Sally Ember's Blog, page 70
May 24, 2015
DreamQuestOne Poetry & Writing Contest is now accepting entries!
#opportunities for #poets and other #writers, here!
Originally posted on Writing and Illustrating:
The above illustration was sent in from Craig Orback. He was featured on Illustrator Saturday. Click here to see more of his work.
This is DreamQuest One’s 10th year of inspiring, motivating and encouraging anyone having the desire or love of poetry and writing, to continue doing so without fear of failure or success. We are now accepting entries in our Summer 2015 competition at Dream Quest One. We hope you are still writing and artistically creating with passion and enthusiastically driven from your heart & mind to pen and paper. Enter your best poems and/or short stories for a chance to win cash prizes totaling $1275.00!
How to Enter Your Poems & Stories!
http://www.dreamquestone.com
Write a poem, thirty lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed.
And/or write a story, five pages maximum length, on any subject or theme, fiction or non-fiction (including…
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May 23, 2015
Runaway Smile is an Award-Winning Finalist in the 2015 International Book Awards
So excited for Nicholas Rossis, my guest on Episode 7 of *CHANGES* conversations with authors and a guest blogger on my site, for his children’s book’s having been selected as a FINALIST for the 2015 International Book Awards! Mazel Tov! Good luck! ἴkalY tYkhy! ἴΚαλή τύχη!
Catch Nicholas’ and my *CHANGES* Episode and any of the 30+ others: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPbfKicwk4dFdeVSAY1tfhtjaEY_clmfq OR http://goo.gl/eX0D8T
#Authors, especially those in sci-fi/speculative fiction and who blog, learn more about and get yourself on *CHANGES*, and
#Readers, recommend an #author to be scheduled as a guest: http://sallyember.com/changes-videocasts-by-sally-ember-ed-d/ OR http://goo.gl/1dbkZV
Originally posted on Nicholas C. Rossis:
I got some exciting news yesterday, which I wanted to share with all of you! USA Book News announced the winners and finalists of THE 2015 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS (IBA) on May 21, 2015.
Over 300 winners and finalists were announced in over 80 categories and awards were presented for titles published in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Runaway Smile, my children’s book, was an award-winning finalist in the 2015 International Book Awards, in the Children’s Fiction category!
I want to thank my parents, and my wife, Electra, and Dimitris Fousekis, and . Sorry, Electra told me that this is not that kind of post. She promised to listen to my speech as soon as I’m done, though, so I’d better wrap this up and fetch the shampoo bottle (which doubles as award-accepting-ceremony-microphone in our household).
Before I go, a big thank you to all of you who have taken the time…
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May 22, 2015
A free writing competition with a BIG difference – they want you to show off your marketing skills as well
#writing #competition #marketing
Thanks, Bridget, and Ape (for reblogging). I’m checking this out!
Originally posted on BRIDGET WHELAN writer:
Neil Raphel, acquisitions editor of Brigantine Media, says: “… publishing success or failure depends on our authors’ commitment to marketing.”Brigantine Media, based in Vermont, started life 30 something years ago promoting business books, but they now see themselves as a publishing house involved in fiction and education as well as business related projects
To spread the word about what they do, Brigantine is hosting Publish or Perish, a writing contest to reward an author who’s created not only a great book, but a plan for selling their great book.
Like what exactly?
The examples they gives include creating Second Life avatars for your main characters or hosting Twitter chats and offering writing advice.
The prize is a publishing contract with Brigantine and a $2,000 advance.
Any writer can apply – they are looking for all genres, not limited to the ones that they currently focus on.
While there will…
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May 20, 2015
Writing for a Diverse World
#Diversity #childrensbooks
I love this bit: “…instead of PUTTING diversity into my manuscripts, I simply make it a part of my reality check. When I’m going through a WIP, one of the key things I’m always focusing on is how to develop the characters further, make them more real.
“And REAL people, are simply diverse.”
