The Stories of Scott D. Southard

July 26, 2013

“A tale filled with horror…” An excerpt from MAXIMILIAN STANDFORTH AND THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS DARE (on sale!)
For a limited time, the new gothic, experimental, fun and odd novel, MAXIMILIAN STANDFORTH AND THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS DARE is on sale on amazon!

It can be found for the low price of $1.99 for eBook and $9.89 in paperback via this link.

Below is an exclusive excerpt from Chapter 1. Enjoy…

–

The Beginning of Chapter 1 – The Dreaded Invitation

It is with great trepidation and very little pleasure that I begin this next chapter in the life of the great Maximilian Standforth. For many long months I have debated with my soul and conscience on whether to share this work with you, faithful reader. But in these hard times, my wallet and empty stomach have forced me to share this chronicle no matter my misgivings. Yes, hard times have forced my unsteady hand and pen, but I will share no more of that now. It’s not important. If it comes, it will come later in these pages. For now, let me warn you of the morbid and sad tale ahead of you. This is a tale filled with horror, dark passages, ghostly apparitions, and deaths I would give my last shilling to forget. A tale, I am sad to say, that even tested the mind of one of our country’s greatest citizens…. The outcome of that test you will see shortly if you dare continue. (more…)
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July 24, 2013

The Necessary Humbling of Editing
A lot of fantasies, daydreams, and rainbows cloud the world of writing. It’s not surprising; actually completely natural since we spend so much of our time making up stories as writers, why wouldn’t we have stories about the stories?

Have you ever seen that scene in a TV show or movie in which a writer finishes a book or script? The writer may raise his hands in triumph over an old typewriter or do a little dance; then we as viewers are then jumped forward in time to their inevitable success.

We don’t see the struggle over getting the book out, finding an audience, working with an agent or publisher or, more importantly, editing. And, let’s be honest, editing is not as exciting as the victory dance of a finished book or the sparks of coming up with ideas around a first draft.

Like I said, it’s a fantasy, people. I have even been known to say to writers that much of the art around true writing happens in the editing. It is there a work is “finetuned,” perfected into a final piece. This year, I worked with a series of different editors. First for, my novel A Jane Austen Daydream (which was published by Madison Street Publishing) and then for my novel Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare.

So why do I love editing so much? Well, because I learned about its importance the hard way. Yes, I have an editing and writing horror story, and I am about to share it. Be prepared, this is about to haunt you like a poltergeist… a writing poltergeist. (more…)
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July 19, 2013

“Unstoppable Reading” New book giveaway and reviews for A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM
Running through August 9, there is a new book giveaway for A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM, but this one is different. One lucky reader will win an autographed copy of the novel. So if you have already read the ebook and enjoyed it, here is a chance to win one for the shelves. You can enter this fun giveaway here. Good luck!

This week there were quite a few new book reviews for A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM. For example, on Good Reads one reader (author Jeannie Walker) wrote in a 5-star review:

I like how this talented author, crafts his novel with Jane Austen spending her days writing and matchmaking until she goes to a ball that launches her into searching for her own romantic love. Scott D. Southard puts us into Jane’s world and right in the middle of the action with this well-written and carefully crafted novel… wonderful.

And here is an excerpt from a review on the blog Mom’s Time 2 Write-

I don’t know what I was expecting, but it has to be one of the best pieces of fiction I’ve read in a while. Scott D. Southard’s “A Jane Austen Daydream” had me at page one. He is a very gifted storyteller with the ability to bring you into the story quickly and keep you there. I felt every disappointment, triumph and tragedy. I literally could not put it down. And the twist at the end was written so well that it took a moment for me to realize what he’d done.

And finally on the blog Tricia’s Thoughts, the writer notes (in a review that does make me blush a little):

Don’t you just love it when you happen to come across THE BOOK that you want to devour, as though starving; yet at the same time, attempting to force yourself to slow down in order to savor every word, procrastinating that inevitable ending. I know that I have to have another book available to alleviate the feeling of loss.

I found it. My latest find, is A Jane Austen Daydream, is just that. I can’t remember finding one since The Help, that hit my over-the-top scale. I simply loved it. I have reviewed it, entered it in two book clubs to which I belong and given it to every reader I know!

A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM can be found on Amazon for the low price of 3.99 for eBook and print for 13.46 here.

