Knowing when to rewrite

Posted on January 31, 2016January 31, 2016 by Percival Constantine

Last week, I came very close to finishing Vanguard #14. In fact, I was less than a thousand words from the finish line. I’m already behind schedule on completion of season three, thanks in part to some unexpected computer repairs.

But still, I realized what the problem was. It wasn’t the stress of trying to meet the deadlines that was causing me to struggle. Instead, the problem was that the story just wasn’t right. At least not in the way I was telling it.

Originally, when I was mapping out the third season, episodes #11-13 and #15 came very easily. But #14 felt like empty space. I needed another episode to get to the usual standard of five episodes per season, I just couldn’t find out what the problem was.

And then I realized—the problem was I kept thinking that the finale would be a typical finale, so it would be able to fit into a single episode.

Now I know how wrong I was. The season three finale will be a massive turning point for the series. And once I saw that, I realized that it’s actually supposed to be a two-part episode.

So over the weekend, I went over what I had already written. I found out that about a quarter of what I’d written could be salvaged and used in the new episode. And then I remapped the episode and started writing it all over today.

And to my surprise, it works so much better. The previous draft felt more like filler than an actual episode. This now feels like it fits in so much better. Sometimes you have to take stock of what you’re doing and even if it means more work or missing deadlines, do what’s best for the story.

I have a lot more time on my hands this month, so the hope is I can double my daily word count goals. If all goes well, I’ll still be able to get Vanguard Season Three on schedule for release beginning in the middle of March.

And in case you’re wondering about The Complete Second Season? Check back next week.

Vanguard #7 out now!

Posted on October 6, 2015October 5, 2015 by Percival Constantine

The second season of Vanguard continues in Vanguard #7: The Experts, available now on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!

With Vanguard disbanded in the wake of the Red Fist incident, Gunsmith has found new work with Cerberus, a global peace-keeping organization designed to keep specials in check. But an investigation into the remnants of the Red Fist turns up a surprising fact—the director of Cerberus has been using a strike team to round up specials and imprison them without cause or trial!

Now Gunsmith stands against an organization with a global reach, including their operatives who are armed with extremely advanced technology! His only hope lies in a mysterious informant and a former teammate in a desperate plan to try and overthrow the Cerberus director before he causes even more damage!

The second season continues here as the disparate elements of the team slowly begin to come together! Pick it up now for 99¢ on Amazon or read for free as part of Kindle Unlimited!

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Black Star Canyon: The Complete First Season by CC Wall

Posted on June 4, 2015June 4, 2015 by Percival Constantine

CC Wall is really resurrecting a style of writing that many unfortunately consider to be dead. With a clear influence of soap operas, TV dramas, and pulp fiction, Wall weaves together a tale of a creepy town that will keep you turning pages. The serial format is really the perfect way to tell a story like this and ebooks have made this possible. It’s a style that I wish more authors and readers would embrace as there’s so much potential in the serial format.

A lot’s been said about Wall’s treatment of the mystery and the characters, but what really grabbed me the most about the first season of Black Star Canyon was the prose. Wall writes in an almost staccato-like manner and though it may be jarring for some, I found it to be very effective in conveying the nature of the story world.

I’ve already got seasons two and three on my Kindle and am looking forward to continuing the adventure.

Pick up Black Star Canyon: The Complete First Season on Amazon!

New, upcoming releases and events!

Posted on March 29, 2015March 28, 2015 by Percival Constantine

There are some new things coming up very soon!

For starters, I wanted to let everyone know that Vanguard #3: Air of Revolution is now available exclusively at Amazon and on Kindle Unlimited!

Also this Tuesday, March 31st, will see a special Facebook event, called Meet the Serial Killers! This event will feature several authors of serialized fiction, offering discounts and exclusive giveaways all day!

The event is organized by Podcast 451 and Cheap Serials.

I will be at the event from 3-4 PM PST alongside Josh St. John, author of Acorn 666. The box set you see pictured at the top of this post is for the first three episodes of Vanguard and this will be available as a giveaway. I’m also planning to have more giveaways ready on the event, but you have to turn up for the event to be eligible to win!

