"The Horror At Pooh Corner"...Not Your Average Kickstarter Project

 I learned of the project only recently, but I've been intrigued ever since. A kickstarter for a collection of horror tales inspired by A.A. Milne's classic hundred-acre wood.

The Horror at Pooh Corner

Yes, it's true.

Here's the description from the kickstarter webpage:

The Horror at Pooh Corner is a Lovecraftian Winnie-the-Pooh anthology project bringing together the community of writers and artists—both well-known and emerging—and an up-and-coming publisher to produce a collection of stories that will make you both laugh at the humor and cry out in indescribable terror as you slowly go mad while reading it. Learn the true stories behind the Hundred Acre Wood and its seemingly innocuous denizens, told here for the first time.

You can access the webpage: HERE. 

I personally know many of the authors in this collection and even though I've not read the book, I can attest to the quality of their writings, especially those who specialize in horror. Plus, who wouldn't want to read stories about one of the most beloved places and characters in history?

Check out the page and consider supporting. It can not only lead to reading enjoyment for you, but for future projects in the future. The Horror at Pooh Corner...I'm still thinking about it.

Must Have That Creative Outlet...For Some, Painting Miniatures

 My son signed up for a kickstarter project a few years back. Not having much experience in kickstarter projects, neither he nor I knew when he would be getting the things promised in a kickstarter enticement. Turns out for this one, it took years.

For my son, it was worth the wait.

In fact, the box of game pieces that double as paintable miniatures is one of several boxes that will be--hopefully--forthcoming. 

Watching the smile cross my son's face as he showed us his new-found treasure make me think about having a creative outlet. My son takes after me in a lot of ways, not just the way he looked as a child. For years my son has pursued the arts. He's a gifted artist, computer video editor, and now he's painting miniatures. It's almost as if he has to do something creative. 

Back in high school I got my first real camera and I thought about becoming a professional photographer. That seems to be the start of me having/needing a creative outlet. For years, the urge to create sort of faded, but returned later when I started to write. It's been a decade since my first short story was published...can't believe it's been that long.

Currently, I take pictures and I write in this blog. I've let the other outlets slide a bit and that's something I need to rectify. There's pros and cons to creativity, and it comes at a cost. Sometimes the cost can be high. Though I'm glad my son (and his other siblings...) have that creative streak, I hope the can navigate the ups and downs of it all.

I don't know if I'll be painting miniatures. You know how it is getting older, your hands are less steady and your eyesight fades. My son, however, he's got his whole life ahead of him. I just pray it won't take years for the next delivery to arrive.

A Monster Of A Kickstarter...Support Your Local Author

 The kickstarter began today...

It, basically, kicked butt.

And it's only Day 1.

I am a fan of Larry Correia. He's a local author who has made it big as a no-nonsense, writer of gritty, funny, take-no-prisoners fiction covering many genres. If you know anything about Larry, you know he has several passions...writing (obviously...), guns, and miniatures are but a few. Larry started a kickstarter today focusing on miniatures and games.

You should check it out. For more information, you can access the kickstarter website by clicking: HERE.

The success (so far...) of the kickstarter is due to Larry's fans. They put the "fan" in fanatical. Larry has said many times that he has the best fans in the world. They've stood by him though some tough storms. This is Larry's way to say thinks to them, and for the fans to return the favor.

So, if you're a fan of good writing, local authors, and Monster Hunter International Miniatures Games, click on the site and sign up. Knowing Larry, he won't put our an inferior product...it's just not his way.

Still Have That "Back An Author's Kickstarter" Mood? If So...Give Ramón Terrell's A Shot

 

This spring the writing world was rocked by a kickstarter event. If you're a writer, you've heard about it. If you're not, you may have heard about it because it became the most successful kickstarter in the history of kickstarters.

This post is not about that particular kickstarter, but another one...

This one's launched by fellow writer Ramón Terrell.

Years ago I had the opportunity to work a booth at our local FanX comics convention with Ramón and several other authors. It was only a three day event, but standing together, talking to whomever would stop and chat (whether they wanted to or not...), you share an experience. I've also been fortunate enough to read some of his work and it's very very good.

Now, Ramón has started a kickstarter to promote his next project. Shadowlancer: Heart of a Darkdancer: Book One. You can check out the kickstarter by clicking: HERE. If you'd like to know more about the author, you can access his website by clicking: HERE.

Watching his video, Ramón's passion for this project is infectious. And listening to him talk about the story's inspiration, I know that feeling. It's an even better feeling when you've put in the hard work and created the story and want to share it with the world.

If you like epic fantasy and you'd like to help out a good writer and an even better person, check out Ramón's project. He's one of the good ones.

