Category: General

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The Origin Story of Comic Lit

ARF: The idea of Comics Lit actually started over 30 years ago. I was in my first year of college (University for our friends across the pond) and I was taking an interdisciplinary class where we took a look at how the humanities in general and classic works of literature in particular intersected with our lives. As a comic nerd, I thought it would be fun to start comparing comic book characters and storylines to classic characters and stories from literature. 

I made all kinds of connections to tragic figures like Sisyphus as Spider-man or Empusa the shapeshifter as the inspiration for Mystique. I could see how much of the DC Pantheon was straight from Shakespeare. Lex Luthor is Richard III. Jimmy Olson is Horatio. Batman is Henry V. I wasn’t limited to just those plays of course. It was then that I first made the argument that Poison Ivy was inspired by Hawthorne’s short story “Rappicunni’s Daughter.” My ideas were not fully formed then, but I never really stopped thinking about them. I would try them out on my students and push them to make broad connections and while they often didn’t compare literature to comics, they found other amazing ways to connect the old with the new.

Flash forward 25 ish years to a conversation I was having off the mic during the recording of an episode of my Indie Comics Spotlight podcast on the Comics in Motion network.  I mentioned something about my Poison Ivy idea and he mentioned he always thought the same thing about Cyborg and Frankenstein’s Monster. We started brainstorming about making a collection of essays based on these two ideas.

I gathered a team of nerds and thankfully for me, and this project, one of them was Ms. Tonya Todd, whom I met for the first time in this life through a mutual podcasting friend Mike Burton. Unfortunately, because of some pandemic stuff, and other just crossed wires, the project sat in purgatory for years. Then Tonya was at a conference and she mentioned this project to Valerie Willis and…

TT: Before I even finished describing the pitch for the collection, Valerie was pining, eyes-wide,  arms-outstretched, and reaching through the screen with gimme-gimme hands. This was a live event, so I couldn’t jump onto a call with Tony to ask his permission about sharing details for what he had in mind. My plan was to gauge their interest and possibly connect 4HP with him after the conference. But when Erika joined Val’s enthusiasm, I sent up a silent prayer that Tony would forgive me for representing his project. Dear reader, he did! 

ARF: So here we are now, somehow, via her magic powers, Tonya got one of my comic book idols, Bryan Edward Hill, to do the foreword and Volume One is ready for the world. Just like the idea that Ivy was inspired by Hawthorne, the idea that Bruce Wayne and Henry V share some DNA has never left me, and so, as we gather essays for Volume 2, Tonya and I can announce that we will be writing that very essay together, in two parts. It should be epic.

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Need a Complete Series: The Wolves of Wharton

Do you love to dive into an amazing series?

We have the ultimate Horror, Spice, Gore and LGBTQIA+ series for you: 

There are 6 books so far or in this complete series.

Check out book one The Beast Beside Me here:

A wolf shifter. A cute Barista. A gruesome murder…

After a murder threatens to expose the wolf pack, Angus Chilton leads them across the country to thwart being discovered. When they settle in a place where he harbors bucolic childhood memories, Angus meets Hunter Bailey, a handsome, human barista. Primal emotions are stirred as the danger rises, after all, he’s a human and he’s a wolf. Can he really drag him from the world of coffee to one filled with blood?

Angus and Hunter are drawn together by shared trauma and similarly problematic ex-lovers. But can Angus keep Hunter safe when his murderous, impulsive, and jealous ex-boyfriend catches wind of their burgeoning relationship? Conversely, can Hunter keep Angus safe from his own? Fangs revealed, blood will spill as throats are literally ripped open mercilessly.

Readers looking for werewolf horror vibes with a romance in the backseat will find the Wolves of Wharton series perfect as we explore a variety of relationships, past and present, involving a pack of wolves willing to do everything it takes to protect their own.

You can order this book  in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10!

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Be Accountable to Yourself

We often say that writing is a lonely business, and media likes to show the image of the author hidden away in a secluded cabin or locked inside an apartment manically typing away without any interruption from the outside world–and sometimes that is true. But other times, writers feel the need to connect with others who understand their struggle. That’s why having a writing community is so important. 

Just like setting goals, having a community of writers can support accountability, much like having a gym buddy makes it harder to skip leg day. If you’re looking to share space with likeminded people, to have a ready sounding board for writing-related questions, or even just to vent about those times when writing is hard, the Author’s Accountability server might be the place you seek. Designed by writers for writers, this Discord server has resources like guided writing sessions, but more importantly, it’s a space to connect with others and simply talk about writing, whatever that means to you. 

Check out the Accountability Author’s Discord Server now for a free Guest account. Guests can see all posts and listen to all voice channels, but they cannot participate. If you like what you see and hear, you can upgrade to a paid membership (only $14.99/month) and join the conversation. See below for a full list of benefits for Members!

Tired of writing in isolation? Need others to keep you on track or give feedback on that scene you just wrote? Join a community of writers just like you and stay accountable to yourself. 

Become a Member for full access to the following:

Curated resources

  • Links to vetted resources to help in all stages of your writing journey
  • Muse-created videos and group streams covering weekly topics
  • A detailed reading list to build your skills
  • Timely articles and useful blogs

Interactive Chat and Voice Channels

Post questions and comments to fellow authors. Get feedback from Muses and other industry professionals. Meet cool people. Make some writer friends who understand!

Chat Channels

  • Information: Announcements, Welcome and Rules, and FAQs
  • General: Member News and Events, Writing, Work in Progress, Writing is Hard, Open Mic, Ideas and Feedback, and Resources
  • Muses Q&A: Book Design, Editorial, and Marketing

Voice Channels

  • Lounge, Office Hours, Small Conference Room, Pantser Room, Plotter Room, Genre Rooms
  • Event Channels: Open Mic/Webinars, The Spring Room, and The Writing Room 

Weekly Guided Sprinting and Writing Sessions

A Muse will help you stay accountable every day!