The event will also feature C.C. Wall (Black Star Canyon), David Wright (Yesterday’s Gone), Rachel Medhurst (Avoidables), Grae Lily (Marked as Prey), Renna Peak (Mistaken), Sherry Soule (Spellbound), M.F. Wahl (Disease), Guido Henkel (Jason Dark), Jane Stein (Renaissance Fair), Sibley Jackson (The Performance), Rex Carpenter (The Fixer), and A.E. Hodge (So Damned Beautiful). It promises to be a lot of fun so join in!

Second, the third Myth Hunter book, Curse of the Necronomicon, is now available for pre-order! It’s scheduled for release on June 22nd, so pre-order it now to get it delivered straight to your device of choice on release day!

Third and finally, Amazing Adventures, the four-book box set featuring my book, The Lost Continent as well as Derrick Ferguson’s Dillon and the Last Rail to Khusra, Mark Bousquet’s Gunfighter Gothic: Under Zeppelin Skies and Joel Jenkins’ On Wings of Darkness will only be available until March 31st! If you haven’t picked up this box set yet, this is your last chance, so don’t miss out!

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Celebrate Vanguard #2’s release with #1 for free!

Posted on February 23, 2015February 23, 2015 by Percival Constantine

Vanguard #2: Cold War Frankenstein is now on sale at Amazon for only 99¢ and to celebrate, I’ve made Vanguard #1: Come The Exemplar free! But you have to hurry, because this deal ends on Wednesday, February 25th!

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Vanguard #1 and Luther Cross #2 available now!

Posted on January 20, 2015January 20, 2015 by Percival Constantine

The first episode of Vanguard, my new serial chronicling the adventures of a team of superheroes, is now available exclusively on Amazon!

The world has changed. A mysterious event altered the genetic structure of humanity, granting a small percentage of the population superhuman powers. A small team of these specials has been formed to deal with potential threats. Paragon—telekinetic powerhouse; Zenith—hyper-intelligent automaton; Shift—shape-changing teenager; Wraith—teleporting shadow warrior; Sharkskin—human/shark hybrid. Led by the armored Gunsmith, they are Vanguard!

Callum King’s life has fallen apart. He lost his job, his wife left him, and he was about to end it all—when he discovered he possessed the powers of a superman. Now calling himself the Exemplar, he’s declared himself the world’s first superhero, out to prove those who doubted him wrong. But his arrogance far supersedes his good intentions! Can Vanguard overcome their internal strife in order to face their first threat?

If you’re a fan of superhero comics like the X-Men or the Avengers, then you do not want to miss this new monthly series! Available for only 99¢ on Amazon or free if you’re a member of Kindle Unlimited! Buy it now!

And if you can’t wait for the second installment of the series, there’s a special prequel episode of the series!

Want to know how Vanguard was created? Curious about the specifics of The Event that introduced specials into the world? Then you won’t want to miss Vanguard #0: The Event!

This prequel episode shows the lives of the members of Vanguard before they joined the team and why they signed up. Witness the birth of a legend right here in this exclusive episode. It’s and exclusive to subscribers, so sign up now to receive your free copy!

And also don’t forget Vanguard #2: Cold War Frankenstein, scheduled for release on February 23rd and now available for pre-order on Amazon!

This is a big day for release announcements because I’m not yet done! On the same day that Vanguard #1 came out, Pro Se Productions also released the second installment of my Luther Cross series for their Single Shot Signatures line. Here’s their press release:

Luther Cross 2 - The Ties That Bind PRO SE PRODUCTIONS SINGLE SHOT SIGNATURE SERIES-
FOUR NEW STORIES TO KICK OFF 2015!

At the end of 2013, Pro Se Productions, an innovative publisher of Genre Fiction, debuted its Pro Se Single Shots line, stand alone digital only short story singles at an affordable price. Due to the success of the single self containted tales, Pro Se launched the Pro Se Single Shot Signature line in 2014. The Signature imprint still focuses on digital singles, but invited authors either write individual stand alone stories under a ‘From the Pen of…” title or a series of their own creation, either featuring connected stories or even ‘chapters’ or ‘episodes’ as well as still features single short stories or recurrent ‘chapters’ or ‘episodes’ written as short stories. The New Pulp Publisher debuts the next chapters in four of its inaugural Signature series today.

