Monday, March 26, 2018

The Making of a Fangirl or Fanguy #ourauthorgang

Are you a fan girl/fan guy?
                  by Grace Augustine

Canadian Singer/Songwriter Garnet Rogers and me 2008

I've been a fan-girl as long as I can remember. I love attending concerts and author book signings, meeting and visiting with the celebrities, and planning events.

Back in the late 90's, I belonged to a Gordon Lightfoot online fan club and met a wonderful gal, who is now more a sister than not. She introduced me to Garnet Rogers' music...insisting I attend a concert if he was ever in the area.  To my surprise, he was in the area ten years ago...and wow. That was the only word to describe it. Here is another photo from March 8th concert.

Garnet Rogers 3/8/18 CSPS Cedar Rapids, IA

In October of 2014, I took a road trip to Toronto, Ontario Canada...partly as vacation, partly to promote my books, partly to meet online friends that I'd known for years. Stevie and Anne Connor, owners of Blues and Roots Radio, the best global online radio station for independent artists, were an integral part of my time in Canada. It was an honor meeting them and attending an award ceremony (which they won their category) and being interviewed by Stevie about my books.  

Anne & Steve Connor

Another of many highlights was meeting author Joanne Jaytanie at a wine/book/music event I'd planned several years ago. The event was held at a local winery and it was very hot and humid!

Author Joanne Jaytanie and me

I have many favorite musicians on the local as well as national levels.  If you have a chance, look up Matt Andersen, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Chad Elliott, and Jordan Danielsen, just to mention a few.
Tom Wilson and son from Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

Matt Andersen

Jordan Danielsen

Chad Elliott

As you see, in my life, music and writing go hand in hand.  

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Our Guest Today is Author Jami Albright #OurAuthorGang

Welcome, Jami! We're glad you could join us.


Jami Albright is a born and raised Texas girl and is the multiple award-winning author of The Brides on the Run series...a fun, sexy, snarky, laugh-out-loud good time. If you don't snort with laughter, then she hasn't done her job.

She is also a wife, mother, and an actress/comedian. She thought she could sing until someone paid her to stop. She took their money and kept on singing!

Jami loves her family, all things "Outlander," and puppies make her stupid happy. She can be found on Sundays, during football season, watching her beloved Houston Texans and trying not to let them break her heart.

Jami's books contain mature content and language and are for readers 18 years of age and older.

Jami loves to hear from her readers and can be reached at:

EMAIL:  jamialbright1@gmail.com
WEBSITE:  https://www.jamialbright.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Jami-Albright-Author-576095932592545/



