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Cheryllynn Dyess brings a magical touch to this interview for the FSF Readers' Lounge @CheryllynnDyess #FSFRL

2/27/2019

3 Comments

 
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Author bio: Cheryllynn's vivid imagination comes through in all she does in life. Her writing started in junior high, although she never truly shared her work until recently. They were kept hidden away in an old tattered orange folder. Original works she wrote as early as 1984 still hold ink on the pages and are just now coming to life. Paranormal and Fantasy are her favorite genres with Mystery and Thrillers close behind.
Born in Northwest Florida and raised in Southeast Georgia she developed a love for nature and the outdoors.

Her experiences outdoors allows her to create universes with vivid detail. After a detour of almost twenty years in the health care industry and obtaining her Bachelors of Science in Healthcare Administration/ Healthcare Information Systems she has returned to her love of writing.


Currently living in Central Texas with her family, she has begun a new chapter in life that has opened her heart and soul to many great adventures. Her hobbies include fishing, crochet, gardening...and of course reading.


​Book title:  Awakening Fate, The Chronicles of Elizabeth Fairbairn, Book Four
  • Genre:  YA / Fantasy / Paranormal
  • Synopsis: Elizabeth thought the battles behind her were difficult until some of her past came back to haunt her. She struggles to determine what emotions she is feeling that is real or induced by the amulets of the original witches now when an unexpected person becomes the keeper of Prince Petre's items. Protecting a friend comes to the forefront of her newest goal while coming up against an adversary she didn't know existed was troublesome enough, but not to have her powers at her command...that is the true test of her will and strength. Will Elizabeth be able to accept the new keeper? Will Sorina and Prince Petre give their blessings? Can the young witch keep her friend safe as well as herself?
  • Publish date: Feb 6, 2019
  • Publisher:  Self
​

An excerpt from  Awakening Fate, The Chronicles of Elizabeth Fairbairn, Book Four

