Chatting with Author & Publisher - Clive West

Today I'm very pleased to have not only an author, but a Publisher with us today. Clive West is the author of The Road, a Crime novel of greed and mystery, and Hobson's Choice, a collection of twisted tales.

Welcome Clive!

BK: Please tell us a little about yourself...

I live in Italy. I'm married to another writer and we have 3 dogs. I've worked in a printer's, as a Civil Engineering estimator, as a Math tutor and as the director of an employment agency. I've been writing one way or another all my life and it comes fairly easily to me.

BK: Please tell us a little about your book....

It's a long book – a bit of a blockbuster – but it's well focused. At its heart is the construction of a road – not even a very necessary road - which gives an opportunity to greedy and unscrupulous people to take advantage of others particularly in the form of white collar crimes. It weaves together the fortunes of various individuals and families, working its way towards a cynical and pessimistic conclusion, though not a tragic one. It's supreme strength is its realism, which is the product of my own experience.

BK: What inspired you to pen this particular novel?

Since childhood, I've always had a desire to support the cause of the underdog. My novel presents in fictional form the injustices surrounding construction and inherent in society generally. I also thought the subject matter would make a really good story.

BK: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I had my first (unpaid) writing job when I was at primary school and the headmaster gave me the task of writing plays for my class so as to channel my rebellious spirit – I was finding it all too 'childish'!

BK: How do you keep your story flowing?

I plan well and make sure I've plotted the end before I start. That way I'm infilling rather than lost out in the open.

BK: Do you ever run into writer's block, and if so, what do you do to get past it?

It isn't really something I suffer from for 2 main reasons. Firstly because I practice the 'infill' method I've just described, and secondly because I've spent so many years doing commercial as opposed to creative writing and I just had to get on with it!

BK: What is your writing process like? Do you have any quirks, or must-haves to write?

Like I say, I plan scrupulously although allowing room for 'discovery'. I have the strange ability – not unique by any means but fairly rare, I believe – of being able to exercise a certain amount of control over my dreams. I can direct them to provide me with material and resolve problems.

BK: Where do you hope your books/writing will be in the future?

I'm bubbling over with ideas but I have to keep the lid on them because my wife and I are trying to get an indie publishing firm off the ground and that's taking a lot of my time. I hope that some day I'll be able to devote all of my time to writing.

BK: What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

I mean them to be entertained by situations, characters and above all dialogue. I want them to feel indignation about the injustices I portray. If they've suffered such injustices themselves, I'd like them not to feel alone. Every crime has a victim, so there are a great many victims.

BK: What is one piece of advice you received that you carry with you in your writing?

It's not exactly advice, but if my wife can't understand a technical passage or a twist of the plot, then I look at it again.

BK: What is one piece of advice you would give to new and aspiring writers?

It sounds very stuffy, but I'd tell them either to make sure their grammar and spelling are up to scratch, or engage an editor. Maybe I belong to the old school because I find a proliferation of errors very irritating.

BK: Are you currently working on any new projects? What can we expect from you in the future?

I'm afraid that my new projects – and there's more than one – are still in my head. But once I'm producing again, I expect my subject matter will be fairly dark – studying what makes a serial killer, for example.

BK: Where can readers find you?

Readers can approach me through our website www.anysubject.com or our facebook page www.facebook.com/anysubject

Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. It's been a pleasure having you and I wish you much success in the future.

Every crime has its victim.

• The Giddings family - enjoying their rural idyll until events start to spiral out of their control turning paradise into hell.

• Henry - trapped in a loveless marriage who sees a chance to climb on board the gravy train for a one-way ticket out of misery but doesn't want to know about the consequences of his actions.

• Sandra - frustrated by a system where the rich get richer and the poor pay to get a ringside seat.

• John - a shrewd developer who knows all the tricks and is the guy flicking the switch when the smelly stuff hits the fan.

• The parasites and hangers on, too numerous to mention, who abuse their positions of trust to feather their own nests but who are outraged when those lower down the pecking order try to do the same.

