I'm An Author

For a long time it was a secret wish: something I didn't tell others about because it felt like an unachievable dream. I seemed silly and unrealistic (which I realize is ironic coming from an actor and musician); I didn't think I was creative enough or smart enough and that I didn't have the chops to write a book. That no one would want to read it or it wouldn't make sense and I'd be setting myself up for a catastrophic failure.

Last April, after a recharging trip to sunny LA, I was feeling an excess of creative energy but a lack of time for collaboration, so a new friend from that trip and I started an experiment. We both loved the creative writing courses we took in college, but had spent little time writing post graduation. We devised a writing exchange based on our favorite writing exercise: to trade prompts about once a week and write a short story, poem, and once even a song, based on the prompt.

Out of these exchanges came some great stories and some realizations: I'm a better writer than I thought, I have a lot to write about, and I really love doing it. If it weren't for his help, I'd never have considered taking this on. (I doubt he'll read this or that he realizes I feel this way. On the off chance he does see it: Thanks)

And what is 'this'? Why, the release of my first novel, of course.

{In kitschy announcer voice}
Ladies and Gentleman, I'm pleased to announce the release of my first novel: Venture. Available for purchase tomorrow morning!

Thanks to a Kickstarter campaign I was able to pre-sell 40 copies with some great extras for the backers and feel the wonderful support of my family and friends while I was developing the book. I started writing on Oct 14, 2009 - here we are 4 months, 8 days, and 176 pages later. I feel really good about it and the responses I've gotten from the pre-orders have been really positive.

I've also been feeling the creative energy feed itself. From the development of the first book I've begun the planning stages for two more books in a series, at least two other series beyond this one, and I've started writing a series of short stories that I hope to release as podcasts later this year. These will all take place in the same world setting, Aeowal, and all be released under a Creative Commons license to encourage fan fiction, art, expansion, and collaboration (like ya do).

I hope you'll jump on the proverbial bandwagon tomorrow and visit my Lulu Store. I'm shooting for it to be available by 9am EST.

Dungeony Goodness

In case you haven't seen the awesomeness that is the Year of the Dungeon, you should. Go there DnD peeps; you will not regret it.

6 Months, Checking In

Just a quick note before running out the door today: it's been 6 months since we moved to NYC as of today. We're doing great, I love it here, and John's doing wonderful at his job.

Oh - and 6 months since I quit smoking (yup... that's right... I was a smoker). 3rd best decision of my life.

Off to catch a train...

BOOKS!

As we near the completion of the Kickstarter campaign to help fund the publishing of my first novel I'm getting really excited. I am not a patient person in any way, and it's been very hard not to get everything out before it's really ready to go.

One wonderful thing: the copies from Lulu arrived yesterday. I've been enjoying them, as is in evidence below. They're numbered and signed and patiently awaiting packaging and the goodies to be included with them for the backers.

I've missed you Internets

We have been visibly absent from the internets these last few weeks, living somewhere in the 'real world' (thankfully not this one).

Playing D&D a few times a week, auditioning, J beginning semester #2 as his alter-ego "Professor McCullough", and that minuscule undertaking that is the novel. Venture is almost ready for release - the proof copies are winding their way to Brooklyn as I type this, and after I reward the backers from the Kickstarter campaign I will launch my Lulu.com storefront!

There's also a dirty rumor that I'll be filming something for TV tomorrow... but I don't want to jinx it. Keep an eye on Twitter (if you're into that sort of thing) while I'm in the studio.

So, internet, we'll try to keep up if you do. For now, this is to keep you entertained: