Wednesday, September 24, 2014

ARTISTIC REFLECTIONS COVER REVEAL:

NEXT OF KIN: BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER






The original cover just came to me when I was knee deep in the story.  I wanted it to be more gruesome looking (a thick trail of black blood, leading up to a woman’s corpse and the K carved in her) lol but I’m not knocking this cover at all.  Less is more.  
The story however, was originally a script I was working on before I even started converting it.  I remember thinking “this should be a book” That was back when I was a little confused on which path I should take (screenwriting or novel writing), I just went with my gut and haven’t regretted since.

Blurb:
Medina Price always wanted to be a cop, just like her successors, until she gets thrown into a corrupt life at an early age due to witnessing her mother being slaughtered at the hands of a hired gunman. Now that she's been seduced by darkness, she vows to get revenge, but she gets more than she bargained for. What will Medina do? At this juncture in her life Medina realizes that... Everyone is capable of something.


Author Bio:  
Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Aray Brown emerged as a bright eyed scribe at an early age, which began her journey to self discovery.
Her short stories consisted of characters such as She-ra and He-man.  Later on she decided to delve into something more real and personal. 
She always had a passion for storytelling even though she couldn’t express it verbally.   
After dabbling in other areas, she found her true calling and vowed to share her gift with the rest of the world.
Just like every other kid, she grew up on Stephen King and Alfred Hithcock, she became obsessed with horror.  Most importantly gore.


While she has different genres in mind for her next up and coming projects, her love of gruesome tales will always be eternal.

Purchase links: I don’t have any yet.  The book is set to be released on October 21.

The novella is 126 pages
The cover is designed by All Authors Graphic Design

Sunday, September 14, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT
The Snake Pit: Jr High Can be Torture

The Snake Pit: Jr High Can be Torture is a book everyone who has ever experienced bullying or knows someone who is, should read.  This isn't an easy book to read but those who do will feel it's weight.  Sadly this book is timely and sheds light on what has become a serious problem today and at a time when many at not free of it even in their own homes.  No longer is this a problem of half hour family shows where the bully  gets a black eye and leaves his victm alone.

Donna Dillon published her first book in October 2010. When Master Koda Select Publishing approached her with a publishing contract, she took the opportunity in hopes to expand her reach and build her brand.
1. What led you to publish your work with MKSP? I can write, but I suck at marketing. Kim and her team had some definite ideas about how we could get The Snake Pit books moving. It was a no-brainer for me.
2. How has it felt being with a publisher compared to doing it all on your own? I have never been a loner. I much prefer being part of a team, so, so far, it has felt pretty good!
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Together, Donna and Master Koda Select Publishing will be re-releasing her first novel today with updated editing and a fresh new cover.

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Donna, why did you write this book?
Cinda, the character in my book, The Snake Pit, was born with a cleft palate, and so was I. The things that happen in the book are fiction, but how she felt was exactly how I felt growing up. Being bullied for something you can't possibly help, or change, is horrible. I chose to turn it into something positive, but many bullied children do not. I'm 47 y ears old now. I can still hear the bullies voice in my head. But, the thing I remember the most, the thing that bothers me the most: the silence from those who just stood by and let it happen, and did nothing to stop it. That is why I wrote this book.
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Author Bio:


Hello everyone! I am Donna Dillon: Author, Illustrator, and M&M connoisseur. I am the author of 5 and 1/4 books thus far. I have been writing in the young adult genre with The Snake Pit and Return to the Snake Pit which both deal with bullying in the public schools, and the children's genre with Why Did It Have to Rain Today? and My Special Christmas Child. My new book is a leap into the thriller/suspense genre so I'm anxious to finish and see how that goes.
***
Fun facts about Donna:
Five things people might not know about Donna
5 things about myself that few people know:
1. I can ride a unicycle.
2. I can write as fast backwards as I can forward.
3. I once played Miss Mona is a stage production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
4. I can't breathe through my nose and I have never had a sense of smell. I can taste, though, don't ask me why, it's a miystery.
5. When I was 22 I was flown out to Hollywood and made a make up commercial for Victoria Jackson cosmetics that you can still catch on TV late at night. I also met Johnny Depp and had my picture taken with Heavy D on that same trip.

***

The Snake Pit: Jr. High can be Torture Synopsis:

Cinda doesn't look like other twelve-year-old girls. A facial defect, and the surgery to correct it has left her face scarred and disfigured. When she walks into Hargrove Junior High for the first time, Cinda knows the other kids won't see how smart she is, or what a good friend she could be. The other kids will see her as a monster, and her life will be torture.

The school cafeteria, or The Snake Pit, as the kids call it, is the prime location for bullying. One pretty girl in particular takes an instant dislike to Cinda. Day after that day she is pushed, tripped, and laughed at. Not all the other kids bully her, but only one tries to help.

Charlene Carsten is Cinda's only friend. She tries to stop the bullying, but the other kids won't listen. She tries to tell the Principal, but he only sees what he wants to. She tries to tell the teachers, but they all say the same thing, “kids will be kids.”

