Auden Johnson's Blog, page 15

Black Widow Trailer

They've been talking about this movie for a while, like awhile. But, I didn't pay attention to most of the chatter. I never thought they'd actually make it. But, they did! The first trailer dropped today. It looks like it'll be epic too.

Behind the Scenes: Creating a Fantasy Photography Book

Nothing like a new project to get your inspiration moving. After 13 books and life not turning out anywhere near the way I expected, I started to realize I was slowly giving up on writing. Not consciously, of course.  Most days, I just didn't feel like working on a story or blogging. I still don't actually. It's not just the writing side of life that's a bit depressing. Not being able to afford basic things gets old. People like to romanticize the starving artist. Those people clearly have never been one.

All of that just gets to you.

But, then I reminded myself that things weren't going to change if I gave up. My publisher's exhibiting later this month and they wanted something new from me to put on the table. I'd been playing around with a photography book for years but kept putting it off. The exhibit was a good excuse to work on it.

And I'm having a blast. It's a new experience, especially since I'm using IngramSpark instead of KDP to publish this book. KDP doesn't do hardback books.

Where to start?

Theme
Over three years, I've taken close to 15,000 photos. I spent a couple of days going through them to figure out how I could arrange some in a book. Years ago, I thought of doing benches, then I moved to bridges. But I fell off those subjects. They didn't really speak to me. Fantasy Photography sat in the back of my mind but, for some reason, I was reluctant to commit to it. Eventually, the idea wore me down and I gave in.

What is fantasy photography?  I published a post about this topic. Mostly, I saw it as buildings that looked like they jumped out of a storybook. But, that subject wouldn't work for this book.

Having sold photos on sites like iStock and Shutterstock, I know there are some rules on what subjects you can use for commercial purposes. I can't use an image of someone's house without the owner's permission. So...no houses. I searched my photos for anything that seemed otherworldly to me, something that had me things of epic adventures, photos that got the imagination going.  I collected all the photos in a Lightroom album for easy access.

Research
When I published my first paperback. I gathered books from my shelf to use as an example. I wanted mine to look professional. I had to do the same thing for photo books except, I don't own as many mostly because those books can cost you $40+. Then I remembered this brilliant invention called the library.  I checked out a couple of books as references.

Then, as usual, I searched Pinterest for more interior and cover design ideas.


Design
I created an account with InstragmSpark, then downloaded their formatting guide. My book will be 8x10 so I wanted to know the proper page margins. If you've ever opened a book with photos, you know, most times, the images extend to the edge of the page. You have to format that properly or your book will get rejected. It's called a page bleed. I had to deal with that when working the images in The Lost Sciell.


Bleed is a pain. It took me so long to get it right for The Lost Sciell. The end result is nice, though. I anticipate IngramSpark rejecting my file several times. On top of that, the photo needs to be HD which means the book's file size will be huge.

I'm laying out the book, figuring out the best way to arrange the photo. I already have the sections but I want to organize the photos in a way that they match.

For instance, this is one page:

Both photos belong in the same section but I don't know if they belong on the same page. The colors are just too different. The blue one might end up being spread across both pages.

Not a whole lot of writing involve yet, but that could change. Right now, I'm focusing on getting the photo layout right.

The cover just got okayed by my publisher so I'll be doing a reveal/behind the design for that next.

The SFF Week in Links: Star Wars, Pokemon, Black Widow Movie

Welcome to the Week in Links, a roundup of the latest articles for fantasy, sci-fi and horror readers and writers.

My feed was pretty much Nintendo Switch Black Friday deals. I didn't include those links but if you have a Switch, just know a lot of games are on sale this weekend.

If you were watching anything yesterday, you probably saw the commercial where E.T. was reunited with adult Elliot. It's an ad for something, not an E.T. sequel, fortunately. It's still just wrong.

