Happy Wednesday, everyone! Today, I'm all about the OFFICIAL UTOPiAcon2016 anthology REVOLUTION. You remember voting on the entries back in January/February, right? Well, they've finally been packaged together and made pretty! Below, you'll find out how to get a copy. I also have the honor of highlighting two of the participating authors! Read on!
About the anthology:
REVOLUTION
A 5th Year Anniversary Anthology for UTOPiA
A diverse and celebratory collection of stories based on the theme of Revolution.
With eight stories written in a variety of genres, from Paranormal Romance, to Sci-Fi Dystopia, to Magic Realism, to Political Realism, the anthology, ‘Revolution’ is a page-turning, myriad collection of voices from different times and places, but all with a strong positive message about the power each of us hold to make change in the world.
FOREWORD by Janet Wallace, Founder of UTOPiA
http://www.utopiacon.com/
ABOUT by Carlyle Labuchagne, Founder of Help Build A Library in South Africa Foundation.
http://www.carlylelabuschagne.com/
AUTHORS & STORIES:
Raye Wagner: Narcos
Christina Benjamin: Wings Of Liberty
Jessie Campbell: Sacrifice
Kelly Risser: Rise From The Ashes
Desira Fuqua: Rebellion
Caroline A. Gill: All The Good In The World
Tricia Zoeller: The Last Thunderbird
Nooce Miller: Shattering Glass
PUBLISHER: Little Bird Publishing House. London.
www.thelittlebirdbookstore.com
As the Anthology is a charity project, it’s important that we don’t over-order copies, so that we can maximise the amount of profit going to the ‘Help Build A Library In South Africa Foundation’. Although there will be some copies available on the days of the convention, please help us by pre-ordering and securing your copy using the pre-order form.
ABOUT THE STORIES
Raye Wagner: Narcos
They are invincible. Words spoken so often they are believed to be true. The Narcos follow their own rules. The people, the laws, even the government bow to the power of the drug traffickers. And they will either pay off or kill anyone that stands in their way. An annual twenty-thousand deaths within the blood-soaked borders of Mexico attest to this fact.
In Xtepal, Rai Madra’s life is interrupted by the arrival of the the Narcos. The drug traffickers invade and subdue the small town, but a young Rai turns a blind eye to the growing parasite. As his friends cross the threshold into adulthood, the Narcos pressure each of them to take sides. When tragedy strikes, Rai will need to risk everything to expose the biggest lie of all.
The Narcos are not invincible.
Inspired by actual events in the city of Tepalcatepec, Michoacan, Mexico.
Christina Benjamin: Wings Of Liberty
On a dark and misty night, Paul Revere, Civil War revolutionary, is undertaking what will become his famous midnight ride, only it’s not just enemies lurking in the woods he needs to fear. Beautiful, mercenary witches have aligned themselves with the enemy and are intent on ensuring Paul Revere’s destined dash to the Sons Of Liberty never succeeds.
‘A fun blend of history, magic, love, and revolution.’
Jessie Campbell: Sacrifice
After the nuclear winter wiped out the rest of the planet, the last remaining city is under the dictatorship of the powerful Lord of the Dead. To protect her little brother, a sixteen-year-old girl makes the ultimate sacrifice and volunteers to join the army of dead soldiers. But something goes horribly wrong, and she’s put her family in grave danger. Only a revolution can protect them now...
Kelly Risser: Rise From The Ashes
Over a century and a half ago, a volcano exploded, wiping out life as we know it. A group of scientists and their families escaped to an underground bunker. What had been their salvation is now a prison to Connie, a seventeen-year-old descendent. She longs for freedom, fresh air, and sunshine, and battles the complacency of her friends and family. Like her hero, Amelia Earhart, she will stop at nothing for the sake of adventure.
Desira Fuqua: Rebellion
In an attempt to overthrow a domineering, tyrant-king, Thera and her rebels group together with the hope of returning democracy to their people, but revolution is a bloody endeavor and not without terrible losses. Thera can only hope that the price of freedom is worth it.
