J.C. Martin's Blog, page 31
November 29, 2011
Ah, to be 24 Again / Contributor Spotlight: Raine Thomas & Jessica E. Subject
I have scaled the peak of my mid-20s! It's all downhill from here to 21! 
The party's still in full swing, and odds of winning is still pretty high, so get your entries in now! Here is just a glimpse of some of the prizes up for grabs:
Are you drooling yet? Click HERE for for entry details and the sign-up form!
Now to reminisce about being 24 again…
24 was a year of ups and downs for me:
Ups: I got the cushiest job ever for my probationary teaching year at a posh private school, just down the road from where I lived! Teachers got their own cafeteria, separate from the students, and class sizes were small, manageable, and the most difficult child I had to put up with refused to do his homework and to stop talking in class! After a year where I had to deal with a kid trying to stab everyone else in class with a geometric compass, this I can handle!
Downs: This was the first year I took off writing. I simply did not have the time, what with settling down in a new school and the expectations of a probationary teacher. To top it off, the 7-year relationship with my last boyfriend ended. We both sensed it was growing stale and that we were growing apart, but after such a long time together, it still hurt. But, I'm glad that happened, making me single just in time to meet the man that is now the hubster!
What about you? Has 24 been and gone for you? Any significant events that happened when you were that age?
And now, on to the day's featured contributors:
RAINE THOMAS
[image error]Raine has a bachelor's degree in English with a focus in Creative Writing, and a master's degree in Humanities from Central Michigan University. Having grown up in places such as Chicago, Atlanta and Orlando, much of her writing reflects these settings.
She is a hopeless romantic with a background in the fields of mental health and wedding planning…two areas that intersect far more than one would think! Her years working with children and adolescents with emotional and behavioural challenges inspired her to create young protagonists who overcome their own conflicts.
Her Daughters of the Saraqael Trilogy, a YA fantasy series, starts with book 1: Becoming. Click HERE to take a look at those covers! Aren't they gaw-jus!? Cue extreme cover envy!
Raine is kindly donating a signed print copy of Becoming to one lucky winner!
Contact: Website/Blog | Twitter
JESSICA E. SUBJECT
I'm a regular visitor of Jessica's steamy Six Sentence Sunday snippets, and I'm thrilled to say that she's a frequent visitor to mine! Jessica enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance, believing that everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She is kindly donating an e-book copy of her book, Celestial Seduction to the party prize pot.
Contact: Website/Blog | Twitter
Don't forget, for more information about these awesome authors, and the many other generous contributors, visit the Featured Sponsors (1 and 2) pages above!
And if you haven't entered the giveaway yet, what's stopping you? If Raine's and Jessica's prize offerings aren't incentives enough, check out the other prizes we have HERE!
November 27, 2011
25 Again / Contributor Spotlight: Michelle Davidson Argyle & Susan Kaye Quinn
We have reached the halfway point of my 21 Again birthday extravaganza! You still have time to enter the giveaway for tonnes of cool prizes, including signed books, e-books and butt-kicking bookworm accessories! Click HERE for a full list of prizes and the entry form!
Before we reminisce my 25th year, I have one important announcement to make:
[image error]Recognise this? Yep, it's Stories for Sendai, the charity anthology to benefit victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Sendai, Japan. Featuring the works of talented writers like Michelle Davidson Argyle, Davin Malasarn, Damyanti Ghosh and Roland D. Yeomans, all proceeds from sales will be donated to GlobalGiving, who will then disburse funds to relief efforts on the ground.
If you haven't yet purchased a copy of the anthology, you have till December 15th to do so, after which the book will no longer be available. We want to collect all funds raised and to hand them over to the charity in time for Christmas.
So grab this lovely little book before it's gone — forever! It'll make a nice stocking filler for the beloved bookworms in your life, so why not buy it for Christmas?
Purchase links
Print: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Createspace
E-Book: Amazon US | Amazon UK
And now, on to being 25 again…
25 was my first year as a proper teacher: not a trainee teacher, not an NQT (or newly-qualified teacher) in their probationary year. I returned to the school I trained at, and to my delight was assigned my very own lab classroom! Excited little me went straight to work personalising and marking my territory: colourful posters, pretty student artwork, science magazines… But a term into the new school year, these decorations remained un-updated and gathering dust, as more important matters took priority: teaching, marking, departmental meetings, parent-teacher conferences, phoning home, and the masses of paperwork.
