So there is this thing about using trademarked names when you are writing fiction, Gentle Reader. Names like Facebook, or Coke, or (heaven forfend) Disney. (Frankly I’m slightly scared even to type that name into a blog post.) It’s a complicated legal thing which basically comes down to (so far as I can tell) most […]
Aug32020
Faking Trademark in Fiction for Comedy Gold
May252020
Learning to Love the One Star Review (An Author’s Relationship with Goodreads)
I realized, while I was poking about cleaning up my blog recently, that I’ve never really talked about Goodreads, Gentle Reader. So shall I? It is a truth universally acknowledged that an author in want of good ratings does not look on Goodreads. Did you know that the very first rating that my very first […]
Oct282019
Miss Gail’s Scariest Author Stories, Happy Halloween! (Video)
For Halloween this year, I did this video telling some of my scariest author stories, Gentle Reader. Shiver in horror as I reveal the worst book tour ever, disastrous adventures in airport bathrooms, being orphaned, abandoned, stranded, and that time when hundreds of books went missing. Are you ready for the fear and terror? Well, […]
Oct12019
Soulless’s Birthday, Stories From A Book’s Misspent Youth
Soulless is having its birthday today, Gentle Reader! Thought I might share a few of my most fun, and most silly stories revolving around the launch of my very first book, some decade or more ago now! I know, right? Shortly after Soulless came out, through no fault of mine, World Fantasy Convention came to […]
Jul102019
Tell Someone You’re an Author and… A Coping Guide
So Gentle Reader, nothing is worse (for an author) than being at an event where no one knows you and you are faced with the inevitable question… So, what is it do you do? PANIC! Do I lie? Do I tell the truth? So many possible ways this could go badly badly wrong. But you […]
Jun192019
Why Write Sexy? High Heat in Genre Fiction
I’ve written books that fall all across the spectrum. No, not that spectrum. I’m talking about sex scenes here. The 5th Gender, is sexy, Gentle Reader. It has a high heat level. Not all of my books do. They range with regards to how explicit they are. The Finishing School is at one end with […]
May102019
The Author’s Contentious Relationship with Mothers & Motherhood (Miss Gail Confesses)
Dear Gentle Reader, I was recently reflecting on motherhood in my books. It might appear, from my stuff, that I have a contentious relationship to moms and motherhood. I must state up front that this is not because of my own mum, who is awesome, but more likely because I’m not a mother myself. I […]
Apr132019
What the Book Publishing Process is Like + Fan Service Behind the Scenes (Video)
I’m hoping you’ll enjoy my latest video, Gentle Reader. This one is less Q&A and more a bit of storytelling from yours truly. For the first half I talk about how a book is birthed into the world from a traditionally established author perspective using Fan Service as a model. The second half is a […]
Dec102018
Here Is How To Make Sure The Chirrup Doesn’t Go To Spam: Whitelist A Newsletter
Thank you so much for signing up for my newsletter, The Chirrup. Did your email handler send it to spam? Bad emailer! No tea for you! Here’s how to whitelist me. Find your email handler from the list, then follow the instructions. The Chirrup comes from [email protected] AOL Mail 1. Click Contacts in the right […]
Jul252018
10 Best Packing Tips For Authors
This blog originally written for and posted at Fiction University. If you are an author or a soon to be author, it’s a great blog to follow. I highly recommend it. 10 Best Packing Tips For Authors I used to be an archaeologist. Now I write fiction for a living. Biggest surprise when I switched […]
Jul112018
More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Books Sizes: The Different Types of Print Formats Explained
Miss Gail! You cry, the distress coloring your tone, tears in your eyes, lips trembling… Why can’t I get the print book in the size I desire most? Why is this book slightly bigger/smaller than other books by the same author? I know honey, I’m a little anal too. I get your pain. I do. […]
Mar222018
Going Deep on Books Sizes: Trade Paperback, Hardcover, B-format! Why do Competence & Reticence Have 2 Covers?
Competence and Reticence each have two difference overs, Gentle Reader. TWO! 2! TOOOOOOOOoooooooooo. Competence Covers Print Editions? You can call or visit your favorite local bookstore! Ask them to “Order it from Ingram.“ Borderlands offers signed editions of the USA Hardcover. They will ship worldwide. Use the SIGNED button under the book’s image on my website: Competence […]