Ramblings Of An Author Has A New Home!

ramblings-of-an-author-has-a-new-home

“Ramblings of an Author” Is Moving!

At the end of January I announced that I would be closing down this blog, and relocating.

Well, that time has come, and this is going to be my last post here. But I’m taking away a lot of great memories, and friendships that have formed while bringing you amazing books and authors.

But That’s Not The End Of Things

I still have so many wonderful authors and books to bring you, and will continue to do so over on my new site.

The journey continues over at http://timothybatesonauthor.com where you can sign up to get the latest posts direct to your email address.

So, if you’ve enjoyed seeing all the wonderful books and author interviews I’ve posted here, be sure to pop over to:

New Blog Slots Will Be Opening Soon!

For the authors among you, I’ll be opening up my “Author Services” pages very soon, and you’ll be able to submit your books, author interviews, and apply for one-to-one character interviews very shortly.

Please follow the new blog for an announcement on that front.

Book Spotlight – “Daisy Song (Life After Us Book 3) ” by Rebekah Dodson

Book Spotlight - Daisy Song - Rebekah Dodson

Book Blurb

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Seven months ago, Vicki Morel was supposed to be happy, not in the midst of the apocalypse. She and her fiancé, Will, should have been married and about to celebrate the birth of their child. Instead, she is on the run in fear for her life and the life of her baby. Her only hope is Ambrose—the man she truly loves.

Vicki entered Ambrose’s life like a bomb and blew everything apart. Just when he thought they could get out of this hell hole alive, she walked away. Or did she? After a cryptic message on a satellite phone, Ambrose is willing to risk it all to find her. Through a plane crash, escaping crazy doomsday preppers, and invading a military base, Ambrose and his band of survivors is determined to rescue Vicki. He wasn’t born a leader, yet the people follow him, determined to carve their own path in this world.

When everything ends, the daisy’s song promises a new beginning, a different life, and a fresh path in this altered world.

Buy Your Copy Now! E-Book

At These eBook Retailers: Amazon

Check Out The Rest Of The Series

The Life After Us Series Promo
Click The Image To See The Complete Series

From the Author

Rebekah Dodson - Author Image

Rebekah Dodson is a prolific word weaver of romance, fantasy, and science fiction novels. Her works include the series Postcards from Paris, The Surrogate, The Curse of Lanval series, several stand alone novels, and her upcoming YA novel, Clock City. She has been writing her whole life, with her first published work of historical fiction with 4H Clubs of America at the age of 12, and poetry at the age of 16 with the National

Poetry Society. With an extensive academic background including education, history, psychology and English, she currently works as a college professor by day and a writer by night.

Where To Find Rebekah Dodson

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website (Rebekah Dodson), Newsletter (Rebekah Dodson)

Author Spotlight – Rebekah Dodson

Author Spotlight - Rebekah Dodson

Introducing Rebekah Dodson

Rebekah Dodson is a prolific word weaver of romance, fantasy, and science fiction novels. Her works include the series Postcards from Paris, The Surrogate, The Curse of Lanval series, several stand alone novels, and her upcoming YA novel, Clock City. She has been writing her whole life, with her first published work of historical fiction with 4H Clubs of America at the age of 12, and poetry at the

age of 16 with the National Poetry Society. With an extensive academic background including education, history, psychology and English, she currently works as a college professor by day and a writer by night.

Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.

Hello! I am a world traveler and history buff who started writing about 20 years ago, and publishing just 5 years ago. I dabble in a little of everything: romance, fantasy, science fiction, and time travel. I enjoy playing piano and have a band with my two teenage kids, and we are huge video game enthusiasts!

Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?

Beyond the Mask is an anthology put together by Fiction-Atlas Publishing, and I’m excited to work with an excellent team of writers! This anthology benefits Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which donates money to aid families who have children with cancer. It’s an important cause I’m passionate about, and I’m excited to donate my story, Super Sam, to this project.

Super Sam is about a lonely housewife who, after a car accident, discovers her husband’s “lab work” has given her super powers. Among super sense and strength, she also developed kinetic energy weapons. When a drug dealer moves on to her street and tempts her teenage son, Sam realizes she must jump into action before someone else’s baby is harmed.

Who is your intended readership?

My readers are anyone that enjoys action, suspense, and rich, detailed dialogue. I love to share worlds with readers as well.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I started writing when I was about 12. I was home schooled, and my mother often let me choose between language arts or math. I picked language arts every time! I was an avid reader and enjoyed writing my very own “fan fic” about characters from Lord of the Rings, Anne of Green Gables, and Chronicles of Narnia.