Gosh, I never realised there was so much bureaucracy in teaching until now! A report had to be filed for every minor laboratory mishap and student incident, and a health and safety assessment typed up for every planned experiment/school trip! *sigh*
Well, at least I was beating the boys at badminton! 
Again, not much on the writing front. I dabbled on and off with fanfiction, but work largely took up most of my time — and a couple of new boyfriends (I was single again — woo-hoo!), one of whom is now the hubster!
What about you? Has 25 been and gone for you? Any significant events that happened when you were that age?
And now, on to the day's featured contributors:
MICHELLE DAVIDSON ARGYLE
I was a regular lurker on Michelle's blogs in my early blogging days. I followed her adventures as she self-published Cinders, amazed by the amount of work she put into it. Also, in those days, it was the most gorgeous book cover on a self-published book I'd ever seen! I am proud to say that I not only own a copy of Cinders, but an ARC of her debut thriller Monarch (published with Rhemalda Publishing) as well!
I really got to know Michelle when I approached her about helping out with the charity anthology Stories for Sendai.(See what I mentioned above about it! Get it before it's gone forever!) She was a real gem, and not only helped me compile and edit the stories, but she also did all the layout and formatting!
And now, Michelle is kindly donating not one, but two of her books for the giveaway: a print copy each of Cinders and Monarch, both signed and accompanied by swag! How cool and generous is that?
Contact: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter
SUSAN KAYE QUINN
Susan has a super-impressive CV: multiple engineering degrees, a PhD in Environmental Engineering, and she worked at NASA! Not surprisingly, all that engineering comes in handy when dreaming up dystopian future worlds or mixing science with fantasy to conjure slightly plausible inventions.
Recently I helped Susan with the launch of her debut YA novel, Open Minds. She was a real doll in the run-up to the launch, and personally visited all the host sites. She is an e-book copy of Open Minds to the giveaway stash.
Contact: Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter
Don't forget, for more information about these awesome authors, and the many other generous contributors, visit the Featured Sponsors (1 and 2) pages above!
And if you haven't entered the giveaway yet, what's stopping you? If Michelle's and Susan's prize offerings aren't incentives enough, check out the other prizes we have HERE!
Being 26 & Contributor Spotlight
No SSS today. Sorry to anyone visiting expecting to find my weekly snippet. Still partying hard to celebrate my birthday blow-out. There are 5 more days of partying left! Click HERE to enter the giveaway extravaganza!
26. I was in my 4th year as a teacher, my 3rd year as a fully fledged one. I was practically a veteran! I had my own classroom to personalise to my liking, and I got my first ever form group: Year 12, a lively and lovely bunch of 16-year-olds. They couldn't believe I was 'only' ten years older than them! Again, not much writing at all (dare I say, none, in fact?), but I sate my writing appetite by creating my own worksheets, quizzes, slideshows, etc. for lessons, with mini-stories which were probably more for my entertainment than the kids'!
Best writing/teaching memory: the popularity of my worksheet, which tells the story of how absent-minded Professor M. Nesia had mixed up the labels on his chemicals, and so the students had to help him figure out which chemical was which, using the experiments they have learned! One of the kids commented, "Professor M. Nesia is not a very clever scientist if he's asking us for help."
Most embarrassing writing/teaching memory: typo on a slide, where I inadvertently omitted ni from microorganisms. Never, ever write lesson slides late at night when you're half asleep!
What about you? Has 26 been and gone for you? Any significant events that happened when you were that age?
And now, on to the day's featured contributors:
S.B. STEWART-LAING
S.B. is part Scottish, part Native American, and works as an ecologist in Scotland. What a cool combination! I can imagine the story fodder she can derive from her background, occupation and location. S.B. writes historical fantasy, and together with Michael J. Chernicoff, she co-wrote and released Forgotten Gods. She is kindly donating an e-book copy of Forgotten Gods to the giveaway.
FREDERICK LEE BROOKE
[image error]Another well-travelled fellow writer: a native of Chicago, he has lived in France, Germany, and Switzerland, and currently divides him time between Europe and Chicago. Fred is kindly donating an e-book copy of his debut novel, Doing Max Vinyl.
