Josh Vogt - Fantasy Author & Freelancer Posts

Since yesterday’s topic dealt with the walking dead, I thought this a fitting post to draw attention to a special report on Death. Hey, lots of characters die all the time (just read G.R.R. Martin’s A Song of Fire and Ice series for some of the most ruthless killing-off of…

Zombies are such a classic part of the speculative fiction genres that they transcend the genre cliches and have become a storytelling element akin to FTL engines (faster-than-light), laser pistols, wizards and elves. People have some morbid fascination with them, and so writers find plenty of opportunities to remake these…

After reading Blindsight, I’ve noticed several other authors who have novels available for free online. Here’s Postsingular, by Rudy Rucker http://www.rudyrucker.com/postsingular/#postsingulardownload And towards the end of November, Solaris Books is going to start releasing Chris Roberson’s book, Three Unbroken, two chapters per week. Again, online and for free.(Apparently the book…

For your viewing pleasure–“The Tulpa” is a video about a reporter who interviews a young Tibetan Monk who claims that he has the ability to manifest physical objects from the depths of his mind. http://theindiefilmscene.com/films/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=42&Itemid=0 I can’t get this video to embed in the blog, so you’ll have to follow…

If you’re ever at a lack for inspiration in a story, this link might help you find some nasty beasts to throw your characters up against. Or maybe even you’ll find some creature to make a character alongside your protagonist. Monsterpedia- http://www.monstropedia.org/index.php?title=Main_Page “The ultimate online encyclopedia of monsters in myth,…

I know relatively few of us have hit the bestseller list recently, gone on whirlwind book signing tours and have to deal with masses of raving fans….but just in case you find yourself with a book coming to the shelves at some time, you might want to check out this…

Today’s round of Weird News features a bunch of criminals and an invisible friend (who is for sale). First, there’s mention of a new book, The Stupidest Crimes of our Times, and the article mentions several of the book’s highlights. I think my favorite is this one– What’s worse than…

I’ve been practicing martial arts for a little over five years now, and so I’ve run across all those various ideas people get about martial arts masters, usually from cartoons, graphic novels and movies chock full of special effects. You’ve got people who can run through tree tops, flip in…

Every industry has its own language, and publishing is no exception. One such term that gets slung around, especially in sales and marketing meetings, is “the long tail.” The basic concept of the long tail is a book that sells steadily, if slowly, over a longer period of time. The…

If you missed the last contest that Jason Evans held at his blog, then don’t skip over this one. Aside from his constant posting of beautiful photographs, poetry and short fiction, Evans has these contests based on pictures he takes. It’s everyone else’s job to take that picture and write…