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The Stories of Scott D. Southard

  • In Jerry’s Corner
  • A Jane Austen Daydream
  • Permanent Spring Showers
  • Megan
  • Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare
  • The Dante 3
  • Me Stuff
  • Man Behind the Curtain
  • July 3, 2013

    Shock, Awe and a Call to Arms: A Writing Update

    This is me as a duck in a hatThere 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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  • June 29, 2013

    “…perfect summer read.” New book review for A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM

    A Sketch of JaneThe 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.

    A Jane Austen DaydreamMy 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

    Jane AustenToday 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.

    A Jane Austen DaydreamMy 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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  • June 21, 2013

    “Twisted” A new 5-star review for my book Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare

    Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare, CoverMaximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare has been out for over a week, and reviews are starting to come in from readers. Today, I received this 5-star review on Amazon and Good Reads from Author Jodi Woody:

    My first taste of author Scott Southard was through his book “A Jane Austen Daydream”, which I loved, so I don’t know what I was really expecting from this book. Not at all like Jane Austen. This book proved to me the writing skill of Mr. Southard! I believe the man has quite the imagination, albeit a twisted one. Maximilian Standforth is a mystery in the likes of Sherlock Holmes, but with a case that, possibly, even he couldn’t solve. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and give it 5 stars.

    You can also read this review via her writing website here.

    Both of my new novels Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare and A Jane Austen Daydream can be found on Amazon in print and in eBook format for the same price of $3.99. You can find links to both via my author page on amazon here.

    I hope you enjoy my books as well!

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  • June 20, 2013

    Welcome Aboard! 700 Followers Strong…

    Star WarsHowdy!

    Just a quick dispatch to say greetings and hello to my 700th new blog follower! I’m really honored that so many have decided to follow my little rants (scary sounding)… I mean, editorials (no, that sounds boring)… commentaries here (yeah, let’s go with that one). Every time I get a follower, it means something to me. It really does. It is an honor, plain and simple.

    Thank you.

    Also, I hope by digging my writing, you will consider checking out my novels. My fiction has always been the driving force in my writing, my passion, and with two new books out they are never far from my mind. Both A Jane Austen Daydream and Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare can be found on amazon in print and eBook. I hope you will check them out soon (here) and maybe even tell a friend… or your book club… or a hundred friends.

    Cheers! (And may the force be with you.)

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  • June 18, 2013

    The Others and the Extras: The Importance of Secondary Characters

    A Minor CharacterOh, the lament of the poor minor character!

    Pushed to the sidelines, knowing full well that they are not the focus of the story.

    Love is probably not in the cards for them. They are the ones injured in the line of duty or acting as living joke. Characters created merely to be a soundboard for the main characters, or something for the reader to compare the main character to in the universe of the story. A tool, nothing more.

    It would be a thankless life, I am sure, if they were real. Probably spent at the refreshment table, trying not to fall asleep as they wait for their big moment in the sun. And then the scene arrives, there are a few quick jokes, maybe a heart-to-heart and then they are back at the table, once again snacking on one too many cookies.  Waiting… always waiting.

    Everything about the secondary character revolves around the main character. An existence built solely around another’s experiences. Even if a secondary character dies, it is a moment for the main character to reflect upon their own life decisions… unless they are an evil secondary character than usually they are left on the floor somewhere, discarded, a bloody remain for someone else to find later (but we never read about or see that bit in movies or television).

    Yet, for me, the secondary characters are important; because like a missed plot point, an awkward description, or a writing oops, they have the power to rip me out of a story, leaving me on the sidelines of a tale just like them. (more…)

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  • June 16, 2013

    Thank you readers! I hope you enjoy Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare!

    Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare, CoverLast night the free eBook promotion for my new book Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare came to an end. I am happy to report that 544 readers decided to take a gamble on my crazy new adventure. I could not be more pleased.

    Thank you readers! I hope you each enjoy my book.

    If you do dig my new book why not consider…

    • Checking out one of my other novels? The reviews have all been phenomenal for the new A Jane Austen Daydream and the eBook is only 3.99. It can be found on amazon here. There are also eBooks available for My Problem With Doors and Megan, both can be found via Good Play here.
    • Writing a review or a blog post about the work.
    • Buying one of my books for a friend or family member.
    • Including it in your local book club (the print version is only around 10 dollars and also on amazon).
    • Telling your local library.

    In today’s over-congested writing world it is all about word of mouth. (And, honestly, there is only so far a writer can shout from their blog or twitter account.) One reader telling another reader who tells another reader… We are all part of that chain.

    I hope you enjoy your visit to the strange McGregor Castle!

