literary lunes magazine, september-october 2012

8/12/2019 Literary Lunes Magazine, September-October 2012

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Literary Lunes Magazine

September/October 2012 Issue


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Literary Lunes Magazine copyright 2012 Beth AnnMasarik & Literary Lunes Publications. All rights reserve!incluing the right to reprouce this book! or portionsthereo"! in any "or# $ithout $ritten per#ission e%cept "or

the use o" brie" uotations e#boie in critical articles anrevie$s.

'or in"or#ation about reprinting! istributing! or other$isesharing the contents o" this book! please contact Beth Ann Masarik [email protected]

'irst eition! (epte#ber)*ctober 2012*riginally publishe in paperback an e+book by Literary Lunes Publications

(#ash$ors ,ition

-nterior eite by Beth Ann Masarikover esign by Beth Ann Masarik

Literary Lunes Magazine$$$.literarylunes.co#

Literary Lunes Publications$$$.literarylunespublications.co#
mailto:[email protected]://www.literarylunes.com/http://www.literarylunespress.webs.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.literarylunes.com/http://www.literarylunespress.webs.com/


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Table of Contents

Letter from the EditorBy Beth Ann Masarik

Writings rom the !eartBy Beth Ann Masarik

Call for "ubmissions

#t Takes a $illage to Write a BookBy Erin %an&er

Behind the "cenes 'ith !eather o'lerBy Beth Ann Masarik

Behind the "cenes 'ith "te(e )iacenteBy Beth Ann Masarik

Behind the "cenes 'ith Lisa )ellBy Beth Ann Masarik

Behind the "cenes 'ith " ChapmanBy Beth Ann Masarik

Behind the "cenes 'ith Ayshe Talay*+nganBy Beth Ann Masarik

Behind the "cenes 'ith "usanna ,reenBy Beth Ann Masarik

Behind the "cenes 'ith Corey MeslerBy Beth Ann Masarik

-our "ong/By 0amie %an&er

-)lanned +bsolescence/

By ,ary Beck

An Angel ,ets !er LicenseCassandra "erafin Chronicles 12By Erin %an&er

%ragon3s %emise


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By Terra 4elly

MaybeBy Abbigail 5ose'ood

6o 7uestions AskedBy8 0oseph Este(e&

The Tragedy of idel CastroBy 0o9o Cer:ueira

Terra*irma 5e(ie'sBy Terra 4elly

Lunar 5e(ie'sBy Beth Ann Masarik

Connect 'ith Literary Lunes

A'esome Bloggers

The "taff

Affiliates


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Letter from the Editor

%ear 5eaders;

Thank you for picking up another edition of Literary Lunes Maga&ine. Can you belie(ethere is only one issue left for this year< # sure can3t= #3d like to thank you all for yoursupport of the maga&ine. Without your support; it 'ouldn3t be here.

This issue is >am*packed 'ith lots of inter(ie's and short stories; and an article from Erin%an&er.

There is a special call for submissions for the 6o(ember?%ecember issue. %etails tofollo' in one of the follo'ing sections.

Literary Lunes has >oined forces 'ith !ydra )ublications my publisher and 04"

Communications. ou 'ill be seeing their authors (isit the Literary Lunes blogfre:uently; and # hope you all 'ill sho' them some lo(e=

#f you are one of the hundreds of people that ha(e read the maga&ine this year; #3d greatlyappreciate it if you 'ould please re(ie' the issue or issues that you3(e read; and orconsider purchasing the colored paperback to support the maga&ine. Most paperbackissues are D or less depending on length.

#3d also like to let e(eryone kno' that there 'ill be a collection coming out at the end ofthe year of ALL articles; poems; stories etc that 'ere published in each issue this year.)roceeds made from the collection 'ill go to'ards running both Literary Lunes 'ebsites.

Thank you once again for all of your support and dedication to Literary Lunes.

"incerely;

Beth Ann Masarik


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Writings From the Heart: Stories an !oetry From "roun the Wor#

By Beth Ann Masarik

#n 0une; the Writings rom the !eart anthology 'as released. # am trying to raise money

for the Cohen Children3s Medical Center of 6. All proceeds are going to go to theadult congenital heart program that 'as started by cardiologist; %r. "cott )ilgrim. #t is aprogram that is a part of the pediatric cardiology unit; and it helps transition the youngadults into the adult 'orld of cardiology. %r. )ilgrim is an ecellent physician; and #support this program 'hole*heartedly. My goal is to raise 2DD.DD for education andresearch for this program. "o far; # ha(e only raised FD.DD; and the anthology has beenout since 0une. ou can get it on Ama&on 4indle for only G.HH and in paperbackthrough createspace for 2.DD.

or those 'ondering 'hy # chose the price of 2.DD; it3s because that is the day that #celebrate my successful open heart surgery. +n 0une 2; HIJ # 'as operated on

successfully; and this anthology is my 'ay to gi(e back to the community of doctors andnurses that ha(e taken care of me for my entire life.

This anthology is special to me; in that so many people came together for one cause; andit truly is a global pro>ect. # accepted submissions from people 'ho 'ere from not onlythe Knited "tates; but Canada; Australia; ,ermany; #ndia; and so many other countries.2D authors came together and submitted both poetry and short stories. This is a oungAdult anthology; 'ith many different genre3s ranging from fantasy to contemporary.

Thank you for your support of the anthology; and # hope you 'ill purchase a copy or t'o.The collection is a(ailable in all countries through the channels listed abo(e.


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Call for "ubmissions

or the last issue of the year; # am looking for stories 'ith the follo'ing themes8

all?WinterThanksgi(ingChristmasAny other holiday that falls during the months of 6o(ember?%ecember.

"ubmissions are due 6+ LATE5 T!A6 +ctober GJ thand should be sent [email protected]. )lease include a co(er letter 'ith your submission; andmake sure that you follo' the guidelines listed on '''.literarylunes.com.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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It $a%es a &i##age to Write a 'oo%

'y (rin )anzer

We all kno' 'riting a book can be a lonely endea(or. While our friends go outfor drinks; 'e sit at home; tied to the computer; trying to eek out the net ,reat Americanno(el. +ur families get upset because laundry and dishes get pushed aside in lieu of edits.While e(eryone else is ha(ing fun or picking up our slack; 'e3re trying to createsomething 'e3ll be proud to share 'ith the 'orld.

What happens 'hen you need someone to talk to< As much as our significantothers and non*'riter friends try to understand; they can3t understand us as 'ell as other'riters. "o 'ho do you turn to 'hen you ha(e that moment of clarity; that perfectmoment bet'een your main characters that >ust has to be shared< Who 'ill be there tolisten 'hen you lament about characters that don3t do 'hat you 'ant them to and plotbunnies that >ump in unepectedlyust ho' many authors pop up. "earch for -'riter/ or-author/ on Linked#n; acebook or ,oogle and see the names start coming. 4eep inmind thoughN on all of these sites; you should check out the people before you friendthem. +n T'itter; check out their recent t'eets; their acebook page or blog if it3s listedin their profile. "ame 'ith the other sites. ou don3t >ust 'ant to -friend/ e(eryone. ou'ant to make sure you ha(e something in common 'ith these people first. ind people'ith common interests or 'ho 'rite the same kinds of books as you do. riending thesepeople 'ill pa(e the 'ay to find more people >ust like you.

# ha(e to stop and add something here. )lease; once these nice people friend orfollo' you; don3t continually hound them to read your stuff or only talk about your 'ork.They are people; too; more than >ust an author. ou ha(e the potential here to make somene' genuine friends.

*2 + Ma,or Organizations. #f social media isn3t your thing or if you cra(e someface*to*face time 'ith other authors; check out one or any of the ma>or organi&ations.5omance Writers of America 5WA; "ociety of Children3s Books Writers and#llustrators "CBW#; Mystery Writers of America MWA; The 6ational WritersAssociation 6WA; and the Writers ,uild of America W,A are >ust a fe'. All ofthem ha(e local chapters; nationally and sometimes e(en internationally. 0ust look upthese organi&ations or type in -ma>or 'riting organi&ations/ on your fa(orite searchengine and see 'hat comes up.

+nce you find one you3re interested in; find a local chapter and contact thepresident to see if you can sit in on their net meeting. Most 'ill allo' you one or maybet'o times of sitting in before they ask you to decide about becoming a member. es; youha(e to pay to be a member; but these organi&ations ha(e ama&ing abilities to net'ork


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and get 'ord of your book 'hen you3re ready in the hands of many more people. oucan also find beta readers; criti:ue partners; and friends in these groups. Also; the annualconferences are >ammed packed 'ith panels; keynote speakers and 'orkshops 'here youcan learn and gro' in your craft.

*- + Free On#ine .ommunities. Another option is to >oin online 'riting

communities. +ne that # first started 'ith 'as Writing.Com. !ere; you can share your'riting online and ask for re(ie's from other authors and readers on the site. ou canalso enter a multitude of 'riting contests to better hone your craft many times; contest>udges 'ill gi(e a criti:ue of your 'ork e(en if you don3t 'in. Another place #3(e foundfriends is during 6ational 6o(el Writing Month 6a6oWriMo e(ery 6o(ember. Thisyear 'ill be the Dthyear #3(e participated and #3(e made a fe' (ery close friends 'hobecome my buddies e(ery year.

There are many other 'riting communities online. ind one that appeals to youand sounds like a place your 'riting 'ill fit in. Take a chance and share a little. oune(er kno' 'hat 'ill happen.


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Behind the Scenes with Heather FowlerBy Beth Ann Masarik

What is your name?Heather Fowler

Tell us about yourself.Im an artist, a daydream, and a single mother. I consider the term artflexible. Een bad cooking can be an art.

What do you write?I write !oetry, short stories, !lays for theatre, screen!lays, noels, loeletters, dating g"ides, manifestos, memorand"ms#all of these things.

Why do you write it?I write it beca"se it asks to be written. As if a tiny girl at my elbow, sho"ting,$Make me real%& 'hes rather demanding. Also, a lo"d cross(dresser.

Do you have any past or current releases?

