Norse God Blogfest! Bring on Thor and Secrets of the Ash Tree. Plus Ninja News and are Cover Reveals Still Effective?

I was interviewed by Nutschell for her Wednesday Writers Workspace feature. You can check out my writing spot and learn a little more about my writing process.

Norse Gods Blogfest!

To Celebrate the release of her book, Secrets of the Ash Tree, Siv Maria Ottem is taking the Norse Gods with her on a blog tour from October 7th- 14th. Make sure to stop by her blog and see what kind of Birthday Giveaways she is raffling off!

And today I am hosting Siv on her birthday for the Norse Gods Blogfest!

After much reflection, my choice can be none other than Thor.

He’s uber strong, has an awesome hammer for a weapon, he can fly, and he’s pretty much indestructible. The dude also knows how to party. Plus he likes to travel via the Rainbow Bridge, which is basically teleporting. I’m sold!

Secrets of the Ash Tree by Siv Maria Ottem

In the realm of the gods and fairy tales the mystery of life is an endless path with many secrets to be discovered. Some secrets are like dreams, just waiting in darkness hoping to get into the light.

‘Secrets of the Ash Tree’ is the story about Liv, a young woman who discovers her true nature through the unraveling of hidden secrets. Her adventures begin when she digs up a chest that was buried by her father under the old ash tree in her garden. What she finds inside the chest changes her life forever. Liv discovers one secret after another and is thrown into a world full of dangerous and strange creatures, mighty Norse warriors and perils beyond her belief. What started out as a fairy tale in her father’s journal was to become her legacy, a guide line to survival, and a map to the world she was about to enter. Each day, each mystery, each encounter will ultimately reveal her true destiny and behind the edge of a sword awaits a young god who is willing to share that destiny with her.

Available in Hardcover, softcover, Kindle, find it here: Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

Who is your favorite Norse God?

Ninja News

Today is also Roland Yeomans’ birthday! Happy birthday, my friend.

Nicki Elson’s Hans & Greta: a Zombie/Fairy Tale is now available! Available on Amazon Kindle, her novella will be only ninety-nine cents through Halloween. Congratulations, Nicki!

The next installment of Hart Johnson’s series is available Thursday - So This is War, Part III. Congratulations, Hart!






Curiosity Quills Press’ charity anthologies Primetime and After Dark are available now! 10% of all proceeds will be donated to no kill animal-shelters.

Purchase Primetime – Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo

Purchase After Dark – Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo

And Sydney Aaliyah posted the most wonderful review of CassaStorm at The Peasants Revolt. She gave me one of the highest compliments I could ever receive – “This book reads like a movie.” One thing I’ve always admired about the authors Preston and Child was the way their books read like movies, so it was a great honor to have Sydney say that about CassaStorm.

Cover Reveals – Are They Effective Anymore?

In a recent post by Jessica Bell, she talked about book promo overload and it sparked quite the conversation. (I admitted I was guilty and she was kind enough to say the way I do it is different, since I personalize it, which strikes a balance.)

One of the items she mentioned was cover reveals. There are a lot of them these days. Is it too much? Is a cover reveal with similar information posted on many blogs effective, especially when it’s followed a month or two later by the same information for the release? Is it overkill?

My cover reveal for CassaStorm was six months before its release, which gave it some space. It was something I wanted to try, since I hadn’t done it with the other two books. I didn’t want the release announcements to be all the same, which is why I tossed in the unique interview questions and sent out different information and images to different people. (And they were spread out over a week – I learned my lesson after three hundred people announced CassaFire for me last year!)

But are all of these announcements, especially the cover reveals, effective anymore?

(And those of you that I’ve signed up to do a cover reveal, don’t worry – still happy to do that!)

Who is your favorite Norse God? (Be sure to wish Siv and Roland a happy birthday!) Picking up some new books and anthologies? And have we hit cover reveal overload?

Don’t forget to visit Nutschell!

CD Coffelt and Selfish Writers, Gravity Review, the IWSG and Why I’m Not on Facebook, and the Ninja News

Today I welcome Wilder Mage author, CD Coffelt from Spirit Called!

Writers are Selfish Cusses - Huntress

Have you ever noticed how self-centered we are? The writers in this forum and all other writerly venues?

Yes. Even Alex. *gasp of horror*

What evidence do I have? Why do I commit this blasphemy? Here is the proof:

Writers, bloggers, agents, editors, and published authors all help the people just starting out. They give their time, experience, and expertise. They show them how to format their manuscript, write a query, and create scenes and hooks. They improve a newbies’ grammar, style, and critique their work. They promote book covers and new releases.

Why?

“Light bulb.” – Gru, Despicable Me

It’s because we’re greedy. All of us. From me up the line. Insatiable. From Alex to Stephen King, Jim Butcher, and nearly every author who has made it to the top.

