A SHADOWED SPIRIT BY SARA C. SNIDER

Okay, peeps, I'm doing something entirely new and different here.  A blogging friend has a book coming out, and I have the honor of posting about it.

Isn't the cover soooo pretty?  I just love the feel of it.  

The muted background  enhances the gold sparklies.

Where to find the Awesomeness:

Kobo
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Google Play 
Goodreads 

Plus, she is having a giveaway on her blog between May 17th through the 31st.

So swing on over and try your luck!

The mystical Blurb: 

She used to be called Emelyn. She used to be nobody. Now she is Siyan--a creature of magic known as an And'estar. But Siyan doesn't understand what that means, just as she can't control the power that has woken within her.

Addigan worked her entire life to master the Art of magic and become a respected Magister, only to fail her final test. Scarred and desperate to prove her worth, Addigan pursues rumors of trees of power and a mysterious people called And'estar.

When Siyan heads into the dense and dangerous forest searching for answers, she doesn't realize Addigan is coming for her. In this twisting chase of hunter against hunted, Addigan must choose how far she is willing to go to prove herself. And Siyan must let go of everything she knows--and everything she loves--if she is to gain control over her power. Even if it kills her.

In a journey that follows the intertwined lives of two women, A Shadowed Spirit is a mystical tale that redefines the boundaries between life and death, dreams and reality, and what one is willing to sacrifice to achieve the happiness she seeks.

And last but not least Where to find the Author:

Blog
Facebook 
Twitter
Pinterest

AND HERE WE GO AGAIN . . . NANO FOR ME!

Okay, I'm making this announcement three days into NaNo.  I'm doing it again this year.  I'm definitely not trying for the 50k, but I am going to try and finish up a huge chunk of a book I've procrastinated on for YEARS!

Yes, I said years.  My muse has to have her vacations.

But I'm inspired now and ready to write at a slow and plodding pace.  Woo!

What's also cool is that Reutsway is in spring this year so I don't have split focus like the last two years.

SPACE. THE FINAL FRONTIER . . .

These are the voyages of those who wish to fan fic the Star Trek world!

That's right, folks.  Simon and Schuster has opened its doors to FAN FICTION!  And there is a chance for publication!

Strange New Worlds is open for submissions.  They are very strict on their requirements and what shows and story line no nos that will give you an automatic disqualifications.  You can find all the nitty gritty stuff HERE.

Now, my favored explorers, BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE!

Star Trek The Next Generation

Image found on Google.

OF MIST AND MAGIC -- THE EBOOK AND ALBUM

Cover design by Daniel Pennystone

I entered a writing contest on Writerlysam's blog.  I did an earlier post about it.

It was to take the song Eternal Rest For a Ronin from Of Mist and Magic album and retell a fairy tale.  The winners of the competition would be published in the Of Mist and Magic ebook.

GUESS WHAT!?  My flash fiction is published in it!

Okay, okay.  That is not the most worthwhile thing about it.  I had to gush . . . just a smidge.

Nope, the best thing about this book that it will support Elevate Life and Art studios, a youth organization in Asheville, NC through full donation of all proceeds.

What is so amazing about this collaborative book besides some awesome authors? There are stories from the kids from Elevate Life and Art!

So clicky clicky the links or the pretty pretty book cover on the side panel and get an awesome book as well as helping others achieve their dreams!

A TINY LITTLE UPDATE

So it is almost Christmas and the end of the year. Time flew for me.  It felt like a blink of an eye and the year was half over.

So what am I planning to do.

I'm working on my A to Z Challenge for April.  Waiting for announcements.  And working my regularly scheduled job.  Hmm.  Oh, yeah, I'm going to be baking and cooking my brains out in the next few days.  Sigh.  Lots of food though.  Pie.  Nom, Nom, Nom.

I'm reading again.  So, I may actually get to my Goodreads pile.  Crossing fingers and toes on that one.  I know I just have to pick up a book from it, but they are like decoration and I don't want to disturb the aesthetics of it. Hee hee.

As for next year, I have no idea what is going to happen.

Other than that, I'm girding my loins (heh heh) and gearing up for Christmas.

Cheers everyone.  Hope your holidays are fab!

NANO FINISHED, REUTSWAY DONE, AND SO AM I

Hey.  How is everyone on this fine freezing (here at least) day?

I'm fantastic.  NaNo is officially over.  I did not make my 15k but I was dang close.  14k and change.

Not bad considering I was using only an iPad and my work computer for it.  I sent in two of the four stories for Reuts.

To brag, I did make the top picks of the week.  SQUEE!  You can see it here:  Week Three Top Picks  Now it a waiting game to see if I get chosen as a finalist.  Then it's the wait for the final picks for the book.  Edit: Date is January 31st.

