Wednesday, April 30, 2014

I Survived [Again]! Snip Snip Revenge Promo & Links

Hi guys! I made it through conference! I had planned on writing up a bit of a post about it Monday, but basically spent the day drooling and staring at random spots while rocking and humming to myself. I'll update next Monday instead.

In the meantime, Medeia Sharif released a new book on the 25th of April, so check it out below!

SNIP, SNIP REVENGE by Medeia Sharif
YA Contemporary, Evernight Teen
Release Date April 25, 2014

Beautiful, confident Tabby Karim has plans for the winter: nab a role in her school’s dramatic production, make the new boy Michael hers, and keep bigoted Heather—with her relentless Ay-rab comments—at bay. When a teacher’s lie and her father’s hastiness rob her of her beautiful hair, her dreams are dashed. The fastest barber in Miami Beach has made her look practically bald. 

With all her pretty hair gone, Tabby doesn’t believe she fits the feminine role she’s auditioning for. Michael is still interested in her, but he’s playing it cool. Heather has taken to bullying her online, which is easier to do with Tabby’s ugly haircut. Tabby spearheads Operation Revenge, which proves satisfying until all of her problems deepen. After messing up, she sets to make things right.

Author Bio
I’m a Kurdish-American author who was born in New York City, and I presently call Miami my home. I received my master’s degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University. After becoming a voracious reader in high school and a relentless writer dabbling in many genres in college, I found my niche writing for young people. Today I'm a MG and YA writer published through various presses. In addition to being a writer, I'm a middle school English teacher. My memberships include Mensa, ALAN, and SCBWI.


Find Medeia

Blog   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads   |   Instagram   |   Amazon

Join Medeia's giveaway to celebrate the release of her latest novel. You'll find the Rafflecopter at the end of this post, after the links.

Now for the links! As always, please note that I am not personally vetting any of these links. I am merely passing along general information. Always do your own due diligence before submitting to a publication or contest.

Accepting Submissions:

SkyWarrior Books is open to submissions to their anthology, Zombified II - The Second Time Around. 500-7000 words. Fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. Deadline May 15. Pays author share, twice per year.

LadyLit Publishing has a call out for their anthology, Forbidden Fruit: Stories of Unwise Lesbian Desire. 2500-5000 words. They're looking for scorchers and forbidden desire. Deadline May 15. Pays $40, plus one e-book and one paperback contributor copy.

Ruminate Magazine is open to submissions for their Fall Issue through May 5. Submissions for their Winter Issue open May 16. Fiction, creative non-fiction, and reviews. Pay $6 per 400 words. They are also currently running a poetry contest. See below.

Do you have anecdotes or stories concerning the topics ways to "Slay Your Writing Demons," "Build a World," "Build a Character," or "Market Your Book?" Chris Mandeville, author of "52 Ways to Get Unstuck," is looking for your ideas. This is not a paying gig, but she'll put your name in the book you submit to. I'm in the first book with the likes of Jeffrey Deaver and Kevin J. Anderson.

National Parks Magazine takes articles on National Parks around the U.S.A. 500-1200 words, depending upon type of article. Pays $.70 to $1.00 per word. Must query first.

Contest:

Robert Lee Brewer, of My Name is Not Bob, is holding a contest where he asks you to remix poems from his book, much the way musicians do remixes. $500 first prize. Deadline is May 15.

Ruminate Magazine's Janet B. McCabe Poetry Prize closes May 15. Entry fee is $20. First prize is $1500, plus publication in the Winter Issue.

The Pikes Peak Pen Women Annual Flash Fiction Contest closes tomorrow, May 1. Entry fee is $10. First prize is $100. The theme is "In this moment."

The Epic Heroes Event invites you to create your own original superhero, inspired by the Phenomena track "Fortress of Solitude," less than 1200 words, and post it for consideration for publication. Deadline May 15. Winners will get Phenomena-themed prizes and publication for some. Hosted by Samantha Redstreake Geary and Audiomachine.

The Guardian is offering the All-New Monthly Literary Prize for Self-Published Authors. Submissions will be open the first fortnight of each month. The prize is publication of an excerpt in The Guardian to hopefully gain attention for your book.

Anything to share? Anything interest you above? Any publishing or submission news? Have you read any of Medeia's books? What do you think of the cover?

May you find your Muse.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Just Links!

It's conference (Pikes Peak Writers Conference) time, folks, which means I'm the Invisible Woman until Sunday night (when I will be visible, but possibly comatose). But I don't want to abandon you without giving you this week's links, so here they are:

Please bear in mind that I am not personally vetting any publications below, merely passing along information I've found online. Always do your due diligence to check out any publication or contest you may consider submitting to.

Accepting Submissions:

The Alchemy Press is seeking "contemporary tales with all the magic and wonder of myth and legend, blending modern life with the traditions of folklore from around the world." Fiction 3000-8000 words. Pays £10.00 for the first 5,000 words, then 0.2p per word on publication, plus a copy of the book. April 30 deadline.

Freefall Magazine closes for submissions for their fall issue April 30. Poetry and prose, up to 4000 words. Pays $10 per printed page.

Mystery and Horror, LLC is open for submissions for an anthology, Strangely Funny II. Humorous paranormal/supernatural stories. 2000-6000 words. Deadline May 1. Pays $5 advance, plus royalties and a free paperback version.

Penumbra is looking for stories of 3500 words or less. Pays $.05/word. The July issue with a theme of Hyperspeed closes May 1. They are also open for their August theme, Pain, which closes June 1.

Your Workplace Magazine is looking for writers for their magazine and blog, who are willing to discuss improving workplaces. (Speakers for conference, too). Pays $.25/word.

Conundrum Press is accepting submissions poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. They're primarily seeking voices of those living in the Rocky Mountain region. Both essay and novel. No pay or deadlines specified.

Contests:

High school and college students are invited to enter the 2014 Norman Mailer Writing Awards. Non-fiction and poetry. Cash prizes.

Wielding Power wants discussions on political and social issues. They have questions that must be answered. The current question is "Should Marijuana be Legal?" Deadline is May 4. Prize is publication and $1000. 

Of Interest:

Cosmopolitan is looking for a blogger/writer who will take over as their Bedroom Blogger. You will create a fictional story and blog as the main character for the next year, blogging twice per week, as well as running a Twitter account. Pays $600 per month. April 28 deadline.

This Cracked article addresses "6 Famous Authors Who Were Nothing Like You Expect." There may be some surprises in this one!

Any of these of interest? Anything to share? Publication news? 

I'll see you on the flipside of Conference!

May you find your Muse.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Creating Villains - A Guest Post and Book Release From Nicole Zoltack!

Today is release day for Nicole Zoltack and White Hellebore! She's stopping by really quick for a guest post on Creating Villains.

I find villains to be more intriguing characters than heroes, if the villain is created properly. So how does one make a villain everyone loves?

First, villains should not be just evil, just like heroes shouldn't be only good. Real life comes in shades of gray, so should villains.

Second, villains need to have backstory, too. They are villains for a reason. Remember, villains think they are the heroes in their stories. Make us understand where they are coming from, even if we don't agree with their methods.

Third, villains should be memorable. They're more than killing machines with witty one-liners. They have a mission, a quest, a goal. They may be single-minded, but we need to understand their inner workings to be truly terrified by them.

What villain is your favorite and why?



After destroying Skull Krusher, Nicholas Adams thinks Falledge is safe and becomes a security guard at the museum, watching a valuable statue. Unfortunately, the Egyptian statue houses the soul of a scorned witch, biding her time to have her revenge on the descendants of her cheating lover.

Kiya the witch isn't the only new foe in town as the drug that created Skull Krusher has now transformed a scientist into yet another monster, forcing Nicholas to don his Black Hellebore mask again and save Falledge.

Nicholas has no help this time as Kiya gains possession of his love Julianna's body and brings the soul of Justina, Nicholas's high school sweetheart and Julianna's twin, with her. Despite himself, Nicholas is torn between the sisters. If he can't stop the fiends from taking over the world and destroying humankind, he'd never be able to find lasting, true love.


Find it on Amazon.



Nicole Zoltack loves to write in many genres, especially romance, whether fantasy, paranormal, or regency. When she’s not writing about knights, superheroes, or zombies, she loves to spend time with her loving husband and three energetic young boys. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire, dressed in garb. She’ll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV show is The Walking Dead. To learn more about Nicole and her writing, visit http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com.


Thanks for stopping by, Nicole, and good luck with White Hellebore's release!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Cover Reveal: White Hellebore & Links

Hey, howdy, hey! Nicole Zoltack here and I'm so happy to share with you the cover for WHITE HELLEBORE. The second book in the Heroes of Falledge trilogy kicks off with an amazing cover.

All right, all right, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. I know you're dying to see it!



 Told you it was awesome! I'm not biased at all. Nope. Not even a little bit.

After destroying Skull Krusher, Nicholas Adams thinks Falledge is safe and becomes a security guard at the museum, watching a valuable statue. Unfortunately, the Egyptian statue houses the soul of a scorned witch, biding her time to have her revenge on the descendants of her cheating lover.

Kiya the witch isn't the only new foe in town as the drug that created Skull Krusher has now transformed a scientist into yet another monster, forcing Nicholas to don his Black Hellebore mask again and save Falledge.

Nicholas has no help this time as Kiya gains possession of his love Julianna's body and brings the soul of Justina, Nicholas's high school sweetheart and Julianna's twin, with her. Despite himself, Nicholas is torn between the sisters. If he can't stop the fiends from taking over the world and destroying humankind, he'd never be able to find lasting, true love.

So I'm sure you're dying to know the release date and luckily it's not that far away! WHITE HELLEBORE releases April 21st! Be sure to grab it on the 21st! :D

About the Author: Nicole Zoltack loves to write in many genres, especially romance, whether fantasy, paranormal, or regency. When she’s not writing about knights, superheroes, or zombies, she loves to spend time with her loving husband and three energetic young boys. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire, dressed in garb. She’ll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV show is The Walking Dead. To learn more about Nicole and her writing, visit http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com.


Now for some links!

As always, please bear in mind that I am not personally vetting these links, merely passing them along. Always do your due diligence and research publications/contests before submitting.

Accepting Submissions:

Eggplant Productions is looking for fairy tales retold in a more diverse fashion, including disabled characters, LGBT characters, and characters who aren't European. There are two anthologies, one for 8-12 year olds (Spellbound) and one for adults (Spindle). Deadline April 30. Fiction pays $.05/word, poetry pays $1/line.

Sirens Call Publications wants your demented tales for their anthology Mental Ward: Experiments. 4000-8000 words. Deadline April 30. Royalties, plus e-book copy and discount on 5 paperbacks.

Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing has an open anthology call out for Dark Light. They seek tales of darkness and despair. Deadline April 30. I'm unsure of pay.

The current theme for Crossed Genres is Time Travel. They want a new spin on it in your short story. Deadline April 30. Pays $.05/word, plus e-book and paper copy.

Spider Road Press is seeking short stories with strong female characters for the anthology Eve's Requiem: Tales of Women, Mystery, and Horror. Deadline April 30. Pays $20 and 2 free e-books, plus 20% of royalties will go to charity.

Indiana Fiction Review is seeking poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, photography, and art. Deadline April 30 (submissions received after deadline will be considered for the next issue). Pays $75, plus 2 contributor copies.

Falling Star Magazine is open for submissions for their next theme, Point A to B. Poetry, flash fiction, and short fiction. Deadline April 30. Pays $20 for poems, $40 for flash/short fiction, $25 for photography and illustrations.

The British Fantasy Society Journal is taking submissions for two issues, one with the theme of LGBT & Fantasy, but you are welcome to submit outside the theme. They have a breakdown by editor for each type of submission, which is pretty cool, so please do read over that. Fiction, features, nonfiction, poetry, art, and letters to the editor. You do not have to be a member to submit. No payment, other than a contributor copy.

The NonBinary Review has announced its next two themes: June 2014 is Grimm's Fairy Tales (deadline April 30) and the September 2014 issue is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (deadline end of July?? Unsure). Pays $.01/word for fiction and nonfiction, $10 per poem, and $25 per piece of visual art.

Solarwyrm Press is a new publication looking for submissions for its first two issues. Deadline for the June issue, theme Fire and Ice, is April 30. They seek stories that don't fit elsewhere. Pay is variable until they find out how many subscriptions they get, but it is estimated to be $10/story, $5/poem.

Anything you're interested in? Anything to share? Publication news? Isn't Nicole's cover intriguing?

May you find your Muse.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Cover Reveal - Another New Life by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle!

