Ash Krafton's Blog, page 33
February 9, 2012
Hittin' the Kitchen with Rosemary DiBattista
Or maybe I'm just hungry. Good thing I know just the thing to fix it.
I'll be talking about food and the people we love when I visit Author Rosemary DiBattista on Valentine's Day.She has a marvelous Authors in the Kitchen segment on her blog and has generously invited me to share a special recipe with everyone. When I think of love, I think of my Grammy...so we'll be making her PA German-style apple dumplings.You'll also learn just how to eat one--very important if you're going to visit PA Dutch country. Those Coal Region cooks can be fairly unforgiving.
I hope you'll join us on Tuesday--it's a recipe you'll come to treasure as much as I do.
January 30, 2012
Publishers Weekly--My FIRST Review...
This was the moment I'd been nervously anticipating: my first published review.
It's not like I'd never been critiqued before. I'd survived dozens of contest judges' feedback, some of it quite...subjective. =) That's part of the game. You can't write something and expect people to read it without forming an opinion. Even "no opinion" is an opinion. (Stop me before I start channeling Neil Peart.)
It's an important step in putting your work out there: you are vulnerable and awaiting judgement. You open your notebook, set it on the table, and let other people tell you their opinion.
However, I survived it all because 1) I learned TREMENDOUSLY from the experience and 2) I'd made finals in a few contests, so it couldn't be all that bad but most of all 3) I knew it was going to toughen me up so that I could face this moment without blinking.
I survived my first review. My publisher and my editors and my family and friends are thrilled but I'm just quietly taking it in. It's pretty cool to be reviewed by PW, not to mention it being my first.
You never forget your first. I won't forget mine.
January 13, 2012
Bloody Hearts Blog Hop
January 4, 2012
The Proof Is In The Mail!
"New" being the thing right now, I'm excited to enter the newest phase of publishing--the promotion.
I returned the proof to my editors and, for the first time since I wrote the first words of Bleeding Hearts, I am done editing. I deleted, I changed, I corrected my last. It's definitely a weird feeling.
While I await word from my Lord Editor, I supposed it's time to put serious thought to promotion.
Trouble is, I never promoted a debut novel before. It's time for me to hit the virtual books...so wish me luck!
In the meantime, I thought I'd give a shout-out to all the writers organizations I met along this wonderful journey. Over the last few years, I entered a lot of competitions. (I wrote about my experiences here and here and here.) I'd love to share a list of recognitions Bleeding Hearts has received.
Second Place, Abilene Writers Guild Summer 2007
Grand Prize, Maryland Writers' Association
2008 Novel Writing Contest
First Place, Fantasy, Maryland Writers' Association 2008 Novel Writing Contest
Third Place,Pikes Peak Writers 2009
Third Place, Houston Writers Guild Spring 2009
Finalist, RWA Chick Lit Writers
"Get Your Stiletto InThe Door" 2009
Finalist, RWA New Hampshire
"Query Quandary" 2011
Finalist, RWA Kiss of Death
"Daphne Unpublished"2011
Finalist, RWA Northeast Ohio
"Cleveland Rocks"2011
Finalist, RWA Heart and Scroll
"Magic Moments"2011
Finalist, RWA Alaska "Break-Up" 2011
Finalist, Smoke City Narrators "
Pitch and First Five Pages"2011
These contests were amazing experiences because of the generous feedback I've received from the judges. They definitely steered me in the right direction early on and, as you can see, affirmed I was on the right track in 2011.
These contests were also my earliest steps in promotion, which is why I so highly recommend writers to enter writing contests whenever possible. If you didn't click on the links above, you can still go back and do it. =)
Thank you to each of these organizations for being a partner in my achievement...and Happy New Year to all.
