M.R. Graham's Blog, page 19
November 22, 2013
Undignified squealing, and failure to Tumblr
First, undignified squealing. I finally have fantastically amazing character art for Sebastian’s page on Books of Lost Knowledge.
The art:
Click the image to visit the character page. Click this link to visit the artist on DeviantART. Really, do, because she made me a surprise bonus picture that caused even more undignified squealing and a little bit of hyperventilation.
Also, after a long record of complete failure to Tumblr, I have found a use for my account: Readings! I will be posting audio of poetry and book excerpts read aloud by yours truly. Have a gander (and a listen).
November 17, 2013
Read to Talk
Reblogged from Reading in the Borderlands:
This semester, students in READ 6329.10 were asked to contribute a post to this blog.
By M.R. Graham
We’ve been studying the stark differences between “real” reading and the reading students encounter on standardized tests. The former is exactly what the adjective suggests – real. It is the text students find in fiction, school books, comics, web articles, instruction manuals, menus, and instant messages.
A post I contributed to Reading in the Borderlands
November 15, 2013
Cover Reveal! Titan Magic: Body and Soul, by Jodi Lamm!
Well? Are you ready? Are you sitting down? Because this is a fantastic cover for a fantastic book.
Titan Magic: Body and Soul follows Lamm’s 2011 masterpiece, Titan Magic, which I reviewed a while ago. And Lamm has outdone herself. Trust me, I know – I had the honor of prereading this one, and it’s beautiful. It does follow Titan Magic, though, so you really need to pick up a copy of that one ASAP, the better to enjoy Body and Soul THE MOMENT IT COMES OUT (on 13 December, according to its Goodreads page).
Titan Magic (which also has a pretty fabulous cover) can be picked up in paperback or digital from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and digitally from Kobo.
Designed by Abigail Larson for Jodi Lamm’s upcoming release, Titan Magic: Body and Soul, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cover that fits the story more perfectly.
“Don’t fool yourself. Fool everyone else, but never fool yourself.”
When a young golem called Kaspar befriends a beautiful baker and her daughter, he wishes, for the first time in his life, to be more than just a counterfeit, wooden child. But such a simple wish comes at a high price, and Kaspar won’t be the only one to pay. With the few who can stop him distracted by their own dreams, Kaspar is free to set in motion a naive and gruesome plan. He hasn’t gone entirely unnoticed, though. He’s a powerful weapon left alone and ungoverned, and he’s already caught the eye of someone with an even more costly wish.
It’s gonna be intense!
Bother the Author
November 10, 2013
A note to people who use Headliner.fm: I am not you.
I use Headliner. I think it’s a really nifty idea, and with appropriate discretion, can be a fantastic tool. I’ve only been using it a couple of months, but I’ve already found quite a few worthy blogs and writers whom I promoted and am now following as well. I do not promote anything I have not clicked through and explored thoroughly, because anything I endorse becomes part of my public face.
Ergo:
Please, please take a moment to think through the wee blurb you write when creating a promotion. I have passed up so many promotions for things I truly liked because I am not you.
Think about it. You go through the process of creating a promotion. You enter your name, your link, and a snippet of something.
“I am John Doe, an aspiring novelist and all-out geek. Please visit my blog at [address].”
Why on earth would I post to my Twitter and Facebook accounts a claim that I am someone I clearly am not? I am not John Doe. The blog at the end of that link is not mine. It may be a brilliant blog, but I’m not going to attach my name to it, because I am not you, and the blog is not mine.
You’re not introducing yourself to the people who are promoting you. You are providing the words for those people to introduce you to their followers. You introduce other people with “this is,” not “I am.”
“Check out John Doe’s fantastically geeky blog. He writes, too! [address]“
Get the word out, guys. I want to promote you, not impersonate you.
November 2, 2013
Dia de los Muertos
Yeah, so I actually missed the last day of the blog hop. Things came up, and I had everyone else’s posts scheduled, but never got around to mine.
This is my remembrance.
It’s been nearly two years ago that Grandpa passed. That was the worst time of my life. I had lost other people before, but it was always just a call and then a funeral. It was already over and done, no stress, just sadness. For Grandpa, we lived in the waiting room outside the ICU for a week, even though I think he was gone before we even got to the hospital. In a way, I wish they had just let him go.
