CassaDark Release and the Insecure Writer’s Support Group

I’m posting a day early because Dancing Lemur Press has a new release today!

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

April 6 question - Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?

Twelve of Dancing Lemur Press’ book are available in audio.
The biggest challenge is finding just the right narrator. There must be passion and personality in the voice.
We also must select just the right book. Several of our titles sell every month and a couple sell only a few each year.
Overall, we’ve been very pleased with our audio books!

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AVAILABLE NOW!

By Alex J. Cavanaugh

His world is unraveling…

Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by doubt. Could things get any worse?

Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prisoner planet.

On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each truth reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?

Print – 9781939844842 $16.95
EBook – 9781939844859 $4.99
Science fiction - adventure/space opera/space exploration

“Cavanaugh returns to the world of his Cassa Series…for a fourth inventive space opera.” – Publisher’s Weekly

Praise for his other Cassa books:
“…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

Alex J. Cavanaugh works in web design and graphics. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is known as Ninja Captain Alex and is the founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. His Cassa books are Amazon Best Sellers and winners of the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award. Website / Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Links: iTunes / Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Scribed / Goodreads

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Another of our authors had a release last month from The Wild Rose Press:

Kiss of the Assassin
by Joylene Nowell Butler
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc (March 23, 2022)
Paperback: 424 pages
ASIN: B09P7T1ZRS

Marina Antonovna, a Soviet spy, and Mateo Arcusa, an American homicide lieutenant first meet in Cambodia during the Vietnam War as enemies. Fearful that the most powerful man in the Soviet Union, KGB Chairman Vladimir Kurenkov, has ordered her death, Marina risks everything to defect to the United States.

She promises Mateo that her days as an assassin are over. Vladimir is determined to do whatever it takes to bring her back and, by threatening Mateo’s life, forces Marina to break her promise.

Joylene Butler lives with her husband in the tiny village of Cluculz Lake in central B.C... She is the author of three suspense novels and a contributor to one anthology.

For more on Joylene and her writing, visit her website and blog, as well as connect with her on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon.

What’s your take on audio books?

And order CassaDark today through any of the links or through Dancing Lemur Press direct. (Extra bookmarks and swag included with print orders!)

The Insecure Writer's Support Group and Free Publishing/Promoting Seminars

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

March 2 question - Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?

Actually, I’ve a couple story ideas that have been with me for a long time. But I will never write them. When I first began this journey, my husband cautioned – don’t write anything you wouldn’t want our pastor to read. And I have stuck with that. (And proud to say, our former pastor Bill Wilson contributed to my Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! book.)

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I will be doing my full Publishing and Promoting seminars for Wilkes Community College on March 22.
They are virtual!
Anyone can register – you don’t have to live in NC. And they are FREE.
Go to this page and scroll down to the marketing section to register HERE.

Seminars - Publishing & Promoting 101 & 102

Are you filled with aspirations of being an author? Are you considering starting a publishing company? Dancing Lemur Press owner L. Diane Wolfe walks you through the steps of creating a marketable product, business setup, production, printing, and distribution, as well as manuscript querying. She shows you how to develop contacts, build an online presence, and generate publicity. You’ll learn how to use the Internet as a resource and platform and tap into the eBook and audio book revolution. The industry is changing fast and new information and websites appear daily. Those serious about book publishing and promotion are encouraged to attend these informative seminars. Handout and resources provided.


I’m also doing my Achieving Small Business Goals webinar for Roanoke-Chowan Community College on March 15 at 6:30 EST.
Again, free for anyone to register! They are geared towards businesses and business owners, but any individual looking to set and achieve goals will get a lot out of them.
Go to this page and scroll down to marketing – it’s the only seminar listed - HERE.

Is your business stagnating? Do you or your employees need motivation? A new level of success can be achieved by adjusting your mindset! L. Diane Wolfe delivers focused training on the five keys to success - a positive attitude, people skills, self-esteem, overcoming fears, and setting smart business goals. Small business owners looking to energize their productivity are encouraged to attend this spirited seminar!

Have you been conflicted? Interested in learning more about publishing, promoting, or goal setting for free?

And Tara Tyler interviewed me, the publisher, on her site today. You can read that HERE.

