If you're interested in keeping up with me, please follow my new blog

Hello! I haven't been around for a while, and there are a couple of reasons. Firstly, I've been working hard on my next book. I was shooting for 30-40k. I'm currently in the 50,000's and still going. The editor's booked for December 2, so I have a hell of a week ahead of me.

The second reason is I started a new blog. It's not much more active than this one's been, but I do intend for that one to be my main blog from now on. There'll be less emphasis on writing techniques, and more on what I hope readers/fans/potential fans would be interested in. I'll keep this blog up for archival purposes.

Maybe you'd just like to spread some good karma. (Ugh, that essay on Tibetan sand painting's really done my head in.) My new blog's feeling a bit unloved with just 2 followers. :(

Either way, I'm sure I'll see you around!

posted under | 2 Comments

Interviewed by fantasy author Christopher Bunn

Earlier in the month I was interviewed by Christopher Bunn, author of The Hawk and His Boy, The Shadow at the Gate and The Wicked Day, all part of The Tormay Trilogy. I'm reading the trilogy right now, so I was very excited to be involved in this. Christopher also has many other ebooks available.

You can check my interview with him here.

posted under | 0 Comments

"Magik and Mayhem" Fantasy Blog Hop and Giveaway, July 15th - 19th: Magic in Válkia





Are you a fantasy reader? Do you enjoy George R.R. Martin's ruthlessness, or Tolkien's epic scale? Christopher Paolini's adventures, or the magical world of Raymond E. Feist? Do you love to read about knights, squires, kings and queens, elves, fae and all manner of creatures?

Welcome to our fantasy blog hop! Here is a chance to find out about fantasy stories, and win books and gift cards! Summer is more magical already.

Click here to reach the central page of the blog hop where you can use the rafflecopter and win the main prize: a selection of all ebooks and print books entered in the event plus a gift certificate!

The list of ebooks you can win:
Yseult by Ruth Nestvold
Bundle
Season 1 Boreal and John Grey by Chrystalla Thoma
Bundle
Dark Elf by Willo Nonea Rea
Caitlin’s Book of Shadows by Juli D. Revezzo
Print book Raingun by John Blackport
Aundes Aura by Ryan Sullivan
Seeking a Scribe by Marsha A. Moore
Her Master’s Madness by J.E. & M. Keep
Wings of Shadow by Anna Kyss
Rune Breaker by Landon Porter
Judgement Rising by Tracy Falbe
The Chosen by Annette Gisby
New Zealand with a Hobbit Botherer by John & Annette Gisby

As for this blog post, I will personally be giving away two ebook copies of Aundes Aura to a random hat selection from those who comment below.

And now for my contribution to the blog hop.




MAGIC IN THE LAND OF VÁLKIA

What might be considered a kind of magic in the world of Aundes Aura is the very thing the book revolves around. An Aura is a god's gift; the gift of some amount of that god's power. Only one person can wield an Aura at any time. When the Descendant (as they are called) has had an Aura for seven years, there is a boost in power and terrible things have been known to happen.

Here is a rundown of the gods, their responsibilities in the world, and what their Descendants might be able to do at the heights of their abilities.

Elthades, the father of the gods: The Descendant can sense other Auras, block their use, mimic them when they're near, and live without aging.

Careus, the god of time: The Descendant can see the future, the past, and events elsewhere in the present, and at the most extreme, travel through time.

Kathes, the goddess of nature: The Descendant can control the elements at will, calling up a flame, destroying a building with a gesture, or causing a hurricaine.

Aundes, the goddess of light: The Descendant can call a light to guide them through darkness, blind people with a flash, and flush out corruption.

Maekre, the god of the passing: If the Descendant's skin touches any person or creature, the thing will die.

Taemus, the god of dreams: The Descendant can read people's minds, as well as enter them and control them.

Endáres, the god of war and peace: The Descendant has an uncanny ability in battle.

Aundes Aura is the first standalone book in The Válkia Chronicles primarily involving a Descendant. I have ideas for at least 3 more, and hopefully the others will come along the way. They will all be named in the same fashion as Aundes Aura.

