Celebrating Friends

There is nothing I enjoy more than cheering for the lovely work of friends in the writing community. This month my fangirl meter is in the red. 

Here are some shiny new releases I triple dog dare you not to ADORE. I'm going alphabetically by author because I could NEVER choose a fave among these kickin' stories.

Future Shock by Elizabeth Briggs is a nail biting sci-fi adventure that will make you run into the garage and burn your time machine. 

Fight the future. Face the inevitable. 

South of Sunshine by Dana Elmendorf is an endearing and courageous LGBT love story set against the backdrop of often narrow-minded southern mentality. 

In a town like Sunshine, Kaycee knows better than to fall for a girl.

Soul Conquered by Lisa Gail Green is the culmination of her OF ANGELS AND DEMONS trilogy. I never thought I'd cheer for a demon, but this story deftly blurs the lines between good and evil. 

What do you do when following your heart could lead to the apocalypse?

In Real Life by Jessica Love makes me want to repair the time machine I destroyed after reading FUTURE SHOCK and go back in time to encourage my teen self to be truthful about my affections. AND IT'S SET IN VEGAS! 

This is the moment that launched a thousand daydreams.

Bravo ladies for your wonderful work.

You Never Forget Your First...Genie!

I’m thrilled spitless (as my grandma used to say) to have my writing buddy and inspiration, Lisa Gail Green as a guest on ye olde blog today.

Lisa’s debut YA novel, The Binding Stone is an “E” ticket (shout out to my fellow vintage Disneyland fans) ride through past and present with her kickin’ Djinn main character, Leela.

I trapped Lisa in a decorative bottle long enough to answer a few questions.

Lisa, I know you became smitten with Djinns while traipsing through the website Monstropedia. How did you find such a juicy resource?

Good question. I can't remember! LOL, the gremlin must have whispered it in my ear while I slept. Or maybe I read it on someone's blog. Or found it by Googling. Nah, it was probably the gremlin.

What is your first memory of a genie?

I guess my first genie was Jeannie (Barbara Eden).

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I used to watch that show along with Bewitched every afternoon. And I wonder where my love of paranormal comes from! I remember loving her magic and how she could do anything she wanted. Of course I loved the outfit too. Trivia - did you know that she never showed her navel? It's true. 

So I guess we’ll never know if she was an inney or an outey. 

What kind of convo would go down between your Leela and Jeannie from I DREAM OF JEANNIE?

 I’m dying to know what Leela’s take on Jeannie would be.

(Playing the role of ME will be Lisa Gail Green)

Me: He he he. Jeannie wouldn't stand a chance. 

Leela: A chance of what?

Me: You know. Just that you'd win.

Leela: I do not recall Leslie asking who would win a fight. 

Jeannie: Did I hear my name?

Leela: I've seen your show. *frowns*

Jeannie: Oh! Thank you! Isn't my master handsome?

Leela: That isn't how it works. If you were true Djinn you would have killed him at your first opportunity. Since he did not truly own you.

Jeannie: Kill him? But he married me! Don't be silly. *slaps Leela's shoulder playfully*

Leela: Do not touch me.

Jeannie:  *to me* What's her problem?

Me: I'm staying out of this. 

Leela: And why do you blink when you do magic? Did one of your false eyelashes get in your eye? 

Me: Oooooh no she didn't. 

Jeannie: *in tears* You're mean.

Leela: No. I am Djinn. You are an imposter.

Me: Okay now, that's enough. *hands Jeannie a tissue* Larry Hagman was quite handsome in his day. 

I thought Astronaut Tony Nelson was a dreamboat. Another genie that has a special place in my heart is Robin Williams’ genie from Disney’s Aladdin. I’ll bet he’d have some genie gems of wisdom for Leela.

He'd tell her he hopes she finds a nice master like Aladdin. He'd probably also tell her to lighten up. He and Taj would be buds.

Genie: Excuse me. That's not what I'd say at all. 

Me: I'm sorry?

Genie: *shouts* "THAT'S NOT WHAT I’D SAY."

Leela: You are blue. 

