It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.
The awesome co-hosts today are PJ Colando, J Lenni Dorner, Deniz Bevan, Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, and Louise - Fundy Blue!
September 2 question - If you could choose one author, living or dead, to be your beta partner, who would it be and why?
I’d want to go with someone who writes what I enjoy and who aspire to write like, so it would be either Timothy Zahn or Terry Brooks. Zahn’s Star Wars books are excellent and Sword of Shannara is the book that formed my love of fantasy.
Author Jacqui Murray read and loved CassaStar the feature is up now!. Please be sure to visit her!
Katherine’s Corner is hosting a Tell Me a Story series through September.
Every Tuesday is a new author and excerpt.
On September 8, she will be featuring me and Dragon of the Stars. And it's live now!
Please visit her site for my Tell Me a Story feature.
Don’t forget today, September 2, is the last day to enter the IWSG Anthology Contest!
Guidelines and rules:
Word count: 4500-6000
Genre: Science Fiction
Theme: Dark Matter
Submissions accepted: May 6 - September 2, 2020
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group. (MUST be a member to enter.)
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.
Our judges: Dan Koboldt, Lynda R. Young, Colleen Oefelein, Damien Larkin, Ion Newcombe, Julie Gwinn, and David Powers King
The next #IWSGPit Twitter pitch event is January 20!
Will you be ready?
When’s the last time we had a blog hop outside of the IWSG? We need one!
Sherry Ellis is hosting the Latin Flavors blog hop September 14-18 in celebration of the release of her next book, Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Adventure.
Join us!
Love and Other Lies by MJ Fifield
For years, Lavinia Kelly has gone through the motions, content to let life pass her by…
Find it on Amazon
Wielder’s Storm trilogy by Lynda R. Young
The Wielder's Storm Trilogy is an action-packed epic fantasy that will sweep you across the high seas on a thrilling adventure full of exciting twists.
This complete box set contains Wielder’s Prize, Wielder’s Curse and Wielder’s Fire.
I’ve read the first book and it’s awesome!
Find it on Amazon
I Am a Quarantine Survivor by PJ Colando
All proceeds will be donated to a food bank that helps people survive despite the COVID-culture that surrounds us…
Find it on Amazon
Here are the upcoming theatrical releases! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
September 3 -
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki
Armed with only one word, Tenet, and fighting for the survival of the entire world, a Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.
Yes, this comes out tomorrow. No, I will not be able to see it because our theaters are still closed!!! I hate my state.
September 25 –
Ava
Ava is a deadly assassin who works for a black ops organization, traveling the globe specializing in high profile hits. When a job goes dangerously wrong she is forced to fight for her own survival.
Director: Tate Taylor
Stars: Jessica Chastain, John Malkovich, Common
If more theaters are open, this one might have a chance.
October 2 –
Wonder Woman 1984
Fast forward to the 1980s as Wonder Woman's next big screen adventure finds her facing two all-new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah.
Director: Patty Jenkins
Stars: Gal Gadot, Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal, Chris Pine
Our theaters damn well better be open for this one! Or it’s road trip time.
Monday is Labor Day, so I will be offline. I will be back on September 14 with movie reviews (including Bill and Ted Face the Music) and more!
Tenet does look good, think its one of those films you really have to concentrate on, so no popcorn!
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting to see 'A Quiet Place II', now next year. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you (and the authors) for the new releases. Lots of temptation there.
ReplyDeleteThe movie theater I live above just reopened last week but it’ll probably take a movie I really want to see for me to go there.
ReplyDeleteI’m reading M.J.’s book right now!
Hi Alex - it's such a pain not being able to get out to films, music, theatre or museums - quite difficult to adjust to ... I feel for you, as I know films form a major role in your life!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see Jacqui with your book ... I loved Byron's stories - I'll be over to visit her. I so enjoyed her Against All Odds novel. I also enjoyed Lynda's Wielder's Price and I'm sure the others are excellent reads. I wish Sherry well with her blog hop ...
Take care and stay safe - and yes perhaps a road trip will be required - can't see you not going to see a film soon! Hilary
Hi, Alex!
ReplyDeleteI'm still reeling over the death of Chadwick Boseman, imagining all the iconic figures he might have played in the decades ahead. Of the films reviewed I'd be most interested in seeing W.W. '84.
Enjoy the rest of your week, good buddy Alex!
Alex what a grand supply of reviews and news for us despite desparate times.
ReplyDeleteWith theatres and cinemas not open it must be a great loss to those who frequent those place. Thanks for a very good read, always good to see what is going on.
Enjoy this month and take care.
Yvonne.
Our theaters are still closed over here in Nigeria too, so I'm really bummed out I won't be seeing TENET tomorrow as well, after all these months of hype and anticipation.
ReplyDeleteZahn was almost singularly responsible for keeping Star Wars fans engaged in the ‘90s. He’s a legend.
ReplyDeleteYou list Ava but not Colin Farrell as one of the stars???
I do really like Christopher Nolan's stuff. Guess I'll be watching once it hits pay-per-view!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't dare go to the movies at this point...but totally get your frustration!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex for the reviews. Given trying times we are restricted in our desires for the movies. We can only depend on the array of Netflix offered
ReplyDeleteKeep safe!
Hank
Lots of great news for writers. Thank you for being there for writers.
ReplyDeleteCovid is the nightmare that should have stayed in nightmares. I would LOVE sitting in a theater again to watch a movie or shop until I drop. But at least there is and will be lots fodder for writers come out of it.
Teresa C.
I agree with the comment made about Chadwick Boseman - such a loss for movies and more. He was so talented. Tenet - come to Texas. Theaters are open. I'm torn, but might sacrifice my body and soul and go. Crazy times.
ReplyDeleteTerry Brooks would be a great partner! Love Shannara!
ReplyDeleteSo many great books! I've loved yours, MJ's, Lynda/Elle's, & Sherry's so far!
Covid has shattered so many activities we take for granted; theaters, sports, school, medical, more. Gotta spawn marvelous plots for fantasy writers. The world could use a Super Hero right now.
ReplyDeleteI love Terry Brooks too! Great choice.
ReplyDeleteOur theaters are still closed in Michigan, and there was just an article in the newspaper that the owners are upset. It's hard not being able to do the things we once enjoyed, but we have to stay safe. I doubt I'll go inside any theater until I'm vaccinated.
Hilary, thanks!
ReplyDeleteShady, that was a shock to read that he had passed.
Michael, I know!
Tony, sorry, I just copy from IMDB.
Elizabeth, so will I!
Joanne, wear a mask, distance, and go enjoy!
Natalie, since a vaccine will likely not be that effective, I'm not waiting. Wouldn't get one anyway.
We've had bad luck with movies in our house lately. We're at the point where we might have to let the tortoises pick our next one. :)
ReplyDeleteOur theaters are closed in Michigan too, but one of the chains have converted into a drive-in using the sides of their buildings as the screen, so we may yet get to see some of these movies.
ReplyDeleteWhile Tenet and WW84 both look good, I have a feeling I'll be waiting to see these on streaming, even with theaters in my area being open.
ReplyDeleteStoked about the upcoming WW movie and you give a couple of good author choices for consideration.
ReplyDeleteI would love to get your take on the new Bill and Ted movie. I'm having a hard time seeing Keanu as anything other than Neo or John Wick lol! So I haven't checked it out just yet.
Happy Hop Day Alex. Beta Reader? My favorite author right now is Brigid Kemmerer who writes what I love too so she’s my pick. Movies? I love Wonder Woman!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be so upset if I don't get to see WW84 in the theaters.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI thought my September was going to be slow in visiting blogs but filling in my calendar with dates that other writers are appearing on different blogs is keeping me busy and happy.
I'll see you on the 8th of September.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Had to really think about that beta partner. I have a LOT of favorite authors! But I think I would choose Robert Gregory Browne. He's written romance. He's written speculative. And I like his books. In fact, I'd hire him as a content editor if I could afford him!
ReplyDeleteOur movie theatres are open, but at a limited capacity. Still, it'll be awhile before I'm comfortable going into one (when they can prove that they actually CLEAN the theatre between shows).
In an alternate universe, I would have gone to the theater to see the new Mulan. In this one? Eh. I'm not paying 30 bucks. Hopefully, they'll make it available to all Disney plus subscribers in a year or two.
ReplyDeleteUm, not to brag, but our great state of Missouri is looking better everyday! Our theater is open!! Can't wait to watch a movie soon. In the meantime, I'll be re-watching Cobra Kai.
ReplyDeleteIt makes a lot of sense for us to pick beta partners whose work we enjoy – perhaps even more so when we do it for real and not as a fantasy exercise.
ReplyDeleteI always find great suggestions on your site, Alex. I'm bumming with you on Tenet. I need a Chris Nolan fix!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to M.J., Lynda, and PJ!