Fantasy/Horror/Sci-Fi
THE WALKING DEAD Teases Season 10B’s Upcoming ActionStar Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Director Talks Palpatine And Delivering A "True Ending"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker script wound up on eBay after John Boyega partied and forgot about itTHE RISE OF SKYWALKER Thanksgiving Teaser Uses “Duel of the Fates”Disney cashes in on baby Yoda with crude online merch
13 Magical Holiday Books to Enjoy This SeasonAmerican Horror Story Season 10 Predictions & TheoriesGorgeous Fantasy Drinking Horns and Beer SteinsNetflix’s I Lost My Body turns a weird horror trope into one of the year’s dreamiest dramasBook Review: Novice Dragoneer by E.E. Knight(Almost) Every Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV or Movie Adaptation in the Works Right NowExclusive Cover Reveal: Ashes Of Onyx by Seth SkorkowskyThe 25 Most Anticipated SFF Books of 2020
Nerdy
Facebook Oculus Acquires Beat Saber DevelopersResident Evil Characters Come to Smash Bros. Ultimate as Spirits This WeekThe 70 best video game characters of the decadeGet yourself a Gigantamax Snorlax in DecemberPokémon Sword and Shield guide: Breeding and catching high IV PokémonHow to Get Shiny Pokemon (and the Shiny Charm) in Sword and ShieldEverything to do in Destiny 2 before Season of Dawn starts10 lovely-looking indie games to look out for in 2020The New Avengers VR Game Is Fun, If InconsequentialBlack Widow Movie Begins With The Character "In Crisis"Things We Saw Today: Remember When Tom Hiddleston Auditioned to Play Thor?Comcast Reunites E.T., Elliott For the Holidays
Writing and Book Marketing
Photography and Design
Along These Roads – A Film Exploring the Realities of Being a Travel PhotographerVibrant Pictures of Tropical Plants LifeHow to Take Beautiful Product Photos for Your E-Commerce Website

Want to see your post in the next The Week in Links? Email me at audendjohnson@gmal.com. The post needs to be published between today, 11/30 and next Saturday, 12/7.

The SFF Week in Links: Pokemon Sword and Shield,Star Wars Jedi, Harley Quinn

Welcome to the Week in Links, a roundup of the latest articles for fantasy, sci-fi and horror readers and writers.

My feed (and me) are kinda obsessed with Pokemon Sword and Shield. So many guides. I couldn't include them all. I haven't read any of them because I'm currently playing Pokemon Sword and I don't want any spoilers.

Between this, Death Stranding, Xbox and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, video games needed its own section. Even then, I had to leave out some things. This week was super nerdy.


Fantasy/Horror/Sci-Fi
Review of A House of Rage and Sorrow by Sangu MandannaAnnouncing The Book of Dragons, a Fiery New Fantasy AnthologyHope Exists: Darcy Van Poelgeest and Ian Bertram Discuss Their Image Comics Saga Little BirdInterview: Doctor Sleep Director Mike Flanagan Talks Horror and Finding Hope in Bleak StoriesServant, M. Night Shyamalan's Apple TV+ Show, Gets A Haunting New TrailerThe Witcher Fan Experience coming to Los Angeles, plus season 2 confirmedNetflix Renews THE WITCHER for Season 2This fan-made anime opening of Good Omens startled Neil Gaiman
Nerdy
Frank Miller’s SIN CITY To Become Television SeriesMatt Reeves Confirms Andy Serkis Will Play Alfred Pennyworth in The BatmanThe New Star Trek TV Shows Are Hiring Paid Interns for the Job of a LifetimeDisney Plus: Han Shoots First Scene From Star Wars: A New Hope Has Been Changed AgainDisney+ Adds Disclaimer to Problematic Movies Citing “Outdated Cultural Depictions”Harley Quinn's New Animated Show Gets A Full-Length TrailerSonic the Hedgehog is redesigned in new trailerSonic's New Movie Look Was Led By A Sonic Franchise Veteran7 new trailers you should watch this weekAvengers: Endgame Deleted Scene On Disney+ Reveals Emotional Katherine Langford MomentNetflix And Nickelodeon Team Up For New ContentKeanu Reeves Surprises Fans in New SpongeBob “Sponge on the Run” Movie TrailerThe Rock announces his Black Adam movie for December 2021
GamingDeath Stranding: Find Preppers and Avoid BTs With Our Interactive MapA Beginner’s Guide To The World Of Death StrandingDeath Stranding's 40-Hour-Long Story, ExplainedMark Wahlberg Joins Tom Holland in UNCHARTED MoviePokémon Sword and Shield open up the world enough to spark wonderPokémon Sword and Shield: The Kotaku ReviewPokemon Sword And Shield: Where To Catch Cool And Rare PokemonTips: 24 Things Pokemon Sword and Shield Doesn't Tell YouTons of Games Confirmed Coming to Xbox Game PassStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Beginner's Guide - Tips To Get You Started14 Tips for Getting Started in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen OrderJedi: Fallen Order shows that a good Star Wars game doesn’t have to be originalLife is Strange devs’ next game is a mystery starring a trans characterYakuza Series Coming To Xbox One For The First Time With Game Pass
Writing and Book Marketing
Instagram Tests Hiding Likes Across the GlobeWhy I Don’t Write Every Day


