What is the difference between Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Lord of the Rings? It’s a common enough question (among a few folks, anyway) with a common enough set of answers. To some, there is no difference: both are speculative fiction (i. e. deal with made-up worlds and situations). To other, more devout followersContinue reading “Sci-Fi or Fantasy: The Fine Line Between Genres”
Author Archives: J. S. Allen
!!!New Site!!!
I am pleased to announce the launch of a new weblog, Random History 365. It will be dedicated to delivering random historical facts and short summaries about events on the very date that they occurred (or as close to as possible). Some will be special anniversaries, but most will just be dates I happen toContinue reading “!!!New Site!!!”
Plans for November
October was an excellent month! Not only did it see the publication of my debut novel, but also the completion of rough drafting for my 7-story YA anthology (which I subsequently began to type up), as well as the editing and compiling of 6 older stories for a middle-grade anthology that will hopefully be releasedContinue reading “Plans for November”
Marketing Matters: The Benefits of Live Appearances
Once you’ve got your book, story, et cetera published, it is time to move on to that third phase that relatively few of us introverted writer types bother to think about: marketing.
Ten Problems with the ‘Redwall’ Series by Brian Jacques
On this day in 1986, the very first Redwall book was published by Hutchinson in the UK. To mark the 34th anniversary of this monumental work in the field of middle grade and young adult fiction, I am releasing this list of critiques that I have lovingly assembled over the course of reading this otherwise phenomenalContinue reading “Ten Problems with the ‘Redwall’ Series by Brian Jacques”
!!! Book Release: ‘Sauragia’ !!!
After a couple months of being available for pre-order from several retailers, I am pleased to announce the official publication of my first full-length book, Sauragia today! For those of you who have pre-ordered already, my sincerest thanks. For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, go check it out here.
The Dilemma of Pen Names
Just about every author considers adopting a pen name at some point in his or her career. Some do it as a matter of course–especially when they wish to remain anonymous. Others cannot imagine why they would want to detach themselves from something they worked so hard on. As I have sometimes wondered whether orContinue reading “The Dilemma of Pen Names”
Reading Between the Lines: Sending a Message to Readers
Everybody’s got a point to make. That’s how it often seems, anyway. From movies to television, ads to periodicals, there’s almost always some kind of takeaway message. Some are subtle: others much less so. Thus, it is only natural that books should follow the same pattern. Authors have their ideals and opinions too, after all,Continue reading “Reading Between the Lines: Sending a Message to Readers”
Plans for October
September was a quiet, but largely successful month. It saw progress on my current anthology, major improvements to my digital store, and other writing and reading accomplishments. This month will finally see the release of my first novel, which has been on pre-order since mid-August (the 22nd is the last day to receive the 25%Continue reading “Plans for October”
10 Ways to Improve Your Writing
There’s all kinds of advice out there you could offer to someone who’s looking to get better at writing. Foremost among these are, of course, write and read as much as possible. But these are rather vague suggestions at best, and there are a number of other things you can do as well. So, hereContinue reading “10 Ways to Improve Your Writing”