Diane Bator's Blog, page 11
July 11, 2023
ESCAPE WITH A WRITER Presents: NIKKI KNIGHT with her new book WRONG POISON
A huge welcome back to Nikki Knight!
Nikki Knight describes herself as an Author/Anchor/Mom…not in that order.An award-winning weekend anchor at New York City’s 1010 WINS Radio, she writesshort stories and novelsShe’sbeen short-listed for Black Orchid Novella and Derringer Awards. As KathleenMarple Kalb, she writes the Ella Shane and Old Stuff mystery series. She, herhusband, and son live in a Connecticut house owned by their cat.
Website: https://kathleenmarplekalb.com/nikki-knight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikkiKnightAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiKnightVT
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenmarplekalb/
1) What genre do you write?
Mystery. Since I’m on the lighter and less graphic end, Iride with the cozy folks, but my characters are diverse and the storylinesoften unexpected, so “cozy with a twist” is probably a better description.Particularly with WRONG POISON. I don’t think there’s another cozy out therewith an amateur sleuth who’s an assassin.
2) Do your characters comebefore or after your plot?
Characters always come first with me. The main characterand people around her are like my own family of blood, work, and affection:people I love and want to spend time with. Everything grows out of them. If I’mdoing it right, the plot is something that could only happen to them…and onlythey could solve it! That’s especially true with Grace the Hit Mom. Sheimmediately recognizes the murder weapon as a poison only her ancientsisterhood uses, and knows she’ll have to find the killer to protect herfriends.
3) How do you choose avillain and how do you make them human?
My news background comes into play a lot when I’m workingon the actual murder plot; unfortunately, I know that the people most likely tokill you are those closest to you. I also know that folks who are decent mostof the time can do terrible things under the right (wrong?) circumstances. Thatsaid, I love unexpected killers, especially cute little old ladies or nicesuburban moms. And I try for relatable motives. We can all imagine offingsomeone to make sure our elderly mother gets good care, or to protect our childfrom having their life ruined by a terrible mistake. We wouldn’t do it – Ihope! – but we can understand it, and that makes the villain human.
4) Dopictures, real life or plain imagination create the character you want readersto love?
The animal characters – a very important part of everythingI write – are inspired by real pets. Scotchie, Grace’s canine partner in crime,is basically a 150% copy of a relative’s wonderful golden retriever mix. Thehumans are mostly imagination, though I wouldn’t argue with the characters whodescribe Grace’s husband Michael as “the wild Scotsman” because he looks likeSam Heughan from Outlander. As a person, though, Michael is more likereal-life men I know: mostly clueless about what happens in their wife’s dailylife, but absolutely committed and loyal.
5) What are you working onnow?
Finishinga couple of good short story ideas that came after me at the end of the processfor WRONG POISON. Usually, I do shortsbetween longer projects, but when the final edits hit, everything else stops.So, I just scratched out a few lines for the stories, and now I’m workingthrough them. I also have the very beginning of an idea for Grace’s nextadventure…
6) Doyou have a work in progress?
Iusually have a few! Moving between projects keeps me fresh.
WRONG POISON: She's a nice suburban mom and a sacredassassin...and Grace Adair’s secret life has just become a problem. When adeath at the Library Book Fair turns out to be murder – by a poison used onlyby Grace’s ancient sisterhood, she knows she’s in trouble. Now, she’ll need allher skills as a PTA mom and former prosecutor to find the killer and protecther friends…and their secrets. Hopefully without using her other skills.About those other skills: Grace and her sweet senior pal Madge are members of a700-year-old order of assassins, sacred to the Archangel Gabriel and sworn toremove evil men who elude human justice. Think #MeToo with untraceable poison. Call it a cozy with a twist. You’ve never metanyone like Grace…and you’ll never forget her.
Buy: Wrong Poison: Knight, Nikki:9798987684740: Amazon.com: Books
July 8, 2023
Ashley Earley, Author & Editor extraordinaire with her acclaimed guidebooks for Writers!
Ashley Earley, Author & Editor extraordinaire with her acclaimedguidebooks for Writers!
SHOW, DON’T TELL is an infamous writing technique—one we’ve allheard before. It’s something that’s ingrained in our very being as writers, themethod pushed in writing workshops, from beta readers, critique partners,editors, or other experts. We’ve all heard it, but we’ve all made the mistake.But what does SHOW, DON’T TELL mean? What SHOW, DON’T TELL include?How can it be applied?