Want to see your post in the next The Week in Links? Email me at audendjohnson@gmal.com. The post needs to be published between today, 11/16 and next Friday, 11/23.

Guest Post: Best and worst things about being a writer by Annette Marie

The best and worst things about being a writer are the same: having countless stories to tell. My head is full of characters, scenes, magic, new places, new conflicts, and wild ideas that may never make it into a story. I’m always working on the next idea, whether it’s the scene I’ll be writing tomorrow, a book I’m planning to write next year, a character with no home yet, or a new idea I’ll eventually explore but who knows when.

The good and the bad are so tangled there’s no separating them. I love writing—fleshing out ideas, bringing characters to life, exploring the intricacies of a new world—but I only have so much time and can only write so fast! Many ideas and characters have to take a backseat while I focus on my current project, and some, sadly, will probably never get written. There’s also that frustrating trick my brain likes to play where the most enticing story is always the one I’m not supposed to be writing right now.

But getting to bring all these worlds and people in my head to life on the page is by far the best part. I’ve heard some writers say they must write. They simply can’t stop, and I’m 100% there with them. Delving into a new series is the best feeling ever, and the biggest reason I could never quit writing. Plus, if I ever stopped writing, my head would get so crowded with characters in need of a story, I’d probably explode. ;)


Title: Taming Demons for Beginners (The Guild Codex: Demonized #1)
Author: Annette Marie
Published by: Dark Owl Fantasy Inc.
Publication date: September 13th 2019
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy

Rule one: Don’t look at the demon.

When I arrived at my uncle’s house, I expected my relatives to be like me—outcast sorcerers who don’t practice magic. I was right about the sorcery, but wrong about everything else.

Rule two: Don’t listen to the demon.

My uncle chose a far deadlier power. He calls creatures of darkness into our world, binds them into service contracts, and sells them to the highest bidder. And I’m supposed to act like I don’t know how illegal and dangerous it is.

Rule three: Don’t talk to the demon.

All I had to do was keep my nose out of it. Pretend I didn’t find the summoning circle in the basement. Pretend I didn’t notice the shadowy being trapped inside it. Pretend I didn’t break the rules.

But I did, and now it’s too late.
—
From the author of The Guild Codex: Spellbound comes a new series that will plunge an unprepared young woman into the darkest magic of the mythic world.Goodreads / Amazon


Annette Marie is the author of Amazon best-selling YA urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, its prequel trilogy Spell Weaver, and romantic fantasy trilogy Red Winter. Her first love is fantasy, but fast-paced adventures and tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it's not quite that bad) with her husband and their furry minion of darkness—sorry, cat—Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.

 Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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Beneath London’s Fog, Ghost Story, by Iona Caldwell

Title: Beneath London’s Fog
Author: Iona Caldwell
Published by: FyreSyde Publishing
Publication date: October 30th 2019
Genres: Occult Fiction, Ghost Story, British Literature

Jonathan is the immortal master of Raven Hollow Manor – a decrepit mansion riddled with superstition, murder and restless ghosts. Beneath it lies a restless malice.

Its previous owner driven mad, violently kills his guests with a rusted ax, creating the perfect venue for Jonathan to seclude himself in a prison of his own device.

When the streets of London begin to run red with blood; the bodies exhibiting disturbing signs and baffling wounds, the identity of the killer remains elusive to police.

The bodies are just the beginning of Jonathan’s troubles. A mysterious letter accusing Jonathan of committing the murders appear, raising suspicion in the police. Hidden beneath the mangled bodies, Jonathan soon realizes he is being forced to face demons he thought died in a forlorn past he attempted to escape.

