Devorah Fox's Blog, page 21
December 10, 2015
‘Tis the season
Seems at this point everyone is ready to celebrate Christmas, or soon will be. Here’s a little story about sharing the holiday spirit. Enjoy!
December 8, 2015
This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change
This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change
Clara, Moran, Espe, Epifanio and the alien Band of holos are back in Volume III of science-fiction/ romance/ multiverse/ psi/ utopian ebooks (soon also to be in print) of The Spanners Series. Psi-Defiers launch increasingly violent protests during this five-year Transition, attempting to block Earth’s membership into the Many Worlds Collective. Earth’s nations and borders must dissolve and Psi-Warriors must strengthen in their battle against the rebels.Clara, as Earth’s first Chief Communicator, also juggles family conflicts and danger while creating psi skills training Campuses to help Earth through the Psi Wars. Clara timults alternate versions of their futures as the leaders’ duties and consciences force them to make difficult choices across multiple timelines, continuing to train and fight.
Will the Psi-Warriors’ and other leaders’ increasing psi skills, interspecies collaborations and budding alien alliances be enough for Earth to make it through The Transition intact? If there is no clear path for Clara’s and Epifanio’s love, does she partner with Steve or go it alone?
What do YOU do with wanted/unwanted changes?
About Sally Ember
Sally Ember, Ed.D., has been passionate about writing since she was nine years old, winning prizes for her poetry, stories, songs and plays from a young age. She also began meditation in her teens. Now, Sally delights fans of psi elements with romance by blurring the lines between fact and fiction in The Spanners Series ebooks, a multiverse of multiple timelines, often including exciting elements of utopian science-fiction and Buddhism, for New Adult/adult/YA audiences; two out (first is permafree) with eight to come. Born Jewish on the cusp of Leo and Virgo, Sally’s life has been infused with change. Currently, she meditates, writes, swims, reads and hosts her Google+ Hangout On Air (HOA) *CHANGES*, LIVE conversations with authors, almost every Wednesday, 10 – 11 AM Eastern time USA.
In her “other” professional life, Sally has worked as an educator and upper-level, nonprofit manager in colleges, universities and private nonprofits in many USA states before returning to live in St. Louis, MO, in 2014. Sally has a BA in Elementary Education, a Master’s (M.Ed.) and a doctorate in education (Ed.D.).
Find out more:
Website
amazon.com
Google+
YouTube
Goodreads
November 27, 2015
It’s the season of giving
Welcome to the Buy One Get One Free Holiday Sale! (Black Friday Book Event). Gearing up for the ‘Season of Giving’ 15 Authors have teamed up to bring you a Hot deal! Buy your favorite read and get one FREE for yourself or your favorite book nerd because a books is a present you can open again and again!
FEATURED SPOTLIGHT
****BUY ANY OF MY PRINT BOOKS, GET A PRINT BOOK***
BUY ANY OF MY EBOOKS, GET AN EBOOK
FIND THEM ALL HERE
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BUY ONE & GET ONE FREE!
****POST YOUR BOOK Promo HERE***
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BUY ONE & GET ONE FREE!
****POST YOUR BOOK Promo HERE***
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BUY ONE & GET ONE FREE!
Check out these Authors and find your new favorite read!
Visit each authors page to view an awesome deal!
Denice Garrou https://www.facebook.com/denice.garrou
Amy Riddle-DeClerck www.Facebook.com/authoramydeclerck
Maighread MacKay www.facebook.com/maighreadmackay
Ellen Mae Franklin https://www.facebook.com/TheUnseenPromise/
Devorah Fox https://www.facebook.com/DevorahFoxAu...
Cristi Taijeron https://www.facebook.com/EndlessHoriz...
Sylvia Stein http://www.facebook.com/SylWriter07
Michelle Cornwell Jordan https://www.facebook.com/MCJordan-Boo...
Guy Donovan https://www.facebook.com/guy.donovan....
Tessa McFionn https://www.facebook.com/tessa.mcfion...
Teri J. Dluznieski https://www.facebook.com/Horsewise?fr...
Jamie White https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJamieW...
Timothy Hemlin http://timhemlin.com/special-events/
P.S. Bartlett https://www.facebook.com/PSBartlett/?...
Benjamin Towe www.facebook.com/elfdreams
November 20, 2015
The gift that keeps on giving #BOGO
Roast turkey? Fried turkey? Turducken? Tofurkey? Whatever’s your pleasure, I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving.
