not writing about writing. That’s geared only towards other writers. No, you should start sharing things about yourself. Open up your personal life. Talk about EVERYTHING. Become ‘friends’ with the reader.

What does this advice tell me?

:snark mode on:

Psst. Hey, you, author.

Stop relating news about your writing. Readers don’t want to hear about it. It doesn’t matter that it’s only because of your writing that they have something to read.

Don’t you know you should blog and tweet and whatever only about things OTHER than writing? Writing should be locked away in the attic along with Crazy Aunt Matilda, to be seen only by accident!

:end snark mode:

I have several problems with this advice. Let’s start with the big one.

My life is MINE.

I try to be careful online. I do not put everything out there. I’m sure there’s still plenty about me out there, but I do not willingly share.

You will not hear about my family other than an odd comment. You will not hear about my home and pets on a regular basis. You will not hear about my real-life job or a lack of one. You will not hear about my doctor appointments unless it’s something that might stop my writing career. You will not hear about shopping for clothes or groceries.

That is my private life. Why does someone have to be a voyeur into my life to feel a connection to me?

My online presence is about what I feel passionate enough about to share.

Second point:

Marketing and promotion

The mantra: it’s all about finding and selling to readers. Marketing and promotion is where it’s at! If you aren’t doing both as much as writing, well, then, you really don’t deserve success and are unlikely to achieve it.

:snort:

You know what? My work are my best marketing and promotion tools. I put a lot of hard work into my work.

I know my work will not be to everyone’s tastes. That’s fine. I know this business is one of patience. A marathon, not a sprint. I’m willing to be patient as I find those new readers. Once someone does find and like me, they will tell others. The word-of-mouth will spread.

Every survey on the subject says that word-of-mouth is the MOST effective sales tool.

In the meantime, however, I’m marketing and promoting my little brains out. How am I doing that? By writing. Writing and writing, and writing some more.

And art. Creating, thinking, researching, and sketching. See all those covers on the right side? I’ve achieved a dream I’ve had since a teen to become a cover artist. Whelan, oh my goodness. I wanted to create painted covers that make people stop and take a second look!

I reached that dream by making covers for my own writing. None are perfect, but wow, am I proud of the painted covers. With each cover I learn new things and become better.

Am I marketing and promoting? You betcha!

Let’s move onto the third point.

Advice: Interact With What You Are Passionate About

Do you know what I am passionate about?

Writing and art.

Those two words on the line above. Those are my passions and who and what I am. Period. I refuse to feel guilty about it.

Share my the rest of my life? No, there isn’t much otherwise to share, or that I’m willing to share. I do not share my private life.

For me, it comes down to this: If I don’t write about my passions on my blog and in my online social life (and those are writing and art), then I don’t talk. No point in engaging. No point in the blog. No point in the rest of it. I might as well have a static webpage that gets updated only when a new book comes out.

Heck, I would have more writing time if I just went with a static webpage. But, I don’t want to. I LIKE helping other writers and artists. I LIKE reporting on the progress of the various projects. I LIKE giving advice that could help others. I LIKE hearing from other writers and artists. I LIKE talking and displaying the arts.

While I see and acknowledge that we as publishers/authors need to sell to people who are not authors, I also believe in being true to yourself. My media interaction does that, even if it is ‘insular’ to those doing the same thing. I do think readers respond to honesty. This is the honest me. Heck, if it weren’t, they wouldn’t have anything to read!

You want something personal about me? Here it is: Writing professionally has been a dream since learning how to read with Dick and Jane. I remember the moment of sitting in the chair and having the shocking realization that, yes, even at that young age, I could write and tell stories better than this person who not only became published, but published big enough to sell to schools! I loved telling stories before that. Had a burning desire to know what these strange marks on a page meant, because obviously my parents knew what they were when they were reading me a story. But after Dick and Jane, I knew I would become a published author one day. Nothing was going to stop me!

What Does All This Come Down To?

Unlike a lot of blogs that have decided that they must change their format and subjects to attract and appease a mythical perfect reader/buyer, this blog will not change. It will remain about my passions.

Just to be clear, here are my passions:

WRITING AND ART!

And, who knows? Maybe those readers who happen on my little corner of the internet will enjoy following me as I work on new projects and report my progress, failures and successes, and new releases. Maybe I will inspire them to try art or writing themselves. Or maybe I will inspire them to other endeavors they have a passion for but for some reason haven’t attempted.

