Jason Zandri's Blog: The GUNDERSTONE GOODREADS Review, page 32

The QWORKS – the next anthology title

Originally posted on DreamWorlds Publishing:

Let the submissions begin!

 


OK – slightly different take this time in that we’re scoping right out on the genre front, so, like it says we want short story submissions in any fiction genre, so long as it’s quirky – not fantasy necessarily but something unusual and striking that marks it out from the crowd.

 

Submission Requirements 



between 500 – 20,000 words – deadline 1st September 2015
you may submit up to 3 stories
English language
NO fanfic or homage pieces
you retain copyright
no fees, but you help with edits/proofing/PR phases (negotiate with Jan)
any proceeds/profits are put to future DreamWorlds Publishing projects unless sales merit a small pro rata compensation (this will work on the basis of how many pieces of your work are included – one story = one share and so on)
submissions to dreamworlds.publishing@gmail.com

Artwork may change slightly but thus far I’ve got 2…

View original 13 more words

THE BLOG TOUR – starring “SPOTLIGHT” Author, April Adams

THE BLOG TOUR – starring “SPOTLIGHT” Author, April Adams

Work/Life Balance… Yeah, Right.

So, it’s said that you should balance your work life with the rest of your life. Sounds so easy, doesn’t it? Well, it isn’t, at least not for me. I have to fight tooth and nail to carve out some time to write. It was especially difficult during my first book. Everybody thought I would just give up, that I was wasting my time. That hurt. Then, once they realized I was serious about it, they started asking me how much money I’ve made.

Really??

Is the measurement of success only monetary? Not for me. When I see that someone has purchased my book, it fills me with a wonderful feeling. When I get a glowing review I’m pretty sure I literally glow for days. It makes it all worth it.

Makes what all worth it?

Well, for me, I have a six year old son whom I homeschool. It’s only a few hours a day, but that’s time that I previously spent writing. I have to prioritize his education and not be selfish. Then I have a nine month old daughter who is into absolutely EVERYTHING! If I look down at my screen she either gets into something she isn’t supposed to, or stands next to me swiping at the keys every few seconds. Babies can change settings faster than you can blink! Apparently my laptop has a hot key for Google searches. Who knew?

On top of that I have a husband who expects to eat when he gets home from work, along with the two other little mouths. Then I have to spend quality time with them because the days are so short and one bleak morning I’ll wake up and they’ll be moved out, building their own lives. I’ll regret the time I took from building memories with them. But I have to write!

Writing is important to me. Even if I never become a best-seller, even if I never crawl my way into the black from the deep, red, financial hole I’ve dug myself trying to market my books, it is my dream! Writing is my passion. I love every aspect of it from conception to completion. Thinking of my stories and characters fills an empty place in my soul. So, I have to make time to do it even though life and obligations crowd in like frenzied sharks.

How do I do it? Well, recently I haven’t been very successful. Nursing a baby and not having a full night’s sleep in over a year are wearing on me. I don’t write well in the evenings and our mornings are generally pretty busy. Sometimes, on the weekends, my husband will let me escape to solitude. You’d be surprised how focused you can be if you’re on a time crunch. At least, it surprised me.

I don’t want to use my busy life as an excuse. I love my job – all of my jobs – and it is very difficult to give each one I perform the care and attention required. Somehow, I manage not to mess any of them up too bad. Sure, some days my house looks like a war zone but those days are the ones where I’ve added 2,000 words to my manuscript or edited furiously. I’m blessed to have a family that understands and supports me (now) in my dream.

It’s worth the struggle. This is why.

Find me online!

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/April-Adams/e/B00CHRCD8G

Twitter:  @apriladamsnovel

Facebook:   www.fb.com/apriladamsnovel

Website:  www.writerapriladams.com

Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/apriladamsnovel

The Ten Favorite Screen Character Blog Hop!

For this fast and fun blog hop, you name your ten favorite characters from movies or TV, then tag up to ten friends to do the same! It’s a nice little distraction (if you have the time for it) and it’ll drive traffic to your page / blog as people go around looking at the posts along the hop.

J.V. Carr tagged me for this fun blog via hers; check out her site for her ten interesting picks.

