Fifty Years of Star Trek, Underworld Blood Wars Trailer, IWSG Updates, New Releases, and CassFire Audio Book Winners

Fifty Years of Star Trek

On September 8, 1966, the first Star Trek show debuted. And life has never been the same.

Wikipedia had an entire page dedicated to the influence of Star Trek, stating Star Trek is one of the most culturally-influential television shows, and is often regarded as the most influential science fiction TV series in history. Many astronauts claim Trek influenced their career decision and George Lucas has stated that Trek was a big factor in the creation of Star Wars.

While I was a tad too young to watch the original series during its run, I spent many hours watching the reruns in syndication. The show broke through so many barriers, showing us a bigger and better world. I was captivated by the possibility of what existed beyond our solar system. It was the beginning of my love for science fiction, which would eventually lead to me writing in that genre.

There are a ton of events happening this month and hundreds of articles online celebrating fifty years of Star Trek. The LA Times has a ton of articles and you can find more news at Blastr.

Picking one favorite Trek would be impossible. I’m digging the reboot movies even as I still love the movies First Contact and Wrath of Khan. The closest I can come to a favorite is the series Deep Space Nine. There have been a few missteps (Star Trek V, the search for God?) but otherwise I’ve enjoyed them all.

What is your favorite Star Trek? And does anyone else own a bat'leth? Great for home defense!

Underworld Blood Wars

That’s right! Kate is back for another Underworld movie.

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Thanks to everyone for another awesome IWSG post day.

I try to get to as many as possible, but I hope everyone understands I can’t visit everyone. (That’s why we have co-hosts.) I’m making an effort to visit those I haven’t seen in a while though. Plus the newbies. I appreciate every single person who posts.

If you’ve missed posts in the past, make sure you’re still on the list. I visited several who were posting but they’d missed two in a row at some point and were no longer on the list.

And special thanks to all of the volunteers. Co-hosts are booked through next January now!

Don’t forget the IWSG Anthology Contest is now open! We have some great judges, an awesome theme, and we’re looking forward to reading the entries. You have until November 1, so get cracking.

New Releases

Baby Moo's Great Escape by Julie Flanders

Baby Moo has a dream. He wants to travel the world and sing on the stage of the Sydney Opera House!

Julie Flanders will donate $1 to Sunrise Sanctuary, home to Baby Moo and numerous other rescued animals, for each copy sold in September.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Desolate Mantle (Street Games Book 2) by LK Hill

Walking the Slip Mire nightly, dressed in her disguise and trying to infiltrate a homicidal gang, Kyra Roberts sees plenty of things she can’t explain, and begins to think a serial killer may be on the prowl...

Find it on Amazon

Winners of CassaFire on Audio

And the winners are…

Michael Di Gesu

and

Kathy McKendry

Congratulations!

Are you a Star Trek fan? What’s your favorite show/movie? Ready for more Underworld? (I really need to get that outfit for my wife.) Enjoy the IWSG last week? Picking up some new books? Are your books on audio?

Last Friday I was a guest at Rebecca Bradley’s site for her First Draft series of interviews.

I’ll also be gone all day Friday for training, so I’ll catch Friday posters this weekend.

A to Z Challenge – I – Cult Classics – Jacob’s Ladder, Journey, Judas Priest, Jurassic Park, and More! Plus Some Cool Links For Writers

A to Z Challenge – Cult Classics – J

Movies-Music-Sci-fi Book-Bloggers-Dragon Term

Movies –

Jacob’s Ladder
Directed by Adrian Lyne in 1990, this psychological thriller featured bizarre elements and unnerving scenes.

Music – 

Journey – Escape
Their best-selling studio album, Escape produced four hits, including the staple Don’t Stop Believin’. It even spawned a video game.

Judas Priest – Screaming for Vengeance
The band’s eighth album was their big commercial breakthrough, selling five million copies and producing the hit You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’.

Science Fiction Book –

Jurassic Park – Michael Crichton
This 1990 book inspired one of the biggest blockbuster movies ever. It was followed by The Lost World and three more movies.

Bloggers –

Jack Lewis Bailot at However Improbable
Do you like movie quotes and Lord of the Rings? Do you enjoy ready quirky fun posts? Then author Jack is your gal!

Julie Flanders
Do you enjoy thrillers set in Alaska? Do you have a passion for animals? Then you can’t go wrong following this delightful author!

Dragon of the Stars Term –

Jaxom Fyall
Captain Fyall commands the Ryzell, one of Hyrath’s battleships. He’s a fair man who knows how to lead people. When the story opens, Aden is serving as Lt. Commander under Fyall.

Dragon of the Stars is out now!
Check out the site What Are the Kargrandes? for clues as to how they tie into the story.

And there is a Scavenger Hunt! An autographed copy of the book, bookmarks and swag, and $20.00 iTunes gift cards to the winner. Just visit the sites below and leave a comment – where do you think Mini-Alex is in the photo? Open until midnight Saturday, April 11 – winner announced here April 13. Now go!

Melissa Maygrove * Eva Solar * Father Dragon Al * Suzanne Furness * Karen Walker * Dianne Salerni * Christine Rains * Nick Wilford * EE Giorgi * Murees Dupe * L Diane Wolfe * Helena * Tyrean Martinson * Robin * Heather Gardner * Jo * Lynda Young * SL Hennessy * Toi Thomas * Lori MacLaughlin * Jess at Author Tracker, * Truedessa, * Annalisa Crawford, * Patricia Lynne, * Lisa at Flash Fiction, * Julie Flanders, * Julie Kemp Pick, * Nicki Elson, * Mark Koopmans, * Sydney Aaliyah!

Ninja News

Rebecca Bradley posted about a new app called Clean Reader that changes objectionable words in a book to something cleaner. See her site for more information on this new app.

Out now!
Adventures of Arkansawyer by Charles Gramlich


Cindy Borgne posted a link to a great list of homonyms. If you tend to mix up your words, you need to check out this site.

And don’t forget, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is also participating in the Challenge and posting daily tidbits of encouragement and inspiration.

Seen Jacob’s Ladder? Do those albums bring back memories? Fan of Jurassic Park? Figured out the Kargrandes? See some helpful sites? And have you found every Mini-Alex…?

Geek Television Programs, Favorite Fantasy Romance Movies, What Are the Kargrandes? Small Press Pros and Cons, and Ninja News

What happens when the Ninja is overwhelmed with trying to write guest posts for his tour, prepare A to Z Challenge posts, and juggle several sites at once? He double books himself!

Today I have not one, but two awesome authors here to amuse you!

SAME GEEK TIME, SAME GEEK CHANNEL

by Christine Rains

I could name dozens of television shows that geeks love to watch. Goodness knows I've stared at the screen for hundreds of hours in the past year, I mean, in my life. Yes... What's trickier is picking out great shows starring geeks.

I'm adding a level of difficulty to this quest: I'm going to give you a type of show and the obvious nerd answer. Then I'm going to give you a show that you might not know about.

Documentary:
Obvious answer - Cosmos hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Who doesn't love Neil? He's the laid-back astro-nerd in a ship of the imagination.
Not so obvious answer – Globe Trekker hosted by Ian Wright. There have been other travelers on this show, but Ian is my favorite. Goofy, geeky, and hilarious, he travels to various places in the world where you get a peek at things other shows usually don't show.

Reality Show:
Obvious answer - King of the Nerds hosted by Lewis and Booger from Revenge of the Nerds. It's like Survivor for geeks, but with more video games and cosplay.
Not so obvious answer – Face Off. Artistic geeks creating awesome makeup for monsters, aliens, or whatever might be that week's theme. These are super talented nerds in their element.

Sitcom:
Obvious answer – The Big Bang Theory. This is probably where everyone's mind went when I mentioned TV and nerds. No explanation necessary.
Not so obvious answer – Community. It's by far geekier than the obvious answer. Oh yes! Watch it and compare. And it stars Joel McHale, a geek whom I loved since he hosted The Soup.

What are your favorite shows starring geeks?

About the author: Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She's a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. (South Central Indiana Fiction Interface). She has several short stories and novellas published. The Dice & Debauchery series is her first contemporary erotic romance.
Please visit her Website and Blog
You can also find Christine onTwitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads
Purchase Loose Corset here: Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Kobo, and Ellora’s Cave

Ten Movies Similar to Fade Into Me by Charity Bradford

Alex, thanks so much for having me today! My newest story is a tiny bit scifi, a lot fantasy and definitely a romance. So today I want to share some fantasy romance movies for you to fill February with. I mean, Valentines is coming up pretty quick. If nothing else, pick one to share with someone special this Saturday. Here are 10 movies that have something in common with Fade Into Me

1. Princess Bride—when it’s true love there can be no other
2. Stardust—thinking you want one thing, but what you need is right in front of you
3. The Lake House—modern world, soul mates lost in time
4. Penelope—the true love that saves her is when she learns to love herself
5. Splash—they are from two different worlds
6. Somewhere in Time—he’s willing to do anything to be with his love
7. Simply Irresistible—love and magic, and food!
8. Brigadoon—there’s a vacation in Scotland
9. Practical Magic—using magic to find love
10. Timer—can you fall in love if you don’t find your soul mate?

What are your favorite science fiction or fantasy romantic movies?

Find Charity at her: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, YouTube Trailer, and read the First Two Chapters

What Are the Kargrandes?

New clue today at What Are the Kargrandes? This is the fifth one, and there are new clues every Monday until the release of Dragon of the Stars on April 7.

Sample Tweets for this week:

What are the Kargrandes? Fifth clue up this week- http://whatarethekargrandes.com/ #whatarethekargrandes #scifi @alexjcavanaugh

Solve the mystery before April 7–what are the Kargrandes? http://whatarethekargrandes.com/ #whatarethekargrandes #scifi @alexjcavanaugh

And there have been some great reviews so far, but this one really touched me. Posted by Charity Bradford on Goodreads, it’s a really detailed and thoughtful review, and I’ll share just a snippet with you:
I love that Alex writes complex stories that don't feel complex until you take a step back and really look at it.
That's talent! I mean, there is amazing technology laced throughout this book, but you never feel bogged down by it. Alex also presents these great science fiction themes in a way that feels fresh and new.
I write complex stories – that just blows me away. Thanks, Charity!

Ninja News

I am posting at the IWSG site today on The Pros and Cons of Small Publishers. I asked several authors with small presses to contribute and together we came up with a great list. Check it out!

At the A to Z Blog today is Tracey Lynn Tobin from No Page Left Blank. She chose a really fun theme for the Challenge!

Ian S. Bott has a website that features his artwork. If you’re looking for some awesome science fiction images, check it out HERE



Ava Quinn signed with Patricia Nelson of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Congratulations, Ava!

New Releases -

Don’t Forget to Breathe by Cathrina Constantine
Find it at Amazon

Polar Day by Julie Flanders
Find it on Amazon

A Season of Change by Donna K. Weaver
Pick it up here for only .99 cents: Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Available February 11 –
A Jumble of 500+ Writing Prompts by Tyrean Martinson
Find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and Goodreads





Whoa! Still trying to figure out the Kargrandes? See some cool new books you want? What are some of your favorite fantasy romance movies? And what geek shows do you enjoy? (Face Off is one of my favorite!)

Don’t forget to visit the IWSG site for pros and cons on small presses.

I’ll be back Wednesday with some movie reviews, trivia, and a special guest. Plus – the IWSG site will be hosting our first literary agent that day!

Secrets of Honor, The Making of the IWSG Anthology, IWSG Videos, Ninja News, and Destination Star Trek 3

We're starting with a bang today and an awesome author, Carol Kilgore!

Hi! My name is Carol Kilgore, and I write Crime Fiction with a Kiss. Thank you, Alex, for hosting me today.

Once upon a time, there was a jewel thief . . .

So begins the tale of Kat Marengo and Dave Krizak. The story could go all kinds of ways. The jewel thief could be
• an especially mischievous fairy who delights in swapping one jewel for another.
• a zombie who believes emeralds are brains.
• an octopus-like creature from Neptune who adorns his tentacles with NASA probes.
• a mermaid who uses sunken treasure to purchase aquarium space for herself at SeaWorld.

But in my new novel, SECRETS OF HONOR, my jewel thief is a government agent doing her job.

SECRETS OF HONOR
By the end of a long evening working as a special set of eyes for the presidential security detail, all Kat Marengo wants is to kick off her shoes and stash two not-really-stolen rings in a secure spot. Plus, maybe sleep with Dave Krizak. No, make that definitely sleep with Dave Krizak. The next morning, she wishes her new top priorities were so simple. They have 24 hours to locate a kidnapped girl, or they will have to fight for the life of the first lady.

You may connect with me at any or all of these sites: Blog - Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads - Amazon

So in lieu of telling you more about myself, I invite you to visit my website HERE. Each month I hold a new contest giving away free books and swag by the Author of the Month. This month, the author is Susan Swiderski. Susan is giving away a signed copy of HOT FLASHES AND COLD LEMONADE and a copy of OLD BROADS WAXING POETIC, an anthology benefitting CARE International.

Ninja News

Industry expert and author, Anne R. Allen, will be our guest at the IWSG Site on Wednesday.


Jessica McKendry’s From the Ashes is on sale for 99 cents. Buy it at Amazon.

The sequel to Julie Flanders’ Polar Nights, is now available for 99 cents. You can find The Turnagain Arm at Amazon.

New release - The Odyssey of a Monk by Dean K. Miller
It will also be free on Amazon October 10-12.

Girl of Great Price by Milo James Fowler was just released.
Find it on Amazon.

Out now - Scarlet Magi by Nicole Zoltack
Plus Black Hellborn is on sale for 99 cents and her next book, Starry Love, is available for preorder.






And Destination Star Trek 3 took place this past weekend. @StarTrek sent out a lot of images from the convention, including this one of Next Generation wrapping up the second day:

You can see images from the first day at their website HERE

IWSG Anthology!

HUGE thanks to everyone who posted or sent their submission for the anthology, The Insecure Writer’s Support Group’s Guide to Publishing and Beyond. We had over a hundred submissions and they were amazing. Quite a few were emailed to us, so there will be a lot of fresh, new content in the book.

One thing I learned was never say no to an anthology. I turned down submitting a piece to The Tree of Life because I was busy at the time. (Yeah – stupid!) Fortunately, Samantha asked me to contribute to Heroes of Phenomena, and I didn’t say no a second time.

I never realized how much effort was involved in an anthology until now. Let me give you a backstage view of what the IWSG Admins have been doing:

Me – Gathering all email submissions and all IWSG posts (which meant reading every single one.) Gathering and requesting bios, permission, and websites, then logging all entries on a spreadsheet and sending out to be proofed. (By Friday my brain was mush - my apologies to all the bloggers I didn't visit toward the end of last week.)

Joylene, Susan, Michelle, and Joy – Human Spell Check machines and proofers. (Wow, did they read a lot of words! And poor Michelle had the flu last week.)

Lynda – Final proofing and organizing submissions for the book, noting issues and quotes and other stuff. (She did a LOT of reading!)

Diane – Format the entire mess into a book. (Good luck!)

So, as you can see, a lot of work went into this book. But we couldn’t have done it without all of you!

And I want to point out one very special submission. It was on making book trailers, and unfortunately the videos won’t make it into the book. But you have to see what HJ Blenkinsop created for us! This is just one of three:


The Insecure Writer’s Support Group #3


Think Carol’s story is better without the octopus creature from Neptune? Picking up some new books? Follow along with Destination Star Trek 3’s events? Enjoy this past week’s IWSG or contribute to the anthology? Wonder what a Ninja’s brain looks like when it turns to mush…?

Wednesday will be some light fun, trivia, and maybe even a bit about the Ninja…
 
And if you can co-host the IWSG in November or December, please leave a comment!

Retro A to Z Challenge: T – Terminator II 1991 (plus some Awesome Challenge Themes)

Terminator II: Judgment Day – 1991

Released seven years after the first movie, this sequel was bigger than life. It was the first movie to cost over $100,000 million to make, and the budget showed in its amazing special effects, most notably the T-1000 made of liquid metal. Ground breaking effects snagged four Oscars for this film. Hasta la vista, baby!

1991 fun facts –
*Cost of a new house - $120,000.
*Average income - $29,430.
*Cost of gas - $1.12
*The Soviet Union ceased to exist when Gorbachev resigned
*The Internet was made available for unrestricted commercial use. At that time, one million computers were online

Movies released –
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Silence of the Lambs
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey
City Slickers
Backdraft

Music released –
Nirvana – Nevermind (launching the Grunge era)
Dangerous Toys – Hellacious Acres
Guns ‘n’ Roses – Use Your Illusion 1 & 2

Games released –
Sonic the Hedgehog
Neverwinter Nights

And why is 1991 special?
It’s the year Edi married his wife, his daughter was born, he got a new job, and they moved to a new home!

Edi was the first book blogger I found online, and since then has become devoted friend and fan. If I ever venture to Germany, we are definitely sitting down over a brew and discussing books and movies! Edi reports on books, films, and interesting things around the web every weekend, and what he finds is often amazing. One of my best friends and an awesome guy. Edi blogs at Edi’s Book Lighthouse.

Great A to Z Challenge Themes

We’ve less than a week to go, and I’m sure you’ve all been following bloggers with some really great themes. I will be highlighting some of these themes this coming year at the A to Z Challenge Blog. (So let me know if there’s someone I must feature.) Some themes that have worked really well, and the ones below might give you ideas for next year.

Unique locations
Lexa Cain has been posting about haunted places and Andrew Leon has been posting about abandoned locations. Coupled with photos and facts, both have been fascinating.

Blogging about one’s book
This one is tricky, because it could come off as really promotional. Plus it might cater mostly to fans or be a book someone doesn’t want to read. However, Julie Flanders has done an outstanding job, as she’s focused on the location of her book, Martha’s Vineyard. Several others are also doing a similar style theme.

Excerpts
Another tricky topic, as it might not catch those who don’t start from the beginning. Quite a few of you have been blogging really great excerpts though! I’ll just give two examples. Loni Townsend has posted snippets from a serial, Murder Most Fowl, and her voice and sense of humor have made these a great read. Equally riveting has been CM Brown’s short teasers from her upcoming title, Forces of Mist.

And I’m sure you’ve found many more awesome themes!

Fan of Terminator II? Following the amazing Edi? What themes have you seen that were interesting and made you come back for more? And what do you remember best about 1991…?

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, March Movie Preview, and Ninja News!

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 Tina Downey, Elsie, Elizabeth Seckman, and Julie Flanders! Please visit and thank them for helping today.

I also need volunteers to co-host next month! Since it’s April, it would be best if the co-hosts aren’t participating in the A to Z Challenge. (Trust me, the two combined is a scary, scary thing.) Let me know if you can co-host on April 2. Thanks!

I’m between 8,000 and 10,000 words from finishing my current manuscript. Things are moving along great and I still wish I typed faster. But the first draft is almost done.

And then comes something I’ve never had to do. Go back and add new scenes, plot points, twists, and even a subplot.

Now, I’ve always had to go back and add details. That’s just a given, as I am such a barebones writer. (Hacking and slashing to bring down the word count? What on earth is that?) But I’ve never faced the task of adding so many scenes.

Some will be small, some just embellishments on existing scenes, and a couple will be several pages long. I’ve made notes where I need to go back to, so I do have a plan. But it will be a new experience for me.

Anyone else had to add a lot of new scenes?

Be sure to visit others on the IWSG list!

Ninja News

Playing Pretend, a new adult contemporary romance by Juliana Haygert, is out now. Congratulations, Juliana!

Just eight followers away from someone winning the Epic 2000 Follower Giveaway!
Just click the Google Friends Connect if you haven’t already to enter.

March Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for March! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me. (And upon request, I went for full out snark today!)

7 –

300: Rise of an Empire
Greek general Themistokles leads the charge against invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes and Artemisia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy. Director: Noam Murro
Stars: Sullivan Stapleton, Rodrigo Santoro, Eva Green, Lena Headey
More blood, boobs, and carnage than you can shake a Spartan at! (And actually, it’s getting good reviews.)

Mr. Peabody and Sherman
The time-travelling adventures of an advanced canine and his adopted son, as they endeavor to fix a time rift they created.
Director: Rob Minkoff
Stars: Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Stephen Colbert, Leslie Mann
Big fan as a kid. (Before blood, boobs, and carnage came along…)

Jodorowsky's Dune
The story of cult film director Alejandro Jodorowsky's ambitious but ultimately doomed film adaptation of the seminal science fiction novel.
Director: Frank Pavich
Stars: Alejandro Jodorowsky, Michel Seydoux, H.R. Giger, Chris Foss
Probably better than the real movies...


14 –

Need for Speed
Fresh from prison, a street racer who was framed by a wealthy business associate joins a cross country race with revenge in mind. His ex-partner, learning of the plan, places a massive bounty on his head as the race begins.
Director: Scott Waugh
Stars: Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Scott Mescudi, Imogen Poots
They cast Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad so SOMEONE would go see this film. (Alternate title – Need to Cash in on Fast and Furious Franchise.)

Veronica Mars
Years after walking away from her past as a teenage private eye, Veronica Mars gets pulled back to her hometown - just in time for her high school reunion - in order to help her old flame Logan Echolls, who's embroiled in a murder mystery.
Director: Rob Thomas
Stars: Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring, Enrico Colantoni, James Franco
No one’s laughing at Kickstarter now! (However, I’m still not putting money into anything lacking in blood, boobs, and carnage. Except Firefly.)

21 –

Muppets Most Wanted
While on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves wrapped into an European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick.
Director: James Bobin
Stars: Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tom Hiddleston
Hopefully this really is the most wanted Muppet film.

Divergent
In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she's Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late.
Director: Neil Burger
Stars: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet, Jai Courtney
Another young adult, futuristic, dystopian, blah, blah, blah, blah… (Maybe there will be blood, boobs, and carnage?)

28 –

Noah
The Biblical Noah suffers visions of an apocalyptic deluge and takes measures to protect his family from the coming flood.
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Stars: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson
Oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please don’t mess up this Bible story!!

What’s your insecurity today? Can you help co-host in April? And what movies strike your fancy this month…?

Insecure Writer’s Support Group and Contest! Plus Gifts for Your Geek, Dream Destination Blog Hop, and Ninja News

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 Insecure Writer’s Support Group is also holding a contest! Visit today for details – lots of great giveaways.

My awesome co-hosts today are Julie Flanders, Heather Gardner, Kim Van Sickler, and Elsie is Writing. Please be sure to thank them for their time and effort to make all IWSG members feel welcome.

I’m in the process of revising my outline yet again. (Yes, I take longer on the outline than I ever do writing the book.) One of my test readers read through it, had some questions, and offered some ideas. So I’m working on details and making some changes. I’ll probably do this several more times and maybe run the outline past one of my critique partners before I get to a place where I am happy with the storyline.

I still won’t be ready to start writing it though, because next will be research and world building. And a tremendous amount of both!

To make this story work, I’m going to have to do a lot of world building, and far more than I’ve ever done in the past. With the elements I’m including in the story, the world building will have to be on every level. I’m going to have to research sea kelp. Sea kelp! (Yes, sea kelp in a space opera – I have you intrigued now, don’t I?)

What started as a simple idea has grown into a complex beast. I wasn’t even going to write another book. Now I’ve gone and tackled a monster. Not sure what I was thinking. Not sure I’m prepared to handle this either.

Anyone else ever do this to himself?

And any sea kelp experts out there? I’ll let you use the cloning machine in exchange…

Geeky Gifts!

If you’re still looking for that certain gift for the special geek in your life, or for yourself, check out a site called Geek Alerts.

Here is a sampling:

Firefly Serenity Spaceship Ornament available from Entertainment Earth for $9.98.
I’ll take ten, thanks!

The Walking Dead Daryl Crossbow Coffee Mug $27.99 from Amazon.

Dr Who Cybernetics Kit at Firebox for £24.99 with free delivery.

This one came from Uncommon Goods, and I instantly thought of Tina at Life is Good because the Engineer could probably make it:

Mason Jar Speaker-Amplifier This speaker-in-a-jar is completely self-contained, so you can bring it on-the-go with you for impromptu dance parties, and can hook it up to your personal music player or electronic instrument. Its size is small but its sound is big. $65.00

Ninja News

Toi Thomas’ book, Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, comes out on February 18, 2014. There is a giveaway and a pre-order special though, so check it out. Congratulations, Toi!

The next installment of Hart Johnson’s series is now available – Travel Plans. Congratulations, Hart!

Kelly Polark’s latest, Hold the Mustard, is now available. Congratulations, Kelly!

Dream Destination Blog Hop

Lexa Cain and Julie Flanders are hosting the Dream Destination Blog Hop December 5-8. Since I won’t be posting again until December 9, here is my entry.

If I could go anywhere in the world, where would I go?

New Zealand!

The country is stunningly beautiful. The scenery offers an amazing variety, especially considering the size of the two islands. And no poisonous snakes or spiders! Big plus in my book. Lord of the Rings was filmed there, and I confess I’d also want to see all the film locations.

Of course, if I could go somewhere that wasn’t real, I’d visit the Cassan universe. Why? One word – teleportation! Yes, I’d need a Cassan to accompany me and do all the jumping, but it would be awesome.

All right, I’m waiting – teleport me on over!

Excited about the new books? See a geeky gift you want? Anyone else tackling a project that just might be too massive? And where is your dream destination...?

Be sure to check the Insecure Writer’s Support Group for the contest and to visit other participants!