Author | Joseph L. Selby

Category: Uncategorized

  • Speak More

    The first novel I ever finished is titled BLACK MAGIC AND BARBECUE SAUCE. While it needs some tweaking, I still enjoy it. I actually read a few chapters a month or so back because I was in that type of mood. I posted chapter 2 (which should be chapter 1) to Liz Poole’s 50-follower blogfest.…

    Read more

  • A Disturbing Thought

    So if you don’t make it out of the slush pile, you’re most likely getting the ax by the assistant tasked with grinding the slush. Assuming the assistant wants to be an agent someday down the road, not only are you getting rejected by the agent you queried, you’re getting rejected by an agent from…

    Read more

  • Ooo New Name

    I don’t spend a lot of time on series names. Sometimes I see people get so consumed with the idea and scope of their trilogy/series that they don’t actually focus on the novel in front of them and actually write the damn thing. They’re too busy thinking theirs will be the next Wheel of Time…

    Read more

  • The Five-Step Procedural

    I do not write mystery/thriller, so I have no idea if what I’m about to say applies to the written word. That kind of question is better served by Jennifer Hillier. But it was the procedural drama that ended my 5-year hiatus from television1. Now the best procedurals on television today (or at least over…

    Read more

  • Pacing, Fantasy, Authors, and Agents

    I received feedback on one of my manuscripts from an author. She said the pacing at the beginning was too slow. It had been an issue during earlier drafts and I had thought I had resolved it to my satisfaction. I do not immediately agree with feedback from an agent and I don’t believe you…

    Read more

  • Websites

    Taken from Roni Loren’s website this has to be the wittiest comic panel I’ve seen in awhile. Roni is redesigning her site and like so many authors is not a web designer. I am not either. I work in media, but I am a project manager. I hire people to design content for me. This…

    Read more

  • GOO! (Re: Fraggle Rock)

    I was cycling through the new offerings on Netflix for instant streaming. They just closed a lot of big deals and there is a lot of new content. And what do I find? Fraggle Rock. Not just a few episodes, oh no. ALL OF IT. ALL. OF. IT!!!! This almost makes up for the time…

    Read more

  • Being Factual in an Alt History Story

    I’ve been doing a lot of research for PATAPAN. I’ve nailed down most of what I needed (or what I didn’t already have). I am taken aback by how many people are shocked that I would do research for an alternate history story. I’m changing the history as it’s been taught to us. It’s important…

    Read more

  • Anything but Perfect

    I’m working on a new wip and I think I’ve made a few mistakes in the opening chapters. Specifically, I’ve introduced the romantic interest a little early maybe? Or maybe I did not. I’m not quite sure yet. And you know what? It doesn’t matter. Well, it matters a little based on where I go…

    Read more

  • Borders gets the last laugh

    From @ebooknewser by way of Livia Blackburne, Borders gets the last laugh:

    Read more