Hello, everyone! The Cupid War has been released, and currently sits at #100,686 in Books on Amazon.ca's Bestsellers Rank. I'm not sure what that means, exactly, but it doesn't sound too bad.
I've found some new reviews out there in the web, and it is high time I posted links to them here. The first is from my dear friends at Charlotte's Library. They reviewed Evil? in the past, and I'm very grateful for their continued support. :)
The next review can be found at Ypulse, written by Sydney Coates. While she annoyingly refers to my main character as Richard and not Fallon (and calls the Suicides 'depressions'), she does give me a very enthusiastic thumbs up. Thank you, Sydney! :D
Finally, we have Gina's review on The Bucket List, a blog about books. Her review is extremely kind, and I could not be more pleased. I did find it amusing, however, that she rated the book "PG-13 for scary themes, nudity." There are indeed some naked people in the book, but fear not - I provided no illustrations. ;)
Also, I'd like to mention that on Amazon, my book has a 'Like' button on it. If you have a Facebook account, you can click and tell the world you like The Cupid War! If you do so I would be ever so thankful. Especially since, in the time it has taken me to write this post, my book has sunk down to # 101, 332 on the Bestsellers Rank. Hurry!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Polaris 25 Wrap-Up
Polaris was, once again, a very good time. I sold more books than I'd expected, and got brief hellos with many friends. I also did all that I could to get the word out about The Cupid War. Good for me, I say!
I spoke on six panels, two of which were fandom related (Doctor Who and Reboot), two were writing related (discussing character development, and the different types of fantasy), and two were topics of interest (the Young Adult market, and fictional afterlives). I felt a little out of my depth on the character panel, and I learned why I tend to feel that way when I'm on a panel with other professionals - they are so much better at verbally articulating what they do. I need to get better at that.
Thanks to my lovely wife, Violet, who came to help me run my table, I was able to do more con-related activities than I otherwise might have done. One such activity was the launch of When The Hero Comes Home, an anthology of stories on the topic of what happens next to a story's hero when the big event is over. Three authors whom I know and respect had stories in the book (Marie Bilodeau, J. M. Frey and Erik Buchanan), so I had to buy a copy. Plus there was free food. And a drink called a mamosa. It was nice. I had two of them.
The event was fun but exhausting. I'm afraid I may have babbled a bit with a couple of my readers, and appeared a bit manic to others. The excitement of the con versus anxiety about my panels, combined with general tiredness, may have made me appear a bit strange (well, stranger than usual) to some. Nevertheless, I still had an excellent time, and I look forward to next year.
I spoke on six panels, two of which were fandom related (Doctor Who and Reboot), two were writing related (discussing character development, and the different types of fantasy), and two were topics of interest (the Young Adult market, and fictional afterlives). I felt a little out of my depth on the character panel, and I learned why I tend to feel that way when I'm on a panel with other professionals - they are so much better at verbally articulating what they do. I need to get better at that.
Thanks to my lovely wife, Violet, who came to help me run my table, I was able to do more con-related activities than I otherwise might have done. One such activity was the launch of When The Hero Comes Home, an anthology of stories on the topic of what happens next to a story's hero when the big event is over. Three authors whom I know and respect had stories in the book (Marie Bilodeau, J. M. Frey and Erik Buchanan), so I had to buy a copy. Plus there was free food. And a drink called a mamosa. It was nice. I had two of them.
The event was fun but exhausting. I'm afraid I may have babbled a bit with a couple of my readers, and appeared a bit manic to others. The excitement of the con versus anxiety about my panels, combined with general tiredness, may have made me appear a bit strange (well, stranger than usual) to some. Nevertheless, I still had an excellent time, and I look forward to next year.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Off To Polaris 25
This weekend is Polaris 25, the big sci-fi and fantasy con that for me is an annual event. Good times will be had, money will be spent, and hopefully lots of books will be sold. I will make a brief appearance tonight, then I'll get real busy tomorrow with four discussion panels. I have a panel on Doctor Who bright and early Saturday morning at 10, followed by a writing panel on creating memorable characters at noon. At 2 I have a panel on medieval fantasy and modern/urban fantasy, and at 5 I finally get to do a panel about writing for the Young Adult market!