)es, two books.

People with Holes, a second magical realism collection whose entire a"thors!roceeds will go to *lanned *arenthood, !"blisher to match a"thorscontrib"tion, was recently released in +"ly -.

Suspended Heart,my first magical realism collection, similarly benefits acharity for women, the 'an /iego Family +"stice 0enter, which is a localfacility that hel!s battered women and children.

Tell us about them.1he book descri!tions follow2

Hailed as $magic realism at its finest,& Fowlers writing in *E3*4E 5I1H H34E'reeals the small b"t essential tr"ths that motiate sex and relationshi!s.

5hether in m"se"ms of solit"de, in air!orts of dreams, or at the circ"s, thesestories are bo"nd together by transformation, anthro!omor!hism, and"ltimately by loes ineitable conse6"ences. Fowlers "ni6"e ision is tho"ght(!rooking, with a to"ch of feminist sensibility, and shot thro"gh with 6"irkyand la"gh(o"t(lo"d h"mor.

In an ex!losion of loes meta!hors, Fowlers deb"t collection of stories,'7'*E8/E/ HEA91, takes on American fab"lism with a cast of "nex!ected


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heroines in the narraties of life and loss#women whose hearts fall o"t at!"blic malls, women whose bodies bloom with changing seasons, women whos!ro"t blades or hae m"lti!le eyes, slee! as snakes, or birth saints like la!isla:"li babies. 5here there is str"ggle and sadness, there is also h"mor2Fowlers fictie oice has been com!ared to both Fran: ;afka and /onald

Barthelme. 1heres a fearlessness to this !rose, a melody of life and magic andloss. 'elected stories in this ol"me hae been !"blished online and inA"stralia.

Who is publishing them?I am honored to hae worked with A6"eo"s Books for '"s!ended Heart #and with *ink 8arciss"s *ress for *E3*4E 5I1H H34E'.

Where is your favorite place to write?

In a cool office.

What do you listen to when you write?'ometimes folk m"sic, the so"nd of the street, the clicking of the keys#whateer is !resent. B"t, in general, Im not seated where I am. As I write, Ihae entered the story so"ndsca!e like a transient being, if yo" will.

How long have you been writing?1wenty(fie years. 4onger. A. B. 0. /. E. F. ?.f you could be any mythological creature! what would it be and why?

I wo"ld be a mermaid beca"se I loe the idea of owning a strong tail. Beingcom!letely enmeshed with the sea.

What is your guilty pleasure food?)o" ex!ected only one@ Flan sa"ce.

When did you "now you wanted to be a published author?In sixth or seenth grade, when I was first !"blished.

How many re#ections did you receive before you were finally published?8one. It was a tiny school maga:ine. I was a tiny inkerly girl. How many since

then@ I am deliberately forgetf"l abo"t s"ch matters. It hel!s the will to goon.

How did you feel when you received that acceptance letter?1he first real acce!tance letter, after grade school days, was from oetro!eAll('tory Extra, a former feat"re on 0o!!olas worksho! website. I felt great.I ke!t wondering which !en to "se to sign the contract. 1hen I "sed one of myglass !ens, since I collect those.


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hear that some authors! even if they have a publisher! get nervous aftersending another boo" for a contract. Do you get nervous?

8o. I am now at the blissf"l !lace of enoying my work regardless of $s"ccess&

!erce!tions#actiely#so I dont really care if it is acce!ted or not by one !laceor another. I feel calm and well abo"t those things most days. Im moreinterested in the !rocess of creating the art. As long as the work lights me "!,thats all that matters. Acce!tance and reection are so ne!otistic ands"bectie. Fame is oer(rated and not "niform in distrib"tion in terms oftalent ers"s gain. I think often of that famo"s iolin !layer in the s"bway who!layed excellently and yet no one was ti!!ing. If I cant get into the "!!erechelons of !"blishing by to!(tier contacts in this exact moment, I often think,then maybe I go "nseen for a while as I make my art. I can embrace theen"es where my work does a!!ear. I can hae faith it will get to where itneeds to go. B"t I m"st contin"e to send it o"t beca"se I loe it#and I m"st

make it for the same reason. I am an artist2 5ho cares who doesnt get me@1heres no strain of narcissism inside me that re6"ires high(end a!!la"se.

1he acce!tances, then, are "st !ositie am!lifications of the effort to writeand s"bmit, loely that way#and all the better, the reections dont matter. Idont take them !ersonally.

What inspires you to write?4oe. *ain. 4oss. 4"st. Intrig"e. A general "rge for retrib"tion. A word tangointernali:ed. 3ther a"thors.

Where can we find you?

Here2 htt!2CCwww.heatherfowlerwrites.comC

Also, here2 htt!2CCwww.facebook.comCD%Cheatherfowlerwrites

And here2 htt!s2CCtwitter.comChfowlerwrites

Where can we buy your boo"s?

Here2 htt!2CCwww.ama:on.comC*eo!le(Holes(Heather(

FowlerCd!C-=GCrefsr@ie71FJ6id=KLKJsr(Jkeywords*eo!leN5ithNHoles

Here2 htt!2CCwww.ama:on.comC'"s!ended(Heart(Heather(FowlerCd!C-O=K=KCrefsr@sbooksJie71FJ6id=KLLJsr(Jkeywords'"s!endedNHeart

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
http://www.heatherfowlerwrites.com/http://www.facebook.com/#!/heatherfowlerwriteshttps://twitter.com/hfowlerwriteshttp://www.amazon.com/People-Holes-Heather-Fowler/dp/098299138X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341959471&sr=8-1&keywords=People+With+Holeshttp://www.amazon.com/People-Holes-Heather-Fowler/dp/098299138X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341959471&sr=8-1&keywords=People+With+Holeshttp://www.amazon.com/People-Holes-Heather-Fowler/dp/098299138X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341959471&sr=8-1&keywords=People+With+Holeshttp://www.amazon.com/Suspended-Heart-Heather-Fowler/dp/0982673434/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345579722&sr=1-1&keywords=Suspended+Hearthttp://www.amazon.com/Suspended-Heart-Heather-Fowler/dp/0982673434/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345579722&sr=1-1&keywords=Suspended+Hearthttp://www.amazon.com/Suspended-Heart-Heather-Fowler/dp/0982673434/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345579722&sr=1-1&keywords=Suspended+Hearthttp://www.heatherfowlerwrites.com/http://www.facebook.com/#!/heatherfowlerwriteshttps://twitter.com/hfowlerwriteshttp://www.amazon.com/People-Holes-Heather-Fowler/dp/098299138X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341959471&sr=8-1&keywords=People+With+Holeshttp://www.amazon.com/People-Holes-Heather-Fowler/dp/098299138X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341959471&sr=8-1&keywords=People+With+Holeshttp://www.amazon.com/People-Holes-Heather-Fowler/dp/098299138X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341959471&sr=8-1&keywords=People+With+Holeshttp://www.amazon.com/Suspended-Heart-Heather-Fowler/dp/0982673434/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345579722&sr=1-1&keywords=Suspended+Hearthttp://www.amazon.com/Suspended-Heart-Heather-Fowler/dp/0982673434/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345579722&sr=1-1&keywords=Suspended+Hearthttp://www.amazon.com/Suspended-Heart-Heather-Fowler/dp/0982673434/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345579722&sr=1-1&keywords=Suspended+Heart


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)es. Ignore what !ower yo" do or do not hae regarding !"blication andacce!tance. /o not ignore the making of yo"r art. 1he idea of needing to beins!ired is a ridic"lo"s myth. '"ch waiting is la:y and sho"ld not be alidatedby belief or a !ermission to write infre6"ently. I strongly side with Bradb"ry in

that disc"ssion2 If yo" want to call yo"rself a writer, write. 1ell the tales thatyo" are "ni6"ely s"ited to tell. ?o to where yo" fear to go, and go !ast that#into the charged material that is yo"r !syche.

9ead. 5rite. 9ead. 5rite. 4ike right, left, right. ;ee! going. Its necessary.I will cla! to witness s"ch a march. Ins!iration comes when yo" kee! dro!!ingthe !en onto the !age, the hands to the keyboard. 'o this is what yo" m"st do.?ood l"ck and ?ods!eed on yo"r o"rney. I wish yo" great originality ands"ccess, in that order.


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Behind the Scenes with Steve $iacenteBy Beth %nn &asari"

What is your name?

'tee *iacente

Tell us about yourself.I am the de!"ty comm"nications director at a large federal agency, where Imanage the web and social media teams. I oined the goernment in -- aftera L(year career in !rint o"rnalism. A natie 8ew )orker, I was /.0.0orres!ondent for two 'o"thern news!a!ers, the 0harleston


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'he enlists a 5ashington re!orter to hel! "ncoer the tr"th, and theinestigation takes t"rns neither ex!ected.

In Bootlicer, the same re!orter as a yo"nger man m"st "ncoer the darksecret that links a racist 7.'. 'enator and the man !oised to become 'o"th

0arolinas first black congressman since the 0iil 5ar.


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What is your view of self'publishing?

1here "sed to be one key to the literary castle. )o" wrote yo"r book, wooed allthe agents yo" co"ld find, and ho!ef"lly landed one who co"ld hook yo" "!

with a !"blisher. If yo" didnt get the agent, yo" didnt get the key, and allyo" got to write was an angry !assage in yo"r diary. 1echnologys changed thelandsca!e, to my mind for the better. I self(!"blished Bella and am in the!rocess of getting it before aerage !eo!le witho"t the hel! of any middlemen.1h"s, real !eo!le will decide if my book is worth reading. 1hat said, there is asignificant challenge when an a"thor moes from creatie writing to creatiemarketing. 5e hae taken on that challenge by makingwww.stee!iacente.comas com!elling as !ossible. 1he site feat"res a ideotrailer, an interactie reader ma!, and ill"strated excer!ts. I am also wellre!resented on Facebook, )o"1"be, 1witter, and *interest.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?9ead eerything and write eery day. 1ry to find yo"r own oice rather thanmimic others. Make s"re yo"r research is solidQ one fact"al error can"ndermine an entire noel. If yo"re self(!"blished make s"re to hire a!rofessional editor to go thro"gh yo"r work once yo"re finished.
http://www.stevepiacente.com/http://www.stevepiacente.com/http://amzn.to/catchingonhttp://www.stevepiacente.com/http://www.stevepiacente.com/http://amzn.to/catchingon


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Behind the 'cenes with 4isa *ellBy Beth Ann Masarik

What is your name?