Last year, I was a finalist but didn't make the book.  So, I'm going to forget about it completely and enjoy reading some random things.

My friend made the 50k, but the story is not complete.  She will continue on and finish it.

Now, I will get back to normalcy and reading.  I've missed reading.  My poor Goodreads pile is scary.

OOO!  The Of Mist and Magic contest is going until December 15th.  Here is the link to the music: Eternal Rest of a Ronin

NANO UPDATE 2014

And so the end of NaNo is near.  One more week of writing madness to go through.

For those of you who do not know what NaNo stands for; it's NaNoWriMo or in long version, National Novel Writing Month.  It is where writers strive and most succeed to write 50,000 words in one month.

That's the goal anyway.  I do not do that.  I would hurt myself badly if I tried.  My inner editor is an evil witch and will not shut up no matter what I do to her.  Chains.  Whips.  Torture.  Drowning.  You name it I've done it, and she laughs in the face and comes back with a vengance.

Ahem.

So, instead I strive for the lofty goal of 15k or there about, which is somewhere where four short stories for Reuts Publications.

I have already expounded on their theme of Mythology this year.

As to the update itself.

I did not finish the Egyptian short story on time.  It did not get sent to them.
Sent in the Celtic and the Asian one.
Waiting for the parameters for the Eastern European one
Did a flash fiction for a site.
And have been plucking away at my own Mythological creation.

So far that brings my word total to 13.7k plus some change.  

And that my friends puts me right on my personal target.

YAY!!!!

COMPOSERS FOR RELIEF: ONE YEAR LATER

Okay so i'm totally copying this from Sam's Facebook post, but she totally has way better words than I do.

So, without further ado in Samantha's Words:

Today, November 8th, marks the one-year anniversary of Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. The world's most destructive storm devastated the Philippines, killing over 6000, displacing over 4 million and drastically affecting the lives of over 14 million people....

Over the past year, an incredible international team of composers, musicians, writers, graphic designers and films students, led by Peter Ebbinghaus, worked together for a creative solution in support of the relief efforts for the Philippines. This unparalleled collaboration gave rise to theComposers for Relief organization.

In honor of these continued efforts, the Composers for Relief will launch a new web site and release a CD version of the album! Please show your support by purchasing the album and companion ebook, Beyond the Binding, newly listed for $0.99!

Watch this heartwarming documentary, filmed by Jamal Daood and Ray Kril's talented team, YOLANDA'S GOT TALENT!

Yolanda's Got Talent

YOLANDA'S GOT TALENT PREMIERE 8 NOVEMBER 2014- the one year anniversary of the tragic storm Yolanda COMPOSERS FOR RELIEFhttps://www.facebook.com/composersfo...

YOUTUBE.COM

FAIRY TALE TO MUSIC

My lovely blogging buddy, writing pal, and all-around fabulous lady, Samantha Redstreake Geary is having another writing contest!!!

SQUEE!!!

Really Slow Motion has a new album coming out.  It's called Of Mist and Magic.  I've listened to one of the songs and it is beautiful.

The prompt is a piece from the album.  In 500 words or less, retell a classic fairy tale and post it to her blog.

It's due before December 1st, peeps.

Not only can you win a digital copy of the album, but there is a chance to be published in companion anthology!!!  That's right, peeps.  Published.  That lovely magic word any writer aspires to have in their bio.

So, go forth and write.

HERE IS THE YOUTUBE LINK TO THE SONG:  THE ETERNAL REST OF A RONIN

REUTSWAY MYTHOLOGICAL CULTURES

Today Reuts has revealed the cultures for their projects.

They are:

–Egyptian

–Celtic

–Asian

–Eastern European

I'm a little sad to see that Native American, South American, and Oceanic ones are missing.  

I had some awesome creatures from a tribe in the Native American culture.  Sadly, I can't use it as a main story, but I will slip it in because I can and will.

REUTSWAY: THE REVEAL!

Reutsway

It's official!  We have a theme!

World mythologies!

Yeppers!  Now let's get out there and Start Your Research!

Hmm, that was sorta like cars start your engines . . . But it applies!  

NANO TIME!

It's that time of year again!  It's the time of coffee, writing, coffee, writing, and STRESS!  That's right, folks!  It's NaNoWriMo time!  Woot!

30 days and 50k words.  Not that I have won.  I think I hit 15k last year.  So, I'm going for again this year.  

What can I say?  I like it!  I am masochistic enough to do it again for the third . . . Or is fourth time?  I don't remember.  

It is fun and rewarding.  So join in the crazy and write 'till your brain oozes out your ears and your fingers are numb!

REUTSWAY: THE RETURN!

