Special Feature – I Read Canadian Darlene Foster, D G Kaye, & Christy Birmingham #nowmorethanever #ireadcanadian @ireadcanadian

I discovered about #ireadcanadian from Darlene Foster’s instagram page:

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

Today, I am featuring three wonderful ladies from Canada, Debby Gies (D G Kaye,) Darlene Foster and Christy Birmingham. You might remember that in 2019 I travelled to Canada with my two daughters, Natasha and Georgina for a special girls’ trip! We visited Montreal and I absolutely loved it. Would love to go back one day.

So, I’ve chosen to go with a travel theme for the first two books I’m reading for #ireadcanadian

Debby, Darlene and Christy are all wonderfully inspiring, fantastic supporters of the writing and blogging community. As they say in Scotland, lovely lassies too!

I’ve been meaning to read Darlene and Christy’s books, so I thought here’s an opportunity to do so and have a mini readathan!

Darlene Foster is a Children’s author, traveller, dreamer of dreams, teller of tales. Darlene writes middle grade tales about a young girl, Amanda travelling abroad to exotic destinations. The travel appealed to me especially right now as we are unable to go anywhere! So, I fancied being whisked away to the Middle East, (my dad worked in Abu Dhabhi and Dubai and often reminisces about his time there,) so I chose to read Amanda in Arabia, The Perfume Flask.

She has a whole lot more books too!

https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/supermegawoman

http://www.darlenefoster.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/darlene6490/

D G Kaye is a nonfiction/memoir #author who writes about women’s issues, life & overcoming adversity. I’ve read D G Kaye before, I loved her writing in her memoir, P.S. I Forgive You, a personal account of the author’s experiences of coping and coming to terms with the emotions experienced after the death of a narcissistic mother. This time, I’m taking a look at a different kind of book from D. G. Kaye, I’m reading Have Bags Will Travel which I think will be an absolute scream! I’ve already started it and find it so witty!

Debby has lots of books to read… check these out…

https://dgkayewriter.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dgkaye

https://twitter.com/pokercubster

https://www.instagram.com/dgkaye/

https://www.amazon.com/D.G.-Kaye/e/B00HE028FO

The lovely, Christy Birmingham… she has the most informative, inspiring and interesting blog: https://whenwomeninspire.com/

Poetry is a particularly appropriate choice as I am releasing a new poetry book soon. With that in mind, I chose Christy Birmingham’s Versions of The Self, which sounds so interesting, personal and unusual.

Christy’s debut collection is Pathways to Illumination which is available exclusively at Redmund Productions: http://redmundpro.com/book-store/pi/  

The book follows one woman’s journey following the end of an abusive relationship. Read how she struggles to rise from darkness, a soul reaching for light, with words that weave hope and despair through the pages.

Christy Birmingham, Owner of When Women Inspire. Taking empowerment and motivation to the next level. Author | Blogger | Copywriter

https://whenwomeninspire.com/

https://twitter.com/christybis

https://www.facebook.com/whenwomeninspire

My blog posts about my trip to Montreal, Canada in 2019:

Looking forward to reviewing these wonderful books soon.

I may not be Canadian but I do love the international feel this kind of promo brings.

Happy #ireadcanadianday!

AUTHOR SOCIAL MEDIA DETAILS

Authors Website:https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Authors Amazon Pagehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

#ABRSC – Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

This Is Lockdown Paperback Release!!! #Christmas #Book #Sale #covid19 #poetry #flashfiction #anthology

The paperback for This Is Lockdown is now available to buy on Amazon at the super duper introductory offer price of £6.99/$9.31!

What a bargain.

It is a shorter version (without the diaries,) with black and white photography to include Covid19 Flash Fiction, contributions from the ‘isolation writers,’ poets and creatives.

Book Description – This Is Lockdown – Paperback verison

An anthology and compilation of short stories, flash fiction, contributions from the ‘isolation writers,’ plus poetry written during the time of lockdown in the UK.

This anthology and compilation is for everyone, wherever you live in the world. We are all experiencing the impact of COVID19 and lockdown. As writers, bloggers and creatives we express our thoughts and opinions in writing: in heartfelt poetry, pieces on isolation and the impact of COVID19 and the ‘new normal.’ There are twenty eight talented contributors, including the creative NHS Mask Making Fundraising Team of Jane Horwood and Melissa Santiago Val. The contributors come from as far afield as Australia, Canada, USA and Zimbabwe, or closer to my current home in England – in Ireland, Scotland and Italy.

It is as Willow Willers, a contributor said, ‘A piece of living history.’

This extraordinary and unexpected time period will be shared with future generations one day.

Compiling and editing this anthology has given me a purpose over the period of Lockdown and for that I am grateful. The book showcases several authors and their thoughts on what it is like to experience ‘isolation’ as a writer. In the final part of the book I include my latest short story idea: a YA romance and various short pieces of poetry, and flash fiction inspired by the pandemic.

The wonderful contributing authors and creatives are many in number!

