Works in Progress

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Thanks for visiting! Here is a quick overview of Eric’s current projects, including expected completion:
1. ROAD OF LEAVES- an Arthurian fantasy, to be published in the Summer of 2013 by Reader Hill.
2. TRUTH MOCKER- an epic fantasy (Book 2 of the Cirian War Saga), to be published Late 2013 by Reader Hill.
3. TYRANTS OF TOLERANCE- a Young Adult science-fiction series, set in the near future of Southern California.

Completed Works by Eric:
1. FALLEN KING- an epic fantasy (Book 1 of the Cirian War Saga)
2. ALIEN TASTES LIKE CHICKEN- a sci-fi humor short
3. ALIEN IN MY TOMATOES- a sci-fi humor short

Fallen King- a fantasy novel

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Fallen King coverTitle: Fallen King
Series: Cirian War Saga, book 1
Publisher: Reader Hill
Available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.
Price: $5.99 e-book, $25.99 trade paperback

In the land of Na Ciria, an ancient enemy has returned.  As the clouds of the Dragon Shadow swallow more of the sky, those who stand against the invasion are few:

A PRINCE ABOUT TO LOSE HIS REALM

Grizzled and weary, Prince Wintron Dabe, longtime heir to the throne, inherits a kingdom on the same day that most of it falls under demonic invaders.

A PRAYER WARRIOR STRUGGLING TO FIND HIS POWERS

Young Afral must face his heritage and his uncertain abilities.  He flees those who want to capture him, while trying to reach a people who may reject him.

A WATCH RIDER FACING BETRAYAL BY SOMEONE SHE TRUSTS

Determined Mylana Farsight must lead other Watch Riders on a dangerous mission to warn the land’s long-hidden defenders. Dreadhounds pursue her, even as a traitor seeks to learn her secret.

FALLEN KING. This epic fantasy by Eric Lorenzen introduces you to three heroes as they fight against an evil invading their land.

Available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.
Price: $5.99 e-book, $25.99 trade paperback

Alien Tastes Like Chicken- A SciFi Short Story

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ALIEN TASTES LIKE CHICKEN
Publisher: Reader Hill
Category: Science-Fiction Humor/ Short Story
Description: Joey’s weekly barbecues are the “guy event” of his block. Every meal is unique. Joey slathers homemade sauces that range from honey sweet to mouthing searing hot, often on some mystery meat that might be alligator or bear or something else. His neighbor Tim enjoys these gastric adventures, but this week Joey jokes that he has cooked up “alien meat”. Or is it a joke? Let Tim tell you all about this barbecue adventure.

Released: JUNE 2012

Available on Amazon.com and on Barnes and Noble for only $0.99

Alien in my Tomatoes

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ALIEN IN MY TOMATOES
Publisher: Reader Hill
Category: Science-Fiction Humor/ Short Story
Description: Poor Jared. He once dreamed of being a successful chef-grower with his designer brand of Smoke Tomatoes and other delicacies. Instead, he was a struggling urban farmer who now had aliens invading his Stack Farm. Hear the sad tale, in Jared’s own words, as he relives this horrible time in his life. What can you do when aliens invade? Do you call the media or just quietly squish the little buggers?

Released: February 2012

Available on Amazon.com and on Barnes and Noble for only $0.99

Working behind the scenes

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So much to do, and the clock seems to be ticking down fast…  I am now a month behind in  my self-imposed deadline for my novel as well as falling behind in getting the business guidebooks done.  However, lots of behind-the-scenes stuff is getting done:

1. The Reader Hill website is up and ready to go as the publisher of my writings.
2. Genuine HR has been converted from being one of our business websites into a blog.  It will now be the “author” for the non-fictional guidebooks coming out from the business.
3. Still need to do the Ministry HR conversion, since it will become the author of our business guidebooks aimed at church offices and other non-profits.

Future of Book Sales

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Future of Book Sales

What is the future of book sales?  I will give you one hint:  it starts with the letter “e” and I am not talking about my first name.  E-books are rapidly becoming the preferred format for new book sales.  With the unveiling of three (three!!) new Kindles this year, Amazon is aggressively pushing forward with its e-book platform.  That should not be a surprise to anyone, since e-books outsell all other types of books on Amazon.  Let me repeat that last fact, just to make sure you really heard it.  Amazon sells more books in electronic format (e-books) than ALL OTHER VERSIONS COMBINED.  Here are the stats that Amazon put out in a press release in mid 2011:

July 1995- Amazon starts selling books online
November 2007- Amazon debuts Kindle and starts its push towards e-books
July 2010- Kindle book versions outsell hardcover books
December 2010- Kindle book versions outsell paperback books
May 2011- Kindle book versions start outselling all other books combined

(See Amazon’s press release from May 19, 2011)

These Amazon book sales figures should make any writer pause and consider.  Even if e-books STOP GROWING today, they will still be the top format for book sales at America’s top bookseller outlet.  However, with three new Kindle models, e-books will just grow ever faster. 

How does the rise of e-books affect writers?  Soon (if not now) electronic rights will be the MOST IMPORTANT right for any book.  Any writer who gives away such rights just to get a traditional publishing contract is being foolish.  It might be a matter of pride to have a hardcover or paperback to show off to others, but the money is going to be in e-books. 

These book sales statistics also make the idea of indie publishing more attractive.  With all the turmoil in traditional publishing, a writer should consider becoming his own publisher.  I know that I am giving it serious thought.  To some, self-publishing still has the stigma of  “vanity press” associated with it, but that is quickly fading.   The future of book sales is now here and it is e-books.  It opens so many new avenues for a writer to connect with readers.

What do the new Kindle releases mean for readers?  Wow, for the reader this is an open invitation to either “try it out” or move up to a more sophisticated version.  Amazon now has two versions under $100, making them very affordable.  Why not get into e-reading now?  The reader’s “investment” is less than many spend each month on cable, video services, or high-speed internet.  As for the upscale Kindle Fire, it will open whole new media avenues and will probably take a bite out of Apple’s iPad.  Does it have as many bells and whistles as the iPad?  No, but it is also only HALF the price.  You can now buy a His and a Her Kindle Fire.

Saying Good Bye is Never Easy

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I have been struggling for about a week on writing the chapters leading up to a book’s climax.  I have re-written one section four different ways, and each time it just did NOT work.  Each time it fails to ratchet up the suspense.  I realize that the ending is vital, but as this blog’s title suggests, “saying good-bye is never easy”.  How will I ever get this right?  Well, I have decided on the following things to help:
1. Get in closer!  When writing a book with many characters (as I am), I can get distracted by the minor characters.  Especially the interesting ones.  Yet, as I get closer to the ending, I need to hone in on the main characters, especially THE main character.
2. Create more problems!  This is the end, so I must pull out all the stops and let the problems pile onto the main characters.  Any kid will tell you that the fun is in making a big mess.
3.  Speed up the pacing!  This is not the place for deep thought or flashbacks.  Action is everything in the last chapters.  The paragraphs get shorter.  The sentences get tighter.  Make it like a runaway car speeding towards a great crash.
4. Add pressing time limits!  Make your main character sweat as time runs out.  In minutes a bomb will explode, a hostage will die, a battle will be lost, etc.

OK, it is time to tackle those last chapters again.  Saying good-bye is never easy, but I want this book to have a memorable end, so the work is worth it.  I want you to be thinking about this ending for weeks after you set the book down.