Genie: And you are *turns into a wolf and does a wolf call* 

Leela: No. I am not a wolf. I am Djinn.

Jeannie: She thinks she's the only real genie. *crosses arms and snorts*

Genie: Ahhhh. Identity issues, eh? Been there. It's not hard when you can be anyone you want. *turns into Mickey Mouse*

Thank you, Lisa for the genie funfest.

Now everyone grab your Kindle and hop on your magic carpet with The Binding Stone, 

First in the Djinn Series

Praise from some cool peeps for The Binding Stone:

"Genies like you’ve never seen them, THE BINDING STONE is a wild ride of treachery and deception. For my first wish, I’d like a sequel, please." - PERSONAL DEMONS author Lisa Desrochers

"I dream of Lisa Gail Green! THE BINDING STONE is magical in so many ways. My Djinn asks for my third wish? The sequel, of course!"

-- Nancy Holder, NYT Bestselling Author, THE WOLF SPRINGS CHRONICLES

And a blurb to whet your appetite:

Tricked into slavery by the man she loved, the Djinni Leela has an eternity to regret her choices.

Awakened in the prison of her adolescent body, she finds a new master in possession of the opal that binds her. But seventeen-year-old Jered is unlike any she’s seen. His kindness makes Leela yearn to trust again, to allow herself a glimmer of hope.

Could Jered be strong enough to free her from the curse of the Binding Stone?

BREAKING NEWS – 

The Binding Stone is available for 99 cents on Friday, May 24^th. Just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend. GRAB IT!

Cover Reveal: The Binding Stone by Lisa Gail Green

The word gorgeous hardly does this cover by Lisa Amowitz justice. It summons me into the world of Lisa Gail Green's Djinn Series akin to the way Bert and Mary melted through the chalk pictures in Mary Poppins.

I've had the honor of reading The Binding Stone, and it is an amazing ride through a rich and complex world. 

Tricked into slavery by the man she loved, the Djinni Leela has an eternity to regret her choices.

Awakened in the prison of her adolescent body, she finds a new master in possession of the opal that binds her. But seventeen-year-old Jered is unlike any she's seen. His kindness makes Leela yearn to trust again, to allow herself a glimmer of hope.

Could Jered be strong enough to free her from the curse of the Binding Stone?

Coming soon!

Journeys of Wonder: Volume 2 - Has Landed!

I'm super crazy excited to announce the release of our second volume of genre fiction short stories.

So super crazy in fact that I'm doing a giveaway of two print copies of Journeys of Wonder: Volume 1. Just leave a comment telling me your favorite genre of fiction and your email. 

I will snag an innocent bystander to draw two names from my Empire Strikes Back baseball cap and arrange for teleportation of your prize.

JOURNEYS of WONDER: VOLUME 2

An Anthology of Genre Fiction

Journeys of Wonder: Volume 2 – the second anthology in a series of genre fiction. Quick on the heels of Volume 1 this new volume brings back some favorite authors and introduces a couple of new ones.

Featured in this volume are five incredible tales – each of which will leave you in wonder and amazement.

1. CAL by Lisa Gail Green: A young man challenges his father after falling in love with a cybernetic life form.

2. The Terrible, Perfect Duet by Trysta A. Bissett: Cicadas, insomnia, and high school. What could possibly be more horrifying?

3. Helios by Leslie S. Rose: As humanity flees the wrath of Earth's dying Sun, a daughter's quest to claim her birthright jeopardizes the chance to escape.

4. Encrypted by Ian Kezsbom: Spies. Codes. Murder. A thriller about a man on the run – hiding a secret that others would kill for.

5. Lighting the Sacred Way by S. P. Sipal: Set during the time of the Roman Empire, a woman tries to vanquish the evil spirit residing within her. One that arrived on the day her husband was murdered.

On sale only at Amazon.com! $.99 for a limited time or free through the Amazon Prime lending library!

Visit us at: www.journeysofwonder.com

Cause and Effect

If you give your cat some freedom,

 it may dart out from under a table.

If the cat darts out from under a table, the fiend will trip you.

