A.F. Stewart's Blog, page 42
January 31, 2018
Book Spotlight: The Suffering
Today I have a great treat for you, my minions! A book spotlight for the debut dark fantasy novella, The Suffering, by Robert Cano. Enjoy!
The Suffering by Robert Cano
Robert Cano's debut novel is out! With his wonderful imagination he brings to life fabulous characters that you immediately sympathize with. And in a fantastical world, he lets life happen to them. The good, the bad, the heart wrenching, and the uplifting.
Devani is finally heading home after twelve long years away due to the Great War between the Fae and Satyrs. The war was on the doorstep of her father's kingdom when she was sent away, but finally, it was time to come home. The princess soon finds herself in a position she never expected, especially so close to home - struggling against death itself.
Of course, the will to survive is overwhelming, and she finds a way. She may end up regretting this, however, as the gods have other plans for Devani.
Available in Kindle and Paperback
About the Author
A writer or a storyteller? A poet? An artist who has chosen to paint with words, Robert Cano began a journey some years ago which has finally culminated in him finding himself in a position to see the journey gain momentum. Having spent many years studying the art of the written word, he now seeks to share his worlds and mind with the world. A magus with a staff in the shape of a pen and a sword of paper, he weaves his magical worlds. The world of Arduil awaits you.
You can find more on Robert Cano and his writing at these sites: Amazon Author Page Facebook Author Website
The Suffering by Robert Cano
Robert Cano's debut novel is out! With his wonderful imagination he brings to life fabulous characters that you immediately sympathize with. And in a fantastical world, he lets life happen to them. The good, the bad, the heart wrenching, and the uplifting.
Devani is finally heading home after twelve long years away due to the Great War between the Fae and Satyrs. The war was on the doorstep of her father's kingdom when she was sent away, but finally, it was time to come home. The princess soon finds herself in a position she never expected, especially so close to home - struggling against death itself.
Of course, the will to survive is overwhelming, and she finds a way. She may end up regretting this, however, as the gods have other plans for Devani.
Available in Kindle and Paperback
About the Author
A writer or a storyteller? A poet? An artist who has chosen to paint with words, Robert Cano began a journey some years ago which has finally culminated in him finding himself in a position to see the journey gain momentum. Having spent many years studying the art of the written word, he now seeks to share his worlds and mind with the world. A magus with a staff in the shape of a pen and a sword of paper, he weaves his magical worlds. The world of Arduil awaits you.
You can find more on Robert Cano and his writing at these sites: Amazon Author Page Facebook Author Website
January 10, 2018
Interview With Author Thomas McRae
Today I have an interview for you with author Thomas McRae. He's here to talk to you about his writing and his new book, Pimp in the Pulpit Part 2. Enjoy.
Interview With Thomas McRae
Why don't you begin by sharing a little about yourself?
My name is Thomas McRae and I'm a self-publishing author who has written numerous poetry books and short fiction novels as well. I am also a hard-working young man who is trying to save and buy a nice home for myself and my parents. I don't have any kids or wife but I do look forward to the day I have both just like my buddy Islam Martin who by the way is a phenomenal father, loving husband and a genuine true friend. I only hope when I do find that special lady in my life and we become husband and wife and have kids of our own I sincerely pray I'm half the man Martin is.
Could you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
My latest book is titled Pimp in the Pulpit Part 2 which is the sequel to the first. Both are fictional short novels inspired by my life and the lives of several friends of mine who was generous enough to share some stories about their own families as well. Both Pimp in the Pulpit 1 and 2 are samples of several stories from different sources blended together along with a splash of imagination and creativity.
Who is your intended readership?
My intended readers are anyone and everyone who can appreciate a good and entertaining book filled with drama comedy and suspense. I sincerely believe this book and the original one has all the trimmings in being turned into a Motion Picture film. I only need the right person to read it and see the vision that I see every time I read the books.
Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?
The reason why I wrote this book is because I like telling stories that are entertaining and hilariously funny. What inspired me was when I was talking to a friend of mine and we both was sharing stories about each other's family. After that I started talking to other friends who had similar or more funnier stories than I. Which led to a vivid imagination and a uncomprehensible story that needed to be told.
What advice would you give a new writer?
The first piece of advice I would give a new writer is to be patient and focus because your blessing is coming your way. My second piece of advice would be don't allow anyone to discourage you because everyone has a talent and no one has the right to kill a dream or break a soul. And last but not least always give it your all because life is too short to have doubts or regrets.
What did you enjoy most about writing your book?
I enjoyed a great deal first I really like writing things down and rereading it out loud. So I could get a feel of what was going on with the characters and the lives they portrayed and wanted to be. I also enjoyed just being in my own personal headspace living in my own little fantasy bubble and building a story that was not only sincerely entertaining and funny but extremely well said.
What did you hope to accomplish by publishing your book?
My main objective was to expand my horizons and branch out. Most people see me as Thomas the poet which is fine, there is nothing wrong with that but truth be told there is so much more about me I want people to see. And that is why I'm working hard to promote my short fiction novels and any and every book I write from this point on.
What's your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to review?
I have so many book projects in the back burner but I'm sincerely leaning towards putting out my newest poetry book I've been working on and its title is fatal impact. Which is going to be a combination of love poems, spiritual poems, personal poems and even a couple of Street Anthem poems. The point of this project is to push myself into a much more deeper and more profound level in regards of my poetry writing. I'm quite certain most people will enjoy this book especially if they keep an open mind.
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
My greatest challenge as a writer is mostly promoting and marketing myself and trying to get as much exposure as possible. That is one of the tough parts about being a self-published author. But on the plus side you reap the benefits of being independent and self-sufficient at the very least you control what happens with your book and your marketing and you don't have to answer to anyone.
Thomas McRae is an accomplished poet and author who has written numerous poetry books and short fiction novels. He has been writing since the early 2000s.
Interview With Thomas McRae
Why don't you begin by sharing a little about yourself? My name is Thomas McRae and I'm a self-publishing author who has written numerous poetry books and short fiction novels as well. I am also a hard-working young man who is trying to save and buy a nice home for myself and my parents. I don't have any kids or wife but I do look forward to the day I have both just like my buddy Islam Martin who by the way is a phenomenal father, loving husband and a genuine true friend. I only hope when I do find that special lady in my life and we become husband and wife and have kids of our own I sincerely pray I'm half the man Martin is.
Could you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
My latest book is titled Pimp in the Pulpit Part 2 which is the sequel to the first. Both are fictional short novels inspired by my life and the lives of several friends of mine who was generous enough to share some stories about their own families as well. Both Pimp in the Pulpit 1 and 2 are samples of several stories from different sources blended together along with a splash of imagination and creativity.
Who is your intended readership?
My intended readers are anyone and everyone who can appreciate a good and entertaining book filled with drama comedy and suspense. I sincerely believe this book and the original one has all the trimmings in being turned into a Motion Picture film. I only need the right person to read it and see the vision that I see every time I read the books.
Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?
The reason why I wrote this book is because I like telling stories that are entertaining and hilariously funny. What inspired me was when I was talking to a friend of mine and we both was sharing stories about each other's family. After that I started talking to other friends who had similar or more funnier stories than I. Which led to a vivid imagination and a uncomprehensible story that needed to be told.
What advice would you give a new writer?
The first piece of advice I would give a new writer is to be patient and focus because your blessing is coming your way. My second piece of advice would be don't allow anyone to discourage you because everyone has a talent and no one has the right to kill a dream or break a soul. And last but not least always give it your all because life is too short to have doubts or regrets.
What did you enjoy most about writing your book?
I enjoyed a great deal first I really like writing things down and rereading it out loud. So I could get a feel of what was going on with the characters and the lives they portrayed and wanted to be. I also enjoyed just being in my own personal headspace living in my own little fantasy bubble and building a story that was not only sincerely entertaining and funny but extremely well said.
What did you hope to accomplish by publishing your book?
My main objective was to expand my horizons and branch out. Most people see me as Thomas the poet which is fine, there is nothing wrong with that but truth be told there is so much more about me I want people to see. And that is why I'm working hard to promote my short fiction novels and any and every book I write from this point on.
What's your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to review?