As for right now, I'm writing a book called Three Bridges. It's about a king looking to redeem his throne, a thief striving for recognition after years of loyal service, and a young boy shamed by his family, trying to find his place in the world.
__________________________________________

Don't forget to comment for your chance to win one of the two available copies of Aundes Aura, and if you haven't already, check out the main blog hop page and enter the rafflecopter, for which the winner will receive all of the titles in the blog hop, as well as a gift certificate.

posted under | 3 Comments

Progress towards New Year's Resolutions

Scrolling through Facebook today, I saw someone mentioning New Year's Resolutions. I thought this might be a good time to have a look at how my own resolutions are going.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Make the changes to Aundes Aura that will be suggested by the editor.
1. i. Publish Aundes Aura.

All done! Aundes Aura has sold 13 copies so far (plus given away 285 in promotions), and I have a few great things planned for the next two months.

2. Write and publish a novella/novelette.
As you can see in the sidebar, at roughly 23,500 words, Three Bridges is approaching what I'd happily consider the minimum novella length. However,  chapter-wise I'm less than halfway through the story, whose exploration of character and setting is far beyond what I imagined. When it's published, regardless of whether it's an average or a long novella, I'll actually be calling it a "short novel", due to some advice I read on Joe Konrath's blog (A Newbie's Guide to Publishing). And if you've never read that blog, you'd better go do so now before I come over there and hit you.

3. Pass my Advanced Diploma of Music.
I'm going quite well with most of my subjects. One or two I'm struggling with, but passing.

4. Not let take-away or other food get to me.
Fail. I'm eating a family-sized packet of chips right now. Also, I usually eat Subway four times a week, KFC once every weekend, and snacks on a Saturday night.
Do I get points for buying apple juice today?

posted under | 2 Comments

99c SALE on Aundes Aura

To temper all your excitement from Aundes Aura not being on sale earlier in the week, from today until next Wednesday the 26th of June, Aundes Aura is available for 99c.

Get it here at Amazon US  or from your preferred store in the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Japan, Brazil and India.

posted under | 1 Comments

"Serving Time" free for 3 days

Nadine Ducca's sci-fi book, Serving Time, is free for the 18th, 19th and 20th. So head on over and grab a copy!

Amazon links:
 
 
Blurb:
 
Life and death have been industrialized. The Forge, the birthplace of every soul, is a rumbling factory owned by the goddess Time, managed by Lucifer, and powered by the labor of demons and imps. In this dystopian world, a renegade interplanetary pilot running from his past doesn't stand a chance.

Handling Neptunian meth and dodging security cannons are all in a day’s work for Tristan Cross—not that he's one to complain. Working for the smuggling company StarCorp is an improvement over what he used to do for a living.

However, when StarCorp gives Tristan a one-way ticket into the brainwashed—and disturbingly suicidal—Loyal League, he decides to run from the company and start a new life in the only safe haven he knows: Earth. With the help of his brother, Tristan embarks on the most hazardous journey of his life, one that will place him at Time’s mercy. Little does he know the demons running the universe are craving a feast, and his own soul is the next item on the menu.
 
 

posted under | 0 Comments

Aundes Aura is not ON SALE RIGHT NOW



You read that right. Aundes Aura is not ON SALE RIGHT NOW, and you can get it for the full price of $2.99 here at Amazon US.

Alternatively, for an equally not ON SALE price, you can get it from your preferred store in the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Japan, Brazil and India.

Get it now, while the price is average.

posted under | 4 Comments

I should go to sleep before I sober up.

Yep.

posted under | 0 Comments

Interview with Nadine Ducca

Please head over to Nadine Ducca's blog and check out her interview with me about writing and Aundes Aura.

posted under | 0 Comments

FREE on Kindle for today, Thursday and Friday - Aundes Aura promotion

Aundes Aura is free for the next few days to help get word out. If you know someone who might be interested, let them know.

Get it here


posted under | 0 Comments

Interview: Aundes Aura, writing and reading

Today my wonderful editor Felicia A. Sullivan did an interview with me. Here's how it went down.