This SHOW, DON’T TELL GUIDEBOOKFOR WRITERS will break down the technique, outline all the ways it can beapplied, everything it entails, and more! Nearly 20 pages of tips, advice,definitions, examples, and interactive pages will help anywriter grasp SHOW, DON’T TELL to its fullest.
Today, whether self-publishing or going the traditional route, a writercan’t get away with publishing a book without the resource of social media.Despite the growth and near necessity of social media, it is a confusing anddifficult thing to master. As a writer, social media likely isn’t at the top ofyour list of priorities, but because of its resources and significance, it’stime to put it on the list. But where do you even start? What are you supposedto do with social media? What should you post? How can you use it to sell yourbook?
In A Writer’s Guide to Launching a Book, author and editorAshley Earley provides ways in which one can increase their visibility as anauthor and a brand to increase book sales.
Coming This October and now onPre-Sale !!
When Scott Nelson first meets Natalie, all he can think aboutis slitting her throat. Until he realizes they share alarmingly similarhomelives. Scott is an outcast with an abusive father, while Natalie is a punkwith colorful hair and dreams of being an artist to avoid ever speaking to herfamily again.
Believing that distance from his father’s violent tendencies will relieve Scottof his own rage, he and Natalie do the only thing they can to break free oftheir abusive families: run away.
As soon as they pack up Natalie’s rusty Volkswagen in the middle of the nightand begin their new lives, Scott’s gruesome cravings become harder to ignore. Blending in forthe sake of a future with Natalie, Scott does his best to block out the violentthoughts fighting to take hold.
But he can only contain his murderous cravings for so long. After watching astranger overdose at a party, Scott can’t deny his urges. From that night on,Scott’s hands are caked with the blood of young girls. Young girls who resembleNatalie …
A terrifying exploration of a killer’s mindset,debut author Ashley Earley compiles some of the world’s most notorious serialkillers into one antagonist in an attempt to answer the age-old question of“are killers born or made?”
About Ashley Earley:
Ashley Earley grew up in Georgia, where she spentmost of her time running wild in the woods of her backyard, building forts tocreate her own fantasy worlds, obsessing over books, and experimenting with herwriting.
Today, she lives in Colorado with her dog and still spends her timedevouring any book she can get her hands on, writing, and editing for herclients at Earley Editing, LLC. In May of 2021, she graduated with distinctionfrom University of Colorado Boulder, receiving a B.A. in English with anemphasis in Creative Writing. She also enjoys snowboarding, exploring, annoyingher dog, constantly eating chocolate, and sharing her writing adventures onInstagram.
Her Thriller/Suspense short story, Chasing Hair of Gold, wonfirst place in the 2016 Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Awards.
As a writer, she leans into fantasy or horror due to her love of allthings creepy. As an editor, she loves a little bit of everything when it comesto fiction. Give her that steamy, forbidden romance, give her vampires, or eventhat young lovey-dovey stuff with all the twists and turns!
To request additional review copies oran interview with Ashley Earley, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at CreativeEdge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
We look forward to the coverage !
July 6, 2023
TWO ONTARIO AUTHORS ARE WINNERS IN INTERNATIONAL WRITERS CONTEST
TWOONTARIO AUTHORS ARE WINNERS IN
INTERNATIONALWRITERS CONTEST
Ontario authors Spencer Sekulin and J.R. Johnson are winners in the L.Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest earning them both a trip toHollywood, a week-long master-class workshop, and their winning storiespublished in the international bestselling anthology, L. Ron HubbardPresents Writers of the Future Volume 39.
Why shouldyou order and read
L. RonHubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 39?
Because...
· These stories will bring you into fresh new worlds and new ideas.
· Some of your favorite authors chose them.
· Reading the stories will teach you what it takes to win the contest.
· Artists of the future illustrate the stories.
· You need to know what happens when death and taxes come together in theform of one IRS agent who faces the darkest audit of all. (Find out in one ofthe stories in the volume....)
The Contest, one of the most prestigious writing and illustrating competitions in the world, is currently in its 40th year and is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction.
The Writers of the Future Contest judges include, Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (Quantum Night), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few.
