S. Evan Townsend's Blog, page 80

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Channing Whitaker and Katherine Wynter

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome writers Channing Whitaker and Katherine Wynter.
Channing WhitakerChanning Whitaker

Channing Whitaker is a novelist, screenwriter, and filmmaker originally hailing from Centerville, Iowa. An alum of Indian Hills Community College, Channing went on to study cinema, screenwriting, literature, and mathematics at the University of Iowa.

Post graduation, Channing began his career in the production of television news, independent films, and commercial videos, as well as to write for websites, corporate media, and advertising. His 10-year career in writing has taken Channing from Iowa, to Alaska, Oklahoma, and currently to Texas.
Channing has written five feature-length screenplays, co-written another feature screenplay, and penned a novel. In that time, Channing has also written and directed over 50 short films.

The April 2015 publication of Channing's debut novel, Until the Sun Rises – One Night in Drake Mansion, comes in tandem with the first production of one of Channing’s feature screenplays, “KILD TV” - a horror mystery. “KILD TV” has already filmed, and will premier in March 2016 release.

Channing's Book:

Until the Sun Rises – One Night in Drake Mansion

Channing's Links:

Website
Blog
Facebook

Katherine WynterKatherine Wynter

An accomplished master of her craft, Katherine Wynter builds fantasy worlds peopled with believable characters and complex cultures. Her original, dark works are captivating. Think you’ve read all there is to read about monsters and demons? Think again. Wynter deftly walks the razor’s edge between fact and fiction to produce fantastic works that are riveting, compelling, and, above all, believable.

Katherine's Books

Blackout II: Rise of the Nano

Keeper Chronicles: Awakening 


Reaper Legacy: Hunt for the Lost Raven

Katherine's Links:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest

From Today's Show: First Water Found Outside Our Solar System

Listen to today's program live at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT or in archive here.

Music

And we're back with the 30 day blogging challenge (that I'm doing in approximately 30 weeks). Today it says: "Put your music player on shuffle and write the first three songs that play and what your initial thought is." I assume, initial thought about the song.  Okay, here goes:

(By the way, my "music player" is my iPhone. and with the advent of Apple Music, I'm having a very hard time doing this. It seems I can't just say "play shuffled songs" through the settings. I'll try Siri. Ah, that worked)

1: Bach: The Goldberg Variations for keyboard BVW 988 "Variation 21 Canone alla Settima"  played by Glenn Gould in 1955.

Thoughts: Well, of course, "Ahhh, Bach." I have found only one piece by Bach I don't enjoy immensely and that's his early work of St. John's Passion. There's a precision and almost mathematical quality to Bach. The Goldberg Variations are no exception.

2: Already Gone by The Eagles. (Yes, my music taste is eclectic.)

Thoughts: Not my favorite Eagles song but still enjoyable. One of their more country-sounding pieces, but it was early in their career when they were a bit more country.

3. When the Whip Comes Down by The Rolling Stones.

Thoughts: Again, not my favorite Stones song but you can hardly go wrong with the Stones. This song is off the Some Girls album, the only Stone album I ever bought because it has a lot of songs I like. The Stones like to add a lot of energy to their music, some of it sexual. Listening to the Stones is an experience. It's not music you'd listen to for relaxation.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with J.D. Horn and Aaron J. Wallace

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome writers J.D. Horn and Aaron J. Wallace.
J.D. HornJ.D. Horn

J.D. Horn was raised in rural Tennessee and has carried a bit of its red clay with him while traveling the world, from Hollywood to Paris to Tokyo. He studied comparative literature as an undergrad, focusing on French and Russian in particular. J.D. also holds an MBA in international business and worked as a financial analyst before becoming a novelist. Along with his spouse, Rich, and his furry coauthors, Duke and Sugar, J.D. divides his time between Black Butte Ranch, Oregon, and San Francisco, California. Previous titles in the bestselling Witching Savannah series are The Line, The Void and The Source. The latest title in the series, Jilo, is a standalone prequel.

J.D.'s Books:

Jilo

Shivaree

The Void

J.D.'s Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter


Aaron J. WallaceAaron J. Wallace

I grew up in Australia and I started writing the Millennium Wars series when I was 13 years of age. It was just a short story back then and under a different name. The story was mostly written just for fun amongst friends when we were bored in English or Japanese class. They wrote their own stories and we would read each other’s work.

I didn’t think about publishing until I was 16, when someone recommended that I should. However I didn’t know how and nor did I have the money. After saving enough money and overcoming some frustrating life challenges I was able to publish the book. I was 23 by this time, I had already written 3 books in the series and rewrote the first manuscript several times.

