More Medieval Weapons in the American Civil War

Earlier this week we had Sean McLachlan blogging about Medieval Weapons in the American Civil War as part of his virtual book tour for his new Civil War novel.

He didn't have enough space to say everything he wanted to, so he's done another post over at his own blog titled Lancers in the American Civil War. Go on over and check out this interesting post!

I didn't realize there were lancers in that war. The term "lancer" brings to mind the cavalry of the Napoleonic Wars, like this French lancer I nabbed off of Wikimedia Commons. I bet the Texan Confederates didn't have such snappy uniforms!

Week four of my virtual book tour

May is coming to an end, and I'm wrapping up my virtual book tour for Roots Run Deep.

Tuesday, May 24: I'm over at Nicole Zoltack's blog talking about how to create believable fantasy races.

Wednesday, May 25: I'm at Mithril Wisdom discussing how my work as an archaeologist affects my writing.

Sunday, May 29: At Writers in Business I'm talking about the writing process and some of the more practical, financial aspects of being a writer.

Monday, May 30: I'll be back at the Double Dragon blog with a special Medieval Mondays post on leper knights of the Middle Ages, plus I'll do one here too, of course!

Hope you'll come along!

Coprolites: the fascinating story of ancient poop

Today I'm wearing my archaeology hat over at Alex Cavanaugh's blog and writing about Viking poop. No, really! You can learn a lot from paleofeces, or coprolites as we prefer to call them. So come on over and join the serious, scientific discussion. Well, sort of serious.

A goblin has taken over Hump Day Improv!

Hi everyone, I'm Kip Itxaron, heroine of Roots Run Deep. Typically for a goblin, I did all the real work in the novel while A.J. sat on his ass typing on that weird device he calls a computer. Typically for a human, he takes all the credit. He even pretends he made me up!

Anyway, I'm getting a little freedom today over at N.R. Williams' blog where I'm running her famous Hump Day Improv, a weekly writing prompt. So pop on over and check it out!

What happens when a goblin thief gets interviewed by a crime reporter?

The heroine from my fantasy novel Roots Run Deep (published by Double Dragon) has been interviewed by crime beat reporter Mitch Malone. Mitch is a pretty arrogant guy, but Kip is a goblin who's used to bad attitude from humans. See how they get along over at W.G. Gager's blog!

Schedule for week two of the Roots Run Deep virtual book tour

I've survived the first week of my first-ever virtual book tour. I'm exhausted and elated. The Internet can be a friendly place after all! I have some very interesting stops for week two. Here they are:

Monday, May 9: The heroine of Roots Run Deep, Kip Itxaron, will be interviewed by tough-as-nails crime beat reporter Mitch Malone over at W.S. Gager's blog. Poor Mitch, he thought he was the only one in the world with attitude. . .

Tuesday, May 10: I examine folklore beliefs related to fertility and childbirth over at Theresa Crater's blog.

Wednesday, May 11: I'll be taking over the Hump Day Improv session on N.R. Williams' blog. This writing prompt will include an intriguing image from the Middle Ages.

Sunday, May 15: I'll be blogging about the business side of writing for Writers in Business. UPDATE: this has been rescheduled for May 29.

Hope you'll come along for the ride!

Latest stop on my virtual book tour: real-world culture in fantasy fiction

In the latest stop on my Roots Run Deep virtual book tour, I'm over at Buried Under Books blogging about real-world culture in fantasy fiction. How should it be included? How can you make an Earth culture fit in a fantasy setting? Hop on over to Buried Under Books and find out!

Rat on a stick and mule meat soup

For the third stop on my virtual book tour for Roots Run Deep, I'm talking about what the goblins in my world cook up for dinner. Stop on by to learn all about what these poor, disadvantaged goblins have to survive on. Guaranteed to get your kids to shut up about oatmeal and liver.

http://petenew.com/blog/2011/05/04/rat-on-a-stick-and-mule-meat-soup/

Schedule for Week One of the virtual book tour for Roots Run Deep

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I'm starting a virtual book tour for my fantasy novel Roots Run Deep. I plan to be on a different blog or website each weekday in May. Most places have already been filled, even some extra weekend days! It's been nice to see how much support the writing community gives to a newbie author like me. Thanks everyone! Here's the schedule for the first week:

Monday, May 2: I'll be doing a special Medieval Mondays post on leather armor for the Midlist Writer. Sean McLachlan, the famous midlister, will be doing a guest post here the same day on his latest book: Medieval Handgonnes: The First Black Powder Infantry Weapons.

Tuesday, May 3: I'll be the guest writer for the Writing and Publishing Yahoo group.

Wednesday, May 4: I'll be joining A.J. Maguire for a roundtable discussion of magic systems in fiction.

Thursday, May 5: I'll be posting on Pete Newarski's blog about goblin cuisine in Roots Run Deep, including mule meat soup and fried rat. Yum!

Friday, May 6: I'll be over at Buried Under Books talking about how much real-world culture should or shouldn't be put into fantasy writing.


Please join me, and check out these great blogs for other interesting posts!

Starting a virtual book tour

Well, my first novel is out and it's time to do a virtual book tour! Every weekday in the month of May I plan to be at a different blog or website doing interviews, writing guest posts, and whatever else my hosts ask me to do (within reason, no naked webcams).

I sent out a call for hosts two days ago on some of the writing discussion groups I subscribe to, and I already have half the dates filled. You have to love the support you find in writing community!

Fellow author Marian Allen also supplied me with some helpful links for the novice virtual book tourist, including this excellent article on virtual book tours.

I know I still have a lot to learn about this business, and perhaps you do too, so when I get some insights into what works and what doesn't I'll be sure to post here. It's not just Medieval Mondays here at Genreauthor! If you have any advice, I'm all ears. If you want to host me, I'm all gratitude.