Giveaway Winner, New Release, Podcast Appearances

First up, the good news! The winner of the Wendigo Nights bundle is Autumn Miller. Congratulations to Autumn, and thank you to everyone who entered and supported me!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I also have a short story in the horror anthology Dismember the Coop. All the stories are inspired by Alice Cooper songs, and proceeds will go to Solid Rock Teen Centers, Alice and Sheryl Cooper's charity in Phoenix, AZ.

It can be purchased at Amazon in paperback and e-book, plus there's a large print version available.

The paperback of Wendigo Nights has finally hit Amazon, as well as several other online stores!

You can access all versions now available at the universal link. More are coming soon!

This month's episode of the Mysteries, Monsters, & Mayhem is out, with guest Kameron Claire. We discussed Shen Yun and the related cult, Betty Neumar (a possible black widow), and the Menendez Brothers (there's new information!). You can click the link above or look for it on your favorite podcast platform.

You can find Kameron Claire and her romance books at any of these places on her Linktree.

And I was a guest on the Ye Olde Crime podcast, a super short bonus episode in which I try to guess Victorian slang.

Finally, if you're interested in helping me get the word out about Myth Stalker: Wendigo Nights, you can CLICK HERE to go to my sign up form.

Have you ever listened to Ye Olde Crime? How about Mysteries, Monsters, & Mayhem? Have you read anything by Kameron Claire? Are you interested in signing up to help me with my book launch?

May you find your Muse.

IWSG - Critical Mass & Book Release/Giveaway

 Hey! It's that time again and I'm not forgetting!

The IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh to provide a place for writers to seek and provide support to each other. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and add your blog to the list. Then write your post and hop around to visit your fellow struggling creatives.

The co-hosts this month are: Janet Alcorn, SE White, Victoria Marie Lees, and Cathrina Constantine. Be sure to visit them to say hey as thanks for their work.

This month's optional question is: What turns you off when visiting an author's website/blog?

As a reader, it would be not being able to find information on their books and where to buy them. As an event organizer, not being able to find a way to contact the author was a pet peeve. As a fellow author I'm probably looking for the same thing as I am as a reader. Other than that, I don't really want to see politics. Even if they match mine.

Okay, my insecurities. Well, the fact that I've reached critical mass for me. Balls are being dropped. It frustrates me when I can't keep up with everything and let things slide. Example being that I missed IWSG last month and I think the November one, too. I tried to set solid boundaries with my job and ended up sliding backward anyway. I've tried cutting down on some things, like my podcast going from weekly to once per month, so we'll see if there's any improvement from that. The overwhelm is leading to a shutdown, and I've got too much to juggle to actually let that happen. Critical mass.

But in positive news, I'm zooming forward with the release of my debut novel! I updated the banner on my Facebook page and couldn't believe I'm putting out my SIXTH book! I don't think I imagined being in quite this place a decade ago.

I'm running a giveaway through midnight on February 15 via Rafflecopter. The prize pack includes a signed paperback copy (after release on March 26), Wendigo magnet, Wendigo figure, tote bag, Wendigo pop socket, and $20 Amazon gift card. The link is below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm running a special on my Square store. The first four people to order the signed paperback from me get a Wendigo sticker with their purchase (delivery after March 26).

And I'm looking for people to help with the release in March! You can sign up via the form below.

This has been exciting and nerve-wracking. Even more anxiety inducing than the craft book release. I'm trying to focus on having fun with it as I plow forward toward release day. So far, only the e-books are up for pre-order, and they're still trickling out to the full list of destinations, but I've got one proof and am waiting on the second, and then the paperback should be available for pre-order. My UBL from Books2Read should be updating over the next few weeks. Everything moves so fast once the momentum gets going.

I was a guest on Functional Nerds (my third time!), chatting with a good friend, Patrick Hester, and his co-host Tracy Townsend. It's episode 610.

I've also got a short story coming out in an anthology, releasing February 15th! Every story is based on an Alice Cooper song, and proceeds will go to his charity, Solid Rock Teen Centers. Dismember the Coop is already getting great reviews, so please consider checking it out on Amazon! There's also a large print version available.

In other news, I was a panelist at COSine here in Colorado Springs. I had a lot of fun, had some great panels, and got to see some friends. And I was organized enough to actually have swag for the upcoming book release. Including stickers! I've never really done much swag for my books, so this is another part of the fun. The rest of the swag is reserved for giveaways. (Photo taken by F.P. Dorchak)

Sorry for the long post, but I'm excited I got my act together long enough to pooooost! I've had the urge to start posting again regularly on topics I want to discuss, but know I wouldn't be able to stay on top of it. Not right now. 

What are your insecurities? What turns you off an author's page? Have you entered the giveaway? What are some successful giveaways you've run?

May you find your Muse.

Chrys Fey's Frozen Crimes Blog Tour

 

When disasters strike around every corner, is it possible to have a happily-ever-after?

 

 

BLURB: Beth and Donovan are expecting their first child. Life couldn’t get any better…until a stalker makes his presence known. This person sends disturbing messages and unsettling items, but it isn’t long before his menacing goes too far.

Hoping for a peaceful Christmas, Donovan takes Beth to Michigan. Days into their trip, a winter storm named Nemesis moves in with the goal of burying the state. Snowdrifts surround their house, and the temperature drops below freezing.

Except, the storm isn’t the only nemesis they must face. Everyone’s lives are at stake—especially that of their unborn child. Will they survive, or will they become a frozen crime?

 

BUY LINKS: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes

 

EXCERPT:

The crunch of the shovel pounding into the snow and ice filled his ears. It was all he could hear. The rest of the street was silent beneath its wintry blanket. Breathing was difficult with the icy air clogging his lungs. His nose burned. His throat was dry and on fire. But he ignored it, focusing on his task.

Crack, crack, crack.

He jabbed the shovel into a hunk of snow. On the third hit, it shattered into several pieces. He scooped them up and flung them to the side. He surveyed what remained. There was one big ball in the middle of the path that needed to be dealt with next. He moved over to it and struck it. That one impact had it severing in two. He was about to hit it again when something crashed into the back of his head.

Explosions of white light danced over his vision. Pain enveloped his skull. The shovel slipped from his fingers. Blackness cloaked his mind, coaxing him into its depths.

Beth. Her name was a whisper in his head, as if his thoughts were being sucked into a wormhole.

His legs collapsed under his weight.

Cold. It seeped into him, consuming him. And then his consciousness fled down that same void that ate his thoughts.

 

***HUGE DISASTER CRIMES GIVEAWAY*** 

 

 

Prizes: 4 eBooks (Disaster Crimes 1-4: Hurricane Crimes, Seismic Crimes, Tsunami Crimes, Flaming Crimes) + Girl Boss Magnets (4), Inflatable Cup Holder (1), Adventure Fuel To-Go Cups (2), Anchor Fashion Scarf (1), Mermaid Nail Clippers (2), Citrus and Sea Salt Scented Candle (1), Snowflake Handmade Bookmark (1), Insulated Cooler Bag (1)

 

Eligibility: International

Number of Winners: One

Giveaway Ends: October 30, 2020 12:00am EST

LINK: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/76132e0221/?

 

 

***FREE EXCLUSIVE EBOOK***

 

 

To get the exclusive prequel to the Disaster Crimes series, sign up for Chrys’ newsletter. By signing up, you agree to receive Chrys Fey’s newsletter. After you confirm subscription, you will receive an email (so check your inbox and spam folder) with directions on where to snag your eBook copy of THE CRIME BEFORE THE STORM.

Click here to sign up and get The Crime Before the Storm FREE!

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur Press. https://www.chrysfey.com

Author Links:

Website / Blog / Goodreads

Facebook / Twitter / Amazon

S.A. Larsen Guest Post - Marked Beauty

Please welcome S.A. Larsen on her blog tour to promote her new release, Marked Beauty. 

Title: Marked Beauty

Author: S.A. Larsen

Publisher: Ellysian Press

Release Date: October 2017

Uncovering hidden secrets can sometimes kill you . . . or worse, steal your soul.

Anastasia Tate has a secret. She can feel the emotions of others through their life energy auras. Not a welcome gift for a teenager. Especially when a sinister presence begins stalking her.

Viktor Castle also has a secret. He’s tasked with protecting humanity yet cursed by an ancient evil to destroy it.

After Viktor saves Ana’s life, her abilities grow stronger. Drawn together, she senses Viktor has answers to lifelong questions. Only he shuns her at every turn, knowing he has saved her only to put her in more danger.