One thing Jonathan knows for certain: He must deal with the demons of his past if he is to survive his future. Not only him but those he has come to love as well.

For fans of Jim Butcher, Stephen King, Darcy Coates and Nick Cutter.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo
—
The Streets Ran With Blood
I want it known before this tale begins – I am not a hero but a villain. I want no sympathy from whomever reads this recalling of my story; no mourning for the tragedy that befell my life. I am not an innocent man but a sinner forced to face the ravaging demons and ghosts of his own creation.

My story began as many do – a lie, a fire and murder. One of my kind murdered the woman I loved in the coldest of blood in one of history’s darkest times at the behest of a possessive noble.

After a run in with him in Nottingham, I soon found myself fleeing for my life from hunters, framed for a murder I had not committed.

Forgive me, I am getting ahead of myself.

Let me begin where this part of my story took place.

A bloody civil war ravaged London followed shortly by the Great Fire in 1666. A glorious time for me and those like me to take advantage of the chaos and remain hidden in the shadows.

I managed to pursue the one responsible for nearly getting me killed two centuries prior to the plague which befell London before the fire.

Within the shadows of the flickering flames of St. Peter’s Cathedral, I struck him down and departed the city, thus avoiding my demise.

I had yet to escape him, however, when his vengeful spirit devoured the souls of the innocent in a mad bloodlust.

Though greatly injured, I managed to drive his spirit to my new home Raven Hollow Manor in London, imprisoning him in stone coffin in the crypt beneath it.

Peace resumed in my life and nobles of all kinds enjoyed lavishly hosted parties within the halls of my estate.

Unfortunately, the short lived splendor at the hands of the hauntings filled the ears of the locals and my beloved home decayed into a tangled web of blood-filled rumors and superstition.

My once glorious halls became infested with dust, its crystal chandeliers covered with cobwebs, their spiders fat on the insects buzzing around the decay and mold-covered wallpaper.

Yet, there I remained as it proved a decent place to not only contain my greatest sin but served also as a castle of solitude.

The tides of time swept by in a cacophony of modernization and the movement from superstition to things only mortal science could explain.

I still needed to venture into the city, not only to feed but also to purchase other items needed for everyday living.

It wasn’t until the winter of 1910 that my silence would be disrupted in the form of a girl named Holly, a young street urchin accused of theft. I took her with me after using a bit of “persuasion” on the local officers to let her go.

They did not need to know where I would take her and she soon grew into a wonderful messenger on my behalf. She became a rather attractive young woman with bouncy blonde curls who kept me company with stories of what went on in the city.

I am sure, at one time, she became infatuated with me. It did not surprise me. To mortals, my kind held a certain allure they found difficult to ignore. I ended her infatuation quickly following a stern talking to and dousing with cold water.

One day, while in my labyrinthine garden, Holly came to me in tears.

When the people of London learned where Holly lived, the townsfolk dubbed her a practitioner of black magic.

One day, I found Holly sitting on one of the marble benches in the garden, sobbing. I picked a flower and put it in my daughter’s hair, sitting next to her beneath the statue of a praying angel.

“You need not worry about them, dearest. Mortals are always quick to place labels on what they do not understand.”

Holly sniffled and sobbed, wiping her nose and offering me a smile. “But why do they avoid this place, Jonathan?”

“Mortals fear what they cannot comprehend. Pay them no mind. You are a wonderful young woman,” I purred, brushing a blonde curl from her face.

The words appeared to have placated her as she smiled and joined me in a moonlight stroll through the garden.

***
Around midnight, after dinner with Holly, I dismissed her to bed. Once she departed, I sought out sustenance in the city.

A dense fog rolled in due to the cool winter weather and the recent days of rain.

Combined with the darkness of the streets and alleyways, I managed to meet a young working woman on the corner and wooed her into joining me for a walk to the park. As with other women, I made sure she understood I respected her body with gentle caresses and loving words murmured into her ears.

Once I placed her deep under my spell, I kissed the tender flesh of the woman’s throat and exposed shoulder, thanking her for her gift.

