Maybe you're looking at this photo right now and thinking, "Big deal. A muddy pond." But the reason I'm posting this photo is because there's not usually a pond here. This is a photo taken at Garden of the Gods, a place I've posted many photos of in the past. The recent torrential downpours around the state have left a lot of devastation in their wake, especially in Boulder, Estes Park, Lyons, and other cities close to that area. We've seen damage in areas of Colorado Springs, as well, and Manitou Springs has been hit hard with multiple rainstorms even before this last series of storms. But here, in this area that binds Manitou to Colorado Springs, we see a touch of the amazing. A pond at Garden of the Gods, fed by Camp Creek, which is usually a dry creek bed. This is the first I've ever seen its like at Garden of the Gods, though I'm sure it's not the first time it's happened.
Another thing about this photo? Blue skies. That's something to celebrate, at least for the time being.
My thoughts go out to all those suffering the after effects of the storms, and especially to those who have lost loved ones or who are waiting to hear from those missing.
***
Guess what hit the shelves yesterday...go ahead, guess! Okay, okay, I'll tell you.
Alex J. Cavanaugh's CassaStorm!
Comment on Alex’s blog this week for a chance to win a Cassa mug, mousepad, magnet, and swag!
CassaStorm
By Alex J Cavanaugh
From the Amazon Best Selling Series!
A storm gathers across the galaxy…
Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.
After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.
Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…
“With a talent for worldbuilding and a compelling cast of characters, Alex J. Cavanaugh combines high powered space battles and the challenges of family dynamics to provide readers a space opera with heart.”
- Elizabeth S. Craig, author of the Southern Quilting and Myrtle Clover mysteries“I thought the revelation was going to be one thing and I was completely wrong … CassaStorm pushes the limits…”- Tyson Mauermann, Speculative Reviews
“…mesmerizing story of survival, personal sacrifice, tolerance, and compassion. It’s a rare jewel that successfully utilizes both character and plot to tell a story of such immense scope and intimate passion…” - Nancy S. Thompson, author of The Mistaken
$16.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera
Print ISBN 9781939844002 eBook ISBN 9781939844019
$4.99 EBook available in all formats
Find CassaStorm:
Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.
Now for some links!
Accepting Submissions:
Mystery and Horror, LLC is seeking short stories for two different anthologies. Horror short stories set in the winter for the anthology Undead of Winter. Submissions period is currently open and ends October 1. Mystery short stories set during Mardi Gras for their anthology Mardi Gras Murder. Open submission period is October 21 to January 5. Pays a contributor copy, $5 advance on royalties, and discount on additional book purchases.
Contrary Magazine's winter issue deadline is December 1. They accept fiction, poetry, commentary, etc. Pays $20 per piece.
Pseudopod takes horror submissions of short stories for their podcasts. They also take flash, but prefer short. They pay $100 per story and your story is performed in audio format for their podcast. Flash fiction pays $20. They're always open for submissions.
PodCastle is the same as above, but takes fantasy stories. Same pay and open submission period.
Contests:
Quirk Books is holding their Looking for Love Fiction Contest. Entries should be novel-length unconventional romance. First prize is $10,000 and publication.
Human Echoes Podcast is holding their Eaters of Earth flash fiction contest focused on geophagy (eating earthly matter). Deadline October 4. Winner gets $10 and your story produced in audio form and presented on the Human Echoes Podcast.
Blogging:
Rachel at When a Lion Sleeps, Let it Sleep has asked bloggers to join her October 9 in posting an anti-bullying message. October 9 is Unity Day, and October is Bullying Awareness Month. Send her a link to your post and she'll include it in her recap post later that week.
Anything of interest to you? Anything to add? Good publishing news to share? Are you excited about Alex's last book in the series? Have you dealt with bullying? Plan to participate in Rachel's event?
May you find your Muse.
12 comments:
Funny how nature can be so vicious and beneficial at the same time. Best wishes to all those affected.
Thanks for the links. And go Alex!
Glad you survived the rain. It was shocking to view on the news. We're still dry in central OR. We would gladly had taken some of that wet.
Congrats to Alex!
Glad you are safe, but oh my gosh the destruction, unbelievable.
Love the links thank you! So much to do and so little time!
Oh and once again, congratulations Alex!
Thanks, Shannon!
The destruction from the rain is just mind boggling. Prayers for all involved.
You did manage to find a spot of beauty in all of it though.
That is a great picture, and I was about to say something like what Alex said, but, well, Alex already said it.
Glad you came through the deluge. It had to be scary. I love that pic, having been to the Garden when it was quite dry.
Hi Shannon. Thanks for all the publishing links. And congrats to Alex on the CassaStorm launch.
......dhole
What a cool picture of Garden of the Gods. I'm used to that place being dry as a bone. And yes, I'm happy to finally see some blue skies. Let's hope it lasts longer than a couple days this time around.
Wow what a gorgeous photo. And touching too. I've been stunned by the devastation in Colorado. Glad you escaped the damage at your place.
Such unbelievable devastation...
Alex has been all over the blogosphere this week!
Thanks for the links!
Writer In Transit
Such a beautiful blue sky in that first picture. When I saw the muddy pond I figured that someone had dug it out, because it looks like it is square. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been affected by the storms.
Nick, nature is an amazing and frightening thing.
Mary, I wish everyone could have just enough rain. Too much strips the land even more and causes emergencies like this one. I do remember how dry central Oregon was, though. So I'm hoping for some rain for you guys, but not too much.
Yolanda, truly, so much was destroyed. But as they're saying, we're mountain strong. :)
Alex, forces of nature are astounding. The amount of damage fire and water can do. We had a tornado up on Pikes Peak, over 14,000 feet in the air! Sort of scared of what earth as a force of nature could do.
Andrew, haha, thanks on the picture. I could get way better if I ignored the signs asking people to stay off the grass like so many other people are doing. It's a reclamation area, and they're just happily trampling away to get their pics. I'm happy with what I got. Took pics of the kids with the pond as background, too, so they can have that in a decade when no one believes there was ever water at Garden of the Gods.
Jan, there are photos that exist from way back when with a pond in front of it, and people figured they were doctored. I have yet to discover anything concrete for when it would have been and if there was actually a pond there, but I figure there had to be, because that valley is quite green in comparison to other areas and has cottonwood trees, which can't survive without a solid source of water. I'm thinking underground spring?
Donna, thanks!
Bryan, I'm sort of rooting for a crazy snowfall this winter, too. If we're going to have extreme weather and natural events, I think a mondo blizzard should be one of them. I'd just like everyone to stay safe during it. I can have my cake and eat it, too, right?
Julie, thank you! I'm amazed now by all the good people are doing about it and for each other.
Michelle, Alex is everywhere!
Susanne, I do love the blue skies around here, especially after days of rain.
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