After that many of us will be turning our attention to the December celebrations and thinking about what would be the perfect way to show love and appreciation to those special people in our lives. How about a gift that can be opened again and again? What’s that? A book!
And how about I make it easy for you to get one? Make that two. Buy One Get One—FREE. Keep the second for yourself or give it as a gift.Seventeen other fabulous authors and I have teamed up for a sale you won’t want to miss, starting #BlackFriday, Nov. 27, and running through #CyberMonday, Nov. 30. You are sure to find something you like and something you’d like to try, not to mention a solution for that hard-to-gift person on your list, all insanely affordable.
No need to go out and fight traffic or spend half the day looking for a parking spot. Just come visit with me on Facebook. I’ll be the one with pecan pie crumbs on her kisser.
November 8, 2015
An Insight into Young Adult Fantasy
FantasyCon is being attended by writers, readers, artists, bloggers, and publishers. Today we have a guest post from Cheryl S. Mackey, author of young adult fantasy. Welcome, Cheryl.
Young adult fantasy is a genre readily enjoyed by readers of all ages despite its name. Just look at recent books that have shot to stardom like the Harry Potter series, or The Hunger Games, or The Mortal Instruments. Books for teens have exploded into the limelight, turning adults into rabid fans as well. However, at the heart of the genre the themes relating to the lives of young adults, even in a fantasy setting, is key.
Like any genre there are pros and cons to it and those may differ depending on if you are a reader or an author, or both. A big pro would be the amount of material out there. There are a lot of YA fantasy books. Also, lot of variety if you add in the sub or side genres and then you have reading gold. A big con… this also gives authors and readers a lot to wade in and through to either find the right book or have your book found.
Readers can expect a lot of variety and there are two different takes on what angle YA fantasy (or even other genres… mystery, horror, supernatural, you name it) can approach the reader. Both approaches work well on their own merits. Either you can make the characters teens, like Harry Potter, and have their coming of age antics spur character and plot growth, or you can make the book readable by teens (think age appropriate themes, pg13), but have the characters more mature…act, react, and behave in far more adult scenarios (Think The Hunger Games). Of course, there is no 100% black and white on this, but most if not all books I’ve read fall into either of these angles. The commonality between them, especially in a fantasy setting, appears to be the slower march along the plot and a lighter introduction of details. You won’t find ten pages describing a chair in a house in YA anything. Teens, and even adults, just might not have the patience/attention span. Even The Hobbit may be too wordy for some of today’s teens.
Meshing the young adult themes with fantasy themes is richly rewarding for both the author and the reader. Fantasy by definition, has no boundaries. If you can imagine it, you can write or read it. Zombies, aliens, angels, witches, dystopian society, you name it, are all accessible to YA readers in a fantasy setting (for clarity, fantasy can also be linked to science fiction! Think Star Wars). However, when I study the YA fantasy books popular today I’ve noticed another binding element, realism.
Realistic fantasy has nothing to do with the idea that everything in the book must be real. There are loads of people who’d love to pet a unicorn, but not seen that yet. Realism in fantasy has everything to do with taking that fantasy world, whatever it is, and making it plausible, a seamless integration of the reader into the unreal world. This means fleshing out a world/universe to great detail, yet getting it across to the reader in ten pages or less (remember the chair?). Culture, religions, environment, races, music, writing, architecture, science, history, you name it. This is a difficult job for a YA fantasy author. The good ones do it very well and the great ones make rabid fans out of everyone.
Realism must also apply to characters and sliding into stereotypes and clichés is a pit of no return. Is it out there? Yes. Is it avoidable? Yes. Is it always realistic to avoid it? Nope. It’s up to the YA fantasy author to walk that line and walk it well so that the stereotypes and clichés do not overpower the plot and characters to the point of eye rolling and mic dropping. A great example of a stereotype that worked well is Hermione in Harry Potter as the nerdy-fact-bookish geek. Her role in Harry Potter was obvious. Give Harry (and the other ‘good guys’) the means to an end. Rowling kept Hermione from being eye roll worthy by giving her other roles to fill and other needs as a character. She evolved into a strong, independent, woman that could kick serious butt as well as memorize all the spells Ron needed for class.
