A Novelist’s Idle – My Favorite Poetry
January 15, 2010
As I spend my days writing Book II of my fantasy and sci-fi novel series – The Soulstealer War – it’s pleasant to consider a tangent every now and again. So it is that RedRoom’s “your favorite poem” caught my eye today. Redroom is a blossoming community of writers for all genres and a good spot to find your favorite author – http://www.RedRoom.com.
Let me confess… poetry is not my forte. In fact, there was a time in high school when it was my pain. Putting aside those early nightmares of iambic pentameter, I recall my grasp of poetry undergoing rapid evolution. Back then, I thought poetry was something love-struck girls penned in homage to their latest crush or because well-meaning teachers would accept it in lieu of a five-hundred word essay that might never appear.
Well, we all mature eventually. For me that occurred with my introduction to the English Romantic Period. The poets of this era changed my perception of the art forever. I may never be a poet, but the likes of Byron, Shelley, and Keats convinced me that every great writer needs a fundamental grounding in poetry. For what is the word, if not the ability to express concepts, emotions and images with a beauty and grace that can inspire even the dullest of humanity to lofty heights… or to terrible depths. Poetry transcends the written word to resonate within our very soul.
So, whether its “roses are red and violets are blue,” an Anglo-Saxon epic, the Eddic poems, a Shakespearean sonnet, or your choice of modern free verse, I say to my fellow novelists, give poetry its due.
As for my favorites, I expect you to know the first two, but encourage you to sample the last. I find that it sets a mood for contemplating the universe.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner – Samuel Taylor Coleridge
The One Ring Poem – from The Lord of Rings – JRR Tolkien
Darkness – Lord Byron
Cheers,
W.L. Hoffman – author of The Soulstealer War: The First Mother’s Fire
New Age Fantasy Series Meets Old World Europe – The Soulstealer War at the 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair
October 14, 2009
Let your dreams carry you into strange lands, for one never knows what treasures await.
It seems my “to do” list grows evermore, but this is the stuff of life, and I accept the good, the bad and the ugly – though forgive me for hoping to find more of the former. I say “find” because our perception often dictates the results.
My personal side has been challenging the last few months. Time has weighed heavily upon my parents, and I have been occupied with their needs. This has left me in catch-up mode on everything else.
So, here’s the latest. I am working on Book II of The Soulstealer War, engaging contacts from BookExpo America, and nearing the threshold of having Book I of The Soulstealer War available on Amazon Kindle. The digital expanse is a huge step for me… paper and parchment are my dear friends. My wife complains about the aroma of old books in our basement library, but she does so with a teasing smirk as she knows I would be lost without them. Of course, I can imagine the wondrous future of floating data streams beckoning to our children, yet a voice in my head cannot help but ask – are these the Sirens of tomorrow?
Beyond the above, and my quest for a mainstream publisher, I have dedicated the past two weeks to sending Book I of The Soulstealer War to the 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany – possibly the largest book event in the world. See the full text and files of the Press Release covering this milestone at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Soulstealer-War/Frankfurt-Book-Fair/prweb3040524.htm or read the main content below.
Be a Light in the Darkness.
W.L. Hoffman
Princeton, New Jersey (PRWEB) October 13, 2009 — Released in January 2008, The Soulstealer War: The First Mother’s Fire, is the first book in an epic fantasy series of magic and mysticism by debut author W.L. Hoffman. The novel’s critically acclaimed content has found traction among a grass roots core of fantasy and science fiction enthusiasts. Its juxtaposition of scientific theory and spirituality within a richly textured fantasy adventure is a welcome exploration to readers tired of the standard sword and sorcery treatment. Although hard to find on the shelves due to limited availability, in August 2008 a second printing was completed with Ingram Publisher Services serving as the distributor. The 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair held in Frankfurt, Germany is the next career step for Hoffman who knows that beyond talent, it takes perseverance and luck to succeed as a writer. The Frankfurt Book Fair purports to be the largest book event in the world with almost 8,000 companies representing book industry leaders from more than 140 countries.
