J.C. Martin's Blog, page 18
November 1, 2012
AFTER DARK Blog Tour: Character Interview
%Úte%% | J.C. Martin
Congratulations to Emi Gayle, who released her debut YA novel, After Dark, yesterday. The first book in her 19th Year trilogy, After Dark is a paranormal romance with an intriguing main character, one I’m pleased to be able to interview today.
Here’s a bit more information about Mac and her story:
After Dark
After Dark
What eighteen year old Mac Thorne doesnât know will probably kill her.
In exactly eight months, five days, three hours and thirteen minutes, Mac has to choose what sheâll be for the rest of her life.
She has no choice but to pick. As a Changeling, itâs her birthright. To Mac, itâs a birthchore. Like going to school with humans, interacting with humans, and pretending to be human during the pesky daylight hours.
Once darkness descends, Mac can change into any supernatural form that exists â which makes her as happy as she can be. That is, until Winn Thomas, the biggest geek in her senior class figures out thereâs more to what hides in the dark than most are willing to acknowledge.
In this first of the 19th Year Trilogy, Winn might know more about Mac than even she does, and that knowledge could end their lives, unless Mac ensures the powers-that-be have no choice but to keep him around.
Purchase Links:
So everyone, meet Mac Thorne:
So Mac, tell me: what is your story about?
“Apparently, it’s about me. Someone got it into her head that I’d be interesting, but really … what’s interesting about vampires, werewolves, demons, fairies, etc.? They’re all just normal weirdo creatures that do their own thing. Boring in fact. I mean, yeah, I can turn into any of them, but so what? I’m not sure I get the appeal.”
“Hey … this is Winn. I’m sitting here while Mac answers these questions and I just have to interject. She’s an idiot if she thinks she’s not insanely interesting. SHE is the cool part of the whole book. Sorry, just had to say that.”
Oh, hello Winn, we’re pleased to have you here, too. 
Mac, what 3 words would your closest friends use to describe you?
“Friends? Like Maddie and Caroline? I don’t know. Why does that matter?”
“Geez, Mac. Can’t you answer one question? Okay, I’ll do this for you, too. Smart. Stubborn. Sexy.”
How does it feel having to hide your true nature from the humans you interact with everyday? Do you find it easy?
“It’s not hard if that’s what you mean. I don’t have to hide it. It just ‘is’. If the sun is up … I have to be a stupid human. Blech.”
Tell us the truth: what do you really think of Winn?
“Winn? He’s a nerd.”
“Hey … I resemble that remark.”
“See? I can’t answer that with him here.”
What a shame. I guess we’ll have to find out next time (perhaps by reading your story). 
Go on: what can we expect from you in your future adventures?
“Adventures? You mean life is an adventure? Who says that? You think my life’s an adventure, Winn?”
“Geez, Mac. C’mon. Okay, so I’ll answer this one, too … her entire life is an adventure. The entire thing. She can be anything paranormal. Literally. Who wouldn’t want that?”
It does sound totally cool. Thanks for stopping by, guys!
Now here’s a bit more about Mac and Winn’s creator:
About the Author
Emi Gayle
Emi Gayle just wants to be young again. She lives vicariously through her youthful characters, while simultaneously acting as chief-Mom to her teenaged son and searching for a way to keep her two daughters from ever reaching the dreaded teen years.
Ironically, those years were some of Emi’s favorite times. She met the man of her dreams at 14, was engaged to him at 19, married him at 20 and she’s still in love with him to this day. She’ll never forget what it was like to fall in love at such a young age â emotions she wants everyone to feel.
Contact: Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook
If YOU could change into any paranormal creature, which one would you choose to be?
Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer
October 31, 2012
Writer Wednesday: Interview with Blaize Nolynne
%Úte%% | J.C. Martin
Today’s Writer Wednesday victim guest is…
Blaize Nolynne
Blaize Nolynne
Blaize Nolynne is a Maine-based author working on a firefighter series. She majored in becoming a children’s author at the Institute of Children’s Literature, graduating with high honours. She has a picture book out under a different pen-name.
District One Stand By: The Captain’s Case, the first book of her firefighter series, was initially self-published, but in April 2012 she found a publishing company that re-released it as Firefighter Down: District One. A portion of proceeds from the sale of this book and subsequent books in this series will be donated to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation and the 9-11 Fund.