As Ana struggles with her attraction to Viktor, he tries everything to bury his unexpected feelings for her. But they must find a middle ground. For only together can they combat the dark forces threatening both their lives . . . and their souls.

Link to Goodreads:

   

Purchase Links:

Chapters | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

#

I asked S.A.the following question:

Did your writing routine change at all between writing an adventure and a romance--how so and what was surprisingly similar?

Writing For Different Genres and Ages

by S.A. Larsen

When I took my first literary stab at writing a fictional tale I did just that—I wrote. Literally sat at my laptop and began typing. There wasn’t much thought about age group, setting, or even a story problem. Before I knew it I’d created two characters, each with a distinct teen sheen that began to breath. I could almost hear them. From there, I explored possible worlds to drop them into, story problems, and all that encompasses being a teenager: school, parents, worries, fears, angst of growing up, wants, and romance; all age appropriate, of course. Looking from my own experiences to those of friends I’d grown up with along with reading YA novels took me on a journey of what it’s like being on the outside of growing up teen. Thus gave birth to my first young adult story.

Then came this tiny voice inside my head Pick me, it said. A different character and one that wouldn’t fit into that first YA novel I wrote. (If you’re wondering, yes – it was Marked Beauty. <3) So I pressed fingertips to keys, and a story poured out of me. Only thing was the more I wrote this new character the younger he began to sound. No, wait . . . he wasn’t a he at all, either. He was a she. And that’s when I realized the character chatting up a storm in my head was a middle school-aged girl full of fast-paced adventure and a bit of snark with a love of cheese. Great! I can write a middle grade novel. Uh, but how was I to do that?   

I used the same methods I did when I began writing in the first place. I listened to my characters and revisited my earlier days and experiences. Reading a ton of middle grade to switch gears for the younger age group and change in genre also helped. If I’m going to be completely honest, I also robbed the middle grade feel of wonder, exploration, adventure, and excitement from my four kids. They’ve given me a plethora of MG material to use. Point being: don’t fear writing in different arenas.

Writing in more than one genre and for more than one age group can present a writer with unique challenges. But it also brings growth in writing and in personal perceptions. I definitely see the world of our youth with more appreciation and awe. 

S.A. LARSEN is the author of the award-winning novel Motley Education, the first book in a fantasy-adventure series for middle grade readers. Her work has appeared in numerous local publications and young adult anthologies Gears of Brass and Under A Brass Moon by Curiosity Quills Press. Marked Beauty is her debut young adult novel. Find her in the land of snowy winters and the occasional Eh’ya with her husband of over twenty-five years, four children, a playful pooch, and three kittens. Visit her cyber home anytime at www.salarsenbooks.com.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Blog | Goodreads

There are two giveaways for this book launch!

Blog Tour Giveaway:

1 lucky winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Party Giveaway:

What better way to celebrate a book birthday then by a giveaway! There are many ways to enter, which you'll find below. You can win an iTunes, Amazon, or Starbucks gift card, an authentic Vera Bradley Little Crossbody in Cobalt Tile, an assortment of bookish swag, and even a KINDLE Fire HD 7"! The giveaway runs from release day, October 17, 2017 to December 5, 2017. Winners will be announced via social media December 7, 2017.

*No purchase necessary to win*

However, if you have read Marked Beauty or purchase it and read you can earn extra entries by posting a review on any major online retail bookstore and Goodreads! All the information you'll need is in the form below.

BUT there's more...

FOR WRITERS!

Writers who enter can WIN a first five pages critique!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can find the tour schedule HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

May you find your Muse.

S.A. Larsen Cover Reveal - Motley Education

Today I'd like to present S.A. Larsen's Motley Education cover reveal!

Title: Motley Education (Book One: The URD Saga)

Author: S.A. Larsen

Release Date: October 10, 2016

Forget having a lively after school social life, Ebony Charmed is fighting to keep the entire Afterlife alive.

Ebony’s less-than-average spirit tracking abilities are ruining more than sixth grade at Motley Junior High: School for the Psychically & Celestially gifted. Her parents argue so much her dad moved out. And, even though he’s scared of his own shadow and insists on bringing his slimy, legless lizard everywhere they go, Ebony wouldn’t survive without her best friend, Fleishman.