I have so many book projects in the back burner but I'm sincerely leaning towards putting out my newest poetry book I've been working on and its title is fatal impact. Which is going to be a combination of love poems, spiritual poems, personal poems and even a couple of Street Anthem poems. The point of this project is to push myself into a much more deeper and more profound level in regards of my poetry writing. I'm quite certain most people will enjoy this book especially if they keep an open mind.
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
My greatest challenge as a writer is mostly promoting and marketing myself and trying to get as much exposure as possible. That is one of the tough parts about being a self-published author. But on the plus side you reap the benefits of being independent and self-sufficient at the very least you control what happens with your book and your marketing and you don't have to answer to anyone.
Thomas McRae is an accomplished poet and author who has written numerous poetry books and short fiction novels. He has been writing since the early 2000s.
January 3, 2018
Fireside Chat with Travis from the Hell Bent series
Today I have a treat with another Fireside Chat. Our fictional interviewer, Richard Dale, sits down with Travis from the Hell Bent graphic novel series by K Matt. Enjoy!
Fireside Chat with Travis
“Welcome everyone, to another Fireside Chat. I’m Richard Dale, your host. Today, our guest is the genetically enhanced human Travis. Welcome Travis.” Richard Dale holds out a hand in greeting.
Travis’ tail twitches, and he’s clearly appreciative of being considered a human. He reaches forward to shake Richard’s hand. “Hey, thanks for having me here,” he replies with a grin.
“Why don’t we begin with some details of your life. Exactly who is Travis and how did you end up embroiled in genetic experimentation?”
He chuckles slightly at that. “Who am I, you ask…Ask some people from around Hell Bent, they probably know me as ‘that one guy at the comic shop with the tail’. Restaurants see me as a damn good customer. But how would I describe myself?” He shrugs. “I guess I’m just kind of a genetic freak. I dunno. As for how experimentation came into play…well, my sister and I grew up in kind of a shitty home, and I got us both thrown out. See, one of the things we have to deal with back in my hometown is being experimented on if you’re, say, a criminal or a runaway. But lucky for us, we were picked up by this one scientist that sort of adopted us. She had a few things to prove, and we agreed to help her out with it. Fast forward to…” He gestured to himself.
Richard Dale smiles. “So, what are your feelings now towards the genetic DNA experiments you participated in? What are the advantages, or disadvantages, to in essence being part monkey?”
Travis thinks on that one, his finger-like toes flexing a little. “The ones mom did weren’t too bad at all. She did sort of warn Gemmy and I both about some minor discomfort. And I love having the tail and opposable toes. Ooh, and part of the experimentation involved a regenerative factor. I was an X-Men fan as a kid, and always thought that power was kinda cool. On the downside, I tend to get, like, REALLY hungry after I heal from something. The other huge downside of the healing ability is that everyone seems to want to find out how it works. They don’t always ask permission, and when they do, they don’t seem to take no for an answer. But the good points of the experimentation in general? Increased agility, for sure. Plus, it’s kinda nice to know that if I break a leg or something, I’ll be fine in a few hours.”
“Fascinating. And what of the difficult situations you’ve found yourself in? I believe you’ve experienced violent run-ins with a serial killer and a maladjusted mage. Do you feel your life has been cursed, or unfair? And how have you dealt with these terrible experiences?”
He cringes at the thought of THEM again. “…You do NOT want to get me started on Jesse or McManus,” he grumbles. “There are a lot of good points about my life, but sometimes I do have to wonder if I’m cursed. As for dealing with this shit? I have the best support system, like, ever. I also tend to stress eat from time to time. But my girlfriend is psychic and has helped me go into my mind to deal with whatever’s going on in there. So it’s thanks to my family I’m not as much of a wreck as I probably should be.”
"A psychic girlfriend? That must be challenging at times." Richard taps the arm of his chair with a finger. “Tell me about your childhood, your relationship with your father? I know it was troubled. Have you resolved your feelings in regard to that relationship? Any lingering issues?”
Travis’ eye twitches, and his tail begins to follow suit. “Walter…yeah, I’ve always hated that guy. When I found out that making your kid sleep on a closet floor wasn’t normal, that made it even worse. You wanna know how my sister and I got kicked out? It happened when I throat-punched that son of a bitch. Yeah…our childhood wasn’t exactly great. We got put under house arrest for three years for going to a friend’s house. I’d like to say I resolved my feelings, but I really haven’t and am just glad to have gotten out.”
“Interesting.” Richard smiles again. “Let’s try a lighter note. What do you like to do for fun?”
Relieved to be on a subject that does not involve his issues with his father, the half-monkey brightens up. “Well, I love comics. So it’s a good thing that the one place that offered to hire me is a comic shop. I also like spending time with my friends and family, spending time with my girlfriend Ivy…OOH, movies. Also like watching those. Especially terrible ones! And then there’s food. I generally like eating.”
“I see. Now for a little introspection. In your own opinion, what is your best trait? Your worst?”
Travis taps his chin for a moment. “Like, physical or psychological? Because if it’s physical, that’d be my hair. Psychological…probably the fact that I don’t believe in giving up. Like, ever. Worst would be either my way-too-big nose and…well, I do kinda have some degree of self-loathing sometimes, where I start thinking that Walter was right about me…”
A sudden interruption of clinking cups and the jingling of bells halts the conversation, as a distinguished gentleman enters the room carrying a festooned tea tray.
“Ah,I believe it’s time for some refreshment. And I see you put a bit of holiday cheer on the tray.” Richard frowns slightly. He turns toward Travis. “This is our indispensible butler, Jenkins.” Richard Dale nods at the butler. “Jenkins, our guest Travis.”
Travis offers a small wave to Jenkins, his tail flicking a bit.
“A pleasure, sir, to make your acquaintance. In honour of the season, I’ve prepared some hot chocolate, and cookies fresh from the oven. Would you care for a cup and a bite to eat?” Jenkins sets the tray down and waits.
The half-monkey’s green eyes light up as he notices the hot chocolate and cookies. “Yes, I would, thanks,” he said with a grin. He was something of a chocoholic.
“No tea?” Richard stares at the silver pot and sighs.“I’ll suppose I’ll try a cup of chocolate. And a cookie.”
Jenkins pours two cups, serves both men, before retreating back to the adjoining room.
Richard Dale takes a sip of his hot chocolate, a surprised but pleased look on his face, and asks, “Have you ever done something in your past you are ashamed of or deeply regret, that you would undo if you could? Also, what one act in your past are you most proud of?”
Travis scratches the back of his head with a foot, both hands being occupied for now. “Flunking out of college is a big one for me,” he says. “And so was that failure to save a couple of kids from Jesse. I’d promised to protect them, but…” He shivers, taking a swig of hot chocolate to calm himself down. “I don’t wanna think about what she did to them… Now, what I’m proud of? Umm…that might be when I punched Walter. He had it coming, and it got my sister and I out of there. Had we been forced to stay with him, I have no idea if either of us would be alive right now.”
Richard takes another sip from his cup. “Who would you consider your best friend? And who would be your worst enemy?”
“Ah, that’s an easy one!” says Travis with a grin. “That’d be Spencer. We’ve been buddies since we were in Kindergarten. He went on to marry my sister, and we all live together now. Spence has always been there for me. Well…except for those three years we couldn’t leave the house. Or that time that he and I got into a fight. But when my first girlfriend dumped me? He took time off from his studies to spend time with me.“As for my worst enemy…that’s hard to say, really. On the one hand, there’s Walter. He made life Hell for a number of years. But then there’s also McManus…y’know how much it sucks to be called an abomination right to your face? Hm…I’d have to say it’s probably Jesse. She’s done more to me and the people I care about than the others.”
“You do seem to be easy-going and friendly, not a loner. Would you consider yourself someone likeable? Do you value friendship and loyalty?”
He chuckles a little. “Not sure if I’d be considered likeable or not. I wouldn’t be opposed, of course! And as for friendship and loyalty, hell YEAH, I value those! Seriously, if it weren’t for my friends and loved ones, I’d have cracked a long time ago. So if you guys are seen this…love you all!”
“Ah, interesting. Now for the final question, where do you see yourself headed in life? What are your goals, things you want to achieve?”