The Illustrators of the Future Contest judges include, Bob Eggleton (11 Chesley Awards and 7 Hugo Awards), Larry Elmore (Dungeons & Dragons book covers), Echo Chernik (graphic designs for major corporations including Celestial Seasonings tea packaging), Rob Prior (art for Spawn, Heavy Metal comics and Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Ciruelo (Eragon Coloring Book).
Following the 1982 release of his internationally acclaimed bestselling science fiction novel, Battlefield Earth, written in celebration of 50 years as a professional writer, L. Ron Hubbard created the Writers of the Future (writersofthefuture.com) in 1983 to provide a means for aspiring writers of speculative fiction to get that much-needed break. Due to the success of the Writers of the Future Contest, the companion Illustrators of the Future Contest was inaugurated five years later.
The 547 past winners and published finalists of the Writing Contest have published over 2,000 novels and nearly 6,300 short stories. They have produced 36 New York Times bestsellers, and their works have sold over 60 million copies.
The intensive mentoring process has proven very successful. The 382 past winners of the Illustrating Contest have produced over 6,000 illustrations, 360 comic books, graced 624 books and albums with their art and visually contributed to 68 TV shows, and 40 major movies.
The Writers and Illustrators of the Future Award is the genre’s most prestigious award of its kind and has now become the largest, most successful and demonstrably most influential vehicle for budding creative talent in the world of contemporary fiction.
Since inception, the Writers and Illustrators of the Future contests have produced 39 anthology volumes and awarded over $1,000,000 cumulatively in prize moneys and royalties.
For more information about the Contests, go to www.WritersoftheFuture.com.
When Spencer Sekulin isn’t on the roadas a paramedic or studying medicine, he is most likely writing. Born and raisedin Ontario, Canada, Spencer fell in love with books at a young age, withauthors like Terry Brooks and Eoin Colfer giving him an appetite forspeculative fiction. Though he didn’t begin writing until university, hequickly discovered that it was just as fun as reading—and the rest is history.His passions include emergency medicine, homemade coffee, travel obscura, andof course, writing.
J.R. Johnson finds speculativefiction appealing because she likes the idea that there is more to the worldthan meets the eye, and that the human race has a future. She grew up in thefolded Appalachian hills, where she learned to love Fall, blueberries straightfrom the bush, and the stream beneath the willows near her house. The fact thatFall is inevitably followed by Winter, that picking berries means crossingpaths with bears, and that the stream was laced with dioxins may also have hadsome impact on her outlook. She now lives and writes in Ottawa, Ontario.
Torequest additional review copies or an interview with Spencer and/or J.R.,please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity:mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925. We look forward to the coverage!
July 4, 2023
Edward Willett’s debut novel, Soulworm, now available from Shadowpaw Press Reprise
New edition of award-winning authorEdward Willett’s debut novel, Soulworm,
now available from Shadowpaw Press Reprise
Soulworm,the debut novel of Edward Willett, now the award-winning author of more thantwenty novels and twice that many nonfiction books, has just been madeavailable once more in a new edition from Shadowpaw Press Reprise.
A young adult fantasy novel, Soulworm was originallypublished by Royal Fireworks Press in 1997, and was shortlisted for the BestFirst Book award at that year’s Saskatchewan Book Awards. It was written in the1980s while Willett was news editor of the Weyburn Review newspaper, andis set in Weyburn in 1984—which nowadays gives it a Stranger Things vibe,although at the time it was a present-day tale.
“I’mthrilled to have my first published novel available again for the enjoyment ofa whole new generation of readers,” Willett says. “I enjoyed re-reading and(lightly) revising it—it was like visiting an old friend I hadn’t seen for awhile.”
The story
For years, Liothel has waited in vain for herpowers to manifest themselves, so that she can become a full-blown Warder,defender of the realm of Mykia from the mind-controlling spirit creatures knownas soulworms. But when a soulworm escapes from the Warden’s citadel through amagical portal into the parallel world of Earth, it is her spirit that,entirely by accident, is sent in pursuit.
She finds herself, a helpless, unsuspectedobserver, in the mind of Maribeth, a teenage girl in the small Canadian prairiecity of Weyburn, Saskatchewan, in 1984—and discovers the soulworm has possessedMaribeth’s best friend, Christine.
Somehow, she must find a way to save Earthfrom the plague of death and destruction the soulworm and its offspring willrelease if allowed to spread across the unprotected planet. Only she knows thedanger—and only she can stop it.
