Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Plus NetFlix’s Daredevil, Ninja News, and New Releases

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.


My awesome co-hosts today are Eva Solar Melanie Schulz, Lisa-Buie Collard, and Stephen Tremp!

Dragon of the Stars came out last month in the middle of the A to Z Challenge. It was a struggle to balance my blog tour, marketing for Dragon, and the Challenge. The book has sold well and promotion efforts continue. My publisher is working with a lot of science fiction conventions and my blog tour continues. (My stop this week was at Teresa’s Journaling Woman site.)

Anne R. Allen posted this week reasons why authors should write short stories. I’ve contributed to four anthologies, and since my novels are all really short, short stories might be something I pursue. I do have an idea for an adventure involving Bassan…

But the one thing I really want to focus on now is the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. I want to bring in some awesome guests, add many more sites to the database, and elevate the site to Writer’s Digest level quality.

Writing is tough business. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I’m hesitant to continue. (I didn’t sign on to do more than one book anyway.) I know the bad reviews on Amazon were inevitable, but it always sucks. I’ve been through some incredible highs and lows, and I want to do my part to help other writers going through the same stuff. I’m not a great writer, but maybe I can be a great supporter.

Ninja News

If you’re looking for my A to Z Challenge Reflections post, it is HERE.
 

Sarah Foster is hosting The Muse Party Blogfest on May 25 2015 – visit her site for details.


Cherie Reich’s book Reborn is a finalist in the Rone Awards – please help her by voting HERE.

Michael G D'Agostino just started a monthly hop - Question of the Month. It’s on the first Monday of the month, so sign up at his site for June.


Ray at Don’t Throw a 1 is hosting a mega 500 posts giveaway. If you are a gamer or a painter, you definitely want to check it out.

The Blood, Boobs, and Carnage Blogfest is May18 - movie/show/book that exemplifies the theme. (Or part of theme.) Hosted by me and Heather Gardner.

Just Released!

Titanic: Newly Discovered Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Holy Ghost Writer

The Bear Who Wouldn’t Leave by J.H. Moncrieff

The Botanist by Liesel K. Hill

Melissa Maygrove announced the release of Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing. She and many other contributed to the book, which was edited by JQ Rose.

Daredevil Review

If you’ve not been watching this series on NetFlix, you are missing out!
This is one of the finest shows I have ever seen. It not only sets the standard for comic book series, but for any series.
It’s not a candy-coated comic book show. It’s real and sometimes brutal – part character study, part serious drama, and part amazing action sequences. It’s built for people who love comics and those who’ve never read one in their life.
All of the characters, good and bad, and fully fleshed out and real people. You sympathize not only with Matt as Daredevil but with Wilson Fisk as the villain.
This is an event series – and they don’t come around often.
Highly recommended!


Joining any of those blogfests? Picking up some new books? Have you been watching Daredevil? And what are your writing insecurities this month?

The Best of 2013, New Books, Ninja News, and What Was Your Best Year?

The Best and Personal Favorites of 2013

It was another awesome year for movies, music, and everything in between. Here were some of the highlights for me, in no particular order.

Favorite Movies

Star Trek Into Darkness – non-stop and just a very good and solid movie
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – another great entry and roller coaster of a ride
Pacific Rim – giant robots versus giant monsters – need I say more?
Gravity – very intense and Oscar-worthy
Thor: The Dark World – even better than the first one
Man of Steel – liked it even more the second time

Favorite Music

Rush – Clockwork Angels Tour DVD/CD – great live show and the orchestra puts it over the top
Dream Theater CD – their best album since Awake
Ayreon – The Theory of Everything CD – another amazing concept album from Arjen

Favorite New Television Shows

The Blacklist – Spader makes it
Almost Human – great interaction between the leads
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – fun and expands the Marvel universe
Defiance – support your local good science fiction show!
House of Cards – you’ll need a shower afterwards but it’s fun

Favorite Game 

Rocksmith 2014 – a lot of fun and better designed



What were some of your favorites?

New Books!