In the fictional world my name is 4isa *ell. My legal name is 4isa*ellegrin

Tell us about yourself.For the most !art, my family has been in the A!!alachian mo"ntain regionsince the late O--s. 5ith the exce!tion of the first three months of mylife in 8orth 0arolina, I lied in so"thwestern Sirginia "ntil I was six, ands!ent most holidays and s"mmer acations there as a child. I still isitfamily in the mo"ntains of so"thwestern Sirginia. B"t I was raised innorthern Sirginia in the s"b"rbs of 5ashington, /.0., where my h"sbandand I lie now. As a o"rnalist in my twenties, I lied in Bristol, Sirginia

and 1ennessee, as well as H"ntington, 5est Sirginia. My fascination withwriting began in college thirty years ago. Most of my !rofessional careerhas been s!ent as a writer in the o"rnalism, !"blic relations, and !roectmanagement fields. I began kee!ing o"rnals and writing stories incontem!lation of !ossibly writing a work of fiction abo"t ten years ago.1hen I became distracted by "ho#s $our %addy, Baby&, which is my firstnoel. Im a loer of tall tales, oysters, 9ock Tn 9oll m"sic, dancing, andf"n !eo!le, es!ecially my charming, da!!er h"sband. 5ere golfers, andIm starting to !lay tennis. I occasionally try my hand at oil !ainting,mostly !ortraits, some landsca!es, and animals.

What do you write?For myself when Im not working, my creatie writing ex!erience canmor!h into a ariety of forms. 5hen my tho"ghts moe too fast for myfingers to ty!e, I become the trans!osing trans!onder. 1here are timeswhen I am com!elled to write fiction in noel or narratie form,es!ecially if Im liing thro"gh a weird ex!erience. I enoy twisting the!lot a bit and !laying with the words to s!ice "! the reality. Its almostthera!y. 5hen Im feeling more is"ally oriented, I work on ascreen!lay. 1hen there are times when Im "st haing f"n with a socialmedia !ost, an e(mail to a friend, or lately, Ie enoyed writing songs,which I !romise my h"sband I wont sing in !"blic.

5ith the hel! of !rofessional m"sicians, I had a blast writing andrecording two bl"esy, rockin m"sic ideos, $1he Ballad of 5hos )o"r/addy, Baby@& htt!2CCwww.yo"t"be.comCwatch@r5G9'9*?97, and$8othin B"tt a M"tt& htt!2CCwww.yo"t"be.comCwatch@r?-f"o!s,for the "ho#s $our %addy, Baby&!roect. 1he first feat"res singing anddancing toddlers. 1he second, !"!!ies and kittens inter!reting "ho#s$our %addy, Baby& Ie written additional songs and hae been
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rWXRSRPGRUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGv09fZuopshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rWXRSRPGRUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGv09fZuops


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enco"raged to com!ose a m"sical to com!lement my 6"irky !aternitymystery.

'omeday Ill get back to the conce!t I was working on when I becamedistracted by "ho#s $our %addy, Baby&0"rrently taking the sha!e of a

trilogy, my %istortionsseries is abo"t a woman conicted of a m"rdershe didnt commit, an ama:ing 9ock Tn 9oll !erformer, and a characterwith ties to a few *residents, in a !arody of Earth far in the f"t"re on$*lanet Mala!ro!,& ery similar to $Hearth.& Ie obio"sly had f"n withmala!ro!isms.

Why do you write it?5hy I write what I write P to try to make sense of a cra:y world in myown loony way, and satisfy my need for word !lay.


"ho#s $our %addy, Baby&is my first noel, my first release.

Tell us about them.Ins!ired by my own ex!erience, "ho#s $our %addy, Baby&is the story ofmy alter ego, 4ori *omay, whose name is what I call a Um"tt(a(:ationU ofthe French word for cl"eless. A ha!!ily married career woman liing ins"b"rban 5ashington, /.0., she "ndergoes genetic testing for in itrofertili:ation and her world is rocked when she is told the dad she alwaysknew co"ld not !ossibly hae been her biological father. 5hen disc"ssingblood ty!e incom!atibilities, the doctor, in his loely French accent,said, UI senk yo" better senk abo"t the milkman.U 1his mid(life shocker

sends my character into an alternately hilario"s, heartwarming, andheartbreaking search for tr"th abo"t her heritage P from A!!alachian0herokees to a *"r!le ;ing on a ch"rch stage, with high(rollinggamblers, car dealers, dentists, and all manner of older, conf"sedamnesiacs along for the ride. Its a mystery that sho"ld a!!eal to thosesearching for their roots, with /8A testing foibles and myths of historyex!osed. IVm fond of saying itVs a mystery only a mother co"ld create,b"t *a"l Mc0artney might say only yo"r mother sho"ld know. IVm a maorBeatles fan, was een calling myself the Egg 5oman d"ring the in itro!rocess. I ho!e readers glean some n"ances abo"t relationshi!s, and !ick"! a few n"ggets abo"t medical and scientific iss"es, as well as

A!!alachian and American history they will find interesting and hel!f"lin their lies.

Who is publishing them?Aberdeen Bay, a diision of 0ham!ion 5riters

Where is your favorite place to write?


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5ell, I need to stay fairly tame to feed all the wild dreams in my mindthat need hydration. For serio"s writing, I load "! glasses of water and!lo! down in my swiel chair in front of the com!"ter in my homeoffice. I kee! !ads of !a!er aro"nd the ho"se to ot down notes, b"t towrite something of s"bstance, the deskto! com!"ter is my tool of

choice. Its so m"ch faster than hand writing, and so m"ch easier tomani!"late text, check s!elling, cond"ct searches, etc. I can ty!ealmost as fast as I think, and my left(handed handwriting is slow(goingand barely legible, sometimes illegible, een to me. I find la!to!keyboards annoyingly "nstable, end "! !l"gging in a standard la!to! andmo"se. A la!to! is fine for trael, b"t I !refer the str"ct"re of sitting ina chair at a desk. It forces me to foc"s.

What do you listen to when you write?1he tho"ghts in my head. I become so engrossed in my writing I t"neo"t the rest of the world, almost hae to be shaken to answer a

tele!hone. 8ow, when Im !ainting, its rockin chaos. I swirl mybr"shes, singing and dancing to the Beatles, 9olling 'tones, 1o!,'heryl 0rowe, ;1 1"nstall, 4ady ?aga, and Adele, or become morereflectie with *a"l 'imon, 'antana, and *ink Floyd.

How long have you been writing?I hae enoyed writing since scribbling on 'o, %og, 'o% in my !re(schoolyears back in the O-s. Sario"s teachers and "niersity !rofessorsthro"gho"t my formal ed"cation enco"raged my writing, starting inabo"t the second grade. In college in -, I oined the st"dentnews!a!er staff. 'ince college, I hae made my liing as a o"rnalist

and comm"nicationsC!rogram management s!ecialist with a foc"s onwriting. I hae been extremely fort"nate to hae been ex!osed to somany fine instr"ctors and editors thro"gho"t my life.

f you could be any mythological creature! what would it be and why?Its so tem!ting to imagine gallo!ing along thro"gh life with the gentles!irit of a mystical "nicorn, or to fly thro"gh the sky like *egas"s, b"tdes!ite the bea"ty and grace of those creat"res, I dont really think ofmyself as m"ch of a horse !erson. As a woman with a few 0elts in herbackgro"nd, )anet, the 0eltic goddess of sex, loe, and harmony, co"ldbe f"n. *ossibly more befitting of a literary l"ne, I might choose

Artemis, goddess of the moon, b"t she also was the goddess of fertility,childbirth, and the h"nt. Artemis !robably wo"ld not be a!!ro!riate forthe a"thor of "ho#s $our %addy, Baby&, with all the fertility fiascos thatins!ired the book P b"t we do hae that h"nt thing working with the!aternity search. My choice of mythological creat"res is a hybrid, aso!!osed to Hydra. 'o Im for melding the )anet, of all the loe andharmony, with Minera, the 9oman goddess of !oetry, medicine,wisdom, commerce, weaing, crafts, and magic. I try to weae a bit of


22/82

all those s"bects together in my writing. And, I dearly loed my a"ntMinera, a ery wise, artistic woman who also had her f"n(loing side.4ike the mythological 9oman goddess, my like(named real(lifeA!!alachian goddess of an a"nt loed owls.

What is your guilty pleasure food?French Fries, b"t I tell !eo!le if I steal them from my h"sbands !late,the calories dont co"nt.

When did you "now you wanted to be a published author?5hile I hae considered myself a !rofessional writer since my first ob asa yo"ng news!a!er re!orter back in the early -s, I neer tho"ght ofmyself serio"sly as an author"ntil I began writing "ho#s $our %addy,Baby& 5hen I was in my twenties, my mother told me I sho"ld write abook someday. Back then I told her I co"ldnt think of anything to writeabo"t. 4ittle did my mother know I wo"ld write a book abo"t her dating

life long after she was gone. I g"ess that lends credence to the oldadage, $Be caref"l what yo" wish for%&

How many re#ections did you receive before you were finally published?I 6"eried a few literary agents who were more interested in )o"ng Ad"ltfiction, and one agent told me I needed to c"t my man"scri!t to below--,--- words. 9ight as I finished condensing the man"scri!t, one ofthose fort"ito"s ha!!enstances g"ided me in a new direction. Myh"sband met the Aberdeen Bay ac6"isitions director at a 9otarybreakfast meeting and told him abo"t my noel. 1he ac6"isitionsdirector gae my h"sband his card and told my h"sband to hae me gie

him a call. I called that afternoon, sent him a man"scri!t, and receiedan acce!tance message abo"t a week later.

