Endings and beginnings

I know this is my “writing blog,” but this particular blog post is not about endings and beginnings as it relates to writing. Actually, it has to do with certain things coming to an end and new things that will be a beginning for me.

Today is the last day of March. Another month has come to an end and, with it, some other things have come to an end, as well. Some of it’s bad, some of it’s good. They are definitely things that I accept all the same.

The sad news is that I resigned from my post as promotions representative for the children’s books published by GMTA Publishing. This has been an amicable parting and I wish Kitty Bullard and GMTA the very best.

Unfortunately, because of changes the company has made, my contracts for books published by GMTA, as well as future books, have been terminated. The books I have published with GMTA are Dogs Forever: Poems forthe Dog Person, Follow That Dream and A Million Doughnuts. My daughter, Jennifer Wilson, also has a book published by GMTA called Sarah’s SpecialAngel. This contract has also been terminated. However, I have been assured that the books will stay available for purchase on Amazon until the end of April.

Another thing that came to an end this month is actually something I am happy about: I have finally finished writing the poems for my next poetry book, the one for the soldiers. Yeah! I am very happy I finally completed this book and look forward to getting it published in the near future.

Now for some new beginnings for me.

One of these new beginnings is a new poetry book I will be writing next month. I figured I would write a poetry book for National Poetry Month, and since I completed one poetry book, and tomorrow is the start of National Poetry Month, I’ll begin that new poetry book tomorrow. Yay!

Another new beginning is one I am very nervous about, as well as a little scared. I am going to start self-publishing all of my poetry books. I feel it is time to do this. It’s just the better route for me to take. I did try self-publishing once and it did not work out very well. But there are so many other authors out there who have been very supportive and encouraging about this that I feel I’ll be able to accomplish this and find my way through it. (Thank you, everyone! You’re great!)

Another new beginning is that I am going to get involved in the children’s literacy program. I mean, more involved than I had before. Before, it was just bits and pieces. But now it’s time to become more active in that department. I don’t know how, exactly, I will be able to do that, but I am confident that I will find something. There is actually a local program and I am thinking of starting there.

These are new and exciting times. Yes, there has been some bad news here, but also good news, too. I am ready to move forward with these changes and so is Jennifer. We both had our cry over it and blew off a bit of steam. But now we are stronger and ready to move on. We are grateful for the experiences we have had and look forward to seeing bigger things happen as a result of these new beginnings.

Youth Art Month young artist interview with Joely Casavant

March is Youth Art Month and, to celebrate, I will be interviewing four very talented young artists. These four young artists have one thing in common: They have all had their work published by GMTA Publishing. This is one of the things I love about GMTA; they are very open to working with young writers and illustrators. GMTA is a very big supporter of young writers and artists and I am thrilled they have published the work of four very special young ladies. (Don’t feel left out, guys; I hope by the same time next year I will be able to feature some young male artists for Youth Art Month 2014!).

The fourth and final young artist I am featuring in this series is Joely Casavant. Her aunt, Lee-Ann Graff-Vinson, is the author of the Queen Emily’s Enchanted Kingdom series, published by GMTA Publishing, and I was introduced to Joely’s work when I read the second book in the series, Litterbug. I am thrilled to include this talented young artist in my series for Youth Art Month.

Welcome, Joely!

How old are you?

15

How long have you been creating art?

I've always been drawing and such, but when I was 13, I took an art class in school and began using other mediums which really broadened my abilities. I would consider this when I began creating art, 2 years ago.

What kind of art do you do?

I love to paint and draw portraits for the most part.

Who has inspired you as an artist?

Too many people to count! Lots I have known personally though, and have looked up to them for their great skills.

Where do you get your ideas for your work?

I like to look for something inspiring, usually in music, and picture something I could make. I also just have ideas pop into my head when looking at photos of people about a nice portrait I could make.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

I'd have to say my favorite artists are Emily Carr and Andy Warhol.

What type of art do you like to do the most and why?

Really, I love trying new things as I'm still learning all of what there is out there.

How long did you practice your art before you decided to go pro?

I hadn't been working very long on my art before being asked to illustrate Litterbug (Queen Emily's Enchanted Kingdom), only maybe a year. But I've always been rather good at drawing, and loved the idea!

A sample picture Joely created for the book, Queen Emily's Enchanted Kingdom: Litterbug, authored by Lee-Ann Graff-Vinson. Illustration copyright 2012 by Joely Casavant.

What kind of advice or tips do you have for other young artists?

Just keep trying! The more you practice, the better it gets.

What do you do when you are blocked and can't create any art?

I usually just take a break, and I wait for it to come to me. Forcing myself to make something never ends up turning out good!

What kind of art are you working on right now?

I just finished a portrait of Twiggy in my school art class, and I'm beginning a project where I'll be making a piece of art from pieces of garbage.

Do you have anything coming out we can look forward to seeing? Where and when?

Not at the moment, unfortunately.

What are some of your goals for your art?

I'd like to paint a nice realistic landscape scene, which is quite hard for me! Hopefully I'll conquer that soon.
 

Preparing for publication: Guest post by Ellen Mae Franklin

Great Minds Think Aloud Publishing has just released a new novel, The Unseen Promise, by debut author Ellen Mae Franklin. The book is published under their imprint, Mythos Press. I am pleased to welcome Ellen to my blog and share her guest post with readers today.

