MaryAnn Bernal's Blog, page 497
November 11, 2012
In the Midst: Book Review Their Journey Before by K Meador
In the Midst: Book Review Their Journey Before by K Meador: 5 out of 5 stars We have all heard stories of slaves and Indians during or before the Civil War era but have you ever read something that...
History Trivia
November 11
308 At Carnuntum, Emperor emeritus Diocletian conferred with Galerius, Augustus of the East, and Maximianus, the recently returned former Augustus of the West, in an attempt to restore order to the Roman Empire.
887 Asser began Instructing King Alfred. The Welsh monk who taught and counseled the King, became his friend and biographer, and began teaching him Latin on St. Martin's Day. Alfred went on to translate the work of Boethius into English.
1050 AD Henry IV was born. He was King of Germany 1056-1106, who tried to depose Pope Gregory VII, and had to stand barefoot in the snow for three days before Gregory would pardon him, although Henry got his revenge later.
1215 The Fourth Lateran Council met and defined the doctrine of transubstantiation, the process by which bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ.
1417 Martin V Elected Pope. Elected unanimously during the Council of Constance, Martin was faced with the enormous task of restoring the Western church, the Papal States, and the papacy itself.
1499 Pretender to the British throne Perkin Warbeck was executed.
1572 Tycho's Nova. Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe observed the Nova Cassiopeiae and, although other observers claimed to have spotted it earlier, his precise measurements revealed it was a distant phenomenon and that changes could occur among stars.
308 At Carnuntum, Emperor emeritus Diocletian conferred with Galerius, Augustus of the East, and Maximianus, the recently returned former Augustus of the West, in an attempt to restore order to the Roman Empire.
887 Asser began Instructing King Alfred. The Welsh monk who taught and counseled the King, became his friend and biographer, and began teaching him Latin on St. Martin's Day. Alfred went on to translate the work of Boethius into English.
1050 AD Henry IV was born. He was King of Germany 1056-1106, who tried to depose Pope Gregory VII, and had to stand barefoot in the snow for three days before Gregory would pardon him, although Henry got his revenge later.
1215 The Fourth Lateran Council met and defined the doctrine of transubstantiation, the process by which bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ.
1417 Martin V Elected Pope. Elected unanimously during the Council of Constance, Martin was faced with the enormous task of restoring the Western church, the Papal States, and the papacy itself.
1499 Pretender to the British throne Perkin Warbeck was executed.
1572 Tycho's Nova. Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe observed the Nova Cassiopeiae and, although other observers claimed to have spotted it earlier, his precise measurements revealed it was a distant phenomenon and that changes could occur among stars.
An Interview with author M. C. Arvanitis
Welcome to Meet The Author! Today Margaret Arvanitis has stopped by to give us a little insight into her life and her books. So let’s get started. Please tell us a little about yourself.
I live on the coast of Oregon with my twin sister, Mariah Matthews, who is also a writer and the cover artist for my mid-grade fables. I am a retired preschool and elementary teacher, and am a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature and am also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). I spend the majority of my time on my Macintosh, writing and researching.
When did you start writing?
Basically, while in high school, my favorite class was Journalism. Later, when I ran my pre-kindergarten school, I wrote children stories and puppet dialogues. I finally "graduated" to mid-grade fantasy and history-based YA books. I also write short short stories whenever I find a contest to enter. Now I write fables for mid grade. Can't call them fairy tales, but they are fantasy based with a lesson to learn.
What projects have been published?
Two short preschool stories, “Marty’s Song” and “The Rabbit who Ate the Snowman’s Nose.” My work has also been published in various magazines. My First mid-grade fantasy, “The Legend of ELPanda Paws,” an adventure about a sad, lost panda cub that brings the negative disease to ELvanland, and how two ELVanites bravely face death in order to rescue it, was e-published this year, and is now available in paper back from Amazon. Just recently “Forbidden Wings; a Mermaid’s Story” was e-published. Two of my short stories have been published in Unearthed, and Time, anthologies by Literary Underground.
Tell us about “Forbidden Wings: A Mermaid’s Story.”
