Faith's Enclave News

The Book Wars

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:21:17 GMT

I am on the outside of the book wars, and a writer, so my viewpoint is colored by how the debacle is affecting my future. That said, I do have opinions. I always do, even when I can see both sides. (I am, of course, open to new ideas, more info, and open debate!)

Long ago, books were hidebound for a reason – so they would last. But the makers of the books are now hidebound too, and stuck in the old ways, in the old business model. The market and world are changing fast, and the publishers were not ready for that to happen. They—and we writers—are losing.

Old business model, established after the great depression to get the economy moving in the book business again was:

Writer writes,

Editors buy and edit

Publishers publish books and *set prices for their product*

Distributors buy books

Books are shipped to distributors

Brick and mortar stores buy from distributors

Books are shipped to stores

Brick and mortar stores display books

Public buys from brick and mortar stores

Left over books are charged back to the publisher and destroyed or shipped everywhere and resold

The pieces of the pie were very tiny, and the process was *not* efficient or green.

Today, Amazon, an online *bookstore*, the big chains, and the superstores that sell everything (including books) want a bigger piece of the pie. Because the pie is only so big, it means cutting out some middle men. They want to set the price points themselves, cut out the distributor, and sell to the public. They have also been testing the waters to publish the books. (Oy… If you thought crappy books were making it onto the market already…)

So we have a book war.

My opinion?

Both sides are both wrong.

McM/Tor was stupid to set prices so high, wanting more of the pie.

Amazon is trying to be a store-distributor-and now publisher and wants ALL the pie.

And the writer is stuck in the middle with less and less.

In my opinion, the market has changed so drastically with the electronic age, and the superstore, super-chain age, that the old business model no longer works. And the publishers could fix that. They could, but they won’t.

Publishers, if they would, could take the entire process out of the hands of the distributors and stores and do it ALL! All they would need to do is agree to one e-reader, one software format, one site to show the public. Then they could set their own price points and they would be in direct competition with each other, but *in charge* of that competition.

Instead, a third party is still in charge. Will the publishers jump on the wagon and change things to their own advantage? No They have been divided and conquered. And we all suffer.

More comments? Another take on the issue. Believe me, I'd love to be wrong!

Faith

Eeeeeek!

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 02:50:09 GMT

If you want to see a short-short crossover about Jane and Joanne Walker, written by CE Murphy go to http://mizkit.livejournal.com/and scroll down to her DEC 28 post. Tres cool!

Plus, a podcast where the reviewers talk about Skinwalker. I heard it today, and it is *wonderful*!!!!
http://eclectic.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=550277

A BLOOD CROSS review I love?
SfSite put Blood Cross as its permier reveiw this month.(Sqeeeee!!!) I highly recommend you all become members of the site!
http://www.sfsite.com/01a/bc311.htm
Hugs,
Faith

BittenByBooks.com

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:26:46 GMT

It is starting out to be an interesting week, with lots of really nice reviews on Skinwalker. I am excited -- in a nail-biting, hopeful way -- that sales will be generated by the reviews. I really love this character and want to stay in print with her. (chewing on nails...)

Tomorrow (June 23) I am *all day* at BittenByBooks.Com. Some fans have asked where they can see my jewelry, and so I'll be giving away jewelry during the all day blog-fest, along with 8 advance, uncorrected, copies of the novel. ROC only printed a couple hundred of them, so they will be rare.

Come by, see the interview, and ask questions. I'll be there off and on for 24 hours!!!!

Hugs,
Faith

blogged

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:18:31 GMT

I blogged about writerly stuff today at
www.magicalwords.net

I blogged about SKINWALKER at
www.faithhunter.net
Gave a treat!
Faith

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:22:04 GMT

I am home!
My AKA Gwen Hunter won the RT award!!!!!!!! How cool is that! Sleep Softly was the best in its category for 2008! The awaard ceremony was fun and funny and lasted exactly as long as it should have. Whoowhoo!

