A Spooky...Good Time

A few weeks ago I blogged about a little project from the In The Telling Podcast. Liz Christensen asked for spooky stories to showcase on their platform. 

What a terrific idea!

And, to make it even more awesome, not only did I know most of the authors who submitted stories, but Liz had several people I know read the stories as well. It was a win-win situation for me.

Sometimes, it still amazes me that--ever since I began this writing journey--how many amazing people I've gotten to meet. And, not only have I gotten to know them, but I've been able to read and experience the incredible art they've created.

That's a win-win-win situation right there.

You can access the podcast episode by clicking: HERE. You can also get a list of the stories, the writers, and the narrators. Here's a rundown of the spooky stories you'll find:

“A Midnight Poe-etic” by Christine Haggerty and read by Jillian Joy, a hellishly delicious poem about a dark Queen.

Fans of the Billy Blacksmith series will particularly enjoy “Aesop’s First Halloween: A Blacksmith Legacy Story” by Ben Ireland, read by Liz Christensen.   (4:22)

“The Ghost of Clipper Bullion Mine” by Loren Mitchell Lambert, read by Richard Wilson, is a classic western ghost story for over a campfire.  (31:44)

“The Full Moon Festival” by Briana Bedore, read by Liam Neary, is a lovely fall-themed, sci-fi romance.  (44:50)

“The Burgle” by Candace J. Thomas, read by Kerstin Hallows, provides an frighteningly imaginative answer to what is under your child’s bed. (1:10:14)

“The Creature” by Luke Haueter, read by Liz Christensen, will keep you worried about what watches you from over your bed.  (1:21:29)

I listened to the episode earlier today. If this is your thing, you'll love it, too.

Tomorrow's Halloween, a perfect time to take out your phone, download the tales, and hear some great writers and great readers present alternate worlds, amazing characters, and creepy situations.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Local Authors...Continually Blown Away By Their Coolness!

I just returned from a convention and I met a lot of people, which includes, a lot of writers. Most of them were local--others were not, but I noticed something about the writers I met.

Almost all of them were amazingly friendly. The section where our group had our books was a stone's throw from a large local book retailer who signed up local authors to sign their books every hour. I spent a lot of time there just talking to authors. Some I knew of but some I didn't. After speaking with them for a little while, I learned a lot about how they broke into the business, if they had agents and who published their books. 

Unfortunately, I couldn't buy all their books, but when we parted, I got the feeling that we could continue our conversations at the next con.

But one author, Tyler Whitesides made my day. He and I were on a Star Wars/Star Trek panel in April. At the time I didn't know much about him. I've since heard he's a popular local author. I had my daughter with me today so I wanted her to meet him. Each time I've spoken to these authors I've had to introduce myself, but Typer, he called me by name and signed a poster and a bookmark for my daughter. I thought that was really really cool.

The doors to the convention have closed and everyone involved is now resting their feet. And I'm still amazed at how nice these authors were. I'm proud to work working to join their ranks.

Two Local Authors...Two Dystopian Worlds

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This month I read two books by two local authors, local authors who, because of their incredible talent, appear to be doing well. They both know how to tell a good, engaging story. They both have created believable worlds, and the stories I read are not limited to one book. Luckily for me (and everyone else...), there's more to read from both.

And both authors wrote about dystopian realities. Dystopian genres fascinate me! I've started a few stories where the future of humanity has bought the farm and survivors struggle to survive. There are similarities between the two stories. Climates have changed, governments have broken down, and the remaining humans have devised methods to get through their days alive.

Dan Wells's book, Fragments is the second in a trilogy and James Dashner's The Maze Runner is the first of his series so there are differences between the two. Wells set up his world in his first book Partials so his world is continuing. Dashner sets us in the middle of a world as foreign as possible where we know as much of what's going on as the main character. Having your memory swiped can do that to a person.

I enjoyed both books. Wells's first book in his series is more involved than Dashner's, but to be fair, Partials takes place on the eastern seaboard of the United States and involves several different communities, where The Maze Runner is contained almost exclusively in a huge, mysterious maze. Later this year you'll be able to see The Maze Runner on the big screen. I LOVE to see any author succeed, but it's even sweeter when they're local.

We have a lot of local authors and in the past few years I've gotten to know many of them personally. These are not "downer" people. In fact, most are downright cheery. I guess, for some, happiness (and success...) can be found at the expense of fictional characters.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6186357-the-maze-runner?ac=1

ø Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13170596-fragments?from_search=true