Kindle edition

Amazon UK | Amaon US

Excerpt 

Caroline and Stuart Giddings knocked on the door, and hearing a vague ‘Come in’ sound from beyond, opened it and entered. Sitting behind a large ancient desk was their member of parliament, Charles Milton, a tall, wiry-haired man of indeterminate age although probably in his mid to late forties. Stuart immediately thought that he looked the sort of person whom you could drop head first into a pile of manure and who would come out absolutely devoid of any trace of the substance while you and anyone around you would be completely plastered in the stuff. Still, he wasn’t there to befriend them, he was there to listen to their grievances and act on them.

Stuart had suggested that before Caroline get too involved with RIM, the two of them pay a visit to their MP and see if he had any power or urge to champion their cause. Deep down, Stuart was sceptical but he was pleased that Caroline had definitely brightened up when he had made the suggestion a few days prior. The children were at school and Stuart had arranged for a colleague to cover two of his lessons. This was important.

At their MP’s gesture, they seated themselves in two upholstered office chairs. Caroline crossed her legs which made her side-slit pencil skirt ride up. She didn’t seem the slightest bit self-conscious of the amount of leg she was showing but Stuart’s bum squirmed uneasily on its cushion.

“Thank you for seeing us at short notice. My name is Caroline Giddings and this is my husband, Stuart,” Caroline offered by way of introduction.

“My pleasure, my pleasure. Nice to meet you both. What can I do for you good people?” Stuart noticed that Milton’s eyes had addressed the question to his wife’s legs rather than to their faces. The man had a predatory look about him.

“We’d like to talk about this new road and the effect it will have on us,” Caroline continued. Stuart had decided he would let her do the majority of the talking – it might help her get some of it off her chest and at least if nothing came of it, she couldn’t say he hadn’t asked the right questions. Women could do that – sit beside you while you chatted away, not saying anything themselves. Then, when it was too late, they were perfectly capable of criticising you for not having said something important.

“Fire away,” Milton’s eyes had travelled up Caroline’s torso and he was now staring at her bust. Stuart already despised the man. Still, beggars couldn’t be choosers. He bit his tongue.

Caroline seemed oblivious – she was very clearly caught up with the matter at hand or perhaps she just enjoyed her figure being admired. “Well, we’ve just discovered that not only are we about to lose all of our trees, they are going to build houses right up close to our home.”

“Mmm, yes. I’m afraid there are always casualties when a new development of this size goes through.” Milton paused and reflected while they waited patiently for whatever pearls of wisdom he could lay at their feet. “I don’t mean to be negative but have you considered putting your house up for sale?” he eventually asked.

“Yes, and the estate agent told us that because of the high number of new houses that will be flooding the market and also because our house will be losing its view, we will struggle to sell it. He also said we will have loads of – what is it called Stuart?” Caroline turned to him.

“Negative equity,” Stuart chipped in.

“Mmm, yes. I see the dilemma. Perhaps you should try other estate agents – see if they view the picture differently.” Stuart noticed that his body language had changed. When they had first arrived it had been expansive and, supposedly, welcoming. Now Milton’s arms had folded across his chest and he was making outward movements with his hands. ‘Go away – it’s not my problem,’ in other words.

Clive West was born in the West Country of England in the early 60's. He was educated at a traditional English public school before going on to university to study civil engineering. Over the years, he has worked as a civil engineer, tutor of maths and science, schools quiz-master, employment agency boss, and writer.

His work includes a collection of short stories with twists called Hobson's Choice (also available in print), a full-length novel called 'The Road' about the consequences of corruption on ordinary people and an accessible job hunting interview guide (based on his years of experience as the boss of an employment agency).

He has also written a book about lymphedema. This is a disfiguring, life-threatening and incurable disease he now suffers from and which his experience shows that most fellow patients have (like him) been abandoned by their respective health services.

