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Welcome [clyons] Tee Morris is the author of “Billibub Baddings”, “Legacy of Morevi,” the sequel to “Morevi”: The chronicles of Rafe and Askana, coauthored with Lisa Lee, Fantasy Writer’s series and more. Tee, please introduce yourself. [Tee] Yes. 2005 has been a busy, busy year. Okay...I started writing professionally (by accident) in 2002 with MOREVI...then came BILLI, LEGACY, and the FANTASY WRITER'S series. This year, I'm also writing PODCASTING FOR DUMMIES, and my dream gig…participant in FARSCAPE FOREVER: Sex, Drugs, and Killer Muppets. [clyons] Before we open for questions tell us a little about Billi and Legacy. [Tee] Whew.... How do I sum this up!? BILLIBUB BADDINGS AND THE CASE OF THE SINGING SWORD is...in a nutshell...The Lord of the Rings written by Mickey Spillane. (And here's the pitch...) LEGACY OF MOREVI is the sequel to MOREVI, and both books, I think are Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon...meets Pirates of the Caribbean. Although LEGACY has got a flavoring of THE EMPIRE STIKES BACK in there. I try to sum up my books in quick one line pitches, because with SO MANY books out there in this genre you need attention getters. These one-line pitches work great for readers, agents, and other publishers. And there it is. [stan] are your books all with the same publisher and how long did it take to get the first one published? [Tee] All of my fiction and the FW series are with Dragon Moon Press. Wiley Press does FOR DUMMIES and FARSCAPE is with Ben Bella. But I wrote MOREVI in 1999 with Lisa Lee, and we shopped around and rewrote between 2000 and 2001. We signed the contract in 2001, and then May, 2002, MOREVI rolled off the presses. This is a pretty quick turnaround. And had I wanted to hold out for a larger press, I would have probably waited a bit longer, but going with the indie press and Dragon Moon (http://www.dragonmoonpress.com) felt right. Dragon Moon ( http://www.dragonmoonpress.com ) follows the same distribution as the larger presses, but we don't have the same coverage, and we don't do mass market paperback. Apart from that, it's the same channels, but more people are hearing about Dragon Moon through my con appearances. [Dave_M] Hi Tee, do you use an agent? [Tee] I've got an agent for my computer books. Agents can be very hit or miss. As far as my fiction goes. I've been rejected by the best. ;) But without an agent, the jump to a big press will be harder. [clyons] Billibub. Great character, fascinating concept. What inspired this? [Tee] BILLI was inspired by Leonard Nimoy. You see, I was driving to a rehearsal...and I heard for the first time Leonard Nimoy singing "the Ballad of Bilbo Baggins." This song, if you've not heard it, is painful. And if you think that's scary, go to my website. I have a link to the VIDEO! ( http://www.teemorris.com/billi/ ) Anyway, I was singing along with it...and the name "Billibub Baddings" popped into my head...followed by.... "the Case of the Singing Sword" and the line "Chicago 1929. There are a thousand stories in the naked city, and when you're a dwarf and four-foot-one, they all look that much taller." [Dave_M] How much promotion do you do, and what kind? [Tee] I do as much promotion as possible (although Lai is right..."apart from walking naked through the streets, anything goes!") But both Big and Small Presses really give little (if any) promotion, so it falls on the author to tell people "Hey, I've got a book." I do postcards for bookstores (Bon has seen those before...), and most recently I did a podcast of MOREVI. The podcast was huge hit, and a great promo for Legacy. I also set up a few Cafe Press stores. I get little if any cash from them...but it is cool to have sweatshirts and mousepads with cover art. Interviews and reviews I tend to request. Some places are very accommodating, others not so much. But promotion is key in world domination. I'm conquering the world...one book at a time. [stan] you inform people through your website? and what is a podcast? [Tee] that's another big thing that authors, old and new, need to have -- a good website. To design a BASIC website...$50/hour. Work in Javascript or Flash, $100/hour and a homepage and content can take 4-8 hours, depending on the webmaster's skill. Find out about Podcasting at www.teemorris.com [Snitchcat] What long distance marketing advice would you give someone who's on a shoestring budget? [Tee] *LOL* [Tee] Okay, for those of you who don't know Lai and I worked together in FW Companion...Lai's in Hong Kong, China! For people on a shoestring and a different country (or just alot of distance) A website is key. And podcasting (which is VERY easy to do on a budget of $0) is a GREAT avenue to explore. And any writer's groups either online or inyour libraries is a great opportunity. Libaries love authors. They need the press and circulation, and we need a place to work with the public. [Telcontar] At StellarCon in March, you mentioned The Book of American Slang or something. What is the actual title of that book? I'd love to find a copy for myself, but it's kinda hard without the