Leon Stevens's Blog, page 61
December 2, 2023
Weekend Wrap-up Dec 2: This might not be for you.
But it might be…
If you are one of those people who get up on Saturday morning, grab a cup of your favorite morning beverage and catch up on all my posts in one fell swoop, then I have created this post for you. Now, if you are outside of North America, more specifically due east, then you might be many hours into your day, but of course, you need an entertaining break too, right?
Regardless, I have listed (with teasers), all of my posts this week for you to peruse at your convenience.
What if I read your posts on the day you post them?
Then I say, “Good Morning, and thanks!”
Long before Elon changed Twitter to X, there was Xmas. Now this change didn’t have any advertisers jumping ship or lead to a rich man telling them to “F%*& themselves”, but it it an interesting story that my help you one day on Jeopardy when the final category is “Late December Christian Religious Holiday Abbreviation Origins” comes up and you only lead by $1. Read the rest: (No)Free Book Friday Dec 1: Xmas?
I’m not original. Everything I create has been influenced by others before me. The key to pseudo-originality is to combine those influences in a different way than others have done. Read the rest: Thursday Thoughts: Originality
A poem and one of my funniest cartoons. Read the rest: Weird Wednesday Nov 29th: Winter Biking / Cartoons
Winter Biking 101
You may choose to bike in winter’s throws
Reading rules set down in prose
If you wish to cycle in the winter’s curse
Listen to these tips presented in verse
Don Ross. I can’t say enough about this talented guy. Hear why: Music Monday Nov. 27: Don Ross
Hope you enjoyed the recap! Feel free to share it with others.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
December 1, 2023
Friday Dec 1: Putting the “X” in Xmas?
And now you know…Now on to Part II of this last minute Friday post.
Now that the Christmas displays in the stores have been up for weeks, it’s about time we entered December. If you are not one who celebrates Christmas, this can be annoying time of year. If you do celebrate Christmas, this can be an annoying time of year.
I could go on a humorous tirade about Christmas carols/songs, consumerism, dysfunctional family gatherings, and the ongoing debate on whether it’s still OK to say “Merr—”
But wouldn’t you much rather read about the nutritional value of the potato?
I thought so…
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. Therein 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.
Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.
Reads From StoryOrigin and BookFunnelStoryOrigin and BookFunnel allows authors to advertise their books to each other’s audience. I hope you have been able to discover a new favorite!
Sales/Purchase Links
Nov 14-Dec 15
December 1-31No Banner: Science Fiction & Fantasy Mid-November
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
(No)Free Book Friday Dec 1: Xmas?
Long before Elon changed Twitter to X, there was Xmas. Now this change didn’t have any advertisers jumping ship or lead to a rich man telling them to “F%*& themselves”, but it it an interesting story that my help you one day on Jeopardy when the final category is “Late December Christian Religious Holiday Abbreviation Origins” comes up and you only lead by $1.
The first two letters in the Greek word for Christ are chi (X) and ‘rho’ (P) The first appearance of this abbreviation for Christmas dates to 1021, “when an Anglo-Saxon scribe saved himself space by writing XPmas,” Parchment paper was quite expensive, so any techniques for saving space were welcome. The abbreviation stuck and eventually was shortened to Xmas.
And now you know…Now on to Part II of this last minute Friday post.
Now that the Christmas displays in the stores have been up for weeks, it’s about time we entered December. If you are not one who celebrates Christmas, this can be annoying time of year. If you do celebrate Christmas, this can be an annoying time of year.
I could go on a humorous tirade about Christmas carols/songs, consumerism, dysfunctional family gatherings, and the ongoing debate on whether it’s still OK to say “Merr—”
But wouldn’t you much rather read about the nutritional value of the potato?
I thought so…
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. Therein 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.
Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.
Reads From StoryOrigin and BookFunnelStoryOrigin and BookFunnel allows authors to advertise their books to each other’s audience. I hope you have been able to discover a new favorite!
Sales/Purchase Links
Nov 14-Dec 15
December 1-31No Banner: Science Fiction & Fantasy Mid-November
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
November 30, 2023
Thursday Thoughts: Originality
As a creator, can one truly be original?
OK, OK Put your hands down you bunch of lemmings. That was meant to be a rhetorical* question.