     Light seared through Scarlett Kelly’s eyelids. She buried her face in the cool pillow to block the glare, but even that slight movement caused an explosion of agony. Pain and nausea crashed into her like a train on fire. 
     After several minutes of panting through her symptoms, the misery subsided long enough to peel open her dry, sticky eyes.
    Her conservative dress and equally unadventurous bra stared at her from a condemning puddle on the floor. 
    Stomach tight, she slid her gaze a slightly farther to the right to identify the black pile in her peripheral vision. A motorcycle jacket. Combat boots. Black jeans. And…a guitar? Yes, a beat-up guitar leaned against the wall on the far side of the room. And poker chips littered the carpet like crushed confetti after a wild party.
     What the¬--
     Suddenly, something warm cupped her naked breast. She peered down at the large hand connected to a tattooed arm, connected to a… 
     Oh. My. Lord. 
     She rotated her head, and a stifled gasp jammed in her throat as she stared into the sleeping, face of the man who shared the bed.  
     Gavin Bain? A thrill skittered through her. The sunlight shone on his raven hair. His smooth bronze skin. Fascinating tattoos. Bam! A memory surfaced through her muddled brain. She’d traced the lines of one of those tattoos, the ninja star on his chest. She’d touched and then kissed her way… Oh, heavens, had she done that with this rock god? 
     She, Scarlett Kelly, children’s author and poster girl for responsible living, had sex with Gavin Bain. Gavin Bain, the rock star, AKA, The Delinquent.
     Her brain tried to piece together the previous night. She rarely drank and certainly not to excess. Even during the worst time in her life, alcohol hadn’t been involved. 
     An acute case of bed-head made pushing her red curls from her face a painful challenge. Why had she drunk so much? It all came back in flashes of utter dismay. The Children’s Writers Conference in Las Vegas. Nervous anticipation of signing the contract that would save her family financially. That dream blowing up in her face. Then the added humiliation of overhearing herself described as a No- Fun-Nun. 
     She’d shown them. Look at her now, naked in a strange man’s bed, the absolute picture of wholesomeness. 
     I’ve got to get out of here.  
     She held her breath as she removed his hand and slid from the bed. Moving unsteadily, due to her pounding head and sour stomach, she searched for her clothes, careful to be as quiet as possible.
     The purse, bra, dress, and boots were easy. But where were her panties? 
     A panic attack threatened, and her whole body trembled. Could she have removed her underwear before she got to the room? If so, she hoped that memory stayed hidden. She gave up on the lost undies and headed for the bathroom.
     Lord, she needed to pee, but after a prolonged study of the toilet, decided it would be too loud and leaving an unflushed toilet was just bad manners. Even though she’d become, by all appearances, Slutty McSlut Slut, she couldn’t bring herself to be impolite. So she dressed as fast as her shaking hands allowed. 
     The reflection in the mirror caught her eye, and the blood pounding through her veins turned to ice. Her head jerked toward her image so fast her brain vibrated. For the briefest of seconds, she saw her mother. A tiny whimper cut through the silence, and she ran trembling fingers ran over her face. People always said she looked like her mother, but now, while making the walk of shame, the resemblance was uncanny. The mental mantra she’d been repeating her whole life reverberated in her head.  I am not my mother. I am not my mother. I am not my mother. She grabbed her purse and fled the pristine bathroom.
     A cool breeze from the air conditioner drifted up her dress and skimmed her bare bottom. She didn’t ever go command--too much freedom. Restrictions were safe. Without restraint, a girl could find herself hung over, panty-less, and on the verge of a nervous breakdown while covertly fleeing a rock star’s hotel room. 
     Oh, wait. That already happened. 
     She glanced at the door. Nine feet, and she’d be free of this disaster. Logic screamed escape. But compulsion kept her rooted to the spot, and it became imperative that she find her underwear. 
     I cannot leave without them.
     Where could one pair of basic white panties hide? The chandelier was blessedly free of them. Nothing on the drapery rod. But a photo on the desk made life as she knew it come to a screeching halt. 
     A gaudy cardboard frame held a picture of her and Gavin under a red neon heart. The Valentine Wedding Chapel of Love spelled out in rhinestones around the border. 
     It couldn’t possibly mean what she thought it did. 
     Nooooo. 
     Next to the picture, the condemning proof--a marriage license issued by the State of Nevada, signed by Gavin Michael Bain and Scarlett Rose Kelly. Her vision blurred causing the letters on the certificate to dance like cartoon characters.
     She wrapped her arms around her middle and glanced back to the gorgeous sleeping man in the bed. A wave of vertigo slammed into her, along with the memory. 
     She’d told him she’d only have sex with her husband. 
     With shaking hands, she grabbed the evidence of their reckless night shoved it into her purse. 
     While her hard won reputation exploded into a million pieces, her inner wild child made a victory lap around the room. If that hussy had been driving the bus last night, then she was the reason for this catastrophe. 
     How could she have been so irresponsible? What was she going to do? No good answer for the first question, but she knew the response to the second. Find the panties and get the heck out of Las Vegas.
     She dug through the comforter at the foot of the bed. She kicked at his pile of clothes. She checked behind his guitar.
     Nothing.
     Nothing.
     Nothing.
     They had to be under the bed.
     Crap. 
     Not interested in waking the Delinquent, she cautiously made her way to his side and quietly lowered herself to the floor, ignoring the sweet smile he had on his face while he slept. The white material peeked out between the headboard and the mattress. Hallelujah. She reached in and yanked them free.
     The sudden movement slammed dizzying pain into her skull. She bent forward and rested her head on the soft carpet, and waited for the room to stop spinning.
     “Are you praying?” asked a sleepy male voice.
     She squeaked, then slowly turned her head without lifting it from the carpet.         Amusement sparkled in Gavin’s smoky gray eyes.
     “Yes, I’m praying you’re a very bad dream.” 
     He rolled his eyes as if that couldn’t possibly be true. “Good one. Why are you really on the floor?”
     “I, uh, I…” The marriage certificate hidden in her purse and the cacophony of self-condemning thoughts made it hard to focus.    
     Suspicion darkened his handsome face. “What are you hiding under the bed? Is there a recording device under there?”
     “Are you serious?” 
     He leveled her with a deadly serious glare. There was no trace of the formerly amused man. 
     “Actually, there’s a reporter from TMZ under here, would you like to say hello?” 
     When his features went from dark to thunderous, she knew she’d made a critical error with the sarcasm. 
     “I was just…um…looking for something.” She forced herself to meet his eyes. 
     “Looking for what?” Titanium coated every word and slammed into her hungover brain.
     Time to go.
     She scrambled to her feet. An increased heart rate, combined with residual alcohol pumping through her system, made the room spin. She swayed and toppled cheek first into the side of the dresser, dropping the panties in the process. 
      "Ouch!” She covered her face with her hands.
     Sheets rustled, and suddenly, he was in front of her.  