Critical praise
“Awonderfully entertaining, imaginative, and well-crafted book for young adults .. . This book is well-paced and controlled and never becomes moralistic . . . Agreat read! Highly recommended.” – Saskatchewan Book Award Judges
Aboutthe author
Edward Willett is the award-winning author of morethan sixty books of science fiction, fantasy, and non-fiction for readers ofall ages, including the Worldshapers series and the Masks of Agyrima trilogy(as E.C. Blake) for DAW Books and the YA fantasy series The Shards of Excalibur,originally published by Coteau Books. His most recent novel is the humorousspace opera The Tangled Stars (DAW Books).
Willett won Canada’s top science fiction/fantasyaward, the Aurora Award, for Best Long-Form Work in English in 2009 for Marseguro(DAW) and for Best Fan Related Work in 2019 for The Worldshaperspodcast, and a Saskatchewan Book Award for Spirit Singer in 2002. He hasbeen short-listed for Aurora and Saskatchewan Book Awards multiple times (mostrecently for his YA science fiction novel Star Song), and long-listed multipletimes for the Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of theFantastic.
He lives in Regina, Saskatchewan. Website: edwardwillett.com.
AboutShadowpaw Press
ShadowpawPress, founded in Regina, Saskatchewan, by EdwardWillett in 2018,publishes new work by established and emerging authors through its Premiereimprint and new editions of notable, previously published work through itsReprise imprint. Shadowpaw Press is a member the Literary Press Group ofCanada, the Association of Canadian Publishers, and SaskBooks. For moreinformation, contact publisher@shadowpawpress.com or visit www.shadowpawpress.com.
To requestadditional review copies or an interview with Edward Willett, please contactMickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: | 403.464.6925.
We look forward tothe coverage!
July 1, 2023
Introducing Simiakia the first novel by champion endurance rider Lori Windows.
Simiakia by Lori Windows, a champion endurance rider, isa modern western that combines adventure, romance, and the search for pride inoneself
Simiakia, the first novel by champion endurance riderLori Windows, now available from Endless Sky Books, is a modern western (set inthe 1980s in Idaho) that combines a deep love and understanding of horses(specifically Appaloosas) with adventure, Native American identity, the searchfor pride in oneself and one’s heritage, and a touch of romance.
“After fifty years of newspaper articles, magazinearticles, and short stories, seeing my name in print attached to a work of myheart, a full novel, thrills me beyond belief. My friends say it is autobiographical,”says Lori Windows. “That may be true, but I am more related to the coydog inthe story than I am the heroine.”
“I’m delighted to be able to publish this exciting andultimately life-affirming modern-day western,” says Edward Willett, editor andpublisher of Endless Sky Books. “I can’t wait for readers to discover it. Ihope they enjoy reading it as much as I did.”
Simiakia can be ordered through most bookstores, onlineor off. It can also be purchased directly from Endless Sky Books at www.endless-sky-books.com.
More about the book
It was notwhimsy that had brought him together with this red horse to run this race. Itwas the justice of time.
Raised without hope orpride in his heritage to what promises to be a short life of crime, alcohol,and drugs, Nez Perce teenager Al George gets an unexpected second chance. Aheist gone wrong ends up with him working on probation at the very Idaho ranchhe and his “friends” tried to rob, owned by Celia Bolt, who left her ownrich-but-dysfunctional family to move West many years ago, and the taciturnMorgan Kyles, who has his own checkered past.
Over the course of thesummer of 1986, Celia and Morgan work out the thorny details of theirrelationship, while Al regains his pride and his sense of self as he works withthe ranch’s signature Appaloosas, finds love—and finally, through a deep bondwith one very special horse, reconnects with his Nez Perce heritage anddiscovers the truth of his strange, recurring dreams of an Indian brave on avery special horse, striving to protect his people from the soldiers pursuingthem.
For everyone involved,one summer changes everything.