​Of course, he gently wrapped his fingers in with hers, gave a small nod and looked to the ceiling. “Ready?” Reba asked as her and her sisters finished making the circle around them, she had every intention of keeping them safe. Elizabeth nodded then closed her eyes.
The ground was wet from dew, she had arrived in the morning time just as the sun was rising over the ridge of the horizon. Elizabeth felt the moisture seep through her socks in the high grass. She started to walk and realized Wesley was at her side, she had almost forgotten. Looking at him, her heart leaped when he smiled at her. “We have to find Sorina,” her words filled with determination.
“Lead the way, this is your territory.” He motioned a hand out as if to follow her lead.
Looking to her left, Elizabeth recognized the tree line as the same one Sorina ran into for safety when she was last here. She moved towards it quickly when she glimpsed the corners of a white gown between the trees. Stopping suddenly, Wesley almost ran into the back of her. “What’s wrong?” He whispered.
“She is here, watching,” Elizabeth whispered back. Craning to catch another glimpse she called out, “Sorina. It’s me Elizabeth. It’s safe, you can come out now.”
Moments passed before the soft voice of Sorina called back, “Why have you brought an elf with you? What is this about?”
Twisting her mouth in thought, Elizabeth knew she had to explain things. “Sorina, this is Wesley Roberts. He is Sire Levi’s son. He is… he is the keeper of Prince Petre’s items.”
Sorina suddenly was at the forest line, “No! Not an elf. They would never!” Her voice was filled with shock as she glided towards them in a rush. She circled Wesley, looking over every inch of his body. “You look like him, except for the hair.”
Wesley turned to watch the woman taking him in, “I am honored.”
She smiled at him, “I can see why the amulet chose you. Your heart is good. But I’m surprised, I never considered an elf to be a keeper. You have no magic.”
Lowering his head, Wesley considered her words. “Well, not exactly.”
Both women turned their heads quickly and responded more loudly than they intended and in unison, “WHAT!”
He chuckled. “When the coven was having their battle last year, we left as we are supposed to do. Well, I went to Southern Europe and was studying. My father wants me to take over his house one day, as expected, but he wanted me to meet a distant relative and learn from her. She is an ancestor of an elf and witch, both from Romania.”
That got a rise out of the women, Sorina instructed him, “Please continue.”
“Well, that branch of elves has magic because of their bloodline to you.” Elizabeth gasped and Wesley quickly recovered the conversation, “We would not be related. The bloodline has been so distant that none of that family would be closer than seventh cousins, at best.”
“You are the children of Leagh?” Sorina asked.
Wesley nodded, “No ma’am, not Leagh but Randolph, her twin, he married an elf… During their marriage, they had six children. One was my father's grandfather and one the grandfather of Tiffany. And the rest is history.” As he spoke Sorina covered her mouth with her hand. Randolph and Leagh was the first set of twins born after the magic was gifted to Petre and Sorina, both had returned to Romania after a few years in Northern Europe. They had said they had to be in a place they felt at home.
“Did you know this before you met Elizabeth?”
“No. I only found out when I went to train. Tiffany filled me in on the entire family history and started teaching me spells that we could work.” He turned to Elizabeth, “I wanted to tell you everything.”
She pulled back from him, angry that she hadn’t listened to him. “It was my fault. I was being stubborn and hard-headed and I… I didn’t want to listen. I wanted to be mad. How foolish!” She snipped.
Sorina took Elizabeth in an embrace and whispered in her ear, “My child there was no way anyone would blame you for your actions. You were kept hidden from the world you belonged to and when thrown in did the best you could.” Tears escaped down Elizabeth’s cheeks. Sorina held her tighter, “You are so strong even when you think you are weak.”
Wesley stood watching the two women embrace. He had wanted to be there for Elizabeth, but he knew she had been through so much emotionally, there was no way he could stay angry at her. Sorina pulled back from Elizabeth and took one of each of their hands and smiled, “You two will do great things for our people.” Looking to Wesley, “One day, you will need to meet Petre but not until he is ready. He is not as forthcoming as I am.” She released their hands and began to turn away gliding towards the woods, just at edge she turned to them one last time, “You have our blessings,” then she shimmered into nothingness.
Sitting straight up, Elizabeth turns to see Wesley slowly waking up. She turns to her mother, “He is it. He is the keeper. We have Sorina’s blessings.” Releasing Wesley’s hand, Elizabeth starts to stand when she hears him mumble. Looking back, she realizes he is having trouble coming out of the dream and put a hand on his shoulder to shake him, “Wesley, wake up.” She calls out trying to get him to come around.
He turns his head back and forth like he is fighting something, then suddenly calms down. Inside the dream, Petre came to talk to Wesley but only after Elizabeth and Sorina had gone.
Wesley tried to follow Elizabeth. As he was moving towards her, he felt something grab his arm. He turned to find a man holding onto him and looking quite angry. "Who are you?"
"You say you are the descendant of Randolph?" The man stood tall with broad shoulders holding onto Wesley's arm with a tight grip, nearly cutting off the circulation.
Wesley turned to face the man who wouldn't let him leave. Ripping his arm from the man's grasp he asked with a growl, "Who are you and why have you held me back?"
"Answer my question elf. Are you the true descendant of Randolph?" the man asked once more.
Not in the mood for games, Wesley took a step back. Sorina had said Petre wasn't very forthcoming, could this be him? He was told Petre's personality lacked compassion but this was absurd. "I won't answer anything until I know who you are? I'm thinking you're Petre, Prince Petre!" The man's face softened. The elf was smart and easily figured out who he was without over reacting.
"Walk with me my child... we have so much to discuss."

Author interview with Cheryllynn Dyess.
Kasper:  Hi Cheryllynn, welcome aboard our levitating Reader' Lounge. Here, take a cushion and get comfy.
Cheryllynn:  Thanks Kasper.  Nice to be here in my fave group.


After being friends with you for 6 years, I reckon I know the answer to this first question.  Do you have a pen name and why?
Yes I do. I write under my maiden name, Cheryllynn Dyess because that is what I first published under. When I got married I asked my husband if he had a problem with me continuing to do so because I’m very proud of my family’s name and very much wanted to keep it as my pen name. He was fine with it and so it was!  This lounge seems to be having a rocky day today, Whoa there!

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Oh my goodness, it does seems to be moving around under the cushions.  What on Earth is going on?  ​(A two-toned muzzle pops out from under the cushions, followed by a brown head with cute brown eyes).  Um, Cheryllynn, does this dog belong to you?
Yes indeed, that's my dog: Nyx. Named after the Greek Goddess of the night.  She must have snuck on behind me when we were arranging the cushions.

No worries at all.  I like dogs.  But um, we're a mile up in the air over the Pacific.  I hope she knows how to stay.
Yes, she'll be alright, I'm sure.


Alrighty.  
What was the defining event that made you start writing?
That’s tricky. I started writing when I was a teen as an outlet for the things going on in my life that I couldn’t talk to anyone about that were dark and very emotional. Fast forward to 2011, when I met my future husband and he read my earlier writings and couldn’t understand why I wasn’t doing it for a living. So he made things in our lives so that I could come live with him and write full-time and be a stay at home mom to our teen boys (teens at that time) and got married shortly after.  


