Author Spotlight with Dominic Dulley

Author Spotlight with Dominic Dulley

Dominic Dulley lives with his wife and two children in the shadow of Warwick Castle, where he is losing a war of attrition with his ‘to be read’ pile. When he isn’t writing or editing short stories and novels, he can be found reading about writing, planning what to write next, or browsing Pinterest and deviantART for inspiration. His fiction has recently appeared in Bastion Science Fiction Magazine, with more to come in Stupefying Stories and Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. He is an active member of the British Science Fiction Association and Critters.org, has a masters degree in computer science and a private pilot’s licence, and enjoys his guitar playing far more than anyone unfortunate enough to be listening. You can enjoy his deep and insightful tweets about writing and other nonsense by following @DBDulley.

Washout, by Dominic Dulley can be found in Anthology I: A Collection of 8 Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Stories. It's a science fiction story about the powerful bond between a girl and her spacecraft, and how she copes with the unexpected.

More information about Washout and Anthology I, including e-bookstore links and samples, can be found here...

Happy 1st Birthday to Us!

Happy 1st Birthday to Us!

One year ago we set out to create a small publishing company. That company became The Novel Fox, and building it over the past year has been a great experience--at times difficult, and with its share of growing pains, but great nonetheless. In general, I think we have all become addicted to foxes over the past year as a result; from buying our kids fox patterned clothing to wearing our fox masks in meetings.

When we opened for submissions last year, we were overwhelmed by the response! We had a blast reading through all the great stories. Thank you authors for sharing your work with us!
 
We published a DISCOVERIES novel, Death Legacy by Jacqueline Seewald, a SHORTS novella, Aztec Midnight by M.C. Tuggle, a SHORTS anthology featuring numerous talented authors, and have a FIRSTS novel underway with A.E. Stueve. We have worked hard to compliment each author’s creativity and hard work through original, creative cover art, marketing images, and ebook design.  Thank you for following and supporting us throughout this process!

In the next year, we are excited to continue growing our young company and exploring new ideas in publishing and marketing. We can’t wait to see what new, great fiction we’ll be privileged to publish!

Amanda, Administrator

 
 

Anthology I Publication Day

Anthology I Publication Day

The Novel Fox SHORTS proudly presents Anthology I: A Collection of 8 Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Stories.

Anthology I will be FREE on Amazon for the next 3 days! After Friday, it is available for purchase for $2.99. More information, including e-bookstore links and samples, can be found here...

 
 

Gifting an eBook for Valentine's Day

Gifting an eBook for Valentine's Day

Here are three fun & simple ways to make an ebook gift tangible for your book lover this Valentine's Day:

1. Paper Flower - Print the cover art for the ebook you want to gift on regular printer paper. Trace and cut it into a circle. Starting from the outside of the circle, cut a spiral into the circle. Tightly roll the end until you get to the center. Slowly let the flower uncoil until you've reached the desired size. Use a hot glue gun and glue it down to center of circle. Hot glue a green pipe cleaner onto the bottom of flower. Insert your paper flower into a vase of cut flowers or potted flowers. 

2. Snail Mail Card - Print a 5"x7" copy of the cover art for the ebook you are gifting. Fold and cut into three equal sections. Fold and cut each of those sections into three equal sections. Cut each square into a heart shape. Paste onto the front of a folded piece of card stock.

3. Gift Tag - Print the cover art for the ebook you want to gift onto card stock paper. Fold and cut into a mini card size. Hole punch the inside flap and use a ribbon to attach to a gift. You can attach it to a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, a teddy bear, etc.

Be sure to include the details of how the recipient can redeem their ebook!

Pictured below is Jacqueline Seewald's romantic suspense novel, Death Legacy. It's the perfect Valentine ebook to gift!

 
 

From the Drawing Board: Aztec Midnight

From the Drawing Board: Aztec Midnight

 
 

Aztec Midnight is an action/adventure novella, by author M.C. Tuggle. In the story, the knife is a main character in itself, so depicting it on the cover seemed like the right subject choice. The blood is a slight foreshadowing to the mystery around the knife and a way to set the atmosphere for the reader as theyset forth on a thrilling journey. We referenced actual Aztec artifacts for the knife’s design and carvings and dulled all the colors to suggest an old world element.

The book cover design was packaged with promotional graphics. These were meant to further the storyline and compliment the cover.