December 28, 2011
Slave to the Blog Grind
The year is winding down and the federal income tax season is looming near. My taxes will be a mess this year--I sold off some stocks to restore our '74 Chevy Nova...but ditched the project to go to Universal Studios instead. Now, I have a disastrous tax filing ahead, a car that still won't run, and a vehement preference for Disney. #FAIL
On a brighter note, here are two blog posts you might find helpful. We shouldn't end 2011 on a note of despair. These blogs are way better than tales of tax woe.
On the Query Tracker blog is my article Caution: Contains Strong Language. You may be disappointed to find it suitable for all ages.
Over on the Pennwriters Area 6 blog I put up a reprint of a helpful blog regarding Social Networking for Writers. Consider it Networking 101 for the novice writers (and N0oBz who aren't gone digital yet.)
Many blessings and hopes for you all in 2012...I hope it's not going to be our last year on the planet but live as if it just might be. Make this year count.
Cheers, Ash
December 26, 2011
Winners of the 12 Days of Creepfest Blog Tour
The Kraftmatic Adjustable Giveaway was held to introduce readers to the homepage of my forthcoming urban fantasy, Bleeding Hearts: Book One of the Demimonde. Thanks to everyone who entered.
The winners are Kim Koning, loloisme, and Julie Jansen. Kim wins a copy of Niteblade's poetry issue, featuring you-know-who. loloisme wins a Barnes & Noble gift card. Julie gets the nifty mystery prize: a string of LED skellyton lights that are too cute for words. (Their limbs dangle. squee)
You can still sign up for email updates or to Follow the blog--so stop by, anytime. As we get closer to release day, there will be plenty more news and shameless giveaways.
There were two other mini-contests that had winners, too. Jessica McHugh wins the comment-on-Kim Koning's-blog contest and Lisa wins the anti-caroling contest for "Gangland Massacre". (If you haven't sung that one yet, you should. It's a real scream.) Jess and Lisa win ten dollar Barnes & Noble gift cards for playing along.
Hope to see my fellow bloggers around soon and you, as well. Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year!
December 24, 2011
Merry Creepfest, Hoppers!
Winners will be announced Monday.
Watch out for Krampus...ho, ho, ho...
December 19, 2011
Kim Koning Guest-blogs for #Creepfest!
Kim Koning...
I thought I would post you a first excerpt into my current WIP - a Paranormal Historical Trilogy: The Chaos Chasms
This excerpt is from Book 1 - Ring a Ring o' Roses ... Look out for the release in 2012
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My eyes flew open. I was trembling. I had felt a hand touch my temple. Nobody was there. I was alone in the drawing room. The fire was dying down. I walked across to the fireplace to re-stoke it. As I picked up the poker, molten ash from the fire suddenly blew up at me. I jumped back. My eyes burned. Some of the ash had gone into my eyes. I rubbed at my stinging eyes. My eyes watered. I opened them up. Everything was hazy before me. I opened my eyes wider, grimacing against the sting. The fire was high again. Then it died. There must be a wind through the chimney. I carefully peered up through the chimney. I could not hear the whistle of wind. I rebuilt the fire and relit it again. As I walked back to my chair, I heard a sound. It sounded like …like a cry. I turned around. The fire was dead. I walked slowly across to the fireplace again. I touched the logs. They were cold to my touch. There was a chill to the air. I wrapped my arms around myself. Perhaps there was snow in the air. I walked across to the window. The air remained unchanged outside. Not a breeze stirred. I opened the window.Putting my hand out in the air, I drew it back. I shivered. It was colder in the drawing room than the air outside.
I walked towards the door. I had to get warm. It was so cold. With my teeth now chattering from cold, I tried to
exit. The door was open but the doorway was blocked. Nothing was there. I triedagain. I could not leave. It was like walking into a doorway. I stopped. The cryagain. It sounded like a woman whimpering. I felt a hand touch my cheek. I
jumped back.
“Who is there? Make yourself known. Please. Who is there? What do you want?”
