Author Archives: Peter Darbyshire
Come hurl abuse at me on reddit
I’ll be Writer of the Day over at /r/fantasy on reddit this Monday, May 18. I’ll be around in the morning, Pacific Coast time. If you’ve been waiting to ask me questions or anonymously troll me, now’s your chance!
The grind never stops
Finished a new story today. Celebrated by climbing the Grouse Grind. Clearly, I need to get out more.
Come on out to the Surrey International Writers’ Conference!
I’m thrilled to be leading a couple of workshops and participating in a conference panel at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference this year. The Surrey conference is a big deal and this is my first time there, so I’m pretty excited about it.
Friday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m.
Are You Talking to Me?
Are you talking to me? Dialogue is one of the most important parts of any novel or story, but it’s often the most overlooked thing in writing. Too often dialogue between characters is just a mundane conversation to set up plot points or reveal information. Dialogue can be and should be so much more, though. Dialogue can be a weapon for characters, and it can create tension and surprise. It can create characters or conceal their true selves. It can even control the reader. Peter Darbyshire draws on his theatre background to help you bring your stories to life through dialogue.
Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m.
Building Connections
Panel Members:
Peter Darbyshire
Jasper Fforde
Sarah Wendell
Sunday, Oct. 25, 11:30 a.m.
What’s Your Voice?
Voice is the most important part of any book. Do you write with the fallen angel lyricism of Raymond Chandler’s detectives? The storytelling magic of Annie Proulx? The pop culture playfulness of Cory Doctorow? Voice tells us what we need to know about the world of the book, who the characters are and what they want. Voice tells us what’s important to the writer — and that tells us what’s important to the reader. The hardest part of learning to write is finding your voice, but once you have it you’ve arrived. Let’s find your voice together.
You can register here. Hope to see you there!
Read This! The Burning Dark
I just finished The Burning Dark by Adam Christopher and I loved it. What’s not to love, after all? It’s a space station ghost story starring a troubled war hero who won an important victory against the mysterious alien Spiders — at a great personal cost. A war hero whose war records have strangely disappeared when he arrives at the space station, which orbits a dark star that will fuck you up. It’s a little bit of action, a little of military sci-fi and a whole lot of suspense. If you’re a fan of the sci-fi film Event Horizon, you’ll like The Burning Dark. Plus, it looks like there’s a sequel!
Thanks to My Bookish Ways for the recommendation!
The weird west just got weirder
Beneath Ceaseless Skies has published a Special Weird Western Issue to celebrate the release of the new Ceaseless West anthology. The anthology includes my first Angel Azrael story, The Angel Azrael Rode Into the Town of Burnt Church on a Dead Horse. The special weird west issue opens up the BCS archives to include my second Azrael story, The Angel Azrael Delivers Small Mercies. Why, there’s even an audio version for your listening pleasure. Plus, there’s works by E. Catherine Tobler, Erin Cashier, Shannon Peavey and Saladin Ahmed. All for around $1, depending on which part of the world you hail from — or it’s free online! Why are you still here instead over at Beneath Ceaseless Skies?
Ceaseless West now available everywhere in the wild west online
Ceaseless West, the weird western anthology from Beneath Ceaseless Skies, is now available at all fine e-retailers near you. Featuring my first angel Azrael story, The Angel Azrael Rode Into the Town of Burnt Church on a Dead Horse. Come for the angel gunslingers. Stay for the hellspawn. Also because of the pentagrams that don’t allow you to leave.
The Province Cares: Let’s help those who need it
Over at my other job at The Province newspaper, I’ve started a new series called The Province Cares. I’m going to profile people in the local community who need a little help. First up is the family of little Owen, who’s had some hard luck in life. The family are some of the hardest-working people I’ve met, who have handled their challenge with incredible grace and strength. I felt humbled by their courage and resilience. They could use a little help caring for Owen, though, so please read the story and help if you can. Even sharing the story on your network will help them out!
Ceaseless West now available on Weightless
Ceaseless West: Weird Western Stories from Beneath Ceaseless Skies, is now available on Weightless Books. My first Azrael story, “The Angel Azrael Rode Into the Town of Burnt Church on a Dead Horse,” is included, along with a whole other bushel of western weirdness. And it’s only $3.99! That’s less than the price of a burnt coffee at the Starbucks outlet in the general store!
Read This! – Operation Arcana
Swords and sorcery! Assault rifles and arcana! Elves and evil! Wizards and weaponry! Military maneuvers and eldritch evasions! What more do you want out of an anthology?
Appearing at the Creative Ink Festival
I’ll be appearing at the Creative Ink Festival on Saturday, April 25. What is the Creative Ink Festival? It’s a day of workshops, presentations and panels from authors and artists.
I’ll be on the “How to Market Yourself” panel at 5 p.m., along with Danika Dinsmore, Kristine Perron and J.P. McLean. Here’s the description:
Whether you’re a writer or artist, indie or traditionally published, marketing yourself is vital to a successful career. What are the best tools out for getting your product out there? What should be avoided? What should your marketing budget look like? Are there any unique ideas left?
Hope to see you there!
Creative Ink Festival
Executive Inn and Suites
4201 Lougheed Hwy, Burnaby
peter darbyshire 