“This is one of the best fantasy books… within the past couple of years.” Roundtable Reviews
“Indeed, it is the mark of good genre fiction that it is able to transcend its foundations and shake the very rafters of existence. Douglas Adams did it with his Hitchhiker’s Guide series, Tolkien did it with his Middle Earth, and now W. L. Hoffman has done it with the beginning of The Soulstealer War series.” Front Street Reviews
“Highly recommended for community library fantasy collections and for fantasy lovers in general…” Midwest Book Review, Small Press Bookwatch Vol. 7, No. 5

In these uncertain times, when digesting the daily serving of discouraging news, remember that there is no greater fountain of hope than that which lies in the deep waters of the human soul.
Since my prior Blog entry, my author labors have consisted of marketing Book I, working on Book II, and preparing for BookExpo America 2009 (BEA). Trust me… that triumvirate speaks volumes. There are not enough hours in the day. BEA, held in New York City this week, is touted as the largest North American publishing industry event. I have an exhibit booth and will be autographing The Soulstealer War during the Sci-Fi Salute on Saturday.
While my next entry will recap tales of BEA, here’s a recent Press Release for those who aren’t familiar with either my background or the Realm of Weir.
PRINCETON, New Jersey – March 2009 – Released in January 2008, The Soulstealer War: The First Mother’s Fire, is the first book in an epic fantasy series of magic and mysticism by debut author W.L. Hoffman. Despite the risks and challenges inherent with small press/self-publishing, the novel’s critically acclaimed content has propelled Hoffman from relative obscurity to placement on Barnes & Noble’s shelves. In August 2008, due to demand, a second printing of the novel was completed in traditional offset lithography format. Ingram is the distributor. For a new author, the learning curve has been steep – and a dream come true – but one replete with trials and tribulations. There’s a story in that journey in addition to the novel’s unique fantasy vision that touches upon philosophy, the universe and true magic. The novel also features dazzling original cover art by the esteemed Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell. BookExpo America 2009 held in New York City is the next career step for Hoffman who knows that beyond talent, it takes perseverance and luck to succeed as a writer. While he hopes this opportunity will bring heightened access to readers and mainstream publishers, Hoffman is thrilled to participate in this milestone.
“This is one of the best fantasy books… within the past couple of years.” Roundtable Reviews
“Indeed, it is the mark of good genre fiction that it is able to transcend its foundations and shake the very rafters of existence. Douglas Adams did it with his Hitchhiker’s Guide series, Tolkien did it with his Middle Earth, and now W. L. Hoffman has done it with the beginning of The Soulstealer War series.” Front Street Reviews
“Highly recommended for community library fantasy collections and for fantasy lovers in general…” Midwest Book Review, Small Press Bookwatch Vol. 7, No. 5
About the Book: Unemployed after graduation, Kenneth McNary seeks inspiration on the Appalachian Trail. He never suspected that it would find him first. Ken is transported to a fairytale world by a god-like sentience and is tasked with uniting its denizens for a coming war—a war with eternal consequences for every soul consumed by the Enemy. While grappling with his strange surroundings, Ken learns that humans are slaves to near-immortal beings who have lost their magic. Complicating this situation is a mysterious new race of magic wielders and the reappearance of subterranean, flesh-eating creatures long thought extinct. To survive and embrace his destiny in a land hostile to humanity, Ken must discover the Fire within. But he faces two problems: he is a novice pitted against masters, and the magic may kill him before the masters do!
About the Author: W.L. Hoffman was born in the 1960’s in Atlantic City. Hoffman’s interest in reading fantasy and science fiction was voracious from an early age. He took advanced English curricula through high school, received his BA in English from Duke University and attended English literature classes at New College at Oxford University in England. Following his introduction to legislative drafting while serving in the Duke University student government, Hoffman obtained his JD from Cornell Law School. While there, his dreams wandered into strange realms as he quested for life’s higher meaning. Thus was born the foundation for The Soulstealer War. Ultimately, Hoffman left his law practice to pursue his writing career and currently resides in central NJ with his wife and daughters. He enjoys spending time with his family in their organic vegetable garden, exploring the Sourland Mountains, and telling tales on the front porch to the next generation of dreamers and writers.
