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Updated my Fanfiction

Let me know what you think of it.

Comments and Kudos are welcome.

#aloy horizon #beta horizon #beyond horizon #hzd aloy #Hzd beta #forbidden west #horizonforbiddenwest

[hearns]

A update on my publishing route.

Well I got a response back today about my most recent query to get my novel published.

It was another "Rejection" letter but there is some hope with it: They stated that it was a good idea for a book, but not what they were looking for at this time. They gave me good wishes for me to find a home for this work and wished me good luck in my endeavors.

So, I am working my database of Publishers and continuing to submit to them.

If you are a Publisher or a Literary Agent that is interested in looking over my novel, drop me a line through my Social Media feeds.

I am including a synopsis of my book as an image to save text space.

Current Score: 5 Rejections, 5 In-progress, 1 being worked on

#iamwriting

gettingpublished

lookingforagent

lookingforpublisher

GladiatorsofInternium

#iamwriting #writing #gladiatorsofinteritum #Lookigforpublishers

[hearns]

Update on my writing

Well, I got another badge of honor today in my course to become a published author (i.e., a rejection letter from a publisher). They acknowledged that I am a good writer and I have significant writing skills, but my material is not what they are looking for as of right now for their marketing strategy. They encouraged me to keep submitting my work to other publishers who may have a better fit for my unique style and content. I appreciate their feedback and will continue to persevere in my journey towards becoming a published author, knowing that each rejection brings me one step closer to finding the perfect match for my writing.

Out of 10 publishers so far, I have gotten 4 rejections. And it takes about 10 publishers to get the one that will take your work and publish it. I remain determined to find the right publisher for my writing.

I guess it's all part of the journey. Receiving this rejection letter only motivates me to keep pushing forward and finding the right publisher who appreciates my unique style and story. I am determined to keep pursuing my dream of becoming a published author.

Fortunately, I have a friend who I helped edit and format for publication and who is one of my recommendations. By lending my expertise, I was able to help them bring their work to publication. Having a recommendation from someone I previously assisted in the publishing process is reassuring and validates the potential of my writing. It's reassuring to know that there are people in the industry who believe in my potential and are willing to vouch for me. I am determined to continue honing my craft and seeking out opportunities that align with my writing style and vision.

Right now, I am looking for the right publisher to publish my book. So, I am sending this post off to see if I can get someone who knows the genre far better than I am to help me out in finding a publisher who will be interested in my work.

Hopefully it will find the right pair of eyeballs to help me find the publisher that fits this book's genre and style, and I can go to print. I am confident that, with the right support, my book will find success in the publishing world.

Though I am still in the game, I might as well hype up my book to see if anyone is interested in my Sword and Spaceship style of book. The Sword and Spaceship genre of Science fiction has been showing up now and then in the SF literary community, but I have been trying to find the right publishing house to release the book. Even reviewing their current lists of upcoming releases on the various publisher webpages, I do not know what they currently have in the pipeline that they haven't posted online.

I wrote a book that has a unique and exciting blend of action, adventure, and science fiction elements. There is a lot of this Star Wars stuff floating around, but no one has really tapped into bringing back that early feel of the Barsoom Books by Edgar Rice Burroghs and the pulp science fiction of the early 20th century. I believe that my story has the potential to capture that same sense of nostalgia and excitement that the readers of those books loved as they were growing up. With the recent success of Dune on the Big Screen, Dune was the last real book that created a vibrant world of politics behind the scenes of the sword duels. You had the epic battles, but also the mechanics of what was going on behind the scenes. The drama that happened with the characters and their motivations was incredibly captivating.

I believe that my unique blend of sword-fighting and futuristic elements will captivate readers who enjoy both fantasy and science fiction genres. With its thrilling plot and well-developed characters, my book has the potential to become a standout addition to the literary world. I am excited to share my work with publishers who appreciate innovative storytelling and are open to taking risks with new voices in the industry. The Sword and Spaceship genre has had a few good stories pop up over the years, but right now, if you were to search for those titles, you would find a limited selection of books and authors (272 novels on Amazon so far with those specific words as a search criteria). However, there are still many untapped opportunities for new and exciting stories in this genre, as the books that make up the rest have strong reviews of 3 1/2 stars and up. This suggests that there is still room for growth and innovation in this genre.

Let me know what you think of the description below so that I can get some feedback to see where I can better target this book and reach my target audience. I am looking for some feedback on what experiences my fellow writers and authors have gone through in their journey towards publication. I would love to hear about their struggles and successes in the publishing industry. If they have any insights from any publishers that would be open to taking a look at my book, I would be happy to send them the information on it.