Yes! Thanks, Erika for writing and Kathy for posting.
Originally posted on Writing and Illustrating:
Erika Wassall, the Jersey Farm Scriber here with my personal thoughts on
Writing for a Diverse World: Diversity in Children’s Books
Wow.
Big topic folks. Very trending in the writing world. (look at me, using words like “trending”. Um, did I use it right? I’m getting less social-media-incapable every day! Shameless plug here: I’m not the best at that sort of thing. But please come follow me on Twitter @NJFarmScribe. I’m trying to get better! And hearing from you guys always helps!)
So anyway… the big D-word.
We’ve all heard the term thrown around. Agents are looking for it. Writers and parents are lobbying for its importance. But what does it mean to us as writers? In my opinion, that’s a very personal question. And I certainly don’t think there is a right or wrong answer.
I would like to start this post by highlighting that these are nothing more…
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EXCLUSIVE #Cover-reveal and #pre-launch Guest Blog post by Olga Núñez Miret
EXCLUSIVE #Cover-reveal and #pre-launch Guest Blog post by Olga Núñez Miret
Thanks so much, Sally, for having me as a guest in your blog. I remember with some trepidation when you interviewed me for your series, CHANGES (it was my first time being interviewed via Google Hangout On Air [HOA; see below for more info]), and how enjoyable the experience was. Now, I’m very pleased to take part in your CHANGES Guests’ Guest Blogger series.
Author Olga Núñez Miret
When we discussed the post, although I wanted to talk about my new series, I wasn’t sure when my next book would be published.
I have been working on a Young Adult/New Adult series on-and-off for the last 3 years. It centers on a girl called Pink (well, Petra, but she doesn’t like her name), and two of her friends, and their adventures in high school. It has paranormal elements to it (angels, demons, bizarre prophecies…).
I wrote the first story in the series, Angelic Business 1, Pink Matters, before I started publishing my books. I left it simmering in the back of my mind. Then, about a year ago, I wrote the second book, Shades of Greg (don’t worry, nothing to do with the other Shades; it’s sort of the name of one of the characters.… Let’s say names aren’t his strong point).
After giving it some thought, I decided I would write the third book when I could. I kept in mind publishing them fairly quickly, one after the other, so people wouldn’t have to wait a long time to get the whole story.
When a writer friend, Teagan Geneviene, suggested I could be her writing buddy for NaNoWriMo last year, I thought it was the perfect chance to write the last novel in the trilogy: Pink, Angel or Demon? was born.
As I always publish my books both in Spanish and English, then came the tasks of translating, correcting, editing. Although translating works very well as a way of revising the original (as I have to read in great detail, I tend to spot inconsistencies, errors, names and locations changes and those kinds of things), it also takes a fair amount of time. I ended up with 6 books needing some tender, loving care and a lot of attention. Well, that’s my excuse for not having published them, yet.
But, things are moving along.
After much discussion and different ideas and suggestions from blogger friends, readers, and everybody I met (including making the decision to take pictures of all the angels I saw, anywhere I went), and after hard work from my friend Lourdes Vidal, whose mastery of Photoshop has always astonished me, we have the covers.
And as you’d given me this great opportunity, I thought I’d share the cover of the first novel with you all. This is a world exclusive!
Angelic Business 1. Pink Matters. By Olga Núñez Miret. Cover by Lourdes Vidal
Although this might change, this is the blurb of the story (so far):
PINK MATTERS is the story of Pink, a 17-year-old girl, good student, articulate and smart. What she has never been is the center of attention; she has also never made it to the top ten of the most popular and attractive girls at school. When two guys, both claiming to be angels, insist that she is, indeed, “special,” both fighting for her attention, helping and telling her that she is the “key to the future of the universe,” she can’t help but ask: “Why me?”
I have shared the beginning of the book in my own blog, but I’ll let YOU ALL come and visit, if you fancy reading more or about a variety of things (including reviews, guest authors, audiobooks, classics).
