Insecure Writer’s Support Group, CassaDark’s Release, April Movie Preview, and Book 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 awesome co-hosts for the April 6 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise - Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi!

April 6 question - Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?

Yes! My four novels and the Cassa boxed set are all available as audio books. Since my publisher did all of the work, my only challenge was listening to the first auditions and picking one. And I picked a good one, as he did a fantastic job on all of them.

You can find the first book, CassaStar, here - Amazon, iTunes, and Audible

CassaDark Available Today!

“Cavanaugh returns to the world of his Cassa Series…for a fourth inventive space opera.” – Publisher’s Weekly

His world is unraveling…

Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by doubt. Could things get any worse?

Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prisoner planet.

On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each truth reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?

Print – 9781939844842 / EBook – 9781939844859
Science Fiction – Adventure/Space Opera/Space Exploration

Find CassaDark at iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Kobo, Scribed, and Goodreads
And would love it if you could vote for it on Goodreads’ Can’t Wait Sci-Fi Fantasy of 2022 and mark it Want to Read.

And here is last week’s and this week’s tour dates!

March 30 – Ronel Janse van Vuuren
March 31 - Bookworm for Kids – Tonja Drecker
April 1 – Sandra Cox
April 4 – Elizabeth S. Craig
April 5 – Melissa Maygrove
April 6 – Diane Burton
April 6 – Kathy McKendry
April 7 – Cherie Colyer
April 8 – Toi Thomas
Appreciate you visiting any of those you can.

Other Book News

KISS OF THE ASSASSIN by Joylene Nowell Butler
The Wild Rose Press, Inc (March 23, 2022)
Paperback: 424 pages, ASIN: B09P7T1ZRS

Marina Antonovna, a Soviet spy, and Mateo Arcusa, an American homicide lieutenant first meet in Cambodia during the Vietnam War as enemies. Fearful that the most powerful man in the Soviet Union, KGB Chairman Vladimir Kurenkov, has ordered her death, Marina risks everything to defect to the United States.
She promises Mateo that her days as an assassin are over. Vladimir is determined to do whatever it takes to bring her back and, by threatening Mateo’s life, forces Marina to break her promise.

Joylene Butler lives with her husband in the tiny village of Cluculz Lake in central B.C... She is the author of three suspense novels and a contributor to one anthology. For more on Joylene and her writing, visit her website and blog, as well as connect with her on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon.

Captain Quasar: The Complete Series: A Humorous Space Opera Boxed Set by Milo James Fowler is on sale for just .99!
Find it on Amazon

April Movie Preview

Here are the theatrical releases for April. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

8 –

Ambulance
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eiza González, Garret Dillahunt
Two robbers steal an ambulance after their heist goes awry.
It’s a Michael Bay film – LA explodes, the ambulance explodes, heck, even Jake Gyllenhaal explodes!

15 –

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
Director: David Yates
Stars: Mads Mikkelsen, Ezra Miller, Katherine Waterston, Jude Law
The third installment of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," which follows the continuing adventures of Newt Scamander.
The original subtitle was What the Heck Happened to Johnny Depp?

22 –

The Northman
Director: Robert Eggers
Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke
From visionary director Robert Eggers comes The Northman, an action-filled epic that follows a young Viking prince on his quest to avenge his father's murder.
Another weird, bloody, violent outing from Robert Eggers that might make you long for The Norseman with Lee Majors…

29 –

Memory
Director: Martin Campbell
Stars: Liam Neeson, Monica Bellucci, Ray Stevenson, Guy Pearce
An assassin-for-hire finds that he's become a target after he refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization. A remake of the 2003 Belgian film 'The Memory of a Killer'.
Just take any great line from Taken and replace skills with memory.

Any of your books on audio? See some new books to pick up? (How about CassaDark?) And what April movies catch your attention?
Be sure to visit Toi Thomas today!

