My life as an Author

My life as an Author ! Thought you might enjoy what influences in my life made me put pen to paper- or these days sit with my phone tablet- how times change! It was a great experience to be inter ... more

The 1980's

The 1980's was a time of extreme materialism; characterized by corporate raiders, junk bonds, pyramid schemes, and savings & load failures. This was a time of extreme government and corporate spending ... more

9-Ether

Two medicine women sparked the embers of will, majestically igniting the fame of their Father figure, Fire Sky. His ingenious being was the match which struck each soul! And Cheyanne wasn’t used to ... more

VI XI V

Pleasure’s cups overflowed six times over before life forced her into some volcanic eruption with Lukman whose fire ran too hot for her still waters. Their passion burned like potent ashes thick as ... more

Wanderlust Knight - Magic and a Pentacle

On Sun’s day, almost out of thin air, a knight manifested, shining his armor with a pentacle close to his chest, which he used as dowry to win the heart of a unrequited past love. Six magic wands ap ... more

"Are" and "Is" In Verb Agreement

Are you sure this is right? Are and is can get confusing when we’re not sure if the thing we’re talking about is a single thing or more than one thing. When using a singular noun or subje ... more

Ode to Ms. Corporate America

Sista Girl, I never wanted your position in life It's never been my intention to lead a team, fulfilling some company's dream That wasn't my own. In your desperation to remain on ya 'throne' Y ... more

We're miseducated

Social skills are lacking in society. People tend to use bullying, manipulation and deception as a love language and wonder why they can't find loyalty. Effective communication is imperative for any k ... more

...She is...

..She is… Grateful for the spirit which rises up within Multidimensional personalities in the form of a body shield Every woman in the flesh of one woman ..She is… Balancing the masculine ... more

Reaching for The While Light

(AUTHOR NOTE: This essay led to the creation of my latest children's book, "Alicia and the Light Bulb People in Star Factory 13." I hope you will enjoy reading and reviewing my book.) Have you ev ... more

Ms - Stress Relief

A clandestine love affair it remained, so as not to muddy waters or rock boats. You see this was a pair destined for life partnership. Unfortunately they were mismatched like an uncomfortable shoe ... more

In Reurrection of a Prophet

He killed his chance when he chose to play games with HER mind It's like he pulled the trigger, pointed it straight at her head disturbing her mental Took the coward route, did it all behind her bac ... more

Amazing Deal $3.76 for The Pacific Affair

Amazon.com has The Pacific Affair for only US$3.76 https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=gary+paul+stephenson ... more

Amazing Deal $1 for The Atlantic Affair

Get in quick, Amazon.com has 13 copies for $1.00 only https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=gary+paul+stephenson ... more

Murder in the Library - New Lynn 12th April

Murder in the Library - New Lynn 12th April 18.30 - 20.00 The Ngaio Marsh Awards, in association with the New Zealand Book Council and Auckland Libraries, invite Auckland booklovers to an event fea ... more

A Dream in Prophesy

A Dream in Prophesy I was supposed to be headed toward progression but got detoured somewhere down the road. Instead I ended up travelling down memory lane, facing mental epilepsy, stuck on reruns of ... more

Cheerio, Weirdo!. I AM Jnaha

Cheerio…...Weirdo! You ever been so weird that the wicked flee? I’m talking that every day is karaoke kinda weird! Singing to the beat of dope life rhymes, in your mind any way. Your body is movi ... more

SpiceTheWorld

I am proud to announce the new version of SpiceTheWorld cookbook. A great collection of spicy recipes for everyone. Get your printed or ebook version now and enjoy some great recipes folks. ... more

The Grid Warrior

So part 2 of The Gird Warrior trilogy is now complete. Grid World is now in proof reading and I hope to publish this summer. I am looking forward to this, writing the book was great fun and now I am p ... more

Buy Direct and Save

Buy The Pacific Affair, The Atlantic Affair direct from the Author or Buy both books together for a special price.  Author can sign and dedicate if required at no extra charge. Click to Buy Now! ... more

Women of a Certain Age

I got fed up. My favorite fiction to curl up with has usually been a mix or urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Yet now after bingeing on the genre for a while, I find myself diversifying. Ye ... more

Analysis of 'Planet of the Apes'

Planet of the Apes is a science fiction franchise based on Pierre Boulle‘s 1963 novel, La Planète des Singes (‘The Planet of the Monkeys’). Boulle’s novel was meant as a satirical look at the ... more

Analysis of 'The Omen'

The Omen is a 1976 supernatural horror film written by David Seltzer (who also wrote the novelization), directed by Richard Donner, and starring Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, David Warner, and Harvey Step ... more

Analysis of 'The Godfather'

The Godfather is a trilogy of films by Francis Ford Coppola, written by him and Mario Puzo, based on Puzo’s 1969 novel. As a trio of crime dramas, its depiction of the mafia is understood to symboli ... more

Analysis of 'American Psycho'

American Psycho is a satirical novel written by Bret Easton Ellis and published in 1991. It is an unreliable first person narrative, in the present tense, given by the main character, Patrick Bateman, ... more

Analysis of 'The Shining'

The Shining is a supernatural horror novel written by Stephen King and published in 1977. It was his third published novel, after Carrie and ‘Salem’s Lot. It was made into a film by Stanley Kubric ... more

Review and Analysis of 'Mayan Blue'

Mayan Blue is a horror novel written by Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason, also known as the ‘Sisters of Slaughter’. As the novel’s title implies, it involves grisly rites of human sacrifice, as ... more

Analysis of 'Salem's Lot

‘Salem’s Lot is a vampire horror novel written by Stephen King and published in 1975. It’s his second novel, as well as his personal favourite of all of those he’s written. There have been two ... more

Analysis of 'Richard III'

Richard III, though called “The Tragedy of King Richard the third” in the First Quarto, is a history play written by William Shakespeare in the early 1590s. It’s the last play in a tetralogy on ... more

Competition

Would you like to be a character in a murder mystery novel. If you do, the purchase or download PAIN HAS A PERMANENT ADDRESS from Amazon, send me proof of purchase through social media, and you will ... more

We only have 10 years to save the planet

The Effect of Pollution on Ecology The Real Planetary Situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghkQoJoipbM&t=307s In the year 2000, the United Nations asked scientists, in general, what means ... more

Writers Must Read

In On Writing by Stephen King, he says that it’s vital for authors to be voracious readers. I agree. Not only is it important for the purposes of knowing what’s going on in the book world, it’s ... more

What's Wrong with Movie Rights

*THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FIRST-TIME AUTHORS SIGNING A BOOK CONTRACT* I love movies. I have defended Peter Jackson against Tolkien purists in front of hundreds of people as a panel ... more

Book Piracy

I love a good pirate story.Remembering Emily I’ve been enjoying the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series a lot. I even included pirates in my Actuator series. There’s something appealing about ... more

Reader or Writer

Are you a reader or writer or are you both? I have been an avid reader since early childhood and it wasn't until my children were growing up that I started taking writing to a more serious level. Yes ... more

A Planner, A Pantser, or a Little of Both?

