Leon Stevens's Blog, page 117
January 18, 2022
Tuesday Tirade: Dollar Stores
“Don’t buy my food there. It tastes funny.” -No, it doesn’t. You’re just fussy.
If you saw my post on Sunday, you know that I’m disappointed with dollar stores. You used to be able to go in, pick up eight items, and pay—wait for it . . . $8—unless you live in a region that taxes their residents when they buy gum.
OK. I get it. Dollar stores have been around for a while, and it is unreasonable for them not to raise prices because we all know (but don’t understand completely) about inflation.
Some stores don’t hide that fact, even changing their names. Dollar-rama is now Dollar-rama Plus.
Most prices within are around $1.25. Still a good price for off-brand products like: Enerjizer batteries, SunLite dish detergent, and various kitchen utensils by Betty Cracker*. Not to mention weird snacks I’ve never heard of (a handful of Choco-Cluster Crisps anyone?)
*OK. This one is a lie. My local Dollar store carries Betty Crocker cook/bakeware and utensils at reasonable prices.
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, his first science fiction novella.
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C’mon, space stuff!
January 17, 2022
Open Book Blog Hop: Jan 17
What part of writing are you best at? Not compared to everyone else, but compared to you?
I think when you are able to identify what you are best at as a writer is when you will find what makes you unique.
I like to think that my writing is odd. My ideas and observations can be humorous, but also weird. That’s probably the reason I started writing short stories. I had many thoughts to put to paper and each one, like a dream, played out in different ways, some longer, some shorter, some head-scratching, and others just plain, “What the—?”
There is an art to the short story. I don’t know what it is yet, but I keep trying to figure it out. Each story brings me closer to an unknown destination as I try to navigate with a map with no labels.
Let’s see what other blog hoppers say… click on the blue button below to find out or just leave a comment.
Rules:
Link your blog to this hop.Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter
Music Monday: Songs You Might Want to Hear- Ben Howard
There is a radio show on CBC here in Canada that occasionally does a feature called SYNTH: Songs You Need To Hear.
Now, I can’t say to someone, “You’ll like this song” (or book for that matter) because I can’t presume that others will share my taste in music (or books), so it is safer to say, “You might like this” and if they don’t like it, so be it.
Maybe you will find a new favorite.
Some songs make me stop what I’m doing and just listen. Thankfully this song doesn’t get a lot of airplay when I’m driving. Although the last time I heard it was on a 4 hour drive to visit my parents after not being able to for over a year. Each curve and straightaway on the highway, framed by the trees passing the window against a clear blue morning sky felt like my own private video. I didn’t remember all the words, but no one was there to judge.
UK residents will be more familiar with Ben Howard. I’m glad I am.
In book news:
The View from Here – Now Available
What would you do if you found yourself on or in another world? Do you have the skills and knowledge needed to survive or to make sense of what you see?
Thomas sets out on a hike he has done many times before. Taking only what he needs for the three or four hours he expects to be gone, he passes a vehicle in the parking lot. The handwritten note on the dashboard read: Not Abandoned. The view at the end of the trail was not what he expected—neither were the friendships.
Two people with adventurous spirits, heading off into the unknown with only their physical fitness and combined knowledge to get them through everything they may encounter.
How far would you make it?
I hope you enjoyed my selections today.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, a science fiction novella to be released in March 2022.
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Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
January 16, 2022
Sunday Smile: (Very) Recent Reminiscence
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, a science fiction novella to be released in March 2022.
Not ready to purchase yet?
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
January 15, 2022
Weekend Wrap-up Jan 15: New date for book release
I moved up the release date for the Kindle version of my novella. Why? Why not. It was ready, the paperback was already published (that was the only way ARC readers could post reviews), and . . . and that’s it.
It’s funny how stories come about. The View from Here started as a short story, but I always knew there was something missing, so I decided to continue the adventure. Here’s what some of the early reviewers are saying:
“I did like the world build, how the inside cave was explained and explored. Also this is the kind of situation any sci-fi fan dreams off, to find a way of travel to another place/time, a place where the rules that make our world work do not apply at least not in the same way.”
“This is a really lovely story! I did thoroughly enjoy this, it was a truly captivating gentle sci fi adventure that took me on a journey along side the characters in the book. Really great ideas & storyline, I felt a little sad it was over…”
Even my editor said she enjoyed the world I had created. So far, so good.
-Leon
The View from HereWhat would you do if you found yourself on or in another world? Do you have the skills and knowledge needed to survive or to make sense of what you see?
