#escape publishing

[downthetubes]

The Man at the Crossroads: An Interview with comic catalyst extraordinaire, Paul Gravett

An Interview with comic catalyst extraordinaire, Paul Gravett. We catch up with the man behind COMICA, co-creator of Escape, and veritable comics catalyst!

Comics archivist, catalyst, author, publisher, competition judge, COMICA cofounder and raconteur Paul Gravett should need no introduction to many downthetubes readers. His enthusiasm and energy promoting comics from around the world is second to none, unstinting since his days running the Fast Fiction service with Peter Stanbury, publishing Escape magazine, launched 40 years ago this Spring, also…

[georgiamoorewriter]

~ Two colleagues. One conference. No strings attached? ~

Two people who've been burned by past lovers settle for a conference fling while secretly wanting more.

Four Night Stand is a standalone, steamy workplace romance.

workplace romance | dual POV | open door spice | set in Sydney | she falls first, he falls harder | fling to forever

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Second Chance Love in Point Perry by Joanne Speirs

Story of death, betrayal, lies, loved ones lost, and coming back from dark despair sees two people perfect for one another get their second chance at love and happiness. Great debut novel!

What I liked:

* Erin: grew up in Point Perry, made a life in Adelaide, dealing with grief from several losses, goes “home” to find a place for her mother’s ashes, begins to heal and falls in love with Tom, his son Carter, and their dog Woody

* Tom: Carter’s father, divorced, single parenting his son, lives close to his parents who help with Carter, teacher, athlete, has experienced losses, feels a connection with Erin and falls in love with her

* Carter: five years old, full of life, typical little boy, warm, caring, sensitive, really likes Erin

* Larry & Marge: Tom’s parents, own The Retreat, hard workers, caring, kind

* Friends in town: Curly, Justine, Lindy, and others

* The many twists and turns, surprises revealed, and impact the impact of each one

* The small-town vibes

* That all the negatives were explained and guilt, pain, angst, and secrets when exposed were able to be dealt with in a healthy manner

* The plot, pacing, setting, and conclusion

* All of it really, except…

What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

* Thinking about how selfish and mean hearted some people can be

Thank you to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

BLURB

Two broken hearts learning how to live - and love - again.

After a devastating tragedy shakes Erin's world, she returns to her hometown of Point Perry seeking solace and a fresh start. But just as she begins to find her footing, an unexpected visitor and an old enemy threaten to upend her life once again.

Tom, a devoted single father and beloved teacher, is no stranger to turmoil. His ex-wife, now a Hollywood starlet, has descended upon Point Perry for her movie premiere, stirring up trouble and putting Tom's priorities to the test. As the town buzzes with excitement over the event, Tom must also navigate a strained relationship with his father and protect his son from his ex's manipulations.

Despite their emotional scars and obstacles, Erin and Tom can't ignore their growing connection. As they begin to explore the chance for a future together, they must confront their past traumas and find a way to move forward. Will their love be enough to overcome the challenges they face, or will their emotional baggage prove too heavy to bear?

'A heart-warming and uplifting debut brimming with small town charm. Point Perry is a close-knit community that will instantly feel like home.' International bestselling author Alissa Callen

'Heartfelt and warm - just how I like my romance!' Australian author Tess Woods

[bookstagramofmine]

Book Review: Her Worthy Rake by Charlotte Anne

Book Review: Her Worthy Rake by Charlotte Anne #BookReview #NetGalley #BookTwt #Romance

Thank you, NetGalley and Escape Publishing, for the chance to read and review the ARC for Her Worthy Rake by Charlotte Anne. Her Worthy Rake comes out on the 1st of January. The book will be published by Escape Publishing which is a part of Harlequin Books, which in turn is a division of HarperCollins Publishers Australia. Review: On the surface, the elements in this book were good and should…

[columboscreens]

[fatuismooches]

Hii it's me, the anon who wants to eat your writings as desserts!

I've been thinking about something, specifically about Fragile!Reader. (Sorry if the bad English is bad)

During Dottore and Nahida's meeting, I like to imagine Nahida take a look inside Dottore's mind when he erased his segment. At first, she expected to see the horror and the unsettling mind of a mad doctor, a mind with nothing but ambition and insanity. How surprised she was when she saw you occupying most of the doctor's mind. How surprised Nahida would be to see that Dottore is capable of loving someone, especially someone so fragile as you are.

She probably commented on something about you and your relationship with the doctor to which the doctor almost instantly tried to change the topic with a lingering threat.

