Insecure Writer’s Support Group Big Announcement! Plus September Movie Preview, Movie Trivia Answers, 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 Julie Flanders, Murees Dupé, Dolorah at Book Lover, Christine Rains, and Heather Gardner!


Today marks four years since the group began and two years since we opened the website. So what better way to celebrate than offer our members an amazing opportunity! Presenting…

The IWSG Short Story Contest 2015

After the success of last year’s IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond, we decided to create another book. This time it’s a short story competition with the top ten stories getting published in an anthology. (Authors will also receive royalties on sales.)

Eligibility: Any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging or Facebook member. The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free.

Word count: 5000-6000

Theme: Alternate History/Parallel Universe. That’s right, we’ve decided to go the speculative route. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines, except erotica or graphic violence.

Story deadline: November 1st 2015

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted, previously unpublished story to TheIWSG at gmail dot com before the deadline passes. Make sure to include your contact details.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges:
Laura Maisano - Senior editor at Anaiah Press for their YA/NA Christian fiction
Russell Connor – Author and owner of Dark Filament Publishing Startup
Candace Havens – Editorial Director for the Covet, Select, Select Otherworld, Select Historical, Embrace, Indulgence for Entangled Publishing. She is also a nationally syndicated columnist and award-winning and best-selling author.
Dawn Frederick – Literary agent and the founder of Red Sofa Literary
Alice Speilburg – Founder of the Speilburg Literary Agency
Michelle Johnson – Literary agent and the founder of Inklings Literary Agency
Kendare Blake - Author
Lydia Moëd - Associate agent at The Rights Factory

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title. The winners will also receive an exclusive badge to display on their blog.

We’re excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm that’s such a part of this group put into action. So don your creative caps and start writing. And spread the word!

The #IWSG short story anthology contest is open! For details - http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2015/09/iwsg-post-day-and-special-anniversary.html #contest #shortstory #anthology

Ninja News

Battle of the Banned results:
The song was Powerslave and the votes were close. With my vote for Maiden…
Iron Madien - 12
Testament - 8

Truedessa wrote a beautiful poem about the Dragon and posted a shot of the book and swag she won!


Rhonda Albom’s daughter had this exciting news:
I have been accepted into the AFS student exchange program! I will be going to Argentina for the 2016 year. One of several ways I am fundraising for my portion of expenses is by creating an online Zazzle store and selling some of my photography works on different products. I started Sarah Albom Photography a few days ago.

Interesting article at Tiny Tickle - Leeds and the World's First Science Fiction Convention. Arthur C. Clarke was one of the attendees.

New Releases!

Garden of Lost Souls: A Collection of Flash Fiction by Madeline Mora-Summonte 
Find it at Amazon and Goodreads

Tiamat's Nest by Ian S. Bott
Find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBookstore

Just Another Day in Purgatory by River Fairchild
Amazon. iBookstore, and Barnes and Noble

Re-release:
Oppression by Jessica Therrien

Movie Trivia Answers 

1 – Where is your drill sergeant, men? Blown up, Sir! – 1981- Stripes
2 – In Mexico, you know what they call Twinkies? Los submarions. – 2009 - Zombieland
3 – Wild Thing, you make my heart sing. You walk everything. – 1989 Major League
4 – Hey, get a room guys… Oh that’s not right! – 1999 Galaxy Quest
5 – I’m going to call her Lunch. Hello, Lunch, hello! Ew! Avoid the green ones-not ripe yet. – 1988 A Fish Called Wanda

September Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for September! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

4 –

The Transporter Refueled
In the south of France, former special-ops mercenary Frank Martin enters into a game of chess with a femme-fatale and her three sidekicks who are looking for revenge against a sinister Russian kingpin.
Director: Camille Delamarre
Stars: Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol, Ray Stevenson, Lenn Kudrjawizki
Now refueled with even fewer stars…



11 –

The Visit
A single mother finds that things in her family's life go very wrong after her two young children visit their grandparents.
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Stars: Kathryn Hahn, Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould, Deanna Dunagan
It’s actually getting good buzz – it’s the director’s apology for the past four films.



18 –

Everest 
A climbing expedition on Mt. Everest is devastated by a severe snow storm.
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Stars: Elizabeth Debicki, Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley, Robin Wright
It looks good – I actually want to see this one.

Sicario
An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by an elected government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Stars: Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, Jon Bernthal, Josh Brolin
Good buzz and could be another hit for Blunt.