Reuts

That's right Peeps!  Reuts is unfurling the red carpet on the second round of crazy madness for NaNo.

Not only that they have a sign up for the the cover reveal and blitz for the release of last year's project!

So if you have trouble with NaNo (Like Me!) then this will be a great opportunity for prompt writing under pressure!  Stress and coffee and coffee and coffee . . . and that brick wall staring you in the face called --DU DU DUN! -- The Deadline!!

Muhahahaha!!

Come join the fun!  

IT IS LIVE!!! TREE OFLIFE: THE EBOOK!

Tree of Life is now live.  This is for a truly great cause.  Please check out Samantha's gorgeous blog post with the amazing art work.

TREE OF LIFE -- CELEBRATING A LIFE

Tree of Life

In the celebration of a life that has touched the lives of so many bloggers from around the globe, Samantha Redstreake Geary is creating a tribute to the life of Tina Downey.

This ebook is the collaborated efforts of 26 authors Tina included.  Each individual work from Tree of Life: Branching Out is connected to one of the beautiful pieces music from Audiomachine's album Tree of Life.

The stunning cover was created by Ryo Ishido.

The ebooks's proceeds will go to an education fund for her two boys.

I will add links when the book is available.  Let's celebrate this wonderful life together.

A STORY ABOUT A VIDEO GAME . . . TOO MANY TO CHOOSE!

Figment is having a new monthly contest where we can choose your favorite video game and write a 1000 word story.

I'm having such a hard time choosing.  There are so many awesome ones that I can't decide.  There's Batman, Final Fantsy VII, Final Fantasy XII, Kingdom Hearts, even Goonies!  (Okay, that one ages my behind for those who remember the first Nintendo.)

Sigh.

So now I have the difficult decision of which one and what character!   Argh!!

NEW WRITING CONTEST!!

There is a new writing contest as well as a slew of other awesome contests on Sam'sblog.

There is a new contest on Sam's blog.  It has a piece of music to inspire you.

Not only that there are three other contests too!  The first is an audiomachine one where you design a t-shirt using the logos and tags.  The second is creating a book trailer for the book Colin Frake.  The third is cover art for an album for Really Slow Motion.

The writing one is blipping epic.  Steampunk Vikings!!!  I know.  Too cool, huh?  All ya have to do is write a 500 word flash fiction and post it to the page.

The due date is August 9th, peeps.  So get on the ball and let that imagination shine!

SUMMER AND WRITING PART 2 -- THE WHINING EDITION

So here I am trying to get the 17.5k word minimum for the Tor submission.  I've only reached the lofty (ha ha!) word count of 1500 words in the last two weeks.

Between work and time management, I don't seem to find a lot of computer time.  I usually start writings with pen and paper, but I tried that this time.  It failed miserably. 

Anyway, I only have 15,928 more words to go!  Yay!

Steampunk is a new genre for me.  Of course, I had to add fantasy to it because it adds froufrou bits to an otherwise gritty (IMO) genre.  I don't do gritty well.  I need to work on gritty and dirty (Ah ah ah! Keep it clean, peeps!) scenes. 

It's fun to write, but it's a pain to keep notes for it.  Every time I make up a new spell or new object, I need to add it to the **cough cough** glossary.  there are over twenty items on the thing already, including ship terms, magic, terms used, place names, people, and technologies.

It's only going to grow larger. 

Of course, I'm sick and twisted enough to own a dictionary for sailing/ship terms as well as one that lists words related to each other.  So they have British officers titles together, Victorian clothes listed, and so many more things.  My Geek-dar goes off whenever I flip through all those pages.

But considering I love etymology and random, weird factoids, y'all shouldn't be surprised.

Some of the problem is that my usual writing spot, (right hand corner of the couch) is used each morning.  It's one of my favorite writing times.  So I'm using the dining room table and my feng shui is off because of it.  I also like writing late at night when everyone is in bed.  Only sometimes I'm so tired I can't keep my eyes open.  Le sigh.

See.  I did say it's the whining edition.

Now that it's all off my chest.  I will try to get another ten words out.  woo!

As they do in Korean dramas: Fighting!

SUMMER AND WRITING

Well, I've learned that Tor is opening for unsolicited novella manuscripts for their new imprint, which is entitled Tor Imprint.

Tor is one of the major publishers that focus mainly on sci-fi and fantasy.

So dust off those short stories and polish them all nice and shiny.  You have until the end of August.

Here is the blog post announcing it:  Tor Post

The submission guidelines link is:  Imprint Guidelines

WRiTE CLUB

Well, I just found this the other day when I received a blog post.

I checked it out and thought it was neat so I entered.

Here is the link to the the details that I would mangle horribly.

http://www.dlhammons.com/p/write-club-2014.html