When Ebony’s Deadly Creatures & Relics’ project goes missing, she learns her missing project is one of the keys to saving the spirit world. Now Ebony and Fleishman must battle beasts from Norse Mythology to retrieve her project before spirits are lost, the Well of Urd dries up, and Ebony loses all hope of reuniting her family. But someone lies in wait, and he has other plans...including creating a new world of spirits without them in it.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Motley Education has been aligned with Core Standards for grades 4-7. A guide will be available on the author’s website to download for FREE after the book’s release date.

About S.A. Larsen

S.A. LARSEN is the author of Motley Education, the first book in a middle grade fantasy-adventure series. Her work has appeared in numerous local publications and young adult anthologies Gears of Brass and Under A Brass Moon by Curiosity Quills Press. Look for her debut young adult novel, Marked Beauty, set for release in 2017. Find her in the land of lobsters, snowy winters, and the occasional Eh’ya with her husband of over twenty years, four children, a playful pooch, and two kittens.

You can visit her online at www.salarsenbooks.com.

Follow her on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram and connect with her on her Website & Blog.

Rafflecopter Giveaway Code

Five lucky winners will each receive a signed bookmark and assorted swag! Contest runs from 09/15/16 to 09/23/16. Winners will be chosen my random.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct link to giveaway: http://bit.ly/2bZyLVj

What do you think? It raises interesting questions, doesn't it?  

May you find your Muse.

White Lady Blog Tour - Can You Determine the Truth?

Jessica Bell, author and editor, is stopping by to talk about White Lady, releasing October 1. You decide which statement is true and enter to win a giveaway. Welcome, Jessica!

GUESS THE TRUE STATEMENT & WIN JESSICA BELL'S THRILLER, WHITE LADY! (Statement #51)

To celebrate the release of Jessica Bell's latest novel, WHITE LADY, she is giving away an e-copy (mobi, ePub, or PDF) to the first person to correctly guess the one true statement in the three statements below. To clarify, two statements are lies, and one is true:

Jessica Bell was 14 when she ...
a. drove her father’s VW Beetle into a lamp post
b. got a tattoo of a star on her left bum cheek
c. got her nose pierced at a chemist’s

What do you think? Which one is true? Write your guess in the comments, along with your email address. Comments will close in 48 hours. If no-one guesses correctly within 48 hours, comments will stay open until someone does.

Want more chances to win? You have until October 31 to visit all the blogs where Jessica will share a different set of true and false statements on each one. Remember, each blog is open to comments for 48 hours only from the time of posting.

If you win, you will be notified by email with instructions on how to download the book.

Click HERE to see the list of blogs.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

*This novel contains coarse language, violence, and sexual themes.

Sonia yearns for sharp objects and blood. But now that she's rehabilitating herself as a "normal" mother and mathematics teacher, it's time to stop dreaming about slicing people's throats.

While being the wife of Melbourne's leading drug lord and simultaneously dating his best mate is not ideal, she's determined to make it work.

It does work. Until Mia, her lover's daughter, starts exchanging saliva with her son, Mick. They plan to commit a crime behind Sonia's back. It isn't long before she finds out and gets involved to protect them.

But is protecting the kids really Sonia's motive?

Click HERE to view the book trailer.
Click HERE for purchase links.

Jessica Bell, a thirty-something Australian-native contemporary fiction author, poet and singer/songwriter/guitarist, is the Publishing Editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal and the director of the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca. She makes a living as a writer/editor for English Language Teaching Publishers worldwide, such as Pearson Education, HarperCollins, MacMillan Education, Education First and Cengage Learning.

Connect with Jessica online:

Website | Retreat & workshop | Blog | Vine Leaves Literary Journal | Facebook | Twitter

Thank you for stopping by, Jessica. So, folks, which one is the true statement?

May you find your Muse.

The Watchers Book Trailer and Giveaway

Today, I'm pleased to host Deirdra Eden, and the trailer for The Watchers Book 1, a story that looks to be full of adventure and fun! You'll find a giveaway at the end of this post.

The Watchers Book 1: Knight of Light

 In England, 1270 A.D., Auriella (pronounced yurr-ee-ella) flees her village after being accused of witchcraft. Pursued by nightmarish creatures, she struggles to accept the truth about her humanity. Filled with fairies, dwarves, pixies, dragons, demons, and monsters, Knight of Light is an enthralling tale that will capture the imaginations of readers young and old.