Furthermore, if anyone is part of or aware of communities or forums that focus on the Sword and Spaceship genre, where I can potentially connect with like-minded individuals, I would be grateful for that. I would like to see what type of marketing they used to get their books out to a wider audience. There is only so much that reading "Marketing Your Book on Amazon" can get you before you need to start thinking outside the box and exploring other marketing strategies. I have subscribed to several Science Fiction groups online and have been actively participating in their discussions and sharing my knowledge and expertise. But right now, I feel like I have been beating my head against the wall to find the right publisher. I am eager to find a publisher who will appreciate my work and help me reach a wider audience. I have been working with various marketing strategies to promote my book and increase its visibility. I have a good following online, but I do not know if it is because of the posts that I make or the quality of my content.

That is the clencher of things. I have been getting people's attention and engagement, but I need to know if it is truly making a difference in the long run.

I believe that exploring these alternative marketing strategies could be beneficial for my own book promotion efforts before I start looking for an agent to help me out. I have found a niche with my writing, but I am not sure what course to take for my next few moves in the publication process.

But agents cost money, and I am a bit cash strapped at this time, so any help in finding some publishers that are taking unagented submissions would be a plus. I would greatly appreciate any guidance or resources you can provide in this regard.

Well, now I move on to give you the synopsis of my book. Let me know what you think of it. I might need to expand it or change it up so that it sounds better for a wider audience.

Book Synopsis: "Gladiators of Internium: Realm of Stolen Memories" is a science fiction and fantasy fusion novel set in the World of Internium. Libra, a shape-shifting explorer, lives a quiet life of farming after living on ancient Earth for centuries. When her friend, the Gladiator King Spartacus, returns with amnesia, Libra is thrust into a world of political intrigue, dangerous challenges, and profound themes of identity, family, love, and sacrifice. The novel transcends traditional genres, presenting a rollercoaster of emotions with its diverse cast of characters.

Here is getting folks attention and maybe a chance at publication. The story has the potential to captivate readers and leave a lasting impression.

As my friend Ollie says, "I need to get it released so that I can hold a publication party saying that I got it out." But there is more to that. I feel like I am succumbing to the headaches that force some authors to self-publish and avoid the traditional publishing process altogether because of market forces or not finding the right publisher that will take their work.

I am a good writer. I have a unique voice and perspective that deserve to be heard.

But is there anyone listening to that voice? Will my words be lost in the noise of the industry? Or will someone find my voice and give it the platform it deserves?

If you are listening, help me out here.

Shannon Gregory Hearn Author of "Gladiators of Internium: Realm of Stolen Memories"

#publicationprocess

#writersbadgeofhonor

#writerslife

#Iamwriting

#Iamediting

#Iamwritingsciencefiction

#Iamwritingsf

#lookingforpublishers

#gladiatorsofinternium

#swordandplanet

#swordandspaceship

#lookingforBetas

#pleasereview

#writersofTwitter

#writersofFacebook

#writersofInstagram

#writersoftumblr

[hearns]

2500 likes!

#2500 likes #tumblr milestone

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2,500 likes!

#2500 likes #tumblr milestone

[hearns]

Currently working the local public radio station pledge drive. Head to KENW.ORG to listen and donate.

[hearns]

I got a response from one of my publishers. Good news I am in the current read pile. I should have more news in the next few days.

#writersoftumblr #iamwritingsciencefiction #getting published #gladiatorsofinternium #authorssf #iamwritingsf #writing #iamwriting

[hearns]

Planning an ARC release of my book

To the authors and publishers that follow my social media feed. I currently have an advanced reader copy of my upcoming novel, Gladiators of Internium. I am debating whether or not to release a short run of 130 copies of my novel for advanced review. I don’t know whether I should do so since I’ve submitted to several publishers for publication. I really need some insight on what to do next. Please post responses below; any help is greatly appreciated. I understand that releasing advanced copies may potentially harm my chances of getting published by a traditional publisher. However, I also believe that it could generate buzz and interest for my book. I am open to hearing different perspectives and weighing the pros and cons before making a decision. Thank you in advance for your input. 

#publications #authorcommunity #bookreviews

[hearns]

Writer's Badge of Honor

Yesterday I got my first rejection letter from a publisher.

I know it will not be my last.

The good thing is that they wished me well in my future endeavors which is a good sign.

This is the reason that I have a list of 17 publishers to submit to.

One of them is going to like it.

Now, I have frame to pick out to frame this thing.

Do you think blood red is too ostentatious of a color for a frame?

More updates in the future.

#publishing #iamwriting #rejection #stuggle #acceptance #badge of honor #authorssf

[hearns]

I have submitted GOI book 1 for publication.

I finished the first three chapters today for review. Fingers crossed for acceptance for publication.

#iamwriting #iamwritingsciencefiction #gladiatorsofinternium #iamwritingsf #submittedforpublication #publishing

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It's my 3 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

#3 year tumblrversary #tumblr milestone

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Lack of Sleep

I don't know what is worse, have a day when you are sick during the weekend or the fact that afterwards that you feel like you have missed a day of your life.

