Promoting 'clean' Speculative Fiction
Leeland Artra is dedicated to the Fantasy SciFi genre, and not just through his writing. He selflessly promotes almost one hundred authors and their books on the Fantasy SciFi Network that he founded.
I am counted among that number with my novels SCHRÖDINGER'S CAT and DISPASSIONATE LIES.
What makes a man decide to take on such a massive project? Let's ask him.
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| Leeland Artra, author |
Briefly
describe Fantasy SciFi Network and what makes it unique.
The Fantasy and
Science-Fiction Network is unique in that we hold our authors to one
very specific requirement. That requirement is that every article,
blog post, Tweet, Facebook post, and published works under the pen named used
to join the FSFNet does not exceed a PG13 rating.
We have over ninety authors
with one to dozens of published works in the genres of fantasy, science-fiction
and all the subclasses therein. And they all maintain the FSFNet brand. We
allow members to promote other works which might exceed the PG13 rating but we
have a two click rule. That means that posts or links cannot go directly to a
risky item. There has to be a layer of separation that clearly shows were the
next step leads.
What does the Fantasy
SciFi Network offer readers?
We are working to
produce unique articles on our genres. Behind the scenes we support and help
our member authors. But, for the front of house operations we are all about
enjoying the genres. We are working to find some steady reviewers who
will read, review, and rate books for us as we build up a flinch-free library
of selections for anyone to come and browse through.
Has Fantasy
SciFi Network evolved as you initially envisioned? Where do you dream it
will be in five years?
It is evolving,
there is more back of house support happening for the member authors, and we
are considering limiting membership only to authors who have published works in
our genres. Naturally we'd like to see the reader base expand and it has been a
challenge to get the word out without have to post pictures
of scantly clad models or constant references to questionable
subjects.
How can authors
become a partner in Fantasy SciFi Network’s success?
Any author who
write in our genres and who doesn't use a lot of swearing, sex, or other items
listed on our about page can join, it's semi-free. There are membership
requirements but those are mostly fun items we all do anyway.
Behind every great organization there is a driving force. You, Leeland Atra, are one of those behind Fantasy SciFi Network. Tell us about what motivated you to create Fantasy SciFi Network.
When I started
publishing my books I went looking for someplace to call home. I wanted to
promote other authors like myself. Every place I found where authors help each
other were usually open to all genres and therefore overrun with romance,
thriller, horror, and other genre writers who's audience were not interested in
a flinch free fantasy novel, and my readers didn't like that
I occasionally recommended romance authors.
The few science fiction
places I found had some great people, but were flooded with near and actual
porn stuff. So I didn't feel good about re-posting any of that material. Not
being able to find the authors I was looking for, or a place to connect with readers
in my branding, I decided to make it.
In addition to
running Fantasy SciFi Network, you are an author. Aside from the creation of your author group, of which personal
accomplishment in your literary career are you most proud?
I'm really proud of
my Golden Threads Trilogy. The level of detail and years of work they took are
both more than expected. At times I thought about just tossing it in as a good
try. But, I powered through and am very pleased with the results. Right now I am
super stoked by the Endless Horizons Sagas I'm writing in the pulp serial
tradition. The latest works in progress are a direct result of all the work I
put into the Golden Threads Trilogy.
What personal
literary achievement/s are you striving to reach within the next five years?
I've set a goal of
producing an episode (aka a novella) a week for the Endless Horizons Sagas (EHS).
EHS
is broken down into seasons of fifteen episodes. The fifteen episodes pull
together to make a complete novel (aka there is a bigger story when you put
them end to end that emerges). I've gotten the first season done on schedule
and I am working on the second season now. The plan is to produce five full
seasons for EHS and then take that style and start putting out a follow up series
to Golden Threads.
Please offer
authors and aspiring authors some sage advice.
The best thing I
can recommend is write what you love, and to have the discipline to be sure you
have a complete set done and ready to publish before you publish the first one.
Consistent release schedules for sets is critical. So if it is a trilogy, make
sure you have it all done and then release each book ninety days apart. If it
is an ongoing series release in waves, again with a ninety day period between
books. Or if your writing pulps or shorts, get at least a few months leads done
before you actually publish the first one. Release cadence means a
lot to readers, sales, and your sanity.
I know you’re
itching to mention something I’ve neglected to ask about. Tell us what that is.
Podcast of audio
book for Endless Horizons Sagas has just launched. Along with the weekly EPUB
release I'll be simultaneously releasing the audio book for that season via the
podcast channel. There will be premium content for my patrons. You can watch my
Patreon page for details https://www.patreon.com/lartra
Finally, I'm trying
to kick off a different kind of podcast called Epic Geeking Out with Authors.
It is about digging into one of their novels (within FSFNet standards) and
discussing the hidden details. Spoilers are a given. Check this out at http://epicgeekingout.com/
Fantasy SciFi
Network’s link/s:
Author link/s:
https://twitter.com/LArtra
"Pitching flinch-free fantasy" is brought to you by
"Pitching flinch-free fantasy" is brought to you by
THREAD SKEIN (Golden Threads Trilogy, Book 3)
"A perfect ending to Golden Threads (hope there is more)."
"Great Read"
"...skillfully written"
"...most definitely full of surprise and unexpected turns"
"This is a great end to this trilogy."
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