Praise for Simiakia
“Lori Windowsbrings horses and the special coy dog, Cantar, to life in her writing . . . asthe plot develops, the growing self-confidence of the young and displaced NezPerce character, Alicut George, is revealed. He learns to endurance ride onFolly and care for an orphan foal named Gambler's Hand. Interspersed throughoutare Alicut's flashback dreams about his Nez Perce ancestors as they attemptedto escape the US Calvary . . . The strength and endurance of the Appaloosahorse were instrumental in their arduous journey and connect Alicut to his pastand his identity. Female characters are dynamic and strong . . . romance issprinkled throughout, and the ending is satisfying. I love reading abouthorses, especially where animals are not just props, but are characters in thestory!” - Gayle M. Smith,Award-Nominated Author of Thickwood
Simiakia is a very good read. The characterdevelopment is excellent. You really become invested in the outcome for eachcharacter. It even brings in some telling issues about prejudice among peoplerich and poor, dogs, and horses. All in all, it keeps your attention to thefinal words.” - Roberta Harms, champion endurance rider
About the Author
Lori Windows grew upenamoured of the writings of Grey, Brand, Terhune, London, Burroughs, andFarley. Her father set her on a horse when she was two years old, and she hasnow ridden horses on six continents.
In 1982, shediscovered the sport of distance racing. She and her variety of horses andmules have amassed multiple national titles and more than 63,000 sanctionedrace miles.
About the Publisher
Endless Sky Books is abook-publishing company founded by award-winning author and editor EdwardWillett in 2023. For more information, contact publisher@endless-sky-books.comor visit www.endless-sky-books.com.
Lori Windows is available for interviews, media appearances,speaking engagements, and/or book review requests. Please contact mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com by email or by phone at 403.464.6925
June 29, 2023
Robert J. Sawyer receives the L. Ron Hubbard Lifetime Achievement Award!
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner!
Canada’sTop Science-Fiction Writer Honored!
Robert J. Sawyer receives the L. RonHubbard Lifetime Achievement Award!
Science-fictionwriter and Canadian icon Robert J. Sawyer hasbeen recognized once again for his contributions to science fiction literatureand arts and culture. Called the “Deanof Canadian Science Fiction” by The Ottawa Citizen, Sawyer has hadnumerous successes in his writing career including being the only Canadian towin all three major science fiction awards for best novel of the year: the HugoAward, the Nebula Award, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. Now, he has one more accolade to add to hislist.
On Friday, April 28, 2023, Sawyerreceived the L. Ron Hubbard LifetimeAchievement Award in conjunction with the 39th Annual Writers and Illustrators of the Future contest ceremony held at the Taglyan Cultural Complexin Hollywood, California.
The writers who have previously won this award represent aWho’s Who of science fiction: Gregory Benford, Algis Budrys, Orson Scott Card,Anne McCaffrey, Larry Niven, Frederik Pohl, JerryPournelle, Mike Resnick, Robert Silverberg, and Jack Williamson.
Emily Goodwin, Vice President of Public Affairs for AuthorServices, Inc., served as event producer and she presented the award to Rob,who has penned such science-fiction classics as Hominids, QuantumNight, and The Oppenheimer Alternative.
L. Ron Hubbard was one of the founders of modern science fiction,and his short stories were a mainstay of the classic SF pulp magazines,including the famed Astounding Science Fiction (still published today as AnalogScience Fiction and Fact). The Writers of the Future contest, now inits 40th year, was founded by him to encourage new authors of science fictionand fantasy. Rob has served as a judgefor the contest since 2005.
During his acceptance speech, Sawyer said, “Thank you all sovery much! Although I entered this contest when I was starting out, I’ve onlyever been on the stage here at the L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers andIllustrators of the Future Gala as a presenter, never an award recipient. I amthrilled to have finally made it! I thank John Goodwin, Emily Goodwin, JoniLabaqui, and everyone else at Author Services, Inc. from the bottom of myheart—which is beating awfully fast right now!”
Robert J.Sawyer is a Canadian science-fiction author with twenty-five novels and threeshort-story collections to his name. He is the bestselling author of FlashForward, which wasadapted as an ABC TV series, and he wrote the script for the series finale ofthe web series Star Trek Continues. Asa futurist, he’s consulted with NASA, spoken at Google’s headquarters, andadvised Canada’s federal Department of Justice.
Receiving a lifetime-achievementaward would truly be a great accomplishment for anyone, but this is Sawyer’s fourth such award. He’s previouslyreceived lifetime achievement awards from the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association, the Mississauga Arts Council, and the Baltimore Science Fiction Society inconjunction with the estate of science-fiction grandmaster Robert A. Heinlein.The L.Ron Hubbard Lifetime Achievement Award is a wonderful addition that only emphasizesSawyer’s dedication to the literary world of science fiction.