Another side of realism is just how real to portray teens when they are the main characters/focus of the story. Drugs. Sex. Alcohol. Abuse. Gangs. Lies. Foul language. Cheating, etc. No one, even teens, denies those exist in our world. Some read fantasy to escape those realities and some read those realities because that is what can and does happen with teens in our world. There is a subtle divide on just how far to portray reality, especially in other genres and it is up to the reader and author to decide where the line is to be drawn. Should realistic portrayals of cultural and societal behaviors exist. Yes. Should it be forced onto a reader or author who doesn’t want it? No. Know that including such realisms is a personal choice as an author, and depending on what type of fantasy you are writing, it might not even be an issue.
In the end, YA fantasy is a thriving, vital part of the bookish world. The genre fills a need of teens (and adults) for age, character, and plot appropriate stories in a fantastical, but believable setting.
About Cheryl S. Mackey
Cheryl lives in Southern California with her husband and 2 sons. Her books The Unknown Sun and The Immortals parts 1 and 2 are both young adult fantasy and available at Amazon.
She has a MFA in Creative Writing and enjoys games, reading and, of course, writing. She currently has a flash fiction story published online at The Prompt Magazine.
Her favorite genres to write and read is YA Fantasy closely followed by YA Paranormal and she would love to dabble in Sci Fi, Steam Punk, and Dystopian.
November 5, 2015
It ain’t over yet
In the past few weeks I’ve been immersed in an interesting new phenomenon: FantasyCon. A group called Flavor of Fantasy along with a bunch of authors, publishers, bloggers and artists has put together a gigantic online fantasy and sci fi event from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8 for everyone who loves these genres.It’s a virtual convention staged on Facebook but just like at a real convention, you’ll find booths. At these dedicated Facebook pages you can meet authors and artists and ask questions by posting comments. Enter scores of contests for chances at a TON of prizes of Amazon gift certificates, books and ebooks. There’s also chats with all kinds of different authors and some videos of panel discussions on a bunch of really intriguing topics, like the one I’m on, “The Hero’s Journey.”
Did you stop by my booth yesterday, Epic Wednesday? Were you stumped by the pop quizzes? Do you need to catch up with “The Bewildering Adventures of King Bewilliam”? OK, here’s some help. You can get up to speed with a free digital copy of Book One, “The Lost King.” Select the format you need for your e-reading device and enter the code UL46U at checkout—but don’t delay. The coupon expires at the close of FantasyCon, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015.
And thanks to everyone who did stop by my booth. I met some fascinating people and made lots of new Friends. I had the most fun with “Name This Dragon.” So many wonderful names were proposed that I wish I had more dragons. Tiffany Taylor, Dorrie Ross, Ben R. Marsten, and John Howell, don’t be surprised if the names you suggested show up in a future King Bewilliam book. I decided to choose Hilary Anderson’s “Ink”—”black as night and more powerful than a sword.” What else would a writer’s dragon be called?
FantasyCon continues and my “booth” is still live, so if you want to take a stab at one of the quizzes or join one of the discussion we have going on, I’ll love to see you: https://www.facebook.com/events/89344...
November 4, 2015
It’s here and it’s EPIC
In the past few weeks I’ve been immersed in an interesting new phenomenon: FantasyCon. A group called Flavor of Fantasy along with a bunch of authors, publishers, bloggers and artists has put together a gigantic online fantasy and sci fi event from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8 for everyone who loves these genres.It’s a virtual convention staged on Facebook but just like at a real convention, you’ll find booths. At these dedicated Facebook pages you can meet authors and artists and ask questions by posting comments. Enter scores of contests for chances at a TON of prizes of Amazon gift certificates, books and ebooks. There’s also chats with all kinds of different authors and some videos of panel discussions on a bunch of really intriguing topics, like the one I’m on, “The Hero’s Journey.”
Today is Epic Wednesday, Nov. 4. I’m hosting a booth. Please drop by, make a comment. Come in costume and post a photo. Enter the FantasyCon giveaway, play the Scavenger Hunt. At my booth, I’ll spring pop quizzes on you with prizes for the winners. (Facebook is in no way, shape, or form affiliated with these giveaways). I hope to see you there.
November 3, 2015
This is gonna be Epic
In the past few weeks I’ve been immersed in an interesting new phenomenon: FantasyCon. A group called Flavor of Fantasy along with a bunch of authors, publishers, bloggers and artists has put together a gigantic online fantasy and sci fi event from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8 for everyone who loves these genres.It’s a virtual convention staged on Facebook but just like at a real convention, you’ll find booths. At these dedicated Facebook pages you can meet authors and artists and ask questions by posting comments. Enter scores of contests for chances at a TON of prizes of Amazon gift certificates, books and ebooks. There’s also chats with all kinds of different authors and some videos of panel discussions on a bunch of really intriguing topics, like the one I’m on, “The Hero’s Journey.”