Clive now lives in a rebuilt farmhouse in the Umbrian region of Italy along with Damaris, his writer wife of 22 years and their three rescue dogs. Apart from his fictional work, Clive also writes commercial non-fiction on a variety of topics but especially relating to business and employment. He and Damaris run an indie publishers called Any Subject Books Ltd – www.anysubject.com

You can also follow Any Subject Books on Facebook – www.facebook.com/anysubject

Clive is now disabled but, aside from his writing, he also enjoys playing the keyboard, listening to music and reading.

Contact details: books@anysubject.com

Facebook site: www.facebook.com/anysubjectbooks

Follow Clive's Virtual Book Tour

December 2 - Introduction at VBT Cafe' Blog
December 3 - Book Feature & Excerpt at The Official Blog-Zine of Terra Little
December 4 - Guest Blogging at Books, Books, The Magical Fruit
December 7 - Featured at BK Walker Books Etc.
December 11 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
December 13 - Book Feature & Excerpt at The Writing World
December 15 - Guest Blogging at Lori's Reading Corner
December 17 - Book Feature & Excerpt at I Know That Book
December 19 - Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
December 21 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
December 28 - Guest Blogging BellaOnline Fiction Writing

January 2 - Review & Guest Blogging at A Book Lover's Library

January 4 - Interviewed at Philosbooks
January 5 - Interviewed at BK Walker's Blog
January 7 - Interviewed at Angels & Warriors Radio

December 2 - Introduction at VBT Cafe' Blog
December 7 - Book Feature & Excerpt at The News In BooksDecember 9 - Review & Interview at Honest Variety Books
December 17 -  Reviewed at Thrice The Mischief, 3 Times The Love
December 17 - Book Feature & Excerpt at The Writing World
December 22 - Book Feature & Excerpt at Lori's Reading Corner
January 4 - Review & Guest Blogging at A Book Lover's Library
January 7 - Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
January 9 - Guest Blogging at The Official Blog-Zine of Terra Little
January 10 - Interviewed at Books and Tales
January 13 - Interviewed at Books, Books, The Magical Fruit
January 16 - Review & Interview at BellaOnline Fiction Writing

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ALL ABOARD! GFP: Maple Express by Peter Brandt

Welcome to BK Walker Books Etc. I'm so happy you could join me today from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

BK: Please tell us a little about yourself...

I am a Canadian living and working in the Middle East. I spent 20 years in the Army and Air Force and when I left, I used my technical background to become a technical writer. It has only been in the last few years that I started writing creatively and it has taken off. I spend my spare time writing novels and screenplays and learning to play guitar and violin.

I am married and have five kids who are all adults and on their own. My wife and I love to travel and we get back to Canada and the United States usually once a year.

I am an independent author, member of the Writer's Union of Canada, and I consider myself a pioneer, an entrepreneur of books written by Peter A. Brandt.

BK: Please tell us a little about your book....

Maple Express is an interesting tale about Sara Maple, a rich girl from a family who has become the largest maple syrup producer in the United States. Being an only child, Sara is used to getting her own way. When her best friend declines to go with her to catch the start of a boot sale in a nearby town, Sara has a fight with her and decides to skip class anyway. Sara never makes it.

Sara wakes up on the floor of an old train surrounded by four people she has never met before. None of them know where the train is heading and don't appear much interested in finding out. Sara must now take control of her life and convince her new friends to help her find a way off the train.

BK: What inspired you to pen this particular novel?

It began when I listened to a news report about what the medical profession believed about us humans. My first thought was…"well, what if they are wrong. What if it is not like that at all?" I decided I needed to write about what I thought it would be like.

I can't tell you what that "what if" moment is because it would give away the story, but the book just flowed out from there.

I got half way through it and realized I didn't know how it should all come together before the surprise ending so I shelved the book for over a year before I finally figured it out and finished writing it.

BK: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

At the age of seven, I wrote a book about a monkey by the name of "Cheetah" that goes to school and causes havoc. I think I knew back then I was destined to be a writer but self-esteem issues began to creep in and I ignored writing for most of my life. It took becoming a technical writer and realize how much I really loved to write to really get down to writing the many stories that flow from my brain.

BK: How do you keep your story flowing?