 

 It was always my intention to write this book as a part of a series, but it wasn’t until I was halfway through, that I understood the complexity of the many characters and storyline I was creating. With 90 characters to work with, there are some very colourful personalities, some shouting out to be heard way after the final two words - The End!

Who knows where this might lead.

I know the market I am working in is very competitive and the Big 6 almost an Urban Myth. So what does a fledgling writer do?

For me it was simple - Take Social Media by the horns and build a platform, I believed I needed awareness for The Unseen Promise before it was released. I created a Fan Page on Facebook, a Twitter account and in trial and error, websites. Networking became a priority and I set about the business of making connections. It was important for me to listen and learn from others with experience in the industry.

Hosting interviews in different forms on my blog and website, has also helped in creating awareness to myself as a writer and to the work I am producing. Supporting other Authors gains, not only a respectable standing in the industry, but helps to form a supportive safety net. I have had some very positive experiences connecting with others like mind.

The other crucial belief I have and this may stem from my many years of Field Merchandising, is that the book cover of any book must be visually compelling. All humans are visual creatures, so the artwork must be as such that it stops a reader mid stride. I used the website Odesk to find the graphic artist, I believed was capable of illustrating fantasy. I chose Cristian Poppa, he had an artistic eye, the creative ability and the technique to portray my characters as I visualized them.

I am currently doing my best to keep my head above water. Working hard on three different projects, the second book in the Tarkeenia Sagas. It is called - It’s not the Bite that kills you. I am also, co-writing with a very talented UK Author, Pete Emmerson on a fantasy series. We have not given our project a name it is still a work in progress.
 
My other project is a group effort. I am co-founder of an Australian group of writers and authors, 34 in total and we are working on writing short stories for Australian themed anthologies. We are called Terra Australis and the anthologies we are producing will be published late August this year. The book names will be Tales from Terra Australis, book one and book two.

Interviews take up any remaining free time. This is a way of connecting with others and supporting their efforts and hard work. Building friendships and networking along the way. I will endeavor to market my work on a very personal level and this seems to be part of the world when self-publishing or working closely with a small publishing company. So, it is imperative to remain positive. For me it is simply, once I emerge myself in the world of writing and the process of creating I find that I am often swept along, and of course, there can be no going back.

I am here to talk about my first book - The Unseen Promise. I am very excited for my debut novel, is being released on the 25th of March by GMTA Publishing.

I have been told it is a classical fantasy piece, pure imagination with characters in abundance. This, I think reflects upon the days of my childhood and the books that influenced me along the way. Reading is habitual and there isn’t a day that goes by, where I am not toting a book.
 
The worlds that Enid Blyton created for me, had me reading long after I heard, lights out! From there on in the power of words captured my heart and mind. I progressed to other authors and more complex storylines. The love, I have for this genre shows in my writing and the endless meanderings I put to paper. Authors that have inspired and influenced my writing style are many, but to name a few that stand out as giants are in order, Joe Abercrombie - for me this author has taken fantasy to a new level. The story he creates are complex, gritty, violent and colourful. I have learnt a great deal from his books, character development and dialogue. George RR Martin, Fiona McIntosh, Ian Irvine, Guy Gavriel Kay, Julian May, Stephen Donaldson, Robert Jordon, Robin Hobb, Sara Douglass are to name a few that have given me years of enjoyment. 

I was born and still live in Adelaide, Australia. For me, there is no place like home. The big 50 has come and gone, my children are adults, which leaves me to indulge myself in the things I love, writing, reading, gardening and traveling. I get to spend quality time with the people I love. Adding to my family are 2 dogs and like all pet owners, I shamelessly dote on them.
 
The Unseen Promise is the first book in a series I am working on, called the Tarkeenia Sagas. It takes place on the world, Tarkeenia. Imaginary and very new characters have been created to walk this world that is on the brink of chaos. I have been asked, if my book contains a message to the reader. I thought that it would be a good idea for The Unseen Promise to answer that question.
 
In the beginning
What is curiosity? Is it a beginning or is it an ending? Should you embrace it or do you shut your eyes and pray for the love of whatever god you hold close that it disappears? It is a thing without limitations and restraints, for it carries no conscience, other than what its bearer holds. So I ask, should it be valued or feared? For it begs to be heard and it never, ever, no matter how much you should wish it, offers even the smallest measure of mercies.

Even the gods feel the tug of its call, its alluring charm. All except for one. He believed that he alone held its secrets, and valued curiosity as a favorite trinket to be kept close until such time, as it was needed.

So, be warned friend, for to answer its call - curiosity’s enticing song - it must be with wide eyes and a steady heart, for trouble always follows.

Youth Art Month young artist interview with Emily Ann Vinson

March is Youth Art Month and, to celebrate, I will be interviewing four very talented young artists. These four young artists have one thing in common: They have all had their work published by GMTA Publishing. This is one of the things I love about GMTA; they are very open to working with young writers and illustrators. GMTA is a very big supporter of young writers and artists and I am thrilled they have published the work of four very special young ladies. (Don’t feel left out, guys; I hope by the same time next year I will be able to feature some young male artists for Youth Art Month 2014!).

The third young artist I am featuring is Emily Ann Vinson. Her mother, author Lee-Ann Graff-Vinson, started promoting her new children’s book, Queen Emily’s Enchanted Kingdom: Sugarland, published by GMTA Publishing, and that’s when I found out her young daughter, Emily, had illustrated the book. Not only this, but Emily has also done some cover art, as well. Kudos, Emily! I am thrilled to include this talented young artist in my series for Youth Art Month.