Contact: Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter
Don't forget, for more information about these awesome authors, and the many other generous contributors, visit the Featured Sponsors (1 and 2) pages above!
And if you haven't entered the giveaway yet, what's stopping you? If S.B.'s and Fred's prize offerings aren't incentives enough, check out the other prizes we have HERE!
November 25, 2011
When I Was 27… & Contributor Spotlight
The party is still going strong! And you're not too late for a couple of cupcakes and some punch! Click HERE to join in the merry-making!
I didn't do much writing at 27. It was my pre-blogging days, I was still fully ensconced in my schoolteacher role, enjoying it, yet frazzled by it at the same time: the long hours, difficult pupils, tedious marking… But yay! I signed the contract for my first step on the property ladder this year! [image error] I now officially own and pay a mortgage for 30% of my 2-bedroom flat as part of a part-buy, part-rent scheme. It may not be much, but it works out cheaper than renting outright, and at least I own 30% of the value of the apartment!
But despite the lack of investment in writing, it was never far from my mind: I wrote an ongoing fanfiction story (which, to my readers' — all 2 of them — dismay, is still unfinished, thanks to my other writings taking priority), and did research for my still-WiP, originally titled Sound of the Underground, but now tentatively renamed Labyrinth, about a series of murders in the tunnels of the London Underground. The story has since evolved into a planned book 2 featuring the cast from Oracle.
What about you? Has 27 been and gone for you? Any significant events that happened when you were that age?
And now, on to the day's featured contributors. Today's spotlight has an international flavour to it, a reflection of how the passion for writing transcends languages and cultures, and how amazing the blogosphere can be, to be able to bring together people from different parts of the world, thousands of miles apart.
D. BISWAS
Damyanti lives in Singapore, just a bridge span from my home country of Malaysia. I've been an ardent follower for a while, especially after she submitted a story for the Stories for Sendai charity anthology I was co-editing (her story is entitled Kartar Singh's Birthday, and I'm still sorry we missed the typo in the title of her story in the book! But you should read it if you can!). I've always been impressed by her thought-provoking flash fiction pieces. I'm still amazed by where she gets all her ideas from!
When she published A to Z Stories of Life and Death (a collection of short stories, each revolving around one letter of the alphabet, stories she wrote as part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge — how awesome is that?), I knew I had to read it, and I was not disappointed! You can read all the awesome reviews, including mine, HERE.
Then Damyanti contacted me asking if I'd be interested in co-hosting a blogfest! I jumped at the chance, and now the Renaissance Rule of Three Blogfest will hopefully be a regular, twice-yearly feature!
Jeez…blogging on two blogs, writing, learning Italian, more writing… I don't know how she does it!
Damyanti is kindly donating an e-book copy of A to Z Stories of Life and Death to the giveaway.
Contact: Website | Blogger | WordPress | Twitter
J.L. CAMPBELL
Joy's disposition is as sunny as her home island of Jamaica. I've been an on-and-off lurker on her blog for a while before we properly 'met' each other in our Triberr tribe. Since then, she can't keep me away! Joy is always willing to help out a fellow writer, as evidenced by all the blog tours and interviews she hosts on her blog. A talented writer herself, she writes exotic stories with a hint of Jamaican flavour. Joy is kindly donating an e-book copy of her short story collection, Don't Get Mad…Get Even.
Contact: Website | Blog | Twitter
Don't forget, for more information about these awesome authors, and the many other generous contributors, visit the Featured Sponsors (1 and 2) pages above!
And if you haven't entered the giveaway yet, what's stopping you? If Lucy's and Rachel's prize offerings aren't incentives enough, check out the other prizes we have HERE!
Being 28 & Contributor Spotlight
For the main party page with details on how to enter for your chance to win muchas prizes, click HERE!
Before I relive my 28th year again, I have a couple of quick announcements to make: firstly, I'm over at Maria Violante's blog today for an interview. So drop by and join in the chat!
[image error]Secondly, it you'd like to win a brand-spanking-new Kindle Fire for X'mas, check out the Christmas Kindle Event, which runs from today till Dec 1st. The winner will not only receive a Kindle Fire in time for X'mas, but will also get to populate it with over 50 books from the participating authors! Check out all the books up for grabs, which includes my The Doll (find me under Day 10 Authors), and find out how to enter HERE!
