Issue XVII
Hello, Welcome to The Newb Files, Issue XVII, Archived. My apologies for yet another late issue.
News
Zombies, a Novel is making no progress due to working on my new office space, holding at: 19337 words. Scream and Leapt, my almost complete short story, is on hold at the moment as well. This is the last MONTHLY issue. I will issue The Newb Files three times a year until further notice. Starting in 2022, I will issue The Newb Files on:
This will preserve the August 14th date that commemorates writing my first short story (Scream and Leapt).
My New Office
Work on my new office space has been spread over more than a month. I am moved in, and up and running although the work is not complete. As a grumpy old writer I am looking forward to getting back to writing. My wife is really looking forward to it, as I get grumpier when I don't write. *** This crude panorama shows a messier office space than usual, as I prepare to move into my new space. As you can see, I was crammed up against the kitchenette of what was a basement apartment for the previous owner. The only shelf space is on the left, on the basement foundation ledge shelf.
New Office
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I closed the door yesterday for the first time and felt all the work was worth it.
Opinion
Apparently I made a mistake when I reviewed Meg Latorre's book "The Cyborg Tinkerer", in that, I "reviewed her" as well. How? By pointing out she is a newb. Something "not done."
I would agree, except this is a case where her history has to be mentioned.
I tried to give a review of the book, The Cyborg Tinkerer, and explain why she let so many people down that had trusted her seeming expertise.
Difficult to do both, and apparently I failed.
A better, shorter (one star) review on Amazon just pointed out, and I quote part of the first line, "This would be an ok debut for any amateur out there in the world..." And, to paraphrase the rest: except she is online and TEACHING people how to write, how to get published.
Exactly. And making money at it.
Meg Latorre introduced me to Jenna Moreci's video channel, and between the two of them gave me a base of basic author terms, how to's, etc. I was, and am, grateful.
She also introduced me to the Never Night series, which I loved, and Micheal Mammay, as well. Mr. Mammay was at the time a new author, and very open about not just the process, but the money involved as a new author. Ms. Latorre's interview with him is worth a look. Also, check out the PLANETSIDE Trilogy. He has a new, unrelated book coming out in the spring of 2022.
He also gave the best review/blurb for Ms. Latorre's book, "Meg Latorre is a writer to watch." Short, well written, and accurate.
I wish she had had a little more patience to get her first book in shape before self-publishing.
Monthly Newb Moment
Handyman Newb (A.K.A.: perpetual beta)
I am too old for this shit.
Book Review(s)
The Savior's Champion & The Savior's Sister
by Jenna Moreci
The Savior's Champion
But Jennaaaa!!! Follow your own advice on book length.
It is 170,000 words long. And, I mean long.
In her video about how long your book should be, she mentions her book is a little long, but that's OK.
No, Jenna, it's not.
Another AuthorTuber book I was looking forward to reading, and to a small degree, was disappointed in.
It's a search, a competition, for a new 'King' for the current Queen. It is a good book. The problems it has are minor, and varied. They are all caused by the same thing. They are all, in my estimation, caused by how long the book is. It messes with everything, from pacing, timing, expectations, and the basic structure.
Still, many times while reading this book I would think, 'wow, I wish I could write like that'.
I continue to watch her videos. I think they are great, and she writes as she preaches, er, teaches. And, she is an excellent writer. I look forward to her future books. As long as she doesn't write a tome again.
The Savior's Sister
This is known as a 'companion novel' to her first book in the series, 'The Saviour's Champion'.
I did not know that books like this existed. I mean, why? Why do that? I read one review where the person speculated it was a quick way to make money. As I paid nothing for the first one (The Savior's Champion on Kindle) and then paid the full five dollars and change for the second one on Kindle, they may have a point.
All of the points I said for the first book apply here as well. It is just as long. Of course it is. And, is rehashing the same story from a different characters viewpoint.
I will buy the third book when it is available on Kindle.
Average for Both
F.A.Q.
Future newsletters may have Frequently Asked Questions. Send your question(s) to: Eric.
That's all for this month!
Thanks,
Eric C Bailey, December 14, 2021
The Newb Files, Science Fiction and Fantasy
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