Welcome, Emily!

How old are you?

8 1/2

How long have you been creating art?

For as long as I can remember. I remember my interest in drawing being in kindergarten. I loved to draw shapes of all kinds and turning them into pictures of houses, cars or even caterpillars.

What kind of art do you do?

I like drawing self-portraits and pictures of things I see. I also like creating my own journals out of used paper and giving them a colourful cover with construction paper. I write plays and make-believe stories. I create all kinds of art out of paper as well as find a use for empty tissue boxes and toilet paper rolls (I make them into airplanes and guitars for my Barbies).

Who has inspired you as an artist?

I love Garfield comic books. I wish I could draw like Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield.

Where do you get your ideas for your work?

I think of special events or places I’ve been which are really pretty and then draw the things I liked the most about them. My favourite is when we go camping with my friends or traveling to different places in the summer.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

Cartoonists – especially of Archie comics and Garfield.

What type of art do you like to do the most and why?

I like to draw self-portraits. It is fun to try to see if I can draw the person exactly as they look from using only my memory.

How long did you practice your art before you decided to go pro?

I have been drawing since I was five-years-old. I was seven when my mom and I came up with the Queen Emily series. I knew I wanted to draw the pictures for the stories we created.

A sample of Emily's artwork in Queen Emily's Enchanted Kingdom: Sugarland.

Copyright 2012 by Emily Ann Vinson.

The cover Emily created for Litterbug. 
Copyright 2012 by Emily Ann Vinson.

What kind of advice or tips do you have for other young artists?

Pay close attention to details of what you want to draw. For example, if you want to draw self-portraits, make sure you have all the details of facial features and what the person wears and looks like. If you make some notes with the details, you will be sure not to forget anything.

What do you do when you are blocked and can't create any art?

Sometimes I get frustrated creating the pictures for Queen Emily, but my mom can usually help me figure out what we should draw.

What kind of art are you working on right now?

I have a LeapPad. Right now I’m using an App that I can go to and pick photos I have taken to be stretched out and mirrored. I twirl the pictures around and create them into hallway looking images which can be highlighted and detailed.

Do you have anything coming out we can look forward to seeing? Where and when?

I will be drawing some of the pictures for the next Queen Emily’s Enchanted Kingdom series. The new book is called Dreamland and hopefully will be out in April.

What are some of your goals for your art?

I would like to draw pictures that people can look at on the internet. Maybe when I get a bit older, I can start a blog for my art.

Creating Characters: Guest Post by author Debbie Brown

Author Debbie Brown has recently had a novel published by Mythos Press, an imprint of GMTA  Publishing. To celebrate the occasion, she is a guest on my blog today, here to talk about creating characters and share information about her novel, Emma.

Welcome, Debbie!

Creating Characters

By Debbie Brown

He’s Alive!

OK, fun aside, every story needs a good character. It just so happens that the last book I read struck me in an odd way. It was the first time I came across a book where I found the characters to be flat and lifeless.  Instead of putting it down, I observed them. I wanted to figure out why that had happened, what was missing, and where the author went wrong.

When it comes to creating characters, a fun exercise can be to go out into the world and observe. Now, make sure you don’t go and get yourself arrested for stalking. If your MC happens to be eight years old and you’ve decided to hang around parks to get a feel for the eight year old, be discrete.

Step one would be to observe and take notes. Describe your character, noting everything from clothing, to physical traits, and then his ticks or mannerisms. Watch his expressions, dialogue and reactions. Be as detailed as possible at this stage.

Once you’ve done that, describe the scene that is playing out before you. Don’t try to turn it into anything other than what it is, at least not yet. So, here you are, the observer or reporter, documenting what your character is up to. Next, switch modes, and get inside your character’s head. Write what is going on from his point of view. Write not only what he is saying, but what you believe he’s thinking. Become the child. What’s he feeling and thinking as the scene plays out?

Try the same thing with a young mother, a business man, a sports coach or anyone you please. Sit in a mall, arena, or library, and watch people going about their routine. Friends, co-workers and family make good targets to study as well.

Another exercise would be to watch the physiological responses of your subject. What I mean by that is watch their reactions…His eyes widened, lifted his chin defiantly, her eyes narrowed and she let out a slow breath through clenched teeth, his shoulders sagged, she stiffened, her eyes darted around the room nervously…

What do you think she is feeling, thinking...

OK, I think you get the picture. But wait! Those were external descriptions of your character, the things we see. What would be going on inside? His stomach lurched, he swallowed the lump forming in his throat but refused to back down, rage bubbled up from inside as she fought for control, all hope drained away, a chill ran up her spine, her insides shook as she searched frantically for a way out…

You can make a chart with physical descriptions and all the details we covered above for future reference. And if you find names you like, throw them in.

When it comes to inserting your character into your story, you want to describe him, but you also want to let the reader create an image of your character in his mind.  Another book I read had the author describing, in detail, every piece and brand of clothing on the character…in every single scene. At one point, it becomes overkill.

Give a general description at first, and then add a detail here and there as you go along.

Hopefully, you will be able to create a living, breathing character that will thrive as he makes his way through your story.

If you want to test out your creations, try describing a family member, friend or co-worker, and see if the others figure can out who he or she is. If you get it right, they won’t hesitate to identify the person.

If ever you don’t get out enough to try this out, turn on the television and try with one of those characters. Oh, and show, don't tell. Remember to have fun.  ;o)

As an ER nurse, Emma knows life can change in the blink of an eye. When fate comes knocking, she finds herself far away from the city and back on the mountain ranch where she grew up -with the intention to close up and sell the house so she can move on. But fate isn’t done with her yet, and that’s when she finds him, the one Two-Feathers calls ‘Star Brother’. Wounded and unconscious, Emma assumes he’s a military test pilot, until he opens his amethyst eyes and stares into the very essence of her being.  

Buy link:

Smashwords

Amazon

All her life, Debbie has spun stories in her mind, watching characters come to life, seemingly by themselves. After working as a nurse, teacher, martial arts instructor, artist, and CIC officer in the Canadian forces, not to mention her many hobbies, her life reads like a story itself. And yet, her favorite thing is still a cozy fire, a good book, and country living with her husband JP and her youngest of four children. After graduating from the Institute of Children’s Literature’s advanced writing course, she is finally devoting herself to writing these stories down, taking us all on a ride we won’t quickly forget.

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Youth Art Month young artist interview with Rhianna J. Bullard

March is Youth Art Month and, to celebrate, I will be interviewing four very talented young artists. These four young artists have one thing in common: They have all had their work published by GMTA Publishing. This is one of the things I love about GMTA; they are very open to working with young writers and illustrators. GMTA is a very big supporter of young writers and artists and I am thrilled they have published the work of four very special young ladies. (Don’t feel left out, guys; I hope by the same time next year I will be able to feature some young male artists for Youth Art Month 2014!).

The second young artist I am featuring is Rhianna J. Bullard. I was first introduced to the work of this young artist when I saw the cover for the children's book, Alfred, A Timber Wolf's Tale. Her mother Kitty Bullard, co-founder of GMTA Publishing, has shared some other art her daughter has done with the group. I am thrilled to include this talented young artist in my series for Youth Art Month.

Welcome, Rhianna!

How old are you?

12

How long have you been creating art? 

Since I was in Pre-K. I started drawing and never stopped. It’s become one of my most favorite things to do.

What kind of art do you do? 

Drawing and painting. I love to draw dragons and horses, those are my favorites. I’ve never been good at drawing people I guess because I just like animals so much!

Who has inspired you as an artist? 

Cornelia Funke, I love her illustrations. But I mostly like to draw my own stuff. I can’t think of anyone that actually inspires me.

Where do you get your ideas for your work?

Dreams. I always have really cool dreams of dragons and other mythical creatures. I love legendary animals.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

Cornelia Funke, and other fantasy artists. Brian Froud is another favorite of mine. My mom told me he did a lot of the art for movies I like, like Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal.

What type of art do you like to do the most and why?

I love drawing mythical creatures the most but also horses.  I think I just like them more because they are different and I usually end up making my own creatures as well.

How long did you practice your art before you decided to go pro?

I practiced a long time. I still do. I didn’t do a professional piece until I was 11, that was the cover for an author of my mom’s named Randall L. Emery for his book Alfred, a Timber Wolf’s Tale. I’m much better at drawing now though than I was even then.

Cover art Rhianna created for Alfred, A Timber Wolf's Tale

Copyright © Rhianna J. Bullard

Copyright © Rhianna J. Bullard

Copyright © Rhianna J. Bullard

Copyright © Rhianna J. Billard

What kind of advice or tips do you have for other young artists?

I would tell them to always keep drawing and practice a lot. It’s not only fun and a good hobby but you never know what it may lead to someday. You could be drawing for a huge company.

What do you do when you are blocked and can't create any art?

I read, and watch movies. I usually get ideas from that as well and it helps me if I can’t think of things to draw. Sometimes I just ask my mom to tell me something to draw.

What kind of art are you working on right now? 

Right now I’m working on my very first acrylic painting of a dragon. When I get it done I’ll have my mom put it on my blog.

Do you have anything coming out we can look forward to seeing? Where and when? 

I am working on my first novel. I plan to try and do illustrations for it as well as the cover. I can’t wait, of course it will be a dragons!

What are some of your goals for your art?

I would like to be a professional drawer one day. I love doing covers and illustrations so maybe that’s what I’ll do!

Rhianna’s Site Link: http://theworldofrhianna.blogspot.com/
(Coming Soon)

Youth Art Month young artist interview with Jennifer Wilson

March is Youth Art Month and, to celebrate, I will be interviewing four very talented young artists. These four young artists have one thing in common: They have all had their work published by GMTA Publishing. This is one of the things I love about GMTA; they are very open to working with young writers and illustrators. GMTA is a very big supporter of young writers and artists and I am thrilled they have published the work of four very special young ladies. (Don’t feel left out, guys; I hope by the same time next year I will be able to feature some young male artists for Youth Art Month 2014!).

The first young artist I am featuring is my daughter, Jennifer Wilson. Jennifer has been drawing since she was very young and her art first appeared in the book she co-wrote with me, Dogs Forever! Poems for the Dog Person. 

Welcome, Jennifer!


How old are you?

I'm 11 years old.

How long have you been creating art?

I'm not sure, maybe when I could hold a pencil? My mom says when I first made a picture when I was 2 so about 9 years?

