The Reader's Place–Tons of interviews and articles
Dr. Suess…
Which Dr. Seuss work resulted from a bet that he could not write a book using only 50 words?
The Cat in the Hat
The Lorax
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Green Eggs and Ham
Answer: Green Eggs and Ham) Green Eggs and Ham was written after Dr. Seuss’s editor, Bennett Cerf, wagered $50 that Seuss could not write a book using only 50 words. The book uses exactly 50 words. Source: Smithsonian
Choosing a Study Bible
By Bob Pike CSP, CPAE-Speakers Hall of Fame
How do you choose a study Bible? There are at least four things to consider in getting a study Bible that is right for you.
1. The first is which TRANSLATION you want to use. Most translations are either word for word or thought for thought. A few are somewhere in between. Accompanying this article we have a table that provides a brief discussion of fifteen of the more popular English translations. We’ve also provided a sample verse so that you compare all the translations. Try reading each version of the verse out loud.
New genre established: BIBLES. See review for each of the bibles and study bibles compared by Bob Pike.
The Serious Art of Dissecting Funny
By Eileen McVety, author, Welcome to the Company (or what it’s really like working here)
SEE OUR REVIEW: http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/welcome-to-the-company-or-what-its-really-like
Quick. Which is funnier? Argyle or plaid?
When I first set out to write a book spoofing office politics and culture, I didn’t think I’d be forced to grapple with such ethereal questions. Perhaps I should have known better. After all, it was not my goal to write anything that made readers crack a smile. Nor was I hoping to stir up a few random chuckles. No, I strove for the brass ring of all humorous writing endeavors—a spontaneous, laugh-out-loud reaction from my audience.
Guidelines for the 2009 Hillerman Mystery Competition Posted
April 17 2009 – WORDHARVEST Writers Workshops and Thomas Dunne Books/ Minotaur Books announced today that updated guidelines for the Hillerman Mystery Competition are available online. The Tony Hillerman Prize is awarded annually to the best unpublished mystery set in the Southwest written by a first-time author.
Among the changes of note, the contest is now accepting stories set in Southern California, and the deadline is now June 1st, 2009 (it was previously announced at July 1st). Complete guidelines can be found at http://www.wordharvest.com/novel_contest.php
Previous winners of the competition include Roy Chaney’s The Ragged End of Nowhere, coming out in the fall of 2009, and Christine Barber’s The Replacement Child, available in stores now.
Anne Hillerman, Tony Hillerman’s daughter, launched the first Tony Hillerman Writers Conference: Focus on Mystery in 2003 through the business which she co-founded (with Jean Schaumberg), WORDHARVEST Writers Workshops. The conference highlights writing by Southwestern authors.
Tony Hillerman’s Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee mysteries, set on the Navajo reservation, were the first “regional” mysteries to become national bestsellers. His work has been praised by reviewers and the Navajo Nation for its ability to combine Navajo traditions and beliefs with a well-told mystery story. Hillerman’s writing reflects his appreciation for the natural wonders and stark beauty of the American Southwest and its people, particularly the Navajo. His books have been translated into many languages and frequently make the New York Times bestseller list. At age 83, Hillerman passed away on October 26, 2008.
Thomas Dunne Books and Minotaur Books are imprints of St. Martin’s Press, which is a subsidiary of Macmillan.
For more information or interviews please contact Hector DeJean at 646-307-5560 or email hector.dejean@stmartins.com
Putting the Fun Back Into (Book) Funerals
After receiving the last rejection letter for my autobiographical novel, Family Plots: Love, Death and Tax Evasion (reviewed here) I held a very public funeral to bury my dream to land a publishing contract that would lead to a best-selling writing career. When I came up with the idea, I had no idea how much it would catch on—how many friends and strangers would embrace the idea. It turned out I wasn’t the only one who had a need to bury the pain of dead dreams, dashed hopes, and disappointments. By the looks of the attendees dancing in the aisles after the event, I also wasn’t the only one who felt a great release.
7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Your Book
Armchair Interviews says: Before you read this important article, knows that the writer “know his stuff,” and has worked with some big name authors. They have created hundreds of award-winning book covers, including numerous bestsellers. After more than 20 years of working closely with leading authors and speakers like Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield, Ken Blanchard, Tony Robbins, John Edward, Deepak Chopra, and Dottie Walters, as well as publishing giants like HarperCollins, Simon and Schuster, Prentice-Hall, and Hay House, their mission is to help you avoid these 7 Costly Mistakes.
