Ninja News, Writers4Writers, and the I Miss You Blogfest!

It’s Time for the I Miss You Blogfest!

But first…

Ninja News

Cassie Mae and Tara Tyler hit 500 followers and are holding a giveaway! Tara is creating a blog banner for one lucky winner, and I’m sure you’ve seen her awesome banners all over the blogging world. Cassie is giving away a manuscript critique since she’s now in demand. (I’m sure I had nothing to do with that…)

Denise at L’Aussie Writer is hosting a Holiday Spirit Blogfest that runs December 12 – 21. For this Holiday Spirit blogfest (open to the whole blogosphere), RFW is looking for excerpts of up to 800 words of fiction or non-fiction stories of family tradition, favorite/unique recipes, inspirational articles, etc.; that involve the essence of the holiday spirit.

And on Monday, November 19, the details of this blog event, hosted by Mark “The Madman” Koopman, ”Marvelous” Morgan Shamy, Stephen “Breakthrough” Tremp, and David “Kingpin” Powers King, will be revealed. You’ll be surprised. You’ll be mystified. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll kiss three bucks goodbye… (Wait, that’s the tagline for the spoof Hardware Wars!) Safe to say, you will not be expecting it. Like the Spanish Inquisition. No one expects the Spanish Inquisition… (Wait, that’s a Monty Python skit!) Just forget all you know, or think you know… (Crap, that’s the tagline from Willow!) Just tune in Monday!

Writers4Writers (W4WS)

Mission:
· Help writers bring awareness of their book(s) to tens of thousands of new people
· Help writers reach Amazon Top 100 in at least one category (i.e., suspense, free, whatever)
· Increase sales of their book(s) after the promo is over
· Drive new traffic to their blog and increase following
· Create verbal and viral buss.

In A Nut Shell: the spotlighted author (December will be Nancy Thompson and her book The Mistaken) will choose a social media avenue such as Twitter or Facebook (or both). Then, the good people of Blogdom will promote the author’s book to their Twitter followers or Facebook friends, that is, incredibly large new audiences the author could not reach on their own.

Hosted by Stephen Tremp, Mary Pax, Christine Rains, and CM Brown. You can also visit the W4WS Facebook page HERE.

Kickoff is December 6!

I Miss You Blogfest

Hosted by Andrew Leon, Matthew Rush, and Alex J. Cavanaugh

The bloggers we really miss…
and the ones we would really miss!

Do you have a couple blogger buddies who aren’t posting as often? Those who’ve pulled back and seem absent from the blogging world? Do you have blogger buddies you are grateful they are still around and would miss if they vanished? Now is your chance to show your appreciation and spotlight them!
List one to three bloggers you really miss and one to three bloggers you would miss if they stopped blogging. Then go leave a comment on those blogs.
Our blogger friends are special – time to let them know!

The bloggers I miss

Clarissa Draper After her book release, Clarissa posted just a little bit less, and then she went on vacation for a month. I’ve known her for two and a half years and really miss Clarissa’s words of wisdom. (Fortunately, she is now back from vacation! So maybe I won’t have to miss her anymore.)

Jeffrey Beesler Met Jeffrey the summer of 2010 and he became a good friend and critique partner. His books and real life events have kept him busy though. He used to post daily, featuring theme weeks, and I could always count on seeing his comments. I really miss seeing Jeffrey around the blogging world.

Baygirl After over two years of her wit, I really came to appreciate Baygirl’s fun posts, which often included pictures. She posts much less now and there’s a definite void without her voice online.

The bloggers I would miss if they quit:

All of you! Really, how can I select just three people? Everyone who visits is important to me. I notice when any of you are gone for a few days. I could do a really long post and say something wonderful about all of you. But since I’m restricted to just three…

Jeremy at Retro-Zombie If I’m ever backed into a corner, I want Jeremy at my side. Only once before have I met someone so willing to do anything to help another. He’d give you the shirt off his back. He has a graphics business, and yet he’s so willing to do them for free for his friends. I can always count on Jeremy. If you’ve ever visited his site and thought ‘odd,’ then you just don’t understand the heart of the man behind that blog. Jeremy rocks, and hopefully he never leaves us.