Richard Dee, (Sci Fi , Steampunk, Amateur Detective author,) Catherine Fearns, (Amazon Bestselling Author of Police Procedural/Mysteries and Music Journalist,) Lynn Fraser, (Author,) Jackie Carreira, (Writer, musician, designer and aspiring philosopher,) Willow Willers, (Poet and writer,) Sharon Marchisello, (Murder Mystery, Financial non-fiction,) Fi Phillips , (Author, Copy Writer) Jeannie Wycherley, (dark stories, suspense, horror,) Chantelle Atkins, (urban fiction, teen/YA,) Tracie Barton-Barrett, (Speaker/author,) Peter Taylor- Gooby, (Crime, Love Stories, Political Fiction,) Ritu Bhathal, (Chick Lit romance, poet,) Alice May , (Author, Artist and Speaker,) Miriam Owen, (Blogger and Doctoral Researcher,) Drew Neary and Ceri Williams (Ghost Horror, Supernatural,) Katherine Mezzacappa, (author name: Katie Hutton,) (Historical Fiction/Romance,) Sally Cronin, (huge supporter of indie community/blogger/author) Debby Gies (D G Kaye), (Memoirist/NonFiction,) Adele Marie Park, (Fantasy, horror, urban fantasy,) Marian Wood, (blogger, poet and writer.) Samantha Murdoch, (Writer, Blogger,) Beaton Mabaso (Blogger, African Storyteller,) Frank Prem  (Poet, Author,) Anne Goodwin (Author, Book Blogger) Sherri Matthews (Writer, Photographer, Blogger,) andJane Horwood and Melissa Santiago-Val – Community Masks 4 NHS

Thank you so much to each one of them for being a part of this project.

Please do visit their websites and buy their books to discover the huge variety of writing and creative talent amongst them ranging from talented short story and poetry writers to horror, fantasy, supernatural thriller, romance and memoir writing. And more!!! Plus the wonderful fundraising Community Masks 4 NHS initiative from Jane Horwood and Melissa Santiago-Val which has become Sew Positive.

There truly is something for everyone amongst this international group of writers and creatives who are based in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Italy, America and Zimbabwe.

This is a tough time for writers as it is for everyone. The arts and creative industry is under threat as are businesses worldwide.

PLEASE NOTE – The paperback does not include my personal COVID diaries originally published on the kindle. These are available to read on the kindle version of This Is Lockdown.

Buying Links Paperback:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Lockdown-COVID19-isolation-creatives/dp/1999822455/

The Christmas Countdown sale continues for This Is Lockdown in kindle and Mr. Sagittarius in kindle and paperback. Price is going up soon so check Amazon for the latest price!!!

Kindle Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Lockdown-COVID19-Diaries-Fiction-ebook/dp/B08CD1MCFB/

Kindle Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/This-Lockdown-COVID19-Diaries-Fiction-ebook/dp/B08CD1MCFB/

Same with Mr. Sagittarius, check Amazon for latest sale price!!!

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Sagittarius-Poetry-Prose-Mallon-ebook/dp/B084DQV3HW/

And the paperback is currently reduced to £6.99/$9.29

Universal link: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

Also check out the low price offer on my YA fantasy The Curse of Time too, which is being kept on special low price until the release of the second in the series.

The Curse of Time is available in kindle and in paperback:

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

So, now that the paperback of This Is Lockdown is done what’s next?

Lots of projects for 2021. But, first will be the edits of my YA Fantasy The Curse of Time Book 2 Golden Healer which I have neglected – there is still much to do!

All the best for a happy and restful festive break.

Much love,

Authors Websitehttps://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

Carrot Ranch Literary Community #flash #fiction

November 5, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about lost time. You can write a realistic scenario or something speculative. How does lost time impact the character of your story? Bonus points if you include a 1982 brown rubber watch Go where the prompt leads!

Stan picked up an imaginary sand timer, turned it over and watched as the grains of sand ran. He didn’t say a word. His grandchildren were playing on the beach building sandcastles, oblivious to his moment of sadness. On his wrist, he wore a 1982 brown rubber watch. It was now 2020. The watch had long since given up ticking, but he’d never throw it out. It would be terrible to do so. The watch belonged to his beautiful wife and brought back happy memories.

 June died in 1983, was never fancy but always special.

Webinar #5: Decoding Horror Genre For Writers – YouTube

Happy Halloween! I’m listening to Heena’s Webinar about decoding Horror.

MarySmith’sPlace – Cancer Diary #01

I’m so sad to read Mary’s latest blog. She has been diagnosed with lung cancer. This blog is the start of her cancer diary. She is sharing her experiences through her blog and others in a similar position might wish to connect with her: https://marysmithsplace.wordpress.com/2020/09/06/marysmithsplace-cancer-diary-01/

Please support and send her your love by leaving a comment on her blog. Annoyingly FB has marked her blog posts as unable to share via the usual share buttons. This is happening to my lovely writing friends in the community for no apparent reason. It is particularly unfair at a time when Mary needs our support the most.


She is a fascinating lady and a wonderful member of our writing community who I have met in person at many of the London based blogging bashes.

If you don’t know Mary Smith, this is the link to her about page: https://marysmithsplace.wordpress.com/about/

And her latest afghanistan adventures blog post: https://marysmithsplace.wordpress.com/2020/09/05/marysmithsplace-travels-with-a-sheep-afghanistanadventures-51/

Some news: My Blog Now Has A Mailing List!! Wannabe Subscribers!!!

I’ve finally taken the plunge after six years… yes it has taken me this long to add a subscribers email pop up. You can also subscribe by clicking on the image above, (that will take you to a landing page to subscribe.)

Newsletters:

04/12/2022 Newsletter Dec 2022 – New Poetry Book and Cover Competition for Golden Healer

29/09/2022 Newsletter May 2022 – Come Join My Team

27/01/2022 Newsletter – Launch of YA Paranormal Fantasy Golden Healer 

09/25/2021 – November Blog Tour, plus Reviews and Community News

08/22/2021 – Incredible 5 star reviews for Bloodstone, votes and MJ’s own reviews.

 07/23/2021 – An Invitation To Join My ARC Team  –  Book Sirens

05/06/2021 – Thrilled To Announce I Have A Publishing Contract!!!

03/02/2021 – FREE FOR SUBSCRIBERS NEW RELEASE!!!

 02/27/2021 – Welcome – New Release: Lockdown Innit Poetry

02/23/2021 – FREE FOR SUBSCRIBERS NEW RELEASE!!! 

01/22/2021 – January Newsletter: 5 star reviews of Mr. Sagittarius  and a free kindle offer today 22 January on Amazon

12/13/2020 – Happy Holidays! December Newsletter Kindle and Paperback Sales and much more! 

10/26/2020 – Halloween News, reviews and authors features

09/20/2020 – Want to Be Spellbound? Do You Dare?

08/12/2020 – Bookish News, and Photography Tips

 07/16/2020 – Blog Tour and Release of This Is Lockdown

06/30/2020 – First Official Newsletter – Book Alert & Free Book! 

Why?

I had a feeling it would be tricky to do and I was right.

In fact, it is probably the worst blogging job I’ve ever had to do… EEK…

But, the good old happiness engineers helped me. So, I hope it works…

I’d love it if you would test the subscribe to my blog via the pop up! Yes, there is a pop up on my blog which you can add your email address to. I promise not to spam you with lots of unnecessary emails. Just the odd hello, some freebies and news from time-to-time.

Thank you in hopeful anticipation.

I’ve created these three social media thingy me jigys via Canva

Cover Reveal: This Is Lockdown #COVID19 #diaries #shortstories #flash #poetry #Isolation #Writers

Excited to share my new writing project: This Is Lockdown.

A book of my diaries, (from a writers perspective with lots of family anecdotes,) short stories, flash fiction and poetry set during lockdown in UK.

I created the ebook cover on Canva using a photograph in my own collection of images, a magical gate in Cambridge, you might perhaps have seen it before?

There’s lots of personal stories, including baking ones…

There’s skype chats and all manner of thoughts and feelings expressed: from serious, sad, anxious meltdowns to humorous glimpses of the bizarre nature of life during COVID19.

And there’s lots of exercise… oddly shared with various members of the insect kingdom.

I share my thoughts on the politics of the moment.

I will continue writing my diaries in case there is a book two in this series. I hope there won’t be! I hope we escape a second wave but the way things are going…

There are two poetry pieces from blogging friends: Willow Willers and Marion Wood.

And the collection also features the 18 ‘Isolation writers’ who featured on my blog sharing their thoughts on isolation during COVID19: Richard Dee, Alice May, Jeannie Wycherley, Ritu Bhathal, Marion Wood, Willow Willers, Jackie Carreira, Fiona Phillips, Andrew Neary, Ceri William’s, Katherine Mezzacappa, Peter Taylor-Gooby, Chantelle Atkins, Sharon Marshisello, Tracie Barton-Barrett, Catherine Fearns, Lynn Fraser and Miriam V. Owen.

This Is Lockdown is currently in draft stage and is with beta readers.

I’m looking for blog tour hosts.

If you’d be interested in joining my street team for the book launch let me know in the comments below.

I have a small but friendly group for this project on Facebook – Isolation For Writers:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/910013342773315/

Please let me know if you’d like to join.

Stay safe and well.

Vote for a cover!

Via Dan Alatorre’s blog: Adele Marie would like you to vote for her new cover. Cast your vote!

Dan Alatorre AUTHOR's avatarDAN ALATORRE

Adele is trying out cover ideas for her latest story. Which cover looks best? Tell me in the comments section below.


Cover 1:

Blank 6 x 9 in copy maybe


Cover 2:

3rd try(1)


Cover 3:

Blank 6 x 9 in (2)(2)


Cover 4:

Blank 6 x 9 in (1)


Cover 5:

3rd try


Let us know which one you think looks best!

Comment below!

View original post

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Author Updates – #Reviews – #Poetry M.J. Mallon, #Mystery Sharon Marchisello, #Paranormal Marcia Meara

Thank you to Sally for all her support of #authors by sharing #reviews. So appreciate it.