A to Z Challenge – Z – Cult Classics: Rob Zombie, Zap Gun, and More! Plus may Preview – San Andreas, Challenge Reflection Post, IWSG, and Ninja News

Last day of the Challenge – we did it!

A to Z Challenge– Cult Classics –Z

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

Movie –

Zardoz
This bizarre post-apocalyptic film was written, produced, and directed by John Boorman in 1974. It features star Sean Connery in the worst outfit ever.

Music –

Rob Zombie – Hellbilly Deluxe
His best-selling album to date, Rob’s first solo album away from White Zombie went Triple Platinum. Giving homage to horror films, the album featured such hits as Dragula and Living Dead Girl.

Science Fiction Book –

The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick
This 1967 novel was originally published as a serial and was one of his earliest works.

Blogger –

PK Hrezo
Want to follow someone who is multi-talented in writing and in art? Follow someone with a genuine heart, compassion, and passion for what is right? Then you need to be following author PK!

Dragon of the Stars Term –

Zeal
Defined at ‘great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.’ While Aden’s pursuit of a command and the queen’s daughter is more dogged and methodical, Ensign Pavott’s pursuits are more heartfelt and passionate.

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

Ninja News

Next week will be the A to Z Challenge Reflections posts. Post your thoughts on this year’s Challenge anytime Monday-Friday and then add your direct link over at the A to Z Blog.

Don’t forget next Wednesday is Insecure Writer’s Support Group post day!


Reedsy is a great site for authors with tips and more, connecting writers with other industry professionals. They just started a new feature for authors to create a profile and integrate their social media, goodreads, amazon and blogging platform in one place. Get the details HERE.

Available today!
The Dragon Chronicles
Featuring a short story by Ted Cross - Dragon Play.


Cindy Borgne, who blogs at Dreamer’s Perch, has another blog called Good Book Alert. They are looking for indie authors to guest post, plus reviewers. If interested, see the site for details.

The Blood, Boobs, and Carnage Blogfest is May18 - movie/show/book that exemplifies the theme. (Or part of theme.) Hosted by me and Heather Gardner.

May Movie Preview

Here is the final upcoming theatrical release for May. As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

May 29 -

San Andreas
In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his estranged daughter.
Director: Brad Peyton
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Alexandra Daddario, Carla Gugino, Colton Haynes
Fissures will open, buildings will crumble, and pecs will jiggle.

Have you suffered through Zardoz? Fan of Rob Zombie? Ready for the IWSG next week? Signed up for the blogfest? Going to see San Andreas? And how do you feel about the end of the Challenge…?

(I am BEAT! I’ll be taking Friday OFF and enjoying Avengers: Age of Ultron and some time with my wife. Catch up with comments on Saturday.)

And if you missed it, yesterday I visited Janice Hardy’s Fiction University and discussed the pros and cons of small presses.

Interstellar Review, Jousting in the Realms Faire, Mini-Alex, Five Years of Blogging, and Ninja News and Writing Opportunities

I’m a guest at Caffe Maggieato today for the Author Interview Series: Behind the Scenes with Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Interstellar Movie Review

The earth is dying and a group of explorers is sent through a wormhole to find a new home. Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Matthew McConaughey.

Interstellar is a unique film. It has the feel of 2001: A Space Odyssey and tackles some really big concepts – worm holes, relativity, gravity, and time.

The effects are amazing, especially those of the wormholes. Nolan really shows what it might feel like to travel to another galaxy.

It’s a slower paced film, but it’s incredibly intense with some excellent action scenes. The film is long – 169 minutes – and probably could’ve been trimmed shorter.

Emotionally it packs a punch. This is not a feel-good film, but there is a sense of hope. You will be exhausted when it’s over.

The film isn’t perfect. There are tiny holes and I have no idea how much of the science is accurate.

Considering the scope and time frame of the film though, Interstellar is incredibly ambitious. Not many directors would’ve been capable of pulling off such a massive story. It sticks with you and you’ll find yourself thinking and talking about it for hours.

Recommended.

Realms Faire!

Today kicks off the week-long event of the Realms Faire, hosted by M Pax.

And today the Ninja Knight is jousting! Visit M Pax. and cheer for me today (my cheer - Ninja Army Rocks!) and you will be entered to win a review copy of Dragon of the Stars.

There are tons of games and prizes all week long. You can continue to cheer for me every day and be eligible to win books and gift cards. Plus the knight with the most cheers at the end of the tournament wins!

Please show everyone that the Ninja Army is a force to be reckoned with!

