I wasn't around much last week, so I thought I'd leave a quick update to let you know what I've been doing and what I've got planned next. I do have a good reason for not being around though - I've been reading through the entries for the next IWSG anthology, ranking them in order so our collective favourites can go to the judges. The bar is extremely high on the entries, and the talent of the group really shines through - so it was hard to whittle them down. You can expect another stellar collection!
In other news, I've submitted a short story to a separate writing contest - they required a hard copy as well as an email submission. I've never actually sent a story via snail mail before, so that was a novelty at least!
It's a goal to submit to more competitions, including sending previously rejected stories. I've got a bunch that have only had one outing each, so I really want to give them another chance. The aim is to submit to at least one contest or journal per month - I'll keep you updated on progress here.
Of course, editing continues on part 2 of my trilogy - the aim is to have a polished version by the end of the year - and I will keep exploring ways of marketing the first book, including on Twitter.
Do you have any news or goals to share?
Wednesday, 15 November 2017
Friday, 3 November 2017
Mistakes of the Past release day
Happy Friday! Today I'd like to give a shout out to Patricia Lynne, whose new book released this week. The cover looks great and the blurb sounds really interesting too.
Blurb:
Luc seeks
atonement for the actions that banished him from his home. Living as a priest
in a small town, he strives to show how much he’s changed with the hope that
one day he can return to his family.
Haunted
by the guilt that destroyed her family, Rose has shut her heart off. She vows
to never let anyone near again lest she hurt them. When she meets Luc, she
can’t deny the draw she feels to him.
But the
past is not easily forgotten. When Luc’s past finds him, Rose is caught in the
middle. Forced to face who he used to be, Luc must decide if he’s willing to
give up his chance at redemption to save Rose. But doing so means he won’t be
able to hide who he is. Will Rose be able to reconcile the man she knows with
the devil he used to be? Or are the mistakes of the past too damning?
Buy Links:
About the Author:
Patricia Josephine never set out to
become a writer. In fact, she never considered it an option during high school
and college. She was all about art. On a whim, she wrote down a story bouncing
in her head. That was the start of it and she hasn't regretted a moment. She
writes young adult under the name Patricia Lynne.
Patricia lives with her husband in
Michigan, hopes one day to have what will resemble a small petting zoo, has a
fondness for dying her hair the colors of the rainbow, and an obsession with
Doctor Who.
Links
Goodreads
Wednesday, 1 November 2017
IWSG November 2017
Here we again for our monthly posting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group - who can believe for the penultimate time this year? Craziness. Of course, this is the day when we can gather to share our writing insecurities and woes without fear of judgement. Hosted as ever by the erstwhile Ninja Cap'n Alex J. Cavanaugh, today's excellent co-hosts are Tonja Drecker, Diane Burton, MJ Fifield and Rebecca Douglass!
Don't forget today is the closing date for the IWSG Anthology Contest 2017, so you still have a few hours to polish and submit your entries on the theme of Tick Tock - so remember it has to involve a clock, a specific time, or is time-sensitive in some way. Look forward to reading those latecoming entries! Find more details here.
With that wonderful annual event NaNoWriMo kicking off today, and many of you potentially taking part, today's IWSG question is well-timed: Win or not, do you usually finish your NaNo project? Have any of them gone on to be published?
Well, I have to say that NaNo has been good to me, although I've only taken part three times - 2012, 2013 and 2014. That first year was when I started writing Black & White, and although I didn't win, I was excited enough about the story to take it forward and eventually publish it this year. In 2014, I "rebelled" by going in with a draft already started - part 2 of the trilogy - and won. 2013 - well, I started writing (with a completely different story) and was right on track until a devastating personal event cut it short on November 9th. Many of you will know about that. Who knows where that story could have gone - maybe one day I will pick it up again, but at the moment the associations are just too painful.
So yes, overall I would encourage anyone to give NaNo a try if you're struggling over getting started on a project, or even finishing one. It doesn't give you a lot of time to think or hesitate - it's just about jumping in and feeding off some of that adrenaline that seems to course through the writing world in November. Oftentimes, gut feeling and instinct take the upper hand - which is usually a good thing for any story.
Good luck to everyone taking part this year! Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year, or have you done so before? If not, would you consider it?
Don't forget today is the closing date for the IWSG Anthology Contest 2017, so you still have a few hours to polish and submit your entries on the theme of Tick Tock - so remember it has to involve a clock, a specific time, or is time-sensitive in some way. Look forward to reading those latecoming entries! Find more details here.
With that wonderful annual event NaNoWriMo kicking off today, and many of you potentially taking part, today's IWSG question is well-timed: Win or not, do you usually finish your NaNo project? Have any of them gone on to be published?
Well, I have to say that NaNo has been good to me, although I've only taken part three times - 2012, 2013 and 2014. That first year was when I started writing Black & White, and although I didn't win, I was excited enough about the story to take it forward and eventually publish it this year. In 2014, I "rebelled" by going in with a draft already started - part 2 of the trilogy - and won. 2013 - well, I started writing (with a completely different story) and was right on track until a devastating personal event cut it short on November 9th. Many of you will know about that. Who knows where that story could have gone - maybe one day I will pick it up again, but at the moment the associations are just too painful.