On Sunday I have two panels: at 2 I will discuss fictional depictions of the afterlife, and at five I'll do a panel on Reboot, one of my favourite animated shows.
That's all my official stuff. I'm hoping I'll also be able to do some Geek-offs and maybe have a drink or several with friends. It will be a packed weekend, but it will be fun. It always is!
On Sunday I have two panels: at 2 I will discuss fictional depictions of the afterlife, and at five I'll do a panel on Reboot, one of my favourite animated shows.
That's all my official stuff. I'm hoping I'll also be able to do some Geek-offs and maybe have a drink or several with friends. It will be a packed weekend, but it will be fun. It always is!
Friday, June 24, 2011
And Another Cupid War Review... from Kirkus!
The Cupid War is reviewed in the July 1 issue of Kirkus Reviews [5,000].
THE CUPID WAR
Author: Carter, Timothy
Review Date: July 1, 2011
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 240
Price ( Paperback ): $9.95
Publication Date: August 1, 2011
ISBN ( Paperback ): 978-0-7387-2614-4
Category: Fiction
Life was bad enough for Canadian teen Ricky Fallon; who knew death came with pink spandex?
Fallon actually planned to off himself. He was on the Pape Street Bridge ready to jump because his girl dumped him, his dad was a prick and his “best friend” Susan was the most clingy, depressing person on the planet. He changed his mind…and slipped. Fallon wakes to find Bud, a Soul Reaper, ready to take him to—his new job. Souls with Karma to work out become Cupids, genital-free, Love-eating spirits who exist to increase the supply of Love in the world by getting the living to couple-up. Fallon’s new boss Louis is a huge jerk. Bad enough that he’s got to suffer that (and the heart-emblazoned spandex), but, with little training, Fallon also has to avoid Suicides, the dangerous, misery-eating antitheses of Cupids. When he finds Susan has attached herself to a new unfortunate, Fallon suspects there’s something more than meets the eye to that downer-girl. Can he save her new target (and maybe the world)? Carter’s newest is a darkly humorous, fantastical frolic. Fallon’s snark is tempered by his conflicted feelings about his runaway mother. Other characters aren’t as well-rounded, but the unique afterlife and a surprisingly spiritual twist will keep pages turning.
Fans of funky unconventional fantasy will lap it up and roar for more. (Humorous fantasy. 12 & up)
Three reviews in, and I'm still smokin'! I'm a very happy author, yes indeed!
THE CUPID WAR
Author: Carter, Timothy
Review Date: July 1, 2011
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 240
Price ( Paperback ): $9.95
Publication Date: August 1, 2011
ISBN ( Paperback ): 978-0-7387-2614-4
Category: Fiction
Life was bad enough for Canadian teen Ricky Fallon; who knew death came with pink spandex?
Fallon actually planned to off himself. He was on the Pape Street Bridge ready to jump because his girl dumped him, his dad was a prick and his “best friend” Susan was the most clingy, depressing person on the planet. He changed his mind…and slipped. Fallon wakes to find Bud, a Soul Reaper, ready to take him to—his new job. Souls with Karma to work out become Cupids, genital-free, Love-eating spirits who exist to increase the supply of Love in the world by getting the living to couple-up. Fallon’s new boss Louis is a huge jerk. Bad enough that he’s got to suffer that (and the heart-emblazoned spandex), but, with little training, Fallon also has to avoid Suicides, the dangerous, misery-eating antitheses of Cupids. When he finds Susan has attached herself to a new unfortunate, Fallon suspects there’s something more than meets the eye to that downer-girl. Can he save her new target (and maybe the world)? Carter’s newest is a darkly humorous, fantastical frolic. Fallon’s snark is tempered by his conflicted feelings about his runaway mother. Other characters aren’t as well-rounded, but the unique afterlife and a surprisingly spiritual twist will keep pages turning.
Fans of funky unconventional fantasy will lap it up and roar for more. (Humorous fantasy. 12 & up)
Three reviews in, and I'm still smokin'! I'm a very happy author, yes indeed!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
First Cupid War Reviews!