Ninja News

At the A to Z Blog today is Karen Jones Gowen with her theme of life in Guatemala.

Thanks to all who commented on the cover for my next book, Dragon of the Stars. (And you can add it on Goodreads now!) Thanks to those who shared it on their site. It releases April 7, 2015, right in the middle of the A to Z Challenge, and several of you suggested I make it part of my Challenge theme. Thanks, I intend to do that!

Tonja Reynolds is the new fiction editor at Licking River Review, a literary/arts journal published annually at Northern Kentucky University. We are accepting submissions of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, critical essays, and art until January 31. We invite submissions of traditional and experimental styles by both new and veteran writers. Please review the submission guidelines for details.

Samantha Redstreake Geary announced this opportunity: Enter the world Of Mist And Magic, where fairy tales are reimagined under the influence of Epic Music Vn & Really Slow Motion‘s enchanting music! Submit your own twist on a classic fairy tale, inspired by composer, Phill Lober‘s ‘The Eternal Rest of a Ronin‘ (featuring gifted violinist, Kelly Ryu), and YOU could win a spot in the upcoming Of Mist And Magic anthology!

Interested in reviewing books? Sher A Hart has started a Review Queue for kid lit authors – visit her site for details.

PK Hrezo has started a Story Scientist service for writers – see her site for details.
Plus, her book, Induction Day, is now available!

New Releases:

Gears of Brass is a steampunk anthology published through Curiosity Quills. Within the pages, you’ll come across clockwork inventions and steampunk-ified fairy tale retellings. Eleven authors will guide you through worlds filled with airships, top hats, and corsets – including our very own S.A. Larsen
Find Gears of Brass at Curiosity Quills Press.

Now available – The Attic of Sand and Secrets by Medeia Sharif

Lily, a learning disabled girl, attempts to unravel the mystery of her abducted mother using supernatural clues from an ancient stranger, even when it means posing a danger to herself.

The book takes place in 1976. Every host for this book blast is going to post one fun fact for that year.

My fun sports facts: The Pittsburg Steelers beat the Dallas Cowboys in Superbowl X, the Montreal Canadians beat the Philadelphia Flyers for the Stanley Cup, and the Boston Celtics beat the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.

Christmas novella, Married by Midnight by Talli Roland
Find it at Amazon US and Amazon US

You Cannot Kill a Swan by Carrie-Anne Brownian

Mini-Alex

Just a friendly reminder – forty-four more days until Christmas!

Five Years

And November 9 marked five years since I began blogging. That first post was lame and I had no followers. My heartfelt thanks to those who decided to follow me and continue to visit. You are all awesome friends and I could not have done it without you. Here’s to another five years!

Anyone else see Interstellar? Participating in the Realms Faire? Interested in those writing opportunities and new books? What do you remember about 1976? And who’s done with his Christmas shopping? And how many years have you been blogging…?

Be sure to cheer for my Ninja Knight at the Realms Faire!
And visit Caffe Maggieato!

Underrated Treasures Blogfest! Plus Dragon and Ninja, BOTB Results, and Ninja News

Time for the Underrated Treasures Blogfest!

But first…

Ninja News

At the A to Z Blog today is Mina Burrows, who rocked the Challenge with her theme – classic monsters!


This Wednesday at the IWSG Site is the awesome Jennifer Hillier!

Don’t forget to either submit your work or post on October 1 for the IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond!
We’ve received a lot of writing pieces and need more publishing and marketing.
Also, please do not include quotes, as there may be a copyright issue with them.

How I Found the Write Path is available now!
Put together by Carrie Butler and PK Hrezo, many of us posted for the book blogfest earlier this year, and now the book is available.
It’s on Amazon and other sites – check it out!




Thanks to these two wonderful ladies for also featuring one of my books in their entry for the Shelfie Bloghop. (Tara, is there a prize for the most features?)

CD Coffelt

MJ Fifield

Battle of the Bands Results

It was really close!! Sadly, even with my vote, Stream of Passion did not win the Street Spirit battle. Shame, because the lead singer has what I call a voice of glass. But that’s all right, it’s still my favorite (the singer is amazing) and the inspiration for CassaStar.

Radiohead -20

Stream of Passion - 18

Dragon and Ninja

I’d like to share some images of a very special gift that is coming my way soon.
I am part of a special private blog group called Fellowship of the Dragon, founded by Father Dragon Al. He started creating the dragon (made in his own image) as a reward for the person who achieved their goals on a consistent basis.
I was honored to be named that person.
But even more, I was blown away by the talent and generosity of my friend, who not only spent countless hours making the dragon, but made a Ninja to go with him.
Al, I will treasure it always. You are an amazing Dragon friend.