What kind of art do you do?

I like to do many different kinds of art; abstract, animal art, cartoons, and Manga. I try my best to draw actual people but I never can. OH! I sometimes also do still life or painting and crafts too.

Who has inspired you as an artist?

Vincent Van Gogh, of course!

Where do you get your ideas for your work?

Sometimes from things people say, or from games I play or my brain just comes up with something all of a sudden.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo Da Vinci

What type of art do you like to do the most and why?

I like drawing animals best because I love animals and I just have a passion for it.

An illustration in the book Jennifer wrote and illustrated, Sarah's Special Angel

How long did you practice your art before you decided to go pro?

About 8 years.

What kind of advice or tips do you have for other young artists?

Never give up and don't doubt yourself. If you give up, how will you ever embrace your dream of being an artist? And if you doubt yourself, you'll never reach your full potential.

What do you do when you are blocked and can't create any art?

I take it easy for a while and just forget about it. And when I'm ready to get back in, I just jump right in.

What kind of art are you working on right now?

Animal art. I have to work on drawing wolves for my mom's book.

Do you have anything coming out we can look forward to seeing? Where and when?

A poem book Mom and I wrote together. It's called Satyrs Are Cool, and it’s coming out on July 24th, I think.

What are some of your goals for your art?

To get my art in a museum and to have everyone know my name because of my art!

An ebook that is always free

As part of Read an E-Book Week, I’ll be featuring ebooks here on this blog. Three of them will be my own ebooks, but I’ll be sure to include a couple of others. The books featured here are only available as ebooks and not in print format as well. It’s my way of staying true to promoting actual ebooks during Read an E-Book Week!



The fifth ebook I’d like to promote for Read an E-Book Week is my free ebook, Survival Strategies for Writing Parents. This ebook is always available as a free download from my web site. I wrote this ebook when I was working as a journalist/freelance writer and I feel that some of the advice still applies to writing parents. (These days, I don't condone being so uninterested in meeting deadlines.) Thankfully, today's technology makes it easier for writing parents to get more things done. 

I may revise/update this ebook at a later time but for now it is available for free as-is.

Survival Strategies for Writing Parents
Self-pubbed, 2006
Ebook, 22 ppg.
Link

 
Synopsis:
Finally! A resource for writing parents that gives it to them straight from the trenches! Trying to manage a writing career with children underfoot may seem impossible but it doesn’t have to be! This little collection of essays will guide writing parents who struggle to find time to write, manage a home office and work around obstacles to ultimately find success as a writer.



Excerpt:

When “Take Your Child to Work Day” is Every Day

Parents writing from home often find it difficult to keep their writer side balanced. The bad news: You’re a parent 24/7 but also a writer 24/7 because writers are always thinking. How do you keep one afloat while staying true to the other? That’s where the good news comes in: The task is darn near impossible, but just as conquerable.

Keep in mind that just because you’re a writer, you can’t turn off being a parent. The same goes in reverse. You have to figure out a way to lead this double life of cooking for your kids, cleaning up after them (and the house!), getting to the PTA meetings and soccer practice all while managing to meet your deadlines, work on an assignment, write a chapter and interview sources. Just that list could make the uninitiated run away screaming and swear off the job of trying to write from home with children underfoot. But for the serious writing parent willing to work around schedules, do without and be a little creative, the task can be done.

Here’s how:

Make both jobs a priority.

I’m not saying you need to be a superhuman willing to do it all. You can’t. No matter what people tell you, you can NOT do it all! I’m only suggesting you go easy on yourself and do something for the writing here, something for the parenting there. Yes, I am saying you need to do both things at once. I’m saying you need to work on your assignments while, at the same time, committing yourself to the parenting duties. For example, I’m constantly jumping in and out of my seat as I work, typing a paragraph, getting up to get my child some juice, typing another paragraph, then stopping again to admire a picture she drew. There are also times I’ll be typing with one hand as I entertain my child on my lap with the other, talk to her about what I am doing while she curiously examines the screen. I’ll even write a first draft in my notebook at the dinner table then type it all up after she goes to bed. That’s just the way it is.

If you have little ones, you can’t lock yourself in a room and work all day. That’s not possible. You need to give attention to your kids just as you do for your writing. Take some time out to talk with them, ask about their day and even compliment something they’re wearing. It’s the little things that can make a big difference.

A new ebook from Gypsy Shadow Publishing, Operation Catwalk

As part of Read an E-Book Week, I’ll be featuring ebooks here on this blog. Three of them will be my own ebooks, but I’ll be sure to include a couple of others. The books featured here are only available as ebooks and not in print format as well. It’s my way of staying true to promoting actual ebooks during Read an E-Book Week!



The fourth ebook I’d like to promote for Read an E-Book Week is Operation Catwalk: The High Life by Anne Petzer. It is the third installment in her series, Zvonek 08 Feline Intelligence Czech Republic.

Operation Catwalk: The High Life
Book Three in the series Zvonek 08 Feline Intelligence Czech Republic
By Anne Petzer
Gypsy Shadow Publishing, 2013
Ebook, 68 ppg.
Buy link



Synopsis:

Operation Catwalk—At last the most prestigious event of the year is being held in Prague. The Miss Feline CZ. Zvonek and Honza are looking forward to attending. The five finalists are chosen and The Mau is gearing up for the grand finale. Everything is on schedule when an alert on Vladimir's desk reveals strange happenings around the finalists that could sabotage the competition. Will Zvonek discover who is behind the attacks in time, or will the show just have to go on?