“The Pro Se Single Shot Signature line,” says Tommy Hancock, Pro Se Productions Partner and Editor in Chief, “is a project that, although it’s gotten off to a slow start, has in many ways altered how Pro Se sees publishing. We’ll continue with our traditional publishing of novels and anthologies, but the Signature imprint allows us to play with all sorts of possibilities of promotion, distribution, and accessing new readership on several levels. With schedules being sorted in the next week or two as well as multiple series and writer’s imprints debuing within the line over the next month or so, Pro Se is preparing to redefine Genre Fiction and New Pulp in 2015. And the four latest installments to the series that kicked off the Signatures are the best way to move forward.”

The four newest releases from the Pro Se Single Shot Signature line are available at Amazon and www.smashwords.com.

FLY GIRL: THE ICE QUEEN by Russ Anderson

Russ Anderson Jr’s Fly Girl returns, soaring into her second adventure in her Pro Se Single Shot Signature series as she faces The Ice Queen!

Still reeling from the events of the first story, 16 year old Caryn Clay struggles to understand her newfound abilities, her truly awesome connection with her Navajo heritage, and the attack of another strangely powered figure, known only as The Trickster. Before she can come to grips with any of that, though, a new foe presents herself. Can Caryn survive the chilling vengeance of a wronged girl? And are she and her mystical feather to blame for the destruction wrought by this frigid new enemy? Find out in The Ice Queen, Fly Girl Book Two by Russ Anderson, Jr., featuring exciting cover and logo design by Jeff Hayes and ebook formatting by Anderson. Available on the Kindle athttp://tinyurl.com/prt4yoo and for most other formats at http://tinyurl.com/q6vm3pl for only 99 cents.

LUTHER CROSS: TIES THAT BIND by Percival Constantine

Author Percival Constantine returns with another tale of Luther Cross—the only man clever enough to con Hell itself. In the second installment of Constantine’s Pro Se Single Shot Signature Series, Cross finds himself embroiled in a missing persons case and becomes dangerously entangled in Ties That Bind.

A stop for breakfast in a small diner becomes a case of life and death…and more for Cross. Overhearing a distraught woman’s plea for help to find her missing brother, Cross senses there is more than simply an absent sibling at work here. Finding themselves on their own deep in the woods, Cross and his new companion discover that small towns not only hide skeletons in the closet. There’s something much worse they keep in the barn.

Ties That Bind, the second digital single short story in Constantine’s Luther Cross Pro Se Single Shot Signature Series, features evocative cover art and logo design by Jeff Hayes and ebook formatting by Russ Anderson. The latest story in Cross’ saga is available for only 99 cents for Kindle at http://tinyurl.com/l79xflt and at Smashwords for other formats at http://tinyurl.com/o76jp2j.

MAGEE: TWO SOULS by David White

The Angel Heaven and Hell hate to see coming discovers new truths in the third installment of author David White’s Magee, a Pro Se Single Shot Series from Pro Se Productions.

Finding love in the arms of a witch, Magee seems to be finding his stride in the mortal world. That is, until a guitar wielding demon shows up, fully intent on playing Magee’s funeral song on his corpse. As the battle ensues, Magee finds himself face to face with unbelievable secrets now revealed as well as an evil older than God itself. An evil that offers Magee the world…or suffering beyond even his imagining.

David White’s Magee: Two Souls is the third digital single short story in this supernatural action Pro Se Single Signature Series and features striking art work and logo design by Jeff Hayes and ebook formatting by Russ Anderson. Get your copy for only 99 cents at Amazon for the Kindle at http://tinyurl.com/k6qcrxb and for most other formats at Smashwords at http://tinyurl.com/pqaptzy.

THE FABULOUS WORLD OF ZENITH: MY FLORIDA IDYLL, PART TWO
by Chuck Miller

Chuck Miller, the master of Psychedelic Pulp, returns with the second episode of the wildest, weirdest Pro Se Single Shot Signature Series yet. The Fabulous World of Zenith, a new and original series that will examine the world of the Black Centipede, Vionna Valis, Mary Kelly and Doctor Unknown Junior from a variety of strange and oblique angles continues on with The Journal of Bloody Mary Jane: My Florida Idyll- Part Two!