How did you feel when you received that acceptance letter?Ecstatic% 1he acce!tance initially was an e(mail, which I read on aBlackberry as my h"sband and I were traelling to so"thwestern Sirginia.8o, I was not texting and driing P my h"sband was /riin Miss 4isa. 1hetiming was !erfect to celebrate with friends and family inoled in myreal(life search.

hear that some authors! even if they have a publisher! get nervous after

sending anotherboo" for a contract. Do you get nervous?

5ell, Im still on my first book. Ill !robably feel that way when I crossinto the next dimension with my %istortionsseries, b"t I ho!e Ielearned eno"gh thro"gh this first ex!erience to hae a better gras! ofex!ectations.

What inspires you to write?


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7n"s"al !ersonal ex!eriences, and a desire to make sense of the worldaro"nd me. 1hro"gh writing I can force my mind to clearly reeal realityas best as I can !erceie it, and ill"stratiely imagine the l"nacy.


www.whosyo"rdaddybaby.comwww.facebook.comC4isa.*ell.A"thor1witter2 Wlisa!ell*interest2 htt!2CC!interest.comClisa!ellC?oodreads2 htt!2CCwww.goodreads.comCa"thorCshowCOKO=.4isa*ell?oogleN2 htt!s2CC!l"s.google.comC"C-C---LOO=K=KC!osts1"mblr2 htt!2CClisa!ell(a"thor.t"mblr.comC't"mble7!on2 htt!2CCwww.st"mble"!on.comCst"mblerClisa!ella"thor

Where can we buy your boo"s?htt!2CCwww.ama:on.comC5hos()o"r(/addy(Baby(

4isaCd!CO-=--=CreflaB--M-KE5@ie71FJ6id=KKK-OJsr(htt!2CCwww.barnesandnoble.comCwCwhos(yo"r(daddy(baby(lisa(!ellC-KO-O@eanO-=--ario"s online sites listed thro"ghhtt!2CCwww.goodreads.comCa"thorCshowCOKO=.4isa*elland can be ordered thro"gh inde!endent book stores.

(ideos)$1he Ballad of 5hos )o"r /addy, Baby@& htt!2CCwww.yo"t"be.comCwatch@r5G9'9*?97

U8othinV B"tt a M"tt,U htt!2CCwww.yo"t"be.comCwatch@r?-f"o!s$=- 'econd Introd"ction& htt!2CCwww.yo"t"be.comCwatch@'5;8o?nEwo$0ha!ter 2 Images of Myth and Myrrh& htt!2CCwww.yo"t"be.comCwatch@g:Ely5oOhw$0ha!ter -2 1he 4etters& htt!2CCwww.yo"t"be.comCwatch@Esyg6?m)SI$0ha!ter 2 1hreads of History& htt!2CCwww.yo"t"be.comCwatch@9050'+0h6As

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?5rite, then edit, then edit the entire man"scri!t abo"t - more timesbefore yo" eer show anyone anything yo" hae written. Make s"re it is as

!erfect as yo" can make it before yo" hae a !rofessional reiew it. 1ry tobe as clear and !recise as !ossible in yo"r writing and aoid m"ndanedetails and story lines. Bare yo"r so"l, b"t try to make yo"r book asinteresting as !ossible to others. '!eaking of others, if yo" haent b"ilt "!a social media network yet, yo" are way behind. 5ith h"ndreds oftho"sands of books !"blished eery year, its to"gh to be noticed. B"ild "!Facebook friends, maintain !rofessional connections on 4inkedIn, reach new!eo!le thro"gh 1witter, !in !rod"cts on *interest. 1heres also ?oogleN,
http://www.whosyourdaddybaby.com/http://www.facebook.com/Lisa.Pell.Author1http://pinterest.com/lisapell1/http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6421673.Lisa_Pellhttps://plus.google.com/u/0/100877198820756634314/postshttp://lisapell-author.tumblr.com/http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/lisapellauthorhttp://www.amazon.com/Whos-Your-Daddy-Baby-Lisa/dp/1608300773/ref=la_B008M04EZW_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342489406&sr=1-1http://www.amazon.com/Whos-Your-Daddy-Baby-Lisa/dp/1608300773/ref=la_B008M04EZW_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342489406&sr=1-1http://www.amazon.com/Whos-Your-Daddy-Baby-Lisa/dp/1608300773/ref=la_B008M04EZW_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342489406&sr=1-1http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whos-your-daddy-baby-lisa-pell/1112046206?ean=9781608300778http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whos-your-daddy-baby-lisa-pell/1112046206?ean=9781608300778http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6421673.Lisa_Pellhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rWXRSRPGRUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rWXRSRPGRUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGv09fZuopshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SWKNoGnEwohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gzElyWo6hwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gzElyWo6hwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsygqGmYZVIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCWCSJChqAshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCWCSJChqAshttp://www.whosyourdaddybaby.com/http://www.facebook.com/Lisa.Pell.Author1http://pinterest.com/lisapell1/http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6421673.Lisa_Pellhttps://plus.google.com/u/0/100877198820756634314/postshttp://lisapell-author.tumblr.com/http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/lisapellauthorhttp://www.amazon.com/Whos-Your-Daddy-Baby-Lisa/dp/1608300773/ref=la_B008M04EZW_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342489406&sr=1-1http://www.amazon.com/Whos-Your-Daddy-Baby-Lisa/dp/1608300773/ref=la_B008M04EZW_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342489406&sr=1-1http://www.amazon.com/Whos-Your-Daddy-Baby-Lisa/dp/1608300773/ref=la_B008M04EZW_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342489406&sr=1-1http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whos-your-daddy-baby-lisa-pell/1112046206?ean=9781608300778http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whos-your-daddy-baby-lisa-pell/1112046206?ean=9781608300778http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6421673.Lisa_Pellhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rWXRSRPGRUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rWXRSRPGRUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGv09fZuopshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SWKNoGnEwohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gzElyWo6hwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gzElyWo6hwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsygqGmYZVIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCWCSJChqAshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCWCSJChqAs


24/82

1"mblr, 't"mble7!on, /elicio"s, /igg, and !robably seeral Ie missed,with more to come. Its all abo"t connecting with the world. 8etwork Pyo"ll come across al"able information to im!roe yo"r story and hel! yo"market it later. And kee! reading% As others hae said, if yo"re notreading, yo"re !robably not writing worth a damn. 4earn from the

masters.

There are three "ey messages would li"e to leave with potentialreaders)"ho#s $our %addy, Baby&is a f"n noel, b"t its not fl"ff.In some ways, its a medical mystery. 9eaders will learn more abo"t the

fallibility of half(siblingshi! /8A testing, iss"es regarding bloodty!e testingCm"tations, the im!act of seeral genetic m"tations,and the risks of in itro fertili:ation.

Its a family saga. 1his story is abo"t A!!alachian families with American

roots stretching back before the French and Indian 5ar, and a babybeing created. 1o borrow from the 9ock Tn 9oll(s!eak of thatrockin time !eriod for me P "ho#s $our %addy, Baby&

Also, check o"t www.whosyo"rdaddybaby.comfor my 6"estions and answersabo"t why I wrote this book and how I think it can be hel!f"l to !eo!le. 1hereare some intrig"ing theories abo"t so called Mel"ngeons, or mixed race !eo!le,with the name a!!arently haing been deried from the French word$mXlange,& translated as mixt"re. 1here are also some entertaining ideoreading excer!ts, in addition to the m"sic ideos, and my sched"le of eents isgrowing eery day% 3h, and, if yo"re eer on Facebook, I think yo" can see

my h"sband, $+on9e *ell,& and I are haing f"n with "ho#s $our %addy, Baby&
http://www.whosyourdaddybaby.com/http://www.whosyourdaddybaby.com/


25/82

Behind the Scenes with SF *hapmanBy Beth Ann Masarik

What is your name?

My name is ' F 0ha!man. 1he initials stand for a first and middle name that arefar too common, so I !layed aro"nd "ntil I co"ld ?oogle it witho"t ending "!with a list of twenty or thirty other a"thors.

Tell us about yourself.Im a L=(year(old retired B"ilding 0ontractor and a life(long resident of8orthern 0alifornia. Im married and hae two teenage kids.

What do you write?I tell !eo!le that Im a noelist, which coers a lot of gro"nd. M"ch of my workis in the science fiction genre b"t I hae recently ex!anded o"t into literary

fiction. My latest book, which is called (#m here to help,is literary fiction.

Why do you write?I write beca"se I enoy telling stories and I loe the so"nd of well(constr"ctedsentences.

Do you have any past or current releases?My latest noel which is a to"ching literary fiction noella called (#m here tohelpwhich was !"blished on +"ly st. I hae an exciting science fictiondetectie story coming o"t in Febr"ary entitled )he Ripple in Space-)ime.

Tell us about them.(#m here to helpstarts o"t with seenteen(year(old 9enita discoering somes"btle inconsistencies in her Birth 0ertificate while she is filling o"t somecollege a!!lications. 'he 6"ickly reali:es that her end"ring belief that she wasado!ted is in do"bt. 9enita confronts her mother, 'haron with her findings.'haron has long dreaded haing to reeal what really ha!!ened so many yearsearlier. (#m here to helpis the story that 'haron tells to 9enita abo"t her birth.1here are many "nex!ected twists and t"rns in the tale that will s"r!risenearly eeryone.

Who is publishing them?

A new micro !"blishing com!any called 'tri!ed 0at *ress is handling my books.

Where is your favorite place to write?/oes the north shore of 3ah" co"nt@ I g"ess thats where Id like to write.

I carry a small la!to! hither and yon when I working on books. 'ometimes Ilabor away on a cha!ter or two in my car while Im waiting to !ick "! my kids


26/82

at school. My faorite !lace to write is on the c"shy bl"e sofa in my s"n(drenched liing room.

What do you listen to when you write?I need silence when I first !"t together a cha!ter, editing is a different matter.9ight now Im listening to an eclectic mix of 9ay 0harles, the Beach Boys,8orah +ones and a '!anish lang"age gro"! called Bella 8oa.