I think that would be a wonderful thing. The world needs more writers and artists, not less.

So, this blog?

Just me, being me.

____________________

J.A. Marlow

A planet-wide conspiracy is waiting at Grandmother’s house…

“Always wear the red hood and cape while you are in the forest,” Grandma admonished.

For a teen with purple and red hair, and an attitude to match, the small claustrophobic city of Oburos grows ever smaller with Uncle Travis’s attempts to take over her and her mother’s life.

An invitation to visit Grandmother’s house, nestled among the giant trees filling the planet, gives Kate a welcome respite. But, there is no time for rest. A conspiracy among the forest inhabitants, moving trees, and other mysteries await her at Grandmother’s house.

Kate learns just how little she knew of the forests, much less its animals. To survive she must learn fast, and that includes trust and teamwork.

And just where was Grandma, anyway?

A Science Fiction 83600 word stand-alone novel retelling of the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” by J.A. Marlow.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

PHP Freelancer

I like the low-key coloring in this piece, which is made up by the textures. The textures extend to the planet, where we see what look like either continents or weather systems. In the center is a nice focal point of light, with even more texture inside the glow.

Beautiful. [...]]]> Mother Nebula by ~Grogee

I like the low-key coloring in this piece, which is made up by the textures. The textures extend to the planet, where we see what look like either continents or weather systems. In the center is a nice focal point of light, with even more texture inside the glow.

Beautiful.

__________________________

J.A. Marlow

Welcome to Salmon Run, Alaska! A place of wild animals, wild land, and wild inhabitants…oh, and native legends come alive and an inter-planetary alien conflict at their backdoor.

Zach Callahan and his father, Hawk, arrive in Alaska to begin a new life. Anxious to arrive at the lodge crazy Uncle George left them, they find the first challenge is just getting to Salmon Run.

While still in Cordova, an old prospector declares the two greenhorns unprepared for the realities of an Alaskan winter. Sasha, a young native girl, attaches herself to Zach, much to his disgust. A failed sled-dog won’t leave Hawk alone, giving rise to an old phobia. They think they have it made once they get to the Solar Express, the unique train that will take them through a dark road-less wilderness to their new home.

The same night a massive display of the Aurora Borealis lights up the sky.

The Solar Express shuts down, stranding its passengers in the middle of nowhere. Hidden beneath the snow and ice, and under the path of the rescuers, an alien spaceship also feels the effects of the light show.

Cut off from the rescuers and trapped inside the spaceship, Zach and Sasha must ally themselves with a pair of aliens before either the malfunctioning security systems or the native Alaskan wildlife kills them.

A 37800 word stand-alone Novella in the Salmon Run series.

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The first image is a robot generated from my IP address. Don’t I look pretty in purple?

Of course I had to try [...]]]> I love generators. There are a lot of free ones all over the internet. Robohash is one that creates a new robot for each IP address or from text you provide.

The first image is a robot generated from my IP address. Don’t I look pretty in purple?

Of course I had to try the text input box. The word? Well, I chose a phrase.

“Space Cadet”

Yes, I know how much that says about me. A pink and purple robot. Strange how the generator picked two of my favorite colors!

____________________

I have a new release! Introducing the SF romance: Coffee Cup Dreams

She wasn’t supposed to wake up when dead…

During what should have been a simple operation, Tish Douglas died. And yet, she also awoke… in what the doctors called a ‘psi event.’

Despite having no memory of the incident, it means she’s required to go on a life-time course of debilitating drugs designed to reign in her supposedly new psi gifts. She’s left with the option of existing on Earth in a drug-haze, or leave the planet.

When an opportunity for a good paying job on a space station known as Redpoint One is offered, she jumps at the chance. Even though she doesn’t have any experience as a ‘maintenance engineer.’ Even though the station sits in the middle of nowhere, a still-operating construct of a long-gone alien species.

Between pirate attacks, intelligent repair robots, and maintenance emergencies, Tish must find a place for herself.

All complicated by a growing attraction to the one person on the station she can’t have: boss Arthur Getty.

A stand-alone 48400 word, 193 page (approximate), science fiction romance novel by J.A.Marlow.

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A spacescape doesn’t always have to have a planet included. This digital painting combines lovely colors, intricate shapes, and good contrasts. Very nice.

____________________

J.A. Marlow

My latest novel, The String Weavers (The String Weavers – Book 1), is now available at [...]]]> Tri Nebula by ~RavenLight

A spacescape doesn’t always have to have a planet included. This digital painting combines lovely colors, intricate shapes, and good contrasts. Very nice.