After everything that she saw, I wonder if Nahida would remember and keep the story about the Mad Doctor and his fragile beloved as a fairy tale. In my opinion, she would. And if she does, I wonder how she'll portray Fragile!Reader.

Ok that's it, my thoughts about Fragile!reader. Also can I be Dessert Anon? ><

YES!! I LIVE FOR DOTTORE AND READER VS NAHIDA INTERACTIONS!!

Nahida doesn't think she will ever understand the mind of the Outcast, nor she will ever agree with the way he works or thinks. He has long succumbed to the mind of a pure scientist, disregarding the value of human life if it will allow him to progress in his research. So, when the young God looks into the Harbinger's mind, she expects to see nothing different from that. But, even the God of Wisdom can be proven wrong, is something Nahida has come to understand, for although the Doctor's mind is certainly mad, he is also mad for you. That is certainly something she did not expect. She didn't even know you were still alive. So he's managed to prolong your life as well? But judging from what she's seen, you're still quite ill. Hm... the Dendro God is a mixture of surprise and intrigued. The Doctor is one who isn't above abandoning his experiments when they get boring or seem fruitless. And your case certainly seems hopeless, with no progress to be seen but... he still seems to be completely obsessed with you. It's strange, and a part of her understands and doesn't understand at the same time. Nahida knows that love can truly change people. But is the Doctor really one that could be changed? She finds it a bit hard to believe, but the evidence is right in front of her.

Of course, her curiosity cannot be contained and she has to inquire about you, to which Dottore blatantly disregards. He's not going to speak about you to almost anyone, much less a God. ("I didn't think the God of Wisdom would be so nosy about my private affairs.")

I imagine obviously she doesn't particularly like or approve of you, but Nahida still can't help but feel pity for you, with your illness and all. But she would still like to have a conversation with you. She would want to discover how you managed to have the Outcast wrapped around your finger... she would want to know your story... that is if you're willing to speak with her.

[i-love-klim]

my 12-year-old brother's at the end of 999 right now and he barely knows how to play sudoku... he would've burned to death in that incinerator man 😭

[vel17]

[doodlingwren]

Ok, back to girlblogging eheh (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧

[georgiamoorewriter]

MICRO TROPES in my steamy, workplace romance!

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

On The Down Low by Renae Black

 This book reminded me of Mils and Boon stories that I read decades ago – the ones that took place in the Australian Outback made a huge impression and this book took me back to some of those wonderful stories. Ms. Black has a way with words that paints a picture of the landscape and people that have chosen this barren but beautiful place to live and someday, I hope to visit.

 The story was well written, the plot well planned, the characters well fleshed out, and the story believable – and predictable but in being predictable it was also comfortable. Hallie was likable, a good teacher, invested in her job, friendly, had a backstory that impacted her choices, and finally seemed to come into her own. Ryan was quiet, observant, a skilled helicopter pilot, lost his parents early, hard worker, and a good friend. The trouble that Hallie and Ryan had getting together were primarily based on assumptions made and the reaction of not talking rather than openly communicating to clear the air. And, though frustrating for them, and for me, many times communication is not as easy as we might want it to be.

 The people on the station were supportive, open, giving, worked as a team, and there for one another. The heir apparent, Jackson, seemed entitled and selfish at times but might have been immature and under pressure from his father – he would be a good person for another book if the author decided to make this into a series. Another person that would do well in a book of her own – or with Jackson – is Ryan’s friend, Paige.

 The story was filled with challenges that Hallie had to face were both personal and professional. I liked her. I was glad that Ryan came through for Hallie and himself by the end of the story.

 I think that what I liked most about this book was feeling as if I were on the cattle station with Hallie and learning right along with her as she settled in. I see that this author has potential and believe her story telling will only improve over time.

 Thank you to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for the ARC – this is my honest review.

 3-4 Stars

     BLURB

 'Warm-hearted and authentic ... this debut will take you to the heart of the outback.' - bestselling Australian author Alissa Callen It's hard to hide love in the outback ... Hallie Harris has gone as far away as possible to escape the city and the humiliating revelations of her last relationship. Love is the last thing on her mind when she arrives at Karilga, a remote cattle station in outback Queensland, to take on the post of teacher to eight lively children. That is, until she locks eyes on aerial mustering pilot Ryan Walker. But how could a highly skilled pilot who lives and breathes the land ever fall for this hot-mess city girl? Quiet and reserved, Ryan's used to chasing down wayward cattle and flying his helicopter in the dangerous dead man's zone. But when it comes to the beautiful girl from the city, he's out of his element. When country larrikin and Ryan's best mate, Jackson, pursues the new teacher first, Ryan buries his head ... and his feelings ... in the red dirt. What's the point when Jackson always gets the girl? But the spark between Hallie and Ryan can't be ignored. In the small tightknit community of Karilga Station, can they keep their feelings on the down low? Or will everything the outback has to throw at them destroy any chance of building a home together?