The High Life—Metaxa is suspicious of an elegant tom who arrives in Prague. When she meets him at a dinner with Zvonek and Honza he is witty, rich and appears to like her. Will she be taken in by his charm and wealth, or listen to her inner voice? What is his real connection to the strays and is he connected to Zvonek's latest mission?

Excerpt:

“The Spring Miss Feline Contest is in Prague this year,” Honza read aloud from The Daily Meow home page on the internet. The annual beauty competition traveled to different cities of the Czech Republic. Last year it had been in Brno.

He and Zvonek were in the computer room catching up on some reading. Honza had invited Zvonek to the hostel for lunch—some tom time away from Metaxa. Afterward they had gone to check the latest news.

“Zvoni, did you hear me?”

“Sorry, what did you say?”

“Prague is—what are you reading?” Honza leaned over to see what held Zvonek’s interest.

“It’s a piece on cat shelters. Mister Lidé has reopened the shelter he used to run with his wife.”

“Really?”

“Yes, it’s all here.” Zvonek pointed to the screen. “Along with the story of her tragic death while trying to save two felines.”

“Hmm . . . nothing of his Christmas fiasco, I see.”

Zvonek smiled. “So what were you saying about Prague?”

“The Miss Feline Contest is to be held here this year.”

“Where?”

“At The Mau.”

“Great stuff! I’ve always wanted to go. We should get tickets early to go to the finale. I bet it will be full. When does the voting open?”

“The finalists arrived yesterday and the voting opened this morning. We only have twenty-four hours to vote. Their photos and profiles are here on the competition’s home page.”

The finalists had been selected from the original twenty queens chosen to participate. From the original twenty, through votes, it had been whittled down to ten. These, then, traveled to Prague. Another five had been eliminated by computer vote and the judge’s decision, based on various questions and tasks. Everyone in the entire feline population was allowed to vote on one of those five. The finalists went through a series of tests and were given marks by the panel of judges. The last test required parading the catwalk to stand on stage and answer questions fired at them by the judges. There were strict rules to enter the competition. The entrants had to be born on Czech soil and also to have had no kittens, to give them the freedom to move around. The year-long reign took them to all four corners of the country, doing charitable work and serving their fellow felines.

The two toms looked through the profile photos.

“Wow, they’re all so pretty!”

“That’s why they were chosen, Honza.” Zvonek smiled.

It was a difficult decision, the rules stated only one vote per cat.

“Miss Prague is a Ragamuffin this year. Very nice.” Honza purred appreciatively.

“I’m not sure who to vote for, although I agree she is very pretty.” Zvonek looked at her profile photo. She was white and smoky grey with lovely blue eyes. He liked blue eyes. She looked very gentle and kind.

“What about Miss Karlovy Vary?” Miss Karlovy Vary was an ebony silver Oriental Longhair with golden eyes, very elegant looking. Honza was scrolling through the photos. He enjoyed competitions of any kind and even more so when pretty felines were involved.

After spending time going through all five of them, both toms decided Miss Prague should get their vote. She was the softest looking, Zvonek decided. As there was no entry from his home town of Litomerice, Miss Prague was the logical choice for him.

It felt strange wandering around with nothing to do. It had been a quiet winter work-wise. In one way, it was a good thing everything was peaceful. There had been a few domestic spats, but nothing really big since Bobina’s capture. Security had been tightened with a more vigilant eye kept on the rats. Even Rodent, in his cell, seemed to be behaving himself.

Zvonek was getting restless. He needed to have something to focus on, other than watching out for Metaxa. That job came down as orders from the top. He offered to get the tickets from the office which had been set up at The Mau.

My charity ebook, On the Wings of Pink Angels

As part of Read an E-Book Week, I’ll be featuring ebooks here on this blog. Three of them will be my own ebooks, but I’ll be sure to include a couple of others. The books featured here are only available as ebooks and not in print format as well. It’s my way of staying true to promoting actual ebooks during Read an E-Book Week!



The third ebook I’d like to promote for Read an E-Book Week is my charity ebook, On the Wings of Pink Angels. Royalties I receive from purchase of this ebook will be donated to charity.

On the Wings of Pink Angels: Triumph, Struggle and Courage Against Breast Cancer
Written and compiled by Dawn Colclasure
Gypsy Shadow Publishing, 2012
Ebook, 133 ppg.
Buy link


Synopsis:
"You have cancer." These are words people dread hearing. But when worse comes to worst, push comes to shove, something wonderful happens. More people come together for support and encouragement. More people participate in "Race for the Cure" events, and more people discover an inner strength within themselves that they never knew they had before. On the Wings of Pink Angels offers a gentle hand through this difficult time, sharing stories that inspire hope, strength, gratitude and courage during a time when someone must fight for his or her life against breast cancer.



Excerpt:

Breast Cancer: “It’s Not Just a Chick Thing”

A lot can be said about women and breast cancer. And, when you hear about someone being diagnosed with breast cancer, that someone is usually a woman.
 
Maine mother, writer and author Jenn Greenleaf knows a woman, her mother, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. But she also happens to know a man who was diagnosed with breast cancer, as well. That man was her father.
 
