Monique Snyman's Blog, page 16
May 7, 2020
The 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards Results
Yesterday, the results for the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards were revealed, and I am pleased to announce that The Night Weaver has won a Silver in the Horror category!
There are still so many emotions coursing through me … I’m so honored to receive an IPPY, and I’m filled with so much gratitude to be named alongside so many talented authors. When I first wrote The Night Weaver, I never could have imagined it being so well-received. Thank you so very much to my readers, the judges of the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards, my agent, my publisher, and my family. This is just so surreal and incredible!
Secondly, I’m just plain ecstatic. I mean, last night I made several international calls to notify friends abroad about my IPPY, all while happy dancing in my PJs, and I’m pretty sure all I did was squeal.
March 28, 2020
Wrong Answers Only Interview: Alexandrea Weis
It’s Saturday, which means it’s time for a new Wrong Answer Only Interview! This week, I got my manicured claws into award-winning author, Alexandrea Weis. Seeing as she has a brand new book coming out soon, titled The Secret Brokers, I thought it was the perfect time to give her the ole Snyman torture treatment. Muhahaha!
Now, for those who aren’t familiar with how the Wrong Answers Only interviews work: I ask some run-of-the-mill questions to authors, and my subject simply has to lie. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, let me tell you, sometimes I have to pull out all my tricks. If a question I’ve asked is answered in a way that seems even remotely true, I make the author suffer in some of the most heinous ways possible. I mean, we’re talking playing Nickelback on loop torture tactics.
March 24, 2020
In the Spotlight: The Secret Brokers by Alexandrea Weis
I hope you’re ready for a brand new series, because Alexandrea Weis—author of the award-winning novel, Realm—is back with a brand new series, named The Secret Brokers! The best thing of all? The Secret Brokers is releasing on the 7th of April 2020, so you don’t even have to wait so long to get your hands on a copy.
March 21, 2020
Curb Your Boredom: Get Rid of Your Weekend Blues
It’s weekend and you have no idea how to curb your boredom. The world is falling apart around you, the walls are closing in, and frankly, you’re feeling like you’re one step away from going crazy. If that’s not enough, there’s no sport—and the few matches that are on looks sad and depressing without spectators cheering from the stands—few new shows, and yeah … It’s getting a bit much.
I’m betting you’re also growing super tired of being in front of a laptop/TV the whole time. That much screen-time isn’t good for anyone, after all.
Well, as a bit of an introvert who grew up in a crime-infested country (which basically means we often had to entertain ourselves inside the house), I have a few tips on what to do to keep your mind occupied and hands busy.
Hopefully, one of my suggestions will seem like something you’d want to do, so keep on reading to find out how to curb your boredom.
March 20, 2020
Friday Favorites: Shark Movies
When it comes to Shark Movies, expect everything from the suspenseful to the downright ridiculous. Jaws scared everyone away from the beaches in 1975, and ever since then the world has been obsessed with sharks. I mean, there’s an entire week dedicated to sharks every year on the Discovery Channel, because people love sharks … or fear them, whatever. Whether it’s because we want to truly understand these apex predators or just because we like a good scare, it doesn’t matter. Shark movies are here to stay.
When it comes to my preference in shark movies … Well, let’s just say I love them all for what they are, but I seem to gravitate towards plausible plots more often than not. In other words, I won’t be recommending Deep Blue Sea 2 to anyone (the base off the shore from South Africa wouldn’t have had electricity to begin with … I’m looking at you, Eskom). That being said, usually I classify films like Sharknado, 2-Headed Shark Attack, and Shark Exorcist under B-Movies, so you won’t see any of those on this list (sorry!).
I know what you’re thinking. How come I have prehistoric sharks on this list if they’re technically also B-Movies? Well, firstly, there’s no telling what is still to be found beneath the ocean. Secondly, finding a megalodon is way more plausible than, I don’t know, a ghost shark attacking someone in a bathtub. That’s just my opinion, though.
Nevertheless, let’s get to this week’s Friday Favorites, shall we?