When beginning a novel, a writer must decide on his or her own individual level of planning. Some begin their works with elaborate plans and outlines developed well in advance. Others begin with a sin ... more

An Interview with Sue Grafton

An Interview with Mystery Writer, Sue Grafton (Part 1) Author, John D. McDonald died suddenly back in 1986 and took Travis McGee with him. I owned and had read every book of McDonald’s…..No ... more

A Review ~~ The Wanted by Robert Crais

5 out of 5 quills A Review ~~ The Wanted by Robert Crais A good old fashioned murder my ... more

Motivational Moments...for Writers #34

The first thing that makes a buyer reach for your book is the COVER! Is it professional? Does it convey a visual story? The second thing that keeps the book in their hand is the BACK COVER and what ... more

A Review ~~ Finding My Way by Judith Keim

1 out of 5 quills A Review ~~ Finding My Way Very disappointed. Right away the first chapter was familiar, so after checking I discovered the author had cut and pasted a chapter from Boo ... more

How To Format a Stage Play

Format is extremely important. If you submit your new play to anyone they will not read it if it is not in the proper format. There is software out there that offer auto-format but sadly I have not ... more

Number Two Is the Shits!

It’s time. I’ve had my first novel published. I’ve garnered great reviews. I’ve created my website, my blog, my fool Twitter feed (or whatever!). I’m even finished the novella that act as ... more

Beware of traps when engaging a service

Sadly, in today’s fast paced, quick profit corporate environment, many businesses have sacrificed principles such as integrity and honor when it comes to dealing with customers. Their websites are f ... more

How to avoid falling into the plagiarism pit

Plagiarism: ‘To take ideas, writing, etc. from another and pass them off as one’s own’ Copyright: ‘The exclusive right to publication, sale, etc. of a literary or artistic work ‘ As au ... more

Talon, Encounter

The poachers are back – and they are looking for Talon! They are doing everything in their power to capture him, and if they can’t get him alive, will kill him. Determined to get him at all costs ... more

Talon, Connected

The Talon series, are such an inspiring piece of work indeed. And the stories are great, uplifting and touching, moving and exciting, and I’d unreservedly recommend them for readers of any age, youn ... more

Talon, flight for life

Will they be safe as they travel? What about the dangerous animals they could encounter? Will Matica see her condors on her trip? It's amazing how you are drawn into the beauty and dangers of the ... more

Talon, on the wing

This highly entertaining story about a girl with a disability that keeps her trapped in a shorter body of a two-year-old is a treasure to read! Her personality will delight you. The condors are ... more

Review for Talon, come fly with me

“Talon: Come Fly With Me” by Gigi Sedlmayer (Aurora House) This book is simply brilliant; it’s also simply delightful and delightfully simple as well. I confess I took it up with trepidation. I ... more

A New Writer's Dilemma

Next year will see my seventieth birthday. Earlier this year I took up writing for the first time in my life. Being an information junky I researched, researched and researched again. The big questio ... more

Win a signed copy of my novel!

FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF SOME ARE SHADOWS! Enter the giveaway to receive your copy of Some Are Shadows, signed by author David Sayre. I want to hear from you about your favorite fictional detect ... more

New Book published!

FUTURE WORLD ROCKS! - Series: Carousels of Life This story contains interwoven strands that are brought together as events unfold. It is a space opera with a difference - it is actually set to music, ... more

Russian 'genius child' and Life beyond Earth

Occasionally, I come across a news article that needs more thought, if only because I've read something that lends it credence. The usual response is a barrage of derision from the reading public, but ... more

IT IS DONE!

Finally, my editor and I agree my latest book, LEX TALIONIS, is complete and ready to be published. However, unlike my previous efforts, she is eager for my new book to be traditionally published. As ... more

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is on Italian Riviera.It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.This is my current travelogue which I have published in my blog http://www.ranaruby.in ... more

Great Reviews!

https://readwatchandthink.wordpress.com/tag/koos-verkaik/ ... more

And... the NEWEST interview!

https://authorsinterviews.wordpress.com/2017/09/13/here-is-my-interview-with-koos-verkaik/ ... more

Buck & Bozo: Two Paranormal Curses (and Blessings!)

Cats have long been associated with the paranormal. One might first think of them as feline familiars to witches, but that is so not the beginning or end of their story. In Japan, myths say cats turn ... more

DOMINION FIRST BLOOD BY RICHARD MANN

Richard Mann grew up in being an avid reader of books, even from an early age he loved the literary giants Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, Frank Herbert and Douglas Adams. (Hint: If you love these authors ... more

The Noble Daughter

https://untoldfiction.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-noble-daughter.html ... more

A Simple Classroom lesson

https://untoldfiction.blogspot.com/2017/09/a-simple-classroom-lesson.html ... more

DOMINION FIRST BLOOD BY RICHARD MANN

Richard Mann grew up in being an avid reader of books, even from an early age he loved the literary giants Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, Frank Herbert and Douglas Adams. (Hint: If you love these authors ... more

DOMINION FIRST BLOOD BY RICHARD MANN

Richard Mann grew up in being an avid reader of books, even from an early age he loved the literary giants Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, Frank Herbert and Douglas Adams. (Hint: If you love these authors ... more

B J

This poem is a tribute to a calico cat one of my daughters had for a long time. She was one of many cats that have come and gone over the years. Each one in his or her's way has touched a space in o ... more

Another Fun Night With the Guild

As a newbie author, I recently realized how important—and fun!—it was to be a member of the Knoxville Writers Guild and the guild’s Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writers’ Group. I can’t believe how much I� ... more

Put an OOPART in Your Next Sci-Fi Plot

Do you know what an OOPART is? Is it some unmentionable alien genitalia ("eew-parts!")? Maybe shorthand for the part that a tuba plays in Bavarian music (oom-pah-pah, oom-pah-pah)? No. OOPART is a ... more

Military Law Enforcement for Crime Writers

Over the past year, I've assisted four fellow authors with questions about U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement operations. I helped them as best as I could, drawing on my 13 years of active and reserve e ... more

The True Facts Behind the Plot of The Butcher's Bill

My latest mystery thriller, The Butcher's Bill, will be published June 30. Though a work of fiction, the plot of The Butcher's Bill, like most of my books, is firmly rooted in facts. A sequel to my f ... more

NEW INTERVIEW

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/15041750-interview-with-koos-verkaik-author-of-the-dance-of-the-jester ... more

Sonya's Home is Available for Download

Hello all! I made it. Sonya's Home is now available to download from the Members Only page at StephenBurckhardt.com. If you are already a member, just go to the website, click on the Saloon in th ... more

3 Secrets of Successful YA Suspense Thrillers

Suspense thrillers are a popular genre that has never quite lost steam over the last few decades, particularly among teen readers who can't get enough of thrilling stories. Young Adult suspense novels ... more

The Story Behind The Story

I've been asked how I came up with The Moreva of Astoreth. Well... The Moreva of Astoreth, a blend of science fiction, romance, and adventure, has its roots in a game a friend and I played in colle ... more

A Piece of Flash Fiction

I mentioned in a past blog that I’m a member of the Knoxville Writers Guild and, in particular, of the Guild’s Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writers’ Group. We love our “flash fiction" writing experiments, s ... more

I love the sea!

