Ann Narcisian Videan's Blog, page 6
November 26, 2016
Absolutely Wild! enchanted faerie products to help emerging young writers
One of our original faerie portals, Spektralized.
Yeah, I know, it’s an absolutely wild idea: sell a book by creating a whole business around it. Still, when the idea is cool and whimsical, teaches you new things, and also supports something you adore… why not!
My long-time friend Cherie Scott read book 1 in my Delfaerune Rhapsody series, Song of the Ocarina, and the Fae characters inspired her to sculpt a faerie portal for me. As a thank you, I wrote a short story about the faerie who lived within it. (You can see both, below.) That gave us the idea to craft custom portals and tales for others who like the idea of having a faerie friend around.
One of our custom faerie portals and Faerie’s Tale: Auntie’s Visitors
The creativity of it all moved us right into developing Absolutely Wild! Enchanted Faerie Portals & Other Whimsy.
Our faerie products include a special Delfaerune Rhapsody line of portals and tales. We also published a faerie portals coloring book with writing prompts, packs of coloring note cards, and themed Faeries’ Tales.
The best part is that your gift of imagination and whimsy—whether for yourself or a special someone—helps us support our passion: emerging young writers and creatives.
So, as of this week, we are open for business! [Yes, that’s me bouncing from foot to foot so I don’t squeal and pierce your eardrums.] Wanna help us realize our dream and our dream for young writers? Check it out.
Our original faerie portal sculpted by
Cherie Scott.
Excerpt from
Fidget’s Visitor: A Faerie’s Tale
The fluffy cinnamon-spotted dog sniffed at the wee wooden door. His yips made the spindly mushrooms lining the front walk vibrate in time with the faerie’s gossamer wings.
The tiny creature inside the door risked a peep through a thin crack in the wood, and trembled when a giant brown eye moved closer. It blinked, and she whipped back against the stone wall of her kitchen, throwing her hands over her eyes.
What could he want? Did he smell the ChocoLavender cookies baking in her wood stove?
Our original Faerie’s Tale, written by Ann Videan… in booklet form.
She found her courage and turned to peer through the crevice again. The dog cocked his head and one ear flopped into the crackling leaves blown against the door from her garden. He gently nipped a small Aspen-illustrated card from a basket hanging around his neck, and nudged it under her door with his nose.
The fairy jumped. Her arms flailed and, on tippity-toes, beat a quick retreat.
Mustn’t come in contact with the paper! It could be laced with poison! Or, at the very least, contain a highly threatening message.
Careful not to move too close, she used a sprinkle of faerie dust to open the card, and gingerly leaned forward to read the large scribbles.
P.S. Yes, there really is such a thing as ChocoLavendar cookies!
November 10, 2016
Cryptid, heartfelt music debuts from The Darling Sounds
The Darling Sounds’ “Haunt” debuts Nov. 11, 2016.
The content may deal with creatures of dubious existence,
but the band’s video gets real with a sense of humor about it.
Tomorrow is the day! The Darling Sounds release their album “Haunt,” an indie pop rock collection of nine songs, on Bandcamp and Spotify. Woot!
Grace, Zach, and Cutter put their hearts and souls into these casually spooky, yet playful, tunes. Each track investigates cryptids—yeah, I had to look it up, too: aliens, werewolves, The Invisible Man, and lots of ghosts.
Don’t be scared, you’re gonna love it… not to mention these liner notes!
October 7, 2016
Five book events to rock your world
Sculpture in a public library in Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Your inner storyteller wants you to indulge in one or all of these upcoming events… for the sake of the book you’re writing.
Listen to that little voice, it will not steer you wrong!
Th., Oct. 13: Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS)
Meet in-person with other established authors to discuss writing “voice” with Susan Pohlman, at the next gathering of the ALWAYS writers’ tribe: in Phoenix, AZ, on Thurs., Oct. 13, 2016, at 11:30 a.m.
Sa. Oct. 8 and F., Oct. 14: Rock The Drop
Young adult writers, learn from YA authors at the 5th Annual Rock The Drop Kick-Off Event on Sa., Oct. 8.
Then, join the Readergirlz (and guyz!) as they “drop” YA books with identifying bookmarks all over town on Friday, October 14, for other teens to find.
Sa., Oct. 15 and W., Oct. 19: “Key Editing Tips to Wow A Publisher”
My presentation explaining how to avoid the key writing issues I consistently change in manuscripts I edit.
12 p.m.-2 p.m., Sat., Oct. 15, 2016, at the Phoenix Writers Club,
Bluewater Grill, 1720 E. Camelback, Phoenix, AZ
6 p.m.–8 p.m., Wed., October 19, 2016, at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Desert Sleuths/Sisters in Crime writers group (4000 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251)
What other event do you know of, coming up? Please comment.
Write on! Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Publish • Word-of-mouth
P.S. Learn more about my novels on Google+.