Thanks very much, Sally, for this opportunity and for bringing me to meet all your readers. Thanks to all of you for reading and good luck to all your guests.
Links:
My website is: http://www.OlgaNM.com
My Amazon author page is: http://www.amazon.com/Olga-Núñez-Miret/e/B009UC58G0
I have a Twitter account: @OlgaNM7 https://twitter.com/OlgaNM7
My blog is: www.OlgaNM.wordpress.com
I also have a Facebook author page: www.facebook.com/OlgaNunezMiret
My Goodreads author page is: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6562510.Olga_N_ez_Miret
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/118443714277719085351
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/olganm7/
Wattpad: http://wattpad.com/OlgaNM
Tumblr: http://OlgaNMwriter.tumblr.com
Booklikes: http://olganm9.booklikes.com/
Riffle: https://read.rifflebooks.com/profiles/151299
Dr. Olga Nuñez Miret, M.D., Ph.D. was my guest on Episode 13 of CHANGES conversations between authors.
Watch conversations with my previous CHANGES guests any time:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPbfKicwk4dFdeVSAY1tfhtjaEY_clmfq
Learn more about and get yourself or recommend someone to be scheduled as a guest: http://sallyember.com/changes-videocasts-by-sally-ember-ed-d/
Want to be a guest blogger on my site? Visit my “Guest Bloggers Hall of Fame” to review other guest posts, read my guidelines and then contact me if you’re interested: http://www.sallyember.com/guest-bloggers-hall-of-fame/
Filed under: Blogging and others' content, Writing Tagged: *CHANGES*, angels, Cover Reveal, demons, NA, Olga Nuñez Mirét, paranormal, pre-launch, Sally Ember, series, WIP, YA
May 18, 2015
Author Central INDIA
#Amazon #Authors: take note! Thanks, Chris McMullen!
Originally posted on chrismcmullen:
Image from ShutterStock
AUTHOR CENTRAL now in INDIA
Amazon’s Author Central is now available in India.
Authors can now setup free author pages for Amazon India.
But unlike the UK, France, Germany, and Japan, this is really, really easy.
In fact, it’s automatic.
Once you setup Author Central in the US, it automatically propagates your Author Central page to India.
If you already have Author Central in the US, your author page should already show in India.
Would you like to check if your author page shows up at Amazon India?
If so, use this link: http://www.amazon.in. Once there, search for one of your books. Scroll down the product page and you should eventually find your author photo on the left-hand side.
Note that the Author Central info appears farther down the page than usual, below the review section.
Don’t have an Author Central account yet?
You should. It’s…
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Top 10 Characteristics #Presidential #Candidates for the #USA 2016 Race Should Have
We have more than a year to go and the field is crowded and, to me, depressingly unfit to run for President in 2016. In listening to, watching and reading about the current candidates, I despair. So, I’m dispensing FREE advice to them. I hope they listen and behave appropriately.
Top 10 Characteristics #Presidential #Candidates for the #USA 2016 Race Should Have
Honesty. Seems obvious, but so far, every candidate from the two main parties, except Bernie Sanders, seems to be an inveterate, pathological liar. Bad start. Even worse are Presidents who lie to us: had way too many of those in the last few decades, right?
Integrity. Also seems obvious. Again, sorely lacking in every mainstream candidate to date, except possibly Bernie Sanders. When is the last time we had a President holding office with integrity? Jimmy Carter? Pathetic crew we’ve had since then. Bums and liars, every one.
image from http://www.free-management-ebooks.com
Reliability. I want a President who can be relied upon to behave in consistent ways, espouse similar beliefs today as he/she will in four years and did four years go or more, and generally be somewhat predictable, while being open to learning and changing, when appropriate. Few candidates do exhibit this criterion, but it is fulfillable.
Relatability. Have some qualities, experiences, life achievements that I can relate to, that we have in common. We don’t have to be exactly alike, but if a candidate has NOTHING in common with me except having a human body and being a parent, how can I believe that such a President would be able to consider and be empathetic to me, my circumstances?
