Author Spotlight: Fred Warren

I met Fred in person for the first time in Dixieland, as you can see, last November. Actually this was a restaurant on the fringes of Kansas City. With thanks to Chila for clicking the button.

I've said it many times but it's never more true: Fred did a brave thing when he became the first author to sign on with me and Splashdown Books. His novels are full of whimsy and deepness; and even deeper shadows come out in his short stories, while I've also really appreciated his enthusiasm for the Avenir Eclectia world in which he has been one of the key players from the beginning.

Read The Muse and The Seer if you like funny contemporary fantasy that might just get you in the heart. Read Odd Little Miracles if you like to get creeped out; and read his Avenir stories for space opera sense of wonder. As well as his work with Splashdown, he also has a long list of short stories published elsewhere.

Fred's page at Splashdown Books
Fred's page at Amazon
Fred's blog Frederation

Mary Ruth's Realm Makers Recap

I was really chuffed a few days ago to find that Mary Ruth Pursselley had mentioned Splashdown in her recap of the Realm Makers conference we were both at in August, along with many of our colleagues. Mary is of course a recent addition to Splashdown's future line-up. Here's an excerpt:

Now though, I have every confidence in the world that by the time it's done, Song of the Wren-Falcon is going to be absolutely the best novel that it can possibly be. And it's going to be good for me as a writer, as well as for the novel itself. 

Brief, I know, but you should really click through and read Mary's whole post here.

And here's a photo I took of Mary crossing swords during the fight scene seminar. Yeah, it was a cool conference.

Talking About *MY* Authors

Over the years with Splashdown I have had the privilege of working with some amazing people. Writers who have gotten aboard with me - no mean feat of bravery! Above you can see some of them that were gathered at the Realm Makers conference.

I feel incredibly lucky to have met so many of my colleagues in person. And of course I appreciate that they have entrusted me with their opuses (opi?) for polishing and publishing.

Soon on this blog I will be starting a series about my people. No interviews, reviews, or any of that kind of hype, at least not right now (haha). Just some observations about them, their writing, and what we did on the day we met. Because I think they are really kinda cool.