Thoughts in Progress: #FreedomFoxPress

Showing posts with label #FreedomFoxPress. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Voyagers: The Third Ghost …. Part 3

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming the publisher behind the recently released Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology, VOYAGERS: THE THIRD GHOST.

It is a great delight to welcome L. Diane Wolfe – publisher, speaker, author, blogger, and friend. Diane is the driving force behind Freedom Fox Press and Dancing Lemur Press LLC.

The authors involved in this fascinating anthology visited Thoughts in Progress last week. You can read about the first group of authors HERE and the remaining group HERE. The authors stopped by to talk about their individual stories that are included in the anthology. Here is a brief synopsis of the anthology, IWSG, and then the authors.

VOYAGERS: THE THIRD GHOST

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

* Paperback: 168 pages

* Publisher: Freedom Fox Press (May 5, 2020)

* Language: English

* Print: 9781939844729 $13.95

* eBook: 9781939844736 $4.99

* Juvenile fiction – historical/action & adventure/fantasy & magic

Journey into the past…

Will the third ghost be found before fires take more lives? Can everyone be warned before Pompeii is buried again? What happens if a blizzard traps a family in East Germany? Will the Firebird help Soviet sisters outwit evil during WWII? And sneaking off to see the first aeroplane – what could go wrong?

Ten authors explore the past, sending their young protagonists on harrowing adventures. Featuring the talents of Yvonne Ventresca, Katharina Gerlach, Roland Clarke, Sherry Ellis, Rebecca M. Douglass, Bish Denham, Charles Kowalski, Louise MacBeath Barbour, Beth Anderson Schuck, and L.T. Ward.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a voyage of wonder into history. Get ready for an exciting ride!

VOYAGERS: THE THIRD GHOST is available at the following sites:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group:

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter. To find out more, visit https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Diane. Welcome, Diane. Please tell us how this anthology came about.

The entire anthology series came about years ago when Alex and the other IWSG admins were kicking around the idea of an anthology contest. I offered to publish the book under Dancing Lemur Press’ new imprint, Freedom Fox Press.

One thing led to another and we now have five anthologies – Voyagers: The Third Ghost, Masquerade: Oddly Suited, Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, Hero Lost: The Mysteries of Death and Life, and Parallels: Felix Was Here.

Working with the authors is a joy. Sometimes it’s like herding cats, because we’re not just waiting on one author to respond, but ten of them. But with so many, there are a lot of fresh ideas for marketing. I enjoy their enthusiasm.

Working with each one is a delight in a different way. There are a couple returning anthology authors (Vanessa and Rebecca) and one of our own authors (Sherry) who know what to expect and what to do. That makes it easier for us.

The brand-new authors are a kick though. They are so excited, and it makes me feel good to know this experience has given them the opportunity to achieve a dream and be a genuine author. May all of them have long careers!

Diane, thanks for stopping by today and sharing the behind the scenes of this anthology with us.

For more on Diane and her publishing, visit http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/

Here’s a list of the authors, their story in the anthology, and how to connect with them.

*Sherry Ellis, author of The Ghosts of Pompeii

http://www.sherryellis.org/

*Yvonne Ventresca, author of The Third Ghost

http://yvonneventresca.com/blog.html

*Bish Denham, author of The Blind Ship

http://bish-randomthoughts.blogspot.com/

*Roland Clarke, author of Feathered Fire

https://rolandclarke.com/

*L.T. Ward, author of Return to Cahokia

https://twitter.com/Ltward2

Thanks, everyone for stopping by today. Have you followed the various anthologies listed above? Do you think there are any cons to reading an anthology?

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Voyagers: The Third Ghost …. Part 2

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming the remaining authors who participated in the recent Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology, VOYAGERS: THE THIRD GHOST.

If you missed the first part of this feature with the other five authors, you can read about them HERE.

The authors are here to talk about their individual stories that are included in the anthology. Please check back again early next as the anthology publisher will be visiting. First, a brief synopsis of the anthology, IWSG, and then the authors.

VOYAGERS: THE THIRD GHOST

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

* Paperback: 168 pages

* Publisher: Freedom Fox Press (May 5, 2020)

* Language: English

* Print: 9781939844729 $13.95

* eBook: 9781939844736 $4.99

* Juvenile fiction – historical/action & adventure/fantasy & magic

Journey into the past…

Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a voyage of wonder into history. Get ready for an exciting ride!