Nolynne’s inspiration for the series comes from the fact that her father was a volunteer firefighter for 15 years. The camaraderie among the firefighters earned her an extended ‘family’, and her love for firefighting began. In her mind superheroes may not be real, but firefighters are, and their super power is their huge hearts, courage, and strength to save people they don’t even know.Â
Contact: Website | Twitter | Facebook
—
Where do you get your story ideas?
I got my idea for Firefighter Down, District One from the fact that my father was a volunteer firefighter for 15 yrs. I loved the memories growing up in the fire barn.
Describe your style of writing in three words.
Firefighter/Fiction/Mystery
Describe your typical writing day. How do you balance your writing with marketing, editing, plotting, your day job, and all other commitments?
From the career and marketing I balance it with my pets. I have bunnies and two liver spotted Dalmatian/chocolate lab mix. I also spend time with my family. I try to set a certain amount of time for my family and friends.
Whatâs your ultimate goal as a writer? How close are you to achieving this goal?
My goal as an author to get to the top 100 bestseller list. On Barnes and Noble I am at 286, 747 (which is constantly going up and down); on Amazon I am around 1,680,000 so there is a big difference there. I would also like to win the Noble Peace Prize.
Sum up your current work-in-progress in no more than 10 words.
Sequel at publishing house — will be printed in 3 months.
QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS
Print book or e-book? Print (but working on getting e-book versions as well)
Popcorn: salty or sweet? Sweet
Long hair or short? Long hair
Favourite ice-cream flavour? Mayan hot pepper and chocolate (Adventurous!)
Number of pairs of shoes you own? 20
—
Thank you for visiting, Blaize! And here’s a bit more information about Firefighter Down, District One:
Firefighter Down, District One
Firefighter Down, District One
Life isn’t promised. When the tones go off you never know who needs you the most or even worst, who will you set your own life down for. My father was a captain who set his life down for me in a fire. Now it is my duty to find out how that fire started and who started it. The guy that killed my father didn’t just kill him in a normal way, he killed him with his worst nightmare. My father wasn’t killed by a gang shooting or an accident, he was killed in the most painful way this person knew how to kill my father. He unleashed the animal on him and myself. I am not talking about an animal like a wild or domestic animal, I am talking about the elemental animal, the one known as fire. Fire is a living breathing thing that destroys and hates. By day and trade my father was a mechanic, but by blood he was a firefighter. He may not have been the president, but he was my hero. I was proud to say my hero wore bunker pants. I always wanted to catch the guy that killed my father…
Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Books a Million | Publish America
Don’t forget, I’m more than happy to host fellow writers for interviews on my blog every Wednesday, so if you would like to feature, all you have to do is let me know!
Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer
October 29, 2012
Monstrous Monday: The Toyol
%Úte%% | J.C. Martin
Toyol, pontianak, penanggalan … these are probably less well known than the more popular vampires and werewolves in monster folklore, but that does not make them any less terrifying.
Monstrous Monday is a blog hop hosted by Tim Brannan. In Halloweens past, I have introduced you to Malaysian ghosts like the pontianak and the penanggalan. This year, prepare to meet…
The Toyol
There is something about creepy child-like creatures that give me the heebie-jeebies. A toyol is probably one of the creepiest. A supernatural spirit in South East Asian mythology, in Malaysia, it is sometimes called “Kwee Kia” (or ghost child) by the local Hokkien-speaking Chinese community. Much like Frankenstein’s monster, a toyol is not a naturally occurring ghost, but rather the product of human intervention, in this case, black magic.
Toyol — real or fake?
(Click for image source)
A bomoh, or shaman, can invoke a toyol spirit from a dead human foetus (which could either be the product of a miscarriage, or an abortion). The resultant spirit looks like a cross between a child and an imp, with glowing red eyes and sharp claws, but it retains some of the characteristics of a child. Like a baby, it needs a glass of milk every morning, some play things and sweets, and it is believed that a woman has to commit to breast-feeding it, not with milk, but with her blood.
So what is the purpose of summoning a toyol? It is thought that one could make the spirit do your bidding. Small as they are, most toyols are used for stealing money and jewellery, although some may use them to sabotage their enemies (a la gremlins). If the toyol is powerful enough, it could even be used for murder.
When not in use, a toyol is kept in a small jar or urn, and hidden away somewhere dark.
However, dark magic always comes with a price. Unless the toyol is put to rest properly when no longer needed, it will be passed down the family, whether subsequent generations like it or not.