title. :) [Tee] I'll go one better….http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/006270107X/qid%3D1 075465737/sr%3D2-1/ref%3Dsr%5F2%5F1/104-0169368-6643911 This is the book: The Dictionary of American Slang. (3rd Edition) [Telcontar] hey! awesome! [Tee] And i hope you enjoyed Stellarcon. I hope they invite me back for #30. What a weekend!!! [Telcontar] had a blast at StellarCon! But that short storm-trooper was right. You do have this thing about completing a story! lol :p [stan] if you were to lay out marketing plan what essentials would you include? [Tee] Well, a marketing plan (which Dragon Moon asks for) should outline how you intend to sell and promote your book. You would be amazed how many people, big and small press, expect books to sell themselves. It doesn't work that way anymore. 1. Target SF/F cons in your area. "Your area" defined how far you want to travel, and how much you can afford. 2. Target bookstores and libraries, particularly ones with SF/F groups and writing groups, in your area. They love guests. 3. Target "unconventional" signng opportunites. Book festivals, renaissance festivals, craft fairs, etc. 4. LEARN HOE TO WRITE A PRESS RELEASE!! 5. LEARN HOW TO TYPE IN A CHAT ROOM! (LOL) And be ready to get rejections. From bookstores, libraries, and other venues. I'm an award-nominated author, and I still get the door slammed in my face. My feelings: Their loss. [clyons]You attend a lot of con's and they can be expensive. Are you now an invited guest at some? [stan] con's? [Tee] Conventions. And as far as "Stormtrooper Sheckie" is concerned, I'v enever laughed so fracking hard! When invited to a con, I usually am offered a membership...and that's it. You learn how to cut costs. I tend to pair up with Tony Ruggerio, a friend of mine who is a terrific writer. We split the cost of a room. Driving versus flying. Another cost factor. And then, i can make things worthwhile if I do bookstore signings in the area. But cons can be expensive...and cons usually offer comped hotel room to HEADLINER guests only. I've only had that offer (a comped room) a few times, but that's rare. I know authors who ask for it, and will (or won't) attend a con because of it. I don't want to have that reputation...but if a con offers, I work even harder. And as some of you can attest, I work hard at cons. I can always get a chunk of my expenses back, come tax time! [Tee] (Hey, we've been going for an hour-and-a-half...I'm cool with going longer if you all are! lol ) [Telcontar] <passes Tee another piece of pie and the last of the ice cream> Sounds good to me, 'puter seems to be holding up okay [clyons] Great! Thanks, Tee. World building? Legacy and Billi both blend reality, through history and fantasy worlds, this smooth blending between them is one of the things I admire and enjoyed most in both. How hard was it to keep yourself and your reader balanced between them? [Tee] Well, if I were writing urban fantasy or alternate history, it would have required a different approach...but with both BILLI and MOREVI (both books) I couldn't "ignore" the fantasy elements. I have in LEGACY for example the Spanish becoming allies with Spain. I note the uneasiness and uncertainty some Spanish subject have with that. In BILLI, I sum it up with a quote from Capone: "You're shorta dan I thought." There's a prejudice there needing to be addressed. So along with religion and romance, don't turn your back on that. Show the "adjustment" of the real world with fantasy. And remember the inverse. In MOREVI, there is a term called "Otherworlder" -- it's a term used for people from our world who have crossed the Rift into Naruihm. (Morevi's world.) [clyons] Well hats off again for the transitioning that keeps a foot in both worlds rather than a tightrope walk for balance between. [Raicara] How do you plot your novels? [Tee] I usually start with an idea, and then roll with it. I usually have an idea how I want the story to end, but I leave myself open to options. I think writing, if it's an adventure for the author, will also be an adventure for the reader. Writing for a mystery is a bit more detailed, but the MOREVI books are good fun! [Snitchcat] What turned you onto podcasting initially? [Tee] The Dragon Page ( http://www.dragonpage.com ) These guys were my first radio interview, and they started podcasting last year when Gwen Gades (my publisher) told me to brainstorm on a creative promotion for LEGACY, I was listening to DP and other shows and then i thought "How about podcasting a novel?" It was a bit of hard work ...but I was having a LOT of fun with character voices, SFX, and the podcasting community. I was the first to begin this and then, two other authors podcast their novels. We now have www.podiobooks.com and a new fan base! [Snitchcat] Cool. Cheers. [clyons] Very cool. [Tee] :) And the feedback fro the podcast has been incredible, and MOREVI was first "podiobook" to be reviewed by www.SFFAudio.com So no complaints. [clyons] Okay, now I have to ask, you are doing the Farscape thing, so just how long to I have to wait for the sequel of Legacy? [Tee] I'm still working out the writing