Beginnings, Ninja News, The Hobbit Blogfest, Movie Trivia Answers, and the “Cheers Blogfest” Winners and Special Mentions

Today I have the honor of a guest post at Leave it to Livia. Now, if you’ve not met this enthusiastic fireball, get ready! Livia will knock your socks off. She asked me to share my beginnings, so brace yourself and jump on over to her site.

Ninja News

The Indelibles are starting new group that posts the second Wednesday of every month called Indie Life:
“Starting in the New Year, the Indelibles will host a monthly feature called INDIE LIFE. Modeled after Alex Cavanaugh's awesome Insecure Writer's Group, this will be a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.”
See their site for details and to join the group!

The third book in the Desolation series by Ali Cross is now available – Destined. You should see the amazing stuff she is giving away as well. But wait, but you will, because the awesome Ninja Ali will be my guest on Monday!

Purchase Angela Felsted’s Chaste by December 15 and not only will all proceeds go to help victims of Hurricane Sandy, she’ll match them dollar for dollar. Full details at Jessica Bell’s site or at Lydia Kang’s site.

The voting is close in Karen’s Annual Blog Awards contest. If you haven’t voted for Blog of the Year, hop on over!!

Authors, need a book trailer? Brinda Berry is hosting a giveaway for one. See her site for details.

The Marquis by Christine Rains is now available!! This is the first book in The 13th Floor series. Congratulations, Christine.

Shelly F. Batt at Voice of a Writer is offering to critique the first twenty-five pages of one – two manuscripts – if you’re looking for a little help, see her site for details.

January 2, 2013 is the next posting date for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group and the co-hosts will be Jamie from Mithril Wisdom and Tyrean.

The Hobbit Blogfest

Hosted by two awesome ladies, M Pax and Tyrean!

What is your favorite hobbit characteristic/or the one that you think closely resembles you . . .? They know how to relax. (Although I could use more of that right now.)

If you could choose between a scrumptious second breakfast and a perilous unexpected journey – which would you prefer? Second breakfast - I am so not the adventurous type.

Have you ever left behind something on a journey (expected or unexpected) and wished you could have it over and over again? Well, I lost my virginity on a band trip, but at the time, I really didn’t want it back. (That’s right – I was a heathen once!)

What is your Favorite part or quote from the book that you hope will be in the movie? The full exchange with Gollum – the riddles were cool.

Movie Trivia Answers

1 - What is the name of Rudolph’s dad? Donner
2 – In what city did “A Miracle on 34th Street” take place? New York
3 – Who played Scrooge in “The Muppets Christmas Carol?” Michael Caine
4 – What is the full name of the BB gun Ralphie wanted in “A Christmas Story?” Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action Air Rifle
5 – What song made Santa’s sleigh fly at the end of “Elf?” Santa Claus is Coming to Town

“Cheers Blogfest” Winners, Special Mentions, and Next Year

Over a dozen truly amazing posts went into the guitar case. Two names were drawn…

First Place – an autographed copy of CassaStar or Cassafire:
Elise Fallson!

Not only did Elise write a great flash piece that featured the blogfest hosts and say that Nathan Fillion could play me in a documentary, she made this:

Is that not awesome? I’m immortalized forever in plywood. And she’s sending him to me! Thank you SO much, Elise.

The Grand Prize – a picture of me and a recording of my guitar playing (and wow, that looks like a sorry prize on paper):
Ellie Garratt!

Ellie completely blew me away with what she claimed was her first video attempt ever:



Whoa!! Ellie, it’s amazing. Thank you so much for putting it together. You are a special friend.

And I hinted there might be a bonus prize, so I drew one more name…
Jeremy Hawkins!

Jeremy not only nailed it with his answers, he made several awesome banners for me:

And one had Kate! Dude, you are the man. Bonus prize is your choice – photo of me OR the guitar recording OR (since you live too far away for us to meet for a beer) a phone call from the Ninja.

Honorable Mentions:

TS at The Non-Review “What Cats are Saying About Alex…” HILARIOUS! Dude, thanks for bringing Melvin back for me.

Hart at Confession of a Watery Tart She wrote me a song to the tune of “Walk the Way” that is PERFECT!

Heather at The Waiting is the Hardest Part She had Stormy the Weather Gnome do the post – do I need to add anything? Stormy rocks!

Tara Tyler Look at the cool drawing she did for me!

And before this post gets any longer, special thanks to Chuck, Cassie Mae, Julie Kemp, Kimberly, DL Hammons, Angela Brown, Robyn Campbell, SpacerGuy, Mina Burrows, ”T” Tanya, Livia, and everyone else for the heartfelt and/or hilarious words.