If valuable items keep going missing in your house, you could be the victim of an active toyol. In Malaysia, common practices to deter the sticky-fingered spirit include:
Placing needles under your possessions. Like children, toyols are afraid of needles
Keeping valuables under a mirror. A toyol is thought to be afraid of its own reflection (and who could blame it?)
Leaving out marbles, beads and other such objects. The toyol, being innocent and curious like a child, will be distracted by these items, and end up playing with them and forgetting their task at hand.
For more information about the toyol, check out Wikipedia.
And if you’re still up for more spooky spectres, check out the other offerings in the blog hop!
Happy Halloween!
Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer
October 26, 2012
Interview & Giving Away ORACLE @ Tribute Books!
%Úte%% | J.C. Martin
Check out my interview over on the Tribute Books Reviews & Giveaways blog, as well as a giveaway for your chance to win an e-book copy of Oracle!
Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer
October 25, 2012
WE’RE DONE Blog Tour: Review
%Úte%% | J.C. Martin
We’re Done by Judy Irwin is a contemporary YA (in my opinion, it’s more MG) novel. Here’s the blurb for the book:
***Read on to find out how you could win a $50 Amazon gift card!***
We’re Done
We’re Done
What if it turns out that YOU’RE the bully — and you didn’t know it?
Up until now, life has been good for 13-year-old Luke. He’s good at sports, attractive, and he’s a big wheel at Heyworth Academy, his private school. He likes to tease, and poke fun at the other kids, but that’s just because he likes having fun. But things start to fall apart, six weeks into eighth grade, when Luke commits an act of ‘goofing around’ that ends up costing him his best friend and his beloved private school.
After he’s expelled, Luke transfers to his local school, Carlyle. Now, he’s on the outside looking in. His looks, and background (not to mention his Heyworth hoodie), make him stand out, and the tough guys zero in on him right away.
The upside-down world that Luke finds himself in at Carlyle gives him a whole new way of looking at things. Can he recover from losing his school, and his best friend, and find new friends and a way to fit in at Carlyle?
Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords
About the Author
Judy Irwin
Author Judy Irwin’s books are about kids dealing with everyday stuff, like parents and divorce, friendships and bullies, and figuring out how to handle different situations and circumstances. She lives in Toronto with a dog, a cat, and two hamsters, plus her husband and two children, ages 10 and 13.
What Did You Say?, Judy’s first book, is about 12-year-old Tash. The book takes place at a trailer park up north. We’re Done, Judy’s second book, takes place in a middle school. It’s about Luke, who first appears in What Did You Say? Tash and Jon, from the first book, are also characters in this one.
Contact: Website
Review
Luke is a big fish in the private school he attends. He’s captain of the soccer (or as we Brits call, football) team and popular with the girls. He likes having fun by teasing the other students — what harm can that cause? If they take his jokes the wrong way, they just don’t have a sense of humour, right? That doesn’t make him a bully, does it? But when his latest ‘prank’ gets him expelled, and loses him his best friend, Luke is transferred to his local school, where he ends up on the other end of bullying. As he tries to settle at his new school, he begins to see bullying in a new light.
As I mentioned above, I feel this is more Middle Grade than Young Adult fiction. For someone who’s not read much MG before, I enjoyed the story from Luke’s perspective: how he initially interprets his teasing as just having a bit of fun, and how his mindset changes when he transfers to a new school. As a former schoolteacher, I can relate to how sometimes children just don’t realise that what they say and do in jest can actually be very hurtful, and it just never occurs to them that their actions can be construed as bullying.
Like teenage boys often do, Luke shows little emotion throughout the story, despite being expelled from his old school, losing his best friend, being subjected to the bullies at his new school, living with a mother battling depression, and having a father who’s always too busy at work to be around. OK, perhaps Luke seems a little unemotional at times, so the scene with his dad near the end of the book was a welcome change.
While I found this a largely enjoyable read, with believable characters and very real current issues, I felt the story ended rather abruptly, with little resolution apart from Luke finally seeing the error of his ways, and making peace with some of his past victims (An example of a big loose end: Luke’s older sister continues to torment fellow students via cyber-bullying). Perhaps it is the author’s way of showing that bullying is a persistent problem that cannot be solved in one fell swoop, but I still felt a little unsatisfied by the ending.
If you enjoy MG fiction dealing with real-life social and domestic issues, if you enjoy stories with a strong underlying moral theme, then you may enjoy We’re Done.
