Worldbuilding and Political Landscapes

Our topic at the SFF Seven this week is politics and – no, wait! Come back!!

Politics in FICTION, okay???
We’re asking how politics and the political landscape of the world flavor the outcome of stories. This is my particular catnip as the political landscape of my books is always as important – if not more so – than other facets of the worlds I build. I even teach a workshop called “Worldbuilding: Political Systems in Conflict.” Why politics? Because they are about the conflicts that affect an entire society – and societies beyond them, too. As we’ve all learned from the political turmoil of recent years, politics affects the bedrock of our lives, our very rights as sentient beings. Come on over to learn more. 

Winter Magic in Summer – THE LONG NIGHT OF THE CRYSTALLINE MOON

At the SFF Seven this week, we’re recommending our frothiest books for a light summer read. Well, if you’re one of those who likes to celebrate the midwinter holidays in the heat of summer, I’ve got one for you!

Just out today, I give you THE LONG NIGHT OF THE CRYSTALLINE MOON.

Nebula Pride

Our topic at the SFF Seven this week – in honor of Pride Month – is to promote LGBTQ+ Artists, Authors, or Creatives. Since I’m fresh this morning from attending SFWA’s Nebula Awards last night (online, natch – though next year will be in person again!), and since the awards ceremony was funny and moving and simply an amazing celebration, I’ll share about that. Come on over!

Author Coaches – How to Spot the Phonies

This week’s topic at the SFF Seven is whatever is on our minds. Now that The Promised Queen has been out for nearly a week, I’m once again reminded of the many, many scavengers that begin circling the sparkling and hopeful fresh meat that is a new release.

So, as a general warning, remember that there are a LOT of people out there looking to make money off of authors. Come on over to find out how to spot the bad ones.

A Writing Habit That Works for YOU

Amazingly enough, it’s already May – which means THE PROMISED QUEEN, the third and final book in the Forgotten Empires trilogy, is out in just two weeks. That comes as a shock to me, I can tell you!

It also makes this particular graphic quite apt and goes well with our topic this week: “When Life Gets In The Way: dealing with a schedule for writing when the world wants to go off the rails.” Come on over for my best advice. 

How to Write Shorter Works Successfully

THE SORCERESS QUEEN AND THE PIRATE ROGUE comes out April 19! This is Book Two in Heirs of Magic, and you can preorder a copy at the links below or via my website. 🙂

   

This week at the SFF Seven, we’re examining the differences between writing a short story, novella, novel, series. We’re asking each other: Do you prepare for length beforehand or edit down (or add new stuff) afterward?

So, I have Strong Opinions about this. Something that may come as a surprise to exactly none of you. Come on over for more!

 

Choose Your Own Religion

Here’s a tease of the cover of THE SORCERESS QUEEN AND THE PIRATE ROGUE, out April 19, 2021. This is Book #2 in Heirs of Magic, Book #1 being THE GOLDEN GRYPHON AND THE BEAR PRINCE, with a prequel novella, THE LONG NIGHT OF THE CRYSTALLINE MOON, in the UNDER A WINTER SKY anthology. The cover isn’t quite final, so some elements here may change, but it’s getting close! Look for a full reveal soon. 🙂

Our topic at the SFF Seven this week is “That Old Tyme RELIGION: Does Religion Change the Course of a Story?” Come on over for my tale.