No answer. Then the whimpering started again. This time it seemed to be coming from the fireplace. I walked slowly across. In my mind I called Jal. As I got closer to the fireplace, the fire sprung to life again. I jumped back. But there was no warmth from the flames. The whimpering grew louder. I looked carefully at the flames, keeping my distance. My eyes still stung from the leaping ash.
I gasped.
There was a face flickering in the flames. This was where the whimpering came from. The face was mine. I stood locked in fear and shock. My limbs felt like they were encased in chains. I tried to look away. I tried to call out. Nothing but a strangled sound came from my throat. The eyes on my flickering face opened. They looked out at me. I felt myself being pulled. Nothing held me but the pull was inescapable. I glanced down in fear at my feet. I was held above the floor and I was moving, floating, through the air to my face in the fireplace. The flaming eyes were locked on my eyes. I could not think. I could not cry out. I could only stare in horror at my face burning in the flames. The whimpering became keening. It got louder and louder. I moved very slowly. I tried to stop. Suddenly the flames died. There was a strangled “NO” from the fireplace. For a moment I hung, suspended in the air. Then I fell. I hit the ground, narrowly missing the fireplace.
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Excerpt from Ring a Ring o' Roses - Book 1 "The Chaos Chasms" by Kim Koning -
All rights reserved Kim Koning 2011-2012
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Open the gateway of darkness at: http://kimkoning.com/wp
I can be found Wrestling the Muse : http://kimkoning.wordpress.com
I can also be found on Twitter @AuthorKimKoning
Like my facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Kim.M.Koning?sk=app_106171216118819
My first short story is available in this anthology along with 33 other great authors including The Neil Gaiman:
http://randomstatic.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=51
(I am also giving away an ebook copy of this anthology on my blog "Wrestling the
Muse" for Creepfest in a Creepmas Contest.)
I see ghosts and tell tales of their visits.
I write by the light of the moon and under the gaze of the stars.
Draw up a chair, light a candle, close the windows and let me weave
you stories of darkness and gateways of light.
Thanks for hosting me on your site Ash.
Happy Creepfest & Merry Christmas.
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And to all, a great hop! Great excerpt, Kim. Glad to have you here...
Be sure to check out Kim's blog and remember to vote on the guest flash fiction contest (I'm entered!)
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Remember to enter the Kraftmatic Creepfest Giveaway and go here to return to the Creepfest list.
December 18, 2011
Let's go Anti-Caroling Together!
Hit me up with your scariest Christmas carol parody. It has to be singable—so you better pay attention to the meter. I want to use your song to wow the crowds of shoppers at my retail day job. (Keep it relatively clean, too, kids—I don't have a Mature rating on this blog. :D )
We'll pick another winner after I try out each of the entries at work. Winner will be chosen by my co-workers. Easiest ten bucks a writer can make. Give me the song you're REALLY singing when you hear those carols. Be sure to tell me which song you're ruining, too, so I have a reference.
I need a minimum of FIVE entries here, folks, so go nag your friends into entering. Srsly. Ten dollar gift cards don't come cheap.
Unless you just grab a pile from the store and stuff them in your pocket. But these are activated, man. They are activated.
Winner will be announced at the end of the hop. You've got time to work on your gems. Polish them up and make sure they gleam…with a creepy green light.
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Remember to enter the Kraftmatic Creepfest Giveaway and go here to return to the Creepfest list.
Taking the #Creepfest Party to the "Wrestling the Muse" blog!
I'll be giving away a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card to a reader on Kim's blog…so what are you waiting for? (Other than to finish reading this post, I mean.)
Kim's also running a blog hop-long flash contest with all her guests so be sure to stop back there before the end to vote for your favorite guest entry. Mine literally rocks (or it would with a little Trans Siberian Orchestra in the background) so don't miss out on some great reads.
We're half-way through the blog hop…who knows what tremors tomorrow will bring?
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Remember to enter the Kraftmatic Creepfest Giveaway and go here to return to the Creepfest list.