How long have you been writing?I wrote do:ens of short stories in college, b"t that fell to the wayside when Itook a ob in constr"ction. A few years ago I retired and came back to writing, Ihae worked contin"o"sly on noel(length fiction since then.

f you could be any mythological creature! what would it be and why?

I haent tho"ght abo"t being a mythological creat"re. If I co"ld make "! myown, I think that I wo"ld be a flying tiger. I admire the smoothness of form andmoement that all felines !ossess. 5hy not add some wings to the sleek beasts@

What is your guilty pleasure food?I loe !ie. 5hen I com!lete a noel, my kids and I celebrate with ;ey 4ime orBerry !ie.

When did you "now you wanted to be a published author?I knew that I wanted to be a !"blished a"thor way back when I wrote my firstdecent short story at abo"t age eighteen or nineteen.

How many re#ections did you receive before you were finally published?'!read o"t oer three years and fie noels, I receied L reections.

How did you feel when you received that acceptance letter?I cheated a bit and didnt get an acce!tance letter. Beca"se my father hasbeen an a"thor of h"moro"s non(fiction for many years and I knew abo"t thediffic"lties that new a"thors faced, I had !lanned to start my own !"blishingho"se if my works didnt make it into !rint after three years of non(sto!6"erying. Besides being a writer, I am the 0hief Editor and 0heck 'igner at'tri!ed 0at *ress, I neer got aro"nd to sending myself an acce!tance letter.

hear that some authors! even if they have a publisher! get nervous aftersending another boo" in for a contract. Do you get nervous?Books are like yo"r children, for a long time yo" lie with them constantly andknow all of their idiosyncrasies and minor fa"lts. B"t "ntil they ent"re off intothe wider world and !roe that they can stand on their own, yo" cringe at the!ossibility that they might fall.


27/82

What inspires you to write?I constantly hae little fragments of f"t"re tales floating aro"nd in my big baldnoggin. 'ometimes seeral !romising !ieces b"m! together and form thebeginnings of a noel. '"r!risingly, thats all that it takes to get me going on anew book.

Where can we find you?)o" can find the many faorable reiews of (#m here to helpby ?oogling $' F0ha!man,& I een hae a short ideo interiew on )o"1"be.

Where can we buy your boo"s?(#m here to helpis now aailable at Ama:on.com as a !a!erback and an e(Bookfor the ;indle. )o" can also b"y the !a!erback at 'tri!edcat!ress.comQ itsho"ld be aailable elsewhere soon.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?5riting is art and yo" sho"ld neer allow the b"siness side of !"blishing tom"ck aro"nd with the way that yo" ex!ress that art to yo"r a"dience. 5hetheryo"r efforts make it into !rint or not, yo" sho"ld be ha!!y with andoccasionally ama:ed by yo"r own work. If yo" are, then others will !robablyenoy it as well.


28/82

Behind the Scenes with %yshe Talay'+nganBy Beth Ann Masarik

What is your name? Tell us about yourself.

Ayshe 1alay(3ngan. I am 1"rkish by birth, American by citi:enshi! andA"stralian by residence. My lifes work has been a !sychologist and anacademic. 8ow that I own my time, I write noels.

Why do you write?Beca"se I hae stories to tell and a legacy to leae to my family.

Do you have any past or current releases?I hae three textbook in deelo!mental !sychology to my name, not nearly asexciting as my fiction writing, tho"gh. 1heye been !"blished by *earson and1homson.

My new noel is 179Y73I'E A 4oe 'tory, !"blished by 'id Harta.

Where is your favorite place to write?At home in my st"dy, or anytime or !lace when I hae my la!to! with me.

What do you listen to when you write?Socal a::, o!era and classical m"sic.

How long have you been writing?My fiction writing is only since my retirement.

What is your guilty pleasure food?Almond 9oca ice cream

When did you "now you wanted to be a published author?In academia, !"blish or !erish is the motto, so it m"st hae been 6"iet earlyon.

How many re#ections did you receive before you were finally published?Ie lost co"nt%

How did you feel when you received that acceptance letter?I remember reading that email in my car. I co"ldnt wait to call my h"sband%

What inspires you to write?I write stories that are ins!ired by my life ex!eriences with a hefty dose ofimagination.



29/82

www.facebook.comCt"r6"oisealoestory

www.t"r6"oise(aloestory.com.a"


Ama:on and ;indle

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?ZIe learned to reise, reise again, and then rewrite all oer again% 5orkingwith mentors is essentialQ the better they are, the more l"mino"s yo"r workwill become, b"t be !re!ared to take critical o!inion.
http://www.facebook.com/turquoisealovestoryhttp://www.turquoise-alovestory.com.au/http://www.facebook.com/turquoisealovestoryhttp://www.turquoise-alovestory.com.au/


30/82

Behind the Scenes with Susanna ,reenBy Beth Ann Masarik

What is your name?

'"sanna ?reen

Tell us about yourself.I was born in 0hicago b"t raised in 8ew 3rleans "ntil haing to eac"ate d"e toH"rricane ;atrina. I now lie in the 1am!a Bay area.

Were you affected by the hurricane?)es, I lost eerything% 5e een lost o"r family b"siness and my !arents losttheir ch"rch.

So you-re a preacher-s "id?

I am.

What "ind of wor" did you do before writing?I owned a Mobile '!a 0om!any in 8ew 3rleans "! "ntil haing to eac"ate thecity, b"t oerall, I hae been in the 0osmetology Ind"stry for oer twenty(oneyears now.

What do you write?I write contem!orary "rban fiction noels. I call them "rban beca"se most ofthe characters are African American, b"t my noels are releant for allnationalities.

Why do you write it?I "st write whats in my heart s!rinkled with my wild and iid imagination tocom!lement. I dont hae a s!ecific reason as to why I write what I writeQ Itend to get ins!ired as the story eoles. I dont "s"ally know whats going toha!!en "ntil it ha!!ens.

Do you have any past or current releases?My deb"t noel, 9emembering the 'weet 8ectar is aailable now in !a!erbackand also on ;indle and 8ook. 1he se6"el, /eo"red in a /ias 5eb, will bereleased /ec. =-, -. Also, the a"dio 0/ comes o"t in A"g"st for

9emembering the 'weet 8ectar. Im !retty excited abo"t that.

Tell us about them.1he main character, 9eina has been h"rt and disa!!ointed one too many timesin the first book so in the se6"el, shes on a mission to deo"r any and eeryman she deems desering in an effort to teach them a lesson on fidelity.

Who is publishing them?


31/82

'weet 8ectar *"blishingQ thats my own *"blishing 0om!any. Im really lookingforward to branching o"t into !"blishing world.

Where is your favorite place to write?Anywhere 6"iet, mostly in my home office, b"t yo" might see me at *aneraBread or 'tarb"cks once in a while.

What do you listen to when you write?Absol"tely nothingQ I need total and com!lete silence when Im working.3therwise, Id be too distracted%

How long have you been writing?Ie been writing since the year --L.

f you could be any mythological creature! what would it be and why?I dont know abo"t me !ersonally, b"t the main character 9eina, theantagonist, wo"ld definitely be Med"sa, the sister ca!able of t"rning men tostone with her ga:e.

What is your guilty pleasure food?I loe !i::a. I try not to eat a lot of !ork, b"t that !e!!eroni defeats me atleast once a week.

When did you "now you wanted to be a published author?Honestly, I knew when I wrote my first book, not before. It was not my

childhood as!iration to grow "! and be a !"blished a"thor, altho"gh, Iealways been the artsy ty!eQ so the idea really wasnt that farfetched.

How many re#ections did you receive before you were finally published?I neer so"ght o"t !"blishing com!anies beca"se I knew all along that I wantedto self(!"blish. I had done lots of research on the s"bect as well as workclosely with my mentor, /e9on 'mith.

What inspires you to write?I get ins!iration from listening to other !eo!les stories mostly. Ill take theirstory and then embellish it for effect.

Where can we find you?All oer the webQ ?oogle has been ama:ing. B"t to contact me directly, go tomy website...www.sweetnectar!"blishing.com



32/82

My books are !rint on demand, so, if yo" went into a book store and asked formy title they wo"ld certainly order it for yo"Q otherwise, Ama:on.com,BarnesJ8oble.com, 4"l".com to "st name a few.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

)es, reach for the stars. 5rite as often as yo" can. 4et yo"r !assion flow. /ontget disco"raged when yo" hit a snag beca"se yo" will. ;ee! on !"shing andt"rn yo"r obstacles into challenges. If yo" loe what yo" do, yo"ll neer workanother day in yo"r life.

Behind the Scenes with *orey &eslerBy Beth Ann Masarik

What is your name?0orey Mesler, b"t yo" can call me +im.

Tell us about yourself.4ike 9ichard 8ixon, I was born in a ho"se my father b"ilt. 1his was in 8iagaraFalls, 8ew )ork, back before they t"rned it off. I hae two children who arewildings and both more intelligent and more att"ned to the world than theirfather. 1hey are loely s!irits. I once wrote a noel called 1alk2 A 8oel in/ialog"e. It is com!osed entirely of "nattrib"ted dialog"e. 'ome !eo!le likedit. Few !eo!le bo"ght it. 8eertheless I contin"ed to try and limn the infinite,or at least take a !otshot at the lengthy. I !"blished a nd noel in --L, ahi!!ie amalgam called 5e Are Billion()ear(3ld 0arbon. 1he same nobodies whodidnt b"y my first book did not line "! to not b"y the second. 'ince then Ihae, for arcane reasons, !"blished more noels, books of short stories, and

!oetry collections of arying lengths and al"e. 5ith my loely and morecentered wife I own B"rkes Book 'tore in Mem!his 18, one of the oldestinde!endent bookstores in the known "nierse.

What do you write?I write !oetry, short stories, noels, essays, book reiews, songs, letters to myelected re!resentaties who dont really re!resent me, words which are likeswords and th"nderclo"d creeds, and other words which die on the ine. 4ikeeeryone else.