The worst part was that I was only just getting to know him. I’m not sure why I’d never bothered before. As a small child, I found him sort of intimidating. He didn’t talk much. He was a doer. We didn’t have much in common until I developed an interest in building things and in fixing the inevitable problems that cropped up with my Doom Jeep. He was unspeakably cool, and apparently always had been. As a teenager, he welded a machete onto a set of brass knuckles, just because he could. He built and raced cars, just like in Grease. We have pictures of him in his leather jacket with his slicked-back hair. He could fix anything. My mom’s first television spent most of its life with a pull-chain after the power switch broke. He even taught himself computers, when most of the rest of his generation was content to stare at them with thinly-veiled suspicion. He was especially fond of those goofy screamer emails that encourage you to watch the screen closely and then pop up with something gruesome and loud. I miss getting those from him. He had subscriptions to every possible e-card service, and we got dozens of them each year, at least five per holiday.
I still Skype him sometimes. I want him back.
I guess the tradeoff is that my guardian angel now has a machete welded to brass knuckles. I feel pretty safe.
October 30, 2013
Coven and Coffin Blog Hop – Dia de los Muertos – Peter Dawes remembers
To Pop-Pop
by Peter Dawes
Every writer has a turning point in which they determine their path in life – whether it be to pursue writing seriously, keep it more of a habit, or attempt to find a good place in-between. In tribute to a deceased loved one, I wanted to talk about my grandfather, Louis, because he was the one who helped me determine my path.
My grandfather was a World War II veteran who embodied the stereotype of a man of his time. I always knew him as a tough-as-nails fellow, and thought he would be proud when I decided I would pursue law as a career. So much so, that I announced my plans to him one day while visiting with him at his house.
His response astonished me.
He looked at me as though I had just grown a third eye. While I had expected accolade and praise, I got stern gaze and heard him ask, “Why would you want to do that?” The response set me so far aback, I didn’t know what to say, and fortunately he continued. “You’re a writer. You should be a journalist or something. Don’t waste your time with law school.”
Waste your time with law school? Not at all what I expected, and at the same time I couldn’t help but see the pragmatism of the suggestion. Do what you’re good at. When you keep that in mind, you end up more successful than when you do something contrary. To thine own self be true, right? I came to him believing I would get validation for the safer road. Instead, he nudged me to the road less traveled.
And in the immortal words of Robert Frost, that has made all the difference.
So, thank you, Pop-Pop. There are so many other stories worth sharing about such a remarkable man, but this was the one I wanted to share the most, because I’m the person I am today because of him.
The Vampire Flynn Series
As the moon rose over Philadelphia, on January 20, 1983, nobody could have known what was about to happen. Inside a coffee shop, a meeting between a young resident doctor and a redheaded vixen would end with a night of bloodshed. Two people would lay dead inside an apartment near Fairmount Park. A third victim would be claimed when their killer ran into the waiting arms of a vampire.
Rather than being met with eternal condemnation, however, Dr. Peter Dawes would wake several days later as a new creature. No longer possessing a pulse and with sharp teeth itching for purchase on human skin, Peter’s first days as an immortal would blossom into five years of decadent, sadistic killing. Exchanging the scalpel for a dagger and the scrubs for a suit, the man who once sought to heal would come to be known as the deadliest vampire ever to wield a sword. The covens referred to him as the Black Rose Assassin. To his maker, Sabrina, he was known as Flynn.
Her instrument in an ambitious struggle to gain control of the city, Flynn amassed a collection of conquests. All the while, secrets circled around him, speaking of special gifts and a human destiny left behind upon his turning. It would take an immortal named Anthony, a mysterious pendant, and a human sorceress named Monica for Flynn to learn the truth behind his turning. And what resulted would send a shockwave from the City of Brotherly Love outward to the rest of the world.
Join Flynn on his journey from ruthless assassin to immortal seer. In a mission which takes him to Chicago, Seattle, and the darkest corners of the globe, a vampire will reconnect with his humanity and a villain will become a reluctant hero. Along the way, wicked immortals, unlikely allies, and a society of gifted humans called the Supernatural Order will test the mettle of the reformed killer. In the end, a man divided will be forced to reconcile with his darkness, and two beings shall emerge from one.
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About Peter Dawes
Peter Dawes is the author of The Vampire Flynn Series, published by the micro-press Crimson Melodies. His serial story, “A Maker and His Child” appears on the BloodTideZine website and short “Lost Highway” has been featured in the Nocturnal Embers anthology, also by Crimson Melodies. While primarily a novelist, he has also contributed to the story cycle Red Phone Box, featuring the work of fellow authors Warren Ellis, Dan Wickline, and more. Always working on something new, Peter leaves it up to the reader to decide if it’s by sunlight or candlelight.