[some-mari-thoughts]

What do you make of the idea of Blackspace kinda fusing with Hellmari after a post-good ending Omori gave her true life, therefore making her the entire realm by technicality? Omori would do that cuz he needs something to kinda fill the void that appeared when Sunny left and he's getting desperate after not finding anything in Headspace to do that...

(woooooooooo explaining my omori au lore-)

Truthfully this is so wildly different to my idea of headspace and omori and after-good ending that i cannot make anything of this! i think that's up to u to decide

[moonshine-nightlight]

I bought and read Don’t Shoot the Messenger last night and I loved it! Literally did not put it down until I was done lol I love your world building and how you develop characters, it feels so real, like every character is a fully fleshed out individual. I’m excited for what you might do with Dale, if you published that. Thanks for sharing your stories!!

@fleacollar999

thank you!! i've been slammed with work but this message made me so happy :)

i lov worldbuilding so much (which is why for so long i had issues with shorter stories like novellas and with actually writing stories down instead of just extensive lore lol) so i'm glad i comes through! the characters as well for this story in particular were floating around in my head before anything was written down so i'm thrilled that i was able to get them on the page well enough to do them justice.

Publishing Dale is very high on my list of priorities and its just gonna come down to timing for when that happens.

thanks for reading and sending in such a lovely message! :D

[rosehippiefield]

I know 4 death games and all of them are unique in terms of necessity to harm others and general atmosphere:

(may contain minor spoilers concerning organisation of each death game)

Danganronpa is a killing game, however, there is a choice for potential blackened whether to kill or not to kill. Responsibility, while shared with kidnappers, lies heavily on murderers' shoulders (with some exceptions), because usually it's their conscious decision to off somebody and they often even do the dirty work. What Monokuma does is he phycologically pressures students and executes the blackened. The atmoshpere is scary and distrust is thriving despite more-or-less comfortable conditions. But technically, everybody could live together without bloodshed.

In Yttd somebody will die no matter what, at least two people each main game. I feel like while participants did influence or outright choose who's turn to die came, it was simply because they had no other option. If it's not them, it's somebody else. And choosing between "somebody else 1" and "somebody else 2" is compulsory. Plus, there are plenty of dangers beside people: first trials, death attractions, traps and so on. I'd say their situation was horrible both phycologically and physically (they didn't even get to shower until Ranger permitted, as far as I remember).

In Zero escape 999 technically it would be beneficial to work together, solving puzzles and escaping through number 9 door, so I would say that these guys have the least number of reasons to be distrustful toward one another inicially as they don't exactly have to kill... On the other hand, at first choice of who gets to move forward it seems the ones left behind are doomed. They have time pressing on them, Zero explained that there were bombs inside them that can blow up under certain conditions, plus some rooms are quite dangerous. Thus, potential poor choices are consequences of both kidnappers' actions and selfish decisions of captives. And to be honest, situation is too complicated to be described because the reasons for poor choices can be too individual in comparison to other games here.

In Exit/corners kidnapper simply states that the goal is to leave the hotel, but characters are named Contestants for some reason, which gives rise to questions. What are they competing for? Do they have to be the last one standing? As they have to get out of hotel they have some basic comfort, but there wasn't enough time to truly relax. Solving puzzles seems not lethal at first but some rooms may be more perilous than others. They also have time limit of 24 hours and something else is going on with at least one of them...

[vfdinthewild]

"But fortresses are also placed up high, with views for days and Napa Valley wine farms don't usually come with security patrols and electric fencing and five stories of underground bunker."

-from Afterland by Lauren Beukes, pg. 133

[the-lunar-library]

I think I may have more or less finalized the cover for the next book.

It is nerve-wracking.

There's a lot of little things that can unexpectedly go wrong with formatting everything and getting both the inside and the outside of the book correct -- and then seeing how different things look when it's actually in your hands.

So please keep your fingers crossed for me!