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

Other

,

Personal Anecdote: Imposter Syndrome

,
Personal Anecdote: Imposter Syndrome

The Dying Sun was meant to be the first book in a trilogy. When I completed the manuscript, it was approximately 72 000 words long. It fell right into the “correct length for a new fantasy author” guide. I was reasonably proud of myself for this achievement and handed it off to my beta readers. By the time The Dying Sun was sent to the presses, it was approximately 182 000 words long with a two-part series planned, and at minimum four books per part of that series. Why did it grow? And what does this have to do with Imposter Syndrome?

, ,

Fantasy V.S. Mythology: What's the difference and why does it matter?

, ,
Fantasy V.S. Mythology: What's the difference and why does it matter?

The Epic of Gilgamesh. Hades and Persephone. Beowulf. One Thousand and One Arabian Nights. What do they have in common?

Now consider:

The Lord of the Rings. Harry Potter. The Chronicles of Narnia. A Song of Ice and Fire. What do they have in common?

,

Variety In Reading: Why You Should Read Outside Your Comfort Zone

,
Variety In Reading: Why You Should Read Outside Your Comfort Zone

When I taught horseback riding lessons I was extremely fond of education and mathematic analogies. It works well when you’re trying to teach someone that the reason their horse doesn’t want to do x thing is because the horse is in elementary school and you’re trying to teach it calculus. Analogies and metaphor are fantastic ways to communicate with an audience (despite what the great J.R.R. Tolkien believed).

Today, I’m going to use food to explain why you should read far outside your comfort zone even if you only read for leisure.

Behind The Scenes Blog Post 1: Advice to Disregard

Behind The Scenes Blog Post 1: Advice to Disregard

I’m sitting here typing this post on a typewriter-key keyboard with a bowl of Chinese food perched rather precariously in front of it. Normally, I take a proper lunch break by sitting somewhere more disability-friendly than my desk and read (or listen) to a book, but today my self-appointed manager is in the shower and I can get away with working through lunch. Chekov, my service dog, is lying on the floor behind my chair curled up on the oversized pillow bed that was originally purchased for Boo (my now-retired service dog). He doesn’t much care for my office, he much prefers when I take my normal lunch break elsewhere.

Interview Update: "BALANCING WORK, LIFE AND STAYING HEALTHY AS AN AUTHOR WITH L.J. STANTON"

I spoke with Kenny MacKay of the “Author Your Dream” podcast about balancing work, life, and staying healthy as an author. It was fantastic speaking with Kenny, and I hope you enjoy the interview!

lj-quote.jpg
Want to support what we do here?
Become a Patron!
,

Book Review: "White Rage", and why Black Lives Matter

,

I want to get a couple of things out of the way right away:

  • Rights are not pie. Everyone can have them without diminishing anyone else

  • Your freedom ends where my freedom begins. We all have some sacrifices we agree to make for the betterment of society and civilization. For example, George Flynn’s right to life means no one had the right to murder him, badge or no badge.

  • Saying ‘Black Lives Matter’ does not mean no one else’s lives matter. It is a reminder, a call to action. It means ‘Black Lives Matter Too’.

May Madness

I owe you an apology for this post. It isn’t a book review, and I have no new update to share. It has been an excruciating week in my life, full of some shining ups and heartbreaking downs. My best friend’s dog is waiting on a confirmed cancer diagnosis. I found that out the same day another dear friend found out she has stage four cancer. Both friends are half a continent away. Today, my car had a hissy fit that may or may not be an easy at home fix.

I have written next to nothing this week, but I have been reading. Emotional ups and downs wreck havoc on creativity. I don’t ascribe to the idea of forcing writing. I attempted to do so for The Dying Sun and each forced section took a great deal more work and editing than the unforced (forced vs uncomfortable are two different things).

Life is going to adjust again to another new normal as I do all I can to help these remarkable ladies. I have five blog posts planned that I hope to write and get ahead of the curve again so that these gaps in content don’t happen. Until then, your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated.

L.J.