Dale Furse Talks About Her New Novel, “Secret of Wexkia”

May 7, 2013 by Patrick Jones

Please welcome Dale Furse, author of “Curse of Wexkia” to the Blog Hop at The Linden Chronicles! Thanks for stopping by and visiting!

Dale Furse is a writer who lives West of Townsville, North Queensland. Her Science Fiction/Fantasy (heavy on the fantasy) novel, Curse of Wexkia is available as an ebook on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Curse-Of-WEXKIA-ebook/dp/B007Z88XIG/ref=la_B0080JKMLK_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341359745&sr=1-1

The second book in the series, Secret of Wexkia will be available in the near future.

She blogs at http://dalefurse.wordpress.com/

What is the working title of your next book?

Secret of Wexkia and, after many revisions and edits, it is at proofread stage and will be published soon. The book is the continuation of Nell’s story from Curse of Wexkia and the second in the Wexkia trilogy. In Curse of Wexkia, Nell learns of her heritage and although she is willing to live with the changes, a lot of alien beings believe she is a danger to the entire known universe. They think she is a curse – a throwback to a cruel, ancient race that not only enslaved whole worlds but committed genocide more than once. Nell proved she wasn’t the menace they claimed her to be with the exposure of the Book of Wexkia and an account of what happened to the Wexkians. But not everyone was happy with the verdict and some would do anything to stop her from becoming a true Wexkian.

What genre does your book fall under?

Young Adult Science Fiction/Fantasy. The Science Fiction tag is because Nell’s stories take her to other planets with cool aliens and space ships but it is far more fantasy inasmuch as it’s all fiction – no hard SciFi facts. But then again, who says there are no planets like the ones featured in Wexkia or beings like the ones who inhabit those planets? I think they are all real.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

Although I grew up with four brothers and five sisters, I was often lonely. That’s where a lot of my stories originate. Nell’s story was just one of my daydreams but it was, and is, the one that has stayed with me the most. Like all children at some stage, I wished I could fly and as Nell, I could. I could also visit unknown planets and meet the beings inhabiting those worlds. Of course, a lot has changed – title, names, characters etc – but it is still the same story.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Ha, that’s easy, finishing it. I always find that the hardest part of writing any book because, just like when I read a good book, I never want it to end.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I like the idea of going it alone and will continue to self-publish. You can read about my writing and news on my blog at http://dalefurse.wordpress.com/

Wolf lovers...give it a rest.

April 5, 2013 by Patrick Jones

Reblogged from White Wolf Moon:

Copyrighted image from Soul Wolf Journey.

Your bleeding heart blogs, comments, and photographs of butchered lobos are wasted on those who should be taking notice. In fact these outcries provide a particular and peculiar self-satisfaction to those who participate in this noble sport of wolf hunting...wait.

Sport? I must be clear on the precise meaning of the word before I fling it about.

Dawn of the Knight, in My Words

March 9, 2013 by Patrick Jones

Reblogged from True Knights Blog:

All too often we're bombarded by professional book descriptions, meant to catch our attention and leave us wanting more. But with time these get sickening, and I know I for one don't get much out of them. So, I wanted to tell you all about my novel, Dawn of the Knight I, in my own words.

Dawn of the Knight I - Xeltian Invitation…

FREE March 9th and 10th - Dawn of the Knight I

March 5, 2013 by Patrick Jones

Reblogged from True Knights Blog:

Mark it down on your calendars; Dawn of the Knight I - Xeltian Invitation will be 100% FREE on March 9th and 10th. It is available on Amazon for all Kindle readers, including the free one you can download to your computer. *wink wink*Click here to go check it out on Amazon; make sure to bookmark it!

I really hope you'll take this chance to check out this novel of mine, and maybe even help spread the word about the free event.

Amazon Prime Members GET IT FREE!! “The Wolf’s Moon” BEST SELLER by Patrick Jones

March 4, 2013 by Patrick Jones

AMAZON PRIME MEMBERS GET IT FREE!! Check it out at

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0077F0DFI

Amazon Prime Members GET IT FREE!! “The Wolf’s Moon” BEST SELLER by Patrick Jones

March 3, 2013 by Patrick Jones

AMAZON PRIME MEMBERS GET IT FREE!! Check it out at

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0077F0DFI

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

February 27, 2013 by Patrick Jones

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

What is a blog hop? Basically, it’s a way for readers to discover authors new to them. I hope you’ll find new-to-you authors whose works you enjoy. On this stop on the blog hop, you’ll find a bit of information on me and one of my books and links to three other authors you can explore!

Thanks to fellow author Lucy Pireel for inviting me to participate in this event. You can click the following link to learn more about Lucy and her work. Website: Lucy Pireel : http://lucypireel.wordpress.com

In this blog hop, I and my fellow authors, in their respective blogs, have answered ten questions about our book or work-in–progress (giving you a sneak peek). We’ve also included some behind-the-scenes information about how and why we write what we write–the characters, inspirations, plotting and other choices we make. I hope you enjoy it!