And a big thanks to the awesome hosts, Mark, Morgan, Stephen, and David.

If you missed this event, you missed something really special. Everyone was saying this was different. It wasn’t about me – it was about this awesome community. You guys understand the importance of supporting one another and it really showed.

Several asked if this will be an annual event. Not with me! But Mark said I could name the Cheers Blogfest victim next year, and a couple people have already come to mind. Mark, because he was the madman who thought up this crazy idea, and Arlee Bird (Lee), the founder of the A to Z Challenge. Both are men of integrity with great attitudes and they understand the importance of this blogging community. And yes, I will be more than happy to co-host a Cheers Blogfest in either man’s honor! The roasted Ninja is ready for paybacks…

Whoa!! Sorry for the length. See some exciting news or new books? How would you answer the Hobbit Blogfest questions? (And are seeing it this weekend? I’m seeing it Friday afternoon!) Get any trivia correct? Did you read the blogfest winners’ and special mentions’ posts? Ready to roast someone else next year? I know I am…

Don’t forget to visit Leave it to Livia!

Special Updates, Ninja News, Lynda Young and Make Believe, Angela Felsted and Chaste, and the “And You Are…?” Blogfest!

There was a snafu last Friday with the timing of my article at Curiosity Quills Press about the beginnings and purpose of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Sharon Bayliss (who has a book coming out soon, The Charge) apologized for the delay, but sometimes these things happen. So if you missed it Friday morning, the article is HERE. Thanks again Sharon for the opportunity to share. (And remember that the next posting for the IWSG is THIS Wednesday!)

One more week until the Ninja dies. Yes, I’ve seen all those comments about roasting and embarrassing me!! But I’m honored and touched by the amount of people who signed up for the blogfest. I’m glad I’ve made a difference to so many. And that you care enough to say something. I guess it takes an embarrassing blogfest thrown in your honor to find out who your real friends are. Thank you.You guys rock.
And if you somehow missed it, read about it HERE.

Ninja News

The fifth book in Michael Abayomi’s epic fantasy series is out – The Passage. Congratulations, Michael!

Siv Ottem and Roland Yeomans have short stories in the anthology, Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales. The publisher states: “A socially conscious press, Wayman is dedicated to helping those in need. Much of the profit from this anthology will be donated to Primary Children's Hospital in the form of Christmas gifts we'll bring to the long-term patients staying there.” Congratulations Siv and Roland – and what an awesome cause!

Jeremy interviewed Chris Sarandon this weekend over at Howling Wolf Records.
Yes, THE Chris Sarandon of Fright Night and The Princess Bride fame! So go check it out.

Marta Szemik’s next book in the Two Halves series was just released, Evil-Bent. Congratulations, Marta!

Make Believe

Lynda R. Young’s short story titled Birthright, published by J. Taylor Publishing in the Make Believe anthology, launched TODAY! Make Believe is currently available in e-book format and includes Paranormal Romance and Fantasy stories inspired by the image on the cover. Congratulations, Lynda! 

Birthright by Lynda R. Young
Christa can mask the pain and hide the scars, but running from a birthright is impossible.
She’s tried to escape her grief by fleeing to a small town in Florida. Much to her frustration, the locals think they recognize her even though she's never been there before. To make things worse, a man named Jack spouts outrageous theories about her.
Both spur Christa to bolt, to start fresh yet again, but there’s something about Jack that intrigues her enough to stay. The only problem? Someone else wants her to leave, and they won’t stop until she’s dead.

About Lynda R. Young:
Lynda R. Young lives in Sydney, Australia, with her sweetheart of a husband who is her rock, and a cat who believes world domination starts in the home. She writes speculative short stories and is currently writing novels for young adults. In her spare time she also dabbles in photography and all things creative. You can find her here: Blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads

Purchase Make Believe: J Taylor Publishing, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Lynda, way to go! You are an amazing writer and dear friend and I couldn’t be more excited for you.

Chaste

Now available – Chaste by Angela Felsted!

When he steps into his physics class on the first day of senior year, Quinn Walker is too exhausted from staying up all night with his three-month-old nephew to deal with moral dilemmas. As a devout Mormon who has vowed to wait until marriage for sex, the last thing he needs is a very hot and very sexy Katarina Jackson as his physics partner. Regrettably, he has no choice.
Kat feels invisible in her mansion of a home six months after losing her older brother in a fatal car crash and will do anything to get her parents? attention. Since her pastor father has no love for Quinn?s ?fake? religion and her ex-boyfriend refuses to leave her alone, she makes an impulsive bet with her friends to seduce her holier-than-thou lab partner by Christmas.

