A Post About Boston and the Thieftaker Fundraiser/Giveaway

Posted on May 23, 2013 by dbjackson

Today’s post can be found at http://www.sfnovelists.com, the group blog on speculative fiction that I maintain, under the name David B. Coe, along with a group of over one hundred published authors of fantasy and science fiction.  It is called “Why Boston?  A Plea For Support” and it is about the Fundraiser/Giveaway I have going to benefit victims of the Boston bombing.  I hope you enjoy it, and I hope that you will donate to the One Fund For Boston through the linked site.

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A Post About Narrative and Life, At Magical Words

Posted on May 20, 2013 by dbjackson

Today’s post can be found at http://magicalwords.net, the group blog on the business and craft of writing fantasy that I maintain, under the name David B. Coe, with fellow authors Faith Hunter, Misty Massey, Mindy Klasky, John Hartness, Kalayna Price, and James Tuck, among others. The post is called “On Creativity: Narrative, Fiction, and Life” It is a special post, written on a very special day in my life. I hope you enjoy it.

Posted in Character, Family, Friendship, kids, Novels, parenting, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

One Month Since the Bombing: Fundraiser Update

Posted on May 15, 2013 by dbjackson

Thieftaker120A month ago today, bombs set off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killed three people and wounded hundreds.  One month.  It doesn’t seem like that long ago, and yet the bombing has virtually disappeared from the headlines.  The city is healing; I heard a report on NPR this morning about how some semblance of normality has returned to that part of Boston.  But for those whose lives were shattered that day, the long, slow, at times painful recovery continues.  And you can help them.

The Thieftaker Fundraiser/Giveaway is still up and running, collecting donations for the One Fund for Boston, which will donate every penny to helping the injured, and the families of those who died.  We are only about $200 short of the first giveaway: a signed bound manuscript of THIEFTAKER, a collector’s item.  But we remain several thousand dollars short of the fundraiser’s goal of $5000.00.  If you have already given, thank you.  If you have not yet done so, please consider giving a gift today.  You don’t have to give a lot; every dollar truly does help.  Here is the URL:

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/DBJacksonThieftaker/thieftakergiveaway

Many thanks.

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A New Post About Character Development, at Magical Words

Posted on May 13, 2013 by dbjackson

Today’s post can be found at http://magicalwords.net, the group blog on the business and craft of writing fantasy that I maintain, under the name David B. Coe, with fellow authors Faith Hunter, Misty Massey, Mindy Klasky, John Hartness, Kalayna Price, and James Tuck, among others. The post is called “On Writing and Creativity: Who Are Our Characters?” In it I discuss the work I do to give my characters personalities, emotions, and even opinions that are unique, and not at all my own. I hope you enjoy the post.

Posted in Character, Ethan Kaille, Novels, Politics, Thieves' Quarry, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A New-Old Book From Stephen Leigh

Posted on May 6, 2013 by dbjackson

Untitled-3Tomorrow, May 7, my good friend Stephen Leigh is coming out with a new book.  All right, actually he is coming out with an old book, but chances are it’s new to you.  Stephen has been writing professionally since 1975 — I think he sold his first story when he was, like eight years old.  And he has been producing thoughtful, elegant fiction ever since.

In 1981, he published the first book of his ‘Neweden’ Trilogy, SLOW FALL TO DAWN. It was followed by DANCE OF THE HAG (1983) and A QUIET OF STONE (1984).  These three books are now being reissued by DAW in an omnibus called ASSASSINS’ DAWN.  Briefly, the series is about a guild of “ethical assassins” on a world called Neweden, where assassinations and violence are tolerated. One of the assassins wishes to expand the guild’s reach to other worlds where its peculiar practices might not be so welcome.  For more, please check out Steve’s site.

I should add that Steve is not only a marvelous writer, but is also one of the finest people I have ever met.  I hope that you’ll check out his “new” old books. And while you’re at it, you might want to check out some of his more recent work as well.  Thanks.

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Thieftaker Fundraiser and Giveaway for Boston Bombing Victims

Posted on April 30, 2013 by dbjackson

I grew up just outside of New York City.  I was a Yankees fan, a Knicks fan, a Rangers fan, a Giants fan.  And, as a loyal New Yorker, I have spent much of my life rooting against teams from Boston — the Red Sox, the Celtics, the Bruins (the Patriots too, but they haven’t really been the Boston Patriots since I was a little kid).

On the other hand, I lived for several years in Providence and all of my siblings lived for at least some time in the Boston area.  So, while I grew up hating Boston’s teams, I have always loved the city of Boston.  When it came time to set my Thieftaker books in a Colonial era city, Boston seemed the logical choice.

The terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon venue left me stunned and grieving, not only for the victims most affected by the bombings, but for the entire city.  I still recall my sense of outrage, of violation when my beloved New York was attacked in 2001.  I know what the people of Boston are feeling.

Thieftaker120And so, it is with deepest sympathy and love and solidarity that transcends lifelong sporting rivalries that I embark on a fundraiser and giveaway to do my small part in helping Boston get back on its feet.  Through a website called First Giving, I am hosting a fundraising event the goal of which is to raise $5,000.00 by July 2 (the release date for THIEVES’ QUARRY, and for the paperback reprint of THIEFTAKER) for the Boston Foundation and the One Fund of Boston.  If you will help me raise the funds, I’ll make it interesting for you.  Here’s how it works:

For each fundraising milestone we reach, I will be giving away prizes to lucky donors.

– When we reach $1000 raised, I will give away one signed uncorrected manuscript of THIEFTAKER. This is a collector’s item — a copy of the manuscript that was sent out to other authors who were asked to blurb the book before its release in 2012.
ThieftakerT-Shirt600– When we reach $2000, I will give away one Boston Thieftaker’s Guild t-shirt in whatever size the winner wants. The t-shirt can be signed if the winner would like it to be.
– When we reach $3000, I will give away one signed paperback edition of THIEFTAKER. (This book comes out on July 2, so the giveaway will happen then.)
– When we reach $4000, I will give away one signed hardcover edition of THIEVES’ QUARRY. (This book will also be available on July 2 and will be given away then.)
Quarry120– When we reach $5000, I will give away a second signed paperback of THIEFTAKER and a second signed hardcover of THIEVES’ QUARRY to one lucky donor. (Also to be given away on July 2.)

The donation site can be found here:  http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/DBJacksonThieftaker/thieftakergiveaway

I hope you will join me in reaching out to the people of Boston, and doing our part to speed the healing process.  And I hope that you’re one of the luck winners.

Thank you.

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THE HOBBIT and Book Identity, at Magical Words

Posted on April 29, 2013 by dbjackson

Today’s post can be found at http://magicalwords.net, the group blog on the business and craft of writing fantasy that I maintain, under the name David B. Coe, with fellow authors Faith Hunter, Misty Massey, Mindy Klasky, John Hartness, Kalayna Price, and James Tuck, among others. The post is called “On Writing: Book Identity, and Why I Didn’t Like THE HOBBIT Movie.” It is about my reaction to the movie adaptation of THE HOBBIT, and the lessons I draw from it for writing. I hope you enjoy the post.

Posted in City of Shades, movies, Mystery, Novels, Reading, Thieftaker, Urban Fantasy, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three Authors Who Influenced Me, Today at SFNovelists

Posted on April 23, 2013 by dbjackson

Today’s post can be found at http://www.sfnovelists.com, the group blog on speculative fiction that I maintain, under the name David B. Coe, along with a group of over one hundred published authors of fantasy and science fiction.  The post is called “Three Authors Who Got Me Started” and it’s about the books I read early on that steered me toward the fantasy genre and a career as a writer.  I hope you enjoy it.

Posted in City of Shades, Fantasy, Novels, Publishing, Reading, Thieftaker, Thieves' Quarry, Urban Fantasy, Writing, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Revisiting a Critiqued Passage, At Magical Words

Posted on April 22, 2013 by dbjackson

Today’s post can be found at http://magicalwords.net, the group blog on the business and craft of writing fantasy that I maintain, under the name David B. Coe, with fellow authors Faith Hunter, Misty Massey, Mindy Klasky, John Hartness, Kalayna Price, and James Tuck, among others. The post is called “Your Critique of My Work Revisited.” In it, I return to a passage I posted a couple of months ago for comment and critique by Magical Words readers. Today I discuss the process of turning those criticisms into revision. I hope you enjoy the post.

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Today at Magical Words: Why I write

Posted on April 8, 2013 by dbjackson

Today’s post can be found at http://magicalwords.net, the group blog on the business and craft of writing fantasy that I maintain, under the name David B. Coe, with fellow authors Faith Hunter, Misty Massey, Mindy Klasky, John Hartness, Kalayna Price, and James Tuck, among others. The post is called “A Writer’s Manifesto: The Doubts and Resolve of a Midlister.” It’s a statement of why I love to write and continue to pursue a career in writing, despite the frustrations of the publishing business. I hope you enjoy it.

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