My fangs pierced her flesh, earning a moan of pleasure as her body surrendered its precious life force without any significant damage. Her body pressed against mine, her moans increasing with pleasure at my kiss.

I preferred this method to those of many of my other brethren who tore their victims apart during a feeding, choosing power to subdue instead of sexual allure.

When signs of weakness began manifesting I released my hold, picking her up after licking the small puncture wounds, my saliva healing them, leaving no marks or scars.

To assure she received care, I took her to the nearest hospital and deposited her on the steps without anyone noticing.

As always, I used hypnotic suggestion to erase her memory and leave her with a pleasant dream.

During the wee hours of the morning, I tended to enjoy the calls of the birds and the chirping of the crickets to help relieve the burden on my mind.

Not a soul roamed the streets near the bridge where I liked to sit and write poetry or read a book.

In the midst of the silence, a horrifying shriek caught my attention, almost startling me.

My pupils narrowed to those one might see in a viper or a cat. I let my body dissipate into the form of a black mist, hovering over the city in search of the source of the scream.

I found it in the shape of the body of a mangled man.

The whites of his eyes consumed most of the portion of the glossy orbs in his skull, mouth gaped open mid-scream.

I knelt before him, my own brows furrowed in frustration at the recognition of the familiar puncture wounds on the man’s throat. This cannot be. No other has hunted here in centuries.

The disturbing find made something clear.

Many of my kind preferred not to hunt in one place occupied by another of higher status, or in another’s territory for that matter. We changed due to the growing number of human hunters who would kill any of us they came across.

Despite the city’s size, my reputation often kept others out of my hunting grounds, for which I remained grateful.

This new kill had been malicious.

If I allowed such behavior to continue, it could draw the attention of the hunters or the local police to my home.

Whomever the responsible party, I needed to locate them and have a word with them or kill them if necessary.

My eyes closed, a heavy sigh drawing up from within my lungs. I placed my fingers over the man’s eyes, using a gentle touch to close them. “Forgive whichever of us did this to you. You did not deserve to die in such a horrific manner.”

Searching through the pockets of his trench coat, I located his identification card and vowed to send some money and roses to his family.

Sounds of sirens and the calls of the corner watchmen announced the arrival of the authorities. I left them the man’s wallet so they could inform his family of their loss.

I lurked in the shadows listening to the inspectors scrutinizing the scene.

“Bloody mystery, it is. This is the second mangled body we found this week. One has to wonder if we might be witnessing the birth of another blighter of a serial killer.” One of the inspectors scratched his head beneath the dome shaped hat.

I recognized him as Bertrand Abrams, a well-known officer and one of the only men who aided Holly during her visits to town.

From his looks, one would expect him to hail from Scotland. A bushy mustache and stringy hair with the consistency of sheep’s wool held the color of fire. Dimples set into high cheekbones and a double chin made me smile. A portly belly betrayed his affinity for too many scones and perhaps Scotch.

He had been wrong. This death held no mystery. I merely needed to find the one responsible before it resulted in too much of a personal dilemma.

Following the release of the corpse to the medical examiner, I took the form of black mist and drifted back to Raven Hollow.

The beginnings of my night would be haunted by dreams of a past filled with love, vengeance and pain.

It would be filled with shining auburn locks and eyes the color of the fresh leaves of spring.




Iona Caldwell is the lover of all things arcane, folklore, nature and magic.

She is the author of the British Occult Fiction, Beneath London’s Fog set to be published by FyreSyde Publishing October 2019. Her second title, Hell’s Warden is forecasted to release in February of 2020. When she’s not busy weaving worlds of the arcane and dark, she’s spending time out in nature. An avid lover of books, Iona claims her biggest inspirations are H.P Lovecraft, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman and Edgar Allen Poe.

She believes storytellers should tell the stories they want to tell. As such, most of her titles are stand-alone novellas she hopes will leave her readers immersed in magical worlds.

She is also an extremely active book blogger who will review primarily horror, suspense, supernatural thriller, mystery, and occult/gothic fiction.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram


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The SFF and Horror Week in Links: Doctor Sleep, Paranormal Activity 7, The Invisible Man

Welcome to the Week in Links, a roundup of the latest articles for fantasy, sci-fi and horror readers and writers.