Title: Another New Life
Author: Sydney Aaliyah Michelle
Publication Date: June 2, 2014
New Adult Contemporary Romance
**This book contains adult subject matter. Not intended for young readers.**
Cover Design by: © Arijana Karčić, Cover It! Designs
Miranda Preston is a walking contradiction. Beautiful on the outside, but, insecure, haunted and damaged on the inside. Despite these contradictions, she’s ready to start Another New Life.
When her talent wins her a piano scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin, Miranda arrives on campus determined to experience everything college has to offer and to keep her secrets in the past where they belong.
An easy task, until the first guy who catches her eye happens to be someone, she’s known all her life.
Eight years have passed since the last time Miranda and Troy saw each other. He reminds her of the best and worst times of her life, but she can’t think about one without dwelling on the other. As they grow closer, every day their attraction reminds them they are no longer kids.
The epic romantic love story that is Miranda and Troy seems to be destined for a happy ending, but Miranda knows it's only a matter of time before her secret is discovered. A secret that will not only destroy their relationship, it will destroy Troy, too.
Can Miranda focus on her future with Troy while preventing her past from tearing them apart all over again?
Giveaway
About The Author
 
  
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle is a New Adult Contemporary Romance writer, a voracious reader and movie fanatic who 
Sydney has been blogging at sydneyaaliyah.com for three years, where she interviews people about their tattoos, discusses her favorite movie quotes, reviews books (New Adult & only the ones she loves) and journals about her writing and editing process.hailsfrom Texas. After surviving 5 1/2 years living in China, she had the courage to finally pursue her passion and become a writer.
Sydney’s self-published debut New Adult Novel Another New Life will be available June 2014. An active tweeter, she is also a JuNoWriMo (2x) and NaNoWriMo (2x) winners who notes the sci-fi action flick “The Matrix” as the best representation of her life in the past. She is blessed to be awake now and doing what she loves.


What do you think? Great cover isn't it?

May you find your Muse

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - Busy Tree & Links

I don't remember if I posted this tree before, but it caught my eye, so I figured I'd share it today either way. I love how busy it is, all those crazy branches wrapped around each other. It was some sort of dying evergreen tree.


Now for some links.

Please bear in mind that I am not personally vetting any of the following links. These are links I've come across on the internet, but I haven't researched them. Please do your due diligence before submitting to any publications or contests.

Accepting Submissions:

Submissions for the 5x5 summer issue close April 15, with submissions for the winter issue opening the next day and running through October 14. Poetry and prose of <500 words. I didn't see mention of pay.

Elektrik Milk Bath Press motorcycle themed stories for an anthology. 1000-5000 words. April 15 deadline. Pays $30 plus a contributor copy.

Blackbird's reading period ends April 15. They take poetry, fiction, non-fiction and plays. Payment is mentioned, but not how much that payment might be. This is a literary journal.

The Cincinnati Review closes for submissions April 15. Poetry ($30/page) and prose ($25/page). They seek long-form poetry and prose only (page numbers on their website), plus artwork, translations, and reviews.

Twit Publishing is seeking themed stories for its anthology NINJAS! Deadline April 18. Pays in royalties. No length restrictions.

Noodle Doodle Publications is seeking stories between 5000 and 10000 words with the theme Terror at the Beach. Pay is royalty based. Deadline is April 20.

Women's Adventure Magazine is always looking for articles. They have several different types to choose from, including features, personal stories, try this, dream job, and more. Pay is not outlined. No deadline.

Scigentasy is seeking short fiction primarily, but also non-fiction articles, essays, and interviews. They have an emphasis on gender stories. Pays 3 cents per word. No deadline.

Contests:

The theme for this month's Kazka Press 713 Flash Contest is...Unthemed. They'll take any flash piece between 500 and 1000 words that fits the speculative fiction genre. $15 per accepted story. Deadline is April 20.

Of Interest:

Anne R. Allen posted about 7 Ways Authors Waste Time "Building Platform" on Social Media. An interesting read.

Any of these interest you? Anything to add? Publication news? What do you think about social media for building platform? 

May you find your Muse.


Monday, April 7, 2014

I'm at Alex's!

I woke up to a delightful surprise today! Alex J. Cavanaugh featured me in his "F" post for the A-to-Z Challenge. I miss my A-to-Z co-host team and am a bit sad to not be taking part this year, but it was lovely to be a teeny part via Alex's post. I knew I couldn't keep up with commenting and visiting others this year, so even though I could have pre-scheduled a bunch of posts, that's not the true spirit of the A-to-Z, and I opted to stay out of it. I WILL still be visiting participants as I can, though, (as well as my usual blogs) so hope to see you soon! But I'm on deadlines this week, so no rest for the weary.