____________________

J.A. Marlow

My latest novel, The String Weavers (The String Weavers – Book 1), is now available at online retailers everywhere.

Kelsey Hale thinks she’s just a typical mixed-up teenager. Everyone feels that way, her teachers assure her. Yet, strange things happen to her, like food disappearing before she can eat it and hearing music no one else hears.

Then a giant flaming bird drops an alien at her feet. Well, good grief, how can you ignore something like that?

Abducted from Earth, the only planet she’s ever known, Kelsey finds herself thrust into the middle of a deadly conflict among alien worlds and parallel universe. She must not only survive herself, but also find a way to rescue her father from a dangerous group with unknown motives.

In the process, she’s confronted by a hidden secret about herself which will shake the very foundation of who and what she thought she was.

And connecting it all are the mysterious Weavers.

A 97,100 word science fiction novel.

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PHP Freelancer

Absolutely lovely. Slightly out of focus giving it a dreamy quality. Cohesive colors with a central focal point for the main light source. Dramatic lights and darks. The artist did a really good job with this right down to a using a fantasy hue of teal.

____________________

I love all the textures and movement happening in this piece. There could have been a lot of discord in with the colors, but fortunately the artist kept using different saturations of the same color of the main background texture in the rest of the piece. The only thing [...]]]> DISSORTIS LOSNA by `Yasny-chan at DeviantArt

I love all the textures and movement happening in this piece. There could have been a lot of discord in with the colors, but fortunately the artist kept using different saturations of the same color of the main background texture in the rest of the piece. The only thing I see missing is a bit more of the color reflection of the water, even though we do see some of the shapes reflected.

____________________

J.A. Marlow

My latest novel, The String Weavers (The String Weavers – Book 1), is now available at online retailers everywhere.

Kelsey Hale thinks she’s just a typical mixed-up teenager. Everyone feels that way, her teachers assure her. Yet, strange things happen to her, like food disappearing before she can eat it and hearing music no one else hears.

Then a giant flaming bird drops an alien at her feet. Well, good grief, how can you ignore something like that?

Abducted from Earth, the only planet she’s ever known, Kelsey finds herself thrust into the middle of a deadly conflict among alien worlds and parallel universe. She must not only survive herself, but also find a way to rescue her father from a dangerous group with unknown motives.

In the process, she’s confronted by a hidden secret about herself which will shake the very foundation of who and what she thought she was.

And connecting it all are the mysterious Weavers.

A 97,100 word science fiction novel.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

PHP Freelancer

This is a remake of an image this same artist did before. I like the double light-sources in the image, one blue and one yellow ochre. The composition is simple, but that’s one of the things that makes it so dramatic. The only thing that I found myself wishing was [...]]]> Wild Abandon by ~nuformz at DeviantArt

This is a remake of an image this same artist did before. I like the double light-sources in the image, one blue and one yellow ochre. The composition is simple, but that’s one of the things that makes it so dramatic. The only thing that I found myself wishing was a bit more of a starfield, although I know that would have had to be done carefully so as not to detract from the dramatics of the image.

__________________________

J.A. Marlow

Welcome to Salmon Run, Alaska! A place of wild animals, wild land, and wild inhabitants…oh, and native legends come alive and an inter-planetary alien conflict at their backdoor.

Zach Callahan and his father, Hawk, arrive in Alaska to begin a new life. Anxious to arrive at the lodge crazy Uncle George left them, they find the first challenge is just getting to Salmon Run.

While still in Cordova, an old prospector declares the two greenhorns unprepared for the realities of an Alaskan winter. Sasha, a young native girl, attaches herself to Zach, much to his disgust. A failed sled-dog won’t leave Hawk alone, giving rise to an old phobia. They think they have it made once they get to the Solar Express, the unique train that will take them through a dark road-less wilderness to their new home.

The same night a massive display of the Aurora Borealis lights up the sky.

The Solar Express shuts down, stranding its passengers in the middle of nowhere. Hidden beneath the snow and ice, and under the path of the rescuers, an alien spaceship also feels the effects of the light show.

Cut off from the rescuers and trapped inside the spaceship, Zach and Sasha must ally themselves with a pair of aliens before either the malfunctioning security systems or the native Alaskan wildlife kills them.

A 37800 word stand-alone Novella in the Salmon Run series.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

PHP Freelancer