Apparently, we're getting another Paranormal Activity. I stopped at 4 or 5 but I don't know why I made it that far. I'm pretty sure 2 was the last one I actually liked. 3 was okay. Don't think we need another Paranormal Activity.

Death Stranding dominated my feed. Since all my gaming is limited to the Switch, this game has not been on my radar. I don't even have a computer that can handle this kind of game.

Doctor Sleep has been in my feed for the last couple of weeks but that too has not been on my radar. Mostly because I can't exactly afford to see a movie. This will be something I rent on Amazon Prime.


Fantasy/Horror/Sci-Fi
Doctor Sleep's Ending Explained: How Does The Movie Follow The Shining?
DOCTOR SLEEP’s Rose the Hat Is An All-Time Great Stephen King VillainParanormal Activity 7 Has A Release DateBille Lourd Talks About Mom Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia, and Her Connection to Star WarsSTRANGER THINGS 4’s First Episode Title Could Be An X-Men ReferenceStranger Things: Watch These Newly Released Blooper Reels From All Three Seasons
The Invisible Man Remake Gets Scary First TrailerShyamalan’s ‘Servant’ Trailer Teases a Babysitting NightmareRupert Grint makes his comeback in M. Night Shyamalan’s creepy Apple TV Plus seriesA Lovecraft Cinematic Universe? SpecreVision Wants to Launch a Trilogy of H.P. Lovecraft Films25 Otherworldly Science Fiction & Fantasy Books Arriving in November
Nerdy
The best new superheroes created this decade
Nintendo Switch Black Friday 2019 Deals: Best Console And Accessory Deals So FarPokemon Sword And Shield Show Off Competitive Training Improvements
Marvel's She-Hulk Disney Plus Show Enlists Rick And Morty WriterFans Honor Deceased YouTuber Etika With A Stunning Mural
#PokemonSwordShield launched even in #NintendoNYC on Friday, 11/15 Death Stranding PC Confirmed for Steam and Epic Game Store ReleaseDeath Stranding's Buzzwords ExplainedDeath Stranding - Opening Cinematic
Netflix is ending support for old devices from Samsung, Roku, and Vizio in December
Writing and Book Marketing
How to Become a Travel Writer: Eric HansonHow to Create a Writing Portfolio That’ll Wow Potential Clients
The Hero’s Journey: How to Build Suspense With a Fake-Out EndingBook Marketing: Engineer Your Book Launch Success With A DIY StrategyBookstagramming on Instagram With Nadine Brandes
Photography and Design
Adobe deals with ‘painful’ early reviews of Photoshop for iPadAdobe is Adding Livestreaming to Its Apps So You Can Stream Your Photo Editing SessionsHow to Capture the Colors of Autumn in Your PhotographyGetty Images is Going All Royalty Free, and That Sucks for Photographers




Want to see your post in the next The Week in Links? Email me at audendjohnson@gmal.com. The post needs to be published between today, 11/9 and next Saturday, 11/16.

Interview with Stacey O’Neale, Author of The Shadow Prince , a YA Fantasy Novella

Please welcome award-winning fantasy and science fiction author, Stacy O'Neale. Read her interview and check out her recently released novella, The Shadow Prince. Win a $25 Amazon gift card. Enter at the end of the post. Enjoy!
1. Are you a Panster or Plotter?
Hardcore plotter. I write outlines, chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, and character charts before I write my first word. I’m a type-A personality. Plotting is the only way I can work.
2. What advice would you give young writers looking to publish a book?
Read a lot. Join a writing group. Take courses and/or read books about the craft of writing. A few marketing courses would also help in the long run. Oh, and don’t allow yourself to make excuses. If you want this as a career, you have to dedicate yourself. It’s not easy.
3. As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
I don’t know if I have one specific animal, but I’m mildly obsessed with goats at the moment. There’s a twitter page dedicated to goats, and I check every day for a new video. If you ever see them walk, you’ll understand. They’re hilarious.
4. What do your plans for future projects include?
The Mortal Enchantment Box Set releases on October 28th. I’m working on a new YA fantasy series. I’ve written the first book, but I need to work through the edits. I also have a couple of ideas bouncing around in my head. I need to outline them and figure out which one I’m going to write.
5. Where can readers find you online?
Everywhere. http://staceyoneale.com/ is probably the easiest way to find me. I’m also active on social media. All of those links are on the top right corner of my website. I also have my own book group on Facebook called Book Slayers. We mostly discuss fantasy, paranormal, and science fiction books in both YA and adult. https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookslayers/