And...
I missed my mattress, my kitchen, fresh veggies, my pantry (hate to cook with so few condiments and I never take enough in the RV). LOL. The things we miss on the road.... Of course we vacated while traveling.

Here's a recap of one morning after the event...

Once I got over my usual panic at trying to use a snorkel (which activates my hidden, challenged, oft-confronted, always defied, but always returning fears of drowning) I swam with the manatees. They came to us for play. Wild animals wanting to be near humans. So weird. They are gentle and amazing. And they are HUGE BTW!

First sighting and swim was just after dawn when they are still sleepy and lazy and even the adults are in a good mood. There were four in a mating pod, three males wooing a female at dawn, but they wanted a good morning scratch under their fins and throats and along their bellies (the hubby said, “Well, who doesn’t…”) before they started in on amorous foreplay. One of them wrapped fins around hubby and looked him right in the eyes and hugged him. Had to be the lady manatee, and I can’t say I blame her.

They got tired of us after a while and they left, swimming after me (which was weird because I was just off by myself at that point swimming.) They rose up under me one at time in a long line, scooting their bodies along mine as we swam. It was … bizarre. The dive guide was yelling, “Did they swim with you???” And I was gasping, “Yeah, they did. It was awesome! It was freaky but it was awesome.”

Then we found a playful 2 yr juvenile in a different location. It was six feet long. Mama manatee (like 12 feet long) checked us out, decided we were okay to baby-sit her baby, and left him with us for over an hour. She went off to eat. Seriously. Baby would swim after us rolling over and over and asking to bump us or for scratching. He’d get up in a diver’s face and study him. Then gently tap faces.

Lastly, we went to one of the springheads for the Crystal River and swam (fins and snorkels) hard upstream into crystal clear water to the Three Sisters Spring Head which is in a…well, a grotto buried in the swamp. Here we swam with the cormorants. Okay – that’s my morning. And yes it is unbelievable. Just freaking wonderful. I loved it!

Anyone want to swim with the manatees in Florida, I recommend Bird's Underwater in Crystal Bay. I'll be putting up a video of the manatee event (I hope) soon.
Great people!
More on how I used this in my writing on my blog from yesterday at www.magicalwords.net
Faith

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:33:15 GMT

I blogged this morning about beta readers at

www.magicalwords.net

Beta readers--if you get the right ones--can make the difference between a sale or a no sale in today's publishing market.

Also, this Friday, editor Bart Leib will guest blogging.

Bart Leib is Co-owner and Editor of Crossed Genres SF/F magazine. He is also the founder of Genre Challenge (http://www.genrechallenge.org), a genre writing challenge/charitable endeavor. Bart lives in Somerville, MA with his wife Kay and their son Bastian. When he's not writing, editing or playing with his son, Bart is... sleeping. That's all he has time for.

Crossed Genres, the magazine of Science Fiction & Fantasy with a twist, was founded by Bart Leib and K.T. Holt in September 2008. Every issue of Crossed Genres has a different "theme" genre - all stories for that issue combine the theme with Science Fiction and/or Fantasy. CG also contains articles and interviews about SF/F, writing, and the publishing industry, with the goal of informing aspiring writers. Issue 5 (with a theme of HUMOR) was released on April 1.

Crossed Genres website: http://www.crossedgenres.com

Crossed Genres blog: http://community.livejournal.com/crossedgenres/

Faith

river and

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:55:26 GMT

I am home again after a day on the river and a weekend at the lab. It was really wonderful. [The river not the lab. Labs are just stinky, dirty, (no matter how you clean them) windowless, places full of blood, poop, pee and ... well, it's not a fun place, but I love it anyway. I've been called contrary. Wonder why?]

