Silvia Acevedo's Blog, page 9
July 5, 2017
Writing Prompt – The Week’s Theme
My fiction is usually long form, so I recently decided to change things up and start writing in smaller chunks. I bought this journal: 300 Writing Prompts by Piccadilly Inc. The idea is to give quick answers without a lot of humming and hawing. I’ll post my answers here occasionally.If this week had a theme to it, what would yours be?
Motivation against all odds. I have a half dozen people around me lately who are suffering from malaise. I’ve been the opposite. I’m on a writing groove and have been tearing through all my work. It feels great, and it’s interesting that I can so easily fight the temptation to join them. I’m the model of independence right now. Yay, me! 
June 25, 2017
Writing Prompt – Snob Much?
My fiction is usually long form, so last week I decided to change things up and start a habit of writing in much smaller chunks. I bought this journal: 300 Writing Prompts by Piccadilly Inc. The idea is to give quick answers without a lot of humming and hawing. I’ll post my answers here occasionally.
Is there anything you are ever a snob about?
Oh, sure. Aren’t we all snobs? I mean, not about everything, but we’re all snobs about some things. I’m a snob about:
*Chocolate (Dark, not milk, please.),
*Coffee (Decaf with cream, please),
*Grammar (It has value and purpose; if you respect others, learn it and use it.),
*Equality (Your gender doesn’t make you superior, nor does your ethnicity, race, or religion.), and finally,
*Fairness (To treat people differently based on social standing, fame, wealth, etc., is just wrong and soul-crushing. Be kind to one another.)
So what are you a snob about? Tell me in the comments.
May 1, 2017
TODAY IS RELEASE DAY for Fantasy Art Workshop’s “Oil Painting Techniques” Video
I am so thankful and pleased to say that today is finally the official release day of Fantasy Art Workshop’s Oil Painting Techniques DVD. You may wonder why I’m excited about that as I’m not an artist, but I actually have a couple of huge reasons: the Fantasy Art Workshop is my illustrator husband and my creation, and this video is now our second successful feature-length instructional set to hit the market. It’s getting great reviews, and I’m honored that the first video (the Workshop’s Acrylic Painting Techniques) is not only highly recommended by Video Librarian, but it’s also award-winning, having won ImagineFX Magazine’s lauded Artist’s Choice award.
So, why is it garnering such nice attention? Because my husband so generously shares his knowledge. Jeff Miracola‘s got more than 23 years in the fantasy art industry working for the biggest entertainment names. Our little YouTube channel grew more than we expected. It’s now got more than 65 videos, 31,000 subscribers, and 1.4 million views. The feature-length DVDs/Digital Downloads came to be because people wanted more. We delivered; he by showing the world his form of magic, and me as videographer and occasional disembodied voice / cameo artist. Ha!
If you are an artist or have an artist in your life, I invite you to check out the series. You can read reviews on Amazon for the Oil Techniques here and the Acrylic Techniques here. We’re honored that our work has taught and inspired others.
So check them out, please, and remember: Draw, Paint, and Always Create! 
February 12, 2017
A Captivating Literary Weekend
I spent the latter part of this week presenting with the Wisconsin State Reading Association, an organization that’s all about literacy. Their concerns: how parents and teachers teach kids to read, helping students strengthen their reading skills, and encouraging all of us to make our society well read.
Literacy is a cause dear to my heart. I taught my children to read at an early age, and I feel that literacy skills are absolutely vital to success. I was honored to present at the association, but I decided to do a bit more by donating 100 books to established and/or fledgling school book clubs. I hope the kids who get them enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Below are some pictures of the event. If you like the idea of encouraging literacy, consider supporting your local literacy agency with a financial gift or a donation of your books or time. 
At the WSRA gateway
Enjoying the presentation
My set-up
Slips in the Jar. Five names were drawn to get 20 books for their book club! :)
Hopefuls Awaiting the Draw
Whoo hoo! I won!
Another winner!
Proclamations
Serious Wisconsin talent here. Left to right: Melissa Gorzelanczyk, Liz Czukas, Tricia Clasen, Stephanie Golightly Lowden, me, and JoAnn Early Macken.