Advocacy. I want candidates who demonstrate strong passion, commitment, diligence, devotion and inspiration for their chosen causes, especially those that help people, geographic areas, other aspects of political life that have few advocates. I might not like what these candidates are supporting, but I would respect their ability to advocate and expect them to engage in advocacy successfully, when President.
image from http://www.viacharacter.org
Ethics. This may seem redundant, but our Presidencies have been sorely lacking in all of the above characteristics for so long it seems we must be specific and particular, here. I want Candidates who hold strong moral positions and do not waver, even if those are based on their religious beliefs which I do not support or adhere to, myself. However, it is unethical for Presidents to impose their personal beliefs on the political system. I want them to know that and behave (and vote/veto) accordingly. “Separation of Church and State” is not just a bumper sticker. Marriage equality, anti-racism, compassion for the poor and downtrodden, equity, age/ability/gender/class fairness and anti-sexism are ethical positions my Candidates should also support completely. Do we have any like that, besides Bernie Sanders?
Intelligence. Candidates must be educated AND intelligent. They must understand and employ science, logic, appropriate argument and rational thinking in all areas. A President must know what questions to ask, whom to ask, and when to say “I need more time and more information before deciding.” A President has to know whom to trust and which “research” is bogus. Is that so much to ask?
Compassion. Kindness, empathy, sympathy, caring: emotional intelligence, or EQ, lead to and contain enormous compassion and are fundamental to the kind of person I want to run for President, critical for anyone actually getting elected. Not just for those “like us,” or for those we already care about, but compassion for ALL. That’s what I’m talking about. We have had many Presidents in the last few decades sorely lacking in compassion, with dire outcomes for us and the world that were caused by that deficiency.
Humor. We really can’t have Candidates without a sense of humor. It’s not only boring, it’s scary when they can’t laugh at themselves, at appropriate jokes, at silliness. We need a President who isn’t afraid to be mockable, who will go on Saturday Night Live and be funny. Knowing when to be serious and when to be humorous are essential qualities for MY President!
Health and Longevity. Here is where things fall apart for Bernie Sanders. What is the point of running if the candidate won’t be able to serve for more than one term? Not to be ageist, and I hope I’m wrong, but since he’s already almost 74, how could Sanders possibly serve in one of the most stressful, time-intensive jobs ever devised, as he goes into his early 80s? Serve well, I mean. Possible, but not likely, right?
image from http://blogs.gartner.com
All right. If current Candidates (or future ones) do NOT measure up, BOOT THEM OUT! Demand better Candidates! Run, yourself, if you measure up!
Filed under: Opinions, Politics Tagged: Advocacy, compassion, Ethics, health, Honesty, humor, Integrity, Intelligence, Longevity, politics, Presidential candidates, Relatability, Reliability, USA Presidential race 2016
May 16, 2015
Doing a Cover Reveal Soon? Done one Recently?
Great offer by the amazing Story Reading Ape (Chris McMullen) for indie authors: many components of his site support us. Visit and join! #coverreveal #indieauthors
Originally posted on chrismcmullen:
Curtains from ShutterStock. Kindle Formatting Magic cover designed by Melissa Stevens at http://www.theillustratedauthor.net.
SHARE YOUR COVER REVEAL
You can catch a glimpse of a cover reveal that I’ll be doing soon (for a book on Kindle Formatting Magic).
This gave me an idea: Why just reveal my own cover?
This is an opportunity for me to reveal other authors’ recent covers alongside my own.
I actually have a couple of new books coming out soon (including one with mathematical puzzle patterns), so I’ll have a couple of cover reveals coming in the next few weeks.
Have you done a cover reveal recently?
Will you be doing a cover reveal soon?
If so, let me know.
Just leave a comment on this post with a link to your cover reveal.