No.
No? No, what?
I was answering my question. No, there isn’t originality anymore.
Wait. That wasn’t the question, and since you answered it, it’s not rhetorical anymore.
Shush, you. Who’s the creator here?
The Creator?
No, not “The Creator”. I didn’t use capitals.
Then what’s with the “quotes”?
I was indicating what you said, nobody reads footnotes anymore.
Like the one for rhetorical earlier?
Exactly.
I’m not original. Everything I create has been influenced by others before me. The key to pseudo-originality is to combine those influences in a different way than others have done.
I admit, I don’t read a lot of poetry, so when I write it, other than drawing on what I had learned in school, It shouldn’t have much resemblance to the modern poetry out there, but I’m sure it does in some ways, with so many poets out there. I don’t concern myself with structure, letting the words and feelings dictate the rhymes (or lack of) and the final form.
My science fiction has elements of Vonnegut, Adams, Asimov, and Weir. It is more adventure/mystery and less hard science, as I don’t concern myself with the technical aspects. No one questions how a magic wand casts a spell, so why question how my faster-than-light drive works?
Oh, you want to know how it works? Simple, you press the green button.
If someone said my cartoons reminded them of The Far Side, I’d be flattered, and they wouldn’t be wrong. But I don’t think anyone has …
None of my guitar compositions are completely original. My first classical guitar piece was in homage to the Renaissance composer, John Dowland, and many after that mimicked the minimalists, and I was finally influenced by Andrew York. If you have been following my Music Monday posts lately, you will know the acoustic guitarists that have shaped my playing.
I do not claim to be original. I just want to be entertaining.
-Leon
*I spelled that correctly on the first try!
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
November 29, 2023
Weird Wednesday Nov 29th: Winter Biking / Cartoons
Winter Biking 101
You may choose to bike in winter’s throws
Reading rules set down in prose
If you wish to cycle in the winter’s curse
Listen to these tips presented in verse
To stay upright is what you aspire
Get yourself a studded tire
One in front is minimum
Add the back for more traction
If the trails are hard-packed snow
Then winter biking is a go
Fresh snow? I think an inch or two
Any more will feel like glue
Always pay attention to
What’s on the ground in front of you
When on the ground is a layer of ice
Rest assured the ride will not be nice
If you find yourself on an icy sheet
Go straight and keep weight upon your seat
Take the corners slow and wide
Or a slip may coincide
Never overcompensate
Turn too fast and meet your fate
Getting stuck should not be feared
As long as you stay in the lowest gear
The following tip may not make sense
You need to stay loose—but tense
If you don’t like the cold or have a fear of falling
Then winter biking is not your calling
But answering the adventure call
Can be fun for one and all
[From the collection, A Wonder of Words, available on Amazon]
Cartoons:
Who are The Miniscules?
The Miniscules: Humble Beginnings
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
November 27, 2023
Music Monday Nov. 27: Don Ross
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.
Today is another in the series, Guitarists that you probably never heard of unless you are into Eclectic North American Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar Players (ENAAFGP).
Don Ross. He was the first ENAAFGP I heard while I was taking my classical guitar studies. Since there was no money to be made as a classical guitar player and only marginally more as a ENAAFGP, I was at a crossroads. What should I struggle at?
Turns out, both. My classical training definitely benefited my acoustic playing, but as I quickly found out, I wasn’t made to be a performer. I liked playing. I didn’t like making mistakes. I was nervous to play in front of larger audiences for fear of forgetting, and once you fear that, you’re done.
But I did make it though university and did perform my acoustic compositions a few times, but then life got in the way, and if I don’t play pieces on a regular basis, I have to relearn them all over again, which is a big pain in the ass and no fun, and playing has to be fun. On top of that, all the pieces I wrote have been lost to the scourge of time.
Back to Don. What can I say about him? Nothing that his playing can’t tell you.
From 1986:
From 1989:
Need to overdose on ENAAFGP? head over to Candy Rat records.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
November 25, 2023
Weekend Wrap-up Nov 25:
On my blog this week:
Free Book Friday Nov. 25: Shameless Self-promo Reverse Engineering Version
Weird Wednesday Nov 22th: Sales and Time Zones
Tuesday Tirade: McDonald’s
Music Monday Nov 20: Michael Hedges
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
November 24, 2023
Free Book Friday Nov. 25: Shameless Self-promo Reverse Engineering Version
Should you buy book one on the strength of book three? You decide:
Here are some of the latest reviews for The Final View:
“Brilliant overall conclusion to this excellent sci fi series! I do recommend!”