ReplyDeleteSo much has changed in life these past months. I hope you get to see the movies.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to all sorts of theaters and venues opening soon! I'd like to see the next Wonder Woman. Wouldn't that be a treat as the first movie you see after the lock down!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy Timothy Zahn's writing too. Good choice.
ReplyDeleteAh, the movies. It's been so long. Maybe someday. Congratulations on the new books. It would be nice to see people again, instead of just the dog and cat. Have a good day, all.
ReplyDeleteI read your post and realized I forgot to mention the contest or all the new books on mine ... oy. Well, I will edit and do a separate post for authors.
ReplyDeleteThe movies look good, but our theaters aren't open either, at least not in my county in Washington state. If they aren't open for Wonder Woman, we may have to combine visiting our daughters at college and seeing the movie - a win-win all around. :)
Any movies I see are still streamed. No theaters open here! I'll have to pop over and see Jacqui's post about Cassa Fire!
ReplyDeleteI think I've read a Star Wars novel by Zahn. Bummer about theaters being closed!
ReplyDeleteMadeline, that might work.
ReplyDeleteJoylene, good to know!
Angela, it was good. Not great, but a lot of fun. And Keanu is a bit rusty. His daughter made a better Ted.
Stacy, it's not the surfaces they need to clean though. It's the air.
Tamara, I'm not paying that either!
Jennifer, lucky you.
Mary, it probably will be.
Tyrean, there you go!
As always, thanks for all you do for all of us--and for the movie recs!
ReplyDeleteI considered Terry Brooks for my post, but opted to go with a different choice.
ReplyDeleteI really want to watch WW84. Our theaters have been open since we only have assigned seating theaters now and they can properly space people and they have an assigned cleaner ready to decontaminate each seat after the show. But they haven't really been playing anything worth going out to see. WW84 would definitely be the exception to that.
Hi Alex, I'm going to look up both the authors : Timothy Zahn and Terry Brooks. I'm sure I'm going to love them.
ReplyDeleteAt this rate, I don't think lockdown will ever end. I'm shocked but not that surprised that certain people are happily cheering on the idea of at least another year of this. At least I'm not currently in a city with an indie theatre, since I'd miss moviegoing even more then. My old city has two of them, with cheap tickets and lots of great events like film festivals. One of those theatres finally reopened, after a long period of renovations, just a few months before lockdown started.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout-out for the blog hop! I know - we used to have blog hops all the time. Now they're few and far between!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely want to see Tenet and Wonder Woman but probably won't see them on the big screen *sigh* I don't even know if our theaters are open but I probably wouldn't go now anyway at this point.
ReplyDeleteThe Sword of Shannara was a fabulous book and Terry Brooks is an excellent choice :)
You pack so much into your post, I thought of half a dozen comments, and now I've forgotten them all. Thanks for all that wondrous news, Alex!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Alex. Theaters around here better damn well open for WW84. Otherwise, let's meet up in Kansas and find it there.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all the new and renewed authors.
Be well and safe, Alex.
Howdy, Captain!
ReplyDeleteBetween this post and your last one, I've got some catching up to do ;-)
Love the reviews of books and movies. I plan to sign up (again?) to make sure I'm getting notified.
Not much of a movie-goer, but the idea of drive-in movies at the lake sounds awesome - long as "Jaws" isn't playing.
Heading over to Jacqui Murray's - how wonderful that she's featuring you! Katherine's Corner sounds like a delightfully busy site ;-)
Happy September!
Sword of Shannara - there's a blast from the past. As I recall, it was one of the "trilogies", like Dune, that morphed into more than three books.
ReplyDeleteOur theaters are just now opening, but I won't be going to one anytime soon.
Congrats to all those with new and upcoming books!
ReplyDeleteHappy September to all :)
I want to see WW84. I really want to see it. Thanks for the heads-up.
ReplyDeleteHeading over to read Jacqui's review.
ReplyDeleteOooh, Terry Brooks. Good choice! His experience, at the very least, would be an amazing resource to have. I'm always astonished at how much "telling" he gets away with. Somehow I don't even care, I devour his Shannara books regardless. He's living proof that not all writing advice should be considered gospel.
ReplyDeleteOops! I wonder which post of yours I left a comment on earlier! Perhaps I forgot to click publish. I must read Terry Brooks. He's been on my list for years! Sounds like a great Beta reader. I hope that you are having a great day!