Why do you write it?

Beca"se I hae agora!hobia and do not go o"t, bodily, into the makeshiftworld, I write little notes in bottles that make that o"rney in my stead. 4etssay the ocean that carries them is at yo"r feet right now. 4ets say yo" areankle(dee! in that ocean.



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All my g"ilty !leas"re foods hae been remoed from my life by doctors. I lieon sand and hot water and whateer insects I can catch in my cell.

When did you "now you wanted to be a published author?My older brother, Mark, told me that rock m"sicians get laid more than anyone

so I took dr"m lessons in Oth grade, from the dr"mmer for 1he ?entrys. I wasawf"l. 'o I went back to my brothers mo"ntainto! and said, $1he rockm"sician thing is o"t. 5ho gets laid second(most@& He re!lied, in a yogic tone,$writers.& It was the last time I listened to anything he said.

How many re#ections did you receive before you were finally published?3h, I dont remember that far back. Many, legion, m"ltit"dino"s as coralcree!y(crawlies. I hae !"blished a lot b"t always in the small !ress world. Iloe the small !ress world. It is my island. I still receie many more reectionsthan acce!tances, b"t thats all !art of the game, and it is, of co"rse, meetand right.

How did you feel when you received that acceptance letter?1he first maga:ine that took a !oem of mine made me !a"se and reassess myself. $Maybe I dont loathe yo" as m"ch as Itho"ght,& my inner oice said. B"t, when 4iingston *ress acce!ted my firstnoel in --, I was oer the moon. In my life, exce!t for the birth of mykids and the day I tricked my wife into marrying me, my ha!!iest moments arethose moments when I o!en that first box of a new book of mine. I own abookstore so a box of books has always re!resented some kind of earthbo"ndnirana for me, b"t o!ening that first large carton of 1alk, in --, and !lacingthem on the store co"nter to sellRwell, it made me as ha!!y as any lamb that

eer !ast"red in the fields.

hear that some authors! even if they have a publisher! get nervous aftersending another boo" for a contract. Do you get nervous?I am always nero"s. Eery ste! of the !"blishing !rocess makes me een thatm"ch more nero"s. I am always s"re that I am doing it wrong.

What inspires you to write?4oe, memory, loss, my home life which is stitched from !eace and reading andla"ghter, my kids, and that actress in 4ost with the "nd"lating brown hair.

Where can we find you?At home or at my bookstore, or on Facebook. Agora!hobia makes that so sim!leto answer%

Where can we buy your boo"s?My bookstore, of co"rse, where yo" can get any of them signed or een!ersonally inscribed. I once inscribed a co!y of 1alk to ?ene Hackman, whowas isiting the bookstore. 4ater, I saw that co!y being sold online by a "sed


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bookstore in the *acific 8orthwest. Maybe, someone o"t there, will want aninscribed co!y of something of mine more than did Mr. Hackman. 8ot that Ihold a gr"dge, mind yo". 1his is, after all, the man who made 1he0onersation and 'carecrow. 1hat address, friends, iswww.b"rkesbooks.com.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?8othing ery original. ;ee! writing beca"se !ractice always makes eerythingbetter. And read and read and then read some more. Find a"thors yo" admireand read eerything. 1hen find some that yo" find diffic"lt to read and readthem, too. Also, dont self(!"blish een tho"gh someone told yo" 5alt5hitman did. By the same token, dont tr"st a !"blisher who wants moneyfrom yo". *"blishers !ay a"thors, not the other way aro"nd. 3h, and, try tostay away from Fox 8ews, "ndercooked !ork, and internet !orn.
http://www.burkesbooks.com/http://www.burkesbooks.com/


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Poetry Palooza

"Your Song"

By Jamie Danzer

Your precious melody

Rings through my heart

Like bells sounding

Quietly in the distance

Your precious song

Played in my mind

s i! by memoryach key precise

Your precious lyrics

Beauti!ul #ords

Sung e$er so delicately

%ill be cherished !ore$er

&Planned 'bsolescence(

By )ary Beck

merican*s peculiar ideas

ha$e conditioned our belie!

in strategic bombing+

so our leaders rant righteously

#hile carrying a smaller stick+

as #e substitute technology

!or the human element+

#hich allo#s us to accept

replacement by machines+

#hose caretakers ,usti!y

remote destruction-


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"n "nge# ets Her License

.assanra Serain .hronic#es *-

'y (rin )anzer

-# still can3t belie(e you missed 4risty3s party;/ )hoebe said for the hundredthtime since the morning after the party. Oadkiel had ended up changing e(eryone3s mindthat had seen me at the party to think # hadnPt been there because of 'hat had happened. #shuddered as # thought about it. #t 'as a 'eek later and # 'as still spooked silly about it.!o' had # done that< The only good thing to come of it 'as that my control 'as muchbetter.

-Will you stop talking about it< ,ee&; )hoebe; it3s been a 'eek already. #sn3tthere anything better to talk about


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!e shook his head. -# ha(e t'o more months before # take mine; so # don3tkno'./ !e leaned closer to me; his eyes locked 'ith mine. # reali&ed a moment before ithappened; 'hat he 'as doing. !is lips landed on mine softly and # sighed. -,ood luck;/he 'hispered against my lips. We grinned at each other as he straightened. -# gotta gethome to help unpack. # >ust 'anted to see you and 'ish you luck./

-Thanks./ # leaned my elbo' on the counter and my chin on my hand as he turnedto 'alk out. A sigh escaped me as # 'atched him lea(e; admiring the (ie' of his butt in>ean shorts. !e looked back at me from the door; a kno'ing gleam in his eyes as hecaught me staring at his backside. My cheeks burned and # giggled as 'e 'a(ed goodbyebefore he left.

-That 'asn3t 'eird at all;/ )hoebe commented as soon as the door closed behindhim. # shook off my Colin*stupor and straightened to look at her; my smile turning upsidedo'n.

-What are you talking aboutumped out.

-ou3re really cutting this close;/ he said to me. # fro'ned do'n at him andrefrained from rolling my eyes. We didn3t ha(e time to argue.

-Let3s >ust go. #3m already late;/ # told him and reached for his collar. A momentlater; the familiar feeling of being sucked through a tiny stra' came o(er me and # heldmy breath; s:uee&ing my eyes closed until it 'as o(er a fe' moments later. # opened myeyes 'hen # heard the familiar sounds of angels*in*training rushing to'ards to theirclasses. # said goodbye to "parky; no' an angel 'ith graying black hair and 'hite 'ingsnamed Oadkiel; and hurried off through the cro'd.

Thankfully; my classroom 'as close to the 5egistrar +ffice; 'here 'e3dteleported in. # 'alked into class and had siteen pairs of eyes turn to'ards me as #scurried to my seat; trying to be unnoticeable. Knfortunately; the angel in charge of


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teaching the #ntro to Angelic Abilities class; a sour looking older man named 0ulius;pointed me out right a'ay.

-Thank you for your presence today; Miss "erafin. "ince you ha(e been sogracious; 'hy don3t you start off our lesson by demonstrating 'hat 'e3(e learned so farabout teleportation


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-ou. ou really thought you3d teleported to !ell./ !e continued to laugh as hesaid it; as if this 'as the funniest thing he3d e(er heard. Who kno'sQ maybe it 'as. !edimmed the green flame until it 'as simply a ball of light; his eyes still on mine. #'atched 'ith mied horror and anticipation as his hand reached out to touch my arm. !ecringed as it landed on my eposed 'rist and my glo' suddenly died again. An electric

shock ran up my arm at his touch.-#nteresting;/ he murmured.-!o' did you do that


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-"o they3(e already sought you out;/ he murmured; again talking to himself morethan me. # nodded any'ay. -#nteresting. And 'hat happened 'hen the hellcats came foryouust 'anted him to shut up. # didn3t 'ant tohear # 'as in more danger after 'hat happened last 'eek. All 'eek; #3d been afraid ofsomething 'orse than hellcats coming for me; something big and dangerous. # shudderedQthe hellcats had been bad enough. !o' 'ould # fight off 'hate(er else 'ould come formeoke as 'e got intothe (an. # tried to laugh 'ith her but it came out as something strangled. "'allo'inghard; # told myself to calm do'n. Being ner(ous no' 'asn3t going to do me any good.This 'oman 'as as nice as my momQ # 'ould >ust pretend it 'as my mom net to me andnot the 'oman 'ho 'ould decide 'hether # could legally dri(e 'ithout a parent in thecar.

After taking a deep breath; # 'ent through the same procedure #3d done 'hen mymom 'as 'ith me. Then; # started the (an and backed out of the parking spot. "hedirected me onto the main road. # looked in e(ery mirror e(ery fe' seconds; making sureit 'as ob(ious 'hat # 'as doing. #3d heard you could lose points for not looking in yourmirrors enough. # 'anted to ace this test.

We dro(e into a nearby neighborhood 'here she had me parallel park; eecute a*turn; and park on a hill. "he :ui&&ed me on the road signs 'e sa' and seemedimpressed # kne' them all. +f course # didQ #3d memori&ed the book. inally; she told meto head back to the %M$; a pleasant smile on her face. ,iddiness 'elled up 'ithin me.#3d passed my dri(er3s test.

We 'ere almost back to the %M$ 'hen a flock of 'hat # thought 'as large blackbirds suddenly descended on the (an. # screamed and s'er(ed to a(oid getting hit bythem. #nstead of s:ua'king and hitting the top of the (an 'ith their talons and beaks;they floated right through the (an and surrounded me. Another scream sounded; this onefrom the instructor; as # s'er(ed the (an back onto the road and hightailed it back to the%M$; probably breaking e(ery dri(ing rule #3d >ust passed and not caring. # could takethe test again. 5ight no'; # needed my mom to help 'ith these things.


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Cold seeped into my bones as the black things pressed closer around me. My teethchattered as # pulled into the %M$ lot. The instructor had passed out; her head slumpedagainst the 'indo'.