Dunn+Associates helps bestselling authors, fast-track speakers and information marketers earn more, work less, and build business empires with powerful promotional tools and strategic brand design.
Read these 7 Costly Mistakes Closely so you can save yourself time and money and get a good finished product.
7 Costly Mistakes
Putting the Fun Back Into (Book) Funerals
After receiving the last rejection letter for my autobiographical novel, Family Plots: Love, Death and Tax Evasion (reviewed here) I held a very public funeral to bury my dream to land a publishing contract that would lead to a best-selling writing career. When I came up with the idea, I had no idea how much it would catch on—how many friends and strangers would embrace the idea. It turned out I wasn’t the only one who had a need to bury the pain of dead dreams, dashed hopes, and disappointments. By the looks of the attendees dancing in the aisles after the event, I also wasn’t the only one who felt a great release.
Do You Want or Expect Explicit Sex Scenes in Every Romance Book You Read?
Stephanie Boyd, Armchair Interviews reviewer
I love a good classic romance–boy meets girl and they go through “stuff,” end up in love and live happily ever after. It is the “stuff” they go through that shows each author’s creativity as they develop their character’s world, locations, situations, etc., and put their individual spin on the classic story outline.
Q&A with Author Peter Rennebohm
Peter Rennebohm has worked successfully with a small traditional press on publishing all three of his suspense/crime fiction books. Enjoy this Author Q&A.
Q: What made you decide to become a mystery writer?
A: That wasn’t my intention. When I started I had no idea about different genres, so “mystery writer” meant nothing to me. I just wanted to write a book that was more of an adventure with lots of action (see French Creek). Actually I consider my writing suspense, or crime fiction genres.
Q: Where do you get your ideas from?
A: Sixty-five years of living, I guess. I have a very vivid and fertile imagination. I’m constantly wondering about a different sort of spin on various things.
Read our reviews:
Buried Lies—http://reviews.armchairinterviews/reviews/buried-lies
Blue Springs—http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/blue-springs
My Road from Self-Published to Published Author by Sharon Lathan, author
Sharon’s published and future release dates are:
Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One – in Target Feb 2009; full release March 1
Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley – September 2009
The Darcys at Year’s End – January 2010
I blame it on being a nurse in an ICU environment. For some 25 years I have thrived in a world where STAT really does mean NOW, and decisions are made instantly and then carried out instantly. Patience does have its place here and there, but for the most part the expectation is for immediacy. Additionally, being a nurse means trusting your instincts, your critical thinking skills, your logic, your gut.
The Next Big Writer – Online Option for Critique of Your Writing
By Diane A. Brown, reviewer, author
I have made a discovery in the writing world–a gem of great worth. It is a place of inspiration, insight, and friendship. The best thing is, you don’t have to leave home to visit.
My search for a writers’ group, or trying to start one, had reached a dead end. I was advised to look for an online group but felt it was too impersonal. Finally after looking for months I gave in and went online. The options were endless but nothing seemed to fit. Then I came across The Next Big Writer Web site: The title was definitely intriguing and the layout looked professional. Here are the basics.
You can participate in two ways:
“Lucky Seven” Recommendations from Our Reviewers for November/December
These selected reviews are commended by our reviews (and us) as books that they read and reviewed recently, and really liked. See our reviews for each by typing in book title in SEARCH box on book review page–or look for it in the genre and link from there.
Read the rest of the submitted recommendations.
The Three Sisters Are Reviewers
In the middle of Indiana live three sisters, who find that being mothers and wives and employees doesn’t fill them up–so they write book reviews.
Wendy Hines, Nevi Stephens and Shawn Remfrey learned the love of books from their mother. When they get together today, they swap books they have received through Armchair Interviews with each other and include their mother. Each one thanked their mother and grandmother for giving them the gift of loving to read. And when the sisters go shopping, a stop at their favorite bookstore is always a must!
ALL Q&A with authors and others are now on the special AUTHORS Q&A PAGE–as of October 2008
Andrea at James River Writers Conference
John and Clea Adams, authors of Dragonfly series for children.
And several more.
To learn how you can be featured on this page, contact Connie@ArmchairInterviews.com
“Lucky Seven” Recommendations from Our Reviewers for October-November
These selected reviews are commended by our reviews (and us) as books that they read and reviewed recently, and really liked. See our reviews for each by typing in book title in SEARCH box on book review page–or look for it in the genre and link from there.
