The Stories of Scott D. Southard

February 26, 2013

“Compelling… Fascinating… Original.” A new review for MY PROBLEM WITH DOORS
The Voracious Reader has reviewed my novel MY PROBLEM WITH DOORS. This is what she said about the book:

This is a most compelling book. It pulls you in to a fascinating concept from the beginning. Jacob at the age of three goes through the door of his bedroom to another time and place. This starts him on a life long journey through time as another door opens time and time again. He has many trials and few good times. He finds his Love only to lose her as another door opens to another time and place. He finds many dangers. The author does an excellent job of working great historical detail into Jacobs life. From his influence on Lord Byron and the poet Shelley to the events on September 11 at the world trade center. It is a fascinating and original concept. I give this book 5 stars.

You can read the review on the Voracious Reader here.

My PROBLEM WITH DOORS is available in print via amazon.com here and as an eBook via Google Play here.
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February 23, 2013

Cool! A Review & Interview For My Novel MEGAN
Recently, writer and blogger S.M. Nystoriak reviewed my novel MEGAN. This is how she described MEGAN in her review:

A blend of whimsical fantasy and modern day reality, Southard’s writing takes the reader through Megan’s life. Megan, the character, is unhappy with the lot she has been given in her modern day life, and she escapes into her imagination at will to the World of Prosperity, where she is Princess Megan, and has a whole fantasy world at her disposal. Much like Alice’s world of Wonderland, Southard has created the World of Prosperity, where the sun battles the moon for control on a daily basis, and the inhabitants of Prosperity have unique problems all their own.

I am very impressed with how Mr. Southard has interwoven the two world’s of Megan. It is very artfully crafted with vivid descriptions. I enjoyed it!

Afterwards, Nystoriak asked if I would give an interview about the book for her website Writer’s Block. In the interview, I discuss my history as a writer, my books and my inspiration for this novel. You can read it here.

I hope you will check out the interview and consider reading my novel. It can be found in print via amazon.com and as an eBook on Google Play (which will work on all eReaders).

Thanks for reading!
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February 19, 2013

Re-Posted: Pete the Cat Review
I just found this e-mail in my Facebook message box:

“Hi Scott. Thanks for you outstanding review of the Pete the Cat picture books. It was one of the best I have read. I really appreciate it. Be Well, Eric”

Moments like that are the reason I love having a blog.

The Stories of Scott D. Southard

I have always been allergic to cats, which means my relationship to them has been one of avoidance for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, most cats do not know our little “arrangement,” and seem to seek me out, enjoying the little sufferings that they cause me as I sniffle and cough at their mere presence.

Each time this occurs, the cat owner will laugh and tell me how cats always seek out the one with allergies, the one showing them the least interest. They always seem amused by this idea; me, I have always have seen it as something more sinister. Yes, I might giggle out loud but inside I am preparing for the possibility of feline confrontation.

Okay, let me clarify, I don’t think cats want my downfall, nothing like that; I simply think cats know they have some power over me and relish in it.

Finally…

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January 23, 2013

“Definitely a classic read with a humourous touch, well done!”
An interesting new review for A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM has appeared on The Jane Austen Centre.

In many ways it is “real-time” review (here) as a very well-read Austenite goes through the book almost chapter by chapter (she even calls me cheeky!). A lot of the clash of history versus fiction in the book is discussed and for her as an Austenite it was a little distracting seeing the very intentional differences (which to me is understandable, since I’m dipping into new fictional territory here, re-imagining a life as something very new), but the end says it is a “a classic read with a humourous touch, well done!”

Please be aware! There are a A LOT OF SPOILERS in the review, including the big twist in the book.

–So read this at your own warning!–

You can learn more about the book, read interviews and excerpts, and find links where to get it via the A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM page here.
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January 17, 2013

“A witty, moving, imagining of the life of Jane Austen”
A new review is online for my novel A Jane Austen Daydream. This time done by the Capital Area District Library in Michigan.

You can read the review here: http://www.cadl.org/books-movies/recrev/2013/southardjane.html/

And if you are interested in learning more, checking out interviews and excerpts, and finding out where to buy it in print ($9.99) and eBook ($4.99), please visit my A Jane Austen Daydream page here.
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January 14, 2013

Pete the Cat is the Only Cat I Like
I have always been allergic to cats, which means my relationship to them has been one of avoidance for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, most cats do not know our little “arrangement,” and seem to seek me out, enjoying the little sufferings that they cause me as I sniffle and cough at their mere presence.