Click for Amazon
 
AN INTERVIEW WITH RYAN SULLIVAN (NO RELATION!), AUTHOR OF THE VALKIA CHRONICLES: AUNDES AURA:

1. The first question is, are you tired of answering the same old questions in interviews?

Not yet – this is my first interview since releasing my book.

2. Have you always wanted to be a writer, or did you just kind of fall into it?
When I was seven years old, one day at school I wrote several little...
stories on a whim. Since that day, I’ve wanted to be a published author. Last week, thirteen years later, that dream came true.

3. What’s your process? Do you have a set writing schedule, or do you wing it?

I more or less wing it, but I’m aspiring to have a schedule so I can increase my productivity. As soon as I can, I want to treat writing like any other job – that means long, consistent hours. If I do this on a smaller scale first, maybe sometime in the next ten years I could write full-time.

4. What is your favorite genre to read? To write?

Both fantasy. I really don’t dabble much, but one book that I sped through outside my genre was “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”. I actually read that faster than I read my usual fantasy. But don’t get me wrong, I’m a slow reader.

5. What was the first book you wrote, and how successful was it?
The first book I wrote was Aundes Aura, and I released it last week. Since then, I’ve earnt enough money for a couple of coffees.

6. How do you spend your time when you are not writing? Do you have any interesting hobbies?

When I’m not writing, I browse the internet and read about writing and publishing. I’m studying an Advanced Diploma of Music, so part of my spare time is also spent practicing piano.

7. Does your family support your writing dreams/career/goals?
I still have to tell my mum, “I can do that in half an hour. Right now I’m working.” But they are very supportive. So supportive, in fact, that when I told them I’d published my first book, they got me a cake and a card.

8. How many books have you written, and which one is your absolute favorite?

I’ve just written one so far, but I’m already well into the next installment, Three Bridges. What’s that thing everyone says? “My favourite book is always the one I’m working on.” That.

9. Do you read reviews of your books? How do they affect you, whether positive or negative?

I don’t have any reviews yet, but I intend to read them. The negative ones may niggle at me, but I think it’s important to take pride in the positive ones, and take any good criticisms I can from the negative ones. One thing I have to remember is to never, ever respond to a review.

10. You know the last question always is: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? So yeah, answer that, but then tell us (whether you write in the genre or not) your plan for riding out the zombie apocalypse.
Advice for aspiring authors . . . finish things. You can’t earn anything from a half-finished project.

My plan for riding out the zombie apocalypse . . . take a boat to the middle of the ocean.
 
* * *
Aundes Aura is available on Kindle here at Amazon.

posted under | 1 Comments

"Aundes Aura" is now available at Amazon!

Click to go to the Amazon page!
 
 
BLURB
 
Saera is afflicted. Seven years ago, while venturing into a cave behind a waterfall with her brother Eoin, she unwittingly absorbed the Aura of Aundes, the Goddess of Light, who cultivates war by making men blind to one another.

Their father, the village blacksmith, languishes in the dungeons for refusing to fight in the Duthonian army, so the siblings must fend for themselves, begging for coin by day and stealing into houses for food by night. Meanwhile, the power-hungry Church Regency prepares an army for an all-out attack on neighbouring country, Meira.

When the Aura reveals itself within Saera, the Regency pursues her relentlessly. She and
Eoin take flight and with the help of Faine, a mysterious traveller they happen upon, they elude their pursuers. Making alliances they would never have dreamt of, they find themselves swept up into a struggle against the country they once called their own.
 




posted under | 0 Comments

RELEASE DATE for Aundes Aura

Yes, it's happening! For some of you, it's been a few years since you first heard about Aundes Aura. For me, the thirteen years since I wrote my very first story have been leading up to this: the day I become a published author.

The official RELEASE DATE for Aundes Aura is this Friday, the 7th of June.

On that day, I'll post the cover, blurb and link here.

In the mean time, you can subscribe to my mailing list for new books here. Alternatively, you can click on the "subscribe" link in my sidebar.

You can follow me on Twitter here @RyanSullAuthor.