We help the up-and-comer, the ones just starting out, give them hope, and encourage the ones just rejected. We aid them in all their endeavors for One Reason Only.

Because we love to read.

Molding the new writer into Published Author is the best way we know how to create new reading material.

We just want more good books to read.

Looking out for our own self-interests, that’s all.

*tongue firmly in cheek*

Wilder Mage, by Huntress aka CD Coffelt, an Amazon Best Seller

The earthquake wasn’t his fault. Not this time.

Find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Musa Publishing, and Goodreads

Ninja News

Pat Hatt is this month’s featured Challenge participant at the A to Z Blog. Find out how Pat and his cat rhymed their way through the Challenge.

Milo James Fowler and Tony Laplume both have a story featured in The Kennedy Curse. Congratulations, guys! Find it on Amazon.

Ella had her butterfly garland featured in the current issue of Somerset Life. Congratulations, Ella!

A J Walker’s The Maze of Mist is available now! You can find it on Amazon. He’s also like to thank everyone who weighed in on the cover art last week.


The very awesome Robyn at Life by Chocolate posted photos of the swag package she won here a couple weeks ago. Robyn, you rock, and so glad that you were the winner!

Second Avenue, Second Hand is now out! This collection of short stories was put together by Wendy Tyler Ryan and features Roland Yeomans, Donna Hole, Stuart Sharp, and others. Congratulations, everyone!

Eye of the Soul by Terri Rochenski comes out today! Congratulations, Terri. First of many books.

And today Stephen Tremp is revealing the cover for his next book, Escalation. This is the third and final book in his Chase Manhattan series. Congratulations, Stephen – looks awesome!

Movie Review

Gravity
Staring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as two astronauts trying to survive after an accident leaves them stranded in space.
Ninety minutes is the perfect run time for this tense film. Nothing could be scarier than stranded in space and pelted by debris.
The visuals are beyond incredible. (Oscar winner for sure.) Never has a film captured the essence of space so well. There is also something fascinatingly beautiful about watching a space station being shattered. The sound is also minimal, exactly what you’d expect in space.
Bullock is excellent as the medical engineer turned astronaut, and her reactions are what you’d expect during someone’s first trip into space. She has moments of panic, denial, and despair, fighting oxygen deprivation while clinging to her training.
The character building is minimal and the film occasionally feels a little cold. But you are invested in Bullock’s character and on the edge of your seat as she fights to survive.
For those of you who suffer motion sickness, there is one spinning scene you won’t want to watch!
A must-see in 3D and in the theater.
Highly recommend.

IWSG’s Future and Why I’m Not on Facebook

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group website continues to grow, as does the Facebook Group. That has led to several people asking if I will be joining Facebook.

My answer – no.

I have my own personal reasons why I’ve never joined. I’ve heard enough complaints about Facebook’s privacy issues and time suck capabilities that I’ve avoided it. I was also warned to limit my social sites to two-three maximum. I’ve chosen blogging, Twitter, and Google+. (Plus there is Goodreads.) It is all I can do to maintain those, especially now that we’ve launched the IWSG site. There simply isn’t time for me to do more – I barely have time to practice my guitar, let alone write.

Truth is, the Facebook page is running just fine without me! Several of the admins have taken the group and run with it, planning a schedule, approving members, and answering questions.

I want both sites to be self-sufficient and continue to grow and expand beyond me. The IWSG is really important to me and I want it to benefit writers long after I am gone. (And nobody panic – the Ninja is not leaving anytime soon!)

Today my post at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website talks about the importance of the group and the site and where it is headed. I also ask the question – what does the IWSG mean to you?

Are writers selfish cusses? Did you follow Pat during the Challenge? Think Stephen’s cover rocks? Did you see Gravity? And is it all right if the Ninja avoids Facebook?

Visit the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website and let me know what the group means to you…

Survivor: ParanormYA Island, New Thor: The Dark World Posters, IWSG Site, Ninja News and New Releases

The Storm continues! Today I have an interview with the awesome Belle Wong who runs My Bookish Ways. We cover everything from writing to my books to clones – check it out!

Today I welcome Gwen Gardner and Angela Brown, Partners in ParanormYA!

You are now tuning in to a special edition of Survivor: ParanormYA Island – Battle of the Sexes. The boys from They All Fall Down and A Guilty Ghost Surprised, against the girls…

*cue Survivor theme music*

Badger, Simon and Basil are gathered on the beach. Lips are moving and arms are waving about but nothing much appears to be happening.