Come On...You Know You've Always Wanted To Produce A Movie!

 I mean, it's true, isn't it? Don't we all want to be part of the creative process? This is a film in which my friend Blake is heavily involved. He's used social media to chart the kickstarter progress and yesterday he posted that they had met their goal.

I thought I'd missed my chance to help with their herculean efforts.

I was wrong.

I know very little about Kickstarter. I've never set one up. Today I was happy to see that the giving window has not yet closed--they're going for more.

I've been (barely...) involved in a few film projects. A screenplay I wrote was made into a film short. I was an extra on a couple of projects decades ago, and I like to watch movies. But, I'm no expert. I do know, however, that making a movie requires more than a script, some actors, and cameras...there's craft services, of course.

But seriously, there is so much involved in making a film--any kind of film that it can discourage most. Thankfully, Blake is not like most. It's his passion and I love how he pursues his dream. 

If you're interested and want to help, click: HERE for more information.

Come on...you know you want to.

Looking For Something Different? Check Out "Beer-Battered Shrimp For Cognitive Ruminations:...Different

I've mentioned it before, but one of the fascinating aspects of becoming a writer--that I did not know beforehand--is how well I would get to know other writers. In other creative industries, even though people are happy about others finding success, there's always something that gnaws, something to cause jealousy, envy. It can get ugly, but I've seen it in the film industry, the stage industry, and to some degree, the music industry.

But, from what I've experienced, I haven't found it to the same degree with writers. I think people can be envious of other writers--especially the really successful ones--but writers have to write. Unless someone else is writing everything for you, you're doing it yourself. You really can't bluff your way through it. You've got to put in the work.

I became aware of a project a friend of mine began. It's a kickstarter and if you're looking for something different, give it a chance. You can access the website: HERE. It's an anthology full interesting stories by amazing authors.

Here's a list of the talent involved:

Authors appearing in this collection include:

Deborah Drake • William J Joel • Jaleta Clegg • C H Lindsay • James Dorr • Michaelbrent Collings • Tricia Lowther • Karen Thrower Walker •  Juleigh Howard-Hobson • Scott Huggins • Diane Clark • C Michelle Jefferies • Dianne Arrelle •  Stephan P Mount • Genny Clegg • Jacek Wilkos • Lena Ng • Yrik Max Valentonis • Jude-Marie Green • Rose Blackthorn • A Collings, Age 4 • D J Tyrer • Andrew Wilson • Nemma Wollenfang • Jeffrey G Roberts • Jennifer D Lerud • Karina Fabian • Edward Ahern • Abra Staffin-Wiebe • Jenna Eatough • Stephen Coghlan • Wm Henry Morris

Artists include:

April Hennis • Hannah Bartholomew • Yrik Max Valentonis • Natasha Hartman • Genevieve Clegg

I hope to be able to check out the stories and the artwork. Whenever we get together, at conventions and other events, we always check out what's new. 

I love what Jeleta Clegg says about her project. "My vision is a colorful, quirky little book, a very short story on each page. The authors range from best-selling authors to some just breaking in to some never-before-published authors. The youngest is four. The oldest isn't telling."

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, why not check out something different?

Exactly.

"Grifty Shades Of Fey"...A New Project

Everything big once was small. The mighty oak came from an acorn. A Great Dane grew from an adorable puppy. A Monster Truck began life as a Smart Car.

Okay, that last part probably isn't true, but you get the idea. If you never start small, you'll never grow big.

A friend reached out to see if I would help spread the word about a new project. It's a small press publisher project and it will be titled, Grifty Shades of Fey, cautionary tales uncovering the darker side of the Fair Folk. The project is from FV Press. You can access their Kickstarter site by clicking: HERE.

What's Grifty Shades of Fey about? Good question.

From their website:

In spite of all of the ethereal opposition thrown our way by lawn gnomes, the FV Press team is excited to present Grifty Shades of Fey: Cautionary Tales Uncovering the Darker Side of the Fair Folk*. 

Most likely we are stepping into a mountain of curses, ensuring a plentitude of ingrown toenails, curdled milk, lost pets, and other tricksy pixie mischief, but we are willing to endure it all if we can provide the world fantastic fiction! 

*Despite any coincidental similarities in title to a certain book, Grifty Shades of Fey will not contain mature content--sure there are naughty fairies, but not that kind of naughty fairies.

I love projects that give those who love a particular genre a chance to have their work live, breath, and entertain. If you think this is a project worth supporting, click on the website and help them out. It means the world to them knowing there are people out there who care about the same things they do. And, after all, doesn't the world need more stories of grifty fairies?

Yes it does.