VOYAGERS: THE THIRD GHOST is available at the following sites:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group:

Author Rebecca M. Douglass

Meet Rebecca M. Douglass, author of A world of Trouble

https://www.ninjalibrarian.com

The Voyagers anthology was one I knew I had to submit to because middle-grade fiction is one of my favorite genres to read or write. I thought writing my story would be a piece of cake, but in fact, I had a bit of a struggle, partly because I didn’t read the requirements carefully at first! Once I got my mind thinking about historical fiction, I knew where I wanted to go, and eventually got there with a story I’d long wanted to write, but that turned out to be rather a different tale than I’d expected. That’s one of the good things about writing for an anthology (and one of the bad ones): you have pre-determined constraints on the type of story, and sometimes that can help you to see where it ought to go. Truly, I can’t think of any negatives to participating in the Voyagers anthology. The opportunity for editorial feedback, exposure, and the change to have my story share space with some other truly fantastic stories makes it a win-win in my book.

Author Beth A. Schuck

Meet Beth Anderson Schuck, author of The Orchard

https://twitter.com/schuck_beth

The Orchard started out as a concept for a full manuscript. To develop my idea, I flipped the narrator to a different character and perspective. The contest gave me an opportunity (and deadline) to test out the concept and see if others were intrigued. Love being part of an anthology as I’ve connected with other authors in my genre.

Author Katharina Gerlach

Meet Katharina Gerlach, author of Winter Days

https://www.katharinagerlach.com

When I started out, sending stories out was a daunting task. I never knew whether they were good enough, especially since no one ever gave feedback. I still did it though. The longer I sent out stories, the less hard it became. I still never know if my stories are any good, but I no longer ponder it. I just do.

Author Charles Kowalski

Meet Charles Kowalski, author of Simon Grey and the Yamamba

https://charleskowalski.com/

“Simon Grey and the Yamamba” is a spin-off from my novel, SIMON GREY AND THE MARCH OF A HUNDRED GHOSTS. The book is a historical fantasy where the main character signs up as a cabin boy on a long sea voyage to escape from his “gift” of seeing ghosts, but when shipwrecked in Tokugawa Japan, needs the help of yokai spirits to find his way home. When I saw that the “Voyagers” anthology was collecting stories that (a) involved journeys into the unknown (b) in the past (c) with some kind of supernatural or fantastical element, I thought Simon Grey was a perfect fit!

Contributing to this anthology has itself been a delightful voyage. It’s been a joy to meet my “shipmates” and hear the stories behind their stories, and I can’t wait to see the finished product when this ghost ship finally sails into port!

Author Louise MacBeath Barbour

Meet Louise MacBeath Barbour, author of Dare, Double Dare

https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com

I was a last-minute entrant in the 2019 anthology contest, beating the deadline with two hours to spare. I broke almost every guideline for what to do when submitting a story. I had struggled for months looking for an idea because I had never written a story for young readers and my previous attempts at writing adventure or fantasy were embarrassing to remember. Early last August I happened to walk past my great-grandmother's house on a visit to Nova Scotia. I suddenly thought of her forbidden room and its locked door in her upstairs hallway. My brother, sisters, and I had never dared to enter that room. The thought of disobeying our formidable great-grandmother and triggering her wrath and disappointment outweighed any curiosity on our part. I began to wonder what would happen if two kids had dared to enter that room. My story of Sara and Kelsey and their unexpected adventure grew out of their sneaking into such a forbidden room. I had no expectation that my story would be selected for the anthology, but I made myself enter it. I had challenged myself to write "Dare Double Dare." I had done it. All I had to do was work up the courage to press "Send." I'm so glad I did! I took an intimidating chance and shocked myself with the result: seeing my story in print!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have you had a chance to meet the other authors involved in the anthology? What do you find is the best thing about reading an anthology?

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Voyagers: The Third Ghost …. Part 1

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming a number of the authors who participated in the recent Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology, VOYAGERS: THE THIRD GHOST.

The authors are here to talk about their individual stories that are included in the anthology. Please check back again later this week and early next as the other authors will visit, along with the anthology publisher. First, a brief synopsis of the anthology, IWSG, and then the authors.

VOYAGERS: THE THIRD GHOST

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

* Paperback: 168 pages

* Publisher: Freedom Fox Press (May 5, 2020)

* Language: English

* Print: 9781939844729 $13.95

* eBook: 9781939844736 $4.99

* Juvenile fiction – historical/action & adventure/fantasy & magic

Journey into the past…

Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a voyage of wonder into history. Get ready for an exciting ride!

VOYAGERS: THE THIRD GHOST is available at the following sites:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group:

Author Sherry Ellis

Meet Sherry Ellis, author of The Ghosts of Pompeii

http://www.sherryellis.org/

The Ghosts of Pompeii is the story of two kids, Bubba and Squirt, who travel through a vortex and end up in Pompeii, Italy. There they meet some ghosts who tell them that the infamous volcano, Mount Vesuvius is about to erupt. It’s their job to warn everyone before it’s too late.

The story was inspired by a trip I took to Italy in 2001. I visited Pompeii and saw the volcano up close and personal. Fortunately, it didn’t erupt when I was there!

I decided to participate in the anthology contest because middle-grade historical fiction is exactly what I like to write. I couldn’t pass it up!

Pros and cons of writing an anthology piece? Cons may be that there are rules and restrictions. You must follow the guidelines because if you don’t, you’re disqualified. Pros would be that having these restrictions really helps you tighten your writing and makes you better at your craft. And of course, if you win, it’s pretty cool!

Author Yvonne Ventresca

Meet Yvonne Ventresca, author of The Third Ghost

http://yvonneventresca.com/blog.html

My story in the Voyagers Anthology is The Third Ghost: Among the darkened, arson-damaged streets of Hoboken in 1981, Lewis stops to help two ghosts until he realizes his own family is in grave danger.

Several years ago, I went on a haunted tour of Grand Central Station as research for my young adult novel, Black Flowers, White Lies. During the tour, the guide told us a ghost story about a girl on the train tracks who is trying to make her way home. The story stuck with me, and for this short story contest, I thought about that girl and what it might be like for someone to meet her on a spooky October night.

I’ve contributed to several anthologies (including Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life), primarily writing young adult fiction. For the Voyagers collection, I liked the challenge of writing for a middle grade audience. Anthology contests are a great opportunity to try new creative outlets.

Author Bish Denham

Meet Bish Denham, author of The Blind Ship

http://bish-randomthoughts.blogspot.com/

The Blind Ship is based on a true story. Because I was raised and have family in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, most of my stories have a strong Caribbean flavor. For research purposes, I have a small collection of books about the history of the area. It was in one of those books, Eyewitness Accounts of Slavery in the Danish West Indies also Graphic Tales of Other Slave Happenings on Ships and Plantations by Isidor Paiewonsky, that I read excerpts from the journal of a twelve-year-old boy named Jacques B. Romaigne. His harrowing account of traveling on a slave ship from France to the island Guadeloupe haunted me for years. And that is the best thing about participating in this anthology, because now, Jacques story, which has been languishing in my files for many years, has finally been told.

Author Roland Clarke

Meet Roland Clarke, author of Feathered Fire

https://rolandclarke.com/

This is the first time I have been in any collection, although I’ve entered a few anthology competitions, mainly IWSG ones. No regrets so only Pros as I’ve met some amazing authors–and an awesome editor. If there is a Con, it’s the extra work, but that’s rewarding.

I was hesitant about attempting a Middle-Grade story but the Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh encouraged me to have a go.

Feathered Fire took wings from my reading about the amazing Soviet airwomen in World War II and my decades-long fascination with Slavic folklore.

Author L.T. Ward

Meet L.T. Ward, author of Return to Cahokia

https://twitter.com/Ltward2

Most of my works are inspired by weather. To whip up my stories, I take long walks where I watch the skies, feel the winds, and allow my mind to wonder about imaginary worlds. Since the story was for a middle-grade audience, I imagined my own children playing in the skies and how they would react to a long journey, as though on the currents of the spring storms. During one stroll, my then 8-year-old niece's request to write her a story about the Cahokia Mounds flooded my brain. I had researched the Mounds for an earlier project, and she wanted more. "Return To Cahokia" was written for her.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Remember to check back later this week and early next week to learn more about the other authors included in the anthology and their stories. Have you ever participated in an anthology?

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Gabe’s Guardian Angel (+ Giveaway)

I am honored to welcome author Beverly Stowe McClure to Thoughts in Progress today to celebrate her latest release, GABE’S GUARDIAN ANGEL.

If you’d like to learn more about the book (and the author) you can follow along on Beverly’s virtual Blog Tour at MCBook Tours. The author is offering a tour-wide giveaway. More information on the giveaway is listed below.

GABE’S GUARDIAN ANGEL
by Beverly Stowe McClure

* Paperback: 214 pages
* Publisher: Freedom Fox Press
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1939844665
* ISBN-13: 978-1939844668

Gabe Montana is clumsy. He's overweight, and he's dyslexic. Worse yet, the bullies make his fifteen-year-old life even more miserable-so miserable he wants to die.