You can learn more (interviews, reviews, excerpts, and other links for purchase around the world, etc.) via the A Jane Austen Daydream page on this site.
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July 11, 2013

“With a sharp knife.” Read an excerpt from the new A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM
“I consider this novel one of the best not only in regency era literature, but also in mainstream fiction.” -NovelTravelist.com

Today I am happy to share an excerpt from my new novel A Jane Austen Daydream. A Jane Austen Daydream is a re-imagining of Miss Austen’s life as a work of fiction, influenced more by her own novels than what reality decided to give her, filled with love, rogues, heartache, adventures and a lot of wit… as well as a few new post-modern literary surprises.

Published by Madison Street Publishing, it can be purchased in print and as an eBook for only $3.99 via amazon here.

–

From Chapter III of A Jane Austen Daydream

“Cassandra,” Jane sighed, “you must take part in the play. I could never dream of opening the curtain without you by my side. Charles and I put your name on the poster; the posters alone would be ruined.”

“Please, do not tease me like that, Jane. I do not dare be seen in public right now. I am uncertain what it will do to my heart. Can you imagine all the attention that we will get because of this dance?” As if expecting a crowd of onlookers to appear over the horizon, Cassandra looked behind herself to make sure that they still had privacy on their walk.

No matter how exaggerated Cassandra’s concerns, she did have a point, and it was for this reason that the two sisters made a pact not to travel into town for a full week. So on this day, they were on a hike, making sure to walk away from Steventon rather than towards it.

Cassandra almost tripped and Jane caught her.

“You will not be on the stage, dear sister,” Jane said, helping her sister to stand up. “Lady Hampton will be on the stage. You will be in character and Hampton is a wonderful character, if I can compliment my own writing. If it makes you feel better, I will be dressed as a man for most of my appearances. I was to wear a mustache, but I promised it to Charles.” (more…)
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July 9, 2013

“Wonderfully Artistic” “Clever” New Book Reviews!
More reviews are sprouting up on Amazon for both A Jane Austen Daydream and Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare, my two latest books.

A Jane Austen Daydream

This is one of those 5-star reviews an author can’t help but love. Bliss in just three sentences…

I didn’t really think I’d enjoy this book, perhaps thinking that no one could do justice to such a wonderful woman and insightful writer. However, I am pleased to say that I was wrong and that I enjoyed every word especially the twist at the end. How I’d love to think this was true.

A Jane Austen Daydream can be found on amazon.com here in both eBook and print.

Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare

If you want to be surprised by a new kind of book, this seems to be the work to check out.

There are numerous plot twists, especially as the story builds up to the climax. I did not see how the tale would end until it hit me in the face. The author writes a clever mystery novel, making good use of the gothic setting. The setting is haunting and the characters are endearing and likable, especially Bob Wordsworth and Maximilian Standforth.

Maximilian Standforth… is on sale for only $1.99 as an eBook and $10.99 in print on amazon.com here.
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July 5, 2013

“Genius or bonkers” Reviews and a sale (1.99) for Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare!
For a limited time, the eBook of my experimental mystery/thriller novel Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare is on sale! You can find it on amazon (here) for only $1.99!

So if you enjoyed my A Jane Austen Daydream recently and want to read more this holiday weekend or just want a new kind of book to read, why not check out this other new work?

Reviews are starting to come in for this fun and odd little novel. For example on amazon.com one reader wrote in a 5-star review titled “Couldn’t put it down”:

I really wasn’t sure what to expect since I’d never heard of Scott Southard, but I loaded it onto my Kindle and headed out the door to drive to my son to his orthodontist appointment. As you might imagine, normally I’d be excited when my son was done and we could go eat lunch, but this time I was disappointed. I was only about a third of the way through the book and didn’t want to put it down… a real page turner.

And there is this from a review on amazon.co.uk that begged the all-important question if the book is genius or bonkers:

I started this book expecting a Sherlock Holmes style mystery with a bit more humour and got so much more than I bargained for! Don’t be fooled by the first half of the book, it isn’t what you expect, and then it isn’t what you expect again! If you have read any Jasper Fforde, imagine him writing whilst tripping on acid.

You can find this surprising book on amazon.com here. (or on any Amazons on sale for that matter). If you want to learn more (or read an excerpt), please visit the page for the book on this site here.

I hope you have a nice weekend!
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July 3, 2013

Shock, Awe and a Call to Arms: A Writing Update
There are a few moments in my life I have been truly shocked.

Hearing my son cry for the first time (even though I was anticipating it) shocked me. Meeting my wife definitely turned my head. Getting into grad school at USC was a nice surprise… But this was a new one for me as an author.

This week Madison Street Publishing, the publisher of A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM, did a two-day free eBook promotion of that new book and… The numbers were extraordinary!

People from all over the world in just 48 hours jumped to grab my novel, bringing the total to… 7392.

7392!

Over 7000 people have found my book and may begin it; not all may finish it, of course, but the possibility is there. If these were sale numbers those two days could have dropped my book on lists I have only dreamed about approaching. (more…)
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July 1, 2013

Free eBook! The new book A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM is free for a limited time!
This July 1st and 2nd, the publisher of A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM is sharing it as a free eBook on amazon!

“I consider this novel one of the best not only in regency era literature, but also in mainstream fiction.” -NovelTravelist.com

The free eBook (for a very limited time) can be found on amazon.com here (http://amzn.com/B00CH3HQUU), in England here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CH3HQUU), and in Canada here (http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00CH3HQUU).

“If asked to sum up this book in one word, I would have to choose “unpredictable”… you will, in the end, be rewarded by a quick paced novel unlike any you can ever have read, which injects new ideas and possibilities into the world of Jane Austen.” -The Jane Austen Centre

Pick up your free copy today! Here is the description of the work from the back cover:

All her heroines find love in the end–but is there love waiting for Jane?

Jane Austen spends her days writing and matchmaking in the small countryside village of Steventon, until a ball at Godmersham Park propels her into a new world where she yearns for a romance of her own. But whether her heart will settle on a young lawyer, a clever Reverend, a wealthy childhood friend, or a mysterious stranger is anyone’s guess.

Written in the style of Jane herself, this novel ponders the question faced by many devoted readers over the years–did she ever find love? Weaving fact with fiction, it re-imagines her life, using her own stories to fill in the gaps left by history and showing that all of us–to a greater or lesser degree–are head over heels for Jane.

“…universally charming… a love letter to all of her novels… when we need a tale that makes us laugh and hope for love we read Austen. Now I will also read Southard. I hope you will too.” -AustenHill.com

And if you do take advantage of this very limited offer for A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM, please consider…
- Telling a friend
- Choosing it for your book club
- Writing a review or a blog post about it
- Suggesting it to your local library
- Tweeting about it, sharing it on Facebook, or recommending it on GoodReads
- Checking out my other new books, including the new MAXIMILIAN STANDFORTH AND THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS DARE (Available on amazon in print and eBook- just 3.99).
I would love for more readers to find the work. I am very proud of it and I believe it has something new and surprising for everyone, even those not inclined towards Miss Austen.

“This is a must read for any Jane Austen fan. And it’s a perfect summer read for anyone.” -Definitely Not for the Birds.
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June 29, 2013

“…perfect summer read.” New book review for A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM
The book review site Definitely Not for the Birds has just given a glowing review for my latest novel A Jane Austen Daydream! Here is an excerpt:

The tone of this novel goes hand in hand with the title – it is whimsical and lovely… much like what you’d expect from anything associated with a daydream.

There’s also wonderful passages that detail Jane Austen’s inspiration/dedication to her writing. These were my favorite parts. These parts also showcase the great respect that Southard has for Jane Austen and just for writers/the process of writing in general. It was wonderful.

This is a must read for any Jane Austen fan. And it’s a perfect summer read for anyone.

You can read the entire review here.

My new books A Jane Austen Daydream and Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare are both available on amazon.com right now.

You can find them via my author page on amazon here, available in print and eBook (just $3.99).
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June 27, 2013

New Interview on Clean Romance Reviews for A Jane Austen Daydream
Today there is an interview with me up at Clean Romance Reviews for A Jane Austen Daydream. In it, I dive into my writing, Jane Austen, blogging and even Disneyland. (Yes, I said, Disneyland.) Here is a snippet from the interview, my answer to the question “What is your favorite genre to read?”

One advice I give writers a lot (and I hope this is not seen as a cop out), but I think writers should read as many genres as they can, explore all possibilities. See, it is my opinion that the groundbreaking works in any genre, the ones people remember the most, are the ones that break the mold. To see new possibilities like that, a person has got to have an open mind not just of what to read, but of life in general. I like to think I did something like that with A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM, but time will tell.

You can read the entire interview here.

My new books A Jane Austen Daydream and Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare are both available on amazon.com right now. You can find them via my author page on amazon here, available in print and eBook (just $3.99).

I hope you enjoy the interview.
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