Finding herself trapped in the small Florida settlement of Cotton Mather and Ponce De Leon, Mary Jane Gallows continues on her odd mission for the now vampiric Professor Moriarty, as well as her own personal twisted journey. Strange creatures inhabit the dilapidated village surrounding the mysterious Fountain of Youth. Three men stumble their way into the crop of building and strangeness seeking a murderess, not knowing that Bloody Mary Jane is indeed among them. And Miss Gallows finds out much and yet nothing about the future, her destiny, and secrets that could mean her own demise or even better, the end of the world.

The Journal of Bloody Mary Jane: My Florida Idyll- Part Two features a fantastic cover and logo design by Jeff Hayes and ebook formatting by Russ Anderson. It is available for only 99 cents at Amazon for the Kindle at http://tinyurl.com/kxfgfme and at Smashwords for most other formats at http://tinyurl.com/pkbcslh.

For more information on these titles, interviews with the authors, or digital copies for review, contact Morgan McKay, Pro Se’s Director of Corporate Operations, at directorofcorporateoperations@prose-press.com.

To learn more about Pro Se Productions, go to www.prose-press.com. Like Pro Se on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProSeProductions.

Announcing Pro Se Single Shots!

Posted on April 6, 2014May 30, 2014 by Percival Constantine

Pro Se Productions has just announced a new line, the Pro Se Single Shot Signatures.

The line features thirty-eight writers who will be producing stories, ranging between 3000-15000 words, on a consistent basis. They will either be an original series featuring recurring characters, or individual stand-alone tales with the unifying title of “From The Pen of…” followed by the author’s name. These short tales will be released in digital format only (print collections at a later date are a possibility, though) at a price point of 99¢ per story.

When Tommy Hancock, Pro Se Editor-in-Chief, invited me to this line, I wasn’t sure I would say yes. I’m already planning on doing something similar on my own, with the Vanguard series I’m currently writing and with other ideas waiting in the wings. However, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and experiment with a different publisher.

To that end, I’m happy to announce that I will be writing Luther Cross, one of the Pro Se Single Shot Signatures!

Luther Cross is a demon/human half-breed, who has grown into a paranormal investigator. Possessing some degree of demonic abilities as well as knowledge of magic and the occult, Cross makes his living hunting down demons, ghosts, and other creatures of the night.

I originally conceived of Luther Cross several years ago and I began work on an introductory novel featuring the character. Unfortunately, the novel was never completed, but Luther stuck in my head and I always wanted the opportunity to get back to writing him at some point in the future.

I’m very excited to have the opportunity to revisit him in this new format. It’s one that I think suits the kind of stories I’m planning to tell with Luther far better than the format of a novel. In fact, I’ve already completed the first tale and sent it off.

Below you can read the full press release from Pro Se Productions. More information will definitely come:

PRO SE PRODUCTIONS TAKES SHORT FICTION TO THE NEXT LEVEL

A leading independent publisher of Genre Fiction, Pro Se Productions announces an innovative new Fiction line today.

In 2010, Pro Se Productions debuted as a small press focused on ‘Puttin’ The Monthly Back into Pulp!’ The company originally produced a line of three magazines that featured ‘New Pulp’ short stories, that is stories written by modern writers very much in the style and feel of tales featured in classic Pulp magazines in the early 20th Century. When Pro Se made the move into publishing novels and short story anthologies, it closed the magazine line, only to restart the concept as a single magazine title due to popular demand. PRO SE PRESENTS grew into an award winning magazine that ran for 20 issues, its final installment released in February 2014. With the end of the magazine, Pro Se Productions closes one era to enter another, one that readers got a taste of in December of 2013.

“We are always,” says Tommy Hancock, Partner in and Editor-in-Chief of Pro Se, “focused on producing the very best in New Pulp and Genre Fiction in all aspects, including the format which we present it in. It’s no secret that Publishing in the last five years, particularly for independent presses such as Pro Se, has moved more and more into the digital realm. Not only can readers carry more books around on their Ereaders or their phones, but the price point is tremendously better in most cases over print books. Digital publishing also affords writers and publishers to produce any size work they wish, including single short stories that can be offered for less than a dollar each. Pro Se Productions decided to dip its foot in that pool and in December we held a grand opening of sorts for our new imprint- Pro Se Single Shots.