If you trip and face plant on the tile, taking a dining room chair along for the ride, you will sprain your wrist. 

(which hurts more than a break I'm told

I TOTALLY believe it)

If you sprain your wrist, you will have to wear one of these.

If you wear a wrist splint, you will have to type with one hand and take pain killers.

If you take pain killers, your cat will have total freedom and you won't care anymore.

I'm over at Lisa Gail Green's Blog 

PARANORMAL POINT OF VIEW 

this week discussing the issue of...

...da da da

When critique partners don't agree

BEWARE OF THE CAT

Journeys of Wonder

Guess what? Guess what? Guess what?

The day I've dreamed of has come true. I have a story out in the world. In Journeys of Wonder, I am honored to share creative space with a talented team of writers and eagle-eyed editors, Lisa Gail Green, Ian Kezsbom, Sarah Lynn, and Deborah Pasachoff.

This anthology project gives our beloved genre fiction a bridge on which to travel from our imaginations to yours.

JOURNEYS of WONDER

A new Anthology of Genre Fiction

Journeys of Wonder is a new anthology of genre fiction. We've assembled three talented writers to bring you five chilling tales that are guaranteed to keep you up at night - or at least make you turn on the lights.

Featured in Volume 1, June 2012:
1. The Door by Ian Kezsbom: Six people are stuck in a room with no memory of how they got there while a fear of the unknown keeps them from opening the only exit they have.
2. Blackout by Lisa Gail Green: A terrifying tale of a young woman whose memory is shattered and a creepy neighbor who is not all that he seems.
3. Infinity by Ian Kezsbom: Two brothers, forced to travel through time to save the world from an unspeakable evil, have little idea of what they have actually gotten themselves into.
4. Eye of the Wolf by Lisa Gail Green: A young girl struggles against the power of the full moon as she tries to hide her deadly secret from her family.
5. Afterdeath by Leslie S. Rose: In a future where our journey beyond death is no longer a mystery, the promise of eternal love waits, unless you break the rules.

On sale only at Amazon.com now! $.99 or free through the Amazon Prime lending library!

Visit us at: www.journeysofwonder.com

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our stories, so we've included forums on our website to spark a creative conversation. We are forever in your debt for helping us spread the word about Journeys of Wonder.

Long live genre fiction!

J is for Joseph Campbell

Twenty-Six Days of Creative Inspiration

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I regret that I never got to take a class from the amazing Joseph Campbell. My own writing, as well as my teaching of writing, is heavily influenced by his template of the hero journey.

If you're not familiar with the hero journey format, here's a concise overview from Lisa Gail Green.

Let me add a quick graphic to whet your appetite.

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My regret in never studying with Campbell was partially satiated when I discovered THE POWER OF MYTHS PROGRAMS. This is a series of discussions between Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell on a myriad of topics including the hero journey, ritual, and mythology. They discuss the story origins in myths from around the world with both reverence and humor. 

Even though I will never get to shake the warm hand and look into the wise eyes of my literary hero, I can still be a student of his precious words. 

Let me entice you with some of treasures from the interviews: 

“Mythology to him (Campbell) was the song of the universe, music so deeply embedded in our collective unconscious that we dance to it even when we can’t name the tune.” Bill Moyers

“Myths are clues to the spiritual potentialities of the human life.” Joseph Campbell

And here, my friends, is our creative call to arms:

"Artists are the myth-makers of today." Joseph Campbell

Campbell’s fascinating perspective on the world is an invaluable filter in which we can view our own writing. He will forever be my tribal elder and mentor through his works and thankfully his beautiful preserved spoken words. 

Click here for more luscious Campbell quotes

Click on the Blogging From A to Z Challenge logo in the sidebar to access the links to all the superheroes participating in this blog hop.

Celebrating BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray

Here goes my very first blog contest, and I’m totally nervous. Does my hair look OK? Is there anything in my teeth? Does my butt look big in this post? I need to be pretty.