I’d say the following actors and actresses not only played a role I enjoyed in the following screen characters, but are also individuals I admire for various reasons.

Here are my ten favorite screen characters (in no particular order):

1) I realize that Hogarth Hughes is a cartoon character but the loose rules were “For this fast and fun blog hop, you name your ten favorite characters from movies or TV” and he is a favorite of mine. He was a young boy with an active imagination and became fast friends with the Iron Giant. He helped show the Giant that he “didn’t have to be a gun” and that he could choose what he wanted to be. “You are who you choose to be.” The Giant chooses “Superman” and saves Rockwell by sacrificing himself.

2) Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando in the Godfather movies, is another favorite of mine simply because of the “family honor and power” that he portrayed in the movie. To me, he defined the mafia roles in TV and the movies.

3) With that, I suppose it only makes sense that I also like Tony Sopranos , played by James Gandolfini in The Sopranos, because to me he was the small screen version of Vito Corleone.

4) With all the movie characters to choose from and with my huge background of loving the world of superheroes, it should come as no surprise that Clark Kent / Kal-El / Superman is another favorite of mine. Beyond the whole, “truth, justice, and American Way” thing (which the modern day films remove “American Way” because as it should be, Superman is a hero to the world) it is all about a stranger in a new world that he could easily rule over with an iron fist but where he chooses to live along side the people of Earth in an effort to show them that they too can be “super” themselves.

“They can be a great people, Kal-El; they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you… my only son” – no truer words were ever said; people just don’t understand that there are no limits to their own capacities if they choose to apply themselves.

5) With the choices of different police characters to choose from Harry Callahan (Dirty Harry), played by Clint Eastwood, rises to the top. “I know what you’re thinking. “Did he fire six shots or only five?” Well to tell you the truth in all this excitement I kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and would blow you head clean off, you’ve gotta ask yourself one question: “Do I feel lucky?” Well, do ya, punk?”

What more could be said?

6) Again headed back to my background of loving superheroes, the next one to my list has to be Steve Rogers  / Captain America. An everyday man, only looking to serve his country in World War II, he was continually shot down trying to enlist because of his frail and fragile physical make up until he was given the Super Soldier formula which transformed him into Captain America.

7) Back to “favorite cops” my list wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of Martin Riggs, played by Mel Gibson. The crazy cop with nothing to lose (in the original Lethal Weapon) became immortal to me when the lead antagonist uttered “There’s no more heroes left in the world” and Riggs comes crashing through the door.

8) I only saw this movie once, a couple of years after it came out, (it was a 1993 release so if it was 1995 that was 20 years ago), but I never forgot the story of Daniel E. ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger as played by Sean Astin. I think it is high time for me to sit down to it again and this time, watch it with my kids.

9) As a fan of Star Trek I have to include James Tiberius Kirk as played by William Shatner. I think the following lines in Star Trek IV – The Voyage Home summed it up the best:

Kirk: On behalf of all of us Mr. President, I am authorized to plead guilty.

President: So entered. Because of certain mitigating circumstances, all charges but one are summarily dismissed. The remaining charge, disobeying orders of a superior officer, is directed solely at Admiral Kirk. I’m sure the admiral will recognize the necessity of keeping discipline in any chain of command?

Kirk: I do, sir.

President: James T. Kirk, it is the judgment of this council that you be reduced in rank to captain. And that as a consequence of your new rank, you be given the duties for which you have demonstrated unswerving ability, the command of a starship. Captain Kirk, you and your crew have saved this planet from its own short-sightedness, and we are forever in your debt.

There is a favorite meme of mine for Kirk and it is below.

10) At number 10 I give you Dr. Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones, Jr., as played by Harrison Ford. The guy is 70 years old in 2015 and he crashes a plane on a Los Angeles golf course and lives to talk about it. He was injured, but is expected to make a full recovery. I am willing to bet if it was ten years ago he would have played nine holes waiting for the NTSB to show up.

Up next (if you dare to play the game) – consider yourselves tagged to play along!