The Watchers Series has been described as Braveheart meets Supernatural. The mythology for the series is based on many theological texts from dozens of sects with correlating themes. Ancient writings include The Dead Sea Scrolls, The Traditional Apocrypha, The Pearl of Great Price, and The Kabbalah.

“The Watchers” are supernatural beings in human form whose duty it is to protect and guard mankind from the armies of darkness. Unfortunately, as the Book of Enoch mentions, some of these Watchers go bad. Although the mythology is based on these texts, Deirdra Eden’s The Watcher’s Series is written in a traditional fairytale style with a young girl’s discovery of incredible, but dangerous powers within herself, a cast of humorous side-kicks, a quest for greater self-discovery and purpose, and villains of epic proportions

Amazon  Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads  Wattpad  Pinterest

About the Author

"My goal in writing is to saturate my books with intrigue, mystery, romance, and plot twists that will keep my readers in suspense. I want to see fingerprints on the front and back covers where readers have gripped the novel with white knuckles! Aside from writing, I enjoy jousting in arenas, planning invasions, horseback riding through open meadows, swimming in the ocean, hiking up mountains, camping in cool shady woods, climbing trees barefoot, and going on adventures."
-Deirdra Eden

Find Deirdra Eden and The Watchers Series online on Amazon, Deirdra's website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Wattpad, and Pinterest.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Looks like a fun and exciting story! Thank you for stopping by Deirdre. 

May you find your Muse.

Razed Cover Reveal

RAZED, a sexy romance by award-winning author, Shiloh Walker, is the much awaited sequel to WRECKED in the Barnes Brothers series and it releases this December from Berkley!

Take a look at the cover and let us know what you think!

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed paperback copy of WRECKED, along with some fabulous swag! (Yes, it’s international :))

Tattoo artist Keelie Jessup can handle that someone else has claimed the man of her dreams. She’s just not pleased with her remaining options…

Keelie doesn’t believe in the “perfect man.” But the men who are worth the trouble are usually taken—like her business partner Zach Barnes. After a string of bad luck and the lost chance with Zach, Keelie decides that maybe flying solo—and living with suppressed desires—is the key to happiness.

As a photographer, Zane Barnes has an eye for the human form, and his eyes can’t get enough of Keelie’s curves. Unfortunately, Keelie is like most women—always fawning over his little brother, Zach. Zane is about ready to give up, but then a few stolen moments at his brother's wedding have him thinking maybe there's a chance there after all. Now he just has to prove that the perfect man does exist...for her.

Indiebound | BN | BAMM | iBooks | Amazon

Also in the Barnes Brothers series: WRECKED by Shiloh Walker!

An excerpt:

Humiliation burned in her.

Rejection turned her blood to ice while her skin shrank down about two sizes too small.

She wanted to sink into the floorboards, turn into something thin and vaporous so she could just disappear.

Pushing against his chest, she focused on the navy blue polo.  “Then how about you let me go, huh?  My mistake.”

The hand on her throat didn’t move.

It should have felt threatening.

But the feel of him touching her just made her melt that much more…and it was now a heavy ache inside because he—

His lips brushed her ear.

“You want to know what I want from you?” he asked, the words velvet, stroking over her like a caress.

Keelie closed her hands into fists to keep from reaching for him. He was messing with her.  It pissed her off—and, to her disgust, it hurt.  It almost felt like a betrayal, too, because she hadn’t expected to see this in Zane.

“Back off,” she warned, putting an edge into her voice and preparing herself to make him back off.  So what if he had some moves on him?  He hadn’t seen her moves yet.  Not really.

“I want…” He slid his hand down from her throat, to rest on her chest, fingers spread wide where it rested above her heart.  “This.”

The simplicity of the gesture stunned her into passivity.

She held still as he lifted his head and stared down at her.

She blinked, not moving, as he continued to stand there, his hand on her chest.  “I want five minutes of your time…over a cup of coffee.  An hour for lunch.  I want you to pick up the phone when I call, talk with me for a while,” he said, staring into her eyes while the blue-green of his gaze cut into her.

Then he leaned in and pressed a hot, open-mouthed kiss to her chest, just above the neckline of her sweater.  “I want to peel your clothes away, learn each and every one of these insanely sexy tattoos…each tattoo, and the reason behind them.  I want to know what makes you laugh, and I want to know what makes you mad.  I want to know what sort of book you’re reading whenever I’m in the office—I’ve asked, but you always toss it down when I walk by and you never answer me.”