The river was flowing fast and hard and we were able to take the little byways and side runs through tiny quirky channels. There were 4 of us, Hubby, Ralph Altman, my bro Benson Prater and moi. We laughed and chatted and paddled and had a wonderful time. Ralph is a long time paddler and he is so wonderful to have around becasue he is so skilled and, like a lot of older paddlers, he is calm in any situation. Bro Benson flipped in a side channel current that was sweeping him into whirlpool and up under a downed tree. Not a big current or a big tree mind you, not dangerous, but it was tricky. Benson didn't panic, Ralph talked him out and was there to rescue boat and gear. And we all had a good laugh.

I went over on the same spot I always go over on. They kindly have named the rapid after me. (sigh) And it was cooooold! But it was grand. A really grand day! I have to write a book about a river mage who has a boat...

Faith
PS -- Yes, I got a lot of work done polishing Blood Cross!

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:52:06 GMT

WIP is DONE! YIPPEE!!!
(Okay, it's just the first rough, but the hard part is finished.)
Book title is, officially.....(need a drumroll here)

BLOOD CROSS!
Isn't that totally Fab!
So, I'm feeling a little silly and....

To the tune of Row Row Row your boat...

Write, write, write the WIP, words upon the screen,

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, writing's just a dream.

(snerk snort)

Faith

deadlines

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:17:16 GMT

To the tune of Rawhide:

Writin writin writin, siting here awritin. Writin writin writin, sorehiney! I'm sitting her awritin, deadline's on horizon, I'm sittin here a writin, sorehiney!

All kidding aside, I have a deadline for BLOOD CROSS, book two in the Jane Yellowrock, Skinwalker series due on Ap. 15. I have been a writing fool, turning out 46 pages this week. Yes, I did get a bit of rest, running the Catawba River from the dam to the RiverPark on Tuesday, sitting with a sick friend on Monday. For the next 19 days I will writing like fool. And I LOVE this character! Today's favorite line?

“Card?” Troll asked. A man of few words. I liked him already. My new best pal. With two gloved fingers, I unzipped my leather jacket, fished a business card from an inside pocket, and extended it to him. It read jane yellowrock, have stakes will travel. Vamp killing is a bloody business. I had discovered that a little humor went a long way to making it all bearable.

Faith

well, like poo

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:52:32 GMT

I was all excited about the sun out bright and then it went back behind the clouds.
And I was all excited about tea with Kim today but she had a family emergency and took off for that.
So, I'm feeling all kinda like, *well, poo.* Now what?
I need to clean. Need to change and wash sheets. Need to fold 5 loads of clothes. Not even gonna mention the bathrooms...
Like I'm gonna do any of that stuff...
Guess I'll write. (It's always great for getting out of chores!)
Faith

running and writing

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:39:49 GMT

I have definate plans for the week. First, now that I'm well, I'm admitting that I've been very sick with a major staph infection that kept me sidlined for over 4 weeks. Ick. I had a few good days and did a few things away from my house, (and managed to work some/most at the lab) but nothing else. I am well, though still *very* weak, and am making hopeful plans. I have cabin fever. So -- here's the hopes:

Monday -- rest from the weekend. Also, the pageproofs for Skinwalker will be here, and I am diving into that. Did anyone see the short story in the back of the massmarket PB of Host, introducing Jane Yellowrock? 32 pages of kickbutt excitement!

Tuesday -- tea with a writer friend. You know Kim Harrison? That writer friend. Yes! (fist in the air) She's been gone to visit fans and do a signing tour and I missed her! Then more page proofs.

Wednesday -- run a river!!!! Do not know which one, but river here I come! It's been raining for 4 days and the rivers are healthy and full! Page proofs before and after.

Thursday -- rest. I am sure that after the river, I'll be tired. If I'm finished with the page proofs, then I'll get back to the WIP. Whowhoo! Ready for that!

Friday is up in the air, and dependant on the weather as much as anything else.

It is great to actually feel well and to be getting some strength back. For awhile I got breathless climbing the stairs in my house! Ick!