25 –

Hotel Transylvania 2
Dracula and his friends try to bring out the monster in his half human, half vampire grandson in order to keep Mavis from leaving the hotel.
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Stars: Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Nick Offerman
Adam Sandler – insert your own suck joke here.

What are your writer insecurities today? Picking up any of the new releases? Get any of the trivia right? Which movies are you seeing in September? And who plans to enter the IWSG contest…?

RiffTrax Live! Plus Movie Reviews, Trivia, and News; Dragon and Cassa News, Battle of the Banned, and Ninja News

Back from vacation! I’m starting to really enjoy those…

RiffTrax Live!

Two more shows remain in this year’s RiffTrax Live line-up – Miami Connection and Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny.

You’ve read my reviews of their shows – this is your chance to see them for yourself.

Miami Connection is October 1, live in Nashville, TN. Get your tickets HERE.

Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny is December 3 and you can get your tickets HERE.

If you’ve never seen RiffTrax live, you don’t want to miss either of these showings!

Movie News

JoBlo’s site announced last week: Regal Theaters announce bag-check policy in response to recent shootings.
About time!

Also from JoBlo’s Site: Blood & boobs run the red-band Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse trailer
Sorry, I was just drawn in by the blood and boobs! (And I assume there will be carnage…)

NetFlix Movie Reviews

Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead
After losing his family during a zombie apocalypse, a man goes searching for his sister in the outback. This Australian film breathes a little new life into the zombie genre.
It’s high on style, but falls short of making sense.
Don’t let that stop you, though. It’s gory, odd, and occasionally funny.
Worth a free rental

Slow West
A young Scottish man searching for the woman he loves pairs up with a bounty hunter.
This film is aptly titled – this isn’t a fast moving, shoot-em-up.
It’s quirky, but very enjoyable. It was a unique take on the Western genre and a refreshing one at that.
It’s a distinctive role for Fassbender, who was also one of the producers. Both he and Cavendish (who will be the next Night Crawler) were excellent in the film.
Recommended

Ninja News

We have a HUGE announcement next week at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! You don’t want to miss this – out most ambitious project ever.

New Releases!

Fight the Time Flight by Pat Hatt
Find it on Amazon

Hot Pink in the City by Medeia Sharif
Find it at Prizm Books and Amazon

Dragon and Cassa News

Thanks again to everyone who requested a copy of Dragon’s Destiny! I’ve already received some amazing feedback and even reviews at Beauty in Ruins and Edi’s Book Lighthouse.

Remember, it’s a short story that takes place after Dragon of the Stars and is free to anyone who’s read the book. Just send me an email – tell me what happened to Aden at the end and what format you want, ePub, Mobi, or PDF file.

There was also an amazing review of Dragon of the Stars from Jean Baldrige.

Finally, my publisher informed its authors that we had the opportunity to update one of our titles this month. I cringed, but I asked if I could update my first book, CassaStar. 
Now, I’ve never read any of my books after publication. And after going through CassaStar, I now know why. I have come so far as an author! The story remained solid, I just needed to word it better.
Now, I am happy to announce that an updated version is now available, both in print and eBook. (And for those of you who’ve read it, I will gladly share an ePub or Mobi version of the new one.)
I must say though – I still really like the story. My first one, it sparked my imagination as well as my career. Even if I never wanted to be an author…

Battle of the Banned

I am participating in Shady Del Knight’s Battle of the Banned. (Yes, Banned, not Band.) It pits two songs against each other and you vote for your favorite.

Today’s entry is a cool song called Powerslave. Originally done by Iron Maiden, it was also covered by Testament. I’m a big fan of both bands, so I’ll just let their entries stand on their own:

Testament

Iron Maiden

You know the drill – which one is your favorite?

Movie Trivia 

Comedy! Name the movie from the line. Answers next Monday.

1 – Where is your drill sergeant, men? - Blown up, Sir! - 1981
2 – In Mexico, you know what they call Twinkies? Los submarions. - 2009
3 – Wild Thing, you make my heart sing. You walk everything. - 1989
4 – Hey, get a room guys… Oh that’s not right! - 1999
5 – I’m going to call her Lunch. Hello, Lunch, hello! Ew! Avoid the green ones-not ripe yet. - 1988

Who’s going to the next RiffTrax show? Have you seen either of the movies? See any interesting news? Want a copy of Dragon’s Destiny or the new CassaStar? Which song version is your favorite? And can you guess any of the trivia?