My Magic Summer, the Insecure Writer's Support Group, and Jeremy Hawkins Tribute

I’m a day early because Dancing Lemur Press has a new release!

My Magic Summer
With the Moon Maidens
By Brian Carmody
Print 9781939844804 $17.95
EBook 9781939844811 $4.99
Young Adult – Contemporary Fantasy/Coming of Age/Boys & Men

Who are these moon maidens?

Summer of ’94 and Connor Whelan is excited to spend the last three months before his senior year with his uncle in Texas. Aware this trip is due to his mom’s cancer treatments, he still hopes this will be a season of magic.

He gets his wish when he encounters three magical women one night. Claiming to be from the moon itself, bewitching Iluna, flighty Eiru, and motherly Cassiopeia are about to make Connor’s last summer of childhood one to remember.

However, his interest in local girl Laura puts him in hot water with her tough boyfriend. His fascination with Iluna also confuses him. Will the moon maidens’ lessons about joy, wonder, and hope get him through this crazy summer?

An award-winning screenwriter and author, Brian Carmody is a dreamer, a wisher, a hoper, a prayer, a pretender and a magic bean buyer. He’s had moondreams from Texas to Virginia, and now California, where he has plenty of other flax golden tales to spin by his fire.

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo / Scribed / Goodreads

“A beautiful, magical coming-of-age story that shouldn’t be missed.” - Jessica Leake, author of Beyond a Darkened Shore and Through the White Wood

“My Magic Summer With the Moon Maidens is a beautifully written coming of age fantasy with characters that will stay with you long after you read the last page.” - Christy Cooper-Burnett, author of the award-winning Christine Stewart Time-Travel Series.

“This was a fun, sweet, coming of age meets fantasy story.” - Wendy @ Wall-to-Wall Books

“My Magic Summer casts a magic spell!" - Okey Ndibe, author of Foreign Gods, Inc.

“I was thoroughly charmed.” – Sandra Cox, author

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

Feb. 2 question – Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? Anyone you miss?

I had a mentor when I began this journey, even before I opened Dancing Lemur Press. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding, a couple authors throwing me under the bus, and the friendship fell apart. Sadly, life is full of meetings and partings.

Jeremy Hawkins Tribute

On January 3, we lost an amazing guy – Jeremy Hawkins.
On February 2, we are going to pay tribute and give back to one who was so giving and involved in our community.

I got to know Jeremy through the A to Z Challenge the year I was a helper. He loved movies and music and always posted such fun stuff on his blog.

When I purchased an IWSG t-shirt, I noticed he’d also designed a Minions one, and I had to have it.


Jeremy is one of those people who affected a lot of lives, even if most people don’t realize it. He did a lot of graphics for people and featured several of DLP’s authors. He will be greatly missed, as people like that are few and far between. Rest in peace, Jeremy.


Who supported or influenced you? Are you ready for a little magic?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group – Anthology Winners!

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

January 5 question - What's the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?

I regret starting on the wrong path and not learning all I needed to publish correctly. But I did study, I did learn, and I did publish correctly through Dancing Lemur Press.
And now I have a whole slew of authors I can help publish right.

The Seventh Annual IWSG Anthology Contest Winners!

The genre was sweet romance and the theme first love.

Thanks to all who entered – it was a record amount of entries this year.

Now we present the authors of First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts:

The Art of Making Doughnuts - Linda Budzinski
Paper Faces - Sylvia Ney
The Real Thing - Sammi Spizziri
My Heart Approves - Melissa Maygrove
Oliver’s Girl - Michael Di Gesu
Clyde and Coalesce - Kim Elliot
My First Love(s) - Templeton Moss
How to Save a Princess - Katie Klein
The Castle of Ohno - SE White
Marmalade Sunset - Denise Covey

A special thanks to our official judges:

Author Nancy Gideon
Agent Caitlin Blasdell, Liza Dawson Associates
Author Susan Gourley
Author Jennifer Lane
Author Meka James
Author Loni Townsend

I'm very excited to work with these authors and publish First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts through Dancing Lemur Press' imprint, Freedom Fox Press.

#IWSGPit is January 26. See the site for details.

Dancing Lemur Press has four authors who came from this Twitter pitch event, so contracts do happen!

Who's ready for some love doughnuts now?