Shark Movies
Jaws (1975)
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No shark movie list could ever be complete without Jaws. I mean, it’s the granddaddy of all shark movies; perfectly scary in all the right ways. Jaws sees a police chief, marine biologist, and fisherman searching for a man-eating great white shark that’s terrorizing a quiet island during the tourist season. There’s so much suspense and jump scares, you’ll probably never want to get near the water again. If you haven’t watched Steven Spielberg’s most celebrated film, I suggest you rectify that problem ASAP.
Shark Attack 3: Megalodon (2002)
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Okay, okay, so Shark Attack 3: Megalodon isn’t going to win any Oscars, but it’s a great popcorn movie. And if you can look past the comically inaccurate size of the CGI megalodon that’s terrorizing the ocean, the plot is actually pretty freaking cool. While I’m sure purist film lovers won’t dig this flick, it’s a good way to satisfy your hunger for some shark movies.
March 19, 2020
Curb Your Boredom: My Favorite Books
[image error]If you’re trying to curb your boredom, now’s a good time to get cozy and pick up a great book. In the past, I have actually actually posted a few book lists (my 50 Must-Read Horror Books and 101 Must-Read Classic Books are popular posts), but I’ve never posted my all time favorite books (up until this point). So, I thought I’d rectify this today and give you all a taste of the worlds I enjoyed exploring.
March 18, 2020
What’s New Wednesday #21: Just Chillin’ … Killin’
It’s time for a brand spanking new edition of What’s New Wednesday! Yes, I know it’s been a while, but give me a break here. We’ve had an interesting few weeks around the world, and I—like many people—have been left somewhat dazed and confused by it all.
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Anywho, I’m not here to talk about things beyond our control. You can watch the news for that. Instead, let’s get into all of my cool obsessions this week—there are so many books, shows, and games I want to gush over.
This is going to be a great Wednesday! I can just feel it in my bones …
What’s New Wednesday
Books
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.While I’ve been hard at work editing many books (and writing my own), I’ve been slowly working my way through The Deep by Alma Katsu. It’s been a great read, and every time I have to stop so I can work, a piece of me dies on the inside. It’s just so freaking good! I’ll probably finish it today, so expect a review on Goodreads tomorrow.
February 13, 2020
2019 CIBAS: The OZMA Book Awards Semi-Finalists
What a way to wake up on Valentine’s Day!
It is with great pride and extreme excitement that I can announce that The Night Weaver has made it onto the semi-finalist list of the OZMA Book Awards!
February 12, 2020
What’s New Wednesday #20: Obligatory Valentine’s Day Post
Wow! I haven’t realized how long it’s been since I’ve done a What’s New Wednesday post. A lot has happened in my personal life and professionally. I’m coming up completely blank on the former (it’s been a while), and sadly, I can’t divulge too much on the latter yet. So, most of this What’s New Wednesday will just be about touching base, I think.
That being said, there’s an important announcement I need to make before we get on with this week’s obsessions:
SUPER IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Recently, it’s come to my attention that I have spread myself too thin and that my health was suffering as a result. While, in my youth, I was able to work 19 hours a day and be okay with it, I can’t keep up with that schedule anymore. As a result, I had to pull out of a few projects and/or push the schedule a bit.
The novella I said would be published in March as a free read will no longer be published. I feel it still needs work, and I don’t have the time to tackle it now. It will be released one day, though. Don’t worry.
I will also not be part of the Soul’s Day boxed-set anymore. I’m really miffed about that, but due to time constraints and my other responsibilities, I simply wouldn’t have been able to do a good job there.
I’m incredibly sorry that I let everyone down in this regard, and hopefully I’ll be able to make it up at some point. But keep your eyes open for this boxed set. There are some great authors involved and you’ll be thoroughly entertained.
January 25, 2020
Wrong Answers Only Interview: Kit Power
It’s Saturday, and I have a brand new Wrong Answers Only Interview to share! This week, I had Kit Power over for a torturing session, and— Well, okay, I was almost bested this week, but it’s only because I don’t completely feel like myself. I blame spiders for my weakness. Stoopid spiders …
Nevertheless, I think I made Kit squirm a bit, and lie, lie, lie.