As a man of the sea, I always wanted to share my stories. After I retired as harbormaster on Catalina Island, California, I started my author career. After publishing my memoir, 'Between Two Harbors, ... more

The Journal #51

The latest Jounral - #51 - has the final instalment of Douglas Dutton's translation of the Hávamál - from the Norse of Jónas Kristjánson and Vésteinn Ólason - while Rob Morgan mourns anew Yevgen ... more

Crossing the Chasms of Life: A Little Bit of Heaven and A Lot of Hell

I am a Caribbean woman with a global perspective on life. This book is based on my life’s trajectory, the hills and troughs that I climbed, and the passion I have for any undertaking. My education, ... more

The Book of Enchantments

http://untoldfiction.blogspot.in/2017/05/the-book-of-enchantments.html ... more

Ace of Heart: Hart of Darkness Book One, by Violeta M Bagia

I love a good series. It's so hard to find a good book, and when it's the first of a series I love it even more. Is there anything better than knowing there are more books to look forward to when yo ... more

Other Authors:: Source of Support

The Hostel Room

Read the chilling account of a student's stay at a haunted hostel room. http://untoldfiction.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-hostel-room.html ... more

Surprising Mistakes When Writing Thriller Novels

When you're a freelance writer and author, you no doubt want to make sure that your thriller novels are enjoyable to read. There are many tricks to writing thriller novels, and many common mistakes as ... more

Not Just for Women

Paranormal romance is not just for women. Okay, maybe it’s mostly for women, but not just for woman. Frankly, if I was a dude and wanted a peak into the female psyche, I wouldn’t just read para ... more

One Shot To The Head: A Short Love Story

Checkout my latest release. Book Synopsis When her longtime boyfriend Tyler decides to take Brie to a high-priced French restaurant for a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day, she naturally assu ... more

Untold Fiction

http://untoldfiction.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-divine-design.html ... more

Darkside Resurrection

I write young adult and fantasy. My book is available as an ebook on Amazon.com for the bargain price of $2.99. If you enjoy fantasy and adventure give it a try and let me know what you think! ... more

Thinking Outside the Box But in a Picture

As a member of the Knoxville Writers Guild, and in particular of the Guild’s Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writers’ Group, I recently joined in on a writing experiment that was downright fun. The idea was that e ... more

Is My Blog in the Fun Ballpark?

Hopefully, some of you have checked out a few of my blog posts since I began the blogging adventure just a few months ago. If you haven’t, now would be as good a time as any. I’ll wait . . . N ... more

Just Recompense

Just thought I would speak my mind on this new report. I know it takes me a good two years to write a book. It takes money to have it edited, a cover made, formatted, and it takes me a huge amount of ... more

Even the Birds Don't Sing

I walked along the narrow path that twisted and turned through the dense forest. The sun filtered through the trees and the meadow was just ahead. I hummed as I looked at the daisies, blue bells and e ... more

Cheap Fixes—And Tiresome Writing

The art of writing is actually attempted communication between alien worlds. Let me explain. No two people have the exact same mental “picture” for a word, much less a whole sentence. We are pat ... more

Ginger

There you were All alone in there Such a pretty little one Looking up hopefully "We would like a visit" "If you please" You were exquisite We were escorted to a little room She brought you int ... more

Bad Publishers

I have recently had a publisher that suddenly closed up. The web page is wiped out. The scuttlebutt indicates that they were being dishonest and aggressive to their employees and to their authors. Thi ... more

New way of reading

People can now read and download my books all for a pound! Visit my site to find out more: http://carlagodfrey2506.wixsite.com/membership ... more

Commas, commas, commas, and more commas

Well, you were warned. It’s now time to delve into commas. This little turd of punctuation is probably the most misinterpreted thing in the universe. The reason behind the misinterpretation is th ... more

Conjunctions and prepositions are our misunderstood friends

The previous posts, though regarding the art of editing, were geared towards giving you an idea of how storytelling works. This post will discuss a technical aspect of writing; proper sentence structu ... more

If I Were You

Introducing the cheater and the cheated: Celine is heartbroken, her perfect too-good-to-be-true boyfriend has actually turned out...well...literally too good to be true. So she swears off men for l ... more

Just A Number Sample

Just A Number: On the morning of Valentine's Day, thirty-six year old divorcee Martin Lewis receives a letter, suddenly, his mind is transported back to the past and memories emerge that he would ... more

Rap up

It has been over a year since I published my juvenile novel Bess's Magical Garden. At first there were a few sales on Amazon and with Friesen Press but it has now died off. I started selling them at t ... more

How to write a Shakespeare Essay

The Shakespeare Challenge William Shakespeare is apparently the best, most pervasively considered creator ever, providing the fundamental writing for English classrooms the world over. Shakespeare ... more

What is a prologue and do I need one

In the last post, we learned a bit about info dumps and how to avoid or correct them, but we also learned about prologues, a way to set up the story. Is such a thing always necessary? A prologue is an ... more

Mythos now available!

I am so pleased to announce that Mythos, the first installment in The Mer Chronicles, is now available via Amazon and Barnes and Noble among other sites. Beyond Legend, the second book in the series, ... more

New Novel!

Hello Readers! I'm happy to announce that my new novel is now available! I've been working on it (on and off) for a few years now, and spent the last several months editing, revising, and formattin ... more

The dreaded info dump

What is an info dump anyway? A story certainly contains a great deal of information. A writer must tell readers all about the world, the people, the technology, the magic, the murder, the mystery, ... more

More Awards in February

I was delighted to receive more 'Hungry Monster' awards in February: two golds and one silver! The first gold was for Seb Cage Begins His Adventures, as listed on my books pages; the second was for ... more

Less is more

Less is more? How can less be more? Last I checked, four oranges are less than five, and that means…. Okay, hold on; let’s try it in a writing example: He went to the store. He went to th ... more

Places We Write

What influences your writing? Does it really matter where you write? It isn't always possible to jet off to a foreign place to write. Your imagination can take you just about anywhere you wish. The r ... more

Showing vs Telling

Who among us has not heard such a statement? When writing, it’s important to consider showing versus telling. Don’t tell the reader. Show the reader. Show the reader what? What are we talking abou ... more

Avoid weak writing

The previous post showed numerous problems with seemingly simple sentences, and among those problems were weak writing caused by the word would. It was stated that would is a weak word because it insi ... more

Yippee, I've won something!

The Hungry Monster Book Award Congratulations! We are proud to present you with our Hungry Monster Book Award. Your book deserves extraordinary praise and The Hungry Monster is proud to acknowled ... more

A single sentence

Like a word, a single sentence can make or break a book. Books come in all forms; fiction, non-fiction, entertainment, information, third person omniscient, first person narrative, but the structure i ... more

A Word

Most of the questions I’m personally asked are about specific details regarding the editing process of a novel or story during or after the writing process. Today, I will cover the word. A sin ... more

When I started writing

I had dabbled in writing off and on after I turned fifty but it wasn't until I was in my sixties when I started to put my heart and soul into learning to write. When I started to take courses I also t ... more

Interview

CIRCLE OF BOOKS INTERVIEW WITH KOOS VERKAIK: When did you start writing, what moved you to start writing? I started writing at the age of seven. First drawings of animals with a little text, later ... more

5 Things I Learned from Doing a TEDx Talk

Last year I did a TEDx talk. Being selected to do one was easy. On January 5th, I wrote on my bucket list that I wanted to do a TEDx talk. Near the end of that same month I got an unsolicited email as ... more

Your Money and the Church

My second book, Kleptomaniac: Who's Really Robbing God Anyway was written so that I could leave a record of my biblical discovery about tithing. When I first started studying the subject tithing and t ... more

Just another lonely cliff plunge

The BBC recently serialised NW by the very talented Sadie Smith, and I was interested to read that she can’t bear to keep copies of some of her books in her house. Hallelujah! Sadie and I have s ... more

New Adult 'What If I Go?'

My debut novel is out with Solstice Publishing now.see https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-If-Go-Polly-White-ebook/dp/B01N6WEPKV/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=14 Blurb- Grace Negrescu is a Rom ... more

CASTAWAY-Five Steps To Move Toward Your Dream.