I don’t need your image file; I’ll just use WordPress’s option to link to your image, so that clicking the image…
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May 11, 2015
#Classes I won’t be taking any time soon or at all
As a lifetime educator and someone who believes in being an autodidact as well as a formal student, having earned three degrees and many certificates, I could easily imagine myself taking a class or two some time in the future.
The Cognitive Rehabilitation therapist I worked with recently in my now more than year-long journey recovering from Post-Concussion Syndrome mentioned some research that indicated that the surest and fastest way to rebuild brain functions and regain memory is to learn something new.
Great! I love learning!
image from http://slworkshop.net
So, I perused the local listings for free or inexpensive classes, since I’m not economically able to fund expensive classes right now. Mostly, the offerings made me shake my head and laugh, which inspired me to write this post.
#Classes I won’t be taking any time soon or at all
“Concealed Carry (CCW) Class”
“Complete the Missouri or Florida concealed carry permit training requirements in 1 day for only $90! This price includes EVERYTHING from course materials, gun rental, ammunition and range time. There are no extra charges!”
As a nonviolent, anti-NRA, anti-guns, Buddhist meditator, I can say with certainty that this tops the list of classes I will NEVER take.
“Learn the Secrets of Lasting Happiness and Success”
“In less than 4 hours, you will learn how to become the person you want to be in the place you want to be. Enter your details below and Circles University will email you an exclusive coupon to access this $149 course ABSOLUTELY FREE when it launches. Don’t miss this exclusive early bird offer available for a strictly limited time.”
I actually went to the Circles University website just to see what it offered.
Oh, my goodness. Egregiously New Age and otherwise misleading and awful stuff, there.
PASS.
“Deeper meaning of Zohar”
“Free Zohar ‘Crash Course.’ Book of Radience, Zohar. If you’re interested in The Zohar and everything it has to offer at a deeper level, we recommend starting with a beginner course in the fundamentals of Kabbalah. Courses are free, and are available for self-study and as live video classes.”
I was born and raised Jewish but we never even talked about the Kaballah. The first time I heard about it was when I was in my thirties. I was friends with a former Catholic almost-nun (postulate who left the convent). She was interested in Jewish mysticism and thought to ask me about it. I stumbled and responded: “There is Jewish mysticism?”
Soon, I was hearing about Hollywood and other celebs adopting/studying Jewish mysticism: it was competing with yoga as the new spiritual fad for a while. That really turned me off.
Still turned off. Plus, Adam Sandler make a movie that used almost the name as “Zohar” (“Zohan”) for his weird character.
Enough said.
No, thanks.
“Friday Night Bible Study + FREE Dinner”
“What we do: Start with dinner, sing songs, Bible study/discussions & end with dessert/ice cream. Who can come: All students & singles below the age of 30.”
Even more than I dislike Jewish mystical subjects would be how much I despise the Bible, especially the “New Testament.” Can’t think of many things I’d rather NOT study, but add the Koran and the Bhagavad-Gita to round out the list of topics of study about which I am NOT spending any of my time learning.
Luckily, for this one, I’m way too old. LOL.
“Interested in a Mary Kay skin class” [sic]
“I am selling Mary Kay
“And I need 10 women or men too book a skin care class with me and learn something new about your skin [sic]
“FREE
“FUN
“I can come too you or you can come too me [sic]
“Also looking for people who are interested in learning about Mary Kay and becoming your own boss” [sic]
I wish this woman would commit to taking an English class. I would tutor her for free. I would.
I also hate everything to do with make-up (unless it’s for clowns, Hallowe’en, theater or movies), both using it and the entire industry that creates, researches, sells and supports make-up, so I’m clearly not her target audience.
I kept looking.
image from http://iusphcareers.wordpress.com
“Make Glass Beads and Ornaments”
“Learn the art of glass bead making [sic] or ornament production with individualized one on one classes [sic]. All supplies and materials included. You will be able to take home beads or ornaments from your first lesson on. $35 per hour. 18 and over only.”
