Posted by Mark Alders on Saturday, January 30, 2010,
In :
news
The countdown has well and truly begun! Only 15 days to go until the release of Shadows of the Mind! I can't wait. Thanks to all of you who have supported me and a great big thanks to all of my readers who have shown such enthusiasm to the book and all the other books I have in my back catalog.
Speaking of my back catalog, Mama's Heart has become a best seller over there at All Romance eBooks! I can't believe it. Such a great surprise to find out that my stories are still selling and selling ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Mark Alders on Friday, January 29, 2010,
In :
General thoughts
Okay, you know those dipsticks you use to check the oil level in your car? Well, keep that in mind as I explain this post.
Seeing as I have to do a lot of walking now as I recover from DVT (and if you don't know what that is, read my other posts *wink*) I do these said walks around the local walking track at the park. Many times I come across young couples sharing their affection for one another. It's so sweet.
But...the one thing I have noticed is the way young men kiss these days. It looks t... Continue reading ...
Posted by Mark Alders on Thursday, January 28, 2010,
In :
General thoughts
As a follow on from yesterday, there is one thing I forgot to mention and I think it's important.
Read!
Yes, read until your eyes bleed. Read as much as you can in the genres you like and in some that you don't. Why? Because nothing inspires like reading. Reading teaches. Reading makes us aware of different things around us and helps with your own work.
It's a very naive person indeed who thinks they can write fantastic prose without reading other people's work. I know many 'young' authors who... Continue reading ...
Posted by Mark Alders on Wednesday, January 27, 2010,
In :
General thoughts
Seeing as "How to Write" books/advice seem to be hot at the moment, I thought I'd add my two cents. So here goes.
Be warned, this will contain my own twisted perspective on things.
1) Writing is maddening, lonely, requires time most people don't have and above all, will frustrate the f**k out of you to the point where you will need some sort of substance to get you though any writing session. I admit, my vice is chocolate, but I do know authors who go for harder stuff. Peanut brittle and stuff... Continue reading ...
Posted by Mark Alders on Monday, January 25, 2010,
Hey, look I'm an author. Love me! Love me! Love me! I wrote a book. Buy it! Let me just sit back and enjoy my spoils and let me get on with writing another book so you can buy that, too! Love me some more!
I'm sure that's how a lot of newbie authors perceive the world of publishing. If you have written a book, good on ya! But please be aware, being a writer is a long, long road. Self promotion is a must these days and the only way to do this is be active in as many things as you possibly can. ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Mark Alders on Sunday, January 24, 2010,
In :
news
Today, after nearly 6 days in hospital (as a hospital@home patient) I have been discharged! This means one thing for me. NO MORE NEEDLES IN THE STOMACH!! I couldn't be happier. The down side is that I have to go to the doctors today for more blood tests to make sure the levels are right in my system to help dissolve the clot. I then have to go every week for at least 3 months to make sure things are good. I will be on the drugs for 6 months.
Posted by Mark Alders on Saturday, January 23, 2010,
In :
eBooks
Here is the promotional video for Shadows of the Mind, Book One of the Pembroke Eve Chronicles. When the release date gets closer I will edit the video to give you all a URL to go to :-)
Posted by Mark Alders on Friday, January 22, 2010,
In :
news
The internet is a wonderful thing. Not only is it a great tool, you get to meet such wonderful people as well. I would like to thank each and every one of you who sent me well wishes and blessings, either in person or on many of the blogs and forums I frequent. I do hope I get better soon.
I have noticed one thing about hospital@home care. The only place where I can sit in the whole house so I can elevate my leg is where the dog usually makes her home. LOL I get such dirty looks from her as I ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Mark Alders on Tuesday, January 19, 2010,
In :
news
On my birthday (14th Jan) I began complaining of a cramp in my leg. I thought
nothing of it, but the pain didn't go away and a few days later my leg
had swelled up like a balloon. By the weekend I couldn't walk. My partner insisted that I go to the doctor (today) and as soon as the doctor
saw me he became immediately concerned.
I was rushed off for x-rays and
ultrasounds and doppler scans and the upshot of it all is that I have a
blood clot in my calf (thankfully below the knee) Seems I have ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Mark Alders on Sunday, January 17, 2010,
In :
General thoughts
I was going to write something deeply profound here today. You know, why is the universe the place that it is or why does that sock always gets lost in the dryer. Stuff like that. Questions that need answering. Questions that have been plaguing mankind since Adam walked the Garden of Eden (although Adam didn't need a dryer *grin*)
But if I answered those questions, then what would be the fun in that? Having things left as a mystery is much better IMHO than knowing everything. If we knew everyt... Continue reading ...