Travis runs his hands through his long red hair. “I don’t really try to think too much about the future. See, the regeneration thing’s kinda made me start thinking I might be immortal, and I keep thinking of what’d happen if I outlive everyone I care about… But goals? I just want my family to be safe, happy, and as un-traumatized as possible.”
Richard Dale leans forward, holding out a hand. “Thank you, Travis, for agreeing to this interview. It has been delightful.”
Travis shakes his hand once more, smiling. “Thanks for taking the time to interview me,”
You can find Travis and the Hell Bent series at the author's Amazon page or Facebook page.
About the Author
K. Matt is a graduate of Philadelphia, PA's University of the Arts. Her interests in sci-fi, fantasy, horror, comics, and anime have inspired her to both write and illustrate her own work. The books in the Hell Bent series are a combination of prose and graphic novels, and tend to be a mixture of (somewhat soft) sci-fi, urban fantasy, and horror. It is something of a pet project for her, a pet that she feeds with time, and that feeds on her sleep.
Her artwork can be found at kaylamatt.webs.com.
Fireside Chat with Travis
“Welcome everyone, to another Fireside Chat. I’m Richard Dale, your host. Today, our guest is the genetically enhanced human Travis. Welcome Travis.” Richard Dale holds out a hand in greeting.
Travis’ tail twitches, and he’s clearly appreciative of being considered a human. He reaches forward to shake Richard’s hand. “Hey, thanks for having me here,” he replies with a grin.“Why don’t we begin with some details of your life. Exactly who is Travis and how did you end up embroiled in genetic experimentation?”
He chuckles slightly at that. “Who am I, you ask…Ask some people from around Hell Bent, they probably know me as ‘that one guy at the comic shop with the tail’. Restaurants see me as a damn good customer. But how would I describe myself?” He shrugs. “I guess I’m just kind of a genetic freak. I dunno. As for how experimentation came into play…well, my sister and I grew up in kind of a shitty home, and I got us both thrown out. See, one of the things we have to deal with back in my hometown is being experimented on if you’re, say, a criminal or a runaway. But lucky for us, we were picked up by this one scientist that sort of adopted us. She had a few things to prove, and we agreed to help her out with it. Fast forward to…” He gestured to himself.
Richard Dale smiles. “So, what are your feelings now towards the genetic DNA experiments you participated in? What are the advantages, or disadvantages, to in essence being part monkey?”
Travis thinks on that one, his finger-like toes flexing a little. “The ones mom did weren’t too bad at all. She did sort of warn Gemmy and I both about some minor discomfort. And I love having the tail and opposable toes. Ooh, and part of the experimentation involved a regenerative factor. I was an X-Men fan as a kid, and always thought that power was kinda cool. On the downside, I tend to get, like, REALLY hungry after I heal from something. The other huge downside of the healing ability is that everyone seems to want to find out how it works. They don’t always ask permission, and when they do, they don’t seem to take no for an answer. But the good points of the experimentation in general? Increased agility, for sure. Plus, it’s kinda nice to know that if I break a leg or something, I’ll be fine in a few hours.”
“Fascinating. And what of the difficult situations you’ve found yourself in? I believe you’ve experienced violent run-ins with a serial killer and a maladjusted mage. Do you feel your life has been cursed, or unfair? And how have you dealt with these terrible experiences?”
He cringes at the thought of THEM again. “…You do NOT want to get me started on Jesse or McManus,” he grumbles. “There are a lot of good points about my life, but sometimes I do have to wonder if I’m cursed. As for dealing with this shit? I have the best support system, like, ever. I also tend to stress eat from time to time. But my girlfriend is psychic and has helped me go into my mind to deal with whatever’s going on in there. So it’s thanks to my family I’m not as much of a wreck as I probably should be.”
"A psychic girlfriend? That must be challenging at times." Richard taps the arm of his chair with a finger. “Tell me about your childhood, your relationship with your father? I know it was troubled. Have you resolved your feelings in regard to that relationship? Any lingering issues?”
Travis’ eye twitches, and his tail begins to follow suit. “Walter…yeah, I’ve always hated that guy. When I found out that making your kid sleep on a closet floor wasn’t normal, that made it even worse. You wanna know how my sister and I got kicked out? It happened when I throat-punched that son of a bitch. Yeah…our childhood wasn’t exactly great. We got put under house arrest for three years for going to a friend’s house. I’d like to say I resolved my feelings, but I really haven’t and am just glad to have gotten out.”
“Interesting.” Richard smiles again. “Let’s try a lighter note. What do you like to do for fun?”
Relieved to be on a subject that does not involve his issues with his father, the half-monkey brightens up. “Well, I love comics. So it’s a good thing that the one place that offered to hire me is a comic shop. I also like spending time with my friends and family, spending time with my girlfriend Ivy…OOH, movies. Also like watching those. Especially terrible ones! And then there’s food. I generally like eating.”
“I see. Now for a little introspection. In your own opinion, what is your best trait? Your worst?”
Travis taps his chin for a moment. “Like, physical or psychological? Because if it’s physical, that’d be my hair. Psychological…probably the fact that I don’t believe in giving up. Like, ever. Worst would be either my way-too-big nose and…well, I do kinda have some degree of self-loathing sometimes, where I start thinking that Walter was right about me…”
A sudden interruption of clinking cups and the jingling of bells halts the conversation, as a distinguished gentleman enters the room carrying a festooned tea tray.
“Ah,I believe it’s time for some refreshment. And I see you put a bit of holiday cheer on the tray.” Richard frowns slightly. He turns toward Travis. “This is our indispensible butler, Jenkins.” Richard Dale nods at the butler. “Jenkins, our guest Travis.”
Travis offers a small wave to Jenkins, his tail flicking a bit.
“A pleasure, sir, to make your acquaintance. In honour of the season, I’ve prepared some hot chocolate, and cookies fresh from the oven. Would you care for a cup and a bite to eat?” Jenkins sets the tray down and waits.
The half-monkey’s green eyes light up as he notices the hot chocolate and cookies. “Yes, I would, thanks,” he said with a grin. He was something of a chocoholic.
“No tea?” Richard stares at the silver pot and sighs.“I’ll suppose I’ll try a cup of chocolate. And a cookie.”
Jenkins pours two cups, serves both men, before retreating back to the adjoining room.
Richard Dale takes a sip of his hot chocolate, a surprised but pleased look on his face, and asks, “Have you ever done something in your past you are ashamed of or deeply regret, that you would undo if you could? Also, what one act in your past are you most proud of?”
Travis scratches the back of his head with a foot, both hands being occupied for now. “Flunking out of college is a big one for me,” he says. “And so was that failure to save a couple of kids from Jesse. I’d promised to protect them, but…” He shivers, taking a swig of hot chocolate to calm himself down. “I don’t wanna think about what she did to them… Now, what I’m proud of? Umm…that might be when I punched Walter. He had it coming, and it got my sister and I out of there. Had we been forced to stay with him, I have no idea if either of us would be alive right now.”
Richard takes another sip from his cup. “Who would you consider your best friend? And who would be your worst enemy?”
“Ah, that’s an easy one!” says Travis with a grin. “That’d be Spencer. We’ve been buddies since we were in Kindergarten. He went on to marry my sister, and we all live together now. Spence has always been there for me. Well…except for those three years we couldn’t leave the house. Or that time that he and I got into a fight. But when my first girlfriend dumped me? He took time off from his studies to spend time with me.“As for my worst enemy…that’s hard to say, really. On the one hand, there’s Walter. He made life Hell for a number of years. But then there’s also McManus…y’know how much it sucks to be called an abomination right to your face? Hm…I’d have to say it’s probably Jesse. She’s done more to me and the people I care about than the others.”
“You do seem to be easy-going and friendly, not a loner. Would you consider yourself someone likeable? Do you value friendship and loyalty?”
He chuckles a little. “Not sure if I’d be considered likeable or not. I wouldn’t be opposed, of course! And as for friendship and loyalty, hell YEAH, I value those! Seriously, if it weren’t for my friends and loved ones, I’d have cracked a long time ago. So if you guys are seen this…love you all!”
“Ah, interesting. Now for the final question, where do you see yourself headed in life? What are your goals, things you want to achieve?”