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, I can't imagine anyone wanting this to go into next year.
ReplyDeleteSherry, which is why we were due for one.
Thanks, Marcy.
Robyn, hit the halfway point, huh?
Lee, yes it did!
SE, exactly.
I don't read fantasy, but I have a feeling I'm missing out. I will have to look of Sword of Shannara.
ReplyDeleteTwitter pitch sounds fun, I'll have to go check out the rules.
Have a great week, Alex!
I was rarely going to movies before, so I'm not really missing out. Although, I do want to see Wonder Woman. I don't know if I'd trust being in an enclosed space with strangers, though. Not sure if I want to risk it even if theaters open.
ReplyDeleteTimothy Zahn and Terry Brooks are great choices for beta readers.
ReplyDeleteOh! Thank you for sharing my box set. I really appreciate the love. :)
Dude of Dudes, How the neck are you? I've decided to work on some more of my book. Now you know you'll be the first to know when it's finished! ~hehehe~ Who luvs ya babess??? ~hehehe~ So I've had a good run with my girls... they let me do my blog under their company they lease from (guess that's what it's called), and my ride is over. :( Bummer! So at this time I cannot afford to get my own .com so I guess I'll have to go figure out blogspot.com That one is free. Nothing like having your own .com though. Anyways glad you like my Post today! Have a great day and you & your family please be healthy, wash dem hands for 20 seconds and don't forget the masks!!! Faraway hugs for all!!! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteOoh, Wonder Woman 1984 sounds good. I'm sorry that movie theaters aren't open where you are. Our state has gone by county. I'm in a fairly rural county, theaters are open, but they are mostly showing old movies. We saw Empire Strikes Back this summer, but Tenet is coming to our drive in. Now that I know what it's about, maybe I will check it out.
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats to all the new releases!
Looks like an interesting list of releases Alex. Thank you for sharing. Best wishes for the feature on Tell Me a Story.
ReplyDeleteSonia from https://soniadogra.com
Mystery solved ~ I replied to your IWSG site post today. Like I said in my email ~ classic ADHD! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI went to check out Colando's "I am Quarantine Survivor" and it's temporarily out of stock. :(
ReplyDeleteI look forward to Corner's Tell Me a Story of you! xD
Now onto your feature!
I'm ashamed to say I don't know either author, but now I'm interested. Thanks for always stopping by our blogs and keeping us motivated!
ReplyDeleteTerry Brooks is a great choice!
ReplyDeleteYes, I want to see all of those movies. (From home, where I won't get my popcorn coughed on. Ha ha.)
Looks like some good books coming out too. Awesome stuff.
Thanks for having me as a cohost this month at IWSG.
Terry Books is a good choice.
ReplyDeleteTenet is getting a lot of promo. Thanks for promoting the current batch of authors with new books out!
ReplyDeleteYou know I've seen both seasons of The Shannara Chronicles but haven't read the books. Definitely looking forward to Wonder Woman 1984. Ava piqued my interest too.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and son saw Tenet at the weekend, and said it's very good. I was going to go too, but had a slight wobble about being in the (albeit socially distanced) cinema.
ReplyDeleteLynda, you're welcome!
ReplyDeleteMarie, that's great! Keep writing. I hope to join Monday's Music on September 14.
Jenni, wish we could go by counties but our governor is too controlling.
Elizabeth, I guess that's a good thing.
J Lenni, thanks for co-hosting.
Lidy, read the books!! So much better. The series veered off in a weird direction.
I love what PJ is doing with her book proceeds. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to MJ and Lynda. They are both so talented!
Geez, I feel so out of the loop. I had no idea these movies were coming out. I must confess, I won't be headed out to the movies right now. Will you?
Click link below for my new domain. Warmly,
Elsie
Oops, just read that your theatres are closed like ours.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for Wonder Woman 1984. It looks promising. I would say J.R.R Tolkien, but I don't like using beta readers anymore, plus I'd be too star struck to let him read my work😁. Enjoy your time off.
ReplyDeleteTerry Brooks would be amazing! I'll have to pop in on the story time...what a great idea. And I'm heading over to pick up Young's series. I'm looking forward to diving into that one. Have a great September!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see Tenet but there is no way I'm going to a movie theater until there is a COVID vaccine.
ReplyDeleteGood choice of Beta readers.
ReplyDeleteHave a productive, pleasant day.
Good picks indeed for beta partners.
ReplyDeleteNone of the movies will make much, but they should be good if one is able to find a spot to watch them. At this point they'd probably make more just releasing digital.