Thomas sets out on a hike he has done many times before. Taking only what he needs for the three or four hours he expects to be gone, he passes a vehicle in the parking lot. The handwritten note on the dashboard read: Not Abandoned. The view at the end of the trail was not what he expected—neither were the friendships.
Two people with adventurous spirits, heading off into the unknown with only their physical fitness and combined knowledge to get them through everything they may encounter.
How far would you make it?
From my blog this week:Free Book Friday Jan 14: Try Before You Buy – Why offer free books?
Weird Wednesday: What a Waste / Cartoons
Music Monday: Songs You Might Want to Hear- Indigenous Canadian musicians. – Yeah. It was about time
Made With Love – Poetic family recipes
The author’s website #blogging #amwriting – Good advice about blogging
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, a science fiction novella to be released in March 2022.
Not ready to purchase yet?
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
January 14, 2022
Free Book Friday Jan 14: Try Before You Buy
Ignore the right-hand picture. No interviews this weekThe story behind Free Book Friday:
I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?
Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. There lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.
There are many reasons to give away your product for free. The “try before you buy” is a time tested method to entice new customers. The free sample table at the supermarket is a great example. It was also a way for me and my college roommate to eat a free meal. Hint: Turn your jacket inside out and wear a hat for the second time round of the potstickers.
As an author, it’s the same, but without the free potstickers. Free books, either sample chapters or the first book in a series, are no risk for the reader—don’t like it? No sweat.
I try to read the works of the authors I promote. Some I like, some . . . not so much. But since every reader’s taste is different, I don’t often offer my opinion—I’m very picky on what I enjoy reading—so I let the reader decide. It’s free. No risk. I don’t like to do reviews either, for that very same reason. I do appreciate the authors who have taken the time to review my works.
My only criteria for not promoting a book is that it doesn’t contain any disturbing content. What do I consider disturbing? It’s different for every reader, so that’s moot.
I sent out review requests for my newest book to my newsletter subscribers and have had 35 downloads. Will that translate to 35 reviews? That’s the hope, but some readers will not, and that’s the risk of handing out your book for free. I send out an email to everyone who clicked on the download link, outlining the time expectations and giving them the links to post their reviews.
So now I wait. But two keeners have already weighed in on The View from Here:
“I did like the world build, how the inside cave was explained and explored. Also this is the kind of situation any sci-fi fan dreams off, to find a way of travel to another place/time, a place where the rules that make our world work do not apply at least not in the same way.”
“This is a really lovely story! I did thoroughly enjoy this, it was a truly captivating gentle sci fi adventure that took me on a journey along side the characters in the book. Really great ideas & storyline, I felt a little sad it was over…”
I just received conformation that my paperback copies are on the way, so Mom, you can stop clicking on the download link, I have a special copy just for you and Dad.
-Leon
Discover New Authors: BookFunnel and StoryOrigin PromosFeatured Author: Shane ShepardShane Shepherd was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. At a young age he developed an interest in space exploration. That led him to major in aerospace engineering at UCLA. During his time there, he developed a passion for writing and decided to become an author instead of pursuing a career in his field of study. Now he currently writes science fiction focusing on steampunk and space opera.
Shane is offering Book 1 for free!
[image error] Free Books
Note starting date: Jan 15-Feb 15
Ends Jan 31Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, a science fiction novella to be released in March 2022.
Not ready to purchase yet?
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
January 12, 2022
Weird Wednesday: What a Waste / Cartoons
I was flossing last night—as I always do— and I was struck by not how much I use, but how much I don’t use. Let me explain:
After I pull out the desired length, I wrap some around my finger, then, as it slips off, I proceed to wrap more because of course, floss slips. Gripping the other end tightly, but not tightly enough, forces me to wrap the end around my other finger until only a short length it available for use.
Now, flossing requires an orchestrated ballet of movements, as the used potion is wound, while the other is unwound. In the end, most of the floss has been used only to maintain tautness. I would suspect that 50% of all floss never experiences the joy of the dance of oral hygiene.
At least my dentist gives me free floss.
-Leon
This reminded me of another dental related post:
Weird Wednesdays: Not so Super Superpowers (Posted on Oct 6, 2021)
Some superheroes use their powers for evil—[boo, hiss]—others for the good of humanity—[Yay!]. Superpowers come in all forms: genetic, accidental, mutation, experimental, or otherworldly intervention.