I'll blog this week and tell you what's up! Hugs to you guys!
Faith

writing space

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:17:34 GMT

I blogged about my writing space (even have a pic!) on
www.magicalwords.net
It is up today!
Faith

Hawk Wars

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:41:37 GMT

I haven't blogged lately -- been sick but feel a bit better now. On a different note, I've been watching the hawk wars for the last two hours. A pair of Coopers (I think) hawks and a redtailed hawk (RT) have been battling it out in the trees behind my house, fighting for territory. It was the most violent thing I've ever seen in the wild, with the Coopers diveboming and hitting the RT. Feathers falling, being knocked from branches. Kocked right out of the sky!

RT is injured now, his right foot not closing, and his left wing damaged. Finally the RT mate has shown up. Two crows and two bluejays have been in on it from time to time too, bombing any hawk they could. It is loud and amazing and right outside my writing room window. If the RT hits the ground, I'll call the raptor center. But for now, it's war!

Faith

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:19:57 GMT

Two things --
One -- Kim Harrison blogged today at www.magicalwords.net.

Two:
Cross posted at all my blogs...
I was tagged by Lucienne Diver for this -- and only for her would I do this. 25 Random Things
1. I love snow but don't like to be cold.
2. I have a dark soul.
3. I had a stuffed dog I slept with until I was 18; his name was Dinky Buttons
4. I named my current live dog Dinkums in tribute.
5. I intend to paddle with the manatees this spring.
6. And paddle South Carolina Lowcountry Black Water (with the snakes and alligators).
7. And paddle lots of mountain rivers.
8. Did I say I am nutso about kayak paddling?
9. I'd rather write than almost anything else, even paddling
10. I don't make friends well or quickly, but I keep them forever. (Not pickled in jars or anything. My soul isn't that dark.)
11. I totally and completely love my husband.
12. We met in 8th grade and re-met at age 21. He was the manager of a drugstore and saw me in the security cameras. He tracked me. Into the female-sanitary asile. I am still embarassed about that one.
13. I live with typos and have my PC set up to self correct most of them.
14. I took belly dancing for a year and loved it. I want to start back, but I need more hours in the week.
15. I adore boots.
16. I used to hate the colors green and yellow. Until I went blonde. Now I love them.
17. My writing room overlooks the creek and woods and I love to watch hawks soar and hunt and fight.
18. I don't like cooking, but I love soup, especially my own home made ones.
19. Ever since I started paddling, I have dreams about drowning. Awful scary dreams. I paddle anyway.
20. I am afraid of stairs, but I live in a 3 story house. How dumb is that?
21. I am a Leo. Not the warm and cuddly kind, not the secretive kind, but the hunt and kill and eat kind. I guess that fits in with the dark soul. And yes, I *will* rule my world. (grins)
22. I have planned for 2 years to rip out the front garden-jungle and replant. And I still haven't.
23. I collect angels and frogs. So far, I do not have a frog with angel wings, but I'm looking.
24. I have finally learned to say no!
25. I have reread this and learned something about myself. I am not only a dark soul, I am contrary.
Faith Hunter

NEWS!!!!!

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:41:39 GMT

I am up for a reader's choice award! And so is my dear friend Kim Harrison. Please please please go to

http://urbanfantasyland.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/urban-fantasy-land-readers-choice-awards/

and vote for us in all respective categories!

(Fortunately we are not running against each other!)

Rah rah rah! Vote Vote Vote! Whoowhoo!

Faith

life news

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:40:38 GMT

I haven't blogged much lately. When I have time to write and something to say, it is short and pithy and ends up on Facebook. (There is a link on my website.) But I couldn't sleep after 6 am this morning, so I thought I'd catch up here.

Hmmm. Where to start. Boring stuff first! Keep reading. It might bet better.

My health has been iffy.
Threw my back out. (Better now, thanks to chiro)
Had GI distress for several weeks. (You don't want to know, and it's all better.)
Eye problems (ongoing, but better.)
Have a cold.
Need to exercise but I'm lazy.