3 stars
Here’s a short excerpt from the book to whet your appetite:
“Entrez,” said Monica. Luke pushed the door open. Kim and Monica lay sprawled on Monicaâs bed, with the laptop and an open bag of potato chips between them.
“Check it,” said Monica. “Sheâs trying to delete the Wall entries. Itâs hilarious.”
She grabbed a handful of chips, and lay back against the pillows, watching the computer screen.
“Humiliation in realtime,” said Kim. Monica laughed sharply, and chips flew out of her mouth all over the pillow. “Ew, gross!” said Kim, laughing too.
“Did you hear from Dad?” said Luke. “I haven’t heard from him in a while.”
“No, he’s working really hard,” said Monica. “Mom said he’ll be on the road for a while. Why?”
“Oh, no reason. Hey, what did he say to you about this Facebook stuff?”
“Nothing, really. He didn’t really understand it, so he just told me to play nice. I said I would, and that was it.”
“Well, donât you think what youâre doing now is â a bit harsh?” said Luke. “I mean, what she did wasnât really that bad.”
“So? Itâs not really about what she did. At this point itâs just funny,” said Monica. “Itâs not really about her at all, now. Itâs not really personal.”
“But â from her point of view â it must seem to be about her,” said Luke. “How could she see it otherwise?”
“Donât know. Donât care. Itâs just funny, bro! Just enjoy. Take a peek, here.” She held out the laptop to Luke.
I understand reviews can be very subjective, so don’t just take my word for it. Check out what others are saying about We’re Done by visiting the other stops in this blog tour.
Giveaway!
Judy will be giving away a $50 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter during her blog tour.
All you have to do to enter is to leave a comment below.
Why not check out the other tour stops? The more you comment, the higher your chances of winning!
Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer
October 24, 2012
Partners in ParanormYA Blog Tour: A Double Interview & G1veaway!
%Úte%% | J.C. Martin
Today I have the two members of Partners in ParanormYA, Angela Brown and Gwen Gardner, visiting as part of their combined blog tour to promote their newly released novels, both of them paranormal YA books (what else?). Here’s a chance to find out more about these lovely ladies and their books!
First off, here’s a quick introduction:
Angela Brown
Angela Brown
Born and raised in Little Rock, AR, Angela now calls Central Texas home. She’s a lover of Wild Cherry Pepsi and chocolate/chocolate covered delicious-ness. Steampunk, fantasy and paranormal to contemporary – mostly young adult – fill her growing library of books. Mother to a rambunctious darling girl aptly nicknamed Chipmunk, life stays busy. Her favorite quote keeps her moving: “You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result.” — Mahatma Gandhi.
Gwen Gardner
Gwen Gardner
Running, writing and reading are my favorite things.
I am also a dreamer.
Have you ever told yourself that “someday” I’m going to travel or write or whatever it is that you are passionate about but can’t do right now for whatever reason? You can go for years and years and keep telling yourself that “someday” you’ll do it. Too often “someday” never comes. But mine did. I am a former Administrative Manager and Vice President of a successful swimming pool plastering company – until I woke up one day and realized that my “someday” had arrived. I quit my job, moved to the mountains and began to write. Crazy, I know. But even crazier? Is when you get to the end of your life and realize that your “someday” is too late. Life is much too short for that! So the adventure has begun.
Contact: Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Gooddreads
Now, here’s the interview! The answers in blue are Angela’s, while the answers in red are Gwen’s.
—
Go on, hook us: tell us about your book in one sentence.
AB: (on Neverlove) Pains of the past and secrets of the present challenge two teen’s soul-deep love, setting them on a path that could lead their love to ruin.
GG: (on Givin’ Up the Ghost) A murder investigation is hard enough without interfering ghosts, but when Indigoâs psychic abilities begin to short circuit, sparks really start to fly.
How much do you have in common with your character(s)?
AB: Abby and I have more in common than I realize. We’ve both been through quite a bit, and have similar tastes in reading.
GG: I have more in common with Indigo than the other characters. As sort of a new evolution of youth, she finds it nearly impossible to lie. Iâm like that.
What made you decide to self-publish?
AB: I’d been considering it from the moment I decided to turn my blog opera into a novel, but I kept my mind open to the possibility of going with a small press. But, I already had a vision for Neverlove. When the opportunity presented itself to partner up with someone else self-publishing, it was a great sign to follow my gut.