We can’t all be so lucky (unlucky?), but we all have some hidden talent. Maybe not talent enough to be on that show—or that other show that’s kinda like that show, but something that when harnessed can only be described as…well, meh.
Some people may use their talent for evil—[boo, hiss]—others for…well, for themselves, never to be revealed to humanity. Sometimes people just need to know, so here is your chance. I’ll go first.
My not-so-super-superpower is the ability to get toothpaste out of the tube long after most people would have given up and tossed it away. How long, you ask? Days? Yes. Weeks? It’s been done.
What’s your not-so-super superpower?
My newsletter goes out on Wednesdays:
Lines by Leon Newsletter: January 12
Cartoons!The Miniscules
The Untitled
.
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, a science fiction novella to be released in March 2022.
Not ready to purchase yet?
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!Contact me!Submit a form.
January 10, 2022
Music Monday: Songs You Might Want to Hear- Indigenous Canadian musicians.
There is a radio show on CBC here in Canada that occasionally does a feature called SYNTH: Songs You Need To Hear.
Now, I can’t say to someone, “You’ll like this song” (or book for that matter) because I can’t presume that others will share my taste in music (or books), so it is safer to say, “You might like this” and if they don’t like it, so be it.
Maybe you will find a new favorite.
I’m finally getting around to posting some indigenous Canadian musicians. If you are a music buff, you are probably aware of Buffy St. Marie, Robbie Robertson, Tom Jackson, or maybe Susan Uglukart or William Prince.
I have been hearing Jeremy Dutcher’s song, “Mehcinut”, for years now, so it’s about time I throw it out there. From his website, https://jeremydutcher.com/about/, he tells of listening to his native language (“...there’s only about a hundred Wolastoqey speakers left.”, says Dutcher), on wax cylinder recordings.
It’s a haunting song. It’s hypnotic and mesmerizing. There are glimpses of minimalist composer, Philip Glass, and after seeing the video, theatrics akin to Rufus Wainwright (Yeah, I promised one of his songs a while back).
What does the song mean? I have been enjoying it without knowing, but it is interesting:
“… “Lintuwakon ‘ciw Mehcinut (Death Chant),” off his upcoming album Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa to be released April 6th, the future meets the past as Dutcher’s resonant operatic voice is paired with a recording made over 110 years ago of a speech by Wolastoqiyik ancestor Jim Paul, on death and what comes after.“
https://www.vice.com/en/article/qvevwv/jeremy-dutcher-keeps-his-dying-language-aloft-on-the-grandiose-mehcinut
I couldn’t decide whether to post the audio or video. If you are not a fan of performance art (hence the Rufus comparison) or want to hear it as I first did, you can just sit back and close your eyes.
And now for something completely different.
The Jerry Cans are from Iqaluit, Nunavut. The first thing you hear is Inuit throat singing and it only gets better from there. There is an english version, but it loses some of the charm.
Ukiuq means Northern lights.
http://www.thejerrycans.com
I hope you enjoyed my selections today.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, a science fiction novella to be released in March 2022.
Purchase paperback directly for the author!
Not ready to purchase yet?
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!Drop me a line if you are interested in reviewing my book
Submit a form.January 8, 2022
Weekend Wrap-up Jan 8: Resolutions.
When did people start making New Year’s resolutions? Don’t 90% of all resolutions fizzle out in the first month?
Did you make one? Has it fizzled or still going strong?
I didn’t make one per se, but I’ve been trying not to snack at night (not having chips in the house helps), and even though I like to be active every day (the -30 C winter temperature doesn’t help), I’m trying to overcome my aversion (loathing? distaste? abhorrence? Call it what you will) of the dreaded burpee.
Wait. The what?
“The Burpee is named for a physiologist named Royal Huddleston Burpee. For his Ph.D. thesis at Columbia University in 1940, he invented exercise as a way to assess the fitness of non-active adults.“
In a nutshell: Starting in a standing position, you squat, place your hands down as you jump your feet back, do a push-up, return to the squat, and jump up with arms extended up.
[Gee, that sounds like fun.]
It doesn’t take many to get the heart pumping. So, I’ve been trying to do at least 10 each day.
So far so good. But I still don’t like ’em.
-Leon
From my blog this week:First Free Book Friday of 2022 / The Return of the Interview: In (a new) Conversation With . . . Me! – Oops, I did it again.
Weird Wednesday: Spam, Spam, Spam, Wonderful Spam.