The Soulstealer War: The First Mother’s Fire
By W.L. Hoffman, http://www.SoulstealerWar.com
ISBN-13 (Paperback): 978-1598-585-391
Price: $14.95 – 284 Pages
BookExpo America 2009, Booth 5049, May 29-June 1, Javits Center, NY
For more information: WLHoffman@SoulstealerWar.com
William L. Hoffman JD ‘92 Creates a World
January 6, 2009
Until January 2008, William L. Hoffman had a secret. By day the in-house counsel of CityScape Capital Group, an investment banking firm he co-founded, Bill Hoffman spent his nights traveling through a realm of metaphysics and magic. There, he discovered a young law school graduate translated into an alternate dimension, a godlike race that had lost its power, an enslaved human remnant, and a new race of magical beings. Further exploration uncovered a species of subterranean creatures subsisting on human flesh and an impending war that promised to annihilate body and soul.
This vision cost Bill Hoffman four years of moonlit labor. He wrote from ten o’clock at night until three in the morning, caught up lost sleep as he could and, through the willpower characteristic of most attorneys, managed to excel at his day job, too. When he had completed the first book of his projected trilogy, The Soulstealer War, Bill Hoffman knew he was involved in something special-and committed to a journey that had just begun.
For two more years his secret remained intact. He found and jettisoned an agent, engaged the talents of legendary fantasy artists Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell, and eventually found a publisher willing to introduce a first-time novelist to a keenly competitive market. It helped that Vallejo and Bell were on board for the cover art and the typescript itself needed only routine copy-editing. The characters were fully-realized, the narrative arc complete. Publication date came; The Soulstealer War, Book One: The First Mother’s Fire, appeared; Mr. Hoffman’s secret was out; soon thereafter, the reviews came in.
Writing for Front Street Reviews, Aramintha Matthews likened Mr. Hoffman’s accomplishment in The Soulstealer War to that of J. R. R. Tolkien’s in The Lord of the Rings (http://www.frontstreetreviews.com/Soulstealer.html). More than one reviewer, including Jerry Unangst writing for Roundtable Reviews, noted, “What really sets off The Soulstealer War from other fantasy books is that it … has ideas.”
Even more persuasively, genre aficionados reviewing for major online booksellers have received The Soulstealer War with generosity and enthusiasm-and have been unanimous in awarding it five stars:
… a stellar example of sci-fi/fantasy writing. The writing is clear with great imagery and natural flow. The setting & its characters are extremely well developed, the action is fast paced and engaging, and the plot is truly compelling.
The novel is essentially a philosophy book that uses the genre of fantasy/sci-fi to present its queries, questions, thoughts and ideas.
… What is truly amazing about “The First Mother’s Fire” is that Hoffman is able to present such weighty subject matter via an epic fantasy storyline with plenty of action and pacing.
I have been reading fantasy avidly for over 30 years and this book ranks among the best for its creativity and vivid imagery.
To impress savvy readers, Bill Hoffman had to know his material and his métier. He succeeded because he is a fan and student of the genre, having read fantasy/sci-fi during law school for stress-release and enjoyment. Of his writer’s discipline, he says, “Will three or four hours’ sleep on most nights for four years catch up with me when I’m older? Yes. Is it a fair trade-off for something I wanted to do? Yes. Think of it this way: lawyers working in big corporate firms commonly log 100 hours a week. It isn’t considered a big deal. Writing The First Mother’s Fire was like that, only it was more fun and, to me, much more important.”
Not surprisingly, Bill Hoffman is still writing at night. The project now is Book Two, provisionally titled, The Splintering Realm. Planned to be completed next year, Book Two should be published in early 2010. And Book Three? “I expect it to appear in December 2012.” How can he anticipate the process years in advance? “Lawyers are trained to meet deadlines,” he says. “A court date is a fixed obligation. A brief is due when it’s due.”