***The 2019 updated edition of The Shadow Prince is available on Amazon for free. You can get your copy by clicking here: https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Prince-Mortal-Enchantment-Book-ebook/dp/B00IT1DQX0   
  
Title: The Shadow Prince (Mortal Enchantment #0.5)
Author: Stacey O’Neale
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Prequel novella to the award-winning YA fantasy series Mortal Enchantment. Discover a world of elemental powers, courage, duty, sacrifice, forbidden romance and a war for the very elements of life.

Sixteen-year-old Rowan is an elemental prince. Banished to the mortal world, he doubts he will ever return to Avalon and claim the fire court throne. Until he receives a challenge from his estranged mother. If he slays Kalin, the half-human, half-elemental, princess of the air court, she will abdicate her throne. Is he capable of completing such a heinous task? And what price will he pay if he refuses?

Perfect for fans of Holly Black and Sarah J. Maas.

“Filled with betrayal and intrigue, The Shadow Prince is a dark and twisty novella from an exciting new author!” Katee Robert, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling AuthorGoodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo—The Shadow Prince is part of the
Mortal Enchantment box set
OUT NOW!




Award-winning author, Stacey O’Neale, lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she’s not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.

Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult fantasy and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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Traveler's Notebook: Photographing The Ocean

Whenever you arrive at a new place, you'll often find shelves of tourist guides. I usually ignore them because we have this wonderful invention called the internet. But, after a 15-hour trip, I was just happy to have finally reach Kauai, Hawaii.  As I was thumbing through the guide, I came across an ad for renting a waterproof camera. Didn't think much of it except, "that's interesting." But, it must've stuck in my head. Two days later, I really wanted to rent a waterproof camera. And I did.

I use a Canon EOS Rebel T5i DSLR camera and I love it but, it's not really beach ready. I don't have a waterproof case for it and even if I did, I wouldn't take my $700 camera snorkeling with me.

I captured this with my DSLR:

And that's way too close to the ocean. The beach killed my last camera. Sand got in the lense.

I was crouched in the water to get that shot:

Before disaster struck my DSLR, I rented the Olympus Tough TG-5 from Kauai Bound.

That camera can take a beating. As you can see from the top photo, it has a wrist strap attached. That helped a lot.

See this photo:


I let myself get knocked over by waves to capture it. Don't think my DSLR could take that kind of beating. Even in a waterproof case.

Ocean photography takes a lot of patience. Kind of like photographing animals. Most times, I'm sitting with my camera at the ready, waiting for a good wave.

It takes a special kind of concentration to photograph and swim. I inhaled a lot of saltwater. I practiced in a pool before tackling the ocean. Drank some pool water before I could get it right. I was dumb enough to practice in 8 feet of water. I wouldn't recommend that.



The TG-5 has a pretty good stabilizer. I was rarely completely still when taking photos because I was also trying not to drown.  The stabilizer doesn't work as well when you're zoomed in and it's not great at night but, the camera did what I wanted to do.

I mentioned in another post that I prefer photographing RAW photos because it makes editing so much easier. The TG-5 lets me do just that. I had to play with the settings a bit but these photos should be good for publishing in books and putting on stock photo sites.



These are some of my favorites. I love the line of clouds. Almost like a wave in the sky.



I  rented the camera to hopefully capture some aquatic animals. I did, just not the way I expected.

Can you spot the fish?


I got some interesting abstract background shots and underwater textures while snorkeling. The ocean floor is facinating even without any animals.


One reason why I was glad for the stabilizer. I couldn't actually stop to capture this scene.

Boogie boarding was the real test for the TG-5. It was my first time and the waves were rough.


But, the camera survived and I was really happy for the wrist strap.

Obviously, this camera isn't going to replace my DSLR.

I like photographing water at a slower shutter speed.