Tuesday Tidbits: New Year, New Purge – Update. Subscriber open rate went from 38% to 48%
Free Book Friday on a Monday: Wait. What!? – ARC for my sci-fi novella still available.
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, a science fiction novella to be released in March 2022.
Purchase paperback directly for the author!
Not ready to purchase yet?
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
January 7, 2022
First Free Book Friday of 2022 / The Return of the Interview: In (a new) Conversation With . . . Me!
I haven’t done a self interview in a while, and since I have a new book out, I thought it was time.
Whatcha doin’?
Not much, you?
Same. Working on anymore interviews?
I have two scheduled in January, but nothing right now.
We haven’t done one for a while either. Maybe we should?
Who will interview whom?
Rock, paper, scissors?
You’re on!
[in unison] Rock. Paper. Scissors.
Rock
Rock
[in unison] Rock. Paper. Scissors.
Rock
Rock. Why do you always pick rock?
Nothing beats rock.
Paper does.
Does it now …? Again.
[in unison] Rock. Paper. Scissors.
Paper
Paper
This isn’t going to work, is it?
Not if we keep picking the same thing.
What if we pick the one who has done something interesting?
Sounds fair.
What did you do?
I read a book. You?
I wrote a book.
Well, well. Aren’t you fancy . . .
In Conversation With: Leon Stevens
I’m hanging out with author Leon Stevens. I just heard you wrote a book.
[whispering] You are supposed to offer me a beverage.
Oh yeah, I forgot. Would you like a beverage?
No thanks, I’m good.
[silence] . . . Sigh, really? . . . Why don’t you tell me about your book?
Well, it’s a continuation of one of my short stories from—
The Knot at the End of the Rope. Yeah, I read it.
I know you read it—wait . . . How did you do that?
Do what?
Speak in italics.
I don’t reveal my secrets. Please, continue. Why continue a story?
Many of my stories, like a good short story, tend to end leaving the reader to think or to ponder about what may or may not happen.
Like a cliff hanger?
No, more like an open ending. Some readers commented that some stories left them wanting more, which was my intent, but the more I thought about it, the more ideas came to me.
So why continue The View from Here?
You have to teach me how to do that.
Later. Go on.
Anyway, I never felt I wrapped that story up effectively. Sure, I created a natur—
Hey, no spoilers!
I don’t think I’m giving anything away. Anyway, I changed the ending of the short story to allow it to continue.
You can do that?
Sure. I’m the writer.
Cool. So . . . not a short story then?
Nope. It’s my longest yet, 30 000+ words. So, it’s a novella.
Do people read novellas? Doesn’t that just make you a lazy novelist?
Books don’t have to be long epics to be good. Some of the greatest books are novellas.
Right. Name five.
Umm, sure. Be right back.
[silence]
Animal Farm, Of Mice and Men, Slaughterhouse Five, A Clockwork Orange, and The Call of the Wild.
Did you just Google that?
Maybe. But you have to admit, those is some fine readin’.
Yeah. You’re right. Are you happy with it?
Yeah. I think I wrote a pretty good story. And a cool cover. Want to see?
Sure!
Nice. Have you stopped writing poetry then?
Stopped? No. Slowed down? Definitely. I think poetry comes from many places but is always sparked by an intense emotion. Maybe I’m in a level emotional state right now. I’m working on putting all my latest poems into a collection called, A Wonder of Words.
You mean, A Wonder of Words.
Show off.
Care to share a poem?
Sure. Here’s the title poem:
Very nice. Reminds me when as a child I learned that a bunch of crows was called a ‘murder’. I thought that was pretty cool.
And a parliament of owls. Yeah, that was the catalyst for it.
Got a cover yet?
Tentatively. Here it is:
[Ding]
Pizza’s ready.
That’s good because I was getting hungry and bored. Let’s eat.
I thought you were going to show me how to do that italics thing?
It’s all in the control. i will show you later.
What’s with the lower case—oh, I get it! Nice!
Nice. Now let’s eat before it gets cold.
See (and hear) my first two self interviews, plus many other authors.
https://linesbyleon.com/the-interviews/
The story behind Free Book Friday:
I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?
Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. There lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.
Free BooksThere are few opportunities for poets on both platforms so I decided to try a year long page for the free offerings. I’ll try to add more throughout the year.
Ongoing in 2022: BookFunnel
Ongoing in 2022: StoryOriginLeon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of four books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, and The View from Here, a science fiction novella to be released in March 2022.
Purchase paperback directly for the author!
Not ready to purchase yet?
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
