Tuesday, May 04, 2021

Dark Matter: Artificial, the IWSG Anthology Contest, and Free Book Publishing Webinars

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Today’s optional question: Has any of your readers ever responded to your writing in a way that you didn't expect? If so, did it surprise you?

I’m trying to think of specifics but it’s been a while. I know there has been some inspired fans of both my fiction and non-fiction. I wasn’t surprised though, as my non-fiction IS inspirational and the slogan for my fictional series is “Get inspired to achieve your dreams.”


NEW RELEASE TODAY


Dark Matter: Artificial
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology


Discover dark matter’s secrets…

What is an AI’s true role? Will bumbling siblings find their way home from deep space? Dark matter is judging us—are we worthy of existence? Would you step through a portal into another reality? Can the discoverer of dark matter uncover its secrets?
Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Godim, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!

Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99
Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies / Space Exploration / Genetic Engineering

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. A Writer’s Digest 101 Best Website for Writers and The Write Life’s Best 100 Website for Writers.

Links: Dancing Lemur Press / Amazon / iTunes / Kobo / B&N / Goodreads


The next IWSG anthology contest opens today!


Guidelines and rules:


Word count: 5000-6000
Genre: Sweet Romance
Theme: First Love
Submissions accepted: May 7 - September 1, 2021
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group. You must belong to at least one aspect of the IWSG to enter.
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.
Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Dancing Lemur Press' imprint, Freedom Fox Press, next year in the IWSG anthology. (Please see their site for general submission guidelines.) Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.


Free publishing webinars!

All of my NC community college seminars are virtual this year – they are free for anyone to attend! They come with a handout loaded with information.

If you’re nowhere near North Carolina, this is a great opportunity to attend a session.

May 11: Publishing 101 – Fayetteville CC

May 18: Publishing 102 – Fayetteville CC

May 12: Publishing 102 – Halifax CC




48 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations to the Dark Matter authors!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Yes, congrats to the authors in the new anthology! And awesome that you're doing some webinars.

Sherry Ellis said...

Awesome that the Dark Matters anthology is out. Hope it does well!

Sandra Cox said...

Another great cover for another great anthology. Congrats to all involved.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I would've preferred in person (so I could also sell some of my books) but at least I have some this year.

Liz A. said...

That anthology sounds about my speed. Looking forward to it.

Mason Canyon said...

Congratulations to the authors of the anthology and best wishes to those who enter the next contest. Dark Matters sounds intriguing.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I've been surprisingly pleased by my family's positive response to my main baby, Woman on the Verge. It's nice when that happens.
Cheers, Diane. Stay well.

nashvillecats2 said...

Pleased that The Anthology is out. As for being suprised at readers on my post, I am suprised anyone bothers to read it full stop.
Hope all is well with you.
Yvonne.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane - I'm so pleased to read about the Anthology - all the best with it ... excellent range of author entries. The new contest sounds a change ... but sad about you not being able to meet up with your participants - but enjoy the seminars you are holding. All the best - Hilary

Jemi Fraser said...

So much anthology goodness!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Congratulations to the authors, and now we have another anthology! That's wonderful. You're changing lives, Diane. Have a great day.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Hilary, I have 5 scheduled which is more than last year, so I'll take it.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Diane, it's really wonderful when readers find any of our work inspirational.

emaginette said...

Congrats on the release! Much success.

Anna from elements of emaginette

J.Q. Rose said...

That is an amazing anthology cover and what intriguing stories inside. I have the dates for the workshops in my calendar!! Being able to attend a workshop in NC from my Michigan home is one good thing as a result of COVID. Thank you!
JQ Rose

Tyrean Martinson said...

Woohoo!!! Way to go anthology authors!
And I will be adding those dates onto the calendar on the website - I'm just a bit behind these days.

cleemckenzie said...

Huge congratulation on this anthology and all the others. It's a lot of work and you've done it well.

Carol Kilgore said...

Congrats on the new anthology and the one coming up. And how cool you can share your webinars with everyone right now. Happy May!

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

Hooray for the new anthology!

H. R. Sinclair said...

Congrats to all the anthology authors! Woot!

Juneta key said...

I love that cover. Thanks for all the work you do.

Olga Godim said...

I love the cover of Dark Matter too. It has this sci-fi cybernetic feel without the standard for this genre images of spaceships and planets.

Nick Wilford said...

Congrats to all the Dark Matter authors!

I would definitely consider you inspirational.

Tonja Drecker said...

Congrats to all the authors for the new release!

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to the new anthology! Congrats to all the authors!

I think "inspirational" might be one of your factory settings.

Sandra Cox said...

Congrats to the Dark Matter authors and well wishes to the Sweet Romance entrants.
Have fun with the webinars:)

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Yay for another fabulous release! This cover is amazing. I just loved it the first time I saw it. Congratulations to all involved!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you! I hope you learn a lot.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you, Nick.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That and spunky.

Erika Beebe said...

The cover is amazing! Congrats to all authors and to you on the intriguing Anthology.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

It's good to see the anthology finally released! Exciting times with great stories.

J Lenni Dorner said...

Not surprised that your books do what they say-- yup, sounds about right.
The classes sound interesting, though I'm not sure if a fiction writer who already published four books would learn much. (I could be wrong. You might have a surprise for me. Never know!)

J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author

kimlajevardi.com said...

Congrats to all the Dark Matters authors!

kimlajevardi.com said...

Congrats to all the Dark Matters authors!

Mary Aalgaard said...

Congratulations to the authors of Dark Matter. I hope you receive many wonderful comments. Great offerings from you on publishing!

Elizabeth Seckman said...

So glad I stopped by today. I'm signed up for the courses!

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I meant to ask...the 102 course, just pick one of the two? Or are they two different courses?

Chemist Ken said...

Congratulations on the anthology. I can imagine that getting it all together is a lot of work for you.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I ordered my copy. Looking forward to reading it. Have a great rest of the weekend.

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

Good luck to those participating in this year's anthology contest!

Chrys Fey said...

A new anthology is exciting!

Anonymous said...

Many congratulations to the Dark Matter authors!

I had someone critique my first book and I wasn't ready to hear it because the delivery was a bit direct, but what was said was totally accurate.

Elsie

Mark Murata said...

Who did the cover for Dark Matter? It looks great.

The Purple Assassin. said...

Dark Matter sounds so intriguing! Congratulations, and looking forward to reading this!

Good to have stumbled across your blog, beautiful space you have in here! :D Hope you're well.

Sandra Cox said...

Hope Dark Matter is doing well.