This and the Other Thing: A Writing Update

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Scott D. Southard

So this is my life right now.

I got this book. I can’t really talk about it. I mean, it’s still being created. It’s fresh, still new, like a babe. Let’s call it SB for Secret Book. This book has taken over a good part of my daily thoughts, and I’ve spent the last few evenings just working on it.

SB has also entered my dreams. No seriously, I’ve had two dreams with it and both moments ended up in the book.

This is the part of writing that I love about writing. The pure joy of creation, not being bogged down in marketing, query letters (to agents and publishers), etc. Just me and a blank piece of paper. Nothing but possibility.

The only thing I can compare the feeling to is back when I used to play jazz. For me it was the saxophone (alto and soprano), and there is this wild feeling of freedom once you know a song and its chords. That confidence that you are on this, you are in control and you can take the song wherever you want. There is pure improv possibility at that moment. It’s a flash of lightning, controlled energy.

That… right there, is what putting together a first draft feels like for me. And I’m in the midst of it. That is the smile on my face.

Hello. Continue reading →

Talking about new book Permanent Spring Showers with the Booknatics (and a book giveaway too!)

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Scott D. Southard

Today, I’m back on the Booknatics, this time being interviewed about my new novel Permanent Spring Showers!

In the interview we took on a lot of different topics, including A Jane Austen Daydream (and the idea of a sequel), other novels, and my love of music. It was a lot of fun, I hope you will chime in.

You can check out this new interview here: http://thebooknatics.blogspot.com/2015/03/interview-with-scott-d-southard-author.html

Last week, the Booknatics reviewed the new novel (which led to them asking for the interview) and it started a book giveaway. One lucky commenter will win an autographed copy. Visit and enter today. Thank Sky for the chance to talk to you and your followers!

Permanent Spring Showers was published by 5 Prince Books and is available on all online book retailers. Out in both print and eBook, you can find it on amazon.com here. The eBook is on sale for only $3.99.

You can read a sample and learn more about the book via this page.

The Booknatics give a standing ovation to the new novel Permanent Spring Showers! (A giveaway too!)

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Scott D. Southard

Okay, I am honestly loving this!

The Booknatics just gave a great review of my new novel Permanent Spring Showers. Here is an excerpt of what they say about the book:

What a ride this book was! I can honestly say it was an inspiring novel, and very unique! With a cast of lively, artistic characters and a spin so hard it will leave your eyes wide and jaw hanging until the very last word… Standing ovation to Mr. Southard for a brilliant piece of work!

You can check out the entire review here (I also agreed to give an interview on the site, which will appear next week).

Also, there is a book giveaway on the page of my new offering. One lucky reader will win an autographed copy of the work. Just visit the page for more info! The book giveaway on Julie Valerie’s website is still going on as well (only a few more days). You can check out her review and enter that one as well here.

Permanent Spring Showers was published by 5 Prince Books and is available on all online book retailers. Out in both print and eBook, you can find it on amazon.com here. The eBook is on sale for only $3.99.

You can read a sample and learn more about the book via this page on the site.

“…head over heels” An Interview With The Booknatics About A Jane Austen Daydream

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Scott D. Southard

Recently, I had the pleasure to be interviewed by The Booknatics about my new book A Jane Austen Daydream. They also shared some of their thoughts on the work, which I found very flattering. You can read the interview and their thoughts on my latest novel here.

Here is part of my reply to a question about the process of creating the book:

Honestly, it took many years before I even had the courage to write the book! For a long time, A Jane Austen Daydream was my Mount Everest, and I would jump to any other project than take it on. It was my wife that argued for me to get on with it, believing wholeheartedly in the project and idea. She definitely earned the dedication in it! I read a few biographies, of course, but I wanted Jane’s own stories and words to direct the plot and the characters and the dialogue. So while I have people from her actual life in it, when it came to mapping the book out, it was definitely more fiction than fact in the end. And then I had to put some of my own plot points in so even the Austenites would be surprised.

(On a side note, one of the fun questions I had to answer was who I would cast to play Jane Austen if the book was ever made into a TV mini-series or a movie. While I am still happy with the two actresses I reference in the article, I want to add a new name; my new first choice for Jane- Catrin Stewart. For those that watch Doctor Who, she plays Jenny Flint and definitely would make a phenomenal Miss Austen.)

You can read the interview here. If you would like to learn more about A Jane Austen Daydream, you can do so on this page for the book (here). A Jane Austen Daydream is available via Amazon (here), where you can find it for the low price of $3.99 for eBook and $13.46 for print.