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Book Spotlight - Whisper Gatherers - Nicola McDonagh


From the author of The song of Forgetfulness  Cli-fi/Sci-fi/Dystopian Series 

Book 1Whisper Gatherers.

On Sale for only 99c!!


What if your last day at school turned out to be your first day as a rebel warrior?

“Think,'Lord of the Flies' meets the wild children in 'Beyond Thunderdome.”

In a land disfigured by famine and disease, panic spreads throughout the scattered population when the Agro Empire cuts food supplies. Soon, special children start to disappear.
Now, starving Renegades are gathering, ready to storm the last haven in NotSoGreatBritAlbion. Whispers of a saviour have brought them to the perimeter fences. They want Adara, Catcher of Birds.

“If you like action, and science fiction then you’ll appreciate one of the first books EVER that gives you high powered adrenalin with chilling revelations of utter suspense!”

You can purchase the book from the following outlets:

Amazon:

Kobo:

Follow Nicola on:

Facebook:

Twitter:
@McDonaghNikki

Pinterest:

 Visit her on:

Blog sites:
Website:

Author page Amazon:


Friday, March 23, 2018

James Tiptree, Jr – An Eclectic Writer

By Ruth de Jauregui


James Tiptree, Jr was a wildly talented writer who explored themes of both hard and soft science fiction. Free will, biological determination, sex, desire, aliens (and alien sex) and feminism were among the themes Tiptree explored in short stories. 

The James Tiptree, Jr Award was first awarded in 1991, after a discussion at WisCon. Science fiction authors Pat Murphy and Karen Joy Fowler began the annual literary prize. The "Tiptree Motherboard" selects science fiction works that explore or expand the concept and understanding of gender.

Tiptree burst onto the science fiction scene with the March 1968 publication of "Birth of a Salesman" in Analog Science Fact & Fiction, which was edited by John W. Campbell. Several more short stories appeared that year in If and Fantastic

It wasn't until 1976 that Tiptree's true identity was revealed. Tiptree corresponded with other writers and fans, using a PO Box. There was never any direct contact. When Tiptree revealed that "his" mother, also a writer, had died in Chicago, Mary Hastings Bradley's obituary gave the details that friends and fans had speculated on for years. 

The revelation that James Tiptree, Jr was really Alice Bradley Sheldon was a bit embarrassing to other well-known authors who had asserted that she was a man. Robert Silverberg wrote the introduction to Tiptree's collection of short stories, Warm Worlds and Otherwise, and said, "It has been suggested that Tiptree is female, a theory that I find absurd, for there is to me something ineluctably masculine about Tiptree's writing."

Sheldon wrote to her friend Ursula K Le Guin after her true identity was revealed,“I never wrote you anything but the exact truth, there was no calculation or intent to deceive, other than the signature which over 8 years became just another nickname; everything else is just plain me. The thing is, I am a 61-year-old woman named Alice Sheldon — nickname Alli – solitary by nature but married for 37 years to a very nice man considerably older, who doesn’t read my stuff but is glad I like writing."

