The Insecure Writer's Support Group: May 2019

It's the first Wednesday of the month, and you know what that means! Let's convene another meeting of The Insecure Writer's Support Group. Our leader Alex J. Cavanaugh has rounded up another great bunch of co-hosts: Lee Lowery, Juneta Key, Yvonne Ventresca, and T. Powell Coltrin.

Be sure to check out the IWSG website for lots of great resources!

One piece of big news is that the latest IWSG anthology came out yesterday!

Masquerade: Oddly Suited

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Release date – April 30, 2019
Young Adult Fiction: Romance - General/Paranormal/ContemporaryPrint ISBN 9781939844644  $14.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844651  $4.99

Find love at the ball…

Can a fake dating game show lead to love? Will a missing key free a clock-bound prince? Can a softball pitcher and a baseball catcher work together? Is there a vampire living in Paradise, Newfoundland? What’s more important—a virtual companion or a date to the ball?

Ten authors explore young love in all its facets, from heartbreak to budding passion. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Jennifer Lane, C.D. Gallant-King, Elizabeth Mueller, Angela Brown, Myles Christensen, Deborah Solice, Carrie-Anne Brownian, Anstice Brown, and Chelsea Marie Ballard.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will mystify and surprise even as they touch your heart. Don your mask and join the party…

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter.

Links:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

iTunes 

Kobo

Goodreads

Now let's move on to the optional question for this month.

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Language is indeed powerful. I think I knew this from an early age when I listened to stories of adventure and imagined myself taking part in those adventures. Language can inspire. It can motivate. It can educate. These are all wonderful things, and even though I was too young to put that into words, I knew I wanted to be a writer so I could harness that ability for myself.

That power goes both ways, though. I learned a lot about how destructive words could be after I started Kindergarten. I've always been socially awkward, and that caused me a lot of problems as a kid. I had a hard time making friends, and a lot of other kids made fun of me. The old saying "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" sounds great in principle, but it really isn't true. Words can inflict a tremendous amount of hurt.

Fortunately, writing has always been a source of strength for me. When times get tough, I write. I use my writing to fashion new realities. It's a way of escaping reality. It's also a way of coming to terms with difficult things and trying to make the world a better place.

How did you learn about the power of language?

Masquerade Ball Bloghop: The Unmasking and Book Release Celebration!

Lights! Camera! Action!

The day has come! Masquerade: Oddly Suited is now available! It is also time for the Masquerade Ball Bloghop to come to an end, and that can only mean one thing. Yes, it is time for each of the authors to unmask their characters.

I'd like you to meet Ramona. You may have already met her masked version on Anstice Brown's blog.

Oddly Suited

Blurb:

Ramona enjoys making entertaining videos with her friends and posting them online. She also co-writes the scripts with her crush Adam. Sometimes it’s difficult to keep her feelings hidden, but when Adam’s antics inspire a zany Valentine’s Day video, her task becomes nearly impossible.

Not only does she have to write a fun, romance-themed script with him, she must also play his love interest on camera.

Can she play her role while also masking her true feelings?

Bio:

L.G. Keltner has been attempting to write novels since she was six.  None of those early attempts were any good, but her passion for writing remained strong.  She graduated from Drake University in 2008, and she lives in Iowa with her husband and children. L.G. writes mostly science fiction, though she also enjoys writing humorous young adult stories.

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Masquerade: Oddly Suited 

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Find love at the ball...

Can a fake dating game show lead to love? Will a missing key free a clock-bound prince? Can a softball pitcher and a baseball catcher work together? Is there a vampire living in Paradise, Newfoundland? What’s more important—a virtual companion or a date to the ball? 

Ten authors explore young love in all its facets, from heartbreak to budding passion. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Jennifer Lane, C.D. Gallant-King, Elizabeth Mueller, Angela Brown, Myles Christensen, Deborah Solice, Carrie-Anne Brownian, Anstice Brown, and Chelsea Marie Ballard. 

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will mystify and surprise even as they touch your heart. Don your mask and join the party…

“READ IT! There is something for everyone! Do you want Love? Got it! Do you want vampires? Got it! Do you want time travel? Go it!” - Jessica Renfro, book reviewer 

“A diverse collection of m/f YA clean-reads romances to transport readers between the past, present, and future, from the sea bottom to the virtual clouds.” - J. Lenni Dorner, author 

"Stories that will chill your heart, bring smiles to your lips, and keep you turning pages." - Beverly Stowe McClure, author

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter. www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com 

Purchase Links:

Amazon
iTunes
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Smashwords

Add it on Goodreads

The ball is still underway! Follow the links to continue with the unmasking!

L.G. Keltner https://lgkeltner.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Lane http://jenniferlanebooks.blogspot.com

Deborah Solice https://thefabulistdotblog.wordpress.com/

CD Gallant-King http://www.cdgallantking.ca/

Elizabeth Mueller https://elizabethmueller.blogspot.com/

Chelsea Marie Ballard https://www.facebook.com/masqueradeoddlysuited

Carrie-Anne Brownian http://carrieannebrownian.wordpress.com

Myles Christensen www.myleschristensen.com

Anstice Brown https://dustingthesoul.com

Angela Brown http://publishness.blogspot.com/

Celebrate the Small Things-April 19, 2019

It's Friday! Let's Celebrate the Small Things with Lexa Cain! I am her co-host.

The first thing I would like to celebrate is a little something that came in the mail yesterday. Look at it!

Isn't it lovely? The release day for Masquerade: Oddly Suited is April 30th. That's less than 2 weeks away! If you would like to pre-order a copy, you can do that here.

The Masquerade Ball Bloghop is also underway! A mystery guest appeared on my blog yesterday. If you would like to read that post, you can do so here. If you'd like to follow the entire event, here is the schedule for the rest of the hop.

SCHEDULE

Thur. April 18th: L.G. Keltner https://lgkeltner.blogspot.com/

Fri. April 19th: Jennifer Lane http://jenniferlanebooks.blogspot.com

Sat. April 20th: Deborah Solice https://thefabulistdotblog.wordpress.com/

Mon. April 22nd: CD Gallant-King http://www.cdgallantking.ca/

Tues. April 23rd: Elizabeth Mueller https://elizabethmueller.blogspot.com/

Wed. April 24th: Chelsea Marie Ballard https://www.facebook.com/masqueradeoddlysuited

Thurs. April 25th: Carrie-Ann Brownian http://carrieannebrownian.wordpress.com

Fri. April 26th: Myles Christensen www.myleschristensen.com

Sat. April 27th: Anstice Brown https://dustingthesoul.com

Mon. April 29th: Angela Brown http://publishness.blogspot.com/

Tues. Apr 30th: Book Release and The Unmasking (Just follow links above)!

Also, if you would like to ask the authors of Masquerade: Oddly Suited any questions, you'll get your chance. We're having an author Q & A on May 11th from 1-2 pm EST.

Finally, I would like to wish a happy Easter to anyone who celebrates! My kids are looking forward to dying Easter eggs over the weekend. It's a messy but fun process, and I usually enjoy it as much as the kids do. Until it's time to clean up afterwards, that is.

What would you like to celebrate?

Masquerade Ball Bloghop: Day #1

The release day for Masquerade: Oddly Suited is fast approaching! We, the authors, thought it would be fun to have a bloghop leading up to the book's release on April 30th! Let me tell you how this works.

Today I'm hosting one of my fellow authors. My guest will remain anonymous as this is the "masked" part of our masquerade ball. Each author will "unmask" his or her own character on April 30th. What a way to celebrate release day! Welcome to the Masquerade Ball Bloghop!

Are you curious about who today's author is? To help tide you over, here are a few facts the author decided to share about themselves. "Not long ago, I dreamed about traveling the world while never believing that I would. Then, on a whim and avoiding an ‘empty nest’, I moved overseas to take a new job. Today, I have been to every continent except for South America and Antarctica and it was all thanks to an offer I never expected. Now, I have so many memories that I reflect upon for inspiration in my writing. It was simply meant to be."

That sounds exciting, doesn't it? Now here's a sneak peak teaser that you will not find in the publication. Think of it as a little bonus scene to acquaint you with the characters. Enjoy!

Reverie

From my vantage point atop this hill, my eyes stroll the landscape from the distant South Mountains, the Round Tops, and Culp's Hill. I imagine war machines ejecting their missiles of destruction from those very summits. I hear the echoes of the clashing of arms, the report of musket fire, and the thunder of cannons. The images I conjure seem so real.

While I am caught up in my daydreaming, a fast-moving fog settles around me and a chill races down my spine. I am not one to ignore my intuition, so I stow my binoculars and zip up my backpack. Just as I turn to leave, a sudden burst of brilliant light blinds me. As the light sparks and flares, burning brightly and then dimming, a shadow settles in the distance. I blink and my vision clears. Even though it is impossible from this distance, I see a soldier standing just inside the doorway of a small building, beckoning me to him with a raised hand. One moment I am miles away and the next, I am standing in a small room before the beckoning soldier.

I turn in a full circle and then ask, “How?”

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he dips his chin toward a wounded soldier lying upon a cot in the corner, an old woolen blanket covering him from chin to toes.