Hello, everyone! I've been ignoring the blogosphere again in favour of Facebook, and don't even ask me about Twitter. I need at least one clone of me to keep up with all this stuff.
But I'm here now, and happy to share with you the first review of The Cupid War, as posted in CM Magazine and written by Ann Ketcheson.
The Cupid War has also been reviewed in the June 2011 issue of VOYA by Heidi Uphoff. The full review is posted below:
Carter, Timothy. The Cupid War. Flux/Llewellyn, 2011. 240p. $9.95. Trade pb. 978-0-7387-26144.
Ricky Fallon decided at the last second that he did not want to end his life after all, but he slipped and fell from the bridge anyway. In the afterlife, Fallon discovers that he must repay a karmic debt for ending his life early by donning a pink bodysuit and helping people fall in love. That is right—Fallon becomes a Cupid. Little is cute about his situation, however, as Fallon learns that the Cupids are at war with the Suicides, dark beings that cause depression in their human victims. The story gets complicated when Fallon learns that the lecherous girl, Susan Sides, who drove him to his suicide attempt, may be a human/Suicide hybrid. Fallon meets other Cupids along the way and even falls in love with a psychic teenager whose friend is Susan’s next target.
Carter has created a whimsical story focusing on the serious subjects of suicide and depression. Unlike his previous work, Evil? (Flux/Llewellyn, 2009), The Cupid War leaves readers wondering what message, if any, Carter is attempting to convey. Carter also misses giving depth to the story by not developing potential sub-plots such as the early death of Fallon’s mother. Despite these minor flaws, young adults who enjoy light-hearted, easy-to-understand stories with happy endings will be drawn to this book.
Not quite as positive as the CM one, but it could have been worse. I'd like to point out that while Susan Sides displays many leech-like traits, she is in no way lecherous.
Two early reviews, and the book isn't for another month and a half! Huzzah, and words to that effect.
But I'm here now, and happy to share with you the first review of The Cupid War, as posted in CM Magazine and written by Ann Ketcheson.
The Cupid War has also been reviewed in the June 2011 issue of VOYA by Heidi Uphoff. The full review is posted below:
Carter, Timothy. The Cupid War. Flux/Llewellyn, 2011. 240p. $9.95. Trade pb. 978-0-7387-26144.
Ricky Fallon decided at the last second that he did not want to end his life after all, but he slipped and fell from the bridge anyway. In the afterlife, Fallon discovers that he must repay a karmic debt for ending his life early by donning a pink bodysuit and helping people fall in love. That is right—Fallon becomes a Cupid. Little is cute about his situation, however, as Fallon learns that the Cupids are at war with the Suicides, dark beings that cause depression in their human victims. The story gets complicated when Fallon learns that the lecherous girl, Susan Sides, who drove him to his suicide attempt, may be a human/Suicide hybrid. Fallon meets other Cupids along the way and even falls in love with a psychic teenager whose friend is Susan’s next target.
Carter has created a whimsical story focusing on the serious subjects of suicide and depression. Unlike his previous work, Evil? (Flux/Llewellyn, 2009), The Cupid War leaves readers wondering what message, if any, Carter is attempting to convey. Carter also misses giving depth to the story by not developing potential sub-plots such as the early death of Fallon’s mother. Despite these minor flaws, young adults who enjoy light-hearted, easy-to-understand stories with happy endings will be drawn to this book.
Not quite as positive as the CM one, but it could have been worse. I'd like to point out that while Susan Sides displays many leech-like traits, she is in no way lecherous.
Two early reviews, and the book isn't for another month and a half! Huzzah, and words to that effect.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Closets, on Sale! For $2.99!
My ebook for children, Closets, will be on sale today on the SynergEbooks website for only $2.99. Wow, what a bargain! I'm tempted to go get one myself.
So what are all of you waiting for? Rush off to SynergEbooks to buy a riveting tale of two boys who fight back against the monsters who come from their closets. Go on. Make an author happy.
Pretty-pleeeeezzze?
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