F. P. Dorchak

Speculative Fiction (New Weird) Author

Book

Incredible Voice Review!

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Voice. (© 2015, F. P. Dorchak and Lon Kirschner)
Voice. (© 2015, F. P. Dorchak and Lon Kirschner)

Writer friend Karen Albright Lin, who is a freelance editor, public speaker, screenwriter, and writing instructor—and is very “hard to please”—wrote up the following kick-ass review of Voice.

It floored me.
Thank you, Karen!
5.0 out of 5 stars Tangy and Sweaty
By Amazon Customeron November 13, 2015
Format: Paperback

Voice was a hard to define book. Amazon asked me to describe the mood and I was hard-pressed to figure out whether I’d categorize it best as suspenseful or dark or thoughtful….Sometimes it was even light-hearted. And sexy isn’t on the list, otherwise I might have checked that box. Mr. Dorchak has gone out on a limb with a quirky, sometimes irritating main character, seemingly cheating on all the beautiful women who come into his life – including the Voice in his head and his own (eh hmmmm) hand.

Voice is heavy on philosophy, challenging the reader to think outside of the worldly box. Like one of his previous books, The Uninvited, Voice explores the paranormal in a fresh way.

The writing voice in this aptly named book had so many shining turns of phrase that I bookmarked many of them to study them and figure out why they worked so well. Among other things, I admired his surprising way of depicting setting in which Ben experiences “the slumber-inducing roar and crash of frothy breakers” and ”the cushioned springiness of the forest floor.”

The women who haunt him are Bo Derek sexy, Winona Rider dangerous, and Kirsten Dunst enigmatic. They “crawl around inside him…” And there isn’t a part of him that they aren’t a part of. In fact there was a powerlessness in Ben when it came to his love objects. Their gazes stripped “away all that he was. Stripped away all the games, pretension. Stripped away all that society considered moral and immoral. Destroyed any sense of decency, valor, or guilt. Sense of right or wrong. Tore away everything down to one thing and one thing only. Desire.” This paragraph tells you much of what you need to know before buying this book.

Protagonist Ben notices in his lusty counterparts things most people wouldn’t. “The pores of her back—the emotion of her back…” one’s stare at the “hairs on one of Ben’s forearms.” Even the “bottleness” of Chardonnay pressed too tightly to his side as one of the temptresses lures him. At the heart of the book is the “Karma-sutric” nature of his desires.

And believe me, there are some crazy lusty scenes that I can’t describe here without censorship. Suffice it to say that the senses are fully engaged, “tangy and sweaty” smells lingering on fingertips after wild sex. R to X rated for sure.

Dip in, if you dare, and look forward to the surprising climax (pun intended). What happens in the end between Ben and the “erogenous tentacles” he’s obsessed over came as a surprise for me. Though looking back, it made perfect sense. I won’t spoil it for you. But if you like visceral sex and confused protagonists, this one is worth buying. For this I give Voice a 5-star rating.

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The Same Old Thing….

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Indie Pub'd, The Uninvited, © F. P. Dorchak
Indie Pub’d, The Uninvited, © F. P. Dorchak

Okay, it’s been kinda busy around here. Not much writing in the “novel manuscript” sense, but writing in many other senses. It’s all good…though missing working on an actual manuscript. I’ve been trying to clean up my next book to be release, called Psychic, which is tied to Sleepwalkers and that novel’s Man With No Name (MWNN). It’s more action adventure and details the MWNN’s origins. Anyway, as I try to catch up with all the blog posts I’m supposed to be following while working weird hours, it’s interesting seeing all the points of view and feelings about indie publishing versus traditional. Not to be dismissive to the writers and their opinions, I’d read how some had gone “digital” with an “official” publisher for many reasons, one of which was that it gave them more time to write, versus doing all the “other stuff” we indie folk must do. I thought about that for a spell.

Would it really give you more time to write, going with an “official publisher”?

Hmmm.

Okay, so, you go with the traditional publisher. You still have to promote, promote, and whatnot…and won’t that still come out of your extra time, your theoretically to-be-banked “writing time”? This, along with all your proofing and approvals and various and sundry interactions with your “official publisher” staff? Your agent?

I really don’t see how doing that saves nor lends any more time for writing than what I’m doing. See, I know I can’t do everything, so I don’t even try. I’m busy with a life and a full-time job like everyone else, and since I know I can’t do everything, I just work on what I can do, and make notes for the rest. No one is forcing me to “do” social media until I bleed out my eyes. I don’t do my own cover and I don’t do my content formatting. All I do is the writing, reviews, and approvals. Sure, I no longer have an agent, but I’ve already spent time editing and dealing with those who’ve poured over my manuscript over the years. Sure, I did not pay thousands for an “official editor,” but I’ve had writing fellows read it, have actually had people who were editors, at one point or another, read some of my work, and, well, as a tech writer myself, have done much of my own heavy editing. My agent at the time didn’t have too much to cut from my work, though the most ever edited out was on ERO (dang it, just saw Amazon further discounted ERO—sorry, Blackcatpratt!, but you did get a bonus book…), a handful (20 or so) pages—which I did. My eyes, other’s eyes. You still have to review what traditional publishers do for you, and you still have to create your pitches…or have already done so, so you just expand upon them for your marketing use. Still work I’m doing.