Travis runs his hands through his long red hair. “I don’t really try to think too much about the future. See, the regeneration thing’s kinda made me start thinking I might be immortal, and I keep thinking of what’d happen if I outlive everyone I care about… But goals? I just want my family to be safe, happy, and as un-traumatized as possible.”
Richard Dale leans forward, holding out a hand. “Thank you, Travis, for agreeing to this interview. It has been delightful.”
Travis shakes his hand once more, smiling. “Thanks for taking the time to interview me,”
You can find Travis and the Hell Bent series at the author's Amazon page or Facebook page.
About the Author
K. Matt is a graduate of Philadelphia, PA's University of the Arts. Her interests in sci-fi, fantasy, horror, comics, and anime have inspired her to both write and illustrate her own work. The books in the Hell Bent series are a combination of prose and graphic novels, and tend to be a mixture of (somewhat soft) sci-fi, urban fantasy, and horror. It is something of a pet project for her, a pet that she feeds with time, and that feeds on her sleep.
Her artwork can be found at kaylamatt.webs.com.
December 23, 2017
Last Minute Holiday Book Recommendations
Here's some of the books or book series that caught my eye this year.
First, three book series:
The Queen of Thieves series by Andy Peloquin
Books
Child of the Night Guild
Thief of the Night Guild
The Kaelandur Seriesby Joshua Robertson
Books
Melkorka
Dyndaer
Maharia
Kindle Box Set
The Chanmyr Chronicles by T. J. Muir
Books
On Borrowed Luck
Before the Luck Runs Out: Can Magic Save Jedda?
Between Luck and Magic
Companion Stories
When the Wind Calls
Poking the Bear: Some Days Magic Just Doesn't Pay
Now a couple of standalone books:
A Persistence of Geraniums and Other Worrying Tales by John Linwood Grant
Children of the Music by Lorinda J. Taylor
Happy Reading!And Happy Holidays!
First, three book series:
The Queen of Thieves series by Andy Peloquin
Books
Child of the Night Guild
Thief of the Night Guild
The Kaelandur Seriesby Joshua Robertson
Books
Melkorka
Dyndaer
Maharia
Kindle Box Set
The Chanmyr Chronicles by T. J. Muir
Books
On Borrowed Luck
Before the Luck Runs Out: Can Magic Save Jedda?
Between Luck and Magic
Companion Stories
When the Wind Calls
Poking the Bear: Some Days Magic Just Doesn't Pay
Now a couple of standalone books:
A Persistence of Geraniums and Other Worrying Tales by John Linwood Grant
Children of the Music by Lorinda J. Taylor
Happy Reading!And Happy Holidays!
December 21, 2017
Book Spotlight: Even Gods Have Midlife Crises
Today I have a Christmas treat with a book spotlight for the sci-fi satire, Even Gods Have Midlife Crises by N.D. Stone. Enjoy!
Even Gods Have Midlife Crises by N.D. Stone
All Yahweh wanted was a striptease, a sandwich and admiration. All he got was a near-death experience, a pious follower called Anna, and a prissy lawyer trying to sue him. When Buddha, Odin, Thor, Krishna and Hephaestus, Yahweh's divine colleagues, catch wind of his illegal voyage back to Earth, the adventures of him and Anna become dangerous. How long can he risk the safety of not only Anna, but all of London in his quest to relive his youth? Are crisps the currency of the future? Why are gods so unbearably hungry for power, and will Buddha satisfy his hunger for doughnuts, the forbidden fruit of modern Prâwth, the home of the gods?
Never before have gods seemed so utterly human. A light-hearted and whimsical science fiction satire.
Even Gods Have Midlife Crises is available at:
Amazon UK Amazon US
About the Author
N.D. Stone is a young novelist, "Even Gods Have Midlife Crises" being his debut work. Although he has been writing novels since even before he himself was able to write (his mother was not a fan of his trashy vampire fiction), Stone started writing his first serious novel in early 2014. Stone has also dabbled in Stand-Up Comedy and Slam Poetry, but, above anything else, he loves writing satire novels.
Amazon Page
Even Gods Have Midlife Crises by N.D. Stone
All Yahweh wanted was a striptease, a sandwich and admiration. All he got was a near-death experience, a pious follower called Anna, and a prissy lawyer trying to sue him. When Buddha, Odin, Thor, Krishna and Hephaestus, Yahweh's divine colleagues, catch wind of his illegal voyage back to Earth, the adventures of him and Anna become dangerous. How long can he risk the safety of not only Anna, but all of London in his quest to relive his youth? Are crisps the currency of the future? Why are gods so unbearably hungry for power, and will Buddha satisfy his hunger for doughnuts, the forbidden fruit of modern Prâwth, the home of the gods?
Never before have gods seemed so utterly human. A light-hearted and whimsical science fiction satire.
Even Gods Have Midlife Crises is available at:
Amazon UK Amazon US
About the Author
N.D. Stone is a young novelist, "Even Gods Have Midlife Crises" being his debut work. Although he has been writing novels since even before he himself was able to write (his mother was not a fan of his trashy vampire fiction), Stone started writing his first serious novel in early 2014. Stone has also dabbled in Stand-Up Comedy and Slam Poetry, but, above anything else, he loves writing satire novels.
Amazon Page
November 29, 2017
Interview With Historical/Steampunk Author Kyle Newton
Today I have an interview with author Kyle Newton who writes two of my favourite genres, steampunk and historical. Enjoy.
Interview With Kyle Newton
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself?
Greetings, my name is Kyle Newton. I grew up in a very small blue-collar town nestled in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. My mother bred my creativity by watching Star Trek and reading Tolkien, so it didn’t take long for my interest in writing sci-fi/fantasy to bud and blossom. I indie-published my own series, “The Penny Punkers Series,” as well as having been published in several magazines such as Bete Noire. My first book to hit #3 in steampunk was “Revolution’s Reign,” a novella that came as a short story challenge from my magnificent girlfriend. Now, I write novellas about historical fiction for teens and young adults.
How long have you been writing, and how many books have you published to date?
I have been writing most of my life if you include all the time I preferred writing poetry in school rather than doing math or science (Although still important, I just found myself lost in poetry). I’ve indie-published 3 soft-covered books and 6 ebooks. “The Penny Punker Series” take up the majority of my publishings, which is a fictitious steampunk universe I created. Then there’s “Revolution’s Reign”, which is a standalone historical fiction.
Of all the books you've written, do you have a favourite ?
I’d have to say my current favorite is, “Revolution’s Reign.” Having to find that sweet balance of historical accuracy, peppered with fiction so the plot still makes sense, really helped push my limits and helped me grow as a writer.
Do you have a favourite character? If so, why?
For “Revolution’s Reign,” I’d say my favorite character is Annie Oakley. She might not show up until later in the story, but I find her time in it to be very unexpected and full of energy. I think I reflected on more of her determination and dedication than anything else for her character. And the fact I was able to find a place for her at all made me very happy.
Why did you decide to write in the steampunk genre?
I’ve always loved the Victorian era and found myself studying different aspects of it throughout my life. And I mean it, I even did a school report about the popular clothing and what they saw as “mainstream.” I guess my love for Tolkien’s fantasy world and my fascination for the Victorian lifestyle kind of fused together one day and thus, “Revolution’s Reign,” came to be.
What is the hardest part of writing historical fiction?
First, I want to say I absolutely LOVE writing historical fiction, but the same reason I obsess about it is the same reason it frustrates me. The amusement comes from having a “bare bones” story already laid out for you. It’s then up to you to decide how much escapism you want in your story. “Revolution’s Reign” definitely holds a lot of creative licensing, but then you can find the “Dear America” books and discover there’s very little fiction in them. I find these two are good comparisons for showing how wide the spectrum of historical fiction is. It’s that amount of freedom that really makes it fun for me, testing my balance of captivating creativity and historical accuracy.
What do you enjoy most about writing in the steampunk genre?
Similar to historical fiction, steampunk has a thin line of “must haves,” and the rest is really up to you. What makes steampunk so beautiful is that it doesn’t take much to establish its presence, it all depends on how you add it to your book that makes it a worthwhile genre. Like in “Revolution’s Reign,” I may reference larger economical changes to establish a different Victorian/colonial age, but their rifles and boats are the only distinct changes the reader really interacts with. I also love hearing from readers and getting opinions through reviews, that way, I can keep elevating my steampunk game for them. No matter what, I always add a flavor of steampunk to my writings, so reader input is crucial to me.
You write in several genres. Do you have a favourite ? And if so, why?
Steampunk is easily my favorite. It’s always fun for me to add a wild west heroine, or an eloquent Victorian villain into the mix. I read a lot of historical fiction when I entered Junior High School and didn’t really stop since then. That’s what drew me to studying history, by learning how much of the book was made up and how much of it was real. My first two publications were for historical magazines, focusing on warfare. From there, I got published in Bete Noire’s magazine with my short story, “Wulver of the Highlands,” which was my first crack at historical fantasy. From there, I found adding steampunk elements to be a bit more interesting and more my style. Not long after that, “Revolution’s Reign,” was published. A month later, it hit #3 in its steampunk genre and #1 in Dieselpunk.
Who is your intended readership?
Since “Revolution’s Reign,” I’m noticing more teenagers and young adults picking up my books. Which, I really enjoy. My interest in being a writer started around the sixth grade, but the small blue collar town I grew up in made flourishing artistically almost impossible. I hope my books can reach other teenagers to show them that if you have a passion and stick to it, you can get out and make a name for yourself.
What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?
I recently got in touch with the Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire and got to write a mystery book for them involving the train station. It was a fascinating challenge because I’ve never written in this genre before. It proved to have its own story arc-issues I never anticipated due to the unfamiliar structure of building a mystery. It’ll be the first one out before Christmas. Around that time, I am going to have another colonial fiction novella out for my teen and YA readers. The last two years I’ve been trying to get my books published in between school semesters, that way students can have something to relax with around those initial days of new classes and the stress that comes with getting used to the schedule.
You can find Kyle's book, Revolution's Reign: A Steampunk Military Adventure, on Amazon.
Interview With Kyle Newton
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself?
Greetings, my name is Kyle Newton. I grew up in a very small blue-collar town nestled in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. My mother bred my creativity by watching Star Trek and reading Tolkien, so it didn’t take long for my interest in writing sci-fi/fantasy to bud and blossom. I indie-published my own series, “The Penny Punkers Series,” as well as having been published in several magazines such as Bete Noire. My first book to hit #3 in steampunk was “Revolution’s Reign,” a novella that came as a short story challenge from my magnificent girlfriend. Now, I write novellas about historical fiction for teens and young adults.
How long have you been writing, and how many books have you published to date?
I have been writing most of my life if you include all the time I preferred writing poetry in school rather than doing math or science (Although still important, I just found myself lost in poetry). I’ve indie-published 3 soft-covered books and 6 ebooks. “The Penny Punker Series” take up the majority of my publishings, which is a fictitious steampunk universe I created. Then there’s “Revolution’s Reign”, which is a standalone historical fiction.
Of all the books you've written, do you have a favourite ?
I’d have to say my current favorite is, “Revolution’s Reign.” Having to find that sweet balance of historical accuracy, peppered with fiction so the plot still makes sense, really helped push my limits and helped me grow as a writer.
Do you have a favourite character? If so, why?
For “Revolution’s Reign,” I’d say my favorite character is Annie Oakley. She might not show up until later in the story, but I find her time in it to be very unexpected and full of energy. I think I reflected on more of her determination and dedication than anything else for her character. And the fact I was able to find a place for her at all made me very happy.
Why did you decide to write in the steampunk genre?
I’ve always loved the Victorian era and found myself studying different aspects of it throughout my life. And I mean it, I even did a school report about the popular clothing and what they saw as “mainstream.” I guess my love for Tolkien’s fantasy world and my fascination for the Victorian lifestyle kind of fused together one day and thus, “Revolution’s Reign,” came to be.
What is the hardest part of writing historical fiction?
First, I want to say I absolutely LOVE writing historical fiction, but the same reason I obsess about it is the same reason it frustrates me. The amusement comes from having a “bare bones” story already laid out for you. It’s then up to you to decide how much escapism you want in your story. “Revolution’s Reign” definitely holds a lot of creative licensing, but then you can find the “Dear America” books and discover there’s very little fiction in them. I find these two are good comparisons for showing how wide the spectrum of historical fiction is. It’s that amount of freedom that really makes it fun for me, testing my balance of captivating creativity and historical accuracy.
What do you enjoy most about writing in the steampunk genre?
Similar to historical fiction, steampunk has a thin line of “must haves,” and the rest is really up to you. What makes steampunk so beautiful is that it doesn’t take much to establish its presence, it all depends on how you add it to your book that makes it a worthwhile genre. Like in “Revolution’s Reign,” I may reference larger economical changes to establish a different Victorian/colonial age, but their rifles and boats are the only distinct changes the reader really interacts with. I also love hearing from readers and getting opinions through reviews, that way, I can keep elevating my steampunk game for them. No matter what, I always add a flavor of steampunk to my writings, so reader input is crucial to me.
You write in several genres. Do you have a favourite ? And if so, why?
Steampunk is easily my favorite. It’s always fun for me to add a wild west heroine, or an eloquent Victorian villain into the mix. I read a lot of historical fiction when I entered Junior High School and didn’t really stop since then. That’s what drew me to studying history, by learning how much of the book was made up and how much of it was real. My first two publications were for historical magazines, focusing on warfare. From there, I got published in Bete Noire’s magazine with my short story, “Wulver of the Highlands,” which was my first crack at historical fantasy. From there, I found adding steampunk elements to be a bit more interesting and more my style. Not long after that, “Revolution’s Reign,” was published. A month later, it hit #3 in its steampunk genre and #1 in Dieselpunk.
Who is your intended readership?
Since “Revolution’s Reign,” I’m noticing more teenagers and young adults picking up my books. Which, I really enjoy. My interest in being a writer started around the sixth grade, but the small blue collar town I grew up in made flourishing artistically almost impossible. I hope my books can reach other teenagers to show them that if you have a passion and stick to it, you can get out and make a name for yourself.
What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?
I recently got in touch with the Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire and got to write a mystery book for them involving the train station. It was a fascinating challenge because I’ve never written in this genre before. It proved to have its own story arc-issues I never anticipated due to the unfamiliar structure of building a mystery. It’ll be the first one out before Christmas. Around that time, I am going to have another colonial fiction novella out for my teen and YA readers. The last two years I’ve been trying to get my books published in between school semesters, that way students can have something to relax with around those initial days of new classes and the stress that comes with getting used to the schedule.
You can find Kyle's book, Revolution's Reign: A Steampunk Military Adventure, on Amazon.
November 6, 2017
Book Spotlight: The Dead Ride Fast
Today I have a book spotlight, for the collection of horror western short stories, The Dead Ride Fast by Jackson Kuhl. Enjoy!
The Dead Ride Fast by Jackson Kuhl
A gang of bank robbers arrives in a town where the local newspaper prints the future. A prospector discovers the cost of gold is the loss of himself. An abandoned ranch house conceals a dark history. An ailing sailor is initiated into a secret world after consuming an unusual medicine. A businessman reopens a silver mine that should have been left sealed. Two young girls confront a string of unnoticed disappearances.
The Dead Ride Fast collects five stories previously published in the award-winning magazine Black Static and various anthologies, including the Stoker-nominated Dark Tales of Lost Civilizations. An original story is also included.
Ghosts. Doppelgängers. Our guilty yesterdays and anxious tomorrows. Saddle up for six stories of existential dread on the haunted frontier.
The Dead Ride Fast is available as an e-book on Amazon, Smashwords, and Kobo
Author Bio:
Jackson Kuhl is the author of the Revolutionary War biography SAMUEL SMEDLEY, CONNECTICUT PRIVATEER and the fiction collection THE DEAD RIDE FAST. Kuhl has written for Atlas Obscura, Connecticut Magazine, the Hartford Courant, National Geographic News, Reason, and other publications.