Raptor news:
After a year of exciting raptor news -- hawks galore -- we have a juvie buzzard in the back yard. He chased off the hawks, which is really weird! He's isn't pretty, but he's different. And he isn't after dead meat. He's hunting. I didn't even know buzzards hunted live meat. I wonder what that says about my hawk totem...Is it an omen?

Dog news: Dinkums is adapting well to being an only dog, but his diabetes is getting worse. I've upped his insulin.

We have our first stick-to-the-ground snow of the year! A whole 1/2 inch of the fluffy white stuff!

River news. It's cold out. Are you nuts? (This is what I said to hubby who wanted to go run the Catawba.)

My AKA's book news: RAPID DESCENT by Gwen Hunter is out!!!! Go buy a copy! And one for a friend!
(Told you it'd get better.)

Faith

shopping!!!!!!

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:12:18 GMT

I just got back from the REI yearly sale and I spent waaaay too much money. The easy lure of an empty credit card! But my AKA (Gwen Hunter) has a new book out soon (Rapid Descent) about a whitewater paddler and I needed some spiffy clothes for signings and speaking engagements. Outdoor paddling clothes, or the kind of things a paddler might wear to the eatery after a day on the river. Signing info coming!

Faith

www.magicalwords.net

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:53:01 GMT

I blogged from Chris Roerdens's books on writing today. If you are a writer, hoping to break into NYC market, then....

check out www.magicalwords.net.

Faith

Happy New Year and the Color Green

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:18:15 GMT

Yesterday on the Green River was so lovely. The air was mid-60s, the water was a chill 46, the sun was shining, and I was tricked out in wetsuit and lots of neoprene and plasticised layers. My brother and hubby completed our group of 3, and it was so much fun to take a river with a congenial group. (As opposed to a congenital group...) Necessary too, in case of problems. Even on a quiet river, Class I and IIs, and one easy Class III, a paddler can do a fish count (go upside down) and need to be rescued.

It happened 3 times yesterday, as my brother is a newbie, and once I had to rescue a boat and paddle in mid -current. Learned that I need a length of flex and two biners, one sized for a paddle, secured under my skirt, around my waist, and in easy reach. It would have been a piece of cake to do the rescue if I had that handy. More rescue gear... Yeah. Ebay here I come!

And, now for today. It is the end of the year. May you all find peace, happiness, prosperity, and read a lot of good books (some of them mine) in 2009.

Faith

book club

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:31:46 GMT

Hi all,

Below is a new book club, a sifi fantasy club,
small and intimate enough to participate in and not get bored.

Faith

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/what_if_sfbc/

holidays and wishes

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:13:50 GMT

I hope everyone's holidays have been fun and positive and peaceful so far. At this time of year, kept inside by weather and deadlines, I tend to get a bit introspective, looking back over the last year(s) to see where I have been and what I've done, my failings, my joys, the people I've met and been touched by. Maybe it's that old New Year thing -- resolution time. Maybe it's just too much good food and kicking back on the couch to digest... Whatever the reason is...

I want you all to know that you have been special to me. Many of you have come to conferences and signings, staying to have lunch or breakfast or tea/coffee. Many of you have done what you could by word of mouth and blogging to promote my books, told spread teh word at libraries. Many more of you write to me offlist with comments and questions. And lots of you lurk! *waves to lurkers!* I thank you for being here as friends for being out in the world for me -- ambassadors as it were. I truly appreciate you, each and every one.

I know I have been a poor host these last weeks and my New Year's resolution is to be more attentive. I have let this last deadline (I finished last night, emailing it to my editor at 9pm, BTW) get in the way of so much, and I'd berate myself if I had the energy after this season! As it is, it's the old wet noodle flagellation. *grins*

My hope is that the ones who have lost jobs, faced family crises, ill health, death of loved ones, pets, or friends, will find joy, jobs, health and happiness in the new year. And that you will come through all the problems stronger and wiser people. I hope that we will remember to send good thoughts, vibes, and prayers out for those we know who struggle. May we be strong for each other here in this small community! Thank you for being here!
*picture fireworks, hear klaxons and drums*
Live long and prosper.
Faith

happy happy!