-Take the girl;/ # heard a (oice 'hisper. A shi(er shot do'n my spine and thecoldness fro&e me in my seat. # couldn3t e(en yell for my mom. # someho' managed to

get the (an into a parking spot; barely able to see through the 'all of black in front of me.# screamed again and one of the black things started to go do'n my throat. # gagged and'a(ed 'ildly; my brain numb as my air 'as suddenly cut off.

-Praesagium interitus abest amet!/ My mom3s (oice suddenly rang out all aroundme. At once; the black things scattered and disappeared. #mmediately; my mom 'as atmy door; pulling it open and me into her arms. "he let go and her hands ran the length ofme as she checked me o(er.

-Are you all right


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)ragon5s )emise

By Terra 4elly

"he 'alked into the ca(ern; the package held tightly against her body. Leath

mo(ed 'ith a la&y grace that belied the fear that 'as curling inside of her. irelightgleamed in the huge ca(ern reflecting off the 'alls and creating a glittering effect on themonstrous si&ed creature that 'as facing the giant hearth. ,old scales shimmered as thehead turned to'ards the sound of footsteps. A gust of hot air surged to'ards her as thebeast seemed to breathe in relief.

Leath felt the edges of her mouth turning up into a smile e(en as she shook herhead. Emith al'ays returned to fire 'hen he 'as ner(ous or upset and men al'aysseemed to get upset by 'omen in childbirth. "he felt her fingers stroke o(er the packagetenderlyQ this 'as her last and greatest hope. Leath >ust prayed that she could make Emithsee reason.

!er coppery hair mo(ed 'ith the air currents as the large dragon shimmered andturned into a man. They 'ere %raconians; %ragons 'ho 'ere gifted through magic to beable to shift bet'een human and %ragon form. The ,reat Mother of the %ragons hadgifted the 'orld 'ith magic in the mists before time or so the legends said and because ofher great gift her children 'ere able to take the forms of all her bipedal children. Thoughany true %raconian 'ould ne(er deny that the %ragon form 'as the best for the ability tofly and glide bet'een the clouds. #n a 'orld filled 'ith el(es; humans; and d'ar(es%raconians 'ere al'ays set apart by their flaming red hair. E(en in a mortal form the fireat their (ery essence 'as al'ays (isible. +nly those of some sort of %raconian heritagecould boast of ha(ing red or copper hair.

Emith came and placed his hands on Leath3s face; the copper hair curled aroundhis face to his shoulders; a dimple sho'ing at the corner of his mouth as he smileddelightedly at her. The smile slo'ly faded as he stared into her bro'n eyes and sa'sorro' that had ne(er li(ed there before.

-What3s 'rong< Are you 'ell< #s it the child< ou 'ere gone for 'eeks; so muchlonger than normal Belo(ed. Can # ..../

Leath offered a sad chuckled before placing a finger across his lips; -Calmyourself; my s'eet. # am 'ell and the egg ..... The mists sho'ed me so much more then #ha(e e(er seen before./ !er hands tenderly stroked the package again. "he pushed asidethe soft linens to re(eal an egg about inches long and perfectly o(al. The shell appearedto be of li(ing marble; emerald green 'ith ropes of opalescent 'hite and gold 'ea(ingthrough it.

Leath had kno'n as soon as she met Emith that they 'ere destined to be together.#t 'as more then >ust their roles as )rince and "eeress; their hearts seemed to beat as one.But she kne' that mating 'ith a )rince of %ragons 'ould lead to an e(en more po'erful


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seer or seeress to follo' her. "he didn3t reali&e that >ust ho' special this child 'ould be.But then 'ho could ha(e seen this e(il rising in the human lands. #mages of smoke andfire and destruction once again fill her mind and she closes her eyes against the (ie' butthey are embla&oned on the darkness of her eyelids.

Emith 'atched her 'ith concern shining in his pale green eyes; 'orry causing hiseyes to take on a more serpentine slit of a pupil. The egg 'as beautiful and perfectlyshaped. !e couldn3t understand 'hy Leath 'as acting this 'ay but kne' she had to ha(eseen something. A "eeress of her po'ers al'ays foresa' something about the child thatthey ga(e birth too. A princess couldn3t ha(e that hard of a life though; he thought tohimself; # 'ill cherish and pamper her e(en if # ne(er ha(e a boy child.

"he opened her eyes and looked at him again; a sad smile touching her lips as shereached to take his hand. -"it; 'e need to speak./

Emith follo'ed her to the chairs sitting in front of the fire place and sat; looking

up at her as she began to pace ner(ously. !e had ne(er seen Leath so out of sorts before."he 'as normally so calm out'ardly. The more he 'atched her the more agitated hebegan to feel.

-# am not sure ho' to start this so # 'ill try and start at the beginning and # kno'you 'ill 'ant to interrupt me Emith but don3t/ he opened his mouth to protest hisinnocence but at her look he snapped his >a's shut and 'aited for her to continue.

-# ... # laid 'ith the egg and the mists cra'led around us; sho'ing me scenes ofher life. At first # 'as >ust disappointed that it 'asn3t the prince you 'ere hoping for but #thought a princess or a seeress; if # 'as lucky a blending of the t'o to make a ne' historyfor our people. # suppose in that 'ay # hoped for too much. # 'anted her to be specialEmith. # 'anted her to ha(e your po'er so the dragons 'ould respect her and myforesight so the seers 'ould 'orship her and in that 'as my o'n (anity. # 'anted to ha(ethe daughter 'ho could rule both. And one day # 'ill./ her (oice trailed off as her eyesfilled 'ith tears. Emith 'ent to say something and Leath placed her fingers on his lipsand shook her head no. Leath placed the egg in Emith3s arms.

-!old her; hold her tightly and protect her 'ith all you ha(e; my lo(e; for mydreams came true but so did my nightmares. +ur daughter 'ill be beautiful and po'erful;she 'ill ha(e your abilities and mine; she 'ill be trained by the el(es and unco(er magicsthat 'e didn3t kno' 'e could harness. "he 'ill help heal ,aia from the hatred that hastorn !er to shreds. "he 'ill do all this 'ithout us because 'e 'ill ha(e to hide. A 'ar iscoming; a 'ar that if 'e don3t hide no' 'ill decimate our people. There is a human 'ho'ill become more then human. !e 'ill sell his soul to ha(e the po'er of speech and 'iththis po'er he 'ill bring the 'orld to the brink of destruction. The el(es 'ill seal him andthemsel(es a'ay from the humans. ,aia .... ,aia 'ill be so in>ured by the hatred that 'illfollo' that she 'ill un'ittingly free him and that is 'hen our s'eet girl must be theheroine./


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-# kno' that this 'ill go against e(erything that you 'ere taught and yourinstincts 'ill scream but # need you to do this. # need you to guard her in a 'ay that #can3t. # am >ust not strong enough; not like you. ou ha(e to take her and go into hiding./Leath knelt at his feet and pushed the egg into his arms as she 'atched the emotionstumble across his face.

Emith felt his chest constrict as the 'eight of 'hat his lo(er said settled aroundhis shoulders. E(en before his mouth mo(ed his head 'as shaking. -6o; no; no. # 'ill notsit back and hide 'hile my people are slaughtered. Are you mad< !o' can # lea(e ourpeople 'ith no one to lead them< # 'ill help you and our daughter hide; and if the ,reatMother is merciful then 'e 'ill be able to triumph and be together again./

-Am # mad< Am # mad< !a(e you 'atched the masses cra'ling o(er ,aia 'ithsteel and fire< !a(e you 'atched hatred tear apart your mother; :ueen and goddess< #'atched them kill my brothers for no better reason than a simple no and the arrogance ofa man 'ith too much ambition= # ask you this one thing and you suggest my madnessa' bone lightly. !e 'anted so badly to sayno that he 'ouldn3t lea(e his people; so much of this 'ent against his character but he


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kne'; he had seen 'hat 'ould happen. !e had to gather the dragons together and 'arnthem to prepare halls for them to li(e and stay in for thousands of years 'here they 'ouldhide and co'er until the humans de(eloped sense. They 'ould hate to be confined andmany 'ouldn3t listen but he 'ould do 'hat he could until .... until he listened to his 'ifeand ad(iser and took the child and stealthily stole a'ay into the night a thousand years

from no'. A night 'here maybe his child 'ho had >ust been hatched 'ould help to healthe darkness that 'as gro'ing into ,aia before the mother of all turned into the destroyerof all.

-# 'ill listen; this isn3t easy but maybe this sacrifice 'ill allo' us to sur(i(e andthat is more important than anything. ,o and call the rest of the council to me and sendfor all the dragons so that all might be 'arned of the coming Apocalypse and beprepared. They 'ill not like your 'ords Leath but hopefully enough 'ill be sa(ed thatone day 'e 'ill thri(e again. ,o ... # 'ill 'ait here 'ith her and make plans./ !e offeredLeath a small smile. All he could dream of no' 'as that he could sa(e his 'ife and hisdaughter3s life and 'hat 'as a fe' years of absence to a creature that couldn3t be taken

by time.

!e 'atched his 'ife 'alk out of the room to call the others to him and hebounced the egg lightly on his knee before he looked back at the egg. -There is so muchloss to come in the net era of bloodshed and hate; little one; but e(en if only a fe'people belie(e in you then maybe the hope 'ill spread the same as the hate. May yourhope and lo(e spread through ,aia and heal her after the horrors ahead./


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MaybeBy Abbigail 5ose'ood

The secretary 'as able to track do'n three of the 'omen on May3s list. "he had

sent them in(itations to meet at May3s house at se(en p.m. in Tan %uc; an industrial parkoutside the city. Each 'oman reacted differently to the perfumed cardR'ith nostalgiaand a surprising rancor they didn3t reali&e they had. But they 'ere curious; and 'ould notmiss it.

"ince the group parted after their uni(ersity graduation; they had not bothered tokeep in touch. What for< May kne' their attempt 'ould be futile against each other3scalculating measure of friendship. !o' beneficial 'ere they to each otherustN rehearsing for a speech for my public speaking class; that3s all./

The boy laughed.