By the time I was 16 I had already written a novel (though it is now lost to the ages on some abandoned 3.5″ disk!), and after graduate school at the age of 30, I published five books which eventually become the Postcards from Paris series. In the last five years, I have written and published 25 novels and seven short stories.

Do you have a favorite author, or writing inspiration?

One of my favorite authors right now is Cassandra Clare. Her ability to craft another world in her urban fantasy, and especially her historical fantasy, is just amazing. I aspire to write like her. I am also a huge fan of Charlaine Harris (of True Blood fame) and her first-person story telling!

What advice would you give beginning writers?

My advice would be before you finish your novel, connect with as many people in your genre as you can. Social media is a great tool for this! As soon as you finish your novel, however, make sure you give it to professionals. Hire a good editor and a professional cover designer. Don’t ever try to edit yourself!

Do you have any amusing writing stories or anecdotes to share?

My most recent releases, the science fiction/dystopian series Life After Us, all started because I heard the song “Leaving on the Jet Plane” about four years ago. I had the image in my head of boyfriend leaving his girlfriend behind in the Portland, Oregon (my home state) airport. Then I thought: what if the airport is attacked? Blown up? And the boyfriend is to blame? It snowballed from there…until I mentioned it to my best friend at the time, who made it even worse by giving me idea after idea after idea. Over the next 9 months the entire series was written, all becuase of a little song and a golden idea.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Any hobbies?

I play piano and also like to play dungeons and dragons. I’m a huge fan of video games such as Tomb Raider, Skyrim, and Fallout, and I’m really looking forward to the new Kingdom of Hearts release! In my other off time, when I’m not teaching, I love to study history. I will watch any documentary and often get lost in TEDtalks about different historical issues, specifically British or medieval.

What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?

My next release is the final book in the Life After Us series, Daisy Song, which is out on February 12nd with Happy Ever After Publishing. I’ll be putting out some romance thrillers and contemporary romance after that, but I also plan in completing my time travel series, The Curse of Lanval, in 2019. Stay tuned on my website for more release dates!

Beyond the Mask: A Fiction-Atlas Superhero Anthology

Beyond The Mask - Cover

There’s so much more to each hero beyond the mask…

Fighting crime is not always a walk in the park.

The power to protect citizens comes at a price… your identity.

How do you live an ordinary life when you can do such extraordinary things?

All proceeds from the print and digital sales of this book will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an organization that is a superhero to the many children diagnosed with childhood cancers. ALS’s mission is to change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families, and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer.

Buy Now: E-Book

Author Pages:

Amazon

Where to find Rebekah Dodson:

Website (Rebekah Dodson), Twitter, Instagram, Newsletter, Facebook

Book Spotlight “Beyond The Mask”

Beyond The Mask - Cover

There’s so much more to each hero beyond the mask…

Fighting crime is not always a walk in the park.

The power to protect citizens comes at a price… your identity. 

How do you live an ordinary life when you can do such extraordinary things?

All proceeds from the print and digital sales of this book will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an organization that is a superhero to the many children diagnosed with childhood cancers. ALS’s mission is to change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families, and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer.

Buy Your Copy Now! E-Book

At These eBook Retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play

From The Publisher (Fiction-Atlas Press)


Hello! Every year Fiction-Atlas Press publishes a charity anthology to benefit charity. This year we’ve chosen Alex’s Lemonade Stand as the recipient of all proceeds from our superhero anthology titled, Beyond the Mask. 100% of the proceeds from the ebook and print editions of this book will be donated to ALS. We also wanted to put together this fundraiser for those who wanted to make a greater contribution to this amazing organization!  Whether it be $5 or $50 every single contribution goes to help fund childhood cancer research!  https://www.facebook.com/donate/1450428665088151/

Fiction Atlas Pres

About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation


US 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization We share the vision of our founder and creator, Alexandra “Alex” Scott – a cure for all children with cancer. Our Mission: To raise money and awareness of childhood cancer causes, primarily research into new treatments and cures. To encourage and empower others, especially children, to raise money for childhood cancer by holding their own Alex’s Lemonade Stands.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

About The Authors

C.L. Cannon

C.L. Cannon is a publisher, publicist, editor, author, designer, and lots of other occupations with the -er sound at the end!

She is a woman of many talents who never gives up or stops improving. She enjoys writing about love and friendship. She loves it even more when she can add fantasy and science fiction aspects to those themes!

She’s a self-proclaimed Harry Potter freak (Slytherin Pride people), lover of anything Joss Whedon (Spuffy forever), Tolkien fiend (who enjoys second breakfast), an addict of classic literature (Social class struggles turn me on… literally  yah see what I did there?)