GG: I didnât want to wait for someone else to make my dream of becoming a published author come true. So I took my destiny into my own hands and set out to actively make my own dreams come true.
What do you enjoy most about writing YA?
AB: Emotions. I am an emotional person. I’ve come to admit this though there are times I may want to deny it. YA allows the ability to address things in life with a growing viewpoint not set in stone through years of adulthood. So much potential.
GG: What I like writing about YA is that Iâm in control (are you beginning to see a theme here, lol?) of my characters lives. They may go through hardships, but theyâre always going to survive and come out on top.
What are you working on now? Sum up your current work-in-progress in no more than 10 words.
AB: Neverlove sequel and a separate YA urban fantasy/dystopian series.
GG: The second book of the Indigo Eady Paranormal Mystery Series.
QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS
Plotter or pantser?
AB: Plotser
GG: Plotser
Neat freak or messy Jessie?
AB: Teetotaler from one to the other
GG: The no man’s land in between
Favourite book?
AB: That’s a hard one. But I’ll go with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
GG: The Deathly Ha llows
Favourite author?
AB: C.S. Lewis and way too many others to name, LOL!
GG: Charles Dickens
Greatest phobia?
AB: Egads! Snakes *shudders*
GG: Pincer bugs *shivers*
—
Thank you, ladies! It was very interesting to see how much you two have in common!
Now here’s some more information about their books:
Neverlove by Angela Brown
Neverlove
For seventeen-year-old Abigail, one rash decision leads to an unexpected chance for redemption. At V’Salicus Academy, a unique institute where she trains to become an agent of heaven, she struggles with the pain of her past, the changes of the present and accepts a loveless future until her path â and heart â crosses with Basilâs.
Basil’s off-chance slip of the tongue binds him to a life of servitude to the Devourer, the master of hell. His existence has no upside until a chance meeting with Abigail brings new perspective.
Keeping the truth of their present lives from each other brings disaster when secrets are brought to light and the life of Abigailâs mentor is put on the line.
Can Abigail and Basil save her mentor and salvage their love amid the chaos? Or will they lose it all, destined forever to NEVERLOVE?
Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble
Givin’ Up the Ghost by Gwen Gardener
Givin’ Up the Ghost
Friend or Foe?
Murder victim Bart Bagley is not content to merely roll over in his grave. He wants his murderer caught and he wants teenage ghost whisperer, Indigo Eady, to help him.
It becomes obvious that Bartâs temper led to more than one disagreement, but is it enough to want him dead? With nothing but a cold trail and a hot list of âfriendlyâ suspects, Indigo and her friends race to find the killer before they become the next victims.
An Indigo Eady Paranormal Mystery
Indigo Eady is not clumsy. At least, thatâs what she keeps telling everyone. Can she help that the overactive spirit community of Sabrina Shores causes her psychic abilities to short-circuit? Itâs unfortunate that her cute new friend Badger is often on the receiving end of her mishaps. At times, she is positively hazardous to his health. Even so, sparks start to fly in more than one direction…
Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
Click here for the full blog tour schedule. Also, don’t forget to check out the blog tour’s Week 3 giveaway, and the overall Big Swag Giveaway, for the chance to win lots of prizes!
Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer
October 22, 2012
Cover Reveal: DAY AFTER by Emi Gayle
%Úte%% | J.C. Martin
Today, Emi Gayle releases the cover for Day After, sequel to her first book After Dark, and book 2 of her YA paranormal series The 19th Year:
Day After
Day After
Demon crypts. Vampire lairs. Glowing angels. Sexy sirens. The stuff of fiction.
Or so Winn Thomas always thought.
Since being accepted into the fold of the supernatural, he knows better. None of what he imagined is true, but everything he feared is, and binding himself to his changeling girlfriend until her nineteenth birthday will give him an education far beyond what heâd get at his human high school.
Luckily, Winnâs not giving up, he wonât back down, and he definitely isnât going to run away with his tail between his legs. After all, only werewolves have tails. Right?
In this, the second of the 19th Year trilogy, Winnâs facing the challenge of one lifetime. If he doesnât learn the truth about mythological creatures, his girlfriend Mac Thorne wonât either. That means, in six months, when she chooses her final form, she wonât know what to pick.
Winn, though, has his own ideas about Macâs final selection â plans she knows nothing of.
He intends to have her pick human.