Bye-bye, GFC!
Finally, it looks like we will soon be losing the Google Friend Connect function on non-Blogger sites…including mine! (If you're interested, you can read the post on Google's blog HERE) NOOO…!! What will become of my 452 GFC followers!? 
Thankfully, I still have NetworkedBlogs, so if you're currently following me on GFC, I would super-appreciate it if you could start following me on NetworkedBlogs instead. I'm going to start doing the same for the blogs I follow…darn pain in the nether regions! But GFC won't be retired till March 1st, 2012, so if we all start preparing for it now, perhaps the transition will be smoother and less painful…
And now, on to reliving 28, the year I decided to really pursue my dream of becoming a published author! This was the year I handed in my notice to resign from my post as a schoolteacher, and began talks with my sifu to become a full-time Wing Chun instructor. It took hours of consideration, weighing the pros and cons of my decision:
Pros:
Shorter hours and only working 4-and-a-half days a week means I have more time for writing
No homework – it amazes me now how much time of mine was taken up marking homework and coursework!
My new job would keep me active
Plus, most of all, I'll be doing something I enjoy!
Cons:
There will be a significant pay cut
No more long school holidays!
In the end, I decided it was a no-brainer; I could still survive on the reduced salary, I'll be gaining plenty of time for my writing: I did a calculation and found that, even taking into account the holidays I got as a teacher, that I still gained overall about 214 hours of writing time a year! And although there are times I miss my bigger paycheque, I do not regret the decision at all!
Best of all, I save money from not ever needing to go to the gym – my job is exercise!
28 was also the year Oracle came to me, as the excitement about hosting the 2012 Games gripped the city of London. And I knew I had to write it, and to get it out in time for the Olympics! I also started writing and submitting short stories, which to my delight were accepted in anthologies by the likes of Pill Hill Press, Static Movement, and New Asian Writing. I even won a story writing contest by IFWG Publishing! Go me! [image error]
And finally, I was 28 when I was invested in my own web address and started this blog, 16 months ago! And my, has it grown since, thanks to you guys!
And on that note of gratitude, I'm pleased to introduce you to today's featured contributors, but first, a question for you:
What about you? Has 28 been and gone for you? Any significant events that happened when you were that age?
LUCY FELTHOUSE
I discovered Lucy's blog when I began joining in Six Sentence Sunday. She has a knack for writing steamy stories in both a descriptive yet tasteless way. We tend to bump into each other on Twitter a lot, as we are both online in the mornings doing routine housekeeping.When she put out a call for submissions for a short story anthology themed around myths and legends, the Greek mythology fanatic in me instantly came up with a story. God of Pleasure, a delicious take on Dionysus, the god of wine and merriment, was born — my first attempt at erotica! *blush!* And to my delight, it was accepted! Lucy was a dream editor, shooting e-mails efficiently and quickly about revisions, marketing, etc., and today Seducing the Myth is still receiving great reviews, and Lucy continues to market the book tirelessly!
Speaking of which, there is currently one print copy of the book up for grabs in a Goodreads giveaway!
Lucy is kindly giving away an e-book copy of her short story collection, The Best of Lucy Felthouse, as part of the Hot & Spicy Prize Bundle! If you like naughty bedtime reads, check it out!
Contact: Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter
COTTAGE CARRIES
I was thrilled when my call for sponsors for the birthday blow-out was answered by Rachel at Cottage Carries. She makes the most gorgeous handmade purses and handbags! You can't go wrong with one of these: not only are they stylish and functional, each one is unique, so you'll never run into someone else with exactly the same item! If you check out her shop, you'll see what I mean: there are some great X'mas present ideas there!
Rachel is kindly giving away one of her delightful coin purses as part of the Women's Fiction Prize Bundle. Keep all your spare change in this chic little number!
Contact: Website/Shop | Facebook | Twitter
Don't forget, for more information about these awesome authors, and the many other generous contributors, visit the Featured Sponsors (1 and 2) pages above!
And if you haven't entered the giveaway yet, what's stopping you? If Lucy's and Rachel's prize offerings aren't incentives enough, check out the other prizes we have HERE!
