Publishing
L.J. Stanton
READERS WANTED

Advance Review (or sometimes called Reader) Copies are books released to reviewers ahead of publication. These reviewers then post their honest opinions about the book on release day across multiple platforms (like Amazon and GoodReads). Whether it’s a 5 or a 1 star, an honest review is worth it’s weight in gold—which is one of the reasons ARC editions are free to the reviewer.

READERS WANTED
Book Club
L.J. Stanton
Book Club: FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros

Our first read is FOURTH WING, by Rebecca Yarros! Book club starts today, but if you're seeing this after Sept. 1 2023 don't worry: you have until the end of October to join and finish the book!

Book Club: FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros
Other, Patreon, Book Club
L.J. Stanton
Introducing: The Sword & Board Book Club

Life has been a little all over the place for the past couple months. I had surgery, my sister had surgery, my husband was let go from Twitch, and now we're in the middle of moving! So with all that excitement, the newsletter and Book of the Month went to the wayside. 

I want a way to continue Book of the Month, but in a way that lets me get to know you all better, and lets you see what an author looks for when analyzing and learning from a novel. That means, Book Club Time!

HOW TO JOIN

1. Sign up for a Fable.co Account
2. Join the Sword & Board Discord  
3. Click on the Fable Link pinned in #Book-Club
4. Follow the Fable instructions on how to pick up the book. 

Introducing: The Sword & Board Book Club
Media Critiques, Writing Advice, World Building
L.J. Stanton
Sexual Violence in Speculative Fiction

As an author, my mantra is to tell challenging stories and minimize harm. The major failing I see with sexual violence in many media forms is where the point of view and gaze fall. Particularly in western media, that gaze is often heterosexual masculine. That means sexual violence comes from that same perspective, and makes grotesque GoT Sansa scenes where her rape is all about the men (either perpetrator or witness). The violence is there to horrify and titillate the viewer. We should be horrified. We should never be titillated. Respect for the survivor is missing in these situations. I could break down where this failing is in a lot of media, but I don’t think that is the most important conversation to have. I think the more important questions are: 1) should sexual violence be included in stories for shock value, and 2) how can sexual violence be written.

Sexual Violence in Speculative Fiction
MoA Short Stories, Patreon
L.J. Stanton
The Gods Chronicle Anthology eBook Sampler

If you’re looking at this before May 1, 2022, we’re currently running a special promotion on our Patreon where when you sign up at any tier, you receive the patron-only Gods Chronicle Anthology, volume 1. It is an alpha read edition that gives a great deal of backstory for characters within The Dying Sun, such as Merikh, Loralee, and Nikias. It also gives perspective to oft talked about characters Mansur and Rajiya.

Below are snippets from each of the shorts within the anthology. If you’d like to read them in full, please consider becoming a patron. Tiers start at $5/month. Thank you!

The Gods Chronicle Anthology eBook Sampler

Sword & Board Updates

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Out with the Old, In with the New. Also, Lets Travel to the Stars.

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Out with the Old, In with the New. Also, Lets Travel to the Stars.

I apologize, it had been a minute! Let’s dive right into the updates.

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Survey: We Want to Hear from YOU

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Survey: We Want to Hear from YOU

A quick update for your Wednesday. We are making some changes to our Patreon and in doing so, we’d love to have your feedback! The survey shouldn’t take more than 5-10 minutes on the absolute outside, so pause your scrolling and share your opinion!

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Narrativity: AKA the Best Small Con You've Never Heard Of (And Should Attend)

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Narrativity: AKA the Best Small Con You've Never Heard Of (And Should Attend)

Do you like small conventions? Intelligent discussion? Do you have the ability to debate points like an adult and then have dinner with the holder of said dissenting opinion? Do you have an interesting affectation (not required but definitely encouraged)? Basically, when boiled down to it, do you have an open mind and enjoy learning and the occasional well-placed f-bomb?

Then Narrativity is for you.

Publishing Update: The Hardcover Edition!

Publishing Update: The Hardcover Edition!

A couple of quick updates this time around. There is a giveaway on Facebook and Instagram that was supposed to end today, but in scheduling it to end this week I forgot about a minor spinal surgery yours truly had already scheduled. While I’m recovering from that…

'The Dying Sun' is AVAILABLE

'The Dying Sun' is AVAILABLE

We made it! It’s been years coming, with many bumps along the road, but it’s finally here. The Dying Sun is out in the world available for reading, reviewing, and sharing. Thank you to everyone who helped this book along its way,

Monday Surprise: Pre-ordering is AVAILABLE

Monday Surprise: Pre-ordering is AVAILABLE

Having never published a book before, I wasn’t sure what to expect leading up to publishing on the 15th. Well, processing and uploading have finished. That means, to my delight, that pre-ordering is now available!