So yes, overall I would encourage anyone to give NaNo a try if you're struggling over getting started on a project, or even finishing one. It doesn't give you a lot of time to think or hesitate - it's just about jumping in and feeding off some of that adrenaline that seems to course through the writing world in November. Oftentimes, gut feeling and instinct take the upper hand - which is usually a good thing for any story.
Good luck to everyone taking part this year! Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year, or have you done so before? If not, would you consider it?
Monday, 30 October 2017
Full Dark release day!
It's here! After a lot of hard work on the part of its creator, Melissa Maygrove, this fantastic anthology is available to buy now. I'm really honoured to be a part of this alongside some outstanding authors, especially with the proceeds going to such a great cause.
Tweet: New Release: FULL DARK! Supporting #veterans & #first #responders. Kindle https://ctt.ec/G94cK+ Nook https://ctt.ec/zbid1+ #FullDark11
Will you be picking up a copy? I think this would make the perfect read for Halloween.
Tagline: What happens in the dark will come to light.
Official blurb:
Full Dark is a collection of eleven short works with impressive depth and range. Twisted tales of ghosts, villains, and the paranormal await you—mystery, heinous fantasy, and pure suspense. Acclaimed and award-winning authors as well as a few talented newcomers have joined forces to be your guide. Venture into the dark if you dare.
Just A Matter Of Time by Loni Townsend
Forerunner by David Powers King
Taking Care Of You by Carrie Butler
The Apartment by Lisa Buie-Collard
The Caricature by Nick Wilford
Shifting Sands by Elizabeth Seckman
Shadows Falling On Rainbows by Celeste Holloway
Meringue, Murder or Marzipan by Tonja Drecker
Haunted Lake by Michelle Athy
Soul Coin by Laura Rich
Retribution by Melissa Maygrove
FULL DARK is a benefit anthology. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation, an organization that does many wonderful things for our country's active military, its veterans, and the countless first responders who sacrifice so much to keep us safe.
Publisher: Obsidian Books
Official release date: October 30, 2017
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9960397-4-1
Twitter: #FullDark11 @MelissaMaygrove
Cover designed & donated by Dark City Designs. Thank you, Harper L. Jameson! https://www.facebook.com/groups/darkcitydesigns
Editing services donated by Truelove Press and The Write Word
Please click the below if you would like to help spread the word via Twitter:
Will you be picking up a copy? I think this would make the perfect read for Halloween.
Wednesday, 25 October 2017
Last week to submit for the IWSG anthology, and Full Dark coming soon!
Hope you're enjoying the season of spooks, witches and ghouls! I'm just here to post updates on a couple of things. In particular, a reminder that the competition for the latest IWSG anthology is still open until November 1, the theme being Tick Tock - so stories should involve a clock or a specific time in some way. The clock is ticking on this one, so get your entries in! Here's a reminder of the rules:
Eligibility: Any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging or Facebook member. The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free.
Word count: 3500-6000
Genre: Mystery/Crime/Thriller
Theme: Tick Tock. The story revolves around a clock, is time sensitive, or has something about a specific time. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines. No erotica, R-rated language, or graphic violence.
Story deadline: November 1st 2017
How to enter: Send your polished, previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please format double-spaced, size 12 font, and no headers or footers. Include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging or Facebook IWSG group.
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.
Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.
Elsewhere, Melissa Maygrove's anthology, Full Dark, is set for release next Monday, October 30. As I mentioned before, I have the honour of appearing in this book alongside some world-class authors. If you would like to help out with the launch, either on Monday or another day next week, let me know and I'll send details. Greatly appreciated! Also, if you'd like to help generate some pre-release buzz, you can click the below link to tweet about the anthology:
Tweet: Coming soon! FULL DARK #anthology benefiting #veterans & #first #responders Find out more: https://ctt.ec/XbaHR+ #FullDark11
On the writing front, I'm working on another competition entry with Halloween as its deadline, and after that I'll be into edits for part 2 of my Black & White trilogy. That will probably take me up until the end of the year, and I'll be looking at a release date in the spring. Next month, I will definitely be back to regular updates in terms of posting about goals and keeping myself accountable. This month, I've been a bit swamped with other work, but I think I've got a handle on it now.
Are you getting into the Halloween mood? Working on a story for the IWSG anthology, or have you already submitted? Would you like to help out with the launch of Melissa's awesome anthology?
Eligibility: Any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging or Facebook member. The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free.
Word count: 3500-6000
Genre: Mystery/Crime/Thriller
Theme: Tick Tock. The story revolves around a clock, is time sensitive, or has something about a specific time. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines. No erotica, R-rated language, or graphic violence.
Story deadline: November 1st 2017
How to enter: Send your polished, previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please format double-spaced, size 12 font, and no headers or footers. Include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging or Facebook IWSG group.
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.
Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.