Although he spends much less time in court now than formerly, Mr. Hoffman is still a working attorney engaged in the critical thinking required by legal practice. “Being a lawyer has never stopped,” he says. “It was a great advantage to me in bringing The Soulstealer War to this point.” Besides enabling him to negotiate his contracts with the publisher and illustrators, Mr. Hoffman’s legal training nurtured certain habits of mind well-adapted to constructing alternate worlds. “I learned a fantastic skill-set in law school,” he says. “As lawyers, we’re trained to look at a situation from all angles, to put ourselves on the other side of an issue. A law school education trains your mind to be open to other possibilities. It is a gateway to all opportunities, not just a law firm. It teaches a person how to look outside the box for new pathways.”
Bill Hoffman’s biggest opportunity as a fantasy/sci-fi author will come next spring at BookExpo America 2009. The event will take place at the Javits Center in New York and will feature book signings, author interviews, and discussions. “It will be the first time I really put myself in front of the whole industry,” he says. “My hope is that one of the big fantasy publishers will pick up the series.” Whether or not that happens, he is confident in his work and its story. “In The Soulstealer War, the magic is based on science,” he notes. “There is no devil, no witchcraft, no explosions on every page. The story is about the capacity of human beings to evolve mentally and spiritually to transcend the mode we’re in, of thinking our mundane reality is all there is. I believe there is much more to the universe than what we can perceive with our senses. That belief drives my writing, and The Soulstealer War explores its implications.”
Of the steady effort that has delivered great reviews and a place for his novel on the Barnes & Noble shelves, Bill Hoffman says, “I’ve learned that writing is an exercise of persistence and a personal belief in yourself. You can’t measure yourself against others.” Readers interested in more of the book’s backstory and ongoing success should visit www.SoulstealerWar.com.
~contributed by John A. Lauricella Special to Cornell Law School
The Soulstealer War – on the B&N Shelves!
October 11, 2008
The Soulstealer War has been available since January at www.Amazon.com, www.BarnesandNoble.com, www.Borders.com and through stores affiliated with www.BookSense.com. As a first time author supported by a “small press,” I have experienced both the trials and joys of introducing the novel. I would like to announce that…
Barnes & Noble is now stocking The Soulstealer War on their shelves!
Very few folks in my position get to this threshold even with a novel that has garnered praise from the professional critics. So whether it’s to seek a relaxing diversion from the current headlines or to brighten a friend’s day with a thoughtful gift, I encourage you to visit your local Barnes & Noble for The Soulstealer War (they can order it if sold out).
With much gratitude,
W.L. Hoffman – breathe slowly, observe humbly, dream deeply and evolve.
The Soulstealer War – Author Update
August 8, 2008
When it comes to writing and blogging, I recognize that my audience varies. Based upon prior communications, it’s fair to identify two dominant groups from the crowd – those who want insight on the business of writing and those who embrace the fantasy & sci-fi discussions. In the last month, my blog entries have been in stasis while I focused upon the business side of the equation, i.e., completing the traditional print run of the novel and revising the distribution arrangement with Ingram Book Co. to facilitate the novel’s appearance on the shelves. Through perseverance and a bit of luck, this milestone is within sight. But I still need your help spreading the word to family, friends, book clubs, etc.
At the same time, in mid-July I gave a presentation on “Magic & Metaphysics” in Margate City, NJ. The lecture was designed to introduce folks to the metaphysics (meaning of life and the universe) and magic system within the novel that I believe have application within real life… a blending of the mystical and of cosmology, where science and religion meet. Germinating from that gathering was a great article in today’s issue of The Breeze of Atlantic County (a very local newspaper) on the novel and the juxtaposition between my observations of true magic on Earth and fantasy magic in the Realm of Weir. Newspaper copies can be found throughout Atlantic County, but otherwise see page 19 at http://www.shorenewstoday.com/breeze/. It should be accessible there until next Friday… and thereafter available at http://www.SoulstealerWar.com.
This article also marks a transition to my next few posts which will cater to the folks who want more fantasy & sci-fi, and as good a starting place as any is the subject of MAGIC – not pulling a rabbit from a hat, but potentially dark and deadly power.