10 Key Elements to a Heartfelt Romance | By Dee Dee M.Scott I write in many genres, but I have to say, other than writing thriller/horror my other favorite genre to write is Romance. I was a r ... more

Just Do It

So your friends all have e-readers——either a Kindle, Nook, tablet, iPad, what have you——but you can’t imagine reading without the feel of a hard cover or dog-eared paperback in your hands. L ... more

لحن الروح

كتاب "لحن الروح"من تأليف شربل جورج الغريّب اصدار 2014، كتاب تقدمة الى الله ربي، كتاب كَتَبتهُ روح الشاعر، كل ق ... more

بيروت عبر التاريخ

كتاب "بيروت عبر التاريخ" تحفة فنية مهداة الى العالم بأجمعه و خاصة الى البيروتيين ليفتخروا بأعظم وارقى مدينة ف� ... more

كيف ادرس لانجح

كتاب "كيف ادرس لأنجح" يعلمك كيف تدرس لتنجح في حياتك المدرسية وحياتك العملية و كيف تستخدم العديد من انواع الذكا� ... more

Special Time of Year

I spent the weekend after Thanksgiving putting up my Christmas trees. I love this time of year. And, yes, I’ve been playing Christmas music for the last two months. To celebrate the Christmas Season ... more

toro

the life is not sweet and not frustrate. ... more

Sorry. No Blood Suckers.

It’s only natural that my novel, Curse Me Not, should fall into the genres that I read the most and like the best — paranormal romance and urban fantasy. What’s unnatural, however, is that my no ... more

Are writers insane?

On a dreary November evening in 2014, I put on a curly orange wig, a hideous 1970’s shirt, matching medallion and I strangled a Dutch prostitute. A few years earlier, I put on a short skirt, very pr ... more

Creating Memorable Characters

With the incredible success of my new novel, The Man Who Loved Too Much - Book 1: Archipelago, released only two weeks ago but already peaking at #11,496 on Amazon's Fiction/Coming of Age/Fantasy/Zomb ... more

A candid look at a day in the life of a writer.

With my book, The Man Who Loved Too Much, Book 1: Archipelago __ my sixth novel! __ shooting up the charts due to a fire sale on the ebook version, people often ask me: "John, how do you get inspir ... more

RWL books

Resume Writing Lab ... more

Ryan Bartek & Anomie Press (BIO)

Ryan Bartek is a writer and musician from The United States, born & raised in Metro Detroit and now living in Portland, Oregon. At 35 years old he is the author of 6 books. He is the head of Anomie P ... more

Anticlimax Leviathan

First Print Edition ANTICLIMAX LEVIATHAN out 11/15/16 The First Edition of Ryan Bartek’s autobiographical memoir “Anticlimax Leviathan” will be released worldwide on November 15th, 2016. This ... more

Fortress Europe (The Big Shiny Prison Vol II)

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/15/16 *** First Print “FORTRESS EUROPE” Metal/Punk Travel Book out 3/15 The First Print Edition of underground journalist Ryan Bartek’s heavy metal, punk & rock tra ... more

The Big Shiny Prison (Volume One)

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/16/16 *** First Print Edition “THE BIG SHINY PRISON” out 2/16 The First Print Edition of underground journalist Ryan Bartek’s extreme metal & punk rock travel boo ... more

Historical Fiction & Political Correctness

I belong to a lively online Historical Novels discussion group in which authors engage in lots of discussions ranging from how one researches historical novels to selecting book titles. Most recently ... more

Why I Care What You Think

I’d like to believe I’m a smart author in that I want to learn from my mistakes. That being said, I’m finding that my most important “teacher" is you, the reader. What you say about what you r ... more

Writer's Hedge

The following is a flash fiction story based on a prompt at a writers group meeting Saturday a week ago. The prompts were randomly generated around the table, each of us adding a word and then passing ... more

Some People Are Like The Old Prospector's Mule...You Have To Hit 'Em Between The Eyes With A Two-By-Four To Get Their Attention!

The 2016 Presidential And Congressional Elections Are Rapidly Approaching! For the benefit of new voters and those who find it difficult to assess political candidates: The new publication, Some ... more

Words on a Page

Back in the days when I was giving college classes in fiction writing a member of my department once began a lecture with the sentence, “There are no characters in fiction, only words.” This is o ... more

A List of My Faults and Transgressions

(1) Stole candy from the Red & White supermarket (age 4). (2) Bought candy with my Sunday-school money at Merusi’s corner store and hid it under the Streeters’ front porch (primary school). (3) ... more

EIGHT Tips for New Writers

One of my regular blog readers contacted me a few weeks ago with the question, “Can you teach me to do what you do?” I wasn’t sure what that meant, exactly, so I pressed, “Which thing?” I ... more

Deflategate

Deflategate (You knew I just had to right?) Have you ever come out to start your car (after a cold night in the driveway) and found one or more low tire pressure indicator lights on? So have I! This ... more

Review: J. A. Cipriano: Jet - My Brother's Keeper

J. A. Cipriano: Jet-My Brother’s Keeper – a novella J.A. Cipriano’s Jet: My Brother’s Keeper reads like Nikita of Division met Agent Melinda “The Cavalry” May of S.H.I.E.L. D. and the ... more

F*ck Rape Culture

Penises don’t rape people. People (mostly men) rape people (not only women). Rape is about the physical violation of a person, power over the person. It’s about dominance, punishment, and hum ... more

Beneath The Roses price reduction

To celebrate the upcoming release of my new book, I’ve decided to permanently reduce the price of Beneath the Roses from 1.99 New Price to 0.99 USD. The price reduction will be reflected in all A ... more

Cherishing the Small Moments

Cherishing the Small Moments When Sabrina was four months old, she had a well-visit that could only be scheduled during my working hours. I had returned to work at the Merchant & Gould, the patent ... more

Do the ingredients to make an Ancient Egyptian style Mummy lurk in the depths of your pantry?

Your pantry probably contains the same substances used by Ancient Egyptians to make mummies! I’m not suggesting you try this at home, but the main substance used to pack the cleaned organs and body ... more

Nice to meet you!

Hi, my name is Carol J Donahue, I make my home in So Florida with my husband John who is retired from a successful career as a Jockey. I have worn many hats in my life; Waitress, Hostess, Caterer, ... more

Guys, Dresses and White Male Privilege

Guys. Dresses. Why Not Share the Experience? Netflix is a magic window into the past, the present, and maybe, the future. My most recent binge was Quantum Leap, a show from the 90s with Scott Bakul ... more

A Flash in the Pan

“Flash Fiction” is a short—sometimes really short—form of storytelling. The number of words required in flash fiction differs from writer to writer, editor to editor, contest to contest, but s ... more

Why Kid’s Books Matter

Of all the books people read, it’s children’s books that will leave the most lasting impression. This longevity can be attributed to the pleasant associations children have of sitting on their par ... more

This ‘Ain’t’ No Mary Poppins World

Film Noir: Film Noir (Dark or Black Film) is a term coined by French film critics describing the American pulp fiction crime melodramas of the 1940s and 50s. It’s a cinematic style and genre that re ... more

Reader-Powered Publishing

Will DRIVEN BY DEATH get published by Kindle Press? And what is this Kindle Scout business? I’m sure many of you have seen Amazon’s new venture, inviting authors to present their new, never- ... more

Featured Author in New Bookstore

My book coach here in Boise, Idaho started a traveling bookstore she calls a Pop-Up Bookstore because it will pop up in different locations. At each location, she will feature one author and one artis ... more

Roy Dan Baron Potus45

I have a new #NSP National Service program to disburse backpacks to all Americans the leg up they will need to help all of our #disadvantaged #homeless #veterans #poverty #mentalhealth #parole #repara ... more

Life is Brand New Each Day

After a night of trying to sleep on to find my mind wants to show me what I forgot to two days ago that I attempted to do but there was a sturdy wall preventing me from remembering. I find myself sta ... more

Ammunition for Life

There comes a point in every man's life when he has to face the truth, and accept that something is getting out of hand. He has to look himself in the mirror and say, "If you don't do something ... more

Toltec

Are you mentally ready to face the harrowing challenges of an exciting and implausible journey? Are you prepared to share in incredible discoveries that possibly threaten our planet and human existenc ... more

Introduction to Mary Martinez

Hi everyone, I'm new to The Literary Net. Let me introduce myself. Mary Martinez, I have many personalities. Mom, wife, Nana, author, and co-worker. (I'd rather not be a co-worker). I love my family ... more

Christmas in July!