He really is the best thing to happen to you.  I know you have such a close and loving family.
What other writing have you done?
I have a book of poetry and a cookbook out. I plan to put out some short stories in my future as well.

What makes your writing unique compared to others in the genre?
I’ve been told I have a poetic style of writing but I like to feel that my ability to describe the world in which everything is going on let’s me stand out among the others.
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Awesome feedback, congratulations. 
What made you choose this genre?
The Paranormal and Supernatural subgenres in Fantasy are very personal...I’ve had spiritual experiences all my life and I’m drawn to those types of works. It feels natural to me!
​

Awesome.  A little birdy (or was that a phoenix?)  told me you are one of the hosts for Fae Week in the Readers' Lounge.  I can't wait to hear more of your real-life tales.

What’s the story behind your book title? Awakening Fate is the fourth book in The Chronicles of Elizabeth Fairbairn and is about Elizabeth finding that fate plays a larger role in our lives than we’d like to believe. In Awakening Fate she has to accept things that are very irregular and unexpected among her people.
What’s the basic plot of your Elizabeth Fairbairn series?
Overcoming adversity and obstacles, to be simple and short really.


Which scene from your book do you like best and why?
Oh goodness that’s a hard question. Let me see… Okay, without giving away too much about the story I’ll say the scene where Elizabeth finds herself in trouble and her magic isn’t accessible and she figures out how to get out!


I'm having visions of Buffy the Vampire Slayer over here...seriously I love strong female leads.
Which is your favourite character and why?

Other than the main character, I’d go with Wesley. He’s an elf shifter who is fated to be with Elizabeth and they go through some quite difficult situations in these stories. He’s fun and always supportive of her.


How do you develop your characters?
They grow with each story. I don’t really plan that out, they tend to write themselves.


Have you used any real events or places as inspiration for your writing?
Oh all the time. I grew up in Southeast Georgia and that area shows up in the Born of The Veil. In The Chronicles of Elizabeth Fairbairn, I created the area from when I stayed in Virginia. In a book coming out later, The Forgotten Soul, I used the town I was born in. Another book I’m working on called After The Storm, I am using my current hometown as a basis.


What advice would you give to someone wanting to write a book?
Just do it! Write it out and then go from there. Don’t hesitate or overthink it!


What music do you listen to when writing?
Rock mostly and then some pop. I like something with a lot of energy.


What do you do when you have writers’ block?
I crochet or garden or clean! Something with lots of detail to make me not think of the story. Sometimes reading helps too!


How did you go about developing your cover artwork?  I love this Awakening Fate cover.
This particular cover is art from Stella. She also did the cover for book three, A Moment of Darkness, and I asked her to keep with the same theme


Who are your five favourite authors?
C.L. Gaber, RS McCoy, NK Jemisin, Ally Shields, and Jennifer Malone Wright would be in my top favorites.


What do you write about in your Behind the Pages blog?
Things that affect me daily or in my life. I like to be very personal there so readers can get to know me as a person rather than me as a writer.


What are your writing plans for this year?
​My goal is to get 6 more books out this year and have 9 more completely written.


Oh my goodness, you'll be busy!
What’s your experience of the Fantasy Sci-Fi Readers’ Lounge?
As a member, I’d like to say it’s been fantastic. I’ve met new readers and new to me authors! It’s been fun and exciting. I hope we continue to grow as much as we have already!


Which one of your characters would you like to be?
Jewel! She is a fairy. This is
 a photo of what I envision her to be. 
​
Oops! your dog Nyx has eaten my interview questions, I can see shreds of them blowing away into the ocean.  Oh no.
Don't worry.  I think I can summon Jewel to help us.  (Cheryllynn whispered something, which caused the hairs to rise on the back of my neck.  Next thing I know a gorgeous fairy appeared. She nodded her cute bobbed head and the interview questions appeared as good as new in my hand). 
Gee, thanks so much, Jewel.  I sure wish I had friends like you.  (The fairy gave a shy smile and disappeared into thin air).
​
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Jewel the fairy
Quick quiz:
Favourite thing to cook: chicken
Silliest saying: This is a PG interview...so I’ll skip this one.
Best holiday spot: Beach
Most played song: Rolling in the Deep by Adele
With writing, are you a plotter or (seat-of-your) pantser? Pantser for sure!
Do you prefer SciFi or fantasy: Oh...Fantasy.
Best superpower: Reading minds.
Number one thing to do on your bucket list: visit the Highlands of Scotland where my ancestors are from.