On another part of the island, the girls are settling in. Riley has mysteriously located a cool cave to steal away in with a machete (where in the world did she get a huge blade like that?), several coconuts and bedding made of woven palm leaves and stems. Abby is just outside the cave with a warm fire stoked while performing an odd trick of warming a large blob of spinning water with a steady flame of holy fire. Indigo has a load of sticks stacked in her arms.

Franny pops onto the scene, inches from Indigo--.

--Indigo gasps, scattering the sticks in the air in her fright.

--Abby breaks concentration, spilling the water.

--Riley stumbles out of the cave.

Riley: What the – what happened?

Indigo: Franny? Can you please not scare me popping in like that? I think my heart just ran off the island.

Abby: Oh, hi Franny… *glances around* wherever you’re hovering.

Franny: Girls, the boys are getting nowhere.

Indigo: Franny…spying on them isn’t fair. But thanks. Wait, can we go to hell for cheating?

Franny: That’s not why I’m here. I spotted a few unseemly characters.

Simon slows his pace as he approaches: Like who?

Riley tucks her hands on her hips: What are you three doing here?

Badger: Franny told us to come here, er, rather, told Simon. He can’t see her but she scared the bloody dickens out of all of us when he heard her voice and screamed like a girl. Uh, no offense.

Abby: None taken. So can someone clue me in? I could see lost souls in the Withers, not on this earthly plane.

Basil: Same here. What’s going on?

Franny: They’re here, Q and SC.

Simon tosses his hands in the air, flustered: Just brilliant!

Indigo squares her shoulders, sighing: Now I see why Franny brought you guys here. The Devourer and Soul Collector are on the island. The only way we can defeat them is together.

Abby: You mean the way our authors Angela and Gwen are working together to tell the world about their, well, our new releases?

Riley: Good point. Abby, you and Basil have your elemental and shadow powers. Simon is pretty tough with those fists. Badger can scare with his scowl.

Badger scowls with emphasis.

Riley: See? *she turns to Indigo* Indigo, we can use your speed. We’ll try to keep your psychometry out of things this time.

Badger: Thanks.

Indigo gives a scowl of her own.

*cue fade-out music*

Angela and Gwen have all the confidence in the world that their characters can defeat their arch nemeses. Especially since they joined forces through book cross-over and combined some serious kick-arse talents.

But how do they fare in the novels?

Free of their duties as Cleanser and Harvestor, Abby and Basil try to move on with their lives. But some secrets remain. And what is done in the dark won’t be good when it comes to light.

Purchase They All Fall Down at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Indigo Eady and gang are back with a feather and a Chance setting off another twisting-turning investigation to bring a cold case, and loved ones, closure at last.

Purchase A Guilty Ghost Surprised at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

About Partners in ParanormYA:
Gwen Gardner and Angela Brown - YA paranormal authors embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. Share with us as we take the Indie journey to bring our works to the world. Buckle up! There'll be mystery, mayhem, action and emotional roller coasters...oh, and a few things that go bump in the night.
Hauntings are scary but we love interaction:
Angela - Blog Facebook Twitter
Gwen - Blog Facebook Twitter

Available today!

Memories of Murder by Yolanda Renee

Decades ago, the seeds were planted …
Today, dark, fathomless eyes rake the image before him. One final task and the transformation is complete. Steady fingers screw intricately carved horns on each side of a stiff brow, and a gargoyle suitable for Notre Dame scowls from the smokey mirror in satisfaction.
A jagged smile rips through his smooth, hairless face, and inked, reptilian scales caress his naked body.
A laugh of hideous resonance emanates from his gut as the demons of hell welcome Lucifer into their fold.
In a dungeon-like chamber, his Lilith awaits. The kidnapped daughter of a nun, groomed to fit the final piece in the complex puzzle for world domination. Will Lucifer marry his bride, on the summer solstice?
Only two things stand in his way ...
His greed ...
And ...
Detective Steven Quaid.

Find Renee here - Blog Twitter Pinterest

The Vanished Knight by Misha Gericke

The Black Knight, Nordaine’s crown prince, has no legitimate blood heirs, meaning someone must be appointed to succeed him. With two of the candidates’ families willing to kill for the appointment and the third candidate being seen as a threat to all, peace is balanced on a sword’s edge.
But then the Black Knight vanishes.
Darrion and Gawain, two of his possible heirs, set out to find him, but after they rescue an earth-girl from Merithian soldiers, they discover she has possible ties to Nordaine. Not only that, but Callan Blair could be an Elvish princess. And war looms on the horizon…

Ninja News

Jai Joshi’s Day of Youth is now available. Congratulations, Jai!

Laura Pauling’s Vanishing Point, A Circle of Spies novella, is also available. Congratulations, Laura!

