It’s time to gather news for the next issue of Latest In Spec. We’re looking for information specific to speculative fiction, with the idea that whatever appears in Latest In Spec can promote your work as well as the genre. You do not need to be a LIS subscriber to give us your information.

Reminder: we want to avoid repetition. Contests, book releases, and author appearances need pre-event buzz. Therefore, those items may appear more than once. Other items such as blog information, interviews, and reviews should be one-time announcements

* Send your news to Rebecca LuElla Miller: rluellam@earthlink.net by Thursday, June 11, 2009.

Follow the steps below:

1) Identify the category your news fits in.
2) Provide all the necessary news in the correct format as shown in the example. Improper formatting may exclude your item from appearing. (Please be sure to give the EXACT LINK to a blog post).

Categories and examples:

Member Profile (CSFF or LGG)
Up to 250 words about you and your writing, along with a picture.

Favorite Bookstore
Example:
State
Store name
Address
URL (if available)

Author Appearances

Book Signings
Speaking Engagements
Teaching Engagements

Example:
I. M. Author:
Wonderful Little Book Store
City, State
April 7, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Book Releases (include a book that will release within the next 3 months—building pre-release buzz is important)
Example:
Book Title by I. M. Author
Publisher (May, 2009)
The premise of the story in 15 words or less.

Contract News
Example:
I. M. Author with Best Publisher, a three book deal.
Description of book or series.
Fall 2009

Reviews (ones you have done; ones featuring your book)
Example:
Great Fantasy by B. A. Writer – Outstanding Publishing House (April 1, 2009)
Reviewed by Top Blogger at Noteworthy Blog.
Exact Link

Interviews (ones you’ve conducted; ones featuring you)
Example:
Famous Author by Top Blogger at Noteworthy Blog,
Exact Link

What’s on the Web (new web site or new section; genre blog information you wish to announce)
Example:
My Sci Fi Novel book trailer posted at Noteworthy Blog.
Exact Link

Contests
Example:
Imaginary Annual Fiction Contest
First Prize: $00.00
$5.00 Entry Fee. Electronic submission .
Deadline: February 10, 2009
Contest details at Exact Link

Awards
Example:
“My Short Story” by I. M. Author
Semifinalist in Super Contest
Exact Link

Podcasts or Web chats
Example:
I. M. Author’s Web Chat
Topic, guest speaker, or any other special information
Saturday, May 26, 6:00 pm (CET)
Exact Link

And-Then-There-Is-This (Miscellaneous)
Example:
Whatever else you have to announce that doesn’t fit into the other categories.
Any pertinent details.
I. M. Author
Exact Link

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Becky

Rachel Starr Thomson

According to the Christian Fantasy Review, Rachel Starr Thomson is “becoming a serious writer. Thomson has a great imagination [and] is able to tell a rousing good story.” Rachel’s first fantasy novel, Worlds Unseen, delves into a world where spiritual forces have been hushed up and history buried under deception. When Maggie Sheffield discovers the truth in the form of a written covenant with evil, she is pulled into a battle centuries old—one that will change her forever.

Worlds Unseen and its sequel, Burning Light, find their genesis in the real world. “In our world,” Rachel says, “we’re always being confronted with the choice between believing illusion or believing the truth. Lots of people choose the lie—but reality will always poke its way through eventually.”

As a homeschool student, Rachel was given free rein to explore writing and reading, two of her chief passions. She was immediately drawn to the classic Christian fantasies of Lewis, Tolkien, L’Engle, and others. “Fantasy has this sense of wonder and mystery that I’ve always loved,” she says. That may explain why, when she began writing, it was fantasy that drew her most. Rachel also writes on the spiritual realities of this world as a regular columnist for Focus On the Family’s Boundless.org and is a contributor to other magazines. When she isn’t writing, she stays immersed in words, working from home as a freelance editor and writing coach. Her blog, Inklings, is a meeting place for young writers.

Visit Rachel at http://www.rachelstarrthomson.com

February’s CSFF feature is the adult fantasy, Cyndere’s Midnight by Jeffrey Overstreet (WaterBrook Press). When a murderous beastman discovers the art of Auralia’s colors, something awakens within him. When a widowed heiress risks everything to help him, their lives—and the lives of a kingdom—hang in the balance. This tour will run from Monday, February 16, through Wednesday, February 18.

Looking ahead:

Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper
With Thomas Nelson Publisher, a two book deal.
The Berinfell Prophesies, Book 1: Curse of the Spider King
Young Elven Lords try to return to their world and join a rebellion 800 years in the making.
Late Fall 2009

Wayne Thomas Batson with AMG Publisher, a two book deal.
The Dark Sea Annals, Book 1: Sword in the Stars
While young King Loch is away from his throne, an ancient enemy conquers the kingdom. It’s up to the king to raise a new army from the people.
Late Spring 2010

Awards

CSFF Top Tour Blogger Award
January 2009 – John Otte
http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/

“Beyond Horizon’s Edge” by Mike Lynch
1st place in the Predators & Editors 2009 science fiction/fantasy short story reader’s poll
http://www.invirtuo.cc/prededitors/votesssff08.htm

Contests

Heralds of the Starfire
Grand Prize Pack:
-The entire Kanner Lake series by suspense author, Brandilyn Collins
-A guest blogger spot on Brandilyn Collins’s blog “Forensics and Faith”
-The Spring List titles from Marcher Lord Press (Starfire, The Dark Man, and By Darkness Hid)
-The Marcher Lord Press Gallery E-book and Screensaver
OR Character Creation for Plot First Writers and How to Find Your Story e-books from Marcher Lord Press (winner can choose).

