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*THIS SHOW WILL STREAM LIVE HERE AT 10PM EST on THURSDAY 5th FEBRUARY.
So honored to do the blog post for this show!
I remember the previous show that Nicholas was on, and I remember sitting in front of my computer taking notes. So it’s exciting for me to be able to interview him. He’s been working so hard lately, and that’s part of what we’re going to talk to him about.
Nicholas is the author of the ORBS Series and Solar Storm, Biomass Revolution, and his new Extinction Horizon only came out on December 29th and already has 192 reviews. Wait for it…..with an average of 4.8 stars. It’s been labeled “The Hot Zone meets World War Z!”
The gentleman just REALLY knows what he’s doing, and we’re fortunate enough to eat…I mean pick his brain for an evening. We’ll cover his new releases, marketing, and juggling work. Because it’s important not to focus on ONE thing. Or one book. We’ll also talk about what I most wanted to know: How different does it feel now, as a seasoned author, for him to put in the day-to-day work as opposed to when he began. We all started somewhere, and I’d like to know if the work feels different, now that he knows even more.
Whether you’re new author, or a listener who is already successful and just listens for fun….we all have to put in the hours (Author Colin Barnes is really good at this, too). And it’s inspiring to see what that looks like.
I hope to see you on Thursday. I’ll sit quietly as usual, but know…just KNOW…that I’m really looking forward to this one 🙂
-Michelle
First!!! (Does Snoopy dance toward Patrick) 🙂
michelleread That doesn’t count. You’re a host. We need to design some SPRT t-shirts for you to wear. 🙂 Wait, is John Read going to see this? lol
writerwade michelleread Oh yes……but he’ll wear one too and periodically pop in.
Nick is one of the nicest, smartest and more successful indies around. His new series is really cool. And lastly, he loved my book Sixth Cycle so he must be smart.
Am I missing something? Where’s the podcast?
OA Hasn’t started yet. Live in about an hour here.
SPRT is on and that must mean it’s Friday (for me in Australia)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfVsfOSbJY0
michelleread https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR8logunPzQ
I am totally SIKED *cough* for the show…
Carl Sinclair OA Okay because I’ve been checking this site for like 2 days and haven’t seen it. I was about to give up.
Carl Sinclair Well, one must get down, then!
OA Carl Sinclair Live in 30 mins, the YouTube player is now at the top of the page.
Evening Carl
*Barrels In*
*Trips*
*Faceplants*
Yo, hey guys. Made it! Barely.
Carl Sinclair *rim shot*
MrJohnRead johnny boy
So many boys in here! This is going to be a good show : )
You said it yourself bitch, we’re the guardians of the galaxy
MrJohnRead Hello John
MrJohnRead How is it that you just can walk in here and win the internet week by week?
xgranville the day and time weren’t included in the post again.
It’s just a thing I do…
BatmanErica xgranville Grr!
@writerwade Hello sir
Do you lot mind if I have a bath while watching this?
BatmanErica Only if you tell us the brand of bubble bath, to confirm you’re doing it.
BatmanErica I’m not wearing pants, so go ahead.
BatmanErica And as long you don’t drop your listening device in the bath water. Way to ruin a perfectly good podcast, not to mention bath.
OMFG that is Aaron Sikes! Nick Smith and Aaron Sikes!
xgranville I don’t use bubble bath, the bubbles feel cold
BatmanErica xgranville Must be a NZ thing.
CateMorgan we have a chair in the bathroom that laptops/ipads sit on while we bathe, etc. Nothing will fall into the bath
MrJohnRead I am groot
It begins!
xgranville I have bath salts. Got honey flavoured ones 🙂
Carl Sinclair BatmanErica Do you EVER? (No, don’t answer that…)
Did anyone read the Bookbub Q&A on Kboards?
BatmanErica Link me!
Carl Sinclair michelleread best song ever
BatmanErica xgranville I thought you were supposed to smoke those…
xgranville starts here http://www.kboards.com/index.php/topic,204466.msg2899375.html#msg2899375
@AaronSikes – What is the most important thing for an author to be aware of do you think? Pacing? Dialogue? And what is the biggest, for the lack of a better work, ‘mistake’ do you notice authors doing over and over as a developmental editor?