Special Thanks and News! Plus New Thor Poster, Comedy Movie Trivia, Ninja News, and Bizarre Photo

Today I am a guest of Mathew Bridle’s at The One Saga! Stop by to read my short interview.

Special Thanks and Fun News!

A big thanks to everyone who made the two-year anniversary of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group special! It was truly amazing and I’m glad everyone is excited about the upcoming website.
A big round of thanks to my co-hosts - Chemist Ken, SL Hennessy, Michelle Wallace, and Joylene Nowell Butler. You guys rocked it!
And special thanks to Elizabeth Seckman - her post was touching and funny. Elizabeth, honored to be your friend.

Sometime this week I slipped over 1900 followers through GFC. Whoa, thanks guys! I appreciate every single one of you. (There’s a slew of followers through Linky Followers, Google+, RSS Feed, and other readers like Feedly, so no idea just how many follow me now…)

I’m also now a Suvudu Preferred Poster, which is really cool

All in all, an awesome week!

Ninja News

Karen Lange’s book is now available – Homeschool Co-opts 101. If you homeschool your kids, check it out. Congratulations, Karen!

The first installment of A Shot in the Light, an Apocalypse Conspiracy Tale by Hart Johnson is available now! And there were some great entries in her blogfest yesterday. Congratulations, Hart!

Jai Joshi just released Bhishma, Son of Ganga. Congratulations, Jai!

Liesel Hill’s new book is out, Dark Remnants, and it’s 99 cents on Amazon for a limited time. Congratulations, Liesel!

Isis Rushdan revealed the cover for her next book – Protector of the Flame. Looks cool, Isis!



And Lynn Rush is running a marathon to raise money to fight cancer! Check her site for details on how you can help.

Movie Trivia

Comedy today! Name the movie from the quote:

1 – “When someone asks if you are a god, you say YES!”

2 – “You made a woman meow?”

3 – “What is the matter with you? I thought Mothers were sweet and nice a-a-and patient. I know loan sharks who are more forgiving than you. Your husband ain't dead, lady. He's hiding.”

4 – “He’s an angry elf.”

5 – “Eddie, Eddie, I swear to God, don't start with me or so help me, I will shoot him and dump him in a ___ swamp!”

6 – “I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster, drank piña coladas. At sunset, we made love like sea otters. *That* was a pretty good day. Why couldn't I get *that* day over, and over, and over... “

Answers on Monday!

Cool New Movie Poster and Bizarre Image

Caught this over at JoBlo’s site - a new Thor: The Dark World poster featuring the villain, Malekith.

And from Blastr - this bizarre image of a Planet of the Apes float in the 1975 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

That’s right folks – you can’t make this stuff up!

Everyone enjoy the IWSG posts this week and the news of the website? Excited about the new books? Know any of the movie trivia? Excited about Thor: The Dark World? Anyone else seeing Riddick this weekend? Don’t forget to visit The One Saga!

Monday kicks off my official CassaStorm tour and it involves some snarky cats. Bet you’re intrigued now…

Author Isis Rushdan, Cover Reveals from Ellie Garratt and Carol Killgore, Ninja News and A to Z Badge, and Comedy Movie Trivia

Today I have a very special guest - Isis Rushdan! She is one of those special writer friends, one I’ve known forever, and I am excited to host Isis during the tour for her very first book! Kindred of the Fallen comes out Tuesday, and Isis is here to tell you a funny story….

The Danger of Publication

When my agent told me Kindred of the Fallen would be published, I was cautiously elated. It’s a paranormal romance, so I put no restraints on my muse. I ventured beyond the usual otherworldly beings of vampires, werewolves and faeries. The love scenes are bold and naughty, without crossing a certain line. I also dared to add quite a bit more action than you’d find in most romances.

My family would have certain expectations and I prayed my grandmother would’ve been proud of my first published book if she had lived long enough to read it. I braced myself for the quiet (if I was lucky) judgment of my in-laws. I knew there’d be some raised eyebrows over a number of scenes, but I had 100% of my hubby’s support.

Since I felt thoroughly prepared, life had to smack me with an unbelievable curveball. A good friend of mine, Alan E., came to visit. He asked a ton of questions about the book and although romance is not his genre of choice he seemed genuinely enthusiastic to read it.

At the end of his trip, I dropped him off at the airport. We hugged, he collected his luggage, and I hopped back into my car. Through the open window, Alan said, “I can’t wait to read your book. I’m going to learn so much more about you and the inner core of your relationship with hubby.”