His breath was a caress on her flesh and she broke out into goosebumps.

Her heart raced in her chest and she couldn’t even begin to understand why there was a knot in her chest.

Author photo taken by
Ayrica Bishop

About Shiloh Walker:

Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid... she fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more...ah... serious vampire stories. She loves reading and writing anything paranormal, anything fantasy, but most all anything romantic. Once upon a time, she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest. She also writes under the pen name J. C. Daniels.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What do you think of her cover? How cool is her headshot? Did you enter the Rafflecopter giveaway?

May you find your Muse.

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - Con Pics, Cover Reveal & Links

First, I've got a cover reveal for Darby Karchut's The Hound at the Gate. 

Cover by Lisa Amowitz

Autumn: the season of endings. And beginnings.

Especially for one young apprentice.

At the annual Festival of the Hunt, thirteen-year-old apprentice goblin hunter Finn MacCullen and his master, Gideon Lir, join other Tuatha De Danaan to honor their people’s heritage. But Finn soon realizes that there are some who denounce his right to attend due to his half-human bloodline.

As he struggles to keep his place by his master’s side, he finds himself embroiled in a decades-old grudge between Gideon and another Knight, bewildered (and beguiled) by a female apprentice with a temper as explosive as his own, and battling a pack of goblins determined to wipe out the entire camp in a surprise attack.

It’s going to take some fancy knife work, the help of a female Knight with a lethal bow, and one old pick up truck to defeat the goblins and prove to his people that Finn’s blood runs true-blue Tuatha De Danaan.

You can find more at:

Darby Karchut's website

GoodReads

Facebook

Spencer Hill Middle Grade

Darby is a Colorado Springs author. My kids and I are reading her book Finn Finnegan together right now.

Now, for [Mostly] Wordless Wednesday, here are a few pics I snapped at the Denver Comic Con. How about a little game? For the cars, name that movie or TV show!

Car #1

Car #2

Car #3

Car #4

Car #5

There was also a giant Lego Batman walking around:

And Gollum:

Now for some links! I've happened across these and have in no way checked them out other than for details. Always do your due diligence before submitting to a contest or publication. 

Accepting Submissions:

Christopher Bloodworth has a call out for short stories for the Boothworld Industries anthology. All stories should begin with a global corporation engaged in nefarious activities. Pays $20 and an e-book copy. Submissions close July 1.

The Literary Hatchet is taking submissions for thrice a year publication. They seek dark fiction. Fiction short stories, essays, interviews, art, etc. Payment is between $1 and $15, depending upon the type of submission. Current deadline July 1.

The Daily Nightmare is seeking submissions for their anthology 13 Quick Shivers. 100 word prose poems based on images they've provided. Payment is $10 and an e-book copy. Deadline July 1.

Cleis Press is seeking short stories for their anthology The Princess's Bride: Lesbian Fairy Tale Erotica. 3000-6000 words. Pays $50-$100. Deadline July 1.

The July submission theme for Penumbra is Lewis Carroll. Pays $.05/word. Deadline July 1. 3500 words or less.

The Exile Book of New Canadian Noir is an anthology of Canadian noir in all its stripes. Deadline July 2. Must be Canadian. 1000-8000 words. Pays $.05/word.

Contest:

Lit Reactor is holding a crime writing challenge in collaboration with Thug Lit. Crime fiction, any kind. 3000-5000 words. Deadline July 1. First prize is publication in Thug Lit and Thug Lit standard payment.

Spark is holding a contest with the theme You Are Here. They want introspection, epiphany, and self-reflection. No entry fee. Deadline July 1. Grand prize is $500, publication, and more.

African Poetry Book Fund and Prairie Schooner are holding the Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry. This is for books written by African residents, African Nationals, or people with African parentage who live anywhere in the world. Deadline July 1. Prize is $5000.

Wielding Power Publishing is holding an essay contest answering the question "Is it wrong to boycott a business because of an executive's personal political views?" Deadline July 6. Prize is $1000.

Blog Stuff: 

The fellas from A Beer for the Shower are giving away a Mystery Box of Awesomeness. They have a Rafflecopter giveaway for entry.

Anything of interest to you above? Anything to share? Did you guess the cars? How do you like Darby's cover? Any submission news?

May you find your Muse.