schedule (FARSCAPE's article is done...so that's out of the way. Right now, the FOR DUMMIES book is a priority), but i'm hoping for a new BILLI in 2006, and MOREVI in 2007 [clyons] Okay, I guess I can wait that long...And I look forward to Billi's new adventure. He reminds me a bit of Solomon, one of my characters. I fell in love with Billi, he doesn't wake me up at night complaining, LOL [Tee] I can tell you this much about BILLI's next book. the title: Billibub Baddings and The Case of the Pitcher's Pendant" and you can guess Billi's love for baseball is going to come out to play! Sorry for the wait...but I promise to make it worthwhile. [clyons] I have no doubt. [Tee] Thanks! :D [Telcontar] awwww.... I guess we'll _have_ to wait that long. [Tee] I know, I know. "DANG IT, TEE, WRITE FASTER!!!" *whip* [Telcontar] You got it! One of my other favorite authors reminds his readers at the beginning of his books that "A full-course me takes longer to cook than to consume." Which is true, but still. [Raicara] There have been two Farscape Novels that I know of, don't think they did well. Would you write one? [Tee] Oh...Gale...yeah, I actually STARTED a FS novel. [Raicara] Darn, so finish it allready *whip* [Tee] I would love to finish it, but I don't think there is a demand from it. (And I do find it funny] I know one of the FS novel-authors who said and I quote: "David Kemper bowed before me and said "You KNOW your FS..." and yet I've heard VERY lukewarm things about the FS novels.) But if offered, yes, I would finish it and hope it would be a hit...but Tor doesn't seem to have any interest in FS tie-in's. [Raicara] lol Yea, I bought both. They were ok. But nothing seemed to come of them. [Tee] [Raicara] I know the ST took a while to take off. I was hoping for the same for FS. [Telcontar] I'm ignorant. What's Farscape? [Tee] i think it rests on how well the BB retrospective does, and if Tor wants to do more. www.watchfarscape.com One exceptional SF TV show! [clyons] Stan, we will take your question and then let our very gracious and informative author return to his writing. [Tee] Or take a nap! (been tending to Serena through most of this.) [stan] is there any infrigment between your farcape novels and the tv show? [Tee] Meaning what? Do I take liberties? [stan] no do you use the characters and such? [Tee] Well, media tie-in's (covered in the FW COMPANION -- www.teemorris.com/companion should be continuing adventures with the characters and they are commissioned by the series and endorsed. Otherwise, it's fanfic. My own FS novel is a story idea that came to me while watching FS... [stan] aaaaah i see [clyons] I met Lee Goldberg, screenwriter for Diagnosis Murder, Missing at the book festival a couple of years ago, he was contracted for Diagnosis Murder books, probably similar. [Tee] but as there are no new FS novels, it will probably not see daylight. I would love to write for a series like FSin particular, the new Stargate (with FS's ben Browder in the lead) or the new Battlestar, but media tie-in's are novels that are TOUGH to write. I've never done one, but I'd love the chance. Maybe one day. [clyons] Tee, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful imagination, adventures, and information with us. We hope you will agree to join us again. [Tee] It was my pleasure...not to mention a REALLY good time!!! :) All I need is an invite, Gale! :D [Telcontar] A completely good time, to be precise. :D [clyons] Thanks Tee!! Visit Tee at www.teemorris.com |
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LEGACY OF MOREVI Book one of the Arathellean Wars “Askana Moldarin had thought her lover’s acclimation to Morevi would be easier. After all, he had rallied the people to her side, helped repel the Eyrieners at the gates of Songkusai, and rescued Morevi’s Queen from a revenge that spawned the darkest of magic. As a result her nation was still rejoicing in a “new dawn” of prosperity that, some prayed to the Great Mother, would know no end.” Rafe Rafton, admired, feared Captain of the Defiant, did not regret his choice to cross the Rift to this strange world of magic, creatures of nightmare, and female rule. Most of the time. His contributions to their victory, their freedoms, their lives meant little to the Ladies of the Blood who did not hide their disdain and animosity toward the consort of the First Queen. For Askana, Rafe put up with it, but that disdain and animosity spilled over to and influenced his own daughter, Ahstari. Even Askana’s love could not thaw the cold of dejection caused by his daughter’s continued refusal to accept him. And now her defiance and refusal, and a dark secret from Askana’s past will test them, their relationship, and all of Rafe’s and Askana’s skills and strength. An invitation from Morevi’s allies, the Elves of Arathelle, dark secrets, a conspiracy spanning worlds, and revenge, cast Rafe and Askana into a battle against the creatures of the Southern Wood, back onto the decks of the Defiant to brave another Rift crossing, and against the magic of the Elves, at its most dark and primitive, in both worlds, to save their child, themselves and