I make sure that each chapter has a goal that must be reached and then I make one chapter feed into the next and then the next and so on. I like a story that progresses quickly and stays sustained like that throughout the book. I tried writing literary fiction but got lost describing the curtains LOL!

BK: Do you ever run into writer's block, and if so, what do you do to get past it?

Believe it or not, this actually happened to me but it has only happened once. Generally I have stories flowing out of my head all the time, but the writer's block came to me when I did something stupid.

It started when I lost a significant amount of writing when my computer crashed. I was keeping a backup but I got lax and before I knew it, I had lost 15,000 words to a novel I was in the middle of writing. I went into a real funk after that and I soon began to second-guess what I was doing with my life. No amount of seat time and writing exercises could help me. I was dry.

I took some time off and started reading again. I happened to read "On Writing" by Stephen King and he explained what he did to write his novels. It became a huge inspiration to me when I found out that I was doing exactly what he was doing; sitting down for a certain amount of words each day, letting the book sit for a few weeks before starting a rewrite - he even listens to music as he writes like I do.

I then realized that no matter who you are, famous author or otherwise, it's necessary to sit in that chair and write - one word at a time. I have learned through technical writing to chunk the tasks down into smaller tasks that can be easily carried out. Before long, that five pages of daily writing becomes a 300 page monster and a novel is born. I have always loved reading Stephen King but I am very grateful to him for writing "On Writing" and sharing his way of doing things, including his successes and failures.

I ended up writing again and I haven't had writers block since (knock on wood)!

BK: What is your writing process like? Do you have any quirks, or must-haves to write?

My real quirk is I like to write with 30 people sitting around me, all doing the same thing - trying to write a novel. I have attended five writers' marathons where authors begin writing on Friday at 8 PM and must have a complete novel written by Monday night at 8 PM. Writer's marathons are an excellent way to raise money for a cause and there is no better way to find out if you have the chops to write. After those three days are over, you'll know!

Unfortunately, I am far from home so my writing process has changed. I write for an hour or so every night when I get home from work and I take one day, usually Saturday, where I do nothing but write for 10 to 12 hours.

Just as important is my need to listen to music under a pair of headphones as I write. This started back in high school when I used to do all of my homework with the stereo blasting. I find it envelopes my head with a shield of music that insulates me from the outside world. I have to listen to music when I write at work as well and I actually quit a technical writing job because they wouldn't allow me to wear headphones in the office.

BK: Where do you hope your books/writing will be in the future?

I would love for my books to be turned into movies. I have written a couple of screenplays and one has already been made into a short film. I write all my books by visualizing them as a movie. I love lots of action and I enjoy a cool storyline. I like the "what if" way of looking at the world around me.

BK: What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

That I write good stories that show the world ordinary kids can become extra ordinary kids if circumstances arise. Ordinary kids can grow into happy and talented adults.

I was a late bloomer growing up. When I was 17, I looked 13. I was just hitting puberty when I joined the army. I had nothing going for me at the time and I joke with my wife that if she knew me in school she would have steered clear of me. I was one of those guys a girl's father warns her about - you know the "guy who won't amount to anything." Well, I am living proof that some of us just get started a little later in life.

The point is - you may not think you're much right now or you may think you may never amount to anything but life is long and it is amazing what you can do if you set your mind to it. I know - I studied and became an actor of television and film at the age of 50. It's never too late to do what you love.

BK: What is one piece of advice you received that you carry with you in your writing?

My father told me before he died "if there is something you want to do in your life, don't wait, - do it now." He wanted to travel and by the time he retired, health issues took over and they couldn't go anywhere.

After he passed away, I began to write with a real commitment to what I wanted to say. As I mentioned, I even studied and became an actor.

The other piece of advice I have learned the hard way is to write what you want, not what other people think you should write. My first book was a comedy and I sold it to a romance publisher. I had to sex it up and frankly, it just wasn't me and it showed. I like to write funny, emotionally charged, and action packed stories about young people. Just remember - romance and love are the basis for all stories in life.

