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

Mists of Aldruin Short Story 2: The Death of the Shah

Mists of Aldruin Short Story 2: The Death of the Shah

The Herald’s bell cut through the courtroom conversations. Judging from the open surprise on the Duq’s previously impassive face, no one new was expected. The setting sun poured through the curtained windows, painting the room in red and orange. There was a heavy haze from where servants had put out hookahs. The evening had been coming to a close, wine and araq had been swapped for coffee and tea. Loralee placed her tea on a nearby windowsill. She smoothed her blue and silver sari, careful not to catch the bangles on her wrists upon the delicate fabric, then maneuvered her way through the nobles to stand near the main aisle. Others seemed to have had similar thoughts…

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.

Truth from Secrets: 'The Storyteller's Secret'.

Truth from Secrets: 'The Storyteller's Secret'.

A quote I’m very fond of is ‘Artists use lies to tell the truth,’ from V for Vendetta. It’s an appropriate and apt notion for The Storyteller’s Secret. There are two stories within the book. The first centers around Jaya, a NY journalist who is struggling with her third miscarriage and marital strife. After finding out that her grandfather in India is dying, Jaya is determined to uncover secrets buried in their past. It’s her last ditch attempt to reclaim who she used to be, before sorrow and grief tore a hole in her soul.

Novella Review: 'Binti'

Novella Review: 'Binti'

I am always in awe of authors who can do so much with so little. Binti is a 90 page novella written by Nnedi Okorafor. It follows the story of a girl named Binti, who upon being admitted to the prestigious Oomza University runs away to attend it. No one in her tribe has ever attended before, and doing so comes at extreme risk.

Critiquing Art: A Failure of Character

Normally, I try to avoid writing about Game of Thrones. There are numerous controversies around the show, but it’s a show I tend to sit back and learn something from as a writer. Sometimes (often), it’s something good. Sometimes, it’s an example of ‘How Not To Do The Thing’.

S8E4 was a stunning, sloppy example from start to finish of ‘How To Invalidate Your Characters Developmental Arcs’ (it’s firmly in the ‘How Not To Do The Thing’ category). After the credits rolled, my friend turned and asked me “Write a blog post about this. Help me understand why I’m so angry about this mess.”

For The Love of Audiobooks

For The Love of Audiobooks

Up until 2018, the last time I had listened to an audiobook was as an elementary school student. Robert Munsch’s books were my absolute favourites. Weird and wacky, I looked at the incredible illustrations while Munsch read his book on tape. Audiobooks have come a very long way since then. I had thought to leave them in my past, a fond memory yet one rarely dusted off.

My husband reintroduced me to audiobooks. “You’ll like this one,” he’d said. It was “Shahnameh”, read by Marc Thompson. By the time Zahhak was tricked by Ahriman, I was sold on not only that book, but on audiobooks once again.

There Are No Heroes Here: 'Vicious', by V.E. Schwab

There Are No Heroes Here: 'Vicious', by V.E. Schwab

Antihero, ‘a protagonist or notable figure who is conspicuously lacking in heroic qualities ‘ (Merriam Webster online, 2019). I find it’s easy for people to conflate villains and antiheroes, which is a disservice to both character styles. In Vicious, knowing the difference is important. If you’re looking for a book with virtuous heroes or a clear moral line, Vicious isn’t for you. If you’ve joined the dark side, then grab a cookie and read on.

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.

Art is the Light in the Darkness

It has been a difficult week on a personal level for me, but it’s nothing compared to what happened in Christchurch. I had a very different post lined up for today, but I feel that it’s important to address, in what small part that I can, the horrors brought on by intolerance.