You can follow the author on any of these sites…
Twitter:http://twitter.com/peterdawes
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorPeterDawes
WordPress: http://peterdawes.wordpress.com
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October 29, 2013
Coven and Coffin Blog Hop – Dia de los Muertos – Kayleigh Grian Remembers
Tribute to Uncle Ray
by Kayleigh Grian
Growing up I had a favorite Aunt and Uncle and even though I didn’t get to see them very often, when I did they made sure to spoil me rotten. I was a military brat so most of my life was spent on the other side of the world from them, but they always made sure to remind me that they loved me. No matter how far away we lived, I would get post cards, letters, cards, etc every few months with little notes. But to me, these were precious treasures. Sure my other family members would send Christmas and Birthday cards, but for the most part that was it. Not the Just Because cards I’d get from Aunt Lynn and Uncle Ray.
Whenever we got to visit they always went out of their way to make me feel special, and looking back they were some of my best memories. As I got older I started to realize just how much Uncle Ray looked like a young version of Santa Claus. He had the ruby red cheeks, the beard (though at the time it was much darker than Santa’s) and the jolly belly to match. To this day when I picture him, that is what I see, Santa before he became Santa 
A few years ago Uncle Ray was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and this past May he passed away. I remember getting the call like it was yesterday. My family and I were out celebrating my birthday and it quickly turned the mood. For months before hand I kept saying that I wanted to go down there one last time to visit, if only I could get the gas money saved up or the time off from work. But I never made that trip. Something always came up and I’d spend the savings I put aside, or my vacation would get cancelled. Now I can’t help but regret that I let life get in the way of seeing him one more time, of thanking him for making so many childhood memories special.
I’m so thankful now that I hung onto those cards and letters, and even some of the pictures the family insisted I be in (I’ve always hated being in front of the camera). Every now and then I pull them out as a reminder, never take tomorrow for granted. Make sure to tell your loved ones how you feel every time you get the chance, you never know when it will be the last. Don’t let yourself wonder if there were things left unsaid.
Uncle Ray, you are deeply missed.
Sapphire and Sage
When their parents were murdered, twin sisters Sapphire and
Sage, were separated to keep them safe. That was 22 years ago. Now, just before
their 25th birthday, they are reunited only to learn the true reason for their
parent’s murder, magic. They are the current generation in a long line of
powerful witches. Their family tree seems cursed, with tragedy and death
haunting each generation, traced as far back as the 1700s.
The Night Rage Coven is a group of power hungry demons with
the ability to steal magic as long as they can kill the last of a bloodline.
When the twins inherit their powers, they become the latest target of the
Coven. They must learn to work together and control their new magic before it
is too late. Will they survive the hunt or will the bloodline end with them?
Sapphire and Sage
is available for early download through LeanPub, a new publishing company that
allows readers to purchase the book while it is still being written. Everyone
who purchases a copy will get updates with each new chapter posted. As a
special treat for those participating in the Coven and Coffin blog hop, use the
coupon code: CovenAndCoffin to grab your free copy from Oct. 27th through
Nov 1st! Get yours
now!
About Kayleigh Grian
Kayleigh Grian is currently a part time student working on
her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Computer
Forensics and Security. She also works full time as a police dispatcher.
Kayleigh has always enjoyed writing, especially fiction and
poetry. She is working on several projects including her first novel and a
collection of short stories. Kayleigh enjoys reading as much as she does
writing and will often go through a few books a week when she doesn’t have a
ton of homework to do.
Connect with Kayleigh:
Blog
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October 28, 2013
Coven and Coffin Blog Hop – Dia de los Muertos – Kayla Curry remembers
Tribute to my Grandparents
by Kayla Curry
For my tribute, I’d like to look back on the two people who brought so much joy to my life. They were my grandparents–technically they were my aunt and uncle, but since I didn’t ever get to meet my grandparents, they were Gramma and Grampa to me.
October is when they’d let me help decorate their house for Halloween. When it was time to trick-or-treat at their house, my Gramma would always provide us with special goodie bags full of candy and homemade cookies. Grampa would try to jump out and scare us. He was always the kind to make you laugh.
I lost my Grampa when I was in high school and I lost Gramma about a year and a half ago. I still miss them both and I think about them all the time.
Oomph!
Grab Kayla’s 99 cent creepy horror short story Oomph! on Amazon or Smashwords. Or pick up her free short story Ruby, on Amazon or Smashwords. Ruby is the short story companion to her paranormal novel, Obsidian, and can be read before or after the novel.
About Kayla Curry
Kayla Curry lives in North Platte, Nebraska with her husband and two children. She likes spending time with family and friends when she’s not writing or planning out her conquest of the world. People who know her would say that she is sweet and kind, but her book characters would disagree. Her other hobbies include reading, metal detecting and research of local history. You can visit her website at http://www.kaylacurry.com to keep up on her progress in the Mystic Stones Series and her other works.
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October 27, 2013
Coven and Coffin Blog Hop – Dia de los Muertos – Jess Fortunato remembers
Remembering the ones we’ve lost
by Jess Fortunato
“A grandmother pretends she doesn’t know who you are on Halloween.”