Sara Hathaway @SaraHathaway19

BLOG / Author Page http://www.authorsarafhathaway.com/

Dennis Cardiff @DennisCardiff

BLOG / Author Page https://gottafindahome.wordpress.com/

Sharon Syleste The Scribe’s Library

Tamie Dearen @TamieDearen

BLOG / Author Page http://tamiedearen.weebly.com/

Marc Estes @Vendicatori33

BLOG / Author Page http://estesmarcw.wix.com/author-page

Traci Sanders @tmsanders2014

BLOG / Author Page http://awordwithtraci.com/

Marlena Hand @mlh42812

BLOG / Author Page https://mylife428.wordpress.com/

C. Salem @CSalem11

BLOG / Author Page https://cassidysalem.wordpress.com/

Jade St Clair @Scatterbooker

BLOG / Author Page https://scatterbooker.wordpress.com/

Sarah Stuart @sasspip

BLOG / Author Page http://www.rebeccabrynandsarahstuart-novels.co.uk/blog/

The Ten Favorite Screen Character Blog Hop!

GUNDERSTONE:

OK – I got tagged here so I am going to have to come up with my own but in the meantime here is the post from @JVCarr1

Originally posted on jvcarrwriterauthor:

For this fast and fun blog hop, you name your ten favorite characters from movies or TV, then tag up to ten friends to do the same!

Tim Hemlin tagged me for this fun blog; check out his site for his ten interesting picks.

I’d say the following actors and actresses not only played a role I enjoyed in the following screen characters, but are also individuals I admire for various reasons.

Here are my ten favorite screen characters:

1. Suzanne Vale—Meryl Streep—Postcards From The Edge. I love Meryl Streep (my favorite actress of all time) and admire her talent in diversified roles! This is definitely one of them!

2. Elizabeth James—Natasha Richardson—Parent Trap. In this role, Natasha Richardson as Elizabeth James played a sweet, elegant and loving mother. This movie is a fav in our house. So sad the way this lovely actress died.

3. Maleficent—Angelina Jolie—Maleficent. An outstanding…

View original 274 more words

I Challenge You…

Originally posted on Life As I Know It:

Hello, bloggers!!

I am wide awake and it’s closing in on midnight, here in my little hometown of Alabama. I don’t post as often as I’d like and I hate that, but, I’m feeling inspired. So here I am and I am asking you to listen…

Life is too short to live with regrets… to wonder what if… to not give your all. Life is meant to have purpose, but are you living life with one?

Are you kind? Are you forgiving? Do you love? Do you cherish? Do you laugh? Do you cry? Do you give?

Are you living every day to its fullest potential? Do you take chances? Do you make the most out of opportunities?

If you can’t answer that, then there’s a good chance you are not living life as it should be lived. So I challenge you today. I challenge you to go that…

View original 123 more words

‘THE VANILLA BET’ BLOG TOUR

Originally posted on Liz Gavin's Blog:

Please help me welcome 4WILLS PUBLISHING‘s




‘THE VANILLA BET‘ BLOG TOUR today.

Check the complete list of tour stops here.

Ella Emerson’s books are not only alluring as her characters but also steamy hot. In other words – my kind of books!!

I’m honored to host the third stop in her Blog Tour, organized by the AWESOME team at 4WillsPublishing. Besides, I’ve found out Ella is a movie buff just like me!!!

Enjoy her post!!

 The Impact of Movies on My Life



by Author Ella Emerson

 

I am a huge movie buff, I love going to the movies. I am also one of those people who can tell you which actor played in what and so on. And, yes I love the Kevin Bacon game. My love for movies as well as reading started at a young age.

I love escaping into another reality…

View original 501 more words

Just so you know

Originally posted on Redfloras:

Hi all,

I thought I would clear something up for a minute. If any of you have purchased my works on amazon (which you can find here http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00K43MOSO) you will have noticed one major difference between my publications and others. All of my books are double spaced. This is in both the print copies and the Kindle copies. I have done this for a very interesting reason. My husband is dyslexic and he finds it easier to read them in this fashion.

According to him, since the words are not scrunched together on the page he can follow them easier and not get lost.

So if any other people have trouble reading a traditionally published book and are finding it difficult, give mine a try.