Welcome to the BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray CELEBRATION/EXTRAVAGANZA…

I am an audiobook nut, especially when the author is the one reading the story. BEAUTY QUEENS is hands down my best ride through an audiobook EVER! I was laughing so hard at Libba Bray’s narration that I got lost in Fresno for over an hour on my way back from Yosemite. This hilarious story is well worth the mileage and confusion.

Libba’s performance is one of a kind and takes this brilliant comedic romp to a whole new level. At the SCBWI-LA conference I had the privilege of meeting Libba, and she graciously 

re-enacted a few lines from my favorite character in the book, Tiara. That memory is now my happy place.

BEAUTY QUEENS is more than a snort-laugh inducing treat. It also shares the journey of the girls as they discover who they truly are. Great message for our teens. Thank you Libba for this story that is sparkly gold with a chocolate center.

Laugh with me if you will by watching this BEAUTY QUEENS VIDEO starring Libba Bray herself.

THE CONTEST

 Pretty Prize – A copy of BEAUTY QUEENS autographed by Libba Bray.

*Throws Confetti, blows a bugle, and marches around the room with a baton*

Many of the contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant share a Fun Fact page with us in the book. Here’s mine:

Name: Leslie S. Rose

State: The voices tell me I’m normal.

Age: Old enough to be stalked by AARP.

Height: 2 inches shorter than my dream of 5’6”

Weight: In pounds or stones?

Hair: What day is it? Okay, blonde.

Eyes: The paint chip from Home Depot says cinder block blue - so pretty

Best Feature: My Star Wars memorabilia collection

Fun Facts About Me

• ·      I have a titanium hip, but magnets don’t stick to me so what's the point in having it?
• ·      I used to be able to do a back bend, grab my ankles and walk. If only the Corporation had invented Cirque du Soleil back then.
• ·      Once a Shetland pony bit me.

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN

Leave a comment below telling all of us a Fun Fact about you. Comments must be in by midnight EST on Monday, October 24th. The winner will be drawn at random and announced starting October 25th on each of the celebrating blogs. Don't forget to leave your email. My apology to the international blogging community, but this is a US only contest.

KEEP PARTYING

Go to the BEAUTY QUEENS posts on the blog links of my awesome (and pretty) writing buds below to share more fun facts and earn two more chances to win our fabulous prize. You can earn an entry for your comment on each of the three celebrating blogs.

Lisa Gail Green         Julie Musil

     

Stay pretty.

Audible. com on BEAUTY QUEENS:

The 50 contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea, crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner. What’s a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program - or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan - or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Whadaya Think About Blog Awards?

There are some pretty cool awards floating around the blogosphere. It’s true that accepting an honor, fulfilling its requirements, and passing it on can add yet another serving to your already overflowing “to be done” plate. Sometimes we just can’t respond to an award. I’ve been guilty of losing an award because I didn’t bookmark or write down the generous giver, and I feel bad. Thank you and I’m sorry to anyone that feels I snubbed them.

Lisa Gail Green presented a clever solution to passing on an award in her Paranormal Point of View blog.

We have to guard our writing time fiercely, but if you find a sliver of a moment, I think adding a link to the award chain can send some positive vibes out there to cyberspace.

Here are a few reasons why,

Awards –

• may send you to a blog you otherwise wouldn’t visit
• connect writers and give a sense of the peer community that’s out there
• let you learn details about a blogger you might never know thus providing a giggle or the occasional guffaw
• help build followers for a fellow blogger
• encourage new bloggers to stick with it

Two Thank Yous I didn’t lose, go out to Lacie Myers and Prerna Pickett for gifting me with the Liebster award (the name makes me crave lobster) that goes out to blogs on the way to the 250 followers goal.

So I'm sending lobster, I mean the Liebster to these delicious voices:

Caryn Caldwell

Pat Newcombe

D.M. Cunningham

Michelle Brown

Augusta Scattergood

Pass the butter, and share your opinion on blog awards. Happy Fall and welcome to my new followers.

Meet the GODS OF JUSTICE

I’m ecstatic to wave my pom poms, squeal, and do an embarrassing cheerleader leap over the release of the new superhero anthology, GODS OF JUSTICE, that includes an awesome story called IDENTITY CRISIS by my treasured and talented friend, the wonderful Lisa Gail Green.