Caroline A. Gill: All The Good In The World
Time is running out. Daydreamers, the holders of the portals Between, have always held open the doors of Creation. Now they are all dead - except for Allie, the one woman Joshua, one of the last TimeKeepers, loves more than life. What is the cost of sacrifice? What will he pay for the one he loves?
Tricia Zoeller: The Last Thunderbird
A rebellious girl. An ancient creature. One shot at freedom.
Anna, also known as Little Bird, has experienced terrible loss in her life, but then something triggers a spark in her to question everything she’s known to be true.
As the mining town of Menolark abandons many of its Native American traditions, Anna uncovers a nest of corruption at the heart of their community, which she believes has led to an eternal thunder that threatens to suppress, and ultimately abolish their way of life forever. If anything is to be salvaged, then Anna must defy her elders and undertake a terrifying initiation ceremony.
Nooce Miller: Shattering Glass
An eerie plague decimates the world’s population just as a new ice age strikes the globe. Olympic archer Greer Mason is searching the frozen desolation of North America for her lost love, Boone. A note in his apartment leads her to the ruins of New York City, but the amazing high-rise greenhouse and survivor settlement Greer finds there is not what it seems.
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY:
Open to all those attending UTOPiA (Hamper to be collected from the Anthology Stand)
Hamper prize to include; Signed Paperback copy of ‘Flying Away’ by Caroline Gill, and a signed poster of ‘Mango’. A Signed Paperback copy of 7, and special mystery swag pack from Kelly Risser. An Amazon gift card and Mystery Swag pack from Christina Benjamin. A paperback of Dark Heart Anthology Vol I and II and mystery swag pack From Little Bird Publishing & Katie M. John. An eBook of both Curse of the Sphinx and Demigods and Monsters by Raye Wagner & other swag items
a Rafflecopter giveaway
INTERVIEWS WITH AUTHORS:
RAYE WAGNER AND TRICIA ZOELLER
RAYE WAGNER
Bio:
Raye Wagner grew up just outside of Seattle, Washington. As the second of eight children, she was surrounded by chaos and escaped the mayhem by reading. Raye studied the art of medicine long before she had an interest in the Gods or Mount Olympus, and still practices part-time as a nurse practitioner. One sunny afternoon the myth of the Sphinx dropped into Raye’s mind, and she started writing.
She creates young adult fiction for teens and adults.
Raye enjoys Tae Kwon Do, baking, and spending time with family. She and her husband live in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee with their three children, a dog, and room full of reptiles.
www.rayewagner.com
What is the title of your story in the UTOPiA Anthology?
Narcos
What is your short story about?
It was inspired by actual events in the city of Tepalcatepec, Michoacan, Mexico.
They are invincible. Words spoken so often they are believed to be true. The Narcos follow their own rules. The people, the laws, even the government bow to the power of the drug traffickers. And they will either pay off or kill anyone that stands in their way. An annual twenty thousand deaths within the blood-soaked borders of Mexico attest to this fact.
In Xtepal Rai Madra’s life is interrupted by the arrival of the the Narcos. The drug traffickers invade and subdue the small town, but a young Rai turns a blind eye to the growing parasite. As his friends cross the threshold into adulthood, the Narcos pressure each of them to take sides. When tragedy strikes, Rai will need to risk everything to expose the biggest lie of all.
The Narcos are not invincible.
Was this a familiar genre / style for you?
No! I had to do a lot of research on the drug trade/traffickers, and was floored by what I found. By virtue of the subject matter, the story is mostly dark and heavy (although I tried to keep it from being graphically so), and writing it felt at times the same. But the story had to be told. It hounded and persisted in haunting me until it was written. Truth is, it still haunts me.
How did the story come to you?
My husband saw a video on YouTube about a small town in Mexico that kicked out all the drug traffickers. I wanted to tell their story, but I don’t speak Spanish, so I relied on Jason to sum up what Dr. Mireles said in his youTube video. I tried to stay true to the thematic elements of the beginning of their revolution, although everything else is fiction. The characters came to me very clearly, as well as their individual parts. There is a lot more to the story, and at one point I thought I would write two books. Maybe some day I will.
What book / series are you best known for?