Now that I have a book that I can be proud of and a solid storyline, I have begun rewriting the whole series. To this current date I am about 3 quarters through writing the second book. It’s going to be called The Millennium Wars: Rise of Sion, and it’s going to be about Humanities entrance into the galactic war with the Quelldrowa. The Sinjo build warships, explore new worlds, new alien species with their own story of conflict are introduced and some history of the Millennium War is revealed. That aside, it will also be introducing a few new characters, one of which will be as an anti-hero ally/foe who will play a critical role in the war to come.


Aaron's Book:

The Millennium Wars Alien Incursion

Aaron's Link:

Website

From Today's show: Dark Matter Might be Primordial Black Holes.

Listen to today's show at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT or in archive here.

My Favorite Color . . .Maybe

Back to the 30-day blogging challenge that I'm doing in 30 weeks (approximately). The next prompt is "Your favorite color."

Hell, I'm 56 years old. I'm a little ancient for having a favorite color.

However, having said that, I've always liked white. Not sure why.

And I've always liked red. Not sure why.

But to say I have a favorite? That'd be tough.

So, I don't really have a favorite color. I just like some.

Speculative Fiction Cantina Replay with Cris Pasqueralle and Chana Keefer

Today's Speculative Fiction Cantina is a replay of the show with Cris Pasqueralle and Chana Keefer.

Cris PasqueralleCris Pasqueralle

Author Cris Pasqueralle is a retired NYC police officer who has always dreamed of publishing a novel. His love of fantasy fiction was inspired by his daughters and led to the fulfillment of his dream with The Destiny Trilogy. Cris lives on Long Island NY with his wife and two daughters.

Cris's Books:

Destiny Revealed 

Paths of Destiny

Cris's Links:

Facebook
Twitter

Chana KeeferChana Keefer

Chana Keefer is wife of one, mother of four, and best selling author of four. Though raised in Texas, she and her family reside in southern California with several reptiles and a spoiled Siberian Husky who reminds her how to savor every moment. Chana earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism but decided she really wasn’t that fond of the news. Also, many moons ago, she worked as a model, actress & voice talent. Chana brakes for old barns, hot chocolate chip cookies, classic movies and mind-boggling storm clouds. Her dream vacation is to explore New Zealand on horseback with her family… with Peter Jackson as their personal guide.

Chana's Books:

The Fall (The Rapha Chronicles: Book 1)

Servant of the King: Memoir of Modern Apostle Kemper Crabb

One Night with a Rock Star

Chana's Links:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

From Today's Show: Lasers for Interstellar Travel Could Have Other Uses.

Listen to today's replay at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT, or in archive here.

Just Keep Writing

Back to the 30-day blogging challenge that I'm doing in 30 weeks (approximately).

The next challenge is "Bullet your whole day." Well, that's too easy:


Get upGo to StarbucksWrite (maybe, see below)NapCall my motherWatch JeopardyGo to bed.So I'll do the next one: A quote I try to live by.  I'm going to cheat a little. The quote I try to live by is
one I made up. It's "Just keep writing." No matter what, if you're a writer, you need to just keep writing. I haven't been living up to that quote very well lately. I don't have writer's block, I just have not been in an emotional place where I want to write. I am stuck in the middle of a novel with no place to go.
But I always tell writers (hypocritically lately) that if they want to write they need to "just keep writing." You might write crap, but a crap first draft beats no first draft every time.
So just keep writing. Or, do as I say, not as I do.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Natalie Wright and C. W. Hawes

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome writers Natalie Wright and C. W. Hawes.
Natalie WrightNatalie Wright

Natalie is the author of H.A.L.F., a science fiction series, and The Akasha Chronicles, a young adult fantasy trilogy. She lives in the high desert of Tucson, Arizona with her husband, teen daughter, and two young cats.

Natalie spends her time writing, reading, hanging out on social media, and meeting readers and fans at festivals and comic cons throughout the western United States. She likes to walk in the high desert, snorkel in warm waters, travel, and share excellent food and conversation with family and friends. She was raised an Ohio farm girl, lives in the desert Southwest, and dreams of living in a big city high rise.