Robis available for interviews and appearances. For media appearances, interviews, and/or book review requests pleasecontact mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com by emailor by phone at 403.464.6925
The Robert J. Sawyer web site: sfwriter.com
Press kit(including photos and book covers): sfwriter.com/presskit.htm
June 27, 2023
OUT OF THE BOX, a childrens book of discovery and friendship by Lucia Matuonto
A New World
A childrens bookof discovery and friendship by bestselling author and podcaster, Lucia Matuonto
Releasedand published by Relatable Media!
The bookwill be available worldwide in all formats
A fun and engaging children’s bookabout discovering new places, friendship, and exploring our wonderful world!
Welcome to Grey City! This is a city surrounded by walls with no trees, but full of factories, smog and dirt.
Brother and sister Noah and Mila have lived here their whole life.
On their daily walk, their dog Buster digs a hole under the city’s walls and escapes to the other side. Noah and Mila follow him and see a whole new world outside the little box they’ve grown up in. They discover the beautiful Green Town.
There theyencounter new faces like Ali and Carol who show them what it’s like to breatheclean air, ride a bicycle and see trees everywhere you go.
Why have Noah and Mila never heard of Green Town before?
Out of the Box is the story of an adventure and discovery thatallows children to connect with the environment through the eyes of Noah andMila.
It shows us the importance of greener living and how pushing for change ispossible!
This is not my first book of this author and Iam always happy with everything she writes. I recommend it for you children100% :) _ Jenn92
As anauthor, I noticed loose similarities to well-known books, but I'll leave thatinterpretation to readers to discover for themselves! This artful book has worldly value. Irecommend it to children and adults.
- Tamara Miller Davis, author of "Despite the Buzz
ABOUT LUCIA:
LuciaMatuonto is a bestselling author, host at The Relatable Voice Podcast and Uncutwith Lucia by Worldauthors.org and children’s physiotherapist. Lucia’s writingjourney started about 20 years ago when she wrote articles for magazines andhad a successful blog. She was born in Brazil, studied and lived in 6countries. Lucia Matuonto used to teach and treat children with motor andcognitive disabilities. The children she met inspired her to create animaginary world, full of animals and fantasy. By observing the beach fauna inFlorida, Lucia developed her characters, who are now present in many children’slives.
https://www.luciamatuonto.com/
@therelatablevoice
Torequest additional review copies or an interview with Lucia, please contactMickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com /403.464.6925.
Welook forward to the coverage!
June 24, 2023
The Improv Mindset by the founder of Improv LA, Keith Saltojanes
The Improv Mindset
How to Make Improvisation your Superpower for Success
A stunning debut by the founder of Improv LA ,
Keith Saltojanes
We improvise everyday, but how many times do we get stuck in our heads overthinking?
Now you can learn how to leverage the skills of improv for your life.
Improv isn't just for actors, comedians, and writers, but is one of today’smost powerful tools for success in business, social situations, publicspeaking, communication, becoming a more fearless person, and just plain havingmore fun in life. Being able to think quickly on your feet, be in the moment,and to roll with any sudden changes makes any person more confident.
This book will break down these techniques with exercises you can practice bothat home and put to use in real-life settings. You'll learn:
· Thinking (and responding) quicker
· How to sharpen your sense of humor &creativity
· Letting go of mental blocks to become moreoutgoing
· Ways to initiate conversations when you don'tknow what to say
· Making the most out of every moment (evenwhen you’re nervous)
· Owning your own personality and using it toaccomplish your goals
Youdon't have to be born witty to apply these methods, you just have to be taughtthem and that's what this book will do.
“Aphenomenal resource for professionals of every type.”– Forbes
About Improv-LA
Since2010, Improv-LA has emerged as the ultimate hub where actors and non-actorsunite to unlock their full potential and thrive in their daily lives. With apowerful presence in the industry, collaborating with prestigious film studioslike Walt Disney, Netflix, DreamWorks and NBC, we've solidified our position astrendsetters. Our dynamic classes cater to beginners and advanced learners,covering the art of improv, comedy writing, voice over, and an array ofexciting disciplines. Our global reach has allowed us to impart invaluablelessons in embracing unconventional thinking and embracing a life of boundlesscreativity and unbridled fun.