BK: What is one piece of advice you would give to new and aspiring writers?

Don't get hung up on the whole conventional publishing model of finding an agent and a publisher. I went through that route. My first book was bought by a publisher in Florida and it wasn't a great experience.

I have read that agencies in the United States get on average 5000 to 6000 book queries a year and only take 5 to 10. This doesn't mean that 5990 of them are terrible and not fit for print. It's just a numbers game and rejections are all par for the course. If it happens for you to grateful but if it doesn't - don't get down on yourself, become an entrepreneur with your books as your product, and do it yourself.

Study the art of storytelling so you know what you are doing and like any good business, it is important to sell the best product you can so don't scrimp on an editor when you are done. They are worth their weight in gold. Get a fantastic cover made and then sell, sell, sell not just your book, but yourself as well.

BK: Are you currently working on any new projects? What can we expect from you in the future?

Yes, I am always working on something new.

I just wrote a couple of screenplays for a producer / director friend of mine and they have been filmed already. Being the scriptwriter gives you the ability to write in an acting role for yourself LOL!

I grew up with the Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew mysteries and I wrote a book along those same lines titled "Holly Alexander and the Mystery of the Courthouse Square." This is an action packed young adult thriller. Holly Alexander gets herself into some serious trouble in her new town and requires all of her cunning and newfound friends to get her out of it. The cover is already made and up on my site and the book will be released later summer, early fall 2012.

As well, I am halfway through writing a novel about a young man by the name of Taylor who lives in Los Angeles California. Taylor disappears while walking to school and is found two months later wandering along the side of the Pacific Coast Highway. He has no idea who he is, where he has been, and who the girl that permeates his nightly dreams is.

BK: Where can readers find you?

Well, the number one place to find me is at www.peterabrandt.com but my books are being sold both at www.amazon.com (memoirs) and through www.smashwords.com. www.simplesimonpublishing.com/. People can follow my blog at Simple Simon's website as well.

Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. It's been a pleasure having you and I wish you much success in the future.

Thank you for inviting me and it's been my pleasure as well. I look forward to meeting many of your readers who want to leave comments. As well, they are invited to stop by my blog as well.

Giveaways: 

I have some exciting prizes for this book launch. One grand prizewinner will win an awesome Bachmann Trains Pegasus Ready-to-Run HO Scale Train Set.

Two winners will win a pint jug of Butternut Mountain Farm Vermont Pure Maple Syrup, Grade A Dark Amber, in honor of the main character of The Maple Express, Sara Maple, from the small town of Mapleton Vermont.

As well, the blog host with the most comments will win a 2012 Canadian (1 oz) Silver Maple Leaf Coin in an “Air-Tite” Capsule and in this day and age, who couldn't use an ounce of precious metal!

Sara Maple has a comfortable life—the only child of a wealthy family—a best friend who does everything she asks—and the admiration of most of her schoolmates. Unfortunately, her temper and “indestructible” attitude quickly place her in a very precarious position.

“The Maple Express” is a powerful novel that captures the author’s take on the miracle of the human mind. “The Maple Express” delves into the actions and consequences of a young girl who has never had to take responsibility for her actions before. The story brings the reader into a world where Sara’s determination to find her way off the train sends her on an emotional trip that bonds her to her new friends and changes her life forever.

Both young and old readers will love the emotional journey Sara Maple takes them on as she deciphers the obstacles that confront her. Sara’s story ends with a surprise twist and leaves the reader with a sense of discovery about his or her own humanity.

“Maple Express” Excerpt One

It took Sara a few seconds to comprehend where she was. As best as she could tell, she was staring at an upside down Thomas Cole painting that appeared to be zipping along at a tremendous rate of speed.

The wind in her hair and face made her eyes water and saliva run from the corner of her mouth. Sara closed her mouth and swallowed.

The last thing she remembered was stepping up on the ladder that led to the train engine. When she woke, she was staring at the scenery, dangling upside down, and being held by something that had wrapped itself around her ankle. Her face was mere inches from the ground. She couldn’t distinguish any one individual rock — they were all shooting past her too fast to see anything more than a blur.