Reviewed by Paul Markowitz
The Nine
Jeffrey Toobin
Anchor Books
Public Affairs
The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court Is a fascinating and well-written book giving us a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the Supreme Court. In the course of Toobin’s description of the disparate personalities who make up the court, we learn little known facts about their backgrounds, political and judicial philosophies. With the likelihood of several new justices to be appointed over the next four years, the book takes on added relevance as to the outcome of our impending presidential election and the political and judicial ramifications of that choice.
At the end is a bonus of three books recommended for authors to hone their craft and avoid publishing pitfalls.
Read this answer and the rest of the submitted recommendations.
Andrea Sisco of Armchair Interviews is on three panels at the James River Writers Conference, October 10-11 in Richmond, Virginia
Andrea is on three different panels—read her report on our new Q&A page.
Co-Authors of Dragonfly Series Talk About Children’s Books and Independent Publishing
Read all their answers on our new Author’s Q&A page.
Read this answer and the rest of the article.
Virtual Book Marketing Conference by AuthorSmart.com
To register and get full details: http://stores.authorsmart.com/Page.bok?template=vbmc
ng the Most Out of Book Reviews”
Still more excellent interviews coming so check out AuthorSmarts.com
Authors…Back Up Your Writing
By Alex McGilvery, Armchair Interviews reviewer
This has been a good twelve months for writing. It started in October when I finally completed a re-write of the novel I gave to my wife (A chapter a month for two years.) more than ten years ago. Then in November I took part in and completed NaNoWriMo for the first time. This was something I had wanted to do for years. Writing for Worth1000 and Armchair Interviews had sharpened my skills. My wife liked her novel (version 2), but had some suggestions. So I sat down and wrote version 3. I emailed her a copy which she promised to read when she had time. In the meantime I pulled out my NaNo novel and began to work on version two.
Read this answer and the rest of the article.
Eulogy to Jon Hassler, (1993-2008) Minnesota author of more than 15 novels
NOTE: Writing more than 15 novels, including Staggerford and The Love Hunter, Hassler won a large and loyal following. Among his fans were Hillary Rodham Clinton, who twice invited him to the White House, and Angela Lansbury, who played his best-loved character–the high-minded Agatha McGee–in a TV movie.
When I had my TV author interview show, Hassler was my guest promoting his latest book. He seems shy, hated to make eye contact and was very quiet. He expressed that he hated doing the book promotion–and would much rather be home writing.
Hassler had just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, but had not made it public. It was a special 30 minute I shared with him.
Midwest Independent Publishers Association newsletter contained this eulogy written by Laura French, and used with permission. When I read this, I had to share it with all Hassler fans, and fans of anyone who commits their life to writing.
– Connie Anderson
Jon Hassler, 1993-2008
It was a funeral of which Agatha McGee would have approved. The bells of St. Mary’s Basilica rang out over Hennepin Avenue, and hundreds of family members and friends gathered for the funeral of Jon Hassler. The gathering song was “The Irish Blessing,” which would have reminded her of her beloved James. The final hymn was in Latin, as she thought the entire Mass should continue to be.
Jon Hassler often acknowledged that Agatha McGee was his alter ego, and I hope that means that he, too, would have been pleased. The celebrant began his homily with “Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,” and the lines from Auden were probably more in keeping with Mr. Hassler’s tastes than with Miss McGee’s.
Two old friends provided eulogies. One quoted the New York Times review that called him “A writer good enough to restore your faith in fiction….” The other focused on Mr. Hassler‘s “strong internal compass.” When he committed himself to writing (exactly halfway through his life, as it turned out), he did not swerve or waiver. Invited to St. John’s University for a year, he found it to his liking and stayed for 18 years.
The Parkinson’s-like disease that eventually claimed his life did not daunt him. According to one of his eulogists, Mr. Hassler kept track of his falls, and had counted to 943 by the final days of his life. He completed his final novel by typing gibberish, then reading it aloud to his wife Gretchen, who corrected it. The eulogist thanked Gretchen for the care she had taken of him, in spite of her own age and health issues. The audience broke into applause, and their children—some of them his, some hers—led a standing ovation.
The service included three poems—two Frost, one Hassler, good company. We read “Nothing Gold Can Stay” aloud, together. One of Hassler’s poems was a meditation on the red oak, which keeps its leaves all winter and gives them up in the spring only to make way for new life. Hassler wrote that he hoped to be like that oak, keeping his wits and productivity through the winter of his life, and losing them only when it was time to be clothed in glory. He got his wish, apparently: On the way to the hospital for the last time, he delayed departure to make just a few more revisions on the novel that will be his final gift to us.