Kasper:  Thanks Cheryllynn.  It sure has been an adventurous evening.  Please wait until we land, Nyx....  too late!  I hope she's OK after that big leap.
She'll be fine.  I think it's time for her dinner.  Thanks again for having me.  Bye.
​

​
Cheryllynn's Links:
Website: www.cheryllynndyess.com
Blog:  www.behindthepages.blog
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cheryllynndyess
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/cheryllynn_dyess
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/cheryllynndyess
Amazon:  www.amazon.com/author/cheryllynndyess
Bookbub: https://goo.gl/zqw1Xy

​
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Do you love sci-fi and fantasy?

​Join authors and readers who share the same interests in the Fantasy Sci-fi Readers Lounge.  You can pop in anytime to interact with authors of your favorite genres and participate in games and contests for prizes, giveaways, and more!
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/FantasySciFiReadersLounge/ 
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Urban Fantasy author Imani L Hawkins joins us on The levitating Readers' Lounge #FSFRL @ImaniLHawkins #UrbanFantasy

2/16/2019

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Author Bio:  Imani L Hawkins is a writer of all things supernatural, paranormal, and urban fantasy. Growing up in New Mexico, the land of enchantment, she’s always surrounded by beautiful scenery that inspires most of her tales.
Caring for her two children with the support of her loving husband, she’s found the courage to write stories filled with intricate plot lines and characters she sure anyone would be able to relate to. 
A love of all things creative, she spends her free time playing the alto saxophone, making designer soaps, painting, playing around with digital design, and writing stories she hopes will inspire others. 
She loves hearing from people who enjoy her stories. So, feel free to follow her on social media, subscribe to her newsletter, or simply send her an email!  (details on her website: link below).

Imani's new release:
  • Book title:  Dark Descent: A Dark Allegiance Book Prequel
  • Genre:  Urban Fantasy
  • Publish date: February 13, 2019
  • Publisher:  Pyramese Publishing Group (view a picture of the publishers below)
Synopsis:

She had to kill him to save her kind...
Twenty years have passed since Naomi publicly executed a United States Senator on live television. In the beginning, she was celebrated. Magic wielders stood with her in solidarity to save her life and honor her sacrifice. But as the humans became increasingly hostile toward the wielders, Naomi was pushed aside, discarded, and forced to live outside of society. Everything changed the moment Toni waltz through her home, an alley in Channingsburg Nevada that boasted brick walls, broken bottles, and trash that littered her new home. Where once she'd thought she'd disbanded the Fraternity of Purifiers, she is faced with the knowledge they still existed and the daughter of the man she'd killed leads them. Thrust between a woman who wanted nothing more than to see her rotting corpse plucked clean by vultures and wielders who wanted her to stand for their cause, Naomi must make a choice to either sacrifice her life to save the woman who hates her, or stand in solidarity with the ones who'd turned their backs on her.


Author interview by Kasper

Welcome to our levitating Readers' Lounge, Imani L Hawkins.  I'm stoked you managed to squeeze this in with your huge writing schedule.  Your work rate is impressive.

Imani: Hi Kasper.  Nice to be here.  I guess I am rather busy. 
I released my first two stories in December: Last Holiday: A Sweet Revenge Story and Myleah: Fallen into Shadows Prelude. 
Then in January was From Darkness: Fallen into Shadows Book One. 
The prequel ha just been released:
 Dark Descent: A Dark Allegiance Book Prequel 
I like to work hard and have plans for plenty more.  


​Wow.  You're going places, Imani.  Speaking of going places, I'll just launch this Lounge into the stratosphere.
Oh, Kasper, wait up a tick.  Looks like we have some unexpected companions running up to join our flight.  These are my children.

Hi Kiddies.  Welcome aboard.  Psst...there is a secret compartment in the Lounge here with mints.  Would you like a sweetie?  OK then, Imani, I know you by a different name.  Is Imani L Hawkins a pen name and why?
 Yes. Imani L Hawkins is a pen name. I wanted a name that represents my reasons for finally pursuing my writing career. And what better reason than these?! Imani for the little girl on the right, and L for my son Lyndon.
What was the defining event that made you start writing?
​I was bullied in school and there was one book that made me feel less alone. It was The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman. I was fascinated by the book and way I was able to escape into a story, leaving the world behind. At six years old, I found myself thinking I would like to provide others like me with the same escape, so I penned my first short story at the age of six.
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Imani's children
I'm sorry to hear about the bullying but glad you found a way past it and at such a young age is remarkable.  I think the same way about The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay.  
What made you choose the Urban Fantasy genre?
Initially, I wanted to write romance. That was until I realized how awful I was at it. (Kasper chuckles).  The men always came out sappy and corny, the type of men I’d like to punch in the face while screaming, “Man up, you wimp!” Okay, wimp isn’t exactly the word I’d use but it’s better to digest. Anyway, I love being able to blur the lines between realism and fantasy, with a cast of characters that wield magic, and avoid those sappy love scenes that make me cringe. Urban Fantasy was perfect for that.