Ella at Ella’s Edge I met Ella during the first A to Z Challenge. She is without a doubt the most creative person I have ever met. She sees the beauty in the simplest things, and her words flow like a gentle stream. Even her artwork, crafts, and photos are poetic. She has a peace about her that speaks volumes of love. I would miss her spirit and the safe haven that is her blog if she ever left us.

Chuck at Apocalypse Now No other way to say it – Chuck is THE MAN. It didn’t take me long after finding his blog two and a half years ago to realize that Chuck and I have a lot in common. He’s someone I could hang with and shoot the breeze over a couple drinks. Chuck is one of the most supportive people I know – I think he’s talked more people into buying my books than I have! He’s dedicated and possesses a great sense of humor. Hopefully when the Mayan calendar runs out next month and his countdown to the Apocalypse ends, Chuck doesn’t vanish on us.

Your turn – who do you miss and who would you miss?

List of participants below. Feel free to join us!



Signing up for Cassie and Tara’s giveaway? Joining the Holiday Spirit Blogfest? Signed up for Writers4Writers? Who do you miss or would miss in the blogging world? And don’t forget to come back Monday…

Ninja News, Show & Tell in a Nutshell, 2013 Movies, Movie Remakes, and More Critique Comments!

Today I have the honor of a guest spot on Ellie Garrett’s site! I’m discussing critique partners, so if the thought of others reading your work scares you, visit Ellie today. Or if you just want to read more great critique comments from Cassie and Rusty!

Ninja News

Today’s Special Challenge Participant Feature at the A to Z Blog is Nick Wilford. His Challenge theme was “26 Things that Made Me a Writer,” so visit the A to Z Blog for some inspiration.

Christine Rains revealed the cover for her upcoming book, 1301 - The Marquis, which will be out December 13. Congratulations, Christine!

Sean McLachlan has a new article series, Destination: Iraq, about his 17-day trip through Iraq. It’s over at Gadling and the first article is Going on Vacation in Iraq

Julie Luek at A Thought Grows called for revision tips from blog visitors. She compiled them into one post on Monday, and there were some good ones. You’d be amused by her favorite…

 Don’t forget the I Miss You Blogfest is this Friday! Show appreciate for the bloggers you miss and those you would miss.

And my co-hosts for the December 5 posting for the IWSG are Livia and Tasha Seegmiller. Thank you, ladies! I know you will rock.

Show & Tell in a Nutshell

Have you been told there's a little too much telling in your novel? Want to remedy it? Then this is the book for you!

In Show & Tell in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Transitions from Telling to Showing you will find sixteen real scenes depicting a variety of situations, emotions, and characteristics which clearly demonstrate how to turn telling into showing. Dispersed throughout, and at the back of the book, are blank pages to take notes as you read. A few short writing prompts are also provided.

Not only is this pocket guide an excellent learning tool for aspiring writers, but it is a light, convenient, and easy solution to honing your craft no matter how broad your writing experience. Keep it in the side pocket of your school bag, throw it in your purse, or even carry it around in the pocket of your jeans or jacket, to enhance your skills, keep notes, and jot down story ideas, anywhere, anytime.

If you purchase the e-book, you will be armed with the convenient hyper-linked Contents Page, where you can toggle backward and forward from different scenes with ease. Use your e-reader's highlighting and note-taking tools to keep notes instead.