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  • June 14, 2013

    Free eBook, New Reviews, a Guest Post, and a New Book!

    This has been a really fun week. With the release of my new novel Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare, there has been a lot going on. Let’s star with new Max news, before Austen…

    Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare

    Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare, CoverFor only a little longer, Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare is a FREE eBook on amazon.com. This is not just for the US Amazon, but also Canada and the UK! So if you are interested, this is the best time. The special ends on June 15 (where it will return to the low price of 3.99 for eBook and about $10 for print). You can find it on amazon here: http://amzn.com/B00CXSDEBE

    Now those who read my blog could probably sense I was a little nervous about how people would react to this book. I use the word “experimental” and I mean it. I am doing something very unique here. Well, the first reader review has emerged on GoodReads. And to my great relief it is 5-stars! Here is a quote from it:

    It is beautifully written. It reminded of these old fashion books I read as a child, that I used to read hiding from my parents and books that I understood without understanding them. Complicated I know but it is how I felt when I finished The Case of the Dangerous Dare (and dangerous, it was, believe me).

    And remember you can read an excerpt from the book as well as learn about it via my posts on the Max page (here). I hope you will check it out.

    A Jane Austen Daydream

    A Jane Austen DaydreamOver the last day a new 5-star review has come out on amazon for A Jane Austen Daydream. I love this review. It is the kind that can make an author smile for days. Here are some excerpts:

    Mr. Southard is an expert at writing in such a fashion as to induce feelings of hate, love, joy, sadness, and righteous fury. I wept, I laughed (out loud, scaring my cats, no doubt), I talked back at the characters making foolish decisions, I railed (in my mind) against those standing in the way of Jane’s happiness…In short, this author is a king at character development and mood setting… this book just might become a classic.

    I had a guest post on The Undercover Soundtrack on the music inspiration around A Jane Austen Daydream, Belle and Sebastian. You can read my post here.

    A Jane Austen Daydream is available via amazon.com where you can find it in print for just $13.85 in print and only $3.99 for the eBook. Here is the link: http://amzn.com/0983671923

    Thanks for reading everyone!

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  • June 12, 2013

    “Belle & Sebastian Meets Jane Austen” A Guest Post on the Undercover Soundtrack

    Belle and SebastianToday I have a guest post up on The Undercover Soundtrack. For those that don’t know, it is a unique writing blog where writers share the music that influenced and inspired their writing. My post is on the music of Belle & Sebastian (one of my favorite bands) and how it impacted my new novel A Jane Austen Daydream. Here is the beginning of the article:

    There is usually nothing more important to me than the music I have playing while writing a book.  Music can inspire me, engage me, keep my energy up when I need it to be up. It sets the mood for me, and the right song can pull the right levers to get me to go from point A to point B in a plot. It has also been known to drive the people that live with me crazy since while I am writing I may play a CD a few too many times (Just ask my wife about the writing of My Problem With Doors and my nonstop playing of O by Damien Rice; an album I am forbidden to play in her presence again). But what I used for A Jane Austen Daydream was something surprisingly contemporary. This was not something for Liz Bennet to dance to (but she might if given the chance).

    You can read the rest of the article here, where I go into details on how Belle & Sebastian (especially their CD The Life Pursuit) changed my version of a certain famous novelist.

    A Jane Austen DaydreamA Jane Austen Daydream is available via amazon.com where you can find it in print for just $13.85 in print and only $3.99 for the eBook. Here is the link: http://amzn.com/0983671923

    And remember, my new experimental gothic novel Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare is a free eBook on amazon until June 15! You can check it out here.

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  • June 11, 2013

    “…good fortune to land upon Mr. Southard’s writing.” Three New Reviews for A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM

    From Pride and PrejudiceI have three new reviews to share today for my novel A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM. On the website “Deanne’s Writing World” run by author Deanne Wilstead, she writes in her review:

    I read A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM eager for a story of romance resembling hers in tone and style. And, while I definitely found this, I ended up enjoying Mr. Southard’s story for so much more. There is a depth and perceptiveness to his writing which actually had me in tears at one point….

    You can read the rest of her review here.

    A Jane Austen DaydreamThere are also two new reader reviews on Good Reads; where the reviewers said about my novel:

    • “Charming and Magical.”
    • “As I read this wonderful book, I not only felt captivated by the characters, but also by the art of Scott D. Southard’s storytelling. It has inspired me to work harder on improving my own writing so I can tell a story just as well.”

    You can find the rest of those on Good Reads here.

    A Jane Austen Daydream is available via amazon.com where you can find it in print for just $13.85 in print and only $3.99 for the eBook. Here is the link: http://amzn.com/0983671923

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