And you can like my page here on Facebook.

posted under | 0 Comments

Why I'm adding word verification to comments

On "Meet the Characters: Luka"
 
21/2/13
What's up, I check your blogs daily. Your humoristic style is awesome, keep it up!
Also visit my web blog: legitimate ways to make money online
Also see my webpage :: legitimate ways to make money on the internet 

 
22/2/13
What's up, I log on to your blog on a regular basis. Your story-telling style is witty, keep up the good work!
Here is my page :: how to make online money 

 
23/2/13
If you wish for to improve your familiarity just keep visiting 
this site and be updated with the hottest news posted here.
Feel free to surf to my homepage :: Play Slots Online Real Money

 
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate a very good article… but 
what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don't seem to get nearly anything done.
My web page - best online casino usa
Also see my website :: new usa online casinos

 
27/2/13
Hey would you mind letting me know which web host you're utilizing? I've 
loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a reasonable price?
Many thanks, I appreciate it!
My blog post - i need money desperately 

 
28/2/13
I know this if off topic but I'm looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to get setup? I'm assuming having 
a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I'm not very internet savvy so I'm not 100% sure. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Appreciate it
Feel free to surf to my web-site; how to make Quick money on the internet
Also see my website: how to make money quick online 

 
Your method of telling everything in this piece of writing is actually pleasant, all be capable of effortlessly know it, Thanks a lot.
Here is my blog post ... forex binary options 

 
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article. Thanks 
for supplying this info.
Here is my web page make money fast online


(Plus about 20 more comments on the Luka post, and another 15 on other posts, old and new, up to as recently as two days ago.)

posted under | 2 Comments

"The Next Big Thing" blog hop

This is the first time I've ever done a blog hop. A blog hop is basically a way for readers to discover new authors.
Thanks to Nadine Ducca for inviting me to participate. You can click on her name to learn more about her work.
In this blog hop, I will answer some questions about my upcoming book, Aundes Aura.
Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions.




What is the title of your book?
Aundes Aura.

Where did the idea come from for the book?
One morning after I woke up, I was lying with my eyes closed and a vision came into my mind of a girl in a cave and a huge flash of light. It was accompanied by the title Aundes Aura. Everything grew from there.

What genre does your book come under?
Fantasy.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Since watching Game of Thrones, I've considered Emilia Clarke (Daenerys) for Saera, but that's about it.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
I don't have one for Aundes Aura, although I do have one for the next title I'm working on -- Three Bridges.

Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?
Aundes Aura is going to be self-published later this year.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Too long -- it was two years and a few months for the real first draft, but there was a version of it even a few months before then, until I scrapped that and restarted (thankfully).

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Inheritance Cycle, but lengthwise it's on the other side of the spectrum.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Nothing other than the fact that I've always written, always wanted to be a published author, and always wanted to turn writing my books into my job. It's my first full-length novel, so it's a gigantic step for me.

What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
The first page should do it, right?

* * *

Chapter One
Eoin opened the door as quietly as possible.
“I’ll watch the window,” whispered Saera. “Be careful.”
“I always am.” The moonlight wouldn’t betray him as long as he stayed as silent as the dark. The floorboards in Old Hanne’s house had always been quiet for him as long as he walked the right way. It wasn’t the same as walking through Tarne during the day. He had to put his foot down softly enough that the floorboards wouldn’t squeak. Then the next foot. In his bedroom upstairs, Old Hanne coughed loudly. He coughed like that every night. His age was showing more than ever these days.
Streaks of moonlight fell on Eoin through the windows as he passed the staircase and moved into the kitchen. The fire oven was cleaner than usual, just refilled with new wood. The bread was usually piled on a rack next to the oven, but not tonight. Where is it? It wasn’t on top of the oven. Not by the window. There, on the table in the corner, next to the flour. A new batch had been made, the loaves all perfectly sliced. They were piled in twos. Eoin raised his foot little by little, trying to keep the floorboards from squeaking, and stepped towards the table. He reached out to take the loaves, but was interrupted. An explosion of blinding white light poured into the room from the hallway.
Above Eoin, the floorboards of the next level squeaked and there was a quiet thumping of footsteps. He snatched up two loaves and ran for the hallway. Passing the staircase, he saw Old Hanne’s legs as he came down the stairs. Eoin went straight for the front door, not giving the man a chance to see his face. As he closed the door it creaked unbearably and slammed closed despite his best efforts. His heart pounded as he looked for Saera. Almost hidden around the corner, she was kneeling, her hands covering her face. He pulled her up and ran, holding her by the arm.