Whether she can or not.
About the Author
Emi Gayle
Emi Gayle just wants to be young again. She lives vicariously through her youthful characters, while simultaneously acting as chief-Mom to her teenaged son and searching for a way to keep her two daughters from ever reaching the dreaded teen years.
Ironically, those years were some of Emi’s favorite times. She met the man of her dreams at 14, was engaged to him at 19, married him at 20 and she’s still in love with him to this day. She’ll never forget what it was like to fall in love at such a young age â emotions she wants everyone to feel.
Contact: Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Day After will release May 6th, 2013.
What do YOU think? Do you like the cover? Is Day After the kind of book you would like to read?
Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer
October 18, 2012
Guest Post: Writing Serial Fiction by James Hutchings
%Úte%% | J.C. Martin
James Hutchings has just published the first chapter of his detective/superhero story, The Case of the Syphilitic Sister, on the JukePop serials website. Today, he is here to talk about why he chose to release his story serially rather than as a full book.
Take it away, James!
Why I Write Serial Fiction
by James Hutchings
It’s not easy being a fantasy writer who prefers short stories.
Conan, created by Robert E. Howard in 1932, appeared almost entirely in short stories. The one novel about him was originally published in a short story magazine in several parts.
In the 1960s, Michael Moorcock’s Elric appeared in short stories for several years, and the first ‘novel’ about him was actually several short stories, slightly rewritten to hang together.
Today, however, the dominant form of fantasy is not just novels, but ‘doorstops’ — long, long novels that are often part of long, long series. The fourteen-novel Wheel of Time series is the quintessential example.
One reason for this form is perhaps the dominance of Lord of the Rings. Another is economics: if they like the first book, people will often buy the sequel and its sequel; and many fantasy readers want a world they can be ‘immersed’ in, which translates to a world with a lot of detail, which is to say long books.
I almost exclusively write fantasy, and I much prefer to write short stories. In fact my best story is less than 200 words long. So I don’t fit well into the modern market, where 200 pages is too short (at least for a book aimed at adults: books for children can be shorter, although come to that even the Harry Potter series ‘bloated’ as it went on).
So I was interested in JukePop Serials, a new site which encourages writers to post novels, but chapter by chapter rather than all at once. It’s designed to mimic the way that stories were often published in magazines in smaller parts, and only later collected as a novel. Charles Dickens published this way, as did Jules Verne. It encourages a kind of writing that’s more like a series of short stories — or perhaps like a TV series, where there’s an overall story but also a series of episodic incidents.
I decided to put up a story that I’d started on, but ran out of steam. It’s called The Case of the Syphilitic Sister, and it’s a kind of detective story where the detectives are superheroes. The feedback I’ve gotten so far has been pretty good (either good as in praise, or good as in helpful suggestions of how to change it).
Whether the site survives or not, it’s at least given me some ideas on how I can write novels, which aren’t my preferred form but which you really have to write if you want to get anywhere in my genre.
About the Author
The Case of the Syphilitic Sister
James Hutchings lives in Melbourne, Australia. He fights crime as Poetic Justice, but his day job is acting. You might know him by his stage-name ‘Brad Pitt’. He specializes in short fantasy fiction. His work has appeared in Daily Science Fiction, fiction365 and Enchanted Conversation among other markets. His e-book collection The New Death and others is now available from AmazonSmashwords, Barnes & Noble and DriveThruFiction. The Case of the Syphilitic Sister can read for free at JukePop Serials. James blogs regularly at http://www.apolitical.info/teleleli.
The Case of the Syphilitic Sister
With an innocent girl dead, America’s finest superheroic detective agency must find and destroy a sinister cult.
Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer
October 17, 2012
Writer Wednesday: Interview with Theresa Milstein
%Úte%% | J.C. Martin
It’s been a while since I had a Writer Wednesday interview, so here’s one today!
Theresa Milstein
Theresa Milstein
Theresa is a YA/middle grade writer whose short stories have appeared in a number of anthologies. Her latest story, One Moment, is featured in the From Stage Door Shadows anthology from eMergent Publishing.
Contact: Blog | Facebook | Goodreads
—
Go on, hook us: tell us about  My Moment in one sentence.
In the future, girls must compete in beauty pageants to snag husbands and if they fail, the alternatives are anything but pretty.
Do you have a ritual for getting into the writing zone?
