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 and board

Check out the S&B Patreon!

Check out the S&B Patreon!

Sword & Board LLC’s mission is to support and create new, inclusive intellectual property for use in media, primarily novelization and gamification. Sword & Board believes in diverse, independent storytelling and providing a means for publishing that may not otherwise be available to creators. We believe that it is our responsibility to “Do No Harm” with the stories we tell.
This doesn’t stop us from showcasing difficult or challenging stories, but to do so in a well-researched way that encourages meaningful discussion.

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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!

Author Update: Housekeeping and exciting news

Author Update: Housekeeping and exciting news

Progress, progress, progress! The manuscript came back to me, was reviewed, and is once more back in the hands of my extraordinarily wonderful editor for more hacking and slashing. I am now working on the next big to-do for publishing: cover art! We are inching forward in the home stretch, and soon The Dying Sun will be available for purchase.

Writing the Vulnerable: 'The Girl on the Train' Review

The Girl on the Train is a story primarily from the perspective of Rachel, a depressed alcoholic who catches the same commuter train each morning and evening. From her window seat, she glimpses brief moments in the lives of those living along the train track. The predictable normalcy of her window watching is shattered when the illusion of perfection cracks in her favourite couple. Soon, Rachel is caught up in a mystery far out of her control.

CW/TW: Gas lighting, emotional abuse, domestic abuse. 4/5 stars.

Author Updates: Beach puppy and housekeeping

Author Updates: Beach puppy and housekeeping

Beta reading is almost complete, which means we’re coming close to the final edits and polish stage. I’ve been busy doing my own round of edits before sending it off to an editor, as well as continuing the outline for ‘The Gods Chronicle’. The series will ultimately have two main parts, with several books in each — I’ve always been ambitious, and as daunting a project as it is I’m excited to make it a reality.