CassaFire on Audio, Kubo and the Two Strings Review, September Movie Preview, Anyone Can be a Reader, and Monday’s Music Moves Me

CassaFire on Audio!

When I got back from vacation, I got the news that CassaFire’s audio book went live last week.
I’m really stoked for the second book of my series. In listening to the samples, not only did the narrator do a tremendous job, but everything about this story flowed so well.

Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. Keeping a promise to his fallen mentor, he now serves on an exploration vessel. The detection of alien ruins sends them to the distant planet of Tgren. Are the ruins a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassans. To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers. Forced to train Athee and further develop her flying aptitude, Byron’s patience is strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

“…delivers on the promise of its predecessor, combining military action sequences and political intrigue with strong, memorable characters. Reminiscent of the action-driven stories of Robert A. Heinlein's early fiction…” - Library Journal

Find CassaFire on audio at iTunes, Amazon, and Audible.

Kubo and the Two Strings Movie Review

This isn’t a movie. Kubo is a work of art.
The stop animation is breathtaking. It’s beyond Aardman Animation or any stop motion you have ever seen. Blended with a touch of CGI, the animation comes alive.
The story is also beautiful. As with most Japanese tales, the elements of spiritualism, love, and loss are present. This is a deep and meaningful story; a drama with touches of humor. This is not a film for small children.
It’s shame this movie isn’t doing better. It’s definitely a contender for Best Animated Film.
Highly recommended!

Anyone Can Be a Reader

Author Ciara Knight reached out to me about a cause dear to her heart – dyslexia. She and her son both struggle with dyslexia.

Nicole Zoltack is here to share how you can assist those with dyslexia.

I’ve always been a reader. I was one of those kids who would hide a book in her textbook and read during class. I’d read while on the bus or while eating or in the car. Anywhere and everywhere that I could get the chance.

My husband didn’t grow up a reader. It’s tragic, really. I didn’t understand how he didn’t enjoy escaping into other worlds unless it was through movies or TV. Along came Harry Potter, though, and during the lulls between movies, I talked him into reading the books. And then one year for Christmas, I got him a gift that was more for me than him–A Song of Ice and Fire books. We both read them, and if he can read those tomes of George RR Martin’s, I think it’s safe to say I’ve successfully converted him into a reader.

I wish that everyone could experience the joy and love of reading, so when I saw Ciara was looking for authors to donate a story to help out a school specifically geared to students with dyslexia, I didn’t think twice. This isn’t the first time I’ve written for charity (and it won’t be the last) and I think the biggest draw for me was that these kids who struggle with letters will be able to have the help and guidance they need to become lifelong readers too.

Has dyslexia affected you or someone you know? Comment below and you’ll be entered to win your choice of one of my ebooks.

LOVE AND GRACE - Romance for the soul, a gift from the heart.

All proceeds benefit GRACEPOINT – A School for Dyslexia.

Pre-Order links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, and Kobo

Monday’s Music Moves Me

Hosted by Xmas Dolly.

My choice today is Katatonia – Serein.

This band has been around forever and every new release gets better and better. They deserve some attention.

September Movie Preview

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

9 -

Sully
The story of Chesley Sullenberger, who became a hero after gliding his plane along the water in the Hudson River, saving all of the airplane flights 155 crew and passengers.
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Tom Hanks, Laura Linney, Anna Gunn, Aaron Eckhart
I really like going to the movies when I have no idea how it’s going to end.






23 -

The Magnificent Seven
Seven gun men in the old west gradually come together to help a poor village against savage thieves.
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Stars: Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio
I’d write this off as just another unnecessary remake if not for Washington and Pratt.




30 –

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
When Jacob discovers clues to a mystery that spans different worlds and times, he finds Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. But the mystery and danger deepen as he gets to know the residents and learns about their special powers.
Director: Tim Burton
Stars: Eva Green, Samuel L. Jackson, Asa Butterfield, Allison Janney
Is this an X-Men prequel?