December 26, 2016
Wrapping up 2016 with Four Final Events
Looking back at 2016, I can see that I had a lot to be thankful for. Most importantly, I have good health, a loving family, and dear friends, many of you among them. If we haven’t yet met in person, I hope to someday get the pleasure.
This year saw the release of the second in my God Awful Series of Books. I expect 2017 to bring the final installment of this comedic, mythological adventure. Until then, here are a few pictures of some of the authorial events that have kept me busy these past few months. Thanks to all who invited me / put up with me. Enjoy the pix and I wish you a very happy 2017!
Oct 2016 – Presenting on writing compelling scenes for the Wisconsin Writers Association
Nov 2016 – Presenting on character development @ the Southeast WI Festival of Books
Nov 2016 – Discussing God Awful Thief at Columbus WI’s Books & Beer Book Club
Milwaukee’s Brown Deer Park, the beautiful setting for Novel Lunch 2016
Guests at Novel Lunch 2016
Books Donated by publishers & authors for Novel Lunch 2016
Sassies at Novel Lunch 2016
The view, Novel Lunch 2016
October 16, 2016
Talking YA during Teen Read Week
What great fortune I had this week to join National Teen Read Week by being a part of a Young Adult Literature panel at the Oak Creek (WI) Public Library. We talked not only about YA trends but also about some of the tough topics that YA authors take on, such as teens’ body image and self esteem, sexuality/consent, and diversity. It was a great discussion with thoughtful questions from library goers. Enjoy some pix of the event!
Left to right: Authors Sandy Goldsworthy, Silvia Acevedo, Kelly Risser, Librarian Sarah, Author Liza Wiemer, and Panel Moderator Kellie
We had a lot of fun, and I hope you got a chance this week to encourage reading – and maybe even got a few minutes to yourself to read!
October 9, 2016
Presenting at the NEW Sheboygan TEEN Book Festival
The Sheboygan Children’s Book Festival has enjoyed a great reputation as one of the premier book fests in the state. It’s free to the public, organized to the finest detail, and wildly entertaining for the kids who’ve gone since its 2010 start. New this year, the fest launched its TEEN book festival, and what a great event it was!
Turnout was great – and no wonder. The middle schoolers and high schoolers got to investigate books and meet authors who focus on them. Presenting authors talked about everything from depicting teenage life on paper to what inspires their particular bent. Author Valerie Biel and I talked about our love of mythology and how the genre is experiencing a popular renaissance. The teens were engaged and asked such insightful questions! All we authors were deeply impressed – and we made it onto trading cards. We felt like superheroes.
Here are some photos of this fantastic event. If you read Young Adult books or have a teenager in your life who does, seriously consider setting your calendar for next year’s festival. Both the Children’s and Teen’s Book Festivals run annually on the second weekend in October.
Authors and Illustrators of the Sheboygan Children’s & Teen Book Festivals 2016
Good Day Wisconsin Plugs the Sheboygan Teen Book Festival
The inaugural year of Sheboygan’s Teen Book Festival is good news, and so local media let viewers know that their favorite children’s fest now has a teen component. Here’s video of a segment about it on Green Bay WLUK Good Day Wisconsin. Enjoy!
And here are some stills. Thanks to both WKUK-TV and Karin Menzer of the STBF for inviting me. I had fun and even went to Lambeau Field afterward. Go, Pack, go!
Gamin’ and More Gamin’
Thought I’d share a couple of fun photos from GenCon 2016, the world’s largest gaming convention. I was there in August with my artist husband, whose art is part of the gaming, fantasy, and book world. There were plenty of readers there, and many of them are artists in their own right. I was honored to be among them.
June 13, 2016
Hangin’ with Teens at Barnes & Noble’s B-Teen Book Festival
Barnes & Noble put on its first teen book festival this weekend, the largest national teen fest in the nation, and yours truly was truly honored to be a part of it. At Barnes & Noble Southland (Racine, WI), I got to talk with B&N’s great staff, area teens, and fellow authors. And at Barnes & Noble Bayshore (Glendale, WI), I met new friends and found some of the most enthusiastic readers in the area. What a fantastic event! Thanks, B&N!