Don’t miss tomorrow, Epic Wednesday, Nov. 4. I’ll be hosting a booth. Visit the main page, then scroll down to find me. Please drop by, make a comment. Come in costume and post a photo. Enter the giveaway, play the Scavenger Hunt. I’ll spring pop quizzes on you with prizes for the winners. (Facebook is in no way, shape, or form affiliated with these giveaways). I hope to see you there.
You’re about to get His Revenge
The sequel to My GRL titled His Revenge is available and a new story continues where My GRL left off.
His Revenge is available in the US in Paper and Kindle editions
In Canada in Paper and Kindle editions
In the UK in Paper and Kindle editions
Here is the blurb:
America loves John Cannon, its newest hero, and the President wants to present him with the highest civilian medal for bravery for saving the Annapolis midshipman from a terrorist plot to destroy them. While in Washington for the award ceremony, John unwillingly becomes an accomplice in another plan by the same group to attack the credibility of the US President and the stability of the worldwide oil market. There is no way out as John either becomes a traitor to America or causes thousands of innocent people to die if he refuses.
The second John J Cannon Thriller moves from a barrier Island off the coast of Texas to Washington DC, then to Northern California, and finally to Ecuador. John is on the receiving end of an offer he cannot, refuse. His avowed enemy Matt Jacobs now wants John to help him shake the reputation of the US in the world political arena and disrupt confidence in the government at home. If John refuses, Matt plans to murder innocent Americans including John’s latest relationship. John’s only way out is to pretend to go along with the plan and hope for a miracle.
Excerpt from Chapter one
The water rushes over my head. I’m sinking and don’t know why. With my breath held, I have trouble stopping the air from escaping since the pressure drives the air up and out. I try to keep my mouth closed, but the water pressure pushes the air out more and more. Will I pass out? In the distance, the light is dim. To rise to the surface in time might not be possible─I need to breathe right now. Toward ending the pain in my chest, my rambling mind rationalizes taking a deep breath—even knowing it will end my life. In conflict with the irrational thought of ending it, my body won’t let me suck in the water, as it fights to retain the little bit of oxygen left to fuel my brain.
The despair is nearly overwhelming, and my mind considers other ways to battle the feeling. What more could I have done with my life? The pressure becomes more intense, and I’m about to lose it all, and I decide I’ve lived the way I wanted and have no regrets. I close my eyes and hear only the roar of the sea. I’m so tired. Exhausted. Sleep will fix everything, and I want to give in.
About the Author
John’s main interests are reading and writing. He turned to writing as a full-time occupation after an extensive career in business. John writes fictional short stories and novels as well as a blog at http://www.johnwhowell.com. John lives on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of south Texas with his wife and spoiled rescue pets. He can be reached at his e-mail johnhowell.wave@gmail.com, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/john.howell.98229241or Twitter at @HowellWave
His first novel, My GRL is available on Amazon and wherever e-books are sold
November 1, 2015
Blockbuster day
Today is SciFi Sunday at FantasyCon on Facebook. Meet and chat with authors of Sci-Fi as well as Fantasy artists and bloggers. Enter the contests, take advantage of the giveaways.Today is also Day 1 of National Novel Writing Month 2015. I am happy to report that I’m well on my way to meeting my word count goal of 1667 for today. If I can keep it up I will have 50,000 words toward a novel by Nov. 30. I’m working on a detective story set in the mid 1990s, which doesn’t sound all that long ago but do the math. That’s 20 years. It’s practically a period piece.
And you probably noticed, Daylight Savings Time ended. Yeah, you fixed your bedside clock and the one on the microwave and the one on the coffeemaker but don’t forget the one on your car’s dashboard.
Last but not least, tonight is the season premiere of “The Librarians.” Perfect. After a long day of writing and ambling around FantasyCon, I’ll be ready to kick back and relax. It seemed apropos to fix a vintage cocktail. This one hearkens back to 1917 when it was first concocted at the hotel that gave it its name:
Seelbach Cocktail
1 oz. bourbon
1/2 oz. Cointreau
7 dashes Angostura bitters
7 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
Champagne
Garnish with a lemon twist
Stir ingredients briefly over ice, strain into a chilled flute, top with Champagne and garnish.
Salud!