Dear Santa: Normally, I don’t make Christmas wish lists, but this time I have to make an exception. You see, I’m an author, and am always looking for new experiences—grist for my mill, as it we ... more

Rattler Publishing Summer Book Sale

RATTLER PUBLISHING SUMMER SALE All publications are now on sale at 75% off through July 31st only at Smashwords. Go to the author's page at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/drattler67 When ... more

The Ten Not So Subtle Signs You Purchased a Bad House

Okay, you bought a new house on good faith. How can you tell if you purchased a nice home or one that is toxic? Here are the ten subtle signs that your new home might not be a good bargain. 1. You d ... more

Fox News to Undergo Sensitivity Training – Maybe

Apparently, there’s no truth to the rumors (yet) that #FoxNews Chairman Roger Ailes and Fox News and Friends Co-Host Steve Doocy will undergo sensitivity training as part of a settlement to the law ... more

Earth Will Gain One Extra Second in 2016. Use it Wisely.

Earth Will Gain One Extra Second in 2016 Due to Earth's rotation, 2016 will gain one extra second. Use it wisely. Here are some suggestions on what you can do with one second: • Exhale – You mig ... more

Reads like liquid excitement

Read the Hollywood coverage review on "April was here" Better than fiction. This true story reads like a great novel. Thrilling, heart wrenching, yet humorous look into the life of a young survivor. B ... more

Learn to Sing the Star-Spangled Banner

Americans love music. Our music is played and sang around the world. So it strikes me as a little strange when I see so many Americans who can’t sing our National Anthem correctly. Every citizen sho ... more

The making of "The Fall of Shuruppak"

Making of the Fall of Shuruppak! I have always been fascinated by the Epic of Gilgamesh. The link between the biblical flood and the events in the epic became even more intriguing when the evidenc ... more

Summer Sale!

A site-wide sale at Smashwords will feature many e-books with 25-75% off regular prices. Sale ends July 31, so hop on over and check it out! (Some books are even FREE) During this month only, 2 ... more

What Makes a #Patriot?

Flying the flag or waving the flag doesn’t make one a patriot. The same goes for wearing a miniature flag as a lapel pin. A patriot respects the flag but flag waving doesn’t define a patriot. So w ... more

Latest Title

I claim to NOT have a lot of skills, one being, I am not a blogger. But here is an update on my latest project - Halfway to Creepy. It is a collection of short, bizarre stories that I wrote between th ... more

Are You Still Keeping Your #Fraternity on Your #Resume? You Were Warned.

Okay, I’ve been warning you. If you haven’t removed your fraternity from your resume, you should do it now. Last chance. There are basically two types of fraternities; those who have done somethin ... more

More #Colleges Offering Free #Tuition

I just read on my newsfeed (under money) an article by Craig Warga written for #Bloomberg listing 21 colleges with free tuition. Of course, he missed four major schools that offer free tuition. Some o ... more

#FAA Rules for #Drones that Weren’t Considered

The new FAA rules that govern the use of drones include operators keeping drones in sight at all times, flying drones only in daylight and height and speed restrictions. However, there are several rul ... more

Man Rules

I didn’t write these and I don’t know the author, but a friend of mine shared them with me and I thought them too good not to share. Enjoy! Man Rules – author unknown. At last a guy has ta ... more

Father’s Day: Reconciling with Your Father

I wanted to write something about Father’s Day, but the truth is I don’t have any great memories of my biological father from my childhood. My mother and father divorced when I was six. My mother ... more

June 14 is the Army’s Birthday

The Army has defended out nation for 241 years. It has changed many times trying to keep up with new doctrine, strategy, tactics and technology. It has fought many wars and battles over the years. Th ... more

The 10 through 20 Things You Should Never, Ever Leave in the Car

I just read on my newsfeed an article from Reader’s Digest about the 9 Things You Should Never, Ever Leave in the Car. It mentioned medications, electronics, sunscreen, water bottles, handbags, glas ... more

The Hoarding of Hate

Sometimes shit happens and I feel compelled to “go there,” to speak my mind. And so… To me it seems things have taken a turn in the U.S. that’s unlike anything I’ve seen over the past ha ... more

How to Respect the Flag

June 14 is Flag Day. The following was written by Lynn M. Peterson, an Army Retirement Services Program Manager. I thought it worth repeating on flag day. Do you know the proper conduct when the Un ... more

Too Many Sub-plots

I like to watch TV. However, lately my favorite shows seem to have added so many sub-plots that it’s hard to keep them straight. There’s a sub-plot for each relationship. Here’s an example of a ... more

Reflections on Visiting #Colorado

Last week I went to Colorado Springs to attend my grandson’s high school graduation and my oldest son’s retirement from the Air Force. I have a couple of observations. I never saw a calorically ... more

Reasons 11 Through 20 Why Couples Break Up

I read with interest an article on my news feed about the top ten reasons couples break up. It was very similar to a previous article on relationships. It mentions these reasons couples break up: no s ... more

Remember The Sacrifice of Our Soldiers Today

Today is #MemorialDay, a time to remember fallen comrades who died defending freedom. On this day and #VeteransDay, I recall my father, Dale Anderson, who served 35 years in the #Army. He fought in th ... more

The Tyranny of the GPS

“Okay, Mike. Your new GPS is installed. The best system on the market with voice activation and artificial intelligence. All your addresses are loaded.” “Sounds great, Steve. Is there a manual? ... more

Series Vs Stand Alone Books

At one of my author meetings, I was asked why I don't write series books using the same character(s). Series are the way to make money in this business - keep readers coming back. I'm not opposed t ... more

“69”-ing: Does It Satisfy?

On a blog I perused recently, I picked up an interesting tidbit. It’s a practice called “69-ing” and, no, it’s not that 69-ing! With all the books out there on the market these days, hip re ... more

Qualities One Partner Must Have for a Successful Relationship

Couples fall in love and look for a long term relationship. They’re looking for qualities that make for a good partner. I believe there’re some qualities that at least one partner must possess for ... more

Peter Pan Syndrome

I woke up late this morning enjoying my extended holiday and opened social media to the whines and moans of many of my high school buddies who now have a number of children and have been deprived of s ... more

Storyteller Series

I have created a new series about "The Storyteller". A Lost Soul Discovered Who is this mysterious Man and why had he come to Earth? A naked man appears on a highway and he is rescued by an earth ... more

Ten Additional Signs You May Be Addicted to Coffee

I read on my news feed the 7 Signs You’re Drinking Too Much Coffee. The article listed these symptoms: you feel anxious, your stomach hurts, your heart is racing, you have diarrhea, you can’t slee ... more

Intensive Rehabilitation Therapy for Sylvester Stallone

You may have heard on ESPN that Sylvester Stallone was detained in Australia and charged with importing HGH. He claims it was only a supplement called Pure Muscle-X. Rumor has it he may undergo “int ... more

How to Write a Great Detective Character for a TV Script

If you are a crime writer, you probably are a fan of several TV crime series such as Elementary, Chicago PD, Gotham, CSI (any of them), NCIS, Castle, Backstrom, Battle Creek, and The Mysteries of Laur ... more

How do you do it?