@NickSmith – Why do you think Post Apoc is so hot right now? What do you think the primary element of a successful post apoc book is? What is your perfect Sunday? and finally what is your favourite book that rhymes with Nicks Bycle?
xgranville not those kind of bath salts. These are ones you are meant to use in the bath 😛
Stop frowning Michelle.
Carl Sinclair that might have something to do with me. She just sent me frown face in FB o.O
Good evening
PatrickStemp Stemp you sexy beast. How are you?
Stimpy!
Carl Sinclair PatrickStemp This podcast just received the Stemp of Approval.
Carl Sinclair PatrickStemp Having fun storming the castle.
MrJohnRead Howdy.
We used Aaron as content editor for Sixth Cycle. Amazing letter and comments from him. Highly recommended.
PatrickStemp Carl Sinclair yeahhhhhhhhhh
PatrickStemp Carl Sinclair You never had it so good!
@NickSmith – Has he heard of or used the pomodoro writing method? If so, what are his thoughts on it?
Carl Sinclair that’s a good question!
michelleread Carl Sinclair I had more questions below for Aaron etc…
PatrickStemp hello Patrick
writerwade PatrickStemp Hey Wade!
BatmanErica Carl Sinclair NO comments were showing up – so I refreshed and then THERRRRRE they were. The internets don’t like me sometimes.
xgranville maybe I’ll have a bath later.
Carl Sinclair Sorry – resident frowner. It’s an accident!
I find the post-apocalyptic genre a cozy reassurance. Soon we won’t have to pay taxes and when most people die, the survivors are de facto millionaires. Sale at Walmart! Just break glass.
RChazzChute Did you see that, Robert?! That smile was for you! One for this comment, and one for your podcast I came across this week.
I agree with Nick. I don’t like ‘zombie novels’ or shows etc that much. That being said, I really enjoyed movies like 28 Days Later. The book I’m working on now is similar to that side of the zombie world. I really enjoyed Extinction because of this too.
Wow! Way to stay on point Nicholas Sansbury Smith and remembering both parts of the questions. Very impressive. Loving this!
michelleread RChazzChute Ha! I missed it. But thanks. I played and replayed your giggling message re: the podcast about 57 times in the last couple of days.
RChazzChute Shiny. Let’s be bad guys. (Obligatory Firefly quote covered.)
RChazzChute michelleread All That Chazz is a personal favourite.
PiaSparks I know, right?! I wanted to do a slow clap for him!
RChazzChute michelleread still have no freaking clue what happened.. but it was awesome.
michelleread PiaSparks maybe don’t…
Carl Sinclair RChazzChute michelleread Thanks, Carl! I’m having fun with it.
I think people have mistaken post apoc for ‘zombies’ The genre was around for a very long time and had nothing to do with zombies at all. Books like Day of the Triffids, War of the Worlds etc. I Am Legend is one of my favourites (the book, not the film)
I hate that for the most part people just assume = zombies now.
BatmanErica xgranville no must bath now!
She speaks!
michelleread RChazzChute Whoa, wait–what? Another podcast I should be tuning in to? Okay, I’ll add it to the list.
RChazzChute michelleread GLAD I could make your day 🙂 I’m washing my ninja outfit, now.
MrJohnRead Smartellic
http://www.amazon.com/God-Organ-Anthony-J-Melchiorri-ebook/dp/B00NPKZ87C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1423192905&sr=1-1&keywords=god+organ
Because I want to learn how to better break the law – Wade Finnegan.
writerwade xgranville then I wouldn’t be able to hangout later. My baths last hours >.<
Aaron is correct. I just ask Nick as he writes a lot and works long hours. Perhaps he could explain how he deals with that mentally and fits it in. I know he loves to write, but it can still get to you after a few hours. How does he manage his writing?
Pomodoro = 25 minutes of work, followed by a 5 minute break…repeat.