  • Daily Timed Sprint Sessions (All times listed are EST)
  • Daily Writing Hours (to hunker down and WRITE with fellow authors)
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From the Author’s Desk – Worldbuilding 101: Mapmaking

Readers love maps. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing fantasy, thriller, or romance, whether your story takes place in the real world, your version of the real world, or a completely invented world. Readers enjoy pinpointing locations on a map and visualizing the spaces between events and locations. Taking the time to create one is general worth it–both for your readers and for you as the author. 

Maps keep you honest and lock in your world details–if the hero’s apartment is at Point A and the murder occurs at Point B and you said those points are 30 minutes apart in book one, having it visualized on a map helps you maintain that distance for the other books in the series. 

There are plenty of ways to create a map. Many apps will do it for you if you aren’t artistically talented (I really like Wonderdraft!). 

If you want a more old-school approach to mapmaking–with a dash of roleplaying games and fate–consider the following method:

Shameless Self-Promotion Time: Did you enjoy these kinds of activities? Check out more in The General Worldbuilding Guide, available wherever books are sold!

The General Worldbuilding Guide (The World Building Guide Book 1)
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Author Spotlight: Nick Savage

Have you discovered Nick Savage?

If you have not grabbed up one of the books from Nick Savage you are missing out!

Nick Savage lives in the Orlando area with his wife and 2 cats. He is an award winning & best-selling author who writes both Modern Romance and Contemporary Fantasy. He is also an artist, and video game nerd.

Check out all their work here:

You can order this book  in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10!

Nick Savage
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Author Spotlight: Lou Kemp

Have you discovered Lou Kemp?

If you have not grabbed up one of the books from Lou Kemp you are missing out!

Early work was horror and suspense, later work morphed into a combination of magical realism, mystery and adventure painted with a horrific element as needed.

I’m one of those writers who doesn’t plan ahead, no outlines, no clue, and I sometimes write myself into a corner. Atmospheric music in the background helps. Black by Pearl Jam especially.

More information is available at LouKemp.com. I’d love to hear from you and what you think of Celwyn, Bartholomew, and Professor Xiau Kang.

Milestones:

2009 The anthology story Sherlock’s Opera appeared in Seattle Noir, edited by Curt Colbert, Akashic Books. Available through Amazon or Barnes and Noble online. Booklist published a favorable review of my contribution to the anthology.

2010 My story, In Memory of the Sibylline, was accepted into the best-selling MWA anthology Crimes by Moonlight, edited by Charlaine Harris. The immortal magician Celwyn makes his first appearance in print.

2018 The story, The Violins Played before Junstan is published in the MWA anthology Odd Partners, edited by Anne Perry. The Celwyn series begins.

As of 2022, 4 Horsemen has reissued books 1 through 3 of the Celwyn series. Book 4, The Pirate Danced and the Automat Died and The Sea of the Vanities have been published. Book 5, The Wyvern, the Pirate, and the Madman will be reissued in January 2024 where readers will see more of Pelaez, another immortal magician and Celwyn’s brother.

You can order these books in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10! Check out all their work here: 

Lou Kemp
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Release Day:  Hope and Ashes – Book 3 in the Legends of Coralia

We are excited for the release of Hope and Ashes by Kate Jenkins and Morgan Moreau!

The queen is dead, or so the rumors say.

Following Collette’s attack and near death, Zephraim’s use of blood magic on Larent has everyone on edge. The travel party decides to bunker down in Barcomb Mill, Whyldon’s old estate, for the winter. Already fraying at the edges, the group is nearly divided by the revelation of Nawalya’s visions showing a possible attack on Collette.

Back in Quenall, Zephraim suffers visions of the sister he killed while dealing with Riken and Rhoslyn’s plans for the kingdom. He hopes sending Riken to Galel will alleviate some stress, but will it only make things worse in the long run?

As news of the death of Collette spreads across the kingdom, Crem’s rebellion begins dying out, but the former commander has more important things to worry about. His wife Diana remains in the castle acting as spy and confidante to their miserable king. Will Lord Barris’s protection be enough to keep her safe?

In the Nereid kingdom, Aphros has allowed Jayden and Ceto to travel to Coralia in search of Collette. Will they find help or even more horror and despair?

Legends of Coralia: Hope and Ashes is the third novel in this epic fantasy series. This book contains LGBTQ+ themes, violence, revenge, discussions and depictions of genocide, sexual violence, adult language, and consensual sexual content.

You can order this book  in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10!

Hope and Ashes (Legends of Coralia #3)
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Author Spotlight: C.R. Rice

Have you discovered C.R. Rice?

If you have not grabbed up one of the books from C.R. Rice you are missing out!

C.R. Rice is a fantasy/sci-fi writer, currently immersing you in the Realm Series. As someone who grew up in a small town, she has always loved escaping into the world of fantasy, paranormal and legend. C.R. has dedicated herself to creating that same opportunity to anyone who wants to escape the boring reality of real life. Through the years, she has traveled to dozens of different states and countries, has lived in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and now Florida! While they all have their own unique treasures, she admits to favoring the sunny southern states over the chilly northern ones, though there is nothing like curling up with a wonderful book by the fire as the snow falls outside the window.

Some of her favorite reads are Terry Pratchett’s Disc World series, The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld, and The Hallow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle. When she is not reading or writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband.

You can order their books in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10!

Check out all their work here:

C.R. Rice