She spends her days trying to #bookstagram (and probably failing), helping other authors grow and succeed (I love my job), and loving on her two babes (velociraptors), Seth and Petey.

She’s also sort of a social media enthusiast! You can find her basically everywhere on the net (man I just aged myself).

Or, you can visit her website for more content!

Sarah Buhrman

Sarah is an AuthorGoddess, one who embraces the divine honor of creating worlds with words in the hope of inspiring others. Sarah has been writing for more than 25 years, starting with poetry before moving on to non-fiction and fiction. She lives in the Midwest with two monsters (the kids), an ogre (the hubby), and whatever drama-llama is coming to visit this week. Sarah is the author of the Runespells series: Too Wyrd, Fluffy Bunny, and The Chains That Bind. She has short stories in several anthologies, including Counterclockwise: A Time Travel Anthology, A Twist of Fate: A Collection of 11 Twisted Fairy Tales, and Whispers of Hope: A Lexis Infinitum Charity Anthology. Sarah also has a blog via Patreon and makes funny videos about writing on her vlog, Practically Writing.

Matthew Stevens

Matthew Stevens spent years dreaming about being a writer before he found time late at night to create characters and worlds and the stories for them to inhabit. His current projects find him dabbling in a wide range of genres from his drafted novel, a paranormal thriller, to numerous fantasy and sci-fi shorts, along with an occasional blog post examining his perspective on his own writing journey and any intriguing geeky topic that catches his attention. He can be found online at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthewstevensauthor

Twitter: @matt_the_writer

Blog: theedgeofeverything.wordpress.com


K.Matt

K.Matt is an author and illustrator. Her main body of work is the Hell Bent series of graphic novel/prose novella hybrids. She can be found in Upstate New York, in pretty much the middle of nowhere. She’s a fan of comics (and especially the movies based on them) and is an unrepentant workaholic. Her story “Travesty” is a culmination of her love of superhero media (and her love of making her characters suffer).

R.M. Demeester

R.M. Demeester lives in Saskatchewan, Canada. She is the mother of three young children, and owner of a rescue dog, a chocolate lab, Gainer. R.M. Demeester has been writing for as long as she could hold a pencil. She writes women’s fiction, new adult, and sweet romance primarily. She has two women’s fiction novels set to be released in 2019, along with several short stories.

Devorah Fox

“What if?” Those two words all too easily send Devorah Fox spinning into flights of fancy. Best-selling author of award-winning books including The Bewildering Adventures of King Bewilliam literary historical fantasy series and several thrillers, she also penned Fantasy/Science Fiction and Mystery Mini Short Reads and contributed short stories to popular fantasy anthologies. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she now lives on the Texas Gulf Coast with rescued tabby cats … and a dragon named Inky. 

Visit the “Dee-Scoveries” blog at http://devorahfox.com and subscribe to receive the free email newsletter at http://eepurl.com/LrZGX.

Rebekah Dodson

Rebekah Dodson is a prolific word weaver of romance, fantasy, and science fiction novels. Her works include the series Postcards from Paris, The Surrogate, The Curse of Lanval series, several stand-alone novels, and her upcoming YA novel, Clock City. She has been writing her whole life, with her first published work of historical fiction with 4H Clubs of America at the age of 12, and poetry at the age of 16 with the National Poetry Society. With an extensive academic background including education, history, psychology, and English, she currently works as a college professor by day and a writer by night.

Bob James

Bob James is a native of the Chicago area, growing up in Oak Park, Ill. He currently lives in Corpus Christi, TX. He retired after 25 years in the education business – one year as a sign language interpreter followed by 24 years as a teacher in the fields of Special Education and Technology. All of his unpublished work can be accessed through his new site, Bob James – The Author. He writes daily devotionals, Science Fiction, and Thrillers, and is also working on a book about the journey that he and his wife went through during her battle with breast cancer. Bob has been married to his wife Lucy since 1979. They have two sons, one daughter, one granddaughter, and one grandson.

Melissa E. Beckwith

Melissa has been writing books since before she had learned to read, in the form of picture books, and planned to be an author at age 4.  She spent her youth penning short stories, poems and writing in her diary.  At nineteen she married her high school sweetheart and started her family.  She has spent her adult life raising her three children and teaching herself the business and craft of writing.  Born and raised in beautiful Southern California she and her husband now live along the Ohio River in Indiana to be near their beloved grandson, Bryar.