“The success we had,” continues Hancock, “with the first volley of Single Shots was quite amazing. No one’s getting rich on them, but the interest readers showed in being able to drop 99 cents and get a good, solid short story that they could read in a single sitting was staggering to us right out of the gate. This combined with the fact that our second magazine line had run its course we felt in its current format, gave us a few ideas. Chief among them was the fact that we could take each story that would have appeared in a PRO SE PRESENTS and offer it individually to readers in a digital format. That way a mystery fan could pick up the mystery stories he or she wanted for a reasonable price without having to feel like they were buying other stories they may not enjoy. But an even more intriguing idea presented itself rather quickly.

“The concept of digital singles affords Pro Se the ability to really bring the concept of Pulp storytelling and even, in a indirect way, the idea of recurring tales from a consistent stable of authors on a regular schedule –much like classic Pulps did- into the 21st Century. This kernel of an idea took root with us rather quickly and brings us now to possibly the most exciting announcement Pro Se has made in a long time. Pro Se Single Shot Signatures.”

The Pro Se Single Shot Signature line brings together 38 writers from across the spectrum of Genre Fiction. Each of these authors will be producing either an original series of his/her creation featuring recurring characters and concepts or writing an imprint of individual stand alone stories entitled ‘From The Pen of…’ and the author’s name. Multiple genres are represented, from jungle tales to horror stories to some that defy description.

Regardless if an author is doing a series or imprint, they will all be working on a regular production schedule established based on their own ability to produce quality work. Some will produce stories on a bi weekly, monthly, bi monthly, quarterly, or bi annual schedule. Each story will range in length from 3,000 to 15,000 words. Also, debuts of the individual series and/or imprints will be spread out over the remaining months of 2014, with at least three titles debuting in April.

Pro Se Productions proudly announces the inaugural cast of authors in the Pro Se Single Shot Signatures line. They include:
David Foster
PJ Lozito
Russ Anderson
Sean Taylor
Teel James Glenn
Fuller Bumpers
Tommy Hancock
Morgan Minor
Mark Bousquet
Philip Athans
Jim Beard
I. A. Watson
Joshua Reynolds
Bobby Nash
Greg Norgaard
Mark Gelineau
J. Walt Layne
Nikki Nelson-Hicks
D. Alan Lewis
H. David Blalock
Gary Phillips
Sean E. Ali
Barry Reese
Percival Constantine
Jeremy Hicks
Logan L. Masterson
Chuck Miller
Alexander S. Brown
Adam Lance Garcia
David White
Kevin Rodgers
Derrick Ferguson
Aaron Smith
Frank Schildiner
Brad Mengel
Richard White
Terry Alexander
Terrence McCauley

Each Pro Se Single Shot Signature Series and Imprint will feature cover art by Artist Jeffrey Hayes.

If the author of a series or imprint chooses to, print collections of his or her stories will be produced at later dates as agreed upon by Pro Se and the individual creator. Hancock also stated that Pro Se will continue to produce stand alone Single Shots as they did in December and again in March.

“The Signature line,” Hancock says, “is a very exciting prospect for Pro Se, the authors and artist involved, and the readers I believe. It puts these fantastic New Pulp tales in a quick, easy to digest format, makes them inexpensive, and opens readers up to a whole host of ideas and authors that they may never have been exposed to otherwise for whatever reason. It may not be the same feel as having a paper magazine to fold up in your hand, but the Pro Se Single Shot Signatures line definitely makes Puttin’ The Monthly Back into Pulp something Pro Se can do in a big way.”

In coming days, news concerning the individual authors and the series and/or imprints they are working on as well as production schedules will be released from Pro Se Productions.

For More information on Pro Se Single Shot Signatures, to be placed on a review list for upcoming releases, or for interviews with the authors involved, please contact Morgan Minor, Director of Corporate Operations for Pro Se, at directorofcorporateoperations@prose-press.com.

To learn more about Pro Se Productions, go to www.prose-press.com and like Pro Se on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProSeProductions.