Category: Blogging Collaboration

#Blue Sky Tag Challenge – #Blogchallenge – Tag, You’re it!

 

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I’ve been invited to hop on to the Blue Sky Tag Challenge by  Debby Gies

The rules of the challenge are:

11 tags, 11 answers, 11 questions

Use the Blue Sky banner  (that Rachael Ritchey designed).

It is sort of polite to mention the person who tagged you (even if you are busy and have not time for fun)

You need to answer the 11 questions set by your tagger (even though you wonder where they dredged them up from)

You will need to make up 11 original and interesting or funny questions for those you tag.

You need to tag 11 people

You can read Debby’s post and the answers to her questions here: https://dgkayewriter.com/blue-sky-tag-challenge-blogchallenge-tag-it/

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And now for Debby’s Questions:

  1.  What would you be doing if you weren’t a writer?

Ah, I’d dream of being someone else! I’ve always felt trapped in the typical day job scenario,  in need of an outlet for my creativity. If I hadn’t become a writer I might have dabbled in photography. My grandfather and uncle were both photographers and ran a photography business before the Second World War. Creativity is in the genes! Or I’d have worked in education in some capacity. I believe very strongly that education is the foundation of a balanced and open society. I love to study – if only I could be a perpetual student! Now that would be fun.

      2. Share one thing you’d like to do on your bucket list.

Travel more. I’d love to explore all the wonderful and exotic places in the world. In our family’s genes there’s this deep desire to wander to far off lands. My dad worked abroad for many years in the Far East, Middle East, and Africa and now my eldest daughter is following in his footsteps. She’s been away for a year teaching English As A Foreign Language in South Korea. It’s my turn next. I’d love to live abroad and maybe one day I will.

      3. Your favorite holiday destination.

Oh, so many places do I have to pick just one? I love Portugal, Greece, the Balearic Isles, the Caribbean, Rome, Malaysia, Singapore, etc, etc. Take me there. Oh, this question reminds me how much I need a holiday abroad.

      4. Name the best movie you’ve seen in a long time.

Oh dear this makes me sad. I haven’t been to the movies for such a long time. I intend to go but never get round to doing so. I will try to rectify this soon.

      5. If you could have one do-over, what would it be?

By do-over I expect you mean make-over? Recently I’ve been getting my nails done and I have to admit that I’m in danger of getting hooked. I love to have pretty nails. It’s important that I look presentable for my day job as I work as a receptionist for a private sixth form in Cambridge.

      6. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I am tempted to say either Portugal or France. Still thinking about this…

      7. Your favorite all time book?

Pinocchio. His nose gets me every time. Now that’s a lie, I appreciate Pinocchio and his tricky nose situation but I love so many books it is very difficult to pick just one. My favourite genre is fantasy but I also enjoy thrillers, crime, romance, memoirs, and the occasional horror.

      8. Tell us one quirky thing about you.

WHAT!!! Oh dear – confession time. I do this daft thing when no one is watching. It’s kind of like a kid would do. You know making little explosive noises. My brother does it too. It’s in the genes. Yes, I’m a bit crazy. Oh my!

      9. Write a one sentence quote for world peace.

Don’t be one of those people who is close-minded, be a warm-hearted person who lives and loves regardless of skin colour, race, and sexuality.

     10. Share one great thing blogging has done for you.

It’s made me more confident and adventurous. Prior to blogging I would have never met up with a bunch of strangers at a blogging event and now I do. I get such a buzz from attending the annual Blogger’s Bash in London.

     11. Name your favorite color and tell us why and what it represents to you.

It would have to be green. Green for go. Green for fresh cut grass. Green for shoots of possibilities. Green, green, green…

Tag! You’re it:

Ritu: https://butismileanyway.com/

Colleen Chesebro: https://colleenchesebro.com/ 

Annika Perry: https://annikaperry.com/ 

Samantha Murdoch:  https://samanthamurdochblog.wordpress.com/

Vashti Vega:  http://vashtiqvega.wordpress.com/

Craig: https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/  

Annette: https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/ 

Gary: https://fictionisfood.com/

Willow:  https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/ 

Wendy: https://wendyannedarling.com/

Rachael: https://rachaelritchey.com/

Here are your questions:

1. If you could travel to Mars would you go?

2. Do you like rock music or quiet ballads?

3. Are you a tidy freak or a messy pup?

4. Tell us about the most strange/extraordinary person you know.

5. Do you believe in love at first sight?

6. Which animal represents you the best?

7. Are you a theatre and/or film buff?

8. If you had to do a party trick would you love this or hate it?

9. What superpower would you love to have?

10. What’s your favourite food, and/or drink?

11. As a child were you naughty or nice? And which are you now…

If you don’t choose to join in, you are forgiven. and being that there are only 11 to be tagged, I welcome any and all of you to join in! 

Source: #Blue Sky Tag – Time for a little fun and distraction…#TGIF | Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life

 

Many thanks to Debby for tagging me.

Hope you enjoyed the Blue Sky Tag.

 

Cheerio for now, Blue Sky…

 

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For information about my privacy and GDPR compliance please visit: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2018/05/20/privacy-and-gdpr-compliance/

 

Buy Paperback Book link: http://mybook.to/TheCurseofTime
Unique Selling Point: Unique, Imaginative, ‘Charming, enchanting and richly layered this is purely delightful.’
“This delightful book will appeal to teens and young adults who love stories filled with magical crystals, dark family curses, and mysteries waiting to be solved around every corner. Each chapter leads you on a journey of discovery where Amelina earns the right to use three wizard stones to reset the balance of time and finally break the curse that holds her family hostage. A captivating tale!” – Colleen M. Chesebro (Editor)

Social Media:
Authors Media Kit: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2018/02/13/media-kit/
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group:

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
Tumblr: http://mjmallonauthor.tumblr.com/

 

#ABRSC Christmas/New Year Blog Hop Party December 1st!!!

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I will be hosting a Christmas/New Year Blog Hop Party December 1st where I will be revealing the book I have chosen to buy, read and review as my Christmas present to a fellow author and club member of the #ABRSC.

Please consider joining the #ABRSC group, it has grown and is a wonderfully supportive  club full of resources for authors/bloggers and reviewers. I am so proud of the group and the wonderful members. We currently have 164 members!

Here are the party guidelines:

1. Buy a fellow member’s book. Read and review between 1st of December and 6th January and share on Amazon, Goodreads, and your blog if you have one. Link your review to your blog post party when you have completed it.
2. Share your blog post and reviews on Twitter using the hashtag #ABRSC
3. Try if possible to review someone’s book you haven’t read before or in a different genre from one you would normally read.
4. Link back to the last person who joins the party. So we have a chain effect of party goers! Don’t forget to bring music, cake and lots of cheer! Remember to include any Christmas news you wish to share.
5. You can buy and read more than one book if you want.
6. Write reviews that are fair but honest. Apply a star rating, and write as long or short a review as you wish.
7. Choose a date between 2nd December and 6th January to write your blog post and add it to the comments below. Select a person to review and the name of their book, add these to the comments below so we don’t get duplicate people being reviewed more than twice. One member per review. Only review #ABRSC members. If in doubt get in touch with me, Debby or  Colleen.
8. You may reblog other members posts on your blog if you wish, this may encourage new people to join the club which would be great!

Hope you will consider joining in the blog hop party, I think it will be a fun way to start of Christmas advent.

Bye for now,

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My social media links:

Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club

Fellow Administrators of our Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club #ABRSC on Facebook, myself, my good friends Colleen Chesebro and Debby Gies. Click on Colleen’s and Debby’s photos to be directed to their awesome blogs. These ladies rock!

https://mjmallon.com
https://colleenchesebro.com/
http://dgkayewriter.com/

Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time

Instagram

Facebook

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Three Year Anniversary!!!

My Third YearBlogANNIVERSARY

Yes, its official my baby Kyrosmagica turned three this week! Where did those years go? Now that I’m past the infancy stage I’m puzzled. I have no idea where that time went. I can’t really say… but what I can say is this, I have enjoyed these years mightily and have grown so much as a person. Forget Popeye’s spinach, blogging has been amazing for my confidence. I’d recommend it to everyone!

In fact, one of my recent posts has been featured in SCBWI’s online magazine – self publishing discussion with authors Debra Edwards and Camilla Chester: Words and Pictures.

Recently, I set up a new initiative on Facebook – my Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club.  I have a new baby! It’s doing well and I can see it growing which is lovely.

What is is about?

Don’t worry it is not a cult! LOL… It is a friendly community of authors/bloggers/book reviewers working together to support each other in a multitude of ways – e.g. by writing or sharing reviews, highlighting author spotlights/book launches/interviews, and posting writing/poetry/blogging tips, or tips about writing reviews, or discussing general topics of interest.

DON’T FEEL THAT YOU HAVE TO DO ALL OF THESE!!!! LOL!!

Also, I hope that it will be a place that you can ask for help and advice if you need it. Writing can be isolating so feel free to find some writing chums here. Just join in as and when you can. Any content about books is really welcome whether it is pretty pictures of books you’ve read, or libraries you’ve visited, etc. Also occasionally do feel free to post news to tell your blogging friends what you are up to. Especially, if you’ve just published a book, won a prize, been nominated for an award, or you’ve been somewhere creative, interesting, or exciting! For instance, I posted my British Museum photos which I had uploaded using Ripl, which I thought might be of interest to fellow Instagram enthusiasts.

 

Thank you to all the contributors and to my fabulous Administrators: Colleen Chesebro and Debby Gies.

I’d like to share the following links that have recently appeared on the club page:

A writer’s dilemma – when to use which or that? A post by Adirondack Editing via
https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2017/04/21/editing-101-34-when-to-use-which-or-that/

A get fit and healthy campaign that bloggers can join – Sally Cronin: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2017/04/21/lets-walk-a-marathon-the-internal-fitness-programme-coming-next-week/

Colleen Chesebro’s review of author Seumas Gallacher’s Savage Pay Back, which gets five stars but apparently isn’t for the faint-hearted! More about that here: https://colleenchesebro.com/2017/04/21/colleens-book-reviews-savage-payback-book-3-in-the-jack-calder-crime-series-by-author-seumas-gallacher/

Debby Gies interview with Sally Cronin: https://dgkayewriter.com/who-has-a-new-book-guest-author-sally-cronin-whats-in-a-name/

Norah Colvin shared Ten Things About Poetry and Me – J R Poulter and J R McRae: https://gumbootspearlz.org/2017/04/21/ten-things-about-poetry-and-me-j-r-poulterj-r-mcrae/

Debby Gies shared J. E. Spina’s Summer Reading For Kids of All ages https://jemsbooks.wordpress.com/2017/04/19/summer-reading-for-kids-of-all-ages/

Norah Colvin shared readilearn’s author/illustrator interview with Chrissy Byers. http://www.readilearn.com.au/meet-author-illustrator-chrissy-byers/

Marsha contributed a post about how to share Guest Reviews to her blog http://marshajustwrites.com/a-book-reviews/

Debby shared Sally Cronin’s interview with debut author Paige Adams: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2017/04/20/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-new-on-the-shelves-tales-of-ejoma-dual-realms-book-one-by-paige-addams/

And Sally’s airing of reviews of authors John W Howell and Marcia Meara: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2017/04/20/smorgasbord-book-promotion-air-your-reviews-john-w-howell-and-marcia-meara/

If you are interested in joining the club do pop over to the Facebook pages.

Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club – General/Enquiries Page

Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club – Member Page

You are welcome to leave a comment on the Facebook general enquiries page above, or here, or email me: marjma2014@gmail.com to find out more.

So that’s it for now, I have to read through my manuscript. I’m on the final push, this baby is past the toddler stage – she has to stop her tantrums!

Before I go I’d like to invite you to celebrate with me. I’ve got a little question which you might like to answer below… How long have you been blogging, and what has it done for you? Please feel free to leave your answer and one link that you’d like to highlight in the comments below. Many thanks. 

 

Bye for now,

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Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter.

I’m still on a bit of a blogging break until my eldest daughter returns to University so will be somewhat scarce in blogging land.

I had a wonderful holiday up in Edinburgh but it was all too short…

Here are some of my photos:

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That’s one of me and my daughter Georgina before I had my lunch…. I tend to shrink when I’m hungry! We were at a very nice restaurant called The Railbridge Bistro in South Queensferry which overlooks the bridges and has haggis on the menu!

And here’s my lovely mum and dad… Missing them…

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My dad hates the cold, and though the view at South Queensferry is amazing it was bitterly chilly… My mum looks okay, in fact she dares to look a bit amused but poor dad…

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Since I’ve been back in Cambridge, I’ve had a lovely time with my eldest daughter who is visiting from University.

Recently we went out to a cafe in Cambridge…

And she approved of my photo…  The drink looks like some sort of Dr Who concoction but I believe it is a green tea matcha. Oh, by the way did you see the Dr Who episode last night? If you did I bet you didn’t dare have a shower or bath before bedtime. I love it when Dr Who gets all scary!

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Then, there’s me all dressed up as I had work afterwards. Recently, I started working part-time at Ann Summers – which is a strangest job I have ever had! It’s a bit like marmite some days I love it, some days I hate it! Ha ha…. It’s a tricky one for an introvert with extrovert tendencies. Anyway, that plate in front of me is the remains of a very tasty Orange and Polenta cake that we shared at Espresso Library cafe in Cambridge.

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Before I go let me say a big thank you to all the contributors to my Facebook Rainbow Support Club in my absence.

Here are just some of the wonderful links that have appeared:

http://marshajustwrites.com/accidental-tourist/

https://dgkayewriter.com/who-has-a-new-book-the-swamp-fairy-colleen-cheseboro/

http://allanhudson.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/4q-interview-and-excerpt-with-guest.html

https://steviet3.wordpress.com/2017/04/13/friday-roundup-on-a-thursday-13th-april/

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2017/04/15/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-author-book-reading-and-interview-d-g-kaye/

https://jennyinneverland.com/2017/04/14/bloggers-revealed/

https://scvincent.com/2017/04/12/guest-author-sarah-brentyn-where-i-spin-self-doubt-into-a-post/

https://scvincent.com/2017/04/14/guest-author-d-wallace-peach-room-to-breathe/

All the contributors have done a fabulous job of making the page a fantastic resource of information, help, and collaboration for fellow writers/bloggers.

Do pop over to the club page and take a look, and come give the club some love: Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club.

If you’d like to join the club please do message myself either in the comment below or contact me on my email marjma2014@gmail.com, or chat about it with Colleen Chesebro or Debby Gies, my two fabulous blogging buddies who administer the running of the club with me.

All the best for a lovely Easter.

Do pop over to my Instagram page to see the rest of my photos: My Instagram

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Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club

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Welcome, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the latest members of my Author/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club.

The Rainbow Support Club endeavours to provide a friendly and welcoming community of like-minded bloggers, book reviewers and authors who support each other in every which way we can to promote and nurture our love of books, and writing.

First up to Team Awesome is Colleen Chesebro. Colleen is a totally supportive angel, and I’d like to nominate her as person extraordinaire of the club! I can vouch for Colleen’s  worthiness, and angelic qualities as she is currently helping me with my manuscript – The Curse of Time – and doing an amazing job. 🙂 Author, Colleen Chesebro has recently released her first book: The Heart Stone Chronicles: The Swamp Fairy, which I had the delight of reading and reviewing recently:  My 5 * Review of The Heartstone Chronicles: The Swamp Fairy by Colleen Chesebro. She has an awesome blog which I strongly advise you to follow:  https://colleenchesebro.com/. Colleen and I have become great friends and have discovered that we have a  wealth of shared interests.  I enjoy joining in with her weekly Tanka Challenge so much:  https://colleenchesebro.com/category/tanka-tuesday/.

Colleen is happy to help other authors by sharing their writing, editing, etc, and also will support them with posts about new book releases. In other words, if these lovely peeps write about writing, she will gladly take guest posts from them.  Colleen strongly believes that writing about your own experiences helps other authors learn.

Colleen is an experienced book reviewer, but due to her huge TBR pile she is unable to take on any further reviews at present but her reviews to date are accessible via this link: Colleen Chesebro Reviews. Colleen shares lots of interesting and informative material under the heading: Authors Supporting Authors, and also has a second blog: A Mindful Journey which is full of tips about weight loss, and balance in life so do investigate to find out more.

Karen Oberlaender is my next member, Karen is a dedicated reader and book blogger who blogs at: My Train of Thoughts On. Karen writes about her favourite quotes, the word of the day, ten statements from authors and has a section where you can add your book review blog to her website: Add Your Blog – Book Reviewers

Her personal motto is:

Smile! Don’t look back in anger.

Great motto!

Her first book –   ‘In a Small Compass, Vol. 1’ comprises 15 contemporary short fiction stories with paranormal streaks which take you on a journey to Boston, Dublin, Dundrum, Galway, Heidelberg, London, Munich, Nuremberg, Skerries, and other places.