Coming November 13 – Moonless, Maiden of Time #1 by Crystal Collier

Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures…

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

What can I say but… wow! Thank you everyone. The Insecure Writer’s Support Group website was overwhelmed with followers and the Facebook Group doubled that following.

A schedule is already in place for the Facebook group – we’ll have Motivational Mondays, Wow! It’s Wednesday, and Fun Fridays.

I appreciate all of the words of thanks, but all I can claim is the idea and the basic site setup – the other admins took the idea and ran with it, filling the database and establishing the Facebook group. Those ladies did amazing things these past few weeks.

There is a lot I’d like to say about the group and what has happened in the past four years that I’ve been blogging. In the interest of time, I will save that for another day. For now, just thank you for the support of this group, and continue to spread the news. We want to build this database up big!

New Thor: The Dark World Posters

From Jo Blo’s site, we get a look at Volstagg and Fandral:

Would you want to be on Survivor: ParanormYA Island? Excited about the awesome new releases? Following the IWSG website and Facebook group? What did you like about the new site? Excited about Thor? And who’s seeing Gravity this weekend…?

Don’t forget to visit Belle at My Bookish Ways!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group – and the Big Announcement! Plus Conan O’Brien and Clueless Gamer, Editing Services, Ninja News, and Movie Trivia Answers

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 Julie Luek, Rachna Chabria, Beverly Fox, and Ilima Todd! Please be sure to thank them for their time and effort to make all IWSG members feel welcome.

And today I am pleased to announce that the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website is now open!!!

Many thanks to the IWSG Admins who helped put it together - Joy Campbell, Michelle Wallace, Joylene Nowell Butler Susan Gourley/Kelley, L. Diane Wolfe, and Lynda Young.

It is still a work in progress and we will continue to add to it over time. You will find pages full of links to great sites and databases under the following subjects – Writing Tips; Publishers, Agents, Queries; Self-Publishing; Marketing; Contests; and Publications.

We also have a page where you can leave suggestions for sites to add to the database. Note we are looking for sites, not individual posts!

The IWSG List is also up on the site HERE.

The first Wednesday will be an encouraging word from the team, and every Monday will be a post from one of the admins about writing, designed to encourage and give you some valuable information or resources.

We also have a Facebook page HERE.

Eventually, we’d like to open it up for guest posts on Wednesday, and expand to include Twitter and possibly a newsletter. (The Twitter hashtag is still #IWSG.)

We invite you to follow and explore the new site. And let us know what we can do to make it a great resource for writers.

Thanks everyone for your dedication to the IWSG and making this site a reality!

Be sure to visit other members on the LIST.

Ninja News

Christine Monson had a wonderful review of CassaStorm on Monday. Her favorite character was Bassan. I’m sensing a trend here…

Joy Campbell is hosting a blogfest in celebration of her upcoming release, Saving Sam. Who's Your Hero? will run from October 22 - 24. See her site for details.

E. Louise Bates just released a new book - Magic Most Deadly. Congratulations, Louise!

M. Pax’s latest is out! Beyond the Edge is live on all Amazon sites, Smashwords, and Kobo. You can find all the links on the landing page HERE.
In addition to her book, Mary’s story, Semper Audacia, is part of the Space Jockey anthology. It was recently released and there are 14 stories, including classics from Philip K. Dick and Algis Budrys.
Congratulations on both accounts, Mary! That is awesome.

Editing Services

Nick Wilford, Freelance Editor is a one-stop shop for affordable editing, proofreading and formatting services. With professional training and ten years of experience as a journalist and editor, the time has come to transfer these skills in order to help out the fellow authors I have come to love.

But it doesn’t stop there. I’m ready to edit anything; from a crucial term paper, to memoirs and other non-fiction books, short stories, articles or job application letters. Let me put that finishing touch on your masterpiece.

Feel free to take a look at my website for further details of my services and prices.

You can also find Nick here – Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads

Clueless Gamer!

Conan O’Brien is back with Clueless Gamer, and this time he takes on Grand Theft Auto!

Movie Trivia Answers

1 – Apollo 13 – The Abyss – A Beautiful Mind – Ed Harris
2 – 2012 – Con Air – Better Off Dead – John Cusack
3 – Wall-E – The Ice Storm – Ghostbusters – Sigourney Weaver
4 – Lake Placid – Titan AE – The Serpent and the Rainbow – Bill Pullman
5 – Death Becomes Her – Swing Shift – Foul Play – Goldie Hawn
6 – Heat – The Ghost and the Darkness – Top Gun – Val Kilmer

What do you think of the IWSG site? Did the admins not do a fantastic job? See some good news or books? Need Nick's services? Get any of the trivia right? And are you a Clueless Gamer?

Thanks to everyone for making the Insecure Writer’s Support Group a big success! Enjoy the site and please help spread the word.