Charley, his guardian angel, says no to that idea and comes up with a different plan. He'll give Gabe self-confidence so he can solve his problems, not run away from them. But Gabe wonders why the angel doesn't just help with the bullies. What's with this self-confidence stuff?

Can Charley help Gabe stand on his own two feet? Will Gabe give up hope life can improve for him? Or will he finally listen to the angel's advice?

GABE'S GUARDIAN ANGEL is available at the following sites:
AMAZONPAPERBACK
AMAZONKINDLE
BARNES AND NOBLE PAPERBACK
BARNESAND NOBLE NOOK BOOK
KOBO

Now for my thoughts on this moving story.

Author Beverly Stowe McClure has crafted an inspiring story for teenagers (as well as adults) who are struggling with bullies and/or low self-esteem.

This is a story that deals with 15-year-old Gabe Montana who is bullied at school, has a weight problem, is dyslexic, and a bit clumsy. To add to Gabe’s woes, his mother is deceased, his father is gone, and he and sister are living with his grandfather. The pressures build-up to the point Gabe considers suicide. The Guardian Angel Charley intercedes giving Gabe a second chance.

The story tells of the stress and burdens teens can feel from their peers. The author weaves the story as to put the reader into the emotions of the characters. She makes the characters plausible drawing you in to cheer the protagonist on and even have compassion for the bullies.

The story flows smoothly as you navigate the pitfalls and troubles of Gabe and teens like him. The author blends despair and hope, failure and triumphs with a good dose of inspiration for a well-balanced tale. This is a story of encouragement for youth, as well as a way to help adults better understand the perils of teens and the cruelty they can inflict.

Author Beverly Stowe McClure

For those who aren’t familiar with the author, here’s a bit of background on her.

Most of the time, you’ll find Award-Winning Author Beverly Stowe McClure at her computer, typing stories young voices whisper in her ears. When she’s not writing, she’s snapping pictures of wildlife, flowers, and clouds.

She’s affectionately known as the “Bug Lady.” She’s not telling why. To relax she plays the piano. Her fur babies don’t appreciate good music and hide when she tickles the ivories.

Beverly is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She also teaches a women’s Sunday school class at her church.

For more on Beverly and her writing visit her at her:
Blog: https://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com
Website: http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com
Twitter @beverlymcclure
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/beverlysmcclure
Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/author/show/11462.Beverly_Stowe_McClure

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Author Beverly Stowe McClure is giving away one print copy of GABE’S GUARDIAN ANGEL to a lucky US winner.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. If the widget doesn’t show up, just click HERE and you’ll be directed to the widget.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to follow Beverly on her week-long tour HERE. You never know what you might find out. Do you remember what it was like as a teen and the pressures from your peers? Was there a bully or a group of bullies in your class that seemed to pick on the weaker/shyer students?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Tick Tock ... Do You Have the Time?

◊ TICK TOCK: A STITCH IN CRIME, An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

◊ Trade Paperback: 204 pages

◊ Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller

◊ Publisher: Freedom Fox Press (May 1, 2018)

◊ Language: English

◊ eBook ISBN: 9781939844552

◊ Print ISBN: 9781939844545

SYNOPSIS:

The clock is ticking...

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

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

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

Sharing one’s thoughts about an anthology can sometimes be a bit tricky. Do you talk about each story or the group as a whole?

With TICK TOCK: A STITCH IN CRIME I’d like to talk about all the stories, and maybe a little about each story.

This is a fascinating collection of stories dealing with time. One thing that makes it so intriguing is the many varying ways time is the key element or focus of the stories. The amazing authors each have their own unique take on time and how it is blended into their story.

This is not a book about time where every story has the same plot with only a few changes here and there. Each story will take readers on their own entertaining and enlightening adventure and hold you spellbound until the very last line.

The writing styles of the authors is different from story to story, but their ability to draw readers into their world is the same – perfect. The remarkable authors as a group weave a well-balanced anthology that will feed a reader’s appetite no matter what genre they prefer.

Looking for riveting stories with stimulating characters and captivating plots, don’t waste another minute before you pick up a copy of TICK TOCK. This anthology is well worth your time.

Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology, Freedom Fox Press, @2018, ISBN: 9781939844545, Trade Paperback, 204 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks for stopping by today. Have your read TICK TOCK yet? Have you ever thought about how time is so much a part of our lives in so many different ways?