Kasper's Ramblings from Kasper Beaumont

Group book signing with the Writers Anthology Group at Strathpine arts and crafts fair #amwriting @bentbananabooks

5/29/2015

I am rather impressed that our writing anthology group is known by the acronym of WAGs. It does sound a little irreverent and mischievous. Bernie Dowling is the ringleader of the WAGs and arranged a group book signing for us at the Strathpine arts and crafts fair.
It was great to hang out with a bunch of talented and experienced writers and also to meet so many clever art and craft folk.

The Writers Anthology Group produce an anthology of short stories and poems each year all written around a particular theme. Last year's version was 'Alpha & Omega' and this year's theme is 'Inspired By.' Pictured here are Vera M. Murray , David MacLaughlin and Bernie. I was next to Vera with my Hunters of Reloria trilogy and Anne Olsson came later, as well as Bakthi Ross with her delightful, self-illustrated children's stories. It was quite fun to watch Bakthi doing the digital artwork on her laptop for future books. I do admire her imagination with titles such as Pumpkin Pants.
You can see the Alpha & Omega Anthology here on Amazon.com
I was also very excited to meet a charming 10 year old artist named Tania who makes polymer clay dragons. Each dragon she produces is lovingly hand-crafted and painted. I flicked through her book depicting previous works and each dragon has a unique look and personality.

You can see some of her delightful dragons above on her display table. I am so impressed that such a young lady has achieved so much with great talents and the support of her parents.
I have placed an order for Tania to make Ash Dragon for me. I can't wait to see how he will turn out. It is so exciting!
I have an email address here for anyone who is interested in Tania's Little Funky Dragons: mila@abv.bg

I really enjoyed getting out and about, mingling with talented local artists.
Until next time, have a great time, cheers, Kasper

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It's time to set some remotely achievable New Year's resolutions

1/8/2015

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So 2014 was a big year for everyone, wasn't it?
Instead of the obligatory post about how much bigger 2015 will be, I'll say 'meh' and resolve to do a little less this year.
Yes, that wasn't a typo. De-cluttering my life sounds like the way to go at this brave and optimistic point in time. I think I'll do a bit less of all that trying to be a super Mum, author, Uni student, working 2 jobs and raising 3 wonderful halflings.

Will I make a sea change or tree change and move somewhere quiet? Nah, I hate moving, but maybe I'll be a bit quieter within myself. 'Calm the farm' as my good friend, This Charming Mum would say (yes she said that in her blog the other day and I'm so stealing it while poking out my tongue). After all, being incredibly witty is one of those things I've never mastered, so I might as well quit that habit as well.
So what is realistically achievable in my quest to downsize? Hmmm ... I guess I'd better keep on raising the halflings, no cutting corners on that one. Next, I suppose I should keep one job to pay a few of the bills. Maybe I'll spend less money so I don't need to earn as much ... aha that could be a winner! Quitting post-graduate Uni ... yep not for this little black duck at the moment. They say study is a lifelong pursuit, so what's the rush eh? I'll get back to it eventually.
I was offered the position of Head Fundraiser at our local school. Thanks, but no, I'm downsizing this year. Just let me know when you want a cake stall and I'll be there with bells on.
This may come as a bit of a shock and you may giggle into your hipster beard when I say that I resolve to do a bit less social media and more writing. Yes, I said it. Candy Crush Saga and various other nefarious FB games are a major time drain, so I will try very hard to resist your temptations. Of course Dragon City is more like research than an actual game, so I can't give that one up. (Yes I can hear your chuckling all the way from over here. Ok, it is not remotely educational but so very addictive and I can't wait to hatch my first Hot Metal Dragon egg).

I think Stephen Covey here has hit the nail on the head. I don't know how to say 'No.' My to-review list is probably 2 years long atm, so I'll have to say no to new books to review. I do as much as I can, but must dedicate some time to actual writing myself. 'Yes.' Good idea that.
So, what am I writing?
My new editor and I are revising Elven Jewel and making it grammatically correct and tightening up a bit of excessive verbiage (yes, apparently that it a word and a phenomenon).

I have made a start on three new writing projects: The Tales of Fandri ( a prequel to the Hunters trilogy); a short story about Sienna which I am writing with Kyla, a young fan; and a new trilogy. What I will write first is anybody's guess, but the short story sounds like the quickest one, so it might get my vote while I'm still in editing mode.

Me with fellow author Sue Sander at the Alpha & Omega book launch

I also have my short story 'The Tragedy of Garass and Asher' to publish as an ebook this year. It was published in the Alpha & Omega Anthology towards the end of 2014 and is on my to-do list.
Hmm ... that sounds like a bit of work to do, so I'll be heading off social media and working on my New Year's Resolutions right now.
Until next time, be fantastic folks.

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An exciting book launch: 'Alpha and Omega Anthology' at Pine Rivers

10/25/2014

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Kasper with Sue Sander, author of 'Journey's End'

Alpha and Omega Anthology book launch
The Alpha and Omega Anthology is a collection of short stories from the Writers' Anthology Group (W.A.G.) of the Arts Alliance of Pine Rivers. I am new to the group and this is the first short story I have submitted for an anthology.

It was a different experience for me to be part of a collaboration and I can't wait to read the other authors' works.
We were all asked to write a story fitting the Alpha and Omega theme - the beginning and the end. My short story is 'The Tragedy of Garass and Asher', a story of two dragons who fight over a beautiful maiden. It is a prequel to my Hunters of Reloria trilogy and is aimed at an older audience than my other PG-rated works. I am aware that many of my readers are mature and thought they might appreciate this short insight into Asher's history.
The book launch was held at the Pine Rivers Art Gallery and attended by most of the authors and well as their families, friends and other local writers. I really enjoyed meeting the authors, especially Bernie Dowling, the publisher of the series, who called me a Lone Wolf. The writers' anthology is now in its 5th year and I hope to be a part of this talented community in years to come.

I spoke to many of the writers, including two budding young authors, Sarah L. Wilson and Paimarie Teague. Other contributors include: R.William Penshorn; Phil Devine; Santina Cardillo; Maurice Hardy; Anne Olsson; Bakthi Ross; Kelly Brettell; Sue Sander; Sarah Wilson; Vera M. Murray.
Other authors I met include: Raelene Purtill, Lorraine Noscov and Lexcia Dalton.

Way to go Writers' Anthology Group of Pine Rivers! Congratulations on the Alpha and Omega Anthology.

Copies available through: bentbananabooks.com.au

I managed to snare a few autographs at the book launch. Wish I had the entire set.

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Group book signing with the Writers Anthology Group at Strathpine arts and crafts fair #amwriting @bentbananabooks

It's time to set some remotely achievable New Year's resolutions

An exciting book launch: 'Alpha and Omega Anthology' at Pine Rivers

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