Curse of the Sphinx is my debut novel, released August 2015. The second in the series, Demigods and Monsters, comes out April 25, 2016. It is YA urban fantasy/mythology.
UTOPiA and You:
When my neighbor texted me about a writing conference in here in Nashville in 2012 I had just finished my first draft of Curse of the Sphinx. Little did I know how much that conference would change my writing path. I fangirled for the first time, bonded with authors I’m still friends with, and found a local writing group that has provided invaluable feedback for my writing. Utopia is the reason I am where I am today.
Post Script: My Authorly Advice.
Take risks. Take big scary risks. In your writing, in your marketing, and in your relationships. Ask for help. Seriously. And when you can, pay for help. Surround yourself with those that buoy you up, because you’ll need it on this path of writing. Being an author isn’t a solitary journey. Far from it. If it is, you’re probably doing something wrong (or maybe a lot of things).
There’s a lot to say to someone starting the path, but most wisdom comes from experience. So take risks, put yourself out there, find friends. Find editors, graphic designers, proofreaders, critique partners, marketing gurus… But mostly find friends. And take those leaps!
~~~~~
TRICIA ZOELLER
Bio:
Tricia lives in Marietta, Georgia with her husband, Lou, her little yappy dog, Lola Belle, and her big orange mutant cat, George. Her two stepsons, Joseph and Robert, make stopovers as well, making sure to keep life an adventure.
Writing has always been a part of her life—like breathing and chocolate. She tells stories full of mystery, magic, and mayhem. Urban fantasy First Born grips the reader from the first page, bringing him/her on a harrowing adventure, chock full of Chinese mythology.
The Darkling Chronicles, comprised of five novellas, features a portal story for the Young Adult/New Adult audience. Step through the portal to a world full of shadowcasters, dragon lords, nymphs, sprites, and satyrs.
www.triciazoeller.com
https://www.facebook.com/Tricia-Zoeller-Author-439025286173082/
https://twitter.com/tzoellerwriter
https://www.instagram.com/triciazoeller/
http://www.amazon.com/Tricia-Zoeller/e/B00D9FAH8S
What is the title of your story in the UTOPiA Anthology?
The Last Thunderbird
What is your short story about?
A rebellious girl…an ancient creature…one shot at freedom.
Anna or Little Bird has experienced quite a bit of loss in her life.
At the beginning of the story, something triggers a spark in her to question everything she’s known to be true. The more she uncovers, the more she questions.
The mining town of Menolark has embraced the wealth of the mines but forgotten many Native American traditions. No matter the sacrifice, people have become complacent in following their leader, Mayor John, who consults divining crystals for guidance.
Her grandmother, Awenasa, believes Mayor John brought the eternal thunder into their world by honoring those traditions that serve him and ignoring the rest. This perversion of their customs has reduced the values of the people and suppressed their free will. Anna finds herself having to choose between what’s expected and what’s right.
Was this a familiar genre / style for you?
Yes. I love fantasy and things steeped in mythology. I also love strong female characters so the theme of rebellion spoke to me.
How did the story come to you?
I live in Georgia and am surrounded by the history of the Cherokee. I knew I wanted a story with a Native American feel. I started researching mythology. I kept thinking about a creature and a mountain. My husband hikes all the time and has a library of nonfiction books about Native Americans. I asked him if he’d run across anything about a mountain. He brought back his hiking map with information about Standing Indian Mountain. It sparked my imagination, and I was off and running.
What book / series are you best known for?
First Born and The Darkling Chronicles.
What’s your UTOPiA experiences?
I went to UTOPiA for the first time last year. It’s like coming home. Writing can be such an isolating process, but it’s great to commune with kindred spirits and recharge your batteries. I hope I can attend almost every year.
I’m honored to be in this anthology with such gifted authors and to serve such a wonderful cause. When I met Carlyle last year and found out about building a library in South Africa, I was so moved and inspired. I think she represents everything UTOPiA is about—innovation, giving back, and lifting while you climb.
Well, there they are, folks! Wooohooo! I hope you grab yours. You better BET I grabbed mine!
Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
