dansbookblog

10 of the best websites to find amazing free images for your posts

I’ve been there, scouring the web for images that a – look nice and b – aren’t going to land you in hot water for copyright infringement. I used to hate this task and dreaded it when the time came to find free images that would make my posts look great.

I did some research and found some amazing sites that offer professional-quality free images. There are some stunning free images available and…

They’re selling worlds, are you buying?

If there’s one thing I love most about fantasy fiction, it’s the worlds that authors create. From Brandon Sanderson’s sprawling ‘Cosmere’, to the smaller worlds created by the likes of Abercrombie and Weeks, I love them!

But does the fictional world created by the author make or break a novel? Sure, they can add a ton to to the story but can it take away from it? In my opinion, yes, it can, but…

#bookblogger #content #opinions #thoughts #fantasy #scifi #blogging #discussion

It’s All About Character: A Guest Post by Suzanne Rogerson

It’s all about character: 11 easy tips to write amazing characters

Writing characters that touch readers is something I’ve always wanted to achieve. Raised on a diet of David Gemmell and Robin Hobb,authors who create such vivid and heroic characters, how could I aspire for anything less?

When I create characters they stem from a tiny seed of an idea or a scene that just pops into my head. I allow them time to grow naturally while I…

#guestpost #fantasy #author #reader #blogging #thoughts #

GIVEAWAY Arm of the Sphinx by Josiah Bancroft

GIVEAWAY Arm of the Sphinx by Josiah Bancroft

Blurb;

The Tower of Babel is proving to be as difficult to reenter as it was to break out of. Forced into a life of piracy, Senlin and his eclectic crew are struggling to survive aboard their stolen airship as the hunt to rescue Senlin’s lost wife continues. Hopeless and desolate, they turn to a legend of the Tower, the mysterious Sphinx. But help…

#3 Starting Your Blog: Choosing Your Blog’s Name

Choosing your blog name can be a lot of fun and a whole load of hassle. It’s not an easy thing to do, especially if you want to get it right. Not everyone can get this straight away, look at my blog as an example, it’s called dansboobklog.com, yet I cover blogging tips and sometimes talk about personal things. also, the name of my blog may be too difficult for people to say, and maybe it’s a bit…

#2 Starting Your Blog: Choosing Your Niche

Once you’ve chosen your platform, it’s time to choose the ‘niche’/category/topic that your blog will focus upon. It may seem strange that this is second in the ‘Starting Your Blog’ series because you would surely have the idea in your head prior to starting a blog right? Well, not always, sometimes you just need an outlet, and a blog is a great way to do that. Let’s look at how you can find your…

#1 Starting Your Blog: Choosing Your Platform

Starting a blog is a big and bold move and if you’re anything like me, you’ve already got your platform sorted, your blog name down, and are already writing your first post. But wait. A little more patience can be a lot more rewarding. I learned this after two years, but you can start a little differently.

As part of the Blogging Tips series, I’ll go through my learning from when I started and…

*GUEST POST* Fantasy Writing: A Plansters approach by Prashanth Soan

I am an avid fantasy reader. It is a big leap to make from being a reader to a writer. Those details are for another day. Last November I entered National Novel Writing Month which is more commonly known as NaNoWriMo. It was a learning experience for me. The first thing I realised was that I had a story to tell and it was a good one. The second thing was that it is not easy to achieve the target…

Book Spotlight: The Sentinel’s Reign by Suzanne Rogerson

The Sentinel’s Reign – Silent Sea Chronicles Book 2

Publication date 29th June 2018

Blurb;

The new Sentinel’s reign is doomed to failure unless Tei can prevent the Kalayan people from plunging into war.

With the new Sentinel initiated and the magic restored on Kalaya, life is flourishing for Tei and the exiles. But Rathnor’s plans for war soon escalate and thwart any chance of peace.

Brogan’s…

The action was constant, well-written and detailed effectively...count me IN for more Hugo Hyde #amwriting #thriller #tech #exctied

Sibyl was given to me by Authoright in exchange for an honest review.

The blurb;

Flamboyant entrepreneur Hugo Hyde is shocked when his imminent death is predicted by Sibyl, the never-wrong artificial intelligence that he created. When Sibyl goes rogue and launches a global cyber attack, Hyde and his team are forced to seek refuge with their rival, a ruthless billionaire with his own designs on…

As you can see, the blog is looking a little different right now. I really wanted to freshen it up and make a few positive changes.

If you haven’t noticed already, one of those is the name of the blog. I decided to go with Dan’s Book Blog as it’s shorter and a LOT easier to say! Let me know what you think of it, like it or no?

I’ve created an email list and those who sign up will receive a…

9 Free Apps That Every Blogger Needs

It’s taken me a little while to figure out what tools I need to ensure that I’m never far away from my blog. I’ve been caught short before, right in the middle of doing something or I’ve seen something and thought, now that’s a great idea for a blog. But I haven’t had anything to organise it, or to store it. That set me no my journey to find the tools I’d need.

As a blogger you’re always on the…

*Book Review* The Lazarus Curse by Tessa Harris

*Book Review* The Lazarus Curse by Tessa Harris

The blurb;

In 1780s London, American anatomist Dr. Thomas Silkstone is plunged into a swirling cauldron of sorcery, slavery, and cold-blooded murder…

When the sole survivor of an ill-fated scientific expedition to Jamaica goes missing upon his return to London, Dr Thomas Silkstone – entrusted with cataloging the expedition’s New World specimens –…

*Book Review* Wolves by D. J. Molles

*Book Review* Wolves by D. J. Molles

The blurb;

They took everything—killed his wife, enslaved his daughter, destroyed his life. Now he’s a man with nothing left to lose … and that’s what makes him so dangerous.

Ten years after the collapse, Huxley had built a good life again. He had a loving wife, a farm with fields of golden barley, and a daughter with a strange and wonderful gift. Then the…

5 Literary Fantasy Characters I’d Love to Cast

5 Literary Fantasy Characters I’d Love to Cast

I thought of this post recently when I was watching Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone for like the hundredth time. I looked at Daniel Radcliffe and thought “Damn that’s great casting”. Sometimes they just get it right.

Below is my list of 5 literary fantasy characters that I would love to cast, and who I think would manage to pull it off. I’m…

How Do You Quantify A ‘Successful’ Blog: do numbers matter?

How Do You Quantify A ‘Successful’ Blog: do numbers matter?

This is something I thought about a lot when I first decided to start blogging. I asked myself the necessary questions like, “Why do I want to do this?”, “What would I be able to ‘say’?”, “How do I know if I’m doing it right?” There really is no end to the questions you first ask yourself as a blogging virgin.

So, 2 years on and I’m…