Lydia Kang’s Control is now out – her first book!

Roland Yeomans’ Death in the House of Life is now available!


Another masterpiece from Roland...

EJ Wesley’s Vampire's Ball, Moonsongs Book 5 was unleashed.

Watcher of Worlds by Brinda Berry
Whispering Woods Book 3
ISBN: 978-1-941133-00-2

Senior year should bring fun, friends and happiness. Not portals, treachery, and murder.

Find it on Amazon

Anne R Allen’s The Lady of Lakewood Diner in now out!

Emilyann Girdner’s The Labyrinth Wall was released!

Kimberly Afe’s The Headhunter’s Race came out last week!

Ciara Knight’s Pendulum is out!





Congratulations to all!

Ninja News

Today at the A to Z Blog is an interview with the awesome Michael Di Gesu! He turned his theme into a lucrative endeavor – check it out.

Terri Rochenski announced an opportunity with her publisher, Roane Publishing. They have an open sub call for an upcoming fantasy anthology titled Portals. See her site for details.

Special thanks to Robyn Campbell and Edi’s Book LIghthouse who both placed CassaStorm at the top of their favorite books of 2013. You both rock!!

For those of you who write poetry, Bossy Betty had a really creative idea!

Pat Hatt created a special video for Christmas, and I’m proud to say I defeat Evil Santa with my guitar playing! (And not because I was playing badly either.)



The 2014 A to Z Challenge Team is coming together! We’ll announce them and open up the sign-up list on January 27. We’ll also be looking for Minions again. Any volunteers…?

2013 and Our Best Year

2013 was another good year for me, although 2012 seemed better. However, I did launch CassaStorm, the final book in my series. I made huge improvements in my guitar playing. And of course, the launch of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website was a major highlight.

We remember years that boast major accomplishments and happy occasions. I can remember living in England, marrying my wife, accepting Jesus, and the launch of my very first book. Those were all good years.

So I ask you – what was your best year and why?

See you Wednesday for Insecure Writer’s Support Group post day!

What were your favorite movies, shows, books, etc. in 2013? Picked up any of the new releases? Ready for the A to Z Challenge? (Want to be a Minion?) And what year shines in your memory – and why?

The Ninja Returns, Ninja News, Book Release & Giveaway from CM Brown, Cover Reveal of The Magic Wakes, Movie Review, and From Where Do You Hail?

Back from vacation – did you miss me? Think I’ve taken more vacation in the past three months than in the last two years. It’s use it or lose it though – and right now, I could take off for two months straight. (Which would really freak out my boss!)

Ninja News Overload!

Thanks to everyone who visited Lee for my Sharktopus: A Love Story. Hope it gave you a chuckle.

Don’t forget this Wednesday is the monthly posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!

Brinda Berry posted the cover art for The Wild at Heart Anthologies, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. This project which will benefit the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) in Arkansas. Go check out the covers, both of which feature tigers, at Brinda’s site. And tell her congratulations, as she has a story in Volume 2!

Sean McLachlan’s next book from Osprey Publishing, The Last Ride of the James-Younger Gang: Jesse James and the Northfield Raid 1876, comes out October 23. Illustrated with period photos and color artwork, it is available for preorder now. Congratulations, Sean!

The third book in Michael Abayomi’s fantasy series, Guardians & The Lost Paradise, came out last week – The Gathering. Congratulations, Michael!

Roland Yeomans is hosting a Trick or Treat Ghost of a Chance contest! Stop by his site for details. Major points if you can score him a date with Olivia Wilde.

Anne R. Allen’s blog (with posts from Ruth Harris as well) was named one of the Top 50 Blogs for Writers by Tribal Messenger Daily. Posting every Sunday, Anne and Ruth offer awesome tips and advice for authors and writers. Congratulations, ladies!

The hosts of the A to Z Blog are looking for guest posts! Visit our blog for details. I’m still doing Special Challenge Participant Features every other Wednesday, so let me know if you’re interested in an interview as well.

New Book Release and Giveaway!