November 24, 2011
Reliving 29 & Contributor Spotlight
The party's still in full swing! For your chance to win one of eight amazing prize bundles, enter HERE!
Today, I relive being 29 again. This was a hugely eventful and pivotal year for me. Here are just a handful of things I did at 29:
Me and my bridesmaids...*muaks*
I got married — in a humanist ceremony by the sea, no less!
I completed Oracle and began querying it
I attended my first two writing conferences, and realised what immense fun they are
I had my first experiences meeting and speaking to agents, editors and other publishing professionals
I hit first 200, 300, 400, and now passed 500 followers! Thank you, everyone!
I self-published The Doll as an experiment
I gained my 2nd Degree in Wing Chun
Most importantly, this was the first year I really experienced first-hand the immense support and friendship of the online writing community: Writers Support 4 U (WS4U), the Renaissance writers, bloggers who graciously hosted me on their blogs, reviewed my work, or interviewed me… Your encouragement, critiques, and empathy have helped me through many a rough patch!
Which brings me nicely to today's spotlighted contributors; both awesome writer who are also super-supportive friends!
JESSICA BELL
Jessica grew up in Australia, was born to gothic rock musicians, has spent much of her childhood travelling Australia and Europe, and now lives in one of the most gorgeous and inspiring countries in the world: Greece! Now if that's not a life full of writing fodder, then I don't know what is! And what better way to combine her love of writing and music by writing heart-warming stories centred around music?
Jessica is a fellow member of WS4U, and I have followed her journey towards publication closely. Her debut novel, String Bridge, is now out, so go check it out!
And from September 2012, Jessica will be hosting the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca, home of Odysseus. How cool is that? Visit the site to register.
Jessica is kindly donating an e-book copy of her latest book, String Bridge, to the giveaway prize pot. Thank you!
Contact: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter
SUSANNA LEONARD HILL
Susanna is a children's writer with the sunniest view on life. Her blog never fails to brighten up my day, with her Fun Friday Foto Fextravaganza, with the adorable pictures she puts up! Would You Read it Wednesday is a cool feature where children's authors can submit a one-line pitch to be critiqued by commenters, and Susanna has a new Picture Book Friday feature. If you have young children, stop by to find some excellent recommended books for young readers!
Oh, and Susanna is hosting a Thanksgiving Writing Contest. Check out the entries!
Susanna approached me offering to donate a signed print copy of her one of her hardback picture books. After much difficult deliberation, I settled for Can't Sleep Without Sheep. Curiosity won me over, and I purchased a copy myself for my sister-in-law, who will be turning 3 soon. I read the book, and LOVED it! It'll be a great bedtime read for the little ones!
Contact: Website | Blog | Facebook
Don't forget, for more information about these awesome authors, and the many other generous contributors, visit the Featured Sponsors (1 and 2) pages above!
And if you haven't entered the giveaway yet, what's stopping you? If Jessica and Susanna's books aren't incentives enough, check out the other prizes we have HERE!
November 22, 2011
The Secret to Ageing Gracefully…
…is to age backwards!
Which is why I'm throwing a 21 Again Birthday Blow-Out!
Today, I hit a milestone birthday (I'm not telling you which!), but rather than wallowing in misery from the discovery of my first grey hair, I realise how enriching the last few years of my life have been. So, from today till December 2nd, I've decided to relive those years, going back a year every day, until I'm 21 again!
(Yes, I realise it's pretty obvious what age I am, but…shh! Do not mention the forbidden number, or else, no cupcakes for you!)
And, I'm also celebrating passing 500 followers on my blog (thank you, guys!), plus something super-exciting is going on that I won't talk about till it's all finalised, but suffice it to say I'm in a celebratory, and generous, mood! [image error]
So come on in, grab a party hat and blower, there's plenty of cake for all, but go easy on the punch! And why not join in the lucky draw while you're at it? This is by far the biggest giveaway I've ever hosted! And, true to Fighter Writer style, the prize bundles are worthy of butt-kicking bookworms everywhere! Plus, there are not one, not two, not even three, four, five, six, or seven. but eight — count them: eight! — prize bundles up for grabs:
#1 THE SIGNED BOOKS BUNDLE (US & Canada only)
The winner of this bundle will receive a print copy of each of the following books…all signed by the author!
