CassaStar Special and Next Release

Today through February 10, 2018 - just .99 cents:

CassaStar

By Alex J Cavanaugh

To pilot the fleet’s finest ship…

Few options remain for Byron. A talented but stubborn young man with a troubled past and rebellious attitude, his cockpit skills are his only hope. Slated to train as a Cosbolt fighter pilot, Byron is determined to prove his worth and begin a new life as he sets off for the moon base of Guaard.

Much to Byron’s chagrin the toughest instructor in the fleet takes notice of the young pilot. Haunted by a past tragedy, Bassa eventually sees through Byron's tough exterior and insolence. When a secret talent is revealed during training, Bassa feels compelled to help Byron achieve his full potential.

As war brews on the edge of space, time is running short. Byron requires a navigator of exceptional quality to survive, and Bassa must make a decision that could well decide the fate of both men. Will their skills be enough as they embark on a mission that may stretch their abilities to the limit?

Science fiction/adventure (FIC028010) and science fiction/space opera (FIC028030) - eBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-3-8

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

EBook available at Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Kobo / Amazon UK

Upcoming release:

Corners

by Corrina Austin

Everyone needs their own special corner...

“Austin’s message of true friendship and selflessness will resonate...strong addition to the realistic fiction genre.” - Library Journal

Release date - March 6, 2018
$10.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 136 pages
Juvenile Fiction - Boys & Men (JUV005000) / Fiction - Coming of Age (FIC043000)
Print ISBN 9781939844392 eBook ISBN 9781939844408
$3.99 EBook available in all formats

Ready to take a chance on a .99 book?

Do you have your own special corner?

It may be a day or two before I can return visits. I really hurt my back this weekend and need to focus what I can on DLP first.  My back can only handle a chair so long.

#IWSGPit - January 18 & Success Story and Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime Cover Reveal

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group’s Twitter Pitch Party - #IWSGPit is this Thursday, January 18, from 8:00 - 8:00 pm EST.

Are Twitter pitch parties worth it? Do publishers and agents sign writers who participate?

Last July, during the first #IWSGPit, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. hearted numerous pitches. Out of about nine queries, we requested a couple partials and one full. In the end, we found one delightful middle grade story and signed that author last fall.

Bubba and Squirt’s Big Dig to China by Sherry Ellis is now scheduled for release on September 4, 2018.

So the answer is yes! There are success stories. And your manuscript could be one of them.

The rules:

Create a Twitter-length pitch for your completed and polished manuscript and leave room for genre, age, and the hashtag. On January 18, Tweet your pitch. If your pitch receives a favorite/heart from a publisher/agent check their submission guidelines and send your requested query.

Many writers have seen their books published from a Twitter pitch - it’s a quick and easy way to put your manuscript in front of publishers and agents.

Writers may send out 1 Twitter pitch every hour per manuscript.

Publishers/Agents will favorite/heart pitches they are interested in. Publishers can either Tweet basic submission guidelines or direct writers to their submission guidelines. (Writers, please do not favorite/heart pitches.)

No images allowed in pitches.

Pitches must include GENRE/AGE and the hashtag #IWSGPit.

Ages:
#C - children’s
#MG - middle grade
#YA - young adult
#NA - new adult
#A - adult
Genres:
#AD - adventure
#CF - Christian fiction
#CO - contemporary
#F - fantasy
#H - horror
#HI - historical
#LF - literary fiction
#MCT - mystery/crime/thriller
#ME - memoir
#NF - non-fiction
#PB - picture book
#PN - paranormal
#R - romance
#SF - sci-fi
#WF - women's fiction


And now the cover reveal and announcement for the next IWSG anthology:

Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

The clock is ticking...

Can a dead child’s cross-stitch pendant find a missing nun? Is revenge possible in just 48 minutes? Can a killer be stopped before the rescuers are engulfed by a city ablaze? Who killed what the tide brought in? Can a soliloquizing gumshoe stay out of jail?

Exploring the facets of time, eleven authors delve into mysteries and crimes that linger in both dark corners and plain sight. Featuring the talents of Gwen Gardner, Rebecca M. Douglass, Tara Tyler, S. R. Betler, C.D. Gallant-King, Jemi Fraser, J. R. Ferguson, Yolanda Renée, C. Lee McKenzie, Christine Clemetson, and Mary Aalgaard.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these eleven tales will take you on a thrilling ride into jeopardy and secrecy. Trail along, find the clues, and stay out of danger. Time is wasting...

Release date - May 1, 2018
Freedom Fox Press
Mystery & Detective/Crime/Thrillers
Print ISBN 9781939844545
EBook ISBN 9781939844552

Will you be participating in #IWSGPit or picking up Tick Tock?