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:43:20 GMT

http://urbanfantasyland.wordpress.com/2008/12/20/happy-holidays-from-faith-hunter/

Long post...

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:27:48 GMT

Part One...
Thanks to my lovely editor, I am going to actually get a break today. She has kindly given me 5 more days to get the already overdue rewrites to her. I am so brain-fried that I *must* get a rest. I am going to take off 4 hours and ride the big waters of the rain-swollen Catawba in my new ducky. I am going to be sooooo lazy for 4 whole hours. This is splendid! Ahhhh.

Re the Christmas sesason and getting the spirit. I took off yesterday afternoon to take my dad shoping, a yearly Christmas event. Dad is legally blind, no longer drives, would get lost in a mall. But we had such fun! And I finally found a season spirit, walking the mall halls with Dad.

Last night was Mom's yearly BIG PARTY. She cooked enough for 50 and we all had such fun. Hubby brought his guitar and played for us all and we ate (a lot) and sang Christmas carols. I am smiling and ready to finish presents!

Part Two

I have to share. Today was too wonderful to keep to myself. The day was warm, (70) the sun was shining, the Catawba was running 6,000 CFS (cubic feet / second)...and the wind was out of the southwest at 20 - 30 mph with gusts. somewhat higher...which was the only negative. It was a wonderful day on the river!

My brother, Benson, Rod (hubby, man of my dreams) and I went down the four miles from the dam to the River Park... OMG. It was grand. I never saw so many birds. Two mated pair of osprey followed us the first mile, soaring into the wind, carried on it, taking it so very high and dropping down like missles, to flatten out the tragectory over the water. Diving ducks by the dozens. Water birds all over! Great blue herons, standing isolated, magestic, unmoving, on shore. Taking flight to lead us away from nesting sites. Turtles! Lined up on logs and plopping into the water with loud splats. Okay, I know turtles don't belong in the same para as birds. So, sue me.

The train crossing the river on the trestle echoed up the river so loudly it obscured conversation. Clouds scudded across the sky so fast it was hard to follow. Wonderful, glorious day.

Big happy sigh.... Now back to work.

The train crossing the river on the trestle echoed up the river so loudly it obscured conversation. Clouds scudded across the sky so fast it was hard to follow. Wonderful, glorious day.

Big happy sigh.... Now back to work.

Faith

the doctor season

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:10:36 GMT

I was not born a bah-humbug kinda gal. I know some people are born that way, from the cradle full of cyncism and negativeness. I was born full of light and joy and eagerness and challenge and excitement. And from the time I was 3, I loooooved Christmas.

Now? This year I am not even putting up a tree. I am so full of bah-humbugginess I make myself laugh. Instead of celebration, these days December is the season to get in the end-of-the-year doctor appointments for myself, husband, parents, inlaws...dogs... *grinning* It is time to get tax stuff started. Bleagh. Not fun! When did I let myself get so dull and un-fun? I need to go run a river. Maybe between doctor appointments...

Faith

dancing in the sun

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:38:26 GMT

We haa-aave sunlight!
We haa-aave sunlight!!!
Yeah!

I love rain -- I really do, and after years of draught it is very welcome, but a week of rain leaves even me feeling dreary. So I am dancing the happy writers dance today to see the sun, even if it cold!

Gwen

Faith's Enclave News

The Book Wars

Eeeeeek!

BittenByBooks.com

blogged

river and

deadlines

well, like *poo*

running and writing

writing space

Hawk Wars

NEWS!!!!!

life news

shopping!!!!!!

www.magicalwords.net

Happy New Year and the Color Green

book club

holidays and wishes

happy happy!

Long post...

the doctor season

dancing in the sun

well, like poo