Blurb alert from Smashwords:

Like mythical gods of the past, superheroes are a primal force of nature. This thrilling collection of ten original short stories features brand new heroes in action-packed adventures that will grip you and never let go. Each is written by some of the most talented writers today, including DC Comics writer Ricardo Sanchez and Star Trek author Dayton Ward.

AND LISA GAIL GREEN!

The thrill continues as Lisa joins us for an interview about this cool project.

How did you become a part of GODS OF JUSTICE?

I try to keep my eyes open for different submission opportunities. I’ve always loved writing short stories, especially sci-fi and fantasy, so when I saw the call for superhero stories mentioned on a blog, I had to go for it. I also loved the idea that I would have a print book that I could hold in my hands with my words in it. Maybe it’s a little silly, but most of my other publications were online or e-book format, which are great, but I wanted that tactile experience at least once!

Give us a peek into your short story, IDENTITY CRISIS.

Well here’s the official blurb from the website: After the superhero, SolarFlare, is injured, her twin sister, Leslie, takes her place. Leslie soon discovers that it will take more than just a flashy costume to save the city from a mad man.

I thought, what if I took the concept of sibling rivalry and elevated it to the extreme? I frequently start ideas with “what if” statements. Imagine a girl whose twin sister was always the perfect one. But her sister turns out to be more than perfect – she’s an actual superhero! Then suppose the other sister had to pose as said superhero…

May I say Leslie is a fabulous name for a superhero. Okay, SolarFlare is pretty rockin’ too. Do you prefer to write short stories or full-length novels?

 Ha! That’s a good question. There was a time when I never thought I could write a full-length novel, now I’ve written many. I suppose I have to admit that I prefer the novel because of the depths I can explore. I love all those complicated subplots, and the chance to develop a whole cast of characters. But short stories are fun too! And you forgot poetry – there’s something especially cathartic about the freedom involved.

 How is your approach to a short story different from a longer format?

 Well, in a short story, again, you can’t get too crazy with plot and character. You have to have a fairly straightforward arc so you can get from point A to point B. And you can’t have too many characters either. The more you have, the trickier it becomes. The problem has to be more simplistic as well. There have been several times where I’ve taken one of my short stories, however, and gotten the seed for a novel.

I know you saw a sketch of your heroine. How did the picture relate to your personal visualization of the character?

 He he he. Well, let’s just say she’s rather well endowed! And I do make a joke about that in the story, so I know the illustrator was paying attention. But wow, I’m thinking she can defy the laws of physics beyond just her SolarFlare powers… Seriously though, it was so unbelievably cool to see my character come to life in a drawing! I even got to give input on it. So yeah, I was geeking out about it.

 What was the editing process like for the anthology?

 It was possibly the most involved edit I’ve ever done. I did three rounds with the editors who didn’t pull any punches. Part of the revision was aging my protagonist by four years. But all that helps prepare me for the editorial letter I’ll hopefully someday get for a novel! And there is no doubt the story is stronger than the one I submitted. And as readers you can be sure that the book is high quality.

 Did I hear that GODS OF JUSTICE is making an appearance at Comic Con?

 Yes!! You can get the scoop on the Comic Con 2011 website, it will be in several booths including the DC booth, which again for nerds like me is sooo cool. That’s because one of the other authors is a DC comics author. I am in good company. I wish I could be at Comic Con too, but I’m thrilled that my work will be!

I promise to drop your name at Comic Con. Is there anything else you’d like to share with us about GODS OF JUSTICE?

 It’s for sale now through Smashwords at a very reasonable price, and will be offered soon as a print book. I’m really proud to be a part of it. It was fun to write the story, and I hope that the readers enjoy it.

Thank you, Lisa, for hanging out with us. I've had the honor of reading IDENTITY CRISIS. It is clever and exciting - a must read. Now everyone pop over to Lisa’s blog, Paranormal Point of View, and enter her contest to win your very own copy of GODS OF JUSTICE.