I glance down at the soldier’s face framed by the frayed edges of the blanket, and my breath leaves my body in a loud whoosh! I know that face, those eyes. They are his face and eyes. And when he glances my way, his familiar smile causes my heart to skip a beat. It’s a smile I can never forget for I see it every night in my dreams.

I turn to question the soldier, but he has vanished. Glancing around the room, I take in its sparse furnishings, and then I move closer to the injured man.       

“Is it really you?”

His brow furrows. “Have we met?”

A wave of sadness rushes over me. I wait for it to dissipate and then nod. “Yes. I believe we have.”           

He dips his chin and says, “You look familiar, but I am certain I would remember you if we had met.”

I don't know what to say, so I ask, “Is your injury a bad one? Are you in pain?"     

He shifts under the blanket and groans, his blue eyes dulling to gray. “Yes, it is pretty bad, miss.” My breath catches when he calls me miss. He has called me that before. I know it.

“Savi Jo...My name is Savi Jo. Are you suffering much then?”

“I am now, Savi Jo, but come morning I'll be better. And I'm Sam.”

I think, Sam. That sounds just right. “Please, Sam, What can I do to help?” I need to do something, anything that might ease his pain.

Our eyes lock and the calmness in his blue ones soothes me. He asks, “Will you promise me one thing?”

“Yes, of course I will. Anything.”

“Will you remember me, Savi Jo?”

“I will. Always, Sam.”

“Then that’s all the medicine I require.”

I nod and without forethought or intent, I lean down, touching my lips to his cheek and whisper, “Bye, Sam.”

“Goodbye, Savi Jo.” I turn and walk away, down the steps and through the brilliance, straight into the darkness.

I feel Sam’s eyes follow me into the void, and a faint whisper wafts all around me. Round and round it blows. “Don't forget your promise, Savi.”

My heart whispers in response, “I never will, Sam.”        

Wow! Wasn't that great? I hope you all enjoyed it! Can you guess which of the Masquerade authors I hosted? No peeking! "Don your mask and join the party!"

SCHEDULE

Thur. April 18th: L.G. Keltner https://lgkeltner.blogspot.com/

Fri. April 19th: Jennifer Lane http://jenniferlanebooks.blogspot.com

Sat. April 20th: Deborah Solice https://thefabulistdotblog.wordpress.com/

Mon. April 22nd: CD Gallant-King http://www.cdgallantking.ca/

Tues. April 23rd: Elizabeth Mueller https://elizabethmueller.blogspot.com/

Wed. April 24th: Chelsea Marie Ballard https://www.facebook.com/masqueradeoddlysuited

Thurs. April 25th: Carrie-Ann Brownian http://carrieannebrownian.wordpress.com

Fri. April 26th: Myles Christensen www.myleschristensen.com

Sat. April 27th: Anstice Brown https://dustingthesoul.com

Mon. April 29th: Angela Brown http://publishness.blogspot.com/

Tues. Apr 30th: Book Release and The Unmasking (Just follow links above)!                            

Celebrate the Small Things-February 1, 2019

It's Friday! Let's Celebrate the Small Things with Lexa Cain! I am her co-host.

It's been a strange week. The weather left us all cooped up in the house for days. I'm certainly thankful that our furnace was able to keep up with our insane weather. The wind chill outside was between -50 and -60 for a couple of days. School was canceled for the kids for 4 days straight, and since it was too cold to go outside, they've been going stir crazy. The good news is that we're on the verge of a warming trend. We should see temperatures of above 40 degrees by the end of the weekend, and I can't wait for it.

I'm also celebrating the cover reveal for the upcoming IWSG anthology Masquerade: Oddly Suited. There's something thrilling about seeing the cover for a new book (especially if you have a story included in it!), so being able to share that with the world felt great.

Masquerade: Oddly Suited

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Release date – April 30, 2019
Young Adult Fiction: Romance - General/Paranormal/ContemporaryPrint ISBN 9781939844644
EBook ISBN 9781939844651

Find love at the ball…

Can a fake dating game show lead to love? Will a missing key free a clock-bound prince? Can a softball pitcher and a baseball catcher work together? Is there a vampire living in Paradise, Newfoundland? What’s more important—a virtual Traveler or a virtual date to the ball?

Ten authors explore young love in all its facets, from heartbreak to budding passion. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Jennifer Lane, C.D. Gallant-King, Elizabeth Mueller, Angela Brown, Myles Christensen, Deborah Solace, Carrie-Anne Brownian, Anstice Brown, and Chelsea Marie Ballard.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will mystify and surprise even as they touch your heart. Don your mask and join the party…

I've also been promoting another anthology this week. The Young Explorer's Adventure Guide: Volume 5 came out in December, but the publisher is doing a publicity push this week. I may be biased since I have a story published in this one as well, but I think this is a wonderful collection of science fiction stories for middle grade readers. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, please check it out!