Melissa enjoys the outdoors and nature, especially camping.  She has an interest in the natural world, particularly the wonder of birds and bugs.  She can’t grow plants to save her life, though she likes to try. She loves art and paints a little herself.  She has a great interest in history and plans on trying her hand at historical fiction in the future.  Someday she hopes to travel the world starting with Scotland, Ireland, Africa, and Australia.

Melissa loves to listen to heavy metal, Irish rock, and Celtic music…well, anything Celtic really.  She loves dangly earrings, big rings, bright clothes, the color red, yellow roses, orange cats, and little dogs, like her fuzzy Shih Tzu, Abby.

Most days you will find her tapping away at her keyboard, researching her next great novel, or catch her with her nose stuck in an epic fantasy or historical fiction story.

C.M. Lander

M. Lander is an emerging voice in the fantasy and science fiction genre. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from Hofstra University where she focused on her first love–poetry. She has been featured as Tumblr’s Poet of the Day, placed 2nd in the Bartleby Snopes’ Dialog-Only Contest, and has been published by Newsday and ProtestPoems.org, among other publications.

Ms. Lander is currently a student of law and is devoted to marrying her love of writing with philanthropic causes.

Keep an eye out for her next novel, The Witch of Ildra Lac, due out in March 2019.

Author Spotlight – Jacob Rundle

Author Spotlight - Jacob Rundle

Introducing Jacob Rundle

I proudly served in the United States Navy for eight years. After my time as a Navy Sailor, I decided to move to New Orleans to start a new life. I worked mundane, retail jobs in the Crescent City until I decided to pursue my passion of writing. And now, I am finishing up my debut novel, and it’ll be released February 2019.

Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.

I love everything to do with the Fantasy genre. The world has so much going on currently, and we all need an escape. I don’t love just one sub-genre of Fantasy. They all have a place in my heart.

Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?

My debut Novel, Augur of Shadows, is a twist on the idea that the universe is maintained by ethereal beings who are omniscient. My main character, Henri, starts having prophetic dreams of an evil the predates anything anyone or any being has ever encountered. The Primordial Evil makes its way to the Earth to devour it in entirety. With the guidance from other spiritual beings and deities, Henri and his two friends, Etlina and Siméon, venture on an adventure to complete a task that will bring forth an event that’ll aid them with the future evil.
My writing process is quite different than other writers. I outline the big ideas and characters, and while I am writing, I allow the story to flow and to take its own form. I always keep in mind, “if I was in this world, how would it go”.

Who is your intended readership?

Personally, my intended readership would be everyone. Now, officially, my novel falls under the Young Adult/New Adult areas, so the age range from 12-25 years-old.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

Growing up, I always had so many stories in my head. My mother always wanted my brothers and me to embrace our imagination. I allowed my own personal self-doubt and fear prevent me from writing the novel that I have always had in my head. Now, I am embracing my passion for creative writing, and I have learned so much about myself.
Since I have embraced my love for putting words to paper, I am always jotting down notes about new stories, characters, etc.

Do you have a favorite author, or writing inspiration?

I have alway loved Stephen King, Anne Rice, JK Rowling. Currently, I am really enjoying the works of Jenna Moreci and Vivien Reis. They have written so beautiful work.

What advice would you give beginning writers?

The biggest piece of advice would be to just start writing those words. Your first draft will not be the best, but who cares. Getting that first draft completed is an amazing accomplishment, and you should be proud. Don’t worry about editing, revising, or anything else you worry about. Secondly, you must believe in yourself. You can do it. You can write the story in your head. Thirdly, surround yourself with positive and motivating people.

Do you have any amusing writing stories or anecdotes to share?

As I was editing Augur of Shadows, I got into my main character’s mind, and I started to think that I was Henri, realizing that that wasn’t the case at all.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Any hobbies?

I love to beta read for other authors. It motivates me to better my writing and critical analyzing skills. Besides reading, I love to study foreign languages and cultures. There is so much knowledge in this world, why wouldn’t I want to learn it all?

What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?

I am currently writing Book 2 of the Destined Series, and I am participating in National Novel Writing Month, and my project will be the first book in a new series that I will be putting out later next year.

Augur of Shadows: Book 1 of the Destined Series

The Destined 1 - Augur of Shadows

When grief stricken seventeen year-old Henri starts having prophetic dreams that tell of a future where he and his two friends, Etlina and Siméon, are burdened with the responsibility to bring about a cataclysmic event in order to save the entirety of existence from the primordial evil. Through the guidance of otherworldly beings, Henri and his friends venture on their paths to fulfill what is needed to ensure the survival of the universe.