When Cinda falls victim to a vicious prank at a school dance, it sets off a series of events that will change the lives of everyone involved.


The Snake Pit: Jr High Can be Torture is now available on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Snake-Pit-Jr-High-Torture-ebook/dp/B00NJCKFCO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1410655270&sr=8-5&keywords=donna+dillon

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

AUTHOR PROFILE

CAMMY WALTERS


I’d like to thank Cammy Walters for stopping by and sitting down with us fon my virtual couch or a few minutes to answer some questions .

Can you tell us a little about yourself? I was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and grew up in a small suburb town called Hurst, Texas. Several years ago, I assisted another pastor in writing his books, and then in 2012-13 became a best-selling author for my own books. I am is a wife of 23 years to my soul mate, Don Walters and we have 7 children, and 18 grandchildren. Our youngest son served in Iraq in 2007-2008. I came into the faith at the age of 26, and by God’s Great Grace have been teaching and preaching the Word of God ever since that time. I hold several degrees from Practical Biblical Theology, to an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity. I have come through the ranks so to speak, holding bible studies in our home, children’s Pastor, Pastoral Care Minister, to what I to call “Pastorship of the Potty’s ” before being called into a different ministry direction. In 1997-1998 the Lord called me to begin preaching and teaching the gospel message and He began my in field training at that time. In 2008, the Lord called me to begin a ministry called Finally Free Ministries in Springtown, Texas where we raised children. Finally Free Ministries, assists folks that are coming out of a substance abuse or domestic violence situation get back on their feet and become productive members of society again. In 2010, I was given two different Leadership awards by a national publication called Nursery Management, for my community service efforts through the ministry. .

Who or what inspires you? I don’t want to sound cliché, but Who or What inspires me is God and all His creation. Since my husband’s accident almost two years ago now, I never realized how the smallest things in His creation, the seeming insignificant things, are the most inspirational. The inspiration of God and the beauty that He alone created for us to enjoy, study, and learn of Him. Lessons to be learned about Him, through the simple things of life and how important it has been for us to get back to. Trust me it has taken me about as long as it has been since the accident to enjoy slowing down enough to enjoy it all. .

Who’s you favorite author? Can’t say that I really have a Favorite Author, because I cross so many genre lines throughout my research and study of God and His creation that I see God involved in every genre for the most part. .

Do you have a favorite time or place to write? This sounds kind of funny to say out loud, but I only write when something hits me that I have to get down on paper before I forget it. But if I had to be specific, I write many time just after my prayer time. You see, Prayer is not just telling God your troubles, your wishes and wants, it’s also about being able stop long enough to listen to His answers. I have seen to many times in my early walk with the Lord that I would rattle off my list and then go on about my day, never waiting to hear the Lord’s answers. He will always provide an answer, but if we aren’t in a listening frame of mind, we miss what was said. .

Do you have a favorite food or drink while you write? No I don’t have A Favorite drink, I am a bit of an “odd duck”, I have to have at a minimum of 3 different types of drinks available at arm’s length at all times. In the car I try to keep it to two different drinks, but when I write, watch tv, even when we are playing cards with my editor and her husband it’s at least three, Coffee, cold Tea(with stevia), and either a coke or vitamin water. .

What do you do to relax? Funny that you ask what we do to relax, I don’t have one answer, but really two from different phases of our life. B.A – Before Accident, and A.A. – After Accident. BA – Had you asked me what we did to relax, I would tell you, putter around the old homestead away from the hustle and bustle of city life and daily drama. Our last vacation we had just gotten back from was exactly 11 days before the accident. That vacation was what I would classify as a “World Wind Vacation” – 3600 miles in eight days through 7 or 8 States, and only repeated the first and last 5 miles into and out of town. AA – We drive slow and eat ice cream every day within a thirty-mile radius now! Every day is a new world, where we drive slow and eat ice cream within a thirty-mile physical radius of the old homestead. The slower pace allows us to refresh ourselves daily in God and His creation. We watched an ant struggle with a piece of food that was at least 200 times his size, get stopped dead in his tracks and could go no further than a piece of straw would let him. To watching the speed at which a ground wasp, no bigger than a regular red wasp, hunt down and find a medium size wolf spider in the grass and drag it over rocks, boulders (compared to his size), approximately 30 feet around the corner of the house within only a couple of minutes to his nest. To ministering to a group of people physically in Lahore, Pakistan and me in my bathrobe in Springtown, Texas USA where 8 people understood the importance of water baptism and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior through one of my teaching chapters in my book “Sharing Your Faith Effectively”, titled; Sharing Your Faith on Water Baptism. Now my relaxation time is sharing mine and others testimonies of faith, strength, and endurance to live this thing called life and what our priorities in this life should be, and being extremely outspoken on most occasions. Watching TV shows like Unforgettable, and Reckless, to simply sitting on the porch every morning with my husband and best friend, enjoying the fact that we get to be best friends that spend 24/7 together for eternity. I think they wrote a song about that, “slow down, you move to fast you got to make the moment last” hence the driving slow and eating ice cream.

. As writers, we all have to deal with writer’s block, what do you do when that happens? I really can’t say that I have what most writers refer to as “writer’s block”, I call it more of a “Divine Delay”. There are times where I will talk to my Heavenly Father (Daddy God), and sometimes it’s as if I can’t hear response at all, and at other times it’s not the answer that I was wanting or looking for. I am currently in that Divine Delay pattern right now working on Chapter 2 of my 6th book. I have been in this Divine Delay pattern for several months now with that book, and THANK GOD, I work on several different projects at the same time at least two to three minimum. If I don’t feel like writing on any particular day, I simply allow myself to sit and ponder (meditate), read the stock market news and charts, read a book, work in my gardens, study different kinds of rocks, and recently I have considered trying my hand at throwing pottery on a pottery wheel. I believe that we writers can be so caught up on the deadlines of our work, real or imagined that we miss the part of our writing gift that is just for our own personal pleasure and growth. As you can see, I can’t really say that I ever really quit writing or don’t have something to write, it just might not be the project that I wanted to work on or was talking to Daddy about for the day. .

If you could ask one question of any writer, who would it be and what would you ask? King Solomon – The writer of several books of the Old Testament, the only person to ask God for the highest and most honorable request by asking for Wisdom. Where in God’s wisdom was it found that you needed to be driven crazy by more than one woman? But seriously, if there was only one question I could ask it would be to say; Over 300 wives and mistresses…What were you thinking???????

Now that we’ve got the easy stuff out of the way, let’s talk about your book. . Would you like to share something from you latest project with us? My lastest project is what I call a “serial project”, because it is a Series that will be published on a yearly basis with new testimonies/stories and Fresh Golden God Nuggets from everyone who is willing to share a chapter from their life and how they Know that God got them through. “A Life of Significance” which is in its second edition currently only available through my publisher until its official release date of November 11, 2014 (Veterans Day). The Official Release Date is I believe a God Thing to me because in this edition I share a very blunt story of our youngest son in chapter 2 titled: Marcus The Sole Survivor. He served in Iraq 2006-2007 was EVAC’D from there 2 weeks before Christmas and is a sole survivor of his squad that he graduated boot camp with. .

What genre is it? Both my current editions of, “A Life of Significance” and “Sharing your Faith Effectively” are Christian Life, Education and Spiritual Growth genres. .

Where do you draw your artistic inspiration from? All my artistic inspiration comes from MY DADDY God. Just look around you, everything and everyone has a purpose, whether they or we realize it or not. Even the bible tells us that about all created vessels (which we are created, in His likeness and In His Image); some are created for honor, and some are created for dis-honor, however, each one has a purpose, a function to perform. I guess you could say it this way; Haters are gonna hate and Lovers are gonna love, but all have a purpose. Haters teach us lovers where our love gauge is at, whether it is full or running on empty. Lovers teach haters hopefully; that regardless of your hate, your Heavenly Father through us loves you in spite of your hate. .

Of all your characters, who is your favorite? For me to choose just one as my favorite characters/REAL People, would be like asking a mother, which one of her children was her favorite child. Allow me if you will to tell you just a bit about a couple of my Real People/Real life stories that stick with me as I continue with each new edition of “A Life of Significance”: Meet my friends Shelley and Ricky. Shelley and Ricky are the parents of John in Chapter 5. They are an average middle class family. She had her dreams and demons, and he had his, however, through it all, God’s Grace brought them back together again through the birth of their son, John. Might not have been pretty but who else but God can bring order from chaos! Meet my friends JoAnn and Ferris. Joann shared three testimonies of three of their 15 children, Tori, Tobi, and Misty Lynn chapters 10, 14, and 16. When I first heard that Joann would be willing to share their story, I had no idea what God was about to show me. As I drove up this dirt road where it was obvious that work was going on, to my surprise I arrive at what can only be described a Fortress or Compound of the Most Royal kind. With its white stonewalls surrounding what they call home. As I was leaving their home, the sign on the entry/exit way said it all, “We may not have it all together, BUT, together we have it ALL.” That one line plaque is the main lesson that I hope the reader learns with each new edition of my book, “A Life of Significance”, because within every life is hidden for us to mine out the Golden God nuggets that God has deposited within every human being. It was several weeks after my interview with her, that I found out that Joann’s husband and his brother had been named in a magazine article. They were included in that article as two of the top newest billionaires that year 2011, for selling their company several months prior to our interview. This was also the same year that, “A Life of Significance” was first released on October 13, 2011. They are truly the most humble and down to earth family you could ever meet. Truly, Yahweh’s servants here on this earth as you will see as you read their children’s stories.

. What authors have had the strongest influence on you as a writer. Amiee Semple McPherson – For her tell it like it is style, because she crossed so many barriers at a time when women preachers were at its infancy and her outspokenness an oddity at best. Joyce Meyers – God showed me through her that He made me exactly the way that He wanted me, In the brain out the mouth syndrome and all. Cher – God taught me early in my life through her, to say what you mean and mean what you say. I love her classic line best of all and pretty much summarizes my life’s mantra. “Take that you bitches.” To all those that told me when pigs fly, and whatever other nonsense the generally accepted establishment is trying to shove down our throats at the time. Oops, there I go again chopping up those sacred cows, oh well, we are called to be Salt and Light, and Life adds the pepper to spice things up…right? Yep, even God calls me one of His many Renegade Pastors and smiles when He says it! .

Do you use an outline or do you let the story emerge as it goes along With the type of writing that I do, I employ both an outline and allowing the story to emerge as it goes along. With “A Life of Significance” I had to allow my natural curiosity and willingness to ask what others sometimes won’t, to get the information and stories from people that were willing to share a chapter of their life, while at the same time being guided by the sections with that particular edition of the book. With my other book, “Sharing Your Faith Effectively” which is more teaching and show and tell lessons, I have to use an outline, to maintain some type of flow. With these types of books, the table of contents is really the outline that I use. .

Are you traditionally or self-published? I am really glad that you asked about my publishing experience. I try to share this with every writer wanting to be published. The Publisher that published my first editions of my first two books was Publish America, which has since changed its name to AllStar American Books I believe. This company was more of a indie/hybrid company, and not really how it was marketed to me when they approached me to publish my books. However, I was excited to say the least that a publisher wanted to pay me to write books, but that was where the romance ended. It wasn’t until after I had gotten on several Best Selling Authors lists from Amazon, Kobo, and a few others listed #37 and #76 in 2012 and 2013, that Tate Publishing offered me a contract to re-release my books as second editions in March of this year, that I couldn’t refuse. Tate Publishing is exactly what I thought a Traditional Publisher should be. They advertise Active Authors, and the inactive ones will not be successful. The unwilling or inactive authors are the main ones that I believe are the chief complainers about Tate Publishing. I would like to add, I truly believe that Publishers Don’t Sell Books, Authors DO! If you think that your work has ended once you are finished editing your manuscript, you are in for a rude awakening. Actually, if you aren’t selling yourself, and your books, by whatever means available to you, you will not be successful in your writing career. .

What made you pick that route? Simply put, I went the route that I have as an author, to help other authors through the maze of How to Get Published. It is my goal to assist other authors and even those that don’t yet know that they are writers to begin sharing their life experiences. My only goal is that through my life along with others to expand on that plaque of my friends ‘We may not have it all together, but together we have it ALL’. That spirit to show that regardless of your background, if my Daddy God can and has done it through me and my life, He will certainly use you for your specific purpose that you were made to fulfill in and through your life, if you are willing to share it with others. .

What has been your biggest challenge? My biggest challenge in writing “A Life of Significance” editions to date is finding people willing to share their life experiences so that myself and others can learn and glean from the Golden God Nugget that are held within every life. Many people too often think that it is a sign of weakness to show your struggles and your pain. When in fact, I have seen more often than not that by sharing your struggles and pain and reflecting back upon how you survived is a testament in its self of the healing power contained within everyone’s story. Also, allowing someone else to come along beside you and help carry that load, if it is only for a moment in prayer and remembrance on an intentional and continual basis is a blessing that we are all blessed with if you have even just one person on your friends’ list. My biggest challenge is to remember that every one of us is a Work is Progress, and all are developing at a different pace and timing. Such was the reason I felt that I should and did start the 60 Day Prayer Challenge, challenging all of my facebook friends to begin coming along beside their friends in their lists. Helping to cast the burden, the worry, the fear of whatever situation they may be going through at the moment. Showing in a tangible way, that we are here for one another, and through the help of others God gives us the Strength and Comfort to carry on each day doing the best that we know how to at the moment. Moment by Moment, and Day by Day, Our Heavenly Father wants us to Cast that Care upon Him, because He cares that deeply for each and every one of us regardless of who we are, or where we have been.

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What has been your greatest reward? My greatest reward is through the many testimonials I receive telling me how they have gained the freedom to share their most intimate, personal trials that life can throw at anyone, and how and what their God taught them as they went through it. The most emotional reward that I have received was from a 95-year-old woman, who shared with me personally, how she didn’t realize the chains that she still carried from an abortion that her husband made her have when she was only in her twenties. She told me that it was through the story in chapter 13- Amy’s Fragments in my book, “A Life of Significance” that she was finally able to feel the Peace of God flood her soul over the loss of that child, as a fine wine warms the soul. The most valuable recent reward was the lesson that I was personally given through one of the testimonies that was shared in only the currently available Second edition in Chapter 18 – Jeanie’s Journey. This testimony struck home with me because since Don’s accident, I too have felt very much as if I had been sentenced to a cave, with no way of escape. I truly believe I was the first one healed of the loneliness and despair that only another Full-time caregiver could possibly understand. . If you had one professional wish, what would it be? I have a two-fold professional wish, to fill the Library of Congress with 10’s of Millions of testimonials of God’s Great Mercy and Grace through my Lord and savior Jesus Christ toward all of the lives that my Daddy God formed and fashioned within the womb of life. The bible tells us; that if all the Acts of Jesus were written down, the world would not be able to contain the volumes that there would be, but I would like to try to fill the Library of Congress with as many testimonials of God’s Love and Compassion for ALL of US, as I can in my lifetime. The second fold of my professional wish is that through my through my writing and speaking engagements, that I would be able to completely fund our ultimate Ministry Project called Eddies Acres. Eddie's Acres is a Project that allows our clients who are coming out of Substance Abuse or Domestic Violence to have a Safe Place to live, learn job skills, have Safe Daycare for their children, and learn New Life skills for a New life. That wasn’t so bad was it? This has been one of the best interviews that I have done in my professional career as an Author or Pastor. John truly has the inquiring mind enough to ask the questions that gets to the heart of the topic at hand. It has been an awesome privilege to share my experience as an author and Daughter of the Most High God, whom I call, Daddy. I want to make sure that I thank you and all your readers again for this opportunity.

But before we go, do you have any last words of wisdom to offer those reading this? Yes as a matter of fact I do have a couple of last words of wisdom and encouragement to add. To the writers: Relax, Write what you know about, and share those Golden God Nuggets that your life is made up of. Typically, an authors’ first book contains more about themselves than your subconscious mind realizes. Such was the case for me with my first edition of “A Life of Significance” which was was published in 2011, there are 9 out of the 21 chapters I wrote about our own family stories. My previous publisher wrote an article about how most author’s first books were mainly about themselves, it was true as the Lord allowed me to become healed from some of my past through my own stories contained within the book. Since that time, I have found it to be true for the most part regardless of the genre. Everyone has a story to share, we are just the only ones willing to put ourselves out there for the world to pull apart and try to tear down because we say what others are thinking every day through our gift of words. Lastly, remember this quote as you write by Mark Twain: “Write without pay until someone offers pay. If nobody offers within three years, the candidate may look upon this as a sign that sawing wood is what he was intended for.” To the Readers of Books and Learners of Life: Share your story, and glean from yours and others the Golden God nuggets hidden within each story. God told me many years ago when He called me to preach the gospel; It takes twice as strong a man to contain a strong woman. The only way a strong man or woman will be able to withstand the trials and trails of life, is with a partner who is twice as strong as they are. Don’s interpretation of what the Lord said was: “Always remember BA comes before BI in the dictionary.” John, the last thing that I would like to share with you and your readers is something that I learned while writing my first story which is Chapters 7 and 8 of “A Life of Significance”. We all have a story to share, and audience to reach, and people to share your Golden God Nuggets that are hidden deep within all of us. I would like to extend to your reader and writers of the group the invitation that I have posted on our facebook pages: Attention all Friends and Neighbors: We are currently in the process of compiling “Chapter” submissions for the THIRD edition of “A Life Of Significance”. I you or someone that you know has a blog, or story to share where they knew in their particular situation that God was there and helped them through. Looking for Cancer/Disease Survivor Stories, Life Struggles, Life taken too soon, Angel Visitations, and Divine Healings, Adoption Stories, anything where you KNEW that God was there and how you felt before, during and after to help others that might be going through a similar situation. You don’t have to have any writing skills or a blog, just a story that you are willing to share to help someone else. Now while I cannot pay you for your contribution, I will provide a FREE copy of the edition that your story is published in, and YOUR CHAPTER CONTRIBUTION WILL HAVE YOUR NAME printed and published on your story only. To you writers that means, you will have the By Line on your story chapter. To those of you that only answer interview questions, your name will be printed in first name only format within your story.

If you are interested in sharing a chapter of your life, please contact me by PM, and we can chat about how this works. The Second Edition of “A Life Of Significance” is only available only through my publisher until the official release date of November 11, 2014. ALL SUBMISSIONS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED to me BY JANUARY 2015 TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE THIRD EDITION. Blessings! Links to Books, You-Tube video of 60 day prayer challenge, Facebook pages, and my personal Facebook page. Link for 60 Day Prayer Challenge – Casting your Cares Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOgYWcGnoVk Link to purchase in Paperback or E-Book formats: https://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/search.php?search=cammy+walters https://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-63306-963-3 https://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-63306-964-0 Link to my both my books’ facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/alifeofsignificance https://www.facebook.com/alifeofsignificance 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Handbook-for-Sharing-your-Faith-Effectively-By-Carmella-Walters/234986546561896 Link to my personal facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cammy.walters Link to Ministry facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/finallyfreeministries Link to Eddie’s Acres Project page. https://www.facebook.com/eddiesacres Link to Cammy’s Linkin page: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/cammy-walters/23/982/399/ Link to Pastor Cammy’s Blog site: https://pastorcammy.wordpress.com/

Saturday, August 23, 2014

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
John Emil Augustine


I’d like to thank for stopping by and sitting down with us for a few minutes.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I grew up in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota which is where my book series takes place. I spent my 20s and early 30s playing music around town and the upper Midwest. Those were wild times, but my books deal with what happened to me during those times, namely, my marriage to a woman with some pretty serious mental and emotional issues. The child we had and my subsequent relationships have all been affected by the choice I made, and I unravel the events in as entertaining and thoughtful a way as I possibly can.

Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by everyone who has gotten behind me to help spread the message that even in our worst times, we can find hope. When I started out , nobody, and I mean nobody, knew I published a book because I used a pseudonym and never said a thing about it to anyone. Not even my wife knew at first. Since then, I have had tons of help from some incredible people: Brenda Perlin, Judy L. Brekke, Lynelle Clark, Richard Novy, Fran Lewis, Marsha Casper-Cook, Kim Mutch Emerson, Sarah L. Wallace, Rebbekah White, Deanna Bradley, Theresa L. Myrick, Sheena Swenson, Rebecca Mills, Lia Hearn, Shon French, Corry Parnese, Steven Moynier, Erin Moynier, Kd Russell, Douglas Davis, Crissy Sutcliffe, Sophia Hazelman-Holt, Jamie Hieston Willhite, Deausha K Felker-Sernicola, and most importantly, my wife who has gotten behind me and supported my work even when I was losing at it. I am amazed and thankful every day that I have so much help. These people continue to inspire me to no end.

Who’s you favorite author?
I read Martin Buber, Wayne Dyer, Prentice Mulford, Shree Rajneesh.

Do you have a favorite time or place to write?
I write at work before I start my shift.

Do you have a favorite food or drink while you write?
Coffee.

What do you do to relax?
Music.

As writers, we all have to deal with writer’s block. What do you do when that happens?
I have to realize that I have not had sufficient time to catch up with my story, either emotionally or intellectually. Perhaps both. So I do something else and don’t think about it; let myself process and feel during another activity.

If you could ask one question of any writer, who would it be and what would you ask?
I used to have questions for writers I looked up to, but I feel that in being still and allowing the questions to just be there, I have discovered the answers on my own.

Now that we’ve got the easy stuff out of the way, let’s talk about your book. . Would you like to share something from you latest project with us?

Here is a bit of From the Abyss III
Jan was yelling, and I grabbed a wooden kitchen chair and swung it at the wall. I still remember it like it was in slow motion, because I have replayed it again and again. All the work I was putting into cleaning up the house was going down the drain anyway, and I was at my breaking point. The chair hit the wall and splintered like a prop in a movie. It broke into six or seven pieces, and I stood there with the back of the chair in my hands as I looked at the hole in the drywall. What was I doing?
Jan went silent. Things became hazy, and I was angry and unfocused. I had to get Jan to stop questioning my every move. I had to make her…no…I couldn’t. I wanted to kill her. I couldn’t.
What was going on? Why did I feel like this?
I tossed the piece of the chair onto the floor and turned around, walking out the door and to the east. Jan got in the minivan and followed. She did not try to stop me, but she hovered nearby in the safety of the van with Andy. I walked at a rapid pace and saw our minivan here and there on the street as Jan followed me. It was like the Easter Cindi had chased me with her car. That time I had gone back. This time, I decided, I would atone for that mistake. I would not go back. I would just keep walking.
Unlike Cindi who had just screamed profanities at me that Easter morning, Jan only shouted at me to please stop and calm down. But I was far beyond that point. I soon left the street and took off through the yards. If I got in that minivan, who knew what would happen?
Somehow I got onto County Road B2 going east and kept up my rapid pace. Angry thoughts began to enter my head as I quickly chugged along. I thought of how pissed everything made me. I would show them. Damn college. I would show them. I would burn the building. See how they liked their lives turned into an ash pile. Damn Jan. I would burn her too. I would take care of her all right. Sandy, my dumbass former boss, she would get hers. I would take care of her.
All these thoughts rumbled in my head as I walked, glaring straight ahead. I looked at no one for fear I would kill anyone who gave me the least reaction. Eventually, I made it to the tennis courts on Fairview Avenue in Saint Paul. Many people were out in the beautiful June evening having a great time. I hated them. I could feel their eyes on me from the bus stop and the tennis courts as I passed by at my rapid pace. I knew I could pull their eyes out of their heads, but I kept walking.
Then I noticed I was slowing down. Where was I going? Three hours soon passed, and my adrenalin had decreased a notch. I was still angry, but I was becoming tired. I passed Har Mar, the strip mall on Snelling Avenue where Charles and I usually hung out on Tuesday nights. Moms and dads went in and out with their kids. Teenagers smoked in groups outside the Leeann Chin’s.
What would I do with Charles now that I was moving so far away, I wondered? It was a dreadful thought. Cindi, who had been so kind lately, would go after me in court again. I just knew she would. What was I supposed to do? The pain and the anger began to return as I passed the strip mall. Damn Cindi, I thought. I’ll show her. I’ll burn her house down too.
The sun was beginning to set as I got a few miles down the road to Lexington Park just before Lexington Avenue. I cut across the park which was still full of toddlers at the playground, teens on the basketball courts, and little-leaguers on the baseball field. They were having a great time in the fading sunlight which made their shadows so long.
As I cut through the park, standing to my right were two young guys wearing black slacks, white shirts, and black ties. They had Bibles and little fliers to hand out. They were talking when they saw me pass by. I assumed I looked crazed. Bizarre. One guy was young and I could see he was in charge. The other guy was younger and I imagined he was learning the ropes about how to sell God’s message door-to-door. Now they had an example of Satan’s power in the demon-possessed man walking by them. I figured they would pray for me, or the older guy would say I was beyond saving. I was ready to tell them to get away from me and back that up with my fists, but they never approached. They were smart.
In the red sunset I eventually got to the corner of Lexington and Larpenteur and sat on the bench at the bus stop. My legs were tired. My feet hurt. I could feel blisters forming. It felt so good to sit down. What was I doing? I had no idea. Why was I there? Four hours, and what had I been doing? Had I come to sit on this bus stop? Was this it? What else was I going to do? Walk to Wisconsin? Cindi lived nearby. Was I going to her house? That thought was an awful one. Would I actually burn her house down? That no longer seemed like a good idea.
I had no phone. I had no money. I was perhaps stuck there. Cindi could drive me. I shuddered at the thought. And where would she drive me? 40 miles outside the city to our new house? Or to the empty house in Northeast Minneapolis? What was I doing? I was completely disappointed with myself. I was compounding my problems. I was compounding Jan’s problems. She did not need this stress. Was she still looking for me? I hoped not.
And what about Andy? At least Charles knew nothing about this. What about Andy? He had seen the whole thing. What was I teaching? Just when I thought I could not sink any lower, here I was, lower yet. I had to get a hold of myself. I had to deal with all of this better than I was. I had gone from helpful to detrimental in the blink of an eye. I could plainly see the thin line between positive and negative which I had just crossed. It was like pointing a wind-up robot in the wrong direction and watching it walk through a fire and then immediately set the curtains ablaze.
The sun went down, and I slowly stood up.

What genre is it?
I think of it as reality because it is.

Where do you draw your artistic inspiration from?
Brian Wilson.

Having read your first book, what made you decide to put this story out there and what has been the response been from people you know who've read it?
I just thought it was a good story, so I dared myself to publish it on Smashwords. Later, when people began to discover it, I began to realize it was a story of abuse. It hadn’t even occurred to me I had been abused until a few people said it! As for people I know, not many people I know have written my books. My wife has read From the Abyss 2 and decided it was pretty accurate. She also laughed all the way through reading the sex scene.

What authors have had the strongest influence on you as a writer?
Songwriters. Brian Wilson, Paul Simon, Van Dyke Parks, Willie Dixon…people like that.

Do you use an outline or do you let the story emerge as it goes along?
With my story, I’ve lived it, so I just start writing. I can see plot points emerge which I aim for and try to set up as best I can during the writing. Then, as I am now drafting From the Abyss IV, I am able to draw parallels to plot points or revelations in the existing books…which is really fun to do.

Are you traditionally or self-published?
I am published by Master Koda Select Publishing.

What made you pick that route?
When I was self-published, I had another publisher ask to publish my book before I went to MKSP, but they rewrote three pages of it and then left it to sit for six months. I knew some of my friends had connections to Master Koda, so I wrote a little letter to Kim and Rebbekah and sent it along with the first installment of my series. It was another thing that I just dared myself to do.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Reliving some tough moments. Some of them, I have heard, are tough to read, so writing them down has been as tough or tougher. Once you put yourself completely back into your mindset during a situation, it can be hard to pull back out. What saved me then and saves me now is knowing things will work out ok. If you think that, your thoughts will come true. It works in terms of both hindsight and foresight.

What has been your greatest reward?
The friendships I have been blessed with since I began sharing my story.

If you had one professional wish, what would it be?
This is it. To be doing. To be able to focus on something I love and feel strongly about it.
That wasn’t so bad was it? But before we go, do you have any last words of wisdom to offer those reading this?
Whatever you write, write it with your heart.
You can find John Emil Augustine at
Website:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Amazon Author Site:
Amazon Artist Site:
YouTube:

And please visit his Gofundme page to raise money for his trip to The Book Bash in Kalamazoo, MI  http://www.gofundme.com/WriteIsRight

Friday, July 25, 2014

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
 Linda Hamonou

About Harajuku Kiss
At times, life can be so depressing. She is walking her usual recovery tour in Harajuku, finishing with a crepe, trying to forget that her boyfriend dumped her once again for the week-end... When the unthinkable happens... A boy stops in front of her in the street and kisses her, in the middle of the street, before running away.       
Trying to discover more about him, she is dragged into a dangerous game of mystery. A biologist has been murdered and a deadly virus is on the loose. First suspect: the mysterious Harajuku's stranger. 


Author bio:

Born in November 1983 in Brittany, France, Linda Hamonou spent a lot of time lost in Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novels. She entered university to study physics and obtained her PhD at Queen's University Belfast in 2009. Her studies allowed her to travel to Europe and America. She then moved to Japan and after three years doing research in Tokyo, she is currently doing a new postdoc in Sendai, Japan.