Nadeea, small among the other Mermaids, finds life unbearable. She meets two fairies and notices their beautiful wings. She thinks if she has wings she could escape the teasing of the other mermaids. When Sir Cecil, the Snerg, promises to help her find wings, she agrees to go on a long dangerous journey to Wyre, the home of the Damselflies. Sadie Squarette, a magic-making, bug-like poet, is their guide. They cross the Island of Egilssay where she meets Zasta, of the Selkies, who becomes her best friend. There is danger on the Island, however. They must cross the land of the Trows where a mighty battle is going on between the Sea and Hill Trows who kill anyone who passes. Sadie uses her unique magic to save them. Finally they reach the Island of Wyre where Nadeea hopes to get wings. She bravely faces Gwitihn, the Goat Witch and saves the queen of the Damselflies. When she learns that her Mer family has been captured by the dreaded Sea Lions and taken into slavery, she has to make a decision. Will she wait for her wings or go home to rescue her family?
How did you select the title of your novel?
It is forbidden in the Mers Realm for Mers to be different. So if Nadeea receives wings she would have to hide them from the other Mers.
What was your inspiration?
I collect mermaid memorabilia and was shopping at a curio shop where I noticed a figurine of a beautiful mermaid with fairy wings. I had never seen a mermaid with wings so my inquisitive writer’s mind wondered why and how she would have wings. Needless to say, I bought her, brought her home and set her on my desk. It took a few months but eventually her story came out. Thus “Forbidden Wings: A Mermaid’s Story” was written.
What are you currently working on?
Another fantasy fable, which takes place in our beautiful Oregon country, called “PIXIES OF THE FERNS: Fernella's Magic.” And am editing and having covers designed for my History-based YA series, “Hank of Twin Rivers,” which I hope to launch in 2013.
What are you reading at the moment?
I usually finish a normal-sized novel on my Kindle within two or three days. I’ve enjoyed “The Macgregor’s Daughter” by Dee Julian, and for lighter reading, “Our Husband” by Stephanie Bond. At this very moment I am rereading “Destinies” by Karleene Morrow. I also find mid grade or story books of other writers to read and if I like them I leave reviews for them.
What do you like to do in your free time when you're not reading or writing?
I like to make flowers grow, either in the ground or in pots, travel when I can, and of course keep track of my five adult children and their families who live in Nebraska, Texas, and California.
Do you have any advice for other authors?
Number One. Get involved in a critique group. My group of six writers meets once a month and have heard, reviewed and greatly improved all my books. Number Two. You wouldn’t serve a half-baked cake …so finish your writing with good editing. Have someone edit your manuscript carefully. Hire someone if necessary.Number Three: Don't think negatives “As you think, so you are.” Think: I am a writer.Number Four: Follow your vibes. Sometimes characters and events come to mind when you think you should be sleeping.
And finally, can you tell us some fun facts about yourself, such as crossed skydiving off my bucket list.
Facts about me: I’ve never lost my kid inside, thus my lifetime occupation, teaching keeps me enjoying all kid stuff. At the other end of life’s circle, I created and still run an Online Single Senior club where I've personally met many friends from the US and Canada. We meet at bashes in various cities. I can speak in public but feel better if I have a puppet in my hand.
To find out more about Margaret Arvanitis, please visit: Face Book fan page: http://www.facebook.com/M.C.ArvanitisTwitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MCArvanitis
Blog: http://mcarvanitiswriter.blogspot.com/
Amazon Author’s page is: https://www.amazon.com/author/mcarvan...
To purchase Margaret Arvanitis’ books, please visit:
For “The Legend of ELPanda Paws”
AmazonUS Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JEWTR2 UK Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Legend-ELPanda-Paws-ebook/dp/B007JEWTR2/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1343741337&sr=1-3-fkmr1
Barnes and Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-legend-of-elpanda-paws-m-c-arvanitis/1108487178?ean=2940032991939&itm=1&usri=the+legend+of+elpanda+paws
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/120937
For “Forbidden Wings - A Mermaid’s Story”
Amazon
US Link: http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Wings-Mermaids-Story-ebook/dp/B009UO7HAI/
UK Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Forbidden-Wings-Mermaids-Story-ebook/dp/B009UO7HAI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352489172&sr=8-1
Also visit:
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/247283 (For other ebook providers.)
