If We Were Having Coffee ☕️ Together: Catch Up On My Author Event Video & Bookish Stuff 📚#WritersLife

Lots of lovely news from Lucy Mitchell about her debut book. Instructions For Falling In Love Again.

COLLEEN’S 2019 WEEKLY #TANKA TUESDAY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 146 #SYNONYMSONLY

 

Red, devil’s needle,

Or luck bringer with kind eyes?

Ancient, sweet fellow,

Sacred magic bestower,

Change tumbling on fragile wings.

 

I added the last line as the dragonfly has such a short life like the butterfly and change can be fragile unless we encourage and nurture it and learn to be our better self.

This is my contribution to Colleen’s poetry challenge, inspired by an encounter with a dragonfly.

I will be writing about this soon on our collaborative blog The Sisters of The Fey.

To join in Colleen’s weekly poetry challenge follow the link: https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/09/24/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-146-synonymsonly/

 

Hope you enjoyed my poetry.

Happy Sunday. x

Buy Book: 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 Links

Authors Websitehttps://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Collaborative Bloghttps://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

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

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

‘More Glimpses’ And A Secret With Hugh W Roberts

Sherri Matthew’s is featuring Hugh’s short story compilation More Glimpses on her blog. Read about it here.

Sherri Matthews's avatarA View From My Summerhouse

Greetings, dear friends! After a few weeks away at work (memoir submission) and play (birthday fun, catch up post next week), today I’m delighted to welcome author, Hugh W Roberts, to the Summerhouse.

Hugh is on book blog tour with his second short story collection, More Glimpses. Thrilled to jump onboard and help spread the word, I knew I was in for a treat when Hugh’s book arrived in the post.

It is no secret to those of us who have read Hugh’s stories on his blog and debut collection Glimpses (published in 2016), that he knows how to keep us riveted with his masterful storytelling.

Whether funny, sad or downright deadly, from drama to comedy, science fiction, murder/mystery, paranormal and horror, Hugh leads us through a gamut of emotions and keeps us guessing to the end with a twist in every tale.

More Glimpses’ gives the…

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5th Halloween-Poem Contest

Now this is always fun to do. Aurora Alexander’s Halloween poetry contest…

aurorajeanalexander's avatarWriter's Treasure Chest

Picture courtesy of: http://preventioncdnndg.org/


It is a great pleasure for me to announce the
5th Halloween-Poem Contest
on ‘Writer’s Treasure Chest’.
************************************************

Every author, poet, and reader is invited to participate and deliver a “Halloween-Poem” to my email address: aurorajean.alexander@aol.com, together with their picture and a link to their blog/page.

There are a few rules to follow:

  • Your poem needs a Halloween theme.
  • Your poem needs a minimum of 99 words.
  • Your poem has to be delivered to my email address between October 10 and Halloween, October 31, 2018, 9 pm  Pacific Time.
  • Your poem has to be delivered together with your picture and a link to your blog/page.

Please avoid violence, bad language, and sexual content within the poems. It would be disqualified.

Every poem that meets the rules and is delivered within the deadline will be published here on “Writer’s Treasure Chest” together with the provided picture.

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Ghostly Romance Anthology Volume 1 – Plaisted Publishing House

I’m thrilled to be part of the latest anthology from Plaisted Publishing House.

Ghostly Romance Volume 1 – Media Kit

Have you lost a loved one? Do you see or hear them? This Anthology gives you a selection of Short Stories plus two poems about the ghosts who can’t move on, be it due to love or hate.

From the Highlands of Scotland to Wales, England, the USA & Canada, you will find something which suits you.

Thanks to participants the world over. M J Mallon, Cathy-Lee Chopping, Mara Reitsma, Karen J Mossman, C A Keith, C L Williams, Claire Plaisted, Dan McAteer & Michael Lynes

PLEASE NOTE THE ENGLISH SPELLING AND GRAMMAR OF FROM THE ORIGIN OF WHERE THE AUTHOR LIVES

STORIES & POETRY
A short story about the cover – Claire Plaisted
Ode to Love – A poem by M J Mallon
A Good Son by Karen Mossman
A Highland Haunting by Dan McAteer
Dream Threads by C A Keith
Frost of Heart by Michael Lynes
Reunited at Last by C L Williams
Winged Secrets by Mara Reitsma
Pride and Witchery by Cathy-Lee Chopping
Ed’s Shadow Poetry – A poem by M J Mallon

SALE LINKS:

https://www.scribd.com/book/425376799/Ghostly-Romance-Anthology-Volume-One-Ghostly-Romance-Anthology-1

https://www.kobo.com/nz/en/ebook/ghostly-romance-anthology-volume-one

https://www.amazon.com/Ghostly-Romance-Anthology-One-Writers-ebook/dp/B07XDLKFLV

https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1479666559

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/id1479666559

https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/id1479666559

https://itunes.apple.com/jp/book/id1479666559

https://itunes.apple.com/fr/book/id1479666559

https://itunes.apple.com/br/book/id1479666559

https://itunes.apple.com/de/book/id1479666559

https://itunes.apple.com/nl/book/id1479666559

https://itunes.apple.com/es/book/id1479666559

https://itunes.apple.com/mx/book/id1479666559

https://itunes.apple.com/it/book/id1479666559

https://itunes.apple.com/uk/book/id1479666559

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghostly-romance-anthology-volume-one-ghostly-writers/1133459783

AUTHOR LINKS
M J Mallon – https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com

Karen J Mossman – http://www.karenmossman.weebly.com

Cathy-Lee Chopping – https://www.facebook.com/cathyleechopping/

C.A. Keith – https://www.facebook.com/ca.keithwebstories/

Michael Lynes – https://mikelynes.wixsite.com/mlynesauthor/blog

C L Williams – www.facebook.com/writer434

Mara Reitsma – https://itybityqt.wixsite.com/marareitsma

Claire Plaisted – https://www.claireplaisted.wordpress.com

Do support us, we’d love it if you’d read and review our short stories and poetry.

Love to you all,

Social Media Links

Authors Websitehttps://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Collaborative Bloghttps://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

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

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

Buy Book: 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)

Book Launch for ‘A Ghost in the Kitchen’ by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

A huge welcome to a very special guest Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene. Teagan has some wonderful news, a new book. What could be more amazing? I’m thrilled to be participating with so many talented authors on her blog tour for A Ghost in the Kitchen. Join us on a imaginative tour…

Book launch for “A Ghost in the Kitchen” by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
Welcome to the launch party for A Ghost in the Kitchen! It’s a wild ride on a magical trolley through haunted Savannah, Georgia.

All the Pip stories by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All the Pip books by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene. Purchase links: The Three Things Serial Story, Murder at the Bijou, and A Ghost in the Kitchen
Thanks for hosting me for my novel launch and book fair.

It’s my absolute pleasure Teagan.
Hi everyone. I’m Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene, and I’ve brought a bunch of friends for this shindig on a magical 1920s trolley. First let me tell you a little about my new novel.
When my character, Paisley Idelle Peabody (better known as Pip) came along, I started writing a type of fiction that I never expected. Pip is a flapper. Her stories took me to Savannah, Georgia of the 1920s.
It’s only natural that some ghosts got in on the act. After all, many people say that Savannah is the most haunted city in the USA! Here’s the blurb for this novel.
A Ghost in the Kitchen, Three Ingredients-2 continues the flapper adventures of Paisley Idelle Peabody, aka Pip. It’s a 1920s “pantser” story and a culinary mystery. This time Pip’s pal Andy (from The Three Things Serial Story) returns. Granny Phanny is there too. She’s still trying to teach Pip to cook. Granny is in a lather because of the supernatural goings-on in her kitchen. There’s also one pos-ilutely potent poltergeist!
New adventures abound as Pip and Andy unravel an old mystery. It’s all spontaneously driven by “ingredients” sent by readers of the blog, Teagan’s Books.

A Ghost in the Kitchen by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
A Ghost in the Kitchen by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

Did you hear the bell clang? Our magic trolley is here!

There are links galore, so limber up your clicking finger and jump on the trolley. Here’s a map showing some locations. Friends who promised to participate in my launch will be at some of these haunted places. They’ll get on the magical blog party trolley as we tour haunted Savannah!

Map showing haunted locations in Savannah, GA

I just wish this 1920s trolley could move faster… Oh! A brass lamp just clattered to the ground. There’s purple smoke coming out.
“Your wish is my command!”
Aladin Fazel – my favorite magician! Now the trolley can go anywhere.
At the top of the map is the Moon River Brewing Company. That’s a good place to start in case anyone needs some liquid courage for this ghostly adventure!

Blue Moon Brewing Co Savannah
Blue Moon Brewing Co Savannah, GA

There’s Christoph Fischer. Duck! A rowdy, spifflicated ghost just threw a beer bottle. Olga Núñez Miret is helping him Christoph get away from the spirited spirit and onto our trolley. Welcome aboard, Olga and Christoph. You two look darb in your 1920s glad rags.
Magician, those ghosts are going to follow Olga and Christoph all the way to the trolley. Can you please get us to the next stop?
We’ve traveled east, closer to the river. Our trolley is on a bluff above the River Walk. Now we’re at Factor’s Walk. The foundations of some of these buildings date back to the late 1700s. D. L. Finn and Valentina Cirasola should be waiting for us there. Ah, there they are, beside one of the sealed-off tunnel entrances. Love those hats, ladies! Applesauce, hurry to the trolley. There are shadow figures all around us!

Factors Walk, Savannah, GA
Factors Walk, Savannah, GA

Tunnels that originate in this area have been known to send ghastly moans into the still night air. Look out, Dyanna Wyndesong! A tall shadow was sneaking up behind you. Get back on the trolley, quick!
Yes, that’s one of the many tunnels. They make a labyrinth beneath Savannah. Wow, we’re going into the haunted tunnel.

A hidden tunnel in Savannah, GA
A hidden tunnel in Savannah, GA

Magician, why are you slowing the trolley? You must see something ahead in this creepy tunnel… Oh! It’s a poster for Teri Polen’s yearly October event, Bad Moon Rising!
I’ll be there on October, 18th, chatting with Teri about all sorts of Halloween-ish things, as well as my novella, Brother Love — a Crossroad. I hope everyone will join us for the fun.

Bad Moon Rising 2019
Bad Moon Rising, hosted by Teri Polen

Since this is a magical trolley the tunnel will take us directly the Sorrel Weed House where we’ll pick up two more guests. Just beware the lady in black! I hope John W. Howell and Dan Antion know about her. Oh-oh! John and Dan, that’s no damsel in distress, it’s a mean ghost. Hurry over here to the trolley, guys!

The Sorrel Weed House, Savannah, GA
The Sorrel Weed House, Savannah, GA

If you’ll keep the trolley heading south, Magician, we can pick up Michael (from OIKOS Publishing) at the Andrew Low House. I see that Jan Sikes is meeting us there too. Jan don’t go in that room! Through the window I see Juilette Gordon Low lying on the bed – but she died in 1927! Michael, watch out for that butler at the top of the stairs too. His clothes went out of style 150 years ago. Those are ghosts. You two better get on the trolley fast!
Aladin, this is great! You found a magic tunnel to take us north east. Sally Cronin and Jacquie Biggar are waiting for us at the Colonial Park Cemetery. Ladies, I realize that handsome young man invited you to follow him. Don’t bother. He’ll just disappear once he goes inside the gate. He died a long, long time ago.

Colonial Park Cemetery, Savannah, GA, Wikipedia
Colonial Park Cemetery, Savannah, GA, Wikipedia

Applesauce! All these spooky apparitions have given me an appetite. Shall we find a haunted restaurant? Ah, the 17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant is on our way. Robbie Cheadle and Marje Mallon are already there. Robbie, take care. That little boy is really a ghost. Marje, I know you feel sorry for Anna, but she’s been waiting for her lost love since before any of us were born. She’s a specter too.
That ghostly cook, does not seem nearly as friendly as Maestro Martino, the cursed chef in A Ghost in the Kitchen. She’s banging her pots and pans and making a quite ruckus. What’s our next stop, Magician?

17Hundred90 Inn, Savannah, GA
17Hundred90 Inn, Savannah, GA

Now we’re at The Marshall House. It’s a haunted hotel where we’re picking up Chris Graham, the Story Reading Ape. What’s that dear Ape? You say your “naughty chimp” nephews are in a game of “tag,” chasing the ghosts of children who run up and down the halls there? They’re all having a great time!
Hey, there’s Traci Kenworth too, down at the other end of the building. Come on to the trolley, Traci. Those little ghosts are starting to raise a ruckus.

The Marshall House, Savannah, GA
The Marshall House, Savannah, GA

Thanks to Aladin and our magical trolley, we’ve taken another of those hidden tunnels. Now, we’re almost back where we started, between River Street and Factors Walk. We have one more stop. We need to pick up Resa McConaghy and Jacqui Murray at the Olde Harbour Inn.
Oh! They’re already running to the trolley. I expect the spirit known as Hank tried to crawl into bed with at least one of them. I also smell his cigar smoke. I think I’d run too!

The Olde Harbour Inn, Savannah, GA
The Olde Harbour Inn, Savannah, GA

Alright everyone. Pip and Granny Phanny are waiting for us at the cottage. Granny is eager to start her book fair. She’s a real bearcat, and she won’t like it if we’re late. So let’s get a wiggle on!

***

Granny Phanny’s Book Fair

Welcome to the book fair. All these authors volunteered to help me by sharing this magic trolley tour of haunted Savannah. Their books are all swell. So I put them in pos-i-lutely random order. Hopefully that will lead you to look at some things you might not typically read. You’ll find purchase links below the cover images.

A Ghost in the Kitchen by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

A Ghost in the Kitchen, Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

Ghost book fair 1
Brother Love – a Crossroad, Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
The Gemini Connection, Teri Polen
Through the Nethergate, Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Tales from the Irish Garden, Sally Cronin

Ghost Book Fair 2
My Girl, Jacquie Biggar
Deadly Quotes, Olga Núñez Miret
The Season of Limbo, Al Fazel (not yet published)
Naked Lemons, Valentina Cirasola

Ghost book fair 3
My Vibrating Vertebrae, Agnes Mae Graham
The Curse of Time, M.J. Mallon
Circumstances of Childhood, John W. Howell
Over My Dead Body, Christoph Fischer

Ghost Book fair 4
The Glowing Pigs, Snort Stories of Atonement, Tennessee, Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
Jewel, Jan Sikes
Nine Black Lives, Resa McConaghy
Just Her Poetry, D. L. Finn

Universal link to my Amazon Author Page

Sheiks and Shebas, thanks so very much for getting on the magical trolley for this tour. Ya’ll are pos-i-lutely the berries!

***

This is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2019 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved.

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.

Make a Book Trailer with PowerPoint

Great post from Diana about creating videos for promoting books.

D. Wallace Peach's avatarMyths of the Mirror

I’m a cheapskate.

I’m also technologically impaired.

So when it came to making a book trailer for Sunwielder’s audiobook pre-release hype, I resorted to the old familiar standby from my years of selling office furniture – MS PowerPoint. The program’s been updated over the past 2 decades, but I still figured it out with some trial and error. And error. And a little more error.

The main thing I learned is regarding sequence:

1. Start with your text: Keep it pithy. I used my book blurb and pared it down to its bare essentials. That gave me about fifteen slides to populate with images.

2. Then add images: I took advantage of Pixabay’s royalty-free, attribution-free images for this one, frequently mashing them together to create a scene. Remember to check copyright details for the images you decide to use.

3. Add transitions: Don’t get too zany, but have fun. Timing…

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A Beta Reader Is Not An Editor

The wonderful job that beta readers do via Aurora Alexander’s blog

aurorajeanalexander's avatarWriter's Treasure Chest

It seems there is the one or other author around who either don’t know what the job of a beta reader is. Also, some authors don’t want to pay for an editor and therefore try to ‘use’ the beta reader to get the editor’s job done.

From what I learned in my ‘long’ career of two published books (and a few lined up)… my order of ‘writing and publishing’ is the following:

  1.  Drafting
  2.  Copying out
  3.  personal editing #1
  4.  personal editing #2
  5.  professional editing (proofreading)
  6.  filing for copyright
  7.  sending the manuscript out to the beta readers
  8.  having the book cover done
  9.  possible corrections when getting the manuscript back from beta readers
  10.  publishing

At times the corrections, added paragraphs or even pages, demand a second round of proofreading or editing.

Now, what does the beta reader do?

Beta readers are helpful people around you – can be friends, co-workers, family members. They…

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