~ Erma Bombeck
Halloween always makes me think of my Grandma. Probably because she always went trick-or-treats with us when we were little, and sat and marveled at our stupid triangle-eyed pumpkins. Or maybe because when you are 6 and have planned your witches costume for a month and your mom tells you that it is snowing and it’s too cold to go out, Grandma is the one who stuffs you and your puffy pink coat into your dress and takes you out anyway. All the while telling you that you are the most beautiful witch she has ever seen.
Batman, Scooby-doo, vampires, cats, and witches as far as the eye can see will be at my door tonight.
And I hope that all of them can go home and stuff themselves with candy that mom said they couldn’t have, but Grandma says they can, because after all, Grandmas have veto power.
And I hope they can do this for years and years and years to come.
As you grow older you realize candy, love, autumn breezes, the perfect pile of leaves, family dinners, and flowers weren’t in short supply. You realize neither was time. We had all the time in the world to do with it whatever we wanted, to say whatever we wanted, BE whomever we wanted. But we let it go assuming life would always give us more chances to truly live. It’s the gift of the young to believe there is enough time, it is the curse of the experienced to know….there isn’t.
Tonight, I’m having dinner with my family. There will be more food than we could ever eat, and more laughter than should be legal. I will be handing out candy. This year in a new witches costume, but not nearly as wonderful as the one I used to have. We will eat, and drink, and remember every single person who should be with us, and who are with us, only in spirit. For my Grandma and Grams, my Grandfathers for my little friends Nevaeh, and Andonayia, for Henry.
You may not be in our arms, but you are in our hearts and always on our minds. Enjoy heaven, but don’t go far my loves.
Blessings for a beautiful Halloween.
The Sin Collector
“The Sin Collector” follows the life of Liliana, a born Sin Collector. She has spent over 100 years absorbing people’s sins so they may rest in peace come death. However when she meets another Collector, one who insists everything she has been taught is a lie, Liliana must make her way from sunny L.A. all the way to the streets of Madrid. Searching for answers to a question we all share. Why are we here? The friends and enemies she makes along the way only seem to blur the line between right and wrong. Can Liliana fight the Castus, an organization whose sole mission is to kill every Collector? Should she trust her head or her heart when the two most important men in her life are fighting alongside her?
Then there is the worst question of all, who will be left when the dust settles?
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About Jess Fortunato
Jessica Fortunato writes a rare combination of Paranormal/ Supernatural/ Religious Literary Fiction. She lives in Pennsylvania with her family, a clumsy black cat, and year round Halloween decorations. Rarely seen in direct sunlight, reports of Jessica’s vampirism remain unsubstantiated.
Connect with Jess
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Coven and Coffin Blog Hop – Dia de los Muertos – Noree Cosper remembers
Remembering the ones we’ve lost
by Noree Cosper
When I was a little girl I used to love going over to my grandmother’s house. She had all kinds of toys just for me and she would sit and watch television while I played. In the afternoons we would play together in her front yard and she would by me snow cones from the truck that came. Back then, my life goal was to drive a snow cone truck and deliver tasty cold dreams to other children. Boy, did I aim low. Eventually, I moved away with my mother, who was already divorced from my father. I saw less and less of my grandmother as the years passed by, but when I did she was always there with a kind smile. A few years ago she passed away. After all this time I still wish I’d spent more time with her in those final years. On Dia de los Muertos I’ll have a snow cone and light a candle in memory of my grandmother.
A Prescription for Delirium
Ninety years ago, Gabriella di Luca promised to protect the family of her dying lover. She failed to keep that promise. She was too far away to stop the devil that murdered the eldest Van Helsing son. Years later, Gabby learns the devil has resurfaced. She arrives in Hampton, TX, determined to stop the devil before it can lay a bloody hand on the remaining three brothers.
However, madness is spreading through Hampton. She suspects the devil is using this madness to test a drug which has a side effect of demonic possession. Gabby rushes to end the source of the madness only to fall victim to it. For a woman cursed with eternal life, dying is no threat. However, Gabby must stop the devil’s plot or risk losing her most precious possession: her mind.
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About Noree Cosper
Noree Cosper loves writing about magic in the modern world. While growing up in Texas she constantly searched for mystical elements in the mundane. She buried her nose in both fiction and books about Wicca, Religion, and Mythology. Everyday became an adventure as she joined a group of role-players, acting out her fantasies of vampires, demons, and monsters living in the world.
She embraced her nerdom wholeheartedly.
Noree grew, but never left her love for fantasy and horror. Her dreams pushed her and her hand itched to write the visions she saw. So, with her fingers on the keys, she did what her heart had been telling her to do since childhood. She wrote.
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