M J Mallon YA Author and Poet

Colleen’s Weekly Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge – Poet’s Choice

It’s been a while… I’ve missed writing poetry but I’ve been very busy trying to finish editing the second book in my series The Curse of Time and to be honest I’ve been struggling with it as it is a very ambitious project, especially as I work full-time. I’m getting there but still lots to do. My beta readers have been an enormous help and I’ve had lots of feedback after attending the SCBWI conference in November.

More about that here: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2019/11/06/scbwicon19-tips-for-newbies-writing-illustrating-conference-agents/

So, in the meantime a little poetry diversion is in order… inspired by a lovely robin that came to sit beside me whilst I was on my lunch break from work. This seems to happen to me quite a bit, last time it was a dragonfly! https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2019/09/29/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-146-synonymsonly/

The robin was very tame and stayed with me for some time. I was feeling sad, (it was the day after the terror attack on London Bridge, in which two young Cambridge University graduates died,) so his visit was very welcome and his gentle, unobtrusive time with me lifted my ailing spirits.

I’ve written a double Etheree…

Bench,

A bird,

Red-breasted,

So tame you rest,

Beside me Robin,

Two friends on a park bench,

One human, one of nature,

I appreciate your kind time,

Until you away… exploring far,

Hinting at possibilities you go.

I wonder what you notice in your world.

And why you chose that ground to explore,

When you could have stayed here with me,

In mindful meditation.

Maybe you’ll visit me,

Christmas day, perhaps?

To bring good cheer,

Until then,

Peace to,

You.

https://colleenchesebro.com/how-to-write-an-etheree-poem/

I wonder who will visit me next on the park bench…

Bye for now,

Book Review: Nightmareland by Dan Alatorre

Thanks to James Cudney for this fantastic review of Nightmareland #horror #anthology that I’m proud to be one of the contributing authors with my story Scrabble Boy. So many wonderful stories to choose from with lots of my friends too: Robbie Cheadle, Ellen Best and Adele Marie Park plus edited and compiled by Dan Alatorre.

Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Christmas Book Fair – New Collection – #Verse #Short Stories – Life’s Rich Tapestry : Woven in Words by Sally Cronin

Congratulations to Sally Cronin on her new release of verse, micro fiction and short stories.

Meet Guest Author, Richard Dee…

Meet author Richard Dee over at the story reading ape blog. #author #recommended

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

I’m Richard Dee and I’m from Brixham in South Devon. I wasn’t always a writer, it sort of sneaked up on me.

Write what you know, they always say. It’s good advice, you can speak with authority and use your knowledge and experience to make everything authentic.

What do you do when you love Scifi and Steampunk? How can you write what you know then?

Rather stupidly, I assumed that it would be easy to write about the future, or even an alternative now. There would be no need for research. After all, I told myself, you can’t research what hasn’t happened yet.

I got halfway down my first page before I realised just how wrong I was! Research is key, my worlds have to sound true, I start from what you know and take it somewhere else, blurring the line between what is and what might be. Then I…

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The Magister

Jack Eason is sharing a snippet of his new story Magister. #mustread

Have We Had Help?

95198-magister-keldonus

Here is a snippet of my latest Work In Progress.

~~~

For years he had been troubled by the simplistic conclusions of academia concerning our past on this planet. Not one academic had provided an answer that didn’t adhere to accepted conventional thinking. It was long past time that someone put them straight!

~~~

On reaching his seventieth birthday, a fundamental change occurred in him. James began to experience what in the beginning were strange dreams. For instance, in his dreams he no longer slept in a bed. Instead his body floated in the air a few feet above ground, surrounded by a protective sphere. Nothing and no one could harm him while he remained inside. As for feeding himself, in his dreams he grazed all day long. No longer needing to eat a sleep inducing heavy three course meal, or breakfast and lunch.

In every respect he was an…

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7 Psychological Tricks For Book Promotion

Interesting marketing ideas from Nicholas Rossis. #mustread #marketing #books

Nicholas C. Rossis

Image: Gerd Altmann, Pixabay

Book marketing has come a long way since Medieval scribes advertised their services in the Middle Ages. For one thing, there is an entire branch of psychology that deals specifically with marketing. I recently came across a great post by a marketing student with 7 psychological tricks you can use in marketing. That post formed the basis of this one, only this one deals with book promotion in particular instead of marketing in general. I hope you find it useful!

1. Your Book Needs To Fit Your Genre

It’s important to understand your readers and what they expect from you. Every genre has some common traits. And you need to respect that.

Everything about your book, from your title to the book cover, needs to fit your genre.

Let’s take YA fiction, for example. Your readers will probably be 15-to-25-years-old. The most…

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Review Rogue Elements – The Gamma Sequence Book 2 by Dan Alatorre

FROM USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DAN ALATORRE

THE PAST DOESN’T DIE. IT WAITS TO BE FORGOTTEN.

After completing the biggest case of his career, private detective Hank DeShear returns home to start treatment for a disabling genetic condition that could end his life, but he learns his partner on the prior case has just been murdered. Was he wrong to conclude the secretive killer known as The Greyhound had declared a truce? Or have disciples of The Greyhound surfaced to carry on with the murders?

DeShear is able to attach himself to an overseas goodwill mission headed by the U. S. Vice President, enabling him to pursue leads in foreign hospitals he thinks could be offshoots of Angelus Genetics’ illegal organ harvesting programs and human trafficking operations. Determined to pursue the truth wherever it leads, DeShear must also keep a low profile so he doesn’t become the next murder victim—but the onset of his debilitating condition may kill DeShear before the murderer gets a chance.

FANS OF ROBIN COOK AND MICHAEL CRICHTON WILL LOVE THE LATEST ADDITION TO THIS WELL-WRITTEN AND SUSPENSEFUL SERIES.

My review:

This is very different from my usual go to read, (which is often YA Fantasy/Paranormal,) but that’s a good thing. It’s great to immerse yourself in new genres from time to time. Rogue Elements: The Gamma Sequence Book 2 is a Medical thriller which packs a punch, with some truly gripping moments which will stay with me for a long time. There are a couple of real, ‘Oh my God,’ instances.. where I could almost see the events/trauma unfolding before my eyes and making me squirm as if it was happening to me…

You really wouldn’t want that!

Dan Alatorre is a talented multi-genre author with wide ranging abilities extending from, for example: cookery books, to paranormal, thrillers, sci/fiction, horror, realistic fiction/fatherly experiences and even romance!

But, from reading this second book in the Rogue Elements series, (unfortunately I haven’t read the first,) and his short stories in Nightmareland I get a gut feeling that his writing style excels whilst scaring and thrilling his readers!

Therefore, if you crave books that aren’t afraid to broach difficult subjects and touch upon dreadful evils such as ruthless organ harvesting – this is for you! Rogue Elements is a fast paced narrative, full of engaging dialogue and the characters are well written and believable.

Alatorre’s strength lies in his ability to write scenes that are almost cinematic in their execution. I wish I could say more but if I did it would spoil the book for you and I really don’t want to do that.

My recommendation: Highly recommended. 5 stars.

Please note: I received a copy from the author but this in no way influences my review.

So, what’s next on my reading shelf?

I’m currently reading Philip Pullman’s Northern Lights which was recommended by a colleague at work, who complimented me saying that there are similarities in our writing style! Now, that’s a compliment… More about that soon, plus do come back for more Indie Book Reviews…

What are you reading? Have you read Dan Alatorre’s Rogue Elements: The Gamma Sequence?

Social Media Links

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

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

If you are serious about it, writing ain’t easy

Wise words from Jack Eason about #writing #writefromtheyesofthereader to avoid formulaic writing

Have We Had Help?

In a post I became aware of on someone’s blog via a link today thanks to a blogger friend, its author was talking about whether or not it might be a good idea to employ story-boarding when it comes to writing fiction. To the uninitiated, it may sound like a sensible suggestion. But, while new writers might wish to employ the technique, writers like myself largely refrain from doing so for the simplest of reasons.

Most full time writers (I include myself in this group) will tell you that writing a story is a dynamic process where ideas constantly change direction during the story’s evolution. By relying rigidly on a mapped out storyline, it is far too easy to literally ‘paint yourself into a corner’. I’m a firm believer in ‘flexibility’ being the key to good writing.

One other valid point to consider – story-boarding is just another name for…

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The Wyrd Shop #Edinburgh #crystals #writing inspiration #mindfulness #walkingmeditation

My latest post on The Sisters Of The Fey blog.

M E Hembroff: Voices of Yesterday #NewRelease #PlaistedPublishingHouse

The Voices of Yesterday

Description

In part one Kate is confused and overwhelmed about her parents’ divorce. Her teacher gives the class an assignment to research and write about a historical event, person or place in Riverdale. Kate chooses the Franklin Manor where she lives with her Mom. Her classmate Rose finds information about a fire that left Kate’s Gran an orphan. Kate sets this information aside until she has completed her assignment. As Kate continues her research, she finds her Great Aunt Rebecca’s journal. She stumbles across a link between the Franklin’s and her family. What is that link? How does it affect Kate?

In part two Kate and her mom spend the summer at her Gran’s farm. Kate helps her Mom sort through the items hoarded over the years. She finds old journals written by her Great, Great Grandmother. Old treasures turn up in unexpected locations. A rift has developed between Kate and her dad. She doesn’t accept that he has a girlfriend who he intends to marry. Will Kate find all the family secrets? Will she resolve her issues with her dad?

Author Biography

Marjorie was imaginative since early childhood. She grew up on a farm, before television, where there was lots of scope for imagination. Marjorie did art and writing assignments in school. After she had married and moved to Alberta Marjorie took art and writing classes, some by correspondence. Marjorie joined an art club and took part in their shows. At that time she started to have strange dreams. In these dreams, she held a book with blank pages and no cover. In other dreams, there was a series of books with no covers. Marjorie told one of the art group members about the dreams. That artist had learned to interpret dreams. She told Marjorie she was supposed to write the stories and draw the pictures for the covers. Shortly after that Tiny in Gramma Mouse Tells a Story was born. It wasn’t long before the idea for Bess’s Magical Garden surfaced.

Marjorie’s favorite author has always been L.M. Montgomery. In some ways, she felt akin to Anne the main character in the Anne books.

Marjorie has since written and self-published Gramma Mouse Tells a Story, Bess’s Magical Garden and the sequel The Mystery of the Hidden Cabin. She now resides in Strathmore Alberta. Her books are sold at local craft sales every fall and Christmas as well as on Amazon. She has also written numerous stories. Some can be found on her website.

Book Links