How do you develop your characters?
Simple answer, I don’t. For example, I came up with a character who was supposed to be the sweet innocent type. I wrote up her biography, her looks, her family, her personality, and her likes and dislikes. But when I tried to write her, I could hear her screaming in my ear, “That’s not me! I wouldn’t do that! Why are you doing this to me?!” So, she took on a life of her own and it felt more organic to me. The character became real and I felt I could write her as if I was just getting to know her as I hope the readers would be doing at the same time. *Okay. I’m not crazy! I know there are other writers out there who speak to their characters, right?*

LOL.  That's a great answer.  I like the way they develop.


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Imani's new release

What’s your writing routine?
I set a schedule for myself. Oddly enough, I can’t write without chaos surrounding me. Luckily, I have a three-year-old and a six-year-old who love to bring the chaos. I turn on the television, find my favorite spot on the couch, thank my husband for putting up with the kids, and write in sprints. I write for an hour straight, then take a short break. I do this throughout the day until I’ve hit my goal for the day. 

You are so disciplined.  Congratulations.
I also have to give you a special mention for winning the highest total word count in our Readers' Lounge writing challenge for January.  Our readers can check out the award here:
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2043978469031165/permalink/2103121123116899/
What are you working on now? 
I am actually working on an origin story about naguals, shapeshifters. I plan to build an entire world around them that spans across nine full length books.
 

​What song would you choose as the theme song of your book?
Red: The Darkest Part of Me
 
What do you do when you have writers’ block?
I’m usually working on more than one project at a time. So, when I get stuck on one project, I move on to another.
 
That's a good one. I'll have to remember that.
Are there any writing styles or genres you dislike?
I may upset a lot of writers by saying this, but I actually have two pet peeves that stem from my time spent as a developmental editor. *puts on my bulletproof vest*
  1. Erotica. While I love some good heat, I can’t stand a book that is so riddled with corny sex scenes there is no actual storyline to follow. I always find myself skipping through pages of sex scenes, trying to get to the meat of the storyline, only to be disappointed there was none.
  2. I am not a huge fan of first-person present tense, especially when they use more than one perspective. *Don’t shoot me!* When I read it, I’m always wondering what is going on around the character? What does the character feel now that they’ve gone through this event? What else am I missing?! I also find it difficult to connect to a character when the perspective is always changing.

​You can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be?
Celine from Underworld. That b*tch can kick some ass!

Quick quiz:

Favourite thing to cook:
Shrimp cerviche
Silliest saying: Ummmmm…*thinks* I decline to answer on the grounds I may incriminate myself.
Best holiday spot: Ruidoso New Mexico
Most played song: Breaking Benjamin – I Will Not Bow (my theme song)

With writing, are you a plotter or (seat-of-your) pantser? Plotter, unless my characters scream at me.
Do you prefer SciFi or fantasy? OMG Don’t make me choose!!! *bites nails* Fantasy, but don’t tell my husband.


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The publishers from the Pyramese Publishing Group
 Best superpower: Mind control! Then I could get my husband to stop watching marathons of Star Trek on my days off.
Number one thing to do on your bucket list: Punch Oprah in the face. (Hey, I have my reasons.)
 
Links 
Website: http://www.imanilhawkins.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imanilhawkins/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Imani-L.-Hawkins/e/B07L8W6C11/


Thanks for coming for a ride with us today, Imani and kiddies.  Have you had a good time?
(Much head nodding while sucking on sweets).
Imani:  Yes, thanks Kasper, it sure has been fun.  It's a very comfortable Lounge.

Readers, please check out Imani's links and keep an eye out for her in our Fantasy Sci-Fi writing challenges.





​Imani's award for Highest Total in the January writing challenge in the Fantasy and Sci-Fi Readers' Lounge.
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Do you love sci-fi and fantasy?