Excerpt:

You have something that belonged to me and I want it back, I have been in Harajuku every night without success,” he said.
We missed each other on Monday, I saw you on the train in Yoyogi, on the opposite side,” I said.
You are able to recognize people you met only once just like that, that’s some skills,” he said.
Only when they give me a surprise kiss,” I answered.
He laughed at me again. That was a laugh, saying that the kiss didn’t matter. I knew I should have gotten up and left him right there, but something irresistible about him made me sit still. He continued eating his spaghetti quietly.
So can I have my memory stick back,” he finally said.
He was a fast eater. I was a fast eater too but my plate was still half full, while his was empty. I hesitated one instant, I knew that if I was to give him the memory stick just now, I would probably never see him again, that it would be the end of the adventure and I wasn’t sure that I wanted it to end this way.
I don’t have it with me,” I said with my liar voice rising to a high pitch.
He looked at me one moment. I don’t know why, but he seemed to be reading my thoughts somehow, maintaining eye contact was suddenly difficult. He broke it first.
It’s in your jeans' left pocket,” he said.



Links:

Harajuku Kiss on Smashwords 
Linda's Facebook Author Page

Thursday, July 17, 2014

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Rebbekah Ford



I’d like to thank for stopping by and sitting down with us for a few minutes on my virtual couch to answer a few  questions.. 
.
Thank you for having me on your wonderful blog. I appreciate it. J

Can you tell us a little about yourself? I grew up in a family that dealt with the paranormal. When my parents were married, they were the directors of the UFO Investigator’s League in Fairfield, Ohio. They also investigated ghost hauntings and Bigfoot sightings in addition to UFO’s. I think that’s why I have a fascination with the paranormal world and love to write about it. Creating and writing stories is my passion. I also love to read.

Who’s you favorite author? I have more than one, but Anne Rice was my first favorite author. I grew up reading her books.

Do you have a favorite time or place to write? The best time to write is when it’s cool, cloudy, and rainy outside. My favorite place to write is at my desk.

 Do you have a favorite food or drink while you write? Coffee! I love, love, coffee.

What do you do to relax? Read or watch my favorite TV show, or watch a movie. Oh! And going out to eat and having a couple drinks with my husband and friends.

 As writers, we all have to deal with writer’s block, what do you do when that happens? I read a book.

If you could ask one question of any writer, who would it be and what would you ask? George Orwell who wrote 1984. I’d love to talk to him about life and writing. I’d ask him how he came up with 1984 and Animal Farm.

 Now that we’ve got the easy stuff out of the way, let’s talk about your book. Ok. J

Would you like to share something from you latest project with us? Sure. I have a book coming out soon called, Tangled Roots. It’s a companion book to my Beyond the Eyes trilogy. The main character (Paige) in my trilogy is not in this book—her two best friends, Carrie and Tree, are the stars in Tangled Roots. It has witches, magic, curses, betrayal, love, and friendship in it, among other things.

What genre is it? New Adult Urban Fantasy

Where do you draw your artistic inspiration from? From the universe, I suppose. I don’t know. LOL. 

 Of all your characters, who is your favorite? Ameerah. She’s in my second (Dark Spirits) and third book (The Devil’s Third). In fact, after Tangled Roots is published, I’ll be plunging into writing Ameerah’s story.

 What authors have had the strongest influence on you as a writer. Anne Rice, Stephen King, and JK Rowlings.

 Do you use an outline or do you let the story emerge as it goes along. I do both. 

Are you traditionally or self-published? Self-published. I could have been traditionally published, but I chose to do it on my own for many reasons. One of the main reasons was to see if I can do it. I was lacking self-confidence and was hoping to gain some by taking on this huge, scary task, which was totally out of my comfort zone.

What has been your biggest challenge? Marketing. I suck at technology. Hell, I don’t even own a cell phone. I don’t even know how to use one. LOL. So yeah, trying to get my name and books out there, in the virtual world is a huge challenge for me.

What has been your greatest reward? Hearing from people who  love my books. I love my fans. They’re awesome!

If you had one professional wish, what would it be? To make an excellent living writing books.

That wasn’t so bad was it? Nope. Not at all. I enjoyed it. Thank you. J


Rebekkah’s Bio:


Rebekkah Ford grew up in a family that dealt with the paranormal. Her parents’ Charles and Geri Wilhelm were the directors of the UFO Investigator’s League in Fairfield, Ohio, back in the 1970s. They also investigated ghost hauntings and Bigfoot sightings in addition to UFO’s. Growing up in this type of environment and having the passion for writing is what drove Rebekkah at an early age to write stories dealing with the paranormal. Her fascination with the unknown is what led her to write the Beyond the Eyes trilogy and her soon to be released new adult urban fantasy, Tangled Roots.


Beyond the Eyes: FREE on the following sites!     


Dark Spirits:

The Devil’s Third:

Where to connect with Rebekkah:




Artistic Reflections