Hawkeye Joins Civil War Cast, Arrow and JLA, What Are the Kargrandes, Movie Soundtrack Trivia, Mini-Alex, and Ninja News

I am over at the A to Z Challenge Blog today with a ‘Getting to Know Your Co-Hosts’ segment. Still time to sign up for the Challenge! We’re also hosting Twitter chats every Thursday.

Movie News

Hawkeye will be in Captain America: Civil War

From two sources -

JoBlo announced that Renner is scheduled to shoot Civil War next spring:If true, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR is going to be one jam-packed film. The confirmed cast already includes Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, and Chadwick Boseman in his first appearance as Black Panther.

And from Cinema Blend: While the bulk of Steve Rogers' team has already been confirmed for the third Cap installment, it wasn't until nowthat we got confirmation that Hawkeye will also show face.

According to io9, DC is creating a Justice League in the Arrow universe: With the announcement that the CW is expanding its superhero show roster with an Atom/Firestorm/Black Canary team-up show, it looks like we might finally be getting something Smallville tried (and ultimately failed) to do: Create the Justice League on television.


 

And finally, now that we are into March, we can list the top films of 2014:
Transformers: Age of Extinction - $1,091.4 million (no idea why!)
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - $954.5 million (still making money)
Guardians of the Galaxy - $774.2 million

What Are the Kargrandes?

New clue today at What Are the Kargrandes? This is clue number nine – new clues every Monday until the release of Dragon of the Stars on April 7.

Sample Tweets for this week:

What are the Kargrandes? Ninth clue – can you guess? http://whatarethekargrandes.com/ #whatarethekargrandes #scifi @alexjcavanaugh

What are the Kargrandes? Are they connected to the Dragon? Solve the mystery by April 7! http://whatarethekargrandes.com/ #whatarethekargrandes @alexjcavanaugh

The Thunderclap campaign went live late Wednesday morning! If you missed it, please sign up to announce the release of Dragon through Twitter, Facebook, or Tumblr. I am at the halfway point and need more commitments for the Thunderclap to happen. If you can share my campaign, I’d greatly appreciate it. Would really suck to miss it by just a couple sign ups.

JC’s Book Haven also had a really nice review up last Friday.

Ninja News

Editor Dianne Gunn is this Wednesday’s guest at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!

Milo James Fowler posted about a new site for both authors and readers - Quarter Reads. The short stories are basically .25 cents each and the author sees .22 cents of that. Milo has a huge list of stories available HERE. Sounds like a great opportunity for short story writers!

Donna McDine announced a very special library drive:
Numerous studies from both government and the private sector provide clear evidence that early reading skills are an investment in a child's future. Early reading skill development dramatically affects the quality of life for children as they grow into adulthood. Sadly, a recent article by Carole Dickerson on the Journal Standard website quoted a local social worker who stated that many of the parents in the homes she visits do not own a single children's book.
This is quite shocking to me and in response, I am announcing a children's book drive within my county to support the Rockland County Department of Social Services. I encourage other authors of children's books to do the same or if you have gentle used children's books to please donate to the book drive.

A to Z Challenge Minions urgently needed!
The following co-hosts still need a few more Minions:
Jeremy Hawkins (He only has one!!)
Joy Campbell
Heather Gardner
Zalka Csenge Virág
Susan Gourley
Matthew Rush

Jack Lewis Baillot is hosting a WWII themed contest and giveaway! See her site for details.

Out now –
Song Remains the Same from Tony Laplume
The second volume from his Mouldwarp Press Presents anthology series.
Find it in paperback and eBook on Amazon

Mini-Alex

Mini-Alex soaks up some afternoon sun with his best Dragon friend.

Trivia – Movie Soundtracks

I’ve listed the song, artist, and year – name the movie!

1 – Ratt – Body Talk, 1986
2 – Queensryche – Real World, 1993
3 – U2 – Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, 1995
4 – AC/DC – Who Made Who, 1986
5 – Journey – Open Arms, 1981
6 – Guns ‘n’ Roses – You Could Be Mine, 1991
7 – Kansas – Carry On Wayward Son, 1977
8 – Extreme – Play With Me, 1989

Answers on Monday!

Have you figured out the Kargrandes yet? Can you help with the book drive or as a Challenge Minion? Know any of the trivia answers? Excited Hawkeye will be in the next Captain America? And can you help with the Thunderclap campaign…? (I’m willing to grovel.)

Be sure to visit the A to Z Challenge Blog.

The Babadook Movie Review, Dragon of the Stars News, Movie Trivia Answers, Mini-Alex, Music, and Ninja News

Milo James Fowler asked me to discuss small press success at his site today! Please stop by.

Dragon of the Stars Update

First, the winner of my giveaway for those who cheered for me during the Realms Faire is - Michelle Wallace. Congratulations! You get a review copy of my upcoming release.

Dragon of the Stars is now on Goodread’s Most Anticipated Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror of 2015 list! If you’re looking forward to it, please hop over and vote for it.

There is also a Goodreads giveaway! (Feel free to share it.)

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Dragon of the Stars

by Alex J. Cavanaugh

Giveaway ends November 24, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

(And you can add it to your Goodreads shelf HERE.)

The Babadook Movie Review

A single mother battles her son’s fear of a monster and her own pain.
This movie has been getting a lot of press, so I decided to check it out on Pay-Per-View.
The result is a mixed bag. It has great atmosphere and some really tense moments, but there is a lot of confusion. Starting with where does the Babadook’s book come from? What was up with the tooth? What did it all mean?
Just what is the Babadook? A real evil presence or all in her mind as she tries to deal with past trauma? I’m still not sure.
The kid was annoying as well. He needed a shrink or a bop upside the head. Preferably both.
However, should things not work out for the Babadook, he has a great career making children’s pop-up books ahead of him!
Dodgy.

Ninja News

Wednesday at the IWSG site is the amazing RaShelle Workman, who is closing in on a million books sold worldwide!

The 2014 Karen's World Blog Awards is now open for nominations! Visit A Peek at Karen’s World and let her know what are the best blogs of the year. Nominations open until November 22.

New release –
Jack the Ripper: Newly Discovered Tales of Sherlock Holmes by Holy Ghost Writer

Suzanne Furness’ short story, From Byron to Shelley, is now in print. The story was short listed for the Yeovil Literary Prize in 2012 and now appears in their anthology. Find it at Amazon US and Amazon US

Don’t forget the Miss You Blogfest - those bloggers you miss and those you would miss the most. Coming November 24.

Robot Movie Trivia Answers

Hector (1980) – Saturn 3
Fembots (1997) – Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Johnny 5 (1986) – Short Circuit
Pris (1980) – Blade Runner
Dot Matrix (1987) – Spaceballs
Huey, Dewey, and Louie (1972) – Silent Running
EVE (2008) – WALL-E
V.I.N.C.E.N.T. (1980) – The Black Hole

Mini-Alex and the Turkey

Thanksgiving decorations are appearing at my house and Mini-Alex was conned into appearing with a turkey:

And for those of you who are new and wonder why I have a miniature version of myself, it was the creation of Elise Fallson two years ago. She made Mini-Alex, posted pictures of him for the Cheersfest, and then graciously sent him to me. Deniz Bevan then knitted a scarf and sent it to him. Thanks again, ladies!

Mini-Alex would still like a Mini-Kate someday.

And to give credit where credit is due, my wife comes up with most of the ideas for the photos.

Music Sample

Yes, many of you have told me you want to hear me play. I know I’ve drug my feet on this. I think I am more nervous about sharing my music than I am my writing. I’m such a perfectionist and I want to post something both amazing and flawless for you. I promise I will pick something soon and work on it until I am comfortable recording it. Might take a couple dozen recordings, so be patient! Never rush a perfectionist with a guitar…

Entering the giveaway on Goodreads? Has anyone else seen The Babadook? Nominating someone for Karen’s awards? Ready for Monday’s blogfest? Get any of the robot movies right? Ready for Thanksgiving? Anyone else care to hound me about my music?

I’m not posting on Wednesday (work promises to be hectic) but I will be back on Monday!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, plus Dragon of the Stars Cover, November Movie Preview, Dragon and Ninja, 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 LG Keltner, Donna Hole, Lisa Buie-Collard and SL Hennessy! Be sure to thank them for their efforts.

We are a month away from the release of the IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond. So much effort has gone into this book, and I’m proud of the IWSG Admins for their efforts. And I’m very proud of the contributors – the book is packed with awesome information and tips!

I’m not insecure about that book.

However, I am nervous about the next step in my personal author journey.

April 7, 2015 is the official release date for my next (and last) book, Dragon of the Stars. (Yes, right in the middle of the A to Z Challenge. I may have a meltdown that month.)

However, I am not nervous about the cover art, which I finally got to see Monday afternoon:

One more time – can I do it?

My Dear Dragon Friend

The Dragon and Ninja, created by the amazing and talented Father Dragon Al, arrived last week.

Thank you, Al. You are one of the best friends I’ve ever had and an amazing person.

Ninja News

Leandra Wallace and many others have started an awesome new blog. Across the Board is a group blog featuring writers from all different genres, kidlit to adult, posting on Mondays and Thursdays. They love to have visitors stop by!

The Realms Faire is coming next week! And guess what – I am one of the jousting Knights. My joust is Monday and you can cheer for me then and throughout the week. Tons of prizes, from books to gift cards. Don’t miss it!






New Releases -

Wickedly They Dream by Catherine Constantine
After Seeley is possessed by an evil wraith, Jordan must dig deeper into the Satanic realm. Against Markus's direct orders she offers herself, body and should in a blood covenant to rescue Seeley from the clutches of hell. Jordan assumes her guardian angel will not leave her to fight along. But there's trouble in paradise, and Markus has been reassigned. Can Jordan defeat both her internal and external demons to win him back? Or is he gone for good this time?
Find it on Amazon

Max Blizzard and The Gem of Camelot by Pat Hatt

Yakuza Territory by Milo James Fowler

Guide to Hot Water Bath Canning by MJ Joachim

November Movie Preview

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

7 –

Interstellar
A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy
Nolan is an amazing director – feels like I’ve been waiting years for this one.

Big Hero 6
The special bond that develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.
Directors: Don Hall | Chris Williams
Stars: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, T.J. Miller
Marvel’s foray into kid friendly heroes – and the previews are pretty darn funny.




21 –

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
Katniss Everdeen is in District 13 after she shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.
Director: Francis Lawrence
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson
I’m looking forward to part ten where Katniss is eligible for social security benefits…

Extraterrestrial
A group of friends on a weekend trip to a cabin in the woods find themselves terrorized by alien visitors.
Director: Colin Minihan
Stars: Brittany Allen, Freddie Stroma, Melanie Papalia, Jesse Moss
Part horror, part science fiction, all probing!





28 –

Penguins of Madagascar
Super spy teams aren't born...they're hatched. Discover the secrets of the greatest and most hilarious covert birds in the global espionage biz: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private. These elitists of the elite are joining forces with a chic undercover organization, The North Wind. Together, they must stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine, from destroying the world as we know it.
Directors: Eric Darnell | Simon J. Smith
Stars: Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, Benedict Cumberbatch
Ninety-nine percent sure my wife will drag me to this one…

The Babadook 
A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.
Director: Jennifer Kent
Stars: Essie Davis, Daniel Henshall, Tim Purcell, Tiffany Lyndall-Knight
Heard great things about this film, but doubt it will be playing anywhere in the Carolinas. (Thus I will be dragged to see Penguin movie above.)



What are your writing insecurities today? Picking up some new books? What do you think of Mini-Alex’s new friends? What movie catches your eye this month? Think I can survive another book release? And what do you think of the cover art…?

Have Authors Killed Blogging? Plus 2014 Box Office, Horror Movie Trivia Answers, Mini-Alex, and Ninja News

2014 Box Office So Far…

Nine films have grossed over a half a billion dollars so far this year. With Interstellar and the final Hobbit film still to come, there will undoubtedly be more. Here is the breakdown so far:

1 Transformers: Age of Extinction - $1,087.3 billion
2 Maleficent - $757.4 million
3 Guardians of the Galaxy - $752.6
4 X-Men: Days of Future Past - $746.0
5 Captain America: The Winter Soldier - $714.1
6 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - $709.0
7 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - $707.2
8 How to Train Your Dragon 2 - $615.0
9 Godzilla (2014) - $525.0

(Guardians leads the US box office with $328.6 million.)

Ninja News

At the A to Z Blog today is Nicki Elson with her awesome 90's Pop Culture Favorites Challenge theme.

Available now –
Mage Revealed by CD Coffelt
Book two in the Magic Withheld series
Find it on Amazon
Check out the trailer on You Tube



Lisa Regan is celebrating the one year anniversary of her first novel’s release by holding a t-shirt fundraiser:
Buy a Finding Claire Fletcher t-shirt and all profits will go to Operation Underground Railroad or O.U.R., a non-profit organization founded by a former CIA/Homeland Security agent. They use cutting-edge technology to locate and track child pornographers and human traffickers. They use their findings to assist law enforcement all over the world to stop these monsters and rescue kidnapped children.
IF I DON'T REACH MY GOAL, THE T-SHIRTS WILL NOT BE PRINTED AND YOUR MONEY WILL BE REFUNDED.
YOU HAVE UNTIL NOVEMBER 12, 2014 TO PURCHASE A SHIRT.
You can purchase one HERE

Milo James Fowler’s Creepy Freebies is back! Check his site for a list of participants, plus keep an eye out for those joining the giveaway, such as Roland Yeomans. Creepy Freebies lasts through Halloween.

Horror Movie Trivia Answers

1 – Simon Pegg, Nick Frost 2004 – Shaun of the Dead
2 – Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David 1982 – The Thing
3 – Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci 1999 – Sleepy Hollow
4 – Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, David Warner 1976 – The Omen
5 – Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox 2002 – The Ring
6 – JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Heather O’Rourke 1982 – Poltergeist

Mini-Alex

In a piles of leaves, as requested! (Sort of - I don't rake leaves, I mow them.)

Have Authors Killed Blogging?

For the past six months there has been a lot of discussion about blogging losing steam and dying out. While I doubt it’s dying, there have been a lot of changes and a slowdown in growth. New blogs still appear, but fewer bloggers are returning comments and follows. Since blogging is all about being sociable, that’s a problem.

Are authors and writers putting a damper on blogging? Are the constant book announcements, cover reveals, book releases, blog tours, and reviews drowning out interaction and interest?

I pull up my Feedly reader, and over two thirds of the posts are just that. It looks almost like a Twitter feed of promos and links.

We all want to help each other, but I’ve begun to wonder if we are the only ones paying attention anymore. I follow almost two thousand blogs and used to have an eclectic following, but it seems that many who weren’t writers have fallen away. (And yes, I do know I gained a lot more writer followers when I started the Insecure Writer’s Support Group three years ago.) They aren’t blogging much anymore, if at all. (I know a lot of writers and authors who aren’t blogging, either.)

I’ve always tried to offer a variety here, because no one wants to read all promo. (Besides, I’m not a book blogger site or a review site – that’s not what I do.) I want to focus on entertainment and fun, and yes, I am trying to work more of me into the posts.

What do you think? Have authors and writers put a damper on blogging? Have we hit promo overload?

How many of those top films of 2014 have you seen? (I’ve only missed the top two.) Any news that interests you? Get any of the trivia correct? Ready to dive into a pile of leaves? And do you think authors are hurting blogging…?

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: X – X-Files 1998 (plus Odd Thomas Movie Review)

The X-Files Movie – Fight the Future – 1998

After years of watching the series, fans finally got a big screen version. It focused on the main mythos of the alien colonization of earth, complete with spaceship at the end. (Which of course, Scully didn’t see!) The film was true to the series while placing the X-Files on a much grander scale.

1998 fun facts –
*Average cost of new house - $129,300.00.
*Average Income - $38,100.00.
*Cost of Gas - $1.15
*Average cost of new car - $17,200.00
*First Class stamp - .32 cents
*The biggest airport in the world opened in Hong Kong
*Free Willy star Keiko went to Iceland for eventual release back into the wild
*Europeans agreed on a single currency the Euro
*The Search Engine Google was founded.
*The Denver Broncos won their first Super Bowl

Movies released –
Titanic
Saving Private Ryan
The Mask of Zorro
It’s a Bug’s Life
The Big Lebowski
Blade
Dark City

Music released –
Rob Zombie – Hellbilly Delux
Orgy – Candyass
Monster Magnet - Powertrip

Games released –
Starcraft
Fallout II
Baldur’s Gate
Half-Life

And why is 1998 special?
Because that year, Al Diaz said someone believed in him so much that it made him believe in himself as well. It was also the year Natalie Aguirre adopted her daughter from China in April, and it was the year Jamie Ayers got married!

Father Dragon Al is an artist and writer who hails from Mexico. He’s a wise old dragon, tended to by many dwarves. (Even more the year they got a hold of my cloning machine.) Al is a multi-faceted person – devoted, caring, and a man of honor. My best friend, I’d trust him with my life. Al blogs at Dragon on a Mission.

Natalie is a writer and co-hosts a top young adult site. She gets the insider scoop on authors and agents and shares them with the world. One of the nicest people I know, Natalie is very involved and knowledgeable when it comes to books. She blogs at Literary Rambles.

Jamie is a young adult author and a teacher. She lives in sunny Florida with her husband, kids, and basset hound. Jamie has a passion for young people and a strong spiritual foundation. She’s a special lady who knows how to make everyone feel important. Find Jamie HERE

Ninja News

Milo James Fowler has a slew of new releases coming out over the next two weeks. He also signed the deal for a sequel to his novel and it will come out in November. Way to go, Milo!

C. Lee McKenzie has been featuring other bloggers for the Challenge through a contest. Each week is a new prize, and the winner drawn from those who guess the most bloggers correctly from her posts and hints. Last week, I won! Thanks, Lee.

Don’t forget - the final installment of Lord of the Clones is tomorrow! Visit Father Dragon Al and vote for your favorite. The awesome Ninja Cloner (me!) or evil Lord Baldernot (Mark Koopmans.)

Movie Review – Odd Thomas

Based on the novel by Dean Koontz and directed by Stephen Sommers.
The film follows a young man with clairvoyant abilities as he tries to uncover a terrible event that’s about to take place in his town.

The best way to describe this film is it’s a murder-mystery, supernatural, comedy thriller.
The ‘I see dead people’ concept isn’t original, but the movie executes it very well. It’s incredibly entertaining, powerful, and hits all the right notes.
It has a great cast. Anton Yelchin (Chekov from the latest Star Trek films) is Odd and plays the character perfectly and believably. Willem Dafoe is solid in his role as the police chief who not only benefits from Odd’s abilities, but he helps keep them a secret.
Overall, I was very impressed with this film and highly recommend it!

Fan of the X-Files? Following Al, Natalie, and Jamie? Read any of Milo’s books? Seen Odd Thomas or read the book? Ready to visit Al tomorrow and cast your vote? And what do you remember best about 1998…?