She continued publishing short stories and her only two novels, Up the Walls of the World (1978) and Brightness Falls from the Air (1985), under the Tiptree name. She also used several other pen names from 1946 through the 70s, including Racoona Sheldon, Major Alice Davey, Alice Hastings Bradley and Alli. 



Her personal life reads like a novel, with a childhood that included trips to central Africa, finishing school in Switzerland, a short lived career as an art critic for the Chicago Sun, marriage and divorce, followed by four years in the Army, from 1942 to 1946. She married her second husband in 1945, and they both worked for the CIA beginning in 1952. She resigned in 1955 and returned to college for her BA and a doctorate. 

Sadly, she also battled depression and health issues and there were several suicide attempts In 1987, she followed through on she and her husband's suicide pact; he had been blind and unable to care for himself for more than 11 years. They were found hand-in-hand, together. 


#JamesTiptreeJr  #ScienceFiction #OurAuthorGang

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Hunted Launch Day

Rebecca Tran

As many of you may know I love my dragons. I currently have a series of blog posts on dragon here
is the link. For those of you who don't know I also write romance books. I started with a full length novel titled For Their Sins. It's historical fiction crossed with vampire lore and its not for anyone under the age of 18.mythology. If you haven't had a chance to read the first post

Recently, after binge reading a romance collection of shifter romances I was inspired to write my own. Dragons were the natural choice. My best friend needed some cheering up and it was only supposed to be one story for her. I got a little carried away. Four books later the first collection was complete. I still wasn't finished though. There were characters with stories that needed to be told.

Hunter moved to the Southern Territory in the first set and gave me the perfect opportunity to explore secondary characters there. The first book follows his pursuit of Lexa in the Southern Territory. While my books are best read in order it isn't necessary.

To celebrate Launch Day I am offering the first Box Set Dragons of the North at half off until Monday 3/26/18.


Hunter Silver was sent to Arizona to clean up the Southern Territory as their new Enforcer. After nearly a year on the job, things are finally falling into place.  Life was ideal. That is until a starved female werewolf wanders into his life. Hunter’s dragon says mine before it ever meets Lexa. This has trouble written all over it. Can Hunter save the territory and Lexa or will he be forced to choose?

After waking up in a cage, Lexa Greene runs as far as she can before nearly collapsing from exhaustion. With her memory gone Lexa has no choice but to trust a handsome stranger. Lexa’s wolf wants Hunter before her human half ever realizes what she is. But Lexa can’t start anything until she’s pieced her life back together, or can she? Will Lexa risk it all for a chance at love or will she run again?

Amazon  Other Retailers



These sexy dragons find love when they least expect it and sometimes when they don’t want it.

Enter a fantasy where devastatingly handsome men become dragons at will. Split into four territories, their power struggles put the women they love in danger. It’s the last mistake their enemy will make. A dragon will always protect their mate. After all, when you fall in love with a myth, you’re guaranteed a fairytale ending.
With 4 novellas and 5 sexy dragons in this set, there’s plenty of action and steamy romance. All of the stories have adult themes and are intended for adults. Book 3 is an MFM ménage.

Buy Here

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Inspired by comic books, part 2 by Toi Thomas

Image via Pinterest from the My Geekdom board
I’m so excited to dive right into this second installment of my “Inspired by comic books” series. I mean, I’m a geek and I love to geekout. This is just another opportunity for me to do just that, but don’t fret, I will be tying it all into my writing process in inspiration. In case you hadn’t figured it out, I’ll be talking a bit about D.C. Comics today. (If you missed part one, my intro to this series, please check it out).

In part one of this series, I gave a preview of the My Geekdom board I created on Pinterest. So inspired by the images I curated on this board, I wrote a blog series, over at The ToiBox of Words, called My Geekdom. In that series, I talked about all my geek inspirations, not just comic books. For your convenience and curiosity, I’ll link back to relevant posts in that series when applicable. You can check out the post, My Geekdom 03: D.C. Comics, right here.

Oh, but wait, there’s more. I also did an entire YouTube miniseries, specifically, on the comic book influences for my Eternal Curse Series. Check out episode: D.C. Comic Influences for Eternal Curse & a Yorkie (Influences #1-1) right here. For this installment of the series, however, I’ll be focusing on how D.C. Comics have influenced my writing in more general terms.