​Join authors and readers who share the same interests in the Fantasy Sci-fi Readers Lounge.  You can pop in anytime to interact with authors of your favorite genres and participate in games and contests for prizes, giveaways, and more!
​ https://www.facebook.com/groups/2043978469031165.  
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Announcing the winners of the January writing challenge for the Fantasy Sci-Fi Readers' Lounge #FSFRL #amwriting

2/10/2019

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​Hey there Readers’ Lounge Lizards, we have some awards to present today.
A group of our intrepid authors have been scribbling and typing their fingers to the bone for the past month in our January Writing Challenge.  Words are logged each day with the minimum being 100 words.  The words have to be new words in a fantasy / sci-fi story. 
​In January we had over 40 authors pen over 1 million words, yes, that's 1,000,000 words. Wowsers!  Congratulations to all those who participated.
​Our three founders of Lady Cheryllynn, Lady Marsha and Lady Kasper are delighted to award the following prizes:
Most Days Logged
Skin-of-the-teeth Days
Highest daily total
Most days in a row
Highest overall word count


Our thanks to Robin Lythgoe for the awesome prize badges

​Most Days Logged

It was with great excitement that the Founders watched the word counts coming in every day of the January Writing Challenge.  Many authors tied for this prize after writing each day for 31 days.

And the prize for  Most Days Logged goes to Alli Martin, Avril Sabine, DM Staley, Glen Edens, Jeanette O’Hagan, Jessica Ney-Grimm and Kasper Beaumont.

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Most Skin-of-the-teeth Days
Sometimes writing at all can be a challenge for our authors, due to writing, family, work or other commitments.  We like to reward the authors who keep going even when pressed for time.  This award for the January Writing Challenge goes to the authors who submitted the most days with word counts between 100 and 199 words.  Two authors tied for this prize this month.
​
And the prize for Most Skin-of-the-teeth Days goes to Kristie Kiessling and Kasper Beaumont
​
​Most words in a single day

Now this was our most hotly-contested prize.  The lead changed several times as authors submitted some truly amazing totals.  When LaTanya Hawkins submitted over 8,000 words on the first day we had an inkling that this challenge would be big, but we had no idea how big. On January the 9th, JC Andrijeski did 8319 and Maro Graham did 12493.  The gauntlet was dropped for a super weekend battle to come.   
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That weekend a bunch of authors burned the midnight oil and posted huge numbers including DM Staley on 10K, JC, LaTanya on 15K, Sable Schwab on 13K and Maro.  We also had G. Russell Gaynor on 15K and Esme Wilde on 16K joining in just for one day.
​
When the dust settled on the parchment for the month, several tired authors conceded the winner. And the prize for Most Words in a Single Day goes to JC Andrijeski with a whopping 20,094.  Twenty Thousand Words in One Day! Congratulations JC.
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​Most Days in a Row

Knowing how busy are authors are, we thought to encourage them with an award for the person with the most consecutive chain of days.  To our delighted, many authors tied for this prize by writing every single day.  Such dedication is impressive.

And the prize of  Most Days Logged goes to Alli Martin, Avril Sabine, DM Staley, Glen Edens, Jeanette O’Hagan, Jessica Ney-Grimm and Kasper Beaumont.
​Highest Overall Total
It was a nail biter, watching some huge daily totals coming in and wondering who was going to nab the big prize.  We had several contenders here with monthly totals over 30,000 words each.  These are: Angelique Anderson, Avril Sabine, Cassandra Fear, Cheryllynn Dyess, DM Staley, Glen Edens, JC Andrijeski, Jessica Ney-Grim, LaTanya Hawkins, Sable Schwab and Samuel Peach. Well done to you all for writing half a book or more in a month.


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Our  founders Lady Cheryllynn, Lady Marsha and Lady Kasper are delighted to award the prize of Highest Overall Total to an author with an average daily count for the month of over  4,000 words per day.  
Our winner with a total of 127,573 words is very dedicated LaTanya Hawkins.

Congratulations to all our winners.



If you're a fantasy and sci-fi author and you'd like to join our writing challenges, please join up in the Fantasy Sci-Fi Author Support Group.
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Award winning author Madeleine Holly-Rosing drops by the new Fantasy Sci-Fi lounge for a chat #steampunk #FSFRL @MHollyRosing

