#IWSG: What's Hiding Under the Back Seat?

The first Wednesday of the month has rolled around again. That means it's time to post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group event. If you want to join, go HERE. Everyone is welcome!

Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and his co-hosts this month: The awesome co-hosts for the October 3 posting of the IWSG are Dolorah @ Book Lover,Christopher D. Votey, Tanya Miranda, and Chemist Ken! 

This month's optional question is: How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?

This is a timely question! We've done some restructuring at the day job and now my duties have been increased. Stress levels have increased. I've been promised some help, but probably not until the first of the year. A raise is somewhere in the offing too. For now, 10 - 11 hour days are the new normal. 

Writing time? Not likely, except on weekends, if I can manage it. 

Still, I'm grateful for my job and will do the best I can. But writing will take a back seat--or more likely, will be hiding under the back seat until I go looking for it and drag it into the light of day. Heh. There's a story in there somewhere... 

What do major life events do to/for your writing?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Untethered Realms have put all of our accumulated short stories together in an anthology--just released! If you like speculative fiction, this anthology has everything from ghosts, witches and sprites, to otherworldly creatures and dystopian worlds. 

Elements of Untethered Realms

First Impressions and a Revealing Day

 

 

 

Despite the old saying to the contrary, everyone knows you really CAN judge a book by its cover.

I'm nearly always attracted by a cover first. Of course I have to like the blurb about the content, but the cover is the first impression.

 

AND,

 

I am very impressed with these two covers!

 

Check them out...

 

 

 

 

 

Coming soon! From Amazon bestselling and popular science fiction and fantasy authors comes Mayhem in the Air, a supernatural anthology of ten thrilling tales. Meet hot robots, hungry winds and the goddess of chaos. Explore alien planets, purgatorial realms, and a shocking place where people bury the living with their dead.

 

Mayhem in the Air is the second, long-awaited story collection from the dynamic and inventive Untethered Realms group.

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Tremp writes speculative fiction and his fourth novel, Salem’s Daughters, is a supernatural thriller. A four hundred year old evil is unleashed when souls of the daughters of those killed during the Salem Witch Trials find a new generation of people to murder at a popular modern-day bed and breakfast.

 

For a full synopsis and to pre-order a copy of Salem’s Daughters for $2.99 (price goes up to $4.99 soon after release) Click Here

.

 Are you ready for some Mayhem?

 

How about a little witchy business, hmmm?

 

IWSG: Behind My Time

Well that was the fastest April in history! I took the month off from this blog, but participated in the 2015 A-Z Blogging Challenge with Untethered Realms. I think it's pretty darn cool that bloggers do this every year. It's a chance to touch base with old blogging friends and meet new ones. All in all, it's quite the success!

So, onto the business of May, and in particular the first Wednesday of the month when members of the Insecure Writer's Support Group post about writerly stuff. Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and his minions for hosting this every month and making sure that hundreds of writers receive a supportive visit.

After publishing three books I wanted to up my game by learning more about pacing and writing a better book. I read Save the Cat by Blake Snyder and learned a lot. Even though it's for screenwriters, it's a great tool for any writer. Then I heard about Take Off Your Pants!: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker. Both are basically the same premise, but TOYP is specifically for writers. I'm learning a lot, even though most of what I've read I already knew, just never really applied it, at least not in an organized manner.

So, what's my problem? I've gotten no writing done this year. Just bits and pieces. I keep telling myself I'm investing in learning time to become a better writer. But I'm getting antsy because, well, I haven't written anything! I thought I'd get a book out this year, but now it's May and I'm thinking maybe not. Probably not! I feel like I'm behind in my time, as Scrooge accused Marley in A Christmas Carol. *big sigh*

Thanks for listening!

What's your writing insecurity this month?

Did you participate in the A-Z Challenge?

December Secrets and Holiday Puppies

Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone has a very happy December,

spent with loved ones sharing holiday cheer.

Koko and Tuffy hope you get lots of cookies!

Untethered Realms

Tomorrow (Tuesday 12/16/14) I'm over at Untethered Realms with a little Secret Christmas Carol pictograph. I hope you can stop by to see it and find out the secret *winks*

Secret Project

Secrets abound right now! I'm working on a secret project that I'm not quite ready to share. But I really want to, so I made up a little teaser:

Envision this:

my character finds himself butt naked, outside,

laying on the wet cobblestones, when who should

see him but a Victorian bobby...

Photo by Gwen Gardner

...and of course the chase is on.

 



And here's my theme song by Jewel to go with it:

 

Who will save your soul when it comes to the flower?
Who will save your soul after all the lies that you told, boy?
Who will save your soul if you won't save your own?

What are your holiday plans?

 

Do you have a secret project?

 

Care to share?

ISWG: Touring and Tanking

Today is Insecure Writers Support Group day. The first Wednesday of every month is when we post about our insecurities and concerns as writers, receive and offer support. If you want to join, click HERE. Thanks so much to Alex Cavanaugh and his helpers who manage this event every month.

I'm releasing my Afterlife series. The first novella, Second Death, will be released on September 22nd, then the other two in October. All three are written, edited and formatted. I'm waiting on one more cover to be completed. I'm on top of it. Second Death is even up for pre-order.

What's my insecurity?

It's the blog tour. I've toned it down because I don't want to stress myself out since the day job that pays the bills really takes a lot out of me. I've barely asked for any hosts (asking for help has always been a problem for me), since I know I can rely on my buddies in my Untethered Realms group to host me. That's the good part.

The insecure part is writing posts for the blog tour. I tend to go with character-based posts, fun and quirky (according to me) rather than the serious. What if the posts are dumb? What if people (hosts) think they're too silly. And *gasp!* what if readers (bloggers) find them boring? What if I tank? What if people don't comment because...all of the above?

Still... I have spots open if, you know...

That's my current insecurity.

What's yours?

Twisted Earths

Coming October 2014!

 

 

 

 

The Untethered Realms speculative fiction authors are releasing an anthology of short stories! We're very excited about it and can't wait to show it to the world. But that will have to wait until October 1st.

It has been a great experience working with these authors. You'd think it would be hard to corral nine authors and give them deadlines and guidelines for writing, editing, proofing, etc. But we did it and it's been a wonderful experience. These authors are pros and I'm excited to be a part of their group.

Here's a little about each of the authors and their stories:

M. Pax, author of the series, The Backworlds and The Rifters spins a tale called Patchworker 2.0. Specialists with digital interfaces are the only ones who can distinguish between biological energy and mechanical pulses, and “patch” AIs, which hold the world together. Patchworker Evalyn Shore meets up with an AI with deadly intent.

Cherie Reich, known for her epic fantasy series The Fate Challenges and The Foxwick Chronicles, presents Lady Death. Umbria, a beautiful and powerful swordsmith, is given an impossible task by her brother Leon when he asks, “You are the assassin. Are you scared to destroy Death when you are up to your elbows in it?”

Angela Brown is the author of the paranormal Shadow Jumpers and NEO Chronicles series. In her story, In The Know, Jacob, a loyal family man is struggling to stay out of debt when he’s hired to report on big plans for a future Detroit. He’s given a mysterious manila envelope with instructions to “open it alone” or pay the price. With switchback twists you won’t see coming, a debt of a much steeper cost is what he just might end up paying for his involvement.

Catherine Stine, author of the futuristic thrillers, Fireseed One and Ruby’s Fire, offers The Day of The Flying Dogs, a sinister tale of brilliant, troubled NYC high-school student, Theo. He experiences a day at Coney Island that includes drugs, delusions, a lonely capybara, Nathan’s hotdogs and a mind-bending lesson in our very twisted universe.

Christine Rains, known best for her paranormal series The Thirteenth Floor, gives us The Ole Saint, a story at once sweet, horrific and heartrending. Ezra longs to fit in and have boys stop calling him witch and freak, yet his unique supernatural skill sets him apart, and the last gift from The Ole Saint cinches the deal.

Graeme Ing, known for his young adult fantasy, Ocean of Dust presents The Malachite Mine, a gripping, scream-inducing ride. Whatever was Mary thinking when she accepted her husband’s gift of a most terrifying twenty-first birthday celebration in an abandoned Russian mine?

River Fairchild, author of the Jewels of Chandra series, presents A Grand Purpose. Rosaya and her cousin, Drianna are soon to be married off, but Rosaya is unhappy with her assigned match. She’s much more intoxicated by the older Firrandor, a wizard she hardly knows. When Rosaya is accused of killing an oracle boy, all bets are off, not only for her love, but her freedom.

Gwen Gardner, who pens the Indigo Eady "Cozy" Paranormal Mystery Series, adds to her collection with Ghostly Guardian. Indigo and her rib-tickling ghost-busters must travel to a dangerous pirate-laden past in order to unearth a curmudgeonly eighteenth century spirit that is plaguing the Blind Badger Pub.

Misha Gerrick, whose War of Six Crowns series is forthcoming, gives us a story called Red Earth and White Light. Emily, a young ghost bride has long haunted a house. She longs to cross over into the afterlife, but she’s trapped in memories of lilies and betrayal.

Have you been part of an anthology?
How did it go?
 

 

Untethered Realms Giveaway!

Our group over at Untethered Realms has reached over 100 Followers! That's cause for celebration, of course. So, if you love to read, you're going to love our giveaway.

Check it out!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

IWSG: Trying Something New

 

Wow, I really don't know where October went. Halloween is typically a busy month for bloggers and those who write paranormal. Had a really good time, though.

Today is Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh for hosting, and his helpers at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group for co-hosting: CD Coffelt, Tina Downey, Isis Rushdan, and Michelle Wallace!

This is probably silly, but I'm going to say it anyway. My latest insecurity has to do with writing something new. Since I'm writing a series, I write the same characters, with the same themes. I have two books published, and a third of my novella series completed - but they're with the same characters. I know them. I'm comfortable with them.

Well, me being me, I've said that I'll participate in an anthology with my Untethered Realms group and I'm sort of freaking out. I don't know what to write. I've only written the Indigo Eady Paranormal Mystery series! What if I'm not able to write other characters? What if I do write something new and the characters are the same as in the series? I really want to write something new, perhaps a prequel that would work as an introduction to a new series...

Like I said, it's just silly, but any advice you have is welcome.

What about you? Any insecurities this month?

Brewing Some Awesomesauce at Untethered Realms

What is awesomesauce?

 

Can you taste it?

 

Chew it?

 

Lick it off a spoon?

 

Hug it?

Rock it?

Wrap it in a cocoon?


 

That's the question.

 

If you want to know, go over to Untethered Realms today.

That is all. 

Kooky Me and Me Meme

I've been tagged in a meme by Tara Tyler, and have agreed to answer four questions.

But FIRST! I posted a blog over at Untethered Realms about Symbolism and What We Hide In Our Trunks. And you'll learn something totally kooky about me. I hope you can stop by and check it out???

And now.....

1. What are you working on right now? I’m working on getting out the next book in my Indigo Eady Paranormal Mystery series, called A Guilty Ghost Surprised. Just sent it off to my wonderful CP and Partner in ParanormYA, Angela Brown. I’m also working on book II of my novella Afterlife series using the same characters.

2. How does it differ from other works in its genre? It’s light for YA, more like upper MG/lower YA. It sort of has a comical bent because of the mishaps the characters encounter. The difference is like a cozy mystery vs a hard core mystery. That’s why I sometimes refer to my books as paranormal “cozy” mysteries.

3. How does your writing process work? I am a hardcore plotster. Oh how I’d love to be a pantser, though. I’ve tried, I really have. But I just come to a complete stop after the first chapter. So I write a detailed outline of scene prompts for the whole book before I sit down to write. I know everything that’s going to happen. Of course I add things along the way, what with the ideas clambering to be included, you know? But mysteries in particular require planning, I think, in order to plant the clues. Does that make me a planster?

4. What is the hardest part about writing? For me, it’s the conflict. I always want a happily-ever-after all tied up with a big purple bow. And so my conflicts come in the mishap variety rather than the rock-em, sock-em, kick-em in the knee kind (See what I mean? Why didn't I just say kick-em in the head? That would have made a better action scene.)  It’s what I enjoy writing, but perhaps it’s not what most young adult readers are looking for. That’s why I sometimes refer to it as upper MG/lower YA.   

So, that's it about me!

Here are the people I tagged, who have agreed to accept this challenge:

1)  Misha Gericke
2)  Anonymous
3)  Anonymous
4)  Anonymous

Okay, Misha is the only one, LOL! Everyone I tried to tag is either already doing it or have already done it. But thank you, Misha!!!

Worlds and Wings and SpecFic Things

Just a short post today to give you a heads up on a couple of happenings going on in the blogoverse today.

Untethered Realms has a new blog. What or who is Untethered Realms, you ask? It's a group of speculative fiction writers who have banded together to support and share their knowledge and experience with each other and the writing community. I'm sure you know most of us, so please stop by and check out our awesome new blog and give us a follow.

It's the third Monday of the month, so it's time for Writers 4 Writers, hosted by Stephen Tremp, Christine Rains, C. M. Brown, and M.Pax. This month we're helping Marta Szemik join the bestsellers list. Stop by her blog and pick up some pre-made tweets and Facebook posts and help out a fellow writer. Want to be featured on Writers 4 Writers? Go HERE to sign up. Also find them on Facebook HERE.

 

What do you have planned for this lovely Monday?

Boomtown Craze or Bust!

Another of my Untethered Realms buds is having a new book release! Check out M. Pax's new cover! Now this is something to tweet about!

***

A Grand New Age of Boom or Dust?


Boomtown Craze, Book 3 in the Backworlds series is here!

In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendents to survive in a harsh universe.

To secure his future, Craze must propel his world into a more prosperous era. Only days away from the grand opening of his new and improved tavern, he is confronted by a loony Backworlder intent on mucking up his plans. Gaunt and trembling, she claims her spaceship is possessed. She also has a connection to the underworld that shakes loose the dark past of one of Craze’s closest friends. It all threatens to end Craze’s prosperity before it begins.

Meanwhile off world, Captain Talos works desperately to outwit the mercenary Jixes and lure them away from his and Craze’s budding prospects. The mind-control weapon Talos uses against them is wearing thin, and his next move may be his last.

Will Craze and Talos’s efforts bring about a grand new age of boom or damn them to forever struggle in the dust?

***

Available in ebook at:

AmazonUS / AmazonUK / B&N / Smashwords

Other Outlets can be found at http://mpaxauthor.com

It will also be available in paperback from Amazon shortly.

***

About the Author:

M. Pax is a Browncoat and SG fan, she’s also slightly obsessed with Jane Austen. In the summers she docents as a star guide at Pine Mountain Observatory where the other astronomers now believe she has the most extensive collection of moon photos in existence. No fear, there will be more next summer. She lives in stunning Central Oregon with the Husband Unit and two lovely, spoiled cats.