 

Underrated Treasures Blogfest! 

Everyone has a favorite movie or band that no one else has ever heard about. For whatever reason, they remain undiscovered and underrated. Now is your chance to tell the world about this obscure treasure!

Today, September 22, post about your favorite unknown –

MOVIE – BAND/ARTIST – TV SHOW – BOOK

Post about one or all four – dealer’s choice!

Here are my recommendations of underrated treasures:

BOOK –
The Light at the End by John Skipp and Craig Spector
It’s been many years since I read this one, but it’s a really intense horror/suspense story. It follows vampire Rudy Pasko and the man who wants to kill him, Joseph Hunter. It was extreme back in the day (published almost thirty years ago) although a bit tamer now by today’s standards. But the vampire is nasty, as he should be! Was out of print for years, but now available as an eBook.

TV SHOW –
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
Set in the Wild West, the show possessed the same humor as Firefly. It was a mix of Wild West, Indiana Jones, and James Bond. Bruce Campbell rocked in the title role and the show was a lot of fun. It only ran two seasons, 1993 to 1994, and unfortunately is not available on NetFlix yet, just DVD.

MUSIC –
7th Wonder – Mercy Falls
A progressive rock band, Mercy Falls is their best album and probably one of the greatest albums ever. It’s a concept album – a man in a coma is trying to escape and come back to reality. The music is so amazing and catchy. I highly recommend checking out all of their albums. (And the lead singer also now sings in Kamelot.)

MOVIE –
Edge of Tomorrow
I decided to select a film from this year because this movie just didn’t find an audience, especially in America. And it deserved one – the movie is brilliant, smart science fiction. Beyond that genre, it possesses incredible special effects, a clever storyline, solid acting, intense action and moving drama, and is a complete package. Despite what you may think of Tom Cruise, this film is awesome – watch it!

What underrated treasures would you recommend? And have you read/listened to/seen any of those?


Contributing to the IWSG book? Picking up How I Found the Write Path? BOTB results surprise you? Do you want your own Dragon and Ninja? And what are your underrated treasures…?

Audiomachine’s Tree of Life, Snarky Critique Partners, Western Movie Trivia, Shelfie Blog Hop, and Ninja News!

Tree of Life

On the heels of the wonderful turnout for Sunflowers for Tina on Monday, Samantha Redstreake Geary made this announcement:

“As a lasting tribute to Tina, I, along with 25 amazing authors, are publishing audiomachine‘s TREE OF LIFE: Branching Out collaborative story in ebook format on Amazon, launching Sept. 12th! Stunning book cover designed by gifted graphic artist and composer, Ryo Ishido. All proceeds of the TREE OF LIFE ebook will benefit the Downey Education Fund set up for Tina’s two boys.”

Tina also contributed to this anthology - look for it Friday! I will include a direct link in my Monday post as well.

Shelfie Blog Hop

This is my contribution to the Shelfie Blog Hop, hosted by Tara Tyler, Heather Gardner, Christine Rains, Elizabeth Sechman, CD Coffelt, MJ Fifield, Vikki Biram, and Rena Rocford:

Ninja News

Today at the IWSG Site we have none other than the awesome Elana Johnson! So head on over and make a wish.

Yesterday was Jeremy Hawkins’ birthday! We celebrated with the release of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Go wish him a belated happy birthday.

PK Hrezo has been asked to write the story of an amazing young lady by the name of Queena. Six years ago, she was strangled, beaten, raped, and left for dead. She suffered multiple brain injuries and lost a lot of her mobility. PK has started a Kickstarter fund for this project. Help her by either donating or spreading the word. See her site for details.

Out now - The Test of Time by Nicole Zoltak

Just released – The Trouble with Flirting by Rachel Morgan

Don’t forget – Underrated Treasures Blogfest
On Monday, September 22, post about your favorite unknown –
MOVIE – BAND/ARTIST – TV SHOW – BOOK
Post about one or all four – dealer’s choice!
Sign up HERE

Movie Trivia

Westerns!

1 – What was John Wayne’s last film?

2 – Who directed Once Upon a Time in the West?

3 – How does Doc Holiday die in Tombstone?

4 – How many Oscars did Unforgiven win?

5 – Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Kevin Costner, and Danny Glover starred in what Western?

Critique Partners

My post at the IWSG this week was about what to look for in a good critique partner.
One of the items I mentioned was a sense of humor. I’m blessed to have critique partners who excel at snarky humor.
So for those of you who dread critiques and worry they might upset or anger, let me show you why I chuckle my way through them:

Heather, who also had some funny visuals I wish I could include –

We might be gone for a while, he thought.
Aden is always thinking.