Website: http://www.jacksonkuhl.com/
The Dead Ride Fast by Jackson Kuhl
A gang of bank robbers arrives in a town where the local newspaper prints the future. A prospector discovers the cost of gold is the loss of himself. An abandoned ranch house conceals a dark history. An ailing sailor is initiated into a secret world after consuming an unusual medicine. A businessman reopens a silver mine that should have been left sealed. Two young girls confront a string of unnoticed disappearances.The Dead Ride Fast collects five stories previously published in the award-winning magazine Black Static and various anthologies, including the Stoker-nominated Dark Tales of Lost Civilizations. An original story is also included.
Ghosts. Doppelgängers. Our guilty yesterdays and anxious tomorrows. Saddle up for six stories of existential dread on the haunted frontier.
The Dead Ride Fast is available as an e-book on Amazon, Smashwords, and Kobo
Author Bio:
Jackson Kuhl is the author of the Revolutionary War biography SAMUEL SMEDLEY, CONNECTICUT PRIVATEER and the fiction collection THE DEAD RIDE FAST. Kuhl has written for Atlas Obscura, Connecticut Magazine, the Hartford Courant, National Geographic News, Reason, and other publications.
Website: http://www.jacksonkuhl.com/
November 5, 2017
Interview With Author Cassidy Taylor
Today brings an interview with Cassidy Taylor, another one of the authors in the anthology, Mirror & Thorns, which I recently spotlighted. Enjoy.
Interview With Cassidy Taylor
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
I’m a fantasy author who studied English and Creative Writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was there that I found my niche in children’s literature, and won the Bill Hooks Award for Young Adult Fiction in 2007. My first novel, When Rains Fall, is forthcoming in December 2017. The prequel short story, The Dry Season, is available for free on Amazon. I live in beautiful North Carolina with my husband, two kids, two dogs, and one cat who thinks he’s a dog.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
My story, The Life & Death of Cora Svanros, is exclusively available in Mirrors & Thorns: An OWS Ink Anthology. Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HFL17F
Cora Svanros, a self-sacrificing slave girl with an iron will, wants nothing more than to protect her little sister. Sold into slavery after the death of their mother, she’s spent the last eight years being tortured by a cruel, young chief with an unusual ability. When a seer tells her that to defeat him, she must pluck three feathers from the Crow of Malos, she knows she must try, even if it means dying to get what she needs.
How long have you been writing, and how many books have you published to date?
I’ve been writing since before I could read. One of my earliest memories is making up a story to the pictures in a Peter Pan picture book when I couldn’t find anyone to read it to me. I have two short stories published in anthologies, and my debut novel is set to release in December 2017. They are all set in the same world and interconnected.
The Dry Season (That Moment When…): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N45F679/The Life & Death of Cora Svanros(Mirrors & Thorns): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HFL17F/When Rains Fall: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36154732-when-rains-fall
Why did you decide to write in the fantasy genre?
Writing fantasy is both incredibly freeing and incredibly challenging, and I write it for both reasons. I enjoy the challenge of creating an entire world—its history, its religion, its politics—and finding the characters that the world creates. And I enjoy the freedom of being able to explore today’s important themes without the influence of our world’s history and prejudices.
Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate? Do you have a certain writing routine?
My ideas can originate from anywhere. As a writer, I listen and I observe, and I take what I find and ask, “What if…?” As far as my writing process, I’m a reformed pantser. My first four completed manuscripts were written without any planning whatsoever. After NaNoWriMo in 2016, when I sat back and looked at what I had written and found that I was so disappointed—it didn’t look anything like I had originally intended—I set out to learn as much as I could to improve on my craft. Using a combination of skills I learned from KM Weiland and Libbie Hawker and Joanna Penn, I found a way to plot and plan that works for me.
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
Time, time, time! I work full-time and have two young children. It takes real commitment to sit down and write after the kids are in bed, commitment that it took me years to develop and with which I still struggle every day. I’ve found that accountability is super-important to me, and having a community of fellow writers to back me up and encourage me has been invaluable.
What advice would you give beginning writers?
Read widely, and write often. You won’t improve without either of those things.
What do you like to do when you're not writing? Any hobbies?
When I’m not writing or working, I’m reading. My goal is to read fifty books each year, but this includes audiobooks that I listen to during my commute. I also have two active young kids, so I spend a lot of time reading or writing in the gymnastics lobby or during soccer practice. I’ve read 70 books so far this year!
Are you working on another book?
I’m finishing up edits on my first novel, When Rains Fall. It’s the first in a series set in the same world as my short stories. I’m currently seeking ARC readers. If interested, readers
Mirror & Thorns is available at:
Amazon Smashwords
About the Author
One of Cassidy Taylor’s earliest memories is flipping through a Peter Pan picture book and making up her own stories to go with the illustrations since she couldn’t read yet. It wasn’t long before she was writing her own stories, the first of which was called The Last Unicorn (not to be confused with the fabulous classic novel of the same name by Peter S. Beagle). As you might have guessed, it didn’t have a happy ending, and she’s been trying to make people cry ever since.Cassidy attended Young Writers’ conferences as a child, and still has a copy of a poem she wrote about writer’s block that won her a place in one of those conferences, but she won’t show it to you. After completing a degree in English and Creative Writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Cassidy went on to get married and raise two wonderful children. Watching her kids grow and discover the magic of reading for themselves has inspired her to return to her own make-believe worlds.
If you like YA fantasy featuring strong, dangerous women and mysterious magic, and you would like a **free** short story and access to **exclusive content** visit http://cassidytaylor.net and sign up for Cassidy's Reading Warriors.
You can also find her at:Twitter / Instagram / Facebook
Interview With Cassidy Taylor
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
I’m a fantasy author who studied English and Creative Writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was there that I found my niche in children’s literature, and won the Bill Hooks Award for Young Adult Fiction in 2007. My first novel, When Rains Fall, is forthcoming in December 2017. The prequel short story, The Dry Season, is available for free on Amazon. I live in beautiful North Carolina with my husband, two kids, two dogs, and one cat who thinks he’s a dog.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?My story, The Life & Death of Cora Svanros, is exclusively available in Mirrors & Thorns: An OWS Ink Anthology. Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HFL17F
Cora Svanros, a self-sacrificing slave girl with an iron will, wants nothing more than to protect her little sister. Sold into slavery after the death of their mother, she’s spent the last eight years being tortured by a cruel, young chief with an unusual ability. When a seer tells her that to defeat him, she must pluck three feathers from the Crow of Malos, she knows she must try, even if it means dying to get what she needs.
How long have you been writing, and how many books have you published to date?
I’ve been writing since before I could read. One of my earliest memories is making up a story to the pictures in a Peter Pan picture book when I couldn’t find anyone to read it to me. I have two short stories published in anthologies, and my debut novel is set to release in December 2017. They are all set in the same world and interconnected.
The Dry Season (That Moment When…): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N45F679/The Life & Death of Cora Svanros(Mirrors & Thorns): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HFL17F/When Rains Fall: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36154732-when-rains-fall
Why did you decide to write in the fantasy genre?
Writing fantasy is both incredibly freeing and incredibly challenging, and I write it for both reasons. I enjoy the challenge of creating an entire world—its history, its religion, its politics—and finding the characters that the world creates. And I enjoy the freedom of being able to explore today’s important themes without the influence of our world’s history and prejudices.
Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate? Do you have a certain writing routine?
My ideas can originate from anywhere. As a writer, I listen and I observe, and I take what I find and ask, “What if…?” As far as my writing process, I’m a reformed pantser. My first four completed manuscripts were written without any planning whatsoever. After NaNoWriMo in 2016, when I sat back and looked at what I had written and found that I was so disappointed—it didn’t look anything like I had originally intended—I set out to learn as much as I could to improve on my craft. Using a combination of skills I learned from KM Weiland and Libbie Hawker and Joanna Penn, I found a way to plot and plan that works for me.
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
Time, time, time! I work full-time and have two young children. It takes real commitment to sit down and write after the kids are in bed, commitment that it took me years to develop and with which I still struggle every day. I’ve found that accountability is super-important to me, and having a community of fellow writers to back me up and encourage me has been invaluable.
What advice would you give beginning writers?
Read widely, and write often. You won’t improve without either of those things.
What do you like to do when you're not writing? Any hobbies?