During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 2011, Jenn commented on her Facebook page that both of her parents are breast cancer survivors, adding, “It’s not just a chick thing.”
 
“I found out about my father’s diagnosis when I was nineteen or twenty, and I was devastated because he didn’t tell me the news until after he had gone through his mastectomy,” she said. “My father and I have a precarious relationship, at best, so it was difficult receiving this news. He and I had been trying to rebuild our relationship that year [which Jenn recalls as either 1994 or ‘95], so he came clean about what he went through because he knew it might have an affect on my future health.”
 
Up until then, Jenn knew very little about breast cancer. “To be honest, I didn’t know anything up close and personal about breast cancer. Sure, my primary care physicians taught me how to do self-examinations and I heard of celebrities who had either fought or lost their battle. I was impressed by how Montel Williams won his battle, particularly since he’s male and, back then, it seemed unheard of for a male to receive a breast cancer diagnosis.”
 
Indeed, it was so unheard of, that Jenn’s father expressed frustration over how very little men are considered when it comes to breast cancer.
 
“He felt strange about it, and blamed his lifestyle and life circumstances. He didn’t believe it had anything to do with genetics, but he couldn’t be sure because he and his five brothers grew up in the foster care system. He knew his family, but their personal and medical histories remain a mystery.”
 
As for Jenn’s mother, her diagnosis came later, in 2008.
 
“I was terrified when my mother told me she found a lump in 2008. I felt it, and asked her to get it checked out. She said, ‘I better, because everyone who’s felt it so far has said the same thing.’ She received her diagnosis, and began radiation. She was able to have a lumpectomy without having to lose too much. She’s still in recovery, and still has issues with pain and other lumps coming and going. So, the stress of her health still weighs heavily on my mind. She had ovarian cancer in 1986 and survived that with a hysterectomy, so when she received her second cancer diagnosis, I was certain we’d lose her.”
 
Thankfully, both of her parents are breast cancer survivors. What stands out about this experience is Jenn’s father being diagnosed with something that is majorly seen as a “woman’s disease.”
 
“I think it’s ridiculous, to be honest. I don’t like how everything is pink because it’s a breast issue—not a woman’s issue.”
 
She added, “I think the pink ribbons should be turned into a ribbon that blends blue into it somehow.”
(The rest of this interview appears in the ebook.)

The horror novelette ebook, Road to Hell

As part of Read an E-Book Week, I’ll be featuring ebooks here on this blog. Three of them will be my own ebooks, but I’ll be sure to include a couple of others. The books featured here are only available as ebooks and not in print format as well. It’s my way of staying true to promoting actual ebooks during Read an E-Book Week!



The second ebook I’d like to promote for Read an E-Book Week is GMTA Publishing’s latest release, a horror novelette  titled The Undead Hunters: Road to Hell by Stephen C. Ormsby.

The Undead Hunters: Road to Hell
By Stephen C. Ormsby
Grimoire Press, an imprint of GMTA Publishing, 2013
Ebook, 29 ppg.
Buy link


 
Synopsis:

Road to Hell is a graphic depiction of love, hatred and the power of the heart, as we join Conrad in the sixteen hundreds, and follow him on his journey of self-destruction.

 
Excerpt:

1664

Flames of fire flickered, licking at his clothes, setting them alight for a moment only to extinguish when the wind blew them out again. This sequence repeated itself for an indefinite period as he struggled to accept his fate. Railing against the binding chains, he thrashed and screamed until one of the crowd threw rotting food at him. They were here to watch the spectacle, but his vehemence angered them. The fire reached up to nibble at his clothes yet again, but once more the wind came through and dashed out the embers.

With the bottom of his robes cindered, the flames caught in one final defiant act against the wind. Conrad felt the heat and knew before long, the pain would commence. He was hot. Hotter than he had ever been but it would be nothing compared to roasting alive on this spit for the local populace to watch. They stared, daring him to deny his guilt one final time; their arms at the ready to pelt him with leftovers to earn their money from the venal officials.

He accepted his fate, staring at the swarm of angry faces and wouldn’t scream any longer. They did not deserve to hear it. The crowd watching or the people he murdered. Neither deserved his screams of torment. He would feel real pain; the pain that would cleanse him; that would sear the flesh from his bones. His soul would burn for eternity in the deepest pit of Hell for his crimes.

My poetry ebook, Songs of the Dead

As part of Read an E-Book Week, I’ll be featuring ebooks here on this blog. Two of them will be my own ebooks, but I’ll be sure to include some others. The books featured here are only available as ebooks and not in print format as well. It’s my way of staying true to promoting actual ebooks during Read an E-Book Week!

First up is my dark and horror poetry collection, Songs of the Dead.

Songs of the Dead: A Collection of Dark and Horror Poems

By Dawn Colclasure

Gypsy Shadow Publishing, 2010

Ebook, 55 ppg.

Link

Synopsis:

Dawn Colclasure’s dark poetry collection, Songs of the Dead (formerly named Topiary Dreams), is not only dark, but passionate. Anger, fear, hurt and betrayal run under the skin of this work and shine through especially bright in poems such as No Turning Back, Deep Within and I am Madness. Colclasure examines the dark side of human nature; murder, drug use, violence, insanity and isolation. But, beyond the tales of death and darkness there’s also a message of empowerment; the voice of someone who has taken too much, for too long and has finally had enough.