2/2/2019

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​Author bio: A TV, feature film, comic book writer, and novelist, Madeleine is the winner of the Sloan Fellowship for screenwriting, and the Gold Aurora and Bronze Telly for a PSA produced by Women In Film. In addition, she has won numerous awards while completing the UCLA MFA Program in Screenwriting. The writer/creator of the graphic novel, Boston Metaphysical Society, she has also run a number of successful crowding campaigns and published the book, Kickstarter for the Independent Creator. In 2019, Source Point Press is set to republish the first six issues and the trade paperback of Boston Metaphysical Society. The first novel set in the comic universe, A Storm of Secrets, was published in 2018. Formerly a nationally ranked epee fencer, she has competed nationally and internationally. Madeleine is an avid reader of comics, steampunk, science fiction, fantasy, and historical military fiction.
* Book title: Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets
* Genre: Steampunk/Paranormal
* Synopsis:
Politics and power. Demons and spirits.
When ex-Pinkerton detective Samuel Hunter married Elizabeth Weldsmore, the heir to one of Boston’s Great Houses, he knew his life would change forever, but he never expected the return of Elizabeth’s psychic abilities. Not only do they have to keep it a secret, but Elizabeth must learn quickly how to master them. For a psychic in a Great House is a political liability which her father, Jonathan Weldsmore, knows only too well. As the Great Houses jockey for power, the three of them must contend with treachery, subterfuge, and potentially a new demonic threat, in this political and supernatural thriller set in an alternate-history Boston of 1890.

The novel is a prequel to the graphic novel, Boston Metaphysical Society: The Complete Series.
* Publish date: Sept. 17, 2018
* Publisher: Brass-T Publishing



Author Interview with Madeleine Holly-Rosing on the Fantasy and Sci-Fi Readers Lounge

Kasper:
Hi Madeleine, welcome to our steam-powered levitating Readers' Lounge.  We're looking forward to hearing all about these gorgeous books and the author behind them.  Are you ready?  (kaz turns on the engine).


Madeleine: Sure am.  Thanks for having me here.  Woah! (sound of metal clunking fills the air, acrid stench of smoke and oil).  Um...do you want me to fix the Levitating Lounge for you?
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Oh how embarrassing.  It's still under warranty, you know.  We're very lucky you're a tinkering kind of author.  Okay, it seems to be levitating properly now, thanks for your prompt attention.  Just pop that wrench on the cushion there.  Now, let's chat about books.  You have told us about your latest release: 
Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets.   
What other writing have you done up to now?


A lot. LOL. I have an MFA in screenwriting from UCLA, so I’ve written quite a number of scripts. A few have been optioned, but none have been produce. I have also done some work-for-hire and I am a regular contributor to Fanbase Press where I do reviews of comics and novels as well as interviews.

The writing I’m most known for is my creator-owned series,  Boston Metaphysical Society  (BMS) with art by Emily Hu. It began as six issue graphic novel mini-series which is now in trade paperback. While I was producing the series, I wrote a number of short stories and novellas (prose) in the BMS universe which has been published as an anthology (Boston Metaphysical Society: Prelude). Earlier last year, we had a successful Kickstarter campaign for our first standalone continuation of the series, The Scourge of the Mechanical Men (Art by Gwynn Tavares) and the first novel,A Storm of Secrets, came out this year as well. I also have a BMS short story (prose) called, Here Abide Monsters, in the Some Time Later anthology from Thinking Ink Press and I have a number of non-BMS sequential art short stories in various anthologies as well.
I have also published a book on Crowdfunding

Sound like you're a versatile author.
What made you choose the steampunk comic genre?
That’s a fun story. BMS was originally a TV Pilot I wrote while I was at UCLA. It started off as a period detective piece, but then one day I was sitting in the Melnitz Lounge when a director friend of mine hopped over the couch, plopped down next to me and uttered the word, “steampunk.” I said, “What?” He repeated himself then explained that he thought BMS, which was then called 1800 Detective Agency should be developed in a steampunk universe. I had heard about steampunk, but didn’t know a lot about it so I did some research. My friend was right. That little conversation changed my life.
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Steampunk sure is a cool kid on the block in the Speculative Fiction genre, he made a good suggestion.  What’s the basic plot of yourBoston Metaphysical series?

The original graphic novel series is about an ex-Pinkerton detective, a spirit photographer, and a genius scientist battling supernatural forces in late 1800s
Boston. The new novel is a prequel to the series and begins five years before the graphic novel when Samuel Hunter (the ex-Pinkerton detective), and his wife, Elizabeth, have just returned to Boston from their honeymoon. However, it isn’t long before Elizabeth’s psychic abilities return and not only threaten her family’s position, but may be the only link to finding a number of men, women, and children who have gone missing.


How do you develop your characters?


I start with writing their family histories since that is a strong influencer on who and what the characters in the book become. I usually go back to their parents and often their grandparents or even farther if it’s important to the world building. This has really paid off especially in the case of BMS. In the original graphic novel, Caitlin’s father was a medium and spirit photographer and when he discovered she had the gift, trained her. You see very little of him in the graphic novel, but his presence is always there, not as a ghost, but as someone who was such an important part of her and Samuel’s life, you feel like you get to know him.


I love that idea of hidden mentorship. 
​Do you have another job outside of writing?