The Golden Sky by EC Stilson (kindly donated by author)
Becoming by Raine Thomas (kindly donated by author)
Monarch by Michelle Davidson Argyle +swag! (kindly donated by author)
Cinders by Michelle Davidson Argyle + swag! (kindly donated by author)
Haven by Kristi Cook (NOT signed) (kindly donated by Theresa Milstein @ Theresa's Tales of Teaching Tribulations and Typing Teen Texts)
#2 THE YA & YOUNGER BUNDLE (UK & EU only)
The winner of this bundle will win copies of…
SIGNED Print: Can't Sleep Without Sheep by Susanna Leonard Hill (kindly donated by author)
E-book: Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn (kindly donated by author)
Print: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Print: Ash by Malinda Lo (kindly donated by Len Lambert @ Conversations with Self)
#3 THE LITERARY & NON-FICTION BUNDLE
The winner of this bundle will win e-book copies of…
A to Z Stories of Life and Death by D. Biswas (kindly donated by author)
String Bridge by Jessica Bell (kindly donated by author)
The Rage of a New Ancestor, edited by Declan O'Sullivan (kindly donated by New Asian Writing)
The Matrix and the Alice Books by Voicu Mihnea Simandan (kindly donated by author)
#4 THE WOMEN'S FICTION BUNDLE
The winner of this bundle will win e-book copies of…
Don't Get Mad…Get Even by J.L. Campbell (kindly donated by author)
Watching Willow Watts by Talli Roland
Build a Man by Talli Roland (kindly donated by author)
And you'll also get…
A gorgeous handmade coin purse, courtesy of Rachel of CottageCarries! Aren't they sweet?
#5 THE HOT & SPICY BUNDLE
The winner of this bundle will win e-book copies of…
The Best of Lucy Felthouse by Lucy Felthouse (kindly donated by author)
Celestial Seduction by Jessica E. Subject (kindly donated by author)
And…
[image error]
A two-piece Yin Yang symbol pendant for harmony and balance!
#6 THE FANTASY BUNDLE
The winner of this bundle will win e-book copies of…
Woman of Honor by Nicole Zoltack (kindly donated by author)
The Quest by Sean McGuire (kindly donated by author)
Forgotten Gods by S.B. Stewart-Laing & Michael J. Chernicoff (kindly donated by author)
You will also get…
A pair of mini-nunchakus (1/6 actual size) — twirl to your heart's desire, with only 1/6 the damage!
#7 THE MYSTERY & THRILLER BUNDLE
The winner of this bundle will win e-book copies of…
Flash Over by Stuart Nager (kindly donated by author)
Doing Max Vinyl by Frederick Lee Brooke (kindly donated by author)
Plus, you will also receive…
An adorable key chain of Kung Fu Panda kicking butt!
#8 THE HORROR BUNDLE
The winner of this bundle will win e-book copies of…
Bill the Vampire (The Tome of Bill, Book 1) by Rick Gualtieri (kindly donated by author)
Scary Dead Things (The Tome of Bill, Book 2) by Rick Gualtieri (kindly donated by author)
You will also get…
A shuriken (ninja throwing star) pendant on a faux leather choker necklace
How do you enter, you ask? It couldn't be easier! Just fill in the Rafflecopter below for as many or as few entries as you want! It's literally just a couple of minutes of clicking! But do try and follow all the generous bloggers who donated their books — they are awesome folks that deserve massive followings! Of course, you can follow me too if you like (I know I'd like it!), but there are no entries for that. For this giveaway, it's all about the contributors!
So please, if you haven't already, check out my Featured Sponsors 1 and 2 pages for a full list of sponsors and their details!
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This contest will end on Dec 2nd. Winners will be announced on Saturday Dec 3rd! Stop by tomorrow as I reminisce being 29 again, and feature another two of our generous contributing authors!
*EDIT: Don't forget to state in your comment which prize bundle you'd like to win, e.g. 1,3,4,5,6! Thanks!
November 21, 2011
21 Again Birthday Bash: Contributor Spotlight
Tomorrow, I kick off my 21 Again Birthday Blow-Out! I've approached a few fellow bloggers for prize donations, and I am so touched by the overwhelming response! The best thing is, their generosity is all passed down to you – you, my loyal readers!