Free to enter
Deadline: April 1, 2009
Contest details at http://www.ritersbloc.com/contest/

Burning Light by Rachel Starr Thomson
Little Dozen Press (December, 2008)
In a world controlled by evil, the Gifted fight for freedom. Sequel to Worlds Unseen.

Kiriath’s Quest by Rick Barry
JourneyForth Books (January 2009).
A YA Christian fantasy adventure that reaffirms the value of faith, family, love and loyalty.

When the Sky Fell by Mike Lynch & Brandon Barr
Silver Leaf Books (February, 2009)
An ancient evil has sought complete dominion over the galaxy, and they have found…us

Transforming Realities by R. L. Copple
Double-Edged Publishing (March, 2009)
Sisko’s teenage children face supernatural dangers to free him and
Gabrielle from a demon’s trap.

Blaggard’s Moon by George Bryan Polivka
Harvest House (March, 2009)
A mercenary pursues a pirate king, but falls in love with the pirate’s woman.

By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson
Marcher Lord Press (April 2009)
A squire and a maiden discover their ability to communicate with the minds of others.

Summa Elvetica by Theodore Beale – Marcher Lord Press (October 1, 2008)

• Reviewed by Tim Frankovich at Christian Fiction Review
  http://www.christianfictionreview.com:80/?review=505
• Reviewed by Eric Wilson at TitleTrakk
  http://www.titletrakk.com/book-reviews/summa-elvetica-review-beale.htm

Worlds Unseen by Rachel Starr Thomson – Little Dozen Press (December 2007)

• Reviewed by Phyllis Wheeler at The Christian Fantasy Review
  http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/2008/12/12/worlds-unseen-by-rachel-starr-thomson-a-review/

The Book of Names by D. Barkley Briggs – NavPress Publishing Group (July 15, 2008)

• Reviewed by Rebecca LuElla Miller at A Christian Worldview of Fiction
  http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/csff-blog-tour-the-book-of-names-part-3/
• Reviewed by Chawna Schroeder at Imagination Investigation
  http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/2009/01/legends-of-karac-tor-part-one-book-of.html

A Lever Long Enough by Amy Deardon – Taegais Publishing, LLC (January 12, 2009)

• Reviewed by Chawna Schroeder at Imagination Investigation
  http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/2009/01/lever-long-enough.html

Trion Rising by Robert Elmer – Zondervan (May 1, 2008)

• Reviewed by Chawna Schroeder at Imagination Investigation
  http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/2009/01/shadowside-trilogy-part-1-trion-rising.html

Kiriath’s Quest by Rick Barry – JourneyForth (December 10, 2008)

• Reviewed by Chawna Schroeder at Imagination Investigation
  http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/2009/02/kiriaths-quest.html

Shade by John Olson – B&H Publishing Group (2008)

• Reviewed by Jill Williamson at Novel Teen Book Reviews
  http://novelteen.wordpress.com/2009/01/11/review-shade-by-john-b-olson/

The Hammer by Vance Neudorf – Novel Concept Books (2008)

• Reviewed by Jill Williamson at Novel Teen Book Reviews
  http://novelteen.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/review-the-hammer-by-vance-neudorf/

Black: The Birth of Evil (A graphic novel) by Ted Dekker – Thomas Nelson (2007)

• Reviewed by Jill Williamson at Novel Teen Book Reviews
  http://novelteen.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/review-black-the-birth-of-evil-by-ted-dekker/

Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy – Thomas Nelson (2008)

• Reviewed by Jill Williamson at Novel Teen Book Reviews
  http://novelteen.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/review-kiss-by-ted-dekker-and-erin-healy/

House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo – Thomas Nelson (2008)

• Reviewed by Jill Williamson at Novel Teen Book Reviews
  http://novelteen.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/review-house-of-dark-shadows-by-robert-liparulo/

R. L. Copple
“Local Authors Celebration,”  Hill Country Community Theater
Cottonwood Shores, TX
March 21, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

George Bryan Polivka
Christian Book Expo
Dallas, Texas
March 20, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
March 21, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Mike Lynch -– Shoutlife author site
http://www.shoutlife.com/mblynch158

Christian Book Videos
Dedicated to using book videos to promote Christian books.
http://www.christianbookvideos.com

John Olson by Jeff Gerke at WhereTheMapEnds.com
http://www.wherethemapends.com/Interviews/current_interview.htm