Sara turned her head to find out where the noise was coming from. She knew the sound of the wind that rattled past her but the throaty metallic rattle that overpowered it was far more excruciating on her ears.

The wind spun her a quarter turn and what she saw caused a scream to erupt from deep inside. Two large train wheels were spinning along steel tracks. The sound she heard was steel hitting steel. The pistons created the swooshing sound as they pounded the wheels around, propelling the train forward.

Sara looked for something to grab onto but there was nothing within her reach. She felt like a side of beef dangling in a butcher’s freezer.

It only takes a few minutes of thought before Peter Brandt can devise a scenario that would make a fantastic story, and minutes after that before it begins to fill itself in.

“I have been able to think up stories all my life but it’s only been in the last seven years that I realized I was abusing my creative side by not writing them down.”

Peter retired from the Air Force and began a new career as a Technical Writer. His writing abilities have allowed him to work in Canada, the United States and even in the Middle East.

But its Peter’s love for stories that has brought him into a new realm of writing. His humorous memoir about his life as a soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces and the tragic memoir about his father’s life in a Prisoner-of-War camp at the age of 14 allowed him to refine his writing before he began to venture in writing Young Adult fiction.

“I have a very unique way of creating my stories. It begins with a craving, like a recent smoker who just quit cigarettes but still feels the addiction. I can’t shake it until I sit down and begin to let my mind wander. Many times I start my quest for a new story by wondering - What If. Soon after I begin to write and can usually get the first draft completed within a few weeks.

Maple Express began as a “what if” question and I’d share it with you but it would give away the storyline.”

I always write my stories as I would see them on the movie screen, which is why writing screenplays are also something I do. I am shooting a short film I wrote with a friend of mine within the next couple of weeks with another film shortly after.”

Peter has taken formal lessons in acting and has enjoyed some success as an actor in TV and film before his day job as a Lead Technical Writer required him to move out of the country.

“I can honestly say I have landed in the perfect job for me. I love to write...doesn’t really matter what I write, creatively or technically, writing is a pleasurable experience. It has allowed me to travel and for that I am grateful.”

Peter grew up with the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew hardcover books.

“I loved them. I remember sitting under my blanket after lights out, sweating from the heat and the fear that gripped me as Joe and Frank carried on with another of their adventures.”

It is with these wonderful stories in mind that Peter wrote “Holly Alexander and the Mystery of the Courthouse Square.” This young adult novel will be released summer / fall 2012.

“I never really grew up. I have tried to write for adults but I find it difficult. I was a small, shy, and bullied kid growing up. I was nothing special. I had terrible grades, no idea what I wanted to do with my life and girls...wow, totally foreign to me. After I joined the Army those years faded quickly and I guess it has caused me to want to get those years back.

That is why I crave writing about young people who feel they are nothing special until I put them in a position where they have no choice but to become someone they never dreamed they could be. It is very uplifting for me to make heroes out of young people who believe they have nothing to contribute. It’s an eye opener for me as well as for them when it happens.”

Pete continues to write and publish through Simple Simon Publishing, a different type of publisher.

“Simple Simon Publishing is all about turning authors into entrepreneurs. For too long authors have felt dependent on the closed loop publishing industry to discover them and make them successful. Simple Simon’s philosophy is you are not just an author but the best person in the world to sell your product...you and your writing.”

Peter and his wife Carly have five kids who are all grown and on their own.  