With their intertwining endeavors, Henri and the others venture on

exploits through lands of myth and mystery. In the process of fulfilling their obligations, they begin to form a much-needed bond, which helps propel them forward to do what is needed to guarantee existence in the future. Will Henri and his friends achieve what is necessary to save the entire universe and reality itself?

Buy Now: E-Book

Join The Giveaway

Prizes Include: An exclusive poster, signed paperback, AOS tote bag, AOS coffee mug and a custom bookmark.

Step 1 -Pre-Order the ebook

Step 2 -Confirm you pre-ordered

Author Pages:

Amazon

Where to find Jacob Rundle:

Website (The Writer’s Alley), Twitter, Instagram, Blog (Author Jacob John Rundle Blog), Facebook

Book Spotlight – “Augur of Shadows: Book 1 of the Destined Series” by Jacob Rundle

Book Spotlight - Augur of Shadows - Jacob Rundle

Book Blurb

When grief stricken seventeen year-old Henri starts having prophetic dreams that tell of a future where he and his two friends, Etlina and Siméon, are burdened with the responsibility to bring about a cataclysmic event in order to save the entirety of existence from the primordial evil. Through the guidance of otherworldly beings, Henri and his friends venture on their paths to fulfill what is needed to ensure the survival of the universe.

With their intertwining endeavors, Henri and the others venture on exploits through lands of myth and mystery. In the process of fulfilling their obligations, they begin to form a much-needed bond, which helps propel them forward to do what is needed to guarantee existence in the future.

Buy Your Copy Now! E-Book
At These eBook Retailers: Amazon

Join The Giveaway

Prizes Include: An exclusive poster, signed paperback, AOS tote bag, AOS coffee mug and a custom bookmark.

Step 1 -Pre-Order the ebook

Step 2 -Confirm you pre-ordered

From the Author

Jacob Rundle

I proudly served eight years in the United States Navy. When my contract ended with the Navy, I moved to New Orlean. After working meaningless jobs, I decided to pursue my passion for writing, and now, my debut novel will be released February 2019. I love to bring my inner worlds to the physical world on paper.

Where To Find Jacob Rundle

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Blog (Blog Tab on Author Web Page), Website (The Writer’s Alley), Newsletter (The Writer’s Alley)

Friday Insight #7 – NaNoWriMo And “Of Wolves And Men”

Friday Insight - OfWolvesAndMen

“Of Wolves And Men” is the first full novel in the “Shadows Over Seattle” series. And I have to say that I’m pleased with how this first draft is shaping up.

Here’s another sample of the current state of play, complete with grammar and spelling errors which will disappear once I’ve done a full re-write.

At this point, Richard is trying  desperately to find a new lead in the case, and is assembling those he thinks can help.

{BEGINNING OF SAMPLE}

“Wow! That was something else” I heard her mutter, and I wondered if the knowledge that the wall was an illusion would allow her to pass through it in the future. Of course, I wasn’t going to let her know that the spell had affected me for just a moment, too.

“What was?” I asked, intending to play off that moment’s hesitation as if it had never happened.

“We just walked right through a brick wall. Or at least it looked like one. How many more spots like that are there around the city, Richie?”

“No clue. I didn’t even know about that one, until just now.” I honestly had no idea, because tome they wouldn’t exist, unless they were keyed to appear to lupine senses. However,from Nazurl’s expression, she didn’t believe me. Then again, why should she? If I hadn’t known about the illusion until now, why would I have insisted on guiding her in?

On the other hand,I was now confident that Agneta and Feldman would be able to make it through. I let go of Nazurl’s hand, with a little reluctance. It felt so much like old times that I couldn’t wonder what would happen between us when this was allover.

We walked side-by-side and in silence until we reached the Devils Own. As we entered, I looked around, trying to locate Karvenson, and spied him sitting alone in one corner. He was watching the door, and rose quietly, grabbing his drink, and making for the door at the far end of the room.

I pulled the key from my pocket, and headed in the same direction, drawing a few glances as people spotted the woman at my side. It wasn’t surprising, because I was never seen with any women, let alone one with the beauty of Nazurl.

I unlocked the door, and allowed Nazurl and Karvenson to settle in at the table, while I went back into the bar, and ordered a round of drinks.

While I was waiting on the drinks, Agneta and Feldman slipped into the bar, and joined me at the bar, to order their own drinks. I wasn’t in the least surprised that Agneta ordered nothing stronger than water, since I’d never seen her drink anything else. Feldman ordered a double scotch, and pointedly ignored me after a brief scowl.

I had no idea how Agneta had managed to persuade him to come along, but armed with our drinks we went to join the others.

{END OF SAMPLE}