Then Alan darted inside the airport. I choked on my tongue, confounded and terrified. I longed to drag him back and clear up any misunderstandings. Had I implied the story was somehow autobiographical? Didn’t I make it clear the book was FICTION?

Oh dear if Alan honestly thought he would have a window into my soul, much less my marriage, by reading my book, how many other people would think the same?

Forget about bad reviews or horrible sales, the real danger in publication is that someone who knows me will judge my personal life based on my novel. And quite frankly, it scares me.

Thank you so much for having me on today, Ninja Capt Extraordinaire, Alex! I appreciate the support.

Find Isis: Website, Blog, Facebook, and Twiiter
Find KINDRED OF THE FALLEN, Kindred Chronicles, Book 1 at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Samhain Publishing

Congratulations, Isis!! You rock.

Two Cover Reveals!

For two very special friends!

Passing Time: Nine Short Tales of the Strange and Macabre By Ellie Garratt
Available February 11, 2013

Nine dark fiction stories that may just give you nightmares.
A man lives to regret Passing Time. A father will do anything to save his son in Expiration Date. An author finds out her worst nightmare is back in The Devil’s Song. A woman gets more than the claim fee when she takes out vampire insurance in Luna Black.
In Dining in Hell, the Death Valley Diner becomes the wrong place to stop.
A serial killer wants to add another file to his collection in The Vegas Screamer. In Eating Mr. Bone, an undertaker could meet an unfortunate end. A con man meets his first ghost in Land of the Free. And will truth finally be set free in The Letter?

A life-long addiction to reading science fiction and horror, meant writing was the logical outlet for Ellie Garratt’s passions. She is a reader, writer, blogger, Trekkie, and would happily die to be an extra in The Walking Dead. Her short stories have been published in anthologies and online. Passing Time is her first eBook collection and contains nine previously published stories. Her science fiction collection Taking Time will be published later in the year.
Find Ellie: Blog, Twitter, and Goodreads

Solomon’s Compass by Carol Kilgore
Available April 2, 2013

When U.S. Coast Guard Commander Taylor Campbell discovers her uncle’s drowning death was murder, she must determine the killer’s identity in order to prevent another murder. Jake Solomon’s job is to make sure Taylor isn’t the next victim.

Carol Kilgore is an award-winning author of several published short stories and many essays and articles. Solomon’s Compass is her second novel, a blend of mystery, suspense, and romance she calls Crime Fiction with a Kiss – always at least one crime; always a love story. Carol and her Coast Guard husband live in San Antonio, Texas, with two herding dogs that like nothing better than pack time on the patio.
You can find Carol here: Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Amazon

Ninja News

Both of my books are listed in the top five Best Space Opera at Goodreads. CassaFire has dipped a little and a Dan Simmons book is about to knock CassaStar off for the top position. If you’re on Goodreads and would like to vote for either book, please go HERE and do so – the exposure really does make a difference!

Today we are unveiling the official 2013 A to Z Challenge badge, created by the ever-awesome Retro Zombie Jeremy! This year’s Challenge will be better than ever. The Challenge co-host team will be announced next Monday and sign ups open at the end of January.

January 16 marks the sixth anniversary of Tim Knight’s blog, HeroPress, and he has launched a "design-a-monster" competition to run over that anniversary period. It is open to both gamers and non-gamers, and there are some cool prizes involved, including a copy of CassaStar, so check out the details HERE.

Movie Trivia

Comedy edition! Movie lines – name the movie.

1 – Check me if I’m wrong, Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they’re gonna lock me up and throw away the key.

2 – Who dumped a truckload of Fizzies into the swim meet, delivered school cadavers to the alumni dinner? Every Halloween the trees are filled with underwear, every spring the toilets explode.

3 – He is so dumb. He thought the Gettysburg Address was where Lincoln lived, and when he heard your daughter’s name was Portia, he said “Why did they name her after a car?”

4 – Are you telling me I put an abnormal brain into a seven-and-a-half-foot-long, 54-inch-wide gorilla?

5 – Can I raise a practical question? Are we gonna do Stonehenge tomorrow?

Any questions for Isis? Picking up Kindred of the fallen on Tuesday? Excited for Ellie and Carol’s upcoming books? Voted at Goodreads or entering Tim’s competition? Ready for the next Challenge? And do you know any of those movies?