So to thank my sponsors for their immense generosity, I'll be spotlighting two of them every day, to show everyone just how awesome they are! For the complete list of contributors, click on the Featured Sponsors page.
Today, I am pleased to present to you…
TALLI ROLAND
I'm sure most of you, if not all, are well acquainted with Talli! A Canadian living in London, Talli is the bestselling chick lit author of The Hating Game, Watching Willow Watts, and the newly released Build a Man. I'm halfway through Build a Man, and let me tell you, for someone who doesn't read chick lit, I am loving it!
Talli is one awesome chick. If you follow her, you'll know how she always takes time to respond to comments, or to visit your blog back in return! She is kindly donating an e-book copy of her latest book, Build a Man, to the prize pot.
Contact: Website | Blog | Twitter
EC STILSON
[image error]Elisa is a wonderful person who's just released her heart-warming memoir, The Golden Sky, a touching journal detailing how her family's life was affected by the death of her son, Zeke. She has donated proceeds from her book to charities supporting families who have lost babies or young children, and as part of her book launch, she is also running a giveaway, with the grand prize of an iPad2! Check it out HERE!
Elisa is kindly donating a signed print copy of The Golden Sky to the Birthday Blow-Out prize pot.
Contact: Website | Blog | Twitter
Remember, to find out more about these cool people, and for the full list of contributors, check out the Featured Sponsors page.
November 20, 2011
Weekly Writer's Round-Up
Yee-haw! Welcome to the Weekly Writer's Round-up, where I lasso up the week's latest news and rootin'-tootin' writers' articles on the Net!
In bookish news, the furore over the new Kindle Lending programme continues as the US Authors Guild accuses Amazon of "boldly breaching publishers' contracts" with the scheme. (via The Bookseller)
FutureBook has been posting a series of articles on the digitisation of the music industry vs the book world: part III looks at some interesting similarities.
More on e-publishing: Smashwords is now launching a publishing service for literary agents. What are your thoughts?
Thinking of giving up your day job? Writerland has posted some eye-opening results from their Author Advance Survey.
Good news: could this be the future of book covers? Undercover, the YA imprint of Walker Books, released this animated cover of Edward Hogan's debut thriller, Daylight Saving, complete with countdown clock. Scroll your mouse over the image. Isn't that just awesome?
Bad news: a debut novel has been cut for plagiarism. (via GalleyCat) Q.R. Markham's Assassin of Secrets was cut by Little, Brown's Mulholland Books imprint. Sad that a writer has to stoop to copying other people's work to get published.
If you're stuck in query limbo like me, you may find this post about the "no response = no" debate by Adventures in Agentland an interesting read.
Are you one of the lucky writers who have some publishing credits under their belt? Well, then do you know which are the ones you should be crowing loudest about in your query/submission? Writer's Relief has posted a list of publishing credits in order of esteem/importance.
Everyone who's tried marketing their own book have come across the same problem: how do you get your title to stand out from the crowd without sound like an irritating, broken self-promotional record? The Writer's Guide to E-Publishing has an article by everyone's favourite chick lit girl, Talli Roland: when shouting loudly isn't enough, consider other unique methods of self-promotion.
Finally, stop back here on Wednesday November 23rd for the launch of my 21 Again Birthday Blow-Out! I'm celebrating a milestone birthday (a.k.a mourning the loss of my youth) with an epic 10-day party, and I'm giving away lots of prizes to everyone willing to commiserate with me!
Six Sentence Sunday
This is a weekly feature whereby participants post six (6) sentences of their work, published or otherwise, to be read (and possibly critiqued) by everyone else. Thank you to all regular commenters for your return visit, and welcome to all new visitors!
For a list of this week's participants, click HERE.
I'm a bit late in posting this week's snippet. Hence, the link to my blog on the SSS website isn't active. Oh well, I might as well, mightn't I? We return to Oracle, and this time, into the mind of the killer:
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Oh, how he wished he could have been at the theatre when his work was discovered, to see the looks on the police officers' faces! Would they be puzzled, or shocked? Or would they see his work for the masterpiece that it was?
No, as much as he was dying to, he could not risk returning to the scene, as much as it called to him. He vowed to be stronger than Orpheus; he could not look backwards now that he was so close to his goal.
He would not risk losing his Eurydice.