Natalie's books:

The Makers (H.A.L.F., Book 2) Dedicated webpage

The Deep Beneath (H.A.L.F., Book 1)

Emily’s Heart (Akasha Chronicles, Book 3)

Natalie's Links:
Website/Blog Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Instagram Goodreads
C.W. HawesC. W. Hawes
C.W. Hawes is an author and award winning poet. His interests are wide ranging and this is reflected in both the genres and the contents of his books. Among his works are the post-apocalyptic The Rocheport Saga, the Justinia Wright, PI series of mystery novels, the Lady Dru Drummond Dieselpunk/alternative history novels, Rand Hart and the Pajama Putsch Dieselpunk/alternative history novella, and the horror tales Do One Thing For Me, Metamorphosis, Ancient History, and What the Next Day Brings. 
Among C.W.’s many interests are a love for fine food, tea, music (classical, swing, folk, and ‘50s and ‘60s pop), philosophy and mythology, art and architecture, books, history, nature, writing instruments (especially fountain pens and dip pens), airships, and steam power technology. All of these find a place in his writing.
C.W. was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and has made his home in Minneapolis, MN for the past 45 years, where he currently lives with his wife and cat. He was employed by Hennepin County in Minnesota, where he worked in human services. He retired in 2015.

C.W.'s Books:
Ancient History
Freedom’s Freehold (The Rocheport Saga #6)
What the Next Day Brings
C. W.'s Links:
Website/Blog Facebook Twitter
From today's show: Turning Asteroids into Spaceships.
Listen to today's show at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT, or in archive here.

Alphabetism

I was thinking about my post on ageism that I did a while back as part of the 30-day blogging challenge (that I'm doing in approximately 30 weeks) and I said:

[P]eople, no matter their sex, race, or age should be judged on their individual abilities, not on attributes they have no control over (such as sex, race, and age).

But I forgot one type of discrimination that is pervasive and insidious in our society. And that is what I call "alphabetism."

What is alphabetism? It is discrimination based on the spelling of your name.

For example: one day in the military they kept everyone in my unit late to get flu shots. Since we couldn't all get shots at once, they fed us into the clinic in small groups. How did they determine who got to go first (and get it over with and be dismissed)? By the spelling of our last names in alphabetical order. And since my last name starts with a "T" which is rather late in the alphabet, I was one of the last people to go.

Many times having your name latter in the alphabet means you wait longer. In grade school one teacher assigned seats by last name. Then when it was time for lunch, we all filed out in the same order. So, of course, I was close to last.

We must fight the scourge of alphabetism.

Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day to all my readers in the United States. While we enjoy picnics and fireworks, let's not forget what we are celebrating: the formation of the first truly representative democracy the world had ever known.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Chayil Champion and Loren Molloy

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome Chayil Champion and Loren Molloy.
Chayil ChampionChayil Champion

Chayil Champion is a graduate of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida where he double-majored in both English and Journalism while competing as a two-sport athlete in both football and track. After graduating from UM in 1998, Champion received his masters and doctorate degrees in education from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He embarked on a career in education as an English teacher and vice principal in South Florida’s Dade County and West Palm Beach County public school systems respectively before moving to Los Angeles, California in 2009.

A native from Evanston, Illinois, a suburb that borders Chicago’s north side, Champion developed a love for writing at a young age which carried well into his adult years. After penning his first book in 2009 upon his arrival to Los Angeles, Champion has gone on to write five more books, which include the Young Adult fiction novels, Affiliated and Going Pro, both from The Lost Souls literary series. Champion also wrote Exiting The Wilderness and But He Said He Was A Christian, two nonfiction Christian self-help books. Majesties of Canaan: The Goliath Project is a Young Adult, super hero novel. It is the first book of many within the Majesties of Canaan Superhero Series and the second book of The Dark Spores Series where Champion has partnered with best-selling authors Keshawn Dodds and Braxton Cosby to form the new superhero universe and to collaboratively pen the upcoming superhero novel Infinity 7 due in early 2017.

Outside of his love for writing, Champion, runs his own education consulting company in Los Angeles where he continues to teach and tutor students. In his free time, Champion focuses on fitness as he is a gym rat, frequents movies, and enjoys spending time with his daughter Vanessa.

Chayil's Books:

Majesties of Canaan: The Goliath Project

Affiliated


Going Pro

Chayil's Links:

Website/Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Loren MolloyLoren Molloy

Loren Molloy won her first award in 2005 for Best Young Poet. This was the catalyst to the creation of her first published book Black Dreams and Shattered Illusions. Loren has been writing books ever since.  When Loren isn't writing or researching for her next novel she spends time watching Horror movies, walking outdoors in her beautiful home state of New York, and interacting with others through her social media accounts.

Loren's Books:

The Very Devil, Herself

Black Dreams Shattered Illusions

Where did all the Dragons Go

Loren's Links:

Website/Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

From Today's Program: Chemists Know When You're Scared

Listen to today's program at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT or in archive here.