“The last book in the series gave me all the feels; adventure, tension, excitement and bittersweetness . I have loved getting to know these characters throughout the books and will miss them. A wonderful series – you should read them all.”
“I found this third instalment hard to put down, even though this isn’t a genre I usually gravitate towards. I was extremely impressed at what a good read it was.”
“A great ending to the trilogy. It hit me in the feels, that’s for sure. I really enjoyed all three, with the last being my favorite.”
If that wasn’t enough for Black Friday (and several days after) The View from Here is 99 cents!
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. Therein 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.
Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.
Reads From StoryOrigin and BookFunnelStoryOrigin and BookFunnel allows authors to advertise their books to each other’s audience. I hope you have been able to discover a new favorite!
Free Books
Starts Nov 7 Kindle Unlimited
Sales/Purchase Links
Nov 14-Dec 15No Banner: Science Fiction & Fantasy Mid-November
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
November 22, 2023
Weird Wednesday Nov 22th: Sales and Time Zones
For all the readers in the UK, the sale has started. In North America, because of the time zones, the default setting of Amazon’s promotions of PST, and the lack of attention to detail by yours truly, the sale begins at noon CST.
Stupid time zones. Hey! wanna read some weird facts about time zones?
Russia has the most contiguous time zones with 11.
France has 13. That includes all territorial claims around the world.
China, despite being almost the same size as the US, has 1.
The time difference from India to Nepal is 15 minutes.
Lloydminster, a city which straddles the border between Alberta and Saskatchewan, has two time zones for part of the year since the Saskatchewan does not observe Daylight Savings Time.
The 30th of December, 2011 never happened in the islands of Samoa or Tokelau when they moved to the other side of the International Date Line to make trade with NZ and AUS more convenient.
Kiribati joined the party in 1994
Cartoons:
Who are The Miniscules?
The Miniscules: Humble Beginnings
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
November 21, 2023
Tuesday Tirade: McDonald’s
“I take it you’re not lovin’ it…”I rarely eat at McDonald’s. Their coffee is better than most fast food joints, and is still $4.34 cheaper than Starbucks.
After a hectic morning running errands, and the fact that there was a McDonald’s restaurant right there, I decided to treat (Treat? That’s pushing it.), myself to a breakfast.
I dislike drive-throughs, so I entered the store and ordered the trademarked, Sausage McMuffin with Egg (extra grease and salt, please), two non-trademarked hashbrowns (not McBrowns? What’s up with that?) and a black McCoffee. Fact: if you drink your coffee black, you can actually taste if it is good or not (hear that all you Tim Horton’s double-doublers?).
So, I say to the clerk, “That’s the meal, right?” and she answers, “Yes.”
I tap and pay (my credit card, not with a Big Brother Apple watch) and wait for my order. When it comes, it’s oddly light, so I open the McBag to see the two McBrowns are AWOL. Before I blame the 15-year old behind the counter, I check my bill and notice I was only charged for the coffee and sandwich (yes, it’s a sandwich.) The order line is too long, so I take my leave with my McMeager meal. But, as I get into my car and drive away I think, “Wait a minute, isn’t the whole McDonald’s breakfast predicated on having two McBrowns?“
You are correct. It is. So, knowing there is another McDonald’s on my way home (isn’t there always?), I throw caution to the wind and venture into the drive-thru (the correct spelling BTW), and place my order, careful to say “hashbrown”. The voice says something and I pull up the the front window.
“That will be $6.20.”
$6.20? for two browns? I say to the young man, “$6.20. What did I order?”
“Two hash browns,” he replies.
“Not any more,” I say, slowly driving away*.
For those wondering, that is the price at Canadian franchises. Most US prices are much cheaper for all items. Thank you federal government for free healthcare and expensive McBrowns.
-Leon
*This would have been much more dramatic and effective if there hadn’t been two cars waiting ahead of me.
Don’t forget:
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