* * *

Who's next on the blog hop?


Next Wednesday we'll see:

Anastasia Leach at Worlds Out Of Words

posted under | 4 Comments

A Sneak Peek into "Serving Time" by Nadine Ducca



Fellow author Nadine Ducca will soon be releasing her book, "Serving Time"!

As part of her blog hop, yesterday John Kang interviewed one of her characters, Eneld, here.

Today I'll be giving you a sneak peek into "Serving Time". So without any further ado, here it is!
___________________
 

Two large red eyes glared at him from the foot of the bed. Eneld gasped and fumbled for the light.
“We wouldn’t do that if we were you.” The eyes narrowed. Their glow lit up an uneven row of fangs jutting out from beneath a long, dog-like snout.
A shudder slowly crept down Eneld's back. Throx wasn’t supposed to cause hallucinations.
The creature snarled. It thrust its claws forward, dug deep into the covers, and pulled itself onto the bed. With a yelp, Eneld scrambled out from under the covers and toppled backward onto the floor.
The monster crouched in the center of the bed. The gleam from its eyes dowsed the bedroom in a hellish shade of red. “You might not remember us.” Its voice rumbled like a rockslide. “We are your Keeper.” It licked a claw with a black, serpent tongue. A sticky string of saliva dribbled from its fangs onto the comforter.
Eneld flicked his eyes back and forth around the room. “A—are there more of you?”
“Present? Only one. But we are an army of millions.” The creature dropped onto its belly and used its claws to drag itself closer. “Listen. We had a deal.” Its eyes stared through Eneld.
“I—I think you got the wrong guy. I don’t do business with…demons.”
The creature sputtered and rumbled with laughter that clung to Eneld’s skin and made him itch. “So you know what we are. However, you seem to have forgotten what you are.”
“I don’t—” The stench of sulfur made Eneld retch. He hunched forward, his lungs pushing against his ribcage. Like a giant balloon trying to come out his mouth, his throat swelled and his jaw jerked open. “Nybbasss…” he hissed in two voices at once. The pressure abruptly vanished, and he dropped to his hands and knees, gasping for breath.
“Ah, we needed that.” The monster hung his head over the edge of the bed and chuckled. Little black drops of spit splattered Eneld’s face. “Our names hold our power, but you probably knew that already.”
Eneld frantically wiped his face with his hands. Black ooze stinking of rotten eggs clung to his fingers.
Nybbas jumped off the bed. His four sturdy legs made the ground tremble. “True Self 561, we are aware we ask much of your lifetime. But you accepted the challenge. We had a deal. You are breaking it.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Nybbas’s claws tapped against the floor as he approached. Their click-clack sounded too real, too sharp to be a dream or a hallucination. Eneld cringed.
“We spoke in the afterlife. We came to an agreement. You are disappointing us.”
“How can I disappoint you if I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do?”
“Redeem a crooked soul.”
“What?”
“You are very close to a soul in need of redemption.” Nybbas hunkered down and growled.
Eneld raised his hands. “Who? I…”
“Your brother.”
“My…brother? No. Haven’t seen him in years.”
“Then that must change.”
_______________
For more on "Serving Time", check out Nadine's original post here.
Be on the lookout tomorrow for the next post in the blog hop at Common Sense is Underrated, where Shane Jeffery will interview Eneld's brother, Tristan.
 

posted under | 0 Comments
Newer Posts Older Posts Home

Welcome to The Dark Corner of the Mind. My name is Ryan Sullivan and my aim with this blog is to help others with their own writing, as well as to make note of some of my own writing endeavours.

Here at The Dark Corner, Real Life is both our best friend and our worst enemy. Look to him for inspiration, but don't let him get in the way too much.

If he does, bribe him with cookies.

Mailing list for new books by Ryan Sullivan


Click for Amazon page!

Three Bridges

Total Pageviews


Recent Comments