Announcing 2008 Contest: Summertime Blues
Winners haves been announced and their stories are on our web site in “And the winner is.” Check then out. Good writers, good stories.
Lucky 7 Book Suggestions for July/August 2008
Check out our reviewers’ newest “hot picks” for this summer’s read.
Read this answer and the rest of the article.
Announcing – Marcher Lord Press – New Press Available (for submissions and contests)
Marcher Lord Press (MLP) is the premier publisher of Christian speculative fiction. Founded by Christian publishing industry veteran Jeff Gerke, MLP is dedicated to producing the best in Christian science fiction, fantasy, time travel, spiritual warfare, superhero, vampire, and other wonderfully weird Christian novels. MLP produces full-length print novels for Christian adults.
Marcher Lord Press releases three books a season in two release seasons a year: October and April. Go to http://www.MarcherLordPress.com to meet the authors, read sample chapters, see cover art, and more.
Note: Marcher Lord Press is doing a massive prize giveaway drawing on Launch Day, which is October 1, 2008.
—Everyone who signs up at the site registers to win one of the prizes.
—The grand prize is a trip for two to the 2009 ComicCON convention in San Diego.
—And whenever someone registers and mentions you as referrer, your name goes into the hat another time. The more people you tell, the better your chances of winning one of the dozens of prizes.
Q&A with Sylvia Dickey Smith, author of Deadly Sins Deadly Secrets
Sidra Smart & The Third Eye mystery series
Published by L & L Dreamspell
Q: What drew you to writing in the mystery genre?
A: That’s a mystery! Oops, sorry, couldn’t resist. Seriously, I had a story I wanted to tell and after much consideration and consultation with other writers, I decided that mystery was the genre to best fit the story.
See our review: http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/deadly-sins-deadly-secrets
Andrea Sisco Interviews Publicists from St. Martin’s Minotaur
St. Martin’s Minotaur is in my top five publishing houses to work with. They publish good books (and their mysteries are among my favorites) but it’s more than that. It’s the people connection. Jessica and Hector are a dream to work with. They are hard working, fun, personable, timely and know their jobs! They should get raises (that is for their boss).
Seriously, it’s difficult to run this site and juggle reviewers, publicists, authors… You get the picture. Jessica and Hector make my job so much easier. And like I said, their books are grand.
Enjoy the interview with Jessica and Hector. It’s fascinating. I’ve been in the business for years, and learned so much from them.
Q: Describe your job as a publicist for St. Martins Minotaur, Jessica and Hector.
Read this answer and the rest of the article.
Q&A with Carl Nelson, author of Madam President and the Admiral
Q: What drew you to writing in the military thriller genre?
A: It seemed natural to me, because I had a 33-year career in the Navy. As a career senior naval officer, I have Washington D.C. experience as well as tactical and strategic war experience.
Q: Where did you get the idea for Madam President and the Admiral, and why did you chose a women to play the President of the United States in your novel?
A: This is a sequel to my earlier novel, Secret Players where the lead character of Madam President is a well-drawn, natural carry-over.
See our review: http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/madam-president-and-the-admiral
Q&A with Cyndia Depre, author of Oblivious
Fiction
Mundania Press
Q: Tell us a little about your newest novel, Oblivious.
A: Oblivious began as a way for me to vent. It was never meant for others to see. It was part therapy, part writing exercise, and helped make me giggle after writing a dark scene in Amanda’s Rib, my first book. Through a series of bizarre accidents, others saw it and laughed. I never thought anyone else shared my sense of humor. It seems I was wrong, and that’s when I began taking the book seriously.
Pinkerton’s Secret
Submitted by author by Eric Lerner, author of Pinkerton’s Secret
Read our review: http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/pinkertons-secret
Every novel has a story behind the story. Pinkerton’s Secret, has a back story that begins in Chicago in the nineteenth century, wends its way through Hollywood in the twentieth, and continues in New York where Henry Holt & Co. will publish the novel on March 4, 2008.
Meet a Man Who Wrote His First Book at Age 81
Armchair Interviews says: We asked Desmond, a Brit, to write about why he waited so long—or in truth, why he never gave up on his dream of writing books.
By Desmond Evans
Desmond is the author of Death is a Member, released 2007. His next, Murder in the Ascendant, is scheduled for January 2008, and When the Hammer Falls, July 2008. Desmond and his wife live in Shropshire. England.