Morevi. In our modern world, tales of sorcery and magic, the mystical and powerful, ancient religions and legends passed down through the ages of every culture have shifted to the shelves of children’s fairytales. Author Tee Morris blends these legends and stories and shifts them back to adult adventure across time and space and genre. Legacy of Morevi sails through the “Rift” of imagination and fantasy to become for the reader an alternate reality of swashbuckling, magical adventure. True to code of honor of the Arthurian Legends, Morris gives his readers characters of the same dimensional reality that have fueled the long search and debate of literary and historical scholars: Are those legends truth or fiction? Tee Morris has the gift of the storyteller and maybe just a bit of sorcery. For a few entertaining suspense filled hours, under his spell, Morevi, Arathelle, the Defiant, and the reign Henry VIII became my reality. I crossed the “Rift” of disbelief without feeling the ripple of suspension. The plot hums beneath the surface of rich characterization, dialogue, and action. The timeline straddles time and worlds, with the same balance Rafe strides the decks of a storm tossed ship. The magic tingles the spine and terrifies. The story pulled me into the very human emotional struggles of Rafe and Askana’s life, and yanked me into battles against inhuman creatures and magic. Cross the Rift of imagination. Step onto the decks of the Defiant. Escape into the world of Naruihm with Tee Morris’ Legacy of Morevi: Book One of the Arathellean Wars. It’s magic time! Reviewed by: Charlene Austin |
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An E-ticket adventure for any fan of the hard-boiled mystery, fantasy, or action packed thriller. “The name is Billibub Baddings. I’m a private eye. I know you’re probably scratching your noggin right now wondering how the hell did a dwarf of the Highlands of Gryfennos get to be a detective walking the asphalt jungles of the Windy City?” The plan was simple; take the Talisman’s of Acryonis and toss them through the Portal of Kraketia. And despite the Black Orc’s on their tail and the battle raging around him, Captian Billibub Baddings of the “Stormin’ Scrappies” is doing a fine job of it, until he gets too close and finds himself being sucked in, out, through, to another time and world. Chicago. Gangland. Capone’s world. The underworld of speakeasy’s during prohibition.The wild “Roaring Twenty’s.” Where is a four-foot-one dwarf going to fit in this world? Well it ain’t hiding out in the library living off the lunches of the staff. And if you are a Highland Warrior it is not playing Waldorf, protector of Munchkinkind, though the money helps. Billi “hocks a few tools of the soldiers trade” and Badding’s Investigations opens for business. It’s a slow month. His secretary, Miranda, deserves a raise, but if he is even going to make expenses and pay her current salary, he figures he might just have to ring up Harv at the talent agency and pull out Waldorf again. He is contemplating just that when in walks “Lady Trouble.” Julia Lesinger is the daughter of one of Chicago’s elite families. Billi knows she, and this crazy case, is trouble with a capital T. But “Lady Trouble” isn’t asking him to finger Capone for the hit on her boyfriend, “Pretty Boy DeMayo,” just find out why he took the hit. The five C-notes tossed on the desk, and the discovery he has tossed one of those Acryonis talisman’s into the middle of Chicago: Gangland; Capone’s world; make it his trouble. Does Billi have the “humbrimaz (Dwarven word for chutzpah)” to go against Capone, Malone, the Lesinger’s and Rothchilds, Chicago’s not so finest, the Department of Treasury, the Department of War, and save his new home from destructive powers of the Singing Sword? “It’s an easy story to tell.” That sentence follows the initial quote used in this review, but this reviewer takes her hat off to author Tee Morris for pulling off the rich blend of cross genre adventure in “Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword.” Using an amazing talent for metaphor, Morris blends the fantasy of Tolkien with the mystery of Spillane, spicing it up with the humor of Gary K. Wolf. He brings to life with amazing visual clarity the Lord of the Rings, Tolkien-like home of his hero, while keeping the reader and Billi firmly planted on the path of cleverly crafted clues in “the asphalt jungle of the Windy City.” Billi blows into reality with a gusty, gutsy, humor that dares you to maintain your balance in this edge-of-your-seat, mystery, fantasy, thrill ride. If you like mystery, fantasy, thrillers or, like me, enjoy them all, if you have the “humbrimaz,” and love those E-ticket thrill rides, you’ll enjoy taking the plunge with Billi from the Highlands of Gryfennos on Acryonis to the streets of Chicago. Join Billi and pit your wits against Capone, the cops, the men in suits, troublesome dames, and the magic in this “untouchable” daring adventure into imagination from author Tee Morris. Visit Tee at www.teemorris.com Reviewed by: Charlene Austin |
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