When I’m not writing or working, I’m reading. My goal is to read fifty books each year, but this includes audiobooks that I listen to during my commute. I also have two active young kids, so I spend a lot of time reading or writing in the gymnastics lobby or during soccer practice. I’ve read 70 books so far this year!
Are you working on another book?
I’m finishing up edits on my first novel, When Rains Fall. It’s the first in a series set in the same world as my short stories. I’m currently seeking ARC readers. If interested, readers
Mirror & Thorns is available at:
Amazon Smashwords
About the Author
One of Cassidy Taylor’s earliest memories is flipping through a Peter Pan picture book and making up her own stories to go with the illustrations since she couldn’t read yet. It wasn’t long before she was writing her own stories, the first of which was called The Last Unicorn (not to be confused with the fabulous classic novel of the same name by Peter S. Beagle). As you might have guessed, it didn’t have a happy ending, and she’s been trying to make people cry ever since.Cassidy attended Young Writers’ conferences as a child, and still has a copy of a poem she wrote about writer’s block that won her a place in one of those conferences, but she won’t show it to you. After completing a degree in English and Creative Writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Cassidy went on to get married and raise two wonderful children. Watching her kids grow and discover the magic of reading for themselves has inspired her to return to her own make-believe worlds. If you like YA fantasy featuring strong, dangerous women and mysterious magic, and you would like a **free** short story and access to **exclusive content** visit http://cassidytaylor.net and sign up for Cassidy's Reading Warriors.
You can also find her at:Twitter / Instagram / Facebook
November 4, 2017
Book Spotlight: Being Human
Today I have a book spotlight, for the YA paranormal novel, Being Human by Patricia Lynne. Enjoy.
Being Human by Patricia Lynne
For Tommy, there is only one thing he needs to do: survive.
Only surviving isn't that easy. The hunt for blood can be tricky when humans know to fear the night. Desire sits on the edge of his mind, urging him to become the monster humans think he is. Vampire Forces, a special branch of police, is determined to turn every vampire to ash. Tommy included.
The only human Tommy can trust is his twin brother. A bond connects them, and with Danny's help, Tommy starts to understand the human world he struggles to survive in. He'll learn what friendships means and feel the sting of betrayal, find that sometimes the worst monsters are very human, and come to understand that family means more than blood.
Tommy just wants to survive and he knows what he needs to do. But with the number of humans that mean more to him than a meal growing, Tommy learns there's more to life than simple survival. He'll discover being human doesn't mean being a human.
Being Human is available at:
Amazon Smashwords Kobo Barnes and Noble iTunes
Book Trailer
Author Bio
Patricia Lynne never set out to become a writer. In fact, she never considered it an option during high school and college. She was all about art. On a whim, she wrote down a story bouncing in her head. That was the start of it and she hasn't regretted a moment. She writes new adult under the name Patricia Josephine.
Patricia lives with her husband in Michigan, hopes one day to have what will resemble a small petting zoo, has a fondness for dying her hair the colors of the rainbow, and an obsession with Doctor Who.
For more on Patricia, check out her sites.
Twitter Website Newsletter
Being Human by Patricia Lynne
For Tommy, there is only one thing he needs to do: survive.
Only surviving isn't that easy. The hunt for blood can be tricky when humans know to fear the night. Desire sits on the edge of his mind, urging him to become the monster humans think he is. Vampire Forces, a special branch of police, is determined to turn every vampire to ash. Tommy included.
The only human Tommy can trust is his twin brother. A bond connects them, and with Danny's help, Tommy starts to understand the human world he struggles to survive in. He'll learn what friendships means and feel the sting of betrayal, find that sometimes the worst monsters are very human, and come to understand that family means more than blood.
Tommy just wants to survive and he knows what he needs to do. But with the number of humans that mean more to him than a meal growing, Tommy learns there's more to life than simple survival. He'll discover being human doesn't mean being a human.
Being Human is available at:
Amazon Smashwords Kobo Barnes and Noble iTunes
Book Trailer
Author Bio
Patricia Lynne never set out to become a writer. In fact, she never considered it an option during high school and college. She was all about art. On a whim, she wrote down a story bouncing in her head. That was the start of it and she hasn't regretted a moment. She writes new adult under the name Patricia Josephine.
Patricia lives with her husband in Michigan, hopes one day to have what will resemble a small petting zoo, has a fondness for dying her hair the colors of the rainbow, and an obsession with Doctor Who.
For more on Patricia, check out her sites.
Twitter Website Newsletter
November 3, 2017
Interview With Author J. Lee Strickland
Today I have an interview with J. Lee Strickland, one of the authors in the anthology, Mirror & Thorns which I recently spotlighted. Enjoy.
Interview With Author J. Lee Strickland
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
I grew up in rural northeastern Pennsylvania at a time when the anthracite coal industry, which was centered there, was transitioning from shaft mining to open-pit mining or strip mining. As a consequence of this unique timing and location, I was exposed to great natural beauty and tremendous environmental devastation at the same time. The appreciation for, and fascination with, rural life and the natural world appears often in my writing, as well as in my choice of home here in the southern Adirondacks of upstate New York.I started writing pretty much as soon as I started reading. I love to tell the story that my first real book—a book with chapters, and pages and pages of words—was Whitefoot the Wood Mouse by Thornton W. Burgess. As soon as I finished it, I wrote my first story, a story about a mouse who lived in the woods. I didn’t learn the word “derivative” until much later.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
My story “Roland” is included in the latest anthology from OWS Ink, titled Mirrors and Thorns, a fantasy collection inspired by the darker side of fairy tales. I’m very excited about this anthology. The quality of the writing is excellent; the stories are clever and engaging, and everyone at OWS Ink is enthusiastic and committed to getting the book out to a broad readership. It’s been a real pleasure working with them.
Do you have a favourite character? If so, why?
In my story “Roland,” my favourite character is Iduna. She was a lot of fun to write. Where Roland is often sullen and brooding, always thinking the worst, Iduna is a bundle of frenetic energy. She talks nearly non-stop, filling the world with sound wherever she goes. She’s infectious that way, and it was an interesting challenge to write her convincingly without cluttering the text.
What is the hardest part of writing fantasy fiction?
The big challenge is to avoid falling back on the same tired tropes of fantasy. I love dragons and elves, fairies and magic, and I’ve used them in my writing, but great fantasy writing makes these elements fresh, new, and surprising. The other challenge is to avoid making the story just about the fantasy. All the elements, fantasy and otherwise, must work together in the service of the story. For example, in my story “The Turning of Pesh Thanat,” published in Newfound Journal this past Spring, Elini the slave woman saves the Emperor’s life by literally giving him hers. The magical, physical bond which unites them becomes a metaphor for the way in which traitorous behavior on the part of one person can have devastating consequences for both members of a couple.
What do you enjoy most about writing in the fantasy genre?
Fantasy writing at its best makes explicit that thing which in our ordinary lives we all tend to ignore: that the universe is a mysterious place, that all our probing has produced only the barest outline of what the world truly entails. With fantasy writing, we push the boundaries, illuminate the dark corners, and through imagination, show the truth of this mystery.
You write in several genres. Do you have a favourite? And if so, why?
I have written across a number of different styles and genres. Back in the 90’s I published a lot of creative non-fiction pieces centered on my experiments with simple living, alternative life-styles, and alternative energy and building techniques. At the same time, I was writing essays on philosophical and environmental topics, but fiction writing was my first love. Once I became serious about having my fiction published, that feedback loop opened the floodgates of creativity for me. I have written a fair amount of literary fiction, but my imagination seems to gravitate toward fantasy. Even my most realistic stories often have some hint of fantasy in them: ritual transubstantiation that produces undesirable results, or an out-of-body experience with serious physical consequences—the kinds of surprises that lurk at the borders of the ordinary. These are what fascinate me most.
Do you have a favourite author, or writing inspiration?