What prompted me to start writing at the age of 81?
See our review of Death is a Member: http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/death-is-a-member
Q&A with Mystery Author David Housewright
Interviewed by Jeff Foster
David Housewright is the Edgar Award-winning author of the Holland Taylor and Rushmore McKenzie novels and other tales of murder and mayhem in the Midwest. His books include: Dead Boyfriends, Pretty Girl Gone, Tin City, Hard Ticket Home, Penance, Practice to Deceive and Dearly Departed.
Q&A with Author Brian Freeman
We are pleased to have this Q&A with the very popular author, Brian Freeman.
Minnesota author Brian Freeman writes psychological suspense novels featuring detectives Jonathan Stride and Serena Dial. His books have been sold in 46 countries and 16 languages and have appeared as Main Selections in the Literary Guild and the Book of the Month Club. His debut thriller, IMMORAL, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and was a finalist for the Edgar®, Dagger, Anthony, and Barry Awards. He just release STRIPPED, based in Las Vegas.
Read the entire article. (subscription required)
Paperback Swap
By Kim Reis (Armchair Interviews reviewer)
Are your bookshelves overflowing? Do you need to make some room for all those new titles you want to buy? Paperback Swap might just be the solution.
Paperback Swap is a free service that allows members to exchange books. The only cost involved is media mail postage to mail your books to the requester. Once the book is received, you get a credit allowing you to request a book from someone else who pays the postage to send it to you.
Books must be in good condition with no writing or highlighting inside. ARC copies are not allowed. Some members have restrictions against books from smoking households or those with pets. This is noted in their request, and you can decline if your books don’t meet their standards.
You can also post hardcover books but understand that you are not guaranteed a hardcover in return. The postage is also higher for a hardcover.
To get started, go to http://www.PaperbackSwap.com and set up an account. A valid email and USPS address are required. When you post your first nine books you will receive three free credits allowing you to start shopping. When someone wants one of your posted books, you will get an email notification. Go to the website, accept the request, and print the USPS mailer. Wrap the book in the mailer, affix postage and drop it in any mailbox. When the requestor marks the book received, you get another credit. If there is a book you would like, simply request it and it will be mailed. You can also post a wish list for books that aren’t in the system yet. When someone posts one of them, you will be notified so that you can request it. Wish list requests for the same book are filled in the order received.
I have found this website to be very reliable and fun. I have saved a lot of money since the postage paid is far less than the value of the books received, even at used bookstore prices.
There is also a sister site for music at http://www.SwapaCD.com
Armchair’s Own has a New BLOG
This ONE is Special to us!
A Novel Collaboration http://KathleenBaldwin.com/blog
A Novel Collaboration: Join Andrea Sisco of Armchair Interviews and Kathleen Baldwin, a multi-published novelist, as they discuss writing and marketing a book together while still remaining friends. Read about their thoughts, offer your own writing tidbits and ask questions.
Our Reviews Go Into Newspapers
For the past several months, Armchair Interview has had reviews published in an exciting section of the Southwest Newspaper called “Let’s Go.” http://www.LetsGoSouthwest.com
The newspaper goes to 86,000 homes in the southwestern part of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a readership of about 140,000 people. Our reviews and book covers fill have a page—and obviously the readers like them or the newspaper would not devote that much space.
The editor, Melissa Gilman, interviewed Andrea and Connie about our business, and wondered if we would like to submit some reviews.
Well, as they say, the rest is history.
Every month Andrea submits four book reviews for publication, in different genres—or sometimes even themes. Usually the reviews are by Andrea or Connie, but sometimes we pick one of our other reviewers and send one from a “guest reviewer.” Erica Marston of Minneapolis did such a great review of Bitter is the New Black that we just had to use it in March.
Thanks, Melissa, for this opportunity to spread the good word about Armchair Interviews and tell people about some great authors!
Book Clubs and Reading Groups
Everywhere you look it seems people are talking about books and book clubs. Because of the growing phenomenon we thought it might be helpful to our readers to provide you with a web site that will help you start one.
Book-Clubs-Resource.com is a good guide to book clubs and reading groups. It has a collection of links and information for readers that includes information about how to start your own reading group, participate in online reading group or to just learn more about what a book club is.
Go to http://www.Book-Clubs-Resource.com for a wealth of information.
Quote Garden
So you love the written word. Maybe you’re a writer, a speaker, a student, a scrapbook enthusiast or you just enjoy reading the things other people write.
