Genta Sebastian's Blog, page 14

LILY AND CLARA AGREE: "YIPPEE!"

Riding the Rainbow has been selected as a finalist in the Golden Crown Literary Society's 2015 Goldie awards, YA lit category. Winners will be announced at the GCLS conference to be held during July in New Orleans.

I'm doubly proud because this book was originally self-published (although it has since been signed to Shadoe Publishing, an independent LGBT press). It's up against some of the best writers in the genre, an honor I cherish.

All Hail Sadie Hawkins!

Sadie Hawkins First of all – HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! I hope you and yours are celebrating in style. I’ll be curled up all day at home with my wife, snug and warm, safe from the arctic winds howling around our house. We will feast on fresh strawberries, cake, and a bottle of Vin Verde, the green wine of Portugal.

Now on to the topic of the day. If you have ever read the comic strip by Al Capp called L’il Abner (1934–1978), you’ll have heard of Sadie Hawkins. Known as the ‘homeliest gal in...

5 self-publishing truths few authors talk about

Reblogged from Suffolk Scribblings with thanks to author Dylan Hearn:

One of the hardest thing to watch on social media is an author, usually a debut author, getting excited about their upcoming book launch and knowing they are about to get hit around the head with a hard dose of reality.

They’ve done the right things, built up a twitter or Facebook following, blogged about the book, sent copies out for review, told all their friends about the upcoming launch, pulled together a promo video and...

5 self-publishing truths few authors talk about

Reblogged from Suffolk Scribblings with thanks to author Dylan Hearn:

One of the hardest thing to watch on social media is an author, usually a debut author, getting excited about their upcoming book launch and knowing they are about to get hit around the head with a hard dose of reality.

They’ve done the right things, built up a twitter or Facebook following, blogged about the book, sent copies out for review, told all their friends about the upcoming launch, pulled together a promo video and...

Robin Williams and I

2014 was a year of mourning great talents. 
Lauren Bacall. Pete Seeger. Dr. Maya Angelou. James Garner. Ruby Dee. Philip Seymour Hoffman. Sid Caesar. Shirley Temple. Mike Nichols. Mickey Rooney. Richard Attenborough. Eli Wallach, Tom Magliozzi, Harold Ramis, Ann B. Davis, Menshach Taylor, Elaine Stritch, and more have all died during the last 363 days.

But on August 11, 2014 the world lost Robin Williams, a man who was a legend in his own time, a tormented creative  talent, and a grea...

My Ridiculously Over-Simplified View of American Politics

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2015 GCLS Award Nominee

 My novel, Riding the Rainbow, has been nominated for a 2015 GCLS award in the YA category. Yippee!!

In celebration, EVERYONE who responds will receive a free ebook copy of Riding the Rainbow, available for Nooks, Kindles, and in .pdf format.

Make sure to leave a comment below so I know who to contact through private message to find out where to send your FREE copy of Riding the Rainbow!

How Readers and Writers are Different

  I think writing and reading are two different forms of communication.

When writing, the author gives the reader a single-voiced, one-way experience. As a storyteller, the author provides hours of her/his view of the world and creative inspiration. They do it without ever knowing who their reader will be - a shout into the darkness, a gift to the cosmos, a prayer to be heard.

The reader receives this communication, and then chooses whether to attempt to engage the author in a conversatio...

Gotta Be Jelly 'Cause Jam Don't Shake Like That

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Give the Gift of Bullying

Here's an idea! The e-book copy of The Boxer Rebellion, is FREE today. Let's make a full-moon Friday the 13th something to remember.

I'm sure you  know people who need to understand bullying in all it's horrific glory, librarians, teachers, politicians, family members, or even your next door neighbors. You know, people who can help make every school safe for every student.

Send them the link, recommend they read the book, urge them to do the same with others. Request the paperback version...