I've gotten so used to my DSLR, the TG-5 was a little irritating at first, couldn't figure out how to change the setting.  But, the Olympus Tough TG-5 lives up to its name. Now, I'm adding that camera to my buy list. It's $400 so that's a way in the future purchase unless a miracle happens.

I'm often asked what I do with my photos. Most times, I'll post them on Instagram, DeviantArt or Behance. I'll maybe submit one to a contest. A few I'll upload onto to stock photo sites to sell. But, that's only a small portion. Most times, I do nothing with them.

The act of photographing is fun.  Like writing. I'd still do if even if I never published another book.

The SFF Week in Links: Into the Spider-verse 2, Ant-Man 3, The Witcher on Netflix

Welcome to the Week in Links, a roundup of the latest articles for fantasy, sci-fi and horror readers and writers.

Happy NaNoWriMo!!!!

A few trailers dropped this week. I had to give them a separate section. Also saw a lot of chatter about HBO Max and Game of Thrones. I really, really don't want to pay for yet another streaming service but HBO Max seems like it'll have some interesting shows.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2 has a released date. Unfortunately, it's 2022. But, given we're about to hit 2020, 2022 may not really be that far off.

Fantasy/Horror/Sci-Fi
Neil Gaiman Was Surprised By the Fan Reaction to Aziraphale and Crowley’s Love Story
Explore the World of THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE With J.M. Lee’s Gorgeous NovelsExtreme Haunted House Owner Offers $20K to Visitors Who Can Complete Terrifying TourHBO cancels the Game of Thrones spinoff starring Naomi WattsHBO announces new Game of Thrones spinoff, House of the DragonGeorge R.R. Martin Speaks Out on Recent GAME OF THRONES DevelopmentsHere’s Every DC Superhero Show Coming to HBO Max10 Scariest Horror Movie Monsters Of The 2000s, RankedStranger Things Season 4 Episode Count, Release Window ConfirmedRainn Wilson on GALAXY QUEST’s 20th AnniversaryStephen King’s Doctor Sleep ReviewShudder Just Renewed It's Biggest Horror Show YetRelive your favorite horror films with I Like Scary Movies, the interactive art experienceClassic Horror Anthology Books Of Blood Is Coming To Hulu With Surprising Producer17 new science fiction and fantasy books to check out this November
Trailers
‘The Grudge’ Reboot Trailer Teases Return of Supernatural Curse
Star Wars: The Mandalorian TV Show Trailer Reveals Bill Burr's Character
JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL Trailer Goes Wild (And Funny)THE WITCHER Delivers An Epic Trailer And Holiday Release Date
Nerdy
Spider-Verse sequel confirmed for April 2022Peyton Reed to Return for ANT-MAN 3Joker Returns To Top Of US Box Off Chart, Now Fifth Biggest DC Movie EverSUPERMAN AND LOIS Series in Development at the CWMarvel Movies Are A "New Art Form," Martin Scorsese SaysJapan Getting Life-Sized Godzilla Theme Park AttractionLuigi's Mansion 3 Is A Clever Mix Of The First Two GamesThe Nintendo Switch Lite is selling incredibly wellPokemon Sword & Shield: Pre-Load On Switch NowTom Hiddleston and Charlie Cox Trade Marvel Characters for HalloweenFinally we get to meet baby Pikachu, before he met AshOverwatch 2 Announced With Emotional Trailer
Writing and Book Marketing
Twitter Will Stop “All Political Advertising” GloballyHow to Enjoy Writing and Make the Most of NaNoWriMo5 Tips To Help You Write A Novel In A Month #NaNoWriMo3 Ways To Use Your Story To Build A Stronger Personal BrandInstagram Stories Branding: Marketing That Benefits Your BusinessRomance Genre: How Can We Portray Healthy Relationships?Should Writers Use Social Media?
Photography and Design
How Google and Instagram think about the future of photosWhy Blurry and Unfocused Photos Can be GreatThis Colorful Typography Was Made by Shooting Photos of Water on CDsA Beginner’s Guide to Black and White PhotographyAmazing Light in the Beautiful Dolomites

Want to see your post in the next The Week in Links? Email me at audendjohnson@gmal.com. The post needs to be published between today, 11/2 and next Saturday, 11/9.