If so, we suggest you visit www.quotegarden.com for inspirational, funny, thought-provoking, famous and literary sayings.
It will surprise you at the sheer number of entries. And the best part is that they re arranged by subject matter. Great way to pull the perfect quote for a friend’s card who loves music or theatre, for someone who has had a success, etc. etc. The uses for quotes, the right quote, are endless.
Every writer or person who loves words should have this http://www.QuoteGarden.com bookmarked on your computer.
To end this note, this one is from “quotation” section (and there are many given).
A fine quotation is a diamond on the finger of a witty person, but a pebble in the hands of a fool. -Author Unknown
Book Clubs and Reading Groups
Everywhere you look it seems people are talking about books and book clubs. Because of the growing phenomenon we thought it might be helpful to our readers to provide you with a web site that will help you start one.
http://www.Book-Clubs-Resource.com is a good guide to book clubs and reading groups–and a wealth of information. It has a collection of links and information for readers that includes information about how to start your own reading group, participate in online reading group or to just learn more about what a book club is.
Be a Elle Magazine Reader-Juror
You can apply to be an Elle Magazine reader-juror. Just go to http://www.elle.com and complete the form.
You MUST be willing to:
1. Read three books within one month.
2. Comment in writing on each of them.
3. Choose a winner from among the three books.
4. Read five additional books in your chosen category in the year you are chosen to be a reader-juror.
5. Comment on the annual “Elle’s Letters” Readers’ Prize Grand Prix winner.
Visit Elle’s web site and see if this is something you’d like to do. We think it would be great fun, a way to get free books and sharpen your writing skills….
HarperCollins Announces Reader Opportunities
In the U.S. & Canada…HarperCollins Publishers in Canada and the United States announces First Look, a great program for readers to preview books in literary fiction, young adult fiction, suspense, biography, cookbooks and other genres. HarperCollins believes that readers make a difference!
Each month, HarperCollin will offer Advanced Reading Editions (ARCs) of great books by fabulous authors that you will have the opportunity to review.
1. Reviewers are selected at random, but you must enter the program to be eligible.
2. In joining the program you may select your favorite genres and HarperCollins will let you know when a book in your preferred category is offered. The sign-up will take approximately two minutes.
CANADA: Join by going to http://www.harpercollins.ca/firstlook
U.S.: Join by going to http://www.harpercollins.com/firstlook/index.asp
Armchair Interviews would love to hear from people who have experienced this program. If you do a review, we’d love to post it on our site as well.
Science Fiction Fans
For those of you who enjoy Science Fiction we highly recommend The Ghosts of Albion: Accursed by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden (see our review under Great Reviews/Science Fiction).
The novel featuring the demon-fighting siblings Tamara and William Swift really began several years ago on the BBC cult website www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ghosts. The BBC website combines flash animation, sound effects and music, plus it has the vocal talents of Anthony Daniels (Star Wars), Emma Samms (Dynasty) and Roy Skelton (Doctor Who). The first animated audio adventure was followed by two short stories and then another animated adventure.
Read Guy Wegener’s review of The Ghosts of Albion: Accursed. He says it is “one of the freshest, most original takes on a tried-and-true idea.” Wegener suggests that author Benson’s past association with the American television series “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” appears to influence her writing.
Now that you’ve read the review, you might want to read the book (we think you will), then hit the BBC website for their programs featuring Tamara and William Swift. They are so good we believe that you’ll continue to follow the saga of the Swifts as they fight their battles in Victorian London.
For all of you Science Fiction fans out there, we have some listings of sites we think you might want to visit.
Outpost Gallifrey is a popular Doctor Who fan site and community. They have over 20,000 readers daily in the UK and abroad. This site has been voted Top Fan Created Website in BBC Drama and Site-of-the-Week by the Sci-Fi Channel. http://www.galliFreyOne.com
So for your Doctor Who fix, visit and enjoy! And contact us at info@armchairinterviews.com and tell us what you think!
The official website for Doctor Who will give you all of the must know, want to know and need to know information about the ever popular Doctor Who. http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho
SCIFI.COM http://www.scifi.com is another popular web site for those who want to be in the know about all things concerning Science Fiction.
You’ll find interesting information, DVDs, magazines, novels, stories, book clubs, posters, costumes and so much more.
Drop us a line at info@armchairinterviews.com and tell us what you think of the site, and do you know of any other really good Science Fiction web sites?