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions. Here is my Next Big Thing!

1. What is the working title of your next book?

The next book is tentatively titled, “There will be …..”. It is a secret at this point. It is the sequel to “The Wolf’s Moon.” Like everything in writing, the title is subject to change.

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

I sat in a hotel restaurant having breakfast while waiting on my wife. She was giving a two hour lecture at a conference. I usually carry a pad of paper in order to kill time. I started writing, not really thinking about a novel, maybe a short story. By the time it was over, I completed “The Wolf’s Moon.” The story actually wrote itself.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

I like to think it is a thriller/suspense novel.

4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Many times I have been asked this question. Since there is little chance should “The Wolf’s Moon” be made into a movie that there will be a budget for who I’d want, I’ll throw some names out:

Lansdowne/Linden – Daniel Craig

Skruggs – Johnny Depp (my wife would like this choice)

Sheriff Benson – Ed Harris

Amy Reel – The real Amy – yes, there is one!

Cindy Winters – I’d leave that choice to casting.

The title song by Khym Carmichael – If Khym can’t make it – I guess Adele.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Love, loyalty, redemption – with one big beast killing people.

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Self-published. If a literary agent wants to take the time to read my books and really expresses that he/she can find a publisher, and the publisher offers enough money – we can talk. It’s a tough world and I would like to make enough money that I can keep my wife as a PAID Business Agent (really, I just love having her at home with me).

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

The first draft took less than a year.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I don’t know if there are any books (that I have read) for a comparison.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

As I said, “The Wolf’s Moon” just happened but once it did, my inspiration was to finish the manuscript.

10. What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

Believe it or not, the book is a love story as well as a thriller. I was once asked in a radio interview if there was a lot of me in the book. My answer was that, “probably more than I want to admit.” My wife is so much more than just a wife. She is the mother of my son and daughter. Sandy is “Grandma” to five wonderful kids. Above all she is my best friend and supporter. I never want to feel as Lansdowne, about the loss of one true love…but I would.

Here is the blog link for Lucy Pireel : http://lucypireel.wordpress.com

My blog link is Patrick Jones at http://www.thelindenchronicles.com

Below you will find authors who will be joining me by blogging, next Wednesday. Do be sure to bookmark and add them to your calendars for updates on WIPs and New Releases! Happy Writing and Reading!

Hunter S. Jones at http://www.thehuntersjones.blogspot.com

Robbie Taylor at http://www.robbietaylor.tumblr.com

The Price of a Book

February 25, 2013 by Patrick Jones

When I was a kid…I keep going back to those carefree days.

I was twelve years old when I bought my first paperback book. The price was twenty-five cents. For a quarter of a dollar (plus a penny for sales tax), I received a weeks worth of an exciting tale, taking me to places I never dreamed I may really go someday.

Not long after I started reading paperbacks, my dad got really sick. He was in the hospital for a long time. I did not know he liked to read but learned his favorite genre was Westerns. So my twenty-six cents went to Zane Gray.

The author Zane Gray was a member of Penn’s varsity baseball team in 1895 and 1896 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Then one day I went to buy a book and they were up to fifty cents. I had just enough money. I planned to buy two. That was okay, Dad was not working but was starting to get around.

By the time I graduated high school, paperbacks were up to seventy-five cents. There was no money for college and my grades were not good enough to think of a scholarship. The Vietnam war was raging, and I had a choice: Get drafted and go straight to war or enlist. I would get enough training to keep me alive. So, enlist I did.

During those days of training, I learned that cold was not a totally bad thing and that an hour of sleep spread out over twenty-four was actually a lot.

Reading any type of novel was out of the question.

Some years later, I went past a drug store that had rows of paperbacks to buy.

My father passed away not long before. So when I started looking at the books, my first tendency was toward the Westerns. All the ones the store stocked I had already read. It didn’t seem right to read Westerns any more.

I bought another book. That cost me a dollar & twenty-five cents.

Since those days I have bought many books; a great many at used book stores where most were slightly discounted.

One day at a used book store in St. Louis, the owner and I were talking about what a new book would cost to publish.

He explained things simply: A person takes a year of their life to write the book. Then they spend money for the edit. Perhaps, the person lands a literary agent who gets 15%. Then if it gets sold to a publisher, they have the cost of cover design, printing, stocking and distribution. For that they get 50% or a little more. The book store that sells the book also gets a percentage.

At this point the poor author who thought he hit the mother lode is, for the time and energy to write and promote a part of his life, the recipient of the smallest amount from each sale.

On a twenty dollar paperback he makes maybe $5.00 per sale, but more like $3.00.

That made a great deal of sense.

Now I am an Indie author. I pay those costs out of my own pocket.

I am lucky enough to have a wife who is not just a business manager but does as much as a creative consultant. She did my cover design, as well as the book trailer. Sandy stays up with what I have going and need to attend. My wife designed the webpage and tends to it.