How do you invent your stories? AHHH! What a terrible question. The answer is, ‘I don’t know.’ True. The same as all novelists I start with a blank sheet of paper – it is unimportant whe ... more

Less than a buck

I’ve opened a new boutique, a discount emporium of short reads. Come check out the 99¢ Stories. Perfect for when you’re waiting for a plane or train, the doctor is running late, or the work on yo ... more

Of Books and Babies

When I was a kid if you had asked me what kinds of things I loved I would have said books and babies; after family, God, dogs and Elvis of course. I liked babies so much that I even tried to kidna ... more

We Need a Stupidity Law

I sympathize with stupid people. Stupidity runs in my family. Some of my best friends are stupid. I’d like to try to help stupid, but it’s not easy. Here are some “stupid” quotes: “Life is ... more

Kingdom Writers Conference- San Diego July 2016

Registration is NOW LIVE...click here https://citadelchurch.tpsdb.com/OnlineReg/289 If we place our dreams before God and ask Him to bless them then amazing things will happen and most of the time ... more

The Last Chit-Chat

This not my usual humorous blog, but I think you might enjoy it. The Last Chit–Chat Hello, hon. You look good. New dress? “No, dear. It’s the same old one that I’ve had for ten years, but ... more

Salutations!

I just discovered the Literary Net webpage and decided to give it a try. I'm a writer living on the beautiful southern Oregon coast. My writing includes a combination of fiction and non-fiction. I'm p ... more

Archaeology of an Egypt adventure thriller fiction writer

My deeply-embedded interest in ancient Egypt is as mysterious to me as ancient Egypt itself. Where did the inexplicable pull begin? Ancient Egypt did not interest my parents or any other membe ... more

Painting With Light

http://www.ronherron.wordpress.com ... more

Blog Location

My blog is at "https://strugglingtothrive.com". ... more

More Subtle Signs You’re in a Toxic Relationship

I read with interest article on my news feed from Reader's Digest, 9 Subtle Signs You’re in a Toxic Relationship. The article listed these subtle signs: You're always walking on eggshells You feel ... more

Mother's Day Sale!

Copies of SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE THE OLD PROSPECTOR'S MULE...! will be available directly from the author until Mother's Day, May 8, 2016 at the sale price of $15, shipping included! Place orders at jo ... more

Traditional V Indie Publishing

It was never a consideration for me to go down the traditional route when publishing my book. Ok, that’s not strictly true. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be snapped up by a prestigious publishi ... more

My First Love

The following is an article I wrote for a local contest. It didn’t win but I thought I would share it anyway. My First Love My first memory of my local library was of its immensity; books neatly a ... more

Effervescence of writing

If you are asking yourselves what motivates me to jump out of bed in the morning, the answer lies in my passion for writing. I have a passion for words and I love sharing content with my readers. Very ... more

The Search of Happiness

Gay Star News recently reported that according to a recent survey by Kings College London, gay men are one and a half times more likely to suffer with depression than straight men. Suicide rates amo ... more

Why On Earth Knoxville?

Why did I pick Knoxville, Tennessee, as the setting for my debut novel, Curse Me Not? Easy. The town is big enough to have everything from an opera company to a paint ball club, yet it’s small enoug ... more

The Healing Power of Writing

This is the first time I have written a blog and to be honest I spent quite some time thinking about what I should write about. Why would anyone want to listen to me I kept thinking?! But I guess that ... more

https://sorayabooks.com/

Click on the link to follow my blogs ... more

My Experience with a Kindle Scout Campaign

(Original post -- https://charisskwalkerauthor.wordpress.com/2016/03/19/my-adventure-with-kindle-scout/) My Adventure with Kindle Scout is ongoing. Scroll to see all 30 days for a complete picture of ... more

Historical Fiction - its just a story!!

I write historical fiction set in some instances during the years of the Napoleonic Wars. This is a period of history with many followers who have an obsessive almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the su ... more

Those Writing Contests

I've had a great few months with contests. At first, I wasn't convinced that entering my novel into the several contests my publicist recommended would be helpful. I thought they'd be too costly fo ... more

Stevie's first author signing event!

This will be my first author signing event, which is hosted by Scarlett Enterprises. I will be joining 45 other authors, and this is going to be an annual event. When: Saturday, 13 August 2016 f ... more

Why I Wrote, Did You Know About Bible History?

I recently published a new book entitled, Did You Know About Bible History? which delves into the history of the Bible. Not its doctrines, but its history from the very beginning. Why did I write i ... more

Living in Vietnam

I've lived, and worked, in Vietnam for nearly twenty years and got to know the local people fairly well, but some things still amaze me. In particular family and social things. I married a widow 18 ... more

The Cost of Compromise

I’ve noticed something in a number of churches, both those I’ve attended for varying lengths of time over the years and those I’ve only read or heard about: They employ a wide range of means to ... more

Dennis Hasbert in Intensive Rehabilitation Therapy

According to the Chicago AP, former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert has agreed to pay $3.5 million to the victim of his sex-abuse. He still hasn’t been sentenced. Rumor has it he may also undergo ... more

Curse of Koris Giveaway

A Spring 2016 GIVEAWAY -Curse of Koris A Spring 2016 GIVEAWAY of my latest science fiction novel, Curse of Koris, part of the Furlites of Aroriel series. Simply stop by and drop me a comment for a ... more

My inspiration for writing

My work has taken me all over the world, and I have been able to work and live for long periods of time in some remote and regrettably dangerous areas. Let’s rephrase that. The war or rebellion st ... more

Distractions

I have many distractions to keep me from writing and rewriting. My daughter advises me that there’s no hurry to finish my third book. But I feel uneasy when I let too much time go by before I tackl ... more

What's In An Author Media Kit?

What is an author media kit? It’s a variety of promoting tools you probably already have written and use anytime you need to market your books on sites. A media kit is all of the important tools all ... more

Western Horror Giveaway

April 26th marks the fourth year anniversary release of my Western Horror, A Bloody Bloody Mess in the Wild Wild West. To honor this occasion I am doing some giveaways and contests throughout the mont ... more

Novel of Short Story: How Do You Decide?

Do you ever come up with a great idea for a story that you just can’t wait to get started on? Chances are the answer to this is yes. The more enlightening question is how do you decide if a story be ... more

It Takes Two Babe...

Anyone else working with a co-writer? I initially wrote three novels before being asked to compete a semi-autobiographical account of a police officer's life shortly after he died suddenly. This was a ... more

New Website Entries

New update for www.beaninformedvoter.com, March 27/2016. Chapter 3 excerpt from "The Old Prospector's Mule" plus Be An Informed Voter weekly newsletters, March 20 and March 21. The 2016 presidentia ... more

Be An Informed Voter!