Thanks

:)

View original

Book Review: Husband Hunters by Genevieve Gannon

Originally posted on Scatterbooker:

Title: Husband Hunters

Author: Genvieve Gannon

ISBN: 9781460704707

Published: December 1st 2014 by HarperCollins Publishers Australia

Genre: Romance, ChickLit, Romantic Comedy

Pages: 278

My Rating: 4/5 stars

Description:

Clementine, a psychologist specialising in couples counselling, is reeling from the discovery that her boyfriend is married. Annabel, an ex-model, only seems to attract men who want her as a trophy. Daniela, a civil engineer, is stuck in the friendzone.

Abandoning the romantic notions of true love that haven’t worked out for them, the three decide to use their considerable professional skills to find a partner. This isn’t about hearts and flowers; it’s about being practical.

Warm and witty, Husband Hunters is about what happens when you try to engineer love.

My Thoughts:

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Husband Hunters by Genevieve Gannon is a refreshingly funny and honest romantic comedy about three school friends…

View original 126 more words

BOOK REVIEW – “Sugarcoatin is for Candy, and Pacifyin is for Kids!” by Nonnie Jules

Sugarcoatin is for Candy, and Pacifyin is for Kids! by Nonnie Jules

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS!: “Yes, I Said It!” by Nonnie Jules

A great book. A practical, no nonsense, how to get it done, how to ask for help, no excuses for “no”, read for “doing what needs to be done and doing it right”.

FIVE STARS * * * * *

Just a quick reminder – my rating system can be found here and I call it out because I want to outline, this is one of those rare books that is “An excellent, compelling, must read, that I could not put down and could see reading again someday.”

What I’ve come to realize reading this book is that it is a compilation of blog posts. I then decided to look at some of the other reviews; a couple were critical of this. I could write a fictitious blog about “The everyday life of Johnny Baker” and totally make every entry up. There would be an intro post, a body of topics and sub topics, and then a conclusion (or an endpoint). How are individual posts any different than chapters of a story? So with that, I dismissed any pretense and looked at the work for what it was.

Beyond that, this wasn’t a fictional story. This was more like a self-help guide and to me, while most of it was no nonsense information on writing, publishing, networking, and marketing (mainly), much of it could be translated into anything else in the world. Running a business. Living your life. Being a better citizen / parent / child / person.

I am highly favorable to writing like this because I live my life the same way. Don’t tell me “this is the way it’s always been done” or “there’s no other way to do it” because I will take a tablespoon and dig a ditch with it just to prove “that” point wrong.

I don’t believe in “over kindness.” I try to be nice and constructive with anything that requires critical assessment / feedback, but you’ll never hear me say “that’s ok – you’re the last winner of the race.” I’ll likely give you credit for sticking it out and finishing. I might even give you extra credit for running right into the end when everyone else already finished; it’s easy to say “that’s it, I’m beat, I’m going to walk over the line.” But when being blunt about things I will say “yeah… well… you WE’RE last.”

That should make it so that you either realize perhaps you’re not cut out for [THIS] OR that should drive you to do better at it.

That’s what this book does. It allows for critical self-assessment in a “no bones about it” and light-hearted manner. Because it could be a guide for anyone, anywhere, regarding just about anything, and something that you could read again / refer back to, it comes recommended from me with my highest rating.

I highly recommend “SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS!: “Yes, I Said It!”” by Nonnie Jules – * * * * * FIVE Stars (out of five)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1224673069

http://www.amazon.com/review/R33EJ3QY6QY9BK

View all my reviews

Community Pool

Originally posted on The Daily Post:

Have you just published a new post and are dying for some feedback? Did you recently start your blog and could use some layout or design advice from your more seasoned peers?

Tap into the wisdom of The Daily Post blogging community and leave your question here in the comments. Others can then click through and offer input either on your site, or in the comments here (feel free to indicate which you’d prefer).

To help us make the Community Pool a productive space for discussion, here are some tips you might find useful:

TIP: To keep from losing your place in the comment thread while you visit others’ blogs, right-click on a link to open it in a new tab or window.

While you’re not required to, we encourage everyone who requests feedback to also reply to at least one or two other bloggers who need some help. Spread the love!
The Community Pool…

View original 141 more words