Each time this occurs, the cat owner will laugh and tell me how cats always seek out the one with allergies, the one showing them the least interest. They always seem amused by this idea; me, I have always have seen it as something more sinister. Yes, I might giggle out loud but inside I am preparing for the possibility of feline confrontation.

Okay, let me clarify, I don’t think cats want my downfall, nothing like that; I simply think cats know they have some power over me and relish in it.

Finally, able to put a human in its place—that has to be the thought—as they rub against my legs, crawl up on my lap, or rub against my arm. Leaving their fur everywhere they can, knowing that I will have to wash everything when I get home.

Little bits and pieces of torture with fur. (more…)
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December 28, 2012

First Reader Review for A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM!
The first reader review for my novel A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM is on amazon! I couldn’t be more thrilled.

I’ve yet to find an author who is as adept as Mr. Southard at imitating voice. Reading this was like reading Jane Austen – and I’m a huge Jane Austen fan. I think she’d be pleased, too.
This story weaves fact and fiction effortlessly. I love the pace, the form and obvious admiration the author has for the subject. This is not your typical book, yet it’s eclectic nature is its draw. I can’t say more without a spoiler. Sometimes we just need a happy ending.
I highly recommend this book to Austen fans.

The print and eBook version are both available on amazon right now. You can find them here via my author page: http://www.amazon.com/Scott-D.-Southard/e/B002EDX5VC/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
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December 11, 2012

First Review for A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM!
From Dan Wiggs, author of The Jane Austen Travel Guide:

This book made me smile. The closing pages of a Jane Austen biography always reduce me to tears, what with her singular failure to find love and her horrible illness and early death. This book takes the opportunity to dream her up the romance we are not sure she ever had. Do not come here looking for historical or biographical accuracy; these are not its concern. It is, as its title makes clear, a daydream, a lighthearted flight of fancy, intended to amuse and distract. Watch out also for the many references to her novels, which are like a puzzle, challenging you to recognize where they are taken from.

I hope you will check it out:
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August 1, 2012

Book Review: Superman by Larry Tye
I am the father of a four-year old obsessed with superheroes. And while I am always a little nervous that all of these characters seem to have fathers that meet untimely ends (How can a dad not squirm at that thought?), I have no problem playing with his toys with him and watching his shows.

This late-in-life dip into superheroes has come up with some fun discoveries for me—like GraphicAudio’s amazing radio dramatization of comic books, which I discuss here and here—as I become more and more an unintentional expert in the field of all things with capes.

Superman by Larry Tye is a wonderfully-written nonfiction account of the history of Superman from his birth to most recent times. The book is expansive, not happy with merely talking about his creators or the interesting actors that have portrayed him over the years; showing all of the impacts that the character has had on our society (religion, culturally, etc.) and his own changes as he evolves and gets retooled again and again for new generations.

This is not a simple or playful introduction, but a celebration of an icon and all of the people that made his flight possible. (more…)
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July 19, 2012

Book Review: Summer Morning, Summer Night by Ray Bradbury
Since the passing of Ray Bradbury, I’ve been re-reading his books (or reading ones for the first time), trying to find a lost classic, a gem I had not discovered before.

So far I have reviewed three of his books (Something Wicked This Way Comes, From the Dust Returned and The Halloween Tree). This review is on Summer Morning, Summer Night, published in 2008.

–

I have attempted to write this review three different times. Frankly, this difficulty is because I am uncertain what kind of a book Summer Morning, Summer Night by Ray Bradbury is exactly attempting to be.
- Is it a sequel to the great Dandelion Wine and the embarrassingly bad Farewell Summer?
- Is it a collection of unpublished short stories?
- Is it new work?
- It is old work?
- Is it an insight into Ray Bradbury’s notebook? A collection of unfinished ideas and unused snippets?
The frustrating answer is yes and no to all of my questions.

The best way I have discovered to explain this book is to think of your favorite CD. You know how artists will sometimes include an additional CD in a boxset? It might include demos, songs that were cut from the album, and early versions of the songs you love? Well, in many ways, Summer Morning, Summer Night is that additional CD for Bradbury, and like one of those collections there is good and bad, and a little of everything within it. (more…)
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