New information is available from the political opinion book, "Some People Are Like The Old Prospector's Mule...You Have To Hit 'Em Between The Eyes With A Two-By-Four To Get Their Attention!" Access ... more

Travelman

Have you ever tested the limits of your imagination? Where does your imagination begin and where does it end? Read "Travelman" and test the limits of your imagination. Travel Man is an ordinary man ... more

Thought Monkey

I was always fascinated with the idea which I heard growing up that our ideas are like monkeys. If we do not hold on to good ideas, they just swing away into the trees like monkeys. Later I read about ... more

Ghostly Attachment Issues

I have a shiny bike. It’s pink with a little white wicker basket. I call it the grandma bike. So no, I’m not a cycling enthusiast. You won’t see me hunched over the handlebars wearing slick shor ... more

Stephen King and I

Stephen King is my friend. He just doesn’t know it. Let’s face it, he just doesn’t know me. But he saved me, nonetheless. I grew up in the housing projects. Enough said, right? Want a dream kill ... more

Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing: Annotated

Every so often I find it useful to take a look at the late Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing. It is sage advice from a master. Every writer should read these rules and remember them. I’m doi ... more

Shameful Black Social Issue

"Who Is Clarence Mckinsey?" (Readers Favorite 5 star reviews; available at www.whoisclarencemckinsey.com) is an effort to identify the inescapable horrors confronting the imprisoned segment of our bla ... more

South City Mosaic: Life On Alaska by Glenn Sartori

Sit back in your favorite chair and revisit my early years with me. I have been a lifelong resident of St. Louis and grew up in the South City on a street called Alaska. My grade school adventures wil ... more

Some Thoughts on Writing

I have been writing, in one form or another, for most of my life. I learned the techniques and skills of writing by toiling for almost 30 years in the relentless and stressful world of journalism. ... more

Introduction

Howdy, As a way of introduction, I would like to say I'm proud to be an Old-West historian, a western writer and a born storyteller. My publishing background includes: three non-fiction books on ... more

Home Alone, or am I?

When my husband goes on a business trip and I’m usually all alone in a big and old house. It’s been around for more than a century and I suspect folks have died in it. That’s my suspicion and I� ... more

Don’t Write the Obit for Newspapers Yet

When I began my career in journalism, it was with newspapers. First, there was the University Daily Kansan, the student newspaper at the University of Kansas, where I toiled as a reporter, then Sport ... more

New Release

We at Rattler Publication are excited about the release of Certosnia The Season of Tribulations. The 752 page turning is a rollercoaster ride of emotions is Book III of the Season Series. The work is ... more

A Preter What?

When I wrote my novel, Curse Me Not, what I didn’t count on was how I would see myself after the writing was done. The paranormal twist I use in Curse Me Not is one that speaks to auras and curs ... more

Scoop: A Classic Novel About Foreign Correspondents

If you have never read Evelyn Waugh’s wonderful satire of British journalism entitled “Scoop,” get thee to Amazon or to a bookstore and buy the book. You won’t be disappointed. “Scoop” ... more

The Wages of Writing: Income for Writers Dropping

One of the great misconceptions the public has about authors is that once you publish a book you are invariably sprinting toward that heady world of six, seven, and perhaps even eight-figure incomes. ... more

What’s Behind the Hand

The “Khamsa hand” motif was an apt element to feature in Curse Me Not, my novel about a woman who can see people’s auras and clean revenge curses from those auras. After all, the motif has been ... more

A Very Short History of Spies and Spying during the American Revolution

http://bwlauthors.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-very-short-history-of-spies-and.html As one of the world’s oldest occupations, espionage in one form or another has been around for as long as men have c ... more

Some Thoughts on the Art and Craft of Writing

By Ronald E. Yates I was interviewed recently about the art and craft of writing in general and writing in the historical fiction genre in particular. As a journalist for some thirty years I int ... more

The Properly Equipped War Correspondent, ca. 1905

February 6, 2016 by Ronald E. Yates davis2 Having just finished the second book in my Finding Billy Battles trilogy, which ends between 1905 and 1910, I find myself still deeply immersed in the li ... more

Dealing with Negative Criticism

Recently, I joined a “local” science fiction book club—a 100-mile round trip from my house—because I wanted to take the pulse of my audience for my self-published novel, Mindclone. The first m ... more

Social Media Checklist

Have you been ignoring social media? Think you don’t have time for it? Or that ‘readers will come if my book is in stores’? Do all the different forms of social media seem overwhelming? I sa ... more

take your time to publish

Dear fellow writers. We all want to publish (main stream or self) and get our books out there. BUT please take your time...let your book simmer alone for a few months. Put it in the "drawer" and star ... more

Talking About Curses and the Evil Eye

My life has definitely been blessed, but there are days when nothing seems to go right. Like a superstitious peasant woman out of the Middle Ages, I start counting since, as we all know, bad things co ... more

Promotion Cheatsheet for Indie Authors

Introduction You spend a week, or a month, or a year or more, writing your book. You make your way through the tangled web, which is modern publishing. Then, you wait. The sales start to trickle in ... more

Horn of the Kraken blog Artillery

Artillery bothers me. The idea of an offshore bombardment that can slaughter an entire town where the people shooting don’t even see the people they are killing seems innately wrong. Truth to tell, ... more

Another Failure to Signal

As a struggling writer, I’m usually about self-promotion, but I have to tell my story. Sandra Bland and I faced the exact same situation but our outcomes were different. First of all, my heartfelt c ... more

Review of Deluge, Edited by Allen Taylor

This One has Street Cred I have a lot of respect for the work of the Editor of this multi-Author volume of Deluge related stories. Mr. Taylor has gone to a lot of work to put it together. I know th ... more

Interest in New Mexico?

I've written 3 novels set in early 18th-century Santa Fe, New Mexico. I'd like to hear from anyone who reads or writes about the mystical-historical side of NM. For details on me see my website: www.g ... more

Help Us Help Our 4-Legged Frynds

I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing the following information with your friends: I have written a book about our beloved dog who is named Lynyrd Skynyrd. He's part pug and part beagle wh ... more

New Book

Just excited to share the news that book # 32 will be coming out soon. I have a system for the books. I write them longhand, didn't know that everyone doesn't do this! Then I type them and edit on com ... more

A Very Ordinary Life

I don't know how people can write about themselves or their pasts or their ideas -- all the time. Give me a bad dream and I can write a novella. Give me chance to talk about myself and I will stare in ... more

THE TALE / New Version - ISBN: 9781786105516

The Tale – A Story of Galactic Proportions - Is now available to buy in hardback format (with a gloss full colour dust jacket). http://www.feedaread.com/books/THE-TALE-9781786105516.aspx The b ... more

Radio Commercial

Link to my radio commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwNSun-hy-Y ... more

Radio Interview

Link to my radio interview. I was very nervous as you can hear, but when all is said and done, I think it went well. Thanks for listening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLedz5kA9WI ... more

Memories

Video of my sister and I skating in 1962. Do you know which one is me? I dare you not to laugh!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhwQpOezN_E ... more

Naive

I was so naïve about my book. I just knew that the world would be ready to read my words. I just knew that once it was published, the sales would soar. I just knew that my name (pen name actually) wo ... more

One Hit Wonders

Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird), Emily Bronte (Wuthering Heights), Margaret Mitchell (Gone With the Wind), J.D.Salinger (The Catcher in the Rye), and Boris Pasternak (Doctor Zhivago) are all one hi ... more

A Normal World

This is a review of Dhungwana 2117: A captivating sci-fi novel: The Dhungwana Chronicles (2117-3451) Part 1. This is an interesting mix of science fiction, social commentary, and what I like to call ... more

My 4th Novel

Coming January 17 (my 90th birthday) on Amazon.com, my new book: MURDER MADE LEGAL: A Casey Alton Mystery Self-proclaimed sailboat bum and former motorcycle gang chief Smitty are pulled into yet a ... more

Share newsletters/blogs.