Angela Felsted is a Northern Virginia native who is overly fond of Olive Garden and Red Lobster. She grew up in a faithful Mormon home with three brothers and one sister where she learned to stand up for herself by tickling her attackers until they broke out into laughing fits. Her work has appeared in issue fifteen of Drown in Your Own Fears, Chanterelle's Notebook and Vine Leaves Literary Journal. Her chapbook, Cleave, was published by finishing line press in 2012.
Find Angela here: Blog, Twitter, and Goodreads
Purchase Chaste at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
View the trailer on YouTube.

Congratulations, Angela!!!!

“And You Are…?” Blogfest!

Hosted by Emily R King and Tammy Theriault.

We are to answer these questions or David Spade loses his Christmas bonus:

1. How many speeding tickets have you gotten? Two. I’ve been REALLY lucky!

2. Can you pitch a tent? Is that like pitching a story? No? Then no would be my answer.

3. What was your worst vacation ever? Anything involving the woods and tents. That’s what four-star hotels are for.

4. What was the last thing you bought over $100? You really want to know? Splurged this past weekend and purchased a Gibson Les Paul guitar. Yeah, just a little over $100…

5. We're handing you the keys to what? A Bugatti Veyron!!! Hey, it’s my fantasy.

6. What was the last meal cooked that made even you sick? Twenty-five years ago – it involved Tuna Helper. I’ll never touch the stuff again.

7. Fill in the blank: Oh my gosh! Becky, look at her butt! It is so big. She looks like John Goodman in a bikini!

8. What was your first car? A two-door Ford something. One of those crap cars you drive when you’re sixteen.

9. Your best friend falls and gets hurt. Do you ask if he/she's okay or laugh first? My best friend is my wife – if I laugh, I’ll never be allowed in the house again!

10. What's the worst song ever? Wham’s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. No explanation needed.

Visit Emily or Tammy for a list of participants or to join us.

Did you finally see the article at Curiosity Quills? Ready for Wednesday’s IWSG? Picking up either Lynda or Angela’s books? And you are…?

CassaFire Tour Day Nine, IWSG, Ninja News, Movie Trivia

Two more days to party. Can you stand the heat? If not, sorry, I probably added too many Hot Tamales.

Today’s stop is with Damyanti at Daily Writes

I met her last year during the second A to Z Challenge. She wrote a piece of flash fiction for every letter and then composed it all into a book called the A to Z Stories. I was so impressed! She really gave her all to the Challenge. And this year she is one of the co-hosts. I also call her Damy, since that’s what used to show up when she left a comment, and I really hope she doesn’t mind…

For this stop, I explained why critique partners rock - visit Damyanti HERE

Don’t forget that everyone who comments here on my blog over the next two weeks will be entered to win this cool prize package from my publisher. So be sure to comment every single day!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Wow, once again your posts for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! were amazing. I’m not even halfway through the list. And I apologize to everyone that I haven’t visited yet! Not sure why I selected a Wednesday, since we tend to have meetings at work every Wednesday morning. But I will try to visit all the newcomers to the IWSG. So glad you could join this awesome family. And thank you for your comments here. They made everything I’ve gone through all worthwhile!

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who visited my stop with Lee yesterday!

I was asked to be a part of a huge science fiction conference – details tomorrow. Headliners include Timothy Zhan and Bruce Campbell!

My buddy George at Cinemarvellous is celebrating his birthday Friday! And he’s posting his top twenty favorite movies of 2011 to celebrate. No one reviews movies like George and he knows his stuff. Please go wish him a happy birthday!

Angela Felsted is offering her book Scarred for free until Friday. You can download it HERE Thank you, Angela!

Rick’s book, Tainted Blood, is now available for the Kindle. Congratulations, Rick!

 Trivia answers from Wednesday:

1 – “Turning Japanese” 1980’s The Vapors
2 – “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” 1993 Crash Test Dummies
3 – “Axel F” 1984 Harold Faltermeyer
4 – “Turn up the Radio” 1985 Autograph

Trivia Questions – Movies again!

Quotes – name the movie:

1 – “I was born a poor black child. I remember the days, sitting on the porch with my family, singing and dancing.”

2 – “They don’t advertise for killers in the newspaper. That was my profession. Ex-cop…”

3 – “Where are you going, Mr. Fat Jack?”

4 – “Badges? We don’t need no stinkin’ badges!”

Are you still laughing that I could offer any writing tips? Were you moved by the posts for the IWSG? Get yesterday’s trivia right? How about today? Last chance!!!


Now, go visit the awesome Damyanti!