The Fire that Inspired Flaming Crimes by Chrys Fey (Part 1)

AUTHOR NOTE: Many scenes in Flaming Crimes (Disaster Crimes #4) came from real life. For this short blog tour, I am sharing my memories as a ten-part continuous story, so hop along for the entire experience.

 

Series: Disaster Crimes #4
Page Count: 304 
Digital Price: 4.99 
Print Price: 16.99

Rating: Spicy (PG13) 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

The Wild Rose Press

FLAMING GUEST POST PART ONE:

My best friend and I waited for her dad to pick us up from school. I could smell a hint of smoke in the air, but I couldn’t see anything. It wasn’t until I was seated in the backseat of my best friend’s dad’s car and we turned away from the school, toward home, when a smoke plume became visible. It was stretching above the trees, reaching higher into the sky. The color went from light to dark gray. While staring at it, my mouth went dry, my palms became slick with sweat, and it felt as though my heart sank down to my gallbladder. For a reason I could not explain, that smoke plume terrified me.

We all looked at it. And then my best friend’s dad said something to me I’ll never forget, “It looks like it’s right next to your house.”

The seed of panic that had cropped up at the sight of that smoke grew to full-blown panic. My heart raced. The closer we got, the larger the smoke plume became.

When we turned into my neighborhood, that smokestack was right in front of us, expanding and growing darker.

My best friend’s dad stopped the car at the end of my road to talk to someone, and my panic exploded into a trillion pieces. Looking down the street, I saw fire feasting on the trees next to my house.

It. Was. Right. There.

TO BE CONTINUED….

Excerpt from Flaming Crimes:

Beth’s heart clenched at the sight of the smoke stacks, as if a fist had driven through her chest and was squeezing the meaty human drum, paralyzing it. She gripped the door handle. The faster Donovan drove and the closer they got to home, to those tiers of billowing, dark smoke, the more anxious she became. Donovan’s words replayed in her head.

It looks like it’s right next to our house.

Her heart woke from its coma and punched her ribcage like a boxer attacking a speed bag. Perspiration dampened her underarms and slicked her palms. Please, God, no. I can’t lose my home again.

The story will continue on these blogs:

1/8 – Circle of Friends Books - Part 1

1/9 – Sandra Cox – Part 2

1/10 – Elements of Emaginette – Part 3

1/11 – Julie Flanders – Part 4

1/12 – I Think; Therefore, I Yam – Part 5

1/15 – Alex J. Cavanaugh – Part 6

1/16 – Just Jemi – Part 7

1/17 – Sandra Dailey – Part 8

1/18 – Fundinmental – Part 9

1/19 – Elizabeth Seckman – Part 10

About the Author: Chrys Fey is the author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept blending romance, crimes, and disasters. She’s partnered with the Insecure Writer’s Support Group and runs their Goodreads book club. She’s also an editor for Dancing Lemur Press.

Author Links:

Website / Blog / Goodreads

Facebook / Twitter / Amazon

Thank you for reading this post! Don’t forget to hop along to the other posts on their designated days for the full fiery story.

SHARE: Your fire story with me.

The Insecure Writer's Support Group & Winning Stories for IWSG Anthology

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

Today’s question - What steps have you taken or plan to take to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?

I have goals and plans for DLP, but I’ve made a more rigid structure as far as time devoted to each item and for how long. I’m a bit of a squirrel when it comes to distractions (think Hammy the Squirrel from Over the Hedge) so when a little item pops up, I tend to take care of it right away. I need to take care of it in its allotted time rather than trying to multi-task or stop what I’m doing.

Anyone else have that same problem? You’re part squirrel?

The IWSG is now on Instagram and issued the following challenges for January:

IWSG Anthology Contest Winners

The winning stories are:

Center Lane by Christine Clemetson

One More Minute by Mary Aalgaard

Three O’Clock Execution by S. R. Betler

Cypress, Like the Tree by Yolanda Renée

Gussy Saint and the Case of the Missing Coed by C.D. Gallant-King

Reset by Tara Tyler

The Tide Waits by Rebecca M. Douglas

The Little Girl in the Bayou by J. R. Ferguson

Until Release by Jemi Fraiser

Heartless by C. Lee McKenzie as a special feature. (She did not participate in the IWSG admin selection process and her story was one of the top ones picked by the judges, so we are including it.)

The winning story which will be featured in the anthology title and cover art: A Stitch in Crime by Gwen Gardner

Congrats to all of the writers whose stories were selected!

Look for Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime later this year.