#lack of sleep

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Are you guys going to post some stuff to your ID when you start following me? I was just wondering are you following me because of the fandom I follow or is it because of something else?

Please respond to post.

#fandom #fanfic #writing #iamwriting

[hearns]

It has been a few days since I started reworking the ending of my first novel. In those days I have found that. Though I have made many revisions to my material, I have found that it has started to read better as a result.

Additionally, I have been looking at various Reedsy Help guides that they have up on their site. As a result, I have started to look at my target audience a whole lot more uniquely and accurately.

Some of the questions that the guides asked me to look at were who was my audience and what genre I was aiming for. After a lot of thinking and reviewing my writing, this is what I found out: My audience are people who love Sword and Sandal and Star Wars type of Stories.

They like Action-Adventure Games like GOW (God of War) and Horizon Zero Dawn/Forbidden West. The follow shows and movies like Warrior Nun, Willow, The 100, Transformers, Firefly/Serenity, and Dune, with long plotlines that check with Game of Thrones, Westworld Fandom for points for the audience.

That I should carry specific hashtags that should help with target audience profiles from these Space Opera, Adventure and Fantasy boards.

Mostly age wise, my writing meets with the Late Teens and Adult Genre fiction, and those who are a strong part of the FanFiction communities.

I found that my story has strong SF tones with themes of family, domestic LGBTQ relationships, with world building, with overarching long form plot lines that are followers of multiple seasons shows like.

That works fits with folks who like a good flavor of connection with the characters and a decent backstop for the action to take place.

So, if you are interested, I am updating my website with links the first few chapters that I have revised.

I am looking forward to hearing back from you all about what you have to say about it.

My goal is to get folks interested so that when my book comes out my business plan reads like this:

Book + reader = sale + review = want sequel

Now the story, Author Url: https://shannonhearn7.wixsite.com/website

Thus, because of these responses I have come up with the following Hashtags to help get folks attention.

#hard science fiction #science fiction #space opera #adventure #adult fiction #science fantasy #Sword and sandal #Rome in space #Gladiators in space #Space drama #authors #sfauthors #authorssf #lookingforpublishers #beta readers wanted

[hearns]

Taking the Andy Weir route for folks looking at my book.

Hi,

Welcome to my Science Fiction story, "Gladiators of Internium: The Realm of Stolen Memories.”

I started running this story several years ago and have done my best to write it at an understandable level. There may be sections that need more work and attention to flush out details and story points, but this is why I am doing this Andy Weir review style.

Let me know if you see anything that needs to be corrected so I can revise it. This is a family drama, mystery, and science fiction novel with swordplay. But I have done my best to make it easy to read. This was the type of book I wanted to write in my teens as I was power-diving my way into the works of Robert Heinlein, Frank Herbert, and Edgar Rice Burroughs.

These stories occur on an extraterrestrial superstructure inhabited by ex-Roman gladiators, Roman citizens, ancient Chinese, and an alien race known as the Squall. All of them were resurrected from the dead after many centuries. It has been a generation since a renegade explorer returned to this place with these primitive humans. A mystery has started to surface in that many of the humans resurrected via the Squall have had sections of their memories stolen. When the Ancient Gladiator General Spartacus, a friend of the Squall explorer Libra, turns up, this mystery hits home. As the search to discover what happened to Spartacus's memory unfolds, a larger conspiracy starts to reveal itself and may connect to the events that led to the peace that the Squall and the humans now share.

Please let me know what you think of the story by responding to my Facebook or other social media pages. -----

Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.hearn1/

Twitter URL: Shannon Hearn (@hearns20) / Twitter

Instagram URL: Shannon Hearn (@hearn1804) • Instagram photos and videos

To Subscribe to my mailing list, head to: Home | Shannon Gregory Hearn (shannonhearn7.wixsite.com)

Now onto the book.

Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.hearn1/

Twitter URL: Shannon Hearn (@hearns20) / Twitter

Instagram URL: Shannon Hearn (@hearn1804) • Instagram photos and videos

To Subscribe to my mailing list, head to: Home | Shannon Gregory Hearn (shannonhearn7.wixsite.com)

Now onto the book.

The first few chapters are here.

Prologue:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

#iamwriting #writing #iamediting #iamwritingabook #gladiatorsofinternium #iamwritingsciencefiction #iamwritingscifi #iamwritingsf #Books #booksinprogress #samplechapters #pleasereview

[hearns]

Notice for folks

Hello, everyone.

I'm writing to find out which of the latest profiles that have begun to link me are human. I know some of you are, but I'm attempting to find out which of your most recent followers are bots. So please do me a favor and respond to or like this post so that I may begin determining who are actual living folks. This isn't a dig at anyone; I just want to know who is actually following me. The genuine profiles may also appear as characters in my next novel.

#realprofiles #characterideas #botdetection #iamwritingscifi #iamwritingabook

[hearns]

An Update