Four book events to rock your world
Sculpture in a public library in Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Your inner storyteller wants you to indulge in one or all of these upcoming events… for the sake of the book you’re writing.
Listen to that little voice, it will not steer you wrong!
Th., Oct. 13: Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS)
Meet in-person with other established authors to discuss writing “voice” with Susan Pohlman, at the next gathering of the ALWAYS writers’ tribe: in Phoenix, AZ, on Thurs., Oct. 13, 2016, at 11:30 a.m.
F., Oct. 14: Rock The Drop
Come join the Readergirlz (and guyz!) as they “drop” YA books with identifying bookmarks all over town on Friday, October 14, 2016, for other teens to find.
Learn more.
Sa., Oct. 15 and W., Oct. 19: “Key Editing Tips to Wow A Publisher”
My presentation explaining how to avoid the key writing issues I consistently change in manuscripts I edit.
12 p.m.-2 p.m., Sat., Oct. 15, 2016, at the Phoenix Writers Club,
Bluewater Grill, 1720 E. Camelback, Phoenix, AZ
6 p.m.–8 p.m., Wed., October 19, 2016, at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Desert Sleuths/Sisters in Crime writers group (4000 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251)
What other event do you know of, coming up? Please comment.
Write on! Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Publish • Word-of-mouth
P.S. Learn more about my novels on Google+.
September 18, 2016
Super, short-writing secrets re: magazine publishing
My first foray into short story writing involves writing Faeries’ Tales to accompany hand-sculpted faerie portals. I can see my tales published in sci-fi/fantasy publications such as Faerie Magazine. Where can you see your short pieces published?
Established writers, would you like to see your short stories, essays, poems, or articles published in magazines? Windy Lynn Harris, founder of Market Coaching for Creative Writers, will give us tips on how to make it happen. At our next gathering, ask her how to categorize your work, write a stand-out letter, format your MS and find hundreds of editors looking for writers like you.
Next gathering:
Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS typically meets on the second Thursday of the month.)
Where:
Old Spaghetti Factory
1418 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.
RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan, avidean@videanunlimited.com
If you’ve RSVP’d, please show up. If you run into a conflict, please let me know before the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!
…………………………………………………………….
ABOUT ALWAYS
Are you an established writer who:
• Needs contacts to help your writing?
• Wants advice about your writing?
• Likes to hang with other cool writers?
If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. We’re an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area, to talk about our craft and businesses.
Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting. We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.
September 13, 2016
Key editing secrets to write a compelling story: Tempe library workshop
Here I am presenting last time at the Tempe Public Library… same topic, but I’ve added a few tips.
As an editor, I consistently fix a handful of writing issues as I read through manuscripts.
As a writer, if you knew about these issues, you could avoid them before your editor even reached for a red pen. You could create a much more vibrant manuscript to submit to a potential publisher… one that compels your reader deep into your story or message.
Allow me to give you the inside scoop at a free workshop, #2 in my series of four writing presentations: “Key Editing Secrets To Write A Compelling Story.”
Sat., Sept. 17, 2016
10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Tempe Public Library
Meeting Room A
Can’t wait to see you there!
September 7, 2016
Free writers’ workshops equal “magic elixir” to induce better writing
In one day, you can “magically” gain a wide spectrum of knowledge about writing more vibrantly in any genre.
Twelve local, multi-published authors will discuss everything from managing writer’s block and crafting romance to writing Native American characters and managing outrageous marketing. (That latter topic, I’m thrilled to say, will be covered by “yours truly.”) I will also contribute to the keynote panel discussion at the end of the day: “Communities, Conferences and Critique Groups.”
Where and when can you find all this “magic elixir?”
The Desert Rose Chapter of the Romance Writers of America sponsors its…
11th annual Free Writers’ Workshops
Scottsdale Civic Center Library
Sat. Nov. 5, 2016
10:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Learn a bunch, rub elbows with authors, buy books, and have fun with us!
Have questions? Contact Valen Cox at valencox3@gmail.com.
August 28, 2016
Toe-tapping first-track release of The Darling Sounds’ indie surf rock music
The Darling Sounds will release their new album Haunt on 11/11, and they just released the first track, “Domestic Sounds,” on Bandcamp. You’ll find yourself tapping your toe and singing along to this Phoenix-based indie surf rock band’s music—featuring my son Cutter Videan as lead guitarist, vocalist, and music mixer. Grace Bolyard’s lyrics shine with her vocals and rhythm guitar, and Zach Nelson will make your heart pound with his percussion.
“Domestic Sounds” is definitely worth a listen and, if you like it, you can pay whatever you want for it on Bandcamp. Sweet options.
August 11, 2016
June 8, 2016
Cold Play, on the “Up&Up”
On par with my reaction, ages ago, to Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” Among the best videos ever.
What are your favorite videos of all time?
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