A press release from Danielle Ackley-McPhail of Dark Quest Books:
We’re at it again.
Dark Quest Books is giving away one free copy of the below new releases over at Good Reads.
Follow these links to learn more about the books and click the widget while you’re there to enter for your chance to win.
Contest ends September 10th, winning entries are selected by the good folks at Good Reads.
Quick! Quick! Like a bunny!
In an Iron Cage: The Magic of Steampunk edited by Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Neal Levin, and Elektra Hammond.
It’s a Mod, Mod World!
When there are gnomes among the gears, and the mists of magic mingle with the steam of tech, you know you’ve entered a realm where fantasy and science meet in an absolutely riveting collection of enchanting tales of steampunk adventure.
In An Iron Cage: The Magic of Steampunk takes the best of both worlds and melds them into fiction that will absolutely transport you.
With stories by: David Sherman, Brenda Cooper, Alma Alexander, C.J. Henderson, Elektra Hammond, Bernie Mojzes, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Patrick Thomas, Stuart Jaffe, James Chambers, A.C. Wise, James Daniel Ross, Jeff Young, and Darren Pearce.
Earthdoom by David Langford and John Grant.
GULP? As the Earth tilts on its axis, precipitating a new Ice Age, hordes of rabid lemmings race towards Europe. Meanwhile a time-traveling Hitler emerges in sleepy Devonshire and proceeds to clone himself in preparation for the march on London. Will a Fourth Reich rise to strangle the Mother of Parliaments? Or will London be devastated by a nuclear accident on the Tube? The luckless crew of Spaceship Earth have no time to pose such questions as an epidemic of demonic possession and prophetic visions erupts in the USA and an approaching envoy from a distant galaxy broadcasts the following message: You Earthling scum are the dregs of the universe. We come to annihilate you painfully and rape your planet. Earthdoom is the disaster novel to end ’em all. And not before time…
Unicorn Precinct by Keith R.A. DeCandido
Humans and elves, dwarves and gnomes, wizards and warriors all live and do business in the thriving, overcrowded port city of Cliff’s End, to say nothing of the tourists and travelers who arrive by land and sea, passing through the metropolis on matters of business or pleasure—or on quests. The hard-working, under-appreciated officers of the Cliff’s End Castle Guard work day and night to maintain law and order as best they can.
Arra Cynnis is the youngest child in one of the most powerful families in the wealthy district of Unicorn Precinct. When she’s found murdered, with the culprit’s identity hidden from the magical examiner’s spells, the Captain of the Guard sends his best investigators. Ex-soldier Torin ban Wyvald and half-elf Danthres Tresyllione have two viable suspects: Arra’s fiancé, who is the cousin of another member of the Castle Guard, or the unknown person with whom Arra was having a torrid affair. Torin and Danthres must navigate the difficult political waters of Cliff’s End’s upper classes in an attempt to determine the girl’s killer.
Complicating the case is the unexpected appearance of Torin’s estranged father, who has come to return the detective to his far-off homeland of Myverin, and he won’t take no for an answer.…
At last, an all-new adventure of the Cliff’s End Castle Guard!
The Literary Handyman: Tips on Writing From Someone’s Who’s Been There by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Have a dream of being an author? Frustrated with banging your head against the publishing wall? (Let’s face it… why else would you be reading this?) Don’w Worry. You are by no means alone! Success in publishing is equal parts skill, determination, knowledge, and pure, dumb luck. If you have the drive, and you have the skill, but you’re missing that little bit of insight into the industry, this book might just be the edge you’re looking for. (For the luck… you’re on your own.) Crack the cover to learn more about effective dialogue, the difference between the major publishers and small press, self-promoting, naming characters, avoiding procrastination… and so many other demons that haunt the aspiring author. The Literary Handyman also includes a series of writing exercises tailored toward helping you to apply the information gained in the book.