Please accept my continuing gratitude for your ongoing support.
Best,
W.L. Hoffman
There are those folks who suggested that I should have attended the BookExpo America (BEA) convention in Los Angeles rather than spending three days at Wizard World Philly. I’m sure they meant well. From my perspective, however, it was too early to take the initial novel in my series – The Soulstealer War – to BEA, especially considering the travel hurdle and that I would have embarked upon such a journey without a single sample of the novel’s pending traditional print run (5,000 copies). As I write this entry, final printing is anticipated next week. Rest easy, there are no substantive changes… instead, a few typos have been erased from existence and there are featured book review quotes.
Yet, casting aside the practical mantle, Wizard World Philly was a blast! Even in this dismal economy, the fans arrived in throngs (many in full regalia with fan favorites Star Wars, Iron Man and assorted Cyberpunk meets Doom combos) toting funds no doubt stashed in some secret account awaiting this opportunity to be traded for a comic of rare antiquity, a prized rendering from an industry legend or other treasured collectible.
Sure, I did have my doubts when I learned that the Guitar Hero III stage was twenty-five feet from my booth and that my neighbors were a line-up of autograph wielding professional wrestlers – classic and current superstars. As it turns out, while making conversation tough for a few hours, Guitar Hero III was truly a crowd pleaser. The wrestlers included the likes of The Iron Sheik, Eugene, Virgil, Nikolai Volkoff and the big gun – Lou Ferrigno a/k/a The Incredible Hulk. Although the wrestlers stayed to themselves, and their fan base had less interest in my creation, it made for entertaining if not chaotic spectacle over the three-day extravaganza. I also commend Nikolai Volkoff, who epitomizes the stereotypical Russian bear, for his philosophical debate on Nietzsche, intriguing discussion on “governments gone bad,” and dedicated observations on the miracles of Ayurvedic Medicine. I am honored to have met him.
In fact, I am proud and grateful to have met with each and every one of you good people who lingered by my display to peruse the novel’s back cover synopsis, ogle the five-foot map of The Eastern Rim of Weir and take a chance on this relatively unknown but aspiring fantasy/sci-fi author. These conventions are a ton of work for me, but remain one of the best ways to dynamically interact with my audience, meet other people who dream of worlds beyond our shores and share my vision of a more evolved human condition.
Until next time…
W.L. Hoffman – breathe slowly, observe humbly, dream deeply and evolve.
http://SoulstealerWar.WordPress.com
P.S. The randomly drawn winner of the crystal globe giveaway is Karen Graham (please send me your mailing address). Congratulations!
Author Interview by Dr. Joseph Riggio, host of Intentional Performance on WebTalkRadio.net
May 8, 2008
Coming from a small publisher (effectively self-published), I am constantly battling and occasionally appeasing the gods of “Bookdom” in order to spread the word to mainstream media and to encourage readers to delve into my newly released fantasy/sci-fi novel – The First Mother’s Fire, Book One of The Soulstealer War series.
Today’s Blog entry is my twenty minute interview with Dr. Joseph Riggio host of the Intentional Performance show on WebTalkRadio.net. The Link below will take you to my interview, and on my computer, I had to click “yes” to enable an active X control to run so that the interview could play. I recommend the discussion for anyone who wants insight on how to achieve your dreams and on what trials and tribulations we authors endure… albeit willingly.
http://www.webtalkradio.net/content/view/496/33/
Enjoy with my blessing.
W.L. Hoffman
WLHoffman@SoulstealerWar.com
http://www.SoulstealerWar.com
A Fantasy Author in New York Comic-Con’s Court – Awesome
April 22, 2008
Okay, I’ve come up for air. No, I have not yet responded to all my e-mail traffic from the New York Comic-Con weekend. I promise you that I will, but this post takes priority.
