Common Writing Faux Pas

Since sitting the other side of the desk again, I’ve been struck by the common traps in which so many writers are caught. In the interest of keeping my promise to the late Marion Zimmer Bradley, I thought I’d list some of those traps here. Active versus Passive VerbsPassive voice slows action, sometimes arresting it altogether. Not good. Take a look at this sentence in the passive voice: In the interest of brevity, little say…

Five Rivers Signs Debut Author

In a quiet, energetic series of emails, Five Rivers reached an agreement with new Canadian author, Alicia Hendley, to publish her debut novel, A Subtle Thing. Slated for release in the fall of 2010 in both print and digital formats, A Subtle Thing is a raw, honest and relentless novel, written with authority, that follows Beth’s heart-breaking and uplifting battle with clinical depression. You will cheer for her. You will want to shake her. But…

Book Signing in Orangeville

Lorina Stephens will be appearing in Orangeville, Ontario this coming Saturday, November 28, at Coles Books, located at 150 First Street, Orangeville Mall, Orangeville, Ontario, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. This is one of many stops on Lorina’s busy virtual and actual book tour this fall, promoting her new fantasy novel, From Mountains of Ice. The novel, Lorina’s second, is now a Sunburst and World Fantasy Award nominee.

More about Smashwords and Digital Rights Management

It’s been about a week since we uploaded our book list to Smashwords. It’s a decision I don’t regret. Sure there’s still raging debate in the publishing community regarding digital rights management. After reading a great deal about it I’ve come to the following conclusion: It doesn’t matter. What? Yep. It’s doesn’t matter. Digital rights management doesn’t matter. The reason I’ve come to that conclusion follows this path of logic. In print media, after a…

Mark Rayner Interviews Lorina Stephens

Mark Rayner, author of the absurdist fantasy novel, Marvellous Hairy, has posted an interview with me on his blog today. In it we discuss my latest novel, From Mountains of Ice, as well as the rapidly changing face of publishing. Drop by, have a read, leave a comment, and check out both our novels. http://markarayner.com/archives/516