Elsewhere, Melissa Maygrove's anthology, Full Dark, is set for release next Monday, October 30. As I mentioned before, I have the honour of appearing in this book alongside some world-class authors. If you would like to help out with the launch, either on Monday or another day next week, let me know and I'll send details. Greatly appreciated! Also, if you'd like to help generate some pre-release buzz, you can click the below link to tweet about the anthology:
Tweet: Coming soon! FULL DARK #anthology benefiting #veterans & #first #responders Find out more: https://ctt.ec/XbaHR+ #FullDark11
On the writing front, I'm working on another competition entry with Halloween as its deadline, and after that I'll be into edits for part 2 of my Black & White trilogy. That will probably take me up until the end of the year, and I'll be looking at a release date in the spring. Next month, I will definitely be back to regular updates in terms of posting about goals and keeping myself accountable. This month, I've been a bit swamped with other work, but I think I've got a handle on it now.
Are you getting into the Halloween mood? Working on a story for the IWSG anthology, or have you already submitted? Would you like to help out with the launch of Melissa's awesome anthology?
Wednesday, 18 October 2017
Black & White blog tour giveaway winners, and Full Dark is coming!
Hope everyone's doing well. I'm here to announce the winners of my Black & White blog tour giveaway - sorry it's a bit late, I got kind of swamped with work after the tour wrapped up. So without further ado...
Winner of $10 Amazon giftcard - Lynda Dietz
Winners of ecopies of A Change of Mind and Other Stories - Will Griesmer, Brent Strassburg and Mary Preston
Congrats, guys! I'll be in touch about your prizes shortly.
Now, onto some other exciting news. I'm pleased to announce that I'm involved in an anthology put together by the wonderful Melissa Maygrove, which is set for release at the end of this month (just in time for Halloween). Melissa's been through some trials and tribulations recently, to say the least, so I'm super impressed that she's managed to pull this project together so well.
Winner of $10 Amazon giftcard - Lynda Dietz
Winners of ecopies of A Change of Mind and Other Stories - Will Griesmer, Brent Strassburg and Mary Preston
Congrats, guys! I'll be in touch about your prizes shortly.
Now, onto some other exciting news. I'm pleased to announce that I'm involved in an anthology put together by the wonderful Melissa Maygrove, which is set for release at the end of this month (just in time for Halloween). Melissa's been through some trials and tribulations recently, to say the least, so I'm super impressed that she's managed to pull this project together so well.
Title:
FULL DARK: An Anthology
Tagline:
What happens in the dark will come to
light.
Official
blurb:
Full
Dark is a collection of eleven short works with impressive depth and
range. Twisted tales of ghosts, villains, and the paranormal await you—mystery,
heinous fantasy, and pure suspense. Acclaimed and award-winning authors as
well as a few talented newcomers have joined forces to be your guide. Venture
into the dark if you dare.
Just A Matter Of Time by Loni
Townsend
Forerunner by David
Powers King
Taking Care Of You by Carrie
Butler
The Apartment by Lisa
Buie-Collard
The Caricature by Nick Wilford
Shifting Sands by Elizabeth
Seckman
Shadows Falling On
Rainbows
by Celeste Holloway
Meringue, Murder or Marzipan by Tonja Drecker
Haunted Lake by Michelle
Athy
Soul Coin by Laura Rich
Retribution by Melissa
Maygrove
FULL DARK is a benefit
anthology. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation,
an organization that does many wonderful things for our country's active
military, its veterans, and the countless first responders who sacrifice so
much to keep us safe.
Publisher:
Obsidian Books
Official
release date: October 30, 2017
I'm excited to be a part of this book alongside a stellar line-up of authors, and also very happy that the profits are going to such a superb cause, especially in light of the various disasters we have seen lately.
You can add it to your Goodreads list here and below is a Tweet if you'd like to help spread the word:
Monday, 9 October 2017
IWSG Contest Winners Announced!
Monday again, and it's a great start to the week as the IWSG Show Your Writer Insecurity contest winners have been announced!
Thanks to all the participants - there were so many excellent and creative image. But we only had three prize packages with dozens of books, audio books, IWSG features, and IWSG erasers… (drum roll)
Third place goes to: J Lenni Dorner
Second place goes to: Mary Aalgaard
And the grand prize winner who also finally told all his Facebook friends he’s a writer: Ken Rahmoeller
For more awesome images, visit the other participants:
Sarah, Karen, SE White, Carrie-Anne, Tyrean, Fundy, Sandra, Erika, Olga, Toi, IB Nosey, Morgan, Nancy, Deniz, Zan Marie, Allison Kathy, and Sharon.
Have a great week!
Thanks to all the participants - there were so many excellent and creative image. But we only had three prize packages with dozens of books, audio books, IWSG features, and IWSG erasers… (drum roll)
Third place goes to: J Lenni Dorner
Second place goes to: Mary Aalgaard
And the grand prize winner who also finally told all his Facebook friends he’s a writer: Ken Rahmoeller
For more awesome images, visit the other participants:
Sarah, Karen, SE White, Carrie-Anne, Tyrean, Fundy, Sandra, Erika, Olga, Toi, IB Nosey, Morgan, Nancy, Deniz, Zan Marie, Allison Kathy, and Sharon.
Have a great week!
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