And I can’t win if I can’t play.
You have an ‘and’ at the beginning of your sentence addiction.

Damn, what have I done?
WHAT? I thought you were kidding!

Rusty and his ongoing issue with eyebrows –

…his scowl pulling his brows into one.
Hey!!!! I remember this discussion. I like how you married to the two into a sorta compromise (although I still contend we only have one brow anyway).

…his brows together.
Still bugs me.

The com officer’s brows…
Knife in my heart

Vardy’s drawn brows…
You’re rubbing my face in it, aren’t you?

Lynda felt sorry for the com buttons –

Aden mashed the com button…
These com buttons get a beating ;)

…mashing a final button.
Looks like the Balkan's buttons are going to get a beating too ;)

He mashed the com button.
You know all the com buttons are going to unite in protest for better treatment of buttons... they might even revolt. Better watch your back ;)

…her short stature a hindrance.
Hey! Short people can run fast too!! :P
Short people and buttons unite!! ;)

Downloading Tree of Life on Friday? Have you posted your Shelfie yet? Ready for my next blogfest? Know any of the trivia? And do your critique partners make snarky fun comments…?

Sunflowers for Tina, Giant Spider Dog, Monsters: Dark Continent, IWSG, and Nina News

Today I have a special interview over at EE Giorgi’s blog!

I’m also posting at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group - what to look for in a good critique partner.

Sunflowers for Tina

Today is also the day we honor Tina Downey. She loved sunflowers and her motto was ‘Life is Good.’ It’s not so good without her, but we can still see her in the sunflowers. I will miss you, Tina. I'm just going to let Mini-Alex express my thoughts.
For a list of participants, visit the A to Z Challenge Blog - Sunflowers for Tina.

There is also a Downey Education Fund set up for her two boys that you can donate to.

Ninja News

Today’s Themes that Rocked the Challenge features Jo Wake from Jo on Food, My Travels, and a Scent of Chocolate who posted animals and recipes from around the world. Check it out at the A to Z Blog.

Thanks to all who celebrated three years of posting for the IWSG! All members are welcome to submit to our upcoming anthology – see the IWSG site for details!

The Guardians of the Galaxy was number one at the box office again, making its run four out of five weekends at number one. That is more than any other Marvel film! One more week and it’s more than any comic book film. So, if you haven’t seen it, why not???

Milo James Fowler’s book, Immaterial Evidence, is just .99 cents for a limited time.

New Books!

Released today:
MOSAICS, book 2 in the Track Presius mystery series, a hard-boiled detective series with a genetic twist.
By EE Giorgi
Find it on Amazon

The Rifters by M Pax 

The Rifters is available at an introductory price. The second book in the series, The Initiate, will be available October 20, 2014. It’s up for preorder for a special price at iTunes, Amazon, and B&N. Check HERE for links. Giveaways and events are ongoing through October 31, 2014. Check HERE for details.

Links: Amazon / AmazonUK / B&N / Smashwords /Googleplay / iTunes / Other Outlets
Visit M Pax at her SITE

Induction Day by PK Hrezo
Find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IBookstore, and Goodreads

Erron by Melanie Schulz
Get your copy at Amazon

Old Women Waxing Poetic
Compiled by Julie Kemp Pick and Susan Flett Swiderski, it features work from Liza Salerno and Robyn Alana Engel, with an awesome cover by Michael Di Gesu. All proceeds go to CARE International. They are all hosting an Old Broad Fest and you can win a copy of the book by commenting on their post by Friday, September 12.

Shadow Warrior by Jay Noel
Find it at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

My Only Escape: Book One in the Hiding Out Series
By Jaycee DeLorenzo

Monsters: Dark Continent Trailer

Jocelyn Rish alerted me to the new trailer for the sequel to Gareth Edwards’ brilliant film, Monsters. He’s producing rather than directing this time, and while the film looks very different from the first one, the trailer is still really cool. The monsters are a little different as well. Check it out:

Giant Mutant Spider Dog

How funny would it be if you dressed up your dog as a tarantula? While the setups might be staged a little bit, they are still funny.



Did you post sunflowers today for Tina? See some good new books? Contributing to the IWSG anthology? What did you think of the Monsters trailer? And do you want your own spider dog now?