In a Small Compass, Vol. 1 is currently available on Smashwords:

In a Small Compass – Vol. 1, an Ebook by Karen Oberlaender https://inasmallcompass.wordpress.com/

Yecheilyah Ysrayl is the author of Young Adult, African-American Literature and Poetry. The author of nine books, most notably The Stella Trilogy, Yecheilyah is also a Blogger and Book Reviewer and offers free Author Services through her blog:  The PBS Blog Author Services. Yecheilyah is currently working on her next book series, “The Nora White Story. Yecheilyah Ysrayl blogs at PBS – Pearls Before Swine: The PBS Blog: To Support An Author.  She reviews books on her blog, and adds these books to the Indie Author Page of her blog, and promotes author’s books through her email list. All for free. The PBS Blog: Free Author Services.

Author Allan Hudson supports many of his author friends on his blog by hosting guest author opportunities at his blog South Branch Scribbler.  Allan has written: Dark Side of A Promise, Shorts: Volume 1 – four tantalising stories, and Shorts: Volume 2 – five tantalising tales, and Shorts:  Volume 3 – Five tantalising tales. He  believes as I do that ‘We are all in this together,’ and he ‘enjoys helping other writers find a new audience.’ Allan blogs at: www.southbranchscribbler.ca.

Vashti Q blogs at The Writer Next Door. Vashti is very friendly and oh so chatty and I always get the feeling that she really is the girl next door!  Vashti takes part in many of my favourite link ups and shares my love of haiku. She enjoys doing author interviews, book/author spotlights, cover reveals and feature book releases. Her novel The Basement (Suspense/Thriller,) is aimed at the pre-teen/teen audience. To discover more about her writing follow the link: About The Basement.

Norah Colvin believes passionately about education and I do too! She does a once-a-month picture book author or illustrator spotlight on her readilearn blog http://www.readilearn.com.au/blog/  which is then reblogged on to her blog: http://www.NorahColvin.com 🙂

Read more about her wonderful resources via this link:http://readilearn.com.au

Mathematics is all around us. We use it every day for a wide range of purposes; from deciding on the sequence…

Annika Perry and I have been supporting each other for a good long while and have become blogging friends. She has a lovely, friendly blog which I urge you to follow.  Her ‘interests include books,’ and ‘she is an avid reader with a book or two constantly on the go.’ In her words:  ‘Life without books would seem unbearable.’ I couldn’t agree more!!

Annika’s love of books is evident in the depth of thought that goes into her excellent book reviews, so do pop over to her blog to find out more:

Annika Perry Book Reviews

Annika Perry – All About Books

Author Elise E. Rawls Author of Bleeding Heart – A collection of faith-based short stories/poems/riddles by the author about life’s journey, wonder and trial. Every writing is a little story taking you somewhere. Elise is also in the final proofreading stage with regards to her  Science Fiction & Fantasy / Speculative Fiction entitled Strayborn, Book #1 (V. Chronicles.) and has written an amusing personal account: Revising A Manuscript is Like Cleaning A Castle.  Elise has been known to  promote authors by doing author interviews on her blog. She offers this opportunity to (fantasy and sci-fi genres, and books that are clean reads). Follow the link to find out more: Author Interviews. Also, she hosts guest posts about fantasy, sci-fi, and writing topics, Guest Posts,  Book Reveals,  and Musing Reviews.

Phew… quite a few folks have now signed up for the club!!! In fact, I had to make sure that  I didn’t forget anyone… I hope I didn’t – if I did I apologise profusely.  It’s because my old brain cells don’t work as well as they used to, so if I have missed anyone out please don’t hesitate to give me a good old nudge!

In total, we now have 21  awesome members, including me!  LOL !!

The first group comprises these lovelies:  Shelley Wilson, Debby Gies, Sally Cronin, Jennifer Marston, Seumas Gallacher, Carol Hedges, Tina Frisco, Anita Dawes, and Jaye Marie, Heena Rathore Pardeshi, Loretta Milan, and Eloise De Sousa who you can meet here:  Group 1: Rainbow Support Club Team Members.

We are now on Facebook for members and non members:Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club

The group page for members only : Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club Members Group Page

Kyrosmagica blog continues to support authors in whatever way I can by writing reviews, author/blogger spotlights and interviews, so please don’t be shy, do get in touch if you’d like to be featured on Kyrosmagica.  

If you’d like to join the group and feature on my next listing please do get in touch by leaving a message here or emailing me at marjma2014@gmail.com.

Thanks.

Bye for now,

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