Yes, I work as an instructor for LA Fitness and I do crowdfunding consulting.
Having run five successful crowdfunding campaigns to help fund the comic, I published the non-fiction book, Kickstarter for the Independent Creator, and I lecture on crowdfunding.
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What advice would you give to someone wanting to write a book?
Read and write a lot. You also have to be a student of human psychology. It’s important to understand why people do the things they do which is why I write such extensive character biographies. Find reputable classes and teachers to learn from and surround yourself with people who challenge you. Don’t be afraid of criticism unless it’s personal, then walk away.
How did you go about developing your striking cover artwork?
Everyone wants to know that. LOL. Luisa Preissler is the artist’s name and she’s a young woman who lives in Germany. If I remember correctly, I ran across another of her paintings either on Facebook or Kickstarter.  She had done a cover for a 
steampunk novella.  I took one look at it and said, “That’s the artist I want.” I searched for her on Google, found her website, and contacted her. We discussed clothing, overall concept, as well as hair and clothing color. She did read an early draft of the novel (her idea) to help her capture the character of Elizabeth Weldsmore. The title graphics are done by Anke Koopmann. The cover is currently a finalist in the Authorsdb.com cover contest.

Speaking of awards, a little bird told me you may have some exciting news for us Lounge Lizards.  Congratulations.

Oh thank you.  Well this doesn't happen very often, but Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets has won a Silver Medal in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category in the Feathered Quill Awards. So now I can officially say I am an award winning novelist.   https://featheredquill.com/2019-winners/

That is so cool.
What are you working on now?


We launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund our next standalone graphic novel, The Spirit of Rebellion. Gwynn is still on board as the artist. We launched on Jan. 23 and end on Feb. 22 Link:http://kck.st/2FS2zRo

You're sounding very busy.  I especially like the sound of House Wars.
What’s your favourite pet?


Dogs. I love dogs. Which doesn’t mean I don’t like cats, I do. I’m just really allergic to them.

Do you prefer ebook or hardcopy?
Depends. If it’s someone new I want to try out, it’ll be ebook. But if they are a favorite or become one, I’ll buy the hardback.
Quick quiz:
Favourite thing to cook: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Silliest saying: I call one of my dogs, “Thumpy Butt” because he wags his tail so hard.

Best holiday spot: Kauai

Most played song: Let it Go from Frozen

With writing, are you a plotter or (seat-of-your) pantser?  Depends. If it’s a short story (prose), it’s by the seat-of-my-pants. If it’s longer, I will outline. 
Do you prefer Sci-Fi or fantasy: Science Fiction
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Best superpower: Controlling or generating electricity would be cool.

Number one thing to do on your bucket list: Watch Bruce Springsteen live in concert.

Well, it looks like our Levitating Lounge is preparing for landing.  Thank you Madeleine for our entertaining flight; it's been so much fun.  We look forward to checking out your books in the links below.
Thanks Kasper, I had fun too


Madeleine's Links:

Website: http://www.bostonmetaphysicalsociety.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BostonMetaphysicalSocietyComic/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mhollyrosing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcholly1/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6470435.Madeleine_Holly_Rosing

Where to Buy:
Amazon (ebook and print): https://goo.gl/iiyaGk
Nook: https://goo.gl/CjsfYC
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/896295
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Please also check out Boston Metaphysical Society's brand newkickstarter to print        Boston Metaphysical Society: The Spirit of Rebellion.

Ghosts! Steampunk! Oh my! Caitlin flees to Philadelphia only to discover a ghost, a rebellion, and perhaps, her destiny. 

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Blurb:  Even after saving Boston from The Shifter, Caitlin is thrown out by her mother for working with Samuel and Granville. When she goes to Samuel for help, he takes her to the boarding house of an old friend in Philadelphia. There she discovers a ghost, the beginning of a rebellion, and perhaps her destiny.
Like Boston, the poor and working class of Philadelphia are pushing back against the Great Houses, and Caitlin and Samuel are caught in the middle of it. And much to her surprise, Caitlin has discovered that the battle with The Shifter has left her with telekinetic powers. What no one realizes is that a Pinkerton by the name of Harry Connelly has taken a special interest in Caitlin and the boarding house. Is he friend or foe? And what does this mean for Samuel and Caitlin?
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    About Kasper

    Kasper Beaumont was born and raised in Australia and lives a quiet life with the family in a seaside town.  Kasper has combined a love of fantasy and a penchant for travel in the Hunters of Reloria series.

    Starting to write on the urging of friends and family, Kasper enjoys watching readers become immersed in the world of Reloria.

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'Elven Jewel'

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