I like arts and crafts. I like glass. I’m clumsy and lack talent, but, hey: they didn’t stipulate to needing talent or grace.
However, I don’t celebrate Christmas or have any use for ornaments, and I can’t think of more than one use I’d put glass beads to: as the filler in a vase, which I rarely use since I am not a fan of cut (dead) flowers.
Skipping this class, too, although I’d love to know why one has to be over 18 to enroll: can this class possibly be X-rated???
“Bartending: a recession-proof career”
“Whether you are looking to supplement your income or as a career change, bartending is a recession-proof career where you will meet new people, have lots of fun, and earn great money!
“The Bartending Institute has been placing people behind bars since 1979.”
While I appreciate the last pun and the unintentional truth-telling that surely is behind it, gotta say I hate the entire concept of selling, drinking or purveying alcohol. Always have.
Even more, I intensely dislike being around people who are getting increasingly intoxicated, especially men. This aversion to being in the presence of imbibing leads to my dislike of weddings, wakes, graduation parties, office parties and most other mainstream gatherings.
Sigh.
Bartending is not something I will ever learn.
“Become a GravOxy Fitness-Certified Rebounceologist“
I had never heard of any of this, but the jargon intrigued me and made me laugh. Also, sparked many questions:
—Why is it “re”bounce and “re”bound?
—What are they bouncing and bounding on FIRST?
—Why is the certification to become a rebounce”ologist,” which means someone who studies “rebouncing,” rather than having finishers become certified teachers of “rebouncing”?
I clicked on the listing.
Oh, my.
I provide, below, the definitions they offered: priceless. I especially like the capitalization choices and their claims of what constitutes a “science.”
(By the way, aren’t gravity and evolution still listed as “theories”?)
“‘Rebouncing uses acceleration, deceleration and gravity to strengthen
every one of your cells simultaneously in a vertical plane. You cleanse your
lymphatic system and triple your white blood cells in 2 minutes. No other
fitness class embraces this energy! [“embraces this energy“?]
‘Rebouncing offers an extensive range of health benefits that cannot be
found in any other form of exercise. Rebouncing is also a comfortable and
an engaging wellness option for children, seniors, special populations and
sedentary individuals. However, not all Rebouncing techniques, or
rebouncers (aka ‘rebounders‘) are equal and, unfortunately, there is a lack
of instructor education. [What? Not all participants in the classes to become certified are equal, or not all who come to classes on rebouncing are equal? What group of people would be “equal”?]
‘GravOxy Rebouncing is unique in that it incorporates the sciences of Gravity
and Oxygen to maximize the effectiveness of workouts in a safe manner. Just
as importantly, GravOxy Rebouncing can be used by any individual (from
athletes to seniors), no matter the age or conditioning level.’ [What happened to the inequality concern?“]
“Tuition for the certification is $450, which includes the instruction, all course materials and the complimentary use of a PROFESSIONAL-GRADE BELLICON REBOUNDER….”
I went to their website to get a look at what this REBOUNDER actually looks like.
image from http://gravoxyfitness.com/gravoxy-fitness-platforms/
Oh, no. That is NOT happening. Jumping on a tiny trampoline? Seriously? Not with MY body karma.
No, thanks.
That’s my current list.
So far, so bad.
I will keep looking, but I’m not optimistic.
Am I too picky, am I not the target demographic (for ANYTHING?), or am I living in the wrong place? What about a MOOC [Massive Open Online Course]?
To be researched further…
image from http://buckslib.org
Filed under: Life lessons, Opinions, Personal stories Tagged: brain injury, classes, cognitive rehabilitation, education, lifelong learning, memory, post-concussion syndrome, traumatic brain injury
May 10, 2015
Sci-Fi Prompt (5)
More reasons to love mushrooms AND scifi! Thanks for posting, J. Giambrone!
Originally posted on J. Giambrone:
6 ways mushrooms can save the world
My Posts | Reblogs | Films
Filed under: Writing