Back to posting on Wednesdays again, so I’ll be back then with my Shelfie, some trivia, movie reviews, and other fun stuff. Maybe even a peak at my hilarious critique partners’ suggestions…

Be sure to visit EE Giorgi and the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Plus Genre Smashing with Tara Tyler, Marvel Movie Trivia Answers, and Ninja and Alex 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 Sarah Foster, Joylene Nowell Butler, Lily Eva, and Rhonda Albom! Please stop by and thank them for helping today.

The IWSG admins will have a really cool surprise for you guys on the three year anniversary next month – don’t miss it!
And at the Facebook IWSG, we’re dropping Saturday and moving News and Promo Day to Friday.

As for my insecurity today…

I sent my latest manuscript to my critique partners Tuesday night!

After making all the adjustments suggested by my test readers and fine-tuning it a few more times, it was ready. I’m happy with the writing. (Yeah, after three books, I’m finally getting a handle on this grammar and structure thing.) Now, will the story be good enough? Was the original idea, sparked from a song’s storyline, really enough to sustain a novel length story?

All I can do is wait…

Be sure to visit others on the IWSG list!

Genre Smashing

I'm trying to keep this short - it is IWSG day after all. I'm very happy to be here at Captain Ninja Rockstar Alex's megablog talking about...

Sci Fi and Fantasy - Why are they smashed into one big genre?

The major genres in a bookstore are...

FICTION - - - MYSTERY - - - ROMANCE

THRILLER - - - SCI FI/FANTASY

How can they do that? Sci Fi makes me think of robots and space adventures, Star Wars or the Matrix! And Fantasy is totally about faeries, magic, and kingdoms, like the Hobbit! How can they callously throw Sci Fi and Fantasy into one genre??

Well, here's my theory. The biggest element that separates these two from the others is they are both out of this world! Literary fiction, mystery, romance, and thrillers are "realistic" fiction, usually based in a setting of the here and now (or historical). Sci Fi and Fantasy are prodigies of imagination, inspiring infinite possibilities, without the limitations of reality. Writers of Sci Fi and Fantasy stretch the minds of readers. And we usually incorporate pieces of the other genres, too. The fantastic magical or technological settings set them apart!

That and the fact that if they split them into two genres, the sections would be much smaller...

Do you all have any theories of why Sci Fi & Fantasy are grouped together? Out of the top five, which is your favorite genre?

Thank you so much for having me on this busy day, Alex!

NEW! Try this BEASTLY SURVEY and find out which beast you are!

(And don't forget to enter the new August giveaway!)

BROKEN BRANCH FALLS (MG Fantasy)
by Tara Tyler

Available at Barnes and Noble ~~~ Amazon
Add it to your GOODREADS list!

Find Tara -

Twitter ~~~ Facebook ~~~ Blog

Ninja News 

Melissa Bradley has been battling cancer and all the crappy stuff that goes with it for the past few months. The bills are huge and Melissa is struggling. A friend of hers set up an account at Go Fund Me for people to make donations. If you know Melissa and are able, she could really use some help.

Joy Campbell is hosting the Who’s Your Hero Blogfest on October 20. See her site for details.

Available now - Queen of Hastinapur by Jai Joshi





Book Trailer!
Induction Day ... Book 2 in the Butterman Time Travel series by PK Hrezo

Alex News

Voting is open for a few more weeks at the EFestival of Words Awards – CassaStorm is nominated for best science fiction, so if you enjoyed it, please register and vote HERE

Jeremy Hawkins is doing a Summer of T-Shirts series, and on Tuesday he featured my favorite t-shirt. Do you think you know what it is…?

And the awesome Stephanie Faris graced me with the Wonderful Team Member Award. Thanks, Stephanie!

The list of those who have worked hard to support this community is long, but I’m just going to focus on one person. Tina at Life is Good is the kick-butt heart and soul of the A to Z Challenge Team. She keeps the rest of us in line with tough love. And this past month, she was in the hospital for over two weeks and is still trying to recover. Plus Monday was her birthday. Tina, we love you, we miss you, and you are awesome.

Movie Trivia Answers

Marvel movies!
1 – Vampire trilogy - Blade
2 – Actor who started in one series and then hit it big with another series – Chris Evans (Fantastic Four-Avengers)
3 – Blind superhero - Daredevil
4 – In X-Men 3, Jean Grey becomes…Phoenix
5 – Worst rated film of the past twenty years – Elektra (10% on Rotten Tomatoes)

More trivia coming soon!
And movie reviews.
And maybe it’s time I announced another blogfest…

Do you know why the genres are smashed together? Signed up for Joy’s blogfest? Who do you think is a wonderful team member? Get any of the trivia right? And what is your writing insecurity today…?