The images above showcase: the final e-book cover and one of the promotional graphics.

xo The Novel Fox Creative Team

Q and A with Aztec Midnight Author, M.C. Tuggle

Q and A with Aztec Midnight Author, M.C. Tuggle

Q. When did you start writing your own stories?

A. Seven years ago, I wrote two novels. Neither captured the interest of an editor. About three years ago, I determined to get back into the game. I devoured about a dozen books on writing, and frequented blogs on writing. Gradually, I learned what I had been doing wrong, and what I could do to make my writing better. Now, you'd think bestsellers would just flow spontaneously from someone with a couple of English degrees. Wrong. Writing is a craft that must be learned and practiced, and a demanding one at that. But it's also rewarding if you just stick with it.


Q. Could you tell us a little about your writing process?

A. When I'm fascinated by a particular image, I have to discover the story and characters behind it. I outline in a fair amount of detail, but always follow those surprising directions every plot takes. Tracking down and describing those surprises keep the process exciting and challenging.


Q. What inspired you to write Aztec Midnight?

A. During my last trip to Mexico, my wife and daughter and I spent three weeks in a Mexican village, where we got to know the people and their stories. Mexico is a haunted and tragic country, brimming with life and joy and suffering. At the National Museum of History in Mexico City, I was fascinated by the projectile point (atl-atl and arrowhead) display, which was arranged chronologically. The earliest pieces from 10,000 years ago looked exactly like the points from the same period found in the US, but as the centuries passed, the styles evolved into distinctly Mexican patterns. It intrigued me that such different cultures could arise from a common source. The stories I heard from our hosts about the drug cartels held a grim fascination for me. By the end of our visit, I knew I had to write a book about Mexico.


Q. We love your novella. The mix of adventure and fantasy specifically. What do you like most about Aztec Midnight?

A. I'm happy with the way I captured the feel and mood of the places where the action occurs, which I think is essential to a good story. 


Q. Reading this novella makes us want to go have our own adventure in an Aztec temple! Have you ever visited one?

A. I've visited both Mayan and Aztec temples. I was astounded by the grandeur and workmanship of Xochicalco and its observatory. 


Q. There are many references to codices and weaponry in Aztec Midnight. How did you acquire the background knowledge to write about them?

A. I was raised on a tobacco farm in rural North Carolina, where I not only found Indian relics in the fields, but learned about guns. My undergraduate degree was in English and history, with several courses in military history, which I still enjoy reading. Also, Isshinryu karate stresses not only the discipline of non-lethal self-defense with bare hands and feet, but the use of primitive tools as weapons when necessary. I enjoy target practice with the sling and atl-atl (dart thrower). 

 

Q. Who are some of your favorite authors?

A. Hemingway, Heinlein, Mishima, and Howard occupy a couple of shelves in my library. I frequently return to them for inspiration and guidance.


Q. What book(s) are you reading now? 

A. I'm currently reading Ron Rash's The Cove and Patricia Cornwell's Flesh and Blood.

 
Where They Write

Where They Write

 

Tuggle's novella, Aztec Midnight is currently available for purchase. More information, including e-bookstore links and a sample, can be found here...

Gifting an eBook for the Holidays

Gifting an eBook for the Holidays

Try ebooks this year as a gift for travelers, commuters, book club members, coworkers, teachers . . . or any book lover!

Many e-bookstores allow you to gift an ebook. It’s easy to make the ebook a more tangible gift by printing the book cover on card stock or photo paper and including the details on how to redeem it. An ebook is perfect for a stocking stuffer or a little something extra to go in a card, along with a baked good or small gift. Ebooks are an inexpensive, easy, and thoughtful gift for all occasions!

This year I'm giving my dad, the guy who has everything, M.C. Tuggle's adventure, fantasy novella, Aztec Midnight. I’m sure he’ll love it!

Aztec Midnight Publication Day

Aztec Midnight Publication Day

The Novel Fox SHORTS proudly presents Tuggle's Aztec Midnight.

Aztec Midnight is available for purchase today on all your internet neighborhood e-bookstores: Google, Apple, Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble, among others. More information, including e-bookstore links and a sample, can be found here...

 
 

Aztec Midnight Cover Reveal

Aztec Midnight Cover Reveal

The cover for M.C. Tuggle's novella, Aztec Midnight is here! Check back next week for more information, e-bookstore links, and an excerpt.

 
 

From the Drawing Board: Death Legacy

From the Drawing Board: Death Legacy

 
 

Death Legacy is a romantic, spy thriller novel, by author Jacqueline Seewald. We referenced classic espionage imagery for the characters and added a modern twist with the looming agents framing the shot and clean lines at the title and background monument.  The body positioning of the characters deliberately reflects the story – a strong female lead, with her equally strong male admirer. 

The book cover design was packaged with other promotional graphics. These were meant to further the storyline and compliment the cover.

The images above showcase: the pre-order promotional graphic, and a couple of social media promotional ads. 

xo The Novel Fox Creative Team