My first major convention was loads of fun, serious work and an amazing learning experience. I took hours to set up my booth. It was to be the public stage for greeting fantasy/sci-fi fans of all ages and introducing The Soulstealer War in the non-virtual world. As good as a website can be, it takes a back seat to the face-to-face with folks and I wanted to put my best foot forward. There were tables, chairs, coverings, stickers, wooden chests, leather boxes, parchment signs, silk scrolls, books, lamps, candles, seven feet of armor and other accents to handle – all designed to create the right atmosphere.
There were impressive technical displays by the major industry players, and less spectacular, but equally satisfying, sights to be found in the convention’s nether recesses. I imagine it was impossible for the fans in one weekend to find their way to every nook and alternate realm. However, I met my share. I was tucked in the Small Press community, an abode of independent risk-taking artists and publishers who seemed to be phantoms – Aisle 2200 bore neither a ceiling sign nor a “Small Press” banner – perhaps some industry handicaps will always remain. Then again, it could be that lady Fate retains her sense of humor. Heck, even the “Podcast” area had a banner sign.
Despite these hurdles and the seemingly endless garden of visual delights, a lot of you found your way to my table. It was simultaneously humbling, thrilling and harrowing – adding lots of java to the three day mix only hyped the surreal factor. Whether I was just
- talking fantasy & sci-fi;
- offering my tidbits on the novel and characters;
- tracing the story-line on the five-foot map of the Eastern Rim of Weir;
- meeting industry professionals;
- chatting with the librarians;
- encouraging fellow writers to complete their manuscripts;
- scrutinizing sample materials from the supporting cast of marketing people;
- discovering fantasy & sci-fi reviewers and bloggers;
- waving to Stan Lee as he passed my table with a retinue at his heels
- casting an approving glance at the costumed attendees; and
- making a note that I need to find out where the Star Wars Stormtrooper armor and weaponry can be acquired…
… it was my great pleasure and sincere honor to be counted among those present.
THANK YOU ALL.
W.L. Hoffman
P.S. – Congratulations to Dawn Toledo, winner of my crystal globe drawing.
P.P.S. – This message was copied to my e-mail database so that the update can reach those of you who are not yet tracking my Blog sites: http://SoulstealerWar.Blogspot.com and http://SoulstealerWar.WordPress.com. As always, if you want to be permanently removed from this database, please just send a reply message making that request. I will be disappointed, but will certainly respect your wishes.
My First Book Signing – The Soulstealer War
March 29, 2008
Coming from a small publisher (effectively self-published), I am constantly battling and occasionally appeasing the gods of “Bookdom” in order to spread the word to media folks and encourage new readers to go on-line to purchase my fantasy/sci-fi Novel – The First Mother’s Fire, Book One of The Soulstealer War series. I am taking a quick break from my prior Blog entries, wherein I post professional (and reader) reviews that remain a finer testament than my urgings, to reflect upon my first Book Signing experience.
Overall, after the author presentations, I had about an hour and a half to sell (B&N handled this aspect) and sign books. I was honored to discuss, hug and sign away with the various people purchasing my debut novel. While the store record for sales at a signing was not broken, I made a darn good run with the highest sales total of the evening. More importantly, the community manager of Barnes & Noble became a fan and supporter. No, I am not on the shelves yet… it is still a virtual reality of sales via Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com, but I’m closer to this goal. I now have a track record of strong professional reviews, five-star fan reviews, tens of thousands of unique visitors to my website, the endorsement of a Barnes & Noble manager, and I’m hoping a decent record of sales for the two and a half months that the novel has been available to purchase (I’ll have the quarter end numbers soon). Word-of-mouth continues to spread on the Internet grapevine, and I will resubmit my novel to Barnes & Noble for shelf consideration.
The above might sound like too much focus on economics, but it seems to me that transcending foundations and shaking the very rafters of existence (as ascribed to me by Front Street Reviews – see my last post) only matters if I am able to reach my audience, to effect change in the way people view the human condition and our existence in this universe. Unfortunately, business still controls access, and I will not pay heed to the naysayers. Persistence and perseverance are two of the greatest qualities we possess. The book signing was part of a dream come true, and my feet have yet to touch the ground. The journey continues…
W.L. Hoffman