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Protect Your Teens Tour - What Every Parent Should Know with Diane Griffin

This is the first book in a series to help parents protect their teens from the dangers of technology and the Internet. Not only does the book describe the dangers and legal implications of texting, but also gives tools and information how to dialog with teens about the dangers of texting. This is a very practical book. Also, there is a project to go with the book on Diane's website that is based on best practices in education to help teens understand the dangers and how to deal with them. This project will include lesson plans for teachers and parents who home school their teens based on national educational standards and learning targets. There is a video book review on the Amazon purchase page for Safe Text. Click on the link below to learn more about the book and view the review.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Text-Protecting-Technology-ebook/dp/B004SHJDDG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1333472833&sr=8-3

This is the second book in a series of books to help parents protect their teens from the dangers of the Internet, texting, and social media sites. This book is about Facebook. Not only does it spell out the dangers of Facebook for teens but also the positives. It describes the problems and actually tells parents what to do about them. The book gives links to a good amount of useful resources.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Protecting-Your-Teens-Facebook-ebook/dp/B007L40DYQ/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1333473014&sr=8-22

Have a teen planning to go to college? This is the book for you. It is a book to help parents and teens use Social Media to help the student get into college. It describes the traps that might have an adverse effect on admittance into a college. The most popular social media sites are described as well as some newer sites that a becoming more popular. This is a must have book if you want to help your teen capture an advantage in being accepted to the college of their choice. There is a video book review on the Amazon purchase page for Social Media Secrets. Click on the link below to learn more about the book and view the review.

 Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Social-Media-Secrets-ebook/dp/B007M2TI52/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1333473054&sr=8-9 

 Book Launch Contest Diane is giving away a Kindle Fire and two Amazon Gift certificates. Any host or member of the Assisting Authors Online Book Review Team will get 15 entries to the contest if they review one of the books and put the review up on Amazon, Goodreads, Shelfari and the hosts site. Readers will get 10 entries for a review posted as previously stated. There are also other ways to get entries. The reviews must be up by May 11 to help us get ready for the Launch on May 15. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

April 23 - Guest Blogging with Cindy Vine

Diane Griffin is the founder and President of Security First & Associates. Ms. Griffin works with a variety of clients throughout the Security industry. Ms. Griffin has also worked in a wide array of fields to include training, facilitation, communications, human resources and industrial security management and Ms. Griffin is the current Chapter Chair for National Classification Management Society (NCMS), Chapter 26.

Diane's expertise in the security field and her experience as an author of books on Security Clearances helped her make a natural transition to security issues for teens and their parents.

According to Ms. Griffin, Social Media is the way to communicate with teenagers today. Parents have a lot to learn when it comes to the behaviors of their children online. To help parents and teachers understand today's teenager, Diane Griffin has written several books on the topic of Social Media and your teens. She also has a helpful blog that gives good advice about the subject and valuable resources for parents
and teens on the subject of internet and phone safety on her site http://www.protectyourteens.com. Take advantage of a security expert to help you manage this important process in your child's life.

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Black Opal Books - Ghostly Justice by Bev Irwin

Hi BK. Thank you for having me on your blog site today.

I am still doing the happy dance after the release of my second book on Saturday. GHOSTLY JUSTICE is a paranormal young adult and I am so waiting to be able to hold it in my hot little hands.

Here’s a bit about me. Known as my official bio and picture.

Award-winning author, Bev Irwin, lives in London, Ontario, with three assorted cats. One that hid in her car when she moved from the farm and two others dropped off by her daughter on two different occasions. Her three children have flown the coup, but her granddaughter, Jasmine, is a frequent visitor.

As a registered nurse, she likes to add a touch of medical to her romance and mystery novels. She writes YA, children’s, and poetry. She prefers spending time in her garden, writing, and reading to being in the kitchen.

Her debut novel, WHEN HEARTS COLLIDE, a contemporary romance, came out in December of 2011 with Soul Mate Publishing under the pen name of Kendra James

That’s me and this is a bit about how I got here. The road has been long and full of twist and turns. There is so much work that leads up to this day.

Today, I want to talk about ideas and inspiration. Writers are often asked, "Where do you get your ideas?"

Where do I get them?

Everywhere.

But then that leads to a problem for me. I have so many ideas surfing around in my brain it makes it very confusing. Which one should I follow? Which one will lead me along enough of a twisting path that a reader would want to continue the journey with me accepting that they may have to suspend belief along the way? 

I also need to find an idea that I will want to continue with to the end. I’m a great starter. I have so many projects started, WIP's that may never see the light of day.