If I had to pick just one, I would name John Crowley and his master work, Little, Big. He is usually categorized as a fantasy writer, yet he does just what I said earlier where in his writing, the elements of fantasy work in service to the story. I’m really excited about the imminent release of his latest, Ka: Dar Oakley in the Ruin of Ymr. I don’t really have to stop at one favourite, do I? Ursula LeGuin has been with me since high school, and I never tire of reading her work. Paul Park’s incredible four-volume Princess of Roumania series blew me away. I remember getting to the end of the fourth volume, The Hidden World, and immediately starting back at the first for another read-through. Anne Patchett made fantasy totally believable in State of Wonder, and Elizabeth Gilbert performed writing miracles in The Signature of All Things. These authors and works provide both inspiration and aspiration. I aspire in my own writing to produce such beautifully conceived and deeply affecting work.
What advice would you give beginning writers?
Write as much as you can, as often as you can. The more you write, the better you will become as a writer. Meet other writers. Join a group. Expose your writing to criticism and act on the feedback. Grow a thick skin, and remember that pleasing yourself is easy; pleasing others is hard. Make writing the thing you do in spite of everything else. Submit your work for publication. There is no greater inspiration for a writer than to have a stranger in some editorial office say, “I like what you wrote, and I’m going to give others the chance to read it.”
What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?
I’m working on a post-apocalyptic fantasy novel set in the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains, eastern Mohawk Valley, and Albany area of New York. Ninety percent of the population has been lost in the war and subsequent years of nuclear winter. Albany has been reduced to a radioactive heap of rubble and declared an exclusion zone by the territorial authorities. Its residents are a mix of the dregs of society, the outcasts, and intrepid urban homesteaders who envision a new future for cities, no longer parasites on the land but self-reliant contributors to a peaceful, cooperative community. Along with the clash between idealism and reality, other old divisions rise up in new disguises, as people struggle with what it means to be human. I’d like to hold on to my secrets for a little while yet, but I will say that in the book, the consequences of global war manifest themselves in some surprising ways!
Mirror & Thorns can be found at:
Amazon
Smashwords
About the Author
J. Lee Strickland is a freelance writer living in upstate New York. In addition to fiction, he has written on the subjects of rural living, modern homesteading and voluntary simplicity. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in Atticus Review, Scarlet Leaf Review, Workers Write!, Pure Slush, Mad Scientist Journal, Newfound Journal, Jenny, and others. He is a member of the Hudson Valley Writers Guild and served as a judge for the 2015 and 2016 storySouth Million Writers Awards. He is at work on a collection of connected short stories vaguely similar in format to the long-defunct American television series 'Naked City' but without the salacious title.
Interview With Author J. Lee Strickland
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.I grew up in rural northeastern Pennsylvania at a time when the anthracite coal industry, which was centered there, was transitioning from shaft mining to open-pit mining or strip mining. As a consequence of this unique timing and location, I was exposed to great natural beauty and tremendous environmental devastation at the same time. The appreciation for, and fascination with, rural life and the natural world appears often in my writing, as well as in my choice of home here in the southern Adirondacks of upstate New York.I started writing pretty much as soon as I started reading. I love to tell the story that my first real book—a book with chapters, and pages and pages of words—was Whitefoot the Wood Mouse by Thornton W. Burgess. As soon as I finished it, I wrote my first story, a story about a mouse who lived in the woods. I didn’t learn the word “derivative” until much later.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?My story “Roland” is included in the latest anthology from OWS Ink, titled Mirrors and Thorns, a fantasy collection inspired by the darker side of fairy tales. I’m very excited about this anthology. The quality of the writing is excellent; the stories are clever and engaging, and everyone at OWS Ink is enthusiastic and committed to getting the book out to a broad readership. It’s been a real pleasure working with them.
Do you have a favourite character? If so, why?
In my story “Roland,” my favourite character is Iduna. She was a lot of fun to write. Where Roland is often sullen and brooding, always thinking the worst, Iduna is a bundle of frenetic energy. She talks nearly non-stop, filling the world with sound wherever she goes. She’s infectious that way, and it was an interesting challenge to write her convincingly without cluttering the text.
What is the hardest part of writing fantasy fiction?
The big challenge is to avoid falling back on the same tired tropes of fantasy. I love dragons and elves, fairies and magic, and I’ve used them in my writing, but great fantasy writing makes these elements fresh, new, and surprising. The other challenge is to avoid making the story just about the fantasy. All the elements, fantasy and otherwise, must work together in the service of the story. For example, in my story “The Turning of Pesh Thanat,” published in Newfound Journal this past Spring, Elini the slave woman saves the Emperor’s life by literally giving him hers. The magical, physical bond which unites them becomes a metaphor for the way in which traitorous behavior on the part of one person can have devastating consequences for both members of a couple.
What do you enjoy most about writing in the fantasy genre?
Fantasy writing at its best makes explicit that thing which in our ordinary lives we all tend to ignore: that the universe is a mysterious place, that all our probing has produced only the barest outline of what the world truly entails. With fantasy writing, we push the boundaries, illuminate the dark corners, and through imagination, show the truth of this mystery.
You write in several genres. Do you have a favourite? And if so, why?
I have written across a number of different styles and genres. Back in the 90’s I published a lot of creative non-fiction pieces centered on my experiments with simple living, alternative life-styles, and alternative energy and building techniques. At the same time, I was writing essays on philosophical and environmental topics, but fiction writing was my first love. Once I became serious about having my fiction published, that feedback loop opened the floodgates of creativity for me. I have written a fair amount of literary fiction, but my imagination seems to gravitate toward fantasy. Even my most realistic stories often have some hint of fantasy in them: ritual transubstantiation that produces undesirable results, or an out-of-body experience with serious physical consequences—the kinds of surprises that lurk at the borders of the ordinary. These are what fascinate me most.
Do you have a favourite author, or writing inspiration?
If I had to pick just one, I would name John Crowley and his master work, Little, Big. He is usually categorized as a fantasy writer, yet he does just what I said earlier where in his writing, the elements of fantasy work in service to the story. I’m really excited about the imminent release of his latest, Ka: Dar Oakley in the Ruin of Ymr. I don’t really have to stop at one favourite, do I? Ursula LeGuin has been with me since high school, and I never tire of reading her work. Paul Park’s incredible four-volume Princess of Roumania series blew me away. I remember getting to the end of the fourth volume, The Hidden World, and immediately starting back at the first for another read-through. Anne Patchett made fantasy totally believable in State of Wonder, and Elizabeth Gilbert performed writing miracles in The Signature of All Things. These authors and works provide both inspiration and aspiration. I aspire in my own writing to produce such beautifully conceived and deeply affecting work.
What advice would you give beginning writers?
Write as much as you can, as often as you can. The more you write, the better you will become as a writer. Meet other writers. Join a group. Expose your writing to criticism and act on the feedback. Grow a thick skin, and remember that pleasing yourself is easy; pleasing others is hard. Make writing the thing you do in spite of everything else. Submit your work for publication. There is no greater inspiration for a writer than to have a stranger in some editorial office say, “I like what you wrote, and I’m going to give others the chance to read it.”
What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?
I’m working on a post-apocalyptic fantasy novel set in the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains, eastern Mohawk Valley, and Albany area of New York. Ninety percent of the population has been lost in the war and subsequent years of nuclear winter. Albany has been reduced to a radioactive heap of rubble and declared an exclusion zone by the territorial authorities. Its residents are a mix of the dregs of society, the outcasts, and intrepid urban homesteaders who envision a new future for cities, no longer parasites on the land but self-reliant contributors to a peaceful, cooperative community. Along with the clash between idealism and reality, other old divisions rise up in new disguises, as people struggle with what it means to be human. I’d like to hold on to my secrets for a little while yet, but I will say that in the book, the consequences of global war manifest themselves in some surprising ways!
Mirror & Thorns can be found at:
Amazon
Smashwords
About the Author
J. Lee Strickland is a freelance writer living in upstate New York. In addition to fiction, he has written on the subjects of rural living, modern homesteading and voluntary simplicity. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in Atticus Review, Scarlet Leaf Review, Workers Write!, Pure Slush, Mad Scientist Journal, Newfound Journal, Jenny, and others. He is a member of the Hudson Valley Writers Guild and served as a judge for the 2015 and 2016 storySouth Million Writers Awards. He is at work on a collection of connected short stories vaguely similar in format to the long-defunct American television series 'Naked City' but without the salacious title.