November 10, 2012
In the Midst: Releasing December 1 2012: Wendy Woo's Year - A Po...
In the Midst: Releasing December 1 2012: Wendy Woo's Year - A Po...: Wendy Woo's Year - A Pocketful of Smiles - 101 ideas for a happy year and a happy you by Wendy Woo Books Wendy Woo is 'me' as my friends a...
History Trivia
November 10
461 St Leo I ended his reign as Catholic Pope.
627 Saint Justus died.The fourth archbishop of Canterbury, Justus had a role in converting Northumbria to Christianity.
911 Conrad I was elected German King.
1444 The Battle of Varna: The Turkish victory over a Hungarian force ended the efforts of European powers to save Constantinople from Turkish conquest.
1483 Martin Luther was born.
1520 Danish King Christian II executed dozens of people in the Stockholm Bloodbath after a successful invasion of Sweden.
1619 René Descartes had the dreams that inspired his Meditations on First Philosophy.
461 St Leo I ended his reign as Catholic Pope.
627 Saint Justus died.The fourth archbishop of Canterbury, Justus had a role in converting Northumbria to Christianity.
911 Conrad I was elected German King.
1444 The Battle of Varna: The Turkish victory over a Hungarian force ended the efforts of European powers to save Constantinople from Turkish conquest.
1483 Martin Luther was born.
1520 Danish King Christian II executed dozens of people in the Stockholm Bloodbath after a successful invasion of Sweden.
1619 René Descartes had the dreams that inspired his Meditations on First Philosophy.
Hollywood Shakedown - free on Kindle this weekend
· Hollywood Shakedown WEEKEND!!!
Mark Barry's feel good thriller and intelligent airport novel, is FREE this weekend for Kindle, Ipad, Ipod and laptop Kindle simulators. That's FREE!! A once only offer.
Links:
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hollywood-Shakedown-ebook/dp/B007XTYLVA/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1352500903&sr=1-1
US: http://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Shakedown-ebook/dp/B007XTYLVA/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1352500955&sr=8-1&keywords=hollywood+shakedown
Blog and further info: http://greenwizardcarla.blogspot.co.uk/
November 9, 2012
History Trivia
November 9
694 Egica, a King of the Visigoths of Hispania, accused the Jews of aiding Muslims, and sentenced all Jews to slavery.
1282 Pope Martin IV excommunicated King Peter III of Aragon.
1492 Peace of Etaples (northern France) between Henry VII and Charles VIII. The treaty served to end an English invasion of France launched in order to stop France's support for the pretender Perkin Warbeck. By this treaty, France agreed to expel Warbeck and pay England an indemnity of £159,000. The treaty was ratified in December.
1494 The de' Medici family were expelled from Florence.
1541 Queen Catharine Howard was confined in London Tower.
694 Egica, a King of the Visigoths of Hispania, accused the Jews of aiding Muslims, and sentenced all Jews to slavery.
1282 Pope Martin IV excommunicated King Peter III of Aragon.
1492 Peace of Etaples (northern France) between Henry VII and Charles VIII. The treaty served to end an English invasion of France launched in order to stop France's support for the pretender Perkin Warbeck. By this treaty, France agreed to expel Warbeck and pay England an indemnity of £159,000. The treaty was ratified in December.
1494 The de' Medici family were expelled from Florence.
1541 Queen Catharine Howard was confined in London Tower.
Carla (and other Green Wizard stories): The Great Unread Classic - Hollywood Shakedown
Carla (and other Green Wizard stories): The Great Unread Classic - Hollywood Shakedown: I cannot complain about the first eight months of Green Wizard. After a bloody scary start (the first three months were a real bollo...
Independent Paperback Gift Shop CHRISTMAS CATALOGUE blog 2012: Download PDF Here
Independent Paperback Gift Shop CHRISTMAS CATALOGUE blog 2012: Download PDF Here: Download the PDF of the Independent Paperback Gift Shop Catalogue here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/110809194/I... ...[image error]