So, here's a very brief history of DC Comics for those of you who don't know. If you've ever heard the term the Golden Age of Comics they're talking about DC. The DC actually stands for Detective Comics but it was more than that. It was DC Comics that made comic books popular back in the 1930s. They are the creators of Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman. Like any good entertainment entity, DC Comics has evolved over the years. What we see today in the comic books as a lot darker, a little edgier, and more realistic, even though we are still talking about characters with superpowers.

For me, DC Comics represents “the possibilities”. One thing that I like about the DC Universe is that it's not really real. I mean, yes, you can make a direct correlation between New York City and Metropolis or Gotham City and Detroit or Chicago but these aren't real places. There's a certain fantasy element that exists in the DC Universe that allows you to have a little bit of a disconnect.

When I think in terms of my own writing, I like the idea that I can create a world that's very similar to the world that I live in but it can still be a fantasy. In the universe of the DC Comics, there is a direct reflection of the world that we live in, but there is also this fantastical element that I think makes it a little easier to stomach. For me, I sometimes try to include elements that are very close to reality but are just far enough away so that it doesn't hit too close to home. I attribute that to my love of the DC Comics.


If you want to know more about specific characters that have influenced my Eternal Curse Series, please check out the video above. One thing most people who don't read comic books don't realize is that comic books have always been on the cutting edge. While mainstream Hollywood and TV shows of today are now showing more diversity and portraying hard issues in the recent years, comic books have always done this. Comic books have always found interesting ways to deal with issues of environmental awareness, racism, sexism (though they still have a way to go here), immigration, and more. And all of this has helped inspire me in my own writing.

Find out more about me, my work, and my inspiration at the following links:

Amazon | Goodreads The ToiBox of Words | YouTube | See a list of my other posts here.
COMMENTS

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Rebecca Tran

10 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Great ideas Toi
 
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Thank you.

Rebecca Tran

10 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Learn how comic books are a source of inspiration for Toi Thomas.
 
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Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

10 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Inspiration has many sources. Toi Thomas shares how she's been inspirated by DC comics and a bit of its history.
 
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Ruth de Jauregui

10 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Wow. I should look at what's left of my comic book collection. I was more into Dark Horse by the time I was collecting, but I remember all those oldies but goodies. (I think I still have some later Batman graphic novels.) Great post!
 
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You know, I too enjoy several of the Dark Horse staples, but I don't actually own any.

Mary Anne Yarde

10 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Such an interesting post!!
 
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Thank you.

Toi Thomas via Google+

10 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today, I share part two in my "Inspired by comic books" series. Please, check it out.
 
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Grace Au

10 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Love this. And, I love the look on Batman's face with Superman and Wonder Woman crushing him in a hug! Great post!!!
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I know what you mean. This is one of my favorite images.

Chris Weigand via Google+

10 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
See what Toi has to say about her writing inspiration and DC Comics.
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Chris Weigand

10 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Although I enjoy DC I am more of a Marvel fan. Interesting post and a little bit of history about DC comics.
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Oh, don't you worry. I'm gonna talk about Marvel too. :D

Nikki McDonagh

10 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Great post Toi. In the UK comics like these weren't readily available when I was young, but my brother used to get them from a market stall in my local town centre and I'd pinch them when he was out and read. I loved them.
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I've been learning more and more about the comic book industry in other countries and it's fascinating how different things are. I've been trying to get into more independent and foreign comics just to expand my mind.

Rich Feitelberg via Google+

10 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
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Rich Feitelberg

10 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
If you are comparing DC comics to say Marvel, it's hard to say which is better. I will say, that DC has stayed true to the original concepts of the character compared to Marvel. When Thor is a goddess and Toni Stark is a woman, I just feel lost in a world I've never seen before.
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I personally don't like to compare D.C. and Marvel. I enjoy them both for different reasons, which I will touch on later. You make a valid point though. I feel these two entities exist for the variety they offer. Some readers want comic books that stick to a set standard or character arc while others want to challenge and change things with the times. I love that both Marvel and D.C. have a signature style that appeals to many, if not all.

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