Posted by Mark Alders on Wednesday, January 13, 2010,
In :
news
Here it is, the official cover of Shadows of the Mind, part one in the Pembroke Eve Chronicles. The cover is brilliant, and what's more, made a fantastic birthday present for me.
Posted by Mark Alders on Monday, January 11, 2010,
In :
General thoughts
Waiting for a release date is like pulling teeth IMHO. It's agonizing! February the 15th is so far away, and what's more my book, Shadows of the Mind is now in the editor's hands. The lap of the Gods, if you will. Oh, the pain of it all! LOL
So many questions float around my mind. Will the book be good enough? Will people like it as much as they liked my other works? Has all my effort been worth it? And the big question, will it sell enough so that the next book in the series, Light of the Bod... Continue reading ...
Posted by Mark Alders on Friday, January 8, 2010,
In :
General thoughts
I know I have brought up the topic of smell on this blog before, as this sense does really intrigue me. Did you know smell has the strongest memory recall of any of the senses? Every time I smell cigar smoke I am reminded of my wonderful grandfather...
But I digress.
The reason for this post is simple. I was at the supermarket the other day. I happened to be in the air-freshener aisle testing out various scents for the bathroom/toilet--you know, the ones that are used to cover up other smells ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Mark Alders on Wednesday, January 6, 2010,
In :
General thoughts
Today I have become a part ofMantasticfiction, a great new website set up to be a directory of gay fiction. A sort of one stop shop if you will. There will be book recommendations of week, reviews and links to all your favourite authors. What a great idea.
I have to say, the owner is an absolute delight to work with, as the couple of emails we have shared have been brilliant. Professional and courteous. Wonderful.
I have also joined a m/m fiction lovers forum on goodreads, and again, got a won... Continue reading ...
Posted by Mark Alders on Sunday, January 3, 2010,
In :
General thoughts
Gee, things have been busy for me lately. Not only do I have my latest wip to complete before Saturday this week, but I'm now back at work, too! The reason I have to get this draft finished before the weekend is simple. I have visitors coming from interstate.
That means, while they are here (2 weeks) I won't get any writing done, and with deadlines looming, the pressure is on. It's okay to lock yourself in your study during normal circumstances and write to your hearts content, the family und... Continue reading ...
Posted by Mark Alders on Saturday, January 2, 2010,
In :
news
My new series, The Pembroke Eve Chronicles will be coming soon. I know waiting until February is a pain, but think about how quickly 2009 went!
I have done a couple of mock-up covers of a couple of books in the series and will be doing the rest over the coming days. They are not official covers, but they sure were fun to do! See them here.
Posted by Mark Alders on Friday, January 1, 2010,
In :
news
That's right, eXtasy is continuing its back-catalog sale into January due to reader demand. That means you can keep getting all my 2009 books for an amazing 30% off for another month!
For those of you who want new stuff from me, the wait will soon be over. February marks the beginning of my m/m sci-fi fantasy series, The Pembroke Eve Chronicles. Book one: Shadows of the Mind will be coming out on the 15th! I can't wait.
My name is Mark Alders. I live in a house. This house has a street in front of it which is a good thing because if it didn't I wouldn't be able to drive down to the shop and purchase the chocolate I need on a daily basis *giggle*
Seriously, I am a mild mannered post office worker by day and an erotic romance writer (mainly male/male) at night. Not much else to say other than, like everyone else, I have bills to pay, a mortgage and family that I love and drive me crazy all at the same time. Oh, and I have a dog, too!
See?
Average Joe...except when I get down and write...then I let my imagination go to places I never knew existed and my characters invade my mind.
My name is Mark Alders. I live in a house. This house has a street in front of it which is a good thing because if it didn't I wouldn't be able to drive down to the shop and purchase the chocolate I need on a daily basis *giggle*
Seriously, I am a mild mannered post office worker by day and an erotic romance writer (mainly male/male) at night. Not much else to say other than, like everyone else, I have bills to pay, a mortgage and family that I love and drive me crazy all at the same time. Oh, and I have a dog, too!
See?
Average Joe...except when I get down and write...then I let my imagination go to places I never knew existed and my characters invade my mind.