He Came For Mine, Book 2 In The Protector Series by C.M. Brown
Young Adult/Paranormal

“Desperate to save the life of a child he never knew he had, Sebastian returns to Earth to find Jazz in the arms of another man…”

For the next two weeks Carolyn is holding a Rafflecopter Draw on her Blog, to celebrate the release of Book Two in the Protector Series, He Came For Mine, and one full year of Blogging!
Prizes will include:
One $20 AUD (Australian Dollars) Amazon Gift Card
One free eBook of Book Two in The Protector Series, He Came For Mine!
One free book cover illustration by Rebekah Romani

Also, during the two week launch, Book One, in The Protector Series, He Came For Me, will be free as an eBook on Smashwords. Just use the code RF83E.

Congratulations, Carolyn!

Special Cover Reveal!

Coming Feb 19th, 2013 from WiDo Publishing:

The Magic Wakes by Charity Bradford

“Talia has a secret, one that will save her world and yet rip it apart. Only she can decide if the price is worth it…”

Find Charity and her upcoming book at: Blog, Website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.

Congratulations, Charity!

Movie Review

Looper review will be up Wednesday. In the meantime, I finally caught this one on NetFlix:

The Raid Redemption
From Indonesia, this film has the same concept as Dredd – cops trapped in high-rise apartment building by drug lord. The similarities end there, though. The difference is in style, plot, and execution. Set in modern-day Jakarta, this one focuses on stick and knife fighting, with more twists and surprises. Its relentless action will leave you breathless. I enjoyed Dredd, but overall, this is a better film.

From Where Do You Hail?

I know there is a large concentration of writers and authors who hail from Utah. While it might appear to be the writing mecca of the world, I know there are writers and authors from all over the world. (I can think of at least a dozen I could get to in six-seven hours, including Matthew, Elizabeth, Diane, Ella, Sheila, and Rusty.) So, sound off! Name your state if in the USA or country.

Did I miss anything else while on vacation? Ready for the IWSG on Wednesday? Excited about the new releases and contests? Seen The Raid Redemption? And from where do you hail?

Oh, and can anyone help me score a date with Olivia Wilde? (For Roland, of course!)

Announcements...

First, some things happening around the Internet...

I won the book trailer contest at Spunk on a Stick’s Tips! Thanks to everyone who thought my book trailer was awesome. I’m thrilled CassaStar’s trailer has won two contests now.

Jamie at Mithril Wisdom is hosting a 100 followers giveaway! The prizes include some cool books, so go to his site now to enter: Mithril Wisdom
Jamie reviews books and graphic novels and talks about movies and Egypt. He’s also a panelist for the Indie Lit Awards. He’s an awesome young man with a cool site – if you’re into fantasy, you NEED to follow his blog!

Ali Cross is hosting a 300 followers giveaway! Two Amazon gift cards are at stake, so visit her site to enter: Ali Cross
Ali is just a doll! Go check out her site.

Prayers for L’Aussie - she lives in Brisbane, which recently experienced flooding and a flash flood. Many are dead or missing. L’Aussie is all right, but the destruction is devastating. Please keep everyone in the area of Brisbane in your prayers.

Now for some awards – because I try not to hoard!

You Inspire Me Award from Yvonne at Welcome to my World of Poetry. Thanks Yvonne!

Passing it on to
Hannah at Musings of a Palindrome
Hannah (whom I always call Palin, as it was months before she ever fessed up her real name) just celebrated one year in the blogging world and never fails to inspire – especially on Tuesdays!

The Stylish Blogger Award from James at Dance on Fire, J D Brown, AND Margo Benson! Wow, didn’t realize I was stylish.

Rules:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award... thanks James, JD, and Margo!
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Pass the award on to ten newly discovered bloggers and let them know.

You’ve already heard about me! And in the interest of time and keeping this post short, I’m passing it along to three bloggers, each possessing a unique style:

Anne R. Allen
Alex at Breakfast Every Hour
The Happy Whisk

Happy blogging and stay safe!