Songs of the Dead is a re-release of the chapbook originally published in 2003 and with more than twenty-seven new poems; it has more than earned the title “expanded”. Colclasure has a flair for prose, with lines such as “walk on the moon and hear the stars breathe,” (from Death Shows my Pain) and different poetry forms stop the reader from falling into a sing song rhythm of sameness and help to keep the collection fresh and interesting, page after page.

Excerpt:

Plots in Darkness

We are the children that die in your dreams.
We are the visions you see in your screams.
We are the products of disease and despair.
We are the pain . . . you pretend isn't there.

Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
I'm getting so sick of this monster inside.
The voices are screaming so loud in my head.
Sometimes I find myself . . . wishing I'm dead.

Open your eyes, plug up your ears.
It's time to face all your worst fears.
Inside I am bleeding with blood turning black.
And yet I still know . . . it will always come back.

The days, they grow darker. The nights are so cold.
We're zombies that carry burdens so old.
Tortured. Rejected. We call no place our home.
We're dead to this world . . . wherever we roam.

Our plots are in darkness wherever we roam.

Happy Read an E-Book Week!

It's Read an E-Book Week! I am very excited about this week. It’s a great chance to download some free or deeply-discounted e-books, check out e-books I may not have otherwise known about and read the work of authors I would not have otherwise known about!

To learn more about Read an E-Book Week, go here.

To celebrate this special week, I will be reviewing e-books on my book review blog, Dawn Reviews Books. I have changed the policy on that blog to include all kinds of books, not just family-friendly or PG-only books, because I felt that limitation was putting a damper on being able to share about some good books I have read that are not otherwise family-friendly. The whole point of that blog is to share about some good books (and e-books), so I decided to open the reviews to include all kinds of books.

You can read the first e-book review here.

Aside from that, I’ll be posting excerpts, covers and synopses of e-books here on this blog. I have two e-books of my own published so far, both of them published by Gypsy Shadow Publishing, and more are scheduled for publication in the near future.

The next post for this blog is scheduled for tomorrow, where you’ll get to check out an excerpt from my horror poetry e-book, Songs of the Dead.

Happy e-book reading!

GMTA March Releases

Happy March! A new month means new books, and for GMTA Publishing, that means quite a few new releases of books, as well as a re-release of an oldie.

The books released by GMTA and its imprints are included in order on this blog post. They are not yet available for purchase, but when I have those links, I will come back and add them. Also, some of these authors will be a guest on my blog in the near future, so you’ll be able to get links then.

Check them out! I hope there is a book here you will be interested in reading.

Phantom Dreams by T.K. Harris

Synopsis:
FBI Special Agent Jack Matthews finds himself on yet another serial killer case, having barely recovered from the last disastrous hunt. Still stiff from a gun shot wound in his leg, under investigation for a botched job, and having lost his fiancée when she walked out on him, Jack is beginning to wonder if it isn’t time to move on to something new. But, for Jack, these cases are personal and he can’t say no.

Marketing specialist Kathy Gilliam leads a fairly boring life. If she’s not working or caring for her ailing father, then she is doing whatever it takes to avoid going anywhere near crowds of people. Her few distractions include her friend Margo Longfellow, occasional hiking trips, and her increasingly alarming dreams of women dying.

As her nightmares cause her to begin to doubt her sanity, the media releases news of the “Coast-to-Coast Killer” and Kathy discovers her dreams may be related. In a moment of panic, Kathy does something that places her on the FBI’s “persons of interest” list. Suddenly, her life is set on a collision course with Jack who must decide if Kathy is the killer or destined to become a victim.

Road to Hell by Stephen Ormsby (ebook release only)

Synopsis:
Road to Hell is a graphic depiction of love, hatred and the power of the heart, as we join Conrad in the sixteen hundreds, and follow him on his journey of self-destruction.

The Godling Chronicles: Shadow of the Gods by Brian D. Anderson

Synopsis:
Valshara has fallen, and the forces of Angrääl are advancing. For the first time, human and elf must shed blood as one, in order to stem the tide of evil.

Zombified by Lyra McKen

Synopsis:
Cassie is a typical teenager.  She’s crushing on a boy and trying to make it through high school. It’s a typical day of classes when all hell breaks loose. Forced to run and hide the situation just keeps getting worse. She makes a mistake and soon becomes infected. She meets others like her and together they sent out to find a cure. Is their fate already sealed? Can they find a cure before it’s too late? See what happens through the eyes of the infected when Cassie tells you how Zombies are people too.



Gazpacho - The Amazing Life Story of an Extraordinary Worm (Book 1 - The Early Years) by Robert Michaels

Synopsis:
Gazpacho, a "Rarus Nimus Foetidus Loquaciatis Rauca Mollis" is a newly discovered species of worm that has the ability to communicate with most every living creature. But what his species is most know for, throughout the bug and animal world, is their highly toxic glands that produce a considerable amount of stink whenever they are stressed or in danger.

This toxic "handicap" or stinky "gift", depending on how it comes to be used, sets the stage for Gazpacho's early years just as it serves to enrich his life experiences and fuel his grand adventures.

From his birth in the northern forest glen to his plan of becoming the next great singing star and idol sensation, Gazpacho learns of love as he overcomes the many obstacles and prejudices against him to finally summon up the courage to leave home and live out his dream!

This is the first book in a series of four that tell Gazpacho's amazing life story!