Connect with MPax:

Website / Blog ~ Twitter ~ FB ~ Goodreads

You can also find M. Pax on LinkedIN, Pinterest, YouTube, and Wattpad

***

From March 4 to March 22, folks can enter to win the following:

• 1 set of signed Backworlds paperbacks, including The Backworlds, Stopover at the Backworlds’ Edge, and Boomtown Craze. Will only ship to US residents.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

• One of five free ebooks. All countries eligible. Enter the rafflecopter for a chance.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tweets

(just copy and paste)

 

The new frontier #scifi Boom or dust? Boomtown Craze - Book 3 in the Bacworlds series #kindle #nook all ereaders http://mpaxauthor.com/boomtown-craze-launch-party/

Miss Firefly? #scifi Try the Backworlds. Boomtown Craze - Book 3 - Book 1 is #FREE #kindle #nook all ereaders http://mpaxauthor.com/boomtown-craze-launch-party/

Facebook Sharing

(just copy and paste)

Miss Firefly? Try the Backworlds. Book 1 is FREE for all ereaders. Life on the galactic frontier. Will it be boom or dust? Boomtown Craze, Book 3, is now out. WIN books. Paperbacks and ebooks up for giveaway http://mpaxauthor.com/boomtown-craze-launch-party/



Frailties of the Bond

Before we move on to the important stuff, I need to tell those who turned in on Friday where the pretzel picture was taken. That'd be Vienna, Austria. I was there in 2007 at the Kriskindlmarkt. And if you haven't been to one, you're missing out!

***

And now, the important stuff!

My Partner in ParanormYA and Untethered Realms bud, Angela Brown, has a new book coming out!

So today she is revealing her cover and calling out to her

writers-in-arms

to help with her book blitz.

Take it away, Angela!

*****

Revealing a new project is such a milestone in an author's pathway to publication. Many thanks to Heather McCorkle for the book cover design. Introducing the cover for...

FRAILTIES OF THE BOND

(Add to Goodreads)

NEO – Network of Extraordinaires and Otherworldlies:

Those who answer the call from NEO play their part in maintaining balance in our ever-changing times. With power-hungry malcontents, jealous gods, and even those with misguided good intentions, the fate of our world has oft been held in the hands of unsung heroes such as those that are members of NEO.

But before NEO, these heroes and heroines had lives, loves, issues and interests that didn’t involve saving mankind.

In Frailties of the Bond, it only takes one bite to change a life…

After a hiking trip gone wrong, sixteen-year-old Luca should have been dead. Since then, he’s drifted from one school day to the next, annoyed by the looks of suspicion. When a vampire attack claimed his mother and forced his first shift into animal form, Luca set out for Texas, vengeance bound, only to discover so much more when Aimee crossed his path.

Flesh-born of vampire parents sixteen years ago, Aimee shouldn’t exist. Magic, though, made dreams come true for an undead couple desperate for a child all their own. But this magic came with a price, a cost Aimee discovered after one forbidden bite.

And now...to the cover:

Cover design by Heather McCorkle of CP Design

Xpresso Book Tours is handling the release blitz set for March 20h through March 31st. If you are interested in participating (YAY! and THANK YOU! if you are), click HERE to sign up.

***

About Angela Brown:

Born and raised in Little Rock, AR, Angela now calls Central Texas home.

Reading and writing have been lifelong passions. It was around the time she gave birth to her forever-love, nicknamed Chipmunk, that she really took writing seriously. After all, how could she teach her child to follow her dreams if she hadn't tried herself?

As a YA fantasy/sci-fi reader and author, she favors the magical, mysterious, the darker side of life...even harbors a secret fright for things that go bump in the night.

NEVERLOVE is a special project spawned from a blog-challenge-turned-blog-opera, the Abby and Basil affair. It is the first in the Shadow Jumpers series.

FRAILTIES OF THE BOND is the first in a series of novellas and short stories introducing heroes and heroines of the secret organization, NEO – Network of Extraordinaires and Otherwordlies.

***

Now, as tempting as it is to ask for a sound off of total love for this book cover, I'm curious about a few other things? How much does the book cover matter in choosing a book? Do you prefer symbolic covers, i.e., everything on the cover means something or directly relates to something in the book? Or just something that grabs your attention, no matter how it relates to the content within?