-"ounds like a (ery desperate speech to me. And you don3t ha(e to lie your 'ayout from me;/ he insisted. -"ophomores aren3t allo'ed to take the public speaking class.My name3s !enry./

Lucas already had kno'n of !enry. !e 'as one of +li(er Walsh3s best friends.+li(er 'as one of the players in the football team. !e 'as (ery popular. E(eryone kne'him and lo(ed him.

!enry Amston; a thin student 'ith 'a(y blonde hair; 'as in Lucas3s ,eometryclass. !e must3(e not kno'n of Lucas3s eistenceQ he al'ays sat in the back of theclassroom and ne(er raised his hand in class. !e 'as al'ays afraid that he 'ould ha(ethe right ans'er.

#ntelligence 'asn3t a (ery impressi(e :uality to most of the students in the school.

Lucas introduced himself and they shook hands.-)leasure to meet you;/ said !enry. -And if you 'ant to ask a girl out on a date;you3(e got to act naturally. Would you like the girl to date you; or your alter ego< #t3s allyour choice./

-Thanks for the ad(iceN Why are you dressed that 'ayust checking by to see if e(eryone3s head 'as on right. +h; and do yourself a fa(or.%on3t get married yetQ you3re too young to 'ant to go and ruin your life./

!enry left 'ith his half*smile still remaining on his face.Lucas3s aniety seemed to diminish at a reasonable le(el. !e felt that he could

think 'ith logic again. !e stood still like a statue for a minute; and then turned to face themirror to his left to check if his bangs 'ere still solid. They 'ere.

!is reflection didn3t look like him for some reason. !e abruptly came to thereali&ation that there 'as an ongoing silence coming from the Ethan3s outside. This 'as(ery rare. !e ran outside; hoping that the game hadn3t finished.


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#t didn3t. !e stood at the top of the staircase that broke into se(eral aisles of long;metal bleachers carrying fren&ied fanatics. #t began to dri& so he stepped back into thedusky brick hall'ay that led back to the restrooms and only eit. !e could still spot Alice0ohnson; his li(ing dream; sitting in the third ro' 'ith her (ery talkati(e best friend.+nce enough space clears up 'hen people start to lea(e; he strategi&ed; he 'ould >ust

'ait for her to come up and then he 'ould ask her to come 'ith him alone so that theycould talk for a second. Then he3ll ask herN natura$$y. 6aturally; 'hat does that e(enmeanecti(e moral meaning 'ith a clear definition of good and e(il; the story'as like a painting depri(ed of perspecti(e. The distant figures o(ersi&ed and the closefigures small; created to befuddle the onlooker; susceptible to free interpretation. Maybethe Creator; like all creators; en>oyed breaking free of stereotypes no' and then;sub(erting the rule to produce something that only much later on V and by the looks of ita couple of millennia 'as not enough V 'ould be understood. %i(ine and human nature'as that comple.

#n telling the story; Athanasius hoped to spark to the mysterious man3s interest.)erhaps idel 'ould comment on it and thus re(eal a glimpse of his personality. After all;


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maybe other mental tools; e(en if hardly compatible 'ith the mechanisms of concretereality; 'ould be needed to interpret such a painting. %idn3t all scholars look a bit cra&yand ha(e long beardsures up a strategy that 'ill see him freed of her husband. Like all eploiters of the'orking classes; he is a (ile and unscrupulous character. Bathsheba represents thehouse'ife looking after the household 'hile her husband is absent ser(ing the tyrant; adomestic 'orker then. "he has spent her life scrubbing steps; 'ashing dishes and clothes."he has ne(er danced across the ballrooms of high society. Bathsheba is corrupted by%a(id 'hen he seduces her; promising her 'ealth. !er act of infidelity sho's ho'capitalism per(erts the people 'hen the people do not ha(e an ideological foundation toresist it. "he is thus the main (ictim of this story. Kriah is also a member of the people'ho for the same lack of indoctrination loyally ser(es the tyrant; con(inced that theirinterests coincide. Thus; e(en if for different reasons; he is not only 'ronged byBathsheba but also by %a(id. But; unlike his 'ife; he resists the temptation; not of 'ealthbut of being back 'ith his family; re(ealing an integrity of character only possible in thehumble. !is death in combat ser(ing the man 'ho had taken his 'ife is an allegory of thedepredation of the oppressing classes on the 'orkers; dispossessed of their possessions;their lo(ed ones and their (ery li(es. #n this immoral tale 'e pro(e the bloodthirsty natureof capitalism; its dependence on the illiterate and the need to educate the people too(erthro' despots./

Athanasius 'as mesmeri&ed; stunned and stranded. !is prayers had beenans'ered8 the stranger had re(ealed 'ho he 'as and the biblical mystery seemed to besol(ed. -This guy can only be idel Castro; # don3t kno' ho' he got here; but it3s him.#3m certain of it;/ he reflected euphorically. -6obody can learn of this; the best thing is tokeep it secret and then #3ll see 'hat use it could hold./

That night idel slept in a comfortable cell; en>oying similar amenities to those ofAthanasius; :uite different from the damp cubicles infested 'ith bedbugs of the insane.


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When they 'oke him at da'n to take breakfast together 'ith the monks; he had no idea'here he 'as and he began to 'onder 'hat he 'as doing there.

These thoughts led once again to the disturbing matter of 'ho he 'as. As heche'ed; not tasting the freshly baked bread; and paid no attention to the 'arm 'ordsspoken by the abbot; he rummaged through random recollections; trying to fit them

together.#n one of the >igsa' pieces; he 'as leading the attack on a city; firing on a fenced*in army barracks. #n another he 'as sat in a luurious mansion; dining alone under thecold light of chandeliers. #n a third he 'as a gi(ing a speech in a large building filled 'ithmen 'earing headphones. !e could clearly distinguish each of them; restless 'ithemotions ranging bet'een fear and euphoria but unable to articulate them into a coherent'hole. Could he be a fighter; a hermit and statesman all at the same time< And if hecould choose one of these apparent identities; 'hich one 'ould he go for< The possibilityof leading a military re(olt; 'hate(er or 'hoe(er it 'as against; and to sei&e po'er;ecited him. To be listened to by hundreds of important looking people left him feelingflattered. !o'e(er; nothing pleased him about the loneliness re(ealed in the disturbing

memory in 'hich he 'as in a 'orld apart from other humans. es; he did not care aboutbeing a con:ueror; about triumphing o(er e(il enemies and replacing them in po'er; >ustas it didn3t bother him to en>oy the pri(ilege of spreading his 'ord throughout humanity.!o'e(er; he 'ould ne(er 'ant to be confined in (oluntary reclusion; fearful of in(isiblethreats.

But; and this doubt tore him apart; 'ere these recollections true or >ust the fruit ofa fertile imagination< And could he rub out all of his memories; the true and false ones;delete his past and become another person; begin 'ith nothing; like a ne'born childob and stay out of the light of the sun. 6o' 'orking thenight shift as a pri(ate in(estigator; "amantha is hired by 4ingsley ulcrum to in(estigatethe murder attempt on his life; a horrific scene captured on T$ and seen around thecountry. But as the case unfolds; "amantha disco(ers 4ingsley isn3t eactly 'hat heappears to beQ after all; there is a reason 'hy he sur(i(ed fi(e shots to the head.My 5e(ie'8

#3ll be perfectly honestN# didn3t kno' 'hat to epect 'hen # purchased the book boset for the $ampire for !ire series. # ne(er used to really be into those pri(atein(estigator type books; but this one had a paranormal t'ist and # couldn3t resistpurchasing it.

Let me tell you somethingNthis 'as the best in(estment # e(er made.# am going to re(ie' these books indi(idually as # finish reading them. This one that #am re(ie'ing is called Moon %ance; and is $ampire for !ire 1.

Meet "amantha MoonNmother of G beautiful young children; an e B# agent 'ho metthe unfortunate fate of being attacked by a (ampire. "he 'as forced to :uit her day >obbecause she 'as turned; and is no' an pri(ate in(estigatorNand one of the best # mightadd.

Cue her asshole husband or no' e*husband; %anny Moon. #3ll gi(e him some creditfor trying to be 'ith a blood sucker in the beginning; but come on; did he really ha(e tocheat on her and be such a douchebag< Kgh= # 'anted to bitch slap that sucker=#3m trying not to gi(e too much a'ay here; but long story short; things get sour bet'een%anny and "amantha real :uick; and 'ell; you3ll ha(e to see for yourself.


76/82

Cue 4ingsley ulcrum; a hottie 'ere'olf 'ho ends up being "amantha3s client. Theirrelationship is :uite complicated; let3s >ust lea(e it at that. But; # 'ill tell you that # amcertainly rooting for 4ingsley and "amantha.All in all; if you are looking for a great; action packed book 'ith a lot of plot; then this isthe book for you= 0.5. 5ain does an ecellent >ob 'ith painting a perfect picture. #

de(oured this book in about three daysN# seriously could not put this book do'n=


77/82

Lunar 7e8ies

By Beth Ann Masarik

$it#e:Bed And Breakfast

Series:Bloodkin'oo% number:"uthor:"carlet !yacinth!ub#isher:"il(er )ublishing

66Warning:6ot suitable for children under the age of I. "tory contains strong andhea(y B%"M; lots of blood; se; and M?M pairings. # 'ould consider this an -ac:uiredtaste/ no(el. May not be suitable for e(eryone.

"ynopsis courtesy of ,oodreads

Marlais Moss !ayden is a young man struggling to sur(i(e after being sent a'ay by hisimpo(erished family. A 'ant ad falls into his hands; ad(ertising a position for bed andbreakfast. When he checks it out; Moss reali&es the >ob represents pro(iding se andblood to bloodkin $ane Bloodmoor.

$ane offers him instead a position as a secretary and blood donor; and Moss is unable torefuse or the resist the bloodkinPs allure. But as he struggles through unfamiliar emotionsfor $ane; a political plot threatens to destroy their unlikely lo(e. Can Moss and $anesa(e their budding relationship

literary lunes magazine, september-october 2012

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