Any author interested in sharing newsletters, blogs etc? I have about 200 on my mailing list and blog and post regularly on facebook, linked in, google +, etc. Interested in me adding your output to ... more

Bob E Sherman for President

I am proud to announce my Independent candidacy for President of the United States for 2016. Only Independents will vote for the best idea no matter who proposes it. My goal as President will be to ... more

Expand into Audiobooks

Once you have published your eBook on Amazon, and maybe on Smashwords (for multiple platforms), you have probably created a print format of your work, and now have it published in paperback form on Cr ... more

Possible Site for new free reviews

As Writers, we all need reviews on our books. It is a hard task to get them, when any reader can get as many free books to read as they want, and they are usually not interested in taking the effort t ... more

Anyone have any connections on the Literary Net?

I have been trying to subtly encourage folks to do this connect thing with me that the navigation bar says is a thing, with no actual connections yet. I can only reach a limited number of conclusions ... more

Where do I go with this chapter?

I am kind of winging it with this chapter. I don't have a lot of action planned, and it will be sort of an informational setup for the next few chapters. Very sparse notes on content at the end of the ... more

Tales of the Vuduri

The 24-chromosome people of the 35th century are called the Vuduri. I have written over 1000 articles about them over on Goodreads. Rather than repeat those articles or worse, double my work-load, ple ... more

There are no new beginnings!

To be one with self is the goal ! When we know, then we understand that we know little. When we move we are only traveling in the next of a series of circles that some call the natural orde ... more

Hell Bound

I am hell bound. I must be. Hell presents itself sometimes when I slip into REM. Every so often I have a sense of when gentle sleep is going to descend into a teeth-grinding nightmare. Some internal m ... more

Come Visit Anytime!

Here is the information on my blog: http://angelaparkerfables.wix.com/author#!blog/c112v RSS: http://angelaparkerfables.wix.com/author/feed.xml ... more

Narcissist - The Supervillain Bully

Hey, why don't you have a cup of coffee, or maybe some water and Mio, but spend a few minutes with me to have a serious chat. I don't care who you are, where you are in life, or how you try to liv ... more

Like Free Audiobooks?

I have a number of Audiobooks out that deal with a variety of non-fiction subjects. I have an UFO investigation audiobook, a audiobook on becoming happy, one on what it is to be a Libertarian, and one ... more

Publishing virginity . . .

Publishing a novel for the first time is exciting and scary. It generates pride while at the same time it spits out gobs of self-doubt. While friends pull out pictures of their kids, you pull out your ... more

How people with mental illness can benefit from the elderly?

I have always wondered what makes the elderly or older adult population an important aspect where recovery from mental illness is concerned. I work as a peer advocate at Pride of Judea/JBFCS with the ... more

Resistance to Treatment

Many people who are resistant to getting treatment for their mental illness ignore that they have a problem and by the time they realize it, it becomes a little too late until they have a nervous brea ... more

Mentally Ill: Scared to Come In or Out!

I often ask myself why some people with mental illness are afraid to come in and talk about their experiences even if its among others who also have a mental illness? For example, I run a small peer ... more

Do You Entertain Clients?

DECEMBER 2015 BY SMOOTHSALE LEAVE A COMMENT Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Do You Entertain Clients? The above headline has two meanings included. It could refer to treating your clientel ... more

Little League Nightmare

Growing up 12 miles from Fenway baseball was a very big deal in Lexington and I was determined to give it my best shot. Opening day was a major event with a parade through the center of town and playe ... more

Siblings: Our First Marriage Partners

It should come as no surprise (though siblings are surprised) that our brothers and sisters influence how we relate to the opposite sex. Siblings are our first marriage partners. They teach us about ... more

Trust

Why read this book  From an early age we are taught to respect and trust police. Most of us do. But today we watch the evening news or read that another policeman has molested a child, or was caught ... more

Positive belief in the midst of a bad situation

Have you ever wondered what it take to truly overcome a bad situation. It is one thing to think positive, but it is truly something different to actual feel positive (if that make since). In the midst ... more

COMING Interview with author Alan Dean Foster

https://youtu.be/iy2iuLUsywo Next Week, as Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters, we are slated to sit down and Hang With the incomparable writer and author Alan Dean Foster, who has writt ... more

School Marms and Cowboys

Follow my blogs at https://plus.google.com/+DrwandapyleBlogspot/posts ... more

Beauty and Photography Blogs by Colourchameleon

Hi Everyone, For all blogs, please visit http://colourchameleon.com/blog/ Enjoy! ... more

My Internship with Noodin

By Andrea Cadwell, MA. MSc I am a graduate student in the Advocacy for Social Justice and Sustainability program at Antioch University New England in Keene, NH. My work at Antioch has centered on f ... more

Why Don't People Say Good Morning Anymore?

When I get up in the mornings, I'm not asking for too much. I just want to feel the floor under my feet, waddle down to the coffeemaker and eventually enjoy the nectar of the gods--coffee. I love ... more

To Sleep or Not to Sleep

I've always been one of those people who either enjoyed sleep or suffered from nightmares. Too many times my dreams turn into nightmares where I find myself fighting for my soul in a hellish abyss. Am ... more

Golden Eagle ~ Do you hear ?

Golden Eagle ~ What You Say! by James B. Beard aka Noodin People ask me how I know when an animal is one of my helpers. Golden Eagle is one of my helpers! My answer is simple. When one becomes awa ... more

Something Light

Reading a newspaper to read has been my favorite start of a morning for several years now. Only, over a few months I am just not able to like most the news headlines that I come across. There is too m ... more

Last Time I Checked

Last Time I Checked Last time I checked, this world was integrated, as in mixed, blended, cohabited and racially diversified. Colored were free to do as they please, just like whites, jaywalk acro ... more

Travels of Nibaa Mukwaa & Noodin

This is meant to be a short note to wish everyone a pleasant holiday season. Though much is going on in all aspects of our daily lives it is important, in my way of thinking, to stay focused on the be ... more

World Building in "The Return of Tachlanad"

While I never attempted to write one before, I am a big fan of the fantasy genre and I counted on my experience as a “world-recreator” in writing believable historical settings to guide me in brea ... more

Public Release ! Walking Spirit in a Native Way

White Mocs on the Red Road Walking Spirit in a Native Way By James B. Beard Jim's first book -Jim Beard aka NoodinWhite Mocs ... more

About Me

I am a professional writer, copy editor and writing coach. I have experience in writing manuscripts and creative writing for a publishing company, KG Books. I have expertise in book marketing and publ ... more

The Making of a Gangster

My latest novel, The Making of a Gangster, was recently released. Those who are reading it have had positive comments about it, and are enjoying the book. Purchase The Making of a Gangster in paper ... more

Chapter 3 - 'The Making of a Gangster'

"Sup little homie?" A teenage 135th Street Gangster Crip Gang member named Playboy asked as he passed Antoine. "What's up?" Antoine responded in an admiringly way as he sat on his bike in front of ... more

Chapter 2 - 'The Making of a Gangster'

During the years immediately following the creation of the 135th Street Gangster Crip Gang, the willingness of its members to commit crimes for monetary gain and street credibility had many negative r ... more

Chapter 1 - 'The Making of a Gangster'

Hawthorne was a suburb of the city of Los Angeles, both of which were located in Los Angeles County. It encompassed an area of approximately six square miles between Los Angeles International Airport ... more

Prologue - 'The Making of a Gangster'

Los Angeles County, California was considered the gang capital of the world because the gang problem in Los Angeles had reached epidemic levels. Young men and women were willing to inflict harm upon p ... more

Be Innovative

Ever since I was a child who sometimes went to work with my mother at her job in corporate America, I have wanted to be a businessman. I liked the environment. The idea that people could sit behind de ... more

Arrogance Kills Reason

Many people who know me feel that I am a highly intelligent person. I don't disagree with that contention because I know that it is true. As such, I find it extremely annoying when people insist upon ... more