And working with my cover folk and content editors has been anything but “time consuming.” It’s been a joy—absolute fun! A fun respite from all that writing. You can’t write forever, you’ll literally hurt yourself, you have to take some breaks. During those breaks, you do other stuff. This is that “other stuff,” but, as mentioned, you’ll be doing the exact same thing! You’ll have to review your cover, your copy. Still no savings.

The “other eyes,” thing. Already mentioned that above, I’ve had other eyes on my work, some quite brutal (Inky! ;-] )!

Okay, “professional” eyes.

Done that, been there. Still no difference.

So, since I have never been privy to all that traditional houses do, perhaps I’m still missing something? I just fail to see where going with an “official publisher” saves anyone any “extra” writing time (hey, and let’s get real, here—how much time do you goof off during your day! Be honest!). It’s just another way of doing business! And that’s just fine. More power to you! You can get publisher name recognition and their distro channels, which I don’t have—but even my indie work has distro channels, and some name recognition by going through such outlets as Smashwords and Amazon. I still have a team of people I use, just like the “official publishing” staff; maybe not as “deep,” in hierarchy, and maybe some of mine pull double duty, but, as already mentioned, I still have my cover people, content people, and those who I’ve called upon to read and comment (and I do/have paid a small stipend for their efforts). Now, sure, thing is, I can disagree with my staff and get the last word, where, usually, the traditional staff does…but I’m not married to any of my words…just in making the best damned story. So, I’m very open to other’s opinions.

So, we both have to write, review, and perform on social media, attend conferences, get our names out there.

Where’s this extra writing time coming from?

Beggin for You To Like Me….

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facebook engancha
Man, this guys’ work is GOOD…. (Photo credit: facebook engancha, Wikipedia)

Okay, I admit it, I’m beggin’ for all your help!

I told myself I’d never do this, but it’s just not happenin’ as fast as I thought it would. Or maybe not so much “fast,” as…at all.

I got this Facebook page, see.

Only 19 “Likes.”

I’ve tried spreading the word by word of mouth, but even my mouth has limitations (yes, Dad, I know, hard to believe…).

You see, I thought I’d organically (isn’t that a cool term?) allow my FB page to grow as things progressed…not artificially asking people to, you know, please Like me, I’m so needy!…but, yes, it’s come to this, and I humble myself before you and pronate, prostrate, and whatever other -ate, and beg for you to like me.

Why?

Because I have low self-esteem?

An ego that needs bolstering?

I’m so unlikable I need reinforcement that I’m not?

Maybe.

But the real reasons are simple: 1) apparently, in the mode of Facebook I’ve subscribed into, the more Likes I get the more capability I get. I don’t know what those capabilities are…but I’m told they’re cool. And save the world. I haven’t signed up as a “regular” user, who can hop from FB page to page and Like the hell out of everyone’s pages. I’ve signed up at a biz/artist page. It has limitations I admit I, uh, like…but also I ask this because, 2) I am trying to gain more exposure for my work (not me, you see, but my work, my books…).

And if you like my page, you get to help save the world.

So, you see, it really isn’t about me. Not at all, nor my ego. It’s about saving the world and my stories. Couldn’t care less if you like me, just like my work. Please. I’m beggin you. My stories keep hammering me to be read by more and more of the world. They want world domination, and they’re not really very happy with me right now, cause I haven’t been promoting them enough (I’m tryin—I’m tryin!). After all, they, say, what’s the point of writing them, if no one’s gonna read them? Sure, I tell them I read you…over and over…I even make you better with each reading…I tend and care for you, polish you…whisper sweet nothings into your ears and nibble and stroke—well, that’s for another story. Anyway, it all falls on deaf ears. They want more…and they’re beginning to threaten.

I’m scared.

So, please…help a fellow out…visit my Facebook page and just click that little old button that says “Like,” or whatever. You know the drill. Maybe spread the word a little to your friends and colleagues…cats and dogs. Goldfish. Of course, if you just plain hate my efforts, I won’t force you into this, but if you have even a little interest in my work…’twould be greatly appreciated. If I then gain the ability to Like your pages, you can be dang sure I’ll visit and return the favor. And this’ll get my voices to back off to pursue more creative endeavors….

Thanks!

(Did the cat picture do it?)

Chain Reviews and World Conquest

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ERO (© 2013, F. P. Dorchak and Lon Kirschner)
ERO (© 2013, F. P. Dorchak and Lon Kirschner)

I had this idea while walking, yesterday, in the quickly growing darkness of our recent Daily Saving (not “savings“) time change:

Chain reviews.