I hope you'll stop by and visit all the A-to-Z co-hosts (you can find a list of them HERE in the right sidebar.) Also, Andrew Leon at StrangePegs is doing a fun theme for the A-to-Z on abandoned places. My kinda' topic.

And since I'm posting anyway, I'd like to say that I'm meeting my goals of submitting short stories. I've gotten several rejections, including a nice personal one that said my piece was "beautifully written," which I'll take. It didn't match the theme they were going for (I knew it was stretching the theme when I sent it in, but you never know exactly what they're looking for, so felt it was worth trying.) Once I'm through these work deadlines I'll be submitting elsewhere. I've still got four pieces out on submission, though, and need to find a place to submit two more.

I hope you're out there submitting, or at least writing away in preparation to submit and/or query in the future.

Are you taking part in the A-to-Z? If not, have you found any themes in your usual blog travels that you're particularly enjoying? Feel free to share their links in the comments.

May you find your Muse.

P.S. Gary, I broke my "no posting about blog hops" streak. Sowwy!


Wednesday, April 2, 2014

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - Lego Fun & Links

Last week I posted some photos of an abandoned old farm in Olathe, Kansas, where I was on a family vacation. While there, we also went into Kansas City to check out Lego Land. They had a great mini-Kansas City set up, and in one corner was Oz. There were fantastic details on Oz, such as having the house in sepia toned Legos to begin with, then putting it in color when it's landed in Oz. The house also got lifted and spun like it was in a tornado. Pretty cool! 

Dorothy's House in Munchkin Land

The Emerald City

Downtown Kansas City

Downtown Kansas City

Western Auto...Duh

The cutest puffer fish EVER!
Perhaps you're wondering why there is a random puffer fish at the end of the photos? Because he was absolutely adorable, that's why! I know, you're thinking he isn't much to look at, but he was so excited by the kids. If he hadn't needed it to swim with, I'm certain he would have been wagging his tail. His little fins were going like crazy and he was swimming back and forth in front of the kids until we left. I thought about fishnapping him, but decided against it.

Now for some links.

Accepting Submissions:

Lamp Light Magazine is looking for dark fiction, both in short and flash form. Current reading period ends April 15. They pay a flat $150 fee for short fiction, $50 for flash fiction. 

Apex Magazine is currently open to submissions. Pays $.05 per word, with a chance of a podcast, which pays $.01 per word. They take short fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. 

Jamais Vu is seeking short fiction, book reviews, film reviews, poetry, and non-fiction. Payment is $.05 per word. Current submission window closes April 15. They are looking for dark subject matter.

Dreamspinner Press has an open call for submissions through April 14 for an anthology, A Taste of Honey. Romantic short stories. I don't see pay mentioned. There are several other anthologies with deadlines about a month apart, as well.

Audubon Magazine seeks journalists to write for them. Open submissions. Pay not mentioned. They expect a pitch first, not a story submission. 

Geek Force Five publishes five volumes per year, each with five stories. Speculative fiction. Rolling deadlines. Short fiction, photography, photo essays, illustrations, and comics. Pay is 10% share of profits. 

Contests:

The Good Life France 2014 is holding a writing contest with the theme of France. Whatever you want to say about France or having to do with all things French, they're game. No entry fee. Up to 1000 words. Deadline is April 11. First prize is a free 10 week online course.

Mash Stories is a short story competition. First prize is $100 and your story in podcast. No submission fee. 500 words maximum. They provide you with three words that have to be in the story. This quarterly contest ends April 15 this time around.

Blog Stuff:

L. Allison Heller is holding a giveaway: a chapter critique by her editor, Kerry Donovan, at Penguin. To enter, all you have to do is like her Facebook page (found at the link above) and comment on her giveaway post. Winner will be chosen April 11, so I assume you have until then to enter.

Of Interest:

If you're attending a conference or writing event, or planning on pitching anytime soon, Delve Writing is presenting a 2-session camp. Say it Like a Pro: How to talk about your book articulately and enticingly. Classes are this Saturday, April 5 and Saturday, April 12. 9-11 AM. Presented by Chris Mandeville. Cost is $25. This is an online class, so you can attend in your pajamas if you want to.

Anything of interest to you on here? Anything to share? Publishing or query news? Any rejections this week? Have you ever attended an online class? Have you been to a Lego Land?

May you find your Muse.