But this year I want to change that.

I have resolutions.

To name a few: I want to get my house in order, give away cloths and possessions I no longer need, clean up papers I have been letting pile up for years, give away some of the books that are flooding my house, and most importantly, to organize my writing area so that I can find room to write. Hopefully, weeding through my house will make room for more to come into my life.

This year, I have goals.  

Concrete goals. The main one is to finish off all the WIP's and get them out there so they can find a home. I plan on shooting an arrow for the sun and if I hit a few stars on the way, that is okay too. 

Too lofty you say. Maybe.

But I have a dream. A dream of having my writing be the only job I need to sustain my lifestyle. I dream of having all the techy gadgets I love. I dream of traveling. There are so many places I want to see. Then there are all those books I want to write.

Remember all those ideas surfing around in my brain. Well, with a lot of will power, a heaping dose of inspiration, and an angel on my shoulder, I hope to give those ideas a voice.

So here's to inspiration!

Here is GHOSTLY JUSTICE!!

Here is an excerpt

PROLOGUE

AMANDA

After all these years, I could finally feel something. It was as if a jolt of electricity surged through me, and my heart almost began to beat again.

At first, I didn’t know what caused it. I only knew an undeniable force drew me to my bedroom window. With each step, the tingle of fingernails tracking down my spine increased. The thought passed through me, maybe I should be afraid. But really, what was there to be afraid of? It couldn’t get worse. What’s worse than being dead?

I floated toward the window. Two girls were walking in front of the house. They looked about my age, maybe younger – fifteen, sixteen. I was drawn to the one with the dark curly hair. Her friend called her Daria. I reached out my hand, called her name. She looked up at the window. She sensed me. I knew it. I saw her shudder, but she kept walking.

I watched until they turned the corner at Colburn Street. Then the energy vanished and a profound sadness filled me. Even playing the piano held no joy that day.

I have to talk to her. But how?

I gave up trying to contact the living years ago. It became so tiresome—appearing in front of them, touching them, talking to them, yet never being noticed.

Until now.

Every day, I watch for her. Every day, I try to make contact. Every day I plead for her to look up at my window again. Two weeks have passed now. And every day, she hurries past; her gaze focused on the street ahead.

I must talk to her.

Daria is the first person I’ve been able to communicate with since the day I was murdered.

And here are pre pub blurbs

KUDOS for Ghostly Justice

Ghostly Justice by Bev Irwin is one of those books that can easily span the bridge between YA and adult fiction. Though the characters are teenagers and still in high school, like Harry Potter and Twilight, the story is fascinating enough to appeal to much broader audiences. Our heroine, Daria, is young, but she’s also spunky, creative, clever, and reluctantly courageous—my favorite kind of gal. And she is most definitely not pleased when she discovers that she is psychic and can talk to ghosts. Well, one ghost, at least...Irwin has added a well-rounded cast of secondary characters to help Daria in her quest, and together with a strong plot, excellent dialogue and a few surprises along the way, they all combine to make this book a very enjoyable read. – Taylor, Reviewer

Ghostly Justice was not quite what I expected when I learned it was YA. Even though the characters are teens, the subject matter—some of it anyway—was very adult. However, Bev Irwin seems to be a talented author and handled the sensitive issues with the same aplomb with which she did the scenes where her teenage characters break into an abandoned house. Daria, our very reluctant heroine, doesn’t want to be special. She especially doesn’t want to talk to dead people or to hear her best friend’s thoughts. She wants to keep clear of her mom’s creepy boyfriend, snag a hot, sexy boyfriend of her own—who doesn’t—and to be left in peace...The other characters in the book are equally well-developed and three-dimensional, the plot has some very nice twists and turns, and Irwin’s writing is superb. – Regan, Reviewer

GHOSTLY JUSTICE will be available on April 14th!!!!

www.blackopalbooks.com/

www.soulmatepublishing.com

www.amazon.com   

www.barnesandnoble.com

www.bevirwin.com

And here is MISSING CLAYTON coming in June with Black Opal Books

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