Deepwater Horizon
A story set on the offshore drilling rig Deepwater Horizon, which exploded during April 2010 and created the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
Director: Peter Berg
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Dylan O'Brien, Kate Hudson, Kurt Russell
I really like going to the movies when I have no idea how it’s going to end…

And yes, had a great time on vacation. Went camping with friends. (In a super nice trailer with all the perks – the only way I’m going camping.)

Mini-Alex went along, but sadly he never made it out of the trailer. (Yeah, my fault – I forgot!)

Have you seen Kubo? Want to do something to help Gracepoint? What music moves you today? Which movies strike your fancy? And are you into audio books? (And willing to give CassaFire a try…?)

No post next Monday due to Labor Day. (Spending the day with friends.) Will be back on September 7 for IWSG post day and the announcement of the IWSG Anthology Contest theme!

Just a reminder - last week I had a guest spot at the Parallels site, discussing the value of What If?

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: R – Rush 2002 (and Lone Ranger Movie Review)

Rush – Vapor Trails 2002

This album marked the return of the band after a five-year hiatus. In 1997, drummer Neil Peart lost his daughter, and the following year, lost his wife. He took time off and travelled across North America on his motorcycle, which he chronicled in his book, Ghost Rider. The result was an incredible and deeply personal rock album.

2002 fun facts –
*Cost of a new house - $228,700.
*Cost of gas - $1.61
*The Mars Odyssey found signs of water on Mars
*Serena Williams won both Wimbledon and the US Open
*Kelly Clarkston won the first American Idol
*The Winter Olympics were held in Salt Lake City, Utah

Movies released –
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Blade II
Spider-Man
Signs
The Ring
Equilibrium
Reign of Fire
28 Days Later
Die Another Day

Music released –
Shadows Fall – The Art of Balance
U2 – All That You Can’t Leave Behind
Foo Fighters – One by One

Games released –
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit II
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Resident Evil

And why is 2002 special?
It’s the year Jen Chandler went to Ireland!

Jen is a writer, food enthusiast, and cat lover. Recently in college, she’s in the process of finding her way, and invites others to share her journey. She always has such a happy and joyful attitude. She’s had several blogs and been on hiatus, but her new home is The Cup and Page.

Just Released!

White Hellebore by Nicole Zoltack is available today!

Movie Review – The Lone Ranger

I find that most film critics are harsher than I am.
However, in the case of The Lone Ranger, they may have been too kind…

The movie has no identity. It’s a slapstick comedy one moment, fantasy the next, and then dark western next. None of the elements work well together.
I also didn’t buy into Depp’s Indian character. There are many fine Indian actors who could’ve played the role far better.
The worst part – the film is just DULL. And way too long.
The last twenty minutes are entertaining, but not enough to save this boring, odd, awful  film.
Don’t waste two hours and twenty minutes of your life on this film. Save yourself!

The Showdown!

Coming next Tuesday, the final installment of Lord of the Clones, a video masterpiece courtesy of Father Dragon Al. Three judges, including Jeff Hargett, will decide the winner. Lady Jezebel will be there serving punch. Who will win? Who will truly be Lord of the Clones…?


Did you know the story behind Vapor Trails or read Peart’s book? Following Jen’s new blog? Had the misfortune of watching The Lone Ranger? Think I can beat Baldernot and be Lord of the Clones? And what do you remember best about 2002…?

Books Galore! Ender’s Game Review, New Releases, Cover Art, and Book Trivia Answers. Plus Battle of the Bands and Ninja News

Today, it’s all about the books…

Cover Reveals

Dragonfly Warrior by Jay Noel
The first book of The Mechanica Wars, a steampunk adventure like no other.
Release date - January 6, 2014

The Mechanica Wars: Savage Machines Are Afoot...
At the age of twenty, Kanze Zenjiro's bloody footprints mark the bodies of those who stood in his way to protect the throne of Nihon. Now, the tyrannical Iberian Empire is bent on destroying his kingdom, and they send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him.
Zen embarks on a quest that takes him on the most dangerous journey of his life. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six-guns. He is called upon to somehow survive a test of faith and loyalty in a world so cruel and merciless, it borders on madness.

Find Jay at: Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Ribbon of Darkness by Decadent Kane
Release date December 13, 2013

An old family secret draws Ribbon into an Elven world while Draven is forced to find a way to drag her back home to save Christmas magic…

Fun Fact: In Iceland, 80% believe in existence of elves and roads are rerouted and buildings not built anywhere an 'elf home' might have been said to exist.

Find out more about the author, Decadent Kane: Blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads
Sign up for the newsletter to be notified of publications: HERE
She is also known as the awesome Summer Ross!

New Releases and Free Books

Time on Her Side by Shelly Arkon

They say God gives second chances.
Forty years have shown Wilhelmina has nothing but a lifetime of four failed marriages, a job she hates, and her most recent affair with a married businessman. Until one day, while sipping coffee her silent prayers are answered--she’s visited by her future self, offering Wilhelmina a chance to re-do her life, giving her a mission to save the future world from the baby she’s unknowingly pregnant with.
Is it the miracle she hoped for, or will this lead into a whole new set of problems?

Shelly Arkon is the author of Secondhand Shoes
Find Time on Her Side on Amazon - free November 1-5.

The Bashan Agenda by Melanie Schulz

Part two of The Newstead Trilogy, The Bashan Agenda picks up right where The Newstead Project left off. Nathan's truck eventually stops in the small town of Wilson, NY, and Rachel's still in it, not that she wants to be. But she figures at least in Wilson she'll be able to have a fresh start. She forgot one thing: they can be anywhere. As Joel trains with his father, doubts begin to rise in his mind. Is he really who he claims to be- and more importantly does he have an agenda all his own? When the maps to Bashan come out, Joel realizes maybe it's not such a good idea to be putting so much trust in one man.

Find The Bashan Agenda: Amazon and Amazon Kindle
Find Melanie on: Blog, Wattpad, and Facebook

Anticipation of the Penitent by Nancy LaRonda Johnson

Trapped by the devil, Alezea bears Satan’s son and knows her life will never be her own...

Find it on Amazon - free November 1!

Masked for Love by Nicole Zoltack

Isabelle is content being a maid, and will do anything for her lady--even accompany her to a masquerade ball…

Find Masked for Love at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Last Christmas by Talli Roland

For Lucy, the best Christmas present is forgetting the past…

Purchase at: Amazon and Amazon UK



Congratulations, everyone!

Ninja News

How I Miss You Blogfest is next Friday, November 8, hosted by Andrew Leon, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and Matthew MacNish
The bloggers you miss and the ones you would miss. Sign up HERE


NaNo begins today! Good luck to all participating. I wrote my second book, CassaFire, during Nano 2010, so it can be done.
Today is also the blogfest in honor of the release of The Spirit of Christmas Anthology, featuring JA Bennett, Kelly Lynn, David Powers King, Jessica Salyer, and Cassie Mae. Proceeds all go to NaNo!

And the Insecure Writer’s Support Group posts next Wednesday!
My awesome co-hosts will be CD Coffelt, Tina Downey, Isis Rushdan, and Michelle Wallace!

Horror Story Trivia Answers

1 – The Exorcist 1971 – William Peter Blatty
2 – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 1886 – Robert Lewis Stevenson
3 – The Dark Tower 1938 – CS Lewis
4 – The Anubis Gates 1983 – Tim Powers
5 – At the Mountain of Madness 1931 – HP Lovecraft

Battle of the Bands

I finally get to participate again!

Pink Floyd’s Welcome to the Machine has been remade numerous times. A couple of my favorite bands tackled this classic, resulting in two very different and yet still true to the original versions. Shadows Fall did a more straightforward take while Arjen added his own flair. Both are much heavier than the original – bonus!

Shadows Fall


Arjen Anthony Lucassen

Ender’s Game Book Review

I finally read it this past summer, knowing the movie was coming out and to satisfy my curiosity about comparisons made to my first book. It does pose an interesting question – is it right to destroy someone for the greater good?

It’s also NOT a young adult book – it’s just a science fiction book with kids in it. The theme is dark and the main character kills.

The ending surprised me and yet it didn’t.

Overall, it was good but not great.

And as for comparisons to CassaStar – both feature a main character who’s a loner with great potential, difficult to like, and undergoes military training. (Actually I found most of the characters in Ender's Game difficult to like.) But that is where the similarity ends – they are very different stories.

Hearing that they may have toned down the story and changed the ending for the movie makes me leery. However, I still intend to see it – must support a science fiction film!

Whoa!

See any new books you have to pick up? (With that list, I hope so!) Participating in NaNo? Ready for the Miss You Blogfest and IWSG next week? Get any of the trivia right? (Yes Suze, I will do more book trivia.) Read Ender’s Game? And which version of Welcome to the Machine do you like best…?

Teleportation! Plus My W4WS Day, How I Miss You Blogfest, Ninja News, and Horror Taglines Trivia Answers

Today I tackle teleportation at Stephen Tremp’s awesome SITE! When did the concept emerge? How has it figured into science fiction? And is it possible…?

Writers4Writers

Hosted by Stephen Tremp, Mary Pax, Christine Rains, and CM Brown.

I have the honor of sharing W4WS today with the awesome Isis Rushdan. That’s right! It’s the Ninja’s turn today. And was it ever difficult coming up with the Tweets and Facebook posts.

Thank you to the hosts and to all the W4WS members – and anyone else who helps – for your efforts today.

For Twitter –

For fans of #StarWars and #Heinlein – CassaStorm by @alexjcavanaugh Amazon Best Selling author http://tinyurl.com/n9hrssx #W4WS #spaceopera

Space opera with heart – the Amazon Best Selling series by @alexjcavanaugh http://tinyurl.com/n5qdaqt #spaceopera #bestseller #W4WS

“CassaStorm pushes the limits…” best-selling #spaceopera by @alexjcavanaugh http://tinyurl.com/n9hrssx #W4WS #scifi

For Facebook-

"CassaStorM is a touching and mesmerizing space opera full of action and emotion with strong characters and a cosmic mystery." - Edi's Book Lighthouse. From the Amazon Best Selling author Alex J. Cavanaugh http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/ Available in print and eBook at Amazon http://tinyurl.com/n9hrssx, B&N, iTunes, and others. Watch the trailer on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Umm2l0XdHc&feature=youtu.be #W4WS

For fans of Heinlein and Star Wars – space opera with a heart! CassaStorm concludes the Amazon Best Selling series by Alex J. Cavanaugh. http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/ Available in print and eBook at Amazon http://tinyurl.com/n9hrssx, B&N, iTunes, and others. #W4WS

Ninja News

Nicole Zoltack’s Black Hellbore is out today in eBook – print coming in January. Congratulations, Nicole!

Rachel Morgan’s The Faerie War is out today!! Congratulations, Rachel. You have wrapped up your awesome trilogy.

Milo James Fowler had some exciting news this weekend - Captain Bartholomew Quasar and the Space-Time Displacement Conundrum, his first novel, will be published next year! The novel will first be serialized for subscribers, followed by an eBook and print release. Congratulations, Milo!

Cherie Reich’s epic YA short story, Magna’s Plea, is available and free at Amazon. Congratulations, Cherie!

Toinette Thomas is celebrating her birthday today by independently publishing two new works of fiction! Happy birthday, Toinette. I think you mentioned cupcakes…?

Kyra Lennon is hosting the Game On Bloghop October 28-31. To celebrate the second edition release of Game On, Kyra wants to know – who is your sports crush? Get the details at her site.

Remember, every Monday is a new post at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website. We’ve also added a lot of new sites to the databanks, so check often.

Pat at it’s Rhyme Time created this video - Orlin The Rhyming Cat - The Ninja Wannabe. If you’ve visited Pat and read about the Ninja Wannabe, no need to be confused, it’s just me. (A rhyme in your honor, Pat!) As if the lyrics and head-butting from a cat puppet weren’t enough, just wait until you see what Cassie does with me in the end…

Horror Movie Tagline Trivia Answers

1 - Ding dong. You're dead. 1986 House
2 - Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. 1992 Army of Darkness
3 - Man is the warmest place to hide. 1992 The Thing
4 - The good news is your dates are here. The bad news is…they're dead. 1986 Night of the Creeps
5 - The night HE came home. 1978 Halloween
6 - Herbert West has a very good head on his shoulders...and another one in a dish on his desk. 1985 Re-Animator

The Second Annual Oh, How I Miss You Blogfest! 

November 8, 2013 - hosted by Andrew Leon, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and Matthew MacNish

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 8, 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!



Thanks to all who send out the W4WS messages! Picking up some new books? Enjoy the video – even at my expense? Get any of the trivia correct? And can you think of some bloggers you miss…?

Don’t forget to visit Stephen Tremp!

Features, Ninja News, RaShelle Workman Rocks, Movie Trivia, and a Question

Continuing my special feature week at The Writing Nut - today is the interview! Want to know more about the Ninja Captain? Want to see why I claim to be a man of few words? Then visit Nutschell!

Double treat today – I’ve interviewed my buddy Andrew Leon of Strange Pegs at the A to Z Blog. Every other Wednesday is a challenge participant feature and Andrew poured so much into his theme of Fiction to Reality. Fascinating stuff so check it out!

Ninja News!

Win a print or eBook copy of Jeremy Bates’ latest, White Lies – go HERE for details or visit Goodreads. Giveaway open until July 24.

Carol Kilgore’s first book, In Name Only, launched Tuesday. Congratulations, Carol! Hope you are still on a high from all the excitement. May your sales go through the roof. You rock!

Rachel Schieffelbein revealed the cover art of an anthology coming out soon that features one of her stories. Congratulations, Rachel!

Nicole Zoltack’s short story, "A Land without Zombies," is going to be included in Spencer Hill's Holiday Magick anthology. Congratulations, Nicole!

Carrie Butler’s post on Writer Superpowers at Thirsty Thursday claims that Elana Johnson and I are the only writers to possess the superpower of Duplication. Thanks for the smile, Carrie! (And for the record, I really don’t have clones.)

Special Feature - RasShelle ROCKS!

You may have read RaShelle Workman's first novel in the Immortal Essence series entitled "Exiled." If not, check it out, it's free on amazon. If you have read it, and are anxiously awaiting book 2, "Beguiled,"or haven't read it, that's okay. She has a new series out. Blood and Snow.

 






The Blood and Snow series Summary:

"Lips red as rubies, hair dark as night. Drink your true love's blood, become the Vampire, Snow White." Every thousand years the Vampire Queen selects a new body, always the fairest in the land, and this time she's chosen Snow White. *******

Each volume is novelette length. Book 1 is "Blood and Snow," book 2 is "Revenant in Training," and book 3 is entitled "The Vampire Christopher." All three are now available.

Today is the big reveal day for book 3...

Ready! Set!
                    Here it is!!!

To purchase Blood and Snow, click HERE.

Revenant in Training (book 2), is FREE from July 11th through the 13th. Pick it up by clicking HERE. 

And, The Vampire Christopher (book 3), click HERE.

Twitter: @RaShelleWorkman

Facebook: RaShelle Workman Author

Website

About the author:  Lover of books, baking, and toffee-making. The author of Aligned: An Immortal Essence Short Story, Exiled, Sleeping Roses, and the BLOOD AND SNOW series. Honorary nerd with attitude.

Question of the Day

Anyone have an answer for this? There are two blogs that way back when I followed them, they had GFC in the sidebar. That has since been removed and no matter how many times I unsubscribe in Google Reader, they keep appearing again. (And in case you’re wondering, they are science fiction bloggers who never returned my follow and pump out blog posts like there’s no tomorrow.) Any other tricks I can try to permanently remove them from my Google Reader?

Movie Trivia!

Just a couple easy questions this time!

What is the highest grossing animated film of all time?

Three films are tied for most Academy Awards at eleven Oscars each – name them.

What song has unofficially been used in the most movies?

Whoa! So many cool new books. Which ones are you picking up? Any idea how to unsubscribe permanently? Know the movie trivia answers? Think my Writer Superpower really is Duplication?

Don’t forget to visit The Writing Nut.

You Can't Reach 1000 Followers by Being a Jerk

Happy New Year and I have a special feature today!

I know The Social Network told us we can't reach a million friends without making a few enemies. While that may be true, in the blogging world, you won't reach thousand followers by being a jerk.

All right, what do you need to be then?

You need to be an encourager. You need to congratulate those who are succeeding and support those who are struggling.

You need to give back to the community. You cannot take without giving.

You must be positive. No one wants to be around someone who is negative.

You must be consistent. You cannot be sweet and endearing in one forum while being rude elsewhere. When things don't go your way, you must maintain an even temperament.

You must be genuine. Your reasons for blogging cannot be self-serving. You are here because you genuinely want to connect with others. You are not here just to promote your product, book, site, or service.

You respect others and do not steal their joy. You don't bash another’s work, beliefs, or efforts.

You are humble. You realize you did not get here by yourself, but through the support and belief of others, and by grace.

You speak ill of no one. You understand karma and good will towards men.

You have earned the admiration of many. You understand that with much power comes much responsibility. And you are mature and wise enough to act appropriately.

And why am I telling you all of this? Because four of my blogging buddies are about to hit that milestone, and each more than qualifies:

Matthew at the QQQE
Matthew is the epitome of giving back. His site is dedicated to helping others improve their query letters. Matthew also participates in and creates blogfests designed to help others. Even on his down days, Matthew is still uplifting and genuine. He sees the bigger picture, which includes his impact on the future of many writers. Matthew does not take his responsibility lightly he is a true friend to many.

Copyboy at Not Worth Mentioning
His real name is Jesse, and his site is not for the faint of heart. There is some crude humor and no sacred cows. Or urinals. Or bizarre Amazon products. However, his comments are always positive, genuine, and thoughtful. Jesse really does care about his fellow bloggers, and it shows. He even designed a site called Bloggerdise that links products, authors, and bloggers together. Don't let his edgy humor fool you – Jesse has a heart of gold.

Nicole at Where Fantasy and Love Takes Flight
This fantasy author is about his down to earth as you can get. She has the wisdom of maturity with the sweetness of innocence wrapped in one package. Nicole is always sharing and giving to others. Right now she even has a Christmas Critique Giveaway, something she generously offers every year. Everything about her reflects peace, stability, and a place of refuge.

Roland at Writing in the Crosshairs
Roland is a writer who resides on a level far deeper than most of us will ever reach. He could easily be one of those authors who is haughty and aloof. Instead, every post is a gift of inspiration. He strives to give what he has learned to others. He is currently giving away all profit from the sale of his books to the Salvation Army, an organization that helped him when he was a child. Roland possesses a truly giving spirit.

These four friends of mine are amazing. They are all so close to a thousand followers, they can taste it. If you do not follow these bloggers, I’d highly recommend you get to know them. You just might learn some things about being a genuine person.

Do you follow these bloggers? Do you know anyone else who fits this description? Who? Tell the world – and be sure to tell them.

(And remember Wednesday is the Insecure Writer’s Support Group posting and the announcement of my giveaway winner.)