Finally, I'm celebrating another upcoming WEP Challenge. The prompt for this month is 28 Days. A lot can happen in 28 days, so there are plenty of ways for submissions to play out. If you'd like to take part in this one, hop on over to the website and sign up!

What would you like to celebrate?

Self-Help 101 or: How to Select a Costume to Help You Deal With People Blog Tour Stop #3

Hello!  I'm here to let all of you know that I'm over at Denise Covey's blog today talking about entering the IWSG Anthology Contest.  If you're a member of the IWSG, you should definitely consider entering, and if you need a pep talk, stop by Denise's and let me tell you why you should! Plus you can learn more about my latest novella in the process!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group: June 2016

It's the first Wednesday of the month!  That means it's time for another meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. The enigmatic Alex J. Cavanaugh is our esteemed leader.  His minions for this month are Murees Dupe, Alexia Chamberlynn, Chemist Ken, and Heather Gardner.

Be sure to stop by the IWSG website!

There's a lot going on.  It's crazy to think that Parallels: Felix Was Here has been out in the world for nearly a month.  If you haven't picked up your copy, I'd recommend you do!  It's an enjoyable read, though considering my involvement in it, I'm admittedly biased.

As I mentioned in a post over the weekend, I've had another bit of good writing news.  I've had a story accepted for the upcoming anthology Circuits & Slippers.  The anthology, edited by Jaylee James, features classic fairy tales rewritten as science fiction.  My story "Treating the Beast" is based on Beauty and the Beast.  The anthology is expected to be released in September of this year.

So I have those things to boost my writing confidence.  Now it's time for me to delve into my insecurities.  I've decided to release my next novella Self-Help 101 or: How to Survive a Bombardment With Minimal Injury on Tuesday, June 28th. That is just under four weeks from now.  The novella is written and has been through one major revision, but there's still some editing I need to complete.  I'm aware that I'm behind when it comes to getting this thing promoted and all that. Still, I need to release it before the 4th of July, and it's doable as long as I buckle down and do it.

If any of you are willing to help me with my cover reveal, please sign up with the linky below.  The date for the reveal is Tuesday, June 14th.  Now, if you can't post on that day, I'm fine with whenever you want to post it.  You can post it a couple days later, or even a week later.  I just need people to help me spread the word prior to release.

Finally, I've decided not to do the traditional blog tour for this one.  Instead I want to try doing a handful of guest posts stretched out over a couple of months rather than an intense two week marathon.  I'm curious about which yields better results in the long run.  If any of you are interested in having me do a guest post, let me know in the comments.

Thanks everyone!  What are you insecure or enthusiastic about this month?

Celebrate the Small Things-May 20, 2016

It's Friday!  Let's Celebrate the Small Things with Lexa Cain. Tonja Drecker and I are her co-hosts.

My youngest son Lyle came down with a stomach bug last night.  It involved a fever of 101 and vomiting, but now he's keeping down everything he eats and he isn't running a temperature.  I'm glad this bug, unpleasant as it has been, seems to be running its course quickly.  Fingers crossed that no one else in this house catches it.

Jude lost another tooth.  Now he doesn't have either of his top front teeth.  Eating is going to be a challenge for a little while.

I got something amazing in the mail this week.

Isn't it great?  It's so cool seeing my story in print.  As a writer, that's one of the best feelings in the world.

I'm making progress on my WIP.  Not as much as I'd hoped for the week, but it's progress nonetheless.  I'll take it.

What would you like to celebrate?

Guest Post!

I'm here to let everyone know that the authors of the IWSG anthology Parallels: Felix Was Here have a guest post up at Misha Gericke's blog.  The post is about thought experiments. If you're interested, please stop by and see it HERE.

Have a good day everyone!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group: May 2016

It's the first Wednesday of the month!  That means it's also time for another meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group.  This group was founded by Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.  His co-hosting minions for this month are Stephen Tremp, Fundy Blue, M.J. Fifield, Loni Townsend, Bish Denham, Susan Gourley, and Stephanie Faris.

Be sure to check out the IWSG website!

The big news this month is that the IWSG anthology

Parallels: Felix Was Here is now available!  I'm super excited to be a part of this, and I hope everyone who gets a copy enjoys reading it.

I'm just finishing up a story for submission, and I'm nervous about it. Bracing for potential rejection is never fun, but it's all part of the process.

I'll also be entering the revision stage on my latest novella once I'm done with that short story.  I'm always insecure about revision, but I think I've been getting better about it over the last year or so.  I definitely don't have as much anxiety about it as I used to.

What are you insecure or excited about this month?