Oh, and World Conquest.

I did an Internet search and didn’t find the term “chain reviews” there, so I’m going on record as coining the term, though I’m sure someone’s already thought of this. But, if not, here’s the idea:

I give you a free (signed) copy of one of my books (ERO  or The Uninvited) and you review it…and it can be a

The Uninvited (© F. P. Dorchak and Duvall Design)
The Uninvited (© F. P. Dorchak and Duvall Design)

single sentence or as long as you want, but, you have post it online (or elsewhere if you have methods…). Now, you can post it wherever you like, but I’d at least hope it would be on Amazon and Barnes and Noble—but, as I said, I’m not mandating where it has to be, just that it be posted somewhere for others to find it. Hopefully you would also send me back a link to said review, but I’m not gonna mandate that either. I am just looking to get reviews and put them “out there.” Then, according to my crazy scheme (henceforth herein referred to as “Evil Plan”), you (temporarily!) give your copy of the book to one other person, and have them do the same. When they’re done, they return your book back to you. That’s where the “chaining” comes in. Once they’ve posted their review, if they’d like their own signed copy, they can contact me for their own copy—or a copy of a different book of mine. So, theoretically, this would go on ad infinitum…but, I can’t give away free books ad infinitum, so I’ll have to limit this to the one “other person.” I’d like to see if this Evil Plan of mine can gain any traction and become “a thing.”

So. For now.  I’m limiting this “special offer” (aka “Evil Plan” or “Crazy Scheme”) to the first five who contact me for ERO and the first five who contact me for The Uninvited, and see how this goes. If it my Evil Plan “comes together,” I’ll consider additional campaigns—I mean installments (after all, all Evil Plans are to Take Over The World, and mine is no different…). Ignore that man behind the curtain, over there….

Oh, and it’s purely coincidental that my Evil Plan is initiated in November. Coincidence. Nothing more.

To get said free-and-signed-book, contact me at “fpdorchak at fpdorchak dot com” (use approved e-mail format, as in “blahblah@blahblah.com”).

Fine Print (read very fast and run all words together in one breath!): I have a limited supply of books to give away, so I cannot give any additional “chained” reviewers beyond the second reviewer, also known as the “book borrower,” free copies at this time. But stay tuned! And if anyone has already purchased a copy of any of my books, and would like it signed, also contact me at the above e-mail address, and I will autograph my Evil Signature upon said title page. With the date of said Evil Act. There’s nothing legal about any of this, just an Evil Plan hatched in the deranged mind of a deranged author trying to get by. Oh, and THANKS! :-]

You can use any book images you want from my posts.

We Talk Story, Yeah?

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English: Interesting Story
An Interesting Story (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Story.

Isn’t that what we’re really doing—writing stories, fictional or otherwise?

I read this article the other day, by Bob Mayer, and it really made me look at things differently! Bob’s got a lot to say in the post, but one of the things I came away with was that books are not the be-all, end-all. They’re a method to this madness, is all—and not the only method. Bob broke it down into three great lines (quoting from his post):

“Authors create stories and ideas.

Readers consume stories and ideas.

Everyone in between the two has to add value to that.”

What great insight!

What this means to me: I’ve been trying to get my work published through my agent by the traditionally published route. It hasn’t gone well. Over 4 years and not one sale. I never claim to be a Stephen King, Bob Mayer, James Patterson, or anyone else. I’m just little ol’ me, scribblin’ down my stories. But the point is, the traditional route isn’t working, and the traditional route is all about selling books. It’s not so much about selling stories. There’s an ever-so fine distinction there. It’s about the story and about picking different platforms, and all that goes with that. Mr. Mayer does a great job of it in his post, so I suggest reading it, but my point is that I’ve been resistant to trying the e-book only platform, having to admit to loving books, in and of themselves. I do, yes. As a reader. But as a writer, I’ve never been against any of the other platforms, like e-books. Just personally didn’t deal with them. My view has always been, if readers want to read on computer screens, smartphones, or tablets, more power to them!

So, I’m going to give this a shot. I’m going back over, for the umpteenth time in 12 years (I’ll post more about the long road in this novel’s journey once I get it out there), to my supernatural murder mystery, set in Gulf Cost Florida, and I’m going to publish it as an e-book. And I’m pretty dang sure I’m going to do it through Smashwords, but I’m still open to other ideas (I met Mark Coker last year, at the PPWC, and heard him speak; I was quite impressed with him and how he stood up to “Traditional Publisher Think,” or TPT—okay, I just made that up, on the spot, here, but feel free to use it!). And I’m pretty danged excited about it! This is a story that has been near and dear to me, on many levels, but, most importantly, it’s a story that’s important to me (or I’d never have stuck with it this far; I have given up on other manuscripts)…and one I think will entertain others, not to mention “get readers to thinking.”

So, let’s talk story, folks, and think differently about what it is we’re doing and how we’re doing it!

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