Purchase the paperback:
$4.40 on Amazon US or £3.99 on Amazon UK
Purchase the e-book:
$1.99 on Amazon US, £1.99 on Amazon UK, or $1.99 on Kobo

For more information about Jessica Bell, please visit: Website, Blog, Twitter, or Facebook

Movies in 2013

It’s not 2013 yet, but there are some amazing movies coming out next year! Just a few to whet your appetite:

May 3 – Iron Man 3 – Guy Pearce is in the cast. Been a while since he’s been in a movie that didn’t suck.
May 24 - The Fast and the Furious 6 – After the awesomeness of the fifth movie, I’m ready!
July 12 – Pacific Rim – Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Need I say more?
November 8 – Thor: The Dark World – Thor battles an ancient race of Dark Elves. Yes, it’s a year away, but get excited, people!

Movie Remakes

Since Hollywood is determined to remake every film, thought we’d have some fun with it. What’s one of the worst remakes you’ve ever seen? What’s one of the best? What film would you like to see remade? And what film do you pray no one ever remakes?

Worst remake – Clash of the Titans
Yes, the original is campy, but it had heart and Ray Harryhausen creatures. The remake was a soulless piece of special effects.

Best remake – The Thomas Crown Affair
The original was good, but with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo, it’s perfect.

Please remake – The Relic
Including the main character, Agent Pendergast, would be a big plus!

Never remake – Aliens
Cameron’s masterpiece is the ultimate roller coaster ride. Remake my favorite movie and I WILL go all Ninja on you!
(And while I’m at it, don’t remake Raiders of the Lost Ark, either.)

See some things you’d like to read? Ready for the blogfest this Friday? Did you pick up Jessica’s book? Excited for the 2013 movie season? And what movies were the best/worst remakes and what do you want/not want remade?

Be sure to visit Nick at the A to Z Blog and Ellie Garrett for more Cassie and Rusty comments!

Ninja News, Gifts, Animated Movies Trivia, and Three Years Ago Today...

Ninja News

Thanks again to all the participants of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Every month you guys share the most amazing things and work so hard to encourage one another. It’s just amazing. Special thanks to my co-hosts this month, LG Keltner and CM Brown. You did a fantastic job, ladies. I’ll be contacting potential co-hosts for December this weekend.

Karen at A Peek at Karen’s World is hosting her annual blog awards again! Nominate your favorites now.

Michael Offutt’s sequel to Slipstream, released last May, is out now – Oculus! Check his site for ordering options. Congratulations, Michael! You’re a writing machine. You’ll have three books out before I even finish editing my third…





David Powers King won the I’m Thankful for my Readers Blogfest, hosted by Tara and VikLit with his poem, Who Ate My Pie Crust? Well deserved win, because it was hilarious. I was even mentioned:

I asked her - no luck, so I expanded my riot,
by asking Alex Cavanaugh, a starship pilot.
"I hope you catch a red-handed culprit soon,
but I have 100 comments to write before noon!"

(And yes, I did write a hundred comments before noon that day!)

Don’t forget the I Miss You Blogfest is next Friday! Perfect time to show your appreciation for special blogger buddies. 

 

Gifts

I received several cool gifts this week. My publisher said soon I’ll get more mail than they do!

I won a zombie package from Susanne at Putting Words Down on Paper which included these cool items:

And I was completely surprised to receive two bags of Hot Tamales from Angela Brown and Gwen Gardner! Thank you so much, ladies! You are both super special.

I need to ask for Hot Tamales more often!

Three Years Ago Today…

I started this blog.

I’d signed the contract for CassaStar and my publisher told me to get my butt online.

I had no followers. My blog was plain. And my first post was a lame “Hi, I’m Alex…”

And now, three years later… whoa!

Almost 1700 followers, over 500 posts, and my blog definitely isn’t plain anymore. (Can’t confirm the non-lame posts though.)

This journey has been nothing short of incredible. I’ve made so many awesome friends and you’ve been supportive beyond my wildest hopes.

Thank you everyone for your support, your comments, and your friendship. It means the world to me. Today, I am not just a man of few words. There just aren't words to describe my appreciation.

Think we should celebrate with some Hot Tamales, don’t you?

Movie Trivia Time!

Animated films this time!

1 – What film won the first ever Best Animated Film Oscar in 2001?

2– Who voiced Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

3 – What was Disney’s first animated feature movie?

4 – What animated film featured rats and singing slugs?

5 – Who voiced Gru in Despicable Me?

6 – What was Disney’s 50th animated feature movie?

7 – Who voiced the title character in Rango?

Did you enjoy the IWSG posts this week? See some cool new books and news today? Envious of my gifts and the Hot Tamales? (I’ll share!) Know any of the animated film trivia? Going to see Skyfall or Lincoln this weekend? And where were you three years ago today…?

Exercise Tips, Ninja News, Awesome Surprise, and Thankful for my Readers Blog Hop!

I have the honor of a guest post on Michael di Gesu’s site, In Time! And it’s not about writing or movies or music – it’s about exercising! I work out several times a week (first rule of Zombieland – Cardio) and I outlined a few things everyone can do to stay in shape. So if the Halloween candy attacked you or the approaching holidays and all that food make you nervous, visit Michael now!

Ninja News

Nigel G. Mitchell, half of The Geek Twins, has a new release – Dead Links. Congratulations, Nigel!!

Hildie McQueen has a new book – Highlander’s Captive – and you can win a $10 Amazon gift card. See her site for details. Congratulations, Hildie!

Andrew Leon’s next installment of Shadow Spinner, Part Eight: The Cold and The Dark, is available for free on Amazon now!

While he was traveling in Iraq, Osprey Publishing released Sean McLachlan’s latest book. The Last Ride of the James-Younger Gang: Jesse James and the Northfield Raid 1876 came out on October 20. Congratulations, Sean! Nice surprise waiting when you got home. He’s also offering several of his books at a reduced price – check out this POST for details.

The Indelibles are hosting the INDIE-giving Blogfest the week of Thanksgiving. See their site for details.

Don’t forget the I Miss You Blogfest is Friday, November 16. We’re paying tribute to the bloggers we miss and the ones we would miss if they were to vanish. Excellent time to show appreciation of your fellow blogger buddies. Co-hosted by Andrew Leon, Matthew MacNish, and me.

This Wednesday is the next posting date for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Mark your calendar.

And either Wednesday or Friday I will have some blogfest tips for you.

Awesome Surprise!

Saturday I received a package containing a copy of Nancy Thompson’s book, The Mistaken. She even signed it for me and wrote the most wonderful words:

And look! I had the honor of reviewing an early copy and my quote made it into the book:

My name, on the first page with the awesome Jennifer Hillier and best seller Kevin O’Brien. Whoa!! That’s even more exciting than my name on the cover of my own books. Thanks so much for the opportunity, Nancy. (And if you haven’t picked up her book yet, get it. The Mistaken is awesome.)

I’m Thankful for my Readers Blog Hop

I’m Thankful for my Readers Blog Hop Tara and VikLit.

Where do I begin?

I’m thankful for the readers of my books. When my first book came out, I thought I’ve be lucky if a hundred people read it. I never envisioned that number would swell to five digits. Thanks to everyone who has purchased and read my books. You’ve spurred me to keep writing and I’m honored so many want to share the adventures of Byron. Hopefully the third and final book doesn’t disappoint.

I’m thankful for those who’ve sacrificed time as my critique partners and test readers. They’ve suffered through my crappy dialogue and poor grammar! Special thanks to the delightful and energetic Cassie Mae, whose input was not only excellent, it was hilarious! Thanks to the very thorough and thoughtful Rusty Webb, who critiqued my last two manuscripts. His input before I began writing CassaStorm led to one of the coolest characters I’ve ever created. (Not to mention the fact that he’s damn funny as well!) And thanks to Jeffrey Beesler who has also braved two of my manuscripts. You guys made all the difference in the world!

Finally, I’m thankful for my blogger buddies and followers. Without you guys, I’d just be talking to myself, and that’s a lonely way to blog! The Ninja Army is my family and this blog the kingdom. And according to the Bible, the Kingdom represents deliverance, righteousness, joy, peace, justice, healing, and wholeness. That is what I want all of you to find here. I may be the captain, but I’m not the ruler – you are. Thank you for being a part of this Ninja family.

Visit Tara and VikLit for a full list of participants.

Excited about all the new releases? Have you signed up for the I Miss You Blogfest? Ready for the IWSG post? Purchased Nancy’s book? And if you could thank your readers, what would you tell them?

Don’t forget to visit Michael for some exercise tips! Don’t let turkey day catch you by surprise. Or be eaten by zombies. That would be worse…

Metal & Science Fiction, Ninja News, Wish The Awakening, Movie Review, and the Next Great Blogfest!

Today I am visiting Jamie at Mithril Wisdom! Jamie has been a special blogger buddy since the first A to Z Challenge. His theme for this past Challenge was fantasy metal. Well, my guest post today is about science fiction metal! If you like science fiction or rock music, visit Mithril Wisdom for the best of both worlds. There may be movie-music trivia involved...

Ninja News

Thanks for all the kind words you guys left on Friday’s POST! Nancy was very happy to see so much support for her new book, The Mistaken, and I was grateful for the comments regarding the two-year anniversary of CassaStar’s release. You guys rock!

Tara Tyler just signed a book deal with Curiosity Quills – congratulations, Tara!

Wish, The Awakening

The ever-awesome Laura Eno has a new book!

Wish, The Awakening – by Laura Eno
YA dark fantasy

Most residents of Pine Hill shy away from seventeen-year-old Lelah without knowing why. It's the Djinn magic surging through her blood. She lives in a world where wishes are really curses, dark power meant to twist and deceive in unimaginable ways. When a fit of temper exposes Lelah for what she really is, she must flee to a sanctuary only whispered about, before her family is exposed and enslaved by their ancient enemy. What she discovers is a treacherous path filled with power, lies, and betrayal – a path that's destined to ensnare her and destroy a civilization.

Purchase it in print at Amazon and as an eBook at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

About the Author:
Laura Eno lives in Florida with a very tolerant husband, three skulking cats and two absurdly happy dogs. After spending years immersed in college but never figuring out what she wanted to be when she grew up, she now writes novels late at night with the help of muses from the underworld. And, no, she still hasn't grown up but that's okay.

Laura, we hope you don’t ever grow up!

Movie Review

The Hunger Games
Finally watched this one on NetFlix. The storyline borrows from Battle Royale (sans extreme violence and action) and The Running Man (sans extreme violence and action and the cheesy fun factor.) I’ve not read the books, but I can understand the appeal of a strong female heroine. Don’t hate me, but sorry, I was a little bored watching this film. Maybe I missed something…

The Next Great Blogfest – Are You Ready?

I Miss You Blogfest
November 16 2012
Hosted by Andrew Leon, Matthew MacNish, and Alex J. Cavanaugh

The bloggers we really miss…
and the ones we would really miss!

Do you have a couple blogger buddies who aren’t posting as often? Those who’ve pulled back and seem absent from the blogging world? Do you have blogger buddies you are grateful they are still around and would miss if they vanished? Now is your chance to show your appreciation and spotlight them!

On November 16, list one to three bloggers you really miss and one to three bloggers you would miss if they stopped blogging. Then go leave a comment on those blogs.

Our blogger friends are special – time to let them know!

Sign up below:



Did you pick up Nancy’s book? Excited for Tara? Picking up Laura’s book? And are you ready for a blogfest where we can show our blogging buddies how much we appreciate them?

Don’t forget to visit Mithril Wisdom!
 
And I may not be posting Wednesday... Just so you know.