4xWinner “Best Special Interest School & Instruction” - Los AngelesCommunity Awards
Named “Best Training Program & Best Instructors” - INNY Awards
Winner “Coach of the Year” – Del Close Awards
AboutKeith Saltojanes
Keith Saltojanes is the Founder of Improv-LA,the internationally known creative training center based in LosAngeles. He has taught improv techniques in over 10 countries and forexecutives at some of the biggest companies around (including Disney, Netflix,Amazon, IBM). He also has a Guinness World Record for the Longest Improv Showand was a writer for National Lampoon and forcomedians from SNL, MADtv, In Living Color, and Mr. Show.
To requestadditional review copies or an interview with Keith Saltojanes, please contactMickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: |403.464.6925.
We look forward tothe coverage!
June 22, 2023
The Patient Routine, the newest statement of horror by Luna Rey Hall
The Patient Routine
Thenewest statement of horror by critically acclaimed author, Luna Rey Hall
Released and published by Brigids Gate Press
The book is available worldwide in e-format and paperback
"Filled with frantic death energy.Entrancing, gruesome, and heartening too. hall's lyrical hospital saga showsthat we are small inside the grandiose mortality machine."
— Hailey Piper, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Queen of Teeth
Ashton is convinced they are dying. whether it be from cancer, heartdisease, or a fungal infection, they know something bad is always about tohappen. after a night of health-related panic attacks, & urged by a voicein their head, Ashton decides to check in to the ER again but when anotherpatient is brought in with an unknown ailment that puts the entire hospital onlockdown, Ashton may be trapped in their worst nightmare.
Amazon.com: the patient routine eBook : hall, luna rey,Leggett, Elizabeth, Ellis, Stephanie: Books
"Apsychedelic, propulsive stream-of-consciousness narrative that feels at timesclaustrophobic, at times conspiratorial, and at all times curiouslysuspenseful. Unlike anything I've ever read."
— Nick Cutter, author of The Troop
"the patientroutine is a merciless, anxiety-charged, possible-apocalypse,possible-zombie thriller, long narrative poem about the body in maddeningconversation with itself. luna rey hall takes us through the terrifying hallsof a hospital in lockdown while deftly exploring an immensely personal journeythrough the shifting realities of an over-medicalized mind, a body snared insystems that do not understand or serve it. The tension between inner and outerworlds is relentless and the body horror hits all the worst/best buttons whileraising philosophical questions of identity and power. What a torturously smartlittle book."
— Joe Koch, author of The Wingspan ofSevered Hands and Convulsive
About Luna Rey Hall:
lunarey hall is a queer trans non-binary writer. they are the author of spaceneon neon space (Variant Lit, 2022), no matter the diagnosis (GameOver Books, 2023), the patient routine (Brigids Gate Press, 2023), and loudestwhen startled (YesYes Books, 2020), longlisted for the 2020 Julie SukAward. they are the winner of the 2013 Patsy Lea Core in Memorial Award forPoetry. their poems have appeared in The Florida Review, The Rumpus,& Raleigh Review, among others. find more at lunareyhall.com.
To request additional review copies oran interview with Luna Rey Hall, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at CreativeEdge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
We look forward to the coverage !
June 20, 2023
New Release from Bestselling Author Craig DiLouie - DJINN
Craig DiLouie’s DJINNReleases June 16, 2023
In the violentaftermath of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, aphotojournalist arrives to learn the fate of the Witch Doctors, a fabled Armyoccult warfare unit. Holly believes her father, reported missing in action, ranthis mysterious outfit that sought to weaponize black magic to win the War onTerror.
As the Talibanadvances and the national government crumbles, Holly makes a harrowing journeyinto the deep desert to an abandoned base, which houses a terrifying secret.There, along with a group of American ex-soldiers, themselves cursed, she willface the ancient evil the Witch Doctors unleashed…
The terrorsthat live in the world of the djinn. The horrors that lurk in war itself.
Published by ZING Communications, Inc., Djinn releases June 16 ineBook and trade paperback exclusively through Amazon. Read by Garrett MichaelBrown, the audiobook releases the same date.
About theAuthor
Craig DiLouie is a bestselling American-Canadian writer of militaryand speculative fiction, with self-published books as well as other workspublished by major publishers and small presses. His works have been nominatedfor major literary awards, translated into multiple languages, and optioned forscreen adaptation. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers ofAmerica, International Thriller Writers, and the Horror Writers Association. Learnmore at www.CraigDiLouie.com.
To request additional review copies oran interview with Craig DiLouie, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at CreativeEdge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
We look forward to the coverage !