PatrickStemp MrJohnRead Hi Patrick!
Marketing = Not magic. Danigt.
For science feedback, it might be worth contacting the Science and Entertainment Exchange (http://www.scienceandentertainmentexchange.org/). They tend to be movie-focused, but it’s worth giving them a shout.
michelleread Marketing is not as big a part of the process as they think.
monsterjavaguns Hello there!! Nice to see you again 🙂 And also…..thaaaaaank youuuuu.
But not Richelle Mead
MrJohnRead No…..she rolls in piles of money.
If you have your books on pre order and the paperback has been created in createspace etc, you can in fact get reviews up in advance on Amazon. Which is what Nick is saying. It’s pretty good for ensuring you can get a cluster of ads booked for your launch. We also did this.
Can Aaron explain his different services? He does copy editing and developmental editing. Does he do anything else? He mentioned beta reading for Nick. Is this something he might look at for other authors? Does he review outlines before the book is written looking to avoid problems before they happen etc?
CateMorgan RChazzChute I miss Firefly. And Joss Whedon. And Buffy and Xander and Willow. Sigh.
RChazzChute CateMorgan 🙁 I miss it so much
RChazzChute CateMorgan Sigh… I miss them all.
RChazzChute I want to be Joss Whedon when I grow up. My elder gawds, the DIALOGUE.
michelleread RChazzChute CateMorgan I wish Book had a better story.
xgranville michelleread RChazzChute CateMorgan Right?!
CateMorgan RChazzChute <3 <3 <3
CateMorgan michelleread RChazzChute Oh yes.
None of you have questions for one of the best independent developmental editors around? Come on people.
Carl Sinclair They’re basking in his awe.
xgranville Carl Sinclair Free advice is free advice.
Here is Aaron’s site…..
http://www.ajsikes.com
His rates and approach are generous.
RChazzChute They ARE, yes.
RChazzChute The editorial letter he provides are worth his prices alone. Let alone the comments etc.
Carl Sinclair RChazzChute I hope to get one soon!
Kudos Aaron Sikes! Great point and well said!
michelleread I won’t be in the after party. Hubby is sick in bed and I don’t want to wake him.
BatmanErica michelleread I do not approve.
Nick said SPREADSHEET. THAT’s a win.
michelleread I don’t approve of him being sick, but it’s his third day of being sick and it looks like the flu.
AFTER PARTY! If you want in, let us know here!
BatmanErica michelleread 🙁
xgranville Sure
michelleread yesterday the neighbour drove me to the chemist and shops to pick up supplies.
xgranville yes please 🙂
Seems it’s easier to write full time in NZ than in America. Insurance, medical and retirement aren’t that big of an issue.
michelleread might have to order curry for dinner
BatmanErica michelleread Yummmmm……..I’ll be right there, okay?
BatmanErica michelleread …Drool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj4nJ1YEAp4
xgranville actually invite me, I’ll just type instead of doing audio
BatmanErica And Aus.
xgranville Me, please 😀
xgranville michelleread http://spiceloungekapiti.co.nz/great-indian-restaurant-takeaway-menu.php <– the garlic naan is divine!
BatmanErica Agree. They just give you most of that stuff for free. Australia is a bit rougher (Perth anyway) due to the high cost of living, but NZ is the place to be.
Carl Sinclair and free ISBNs! I got me 100 😀
BatmanErica Carl Sinclair Plus it’s the best country in the world easily.
Carl Sinclair yeah and that 😀
After party. During party. Party all night long.
RChazzChute You in, champ?
Night, y’all! *scarpers*
Great show! Great guests! I hope they both come back!!!! PLEASE!!!!! Loved it.
CateMorgan We’ll catch you eventually! So elusive!
xgranville RChazzChute Sure, sport.
RChazzChute You can only come if you’ll sing
CateMorgan Come in the afterparrrrrrrrrtyyyyyyyyyy
michelleread RChazzChute kinky
BatmanErica michelleread RChazzChute *face palm*
michelleread RChazzChute she’s a musical dominatrix 😛
xgranville hello?