On an ideal day, Iâll check e-mail and Facebook before writing and drinking coffee. But that doesnât happen very often. Iâll squeeze in about 20 minutes during lunch. Between working and bringing the kids to their after school activities, I canât afford to have a ritual!
Sum up your current work-in-progress in one sentence.
Four sisters discover theyâre connected to a prophecy where their best chance of survival is to stay together, if being together doesnât kill them first.
What kind of characters do you most enjoy writing?
Whether itâs middle grade, young adult, or adult, I like to write a protagonist whoâs discovering her place in the world. At first, she attempts to break free of her family, her past. But during her journey, she learns that she gains more by understanding than cutting ties.
What is one thing that your readers may be surprised to learn about you?
Iâve shared so much on my blog, so I donât know if anything is a secret.  I love blush. My favorite blush brand is MAC. Since my sister is a make up artist, she can help me with my obsession add to my collection.
QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS:
Plotter or pantser? Thoughtful panster
Early bird or night owl? Work and children have forced me to be an early bird
Chocolate: dark, milk or white? White!
Favourite author? JK Rowling
Biggest vice?
A glass of red wine each night
—
Thank you for visiting, Theresa! And here’s a bit more information about From Stage Door :
From Stage Door Shadows
From Stage Door Shadows
Twenty-six authors trade Tiny Dancerâs California-blessed lyrics for the shadowed recesses of stages large and small in From Stage Door Shadows, a speculative fiction homage to the darkness just beyond the limelight of the entertainment industry.
The stories re-introduce the women Bernie Taupin wrote about and Elton John sang about: blue jean baby, LA lady, the bandâs seamstress, the music manâs wife and the girl dancing in the sand, along with a stellar cast of musicians, singers, thespians, fans, managers, dancers, DJs, magicians, talent show contestants, stars and has-beens.
From vaudeville to opera, piano bar and street corner, hotel suite and beauty pageant, From Stage Door Shadows is a backstage pass to where dreams of fame, fortune and fulfillment live and die in a heartbeat.
Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | eMergent Publishing
Don’t forget, I’m more than happy to host fellow writers for interviews on my blog every Wednesday, so if you would like to feature, all you have to do is let me know!
Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer
October 15, 2012
Cover Reveal: THE SECOND SIGN by Elizabeth Arroyo
%Úte%% | J.C. Martin
I’m pleased to be part of Elizabeth Arroyo’s cover reveal for her debut YA novel, The Second Sign.
The Second Sign
The Second Sign
Bred to believe in the war between angels and demons, Gabby has come to the conclusion that love is responsible for war, jealousy, and all the other deadly sins she can think of. So when she’s exiled to the middle of nowhere for getting kicked out of her fifth school for fighting, she doesn’t expect to meet Jake. Much less fall in love. But Jake is quickly drawn to the eerie beauty of her violet eyes while Gabby is unsettled by their unsettled connection.
When a demon guardian comes to collect her soul, she refuses to give it up. Sheâs not a demon. She canât be. Her father and twin brother are angels. The demon gives Gabby twenty-four hours to decide her allegiance, and then starts killing her short list of friends, leaving a message behind: she is the Second Sign.
As Gabby and Jake begin to unravel the mystery behind the Second Sign, she learns Jake may be the key to saving her soul. But it means a sacrifice has to be made that will change their lives forever.
About the Author
Elizabeth Arroyo
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of five, Elizabeth spent most of her younger years as an avid reader with a wild imagination which led her to write her first manuscript at the age of fourteen.
Her fascination with the paranormal was influenced by the vivid ghost and demon stories of her father, scaring the crap out of her. It also led her to ask the âwhat ifâ question that propelled her down the path of the fantastical.
But, life got in the way. Elizabeth completed a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice at Northeastern Illinois University and works in the community strengthening families.
But her love of stories held, and in 2008 she found herself back into her storytelling roots and began writing again. Since then sheâs published a short story in SQ Magazine, countless musings on her blog Chandara Writes (her muse), and completed three manuscripts.
In 2012, Elizabeth signed with Sapphire Star Publishing to release her debut novel, The Second Sign, a Dark YA Paranormal Romance, slated for an early 2013 release.
Elizabeth still resides in Chicagoâs south west side with her family, a household of kids, and the bliss of chaos. The good kind. She continues to work in the community.
Contact : Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
The Second Sign will be released by Sapphire Star Publishing on February 7th, 2013.
What do YOU think of the cover and blurb?
Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer
