Insecure Writer’s Support Group, New Book Releases, and March Movie Preview

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 March 4 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Natalie Aguirre!

March 4 question - What elements do you include in your book launch? Or what do you have in mind for your future book launch? Or what advice do you have to offer to others planning to launch a book?

First, my advice is find out what is working for book launches now. What worked for mine, most of which came out last decade, won’t work now. Everything is changing so fast and you’ll need to tap into the current trend. Check with authors such as Elizabeth S. Craig, Angela Ackerman, and Anne R. Allen. They post great tips on their sites and are happy to guide new authors.

We are good for April but need another one or two co-hosts for May. And hosts for the summer! Let me know when you can help in the comments or send me an email.

The Novelry is looking for writers to join The Big Idea Challenge for March! Lots of cool stuff, so check out their site.

We are also saying goodbye to Louise Barbour (Fundy Blue) as an admin. She was such a great addition to the team, bringing a breath of fresh air with her. Louise, you will be missed big time!

And finally, the A to Z Challenge kicks off April 1! Visit the site for details.

New Releases!

Plot Twist by Elizabeth Spann Craig
Something old, something new, something borrowed, someone's through.
Universal buy links here

Happy Birthday to Us! by Sherry Ellis (Official website)
Celebrate the joy of sharing a birthday with America!
Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, and Bookshop

Balance of Nature, Book 3 of the prehistoric trilogy Savage Land by Jacqui Murray
A tribe haunted by the past. Lies that threaten the future. A reason to find the truth.
Available exclusively on Amazon as print or digital

Ruthless Kingdom by Cathrina Constantine
Two Kingdoms - Two Kings
One King Vows to Rule Them All
Find it on Amazon

Jewels of Darterra by J. Lenni Dorner
Do some people having more options impair the existence of others who were born with a distinct path and purpose?
Find it on Barnes and Noble and Smashwords

The Rebel's Redemption (Sagebrush Springs Book 2) by Melissa Maygrove
A Confederate past. A Union widow. One chance to make peace—with her and himself.
Release scheduled for March 31st – pre order on Amazon

March Movie Preview

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

6 –

The Bride
Director – Maggie Gyllenhaal
Stars – Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Jale Gyllenhaal
In 1930s Chicago, Frankenstein asks Dr. Euphronius to help create a companion. They give life to a murdered woman as the Bride, sparking romance, police interest, and radical social change.
Looks like a dumpster fire. It will make us long for the Sting and Jennifer Beals version.

13 –

Undertone
Director – Ian Tuason
Stars – Nina Kiri, Adam DiMarco, Michele Duquet
The host of a popular paranormal podcast becomes haunted by terrifying recordings mysteriously sent her way.
A24 Studio’s motto – Making sure you never get a good night’s sleep again!

20 –

Project Hail Mary
Directors – Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Stars – Ryan Gosling, Milana Vayntrub, Ken Leung
Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a spaceship light-years from Earth. As his memory returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance killing the sun and save Earth. An unexpected friendship may be the key.
Does it have to take two and a half hours to save the world? Can’t he do it in ninety minutes?

27 –

They Will Kill You
Director – Kirill Sokolov
Stars – Zazie Beetz, Patricia Arquette, Myha’la
A woman takes a job as a housekeeper in a NYC high-rise, unaware of the building's history of disappearances. She soon realizes the community is shrouded in mystery.
It’s like a horror take on John Wick. Come for the blood and gore, stay for the blood and gore…

What advice do you have for those about to launch a book? Can you help co-host the IWSG? Picking up some new books? And what March movies capture your attention?

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Ghost Stories, and October Movie Preview

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 October 2 posting of the IWSG are Nancy Gideon, Jennifer Lane, Jacqui Murray, and Natalie Aguirre!

October 2 question - Ghost stories fit right in during this month. What's your favorite classic ghostly tale? Tell us about it and why it sends chills up your spine.

I’m old, so even though it’s not a ghost story, it’s The Exorcist for me. I found it incredibly disturbing. It was the first film to deal with demonic possession and in such a horrible way, taking over a young girl. It’s been duplicated and watered down over the years, but at the time, the original was terrifying.
And on most horror movie lists, it’s number one.

Another top pick is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, both the book and the movie. Read the book as a kid and was fascinated by an apparition that terrorizes a town, and it’s the basis of a lot of urban legends you hear about today.

We need one more co-host for December! If you can help out, please leave a comment or send me an email.

New Releases!

Top Five Movies Set in Japan
By Sherry Ellis

Bubba and Squirt’s final adventure, The Legend of the Lost Pearls is set in Japan. In honor of its release, I’ve come up with my top 5 picks of movies about or set in Japan. Here they are:
1. Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), starring Ziyi Zhang, is the story of Nitta Sayuri, a young Japanese woman who as a child was taken from a fishing village and later became one of Japan’s most famous geishas.
2. The Last Samurai (2003), starring Tom Cruise, is set in 19 th century Japan. Nathan Algren, a US army captain is hired by the Emperor of Japan to train his army in modern warfare techniques. It becomes a struggle between two eras.
3. Tokyo Pop (1988), stars Carrie Hamilton who plays Wendy, an aspiring singer who travels to Tokyo with dreams of making it big in the music business. There she meets Hiro, a rock and roll musician who makes her the lead singer in his band.
4. The Karate Kid Part II (1986), stars Pat Morita. Daniel accompanies his mentor, Mr. Miyagi to Okinawa. Miyagi visits his dying father and faces an old rival. Daniel falls in love and ends up with a rival of his own.
5. Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), stars Mike Myers. After discovering his father has been kidnapped, Austin Powers travels to 1975 to defeat the villain, Goldmember who is working with Dr. Evil.
Are you familiar with these movies? Do you have a favorite? Any not on the list that you like?

A big thanks to Alex for having me as a guest and getting the word out about Bubba and Squirt’s The Legend of the Lost Pearls!

Bubba and Squirt’s Legend of the Lost Pearls by Sherry Ellis

Journey to the past!
Bubba and Squirt embark on their most dangerous quest yet. Whisked away through the vortex to Japan, they must find two fabled pearls that hold the key to saving their father.
To top it off, they must go back and change the events of the past. As they race against time, the fate of their father, and their own lives, hang in the balance.
Will they outwit the cunning creatures that stand in their way or face their own demise trying to save their father?

Print ISBN 9798988625124 $8.95/ eBook ISBN 9798988625131 $3.99
Juvenile Fiction - Action Adventure / Fantasy & Magic / Legends, Myths, Fables – Asian

Find the book on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Goodreads

Mystery Loves Company by Elizabeth Spann Craig

Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries | Book 25

Truth blooms in unexpected corners.

Purchase options here

October Movie Preview

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

4 –

Joker: Folie à Deux
Director: Todd Phillips
Stars: Joaquin Pheonix, Lady Gaga, Zazie Beetz, Ken Leung
Failed comedian Arthur Fleck meets the love of his life, Harley Quinn, while in Arkham State Hospital. Upon release, the pair embark on a doomed romantic misadventure.
I guess it’s a better name than Joker: The Musical.

Monster Summer
Director: David Henrie
Stars: Mason Thames, Lorraine Bracco, Mel Gibson
When a mysterious force begins to disrupt their big summer fun, Noah and his friends team up with a retired police detective to embark on a monstrous adventure to save their island.
I’ve always wanted a mash-up of The Goonies and Lethal Weapon.

25 –

Venom: The Last Dance
Director: Kelly Marcel
Stars: Tom Hardy, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans
Eddie and Venom are on the run. Hunted by both of their worlds and with the net closing in, the duo are forced into a devastating decision that will bring the curtains down on Venom and Eddie's last dance.
I just can’t believe we live in a world that has three Venom movies…

What’s your favorite ghostly tale? Picking up either book? Any movie catch your interest this month? Seems to be slim pickens the next few months! And can you help co-host in December?

Mayan Adventure – Movies Filmed in Belize and Latin Flavors Blogfest! Plus Bill and Ted Face the Music, Project Power, and More

Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Adventure!

Movies Filmed in Belize

Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Adventure takes place in Belize. When Alex asked me to come up with a movie-related post, I thought it would be interesting to see if any movies had been filmed there. I knew from my own visit that it had a lot of cool places that would be perfect for filming beach and jungle scenes. Sure enough, I found six. Here they are:

1. Curse of Xtabai (2012). This 80-minute thriller is the first dramatic movie filmed entirely in Belize. When a sealed Mayan cave is blown open, the evil Xtabai is freed. She infects the inhabitants of a nearby village with a deadly virus and wreaks havoc on the world. Maybe she’s the one who caused the corona virus pandemic! 

2. Alien Origin (2012) This action-packed movie features scenes of Belize’s cave system. The premise is that the origins of life on earth are revealed in these deep, dark caves.

3. The Dogs of War (1980) A mercenary on a job in Africa is tortured and deported. He comes back to lead a coup. This one features many well-known Belize landmarks. 

4. Mosquito Coast (1986): Starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. An inventor moves his family to the jungles of Central America to make a utopia. I wonder how that worked out! It features San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and Belize City. I’d like to see this one because these are all places I saw or stayed at on my trip to Belize.

5. Mega Piranha (2010): Action movie shot entirely in Belize about killer piranhas that threaten to destroy everything in their path. I’m sure glad I didn’t meet any of those when I went SCUBA diving there! 

6. The Cay (1974): Staring James Earl Jones. This one is about people wrecked on a tropical island following a WWII torpedo attack.

Have you seen or heard of any of these movies? Are there any you’d like to see?

Thanks for having me as a guest, Alex!

Latin Flavors Blogfest

Prompt: What is your favorite Latin-flavor recipe?

I have to go with my standby favorite – chicken fajita quesadilla!
Bell peppers, onions, chili powder, Mexican cheese blend, and chicken cooked and finished off in a tortilla sandwich. Easy and tasty!

An Ancient Mayan civilization!
That’s what Bubba and Squirt find when they travel through the mysterious vortex for another wild adventure. There they meet archeologists who are unearthing priceless artifacts.
But someone is stealing them. And an encounter with the Tate Duende awakens magic within Bubba. Throw in the mysterious Alux and a new discovery and things get sticky.
Will Bubba and Squirt solve the mystery, or will they be stuck forever in the jungles of Belize?

 

Find it at Amazon, iTunes Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Goodreads, Books A Million, Amazon UK, and Amazon CA

About the Author: Sherry Ellis is an award-winning author and professional musician who plays and teaches the violin, viola, and piano. When she is not writing or engaged in musical activities, she can be found doing household chores, hiking, or exploring the world. Ellis has previously published, Bubba and Squirt’s Big Dig to China; Don’t Feed the Elephant; Ten Zany Birds; That Mama is a Grouch; and That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN. Ellis lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Find Sherry at her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon

Movie Reviews

Bill and Ted Face the Music

From the IMDB:
Once told they'd save the universe during a time-traveling adventure, 2 would-be rockers from San Dimas, California find themselves as middle-aged dads still trying to crank out a hit song and fulfill their destiny.
The last Bill and Ted was in 1991 – their Bogus Journey. It ended with them returning after studying with the masters for two years with kids – Ted Jr. and Bill Jr.
Only, they weren’t boys! Nope, this movie kicks off approximately twenty years later with their teen daughters, who act just like them, trying to help their fathers create that perfect song that will save the world. (Special props to Brigette Lundy-Paine who plays Billie, Ted’s daughter – she is more Ted than Keanu Reeves.)
Where it works, it really works. We’ve missed Bill and Ted! But the film is a bit uneven. There is a lot happening and several groups of people time jumping through the phone booth and more. Plus one thing that is noticeably absent is the music soundtrack. There is no Extreme’s Play With Me or Winger’s Battle Stations. And William Sadler does show up as Death, but not until towards the end of the film.
This was supposed to be a big release this past summer. Now you can either rent it for twenty bucks or buy it for twenty-five. If you’re a fan, you might as well just buy it.
Despite the issues, we will be watching it again.
Recommended.

Project Power

From the IMDB:
When a pill that gives its users unpredictable superpowers for five minutes hits the streets of New Orleans, a teenage dealer and a local cop must team with an ex-soldier to take down the group responsible for its creation.
Starring Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Dominique Fishback.
Had I gone to the theater, I would’ve been very disappointed. It’s not bad, but it’s not anything groundbreaking or new. A lot of average.
Probably the best part is the relationship between Foxx and Fishback. She was one sharp cookie. And Foxx is always entertaining.
Gordon-Levitt was a little bit lost in the film. Odd to hear him with a Louisiana accent, that’s for sure.
If you’re bored, there are worse ways to kill time.

Ninja News

Urgent! My friend Roland Yeomans is homeless due to Hurricane Laura. He lost almost everything and if he doesn’t find a place to stay by the end of the month, he will be homeless and lose his cat, Midnight.
You can help him by donating to his PayPal account - rxena77 @ yahoo.com

Author Jacqui Murray read and loved CassaStar. She featured it so please be sure to visit her!

Katherine’s Corner is hosting a Tell Me a Story series through September.
Every Tuesday is a new author and excerpt.
On September 8, she featured me and Dragon of the Stars!
Please visit her site for my Tell Me a Story feature.

New releases:

Zero Usage by Pat Hatt
Day by day. Meter by meter. That was my life for years. But then I came across a meter that read zero usage. If only I hadn't read that meter. If only smart meters had gotten in sooner. If only my fair-weather vehicle hadn't broken down. If only could be my life story. Instead, I have this story to tell.
Find it on Amazon

Tales from the Toxic World by Sean McLachlan
A scavenger with a wondrous artifact from the Old Times sets out to avenge his past …
Find it on Amazon


And finally – Wonder Woman 1984 has been pushed back to December! (I should get to see it in the theater by then.) Apparently the numbers for Tenet, expected to be sixty million but with theaters at one third the capacity, was only twenty million.
And yes, for those who asked if I would dare go out to a theater – I would! Goodness, I am in more danger at work than I would be at a theater. And life must go on. Mask, distance, and I am on it.

Have you seen any of those films filmed in Belize? What’s your Latin flavor? Seen Bill and Ted or Project Power? Visited either of those amazing features – what an honor for me!
Be back in two weeks with some music reviews and more!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Upcoming Movie Releases, New Book Releases, and More!

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 today are PJ Colando, J Lenni Dorner, Deniz Bevan, Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, and Louise - Fundy Blue!

September 2 question - If you could choose one author, living or dead, to be your beta partner, who would it be and why?

I’d want to go with someone who writes what I enjoy and who aspire to write like, so it would be either Timothy Zahn or Terry Brooks. Zahn’s Star Wars books are excellent and Sword of Shannara is the book that formed my love of fantasy.


Author Jacqui Murray read and loved CassaStar the feature is up now!. Please be sure to visit her!

Katherine’s Corner is hosting a Tell Me a Story series through September.

Every Tuesday is a new author and excerpt.

On September 8, she will be featuring me and Dragon of the Stars. And it's live now!

Please visit her site for my Tell Me a Story feature.

Don’t forget today, September 2, is the last day to enter the IWSG Anthology Contest!

Guidelines and rules:
Word count: 4500-6000
Genre: Science Fiction
Theme: Dark Matter
Submissions accepted: May 6 - September 2, 2020
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group. (MUST be a member to enter.)
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.
Our judges: Dan Koboldt, Lynda R. Young, Colleen Oefelein, Damien Larkin, Ion Newcombe, Julie Gwinn, and David Powers King

The next #IWSGPit Twitter pitch event is January 20!
Will you be ready?

When’s the last time we had a blog hop outside of the IWSG? We need one!
Sherry Ellis is hosting the Latin Flavors blog hop September 14-18 in celebration of the release of her next book, Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Adventure.
Join us!

New Releases

Love and Other Lies by MJ Fifield

For years, Lavinia Kelly has gone through the motions, content to let life pass her by…

Find it on Amazon

Wielder’s Storm trilogy by Lynda R. Young

The Wielder's Storm Trilogy is an action-packed epic fantasy that will sweep you across the high seas on a thrilling adventure full of exciting twists.
This complete box set contains Wielder’s Prize, Wielder’s Curse and Wielder’s Fire.

I’ve read the first book and it’s awesome!

Find it on Amazon

I Am a Quarantine Survivor by PJ Colando

All proceeds will be donated to a food bank that helps people survive despite the COVID-culture that surrounds us…

Find it on Amazon

Upcoming Movie Releases

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

September 3 -

Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki
Armed with only one word, Tenet, and fighting for the survival of the entire world, a Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.
Yes, this comes out tomorrow. No, I will not be able to see it because our theaters are still closed!!! I hate my state.

September 25 –

Ava
Ava is a deadly assassin who works for a black ops organization, traveling the globe specializing in high profile hits. When a job goes dangerously wrong she is forced to fight for her own survival.
Director: Tate Taylor
Stars: Jessica Chastain, John Malkovich, Common
If more theaters are open, this one might have a chance.

October 2 –

Wonder Woman 1984
Fast forward to the 1980s as Wonder Woman's next big screen adventure finds her facing two all-new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah.
Director: Patty Jenkins
Stars: Gal Gadot, Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal, Chris Pine
Our theaters damn well better be open for this one! Or it’s road trip time.

What author would be your beta partner? Entering the IWSG Anthology Contest last minute? Joining the Latin Flavors Blog Hop? Picking up some new books? What movies will you miss in the theater over the next month?
Monday is Labor Day, so I will be offline. I will be back on September 14 with movie reviews (including Bill and Ted Face the Music) and more!

Big Bang Theory and Sitcoms, Thy Geekdom Comes, Alex’s you Rock Awards, and Movie News

The Big Bang Theory Ends

The Big Bang Theory aired its final episode last week and it gave the series a great and heartfelt finish. It was consistently funny over twelve seasons and showed us the lives of many engaging and interesting (and geeky!) characters. We were sad the watch the finale and yet thankful it ended on a high note. (Unlike Game of Thrones, these writers liked their fans!)

Sitcoms come and go. It’s a rare one that can touch our hearts, make us laugh, and cause us to root for the characters as if they were real people.

So in honor of The Big Bang Theory, I decided to list some of the greatest sitcoms ever. It would definitely be in the top ten. Two of the entries are by people who did not one but two very successful sitcoms. In no particular order - except for number one:

M*A*S*H (best sitcom ever!)
The Office
The Bob Newhart Show/Newhart
WKRP in Cincinatti
Cheers
Hogan’s Heroes
Gilligan’s Island
The Goldbergs
Home Improvement/Last Man Standing
Happy Days
The Andy Griffith Show

Some noteables are missing just because they never jived with me – Friends, Frasier, etc.

What are some of your most favorite sitcoms?

Movie News

JoBlo posted about Mel Gibson’s Wild Bunch remake:
As this year's Cannes Film Festival continues to set up promising deals for some of Hollywood's most in-demand projects, the word around the circuit is that Mel Gibson is enaged in early talks with Michael Fassbender, Jamie Foxx and Peter Dinklage to star in the BRAVEHEART helmer's remake of THE WILD BUNCH. Billed as a contemporary take on director Sam Peckinpah's 1969 Western classic, the film centers on a group of aging outlaws fixin' to ride into the sunset after one last score.

JoBlo also posted the top ten cancelled television shows. I certainly agree with their listing of Firefly and Agent Carter.

Grumpy Cat passed away last week at the age of seven.

Coming May 31 on #DCUniverse - The Swamp Thing

And it’s not movie news, but maybe it could be one day…
New release - Leaves of Fall by Patricia Lynne
Armory was born into a post-apocalyptic world torn apart by war between man and nature. Trees are the enemy. But when she’s kidnapped by nomads and taken far from her home, a tree nymph is the one who comes to her rescue…
Find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Kobo, and Smashwords

Thy Geekdom Come

Available May 25!

Thy Geekdom Come: 42 Fandom-Inspired Devotionals

Do you dream of dragons, understand Klingon, or consider Pocky your favourite snack? Do you wish there was a book that mashed your faith and fandom together? Delving into the worlds of superheroes, science fiction, anime, fantasy, and video games, Thy Geekdom Come—written by a group of authors and pastors from a variety of Christian backgrounds—relates these tales to an almighty, loving God who is ever present in our beloved franchises. From Doctor Who to The Lord of the Rings, stories impact our lives and can point the way to what is holy if we dare to look.

I had the honor of reading this book before it was published, and it’s perfect for the Christian geek!

Find it on Amazon and Goodreads

Alex’s You Rock Awards

Every year I do this, I think that next year will be easier. I’ve done it for years – surely I’ve given it to the people who matter? Then crap – I have double the number on my list. You guys are all my blogger buddies and deserve high accolades for sticking with me over the years. I hope next year making this decision isn’t as difficult.

First, here are the previous recipients of the award, some of whom no longer blog… Arlee, Yvonne, RaShelle, Hannah, Jeffrey, Gail, Rusty, Chuck, George, Jeremy, Matthew, Old Kitty, Ella, M Pax, Roland, Melissa, Robyn, Lynda, Michael, Heather, Stephen, Father Dragon Al, the late Tina, Damyanti, Edi, Karen, Elizabeth, Suze, Susan, Pat, Jo, Michelle, Brandon and Bryan, Christine, Truedessa, Rachna Chhabria, Fundy Blue, Hank Kaykuala, JH Moncrieff, Nilanjana Bos, Liza, Yolanda Renee, Spacer Guy, Elsie Amata, L. Diane Wolfe, Natalie Aguirre, Sandra Cox, and C. Lee McKenzie

And now, this year’s You Rock award winners are…

Elizabeth Seckman Elizabeth is an author and the mother of four boys. You know she is tough! And yet she’s the easiest person I know to get along with. An Insecure Writer’s Support Group admin and fellow Dragon Fellowship member, I’ve really come to know Elizabeth well during the past few years. We could definitely hang. Elizabeth, you rock!

Magic Love Crow The first thing you notice with this young lady is her strength. And her creativity. She paints and draws and designs, and crows are a big part of it. They are her joy, and thus, our joy. I can always count on her for joyous uplifting. Magic Love Crow, you rock!

Birgit Birgit’s blog is BB Creations and she showcases her amazing handmade cards. Every Thursday, she posts her movie picks as per a set theme, and it’s clear she loves cinema. We met so many years ago, and it’s her enthusiasm that keeps me coming back. Birgit, you rock!

JE Oneil JE is the epitome of snark. From her etymology posts to her ‘from the spam files,’ she shows you humor with an attitude. Let’s not forget her Saturday stick figures! She may seem annoyed with the world, but JE is dedicated to her passions and her friends. JE, you rock!

LG Keltner LG is an author and mother of three. (Well, maybe four by the time this is posted!) She’s been a dedicated IWSG member for years and her stories have been the top winner for two of our four anthology contests. But I just like her genuine nature and willingness to give to others. It’s refreshing. LG, you rock!

Chemist Ken Ken is a Harry Potter fan and long suffering writer. He’s also quite proud of his ranking on the IWSG blog list. Ken’s been a dedicated friend for years and his insights into writing are so valuable. Ken, you rock!

Sherry Ellis Last but not least is author Sherri Ellis. She runs two blogs (the second is Gone Gardening) and she’s also an accomplished musician. But more than that, Sherry has heart and a great sense of humor. We need more people like her in the world! Sherry, you rock!

I had so many more on the list! You are all awesome to me.

Did you watch the final episode of The Big Bang Theory? What do you consider to be the greatest sitcoms ever? Ready for a new The Wild Bunch or The Swamp Thing? Picking up They Geekdom Come? And are you following this year’s Alex’s You Rock award recipients?

Next Monday is a holiday here (Memorial Day) and I will be offline all week. Catch you June fifth for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!