Theaters are closed here with no sign of re-opening. I look forward to your review of "Bill and Ted Face the Music" Have a wonderful labor day weekend. I am off tomorrow and Monday. Yay for me.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe!
Elsie, they are closed, but I will go back the moment they are open.
ReplyDeleteJohn, might be a long wait for one that's effective.
Pat, hopefully some do come out On Demand at the same time.
Oh, Timothy Zahn is an excellent choice! I should've thought of that one. Have you read any of the Cobra books? Seriously some great Sci-Fi writing.
ReplyDeleteGreat new releases, Alex. Lots to choose from. Thanks for sharing these with your followers. Bravo to all the authors! Sorry, every time I think of Wonder Woman, I think of Lynda Carter from the television show. Boy! Am I showing my age. All best to you, sir. Enjoy your holiday weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to Wonder Woman 1984.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your theatres are not open yet but the COVID19 has been beating you all up and some, not all, don’t want to listen...sorry for being vocal but my friend saw Tenet and she said it was good but confusing. I’d like to see the Jessica Chastain film and Wonder Woman. I am really looking forward to the new James Bond film so I hope there is no second outbreak. If I could summon up a writer, I think I would choose Dorothy Parker...or Oscar Wilde.
ReplyDeleteTerry Brooks would be an epic beta reader to have.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see you do the rounds being featured on a couple of blogs, Alex! Very different than leaving comments everywhere. :-) I loved the five star review Jacqui wrote about CassaStar. One day I'll get to your series! Sorry about the theaters being closed in your state. That must be frustrating! Where would you have to drive to to see Wonder woman 1984??
ReplyDeleteTimothy Zahn was one of my picks but decided to go with L M Montgomery, but yeah, love his Thrawn stuff. Best villain ever.
ReplyDeleteI always like the superhero movies. I didn't know a new Wonder Woman had been in the works. I don't write, but if I did, I'd like to partner up with SE Hinton, Judy Blume or Beverly Cleary (the favorites from my youth). Their books are what encouraged the voracious reading habits that I still have today (and I'm 50, so even though I've moved on from their work, reading has been a lasting love). :)
ReplyDeleteKim Stanley Robinson who's already written an article about Isaac Asimovs 1964 predictions on 2014. Fascinating reading really.
ReplyDeleteAuden would be my first choice. I'd love to be able to take one of his poetry classes too.
ReplyDeleteCinemas are closed also where I am, and no signs of opening anytime soon. No indoors public venues at all, in fact. Tough times. Waiting for 2021 and hoping things will be better in the new year for all of us.
All the ads for movies that would be treat for us will be waiting until another time for us. Dang.
ReplyDeleteMost of the movies out right now don't really appeal that much to me, so I'm not really missing any of them. I'm just now finishing up reading the novel Lovecraft Country and so far it's been good, a bit exaggerated in some parts but that should be expected because it"s paying tribute to pulp fiction; I like it. I just started reading Asimov's The Naked Sun which has been good so far.
ReplyDeleteJames, mostly a fan of his Star Wars books.
ReplyDeleteVictoria, I remember her as well.
Liesbet, thanks for reading it! We'd have to hit South Carolina to see WW84.
Oh! How embarrassing! I even have a couple of Terry Brooks books at home, and still haven't read them! Must get on that soon.
ReplyDeleteJust hopped over to Katherine's. Thumbs up.
ReplyDeleteMore of the movies coming out need to be available for immediate streaming.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have theaters, either.
Amen to wishing we could all come together as a country...
ReplyDeleteGreat movie trivia from Sherry.
ReplyDeleteHope everyone's day is productive and pleasant.
thanks, as always, for the movie reviews, Alex - and let's hope that movie theaters survive. The giant, nation-wide corp, Regal, has shuttered... COVID has been awful on many levels.
ReplyDeleteI readily, heartily volunteer to co-host the IWSG blog hop in November. I adore reading other writers' response to the question. There will be much to be thankful for in November... not the least of which will be that political ads will be gone -
I volunteer to co-host in November.
This is my fourth attempt - more layers of security seem to exist.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the movie reviews, as always, Alex. Let's hope that movie theaters survive COVID. The giant, nation-wide chain, Regal, has shuttered...
I readily, heartily volunteer to co-host the IWSG blog hop in November. I adore reading other writers' response to the question.
There will be much to be thankful for next month - not the least of which will be that political ads will be GONE