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 for the August 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Natalie Aguirre, Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim!
August 6 question - What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
Right now, I would say it was all of the people on X and other social media who follow you, send you what seems to be a friendly message, and after a few exchanges they are pushing you to let them market your book or do other work for you. Anne R. Allen talks about getting a lot of marketing emails, so I guess this is just a new way for them to get to you.
Movie Reviews
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Must say, I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish. It’s a very fun film.
I really dug the 60’s vibe of Earth 828. The retro was stylish and complete but with futuristic elements woven in.
There is great chemistry between the four leads. They come off as real people and a genuine team.
Galactus and the Silver Surfer are great villains, with the later having a full character arc.
Great special effects, good story, and unlike the next film, it all made sense.
Highly recommended!
Superman
I wanted to love it. But sadly, I was disappointed. Watching Superman get his ass kicked for two hours is not my idea of fun.
Lex Luther was way too powerful. He could make his own superhero, pocket dimensions… His whole thing was jealousy and he wanted Superman dead, and yet when he had Superman in his grasp, he did not kill him.
Like most of the movie, it didn’t make sense.
Not all was lost. Mr. Terrific and Krypto were the best parts of the film.
Sorry, can’t recommend it.
New Releases!
If The Quest for Orichalcum was a movie, how would it be compared?
Well, it’s in the scifi realm, but more Star Trek than Star Wars. At this stage of this galaxy, wars are trifling things. And Pete and Lars wouldn’t be anywhere near them, because they meet at college, and are more interested in launching their careers than in fighting for powers they don’t believe in. Their adventures with planet surveys, space walking, girls, and bullies fit well into a Star Trek universe, but Pete has a secret destiny, and there’s a lot of lovely scenery, so maybe I can claim affinity with Lord of the Rings? There’s a touch of Casablanca about it, too, largely because the origin of my series started with a flash fiction mash-up of Casablanca and Star Wars… and all before they hit it rich… mining orichalcum.
- Jemima
Out August 12!
The Quest for Orichalcum by Jemima Pett
The Quest for Orichalcum tells how it all started – the revolution that transformed the galactic economy, let alone space travel.
Find it on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo
Available now!
Past and Present by Rosemary Johnson
We need to know about the past in order to make sense of the present.
Find it on Amazon
August Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for August. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
1 –
The Naked Gun
Director: Akiva Schaffer
Stars: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser
Only one man has the particular set of skills - to lead Police Squad and save the world.
I wonder if this one also has a nice beaver?
8 –
Weapons
Director: Zach Cregger
Stars: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich
When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.
The real weapons are the Legos those kids left all over their bedroom floor…
15 –
Red Sonja
Director: MJ Bassett
Stars: Matilda Lutz, Martyn Ford, Rhona Mitra
An adaptation of the comic book, Red Sonja, a vengeful warrior known as a "She-Devil with a sword.”
She-devil with a sword, puppy with nunchucks, dik-dik with brass knuckles…
22 –
Primitive War
Director: Luke Sparke
Star: Tricia Helfer, Ana Thu Nguyen, Jeremy Piven
Vietnam. 1968. A recon unit known as Vulture Squad is sent to an isolated jungle valley to uncover the fate of a missing Green Beret platoon. They soon discover they are not alone.
Predator meets Jurassic Park meets the Vietnam War meets super low budget…you can see where this is headed.
29 –
The Toxic Avenger
Director: Macon Blair
Stars: Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige
A horrible toxic accident transforms downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze into a new evolution of hero: The Toxic Avenger.
Remake of an awful 1984 cult classic – is this what Dinklage gets for insisting Snow White not use real little people?
What do you think is an unethical practice? Seen either superhero movie? Picking up either book? Seeing any of the movies coming out in August?
I’ll be posting at the IWSG site on August 18. Otherwise, see you September 3 for the next IWSG post!
I’ll be posting at the IWSG site on August 18. Otherwise, see you September 3 for the next IWSG post!
